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.
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 2 others hit targets of opportunity. Lost B-29 "Phony Express" 42-24801 due to an engien fire after take off, 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 (survived).
U.S. Army: Brigadier General James L. Dalton II, Assistant Division Commander, 25th Infantry Division was killed by a Japanese sniper at Balete Pass.
