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04/01/44
Eighth AF
438 B-17's and B-24's are dispatched to bomb chemical industry at
Ludwigshafen (largest in Europe). All 192 B-17's of the lead force
abandon mission over French coast due to heavy clouds. The 246 B-24's
in second force became widely dispersed; 162 bomb T/Os (Pforzheim and
Grafenhausen); 26 bomb Schaffhausen, Switzerland, and Strasbourg,
France, mistaking them for German towns.
04/01/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's attack Leghorn harbor, bridges at Orvieto, and railway track S
of Poggibonsi. B-26's hit Arno R railroad bridges at Signa,
Riva-Trigoso, and Valdarno, while A-20's hit ammo dumps. P-40's hit
tgts in vicinity of Gaeta, Formia tunnel, several fuel dumps,
bridges, and guns in battle areas. P-47's bomb Poggibonsi bridge and
strafe train. Ftrs patrol Anzio battle area without incident.
04/01/44
Tenth AF
10 A-31's hit troop positions SW of Buthidaung. 40-plus A-31's pound
Homalin-Thaungdut-Paungbyin areas. In vicinity of Mandalay 14 P-38's
hit freight train and damage a factory. Near Rangoon 16 B-24's hit a
railroad station and bomb Akyab while 6 B-25's damage railroad bridge
near Nattalin.
04/01/44
Fifth AF
B-25's and A-20's hit Tadji and Hansa Bay areas. B-24's bomb Boela.
B-25's attack Penfoei.
04/01/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's bomb supply areas at Wunapope and RatawuI. 28 P-39's and
P-40's hit Toboi wharf area at Simpson Harbor. 3 P-40's follow with
strike on oil and coal storage in same general area. 12 P-38's bomb
mission at Monoitu. Ftrs maintain sweeps over Rabaul and New Ireland
throughout the day and B-25's harass Rabaul during 1/2 Apr. 12 P-40's
hit Numa Numa supply dumps.
04/01/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Abemama strike Ponape; B-24's from Makin and Kwajalein
hit Truk. B-25's from Tarawa bomb Maloelap and Jaluit.
04/02/44
Twelfth AF
MBs attack railroad bridges at Arezzo, Fano, Ficulle, Magra, N of
Orvieto, and S of Poggibonsi, scoring some direct hits, hits on
approaches, and several near misses. FBs hit trucks and railroad
station at Fara in Sabina and E and N of Anzio, attack Formia tunnel,
fly armed rcn over Atina and Arce areas, bomb factory and buildings N
of Cassino, town of Pignataro Interamna, and numerous bridges, dumps,
gun positions and T/Os in or around battle areas.
04/02/44
Fifteenth AF
461st Bomb Gp (B-24) becomes operational, making 16 HB gps now
operational in Fifteenth AF. More than 530 B-24's and B-17's (largest
Fifteenth AF mission to date) attack ball bearing plant and aircraft
factory at Steyr, M/Ys at Bihac and Brod, troop concentration at
Bihac, and A/F at Mostar. Ftrs fly over 150 sorties in spt of the
HBs. Hundreds of ftrs oppose the missions. Fierce air battles result
in 19 HBs shot down and several missing. The HBs and ftr escorts
claim to have destroyed over 150 ftrs in combat.
04/02/44
E Europe
Soviet Army enters Rumania.
04/02/44
Tenth AF
12 A-31's hit troop positions E and S of Buthidaung. 60 A-31's pound
positions along upper Chindwin R and hit Paungbyin and Nawngpu-awng.
12 P-40's bomb Kamaing while 6 P-51's over Katha area hit trucks near
Bhamo and storage area at Indaw."
04/02/44
Fourteenth AF
2 B-24's on sea sweep from Hong Kong to Formosa bomb a 215-ft ship
(reported sunk) and damage a large motor launch.
04/02/44
Fifth AF
More than 120 bmrs and ftrs continue to hit tgts in areas around
Wewak, Hansa Bay, Madang, Bogadjim, and other points along NE New
Guinea coastline. MBs also hit Dili, Penfoei, and Rambutyo I.
04/02/44
Thirteenth AF
31 B-24's fly strike against Dublon, causing considerable damage to
warehouse and dock areas The HBs claim 30-plus ftrs downed 4 B-24's
are lost. 40-plus FBs over Rabaul hit SE part of town, Toboi wharf
area, and N section of town along Malaguna road. 7 B-25's hit Raluana
Pt while 23 pound Lakunai."
04/02/44
XX BC
First operational B-29, piloted by Col Leonard F Harman, lands at
Chakulia.
04/02/44
Seventh AF
B-24's from Eniwetok hit Truk during 1/2 Apr. During the day B-25's
bomb Jaluit and Maloelap.
04/03/44
Ninth AF
Because of combat crew shortage which has caused abolition of the
50-mission limit tour of duty and resulted in fatigue and morale
problems, IX BC establishes new operational leave policy. Maximum
leaves for bmr crews are set at 1 week between the 25th and 30th
missions and 2 weeks between the 40th and 50th mlsslons.
04/03/44
Twelfth AF
MBs attack railway bridges at Orvieto, cutting approaches to bridge
at N of town. Other MB attacks on bridges abort because of weather
but LBs successfully bomb ammo dump. A-36's attack railway at
Attigliano and bomb underpass in the area, while P-40's hit Sesti
Bagni railroad station, supply dump SE of Frosinone, town of Itri,
bivouac area NW of Velletri, and several trucks. P-47's successfully
bomb Pignataro Interamna and nearby road junction.
04/03/44
Fifteenth AF
More than 450 B-17's and B-24's bomb aircraft factory and M/Y at
Budapest, and M/Ys at Knin, Brod, and Drnis. 137 ftrs escort the
B-17's (B-24's miss rendezvous) to Budapest. HBs and escorting ftrs
claim 24 aircraft shot down.
04/03/44
Tenth AF
36 A-31's bomb areas along the upper Chindwin R. In Mandalay area 4
B-25's damage Tangon bridge while 6 P-61's hit Anisakan airstrip.
20-plus FBs and 6 B-25's hit T/Os S of Mupaw Ga and W of Mogaung,
troops near Bhamo, and knock out bridge near Mogaung. During 3/4 Apr
16 B-24's bomb oil and power facilities at Yenangyaung, Chauk, and
Lanywa while 8 P-38's hit Meiktila A/F."
04/03/44
Fourteenth AF
4 rocket-firing P-40's, with 8 other as top cover, damage 2 large
river boats between Hengyang and Ichang. 4 others flying Red R sweep
from Vinh Yen to Dong Cuong sink 4 small boats, damage 3 more, and
strafe 50-100 persons at a loading point on the R. 3 B-24's lay mines
in Haiphong area.
04/03/44
Fifth AF
More than 300 B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and P-38's blast A/Fs at
Hollandia. Most of the remaining Japanese airplanes there are
destroyed. Of 60 intercepting ftrs, 26 are claimed shot down. Air
opposition from Hollandia is very light hereafter. 50-plus P-40's,
P-47's, and P39's hit villages, comm, AA positions, and other tgts in
areas around Wewak, Hansa Bay, Bogia, and Madang. B-24's hit Langgoer
and B-25's bomb Babo area and Penfoei.
04/03/44
Thirteenth AF
23 B-25's pound NE section of Rabaul. This strike follows larger than
usual (6 B-25's) heckling raids during 2/3 Apr. 50-plus FBs blast
fuel stores at Keravia Bay. On Bougainville, AF and Navy ftrs strafe
Numa Numa trail area and maintain patrols.
04/03/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok during 2/3 Apr, bomb Truk. B-25's
from Abemama follow with daytime attack on Ponape. Other B-25's from
Abemama and Tarawa hit Maloelap and Jaluit.
04/04/44
Twelfth AF
MB missions are aborted due to weather. LBs manage to bomb an ammo
dump. FBs bomb Terracina and Formia, attack bridge and several
vehicles during armed rcn of Rome-Orte area, bomb Itri and Fondi, hit
numerous gun positions, a railway station, a bivouac area, and a
vehicle concentration, and attack T/Os between Atina and Cassino.
04/04/44
Fifteenth AF
Over 300 B-24's and B-17's attack M/Y at Budapest. Ftrs fly nearly
120 sorties in spt of the mission. Between 150 and 200 enemy ftrs
attack the HBs, shooting down 10. HBs and escorts claim over 50
aircraft destroyed in combat.
04/04/44
Tenth AF
120-plus FBs and 4 B-25's hit rail lines, storage areas and Japanese
held villages around Mogaung and Myitkyina, and spt ground forces
near Kamaing and Myitkyina. 80-plus A-31's hit enemy positions E of
Imphal. During 4/5 Apr, 14 B-24's bomb Moulmein railroad yards and
jetties and hit Japanese HQ nearby at Nagorn Sawarn. 27 P-51's and
P-38's attack Aungban and Anisakan A/Fs.
04/04/44
Fourteenth AF
P-38's on armed rcn strafe and destroy 2 big fuel dumps, 12 fuel
trucks, and 15-20 troops in Wan Mong Kang area.
04/04/44
Fifth AF
50-plus B-24's pound Wewak area. 12 P-39's hit villages, bridges, and
wooded areas along coast from Cape Gourdon to Bogia.
04/04/44
Thirteenth AF
12 P-40's hit barge hideout in Gazelle Harbor. 10 B-25's (rained out
of Rabaul) bomb Buka A/F, 23 P-39's hit Aitara area, and 11 P-40's
bomb Mamaregu barge hidout. 24 P-38's pound Mamagata, Dio Dio, and
Miwo R area. Ground spt missions along Empress Augusta Bay are
carried out by a variety of ftrs.
04/04/44
Twentieth AF
Twentieth AF is constituted and activated in Washington, DC.
04/04/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, flying out of the Gilberts, bomb Truk during the night.
B-25's, from Abemema and Tarawa, followup during the day with raids
on Ponape, Jaluit, and Maloelap.
04/05/44
Eighth AF
21 B-24's bomb V-weapon installation at Saint-Pol/Siracourt. Heavy
clouds and failure of blind-bombing equipment cause more than 30
other HBs to return to base without bombing. More than 450 P-47's,
P-38's, and P-51's attack A/Fs and other ground tgts in Germany and W
Europe.
04/05/44
Twelfth AF
Weather precludes all LB and MB action. P-40's hit Colleferro railway
station, several fuel dumps, and gun positions in US Fifth Army
battle areas. A-36's bomb Formia, and railway stations NW of Rome and
in Frosinone area.
