April 21, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 21 APRIL 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, five B-25s bomb Loyang; a single B-24 hits targets of opportunity in Bakli Bay; 30 P-51s and P-47s attack railroad and road targets, barracks area, buildings, and bridges at or near Paoching, Chihsien, Taiku, Hsihhsiassuchi, Shaho, Linfen, Luan, Yutze, and Shanhsien.

China: JCS approve BETA, projected operation to take Canton-Hong Kong area and thus secure coastal port. This plan is subsequently revised and known by code names RASHNESS and CARBONADO.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): Bad weather over Central Burma causes canceling or aborting of all combat missions however, transports complete 464 sorties, landing or dropping 682 tons of supplies to forward areas. The 81st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Fenny with B-25s, sends a detachment to operate from Meiktila.

Burma: In Br Fourteenth Army's 33 Corps area, Ind 7th Div surrounds Yenangyaung, where enemy delaying force is prepared to make firm stand to cover withdrawal to Allanmyo. In 4 Corps area, Ind 5th Div continues rapidly S toward Toungoo, leaving 9th Brig to assist Ind 17th Div in clearing Pyinmana.

China: Air movement of Ch 22d Div to Chihchiang (Operation ROOSTER) is begun. Ch 14th Div follows some days later, transported on trucks manned by U.S. 475th Inf. Japanese are progressing westward toward Chihchiang, making main effort along road from Pao-ching. Their spearheads are being engaged in Keosha Tungkow area. On flanks, enemy forces are threatening Wukang, NW of Hsinning, and hold positions on mountain called Paima Shan.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Eighteen Guam based B-24s bomb Marcus.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Missions 82 to 90: The XXI Bomber Command continues to hit airfields in Japan; 217 B-29s blast airfields at Oita, two runways at Kanoya, Usa, Kokubu, Kushira, Tachiarai, Izumi, and Nittagahara; 21 other B-29s hit targets of opportunity including Kagoshima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: FEAF continues large scale support of ground forces on Luzon, Cebu, Negros and Jolo. On Borneo, B-24s bomb Miri, Kudat, Manggar, and Sepinggang Airfield. P-38s hit Tarakan and Sandakan, Miri Airfield, oil storage near Lutong, and with B-24s, attack targets of opportunity along the SW Celebes coast. The 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Lingayen Airfield to Clark Field with P-47s. Lost is F-7B "Cherokee Strip" 44-40198 ditched.

U.S. Army: In U.S. Sixth Army's I Corps area, battle of Irisan R bridge site ends as 148th Inf, 37th Div, takes last of the ridges; upon completion of temporary bridge, crosses to continue drive on Baguio. 130th Inf, 33d Div, begins attack on Asin tunnel positions from N. 35th Inf, 25th Div, finally captures Kapintalan, opening Highway 5 as far N as Kapintalan Ridge. Elements of 27th Inf on Mt. Myoko take the hill 300 yards N of the Wart. In XI Corps area, after heavy strikes and massed arty fire, 6th Div begins assault on Mt Pacawagan with attached 145th Inf. 63d Inf provides fire support from N tip of Mt Mataba. 152d Inf, 38th Div, is directed to relieve 1st Inf, 6th Div, in positions near junction of Bosoboso and Mariquina Rivers. In XIV Corps area, 187th Inf of 11th A/B Div eliminates final pocket of enemy in Mt Macolod area and turns this region over to guerrilla forces. Route 417 is now clear.

In the southern Philippines, In U.S. Eighth Army area, X Corps seizes undefended Fort Pikit on Mindanao. Amphibious force and company of 3d Bn, 34th Inf, move by water to the fort, which patrol from gunboats occupies. Rest of 3d Bn, 34th Inf, arrives later on foot. On Highway 1, 19th Inf captures road junction at Dilap. On Bohol, 3d Bn of 164th Inf, Americal Div, pursues enemy northward from Ginopolan, eliminating several small groups. On Negros, 40th Div continues offensive agains Negritos-Lantawan-Hill 3155 area. 160th Inf gains military crest of Hill 3155.

On Ie Shima 77th Div captures the Pinnacle and holds Bloody Ridge against final counterattack, crushing organized resistance, which is declared secure at 1730. Mopping up begins. Japanese casualties during the bitter, six day battle total 4,706 killed and 149 captured.

On Okinawa, In U.S. Tenth Army's XXIV Corps area, 27th Div, on W flank of corps, continues costly attacks on Item Pocket N of Gusukuma, Kakazu, and the Pinnacles on Urasoe-Mura Escarpment without making much headway but clears mines from road leading to the escarpment so armor can move forward. 96th Div attempts unsuccessfully to clear S slope of Nishibaru Ridge and village of Nishibaru. 184th Inf, 7th Div, reinf by Co B of 17th Inf, is unable to gain Rocky Crags, but 32d Inf pushes to N slope of Skyline Ridge on E flank of corps.

U.S. Navy: Off Okinawa, destroyer USS Ammen (DD-527) is damaged by near-miss of bomb, 27°13'N, 128°16'E.

Japanese guardboat Zenyo Maru is sunk by U.S. aircraft off Shionomisaki, 31°30'N, 135°40'E.

Japanese cargo vessel No.2 Toshi Maru is damaged by mine off Singapore.

USMC: Provisional Air Support Command was disbanded, and Marine Air Support Control Units, Amphibious Forces, Pacific, was organized instead.