February 18, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 1945

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Seven B-24s fly cover sorties for a naval force during its approach to Kurabu Cape on Paramushiru.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 fighter-bombers attack the Sinyang railroad yards and Sinyang Airfield and targets of opportunity along the Pinghan railroad, at Chiuchiang, in the Nanking area, E of Lohochai, and SE of Hsuchang; Four B-24s over the South China Sea claim damage on two vessels; the 374th Bombardment Squadron, 375th Bombardment Squadron and 425th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 308th Bombardment Group (Heavy) move from Chengkung and Kunming to Kwanghan with B-24s.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s demolish bridges at Namsang and Ke-hsi Mansam; 30+ fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Mongmit-Myitson-Nabu area; 100+ fighter-bombers pound troop concentrations, supplies, vehicles, and other targets immediately in advance of the southward moving battleline. Transports fly 602 sorties to the forward areas.

USN: Task Force 58 (TF-58) completed its mission: the complete destruction of Truk with air attacks. Lost on a mission against Chichi Jima is TBM Avenger 22904 (2 bailed out, POW, executed) TBM Avenger 23637 (3 POW, executed)

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 36 Guam based B-24s dispatched against Iwo Jima are recalled because of complete cloud cover over the target. Three others on armed reconnaissance bomb Marcus. During the night of 18/19 February, nine B-24s from Guam individually strike Chichi Jima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 36: Thirty-six B-29s bomb Moen Airfield No. 1 and Moen Airfield No. 2 without loss. HQ 39th and 330th Bombardment Groups (Very Heavy) and the 457th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy), 458th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) and 459th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) arrive at North Field from the US with B-29s (first mission is April 12, 1945).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Takao Airfield, Okayama Airfield, and Toshien Airfield and P-38s provide support while B-25s and fighters pound communications targets and targets of opportunity throughout Formosa. B-25s and fighters continue to fly numerous missions in support of the ground forces on Luzon. B-24s bomb Labuan Airfield. Crashed while landing is P-47D 42-23168 (survived).

U.S. Army: In U.S. Sixth Army area, XIV Corps continues preassault fire on Intramuros in Manila and is cleaning out approaches to it. In I Corps area, RCT 169 of 43d Div relieves elements of 40th Div in NW part of revised I Corps zone. Patrol of 35th Inf, 25th Div, finds Pantalbangan clear. In XI Corps area, South Force contacts East Force at Limay on Bataan. Rock Force continues clearing Corregidor.

U.S. Eighth Army conducts offshore rcn of Capul, Dalupiri, and Biri Islands, N of Luzon.

U.S. Navy: TF 58 sails from Japan area for Iwo to assist in invasion when weather conditions prevent further attacks on Japan.

Preinvasion bombardment continues, with special attention to landing beach area.

Battleship Washington (BB-56) and destroyer Hailey (DD-556) are damaged in collision off Iwo Jima.

Destroyer Waldron (DD-699) is damaged when she intentionally rams Japanese guardboat at 29°27'N, 141°34'E. Dortch (DD-670) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Ayukawa Maru northwest of Iwo Jima, 27°35'N, 121°16'E, but is damaged by gunfire in the encounter.

Light minelayer Gamble (DM-15) is damaged by kamikaze, 24°55'N, 141°08'E.

High speed transport Blessman (APD-48) is damaged by horizontal bomber, 25°05'N, 141°10'E.

TF 58 planes sink Japanese gunboat No.2 Hiyoshi Maru at Futami, Chichi Jima, 27°05'N, 142°11'E.

Destroyers Barton (DD-722), Ingraham (DD-694) and Moale (DD-693) sink Japanese guardboats No.35 Nanshin Maru west of Torishima, 30°00'N, 137°30'E; No.3 Kyowa Maru south of Honshu, 31°00'N, 137°30'E; and No.5 Fukuichi Maru off Torishima, 30°00'N, 141°00'E.