04/05/44
Fifteenth AF
334 B-17's and B-24's bomb Ploesti, town area of Leskovac, and M/Y at
Nish. Ftrs and AA shoot down 13 HBs.
04/05/44
Tenth AF
13 B-24's bomb railroad from Moulmein to Kanchanaburi, destroying 3
bridges, damaging several others, and causing much damage to track
and railroad cars. 6 A-31's over Chindwin area pound T/Os around
Thaungdut.
04/05/44
Fourteenth AF
P-40's from Yungning pound railroad siding at Na Cham, destroying 8
boxcars and a considerable amount of track.
04/05/44
Fifth AF
270-plus B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and P-38's hit Hollandia town and
dock area and villages and stores around Humboldt Bay. P-47's and
P-40's blast numerous tgts in Hansa Bay-Bogia and Wewak areas. B-24's
hit Kaimana and Efman I. B-25's bomb Koepang.
04/05/44
Thirteenth AF
12 B-25's pound Kara. Bad weather cancels all missions against tgts
in the Bismarcks.
04/05/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Tarawa hit Maloelap, bomb up again at Majuro, and hit
Jaluit during return trip.
04/06/44
Eighth AF
12 B-24's bomb Vweapon site at Watten.
04/06/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's hit Perugia A/F while B-26's bomb bridge and its approaches NW
of Orvieto. Weather prevents other MB operations. FBs attack railroad
stations at Capronica and Maccarese, guns SE of Littoria, road bridge
E of Pescasseroli, railroad bridges in Arezzo area, other rail
facilities in C Italy, and small transport vessels in the Aegean.
04/06/44
Fifteenth AF
B-24's bomb Zagreb A/F. Numerous other B-24's and B-17's abort
because of weather. Escorting ftrs and the HBs claim 17 ftrs
destroyed in combat. 6 US aircraft are shot down.
04/06/44
Tenth AF
6 B-25's damage railroad and rolling stock at Shwebo. 6 A-31's bomb
Tamanthi area. 80-plus FBs and 2 B-25's hit troops in Namti area, spt
ground forces NE of Kamaing, damage a bridge near Myitkyina, and hit
troops, oil dumps, and supplies at Mogaung and Manywet.
04/06/44
Fourteenth AF
P-40's from Suichwan pound barrack SW of Nanchang, causing heavy
damage. B-25 strike during 6/7 Apr on A/Fs near Canton is curtailed
by bad weather; only 1 MB reaches tgt, dropping fragmentation bombs
on revetments.
04/06/44
Fifth AF
P-39's, P-40's, and P-47's continue to pound coastal tgts in Wewak,
Aitape, and Madang areas and at numerous other points along coast.
B-25's bomb Koepang.
04/06/44
Thirteenth AF
34 B-24's pound Dublon. 22 B-25's bomb Lakunai A/F and revetment
area. 30-plus FBs bomb vicinity of Toboi wharf with incendiaries
while more than 20 others carry out incendiary strike on Wunapope,
causing severe destruction to several buildings. Ftrs maintain sweep
over Rabaul and New Ireland areas."
04/06/44
Twentieth AF
Gen Arnold assumes cmd of Twentieth AF at Washington, DC where HQ
will remain until Jul 45. CoS is Gen Hansell (currently Dep Chief of
Air Staff), with Col Cecil E Combs as his dep for operations.
04/06/44
Seventh AF
B-24's from Kwajalein bomb Wake. B-25's from Eniwetok hit Ponape
twice. B-25's from Abemama bomb Jaluit, rearm at Majuro, and hit
Maloelap during return flight.
04/07/44
Twelfth AF
MBs attack bridges, tracks, and viaduct at Attigliano, Ficulle,
Certaldo, Pontassieve, and Incisa in Valdarno, and hit Prato M/Y. LBs
hit ammo dump. Ausonia, Pignataro Interamna, San Apollinare, and
Terracina are bombed by P-40's along with dump and several gun
positions SE of Rome. P-47's also hit bridges and trucks in this same
area and attack Empoli M/Y while A-36's hit gun emplacements, train
and tracks in Orvieto area and vicinity and approaches to Montalto di
Castro bridge.
04/07/44
Fifteenth AF
Over 400 B-24's and B-17's attack M/Ys at Treviso, Mestre, Bologna,
and Ferrara. Almost 100 P-38's provide escort. P-47's fly sweep over
Gorizia-Udine area. HBs and ftrs claim almost 20 aircraft shot down.
04/07/44
Tenth AF
9 A-31's hit Japanese positions near Buthidaung in Arakan area while
24 others over Chindwin region attack villages around Thaungdut and
Tamanthi. 20-plus P-51's and B-25's hit gun positions at Mawlu.
Throughout Mogaung Valley more than 100 FBs and 2 B-25's hit numerous
tgts including fuel and ammo stores near Manywet, supplies and
railroad station at Myitkyina, supplies and radio station at Sahmaw,
Kamaing area, bridges at Nsopzup and supply dumps W of Mogaung.
30-plus of the FBs carry out ground spt missions at Shaduzup.
04/07/44
Fourteenth AF
7 P-40's strafe 3 barges and several junks at Saint John I, leaving
them burning. 2 B-24's on sweep from Hong Kong to Formosa claim a
large river boat and a small freighter sunk and 2 other freighters
damaged. 1 HB is lost. 4 P-40's attack a large concentration of small
vessels at Haiphong, sinking at least 4.
04/07/44
Fifth AF
B-25's, A-20's, and P-39's hit villages, barges, supply area, and
coastal road in areas around Madang, Tadji, Bogia, and Uligan Harbor.
Other B-25's bomb barracks at Penfoei. B-24's pound Langgoer and
Wakde Is.
04/07/44
Thirteenth AF
50-plus FBs pound supply areas at Ratawul. 9 B-25's hit Talili Bay,
11 bomb Vunakanau A/F, and 13 blast Tobera A/F. 6 B-25's maintain
night heckling of Rabaul area. 4 P-40's bomb pillboxes near Reini R
while 2 B-24's bomb Monoitu Mission.
04/07/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Tarawa hit Maloelap, rearm at Majuro, and bomb Jaluit on
return flight.
04/07/44
Eleventh AF
8 B-24's dispatched to destroy a convoy, believed SE of Matsuwa I,
turn back due to engine, navigation, and weather difficulties. A
flight of F-7A's of the 2d Photo Charting Sq (1st Photo Gp, 311th
Photo Wg), arrives. Its mission is mapping of Kuril Is.
04/08/44
Eighth AF
3 separate forces, a total of 639 B-17's and B-24's divided into 13
combat wgs, are dispatched against A/Fs in NW Germany and aircraft
factories in Brunswick area. More than 600 HBs bomb tgts, with the
largest force (192 B-17's) striking at Brunswick. The other HBs bomb
A/Fs including those at Oldenburg, Quakenbruck, Achmer, Rheine,
Hesepe, Handorf, and Twente. 34 US bmrs are lost.
04/08/44
Ninth AF
198 B-26's attack Hasselt M/Y and hit Coxyde A/F. 32 P47's bomb area
around Hasselt.
04/08/44
Twelfth AF
MBs attack bridge NW of Orte while A-20's successfully attack supply
stores. FBs hit several bridges, motor transport, and supply dumps in
C Italy, and bomb railroad tracks at Sesti Bagni and Maccarese.
04/08/44
USSR
Soviet forces open offensive in Crimea."
04/08/44
Tenth AF
20-plus A-31's hit troop positions near Buthidaung. Nearly 50 others
bomb Kohima and Homalin. Nearly 100 FBs and 2 B-25's again pound
Mogaung Valley tgts, including Manywet, storage areas and railroad at
Mogaung, positions at Shaduzup, and general T/Os around Kamaing. 4
B-25's damage bridge and track at Sittang.
04/08/44
Fourteenth AF
11 B-24's bomb railroad yards at Hanoi. 6 B-25's damage several small
ships in Yulinkan Bay. 2 others strafe A/F on Weichow I. 8 P-40's
pound oil dumps at Wanling, leaving tgt area in flames. 9 B-24's bomb
A/F on Samah Bay; 4 other s lay mines in the bay.
04/08/44
Fifth AF
P-40's attack T/Os in Aitape-Wewak area. A-20's hit tgts in Hansa Bay
area, firing fuel dump and destroying several warehouses and other
buildings at 3 plantations, and strafing and bombing roads and
bridges along the coast.
04/08/44
Thirteenth AF
During 7/8 Apr 6 B-25's heckle Kavieng A/F area. 50-plus FBs hit NE
section of Rabaul. 24 B-25's bomb center of Lakunai A/F. 4 B-24's
again pound Monoitu Mission."
04/08/44
Seventh AF
B-24's flying out of Kwajalein, strike Truk. Abemamabased B-25's
pound Ponape. B-25's from Tarawa hit Maloelap, rearm at Mojuro, and
bomb Jaluit during return flight."
04/09/44
Eighth AF
399 B-17's and B-24's bomb aircraft factories and A/Fs in Germany and
Poland: A/F and assembly plant at Tutow is hit by 104 B-24's;
Focke-Wulf plant at Poznan by 33 B-17's; Heinkel plant at Warnemunde
by 86 B-17's; aircraft plant and A/F at Rahmel by 40 HBs; A/F and
assembly plant at Marienburg by 98 HBs; and A/Fs at Parchim and
Rostock by 46 HBs. No ftr spt is available over the tgts because of
bad weather or distance. No diversionary missions are flown. German
ftrs are able to concentrate on the bmr formations, and 32 HBs are
lost.
04/09/44
Twelfth AF
P-40 and A-36 FBs bomb railroad line between Rome and Bracciano,
hitting tracks, a station, and a warehouse; attack Littoria and
Terracina, repair shops NW of Valmontone, and several gun positions;
and bomb scattered motor transport during armed rcn of
Avezzano-SoraPontecorvo-Ceprano areas."
04/09/44
Tenth AF
40-plus A-31's hit troop positions NW of Imphal and Thaungdut and
bomb Kanglatongbi and Nawngpuawng. The Mogaung Valley is pounded by
over 100 FBs and a few B-25's; the aircraft hit town areas, bridges,
storage areas, spt ground forces, and hit T/Os in general in or near
Mogaung, Kamaing, Laban, Hopin, Myitkyina, and Nsopzup. 25 B-25's and
P-51's hit fuel dumps at Indaw, bomb road near Manhton, and spt
ground forces at Lasai. 6 B-24's bomb Mandalay railroad yards,
another bombs nearby Maymyo, and 13 others mine areas near Mandalay
and Magwe. Also in Mandalay area, 11 P-38's damage several
locomotives, numerous railroad cars, and set a steamer afire near
Ywataung.
