06/01/44
Ninth AF
Around 100 B-26's bomb A/Fs and coastal defense batteries from
Belgian border to Cherbourg Peninsula.
06/01/44
Twelfth AF
MBs, LBs, and FBs continue spt of ground troops, striking
concentrations, bivouac areas, motor transport, railways and roads,
bridges, trains and other tgts. Ftrs fly sweeps over battle areas,
escort MBs, and carry out sweeps along E Italian coast.
06/01/44
Tenth AF
7 B-25's pound bridges at Songon and Bongyaung and hit Imphal-Tiddim
road. 20-plus others fly ammo into Imphal area. 19 P-40's hit tgts in
Myitkyina area.
06/01/44
Fourteenth AF
25 FBs hit Chenghsien railroad yards. 18 FBs bomb docks, gunboat, and
barracks in Chiuchiang area and strafe about 300 troops at
Sanyenchiao.
06/01/44
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Amboina, Boeroe, and Kai Is. B-25's and A20's attack T/Os
in Kaukenau area, at Ransiki, and on Noemfoor and Biak Is. A-20's,
B-25's, and P-39's hit villages, bivouac, and other T/Os in coastal
area from Wakde Is to Hollandia. Bombing of Wewak-Hansa Bay coast
continues.
06/01/44
Thirteenth AF
XIII BC moves from the New Hebrides to Los Negros. 9 B-25's bomb
Matupi I and 3 hit SE part of Rabaul. 12 others pound personnel and
supply area NE of Tobera. 30-plus P-38's and P-40's hit Talili Bay
supply areas. 5 MBs hit barge hideout and buildings on Duke of York
I. 30-plus P-39's attack Tonolai, Arigua, Arawa, and barges at Sohano
I.
06/01/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Eniwetok hit Ponape."
06/01/44
Eleventh AF
2 B-24's from Shemya photograph and bomb installations at Buroton Bay
including a suspected seaplane base and the harbor area. Of 2 B-25's
and 4 P-38's taking off for guardship cover mission, 3 aircraft abort
with engine trouble. 2 other B-25's fly a negative antishipping
sweep.
06/01/44
Zl
AAF Redistribution Center is redesignated AAF Personnel Distribution
Cmd.
06/02/44
Eighth AF
Role of bmrs from 2-5 Jun in preparation for invasion of Normandy on
6 Jun includes continuation of attacks against transportation and A/F
tgts in N France and the institution of a series of blows against
coastal defenses, mainly located in Pas de Calais coastal area, to
deceive the enemy as to the sector to be invaded (Operation COVER).
In the first mission on 2 Jun, 776 HBs attack tgts at
Boulogne-sur-Mer, Wimereux, Equihen-Plage, Hardelot Plage,
Neufchatel, Dannes, Plage-Sainte-Cecile, Stella-Plage, Breck-surMer,
and Saint-Aubin. Opposition is confined to AA fire and is generally
ineffective. The second mission of 2 Jun is carried out by 300 HBs
attacking A/Fs and railroad facilities at or near Massy/Palaiseau,
Conches, Beaumont-sur-Oise, Juvisy-sur-Orge, Acheres, Paris,
Versailles/Matelots, Bretigny-sur-Orge, and Creil. 8 bmrs are lost to
AA fire.
06/02/44
Ninth AF
Special conference for ground liaison offlcers is held by 21 Army Gp
officers who present a detailed exposition of the plan for the
landings in Normandy. About 350 B-26's and A-20's bomb NOBALL tgts
and coastal def batteries along Channel coast. P-38's and P-47's
dive-bomb tgts in the area, including V-weapon sites, fuel dump,
railroad junctions and bridges.
06/02/44
Twelfth AF
MBs attack road and rail bridges from N of battle area just below
Rome to areas N of Rome. FBs continue to blast motor transport,
railways, trains, cmd posts, roads, and bridges in battle area,
having particularly good success against vehicles.
06/02/44
Fifteenth AF
Shuttle-bombing between Italy and USSR (Operation FRANTIC) is
started. Under cmd of Gen Eaker, 130 B-17's, escorted by 70 P-51's,
bomb M/Y at Debreczen and land in Soviet Union-- the HBs at Poltava
and Mirgorod, the ftrs at Piryatin. 1 HB is lost over tgt. 27 other
B-17's, forced off course en route to Oradea M/Y, also hit Debreczen.
Nearly 400 other HBs attack M/Ys at Szeged, Miskolc, Szolnok, Cluj,
Simeria, and Oradea. P-51's and P-38's provide escort.
06/02/44
Tenth AF
B-25's continue to fly ammo into Imphal area. 12 B-24's airborne
against Yenangyaung fail to hit primary but unload against alternates
in the area.
06/02/44
Fourteenth AF
80-plus P-40's and P-51's pound troops and vehicles at Tungcheng and
Chungyang and strafe concentration of about 75 sampans on Tungting
Lake.
06/02/44
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb Kaukenau-Timoeka area while B-24's bomb positions N of
Mokmer A/F. B-24's and B-25's hit bivouacs NE of Sawar A/F and near
Wiske R and bomb roads along W bank of the Orai R. B-24's, P-39's,
and RAAF airplanes hit Wewak area. Thirteenth Air TF B-24's bomb
Dublon.
06/02/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-24's pound Nordup area. 48 P-38's, P-39's, and P-40's attack
Vunakanau area. 30-plus P-39's attack A/F at Buka and upplies in
Kara-Kahili area.
06/02/44
Seventh AF
B-25's based at Makin strike Nauru.
06/02/44
Eleventh AF
2 B-24's, finding Shimushiru overcast, bomb and photograph Matsuwa
(secondary) during dawn.
06/03/44
Eighth AF
In Operation COVER, 338 HBs attack coastal defenses in the Pas de
Calais area, bombing a total of 22 assigned tgts. In second mission
of the day 215 HBs attack 16 of the tgts bombed during the first
mission. No bmrs are lost on either mission.
06/03/44
Ninth AF
Over 250 B-26's and A20's bomb A/Fs, highway bridges, and coastal def
batteries in N France. Over 400 P-38's and P-47's divebomb tgts in NW
Europe.
06/03/44
Twelfth AF
MBs pound bridges in C Italy, further damaging the enemy's comm
system. FBs continue close spt of embattled ground forces immediately
S of Rome and attack several bridges N of the city to hinder a
possible withdrawal of enemy forces. LBs attack ammo and fuel dumps.
06/03/44
Fifteenth AF
Bad weather drastically curtails operations. 36 B-24's bomb
waterfront area of Omis and 38 hit port area and W part of Split.
Ftrs sent to strafe T/Os in tgt areas abandon mission because of low
clouds over tgts.
06/03/44
Tenth AF
15 B-25's pound Imphal-Tiddim road while a few P-40's hit Mogaung
area. B-25 ammo lift to Imphal area continues.
06/03/44
Fourteenth AF
P-40's spt ground forces at Watien and Tatangtzu, destroy 2 barges
and damage others in Gulf on Tonkin, and strafe 40 barges carrying
horses and troops in Tungting Lake area N of Nanhsien. B-25's,
P-40's, and P-51's pound Pingkiang area.
06/03/44
Fifth AF
B-25's, A-20's, and B-24's hit Timoeka A/F and nearby villages,
shipping off Manokwari, Seroei Village on Japen I, and positions N of
Mokmer, and strafe Mokmer, Sorido and Kamiri A/Fs. P-38's and P-47's
battle ftrs over Biak I and over Babo area. P-47's and P-40's hit
Sawar A/F, supplies and fuel dumps in Sarmi and Orai R areas, and
hideouts and occupied areas along coast. B-24's and FBs maintain
consistent pounding of numerous tgts in Wewak-Hansa Bay coastal
region. B-24's of Thirteenth Air TF bomb Eten and Dublon.
06/03/44
Thirteenth AF
All scheduled strikes on Rabaul area are cancelled due to weather
conditions. 20-plus P-39's, turned back from Rabaul area, hit
Tsundawan-Porton road, vehicles in Komai area, and AA position at
Kara.
06/03/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, strike Truk in predawn raid. B-25's
from Engebi bomb Nauru.
06/03/44
Eleventh AF
2 B-25's and 2 P-38's fly guardship cover. 2 other B-25's fly a
negative shipping search.
06/04/44
Eighth AF
In the first mission of the day the escort is to be divided between
Pas de Calais (COVER) area and the Normandy assault (NEPTUNE ) area.
However, D-Day is postponed 24 hrs and the NEPTUNE force is
cancelled. 231 HBs attack 7 tgts in Pas de Calais area. In the second
mission 283 aircraft bomb 8 coastal def positions in same area. Third
mission of the day consists of attacks by 400 HBs on 10 tgts
including A/Fs, railway junctions and bridges. No bmrs are lost on
any of the missions.
06/04/44
Ninth AF
Over 300 B-26's and A-20's bomb highway bridge and coastal batteries
in France. Almost 200 P-47's and P-51's dive-bomb bridges, railroad
junction, rolling stock and T/Os in France.
06/04/44
Twelfth AF
MBs hit railroad bridges in NC Italy. FBs concentrate on motor
transport on roads N of Rome over which enemy is retreating as US
Fifth Army columns converge on the city amidst enthusiastic welcome
by the populace. A record number of over 600 motor transport are
claimed destroyed and almost as many more damaged by Twelfth AF and
RAF units of MATAF.
06/04/44
Fifteenth AF
More than 650 B-17's and B-24's attack comm in NW Italy and on both
sides of FrancoItalian frontier, hitting M/Y and repair works at
Turin, M/Ys at Genoa and Novi Ligure, bridges at Gad and Orelle, and
viaducts at Recco and Antheor. Ftrs fly over 200 sorties in spt of
the HBs.
06/04/44
Tenth AF
20-plus P-40's hit Myitkyina area while 19 others hit various points
in N Burma, including Haka, Kamaing, Kamasaing, Tagwin, and Bilumyo.
B-25's continue ammo lift to Imphal.
06/04/44
Fourteenth AF
P-40's bomb arty positions and T/Os in Watien area of Salween battle
front. Others bomb railroad T/Os in NE Indochina.
06/04/44
Fifth AF
A-20's bomb town and harbor at Manokwari and shipping to the E in
Geelvink Bay. B-24's bomb Namber and Borokoe A/Fs while ftrs battle
enemy airplanes in general area. B-24's bomb area near Orai R mouth
while A-20's hit Wewak and FBs pound Hansa Bay coast.
06/04/44
Thirteenth AF
Bad weather again prevents strikes against Rabaul area. P-39's flying
a total of 55 sorties, blast truck park near Komai, strafe huts at
Doure, and attack pier at Tunuru. 8 P-38's weathered out of Rabaul
strike Tonolai supply area. A lone B-25 bombs Kahili.
06/04/44
Seventh AF
During the night B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, hit Truk. B-25's
from Engebi follow with daylight raid on Ponape.
06/04/44
Eleventh AF
2 B-24's fly uneventful rcn over Shimushiru. Fuel shortage and
equipment failure prevent flying to Matsuwa (secondary). Later, a
B-25 and 2 P-38's fly a guardship cover mission.
06/05/44
Eighth AF
629 HBs attack 6 coastal def installations in Cherbourg-Caen area and
8 in Pas de Calais area, along with 3 V-weapon sites and a railroad
bridge. 6 bmrs are lost. 7 P-51 FBs attack truck convoy near Lille,
destroying 2 trucks.
06/05/44
Ninth AF
Over 100 B-26's bomb coastal def batteries in France. More than 100
P-47's dive-bomb tgts in same area.
06/05/44
Twelfth AF
MBs pound road bridges just N of forces retreating from Rome while
FBs continue attacks against motor transport, railway lines and roads
in battle areas and N of Rome, destroying many vehicles and train
cars, and scoring numerous hits on bridges, tracks, and roads, as
most of US Fifth Army assault forces cross the Tiber in pursuit of
enemy and British Eighth Army forces E of Rome prepare to adv astride
the Tiber against Terni and Rieti."
