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

MONDAY, 14 MAY 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, B-24s mine the Yangtze River; 15 B-25s and 6 fighter-bombers hit river shipping near Hengshan and pound bridges and other railroad targets around Chushihtien, Sinyang, Kioshan, Kuanshuishih, Hengyang, Chuchou, Changsha, Yoyang, Sintien, Hsuchang, Saiping, and Hengshan; 120+ fighter-bombers over S and E China hit numerous targets of opportunity at several locations concentrating on the Liping and Tungkow areas; Fourteenth AF unit moves in China: 11th Combat Cargo Squadron from Dinjan to Yunnani with C-47s; 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron from Kunming to Shwangliu with F-5s (flights operating from Hanchung, Hsian and Laifeng); 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron based at Chanyi with F-5s sends a detachment to operate from Kunming.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): Unit moves in India: 2d Fighter Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, from Cox's Bazar to Kalaikunda with P-51s; 166th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, from Toungoo to Asansol with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): A detachment of the 28th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Seventh AF, based on Okinawa with F-5Es, begins operating from Ie Shima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 174: 472 B-29s blast the urban area of northern Nagoya; 8 others hit targets of opportunity; they claim about 20 Japanese fighters; eleven B-29s are lost. Lost are B-29 44-70017 (POW/KIA), B-29 "Deacon's Disciples" 42-24492 (MIA), B-29 44-69966 (MIA/POW), B-29 44-69926 (2 MIA, 10 rescued), B-29 "Country Gentelman" 42-24793. This is the XXI Bomber Command's first raid by four Bomb Wings as B-29s of the 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) join bombers from the 73nd Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy), 313th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) and 314th Bombardment Wings (Very Heavy) for the mission.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Hozan, the largest military and air supply center on Formosa. A-20s and fighter- bombers support ground forces on Luzon and Negros Islands. In Borneo, B-24s attack Jesselton and Sepinggang Airfields and B-25s hit Jesselton, Kudat, and Bintula Airfields and support ground forces on Tarakan. On Celebes Island, B-24s lightly raid Makassar Harbor, Sidate Airfield, and Parepare warehouses and bomb Bima Airfield on Soembawa (Sumbawa).

IJA: After a military trial, four of the crew of B-29 44-70017 sentenced to death due to undiscriminating bombing then beheaded at Obatagahara rifle range in Nagoya.