SATURDAY, 19 AUGUST 1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians, a weather sortie and
a four plane shipping sweep are flown with negative results.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 P-47s support ground forces SW of
Thaikwagon; and 4 others strafe trucks carrying troops between Bhamo and Myothit.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 B-24s bomb Puchi, severely damaging
the warehouse area; 11 B-25s hit Sienning; 3 hit railroad tracks and runway
north of Hengyang; and 70+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack river
shipping, troops, trucks, and other targets of opportunity at or near Pengtse, Hengyang, Chaling, Yoyang, Siangtan, and Changsha.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s from Saipan bomb
installations on Anatahan and drop fire bombs on Tinian to aid ground forces in mopping-up operations.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Weather restricts
operations. In New Guinea, P-40s bomb the port of Napido; P-39s bomb and strafe
coastal positions along the west shore of Geelvink Bay; A-20s operating in force
in support of ground troops pound targets in the Sawar-Sarmi sector; P-39s
support ground forces in Wewak area; HQ 86th Fighter Wing moves from Toem to Sansapor; and the 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
moves from Momote to Wakde with B-24s.
USMC: Mrs. Hanson, mother of 1st Lt Robert M. Hanson who went Missing In Action (MIA) February 3, 1944 was presented his Medal of Honor by Major General Lewie G. Merritt in Boston, Massachusetts.
