May 31, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 31 MAY 1945

SEAC: Since British and American interests in Asia are now widely divergent, U.S. units, including 10th Air Force and American components of Eastern Air Command (EAC), are withdrawn from SEAC and returned to operational control of the U.S. Army Air Force and the EAC is inactivated. India-Burma Theater is to support China as a diversion for operations in the Pacific while SEAC prepares to liberate Malaya and Singapore.

Alaska: Four PBYs (three from FAW 1 and one from NAS Kodiak) dispatched to Fairbanks, via Anchorage, by Commander, Kodiak Sector, Alaskan Sea Frontier, return to Kodiak, their mission of providing assistance in evacuating citizenry threatened by rising Yukon River floodwaters having been completed.

Soviet merchantman Uzbekistan and U.S. freighter American Star are damaged in collision off Dutch Harbor, YTB-191 provides assistance.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 5 B-25s and 4 P-47s hit railroad tracks and cars in the Chenghsien and Kaifeng areas, knock out a bridge at Sinyang, damage a bridge at Lohochai, and strafe AA positions at both bridges; 30+ fighter-bombers damage 4 bridges, hit several railroad targets and rivercraft, attack trucks and troops, and strafe numerous targets of opportunity around Shihkiachwang, Changsha, Yoyang, Yenkoupu, Taohwaping, Changanyi, Chiuchiang, Liuchow, Tsinkong, and Pioching.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): USAAF units, including the Tenth AF and US components of the Eastern Air Command (EAC), are withdrawn from the Southeast Asia Command (SEAC) and returned to the operational control of the AAF; EAC is inactivated, along with the Strategic AF and Combat Cargo Task Force. The detachment of the 156th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating from Magwe, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s, returns to base at Kalaikunda, India.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Eight P-47s from Ie Shima strafe buildings, barracks, and seaplane ramps at Amami-O-Shima.

U.S. Army: In U.S. Sixth Army's I Corps area, 129th Inf of 37th Div opens northward drive along Highway 5 from Santa Fe into the Cagayan Valley. Forward elements reach positions 6,000 yards N of Santa Fe. Task Force Connolly (TF Connolly) under Maj Robert V . Connolly, 123d Inf) is organized and attached to the guerrilla U.S. Army Forces in the Philippines (Northern Luzon) for drive on Aparri. The Task Force of roughly 800 men, will drive NE along Route 3; upon arrival in Aparri area will be reinf by bn of guerrillas.

On Negros, in U.S. Eighth Army area, organized resistance ends as enemy withdraws from last strongpoint, Hill 4055, into mountains.

On Mindanao, In X Corps area, 2d Bn of 19th Inf, 24th Div, joins 3d Bn in drive toward Mandog.

On Okinawa, in U.S. Tenth Army's III Amphib Corps area, 6th Mar Div, continuing E along heights north of the Kokuba, runs into strong rear-guard opposition in vicinity of Hill 46. Enemy positions are softened by direct tank fire and arty bombardment. 1st Marines, 1st Mar Div, is withdrawn as reserve and will mop up in Shuri sector. In XXIV Corps area, 77th Div, after taking 100 Meter Hill, pushes into the ruins of Shuri, from which Japanese have withdrawn in an orderly fashion, and is pinched out by friendly forces on flanks. 96th Div finishes clearing its zone and establishes contact with 1st Mar Div. Continuing to press W, 7th Div overcomes resistance on hills near Chan, completing its current mission.

U.S. Navy: Mines laid by B-29s sink Japanese cargo ship Man Maru off Hesaki light, and damage gunboat Kazan Maru off Genka Jima Light, 33°40'N, 129°57'E, army cargo ships No.2 Yoro Maru southeast of Hesaki and Peking Maru off Onna Jima, and merchant cargo ship Jindai Maru northwest of Mutsure Jima. B-29-laid mine damages transport Tensho Maru at 34°35'N, 135°15'E, but Tensho Maru sinks after being towed into Osaka Harbor.

USMC: The 1st Marine Division with the 77th Division, USA completes the occupation of Shuri. The Japanese developed a new defensive position along the Kokuba Gara and around Tsukasan.

RNZAF: Lost is F4U Corsair NZ5459 pilot P/O Peter G. Moore (MIA).