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09/01/43
Twelfth AF
All administrative functions of the AAF elements of NAAF are
transferred to the appropriate Twelfth AF organizations: HQ NAAF to
HQ Twelfth AF, NASAF to XII BC, NATAF to XII A Spt Cmd, NACAF to XII
FC, NAASC to XII AFSC, NAAF TCC to XII TCC (Prov), NW African Photo
Rcn Wg to Photo Rcn Wg (Prov), and NATC to XII Trg Cmd (Prov).
Operational control remains with NAAF. P-40's bomb zinc plant at
Iglesias and strafe factory N of Gonnesa. MBs and LBs hit Bova
Marina, areas near Salina and Sant' Eufemia d'Aspromonte town area
and bridge at Oliveto, and radar station and lighthouse at Capo
Spartivento.
09/01/43
Fourteenth AF
7 B-25's, supported by 8 P-40's, attack Japanese destroyer at
Shihhweiyao; no hits are scored on the ship but considerable damage
is done to surrounding dock area. 6 P-40's sink small tanker down
river from Ichang, damage 2 large boats between Ocheng and
Shihhweiyao, and strafe cav troops at Ocheng. 3 other P-40's heavily
damage small ship at Swatow harbor and strafe nearby A/F. 3 P-38's
and a P-40 dive-bomb and strafe barracks at Yangsin, demolishing 3
buildings. 2 nearby locomotives are also destroyed. The FBs then
heavily damage small steamer at Wuchang, sink 1 tug and damage
another at Kutang, and blast a train and AA position S of Puchi.
09/01/43
Fifth AF
More than 70 B-24's and B-25's hit Alexishafen-Madang area, dropping
201 tons of bombs (heaviest by Fifth AF to date). Other B-25's hit
Iboki Plantation, barges on Bubui R, Rein Bay area and several
villages in New Britain. B-17's bomb Labu I. B-26's attack Cape
Gloucester area. B-24's and B-25's strike tgts in Lesser Sunda Is.
09/01/43
Seventh AF
From this date through 14 Sep, 6 B-24's conduct daily sea-search
operations out of Canton I.
09/01/43
Eleventh AF
2 P-40's attempting to intercept aircraft reported near Attu abort
because of weather.
09/02/43
Eighth AF
5 forces totaling 319 B-17's are dispatched to attack GAF A/Fs in
France. Because of unfavorable cloud conditions only part of one
force is able to attack a tgt. 16 B-17's hit Denain/Prouvy A/F and 18
bomb Mardyck A/F. Over 100 MBs attack Foret D'Hesdin and power
station at Mazingarbe.
09/02/43
Twelfth AF
Almost 200 B-17's and B-25's of XII BC bomb M/Ys at Bologna, Trento,
Bolzano, and Cancello Arnone. Bmrs and ftrs escorting the B-25's
claim 28 enemy airplanes shot down. Tac aircraft (including RAF and
Ninth AF airplanes) hit gun positions and other tgts on Italian toe,
bomb rail comm at Bova Marina, Locri, Marina di Monasterace, Siderno
Marina, Lamezia, and Catanzaro, and attack barges in Golfo di Sant'
Eufemia and ammo dump at SaPri.
09/02/43
Fourteenth AF
10 B-25's and 5 P-40's bomb Kowloon area and attack shipping off
Stonecutter's I and in Lai Chi Kok area.
09/02/43
Fifth AF
B-25's, with P-38 escort, attack shipping at Wewak harbor, claiming 1
vessel sunk and 2 left aflame. 10 enemy interceptors are claimed
destroyed. Barrage balloons offer some protection to the enemy ships.
This is first AAF observation of Japanese use of such balloons in
SWPA.
09/02/43
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's and 60 plus Navy aircraft pound Vila, hitting AA and arty
positions and area E of Ringa Cove. 18 B-24's, 20-plus P-40's and
P-39's, and more than 60 Navy planes attack Kahili. Shore
installations, the A/F, and bridges N of the strip are hit.
09/03/43
Eighth AF
140 HBs severely damage German A/F at Romilly-sur-Seine. Lesser air
strikes take place at Meulan-Les Mureaux and at industrial areas
around Paris. Almost 100 MBs hit A/F of Lille/Nord, Beauvais/Tille,
and Beaumont-le-Roger.
09/03/43
Twelfth AF
P-40's on sweep over Sardinia hit Pula and Capo Carbonara radar
installations. A-20's, A-36's ftrs (and RAF LBs) hit gun positions
throughout toe of Italy, attack A/Fs at Crotone and Camigliatello,
and hit railway yards at Marina di Catanzaro and Punta di Staletti,
troop concentration near Santo Stefano d'Aspromonte and road
junctions and bridges at Cosenza. British Eighth Army lands on toe of
Italy between Reggio di Calabria and Villa San Giovanni (Operation
BAYTOWN). Italian government signs surrender terms.
09/03/43
Ninth AF
B-24's bomb M/Y at Sulmona. Fierce attacks by enemy ftrs account for
6 losses. HBs claim 11 enemy ftrs destroyed.
09/03/43
Fourteenth AF
11 P-40's and 2 P-38's blast barracks area at Pho Lu.
09/03/43
Fifth AF
HBs and MBs blast gun emplacements and terrace defenses in Lae area.
Other HBs hit Cape Gloucester area. Light raids are flown against
tgts on Ceram and Timor.
09/03/43
Thirteenth AF
20-plus B-24's, 14 P-40's, and 30-plus Navy airplanes attack Kahili
A/F. Vila A/F is bombed by 5 B-24's and 10 Navy aircraft. P-40's
strafe Webster Cove wharf.
09/04/43
Eighth AF
Over 100 MBs launch four-pronged attack on M/Ys at Hazebrouck, Lille,
Saint-Pol/Siracourt, and Courtrai.
09/04/43
Twelfth AF
Bad weather prevents XII BC B-17's from locating their tgts (A/Fs in
Italy). P-38's sent to hit landing grounds at Grazzanise also fail to
find tgts, but attack T/Os in the general area. US FBs and RAF LBs
hit motor transport scattered along Italian toe, and bomb gun
positions NE of Reggio di Calabria and roads and railroad junction in
Cosenza-Catanzaro-Nicastro area and at Colosimi.
