March 16, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 16 MARCH 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Three B-24s take off from Shemya shortly before midnight 15/16 Mar to fly armed reconnaissance over Matsuwa, but turn back prematurely. Some of the bombers jettison their bombloads over the target area.

CBI: Adm Mountbatten confirms verbal order of 13th for diverting Hump aircraft. Gen Stilwell asks Gen Marshall to urge Chinese to cross the Salween in order to relieve pressure on NCAC and Br Fourteenth Army fronts. In Mawlu area of central Burma, 77th Brig, Special Force, successfully engages enemy; blocks communication lines leading to N Burma; establishes airstrip.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Six B-25s damage a bridge at Nattalin near Rangoon.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 P-40s on a Yangtze River sweep damage 2 launches near Yoyang and pound barracks and storage at Sienning.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Tarawa and Abemama pound Wotje and Mille and Ormed.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 13 B-24s bomb Vunakanau Airfield, and 12 B-25s follow with a raid on Vunakanau radar installations; 9 B-25s, 12 P-39s, and 11 P-40s hit Vunapope supply areas. P-38s from 12th Fighter Squadron (12th FS) observed a Ki-46 Dinah observed taking off from Vunakanau Airfield and was shot down three miles to the south by eight P-38s led by Major Francis L. Daugherty. 10 P-38s attack Tavui Point while 11 B-25s pound the northern edge of Simpson Harbor; and seven P-38s strafe barges west of Raluana Point. At Monoitu Mission, a raid by B-24s demolishes several buildings.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 70+ B-24s, B-25s and A-20s hit AA positions, buildings and salvage dumps at Wewak and Brandi Plantation; 19 B-25s bomb personnel and storage areas at Nubia; and B-24s and Catalinas attack a Japanese convoy near Hollandia. Other B-24s bomb docks and factory area at Soerabaja. 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group moves from 14 Mile Drome to Nadzab with F-5s.

U.S. Army: 1st Cavalry Division, 8th Cav, with tank support, continues twin drives on Lorengau Airfield on Manus Island. On Road No. 3, 1st Sq pushes about half way across the runway against tenacious resistance and is then relieved by 1st Sq of 7th Cav. 2d Sq drives NE along Road No. 1 toward the Lorengau Airfield. During the night of March 16-17, softening fire is placed on enemy positions. On Los Negros, elements of 1st Sq, 12th Cav, make unopposed landing at Chaporowan Pt. 5th Cav forces continue to extend perimeter westward.

USMC: Marines clash with enemy for last time upon entering Kilu, on E coast of Willaumez Peninsula N of Numundo Plantation.