04/09/44
Fourteenth AF
2 B-25's claim a 200-ft tanker sunk off Cape Bastion and 3 ftrs shot
down over Yulinkan Bay.
04/09/44
Fifth AF
55 B-25's bomb Aitape area while B-24's and A-20's hit Wewak, Boram,
Cape Moem, AA positions along Hansa Bay, and barges SE of Mushu I and
in Wagol R. P-39's hit troops, barges, and bridges in Madang, Awar,
Bogia, and Bunabun areas.
04/09/44
Thirteenth AF
23 B-25's bomb Lakunai. 31 FBs hit Ralum supply areas while 22 others
strike Wunapope. During 8/9 Apr 7 B-25's fly heckling missions
against Rabaul.
04/09/44
Seventh AF
B-24's on photo rcn mission over Maloelap, Wotje, and Mille, and a
single Tarawa-based B-25 bombs Taroa. B-26's, in shuttle mission from
Abemama, bomb Jaluit, rearm at Majuro, and then hit Maloelap.
04/09/44
Eleventh AF
A weather sortie over Matsuwa is negative due to low clouds and fog.
04/10/44
Eighth AF
More than 650 HBs hit A/Fs at Evere, Brussels, Florennes, Diest,
Maldegem, Bourges, Orleans, and Romorantin, bomb aircraft factories
at Evere, Brussels, Bourges, and Orleans, and attack a V-weapon site
at Marquise/Mimoyecques.
04/10/44
Ninth AF
258 B-26's and 41 A-20's, including 12 aircraft dropping Window,
attack coastal batteries at Le Harve/Le Grand Hameau and military
installation nearby. During the afternoon 267 B-26's and A-20's bomb
M/Y, A/F, coastal defenses, and NOBALL tgts at Charleroi/Montignies,
Namur, Coxyde, Nieuport, and other points on N coast of W Europe. 47
P-47's dive-bomb Evreux A/F.
04/10/44
Twelfth AF
A-20's hit ammo dump at Gallicano nel Lazio. B-25's bomb Orvieto M/Y
and 2 bridges. B-26's hit Poggibonsi and Cecina railroad bridges and
tracks, and viaducts at Bucine and W of Arezzo. FBs operating over
wide areas of C Italy and in battle zones hit railroad bridges,
railroad cars, motor transport, barracks, and troop concentrations
with good effect.
04/10/44
USSR
Red Army captures Odessa.
04/10/44
Tenth AF
18 A-31's pound troop positions throughout Arakan area. 18 others
strike troops and other tgts around Maungkan and Kangpokpi. About 100
FBs and a few B-25's pound numerous tgts, including encampment SW of
Mogaung, positions near Kazu, railroad and truck park at Myitkyina,
supply area S of Myitkyina, and bivouac area and supplies at Kamaing.
Some of the FBs carry out spt of ground forces NE of Kamaing. 40-plus
FBs and B-25's over Katha area hit bridge at Thityabin, troops and
supplies at Shwegu, gun positions and troops S of Mawlu, and T/Os
including a fuel dump. 9 B-24's bomb railroad station and jetty area
at Moulmein while 4 others mine mouth of Tavoy R.
04/10/44
Fourteenth AF
3 B-25's damage 2 bridges at Phu Dien Chau and destroy several
buildings and some railroad track. 10 P-40's pound roads N and S of
Wanling.
04/10/44
Fifth AF
About 60 B-24's, teaming with US destroyers offshore, bombard Hansa
Bay area, concentrating on AA positions guarding A/Fs.
04/10/44
Thirteenth AF
22 B-25's bomb Ratawul supply area and 40-plus FBs hit runway at
Tobera, both strikes causing considerable damage. Night harassment of
Rabaul area continues.
04/10/44
Twentieth AF
JCS informally approve MATTERHORN plan (approved in principle by
Roosevelt on 10 Nov 43) for early sustained bombing of Japan by
B-29's based in Calcutta area and staging through fields in area of
Chengtu. The operational vehicle is to be the 58th Bomb Wg (4 bomb
gps) of XX BC, soon to be assigned to the newly activated Twentieth
AF, operating under Gen Arnold as executive agent for JCS.
04/10/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk (1 hits Ponape) while
B-25's, based on Abemama, strike Ponape. B-25's, flying shuttle
mission between Tarawa and Majuro, pound Maloelap and Jaluit.
04/10/44
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's fly armed rcn over Matsuwa and Onnekotan Is.
04/11/44
Eighth AF
830 B-17's and B-24's in 3 separate forces bomb production centers
(primarily ftr aircraft factories) and T/Os in N Germany at
Oschersleben, Bernburg, Halberstadt (Force I); Sorau, Cottbus,
Arnimswalde, Stettin, Politz, Gulzow, Zarnglaff and Rostock (Forces
II and III). Enemy opposition downs 64 HBs, one of the heaviest
single-day losses of World War II.
04/11/44
Ninth AF
229 B-26's and 36 A-20's, including 3 dropping Window, attack
Charleroi/Montignies, military installations on coast, and Chievres
A/F. Over 90 P-47's dive-bomb military installation and Gael A/F.
04/11/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's hit Montalto di Castro railroad bridge, while B-26's hit M/Ys
at Ancona and Siena. FBs concentrate on attacks against railroad tgts
NE of Rome and buildings inland from E coast. Tracks are hit hard in
Arezzo-Pontassieve area as are stations at Maccarese and Cesano.
Overpass, bridges, railroad cars, and dumps throughout C Italy are
attacked, as is town of Gaeta.
04/11/44
Tenth AF
12 A-31's attack village SW of Buthidaung. 17 P-51's and B-25's fly
ground spt missions and bomb road near Maungkan. Mogaung Valley tgts
are pounded by 50-plus FBs and 2 B-25's; tgts include HQ and stores
at Sahmaw, HQ and ammo dump SW of Mogaung, troops at Myitkyina, and
T/Os to the S, gun position S of Kamaing, and HQ at Waingmaw.
04/11/44
Fourteenth AF
3 B-25's hit railroad T/Os N of Vinh and seriously damage a bridge S
of Thanh Hoa.
04/11/44
Fifth AF
80-plus A-20's and B-25's, supported by 30 P-47's and P-40's, blast
AA positions, stores, dumps, and personnel areas at Hollandia. More
than 50 B-24's bomb barges, AA guns, and other tgts along Hansa Bay
which is also hit by 12 B-25's. 12 other B-25's bomb tgts on Karkar
I.
04/11/44
Thirteenth AF
Thirteenth Air TF (Prov) is created by Gen Kenney, CG Allied AF
(SWPA), from elements of Thirteenth AF and other units. About 40 FBs
hit E section of Rabaul while 12 others strike Talili Bay ammo dump.
24 B-25's blast supply areas at Ratawul. On Bougainville 20-plus FBs
are dispatched against coastal gun positions but fail to locate
objective. 12 of the FBs bomb Aitara while 2 claim destruction of
bridge near Mawareka.
04/11/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from the Gilberts hit Ponape, rearm at Majuro, and carry out
shuttle mission against Jaluit and Maloelap.
04/11/44
Eleventh AF
Of 3 B-24's attempting to fly photo and bombing run over Matsuwa I
installations, 2 must turn back. The third bombs the runway area.
04/12/44
Eighth AF
443 B-17's and B-24's dispatched to bomb industrial tgts at
Schweinfurt, Zwickau, Oschersleben, Leipzig, Schkeuditz, and Halle
are forced to abandon mission because of haze and multilayer clouds.
Ftr opposition is concentrated over N France and 6 HBs are lost.
04/12/44
Ninth AF
231 B-26's and 20 A-20's attack railroad, shore batteries, radar
installations, A/Fs, and Vweapon sites at Dunkirk,
Courtrai/Wevelghem, Coxyde/Furnes, De Pannes-Bains, Saint Ghislain,
Ostend, and points along coast. Over 70 P-47's dive-bomb military
installations in N France.
04/12/44
Twelfth AF
MBs bomb rail lines approaching Monte Molino bridge and at nearby j
unction to Viterbo line, railroad and road bridges S of Orvieto and
at Certaldo, tracks approaching bridge at Imperia, and railroad
bridges over Var R and at Albenga. LBs pound Zagarolo supply dump.
FBs and ftrs (some operating with British airplanes) hit comm (mainly
railroad bridges), vehicles, a supply dumps at various places,
including Arezzo, island of Elba, Orvieto, NE of Grosseto, NW of
Bracciano, Civita Castellana, Montalto di Castro, between Piombino
and Viterbo, in Castiglioncello area, NW of Montepescali, and S of
Cecina.
04/12/44
Fifteenth AF
483d Bomb Gp (B-17) becomes operational, increasing number of combat
status HB gps in Fifteenth AF to 17. Bad weather lifts, permitting HB
operations. Almost 450 B-17's and B-24's attack aircraft factories at
Fischamend Markt and Wiener-Neustadt and Bad Voslau assembly plant
and A/F. Over 200 P-38's and P-47's provide escort. HBs and ftrs
claim over 30 aircraft shot down. 8 US airplanes are known lost and
several more fail to return.
04/12/44
Tenth AF
24 B-34's blast troop positions near Buthidaung. 35 A-31's hit
Paungbyin and SW of Imphal. 90-plus P-40's, A-36's, P-51's, and
B-25's over Mogaung Valley spt ground forces, bomb supply areas, and
hit numerous T/Os in areas around Mogaung, Myitkyina, Kamaing,
Taungni, and Shaduzup. 5 B-25's knock out bridge at Natmauk while 2
others damage Pyu bridge near Rangoon. 5 B-24's bomb Nagorn Sawarn
while 7 hit Moulmein railroad station and jetties and bomb SE part of
Prome.
04/12/44
Fifth AF
180-plus B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's, supported by over 60 P-38's,
bomb AA positions, A/Fs, supply areas, and shipping construction.
B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and P-39's bomb and strafe various tgts at
Wewak, Madang, along Hansa Bay, and on Karkar I. Other P-39's fly
barge sweep from Alexishafen up the coast as far as mouth of Sepik R.
