April 20, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, seven B-25s hit the town of Neihsiang and attack railroad targets of opportunity from Saiping to Lohochai and from Linying, Burma to Hsuchang; 9 B-25s bomb Loyang and Luchou; 100+ P-51s, P-40s, and P-47s concentrate attacks against town areas throughout S and E China, also hitting troops, gun positions, river traffic, and other targets of opportunity.

China: Air-ground liaison teams are rushed to Chihchiang area to help avert enemy threat.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): 32 P-38s knock out 3 bridges and damage 5 others in C Burma behind the enemy lines; 12 P-47s hit a troop concentration and ration dump at Tonglau, 18 attack a troop concentration around a monastery at Kengkawmanhaung, and 12 attack troops along a stream near Wan Nahpeit; 497 transport sorties land or drop 784 tons of supplies in forward areas. Unit moves: 1st Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, from Sookerating to Warazup, Burma with C-47s; 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, from Myitkyina to Nagaghuli with F-6s and P-40s (a flight is operating from Akyab Airfield); 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, from Asansol to Sinthe, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.

Burma: In Br Fourteenth Army's 33 Corps area, Br 2d Div and Ind 268th Brig complete envelopment and reduction of stubborn enemy pocket in Mt Popa region.

B-29 bombing has damaged the Musashi aircraft factory and stops production of the Nakajima Type 4 Fighter / Ki-84 Hayate (Frank).

AAFPOA (VII Fighter Command): Eleven P-51s from Iwo Jima bomb Haha Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Tainan Airfield while P-51s attack Koshun Airfield. Large-scale FEAF support of ground forces on Luzon, Cebu, and Negros continues. B-24s bomb Sepinggang Airfield and Labuan Airfield and P-38s and B-25s hit Tarakan. Lost is B-24D "Patches" 42-73490 (MIA). Headquarters Squadron (HQ), 475th Fighter Group moves from Clark Field to Lingayen Airfield; 386th Bombardment Squadron, 388th Bombardment Squadron and 389th Bombardment Squadron, 312th Bombardment Group from Mangaldan to Floridablanca with A-20s.

U.S. Army: In U.S. Sixth Army's I Corps area, elements of 148th Inf, 37th Div, seize ridge NE of Irisan bridge site in flanking attack. 2d Bn and 1st Bn (less Co A) of 130th Inf, 33d Div, assemble N of Asin tunnel ridge to attack from N. Continued fighting in other sectors results in little change in positions. In XI Corps area, 145th Inf continues to probe toward Mt Pacawagan and arty pounds it. XIV Corps maintains pressure on Mt Mataasna Bundoc and continues attack on Mt Macolod, clearing latter except for one pocket.

In the southern Philippines, In U.S. Eighth Army's X Corps area, 19th Inf of 24th Div continues along Highway 1 on Mindanao toward Fort Pikit, dispersing enemy force some 3 miles E of Manauangan. Of about 80 Japanese encountered SE of Lomopog, 31 are killed. Elements of 34th Inf take over river and roadblock at Ulandang. On Cebu, 3d Bn of 132d Inf, Americal Div, in amphibious move up coast from Cebu City, lands near Danao without opposition and begins extensive patrolling to intercept retreating enemy groups. On Bohol, 3d Bn of 164th Inf, Americal Div, materially assisted by preparatory mortar fire, routs Japanese in Ginopolan area. On Negros, 185th Inf, 40th Div, reaches Lantawan Plateau and starts to clear it. 160th continues futile efforts to take Hill 3155.

On Ie Shima, main effort of 77th Div shifts from S to N, where 306th Inf succeeds in enveloping the Pinnacle (Iegusugu Mountain). 307th and 305th Regts continue attack on the S, getting upon Bloody Ridge.

On Okinawa, In U.S. Tenth Army area on Okinawa, XXIV Corps inches forward in some sectors against furious opposition. 165th Inf, 27th Div, committed on right flank, is stalled for the next week by enemy position called "Item Pocket," N of Gusukuma. 106th and 105th Regts battle for Urasoe-Mura Escarpment against bitter opposition from West and East Pinnacles, key features near Iso Village. 2d Bn, 105th, bypasses East Pinnacle and reaches the escarpment but is surrounded there by Japanese. 1st Bn, 105th, is given task of eliminating bypassed resistance in Kakazu area and progresses well during day, but Japanese reoccupy the area in strength, night 20-21. 96th Div clears rest of Tombstone Ridge and continues attack for Nishibaru Ridge. 7th Div is unable to advance in Rocky Crags area but gains weak hold on Ouki Hill, between Hill 178 and Skyline Ridge. In III Amphib Corps area, 6th Mar Div finishes clearing Motobu Peninsula. Except for small enemy groups, corps zone on N Okinawa is now clear. Mopping up and rcn of small islands off shore continue.

U.S. Navy: Army troops supported by naval vessels and USAAF aircraft land on Catanduanes Island, P.I.

Battleship Colorado (BB-45) is damaged by on-board explosion off Okinawa, 26°10'N, 127°20'E.

Escort carrier Corregidor (CVE-58), while operating east of the Marianas on anti-submarine patrol in TG 12.3, is damaged in typhoon.

Submarine Guitarro (SS-363) lays mines in Berhala Strait off northeast coast of Sumatra, N.E.I.

Submarine chaser SC-737 is damaged by grounding, Sulu Sea, 09°45'N, 118°44'E.

Mines laid by USAAF B-29s (20th Air Force) sink Japanese cargo vessels Yamamitsu Maru off Nojima, 34°32'N, 128°44'E, and Sanko Maru at 33°48'N, 131°00'E, and damage cargo ship Kitsurin Maru at western entrance of Shimonoseki Strait.

USAAF P-38s and P-51s attack Japanese shipping off Rangoon, Burma, sinking motor torpedo boat Gyoraitei No.412.

USMC: The 4th and 29th Marines reached the north coast of Motobu Peninsula having eliminated all organized resistance on the peninsula.

Marine Aircraft Group 24 (MAG-24) from Luzon begins to arrive at Malabang Airfield on Mindanao.