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2/1/45
Eighth AF
600-plus HBs hit 3 M/Ys at Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, and Krefeld, and 3
bridges at Wesel and Mannheim, along with towns of Pforzheim and
Barth and T/Os in the area. 6 ftr gps fly close and freelance
spt.
2/1/45
Ninth AF
146 B-26's, A-26's, and A-20's bomb rail bridges and defended areas
on Rhine and Mosel Rivers and in W Germany near battlefront. IX and
XIX TACs escort MBs and LBs, fly armed rcn, and attack Euskirchen M/Y
and town of Arloff.
2/1/45
Twelfth AF
Bad weather curtails operations. LBs and MBs are grounded and ftrs
and FBs fly only 14 sorties, 12 against comm tgts N of battle area
and 2 weather rcn sorties.
2/1/45
Fifteenth AF
Over 300 B-17's and B-24's attack Moosbierbaum oil refinery and M/Ys
at Graz, Furstenfeld, and Klagenfurt. 1 HB bombs Pula. P-38's and
P-51's fly 270-plus sorties escorting HBs. Other P-38's carry out rcn
and rcn escort missions.
2/1/45
Tenth AF
28 FBs spt ground forces around Hosi and Molo. 12 B-25's knock out
Mong Pawn bridge. 8 P-47's damage approach to Pa-mao bridge. 8 others
hit Hsumhsai A/F. 90-plus FBs hit troops, supplies, vehicles, ferry
crossing, and various T/Os at several locations including Nauchye,
Hsenwi, Man Pwe, Pongkalau, Nawng Mawn, Na-lang, Kunhkan, and
Panghtu-lin. 550 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.
2/1/45
Fourteenth AF
6 B-24's attack shipping off Indochina coast, claiming 1 cargo vessel
sunk and a patrol boat damaged. 4 P-40's attack div HQ SW of
Yungning.
2/1/45
FEAF
B-24's pound Canacao peninsula and Cavite areas. Tgts include
shipyard, seaplane base, comm, and supply. B-25's hit Puerto
Princesa. B-24's bomb Okayama A/F during 31 Jan/1 Feb and hit Okayama
and Heito A/F and Toko seaplane base during the following day.
2/1/45
Twentieth AF
67 B-29's bomb the Admiralty IX Floating Drydock (and vessel berthed
in it) at Singapore navy yard. 21 other B-29's bomb West Wall area of
the naval base. 21 others hit alternate tgts at Martaban and George
Town.
2/1/45
Seventh AF
21 Saipan-based B-24's hit Iwo Jima in the afternoon, and 10 more,
flying individual snooper raids, hit the island during 1/2 Feb. 20
B-24's from Angaur bomb Corregidor.
2/2/45
Eighth AF
1 ftr gp flies uneventful sweep in Koblenz-Wetzlar-Siegen-Siegburg
area.
2/2/45
Ninth AF
350-plus B-26's, A-26's, and A-20's bomb road and rail bridges to
block E-W movement E of the Rhine and defended localities E of
battlefront in W Germany. Ftrs hit bridges and fly escort, armed rcn
and patrols, and spt US Third Army elements along the Our-Sauer
Rivers.
2/2/45
Twelfth AF
MBs, taking advantage of improving weather conditions in NE Italy,
hit bridges at Lavis, Chiusaforte, Calliano, Mantua, Rovereto,
Calcinato, and Dogna. Bad weather at bases restricts XXII TAC
aircraft to 5 weather rcn sorties.
2/2/45
Fifteenth AF
Bad weather cancels bombing operations. 1 B-17 and 1 B-24 drop
supplies in N Italy. 33 P-51's, with 14 others flying top cover,
strafe Kurilovec A/F. 11 other P-51's escort RAF supply dropping
mission over Yugoslavia. 11 P-38's fly photo and weather rcn. Photo
rcn is covered by 24 other P-38's.
2/2/45
Tenth AF
11 B-25's pound troops and supplies at Loilem. 60-plus FBs spt ground
forces in Molo, Hosi, and Mabein areas. Troops, supplies, town areas,
and vehicles are attacked at Panma, Kan-loi, Pansak, Man Ho Pang,
Pongkalau, Hsenwi, Namtu, Panghai, Kong kang, and Ondon. Transports
complete 485 sorties to forward bases and over frontline areas.
