March 7, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 7 MARCH 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians, B-24s and B-25s fly a negative search mission for an enemy submarine.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ P-51s and A-36s on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity from Walawbum to Shaduzup; 2 B-25s hit troop concentrations NW of Shaduzup and another attacks road bridge and barges near Shwebo and along the Irrawaddy River; offensive reconnaissance over several airfields in Burma results in no major action.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Abemama hit Kusaie and Jaluit. P-40s bomb and strafe Mille Airfield. B-25s pound runways, AA positions, storage areas, and barracks on Taroa.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s, with USN fighter support, hit Tobera Airfield; 19 P-40s bomb and strafe Rabaul. 24 B-24s and 14 P-38s hit Panapai Airfield. Fighter aircraft pound tactical targets on Bougainville including Koromira Mission, a supply area on the Jaba River, and bivouac S of the Maririei River near Menoavi.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s and B-25s continue to hit targets on Los Negros and other of the Admiralty and bomb Boram Airfield. P-38s and RAAF aircraft attack targets in the Talasea area. 823d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab with B-25s.

USN: Sunk is PT-337. Lost on a bombing mission against Kapingamarangi Lagoon is PB4Y-1 "Whata-Honey" 32079 (MIA).

USMC: Lost is FG-1A Corsair 13262 pilot Lt. Beacon (survived).