2 B-25's bomb Penfoei.
04/12/44
Thirteenth AF
5th Bomb Gp is ordered to move from Guadalcanal and New Georgia to
Los Negros where it will form nucleus of Thirteenth Air TF. 23 B-25's
and 11 P-39's pound W section of Rabaul, 7 other B-25's cause
considerable damage in Ratawul supply area. 23 FBs blast concrete
airstrip at Vunakanau. On Bougainville 12 FBs bomb and strafe Numa
Numa trail and pound harbor area.
04/12/44
Seventh AF
B-25's, flying out of Abemama, bomb Maloelap, rearm at Majuro, and
hit Jaluit on return trip.
04/13/44
SHAEF
Gen Eisenhower formally assumes direction of air operations out of UK
at midnight (though he began informal exercise of this authority in
late Mar). This assumption of authority gives Eisenhower direction
over AEAF, RAF BC, and USSTAF (Fifteenth AF retains some degree of
independence) along with US 1st Army Gp, 21 Army Gp, and Allied Naval
Forces.
04/13/44
Eighth AF
153 HBs attack industrial tgts at Schweinfurt. 230 Hbs strike
Augsburg, concentrating on Messerschmitt plant. 183 other bmrs hit
A/Fs and other T/Os in Oberpfaffenhofen, Lechfeld, and Lauffen am
Neckar. This mission is flown in conjunction with a raid on Hungary
by over 500 Fifteenth AF HBs and a Ninth AF B-26 raid in S
Netherlands. Although ftr opposition is dispersed, enemy aircraft and
AA account for most of 38 HBs lost by Eighth AF.
04/13/44
Ninth AF
121 B-26's and 37 A-20's attack M/Y, coastal batteries, A/Fs, and
V-weapon sites at Namur, Chievres, Nieuport, Le Havre, and along N
coast of France in general. Nearly 175 other aircraft abort missions
mainly because of weather. 48 P-47's also dive-bomb V-weapon sites.
04/13/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's attack Terni and bridge at Marsciano while B-26's bomb Ancona
M/Y and nearby railroad bridge. FBs again strike mainly at comm, town
of Itri, Cesano station, factory at Fontana Liri, railroad overpass
at Fara in Sabina, Anguillara, and bridges, trucks, and other tgts at
points throughout C Italy.
04/13/44
Fifteenth AF
535 HBs (largest HB mission to date by Fifteenth AF) bomb A/F
aircraft factory, and rolling stock plant at Gyor, Vecses and Tokol
A/Fs and Repulogepgyar aircraft components plant at Budapest, and M/Y
at Brod. Ftrs fly over 200 sorties in spt of the HBs. Ftr opposition
and AA account for 14 US HBs and 1 ftr shot down. Nearly 40 ftrs are
claimed shot down and 120-plus aircraft destroyed on the ground.
04/13/44
Tenth AF
24 A-31's hit gun positions and telegraph installations at
Buthidaung. About 90 A-31's pound a variety of tgts at Churachandpur
riddim, Sagolmang, Kanglatongbi, Thayaung, Tamanthi, Minthami, and
Thaungdut. 90-plus P-40's, P-51's and A-36's and a few B-25's carry
out ground spt missions near Kamaing and hit assorted tgts throughout
the Mogaung Valley. 12 B-25's and 11 P-51's spt ground forces at
Mawlu.
04/13/44
Fourteenth AF
28 ftrs attempt to intercept but fail to make contact with 13
Japanese airplanes which bomb Namyung."
04/13/44
Fifth AF
80-plus B-24's and A-20's pound the A/Fs at Dagua and But on N coast
of New Guinea. 33 A-20's hit Aitape. P-39's, B-25's, and B-24's fly
light strikes against a variety of tgts along Hansa Bay, on Wakde, at
Uligan, and several other points along the coast.
04/13/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's blast Talili Bay and Ratawul supply areas and town of
Rabaul. 40-plus FBs strike Malaguna area NW of Rabaul. 17 FBs hit
personnel and supply areas at Mosigetta, Mawareka, Meive, and
Maririei. During the early morning 23 B-24's bomb Truk.
04/13/44
Seventh AF
B-24's out of Eniwetok strike Truk. B-25's from Abemama hit Ponape.
B-25's from Tarawa bomb Jaluit, rearm at Majuro, and hit Maloelap.
04/13/44
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's fly armed rcn and bombing runs over A/F at Matsuwa and
installations on Onnekotan Is.
04/14/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's attack Viterbo A/F and Leghorn M/Y, B-26's strike at
Poggibonsi, Certaldo, Cecina, and Magra, attacking mostly rail
facilities and hit Arezzo bridge and viaduct and Bucine viaducts. FBs
also concentrate on rail lines and bridges and hit many supply dumps,
gun positions and factories, generally located NE of Rome.
04/14/44
Tenth AF
20-plus A-31's hit troop positions near Buthidaung. 36 A-31's pound
Paungbyin and area N of Imphal. 20 P-40's over Mogaung Valley attack
camp at Manywet. 20 P-51's and 3 B-25's spt ground forces in Mawlu
area.
04/14/44
Fifth AF
B-25's and P-39's hit barges and luggers in Vanimo Harbor and at
Bogia.
04/14/44
Thirteenth AF
19 B-24's on mission to the Carolines bomb Eten, Param, and Kuop Is
and T/Os on Truk Atoll. 24 B-25's and 40-plus FBs blast supply area
at Ratawul. 8 other FBs hit Wunapope. More than 20 FBs strike various
tgts in NE part of Bougainville.
04/14/44
Seventh AF
A single B-24, en route from Kwajalein to Tarawa, bombs Jaluit.
B-25's from Eniwetok bomb Ponape while B-25's from Abeama strike
Jaluit and Maloelap, using Majuro as arming station between strikes.
Japanese bmrs carry out ineffective raid on Eniwetok.
04/14/44
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's fly armed photo rcn mission during early morning over
Matsuwa, Onnekotan, and Paramushiru Is. Photographs taken are
negative due to cloud cover.
04/15/44
Eighth &Ninth AFs
530 Eighth AF and 86 Ninth AF ftrs conduct sweeps over C and W
Germany. Bad weather prevents attacks on most major ground tgts. Ftrs
claim 58 aircraft destroyed in air and on ground. 33 US ftrs are
lost, 19 to unknown causes (probably due mainly to bad weather) and
the others to enemy action and accidents.
04/15/44
Twelfth AF
XII A Spt Cmd is redesignated XII TAC. MBs strike M/Y at Leghorn and
a tunnel and railroad bridges in C Italy. P-47's attack rail lines,
bridges, and ammo dumps NE of Rome with good results. Other P-47's
and P-40's and A-36's hit numerous tgts, including rail lines, motor
transport shop, vehicles, tanks, and gun positions, in C Italy and in
US Fifth Army battle areas."
04/15/44
Fifteenth AF
Clearing weather again permits HB operations. 448 B-24's and B-17's
attack Bucharest, Ploesti, and Nish M/Y. Over 150 ftrs provide
escort. A special group, led by Lt Col Louis A Neveleff, flies from
HQ at Bari to Medeno Polji. From there the group proceeds to Marshal
Tito's HQ at Drvar, where Col Neveleff confers with Tito and spends
several days laying groundwork for evacuation of downed Fifteenth AF
airmen in Yugoslav hands. Also, much information is gathered
regarding military organization and political trend of the partisan
movement. The mission returns to Italy on 2 May. 122 men, mostly
Fifteenth AF airmen, are also evacuated.
04/15/44
Tenth AF
40-plus A-31's hit gun positions at Buthidaung. 12 B-24's over
Andaman Is attack shipping and other tgts at Port Blair. 12 P-38's
hit Heho A/F, destroying several parked airplanes.
04/15/44
Fourteenth AF
3 B-25's knock out a bridge at Viet Tri and damage another.
04/15/44
Fifth AF
180-plus B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's bomb landing strips, offshore
islands, and entire coastal area in vicinity of Aitape. 16 P-40's
strafe barges at nearby Seleo I. 20 P-39's hit villages, supply
dumps, trucks, and other tgts along Hansa Bay and in Alexishafen
area.
04/15/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's bomb ammo dump on Talili Bay; 11 P-39's follow with strike
on same tgt. 3 P-38's fire Wunapope supply area; other FB strikes on
same area are cancelled by weather. A few P-38's hit tgts in NE part
of Bougainville.
04/15/44
Seventh AF
Gen Douglass becomes CG Seventh AF. B-25's, based on Tarawa, bomb
Maloelap, rearm at Majuro, and hit Jaluit and Mille on return trip.
04/15/44
Eleventh AF
During 14/15 Apr 3 B-24's on armed rcn mission over Matsuwa and
Onnekotan I hit several tgts including Matsuwa A/F. Rcn over
Paramushiru fails due to overcast.
04/16/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's bomb approaches to Ficulle and Todi railway bridges. A-20's
blast fuel supplies. P-40's, P-47's, and A-36's hit Capranica
viaduct, town of Zagarolo, railway at Spigno Monferrato, M/Y at
OrteTerni, tunnel at Capranica, and tracks, vehicles, railway cars,
ammo dump, bridge, and T/Os at various points in C Italy.
04/16/44
Fifteenth AF
31st Ftr Gp (P-51) (transferred from Twelfth AF on 1 Apr) begins
operations. It becomes the fifth operational ftr gp of Fifteenth AF.
432 HBs attack Brasov M/Y, Turnu Severin M/Y and A/F, aircraft
factory and A/F at Belgrade, and M/Y at Nish. Over 90 ftrs fly escort
while 50-plus others, failing to rendezvous with HBs, strafe trains
on Crcliova line E of Turnu-Severin.
04/16/44
USSR
Soviet forces capture Yalta.
04/16/44
Tenth AF
In Arakan area 20-plus A-31's pound troop positions S and SW of
Buthidaung. More than 50 others hit Churachandpur, Homalin,
Nawngpu-awng, Tiddim Road, and bridge at Manipur Road. 12 B-25's hit
bridge over Mogaung R while 9 others, along with 12 P-51's, hit
warehouse and railroad station at Mohnyin. 9 P-38's destroy 3 MBs at
Zayatkwin near Rangoon while 2 P-51's in Mandalay area hit Anisakan
A/F, destroying 2 airplanes.
04/16/44
Fifth AF
170-plus B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's bomb Hollandia town and A/F and
numerous other tgts in the area. P-39's hit wooded area and comm tgts
along Hansa Bay and attack villages and supply dumps from Bogia to
Uligan Harbor. P-38's hit Madang area. Other B-25's bomb Koepang.
