FRIDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 33 fighter-bombers attack airfields in the Nanking area, railroad yards at Hsuchang and Tungpu, and hit rail and river traffic from Wuhu to Hankow, in the Sinsiang area, and the Luang Prabang area, and from Muong Soui to the Mekong River.
Burma: In ALFSEA's 15 Corps area, brig of Ind 25th Div lands on Arakan coast near Ru-ywa, W of An, to operate in conjunction with W African 82d Div moving down from N in effort to block enemy withdrawal toward Prome. Landing is supported by aircraft and by arty that has been emplaced secretly on small island nearby. Japanese offer little opposition. In Br Fourteenth Army's 33 Corps area, Ind 20th Div consolidates Irrawaddy bridgehead, but enemy is bringing heavy pressure to bear against it and hard fighting continues for the next few days.
INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, twelve B-25s bomb troops, storage areas, and vehicles during offensive reconnaissance along roads south of Lashio and from Hsenwi to Loilem; 31 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson area; about 160 fighter-bombers attack town areas, troop concentrations, artillery positions, transportation targets, and general targets of opportunity at Namtu, Wengkau, Hsipaw, Namhsawng-hawng, Hunhla, Mong Yai, Sinkin, Panghung, Hatka, Na-kyeh, and Panglong and similar targets at Kyawngsu, Kunsanlek, Namloi, Man-kyawng, Tonsing, Sam-Lau, and Mong Li. Transports fly 632 sorties delivering men and supplies to forward bases and dropping supplies to frontline troops.
USN: Task Force 58 (TF-58) including USS Lexington CV-16 carrier aircraft conduct the first air raid by carrier aircraft over Tokyo, the first air strikes since the April 18, 1942 "Doolittle Raid". Lost is F6F Hellcat 71445 (KIA).
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Army Air Forces, Pacific Ocean Area) VI Air Service Area Command: The 316th Troop Carrier Squadron, VI Air Service Area Command, moves from Kahuku to Bellows Field with
C-47s.
Seventh Air Force: Two Guam based
B-24s on an armed reconnaissance flight bomb Marcus. 42 sent against Iwo
Jima are recalled due to total cloud cover over the target. During the night of 16/17 Feb, four Guam based
B-24s striking separately, hit Susaki Airfield.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Fighters attack vehicles and trains in the southern part of Formosa. On Luzon, 120+ A-20s and B-24s pound Corregidor during the early daylight hours; amphibious and airborne landings follow; A-20s and fighter-bombers also bomb nearby Caballo; B-25s support ground forces in the Mariveles area, hit facilities at Baguio and Santa
Fe, and bomb Camalaniugan Airfield. P-38s hit Likanan Airfield and Matina
Airfields and B-24s
pound Kendari Airfield. Lost on a training flight was P-51D 44-15225 (survived).
U.S. Army: In U.S. Sixth Army's XIV Corps area, 108th Inf of 40th Div regains Hill 7 and continues W, turning right flank of Japanese line. I Corps patrols aggressively to determine routes of advance on Baguio and Balete Pass. 1st Bn, 161st Inf, establishes observation posts in hills commanding Highway 5. In XI Corps area, after intensive preparatory bombardment by aircraft and naval vessels,
Rock Force (503d Para RCT and reinf 3d Bn of 34th Inf, 24th Div) at 8:30am, C-47s transport the 503rd
Parachute Regiment (503rd PIR) make a paratrooper drop on Corregidor. Meanwhile at 10:30am two amphibious landings are made by the 3d Bn, 34th Infantry
Regiment by sea from Mariveles on the north and south of Corregidor that link up with the paratroopers. Beachhead is established and contact made between paratroopers and 34th Inf troops without serious difficulty since enemy is shaken by preparatory bombardment and is taken completely by surprise.
C-47s transport the 503rd
Parachute Regiment (503rd PIR) make a paratrooper drop on Corregidor. Meanwhile, two amphibious landings are made by the 34th Infantry
Regiment on the north and south of Corregidor that link up with the paratroopers.
U.S. Navy: The Fast Carrier Force Task Force 58 (TF 58) strikes Honshu to divert attention from the Iwo Jima operations.
Intensive preinvasion bombardment begins. TF's 52 and 54 arrive off the island and start naval and air bombardment and mine sweeping. Aircraft from escort carriers co-ordinate with Marianas-based bombers in pounding Iwo Jima while planes of TF 58 (fast carrier force) deliver simultaneous attacks on Japan in general support of the Iwo operation.
Joint Expeditionary Force (TF 51) leaves Saipan for Iwo Jima.