09/04/43
Fourteenth AF
10 B-25's and 11 P-40's pound Tien Ho A/F at Canton. 3 of 15
intercepting Zeros are shot down."
09/04/43
Fifth AF
Allied offensive against Lae begins as forces land at Hopoi and mouth
of Buso R. B-24's spt landings by pounding Lae A/F, B-25's hit Hopoi
area and bomb A/F at Cape Gloucester, and A-20's and RAAF planes hit
Gasmata A/F. Supporting P-38's intercept more than 100 enemy ftrs and
bmrs, which are airborne despite the attacks on A/Fs, and claim 20
shot down.
09/04/43
Thirteenth AF
23 B-25's hit Dulo Cove area. 9 B-24's, 15 AAF ftrs, and 20-plus Navy
ftrs hit Ballale I A/F.
09/05/43
Eighth AF
Over 60 MBs raid 2 M/Ys at Ghent. Bad weather causes recall of a
mission intended to bomb Courtrai M/Y.
09/05/43
Twelfth AF
Over 130 XII BC B-17's bomb Viterbo A/F and town of Civitavecchia.
Over 200 B-25's and B-26's hit landing grounds at Grazzanise. Other
MBs and ftrs hit Pula radar station and town of Pabillonis. Weather
hampers operations of the ftrs, MBs, and LBs of NATAF (Twelfth AF and
RAF aircraft) and only a few tgts (guns, roads, railroads,
and troops) are attacked during missions over toe of Italy.
09/05/43
Ninth AF
Gen Strahm, CoS, assumes temporary cmd during absence of Gen
Brereton. Col John C Kilborn assumes cmd of IX BC upon departure of
Gen Ent from the theater.
09/05/43
Fourteenth AF
15 FBs pound M/Y SE of Lao Kay; 16 others hit barracks in the city.
09/06/43
Fifth AF
82 C-47's drop paratroops at Nadzab A /F (first such landings in SWPA
) following bombardment of drop zone by 52 MBs and pounding of Lae
A/F by 24 HBs. Smoke screen is laid over landing area by A-20's.
Nadzab A/F is quickly put into operational condition and will
subsequently become a major Allied airbase.
09/06/43
Eighth AF
Eighth sets new record in number of HBs dispatched. 69 of the 407
dispatched are to fly diversionary sweep over N Sea and the rest are
to bomb aircraft and bearing factories in and around Stuttgart. Bad
weather frustrates original tgt plans but 262 HBs bomb T/Os in
Germany and France. Strong ftr opposition is encountered and 45 HBs
are lost. Over 120 MBs strike M/Ys at Rouen, Serqueux, and Amiens. 2
gps of MBs sent to bomb at Ghent are recalled when bad weather
prevents ftr escort from taking off.
09/06/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-17's hit Capodichino A/F, Villa Literno M/Y, Gaeta harbor,
and Minturno railroad facilities. Weather prevents B-17 attack on
Pomigliano A/F. B-25's and B-26's hit Capua A/F and landing grounds
at Grazzanise. P-40's hit landing ground at Pabillonis. US and RAF
planes of NATAF operate on reduced scale, flying patrols and hitting
railroads and T/Os on Italian toe."
09/06/43
Fourteenth AF
6 FBs attack wharves, vessels, and destroy small factory building in
Yoyang-Shihhweiyao area. 5 others hit trucks, trains, gun
emplacements, and railway facilities in areas around Sintsiang and
Puchi.
09/06/43
Fifth AF
HBs pound Lae A/F and surrounding area, and MBs bomb and strafe enemy
defenses in Malahang and vicinity, as Allied ground forces push
toward Lae. US ftrs claim 8 enemy aircraft downed over Lae. B-25's
fly sweep against barges along coast of New Britain and bomb tgts on
Timor.
09/06/43
Thirteenth AF
B-25's and P-39's hit enemy positions at Kakasa. B-24's blast gun
positions at Vila. P-39's join Navy aircraft in strike on suspected
radar site at Morgusaia I. 5 Zeros are claimed shot down. 2 P-39's
are lost.
09/07/43
Eighth AF
Over 100 HBs strike industrial area and A/F at Brussels while smaller
number of HBs bomb tgts (including NOBALL site) at Watten, and
shipping off Texel I. M/Y at Saint-Pol/Siracourt is hit by over 80
MBs. Ftr escort is excellent. No aircraft are lost.
09/07/43
Ninth AF
HQ AAF decides to transfer Gen Brereton, CG, and his HQ staff from
Africa to UK to reform Ninth AF in ETO by absorbing VIII A Spt Cmd.
09/07/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-17's bomb 2 satellite A/Fs at Foggia. B-25's and B-26's hit
road and rail bridges at Sapri and Trebisacce and roads at Lauria.
P-40's hit landing ground at Pabillonis and barges off Portoscuso. US
A-20's of NATBF spt British landing on 7/8 Sep near Pizzo in an
unsuccessful attempt to cut off enemy retreat up W coast of Italian
toe. MBs and LBs, in afternoon raids, bomb Crotone A/F and roadblock
and gun batteries N of Catanzaro.
09/07/43
Tenth AF
B-25's attack Gokteik Viaduct, causing minor damage.
09/07/43
Fifth AF
B-24's and B-26's bomb Lae area. B-25's bomb and strafe nearby tgts
on road to Markham. P-38's successfully turn back enemy bombing
attack on Morobe. C-47's begin flying Australian 7th Div to Nadzab.
A-20's hit Gasmata area.
09/07/43
Thirteenth AF
2 B-25's bomb barge depot and supply area E of Ringa Cove.
09/08/43
Eighth AF
44th and 93d Bomb Gps resume operations in UK after DS in Africa;
389th, previously diverted to Africa, becomes operational in UK. Over
200 MBs attack coastal defenses in Boulogne-sur-Mer area and
Lille/Nord and Lille/Vendeville A/Fs.