B-24's fly light strike against Wakde. Other aircraft, operating
singly or in pairs, attack T/Os on N coast of New Guinea and SE coast
of New Britain.
04/16/44
Thirteenth AF
15 B-24's bomb runway at Satawan. 24 B-25's hit Ratawul supply area
and alternate tgt of Raluana. At Rabaul 30-plus FBs attack area
inland from Toboi wharf."
04/16/44
Seventh AF
B-25's, staging through Eniwetok, strike Truk. B-25's from Abemama
hit Maloelap and Mille, using Majuro as a rearming base between the
strikes.
04/17/44
Eighth AF
14 B-24's bomb V-weapon installation at Wizernes in Pas de Calais
area. No ftr opposition is offered and all US aircraft return without
damage.
04/17/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's attack bridges N of Orte and at Monte Molino, while A-20's
pound fuel dump NE of Rome. P-40, P-47, and A-6 FBs hit motor
transport stores and gun positions N of Anzio, bomb Fara in Sabina
station, hit tracks, trains and guns in Orte and Narni area and at
other points N of Rome.
04/17/44
Fifteenth AF
470 B-17's and B-24's hit Belgrade/Sava M/Y and Rogozarski A/F and
aircraft factory as well as lkarus aircraft factory at Belgrade,
Zemun A/F, and M/Y at Sofia. More than 200 ftrs escort the missions.
US aircraft claim 25 airplanes downed in combat.
04/17/44
Tenth AF
36 A-31's again pound positions SW of Buthidaung. 2 B-24's bomb
Akyab. 6 P-51's spt ground forces near Meza. 60-plus A-31's hit
scattered villages and pound Kalewa and Yaingangpokpi. 9 P-38's
destroy several airplanes at Heho A/F while 5 B-24's bomb Ywataung.
26 B-25's and 36 P-51's spt ground forces at Mawlu and bomb fuel dump
at Kin. 13 other P-51's are diverted to intercept Japanese force over
Imphal area and claim 3 airplanes shot down.
04/17/44
Fifth AF
20-plus B-24's bomb storage areas and troop concentrations in Kai Is.
P-39's attack AA positions at Bogia. Other planes, operating
individually or in pairs, attack Hollandia, Uligan Harbor and
vicinity, and Madang area.
04/17/44
Thirteenth AF
20 B-24's bomb A/F at Satawan. 24 B-25's pound runway and revetments
at Rapopo A/F. 40-plus FBs hit Matupi with incendiaries while 10
others pound runway at Keravat."
04/17/44
Seventh AF
B-25's, based on Tarawa, strike Maloelap and Mille, rearming at
Majuro between the raids.
04/18/44
Eighth AF
More than 750 HBs attack aircraft industries, A/Fs and T/Os at
Germendorf, Annahof, Brandenburg, Rathenow, Luneburg, Perleberg,
Wittenberge, Birkenwerder, Cuxhaven, and Barnewitz, and a Vweapon
site at Watten. 19 US HBs are lost."
04/18/44
Ninth AF
XIX A Spt Cmd is redesignated XIX TAC and becomes operational. IX A
Spt Cmd is redesignated IX TAC. 277 B-26's (including 24 dropping
Window) and 37 A-20's bomb gun positions and M/Ys at Dunkirk, Calais,
and Charleroi/ Saint Martin."
04/18/44
Twelfth AF
P-47 FBs cut several rail lines in Florence and Arezzo areas and
strafe trains and motor transport. P-40's and P-47's hit Itri and
rail bridge and fuel dumps as campaign against comm continues.
04/18/44
Fifteenth AF
P-38's and P-47's strafe Udine and Aiello A/Fs and T/ Os in
Basiliano, Sant' Andrea I, and Cervignano del Friuli areas and in
Golfo di Panzano. Other ftrs fly cover for the strafing missions.
04/18/44
Tenth AF
24 A-31's bomb positions SW of Buthidaung while 2 B-24's bomb Akyab.
7 B-24's bomb oil plant at Yenangyaung while 5, along with 7 P-38's,
hit Ywataung. 6 B-25's score numerous hits on Mandalay- Shwebo
railroad. 42 A-31's attack Ft White, Tiddim, and Tamu. 15 B-25's and
4 P-51's bomb Kamaing and hit Myitkyina-Bhamo road.
04/18/44
Fifth AF
The newly created (11 Apr) Thirteenth Air TF (Prov), commanded by Gen
Streett and temporarily composed of elements of Thirteenth AF (which
is being moved to SWPA), a few RAAF sqs, Seventh US Fleet air units,
and Fifth AF units in the Admiralties and New Britain, is placed
under operational control of Fifth AF/ADVON. Operating out of Momote,
B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb Woleai and Mariaon Is. B-24's of
Fifth AF hit Manokwari and Babo. Madang area is hit by FBs.
04/18/44
Thirteenth AF
14 B-24's bomb A/F at Satawan, 23 B-25's, weathered out of Vunakanau,
bomb Tobera A/F. 12 others and 9 FBs which fail to reach Rapopo bomb
airstrip at Keravat. Wunapope is hit by about 40 FBs, with
considerable damage to the supply area."
04/18/44
Seventh AF
First Seventh AF attack on the Marianas takes place as B-24's
escorting Navy photo airplanes on rcn mission from Eniwetok bomb
Saipan. Other B-24's staging through Eniwetok hit Truk. B-25's from
Tarawa bomb Ponape. B-24's from Kwajalein bomb Wake after failing to
find shipping reported in the area. B-25's from Abemama bomb Jaluit
and Maloelap, using Majuro as shuttle base between strikes.
04/18/44
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's fly armed rcn over Matsuwa, Onnekotan, and Paramushiru Is.
Cloud cover and lack of moon permit only bombing of Kashiwabara A/F
and Banjo Cape area.
04/19/44
Eighth AF
747 HBs in three forces bomb industrial tgts in Kassel area; A/Fs at
Eschwege, Lippstadt, Werl, Paderborn, and Gutersloh; and other tgts
at Limburg, Buren, Kall, and Soest, in morning operations. During
afternoon 27 B-24's bomb V-weapon site at Watten. 6 HBs are lost.
04/19/44
Ninth AF
After several weeks of instruction a IX AFSC trg exercise (Operation
BOOMERANG) in waterproofing and landing motor vehicles gets under
way. This exercise, in preparation for a cross-channel movement lasts
several weeks and involves 55 units, over 650 vehicles, and more than
2,500 men. 350-plus B-26's and A-20's bomb M/Ys, city areas, and T/Os
at Gunzburg, Ulm, Neu Ulm, Donauworth, and Schelklingen. Ftrs fly
over 1,200 sorties against a variety of tgts in NW Europe.
04/19/44
Twelfth AF
Bad weather severely restricts operations. B-26's hit Cecina railroad
bridge and Ancona M/Y while B-25's hit M/Y at Piombino. P-47's hit
railroad tracks, M/Y, junction, and railway cars between Pontedera
and Empoli and between Figline Valdarno and San Giovanni Valdarno.
04/19/44
Tenth AF
50-plus A-31's hit positions and supply dumps near Buthidaung and E
of Maungdaw. 40-plus A-31's hit Churachandpur, Pyingaing, Tamu, and
T/Os N of Kalewa. 6 B-25's and 8 P-51's attack troops and stores NW
of Banmauk. 10 P-38's hit A/F near Meiktila. 5 P-51's attack troop
positions near Mawlu and bridge at Shweli.
04/19/44
Fourteenth AF
3 B-25's damage a bridge at Thanh Moi and score hits on railroad and
buildings S of bridge. 4 P-40's attack village of Takaw, causing
several fires, and sink a ferryboat in the area.
04/19/44
Fifth AF
B-24's hit Urarom and Manokwari. B-25's, A-20's, and ftr aircraft
strike wide variety of tgts around Hollandia, Aitape, Bogia, Uligan,
Bunabun, Madang, and Cape Croisilles. B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF
bomb Woleai.
04/19/44
Thirteenth AF
21 B-24's bomb Satawan A/F, hitting the tgt area with about 50 tons
of high explosives. 38 FBs hit Matupi supply areas while 7 bomb
Rapopo airstrip. Ftrs hit Numa Numa area.
04/19/44
Twentieth AF
XX BC is assigned to Twentieth AF.
04/19/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk. B-25's from the Gilberts
strike Ponape.
04/20/44
Eighth AF
666 HBs attack Vweapon installations and T/Os in Pas de Calais and
Cherbourg areas. 33 P-51 FBs attack A/Fs at Cambrai/Epinoy,
Vitry-en-Artois, and Laon/Athies. 53 P-38's dispatched to bomb
Saint-Trond A/F jettison bombs in English Channel after overcast
prevents location of tgts.
04/20/44
Ninth AF
Almost 400 B-26's and A-20's attack gun positions at Etaples,
Bazinghen, Villerville, Gravelines, and Fecamp, A/F at Poix, and
V-weapon sites and T/Os in Pas de Calais area. Nearly 140 P-47's bomb
M/Ys at Creil and Mantes-La-Jolie.
04/20/44
Twelfth AF
MBs and LBs score hits on M/Y and 3 fuel dumps at Leghorn and near
misses on Cecina and Certaldo bridges and Arezzo viaduct. FBs hit
railroad lines and fuel dump in Florence area; bridges, dump, rail
lines, and train cars near Civitavecchia and Zagarolo, at Sezze, near
Ladispoli, SW of Stimigliano and N of Monterotondo; and guns S of
Albano Laziale. In battle area around Cassino FBs blast several gun
positions and hit bridges, trucks, troops and other tgts at several
points, including at Falconara, Recanati, San Benedetto de Marsi, and
Fondi-Itri and Orte-Orvieto areas.
04/20/44
Fifteenth AF
More than 300 HBs attack Monfalcone shipyards, Tagliamento-Casarsa
della Delizia railroad bridge, M/Ys at Fano, Vicenza, Ancona, Mestre,
Treviso, and Trieste, and harbor and shipping at Venice. 180-plus
other HBs dispatched against comm tgts in N Italy are forced to abort
due to bad weather. About 250 ftrs provide cover for the bombing
raids.
04/20/44
Tenth AF
11 B-25's hit bivouac and supply area NW of Manywet. 24 A-31's pound
positions at Tiddim.
04/20/44
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb A/Fs on Noemfoor. B-25's, A-20's, and ftrs hit a variety
of tgts around Hollandia, on Cape Croisilles, in Bunabun area, and
along Hansa Bay. Woleai is again bombed by B-24's of Thirteenth Air
TF.
