July 20, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 20 JULY 1944

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): P-40s attack targets in the Myitkyina area. In India, the 82d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Pandaveswar to Fenny with B-25s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In the Tungting Lake area of China, 11 B-24s bomb the E half of Changsha, causing heavy destruction; 140+ P-40s and P-51s attack river shipping and road traffic at several locations throughout the region, pound supply villages S of Changsha and Sinshih, bomb a motor pool at Tsungyang, hit the warehouse area at Siangtan, and attack troop compounds and gun positions north of Hengyang and at Leiyang and Chaling.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s pound Tinian. B-25s from Engebi bomb Ponape.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s hit the airfield and AA guns at Manokwari and AA at Moemi; B-25s hit shipping off Sorong, in Kaiboes Bay, and off Misool Island, and bomb Kasim Island; A-20s support Allied ground forces in the Sarmi sector; A-20s and a B-25 bomb supply dumps at Cape Moem, Wom, and Sauri while fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity along the Yakamul coastal road and troops on Kairiru Island; and the 63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group moves from Nadzab to Owi, with B-24s. B-24s bomb the western part of Yap Town (Colonia) and Namlea Airfield and shipping in Kayeli Bay. B-25s hit shipping at Dili.

JAAF: Ki-46-II Dinah (KIA) is shot down by RAAF Spitfires from No. 54 Squadron over Truscott.