06/05/44
Fifteenth AF
440-plus HBs attack M/Ys at Ferrara, Forli, Faenza, Castel Maggiore,
and Bologna, bomb bridges, bridge approaches, and surrounding areas
at Rimini, Fornovo di Taro, and Pioppi, and attack viaduct at Vado
Ligure. P-38's and P-51's fly escort. 53 P-38's strafe Ferrara and
Poggio Renatico A/Fs and 40 strafe and dive-bomb A/Fs at Bologna and
Reggio Emilia.
06/05/44
Tenth AF
9 B-25's bomb Bhamo and 4 hit bridge at Ledan Chaung, while others
continue ammo haul into Imphal. 50 FBs pound Myitkyina area and
20-plus others hit Loilaw, ragwin, Namti, and Mogaung.
06/05/44
Fourteenth AF
12 P-40's spt ground forces at Watien and Lameng on Salween front. 18
P-24's and 12 P-40's bomb Lashio. 7 B-24's blast barracks and
warehouse area at Namhkam. 8 P-40's hit 15 tanks at Taying. 29 P-40's
attack numerous oil barges near Yuankiang, leaving 16 of them
burning.
06/05/44
Fifth AF
P-39's and RAAF airplanes attack Wewak area. B-24's bomb area N of
Sorido A/F. During 5/6 Jun an all-night series of harassing raids by
Japanese airplanes destroy several Allied aircraft on Wakde.
06/05/44
Thirteenth AF
23 B-25's bomb truck park at Rabaul. 22 P-39's strike Ratawul. 11
P-38's hit barges and buildings in Vulcan Crater area. 30-plus P-39's
hit vehicles in KomaiTobago vicinity, a wooded supply area N of Buka
A/F, and Cape Tanabom and Kangu Hill areas.
06/05/44
Twentieth AF
The Twentieth flies its first VHB combat mission. Of 98 B-29's
airborne from India, 77 bomb primary tgt--the railroad shops at
Bangkok. 5 VHBs are lost to nonbattle causes.
06/05/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Makin hit Nauru. B-24's from Eniwetok escort photo
aircraft over Guam, bomb the island, and proceed to Los Negros for
rearming. B-25's from Engebi strike Ponape.
06/06/44
Eighth AF
Eighth reaches its top strength as 493d Bomb Gp (H) becomes
operational, making a total of 40 HB gps now operational. HBs fly 4
missions in spt of the invasion of Normandy. 1,361 HBs are dispatched
on first mission of the day. 1,015 of the HBs attack the beach
installations, 47 bomb transportation chokepoints in town of Caen,
and 21 bomb alternate tgts. Overcast and inability of HBs to locate
(or absence of) Pathfinder leaders causes failure of some units to
attack. The second mission strikes at transportation chokepoints in
towns immediately around the assault area. Total cloud cover causes
most of the 528 HBs dispatched to return with their bombs but 37 bmrs
manage to bomb secondary tgt of Argentan. The third mission is
dispatched against the important comm center of Caen. 56 B-24's bomb
through overcast skies. Transportation chokepoints in towns
immediately S and E of assault area are the objectives of the fourth
mission for the Eighth. 553 HBs bomb tgts including Vire, Saint-Lo,
Coutances, Falaise, Lisieux, Thury-Harcourt, Pont-l'Eveque, Argentan,
and Conde-sur-Noireau. In all, 1,729 HBs of Eighth AF drop 3,596 tons
of bombs during D-Day, suffering only 3 losses (to ground fire and a
collision). VIII FC has threefold mission of escorting HBs, attacking
any movement toward assault area, and protecting Allied shipping. The
ftrs fly 1,880 sorties including FB attacks against 17 bridges, 10
M/Ys, and a variety of other tgts including convoy, railroad cars,
siding, rail and highway junctions, tunnel, and a dam. Very little
air opposition is encountered. The ftrs claim 28 German aircraft
destroyed and 14 damaged. Also destroyed are 21 locomotives and two
carloads of ammunition. Numerous tgts are damaged including
locomotives, trucks, tank cars, armored vehicles, goods carriers,
barges, and tugboats. Tgts attacked with unreported results include
warehouses, radar towers, barracks, troops, arty, staff cars, 85
trains, and a variety of other tgts. 25 VIII FC aircraft are lost.
06/06/44
Ninth AF
More than 800 A-20's and B-26's bomb coastal def batteries, rail and
road junctions and bridges, and M/Ys in spt of the invasion forces
landing in Normandy. Over 2,000 ftrs fly sweeps, escort for MBs and
TCs, ground spt, and divebombing missions over W France. During the
preceding fight and during the day over 1,400 C-47's, C-53's, and
gliders deliver glider troops and paratroops, including 3 full
airborne divs, which are to secure beach exits to facilitate inland
movement of seaborne assault troops. A total of about 30 airplanes
MBs, (ftrs and transports) are lost."
06/06/44
Twelfth AF
MBs, LBs, FBs, and ftrs all hit comm lines N of Rome to slow enemy
retreat. Bridges, road junctions, rail lines, roads, and motor
transport are continually attacked throughout the day, as British
Eighth Army forces W of Tiber reach Civita Castellana and US Fifth
Army forces push N and W toward Viterbo and Civitavecchia.
06/06/44
Fifteenth AF
Shuttlebombing (FRANTIC) continues as 104 B-17's and 42 P-51's
(having flown to USSR from Italy on 2 Jun) attack A/F at Galati and
return to Soviet shuttle bases. 8 enemy ftrs are shot down and 2
P-51's are lost. 570-plus other HBs, with ftr escorts, bomb oil
refineries in Ploesti area, M/Ys at Brasov and Pitesti, Brasov wagon
and armament works, Turnu-Severin canal, and M/Y at Belgrade.
06/06/44
Tenth AF
24 B-25's attack Waingmaw, Wuntho-Hopin area, and Imphal-Tiddim road.
Others maintain ammo lift into Imphal. 24 A-36's, 11 P-51's, and 45
P-40's pound Myitkyina. About 40 A-36's and P-40's hit Mogaung,
Mohnyin, Lachigahtawng, Pakhren-Sakan, and Kadu areas.
06/06/44
Fourteenth AF
50 P-40's attack shipping, horses, and troops in Fulinpu Kweiyi
vicinity, 10 P-51's and 6 B-25's pound Tayang Chiang, and 5 B-25's
bomb Pailochi A/F. 9 P-40's hit road and rail T/Os in Yellow R area.
2 others sink a junk and damage others at Kwangchow Wan.
06/06/44
Fifth AF
B-24's and B-25's bomb shipping near Efman and Waigeo Is. A-20's hit
A/F at Babo, and A-20's and B-25's hit Namber A/F and tanks near
Mokmer. P-39's, A-20's, and RAAF airplanes continue to pound
Wewak-Hansa Bay area, hitting supply dumps and hideouts. B-24's hit
islands in Truk Atoll.
06/06/44
Thirteenth AF
P-38's bomb supply dump near Nordup. P-39's and Navy aircraft hit
vehicles near Hari. Other P-39's pound pier and buildings in SE
Kahili.
06/06/44
Seventh AF
B-24's returning to Eniwetok from Los Negros (where they rearmed
after bombing Guam the previous day) hit Ponape.
06/07/44
Eighth AF
AEAF directs air attacks against congested points to delay movement
of more enemy forces into assault area. In first mission 402 HBs,
including 20 Pathfinders, attack tgts at Flers, Conde-sur-Noireau,
Falaise, Argentan, L'Aigle, and Lisieux. Second mission is directed
at Kerlin/Bastard A/F and at bridges, railroad junctions, depots, and
station at Nantes, Angers, Tours, and adjacent areas. 498 HBs attack;
heavy cloud prevents almost 100 others from bombing tgts. VIII FC
furnishes area spt for beachhead areas in early morning and to HB
operations at midday and in late afternoon, at the same time
maintaining harassment of comm and flying shipping patrol. The ftrs
encounter about 150 aircraft during the day, destroying 31. Enemy
ftrs account for 4 ftrs lost. FB attacks are flown against about 50
tgts, including M/Ys, sidings, trains, tunnels, bridges, convoys,
A/Fs, and railroads. In almost 1,000 sorties, 25 ftrs are lost.
06/07/44
Ninth AF
600-plus MBs hit bridges, junctions, trestles, coastal and field
batteries, and M/Ys in France in spt of invasion. Over 1,100 ftrs spt
ground troops by dive bombing and strafing, escort MBs and
transports, and make sweeps throughout the battle area as Bayeux is
liberated and the BayeuxCaen road is cut. 400-plus C-47's, C-53's,
and gliders resupply paratroops in the assault area.
06/07/44
Twelfth AF
Weather hampers MB operation but several rail and road bridges and
viaducts are attacked. FBs blast retreating motor transport and
troops, and hit bridges N of Rome. Numerous vehicles are destroyed
immediately N of Rome and especially in Subiaco area near Rome. Many
hits are scored on roads and railroads, and several railroad cars and
gun emplacements are destroyed. US Fifth Army captures Civitavecchia.
06/07/44
Fifteenth AF
Fifteenth AF reaches its planned operational strength of 21 HB gps
and 7 ftr gps as 332d Ftr Gp (P-47) begins operations. 340 B-17's and
B-24's, some with ftr cover, hit Leghorn dock and harbor
installations, Voltri shipyards, Savona railroad junction, and Vado
Ligure M/Y, Antheor viaduct, and Var R bridge. 42 P-38's bomb Recco
viaduct and 32 P-47's fly uneventful sweep over Ferrara-Bologna area.
06/07/44
Tenth AF
11 B-24's bomb Wuntho and Kalemyo. 9 B-25's hit WunthoShwebo railroad
and bridge at Thityabin. Other B-25's continue flying ammo to Imphal.
A few P-51's hit Lachigahtawng.
06/07/44
Fourteenth AF
10 B-25's bomb Lashio and T/Os along Salween front. 3 B-25's and 15
FBs bomb tank concentrations at Taying, destroy several locomotives
at Linfen, and pound railroad yards at Chenghsien. P-40's and B-25's
strafe sampans at Ft Bayard and sink a schooner off Nampang I. 2
rocket-firing P-40's damage processing building at carbide mines at
Na Duong.
06/07/44
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb Biak I, hitting gun positions near Bosnik, airstrip at
Sorido, and Borokoe road. A-20's hit shipping in Manokwari area.
B-25's blast supply areas near Orai R. FBs and A-20's continue
pounding Wewak-Hansa Bay coast. Thirteenth Air TF B-24's hit various
tgts on Truk Atoll (weather permits only 10 of 48-airplane force to
reach tgt area).
06/07/44
Thirteenth AF
All scheduled strikes in Rabaul area are weathered out. P-39's and
P-38's hit several T/Os on Bougainville, including occupied areas at
Monoitu.
06/07/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Makin bomb Ponape."
06/08/44
USSTAF
Gen Spaatz, CG, places oil in first priority as tgt for USSTAF as
result of the destructive effect achieved by several missions against
oil centers in May.
06/08/44
Eighth AF
Attacks are made on comm to isolate German forward elements, and A/Fs
are bombed to prevent German air spt. Cloud conditions prevent over
400 HBs from executing assignments but 735 attack tgts including A/Fs
at Rennes and Le Mans and bridges, M/Ys and other railroad
facilities, and various T/Os at or near Tours, Nantes, Cinq
Marsla-Pile, Pontaubalt, La Vicomte-surRance, Angers, Orleans, la
Friliere, Etampes, and Morigny. 3 bmrs are lost. VIII FC, flying
1,405 ftr sorties on this day, sends FB attacks against nearly 75
tgts, including railroad facilities, bridges, convoys, A/Fs, barges,
radio towers, troop concentration, a transformer, and a coastal gun.
Ftrs and FBs destroy nearly 400 rail, ground transport, and military
vehicles and claim 46 airplanes destroyed. 22 ftrs of VIII FC are
lost.
