May 16, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 16 MAY 1945

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, B-24s continue to lay mines in the Yangtze River; 33 B-25s and 16 P-47s and P-51s attack railroad targets, barracks, HQ, bridges, town areas, river shipping, and targets of opportunity at or near Kaifeng, Sinyang, Chungsiang, Chienyangi, Ichang, Chingmen, Yanglowtung, Kiyang, Loyang, Szeshui, Hsihhsiassuchi, Shanhsien, Neihsiang, Liuchow, Kweiping, Nanyo, Shihlipu, Hojung, Mingkiang, and Kioshan; 100+ fighter-bombers attack river, road, and rail traffic, troops, gun positions, and generally harass Japanese movement and supply lines in S and E China hitting especially targets of opportunity in Yangchi.

China: Gen Eaker, AAF Hq, tells Gen Wedemeyer that General Chennault will be replaced regardless of other considerations.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): The 2d Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, moves from Dohazari to Hathazari, India with C-47s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Thirteen B-24s from Guam bomb Marcus Airfield;. Eleven other B-24s sent against Marcus abort because of bad weather.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 175: During the night of 16/17 May, 25 B-29s mine Shimonsoeki Strait and off Miyazu and Maizuru and 2 others hit targets of opportunity. Lost B-29 "Phony Express" 42-24801 pilot Captain Albert Abranovic due to an engien fire after take off, the entire crew bailed out and survived.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Nearly 100 P-38s pound targets in the Ipo Dam area with napalm. B-24s bomb Balikpapan and Manggar, and Tondano, while B-25s and P-38s hit Miri, Brookton, Bintula, Ft Brook, and a flak ship near Labuan on Borneo; and P-38s also support ground forces on Tarakan. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Taichu and B-25s hit alcohol plants and railroad yards. Crashed due to an engine failure is P-51D 44-72054 pilot 2nd Lt. Marion R. Moore, Jr. (survived).

U.S. Army: In U.S. Sixth Army's I Corps area, 3d Bn of 27th Inf, 25th Div, is delayed by strongpoint on the eastern edge of the Bolong Plateau. Brigadier General James L. Dalton II, Assistant Division Commander, 25th Infantry Division was killed by a Japanese sniper in the vicinity of Balete Pass. In XI Corps area, 149th Inf begins relieving 145th in Mt Pacawagan area. 152d Inf opens all-out attack for Woodpecker Ridge after preparatory bombardment, gaining weak hold on military crest and forward slopes of Twin Peaks. In XIV Corps area, Gen MacNider reports the Bicols secure.

In the southern Philippines, In U.S. Eighth Army's X Corps area, 3d Bn of 167th Inf, 31st Div, advancing along Talomo Trail, runs into strong delaying opposition that virtually halts it for more than a week about a mile N of Sanipon. Continuing operations to clear Talomo R Valley, 3d Bn of 34th Inf, 24th Div, gains a little ground and digs in to consolidate for next few days.

On Okinawa, In U.S. Tenth Army's III Amphib Corps area, 6th Mar Div, attacking with 2 regts toward Sugar Loaf, experiences its worst day of combat on Okinawa as enemy continues to resist viciously. In 1st Mar Div zone, M-7's and tank-infantry teams of 5th Marines try to neutralize Wana Draw. 1st Bn, 7th Marines, attacks up Wana Ridge but is forced back to N base. In XXIV Corps area, 77th Div continues to battle enemy N of Shuri with 305th Inf on right and 307th on left. Efforts of 307th to take Chocolate Drop and Flattop are again futile. 383d Inf, 96th Div, improves positions on regimental left, where supporting tanks reach outskirts of Yonabaru, but is unable to oust Japanese from Love Hill, W of Conical Hill.

U.S. Navy: Escort carrier Shipley Bay (CVE-85) is damaged in collision with oiler Cache (AO-67) off Okinawa, 25°00'N, 130°00'E.

Submarine Hawkbill (SS-366) sinks Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka off east coast of Malaya, 04°49'N, 103°31'E.

Submarine Raton (SS-270) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Eiju Maru in Yellow Sea off west coast of Korea, 37°34'N, 124°13'E.

Japanese merchant cargo ship No.5 Yamanami Maru is sunk by mine laid by B-29s off Wadanomisaki, 34°36'N, 135°08'E.

Royal Navy: Battle of the Malacca Strait (Battle off Penang, Sinking of Haguro) destroyers HMS Saumarez, HMS Venus, HMS Verulam, HMS Vigilant, and HMS Virago sink Haguro with gunfire and torpedoes roughly 55 nautical miles west-southwest of Penang at roughly 04°49'N, 99°42'E, as the enemy ship, in company with destroyer Kamikaze (which is damaged in the engagement) escpes to Penang.