2/2/45
Fourteenth AF
4 P-40's attack regimental HQ and a storage area at Lungchow.
2/2/45
FEAF
B-24's continue to pound Corregidor and Cavite. In the Cagayan Valley
B-25's attack pillboxes, gun positions, and river barges. A-20's hit
Baler Bay area. B-24's hit Okayama A/F during dawn raid.
2/2/45
Thirteenth AF
Col Carl A Brandt becomes CO XIII BC.
2/2/45
Seventh AF
20 Guam-based B-24's pound Iwo Jima storage area. During 2/3 Feb, 10
more, flying individual harassment raids, bomb the island's A/Fs. 4
P-47's, on rcn flight, strafe buildings on Pagan. 22 B-24's from
Angaur bomb Corregidor.
2/3/45
Eighth AF
Over 1,200 B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Y in Berlin and a synthetic oil
plant and transportation tgts at Magdeburg. Around 900 ftrs spt the
Hbs.
2/3/45
Ninth AF
9th Bomb Div attacks Berg-Gladbach storage and repair depot, Dahlem
comm center, rail bridges at Ahrweiler and Sinzig, and M/Y at
Junkerath. Ftrs escort 9th Bomb Div, fly patrols, and carry out armed
rcn over W Germany.
2/3/45
Twelfth AF
Weather restricts combat operations to an attack by 4 P-47's on
Sonico M/Y.
2/3/45
Fifteenth AF
Weather again cancels bombing operations. P-38's fly photo and
weather rcn. P-51's escort photo rcn while other P-38's escort MATAF
B-26's on transport run to Yugoslavia.
2/3/45
Tenth AF
12 B-26's attack troops and supplies at Loilem. 27 FBs close by spt
ground forces in Molo, Hosi, and Myitson areas. 80-plus FBs hit troop
concentrations, supplies, town areas, tanks, and other tgts at
Kyaung-hen, Mongkyet, Hsipaw, Hsenwi, Nasang, Konghsa, and Hkaihsi.
Transports complete 531 sorties, landing men and supplies at advanced
bases and dropping supplies to forward troops.
2/3/45
FEAF
B-24's again pound Corregidor and Canacao peninsula. Other B-24's hit
Aparri and Tuguegarao. In Batangas area A-20's continue ground spt
missions. B-24's bomb Cebu City and surrounding tgts. B-26's and
P-38's hit Matina, Daliao, and Padada A/Fs.
2/3/45
Seventh AF
9 Saipan-based B-24's hit Chichi Jima. 10 others hit Iwo Jima while
9, flying singlebmr harassment strikes, pound Iwo Jima during 3/4
Feb. 16 P-38's, part of a force escorting photo airplanes, strafe the
island in 2-wave attack.
2/4/45
International
US-British-Soviet conference opens at Yalta. Stalin, Churchill,
Roosevelt, their CoS, Molotov, Eden, Stettinius, and Hopkins attend.
Discussed are USSR's entry into war against Japan, policy toward
Germany, Polish problem, Security Council voting formula, policy
toward liberated Europe, and the calling of a United Nations
conference.
2/4/45
Ninth AF
9th Bomb Div attacks repair depot at Mechernich, Arloff road and rail
junction, and flies a leaflet mission. IX and XIX TACs patrol battle
area.
2/4/45
Twelfth AF
MBs bomb railroad bridges at Ala, San Michele all' Adige, Lavis,
Dogna, and Bodrez, and attack Ala M/Y. XXII TAC ftrs and FBs escort
MBs and, in widespread areas of N Italy, destroy 2 bridges, damage 8
others, and blast. rolling stock.
2/4/45
Fifteenth AF
Bad weather cancels bombing operations for third successive day. 24
B-24's and 1 B-17 drop supplies and leaflets in N Yugoslavia. 8
P-38's carry out photo and weather rcn missions.
2/4/45
Tenth AF
54 P-38's and P-47's destroy or damage bridges at Inailong, Bawgyo,
Ho-hko, Hay-ti, Mong Long, and Pa-mao. 26 P-47's spt ground forces in
Myitson and Hosi areas. Troops, supplies, and vehicles are attacked
at Nam Yem, Namakhkaw, Mansam, Kong kang, Nawngsong, Mong Yai,
Nalang, and Pangmit. Again transports complete more than 500 sorties
to advanced bases and over forward areas, where supplies are dropped
to troops.