04/20/44
SOPAC
Gen Harris, USMC, becomes COMAIRSOLS."
04/20/44
Thirteenth AF
With improved weather conditions heavy bombing of tgts in the
Bismarcks resumes. 22 B-25's hit Matupi supply area. 40-plus FBs
blast the A/Fs at Lakunai and Keravat.
04/20/44
Seventh AF
B-24's from Kwajalein search area near Wake for shipping. Finding
none, the HBs hit Wake and Peale Is. Tarawa-based base between
strikes, bomb Maloelap B-25's, using Majuro as a shuttle and Jaluit.
04/20/44
Eleventh AF
A B-24 aborts a weather mission to Shasukotan I.
04/21/44
Eighth AF
Eighth AF offensive against German oil tgts is scheduled to start on
this date, but mission is cancelled because of bad weather.
04/21/44
Ninth AF
236 B-26's and 34 A-20's attack gun positions, coastal defenses and
V-weapons sites at Etaples, at Berck-sur-Mer, near Doullens, and in
Saint-Omer, Abbeville, and Amiens area. 4 B-26's are lost. More than
175 P-47's dive-bomb M/Ys and concentrations at
Montignies-sur-Sambre, Hasselt, Namur, and Haine-Saint-Pierre.
04/21/44
Twelfth AF
A-20's blast ammo dump while P-47's attack train, rail lines, and
motor transport behind enemy lines. Other P-47's, along with P-40's
and A-36's, attack railway lines and trains between Rome and Terni,
between Rome and Tivoli, and between Orte and Attigliano; hit motor
transport concentration NE of Rome; and attack several bivouac areas
and gun positions in battle areas."
04/21/44
Fifteenth AF
Over 100 B-24's bomb Bucharest M/Y and Turnu-Severin. All 17 bomb gps
dispatched are recalled due to bad weather but 7 gps fail to receive
recall signal. Over 150 P-38's and P-51's are dispatched as escort.
40-plus rendezvous with the B-24's and battle some 30 ftrs that
attack the HB force. The other ftrs, failing to meet the HBs, engage
about 40 ftrs. HBs and ftrs claim 35 aerial combat victories. 10 US
aircraft are shot down.
04/21/44
Tenth AF
20-plus A-31's hit villages and Japanese positions near Buthidaung.
12 B-25's and 14 P-51's pound Indaw and Mawlu, causing several fires
in supply dumps and in the general tgt areas. 48 A-31's attack Tiddim
Road and bridge at Manipur. 12 B-25's bomb camp and supply area at
Kamaing. 8 B-24's bomb storage and fuel dumps at Lashio and bomb
Namtu. 13 B-24's bomb Maymyo while 5 B-25's knock out 3 bridges in
Tangon area. 4 P-51's knock out bridge at Shweli."
04/21/44
Fourteenth AF
12 P-40's fly armed rcn over roads in Burma, strafing bridges,
buildings, steamrollers, trucks, and troops in areas around Takaw,
Bhamo, Loiwing, Kutkai, Hsenwi, and Lashio. At least 3 steamrollers
and 7 trucks are destroyed.
04/21/44
Fifth AF
21 B-24's bomb airstrips on Noemfoor. About 320 B-24's, B-25's, and
A-20's hit numerous tgts in Tadji, Wewak, and Madang area, while a
Navy carrier force hits Hollandia, Wakde, and Sawar as assault
convoys approach the area.
04/21/44
Thirteenth AF
307th Bomb Gp (H) is ordered to move from New Georgia and Guadalcanal
to the Admiralty Is, where it will become part of Thirteenth Air TF,
serving operationally under Fifth AF. In spite of heavy weather in
the Bismarcks, 24 B-25's blast Matupi supply area. 11 P-39's, closed
out of Rabaul, bomb Tinputs Harbor.
04/21/44
Seventh AF
B-24's from Kwajalein hit Wotje. B-24's from Eniwetok, staging
through Kwajalein, bomb Truk. B-25's from Engebi bomb Ponape.
Abemama-based B-25's, using Majuro as a shuttle base, bomb Jaluit and
Maloelap.
04/22/44
Eighth AF
631 B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Y at Hamm. 18 others bomb secondary tgts
in Hamm while 125 attack tgts at Koblenz, Bonn, and Soest. 15 HBs are
lost, mostly to AA fire. 13 escorting ftrs are lost. US HBs claim 20
airplanes destroyed and ftrs claim 34 destroyed.
04/22/44
Ninth AF
Over 400 B-26's and about 90 A-20's fly two missions against V-weapon
sites in area of Saint-Omer and Hesdin. Nearly 275 P-47's and P-51's
dive-bomb M/Ys in Belgium.
04/22/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's bomb bridge and tracks S of Ficulle and bridge N of the town.
Other B-25's and B-26's attack San Stefano al Mare harbor, N section
of Orvieto, Chiusi railroad bridge, viaducts S and W of Arezzo and
Bucine, Certaldo railroad bridge, bridge approaches at Incisa in
Valdarno, bridge near Siena and viaduct at Poggibonsi. A-20's hit
Valmontone ammo dump and Sonnino. P-47's hit railroad, trains, and
tunnels in Florence area and W of Chiusi, M/Y at Siena, vessel S of
Savona, railroad lines S of Orte, and town of Gaeta. P-40's attack
gun positions N of Anzio beachhead and bomb Ferentino dump area and
towns of Fondi, Terracina, and Formia.
04/22/44
Tenth AF
More than 30 A-31's bomb Bishenpur and Kohima. 12 B-25's hit Kamaing
while 5 B-25's and 6 P-51's attack ammo and other supplies at Hopin.
3 B-25's and 4 P-51's hit village NE of Bhamo while 7 P-51's attack
Gokteik Viaduct.
04/22/44
Fourteenth AF
6 B-24's claim 4 freighters and a gunboat sunk near
Cap-Saint-Jacques. 1 other knocks out bridge SW of Vinh. P-40's on
armed rcn over N Burma destroy 10 boxcars and a truck N of Lashio.
04/22/44
Fifth AF
More than 20 B-24's bomb airstrips on Noemfoor. 80-plus B-24's and
A-20's hit Boram and But A/Fs and other tgts in Wewak area; more than
100 B-24's and B-25's pound tgts along Hansa Bay; and all through the
day B-25's and FBs, in flights of 1 to more than 20 aircraft, attack
areas around Hansa Bay, Wewak, Bogia, Madang, and many other points
along N and E coast of New Guinea. Many of the strikes indirectly spt
Allied amphibious landings on N coast to the E and W of Hollandia,
toward which a pincer movement is begun.
04/22/44
Thirteenth AF
About 40 B-25's bomb supply areas at Ratawul and Talili Bay, pound
Keravat, and hit area between Rapopo and Cape Gazelle. 40-plus FBs
attack runway and gun positions at Rapopo while 9 strike Lakunai A/F.
During 22/23 Apr, 17 B-24's bomb Dublon, Param, and Eten Is.
04/22/44
Seventh AF
During 21/22 Apr, B-24's from Kwajalein bomb Wotje. Other B-24's from
Kwajalein follow with another raid on Wotje during the day. B-25's
from Tarawa, using Majuro as a shuttle base for rearming, bomb
Jaluit, Maloelap, and Mille.
04/22/44
Eleventh AF
A weather sortie is aborted soon after take off due to weather.
04/23/44
Eighth AF
346 P-47's, P-38's, and P-51's fly missions against A/Fs and other
tgts in N France, Belgium, and NW Germany. Results are generally
good. 7 airplanes are lost, all to flak.
04/23/44
Ninth AF
307 B-26's and 57 A-20's attack NOBALL tgts, gun positions, and M/Ys
in Pas de Calais area and in adjacent area of Belgium. Around 1,000
P-47's and P-51's divebomb numerous tgts throughout France and the
Low Countries.
04/23/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's hit bridges and approaches at Attigliano. B-26's attack Incisa
in Valdarno viaduct and bridge, Cecina M/Y, and attack, but fail to
hit, Poggibonsi viaduct. P-47's, A-36's, and P-40's hit rail lines
and bridges NE of Rome and along E coast in several areas including
points around Orvieto, Orte, Tivoli, and Capronica.
04/23/44
Fifteenth AF
Weather clears and HBs can resume operations. Over 500 B-24's and
B-17's attack aircraft factories and A/Fs at Wiener-Neustadt,
Schwechat, and Bad Voslau. Close to 300 ftrs provide spt. Many enemy
ftrs attack fiercely, downing 12 HBs and 1 ftr. The HBs and escorts
claim over 40 air victories.
04/23/44
Tenth AF
24 P-51's, 8 B-25's, and 51 A-31's attack Thetkegyin, Manipur bridge,
Tiddim road, and Japanese positions at Indaw. 18 A-31's hit positions
near Buthidaung. 12 P-38's hit Kangaung A/F near Meiktila. 21 B-24's
bomb railroads and jetties at Moulmein and Martaban.
04/23/44
Fourteenth AF
14 P-40's pound arty post at Sienning and cav forces at
Kuan-Fou-Chiao. 2 P-40's strafe barracks S of Tengchung, and 2 P-38's
hit truck convoy and barracks S of Chiengmai. 4 P-40's blast motor
pool at Lashio.
04/23/44
Fifth AF
B-24's continue to hit airstrips on Noemfoor. The HBs claim 14 air
victories. More than 90 B-24's bomb Wewak, Boram, and But A/Fs, road
near Boram, and track and villages S of Dagua while 80-plus B-24's,
B-25's, and A-20's pound AA positions, A/Fs, stores, and troop
concentrations along Hansa Bay. Throughout the day A-20's, P-47's,
P-38's, and P-39's pound various tgts along Hansa Bay, in Wewak area,
and in vicinity of Uligan Harbor and Cape Croisilles. 20-plus B-24's
of Thirteenth Air TF bomb A/F and supply areas on Woleai. In ground
action Allied forces take Hollandia, Tumleo and Selo Is, and
objectives around Tadji.
04/23/44
Thirteenth AF
Weather again curtails strikes, but several FBs hit Tobera and
20-plus B-25's blast Matupi I.
04/23/44
Seventh AF
B-24's based at Kwajalein hit Truk and Wotje. Makinbased B-25's hit
Ponape, Jaluit, and Maloelap.
04/23/44
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's fly weather and photo rcn within 100 mi of the Kuril Is and
photograph Matsuwa.