09/08/43
Ninth AF
B-24's bomb landing ground at Foggia, as convoys approach Salerno to
begin US invasion of Italy (Operation AVALANCHE).
09/08/43
Twelfth AF
About 130 XII BC B-17's bomb Frascati. More than 160 MBs hit highway
at Lauria and bridges at Trebisacce and Sapri. Ftrs hit Pabillonis,
cover Allied forces near Pizzo, and bomb and strafe roads and
vehicles in Lamezia-Vibo Valentia-Pizzo-Catanzaro areas. Bmrs hit
roads and junctions in Naples area during 8/9 Sep.
09/08/43
Tenth AF
6 B-24's mine Rangoon R during 7/8 Sep. B-25's hit Gokteik Viaduct
for second consecutive day, scoring 5 hits at the base of the
structure, which remains usable.
09/08/43
Fifth AF
B-17's, B-24's, B-25's and B-26's pound Lae area, and A-20's hit
Salamaua. Japanese at Salamaua are ordered to prepare to fall back to
Lae in face of approaching Australian 5th Div. Elements of Australian
9th Div, moving W on Lae, reach flooded Busu R where Japanese hold W
bank. Other HBs and MBs carry out light raids on tgts in W part of
Netherlands New Guinea and in islands of NEI.
09/08/43
Thirteenth AF
12 B-25's hit Vila A/F area."
09/08/43
Seventh AF
B-24's operating from Canton I fire on flying boat, scoring hits but
causing no visible damage.
09/09/43
Eighth AF
On D-day for Operation STARKEY (rehearsal for the invasion of
France), Eighth AF dispatches a record number of 330 HBs, which
attack Paris and Beaumontsur-Oise, Beauvais/Tille, Lille/Nord,
Lille/Vendeville, Saint-Omer/Longuenesse, Saint-Omer/Ft Rouge,
Abbeville/Drucat, and Vitry-en-Artois A/Fs, as well as industrial
area around Paris. More than 200 MBs attack coastal installations
around Boulogne-sur-Mer. STARKEY is a disappointment as Germans
refuse to commit ftr defenses on large scale, thus preventing
possible destruction of many of their aircraft, which Allied air
forces hoped to accomplish.
09/09/43
Twelfth AF
Gen Williams assumes cmd of XII TCC (Prov). Over 100 XII BC B-17's
bomb bridges at Capua and Cancello Arnone, and over 240 B-25's and
B-26's hit railroad bridges at Potenza and landing ground at
Scanzano. P-40's fly uneventful sweep over Sardinia. XII A Spt Cmd
ftrs maintain patrols over Salerno, and other NATAF planes bomb and
strafe motor transport, roads, and other tgts in
Catanzaro-Auletta-Rogliano area and NNW of Salerno, as Gen Clark's
Fifth Army invades Italy, landing near Salerno (Operation AVALANCHE)
and British forces make airborne landing on heel of Italy, taking
Taranto (Operation SLAPSTICK).
09/09/43
Ninth AF
B-24's hit satellite A/F at Foggia."
09/09/43
Tenth AF
B-24's again mine Rangoon R, during 8/9 Sep.
09/09/43
Fourteenth AF
8 B-25's and 11 P-40's hit White Cloud A/F. 4 P-38's bomb Whampoa
docks. 8 P-40's and P-38's hit Yangtze R shipping near Chiuchiang,
Kichun, Wusueh, Ocheng, and Changanyi, and strafe T/Os in the general
area.
09/09/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb and strafe coastal area from Alexishafen to Finschhafen
and hit points on New Britain coast. HBs attack Garove I. Selaroe I
is hit by light MB strike.
09/09/43
Thirteenth AF
12 B-25's and 50 plus naval dive bmrs pound Vila A/F and barges at
Disappointment Cove. 18 B-24's, with ftr escort, bomb Kahili A/F. 2
nearby coastal guns are also hit.
09/09/43
Eleventh AF
At Umnak, the RCAF 14th Ftr Sq prepares to depart for Canada.
09/10/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC MBs hit railroad and road junctions and road net in
Castelnuovo-Pescopagano-Cassino-Capua-Formia areas. HBs attack Ariano intersection and highway bridge (and bridges and roads in the area), bridges near Botena and over the Tiber SW of Rome, and roads, buildings, and railroad facilities at Isernia. XII A Spt Cmd and RAF airplanes of NATAF blast heavy road movement N from Lauria and cover beachheads in Salerno area as British Eighth Army increases pressure on its front in effort to prevent Germans from concentrating against US Fifth Army's Salerno beachhead. German troops occupy Rome. During 10/11 Sep B-25's of 12th Bomb Gp hit comm centers at Corleto, Perticara, Auletta, and Sapri.
09/10/43
Ninth AF
B-24's bomb a satellite A/F at Foggia.
09/10/43
Tenth AF
B-25's again bomb Gokteik Viaduct. The approaches are battered but
the viaduct remains usable.
09/10/43
Fourteenth AF
10 B-25's and 7 P-40's hit cotton warehouse N of Wuchang and docks at
Hankow; 9 of 20 intercepting Zeros are claimed destroyed. 6 P-38's
bomb docks at Whampoa.
09/10/43
Fifth AF
B-25's attack barges along New Britain coast. Australian 7th Div,
having been flown to Nadzab in C-47's, begins push E toward Lae.
09/10/43
Eleventh AF
9 B-24's fly from Adak to Attu in preparation for Paramushiru mission
on the next day.
09/10/43
ZI
First and Fourth AFs are relieved from their assignments to Eastern
and Western Def Cmds and hereafter serve primarily as trg
organizations.
09/11/43
Eighth AF
32 B-26's attack Beaumont-le-Roger A/F. 19 others bomb Le Trait
shipyards when primary tgt, Rouen power station, is obscured by
clouds.
