December 9, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 9 DECEMBER 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, twelve B-25s bomb Lipo, Tuhshan, and Hochih; a B-25 attacks a truck convoy in the Siang-Chiang Valley while a B-24 claims one cargo ship sunk in the South China Sea; 19 P-40s and P-51s hit river, road, and rail shipping and other targets of opportunity from Kweiyi to Siangtan; 65 P-51s and P-40s hit similar targets of opportunity around Kweilin, Liuchow, Lingling, Hengyang, Tuhshan, and Chuchou; 50 more fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity at several other locations scattered throughout S China.

Burma: In NCAC area, Japanese forces from Tonk-wa reach Mohlaing, where Ch 22d Div CP is located. U.S. 475th Inf, which is arriving in this area, joins Chinese in counterattack that restores positions. 113th Regt, Ch 38th Div, has been unable to penetrate into Bhamo; 114th adopts American suggestion of taking full advantage of supporting arty and aircraft and is working forward methodically in N defenses. S of Bhamo, elements of Ch 90th Regt, 30th Div, become isolated during Japanese counterattack.

China: Failure of 2 Ch armies (5th and 53d) to concentrate for defense of Kunming endangers success of ALPHA plan and brings protest from Gen Wedemeyer to Chiang Kai-shek, who replies that he is keeping the 5th back to defend Kunming.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-47s knock out a bridge at Mongmit, damage another and blast approach to the Namyao bridge; villages and building areas, supply dumps, and targets of opportunity are attacked at Man Mao, Etgyi, Namhsim, Tawma and other points in N Burma. Transports continue flying men and supplies to forward areas, completing nearly 300 sorties.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): During the night of 9/10 Nov, two B-24s from Saipan fly harassment strikes against Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Borneo, B-24s bomb the Lingkas tank farm, Dondang River bridge and Sanga Sanga oil installations, and 3 airfields in Ambon-Ceram area. P-38s hit Old Namlea Airfield. B-25s attack the Wasile Bay area.

U.S. Army: On Leyte, U.S. Sixth Army: In X Corps area, 112th Cav continues efforts to dislodge enemy from ridge SE of Limon and to cut enemy's supply line. In XXIV Corps area, convoy arrives with supplies and rest of 306th Inf, 77th Div. 307th Inf, passing 1st Bn of 306th Inf through 2d Bn of that refit, continues toward Camp Downes and takes it. 3d Bn, 306th Inf, is committed to protect E and center of beachhead. 305th Inf secures region NE of Camp Downes and protects NE flank of div. 2d Bn of 511th Para Inf, 11th A/B Div, joins 3d Bn at Mahonag, from which patrols are being sent out. 1st Bn, 149th Inf, drives N across Buri airstrip but is forced back to S edge by enemy fire. 1st Bn, 382d, probes to locate enemy and contains night counterattack against its perimeter.

IJN: Japanese land reinforcements at Palompon.