May 9, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 9 MAY 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 100+ RAF Vengeances, P-51s and B-25s hit positions and occupied areas at Moirang, Kanglatongbi, Myothit and SE of Palel, and severely damage a bridge over the Uyu River near Nawngpu-awng; Mogaung Valley targets, including targets in support of ground forces near Kamaing, are pounded by 60+ B-25s, A-36s, P-51s and P-40s; 9 P-51s hit troops and gun positions at Mawlu and Namkwin and hit the Nalong area; 3 B-24s blast the barracks area at Nagorn Sawarn while 3 P-51s hit Anisakan Airfield, destroying or damaging 20+ trucks, 2 aircraft and a locomotive; 8 B-24s lay mines in the Moulmein area, 2 others make a diversionary strike on Martaban, and 5 mine the Mergui waterfront.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): HQ 33d Fighter Group moves from Shwangliu to Pungchacheng, China.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the night of 8/9 May B-24s stage through Kwajalein to bomb Truk. B-25s from Makin hit Wotje and Jaluit using Majuro as a rearming point between attacks.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 33 fighter-bombers pound the airfield at Lakunai Airfield; fighter sweeps over New Ireland and New Britain continue. On Bougainville, 30+ P-39s and P-38s hit barges in the Porton-Chabai area, huts at Kieta and an ammunition dump south of Aitara Mission; Ten P-38s and twelve B-25s bomb Bonis Airfield and nearby targets of opportunity in Buka Passage.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 50+ B-24s and B-25s bomb Langgoer Airfield and Faan Airfield, Bosnik supply area and Mokmer Airfield; 220+ A-20s and fighter-bombers continue to blast numerous targets of opportunity along the northeast coastline from Wewak to the Hansa Bay area. Twelve B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Woleai. Lost is B-25D "Slapy" 41-30165 pilot 2nd Lt Howard F. Rhode (KIA).