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

TUESDAY, 2 MAY 1944

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): Three B-24s claim two freighters sunk in the south end of Formosa Straits.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok and Kwajalein bomb Truk during the night. During the day, B-25s based on Makin hit Jaluit and Wotje, using Majuro as a shuttle base to rearm between strikes. B-25s from Engebi pound Ponape. Lost is A-24B Banshee 42-54521 pilot 2nd Lt. Leslie R. Arnold (KIA).

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville, Twenty-two P-39s bomb a village north of Kieta, Kieta Airfield and buildings of Koromira and Rigu Missions and eight P-40s also hit the Kieta area. On New Britain, fighter sweeps over the Rabaul area continue; fighter-bombers hit the Vunakambi Plantation supply area with incendiaries and B-25s pound the Talili area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 140+ A-20s and fighter-bombers hit bridges, barges, gun positions, roads, personnel, supplies, huts and tent areas from Wewak to Hansa Bay throughout the day; two B-25s bomb airfields at Wewak Airfield and Boram Airfield; 8 others hit Wakde Island oil stores, huts, AA positions, trucks, and other targets of opportunity. Two B-24s bomb the airfield on Biak.