06/08/44
Ninth AF
Around 400 MBs attack rail and road bridges and junctions, rail
sidings, M/Ys, town areas, fuel storage tanks, ammunition dumps,
troop concentration and strong points in the Calais area. Around
1,300 ftrs provide spt to MBs and high cover over assault area, and
bomb and strafe bridges, M/Ys, gun batteries, rail facilities,
vehicles, towns, and troop concentrations.
06/08/44
Twelfth AF
Weather again restricts activity. Many MB missions are abortive,
though several bridges, railroad lines, and guns are attacked. A-20's
hit town of Bolsena and tgts in surrounding areas. FBs and ftrs
continue to patrol battle areas destroying motor transport, and
attacking train cars, roads, rail lines, and enemy concentrations, as
US Fifth Army approaches Viterbo and British Eighth Army pushes
toward Orvieto.
06/08/44
Fifteenth AF
52 B-17's, with P-47 escort, bomb navy yard and drydocks at Pola.
06/08/44
Tenth AF
B-24's mine Bangkok and Mergui areas. B-25's maintain ammo supply to
Imphal. 9 B-25's pound Imphal-Tiddim road and a few A-36's and P-51's
hit the enemy in Mogaung area.
06/08/44
Fourteenth AF
19 P-40's bomb docks, warehouses, and military installations at
Ichang and Shasi and strafe 2 cav units at Nanying. 4 P-51's attack
railroad traffic in SingtaiChengting area.
06/08/44
Fifth AF
B-25's, P-38's, B-24's, and A-20's battle enemy ftrs over Manokwari
and Efman-Schouten Is areas, bomb small freighter off Manokwari, and
hit gun emplacements and occupied areas at Kamiri, at Namber, and
near Sorido. P-40's hit supply areas and villages in vicinity of
Sarmi. A-20's again hit Wewak area. B-24's from the Admiralties hit
Truk.
06/08/44
Thirteenth AF
24 B-25's bomb supply area at Ratawul. 32 P-39's bomb Tsirogei and
supply area N of Buka. 6 P-38's hit Monoitu Mission.
06/08/44
Seventh AF
During 7/8 Jun, B-24's from Eniwetok bomb Truk and Ponape. B-25's
from Makin follow up during day with strike against Nauru.
06/09/44
Eighth AF
Bad weather prevents HB operations. One ftr sq attacks shipping and
another sq flies escort for photo rcn mission (not completed), losing
2 ftrs.
06/09/44
Twelfth AF
MBs again hit enemy comm, bombing bridges with good results. LBs hit
T/Os in Acquapendente area. FBs and ftrs continue to pound motor
transport retreating up Italian peninsula, and to bomb roads and
railways in path of enemy retreat, as US Fifth Army reaches Viterbo,
where British Eighth Army shortly makes contact with it.
06/09/44
Fifteenth AF
Around 500 B-24's and B-17's bomb industrial tgts and an A/F around
Munich and attack oil storage at Porto Marghera. P-47's, P-38's, and
P-51's fly over 250 sorties in spt of the Munich raids. HBs and ftrs
claim over 30 aircraft destroyed. 13 US airplanes are lost.
06/09/44
Tenth AF
5 B-25's carry out strike on Imphal-Tiddim road while 20-plus others
continue to supply ammo to Imphal area. More than 40 A-36's, P-51's,
and P-40's hit Myitkyina, Mogaung, and Kadu.
06/09/44
Fourteenth AF
P-40's, P-51's, and B-25's fly more than 200 sorties against numerous
tgts throughout the Tungting Lake area. River shipping of all
description is pounded, several troop concentrations are attacked,
A/Fs at Hankow and Wuchang are bombed, and towns of Ichang, Siangyin,
Yuankiang, and Kiaotow are hit. 4 HB and FB sorties over S China Sea
result in claims of 3 sea going vessels, a tug, and a barge sunk.
06/09/44
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Peleliu A/F. A-20's bomb shipping in Manokwari harbor.
B-24's, A-20's, B-25's, and P-39's, along with RAAF planes, drop
about 140 tons of bombs on various tgts in Wewak area. B-24's of
Thirteenth Air TF bomb Alet A/F and T/Os in Truk.
06/09/44
Thirteenth AF
32 B-25's, 20 P-39's, and 5 P-38's pound supplies and gun positions
in Ratawul-Talili Bay area. other B-25's attack pier at New Massava
Plantation and railroad to Mandres Saw Mill. P-39's hit town of Buka,
supply area to the N of the A/F, and Arigua Plantation.
06/09/44
Seventh AF
During 8/9 Jun B-24's from Eniwetok bomb Truk.
06/10/44
Eighth AF
Bad weather restricts operations to NW France. 873 HBs are airborne
but over 200 abort due to cloud conditions. 589 including 31
Pathfinders, attack 8 A/Fs in France and 9 coastal installations in
Pas de Calais area. One B-24 is downed by AA at Evreux. VIII FC,
flying over 1,600 sorties, supports HB missions and launches attacks
against about 80 tgts, including railroad facilities, convoys, tank
column, trucks, radar station, tunnels, gun emplacement, supply dump,
and a power plant. About 225 vehicles, including train engines and
cars, are destroyed, along with 16 enemy aircraft. 25 ftrs are lost.
06/10/44
Ninth AF
IX TAC establishes its first station on the Continent, at au Guay.
500-plus B-26's and A-20's bomb tgts in assault area in France. Tgts
include military concentrations, road and rail bridges and junctions,
arty batteries, M/Ys, and town areas. Aircraft of more than 15 ftr
gps fly escort to bmrs and transports, and bomb numerous tgts in spt
of ground assault, including rail facilities, roads, troop
concentrations, arty, and town areas.
06/10/44
Twelfth AF
MBs attack bridges, railroads, and roads N, NE, and NW of Rome. LBs
hit motor transport in town of Arcidosso. FBs and ftrs bomb and
strafe motor transport and roads N of battle area, destroying
numerous vehicles, especially along the roads between Rome and
Vetralla. In ground action Indian 4th Div takes Pescara and Chieti,
while 2d NZ Div reaches Avezzano E of Rome. XII BC is disbanded in
Corsica.
06/10/44
Fifteenth AF
More than 550 B-17's and B-24's attack oil stores at Porto Marghera,
oil refinery at Trieste, M/Ys at Mestre, Trieste, and Ancona, and A/F
at Ferrara. P-51's and P-38's fly escort, strafe T/Os between
Bucharest and Danube R and S of Craiova, and dive-bomb an oil
refinery at Ploesti.
06/10/44
Tenth AF
23 B-24's bomb tgts at Chauk, Lonywa, and Yenangyaung while 29 others
supply ammo to Imphal area. 50 A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's blast tgts
at Myitkyina, Mogaung and Tapo.
06/10/44
Fourteenth AF
23 P-40's and P-51's hit railroad traffic and tracks at Linfen and
Loning and tank concentration at Lingpao. 6 P-40's hit bridge at
Tasa. B-25's, P-40's, P-51's, and P-38's carry out 150-plus sorties
against numerous tgts throughout Tungting Lake area. Numerous
rivercraft are destroyed or damaged, Kukang and other villages NE of
Changsha are bombed, Hankow-Wuchang A/F revetments and buildings are
pounded, Changshowkai area is blasted, and several river landings and
storage installations in the lake area are attacked. 3 B-24's on S
China Sea sweep claim 1 small cargo ship sunk.
06/10/44
Fifth AF
A-20's hit A/F at Babo, destroying grounded aircraft, fuel dump,
several buildings, and a gun position. A-20's, B-25's, and RAAF
airplanes hit Wewak area with more than 100 tons of bombs.
06/10/44
Thirteenth AF
8 P-38's skip-bomb supply tunnels at Keravia Bay while 4 others
strafe nearby AA positions. AA guns S of Rapopo are attacked by 12
B-25's, 20 P-39's, and 20-plus Navy dive bmrs. Other B-25's bomb
Ratawul. 31 P-39's and 20-plus Navy aircraft hit Chinatown at Buka
and a supply area NE of the airstrip, a barge at Sohano I, trucks
near Tsirogei, and a ford near Monoitu."
06/10/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, bomb Truk and Ponape during 9/10
Jun. B-25's from Makin hit Nauru during the day.
06/11/44
Eighth AF
Weather prevents operations against priority tgts in Germany 90 the
HBs attack bridges on the Loire, bridges and A/Fs on Brest Peninsula
and near Paris, and coastal defenses in Pas de Calais area. Of 1,043
HBs airborne, over 400 abort or fail to bomb due to clouds and
absence or malfunction of Pathfinders. 640 HBs bomb tgts, including
10 A/Fs and landing grounds, several bridges, and various T/Os. 3 HBs
are lost. VIII FC supports HBs over NW France and Ninth AF MBs attack
Paris area. FBs attack over 60 tgts, including railroad yards,
sidings, junctions, bridges, trains, A/Fs, convoys, an oil tanker, a
power station, and warehouses. Ftrs destroy 5 aircraft. VIII FC loses
8 ftrs.
06/11/44
Ninth AF
129 B-26's and A-20's bomb rail and road bridges and intersections,
rail lines, oil tanks, arty, and town areas, in morning operations.
Bad weather prevents afternoon operations. 10 ftr gps fly escort and
strafe and bomb bridges, railroads, gun emplacements, rail and road
traffic, and M/Ys in spt of Allied ground troops in France.
06/11/44
Twelfth AF
Weather cancels all LB and MB operations. FBs and ftrs, operating on
a reduced scale, hit vehicles, roads, and bridges N of battleline
which US Fifth Army's VI Corps has extended 65 mi N of Rome.
06/11/44
Fifteenth AF
126 B-17's and 60 P-51's depart Russian shuttle bases for Italy to
complete the first FRANTIC operation. On the way 121 B-17's bomb A/F
at Focsani; 1 B-17 is lost. 540-plus other B-17's and B-24's attack
oil installations at Constanta and Giurgiu (both raids having ftr
escorts) oil refinery and M/Y at Smederovo. The HBs and ftrs claim
total of 50 airplanes destroyed during the day's missions.
06/11/44
Tenth AF
30 B-25's continue flying ammo to Imphal area. 55 A-36's, P-51's, and
P-40's attack tgts at Myitkyina, Mogaung, Indawgyi Lake, and Padaung.
06/11/44
Fourteenth AF
In China's Tungting Lake area 80-plus P-40's, P-51's, and P-38's
pound towns of Lanchi and Anking, hit cav compound at Kintsing,
attack Japanese HQ, positions, and river traffic N of Changsha,
destroy or damage several boats, barges, and sampans at Changsha, and
strafe numerous T/Os throughout the entire region. In Yellow R area,
27 B-25's and P-40's pound barracks, fortifications, tank
concentration, several armored vehicles, and cav forces at Iching and
Lingpao. 3 B-25's on sea sweep in S China Sea claim 1 600ft freighter
sunk.
06/11/44
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Sorido A/F and surrounding areas as US carrier forces
attack Saipan, Tinian and Guam. B-25's, A-20's, and P-47's continue
to saturate Wewak-Hansa Bay coastline with bombs. Other B-24's bomb
Dublon and Peleliu A/F.
06/11/44
Thirteenth AF
130-plus B-25's, P-38's P-39's, and Navy dive bmrs pound AA positions
S and SW of Rapopo. P-39's fly 44 sorties against occupied areas at
Komai, Kakaura, and Quaga, AA guns at Kangu Hill, and plantations at
Arigua and Tsirogei.
06/11/44
Seventh AF
B-24's from Eniwetok hit Truk during 11/12 Jun. B-25's follow with
raid against Ponape during the morning.