09/11/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-17's bomb Benevento M/Y and bridge and highway junction
nearby. B-25's and B-26's hit highways and junctions at Castelnuovo,
Ariano, Mignano, and Isernia. P-40's fly uneventful sweep over S
Sardinia. US and RAF airplanes of NATAF continue to provide beachhead
cover in Salerno area, hit road comm throughout the day, and attack
road and rail bridges, junctions, A/F, and town areas at Sapri,
Corleto, Perticara, Auletta, and Gioia del Colle.
09/11/43
Fourteenth AF
10 B-25's and 11 P-40's attack Hankow docks and Wuchang cotton mills.
3 P-38's bomb ammo and fuel depots at Tayeh and strafe warehouses and
barracks at Yangsin.
09/11/43
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Makassar. Australian forces cross Francisco R to Salamaua
A/F as Japanese forces begin to evacuate Salamaua and withdraw toward
Lae.
09/11/43
Thirteenth AF
18 B-25's pound area W of Vila A/F and W of Disappointment Cove. The
A/F is hit again in the evening by 3 B-24's. 25 B-24's, with ftr
escort, bomb Kahili A/F. HBs and ftrs claim 7 aircraft shot down.
P-40's and P-39's spt Navy dive bmrs in striking gun positions at
Hamberi.
09/11/43
Eleventh AF
12 B-25's and 8 B-24's attack Paramushiru for the third and last time
this year. 6 HBs bomb Kashiwabara staging area. Shipping is bombed
and strafed in Kashiwabara harbor and Paramushiru Straits. 1
freighter and 1 large transport is sunk while 1 transport and 2 cargo
ships are damaged. 2 other cargo vessels sustain possible hits. Tgts
hit on land include 2 bldgs and a AA battery on Shimushu. Of 40 ftrs
giving battle, 13 are shot down and 3 more are probables. 2 HBs
force-land in USSR, one with mechanical defect, the other after being
hit. 1 B-24 is downed by AA fire. Losses are 7 B-25's and 2 B-24's in
this most disastrous day for the Eleventh. It will be another 5
months before it is able to strike at the Kurils again.
09/12/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-17's bomb Mignano road defiles, Benevento road bridge, and
Frosinone A/F. MBs hit Ariano (and trucks and road nearby), Isernia,
and Castelnuovo and Formia road junctions. US and RAF aircraft of
NATAF attack motor transport movement, roads, and bridges in
Potenza-Auletta areas, maintain cover over Fifth Army in Salerno
invasion area (where the enemy launches a fierce effort to reduce the
beachhead), and during 12/13 Sep fly intruder missions over 6 A/Fs
between Rome and Pizzo, finding little activity. British Eighth Army
forces on toe of Italy capture Crotone and push N, and on Taranto
front occupy territory up to N of Castelaneta.
09/12/43
Ninth AF
B-24's hit Kalathos and Maritsa A/Fs.
09/12/43
Fourteenth AF
8 P-38's bomb shipping in Hong Kong area, 4 hit Yangtze R traffic at
Chiuchiang, and 4 P-40's strafe barracks and destroy locomotive W of
Shihhweiyao.
09/12/43
Fifth AF
B-17's and B-24's pound Lae as Japanese begin withdrawal in face of
Australian 9th and 7th Divs moving in from E and W. Australian 5th
Div occupies Salamaua and surrounding area. First Allied airplane
lands at Salamaua A/F. B-25's strafe between Saidor and Langemak Bay.
B-25's hit barges near Cape Gloucester, and A-20's bomb radio station
at Gasmata.
09/12/43
Eleventh AF
XI FC moves up to Adak.
09/13/43
Eighth AF
1st, 2d, and 3d Bomb Divs are activated in UK. They are formed from
complements of VIII BC's 4 bomb wgs. Each bomb div is organized into
combat bomb wgs. COs of the Bomb Divs are Gen Williams (1st), Gen
Hodges (2d), and Col Curtis E LeMay (3d).
09/13/43
Twelfth AF
B-17's of XII BC bomb roads in Torre del Greco area highway at Sala
Consilina, and road junction, railway and bridge at Atena Lucana.
B-25's attack viaduct, rail and road junctions, and rail lines in
Pompeii-Castellammare di Stabia Torre Annuziata areas. XII A Spt Cmd
A-36's destroy 25 to 30 vehicles near Potenza, and ftrs maintain
convoy patrol. US and RAF LBs and MBs of NATBF hit town areas, road j
unctions, and vehicles in Auletta-Pompeii-Sala Consilina-San Severino
Rota areas. Over 80 troop transports drop continFents of 82d Airborne
Div S of Sele R to strengthen bridgehead in face of enemy
counter-attacks which threaten US Fifth Army beachhead in Salerno
area.
09/13/43
Ninth AF
RAF HBs, under IX RC, hit Potenza. Col Frederick M Byerly replaces
Col Charles D McAllister as cmdr of IX FC.
09/13/43
Fifth AF
B-24's escorted by P-38's, bomb A/Fs and ammo dumps in Wewak area.
B-25's hit Lae.
09/13/43
Eleventh AF
Gen Johnson succeeds Gen Butler as CG of the Eleventh.
09/14/43
Eighth AF
Over 100 MBs of 3 gps sent to attack Woensdrecht and Lille/Nord A/Fs
are forced to abort mission because of bad weather.
09/14/43
Twelfth AF
Elements of British Eighth Army enter Bari. At Salerno, US Fifth
Army, throwing reserves and serv troops into line, and receiving much
naval and air spt, holds off enemy onslaughts against beachhead. XII
BC B-17's, B-25's, and B-26's attack highways, road j unctions and
defiles, bridges, town areas, railroads, M/Y, barracks, and numerous
T/Os, including several gun positions, in or near Avellino, Pompeii,
Torre Annunziata, Auletta, Baronissi, San Severino Rota, Battipaglia,
and Eboli. US and RAF FBs, LBs, and MBs of NATAF fly well over 500
sorties, mainly against roads, bridges, and towns in battle areas, in
or around Battipaglia, Eboli, Potenza, Torre Annunziata, Benevento,
Auletta, and Avellino. Troop transports drop more contingents of 82d
Airborne Div S of Sele R to strengthen beachhead, and also behind
enemy lines near Avellino to disrupt enemy comm.