04/24/44
Eighth AF
716 B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs, aircraft production industries, and
T/Os at Landsberg, Oberpfaffenhofen, Erding, Friedrichshafen,
Manzell, Lowental, Gablingen, Leipheim and Neckarsulm. Although a
large Fifteenth AF raid on Ploesti and Bucharest draws many ftrs, 250
German aircraft oppose this Eighth AF mission. More than 125 of these
ftrs concentrate on lead force over Landsberg-OberpfaffenhofenErding
area and down at least 15 HBs in a 30- to 45-min battle. Total losses
for the day are 39 B-17's and B-24's.
04/24/44
Ninth AF
38 B-26's dispatched against tgts in France are recalled because of
bad weather. 32 P-47's dive-bomb Louvain M/Y with good results.
04/24/44
Twelfth AF
MBs attack railroad bridges N and S of Orvieto, at Arezzo, at
Grosseto, and N and S of Incisa in Valdarno. A-20's hit dump at
Valmontone. P-40's, P-47's, and A-36's hit shipping off Leghorn,
Avezzano station, Orvieto and Terni M/Ys, Canino landing ground,
railroad tracks at numerous points S of Orvieto, and rail lines,
truck parks, and T/Os N of Rome.
04/24/44
Fifteenth AF
520-plus B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Ys at Bucharest and Ploesti, hit
aircraft factory at Belgrade, and attack rail line between Rimini and
Ancona. Over 250 ftrs fly spt for the HBs.
04/24/44
Tenth AF
36 A-31's and 8 P-38's pound positions near Buthidaung and Myohaung
area. 60-plus A-31's hit troop concentration near Ft White and towns
of Kohima and Ukhrul. 1OO-plus P-40's, P-51's, A-26's, and B-25's
bomb storage areas at Kamaing, Mogaung, and Hopin, and railroads and
other tgts at Myitkyina, Manywet, and Chaungwa. 25 B-25's and P-51's
hit Indaw and several other B-25's bomb Pyingaing.
04/24/44
Fourteenth AF
B-25's damage bridges near Dara and Kengluang and strafe factory at
Dhasan. P-40's on diversionary strike strafe numerous T/Os at
Kengtung. B-25's on sea sweep hit 2 small steamers off Cape Bastion
with cannon fire, claiming 1 vessel sunk and the other left burning.
04/24/44
Fifth AF
B-24's again bomb parked aircraft and other tgts on Noemfoor. 40-plus
B-24's bomb A/Fs in Wewak area. More than 140 B-24's, B-25's, and
A-20's hit stores, fuel dumps, and personnel areas along Hansa Bay.
Throughout the day MBs and FBs hit a variety of tgts along New Guinea
coast including Karkar I, Uligan Harbor, Cape Croisilles, and Madang
area. Madang falls to Allied ground forces.
04/24/44
Thirteenth AF
Weather continues to curtail strikes in the Bismarcks. 10 P-40's hit
runway and revetments at Tobera. Ftr sweeps account for several
trucks and barges in Rabaul New Ireland area.
04/24/44
Twentieth AF
A B-29 piloted by Gen Saunders, CG 58th Bomb Wg, arrives at Kwanghan.
Accompanying the VHB is another B-29 carrying Gen Wolfe, CG XX BC.
These are the first B-29's to fly over the Hump to China.
04/24/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Engebi bomb Ponape while others, based at Makin, hit
Jaluit and Wotje.
04/24/44
Eleventh AF
A B-24 flies a photo and bomb run over Matsuwa I. Later another B-24
flies weather and bomb runs over Shasukotan, Yekaruma, Kharimkotan,
and Onnekotan Is.
04/25/44
Eighth AF
Nearly 300 B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Ys at Mannheim and Landau, and
A/Fs at Esseyles-Nancy, Metz/Frescati, and Dijon/ Longvic.
04/25/44
Ninth AF
240 B-26's and 69 A-20's bomb V-weapon sites in coastal area of
France and gun positions at Le Treport, Varengeville-sur-Mer,
Fontenay-sur-Mer/Crisbec, Ault, Fecamp, Houlgate, and
Saint-Pierre-duMont. About 150 P-47's dive-bomb A/Fs in France and
Belgium. Around 175 MBs are forced to abort missions because of bad
weather.
04/25/44
Twelfth AF
Attacks against lines of comm N of Rome continue. A-20's hit storage
areas while MBs attack Pesaro M/Y, dumps at Manoppello, and bridges
and approaches at Incisa in Valdarno, Arezzo, Asciano, Magra,
Ficulle, and Orvieto. Viaducts at Incisa and Calafuria are attacked
with poor results. P-40's and P-47's hit roads, gun positions,
railroads, ammo dump and trucks N of Rome, near Ficulle, Orte and
Orvieto. P-47's also damage destroyers off Elba."
04/25/44
Fifteenth AF
Around 150 B-24's bomb aircraft factory at Turin, M/Y and bridge at
Parma, M/Y at Ferrara, and several T/Os. Over 300 B-24's and B-17's
are forced to abort missions due to bad weather. Over 100 ftrs escort
the HB missions into N Italy.
04/25/44
Tenth AF
12 A-31's again hit positions at Buthidaung and bomb Paletwa. 12
A-31's bomb Kohima while 8 B-25's attack Tiddim road. 80-plus FBs and
2 B-25's hit a variety of tgts at Kamaing, Nsopzup, and Mogaung. 12
P-51's hit Japanese HQ at Katha and supply huts at Hopin. Near
Mandalay 12 B-24's bomb Monywa-Alon while 21 P-38's hit A/Fs at Heho,
destroying several aircraft in the air and on the ground.
04/25/44
Fifth AF
12 B-25's bomb troop areas in Hollandia vicinity, attacking villages
S of Tanahmerah and huts and buildings along road from Marneda to
Banggerang. Other airplanes carry out similar strikes against Karkar
I and along Hansa Bay.
04/25/44
Thirteenth AF
Just before dawn 15 B-24's hit Dublon, Moen, Fefan, Uman, and Falo
Is. 23 B-25's bomb airstrip and revetments at Tobera. 12 P-39's leave
stockpiles aflame at Baitsi."
04/25/44
Seventh AF
Kwajalein-based B-24's, during 24/25 Apr, staging through Eniwetok,
strike Truk and Guam and during day hit Wotje and Maloelap. This is
first Seventh AF mission against Guam. B-25's from Engebi bomb
Ponape, and Makinbased B-25's hit Jaluit and Wotje.
04/25/44
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's photograph and bomb installations on Matsuwa I.
04/26/44
Eighth AF
292 HBs strike at industrial center of Brunswick, a secondary tgt,
when heavy cloud cover prevents bombing primary tgts of industry at
Fallersleben, Waggum, Paderborn, Gutersloh and Cologne. Nearly 50
other HBs bomb T/Os in Hildesheim-Hannover area. 31 P-38 FBs attack
A/F near Le Mans during morning, and 24 P-51's dive-bomb
Cormeilles-en-Vexin A/F in afternoon. Opposition is very light and
ineffective.
04/26/44
Ninth AF
Ninth AF Tac Air Plan for Operation NEPTUNE is published, 10 days
after receiving formal AEAF directive ordering such a plan. Around
125 MBs attack Plattling landing ground. Ftrs fly over 750 sorties
against scattered tgts in NW Europe.
04/26/44
Twelfth AF
Bad weather greatly curtails activity. P-47's attack motor transport
and railroad tracks and hit gas dump near Trasimeno Lake, landing
ground at Canino, and M/Ys of of Leghorn.
04/26/44
Tenth AF
18 A-31's hit positions N and S of Buthidaung while 3 B-24's bomb
Akyab. Near Chindwin 6 P-38's hit Tiddim road while 3 A-31's attack
Japanese HQ in Kohima vicinity. 70 FBs and 3 B-25's pound numerous
tgts at Mogaung, Kamaing, and several points in N part of the Mogaung
Valley. In Mandalay and surrounding area, 9 B-24's bomb railroad
yards and engine sheds, and 9 P-38's hit stores and hangars.
04/26/44
Fourteenth AF
P-40's on armed rcn from Lashio to Man Kat cause considerable damage.
2 trucks, a warehouse, a water tank, and 2 locomotives are destroyed,
gun positions and a bridge are strafed, and a Japanese-occupied
building is left in flames.
04/26/44
Fifth AF
120-plus B-25's and A-20's pound the Wewak area, hitting A/Fs at
Wewak, But, Dagua, and Boram, and supply areas, troops, and several
small villages. 13 B-24's bomb Awar Pt, 20 P-39's and P-47's attack
bridges and T/Os near Madang and 8 P-39's attack roads, villages, and
supply dump near Bunabun Harbor. A B-25 on rcn sinks a lugger in
Sepik R. Allied ground forces take Hollandia and occupy Alexishafen.
04/26/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's bomb runway and dispersal area at Lakunai. 35 FBs pound A/F
at Tobera. 8 P-40's attack occupied areas along bays of Tabut and
Wariki.
04/26/44
Twentieth AF
Ftrs make first interception of B-29's as the VHBs are flying over
the Hump. The brief confrontation results in no losses on either
side.
04/26/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, having landed at Los Negros after bombing Guam on 25 Apr, hit
Ponape and return to Kwajalein. B-25's based on Makin hit Jaluit and
Wotje.
04/27/44
Eighth AF
More than 450 B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs, M/Ys, and T /Os in France
and Belgium, the principal tgts being at Chalons-surMarne,
Blainville-sur-l'Eau, Essey-lesNancy, Toul/Croix-de-Metz, Le Culot
and Ostend/Middelkerke.
04/27/44
Ninth AF
About 450 B-26's and A-20's and more than 275 P-47 and P-51 dive bmrs
attack gun emplacements, M/Ys, coastal batteries, A/Fs, and several
military installations in France and Belgium.
04/27/44
Twelfth AF
Weather again severely restricts operations. P-40's attack a supply
dump N of Rome, scoring 7 hits in tgt area.
04/27/44
Tenth AF
24 A-31's attack positions in Buthidaung area. 12 B-25's hit Kalemyo
storage area while 36 A-31's pound Kohima-Kanglatongbi area. 12
B-25's hit railroad at 4 points around Shwebo. Nearly 150 P-40's,
P-51's, A-36's, and B-25's blast troops, fuel dumps, gun positions,
and railroad yard at several locations in Mogaung Valley, including
Myitkyina, Mogaung, Namti, Kamaing, Mohnyin, Hopin, Nanyaseik,
Chaungwa, and Myothit.