06/12/44
Eighth AF
With bad weather over top priority tgts in Germany, HB efforts are
directed against A/Fs and landing grounds in NE France and rail and
road bridges on the Brest Peninsula. 1,278 HBs, including 25
Pathfinders, drop 3,295 tons of bombs on 22 of the primary tgts and
on secondary and T/Os. 8 HBs are lost, mostly to ground fire. VIII FC
furnishes spt for HB missions and Ninth AF MBs, and attacks enemy
communications and troop movements. Ftrs damage M/Ys at
Juvisysur-Orge and Melun and several freight trains, and destroy 108
locomotives, train cars, trucks, tanks, and other vehicles. One gp of
P-47's is attacked by 50 German ftrs in a fierce battle, 8 P-47's and
5 Me-109's being shot down. During the day VIII FC flies 1,002
sorties and claims 26 aircraft destroyed. Losses total 17.
06/12/44
Ninth AF
509 B-26's and A-20's bomb M/Ys, road and rail junctions, bridges,
arty, town areas, troop concentrations, and various T/Os in France.
Aircraft of more than 15 ftr gps fly close and area spt for bmrs and
bomb and strafe rail lines, gun batteries, bridges, fortifications,
radar installation, tanks, ammo dumps, town areas and strongpoints in
battle area of France.
06/12/44
Twelfth AF
MBs hit bridges, viaducts, and rail lines at Collazone, Perugia,
Foligno, Massa Lombarda, Pietrasanta, Cattolica, Pesaro, Arezzo, and
Bucine. LBs hit Arcidosso and motor transport in the area. FBs are
restricted by bad weather but attack several bridges and roads in
line of enemy retreat which at its farthest point is N and W of
Viterbo.
06/12/44
Tenth AF
More than 30 B-25's continue to supply troops at Imphal with ammo. 16
P-40's hit Mogaung and T/Os in N Burma.
06/12/44
Fourteenth AF
50 P-40's, P-51's, and B-25's hit troop concentrations in Yellow R
area at Lingpao and S of Loyang. In Tungting Lake area about 100
P-40's and P-51's attack numerous supply boats and other river and
lake trafflc, and hit dock areas and warehouses at Lanchi, Yuankiang,
and at scattered points. Also hit are villages and troops in Changsha
and Kuanchuang areas.
06/12/44
Fifth AF
Fierce ground fighting continues on Biak I while Japanese airplanes
attack Allied ground forces and shipping offshore; P-47's battle
attacking aircraft, shooting down several. P-47's and A-20's hit
troop concentrations, comm, and various other tgts in Wewak and Hansa
Bay areas. B-24's bomb Peleliu A/F and Dublon I.
06/12/44
Thirteenth AF
6 B-24's bomb runways at Tobera and Rapopo. 22 P-39's and 10 P-38's
join 20-plus Navy airplanes in attacks on supply dumps near Ralum. 20
B-25's pound Malapau village. 44 P-39's hit Baku A/F, Tsirogei
plantation, barges and pier S of Kleine I, and occupied area W of
Komai.
06/12/44
Seventh AF
Eniwetok-based B-24's hit Truk during 11/12 Jun and again during the
day.
06/13/44
Eighth AF
Bad weather cancels large-scale bombing of high priority tgts in
Germany. Overcast bombing against tac tgts in NW France is
undertaken. On first mission of the day cloud cover is less than
anticipated and visual runs are made by 128 B-17's against A/Fs at
Dreux, SaintAndre-de-L'Eure, and Evreux. On second mission 208 HBs,
including 15 Pathfinders, attack A/Fs at Beauvais/Nivillers and
Beaumont-surOise, and bridges and scattered tgts between Brittany and
the assault area. Bridges bombed are at Porcaro, Montfort-sur-Meu,
Ploermel, La Vicomte-sur-Rance, Saint-Vincent-surOust, and Vannes. AA
fire downs 2 B-24's. VIII FC furnishes spt for the HB missions and
conducts FB and strafing attacks against bridges, trains, trucks, and
other vehicles. The ftrs, flying a total of 782 sorties, claim 6
airplanes, bomb 5 bridges, and deStlOy 3 locomotives, 23 trucks, and
4 other vehicles. Losses of VIII FC total 4.
06/13/44
Ninth AF
397 B-26's and A-20's bomb rail and road junctions, M/Ys, and fuel
dumps in assault areas in France. Aircraft of 9 ftr gps escort bmrs
and attack bridges, M/Ys, troop areas, rail and road traffic, gun
emplacements, ammo dumps, and other tgts.
06/13/44
UK
The first V-1 lands in S England. More land during 13/14 Jun, and
throughout the rest of the month.
06/13/44
Twelfth AF
MBs bomb shipping at Leghorn with excellent results and score
numerous hits on bridges, viaducts, rail lines, and roads in NC
Italy. FBs continue to disrupt retreat over entire area N of battle
zone as British Eighth Army's 13 Corps pushes toward Orvieto and 10
Corps reaches Terni.
06/13/44
Fifteenth AF
560-plus B-17's and B-24's, most with ftr escorts, attack A/F at
Oberpfaffenhofen, aircraft component plants at MunichAllach, M/Ys at
Innsbruck, Munich, and Porto Marghera, and several T/Os in Germany,
Austria, and Italy. HBs and ftrs claim over 30 aircraft shot down. 10
US airplanes are lost and several others are missing.
06/13/44
Tenth AF
A few P-51's hit Mogaung while 39 B-25's fly ammo to Imphal area.
06/13/44
Fourteenth AF
18 B-25's and 56 FBs pound M/Y at Wuchang. About 70 other B-25's and
FBs attack a variety of other tgts in the Tungting Lake region,
including many river vessels, A/F at Pailochi, troop positions NE of
Changsha, warehouse and factory area at Shasi, and numerous general
T/Os. 12 FBs hit Japanese HQ and barracks at Loyang. 4 B-24's over S
China Sea claim 1 cargo vessel sunk. 4 P-40's pound Japanese
positions at Watien and Kaitou.
06/13/44
Fifth AF
More than 100 A-20's and a few B-25's and P-39's attack miscellaneous
tgts in Wewak area. P-39's hit area around Hollandia and P-47's bomb
bridge over Orai R and fuel dumps near Sarmi. A-20's blast enemy
positions N of Borokoe. B-24's bomb airstrip at Liang. B-24's from
Admiralty Is bomb Woleai, Dublon, and Satawan.
06/13/44
Thirteenth AF
9 P-38's and 23 P-39's hit Ralum and AA positions to the S. 24 B-25's
bomb Tobera AA guns and A/F; 15 others, in 2 waves, bomb Praed Pt. 6
B-24's also bomb Tobera. 31 P-39's and 12 Navy aircraft attack supply
dumps at Buka and Tapsadawato, bomb approach to Abia R bridge, and
hit garden area at Tabago.
06/13/44
Seventh AF
Attack during 12/13 Jun by B-24's from Eniwetok against Truk and
Ponape is followed by daylight attack by Makin-based B-25's against
Nauru and Ponape.
06/13/44
Eleventh AF
During 12/13 June 6 B-24's dispatched to fly an offensive sweep and
provide air cover for a naval TF abort missions due to weather.
06/14/44
Eighth AF
Bad weather again covers all strategic tgts in Germany except one in
the extreme NW. Major effort is against tac objectives, mainly in
France. 1,314 HBs attack tgts, including oil refinery at Emmerich, an
A/F and a bridge in Germany, 16 A/Fs in France and 1 in Belgium, 14
bridges, CROSSBOW supply sites, and scattered T/Os in France. HB
losses total 14. VIII FC ftrs escort the HBs and engage in heavy
aerial combat as ftrs intercept the HB forces. VIII FC loses 4
aircraft while destroying 4 of the enemy. P-47's bomb and strafe 3
A/Fs, 2 M/Ys, an ammo dump, and several other T/Os.
06/14/44
Ninth AF
Over 500 B-26's and A-20's attack rail comm SW of Paris and highway
comm centers S of beachhead area. Junctions, bridges, M/Ys, gun
emplacements, and various defensive strongpoints are included. Over
15 ftr gps fly escort and attack numerous ground tgts, including rail
lines running from SW of Paris to Rennes area, and highway traffic in
Cherbourg Peninsula and S of beachhead area to the Loire R.
06/14/44
Twelfth AF
MBs bomb several bridges and viaducts in NC Italy, with especially
good results on viaduct and railway bridge N of Arezzo. Ships in
Leghorn harbor also are hit. LBs pound ammo supplies. FBs continue to
attack roads and bridges in and just N of battle area (only small
number of vehicles are seen) as US Fifth Army forces take Magliano
and Orvieto falls to elements of British Eighth Army.
06/14/44
Fifteenth AF
More than 550 B-17's and B-24's attack oil refineries and other tgts
in Hungary and Yugoslavia, including Budapest, Petfurdo, Komarom,
Osijek, and Sisak. P-38's, P-47's, and P-51's escort HBs and P-38's
strafe and dive-bomb A/F at Kecskemet.
06/14/44
Tenth AF
21 B-25's continue ammo supply to Imphal vicinity. A few P-40's hit
Mogaung area.
06/14/44
Fourteenth AF
43 P-40's attack river shipping, troops, and villages in Tungting
Lake area, at or near Lanchi, Changsha, Chulianchiao, and Linyang.
06/14/44
Fifth AF
A-20's, B-25's, and P-39's hit Wewak area. B-24's bomb Kamiri A/F.
A-20's hit A/F at Babo, Orai R bridge, and fuel dumps, and other tgts
near the river's mouth. Halong seaplane base is hit by B-24's.
06/14/44
Thirteenth AF
80-plus B-25's, P-38's, P-39's, and Navy aircraft hit supply areas
and underground storages along N shore of Gazelle Peninsula from
Vulcan Crater to Wunapope. Ralum, Keravia Bay, and Wunapope stores
are the hardest hit. P-39's fly 27 sorties along E shoreline of
Bougainville from Bonis to Kieta, hitting Monoitu, Bonis, and pier at
Kieta Mission.
06/14/44
Eleventh AF
4 B-24's fly extensive photo rcn over the C and N Kurils. They are
attacked by some 20 ftrs of which 3 are damaged.
06/15/44
Eighth AF
1,225 HBs operating in 8 forces bomb Misburg oil refinery in Germany
and numerous tac tgts in France, including 9 A/Fs, an aircraft plant,
a CROSSBOW supply site, 11 bridges, a M/Y, and various scattered
tgts. Losses total 4 HBs. VIII FC escorts the HBs, flies shipping
patrol, and carries out FB attack on bridges at Etaples. Ftr attacks
destroy a locomotive and 5 trucks, along with 5 aircraft. A total of
762 ftr sorties are flown. No losses are suffered.
06/15/44
Ninth AF
Over 550 B-26's and A-20's direct main attacks against fuel and ammo
dumps, rail and highway comm, and armd div HQ S of bridgehead on
Douve R. Over 1,400 ftrs fly armed rcn in Valognes-Cherbourg area, W
part of Cherbourg Peninsula, and along comm lines S to Loire. Ftrs
also attack shipping between the Channel Is and Cherbourg Peninsula.
06/15/44
Twelfth AF
MBs blast rail and road bridges in La Spezia sector and in area S of
Florence. LBs again hit ammo supplies. FBs and ftrs hit bridges and
roads N of battlelines (again only scattered motor transport tgts are
available for strafing). US Fifth Army patrols move into Grosseto and
British Eighth Army pushes beyond Todi toward Perugia.
06/15/44
Fifteenth AF
Weather cancels bombing operations. P-51's and P-38's strafe La
Jasse, Orange/Plan de Dieu, Orange/Caritat, Avignon/Chateau-Blanc,
and Avignon/Pujaut A/Fs.
06/15/44
Tenth AF
30 B-25's fly ammo to Imphal area. 27 A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's
pound Mogaung and Myitkyina.
06/15/44
Fourteenth AF
24 P-40's hit Japanese cav forces at Chuchou and several supply boats
on Siang-Chiang R. 10 P-40's destroy or damage several tanks, trucks,
and train cars between Loyang and Shanhsien. 24 B-24's bomb warehouse
area at Canton, causing heavy damage.