09/14/43
Ninth AF
B-24's hit M/Y at Pescara. RAF HBs, under IX BC, hit Potenza.
09/14/43
Fourteenth AF
15 B-24's are dispatched against Haiphong. First flight aborts due to
bad weather but second flight reaches tgt area and bombs docks and
shipping. 4 P-38's severely damage 2 vessels at Chiuchiang.
09/14/43
Fifth AF
B-25's attack Lae and barges in Hansa Bay. B-24's bomb Kendari.
09/14/43
Thirteenth AF
Allied A/Fs and other facilities on Guadalcanal, at Barakoma, and at
Munda are attacked by Japanese airplanes throughout the day. B-24's,
with AAF and Navy ftr escorts, bomb Kahili A/F 3 times during the
day. More than 30 of the HBs unload on dispersal and revetment areas
and on runways, causing considerable damage. 8 Japanese interceptors
are claimed shot down. 3 B-25's bomb Vila A/F. 2 B-24's and 6 B-34's
attack Vila area. P-39's join Navy ftrs and dive bmrs in attack on
Ballale I A/F.
09/14/43
Eleventh AF
The 36th Bomb Sq (H) departs for the ZI.
09/15/43
Eighth AF
Almost 140 HBs attack aircraft engine works, Renault motor works, and
ball bearing plant at Parix. Comparable numbers of aircraft bomb A/Fs
at Chartres and Romilly-sur-Seine. About 70 B-26's hit Merville A/F.
Mission to Lille is abandoned due to bad weather. Small number of HBs
fly night mission with RAF against Montlucon Dunlop tire factory.
09/15/43
Twelfth AF
B-17's of XII BC bomb highways and railroad at Torre del Greco while
B-25's and B-26's hit highways and road junctions at or near Torre
Annunziata, Battipaglia, Eboli, Serre, Auletta, and Polla. Xll A Spt
Cmd and other NATAF elements attack buildings, railroads, highways
and motor transport in spt of US f'ifth Army as German counter
attacks astride Sele R subside. British Eighth Army forces reach
Sapri, threatening the enemy with entrapment between US and British
forces.
09/15/43
Ninth AF
B-24's hit M/Y at Potenza and attack railroads and warehouses in
areas around Potenza, Altamura, Gravina di Puglia, and Matera.
09/15/43
Fourteenth AF
5 B-24's attack Haiphong cement plant. More than 50 Japanese ftrs
attack the HBs, shooting down 4 of them. The 1 returning B-24 claims
10 ftrs downed. 6 B-25's and 14 P-40's attack Wucnang cotton mill
area.
09/15/43
Fifth AF
B-24's, with P-38 escort, bomb A, Fs in Wewak area, destroying 10
enemy aircraft on the ground. 14 more are claimed destroyed in air
combat. B-17's bomb Lae area. B-25's sink about 15 barges between
Alexishafen and Finschhafeu, blast ammo and supply dump near
Bogadjim, and attack AA positions at Bostrem Bay.
09/15/43
Thirteenth AF
B-25's bomb Vila, Kahili, and Kara A/Fs. B-24's, with ftr escort,
later pound Kahili runway area; others hit Parapatu Pt. During the
night, B-25's hit Kahili A/F twice and HBs bomb A/Fs on Buka and
Ballale. Ballale I A/F is also hit by Navy dive bmrs, supported by
AAF, Navy and Marine ftrs. Bivouac area, revetments, supply dumps and
gun positions are hit. Runway appears badly damaged by the strikes.
09/16/43
Eighth AF
More than 130 HBs attack port area and Chateau-Bougon A/F, more than
70 hit La Pallice harbor installations and Laleu A/F near La
Rochelle, and 21 strike at Cognac/ Chateaubernard A/F. Nearly 70 MBs
attack Beaumont-le-Roger and Triqueville A/Fs. 5 B-17's fly night
mission with 340 RAF HBs against Modane M/Y. This mission is flown
from UK at the request of Gen Eisenhower. 3 B-24 gps in UK (44th,
93d, and 389th) are sent on loan to N Africa for second time at Gen
Eisenhower's request for spt of the crucial campaign in this theater.
09/16/43
Twelfth AF
B-17's of XII BC hit bridges, rail line, M/Y, trains, and
railroad-highway intersection in Benevento area, and roads and
railway facilities in Caserta area. MBs hit roads, railroads,
junctions, and bridges at Isernia, Formia, Mignano, and Capua. XII A
Spt Cmd FBs maintain continuous sweeps over Salerno beachhead and
surrounding battle zone while other US and RAF elements of NATAF
(ftrs, LBs, and MBs) blast enemy aircraft, motor transport, troop
concentrations and comm tgts in Contursi and Eboli areas. US and
British make patrol contact near Vallo della Lucania. US Fifth Army
ties in with Taranto invasion force to form Allied line across S
Italy.
09/16/43
Ninth AF
B-24's hit road junctions and a supply dump at Potenza, following RAF
raid of previous night.
09/16/43
USSR
Red Army takes Novorossisk.
09/16/43
Fourteenth AF
8 B-25's and 12 P-40's hit warehouses, barracks, ammo dumps, and HQ
at Liujenpa.
09/16/43
Fifth AF
B-17's, B-26's, B-25's, and A-20's pound enemy positions at Lae,
after which the A/F and town (evacuated by Japanese) are occupied by
Australian forces. B-24's carry out light strike on Sorong.
09/16/43
Thirteenth AF
P-40's join Navy ftrs in covering Navy dive bmr strike on Ballale I
A/F.
09/17/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-17's and B-26's bomb A/Fs at Ciampino and Pratica di Mare.