2/4/45
Fourteenth AF
10 P-40's bomb A/F and Japanese HQ at Yungning and railroad yards at
Sinyang. 2 of the P-40's over Sinyang are lost to ground fire.
2/4/45
FEAF
B-24's continue to hit Corregidor and Cavite. In spt of ground forces
B-25's bomb and strafe coast tgts from San Felipe to Maloma, hit tgts
around Iba, and drop napalm on San Jose del Monte. A-20's bomb Lipa
and Calingatan A/Fs.
2/4/45
Twentieth AF
For the first time XXI BC sends VHBs from 2 wgs (73d and 313th)
against Japanese Home Islands. 69 B-29's bomb urban area of Kobe. 30
others, including 15 hitting Natsusaka, bomb last resort tgts and
T/Os. About 200 attacking ftrs down 1 B-29 and damage 35 others. 1
other crashes upon landing at Saipan. B-29's claim 4 ftrs downed, 20
probably destroyed, and 39 damaged.
2/4/45
Seventh AF
9 B-24's from Guam bomb AA defenses on Iwo Jima while 10 hit town of
Okimura. 2 B-24's from Saipan, on armed rcn flight, bomb Marcus. 23
B-24's from Angaur bomb Caballo I. During 4/5 Feb, 8 Guam-based
B-24's, operating singly, pound A/Fs on Iwo Jima.
2/5/45
Ninth AF
Weather cancels all operations except IX TAC ftr patrols over US
First Army area around Butgenbach.
2/5/45
Twelfth AF
B-25's score excellently against San Ambrogio di Valpolicella
landslide (overhanging cliff collapses on railroad by bombing) and
bridges at San Michele all' Adige and Calliano. During 4/5 Feb XXII
TAC A-20's intruder missions hit lights, motor transport, and roads
in Po Valley and areas S of Bologna. Ftrs and FBs fly over 270
sorties against comm tgts in N Italy. Incendiary bombing of a truck
park damages numerous vehicles.
2/5/45
Fifteenth AF
730-plus HBs bomb oil storage at Regensburg, main station and 2 M/Ys
at Salzburg, M/Ys at Rosenheim and Villach, and Straubing railroad
installations. 6 HBs bomb Comeglians road bridge. P-38's and P-51's
escort HBs, fly rcn and rcn spt missions, and accompany 25 B-24's on
supply mission to Yugoslavia.
2/5/45
Tenth AF
35 P-47's spt ground forces in Myitson, Hosi, and Molo areas. 8
P-38's bomb Mong Long. 60 P-38's and P-47's hit troops and supplies
at Kan-loi, Namyang, ManPeng, Pangmakhe leng, Kwangteng, Mong Pa, and
Mansam. Transports fly 554 sorties to forward areas.
2/5/45
Fourteenth AF
14 P-51's and P-40's attack locomotives and trucks at Pinghan
railroad yards, Hsiang-cheng, and Lohochai. At least 9 locomotives
and an undetermined number of trucks are destroyed.
2/5/45
FEAF
60 B-24's deliver heaviest attack yet on Corregidor. Spt for ground
forces continues in various Luzon battle zones. B-25's on shipping
sweep of E coast claim 9 barges and luggers sunk and several more
damaged. B-24's bomb Manggar and Sepinggang A/Fs.
2/5/45
Seventh AF
21 B-24's from Saipan bomb AA positions, def installations, and
bivouac on N end of Iwo Jima. During 5/6 Feb Iwo Jima A/Fs are
pounded by 10 Saipan-based B-24's flying individual snooper
strikes.
2/5/45
Eleventh AF
5 B-24's bomb Kataoka through solid overcast. A shipping sweep by
B-25's is cancelled due to weather.
2/6/45
Eighth AF
1,300-plus HBs attack M/Ys at Chemnitz and Magdeburg, and over 20
T/Os, including Gotha M/Y. 15 P-51 gps fly spt and 2 of the gps
strafe ground tgts.
2/6/45
Ninth AF
261 MBs and LBs attack Rheinbach ammo dump, Sotenich comm center,
Vlatten defended village, Berg-Gladbach motor transport center, and
several casual tgts. Ftrs fly armed rcn, alert flights and patrols,
dive-bomb Horrem bridge, cut rails, and escort 9th Bomb Div.
