MONDAY, 31 JANUARY 1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Five bombers fly a negative sea-search
mission in the Aleutians.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): US Army and
USMC troops land on Kwajalein
Atoll, under overall command of Admiral Raymond A Spruance, the USAAF hits
other atolls. Nineteen A-24s bomb Mille Airfield, over which P-39's and P-40's
maintain all-day cover and harassment; nine P-40's carry out a strafing mission
against Jaluit; during the night of 31 Jan/1 Feb, 8 B-24's, attacking
at intervals, bomb Wotje.
USMC: Marines land at Kwajalein
Island.
USN: Aircraft from the carriers flew cover and anti-submarine
patrols for attack shipping and assisted two fast carrier groups, providing
air support for landings on Kwajalein. Sunk is "Ski Area Dolphin Wreck".
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 40+ Allied fighters cover
a strike by USN dive bombers on Tobera; 8 enemy aircraft are claimed
shot down; this strike is immediately followed by an attack by 17 B-24's, with
fighter support, on the same target. The detachment of the 17th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), operating
from Munda Airfield with F-5's returns to Guadalcanal.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20's attack Uligan Harbor and P-39's strafe Bogadjim, Bostrem Bay, and landing strip at Alexishafen. B-24's hit a motor vessel off Ceram. 89th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group, transfers from Dobodura to Nadzab with A-20's.
