TUESDAY, 16 JANUARY 1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25s and 8 P-40s destroy a train north of Hankow and 8 B-25s pound Wanting. 180+ P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over vast expanses of China south of the Yangtze River and from the Burma border to the South China Sea attack numerous targets of opportunity; the Muse, Burma and Wanting and Changsha, China areas are hit especially hard.
Burma: In NCAC area, U.S. 5332d Brig gets into position for attack on Burma Road in Namhpakka area, between Hsenwi and Wanting. 114th Regt, Ch 38th Div, continues toward Namhkam-Namhpakka trail, reaching Ta-kawn.
China: China Theater is notified that B-29's will be moved to the Marianas.
INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s attack a troop concentration and supply dump at Namtoi; 15 P-47s support ground forces near Yenya-u and S of Shadaw; 22 bomb airfields at Anisakan and Nawnghkio; a troop concentration, supplies, town areas, vehicles, and other targets are attacked by 40+ fighter-bombers; the 71st Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF [attached to
1st Liaison Group (Provisional)] moves from Sahmaw to Katha with UC-64s, L-1s, L-4s and L-5s. Transports fly 550 sorties to forward areas.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 10 B-24s from Guam bomb an airfield on Iwo Jima; 12 P-38s from Saipan assigned to high cover for the B-24 strike fail to make contact with the formation due to bad weather; 3
of the fighters strafe beached vessels. 3 B-24s fly snooper strikes against Iwo Jima airfields during the night of 16/17 Jan.
HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 32 of 44 B-29s of the 313th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) fly a shakedown mission against Pagan Airfield. Units arriving at North Field from the US: HQ 316th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy); HQ 19th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and the 28th Bombardment Squadron, 30th Bombardment Squadron and 93d Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) with B-29s (first mission 12 Feb 45).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: In the day's principal strikes B-24s, A-20s, and
fighter-bombers pound Japanese concentrations, trains, trucks, and targets
of opportunity on Luzon. Other B-24s hit airfields in N Borneo and on Halmahera . B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers on small raids, armed reconnaissance, and harassing strikes hit airfields on Negros and airfields, communications targets, trains, trucks, and other targets of opportunity throughout Luzon. HQ 86th Fighter Wing moves from Sansapor to Luzon. The 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Biak to Lingayen Airfield with F-5s. The 70th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, ceases operating from Morotai with
P-38s and begins a movement to Luzon. The 547th Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing (attached to 308th Bombardment Wing) moves from San
Jose to Lingayen Airfield with P-38s and P-61s.
RAAF: Lost is P-40E Kittyhawk A29-71 pilot F/O William R. Binning (KIA) on a training flight.
U.S. Navy: Task Force 38 (TF 38) planes attack shipping, airfields, and ground installations along Chinese coast from Swatow to Luichow Peninsula and at Hainan I. Main effort is against Hong Kong, where good concentration of shipping is found. Results against shipping and aircraft are disappointing but important ground installations are hit. Enemy air strength proves surprisingly weak. Lost is TBM Avenger 73343 pilot Lt(jg) Richard Lee Hunt, Jr. (pilot POW, crew MIA).
U.S. Army: On Luzon, repaired and expanded Lingayen Airfield becomes operational.
In U.S. Sixth Army area, XIV Corps' zone is extended to cover region from Bayambang west into the Zambales Mountains. Bridges are to be constructed over the Agno River for use of heavy equipment. Regrouping and widespread patrolling ensue. In I Corps area, 25th Div is attached to corps from army reserve to secure line Binalonan-Urdaneta and enters line between 6th and 43d Divs, whereupon 6th prepares to move on Urdaneta and the Cabaruan Hills. 43d Div attempts to take Rosario and junction of Routes 3 and 11 but makes little headway. 103d Inf, assisted by assisted by M4 Sherman tanks, virtually finishes clearing Hill 200 area; elements move into Pozorrubio. During the night of 16-17, Japanese make local counterattacks with tanks and infantry but are driven back with heavy losses. On Mindoro, 19th Inf, upon establishing outpost at Bulalacao, finds that the area is infested with Japanese defenders.