March 12, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 12 MARCH 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 50+ P-40s, A-36s, and P-51s, along with a single B-25, pound troops and supply areas at Shedwiyang and near Kamaing, bomb the town of Shaduzup, and hit storage areas near Manywet and Malakawng.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Tarawa bomb Mille, Wotje and Maloelap and Nauru. B-25s hit Jaluit.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 22 B-25s, with USN fighter cover, pound the Rabaul area, concentrating on the north rim of Simpson Harbor; 18 B-24s, with USN fighter cover, follow with a strike against Rabaul customs wharf area; the B-24 strike is followed by an attack on the town area of Rabaul by 64 P-40s, P-38s, and P-39s. Missing is P-39Q 44-2451.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Twelve B-25s hit enemy positions and communication at Lorengau as landings on small offshore continue with a beachhead being established on Hauwei. 40+ B-24s B-25s, and A-20s hit the Wewak area including Boram Airfield. Lost was A-20G 42-86625 (MIA), A-20G 42-86618 (MIA), A-20G 42-86730 (MIA), A-20G 42-86747 (crew rescued), A-20G 42-86614 (crew rescued), A-20G 42-86778 (crew rescued) and A-20G "A Touch of Texas" 43-9623 (crew rescued). Lost on a ferry flight is B-24J 42-100205 (KIA). 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group, moves from Dobodura to Nadzab with B-24s.