WEDNESDAY, 31 JANUARY 1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-51s strafe targets of opportunity
along the Pinghan (Hankow-Peking) railroad.
INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit troops and stores
at Namlan; 50+ P-47s attack troops and supplies at several locations including
Na-mawtawng, Tawkut, Mong Long, Hsipaw, Hsenwi, and Namhpakka. Transports complete
535 sorties to forward bases and frontline areas. The 13th, 14th and 16th Combat
Cargo Squadrons, 4th Combat Cargo Group, move from Agartala to Chittagong with C-46s. The 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves
from Kan to Asansol with UC-64s and L-5s.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24s from Guam bomb airfields and AA defenses
on Iwo Jima; during the night of 31 Jan/1 Feb, 9 more B-24s, flying single-bomber
harassment strikes, hit the island. HQ 419th Troop Carrier Group is activated on Guam;
no tactical squadrons or aircraft are assigned; the group's HQ had detachments
on Saipan, Tinian and Angaur Airfield to operate transportation terminals that assisted
in moving troops, equipment, food and mail to, and in evacuating wounded personnel
from combat areas.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Brigadier General
Earl W Barnes again assumes command of the XIII Fighter Command. The 157th,
159th and 160th Liaison Squadrons (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, move from
Leyte to Calasio, Mangaldan and Calasio, Luzon respectively with UC-64s and
L-5s (first mission is 17 Feb and 7 Feb espectively). Lost is P-38L 44-25427 (MIA).