06/15/44
FEAF
FEAF is formed with jurisdiction over Fifth and Thirteenth AFs. Gen
Kenney becomes CG FEAF, with HQ in Brisbane. FEAF HBs, MBs, LBs, and
ftrs attack barges in Manokwari area, village in Wakde area. Also
bombed are A/Fs on Timor and Truk. Thirteenth AF airplanes still in
Solomon-Bismarck area hit Tobera A/F and forces on Bougainville.
Amphibious forces of US Marines land on Saipan.
06/15/44
SOPAC
COMAIRSOLS is dissolved, to be replaced by a new cmd, Air Comd,
Northern Solomons (COM AIRNORSOLS).
06/15/44
Thirteenth AF
HQ Thirteenth AF moves from Guadalcanal to Los Negros, from which the
HBs have been operating since Apr as Thirteenth Air TF. Gen Streett
becomes CG Thirteenth AF, which becomes part of FEAF. The MBs and
ftrs, together with other COMAIRSOLS airplanes, continue to maintain
the neutralization of Rabaul and the pounding of the
Bougainville-Buka area through Jul and into Aug.
06/15/44
Twentieth AF
B-29's bomb Japan. With the exception of Eleventh AF's raids on the
Kurils, this is first air attack against Japan since Doolittle's
raid. 47 B-29's, operating out of Chengtu, bomb primary tgt of
Imperial Iron and Steel Works at Yawata. The Twentieth's first combat
loss during a bombing mission results when ftrs destroy a B-29 down
with engine trouble at Neihsiang A/F in China.
06/15/44
Eleventh AF
2 B-24's fly armed photo rcn over Shimushiru I.
06/16/44
Eighth AF
313 HBs, including 22 Pathfinders, attack 4 A/Fs and 4 CROSSBOW
supply sites in France, losing a B-17 to ground fire. P-38's of VIII
FC cease flying shipping patrol as of this date. 18 escort HB
missions and attack a concentration of stalled trains between
Angouleme and Poitiers, dropping external fuel tanks on them and
firing the tanks by strafing. The same tactics are used on trains in
M/Y at Saint-Pierre-d'Excideuil. Heavy damage is inflicted on both
tgts, including heavy troop casualties. At Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise a
large number of railroad cars are burned by oil and phosphorous bombs
and strafing attacks. Other M/Ys, a power station, railroad station,
trains, barges, tanks, trucks, gun emplacements, AA tower, and an
armored vehicle are attacked. A total of about 400 railroad cars are
attacked and about half of them set on fire. In general the ftr
attacks are highly effective.
06/16/44
Ninth AF
Bad weather prevents bmr operations. More than 500 ftrs strafe and
bomb rail lines, bridges, and highway traffic in Cherbourg Peninsula.
06/16/44
Twelfth AF
B-26's and B-25's hit rail and road bridges, viaduct, and other comm
tgts at Casalecchio di Reno/Villa Vergano, Lissone, Viareggio, Pisa,
Vernio, Grizzana, and Pietrasanta. A-20's continue to hit ammo
supplies. FBs continue interdiction by hitting bridges, trucks, rail
lines, and other tgts closer to the front, which now reaches across
Italy from W coast near Grosseto to E coast in vicinity of Macerata.
06/16/44
Fifteenth AF
Almost 600 HBs attack oil tgts at Vienna and Bratislava. Between 200
and 250 ftrs attack the formations and 15 US aircraft are shot down.
HBs and escorting ftrs claim 70 airplanes destroyed.
06/16/44
Tenth AF
28 A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's hit Myitkyina and T/Os in N Burma.
06/16/44
FEAF
Bmrs and ftrs hit widespread tgts in SWPA and in SOPAC. Personnel
areas and barges along coast in Wewak and Hansa Bay areas are hit
throughout the day. A/Fs and shipping at Efman and Samate Is and at
Babo and Sorong are attacked. Dublon and Yap are bombed. HBs hit
Vunakanau A/F at Rabaul. HBs, MBs, LBs and ftrs attack a large
variety of T/Os on Gazelle Peninsula from Tobera A/F to Rabaul.
06/16/44
SOPAC
Gen Mitchell, USMC, becomes head of COMAIRNORSOLS.
06/16/44
Seventh AF
B-25's, based at Makin, hit Ponape.
06/17/44
Eighth AF
During first mission, 231 HBs, including 16 Pathfinders, attack 8
A/Fs in N France. Clouds and malfunction of blind-bombing equipment
cause nearly 100 aborts. 2 HBs are lost. Favorable break in weather
over N France permits a second mission. 273 B-24's bomb 3 A/Fs and 2
landing strips, along with some T/Os, in same general area hit by the
earlier mission. 1 B-24 is lost to AA fire. VIII FC ftrs escort both
HB missions and during first mission P-38's bomb 2 bridges N of
Paris, damaging 1 of them severely. After escorting second mission, a
P-51 gp bombs 2 M/Ys with good results. Other ftrs bomb a bridge and
a M/Y as T/Os. 15 locomotives, train cars, trucks, and other vehicles
are destroyed, along with 5 airplanes. VIII FC loses 8 ftrs while
flying 1,027 sorties during the day.
06/17/44
Ninth AF
Operational control of air-ground coordination of FB missions moves
from HQ Ninth AF and 21 Army Gp Combined Control Center (in UK) to
Adv HQ IX TAC (in Normandy) operating in close proximity to US First
Army. 265 MBs attack fuel dumps, a bridge and a railway line S of
battle area in France. Over 1,300 ftrs fly escort and top cover, and
strafe and bomb troop concentrations, military vehicles, bridges, gun
emplacements, tanks, and other tac tgts.
06/17/44
Twelfth AF
Except for a B-26 attack on 1 bridge and an A-20 raid on an ammo
dump, weather prevents completion of LB and MB missions. FBs are also
restricted but manage to hit several gun positions, comm tgts, boats,
small ships, barges, and T/Os in battle area and at various other
locations including Capo d'Enfola and other points on Elba (where
French forces land and begin clearing island), and Rio Marina.
06/17/44
Fifteenth AF
Operatons are limited to rcn missions.
06/17/44
Tenth AF
8 A-36's attack forces at Mogaung. 25 B-25's fly ammo to Imphal area.
06/17/44
Fourteenth AF
B-25's and FBs attack large troop concentrations at Shanglishih and
Fenglinpu, bomb town of Lanchi and nearby villages, attack 4 villages
in Chuchou area, hit troop barges at Changsha, damage several supply
boats at Yiyang, and bomb military installations at Ichang.
06/17/44
FEAF
MBs, LBs, and ftrs hit shipping in Sorong harbor and airstrips in
Babo area. In Wewak area, A-20's, B-25's, and ftrs continue to pound
barges and villages. HBs again bomb Truk, hitting tgts on Eten and
Dublon. HBs hit Lakunai A/F while A-20's, B-25's, and ftrs attack
numerous tgts between Rapopo and Tobera."
06/17/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, flying from Kwajalein, bomb Ponape. B-25's from Makin hit
Nauru.
06/17/44
Eleventh AF
12 B-25's fly 3 air cover missions for Naval TF on withdrawal,
following the shelling of Kurabu Cape installations.
06/18/44
Eighth AF
1,239 HBs operating in 4 forces attack oil industries at
Oslebshausen, Hamburg, and Misburg, dock area and city of Hamburg,
A/Fs at Stade and Hassum, and various tgts at Brunsbuttelkoog,
Bremerhaven, Nordenham, and Helgoland, and V-weapon site at Watten. A
total of 566 ftrs fly uneventful escort to the HB missions, all
returning safely to base. 11 HBs are lost, 10 to AA fire and the
other to unknown causes.
06/18/44
Ninth AF
About 130 A-20's and B-26's bomb fuel dumps at Foret d'Andaine and
Conches and M/Ys at Rennes and Meudon during the morning, and NOBALL
tgts in the afternoon. Ftrs, in addition to escort duty, continue
strafing and bombing rail lines, troop concentrations, and highway
traffic in Cherbourg Peninsula."
06/18/44
Twelfth AF
Bad weather grounds MBs and LBs. FBs and ftrs are restricted to
patrols, mainly over Piombino area and island of Elba, during which
several gun positions, boats, and barges are hit.
06/18/44
Tenth AF
16 A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's hit Myitkyina and Mogaung.
06/18/44
Fourteenth AF
B-25's and P-40's bomb Yoyang and hit shipping and posts in
Siang-Chiang R delta area. P-40's and P-51's attack about 100 supply
boats in lower Tungting Lake area, strafe cav forces between Siangyin
and Changsha, and hit village just E of Changsha.
06/18/44
FEAF
A-20's, B-25's, and ftrs, along with RAAF airplanes, continue to
pound supplies and occupied areas along coast in Wewak area. B-24's
hit tgts in Truk. A variety of ftr and bmr aircraft unload 18 tons of
bombs on numerous tgts around Rabaul. Ftrs continue sweeps against
T/Os along coastal areas of Bougainville."
06/18/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Makin pound Nauru. B-24's stage through Eniwetok to bomb
Truk.
06/19/44
Eighth AF
During the morning 259 B-17's bomb A/Fs at Cazaux, Bordeaux/Merignac
and Landes de Bussac, and landing strip at CormeEcluse. Bad weather
causes nearly 200 aborts among the HBs and prevents nearly 200 ftrs
from effecting rendezvous and providing escort for the bmrs. 217
P-38's and P-51's manage to complete escort missions. On another
morning mission, 201 HBs bomb 17 V-weapon sites in Pas de Calais
area. None of the HBs or the 95 escorting P-38's are lost. In the
afternoon, 270 HBs bomb 18 V-weapon sites, including most of those
bombed in the morning mission. A P-38 gp, after completing escort
duty, divebombs and strafes transportation tgts in NE France,
destroying a locomotive and 3 barges. Losses during the day amount to
7 HBs and 16 ftrs.
06/19/44
Ninth AF
A/F at Cardonville, the first US field in France, becomes
operational. Around 200 ftrs carry out uneventful armed rcn and
patrols in the morning, and dive-bomb 6 NOBALL tgts in the afternoon.
06/19/44
Twelfth AF
Weather again grounds LBs and MBs. FBs of 87th Ftr Wg spt French
forces which complete occupation of island of Elba during afternoon.
FBs of the 87th and other units of XII TAC hit railroads, gun
emplacements, factory, and shipping in and N of battle area at
scattered points in countryside and in and near towns of Pontedera,
Leghorn, Sestri Levante, and Viareggio.
06/19/44
Tenth AF
30 B-25's complete ammo run to Imphal. 33 A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's
strike Myitkyina, Mogaung, and Pinbaw.
06/19/44
Fourteenth AF
About 150 FBs and 8 B-25's again pound a variety of tgts throughout
Tungting Lake area. Tgts include much shipping from Siangyin to
Chuchou, and at various points along Siang-Chiang R, villages and
compounds between Yiyang and Changsha, and boats and river area at
Anking. 18 P-40's damage 2 bridges and destroy about 20 fuel trucks
at Yuncheng. On Salween front 15 P-40's hit trucks and military
installations. 4 B-25's bomb Kengluang bridge.
06/19/44
FEAF
Over 100 A-20's and FBs maintain strikes along coast around Wewak,
hitting supply and bivouac areas, roads, personnel, and a coastal gun
position. A-20's hit A/Fs at Manokwari, Noemfoor I, and Moemi. B-25's
hit forces in Cape Orford region. HBs bomb Dublon and Eten.
06/19/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, strike Truk. B-24's from Kwajalein
and B-25's out of Makin pound Ponape.
06/19/44
Eleventh AF
2 B-24's fly armed photo rcn over Paramushiru and bomb Suribachi area
with unobserved results.
06/20/44
Eighth AF
In the morning 1,257 B-17's and B-24's attack 14 strategic tgts in N
Germany, including oil refineries, synthetic oil plants, a tank
ordnance depot, and a military vehicle manufacturing plant. The HBs
are escorted by 760 ftrs of which nearly half strafe 6 A/Fs and
several other ground tgts, with claims of 13 aircraft and 10
locomotives destroyed. Also during the morning 130 B-24's bomb 10
V-weapon sites in Pas de Calais area; 42 P-47's provide spt,
destroying 3 aircraft. During the afternoon 216 HBs attack 10
V-weapon sites in same area and T/Os which are mainly A/Fs in France
and Belgium. 108 P-47's and P-51's provide uneventful escort. Total
losses for the day are 50 HBs and 7 ftrs. HBs and ftrs claim 76
aircraft destroyed.