04/27/44
Fourteenth AF
Rocket-firing P-40's attack 20 junks S of Shasi.
04/27/44
Fifth AF
Babo is bombed by 9 B-24's. More than 100 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's
attack Mushu and Kairiru Is and A/Fs at Wewak, Boram, Dagua, and But.
120-plus A-20's and FBs blast coastal areas of Hansa Bay and nearby
villages, personnel areas NW of Bunabun, and AA positions, villages,
and bridges from Bunabun to Cape Croisilles.
04/27/44
Thirteenth AF
16 B-24's bomb Dublon, Eten, Moen, and Fefan Is in early morning. 24
B-25's blast Talili Bay supply area; later a few P-39's hit same tgt.
04/27/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk during 26/27 Apr. B-26's
from Eniwetok follow up during the day with 3 raids on Ponape.
Makin-based B-25's hit Jaluit, Wotje, and Mille. 1 B-24 from
Kwajalein, using Makin as a rearming base, bombs Emidj, Jabor, and
Enybor.
04/27/44
Eleventh AF
A B-25 bombs a submarine without success.
04/28/44
Eighth AF
116 B-17's bomb Avord A/F and 14 attack V-weapons site at Sottevast.
34 P-38's attack aircraft repair depot at Tours while 49 P-38's,
followed by 32 P-47 dive bmrs, strike A/F at Chateaudun. Later during
the day 47 B-24's bomb V-weapon site at Marquise/Mimoyecques and 11
P-47's carrying fragmentation bombs attack A/F NE of Paris.
04/28/44
Ninth AF
18 B-26's bomb A/F at Cormeilles-en-Vexin as secondary tgt. Nearly
250 B-26's dispatched to bomb M/Ys are recalled because of heavy
cloud over tgts.
04/28/44
Twelfth AF
MBs attack Piombino, railway bridges in N Orvieto, Ficulle, and W of
Arezzo, and hit viaducts at Incisa in Valdarno and Piteccio. A-20's
score hits on fuel dump. P-40's and P-47's hit fuel dump NW of
Ferentino, warehouses S of Avezzano, several railway lines and T/Os N
of Rome, Orbetello railroad yards, San Stefano al Mare harbor, rail
lines at points between Rome and Avezzano, several gun emplacements,
Follonica and Chiusi M/Ys, and cut railroad lines at several points
NW of Rome. FBs also hit Chiusi M/Y, tracks around Castiglione della
Valle, Cortona M/Y, Grosseto railroad bridge, scattered motor
transport, and a barge near Follonica.
04/28/44
Fifteenth AF
Clearing weather again permits HB operations. More than 450 B-17's
and B-24's attack harbors at Piombino and San Stefano al Mare and
rail and road tgts at Orbetello. P-38's, P-51's, and P-47's provide
escort.
04/28/44
Tenth AF
24 A-31's hit positions near Buthidaung. 36 A-31's bomb positions at
Sangshak-Sansak while 12 P-38's blast Tiddim road, causing a
roadblock. In Mogaung Valley 80-plus A-36's, P-40's, P-51's, and a
single B-25 pound same general tgts hit on the 27th. In Mandalay area
7 B-25's knock out railroad bridge S of Myingatha and canal bridge
between Ye-u and Kinu.
04/28/44
Fourteenth AF
26 B-24's, escorted by 10 P-51's, damage 2 bridges over Yellow R N of
Chengchow (the capture of which by Japanese troops is acknowledged by
the Chinese who evacuate Hulaokuan), and pound nearby storage area. 2
P-40's on armed rcn strafe troop column NE of Tengchung. 3 B-25's on
rcn damage small steamer off E coast of Hainan. 16 P-40's and 6
B-25's pound Yangsin while 18 P-40's, P-38's, and P-51's strafe
Nanchang barracks.
04/28/44
Fifth AF
More than 160 B-24's and B-25's bomb Wakde, Biak, and Efman I A/Fs.
180-plus P-47's, P-39's, A-20's, and P-70's hit a variety of tgts
along N and NE New Guinea coast including villages and supply areas
in Wewak and Boram areas, barges and troops at mouth of Sepik R and
at Murik Lakes, and enemy comm and hideouts from Sepik R to Cape
Croisilles. 21 B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb A/F on Woleai.
04/28/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's bomb Wunapope supply area and Rapopo A/F. 30 FBs hit runway
and revetments at Vunakanau. 15 P-39's pound gun positions near
Mamagata and hit nearby bivouac and supply areas.
04/28/44
Seventh AF
B-25's, based at Makin, strike Jaluit and Mille, using Majuro as a
shuttle base between strikes. A single B-24 from Kwajalein bombs
islands in Jaluit Atoll, hitting Emidj first, then rearming at Makin,
and attacking Jabor and Enybor during return flight.
04/29/44
Eighth AF
679 B-17's and B-24's bomb Berlin, concentrating on railway
facilities in Friedrichstrasse section in center of city. 38 other
HBs bomb T/Os in area, including Magdeburg. Opposition by an
estimated 350 ftrs is fierce. 64 HBs claim 73 ftrs destroyed while US
ftrs claim 22.
04/29/44
Ninth AF
217 B-26's dispatched to bomb M/Ys in France abort mission because of
heavy cloud cover over tgt area."
04/29/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's attack Terni viaduct and Attigliano railway bridge, while
B-26's bomb bridges and bridge approaches at Pontassieve and Incisa
in Valdarno. A-20's attack dump NE of Rome. P-40's and P-47's cut
rail lines in many places NE of Rome, hit guns N of Anzio and dump SE
of Rome, attack town of Acquapendente, hit approaches and tunnel S of
Arezzo and bridge and trucks in area, bomb Sinalunga M/Y and bridge
and approaches at Monte San Savino, and hit docks at San Vincenzo and
boats at Follonica."
04/29/44
Fifteenth AF
484th Bomb Gp (B-24) is declared operational. The Fifteenth AF now
has 18 HB gps. Over 400 B-24's and B-17's, with ftr escorts, attack
Toulon naval base, Drnis M/Y, and Rimini-Ancona railroad.
04/29/44
Tenth AF
12 A-31's pound positions near Buthidaung. 21 P-38's hit A/Fs in Heho
area and claim 3 aircraft downed in combat. 25 P-51's and B-25's bomb
several buildings at Meza. 19 B-24's over Prome blast supply dumps in
the area.
04/29/44
Fourteenth AF
B-25's bomb warehouse and barracks at Shayang and attack 3 motor
launches at Chiuchiang, leaving them burning.
04/29/44
Fifth AF
More than 30 B-24's and B-25's bomb villages, AA positions, and
personnel areas in Wakde Is, Maffin Bay area, and along coast of New
Guinea from Takar to Verkam Pt. 40-plus A-20's hit stores at Cape
Wom, and T/Os between But and Dagua. 130-plus A-20's, P-47's, and
P-39's hit hideouts and movements along Sepik R and from the river's
mouth to Cape Croisilles.
04/29/44
Thirteenth AF
More than 40 P-39's bomb and strafe tgts throughout Bougainville and
Buka, including Sipaai Mission, Kieta area, Lontis, Numa Numa, Ibu,
Toborei, Totavi, Aitara, and Baitsi. 24 B-25's bomb A/Fs at Kara and
Buka. Allied ftr sweeps continue over N Solomons and New Ireland,
where huts, barges, and other T/Os are attacked.
04/29/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok from Kwajalein bomb Truk and Jaluit.
B-25's from Makin also hit Jaluit and carry out 2 strikes against
Ponape.
04/29/44
Eleventh AF
2 B-24's abort an armed photo mission due to weather.
04/30/44
Eighth AF
114 B-17's bomb Lyon/ Bron A/F, 117 B-17's bomb
Clermont-Ferrand/Aulnat A/F, and 52 B-24's hit V-weapon site
construction at Siracourt. In conjunction with these HB operations,
44 P-38's conduct high altitude bombing of A/F at Tours. During
afternoon 22 P-38's, employing high-level bombing tactics, attack A/F
at Orleans/Bricy, followed immediately by 21 P-47's that dive-bomb
the tgt. Enemy opposition accounts for 1 HB and 5 ftrs."
04/30/44
Ninth AF
Over 300 B-26's and A-20's attack V-weapon construction works and
M/Ys in France.
04/30/44
Twelfth AF
B-25's attack railroad bridges at Ficulle, N Orvieto and Marsciano,
while B-26's hit bridges at Cortona and Incisa in Valdarno and in
nearby areas. P-40's hit rail lines and storage in many locations N
of Rome, hit rail lines and radar station in Orvieto area, cut
railroads from Rome to Tivoli and to Civita Castellana, and hit T/Os
in the area. P-47's hit numerous railroad lines, rail cars, and other
tgts N of Rome.
04/30/44
Fifteenth AF
464th Bomb Gp (B-24) becomes the nineteenth HB gp declared
operational by Fifteenth AF. Around 500 HBs, with ftr escorts, attack
M/Ys at Alessandria, Milan, and Castel Maggiore, aircraft factory at
Milan, and railroad between Rimini and Ancona.
04/30/44
Tenth AF
In Chindwin area, 31 B-25's blast tank concentration, bridges, supply
dumps, and general vicinity at Kalewa. 4 B-25's damage 2 bridges N of
Yamethin.
04/30/44
Fourteenth AF
P-40's from Yungning knock out bridge near Dong Mo and strafe
railroad T/Os in the area.
04/30/44
Fifth AF
More than 80 P-39's and P-47's make almost continuous attacks
throughout the day against troops and supplies along Hansa Bay.
40-plus A-20's and B-25's bomb Wewak and nearby plantation. B-24's
hit Noemfoor I with light raid. B-24 rcn flights over Manokwari area
and Geelvink Bay result in claims of 6 interceptors shot down. P-70's
hit T/Os on W shore of Hansa Bay. 23 B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb
Woleai Is.
04/30/44
Thirteenth AF
10 P-39s bomb Porton Plantations. 20-plus other P-39's, in 11
sweeps, attack a variety of T/Os on Buka and Bougainville, including
Ivituri Mission, Kieta area, and Mamagata supply area. More than 30
P-40s and P-38s bomb Vunakanau A/F. 23 B-25s bomb Vunakambi
Plantation.
04/30/44
Seventh AF
41 Kwajalein-based B-24s bomb various tgts at Wake. 11 Makin-based
B-25s bomb Jaluit, while 8 from Engebi bomb Ponape.
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