2/6/45
Twelfth AF
B-25's attack railroad tgts on the line running N to Brenner Pass,
damaging bridges at Rovereto and Ala. M/Ys at Rovereto and San
Ambrogio di Valpolicella and bridge at Crema are less successfully
hit. FBs cut railroad bridges at Nervesa della Battaglia and San
Michele all'Adige. The P-47's claim 3 ftrs destroyed in combat N of
Verona and attack numerous T/Os throughout tgt areas. During 5/6 Feb
A-20's attack lights, roads, and motor transport in C Po Valley.
2/6/45
Fifteenth AF
Bad weather permits only supply and rcn missions. 5 P-38's complete
weather and photo rcn while 12 B-24's and 1 B-17 drop supplies in
Yugoslavia.
2/6/45
Tenth AF
86 P-47's and P-38's and 25 B-25's pound troop concentrations,
supplies, and AA positions in Lashio area. 4 P-38's damage approach
to Mong Tong bridge. Transports complete 514 sorties, carrying men
and supplies to forward areas.
2/6/45
Fourteenth AF
20 P-51's pound and considerably damage Peking A/F, claiming 7
airplanes destroyed. Other FBs on armed rcn hit several T/Os (mainly
rail and river trafflc) around Tsingpu, Wuhu, Suchow, Hsiangcheng,
Ichang, Chingmen, and Yungning. FBs sink numerous river craft on
Mekong R from Wan Mai-Lo to Nguen.
2/6/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb Corregidor gun positions. B-25's and P-38's hit Echague
and camp on Rosario-Baguio road. A-20's attack gun positions and
defenses at Nichols Field in spt of ground forces and bomb Caballo I.
A-20's attack Fabrica A/F. B-24's and B-25's fly coastal sweeps
hitting various tgts at Divilacan Bay, Hondagua, and Bicol Peninsula.
B-24's, with P-38 spt hit Manggar and Sepinggang A/Fs.
2/6/45
Seventh AF
9 Guam-based B-24's hit AA defenses and radar and radio installations
on Iwo Jima. 10 more bomb Ototo Jima island and town of Omura. 1 B-24
from Angaur bombs Koror, 2 hit Bulan A/Fs and 19 bomb Corregidor. 8
B-24's from Guam fly individual strikes against Iwo Jima A/Fs during
6/7 Feb.
2/7/45
Eighth AF
High, heavy clouds necessitate recall of about 300 B-17's and 3 ftr
gps from mission to attack tgts in W Germany.
2/7/45
Ninth AF
16 B-26's strike rail siding at Lipp. Weather cancels other
operations.
2/7/45
Twelfth AF
During 6/7 Feb A-20's bomb lights and movement over extensive areas
of N Italy. During day B-25 blasts cut bridges at Bodrez and Lavis,
viaduct at Lavis, and block rail lines at San Michele all'Adige and
Mantua. XXII TAC P-47's destroy 4 railroad bridges and damage another
severely in NE and C Po Valley and Brenner Pass, and blast dumps and
sugar refineries in the Mantua, Brescia, and Reggio Emilia areas.
2/7/45
Fifteenth AF
680 B-17's and B-24's bomb oil refineries at Moosbierbaum, Lobau,
Schwechat, Vienna/Floridsdorf, Korneuburg and Kagran in Vienna area,
oil storage at Pula, shipyard and harbor of Trieste, town of
Bratislava, A/F at Zwolfaxing, and several scattered T/Os. 274 P-38's
and P-51's provide escort. 8 B-24's drop supplies in Yugoslavia. 18
P-51's strafe Zeltweg A/F and surrounding area while 10 P-38's sweep
Zagreb-Karlovac-Sisak area. Other P-38's fly rcn and escort
operations.
2/7/45
Tenth AF
11 B-25's attack tanks and troops at Man Namman. 50 P-47's spt forces
preparing to cross Shweli R in Myitson area. 40-plus P-47's and
P-40's attack troops and supply areas at Nawngkalio, Man Li, Hsunkwe,
Nawnghkio, Loi Hkam, Panghsapye, Na-lang, Wingnang, and Pang Eng
Hkye. 464 transport sorties are flown to advanced bases and frontline
areas.
