MONDAY, 22 JANUARY 1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 16 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack various targets in the Wanting area and in SW China; 10 P-51s bomb buildings at the Kunlong ferry; 14 P-51s and P-40s hit the Sintsiang railroad yards and destroy several locomotives and trucks E of Tsinan and Suchow; the flights of the 21st and 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons and 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, operating from Suichwan with F-4s, F-5s, P-40s and P-51s, return to base at Kunming and Chengkung.
Burma: In ALFSEA's 15 Corps area, 3d Cdo Brig lands at Kangaw, on Arakan front, after preparatory bombardment. Enemy soon reacts sharply, since forces along coast to S are being cut off.
In Br Fourteenth Army's 33 Corps area, Ind 20th Div takes Monywa (enemy's last port on the Chindwin), which has been defended vigorously for several days, and Myinmu, on the Irrawaddy. In 4 Corps area, Ind 7th Div, which has replaced E African 28th Brig in line, takes Tilin.
In NCAC area, CAI becomes responsible for clearing rest of Burma Road as Chiang Kai-shek orders Chinese Expeditionary Force to assemble N of Sino-Burmese border. At night, Gen Sultan announces that the Burma Road is open. U.S. 5332d Brig gets patrols to ridge across Burma Road, but is refused permission to do more than patrol and interdict traffic on the road.
China: Japanese, on 19th and 20th occupied key bridges and tunnels on the Canton-Hankow rail road.
INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 46 P-47s support ground forces near Si-U, Namhkam, and along the Irrawaddy River near Twinnge, Bahe, the Nam Mit River, Myitson, and Banwe; 12 others hit targets of opportunity along roads near Kutkai, Hsenwi, Lashio, and Namtu; troop concentrations, fuel and ammunition dumps, vehicles, and general supplies are pounded at Kin, Padan, Man Lom, Namtu, Hkamtung, Kabaing, Nammaw-hpek, Panglaw, and Na-hsang. Transports fly 449 sorties to advanced bases and frontline areas. In Burma, the 5th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], moves from Mytikyina to Bhamo with L-1s and L-5s; the 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Ye-U to Shwebo with UC-64s and L-5s. The 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India with C-47s, sends a detachment to operate from Bikram, India.
MALAYA: The Malacca Government will reward $10,000 to anyone
who managed to capture downed bomber crews.
Reward of $1,000 will be given to anyone who can provide useful information
lead to the capture of the downed airmen.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24s from Guam blast airfields on Iwo Jima, while eight more B-24s flying individual strikes from Guam pound the airfields again during the night of 22/23 Jan. Lost on an aerial mining mission over Chi Chi Jima Harbor is B-24J 42-109871 (MIA).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, escorted
by P-38s from the Philippines begin daylight strikes against Heito Airfield in the first major Fifth AF strike on Formosa.
On Luzon, other B-24s bomb barracks in the Cabaruan Hills and gun positions across Manila Bay and hit Fabrica Airfield. In smaller miscellaneous strikes, FEAF fighters and bombers over C and S Luzon hit enemy positions, small shipping, and highways at several points, and damage a bridge over the Magata River. HQ Fifth AF, HQ V Bomber Command and HQ V Fighter Command move from Leyte to Mindoro. 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Dulag begins operating from Biak with F-7s. The 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Morotai to Mangaldan with P-47s. The air echelon of the 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from San
Jose and moves to Lingayen Airfield with P-40s.
Gen MacArthur orders U.S. Eighth Army to land one RCT of 11th A/B Div on Luzon at Nasugbu for reconnaissance in force. If Tagaytay Ridge can be taken with ease, the entire div will then concentrate there and patrol to N and E. The landing is scheduled for January 31, 1945. Allied planes are ordered to being bombardment of Corregidor.
On Luzon, Mangaldan Airfield becomes operational. In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, forward elements of 40th Div reach Capas, north of Bamban. 37th Div extends its right flank to San Miguel to maintain contact with 40th Div and with left flank elements takes La Paz. Scattered contacts have been made recently with enemy in Moncada and La Paz areas. In I Corps area, 27th Inf of 25th Div continues toward Asingan against little opposition. 161st, driving on San Manuel, takes hill NW of objective. 2d Bn of 169th Inf, 43d Div, with tank and arty support, renews attack on Hill 355 but is unable to take it.
On Mindoro, 3d Bn, 21st Inf, moves by sea to Estrella.
U.S. Navy: Carrier planes from Task Force 38 (TF 38) under Admiral John S. McCain photograph and strike Ryukyu including Okinawa and neighboring islands. They sink motor sailships No.1 Iroha Maru and Myooei Maru, and fishing boat No.1 Waei Maru. TF 38 planes also sink cargo vessel Suma Maru in Gima harbor, Kume Island; merchant tankers No.2 Nanko Maru and No.2 Nanshin Maru off Miyako Jima; and merchant cargo ship Hikosan Maru in Toguchi harbor, Okinawa, 26°39'N, 127°53'E. Guardboat No.6 Chitose Maru is sunk, probably by aircraft in Nansei Shoto. After this action, TF 38 departs bound for Ulithi arriving January 25, 1945.
Japanese submarine chaser Ch 42 is damaged by mine off Chichi Jima.
Japanese river gunboat Saga is sunk by aircraft at Hong Kong.
Royal Navy: HMS Spirit sinks Japanese ship Ryushin Maru in Java Sea, 06°02'S, 110°41'E.
