May 10, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 10 MAY 1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The Eleventh directs its components to place more emphasis on photographing and bombing of specific targets instead of general reconnaissance.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS: In a drive to free the Burma Road, Chinese troops cross the Salween River on a 100-mi (160 km) front and attack Japanese positions in N Burma.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 70+ B-25s, A-36s, P-51s, P-40s and 10 B-24s blast numerous targets, concentrating on barracks and storage in the Myitkyina-Mogaung vicinity and also hitting gun positions and bridges at Kamaing and railroad siding and buildings at Mohnyin; 16 P-38s destroy several aircraft in strikes on Aungban and Kangaung Airfields.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): P-40s sink 6 large junks and damage several others in Fan Tou Bay, China and destroy several trucks between Wan Pa-Hsa and Mong Ho Pung, Burma. 28 P-40s bomb Tengchung, China town area, strafe a nearby truck convoy, damage bridges at Tingka, China; Bac Le, French Indochina; and Hsenwi, Burma; hit a power dam at Tasa, French Indochina; bomb a tank and truck dispersal area at Hsiangcheng, China; and hit 30+ railroad cars at Lang Giai, Dong Dang and Na Cham, French Indochina.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Wake during the night of 9/10 May. During the day, B-25s from Engebi bomb Ponape while B-25s based at Makin raid Jaluit and Wotje.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 41 fighter-bombers attack Tobera Airfield; eleven B-25s hit Matupi; fighters on a sweep, hit trucks W of Keravat. On Bougainville, 4 B-25s bomb Majuai Mission; 61 P-39s (some back from the Tobera strike) and 12 P-40s attack targets throughout the Bougainville area, including a bridge over the Crepers River, a supply area at Mawareka, a barge at Chabai, a village on Schwarze Point, a pillbox at Gohi and the general area of Porton Plantation. Lost is SBD Dauntless NZ5051 (MIA).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 120+ B-24s, A-20s and fighter-bombers, along with RAAF aircraft, maintain attacks on targets of opportunity along the northeast coast from the Hansa Bay area to Wewak; 2 B-24s hit Mokmer Airfield. 45 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb the Eten Airfield and warehouse area at Dublon.

RNZAF: Lost is TBF-1C Avenger NZ2541 pilot Flying Officer Alan Bailey (MIA).