February 28, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 1945

Burma: In Br Fourteenth Army's 4 Corps area, Ind 17th Div begins assault on Meiktila against strong opposition.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): Two B-25s attack targets of opportunity in the Hsiang River Valley. Two P-51s hit targets of opportunity northeast of Hengyang. A single B-24 damages a cargo vessel in the South China Sea. 11th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Yangkai with B-25s, sends a detachment to operate from Laowhangpin.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-47s support forces of the British 36 Division in the Mongmit area; 75 fighter-bombers continueu pounding troop concentrations, supply dumps, and road traffic behind enemy lines. 552 transport sorties are flown, landing men and supplies at forward bases and dropping supplies to frontline troops.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Eight B-24s from Guam bomb Susaki Airfield. Twenty-three B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Sasa Airfield. During the night of 28 February to 1 March, six B-24s from Guam flying separate harassment strikes, bomb Susaki Airfield again. The ground echelon of the 548th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command arrives on Iwo Jima from Hawaii (air echelon is operating from Saipan with P-61s).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s strike Sandakan Airfield and Labuan Airfield and B-25s fly a napalm raid against Sanga Sanga Airfield. B-24s from 22nd BG bomb Caldera Point and B-25s hit San Roque Airfield. The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group moves from Hollandia to Dulag with C-46s and C-47s. The 431st Fighter Squadron and 433d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group move from Dulag to Clark Field with P-38s (they are operating from San Jose). The 530th Bombardment Squadron moves from Darwin to San Jose with B-24s. Lost is B-24J 42-109981 pilot 2nd Lt Warren G. MacDonald (MIA).

U.S. Army: In U.S. Sixth Army area, Gen Krueger orders XIV Corps to open Balayan Bay and Batangas Bay, SW Luzon. With reduction of opposition in Legislative building, only the Agriculture and Finance buildings remain to be cleared in Manila. Co C of 63d Inf, 6th Div, reaches crest of Mt Pacawagan, which is largely clear. 1st Inf suspends attack as regrouping of div is ordered before continuation of offensive. In I Corps area, 2d Bn of 35th Inf, 25th Div, starts toward Puncan, its supply route protected by 1st Bn. In XI Corps area, 188th Inf (-2d Bn), reinf, of 11th A/B Div gets into position for assault on Ternate region of the southern coast of Manila Bay. 43d Div begins relief of 40th Div in Zambales Mtns sector.

In the southern Philippines, U.S. Eighth Army area, TF VICTOR IV (41st Div, less RCT 186, reinf, under Maj Gen Jens A. Doe) is activated on Mindoro for assault on Zamboanga area of Mindanao I. and parts of Sulu Archipelago. At dawn off off Puerto Princesa on Palawan, Attack Group VICTOR III (TG 78.2) arrives off Puerto Princesa after air and naval bombardment lands assault waves of RCT 186, reinf, 41st Div, without opposition and Puerto Princesa town and airfields are quickly seized and radar installations are established. In shore-to-shore operation, 2d Bn lands at Iwahig River mouth and moves inland. CG Palawan TF takes command ashore. On Samar, 1st Bn of 182d Inf, Americal Div, and 1st Filipino Inf begin advance to clear Mauo area. Meanwhile, the Lubang Island attack force departs Mindoro.

USMC: V AC continues attack toward O-2 line, several hundred yards distant, prepared to continue upon order toward next objective, O-3 line, which includes Airfield 3, under construction, and most of northern part of the island. 3d Mar Div, still making main effort in center of corps, passes RCT 21 through RCT 9 and presses N under rolling arty barrage, overrunning Motoyama village and reaching commanding ground overlooking Airfield 3; in 4th Mar Div zone, RCT 23 is still vigorously opposed on Hill 382; RCT 25 gains additional ground along E coast, but enemy pocket remains near Minami. On left flank of corps, RCT 27 of 5th Mar Div gains forward slopes of Hill 362, S of Nishi. RCT 28, which as corps reserve has been mopping up in Suribachi area, prepares to join in assault on northern front and releases BLT 3 to 5th Mar Div.

U.S. Navy: TG 78.2 under Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler lands Army troops (186th Regimental Combat Team, Reinforced, of the 41st Division) on Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island P.I.; TG 74.2 (Rear Admiral Ralph S. Riggs), consisting of three light cruisers and four destroyers, provides support. The operation is unopposed.

Off Iwo Jima, destroyer Bennett (DD-473) is damaged by aircraft bomb, 24°46'N, 141°19'E; destroyer Terry (DD-513) by shore battery, 24°48'N, 141°33'E and medium landing ship LSM-42, by mortar fire; collisions account for damage to submarine chaser PCS-1461 (with small craft), 24°46'N, 141°19'E, and tank landing ships LST-641 and LST-787, 24°46'N, 141°19'E.

On Iwo Jima, as the 3d Battalion, 27th Marines, battles a Japanese counterattack, Pharmacist's Mate First Class John H. Willis is wounded while administering first aid to casualties. Although evacuated to an aid station, he sneaks away, returning to the front lines and resuming his duties with his assigned platoon. Going to the aid of a wounded man in a shell hole, Willis is treating the casualty when enemy troops lob hand grenades into the position. Willis throws out eight in succession, but a ninth explodes in his hand killing him. His courageous actions, witnessed by his platoon, prompt them to repulse the Japanese thrust. For his conspicuous gallantry, Willis is awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

Elsewhere on Iwo, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class George E. Wahlen voluntarily rushes to the aid of an adjacent platoon that has suffered heavy casualties, treating 14 men before returning to his own unit. He braves heavy mortar and rifle fire to do so, actions that, together with that performed on February 26, 1945 establish him as a hero in the eyes of the marines he serves (see March 2, 1945).

USAAF B-24s attack Japanese convoy in Okinawa area, sinking motor sailship No.7 Kokoku Maru.