2/7/45
Fourteenth AF
11 P-51's knock out bridge at Hengshan. 34 P-40's hit river, road,
and rail traffic from Kweiyi to Hengshan, from Chiuchiang to Wuhu,
from Wan Mai-Lo to Luang Prabang, from Siaokan southward, in area S
of Tsinan, and N of Tehsien. 2 FBs hit warehouse area at
Kweihsien.
2/7/45
FEAF
B-24's, with P-38 spt hit T/Os at Heito A/F and other points (after
weather prevents bombing of Takao). A-20's, supporting ground
operations, attack hills W of Clark Field. B-25's, with P-51 cover,
fly several sweeps over Formosa, claiming a sub sunk, a tanker set
afire, a large motor launch sunk, other shipping damaged, and several
vehicles and an airplane destroyed. B-24's hit Bago and Mandaue.
Other B-24's bomb Tawau and--in another mission--Miri A/F, Tutong oil
refinery pump station and power house.
2/7/45
Twentieth AF
44 B-29's bomb primary tgt of Saigon (11 drop prematurely and 33 hit
residential section), 19 hit T/O of Pnom Penh, and 2 bomb last resort
tgt, a M/Y at Martaban. In a more successful mission, almost 60
B-29's bomb and effect the collapse of most of middle span of Rama VI
bridge at Bangkok (3d strike at this tgt) and destroy NE approach. 1
VHB bombs Martaben M/Y.
2/7/45
Seventh AF
6 B-24's from Saipan bomb town of Okimura. 8 B-24's hit AA positions
and radio and radar installations on Iwo Jima, while 2 others bomb
Woleai A/F. From Angaur 20 B-24's bomb Silay and Talisay A/Fs and 1
bombs Opon A/F on Mactan I. 9 B-24's, during 7/8 Feb snooper raids
from Saipan, bomb Iwo Jima A/Fs.
2/7/45
Eleventh AF
6 B-24's off to Kataoka abort mission when all aircraft accidentally
drop bombs prior to bombing run. 4 B-25's weather abort.
2/8/45
Eighth AF
Over 400 HBs dispatched to attack tgts in W Germany are recalled
before leaving UK coast due to clouds over bases, routes, and tgts. 2
Continent-based P-51 gps strafe rail tgts and parked aircraft.
2/8/45
Ninth AF
320-plus B-26's, A-20's, and A-26's strike road junction, M/Y, 3
defended areas, and 10 casual tgts in Germany. Ftrs fly armed rcn,
bomb numerous ground tgts, and spt US XII Corps which has, on 7 Feb,
crossed Our and Sauer Rivers between Vianden and Echternach and
established bridgeheads.
2/8/45
Twelfth AF
During 7/8 Feb on intruder missions A-20's bomb various tgts at 58
points in Po Valley and Brenner Pass area. MBs during day attack
bridges at Calliano, Chiusaforte, Dogna and Piacenza. Ftrs and FBs
closely spt US Fifth Army forces in Serchio Valley-- where
counterattacks oppose Allied offensive--- and destroy Nervesa della
Battaglia railroad bridge and oil dump N of Mestre.
2/8/45
Fifteenth AF
Over 500 B-24's and B-17's bomb SE Vienna comm tgts and M/Y at Graz,
plus several T/Os. 270-plus P-38's and P-51's escort. 12 B-24's drop
supplies in Yugoslavia. 11 P-51's sweep Zagreb area. Other P-51's and
P-38's fly rcn and rcn escort.
2/8/45
Tenth AF
72 P-47's spt ground forces in Myitson area. 37 P-47's and P-38's hit
troops, supply areas, ammo dumps, and T/Os at Namsaw, Hsun-kwe,
Loi-Kong, Nawng-un, Hsipaw, Panghai, and Kongnio, and bomb village
near Pangkawn. Transports fly 581 sorties carrying men and supplies
to forward bases and dropping supplies to frontline areas.
2/8/45
Fourteenth AF
10 P-51's knock out bridge at Shihtangchung and blast bridge approach
at Changsha. 9 other ftrs knock out another bridge N of Changsha. 4
ftrs hit railroad T/Os from Linfen to Yutze to Shihkiachwang and bomb
Tsinan A/F.
2/8/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb town of Mariveles. B-25's sink or damage several small
vessels along Luzon's E coast and hit Legaspi A/F. B-24's bomb
Manggar and Sepinggang A/F.
