December 30, 1944
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 30 DECEMBER 1944

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-24s damage a bridge W of Kengtung, China while 2 others NE of Thanh Moi, French Indochina, damage a bridge, railroad tracks, and 40+ boxcars. 40+ P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance attack targets of opportunity at several points including areas around Mong Nawng, Man Pong, and Mong Long, Burma; and Ka-chun, Shanhsien, Ichang, and Shayang, China.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-47s knock out and damage bridges at Man Pwe, Ho-hko (2 bridges), and Inailong; 17 B-25s blast a troop and supply area at Kyatpyin; 28 P-47s and P-38s hit troops, supplies,
and areas of enemy activity at Myethin, Manna, Nanponpon, Lawa, Sabenago, Hmattawmu, and Hosi. Transports complete 338 sorties to forward areas. 4 B-25s continue a single-plane offensive reconnaissance over communications
lines during the night of 30/31 Dec.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Fourteen B-24s from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima which is hit again over an almost 7-hour period during the night of 30/31 Dec by 9 B-24s singly operating from Guam.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In the principal action of the day, fighter-bombers pound airfields in the C Philippine Islands, N Borneo, and N and SW Celebes Island while B-25s hit a barge anchorage and supplies at Haroekoe Island. Smaller strikes by B-25s, B-24s, and fighter-bombers are flown against shipping, oil targets, airfields, and targets of opportunity throughout the Philippine Islands and the Netherland East Indies. HQ 322d Troop Carrier Wing is activated at Hollandia, New Guinea. Units moving from Leyte to San Jose: HQ 3d Bombardment Group and the 8th, 13th, 89th and 90th Bombardment Squadrons from Dulag with A-20s; Headquarters Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter Squadron and 9th Fighter Squadron from Tacloban with P-38s; and HQ 58th Fighter Group from San Roque.