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.
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 crews.
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, bomb 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.