2/8/45
Twentieth AF
30 B-29's from the Marianas bomb Moen I A/F number 1.
2/8/45
Seventh AF
20 B-24's from Guam bomb radar and radio installations and AA
defenses on Iwo Jima in the afternoon. During 8/9 Feb, 10 fly
single-plane snooper strikes against the island's A/Fs.
2/8/45
Eleventh AF
4 B-25's abort mission to Masugawa R when unable to identify the
tgt.
2/9/45
International
Malta-Yalta conferences end. Conferees agree to plan for invasion of
Japan following defeat of Germany, anticipated for about 1 Jul 45.
Until then pace of the Pacific war will be slowed. USSR will acquire
parts of Manchuria in return for participating in war against
Japan.
2/9/45
Eighth AF
1,200 HBs operating in 6 forces attack Rothensee and Lutzkendorf
synthetic oil plants, Bielefeld/Schildesche rail viaduct, Arnsberg
viaduct, and numerous secondary tgts and T/Os. 15 ftr gps provide
escort, with 6 gps later strafing rail and road transportation,
hangars, and an ammunition dump.
2/9/45
Ninth AF
347 A-20's, A-26's, and B-26's bomb comm centers at Viersen and
Kempen, M/Ys at Rheydt, Grevenbroich, and Viersen, and rail bridges
at Neuwied-Irlich and Sinzig. Ftrs fly armed rcn over E and W of the
Rhine, attack rail bridges, and spt US XII Corps bridgeheads across
the Our and Sauer Rivers.
2/9/45
Twelfth AF
During 8/9 Feb A-20's and A-26's on intruder missions attack comm
tgts throughout C and NE Po Valley. Weather restricts daytime
operations to weather rcn and supply dropping missions.
2/9/45
Fifteenth AF
During 8/9 Feb 1 B-17 and 10 B-24's drop supplies in N Italy. During
the day 49 HBs hit Moosbierbaum oil refinery. 5 others bomb M/Ys at
Graz and Bruck an der Mur. 11 B-24's drop supplies in C Yugoslavia,
while P-38's and P-51's fly rcn missions and rcn and supply
escort.
2/9/45
Tenth AF
10 B-25's damage bridge at Tonglau and destroy 1 bridge and damage
another at Ke-hsi Mansam. 2 others pound trucks, gun positions, and
buildings during road sweep from Hsipaw to Loilem to Lashio. 9 P-47's
knock out bridge at Bawgyo and damage another at Inailong. 22 P-47's
spt ground forces in Myitson area. Troops, supplies, and comm are
attacked at Tangtong, Man Mau, Se-u, Mansam, Panghai, Nalang, and
Manhpat by 40-plus FBs. 479 transport sorties are flown to forward
areas.
2/9/45
Fourteenth AF
8 ftrs hit rail bridges in Kiyang and Lukou areas, damaging 1 bridge.
Several trucks are strafed and destroyed. 3 ftrs on railroad sweep
destroy several locomotives between Peking and Sinsiang. Several
other ftrs bomb railroad yards at Kaifeng and A/F at Sinsiang. CACW
ftrs make surprise strike at Tsingtao A/F, claim about 100 airplanes
destroyed and damaged, and also destroy several nearby
locomotives.
2/9/45
FEAF
B-24's fly morning and afternoon raids against Corregidor gun
positions. A-20's also hit the island fortress. Mariveles and S part
of Bataan Peninsula are pounded by B-24's and A-20's throughout the
morning and afternoon. B-25's and P-51's hit shipping near Legaspi
and in San Miguel Bay and destroy buildings at San Fernando. In spt
of ground forces, A-24's and P-40's over Balete Pass area attack
bridges and roads.
2/9/45
Twentieth AF
29 XXI BC B-29's hit Moen I for second consecutive day, bombing A/F
number 2.
2/9/45
Seventh AF
22 B-24's from Guam and Saipan bomb A/Fs, def and radar-radio
installations and AA positions on Iwo Jima. During 9/10 Feb, 11 more
B-24's from Saipan make separate strikes against A/Fs and AA
defenses.
2/10/45
Eighth AF
150 B-17's bomb Dulmen oil depot, Ijmuiden sub pens, and town of
Lingen. 3 ftr gps escort Hbs. 2 gps of FBs sent against
transportation tgts abort because of bad weather.