B-25's attack small craft and barges off mouth of Tiber R. P-38's fly
27 dive-bombing missions against roads, junctions, railways, bridges,
and T/Os in battle area and towns of Vallo della Lucania, Acerno,
Nocera, Avellino, Gragnano, Serre, Lioni, Fisciano, Monteforte
Irpino, Cava de' Tirreni and Auletta. XII A Spt Cmd, NATBF, and other elements of NATAF fly sweeps over battle area, patrol beaches, escort naval vessels, and bomb rail and road junctions, motor transport, M/Y, town areas, and various T/Os in Pompeii, Torre Annunziata, Salerno, Campagna, Sarno, Solofra, Montella, and Acerno areas. US Fifth Army forces advancing on Altavilla are pinned down. However enemy retires to the N, completing withdrawal from battleline during night. British Eighth Army begins general adv N toward Potenza and Auletta.
09/17/43
Ninth AF
B-24's attack M/Y, road j unction, and rail junction at Pescara on E
coast of Italy. RAF HBs again hit Potenza.
09/17/43
Fifth AF
B-25's carry out coastal sweep against barges and villages from Reiss
Pt to Langemak Bay.
09/18/43
Eighth AF
36 MBs attack Beauvais/Tille A/F. Attacks of MBs on Rouen power
station and Beaumont-le-Roger A/F are aborted because of failure to
rendezvous with ftr escort and bad weather, respectively.
09/18/43
Twelfth AF
B-17's of XII BC hit Viterbo A/F and Salerno-Avellino road, while
B-25's and B-26's bomb A/F at Ciampino and Pratica di Mare. B-25's
fire 75mm shells at small vessels and lighthouse near Capraia and
between Pianosa and Corsica. P-38's on DS with NATAF strafe 4
satellite A/Fs at Foggia and bomb roads, railroads, bridges, and
towns in battle area. Seventh Army forces take Altavilla, Persano,
and Battipaglia without opposition."
09/18/43
Ninth AF
B-24's hit Pescara M/Y.
09/18/43
Fourteenth AF
4 B-25's and 7 P-40's attack rail yards and blast furnaces at
Shihhweiyao.
09/18/43
Fifth AF
A-20's hit Tami Is in Lae area. B-26's and RAAF air planes bomb and
strafe Finschhafen.
09/18/43
Thirteenth AF
B-24's bomb A/F and attack phosphate plant and radio station on
Nauru.
09/18/43
Seventh AF
24 B-24's, flying out of Funafuti and Canton I, bomb Betio, Maiana,
and Abemama Is in the Gilbert chain during 18/19 Sep. This action is
part of a coordinated Army-Navy attack on Tarawa, aimed at preventing
Japanese attacks on US installations at Baker I and in the Ellice Is.
09/19/43
Eighth AF
MBs hit Lille/Nord A/F. Other MB attacks on Lille and Merville are
recalled due to bad weather.
09/19/43
Twelfth AF
FBs of XII A Spt Cmd and planes of other NATAF elements (US and RAF)
concentrate on attacking roads and vehicles in
Benevento-Montesarchio-Contursi-Potenza-Avellino areas, and hit
railway station at Castelnuovo. Fifth Army gains firm control of
Salerno plain, while British Eighth Army troops take Potenza and
Auletta.
09/19/43
Tenth AF
HBs hit Monywa.
09/19/43
Fifth AF
B-25's and B-26's pound Finschhafen in preparation for Allied
landings on 22 Sep. B-17's and B-24's bomb A/F and surrounding area
at Cape Gloucester. B-24's and B-25's fly small strikes against
Amboina, Selaroe, and Penfoei.
09/19/43
Thirteenth AF
B-25's and Navy dive bmrs, covered by ftrs, bomb Vila A/F and a
causeway, enemy positions, and ammo dump at Disappointment Cove.
Other B-25's bomb and strafe barge centers at Ringa and Webster
Coves.
09/19/43
Seventh AF
20 B-24's, out of Funafuti and Canton I, bomb Tarawa and Abemama and
obtain photo coverage of Betio. 1 B-24 is lost to interceptors.
09/19/43
Eleventh AF
The 21st Bomb Sq (H) departs for the ZI.
09/20/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-17's and B-26's bomb Castelnuovo road junction, town of
Formia, Torre Annunziata area roads, and roads and railroad SW of
Sarno. XII A Spt Cmd A-36's attack and disperse enemy tank and troop
concentrations forming near Nocera for a counterattack. Other US and
RAF aircraft of NATAF hit enemy movement
Avellino-Naples-Potenza-Benevento-Calabritto-Pomigliano-Pescopagano
areas. US Seventh Army starts into mts N of Salerno.
09/20/43
Ninth AF
98th and 376th Bomb Gps, along with 43d Serv Gp and several MP and
engineer units, are to be transferred to Twelfth AF, effective on
their arrival in Tunis. IX BC makes its last raid on Italy. B-24's of
98th and 376th Bomb Gps are dispatched against Castelfranco Veneto
M/Y. Clouds obscure tgt, but 98th Gp drops bombs on estimated time of
arrival. 376th bombs M/Y and A/F at Pescara during return trip.
09/20/43
Tenth AF
B-24's bomb Sagaing and Naba.
09/20/43
Fourteenth AF
27 Japanese bmrs and 20 ftrs attack A/F at Kunming. 24 P-40's and 3
P-38's intercept, claiming 17 airplanes shot down. 1 US ftr is lost.
Damage to the A/F is negligible.
09/20/43
Fifth AF
B-25's and B-17's hit roads from Kaiapit to Madang, destroying 3 key
bridges. P-39's strafe and dive-bomb Bogadjim-Yaula area. B-24's bomb
Wewak and Boram A/Fs. B-25's hit Penfoei.
09/20/43
Thirteenth AF
1st Lt Henry Meigs II (6th Night Ftr Sq), flying a P-38 against
Japanese night attackers over Bougainville, shoots down 2 aircraft
within 60 seconds.
09/21/43
Eighth AF
Over 40 B-26's bomb Beauvais/Tille A/F. Bad weather causes more than
20 MBs to abort.
09/21/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-17's hit bridge and town area at Benevento. B-25's and
B-26's hit landing craft and ferry near Elba and bridges at Cancello
Arnone and Capua. B-24's on DS from Eighth AF bomb Leghorn and
Bastia. MBs and FBs of NATBF and XII A Spt Cmd hit town areas, troop
concentrations, trucks and tanks, and T/Os in
Solofra-Avellino-Benevento areas.
