February 13, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, fighters sweep the railroad from Sinyang to Hsuchang, bomb the approach to a Hsuchang bridge, and strafe Sinyang and Ichang Airfields; B-25s bomb a foundry at Hsuchang.

Burma: In NCAC area, 26th Brig of Br 36th Div is holding its Shweli bridgehead against increasing resistance. In Br Fourteenth Army area, as Ind 20th Div expands its bridgehead across the Irrawaddy in 33 Corps sector, Ind 7th Div begins crossing in Nyaungu area in 4 Corps zone, assisted by diversionary thrusts of E African 28th Brig toward Yenangyaung oil-field area.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, troop concentrations, supply areas, and targets of opportunity are pounded by 70 fighter-bombers at several locations including Kongpaw, Namtu, Kyao-hpak, Laihka, Kon-wet, Mong Pa, Hkom-nio, and Naung-lang; 19 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Mongmit-Myitson area; 16 fighter-bombers knock out the approach to the main bridge and damage the bypass bridge at Hay-ti. 477 air supply sorties are flown by transports throughout the day. In India, the 1st and 2d Fighter Squadrons (Commando) move from Kalaikunda to Cox's Bazar with P-51s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Twenty-five B-24s from Saipan fly two strikes against Iwo Jima, while ten other B-24s hit Haha Jima. During the night of 13/14 Feb, five B-24s fly individual harassment strikes over an eight hour period bombing Iwo Jima at different intervals.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s continue to pound Corregidor as a large segment of B-24s attack the main coastal guns and score direct hits on several batteries; B-24s bomb Mariveles while A-20s and P-47s bomb and strafe targets of opportunity throughout the southern Bataan Peninsula; B-25s and fighters attack small shipping during sweeps of E and N coasts. B-25s, with fighter support, hit Kagi Airfield. HQ 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Tacloban to San Marcelino. The 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, based on Middelburg with P-38s, begins operating from Morotai.

U.S. Army: In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, 37th Div and 1st Cav Div are clearing stubborn strongpoints on approaches to Intramuros in Manila. 11th A/B Div completes mop-up of Nichols Field area. In 40th Div zone, 108th Inf takes Hill 7, another of the numbered series, but is driven off. I Corps continues to regroup. 33d Div relieves RCT 158 in Damortis-Rosario-Pozorrubio sector. 25th Div relieves 6th Div on line San Jose-Rizal-Bongabon-Cebu. In XI Corps area, mine sweeping and naval gunfire bombardment of Corregidor is begun in preparation for landings. 38th Div finishes clearing Zigzag defenses except for a final strongpoint between 152d and 149th Regts.

U.S. Navy: Final rehearsals for Iwo Jima operation are concluded off coast of Tinian.

Frigate Corpus Christi (PF-44) rescues 102 survivors of SS Peter Silvester sunk on February 6, 1945 in the Indian Ocean by U-862.