November 19, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): Three B-24s bomb Samah Bay docks. In China, 10 B-25s damage 2 buildings N of Chefang and score hits on bridges at Tingka and Wan Lai-Kam, Burma; 8 P-40s and P-38s hit targets of opportunity S of Tingka and Chefang; Nineteen P-40s blast troops and river, rail, and road traffic in the Hankow area; 27 P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s hit numerous targets of opportunity in the Mangshih area. The 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Chanyi, sends a flight to operate from Suichwan with F-5s.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 P-47s support ground forces attacking Bhamo and fighting in the Pinwe area; 36 P-47s pound enemy concentrations at Man Mao, Sekang, and Manlu. Transports fly 290 sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Five B-24s from Guam on armed reconnaissance over Iwo Jima and bomb airfields on Iwo Jima while 15 hit shipping at Chichi Jima and Haha Jima. 1 B-24 from Angaur Airfield bombs Legaspi Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Alicante and Palompon on Leyte while P-47s hit the Valencia, Mindanao and Ormoc. 90th BG B-24s bomb Libby Airfield, lost is is B-24J 44-41258 pilot 2nd Lt. John R. Cunningham (MIA); others bomb airfields at Sasa on Mindanao and Sidate, Mapanget, and Borebore. B-25s and A-20s hit airfields and shipping in the Ceram Island-Ambon Island-Boeroe Island area. B-25s and A-20s hit targets on Asia Island. Units moving to Leyte: HQ 312th Bombardment Group and the 386th Bombardment Squadron, 387th Bombardment Squadron, 388th Bombardment Squadron and 389th Bombardment Squadron from Hollandia with A-20s; 2d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Owi with B-24s; 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group from Hollandia; 403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Owi with B-24s.

USN: USS Cabot (CVL-28) carrier planes strike Batangas Airfield and Lipa Airfield. Lost is TBM Avenger 46355 pilot Lt. John H. Ballantine Jr. (MIA) exploding over the runway of Lipa Airfield (West Lipa).

VSS: P-39Q 44-2911 (MIA) force landed onto Lake Mart-Yavr southeast of Luostari Airfield.