06/20/44
Ninth AF
About 370 B-26's and A-20's bomb 9 V-weapon sites in France and a
coastal def battery at Houlgate. Over 1,000 ftrs operating over
frontline areas, Cherbourg Peninsula, and S to Dreux, bomb and strafe
rail lines, M/Ys, bridges, troop concentrations and other tgts.
06/20/44
Twelfth AF
Weather continues to hamper operations but 60-plus MBs manage to
attack rail tgts between Genoa and La Spezia. FBs destroy several
road bridges in battle area and to the N, and damage several other
road and rail bridges as Allies' rapid adv slows down due to enemy's
ability to strengthen his position and form a delaying line across
Italy to S of Gothic Line (Pisa-Rimini) where he is prepared to make
a stand. FBs also damage a 20,000-ton aircraft carrier in Genoa
harbor.
06/20/44
EAC
AC Mellersh assumes cmd of Strategic Air Force, EAC.
06/20/44
Tenth AF
5 B-24's fly fuel to Kamaing while 13 B-25's supply ammo to Imphal. 2
B-25's hit bridge at Banchaung. 8 A-36's and 3 P-40's attack tgts at
Myitkyina.
06/20/44
Fourteenth AF
In Yangtze R Tungting Lake area about 120 B-25's and FBs again attack
a wide variety of tgts, pound river shipping at numerous points, hit
villages and supply lines in Pinkiang area, and bomb towns of
Changsha, Pingsiang and Ikiawan. In Salween R area 24 B-25's pound
Lungling and 16 P-40's hit troops and positions at Tengchung and
Chenanso. In Yellow R area 8 P-40's pound railroad yards and strafe
about 75 trucks, destroying more than 20 of them. 3 B-24's over S
China Sea attack shipping, claiming a 5,000-ton commercial ship sunk.
06/20/44
FEAF
A-20's, P-39's, and RAAF aircraft, pound areas along coast in general
area of Wewak. B-24's bomb Kamiri A/F and attack Woleai and Dublon.
B-25's, P-38's, and other Allied airplanes (including some of RNZAF)
blast AA positions S and SW of Rapopo.
06/20/44
Seventh AF
B-25's from Makin strike Ponape. Kwajalein based B-24's bomb Truk.
06/21/44
Eighth AF
The Eighth begins shuttle bombing missions (FRANTIC) between UK and
bases in USSR. P-47's (2 gps) escort the HBs from just off German
coast to Stendal where a P-51 gp continues escort to, and spt over,
the tgt (synthetic oil plant at Ruhland). 123 B-17's bomb primary
tgt, 21 bomb Elsterwerda, and a lone B-17 bombs Riesa due to a bomb
rack malfunction. After the attack, the supporting P-51 gp is
relieved 50 mi SE of Poznan by 65 other P-51's which are to accompany
the HBs to USSR. 50 mi SE of Brest Litovsk 20 to 30 ftrs attack the
force. In the resulting battle 1 US and 6 German ftrs are destroyed.
A single B-17 is lost (to unknown causes) on the flight. 144 HBs land
in USSR, 73 at Poltava, and the rest at Mirgorod. The 64 remaining
P-51's land at Piryatin. The shuttle run is made in conjunction with
a large-scale effort against tgts in Berlin area. 935 HBs attack city
areas, motor industries, and T/Os in and near Berlin, Genshagen,
Basdorf, Rangsdorf, Trebbin, Belzig, Potsdam, Stendal, and
surrounding areas. 19 HBs are lost. Ftrs fly 902 sorties in spt of
this mission, claiming 18 ftrs destroyed, with a loss of 6. In late
afternoon 31 B-24's bomb CROSSBOW supply sites at Oisemont/Neuville
and Saint-MartinL'Hortier and 39 bomb rocket site at Siracourt. AA
fire shoots down 1 B-24. 3 ftr gps fly 101 sorties, meeting no enemy
aircraft, but 1 gp strafes railroad and canal tgts. During 21/22 Jun
the 73 B-17's which earlier landed at Poltava are attacked for 2 hrs
by an estimated 75 German bmrs led by airplanes dropping flares. 47
HBs are destroyed and most of the remainder severely damaged. Heavy
damage is also suffered by stores of fuel and ammo.
06/21/44
Ninth AF
Over 250 B-26's and A-20's bomb 13 V-weapon sites in Pas de Calais
area. Over 700 ftrs escort Eighth AF HBs over Germany, bomb bridges S
and W of Paris, and strafe rail and road traffic and comm centers N
and W of Paris.
06/21/44
Twelfth AF
MBs have excellent results against rail bridges in N and NC Italy,
also hitting viaducts, road bridges, and other comm tgts, and bombing
ships at Leghorn harbor. LBs again hit ammo supply while FBs
concentrate on rail and road bridges over large area including
locations in vicinity of Gothic Line and at points to the N.
06/21/44
Tenth AF
34 B-25's maintain ammo run to Imphal. 61 A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's
pound Myitkyina and Mogaung."
06/21/44
Fourteenth AF
11 FBs hit river shipping, barracks, and cav forces at Siangtan and
Hengshan.
06/21/44
FEAF
P-39's and RAAF airplanes hit dumps and bivouacs at Suain and attack
other tgts in Wewak area. A-20's attack various T/Os in Paniai Lakes
area while B-25's hit villages on coast of Netherlands New Guinea E
of Maffin Bay. B-24's bomb Kamiri A/F and other tgts on Noemfoor and
attack shipping in Palau Is and at Dublon.
06/21/44
Seventh AF
B-24's based on Kwajalein, bomb Truk.
06/22/44
Eighth AF
In morning mission 216 HBs attack 12 CROSSBOW installations in Pas de
Calais area. Some of the 212 spt ftrs strafe coastal defenses. During
the afternoon 718 HBs attack 22 tgts in France and Belgium, including
M/Ys transformer stations, A/Fs, bridges, fuel storage facilities,
railroad facilities, CROSSBOW supply site, and numerous T/Os. Ftrs
escort the mission and 3 P-47 gps strafe and bomb transportation
tgts, destroying an ammo train, 6 other freight cars, and a truck. 8
HBs are lost, mostly to ground fire. Because of attack on B-17's at
Poltava on shuttle mission, the B-17's at Mirgorod and P-51's at
Piryatin are moved farther E into USSR. They are to be returned to
Mirgorod and Piryatin to be dispatched to bases in Italy as soon as
weather permits. The move is fortunate as German bmrs strike both
Piryatin and Mirgorod during 22/23 Jun.
06/22/44
Ninth AF
Around 600 B-26's and A-20's and over 1,200 ftrs fly missions during
the day. The main effort consists of an attack on tip of Cherbourg
Peninsula in spt of US VII Corps assault on port of Cherbourg.
Beginning 1 hr before ground attack and continuing until attack
begins ftrs and FBs pound whole area S of city from low level. As
ground assault begins, B-26's and A-20's strike series of
strongpoints selected by US First Army, forming a 55-min aerial
barrage moving N in adv of ground forces. Later in the day MBs attack
M/Ys, fuel dumps and a German HQ. FBs fly armed rcn over various
railroads and bomb rail facilities, trains, road traffic, and gun
emplacements in France. 25 FBs are lost during the day's operations.
06/22/44
Twelfth AF
MBs attack railway bridges and viaducts in NC Italy, at Marzabotto,
Boccheto, and Gricigliana, A-20's again hit ammo supplies. FBs pound
road and rail bridges, mainly in Pisa area, and cut rail lines
between Bologna and Pistoia."
06/22/44
Fifteenth AF
Following 5 consecutive days of bad weather more than 600 HBs bomb
tgts in N Italy, hitting motor transport works at Turin and Chivasso,
M/Ys at Parma, Modena, Fornovo di Taro, Bologna, Castel Maggiore, and
Ferrara, oil storage at Fornovo di Taro, harbor at Pola, A/F at
Poggio Renatico, and highway and railroad bridges at Nervesa della
Battaglia and Rimini. Ftrs fly more than 250 sorties in spt of the
missions.
06/22/44
Tenth AF
6 B-24's fly fuel to Kamaing while 40 B-25's supply Imphal with ammo.
40 A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's hit Mogaung and Myitkyina while 10
others hit tgts at Hopin, Namma, and Sahmaw.
06/22/44
Fourteenth AF
18 P-40's destroy 20-plus trucks between Hsuchang and Lohochai. 4
P-40's damage a troop steamer in Tungting Lake. 13 B-24's bomb Bakli
harbor, damaging dock facilities and claiming 1 freighter sunk.
06/22/44
FEAF
B-25's, A-20's, and P-47's hit shipping at Efman I and A/Fs and T/Os
on Noemfoor, attack Manokwari, and hit villages in the Sarmi area.
Attacks by A-20's and ftrs, along with RAAF airplanes, on wide
coastal area around Wewak continue. B-24's bomb Yap, Sorol, and
Woleai. B-25's join the Allied aircraft in pounding Nordup and Ralum.
06/22/44
Seventh AF
B-24's, staging through Eniwetok from Kwajalein, hit Truk; 1 bombs
Ponape. First ftrs of Seventh AF arrive in Marianas; 22 aircraft of
19th Ftr Sq, taking off from aircraft carrier, land on Saipan.
06/23/44
Eighth AF
At midday 211 HBs attack 12 CROSSBOW installations, damaging at least
6 of them. Ftr spt is furnished by 4 P-51 gps (161 aircraft) all of
which afterward strafe transportation tgts in Paris area, destroying
3 locomotives, 100 pieces of rolling stock, and 14 motor vehicles. An
exploding ammo train causes a low-flying P-51 to crash, the only
airplane lost on the mission. During the late afternoon 196 HBs
attack A/Fs at Juvincourt-et-Damary. Laon/Athies, and Coulommiers,
and a railroad bridge at Nanteuil-surMarne. Over 100 HBs abort
because of heavy clouds over tgts. 226 P-47's and P-51's provide spt.
Afterwards part of a P-47 gp bombs and strafes a M/Y while the
remainder of the gp bombs and strafes a train carrying trucks and
armored cars, destroying the locomotive, 3 trucks, and an armored
car, and damaging 20 freight cars. Total losses are 7 HBs, mostly to
AA fire.
06/23/44
Ninth AF
Bad weather prevents MB and LB missions during morning. In the
afternoon over 175 B-26's and A-20's bomb 7 V-weapon sites in France.
Around 630 ftrs provide escort and also bomb and strafe rail and road
traffic and comm centers. 200 C-47's and C-53's fly supplies to the
Continent.
06/23/44
Twelfth AF
Weather cancels MB operations. A-20's continue to attack ammo
supplies. FB operations are restricted but P-47's hit rail comm at 4
different points in battle area as fierce struggle for Chiusi takes
place.
06/23/44
Fifteenth AF
More than 400 B-17's and B-24's attack oil storage at Giurgiu, 2 oil
refineries at Ploesti, and M/Y at Nish. More than 100 US aircraft are
shot down. HBs and escorting ftrs claim more than 30 aircraft
destroyed.
06/23/44
Tenth AF
12 B-24's fly gasoline to Kamaing while 29 B-25's make ammo run to
Imphal. About 80 A-36's, P-51's, and P-40's attack Mogaung,
Myitkyina, Taungni, and bridge at Namkwi."
06/23/44
Fourteenth AF
20 B-24's bomb docks at Hankow. In Tungting Lake area 70-plus B-25's
and FBs attack wide variety of river shipping at several locations,
bomb runway at Hengyang, strafe cav troops in the area, and hit towns
and villages of Chuchou, Ikiawan, Chuting, Chwanchishih, and
Siangtan. 30 B-25's and FBs hit various T/Os along Yellow R.
