April 2, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 2 APRIL 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, twelve P-40s bomb Kamaing while 6 P-51s over the Katha area hit trucks near Bhamo and a storage area at Indaw.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): Two B-24s on a sea sweep from Hong Kong to Formosa bomb a 215' ship reported sunk and damage a large motor launch.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (XX Bomber Command): First operational B-29, piloted by Colonel Leonard F Harman, lands at Chakulia. HQ 40th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) arrives at Chakulia from the US.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Eniwetok, hit Truk during the night of 1/2 April. During the day B-25s bomb Jaluit and Maloelap.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 31 B-24s fly a strike against Dublon causing considerable damage to the warehouse and dock areas; the bombers claim 30+ fighters downed. Four B-24s are lost including B-24J 42-73148 (MIA), B-24J 42-73150 (MIA), B-24J 42-73142 (MIA) and B-24J #452 crash landed returning with 1 dead and 9 wounded. 40+ fighter-bombers over Rabaul hit the SE part of Rabaul, the Toboi Wharf area, and northern section of Rabaul along the Malaguna Road; and seven B-25s hit Raluana Point while 23 pound Lakunai Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 120+ bombers and fighters continue to hit targets in areas around Wewak, Hansa Bay, Madang, Bogadjim, and other points along the NE coastline. B-25s hit Dili and Penfoei and Rambutyo Island, Bismarck Archipelago. 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, moves from Dobodura to Saidor with P-47s. Lost is P-70 42-33143 (MIA) on a supply drop near Bogia. Crashed on take off is B-24D "Frisky" 42-40667 (1 missing).