August 3, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 3 AUGUST 1945

Twentieth Air Force: P-51D Mustangs from Iwo Jima fly nearly 100 effective sorties throughout the Tokyo area, hitting airfields, rail installations, and trains. Lost is P-51D pilot Coneff (MIA), P-51D 44-73369 (MIA), P-51D "Mrs. Beak" 44-72561 (pilot 1st Lt. Edward "Ed" H. Mikes, Jr. rescued by USS Aspro SS-309) and P-51D 44-63974 (pilot 2nd Lt. Ralph N. Heintz POW).

USN: USS Aspro SS-309 rescues Captain Edward "Ed" H. Mikes, Jr. from Sagami Bay. PBY Catalina from Peleliu Airfield spots survivors of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) sunk July 30, 1945.

Fourteenth Air Force: 16 B-25s pound various railroad targets in E China; 50+ fighter-bombers attack bridges, railroad yards, storage areas, enemy troops, river and rail traffic, and various other targets as the campaign to disrupt the Japanese retreat from south and east China continues in spite of considerable bad weather.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-38s and B-25s support ground forces in northern Luzon, hitting buildings in the Apunan area and Japanese positions at various locations including ridges southwest of Kiangan and west of Banaue. B-24s bomb Tanamon Airfield and Sidate Airfield on Celebes and bomb the seaplane base on Kangean Island in the Java Sea.

IJN: J7W1 Shinden Prototype No. 1 piloted by designer Captain Masaoki Tsuruno made a short successful test flight at Mushiroda Airfield.