06/23/44
FEAF
Wewak area is again pounded throughout the day by A-20's, P-39's,
P-47's, and RAAF airplanes. A few A-20's and A-26's on barge search
bomb offshore islands near Manokwari. This marks SWPA debut of the
A-26. P-47's on sweeps strafe areas E of Maffln. B-24's hit A/F at
Yap and Woleai. HBs on armed rcn bomb Dublon, Koror, and Peleliu.
B-24's bomb Tobera A/F. B-25's along with other Allied airplanes, hit
AA positions S and SW of Rapopo.
06/23/44
Seventh AF
Eniwetok-based B-24's strike Truk. B-25's from Engebi pound Ponape.
During the evening, B-24's from Kwajalein also attack Ponape.
06/23/44
Eleventh AF
2 B-25's fly a negative shipping sweep.
06/24/44
Eighth AF
During the morning 317 B-17's bomb dock area, aircraft factory,
steelworks, and coke oven plant at Bremen, and shipyard, railroad
station and warehouses at Warnemunde. 6 ftr gps provide escort: 1 gp
strafes A/F and rail transport in the Munster and Hamm areas. A
second force of 334 B-24's attack tgts in France, including railway
bridges at Saumur and Tours/La Riche, A/Fs and landing strip at
Toussus-Le-Noble, Orleans/Bricy, Chateaudun, and Foret-de-Bourse, and
T/Os at Conches, Dreux, and Pont-Audemer. 288 ftrs fly escort, part
of which afterwards strafe road and rail transport, destroying 4
locomotives and a rail tank car, along with 4 enemy ftrs in aerial
combat. 4 HBs and 1 ftr are lost, all to AA fire. 145 HBs airborne to
attack 12 CROSSBOW sites in Pas de Calais area are prevented by
overcast from bombing the sites, but 12 fly S and release bombs near
the industrial area of Rouen losing 1 B-17 to AA fire. During the
afternoon 163 HBs attack 5 electrical stations, 7 V-weapon sites,
Saint-Pol-sur-Mer M/Ys, and a missile platform. 118 sorties are flown
by supporting ftrs which, after HBs withdraw, attack ground tgts
destroying 1 airplane a locomotive, and a truck."
06/24/44
Ninth AF
430-plus B-26's and A-20's attack tgts in France, including 4 gun
positions, 3 V-weapon sites, 3 fuel dumps, 2 M/Ys, and a railroad
bridge. Over 200 transports fly supplies to the Continent. 11 ftr gps
provide escort, attack fuel dumps, rail tgts and bridges W of Paris
and S of the Loire, and fly armed rcn S of Cherbourg Peninsula and SW
of Paris.
06/24/44
Twelfth AF
Weather cancels MB operations. FB activity is restricted but P-47's
attack several bridges, railway lines, guns, and other tgts in Lucca
area and other points along and N of battleline.
06/24/44
Fifteenth AF
335 B-17's and B-24's bomb railroad repair depot at Craiova, railroad
bridge at Piatra, and oil refinery at Ploesti. 33 P-51's sweep
Ploesti-Bucharest area while other P-51's, P-38's, and P-47's fly
220-plus sorties in spt of HBs. HBs and ftrs claim over 20 aircraft
shot down. 10 US airplanes are downed and several others are missing.
06/24/44
Tenth AF
11 B-24's fly gasoline to Kamaing while 35 B-25's supply Imphal with
ammo. 60-plus A-36's, P-51's, P-40's, and P-38's attack Myitkyina,
Mogaung, Mawlaik-Kin area, Pinbaw, and Hopin.
06/24/44
Fourteenth AF
60-plus P-40's and P-38's bomb towns of Siangsiang and Yuankiang,
attack cav forces in Hengyang area, and damage a pontoon bridge
between Tungcheng and Pingkiang. 4 B-25's and a few P-40's knock out
bridge N of Chenghsien.
06/24/44
FEAF
Fifth AF and RAAF airplanes continue to blast stores, personnel
areas, roads, and bridges in general area of Wewak. B-25's, A-26's,
and A-20's hit enemy positions in caves E of Mokmer A/F, attack
shipping in Babo area (on MacCluer Gulf), and bomb Kamiri and
Kornasoren A/Fs. HBs, MBs, and ftrs, along with other Allied
airplanes, hit Tobera A/F, AA guns at Wunapope, and buildings at
Nordup.
06/24/44
Seventh AF
P-47's, based on Saipan, strafe remnants of enemy forces on the
island and also hit forces left on Tinian.
06/24/44
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's at dawn bomb area N of A/F at Kurabu Cape. Later 2 B-25's
fly a negative shipping search."
06/25/44
Eighth AF
During the morning 236 B-17's bomb Toulouse/Francazal and
Toulouse/Blagnac A/F's and oil dumps at Montbartier. 10 B-17's bomb
scattered T/Os. 107 B-24's bomb Avord and Bourges A/Fs. 176 B-17's
drop supplies to French interior forces. A total of 8 HBs are lost.
VIII FC flies 639 sorties in supporting operations. In addition 5 ftr
gps carry out strafing activities, claiming numerous ground tgts
including 6 airplanes on a landing ground and the A/F at Bourges. 19
enemy ftrs are claimed destroyed in aerial combat. During midday 153
B-24's bomb 17 power and transformer stations in effort to disrupt
flow of electric power to V-weapon stations. 64 B-24's, hampered by
cloud over primary aiming points, bomb miscellaneous last resort
tgts, including A/Fs at Peronne and Nuncq. Ftr spt is provided by 3
gps. All airplanes return safely. In night mission 300 B-17's and
B-24's bomb 7 railway bridges and 2 A/Fs in Paris area. 69 HBs attack
alternate tgts, including A/Fs of Orly, Romilly-sur-Seine, and
Etampes/Mondesir. Ftrs fly 346 sorties in escort and tgt area spt. A
P-38 gp strafes ground tgts in Angers, Le Mans-Laval area, and a P-47
gp bombs and strafes an alternate landing ground near Evreux/Fauville
A/F. HB losses total 7. Ftrs claim 6 airplanes destroyed against no
losses. In USSR, Eighth AF HBs and ftrs are flown, at daybreak, from
dispersal bases to Poltava and Mirgorod and loaded and fueled with
intentions of bombing oil refinery at Drohobycz and proceeding to
base in Italy. Bad weather cancels the mission until the following
day. The aircraft return to dispersal bases for the night as
precaution against air attacks."
06/25/44
Ninth AF
400-plus B-26's and A-20's hit fuel dumps at Foret d'Andaine, Foret
d'Ecouves, and Senonches, and rail bridges at Cherisy, Chartres,
Oiseme and Epernon. 14 ftr gps send airplanes on escort, and on armed
rcn and dive bombing missions over Chartres, Dreux, Argentan, Tours,
and Orleans areas. Transports fly supply and evacuation missions to
France.
06/25/44
Twelfth AF
Bad weather again prevents operations by MBs. LBs hit enemy ammo
supply. FBs bomb towns of San Quirico di Moriano and Castelfiorentino
and several rail lines and bridges in battle area near Gothic Line.
Piombino falls to US Fifth Army during the day, and the enemy
withdraws from Chiusi during 25/ 26 Jun after several days of
resisting British Eighth Army forces attacking the town.
06/25/44
Fifteenth AF
650-plus B-17's and B-24's attack M/Y and oil installations at Sete
and Balaruc-le-Vieux, telephone exchange at Le Pontet, railroad
bridges at Tarascon and Arles, M/Ys and bridges at Avignon, and
harbor facilities along S coast of France. Ftrs fly almost 200
sorties in spt. 1 ftr gp strafes tgts along Fiume-Senje road and at
other points on Istrian peninsula."
06/25/44
Tenth AF
More than 50 B-25's make ammo run to Imphal. 60-plus A-36's, P-51's,
and P-40's pound Myitkyina and Mogaung. 2 B-25's bomb Mohnyin-Mawhun
railroad.
06/25/44
Fourteenth AF
31 B-25's, P-40's, and P-51's hit towns of Siangtan and Ichang,
attack sampans at Wukou, destroy about 50 trucks and strafe
concentrations of troops and horses in Tangyang-Pingkiang and
SiangtanYungfengshih areas, and pound river dock and sampans at
Siangsiang. 7 CACW B-25's bomb Shayang storage area. 23 B-25's and
P-40's bomb storage area and damage bridge at Chenghsien.
06/25/44
FEAF
Wewak area continues under attack of Fifth AF and RAAF aircraft.
Personnel areas at But, Dagua, and Suain and barges at Mushu and
Kairiru Is are hit. P-40's and B-24's strike Kamiri A/F while A-20's,
P-47's, and B-25's hit villages along Tor R and P-47's hit tanks
along Wiske R. B-24's pound Yap and Sorol. MBs and ftrs, along with
other Allied airplanes, hit AA positions near Wunapope and blast
plantations along Wide Bay.
06/25/44
Seventh AF
P-47's based on Saipan carry out rcn and strafing missions over
Saipan and Tinian. B-24's based on Kwajalein hit Truk and Wotje.
06/25/44
Eleventh AF
Two B-24's bomb the A/F at Kurabu Cape.
06/26/44
Eighth AF
72 B-17's leave Poltava and Mirgorod, rendezvous with 55 P-51's from
Piryatin, bomb oil refinery and M/Y at Drohobycz (1 returns to USSR
because of mechanical trouble), and then proceed to Foggia. Fifteenth
AF P-51's meet formation an hr after the attack and escort the B-17's
to Italy. It is planned to return the HBs to bases in UK on 27 Jun
but bad weather delays this move until 5 Jul.
06/26/44
Ninth AF
Weather cancels all Ninth AF operations save a few ftr sorties which
result in claims against a few military vehicles and 3 airplanes as
US ground forces capture Cherbourg. 3 US ftrs are lost.
06/26/44
Twelfth AF
Bad weather grounds MBs. FBs, operating on reduced schedule, hit
railroad tgts and other tgts in battle area S of Gothic Line.
06/26/44
Fifteenth AF
677 B-17's and B-24's attack tgts in Vienna area, hitting aircraft
factory at Schwechat, M/Y at Vienna/Floridsdorf, and refineries at
Korneuburg, Vienna/Floridsdorf, Moosbierbaum, Schwechat, Winterhafen,
and Lobau. Ftrs fly over 260 sorties in spt. An estimated 150 to 175
enemy ftrs attack formations. Nearly 30 US aircraft (mostly HBs) are
lost. US claims total more than 60 enemy ftrs.
06/26/44
Tenth AF
30-plus B-25's fly ammo to Imphal. More than 80 A-36's, P-51's, and
P-40's pound Myitkyina. 7 Other FBs hit Waingmaw, Loilaw, and
Pyindaw.
06/26/44
Fourteenth AF
14 B-24's blast Hankow, causing heavy damage and fires. 180-plus MBs
and FBs attack river shipping and several villages in Tungting Lake
area. Towns of Yuankiang, Sinshih, Siangtan, Liling, and Hengshan are
bombed, as is warehouse area at Yuhsien. Numerous troop and truck
concentrations and other T/Os throughout the entire region are
attacked. In Salween area 14 B-25's and 36 P-40's knock out bridge at
Tingka, damage another near Mangshih, bomb military installations at
Tengchung, strafe Japanese positions at Lungling, and hit T/Os
between Lungling and Tengchung. Japanese bomb Lingling A/F, damaging
runway and destroying a P-51."
06/26/44
FEAF
Wewak area is hit throughout the day by Fifth AF B-24's and P-39's,
along with US Navy and RAAF airplanes: P-38's, P-47's, A-20's,
A-26's, B-24's, and B-25's attack A/Fs, shipping, villages, town
areas, roads, and numerous other tgts at Efman, Noemfoor, Japen, and
Biak Is, at Manokwari and Ransiki, and near Sarmi. B-24's bomb tgts
on Yap and Sorol Is; others on armed rcn bomb airstrips at Woleai and
Peleliu. AAF and other Allied aircraft hit A/Fs, AA positions, and
other tgts in Rabaul and Cape Orford areas.
