April 14, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 14 APRIL 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 B-24s, supported by 12 P-51s, bomb Loyang and knock out a bridge over the Yellow River; 30+ B-25s and 130+ fighter-bombers attack bridges (knocking out at least 6), river, road, and rail traffic, troops, storage areas, town areas, and general targets of opportunity over the vast expanse of S and E China; the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF (attached to 23d Fighter Group), based at Chengkung, begins operating from Laohwangping with P-40s and P-51s. B-24s bomb Japanese shipping at Shanghai, sinking cargo vessel Takko Maru, 31°14'N, 121°30'E.

China: The Japanese Army China Expeditionary Forces is ordered by Tokyo to move 4 divs to central and N China. As a result, it is decided to withdraw from Hunan-Kwangsi rail road, which links Hengyang, Kweilin, Liuchow, and Yung-ning, E China air bases. Gen Ho's chief of staff presents bold plan for campaign to halt Japanese drive on Chihchiang, calling for massing of troops on flanks of enemy and double envelopment. This plan is adopted and proves effective.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 41 P-47s and P-38s attack troops, supplies, and fuel dumps at Tawnghkam Nawng-hkam, Mong Kung, Loi-makhkawn, and Nawngkaw; 8 P-38s damage bridges at Kong pau and Kyawngteng; 446 transport flights are flown to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Twenty-four B-24s from Angaur Airfield pound supply and personnel areas at Tigatto in the Philippines.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): B-29 units arriving at Northwest Field, from the US: HQ 16th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and the 16th and 17th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy); HQ 501st Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and the 21st and 485th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s sweep the Canton-Hong Kong, China waterways, hitting shipping and other targets and B-24s bomb four airfields on Formosa. B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers fly numerous strikes in support of ground forces and against airfields, gun positions, defenses, and troop concentrations throughout Luzon, Cebu, Negros, and Mindanao. Lost is P-51D Mustang 44-63651 pilot 2nd Lt. Hardy J. Kirby (MIA).

U.S. Army: In U.S. Sixth Army area, 2d Bn of RCT 158 continues attack toward San Francisco after air strikes but makes little headway. Co I moves up Route 1 to Iriga. Rest of regt is held up to N but probes northward. In I Corps area, after aerial bombardment, 148th Inf of 37th Div attacks SE through 129th Inf to Monglo, on Highway 9, elements moving to edge of hill, called Hairpin Hill, about 900 yards W of Monglo.

In the southern Philippines, in U.S. Tenth Army's III Amphib Corps area, 6th Mar Div, assisted by aircraft, ground fire, and naval vessels, opens 2-pronged assault against Yae-Take hill mass on Motobu Peninsula. While 4th Marines (-3d Bn, reinf by 3d Bn, 29th Marines) drives eastward, 1st and 2d Bn of 29th Marines press W from Itomi. Gains are limited by strong opposition and rough terrain, but 4th Marines secures positions on first ridges. On XXIV Corps front, action subsides after final Japanese counterattack is repulsed before dawn. 383d Inf, 96th Div, is withdrawn from line. 27th Div prepares to enter corps line.

U.S. Navy: Avengers strike Miyara Airfield and encounter intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. Lost is TBM Avenger 23471 pilot Lt(jg) Victor Theodore Buettner (POW, 2 crew KIA).

Off Okinawa, kamikazes grazed USS New York (BB-34), 26°00'N, 128°00'E, and damages destroyers Sigsbee (DD-502), Dashiell (DD-659), and Hunt (DD-674), 27°15'N, 130°25'E; gunboat PGM-11 is damaged by grounding, 26°13'N, 127°27'E.

Tank landing ship LST-241 is damaged by collision, 14°38'N, 140°19'E.

Submarine Gabilan (SS-252) attacks Japanese Surabaya-to-Makassar convoy, sinking cargo vessel Kako Maru, 05°19'S, 117°06'E, and auxiliary submarine chaser No.1 Shonan Maru, 05°13'S, 118°12'E.

Submarine Tirante (SS-420) attacks Japanese convoy MOSI-02 in the approaches to the Yellow Sea, sinking transport Jusan Maru, escort vessel Nomi, and Coast Defense Vessel No.31 west of Quelpart Island 33°25'N, 126°15'E. For his skill and daring in carrying out this surface attack through mined and shoal- obstructed waters, Lieutenant Commander George L. Street III, Tirante's captain, will receive the Medal of Honor.

Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 11 is sunk by aircraft, 15°45'N, 108°28'E. Japanese merchant cargo ship Kako Go is sunk by aircraft near Rima Island.

Mines damage Japanese minelayer Tokiwa 78 miles off Hesaki, and auxiliary minelayer Koei Maru off Hime Jima lighthouse.