SUNDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 1945
US-UK-USSR: U.S.-British-Soviet conference Magneto opens at Yalta in the Crimea to consider Allied strategy and related political issues. This is second phase of Argonaut. Attended by U. S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Churchill, and Russian Premier Stalin. Matters discussed include the timing of the Russian entry into the war against Japan, and three postwar issues: the division of Germany, the extent of the Soviet sphere of influence in Europe, and the status of Poland.
Burma:
First convoy from Ledo, led by Gen Pick, makes triumphal entry into Kunming, China.
On NCAC front, 475th Inf of U.S. 5332d Brig finishes clearing Loi-kang ridge, from which most Japanese have withdrawn. Future action of the U.S. force is limited to patrolling and arty exchanges.
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 P-40s bomb the airfield and Japanese HQ at Yungning and railroad yards at Sinyang; 2 of the P-40s over Sinyang are lost to ground fire. The detachments of the 25th Fighter Squadron and 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, operating from Leangshan and Laohokow, China respectfully with P-51s, return to base at Yunnani and Kunming respectfully; the 25th Fighter Squadron sends a detachment to operate from Poseh with P-51s.
INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 54 P-38s and P-47s destroy or damage bridges at Inailong, Bawgyo, Ho-hko, Hay-ti, Mong Long, and Pa-mao; 26 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson and Hosi areas. Troops, supplies, and vehicles are attacked at Nam Yem, Na-makhkaw, Mansam, Kong kang, Nawngsong, Mong Yai, Na-lang, and Pangmit. Again transports complete 500+ sorties to advanced bases and over forward areas, where supplies are dropped to troops. The 166th Liaison Squadron, 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asansol to Sinthe, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Nine B-24s from Guam bomb AA defenses on Iwo Jima while ten B-24s hit
the town of Okimura. Two B-24s from Saipan on an armed reconnaissance flight, bomb Marcus. 23 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Caballo. During the night of 4/5 Feb, 8 Guam based B-24s, operating
singly, bomb airfields on Iwo
Jima.
HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 26: For the first time the XXI Bomber Command sends B-29s from 2 wings [the 73d and 313th Bombardment Wings (Very Heavy)] against Japanese Home . 110 B-29s are dispatched; 69 bomb the urban area of Kobe; 30 others, including 15 hitting Natsusaka, bomb last resort targets and targets of opportunity; about 200 attacking fighters down 1 B-29 and damage 35 others; 1 other crashes upon landing at Saipan; B-29s claim 4-20-39 Japanese aircraft.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s
continue to hit Corregidor and Cavite; in support of ground forces B-25s
bomb and strafe coast targets from San Felipe to Maloma, hit targets around
lba, and drop napalm on San Jose del Monte and A-20s bomb Lipa and Calingatan
Airfields. Headquarters, 348th Fighter Group and 340th Fighter Squadron move from Tanauan to San Marcelino with P-47s. Crashed is P-51D 44-63290 (survived).
U.S. Army: In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, elements of 1st Cav Div within Manila conduct local patrolling while awaiting arrival of reinforcements; attempt unsuccessfully to take Quezon Bridge across Pasig R. 2d and 3d Bns of 148th Inf, 37th Div, move into N part of Manila and make contact with cavalrymen. In I Corps area, 1st Inf, 6th Div, assisted by aircraft, seizes San Jose with Highway 5 the gateway to the Cagayan Valley and blocks approaches. 63d Inf is unable to advance northward toward San Jose. 20th commits 3 bns against Munoz and receives strong fire support but is still unable to reduce this strongpoint. Attacking from N and S, 35th Inf of 25th Div reaches edge of Lupao, where enemy continues to hold out. Japanese forces on N and S Luzon are separated as elements of 161st Inf reach San Isidro. In XI Corps area, 34th Inf is unable to make progress against enemy positions at Zigzag Pass and is attached to 38th Div, which is to make strong effort on 5th.
U.S. Eighth Army begins drive on Manila from the south. 511th Para Inf, motorized, of 11th A/B Div moves along Route 17 and then Route 1 to Paranaque, 4 miles from the city, where it encounters main enemy defenses south of Manila.
U.S. Navy: Submarine Barbel (SS-316) is sunk by Japanese naval aircraft in South China Sea, between Borneo and Palawan, 07°49.5'N, 116°47.5'E.
Submarine Pargo (SS-264) bombards Woody Island east of Tourane, French Indochina, destroying Japanese weather station and radio equipment, administration building, a jetty, and several fishing boats.
Submarine Spadefish (SS-411) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Tairai Maru in the Yellow Sea off the west coast of Korea, 37°18'N, 125°22'E.