2/10/45
Ninth AF
320-plus bmrs of 9th Bomb Div attack comm centers at Kempen, Horrem,
and Euskirchen, vehicle center and depot at Munstereifel and at
Berg-Gladbach, and several casual tgts including rail bridge at
Bullay. Ftrs escort bmrs, fly patrols and armed rcn, bomb bridges,
attack railroad cars and other tgts, and spt US VIII and XII Corps in
Prum area on Prum R and in bridgehead area E of Sauer R NW of
Echternach.
2/10/45
Twelfth AF
During 9/10 Feb A-20's and A-26's hit railroads, lights, and movement
in Po Valley and Brenner area and bomb docks at La Spezia. Weather
cancels all but 2 MB missions. However, the B-25's cut bridges at
Palazzuolo sull' Oglio and Romano di Lombardia. FBs concentrate on
railroads in NE Italy, and destroy numerous vehicles in truck park in
Mantua area.
2/10/45
Fifteenth AF
Bad weather prevents bombing. 12 B-24's drop supplies in Yugoslavia
while P-38's fly rcn and escort missions.
2/10/45
Tenth AF
5 B-25's destroy Laihka bridge. 4 others hit Namsang bridge, with
poor results. 9 P-47's knock out approaches to Pa-mao bridge while 8
others destroy half of bridge at Inailong. 15 P-47's spt ground
forces in Mongmit area, concentrating on Japanese positions S of
Myitson. 76 FBs attack troops and supply areas at Panglong,
Namsangsok, Namtu, Kutkai, Mong Yaw, Mongmit, Ho-mong, Man Pwe,
Namsam, and Loiya. Again transports fly more than 500 sorties to
forward areas.
2/10/45
FEAF
B-24's again blast Japanese gun positions while P-51's and P-38's,
supporting ground forces hit comm tgts in Bayambang-Santa Fe area,
while B-25's in the area blast villages where vehicles are hidden.
B-24's, A-20's, and FBs completely saturate the S part of Bataan
Peninsula with bombs during morning and afternoon attacks, thoroughly
pummeling defenses and forces. P-47's on ftr sweep over Formosa claim
10 air victories.
2/10/45
Fifth AF
Gen Frederick H Smith Jr becomes CG V FC.
2/10/45
Twentieth AF
84 B-29's, from the Marianas, hit Nakajima aircraft plant at Ota. 12
B-29's are lost. 21 aircraft are downed.
2/10/45
Seventh AF
10 Guam-based B-24's bomb Okimura. 6 P-38's escort photo mission and
fly ftr sweep over Iwo Jima. 17 B-24's from Guam, with P-38 escort,
pound Iwo Jima in late afternoon, and 9 more make singlebmr
harassment strikes on the island during 10/11 Feb.
2/11/45
International
US, Britain, and USSR issue Yalta declaration.
2/11/45
Eighth AF
Over 120 B-17's bomb Dulmen oil depot and a T/O (road junction). A
P-51 gp provides close escort. 4 P-51 gps strafe rail and road
transportation in E Netherlands and NW Germany, while 1 other gp
bombs and strafes a truck park in Germany.
2/11/45
Ninth AF
97 B-26's and A-20's bomb Bingen and Modrath M/Ys. Ftrs fly armed rcn
and patrols, attack special tgts and T/Os, and attack in cooperation
with US XII Corps across Sauer R NW of Echternach.
2/11/45
Twelfth AF
LBs on night intruder missions attack enemy movement and lights at
various points in N Italy, hit bridges in Po Valley, and attack
frontline positions in N Apennines. in NE and C Po Valley and stores
Weather grounds MBs but ftrs and FBs blast railroad bridges and lines
and supply dumps in C and W Po areas.
2/11/45
Fifteenth AF
Bad weather limits operations to B-24 supply mission to Yugoslavia
during 10/11 Feb and to P-38 rcn missions.
2/11/45
Tenth AF
11 B-25's bomb troops and supplies at Loilem. 22 P-47's spt ground
forces in Mongmit area, hitting buildings at Nabu and Japanese
positions S of Myitson. 100-plus FBs pound troop concentrations,
supplies, ammo dumps, gun positions, and T/Os at several locations
including Pangsang, Taung-gaing, Panghsapye, Nam Pok, Byaungbyan,
Manai, Kutkai, Mongmit, Namun, and Pangmahe-leng. Transports complete
503 sorties to forward bases and over frontline areas (dropping
supplies).
