July 4, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology
TUESDAY, 4 JULY 1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 30+ P-40s continue support of ground
forces near Myitkyina; 20+ P-47s and P-51s fly an offensive sweep over the Lashio area, patrol the Mogaung area, and bomb targets of opportunity at Taungni, Nampadaung,
and Mogaung; 4 B-25s hit bridges and railroad tracks in the Hopin and Naba areas.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 38 B-25s and 74 fighter-bombers pound
targets throughout the Tungting Lake-Yangtze River region and in the Yellow
River and Canton areas; river shipping is hit hard, particularly along the Siang-Chiang
River; troop concentrations, road traffic, and general targets of opportunity
are hit at many locations; towns bombed include Shasi, Lukou, Yungfengshih,
Liling, Siangtan,and Yuhsien; Hengyang Airfield is bombed and supplies are dropped
to Chinese troops in the area; airfields and warehouses in the Canton area are
bombed and targets of opportunity at Linfen, Wenhsi, and Puchou in the Yellow
River region are strafed.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s from Saipan fly
fighter-bomber missions against forces on Saipan, Tinian, Aguijan and Rota. B-24s staging through Eniwetok pound Truk.
USN: Carrier Raid against Iwo Jima and bombardment. F6F Hellcats from USS Wasp CV-18 are intercepted by A6M5 Zeros of
the 301 Kokutai. Lost is F6F
43041 pilot Nisi (MIA), F6F 41879 pilot Dougherty (MIA), F6F 40259 piloted by Hancock (MIA), F6F 40317 pilot Loomis (MIA)
and Lt(jg) Wilson (rescued). VB-1 Helldivers attack Chichi Jima. Lost is SBC2 01169 piloted by Hintz (MIA/POW).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On the ground at Nadzab Airfield while being serviced, A-20G "Pistol Packin Mama" 43-9391 a battery spark started a fire in the bomb bay as the plane caught fire and exploded exploded in its revetment and damaged ten other parked A-20s including A-20G 43-21627. A-20s
continue support of Allied ground forces pushing E and SE from the Kamiri Airfield area and taking Kamiri and Kornasoren Airfield;
P-47s strafe targets of opportunity on Biak while B-24s bomb Efman Airfield; other aircraft bomb and strafe troops east of Maffin
Bay; personnel areas at But and Dagua and barges at Wewak Point are also attacked;
and the 388th Bombardment Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group,
moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s. B-24s hit shipping and airfields Ambon-Ceram
area. B-24s bomb Yap and hit Woleai Airfield and Sorol and Peleliu Airfield.
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