WEDNESDAY, 8 MARCH 1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians, bombers fly negative search
and patrol missions for an enemy submarine; B-24s fly cover for a convoy en
route from Adak to Shemya.
CBI: In NCAC area, Gen Stilwell orders coordinated assault on encircled enemy in Walawbum area, but communication difficulties prevent the various units from complying. On W, Ch 22d Div is fighting near Kumnyen Ford. 113th Regt, Ch 38th Div, is at Wesu Ga. 1st Prov Tank Gp, after constructing ford across Nambyu Stream, enters Walawbum, but lacking infantry support pulls back to Nambyu Stream for night. Communications between Gen Stilwell and GALAHAD are restored late in evening and Merrill is ordered to halt.
11 Army Group: In British Fourteenth Army area, Japanese launch strong drive on Imphal, in 4 Corps sector, a week before it is anticipated by SEAC, thrusting northward toward Tiddim and Tamu.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma,
28 P-51s hit the airfields at Anisakan, Shwebo, and Onbauk, destroying 30+
Japanese aircraft; later 5 B-25s and 2 P-51s hit Shwebo, scoring hits along
the runway and in the dispersal area and leaving several Japanese aircraft
aflame; 3 B-25s hit 2 bridges at Lalawng Ga and Warazup, knocking out the latter;
and 16 A-36s and P-51s hit targets of opportunity from Chanmoi to Shaduzup.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based
at Kunming with P-51s sends a detachment to operate from Nanning.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s striking from Makin bomb Ponape and Kusaie. A-24s and P-40s, also from Makin bomb and strafe runway at Mille Airfield and AA positions at Mille. Tarawa based B-25s pound Wotje.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s carry out a number
of low-level strikes as Allied ground forces capture Lombrum Plantation, virtually completing the capture of Manus island. 70+ B-24s,
B-25s, and A-20s bomb Nubia Airfield and Awar Airfield; the bombers and escorting fighters
claim 17 aircraft shot down in the Wewak area, lost is B-24D "Sunshine" 42-41225 pilot 1st Lt Leo M. Jennings (MIA).
On a fighter sweep over Aitape attacking barges, lost is P-38J 42-103987 (MIA). Fighters continue to strafe coastal targets in NE New Guinea and on New Britain. 822d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab with B-25s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 23 B-24s
and 23 B-25s pound Rabaul,
blasting Chinatown and the wharf area; 46 P-40s and P-39s pound the dock
area east of Rabaul;
Nine P-38s, turning back from Rabaul bomb Buka Airfield. 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium),
42d Bombardment Group (Medium), based in the Renard Field with B-25s begins operating from Stirling. Lost is B-25D 42-87320 pilot Captain Edwin M. Shanks (rescued).
IJA: Japanese Army artillery emplaced near Hill
250, Hill 600
and
other
locations
began
bombarding the
beachhead
at Torokina and Piva Airfield on Bougainville. They destroy a parked B-24 Liberator and three fighters and damage 19 planes. Allied bombers, except for small local support force, withdraw south to New Georgia. This bombardment proceeded a three-pronged assault against the American perimeter by infantry.
U.S. Army:
XIV Corps corps artillery, augmented by naval gunfire and air attacks begin counterbattery fire. During the night, Japanese infantry, roughly two companies begin attacking Hill 700 in the 37th Infantry zone.
The
41st Infantry Division (41st ID) begins moving from Australia to Cape Cretin in New Guinea, where it is to stage for the upcoming invasion of Hollandia.
The
7th Cavalry, 2d Squadron secures Lombrum Plantation on Los Negros and supply vessels enter Seeadler Harbor.
The 126th Infantry Regiment (126th IR) occupies Bau Plantation on the north coast of New Guinea.
USN: Lost is PBY Catalina 48259 pilot Lt(jg) Cark Burkhardt (MIA).
USMC: 5th Marines advances toward Talasea almost unopposed and scouts find their objective free of enemy.