09/21/43
Ninth AF
HQ IX FC at Tripoli closes.
09/21/43
Fifth AF
A-20's, B-26's, and RAAF aircraft hit Tami Is and pound Finschhafen
in preparation for Allied amphibious assault on following day. B-25's
bomb and strafe Bogadjim area. B-24's hit Cape Gloucester and a
freighter near Talasea. A-20's, and RAF aircraft bomb Gasmata. B-25's
attack Langgoer.
09/21/43
Fourteenth AF
8 B-25's and 8 P-40's attack railroad yards and warehouses at
Chiuchiang, causing considerable destruction.
09/21/43
Thirteenth AF
20-plus B-24's bomb runway and revetment area at Buka I A/F. About 20
Japanese ftrs intercept. 2 Zeros are shot down.
09/22/43
Eighth AF
70 B-26's bomb Evreux/Fauville A/F. MB mission to attack
Beauvais/Tille A/F aborts due to bad weather. 4 gps of P-47's sweep
over NE France and Belgium and 3 gps sweep over N Belgium and Dutch
Is. A few B-17's fly night attack on Hannover with RAF.
09/22/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-25's and B-26's bomb roads, railroad, and bridges at or near
San Martino Sannita, Grottaminarda, Amorosi, and Mignano. B-25's on
DS to NATAF attack small vessels near Elba with 75mm cannon. NATBF
and XII A Spt Cmd airplanes hit troop concentrations and gun
positions near Serino and Santa Lucia di Serino, road block at
Nocera, town and roads at Fisciano, town of Pagani, tanks and trucks
between Acerno and Montella and in Foggia area, vessels and docks at
Manfredonia, town of Camarella, and landing ground at Capua.
09/22/43
Ninth AF
Ninth AF flies its final mission from Africa. B-24's bomb Maritsa and
Eleusis A/Fs. The bomb gps of IX BC subsequently are transferred to
Twelfth AF.
09/22/43
Tenth AF
MBs attack Ye-u branch line railroad bridge over Mu R between
Ywataung and Monywa. Negligible damage is done to the tgt.
09/22/43
Fifth AF
After preparatory naval bombardment, elements of Australian 9th Div
land at mouth of Song R N of Finschhafen and push to S. B-25's pound
defenses in Finschhafen area. Almost 90 Fifth AF ftrs battle aircraft
attacking the convoy. 38 enemy aircraft are claimed shot down. A-20's
and B-25's hit Lae area. B-24's and B-25's bomb Gasmata A/F. B-24 hit
Amboina.
09/23/43
Eighth AF
More than 150 HBs hit port area at Nantes and Vannes/ Meucon and
Kerlin/Bastard A/Fs. 80 HBs strike Rennes/Saint-Jacques A/F and port
area and ships at Nantes. MBs attack Conches/Evreux and
Beauvais/Tille A/Fs. Mannheim is attacked by RAF, along with a few
Eighth AF B-17's, in a night raid.
09/23/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-26's bomb bridges at Cancello Arnone and 3 mi NE of Capua.
Planes of NATBF and XII A Spt Cmd attack motor transport, roads,
railroads, town areas, gun positions, and T/Os in areas of San
Severino Rota, Avellino, Sarno, Torre Annunziata, Aversa, Nocera,
Resina, Serino, Pompeii, and Camarella.
09/23/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb and strafe villages in upper Markham R Valley. P-40's
bomb Gasmata.
09/23/43
Thirteenth AF
23 B-24's, 16 P-38's, and 60-plus Navy dive bmrs, covered by AAF,
Marine, Navy, and RNZAF ftrs, attack Kahili. Allied aircraft claim at
least 9 ftrs shot down. 21 B-24's bomb area from Stanmore Plantation
to mouth of Vila R. P-39's strafe 2 barges, at Sasamunga and
Malanono, leaving both aflame."
09/23/43
Eleventh AF
Adm Kinkaid issues Op Plan 9-43 which reorganizes Alaskan Army and
Navy air strength. CG Eleventh AF becomes Cmdr of TF 90, composed of
TG 90.1, designated the Air Striking Unit (comprising 16 MBs, 12 HBs,
100 ftrs) and of TG 90.2, designated the Air Search Gp, a Navy air
arm. For operations the Eleventh is now under the jurisdiction of
COMNORPAC Forces. There is no administrative change.
09/24/43
Eighth AF
71 MBs hit Evreaux/ Fauville A/F in main attack. Other aircraft
attack tgts at Beauvais.
09/24/43
Twelfth AF
B-25's and B-26's of XII BC hit roads, railways, bridges, and
junctions at Grottaminarda, Maddaloni, Benevento, Avellino, Capua,
Cancello Arnone, Amorosi, Ponte, and Mignano, and attack destroyer
between Corsica and Elba. B-24's on DS from Eighth AF bomb M/Y at
Pisa. US and RAF planes of NATBF, XII A Spt Cmd, and other elements
of NATAF attack vehicles, roads, troop concentrations, and gun
positions around Santa Lucia di Serino, Serino, Caserta, Benevento,
Camarella, Baronissi, Nocera, Montemarano, and San Severo.
09/24/43
Fifth AF
B-24's fly small strike against Sorong and Manokwari.
09/25/43
Eighth AF
72 B-26's attack Saint-Omer/Longuenesse A/F.
09/25/43
Twelfth AF
About 90 B-17's of XII BC hit Bologna M/Y; 14 others hit Bolzano
railroad bridge. B-25's and B-26's bomb A/Fs at Pisa, Lucca, and
Bastia/Borgo, highway at Mignano, road junction at Maddaloni, and
railroad and road bridges at Cancello Arnone, Caiazzo, and Ponte. US
and RAF aircraft of NATBF, XII A Spt Cmd, and DAF hit Serino (causing
roadblock), troop concentrations at Sarno, gun positions, troops, and
vehicles near Nocera, Aquino A/F, storage dump N of Foggia, and a
dredger at Termoli.
