SATURDAY, 29 JANUARY 1944
CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 B-24's, supported by 16 P-38's,
bomb gasoline plants at Yenangyaung, causing large fires; 1 B-24 later bombs Akyab; 6 B-25's attack bridges at Meza and Pyintha, damaging the former and
blasting railroad approaches to the latter.
USN - Four groups of Task Force 58 under the command of Rear Admiral M. A. Mitscher,
opened the campaign to capture the Marshalls with heavy air attacks
on Maloelap, Kwajalein, and Wotje. On the first day the defending enemy air
forces were eliminated and complete control of the air was maintained by carrier
aircraft during the entire operation.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): As a US invasion force approaches
the Marshalls, B-24s attacking from bases in the Gilberts maintain day and
night attacks (both multiple-plane missions and single-plane attacks at intervals)
against Maloelap, Jaluit, Aur, Wotje, and Mille. 9 B-25's
from Tarawa also carry out a strike against shipping and shore
installations at Wotje. 18 A-24s, supported by 12 P-40s, hit Jaluit. Twelve P-39s
operating in flights of four aircraft, patrol and strafe Mille all day to deny
the use of Mille Airfield to the enemy.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): About 60
Allied fighters cover a strike by 40 USN dive bombers on Tobera, lost is TBF Avenger 47748; Lakunai Airfield is pounded by 19 B-24's, escorted by P-38's and USN fighters; at Tobera and Lakunai, Allied aircraft claim 20+ Japanese shot down.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 40+ B-25's bomb Bogia and Nubia Airfield. 45 A-20's hit positions in the Cape Gloucester area. B-17E 41-2458 ground looped at Finschafen Airfield and afterwards was repaired.
USN: Avengers attack Taroa. Lost is TBF 06175 (KIA), TBF 06213 pilot Lt. Donald R. Simensen (MIA), TBF 06175, TBF 06265 and TBM 25199.