06/26/44
Seventh AF
Saipan-based P-47's continue to hit enemy forces remaining on Saipan
and on Tinian while P-61's carry out night patrols over Saipan.
B-25's from Makin pound Ponape and Nauru."
06/26/44
Eleventh AF
12 B-25's fly 3 4- plane air cover missions for Naval TF on
withdrawal following shelling of Kurabu Cape installations.
06/27/44
Eighth AF
40 B-24's bomb CROSSBOW supply site at Saint Leu-d'Esserent while 51
others bomb M/Ys and A/F at nearby Creil. 5 B-24's are downed by AA
fire. 101 B-17's bomb CROSSBOW supply sites at
Saint-Martin-l'Hortier, Biennais, Beauvoir-Riviere, and Domleger, and
a canal lock at Espierres, losing 1 plane to AA fire. 183 P-51's spt
the HBs, losing 2 ftrs to enemy aircraft and destroying 6 ftrs. After
completing escort, the P-51's bomb and strafe T/Os, including M/Ys,
bridges, railroads, transportation and A/F installations, and
dispersal areas.
06/27/44
Ninth AF
Bad weather precludes bmr operations. Over 700 ftrs take part in
various operations. Most of them fly high cover over assault areas
and bomb and strafe rail and road traffic and comm centers in France.
06/27/44
Twelfth AF
Continued bad weather cancels MB operations. LBs again hit ammo
supplies. FBs hit roads, bridges, rail lines, and other tgts in and
near battleline.
06/27/44
Fifteenth AF
Around 300 B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Ys at Budapest and Brod. 75 to 90
enemy ftrs attack the formations. 3 HBs are lost. Hbs and escorting
ftrs claim over 30 planes shot down. 90 P-51's sweep Budapest area,
claiming 7 ftrs destroyed.
06/27/44
Tenth AF
8 B-24's fly gasoline to Kamaing while 52 B-25's continue ammo run to
Imphal.
06/27/44
Fourteenth AF
In Tungting Lake area 160 MBs and FBs hit troop concentrations,
supplies, and river and road traffic between Changsha and Hengyang,
bomb arty concentrations at Sinsiang, attack waterfront and docks at
Hengshan, pound villages near Chuchou, and attack numerous T/Os
throughout the lake region. 4 B-25's over Formosa Strait claim 2
cargo vessels sunk and others damaged.
06/27/44
FEAF
Fifth AF and RAAF LBs and FBs continue to attack Wewak area, hitting
troop concentrations, villages, ammo dumps, and warehouses. B-24's,
B-25's, A-20's, A-26's, P40's and P-47's hit A/Fs, gun positions, and
various other tgts in or near Babo, Manokwari, Biak I, Noemfoor I,
Ransiki, Waren, and Moemi. B-24's bomb Yap and Sorol; others on photo
rcn flight bomb Woleai and Ifalik Is. Thirteenth AF ftrs and bmrs
join other Allied airplanes from the N Solomons in bombing AA
positions at Ralum and other tgts in Rabaul area.
06/27/44
Seventh AF
P-47's continue strafing and rocket attacks on Tinian, Saipan, and
Rota while P-61's carry out defensive night patrols. B-24's, staging
through Eniwetok, pound Truk. During the night a single B-24 bombs
Ponape.
06/28/44
Eighth AF
672 B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs at Laon/Couvron, Laon/ Athies, and
Juvincourt-et-Damary; rail bridges at Fismes and Anizy-leChateau;
fuel storage dump at Dugny; M/Ys at Saarbrucken; and T/Os, including
A/Fs at Denain/Prouvy, Le Bourget, and Florennes, and railroad
chokepoint near Tergnier. Nearly 300 HBs abort because of heavy cloud
and dense contrails at operational level. 566 ftrs spt the HBs,
destroying 2 ftrs in aerial combat and suffering no losses. HB losses
total 2. About one-third of the escorting ftrs afterward bomb and
strafe transport tgts, claiming 3 locomotives and an armored vehicle
destroyed.
06/28/44
Ninth AF
220-plus ftrs, based on Continent, attack railroad facilities,
bridges, fuel and ammo dumps, arty, troop concentrations, vehicles,
and other tgts. Bad weather cancels bmr and ftr operations from UK.
06/28/44
Twelfth AF
Bad weather cancels all LB and MB operations. FBs carry out
rail-cutting missions N of battleline in NC Italy.
06/28/44
Fifteenth AF
229 B-24's bomb M/Y and 2 oil refineries at Bucharest; 138 others hit
Karlovo A/F. 40 ftrs carry out sweep over Bucharest area while other
ftrs fly more than 230 sorties in escort of HBs. 20-plus enemy ftrs
are claimed shot down, mostly by the ftrs during sweep over
Bucharest.
06/28/44
Tenth AF
8 B-24's fly fuel to Kamaing. Ammo delivery to Imphal is continued by
47 B-25's. 14 other B-25's pound Naba-Mawlin railroad.
06/28/44
Fourteenth AF
In Yangtze RTungting Lake area B-25's and FBs fly more than 160
sorties attacking river shipping at several locations, bombing towns
of Hengshan, Liling, and Pingkiang, and bombing Japanese HQ and gun
sites in Siangsiang area. Also in Hengyang area the MBs and FBs hit
rear supply bases and cav and inf concentrations.
06/28/44
FEAF
Attacks on Wewak area continue. Japanese HQ and comm in Suain-Karowop
Plantation area and coastal road from Babiang to Nyaparake are hit.
A/F and fuel dumps on Noemfoor I, Japanese positions and occupied
areas and buildings on Biak and Efman Is, village near Babo, and Tor
R and Maffin Bay areas are attacked. B-24's bomb A/F and town on Yap
and comm on Sorol and Woleai. AA guns E of Tobera area are attacked.
06/28/44
Seventh AF
P-47's and P-61's carry out daylight raids and defensive night
patrols over Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
06/29/44
Eighth AF
82 B-17's bomb synthetic oil plant at Bohlen, 61 strike aircraft
components factory at Wittenberg, 31 bomb aero engine works at
Leipzig/Taucha, 39 hit ftr assembly plant at Leipzig/Heiterblick, and
42 bomb T/Os at Wittenberg, Quakenbruck, and Limbach-Oberfrohna. 390
B-24's bomb aircraft assembly plant at Bernburg, ftr assembly factory
at Oschersleben, aero engine works at Magdeburg-Neustadt, aircraft
components factory at Aschersleben, airpark at Stendal, and T/Os
including A/Fs at Burg and Gardelegen and M/Y at
Oebisfelde-Kaltendorf. 51 B-24's bomb motor transport plant at
Fallersleben and personnel camp S of Mittelland Canal. Clouds cause
assembly problems and over 400 HBs abort without reaching enemy
territory. Total HBs losses for the day number 15.14 gps from VIII FC
and 1 from Ninth AF escort the HBs. Flights from 9 of these gps
afterwards strafe parked aircraft, trains, barges, a factory, road
vehicles, and soldiers. 3 ftrs are lost. 33 enemy airplanes are
claimed destroyed.
06/29/44
Ninth AF
Almost 200 B-26's and A-20's bomb gun batteries on Cap de la Hague,
bridges and rail lines in Rennes-Saint-Hilaire-du-HarcourtVitre
areas, and rail bridge at Oissel. Ftrs fly armed rcn and attack enemy
airplanes, road and rail traffic, gun positions, bridges and other
tgts in wide areas throughout NW France.
06/29/44
Twelfth AF
FBs, MBs, and LBs attack ammo dumps, viaducts, bridges, railroad
cars, landing grounds, roads, motor transport, and other tgts along
battleline in NC Italy and at various points to the N.
06/29/44
Tenth AF
16 B-24's continue fuel lift to Kamaing. 45 B-25's haul ammo to
Imphal. 23 other B-25's bomb Tamu. 19 A-36's, P-51's, and P-38's hit
Myitkyina and Myitnge bridge. A B-25 bombs tgts in Mohnyin-Naba area.
06/29/44
Fourteenth AF
In Tungting Lake area 60-plus MBs and FBs hit shipping, gun
positions, troop concentrations, and general T/Os at several
locations, including Lingyang, Liling, Hengyang, Yuhsien, Hengshan,
Siangsiang, Chaling, and Yiyang. 3 B-24's bomb Takao docks. P-40's
damage bridge and attack rail traffic at Phu Lang Thuong.
06/29/44
FEAF
Japanese concentrations at Aitape and a variety of T/Os including
barges, villages and bivouacs in Wewak area are hit by A-20's,
B-25's, and FBs. B-24's, B-25's, A-20's, and FBs attack A/Fs and AA
guns at Babo, Manokwari, Waren, and Moemi, barges at Noemfoor, and
villages E of Maffln Bay. AA positions S of Ralum are bombed.
06/29/44
Seventh AF
P-47's carry out bombing and strafing missions over Saipan, Tinian,
and Rota. B-24's, staging through Eniwetok, pound Truk while B-25's
based at Makin hit Ponape."
06/29/44
Eleventh AF
2 B-25's fly a negative shipping sweep.
06/30/44
Eighth AF
136 HBs attack A/Fs at Montdidier, Evreux/Fauville, Conches, Le
Culot, and Coxyde/Furnes. P-51's furnish escort and afterwards strafe
M/Ys, A/Fs, barges, barracks, a train, a factory, and a warehouse
with good results. No enemy aircraft are encountered and no airplanes
are lost.
06/30/44
Ninth AF
125-plus B-26's and A-20's, using blind-bombing methods in bad
weather, bomb fuel dumps and road junctions at Conde-sur-Vire, Foret
de Conches, Conde-sur-Noireau, and Thury-Harcourt. Around 250 others
are forced to abort due to weather. 600-plus ftrs escort bmrs, fly
cover over the beach, and bomb M/Ys at Chartres and
Verneuil-surAvres, bridges E of Paris, and Evreux-Bueil, and
Breux-sur-Avre-Trappes rail lines. The ftrs fly armed rcn in
Seine-Loire gap and along the Loire, and Continent-based ftrs of IX
TAC attack comm tgts in adv of US and British positions.
06/30/44
Twelfth AF
Weather again restricts MB operations but B-25's attack Pietrasanta
railway bridge and Marradi viaduct and tunnel. FBs hit rail lines,
bridges, railroad cars, guns, motor transport, and other tgts along
battleline and area to the N in Pistoia area.
06/30/44
Fifteenth AF
Bad weather causes over 450 HBs and more than 150 ftrs to abort
missions. 188 HBs, escorted by 138 ftrs, hit A/F at Zagreb and T/Os
in Hungary and Yugoslavia, including M/Ys at Kaposvar, Osztopan and
Split, highway bridge at Brac I, A/F at Banjaluka, and city of
Budapest. 130-plus ftrs provide escort."
06/30/44
Tenth AF
47 B-25's continue Imphal ammo run while 17 B-25's haul gasoline to
Kamaing. 18 B-25's bomb Tamu and 6 hit Wainggyo. 11 P-38's attack
Myitnge bridge.
06/30/44
Fourteenth AF
MBs and FBs again pound numerous tgts in Tungting Lake area,
concentrating on river shipping, town areas, troop concentrations,
and road traffic. Towns bombed include Pingkiang, Hengshan, Liling,
Yuhsien, Siangyin, and Chuchou. Also hit is A/F at Hengyang and
bridges at Leiyang and Liling. 15 P-40's over NE Indochina damage
bridge approaches at Phu Lang Thuong and blast 3 trains.
06/30/44
FEAF
Barges, troop concentrations, and other T/Os near Nyaparake and Suain
are attacked. Kamiri and Namber A/Fs, supply areas, and defensive
positions on Noemfoor I are hit. Tobera and Erventa I are also
bombed.
06/30/44
Seventh AF
P-47's on Saipan continue to pound entry forces remaining on Saipan,
Tinian, and Rota.
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