09/25/43
USSR
Soviet Army captures Smolensk.
09/25/43
Fifth AF
Nearly 40 B-17's, B-24, and B-25's bomb installations and supply
lines from Bogadjim to villages on Ramu and Markham Rivers. A-20's
and RAAF airplanes pound positions near Finschhafen as Australian 9th
Div, having crossed Buni R previous day, pushes S toward the town.
B-25's bomb and strafe AA positions at Rein Bay.
09/25/43
Thirteenth AF
B-25's join Navy TBF's and SBD's in pounding gun positions in areas
around Vila A/F and Disappointment Cove.
09/26/43
Eighth AF
40 HBs hit Reims/ Champagne air depot. Bad weather prevents bombing
by more than 160 other HBs dispatched to tgts in N France.
09/26/43
Twelfth AF
Ftrs, LBs, and MBs of XII A Spt Cmd, NATBF, and DAF patrol battle
zone, escort convoys, carry out bombing and strafing sweeps against
motor transport in Benevento-Melfi area and N of Foggia, bomb
Pomigliano landing ground, and hit town of Sarno and military
concentrations to the N. Bad weather prevents XII BC HB missions.
09/26/43
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb But and Dagua A/Fs. P-38's claim 9 enemy ftrs shot down
in But-Dagua-Wewak areas. Other B-24's hit Nubia and Potsdam
Plantations.
09/26/43
Thirteenth AF
21 B-24's, covered by 14 P-38's, bomb bivouac near Kahili. 30 P-40's
and P-39's and 15 Navy F-4U's spt more than 50 Navy dive bmrs in
strike on Kahili A/F hangar area and gun positions at Kangu Hill and
Jakohina.
09/27/43
Eighth AF
HBs equipped with H2S fly first large daylight mission in ETO against
cloud-covered tgt. Two of these pathfinder aircraft lead main attack
of 244 other B-17's on port area at Emden. P-47's with belly tanks
escort bmrs entire way to tgt in Germany for first time. More than
130 B-26's attack A/Fs at Conches and Beauvais/Tille. A few B-17's
fly with RAF on night raid against Hannover.
09/27/43
Twelfth AF
Weather almost halts Twelfth AF operations. XII A Spt Cmd ftrs strafe
Viterbo A/F and Bracciano seaplane base, bomb road j unction at San
Severo, and strafe locomotive and train station. Other NATAF
airplanes hit trucks in Benevento area.
09/27/43
Fifth AF
117 B-24's and B-25's, escorted by 129 P-38's and P-40's, attack A/Fs
and shipping in Wewak area. About 40 aircraft are destroyed on the
ground and 8 are claimed shot down in combat. The bmrs claim 10 ships
(totalling about 28,000 tons), 11 luggers, and a launch sunk.
Finschhafen is bombed twice during the day.
09/27/43
Thirteenth AF
27 B-24's, 20-plus P-40's and P-39's, and several Navy ftrs pound
Kahili area. P-39's over Choiseul strafe (and explode) 3 barges off
Wogai Pt, and strafe 2 others off Bambatana, leaving 1 ablaze.
09/28/43
Twelfth AF
Weather prevents completion of XII BC B-17 missions against Bologna
M/Y and Bolzano railroad bridge, except for 1 HB which bombs Bolzano.
Tac aircraft operations are also severely curtailed by weather. FBs
bomb and strafe motor transport in Benevento-Castera area. US Fifth
Army is ready for assault on Naples and Avellino. Castellamare di
Stabia, Nocera, and Sala Consilina are taken.
09/28/43
Fifth AF
The Wewak area is again hit, the 40 attacking B-24's being escorted
by 29 P-38's which claim 8 ftrs shot down. A-20's and RAAF Vengeances
attack Finschhafen and Lae area. B-24's and P-39's hit road near
Bogadjim.
09/28/43
Thirteenth AF
5 SB-24 snoopers attack convoy in N Solomons waters and claim several
damaging hits. The convoy reverses its course.
09/29/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC B-25's and B-26's bomb bridges at or near Piana, Castelvenere,
Amorosi, and Cancello Arnone. P-38's bomb Ausonia defile and bridge
near San Apollinare. US and RAF tac aircraft hit town of San Giorgio
del Sannio and roads in the area S of Benevento. US Fifth Army opens
attack on Avellino during 29/30 Sep. Gen Eisenhower and Marshal
Badoglio sign Italian surrender document on HMS Nelson off Malta.
09/29/43
USSR
Soviet Army takes Kremenchug.
09/29/43
Fourteenth AF
9 B-24's bomb Myitkyina and Sadon during routine ferry trips over the
Hump.
09/29/43
Fifth AF
B-24's on armed rcn attack scattered shipping in NEI and Solomon and
Bismarck Seas.
09/29/43
Thirteenth AF
P-40's, P-38's, and P-39's join Navy ftrs in supporting a strike by
Navy dive bmrs on barge depot at Kakasa. Other P-40's strafe and set
afire a barge off Sambi Pt.
09/30/43
Twelfth AF
XII BC P-38's, B-25's, and B-26's bomb road and rail and road bridges
at Ausonia, Piana, Castelvenere, Amorosi, and Capua, and carry out
sweeps from Bastia to Elba I. 7 B-25's hit Benevento and surrounding
rail and road comm. XII A Spt Cmd Fbs carry out strafing and bombing
missions N and NE of Naples as Avellino falls to US 3d Div.
09/30/43
Fourteenth AF
2 B-25's and 4 P-40's claim heavy damage to gunboat at Ft Bayard.
09/30/43
Fifth AF
B-24's and B-25's fly light raids against Boela, Sorong, and
Manatuto.
09/30/43
Thirteenth AF
16 B-24's, covered by 20-plus P-38's and P-40's and a few Navy
F-4U's, pound Kahili A/F area, hitting supply and bivouvac area NE of
the strip. 6 B-25's bomb Kakasa.
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