TUESDAY, 30 JANUARY 1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 27 B-24s, escorted by 32 P-40s
and P-51s, bomb Hankow; 8 P-51s hit targets of opportunity in the areas around
Loyang, Yuncheng, and Sinantien; the detachment of the 16th Fighter Squadron,
51st Fighter Group, at Kwanghan with P-51s returns to base at Chengkung (another
detachment is at Laohokow).
INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 65 fighter-bombers support
ground forces in the Banwe, Yenya-u, Hsenwi, Molo, and Mongmit areas; 5 others
knock out a bridge E of Mong Long; 100+ fighter-bombers attack troops, supplies,
artillery, and communications targets at several locations including Kutkai,
Bawgyo, Hamn gai, Namhsan, Naleng, Pangsari, Hsenwi, and Wengnan. Transports
again fly 500+ sorties to forward areas. HQ 1st Combat Cargo Group moves from Tsuyung, China to Dohazari, India. The detachment of
the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating
from Bikram, India with C-47s, returns to base at Kalaikunda, India. The detachment
of the 492d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Luliang ferrying gasoline to Suichwan, China in B-24s, returns to base
at Madhaiganij.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 17 B-24s from Saipan bomb an Iwo Jima airfield.
3 others bomb Woleai Airfield. Five B-24s
from Angaur Airfield strike Koror and Arakabesan. During the night of 30/31 Jan, 10
B-24s from Saipan fly single-bomber snooper raids against Iwo Jima airfields.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Bad weather cancels
most of the scheduled strikes over Luzon; however, B-24s bomb Cavite while
fighter-bombers flying support for ground forces hit artillery and troop concentrations
NE of Labayug and others attack ammunition dumps north of San Isidro. The 405th
Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Morotai to Lingayen Airfield with B-25s.
RNZAF: Corsairs conduct a fighter sweeps over Rabaul. Lost is F4U Corsair NZ5415 (KIA).