2/11/45
Fourteenth AF
17 B-25's hit railroad yards at Sinyang and Lohochai and locomotive
foundry at Hsuchang. 23 P-47's pound Hankow A/F. 8 ftrs hit Anyang
A/F and Pinghan railroad T/Os. B-24's claim 2 cargo vessels sunk in S
China Sea.
2/11/45
FEAF
B-24's attack Corregidor almost continuously throughout the day. FBs
spt ground forces blasting numerous tgts from Cauringan to Taytay and
at Wawa, Montalban, Antipolo, and Marikina. P-47's blast train NE of
Heito. B-24's fly light strike against Bago.
2/11/45
Twentieth AF
56 B-29's bomb storage dumps around Rangoon. Mission is flown in
conjunction with B-24's of EAC's Strategic AF which hit tgt. 9 B-29's
from the Marianas carry out rcn mission for Navy. 1 other returns
early. Tgt area covers 135-00E to 148-00E to 30-00N.
2/11/45
Seventh AF
21 B-24's from Saipan, operating in 2 separate forces, bomb A/Fs and
defenses on Iwo Jima. 3 others, on armed rcn, bomb Marcus. 25 B-24's
based on Angaur bomb Corregidor. During 11/12 Feb, 10 B-24's from
Saipan fly individual harassment strikes against Iwo Jima.
2/11/45
Eleventh AF
Of 7 B-24's off on an air cover mission for a naval TF, only 3 reach
the tgt.
2/12/45
Ninth AF
All combat operations cancelled because of bad weather.
2/12/45
Twelfth AF
LBs, during 11/12 Feb, bomb comm tgts in Po Valley and NE Italy,
including Brenner Pass area. Bad weather during day restricts MB
operations to bombing the bridge at Ala and a sugar refinery at
Legnago. Only 1 ftr gp, the 57th, can operate, hitting bridges, rail
lines, and guns in Po Valley.
2/12/45
Fifteenth AF
Continued bad weather restricts operations to rcn and rcn escort by
P-38's and P-51's.
2/12/45
Tenth AF
23 P-47's spt ground forces hitting NE of Nabu and bombing mortar
positions S of Myitson. 4 others spt forces at Loiya. 3 P-47's
severely damage bridge at Pa-mao. 60-plus P-47's and P-38's pound
supply areas, troops, tanks, and trucks at various locations
including Hukawt, Kongtap, Namtu, Namta-gun, Mongmit, Loingu, and
Tonsing. 520 transport sorties are flown to forward areas throughout
the day.
2/12/45
Fourteenth AF
6 P-51's destroy 6 locomotives between Suchow and Pengpu and strafe
Nanking and Suchow A/Fs. Other ftrs claim at least 10 more
locomotives destroyed in areas S of Yellow R. P-40's bomb troops in
Hsiancheng area and hit trains on Pinghan railroad.
2/12/45
FEAF
B-24's continue to pound Corregidor. A-20's sweeping S Bataan
Peninsula, sink about 30 barges loaded with troops, ammo, and
supplies. Throughout the day MBs and ftrs directly spt ground forces
on Bataan Peninsula and from Lingayen Gulf area to Nichols Field.
2/12/45
Twentieth AF
8 B-29's complete rcn mission for Navy covering from 135-OOE to
148-OOE and to 30-OON. 21 other B-29's from the Marianas bomb heavy
AA on Iwo Jima in preparation for amphibious invasion of the island
on 19 Feb.
2/12/45
Seventh AF
9 Guam-based B-24's pound Chichi Jima naval installations while 19
bomb A/Fs and defenses on Iwo Jima. During 12/13 Feb, 8 B-24's from
Guam fly singlebmr harassment strikes against both Iwo and Chichi
Jima.
2/12/45
Eleventh AF
B-25's cancel cover mission for a naval force because of weather.
2/13/45
Ninth AF
320-plus B-26's, A-26's, and A-20's, attack rail bridges at Sinzig,
Neuwied-Irlich, and Euskirchen, military transport depots at Schwelm
and Iserlohn, defended points at Wittlich, and T/Os. Ftrs escort MBs
and LBs, bomb Neuss and Zieverich bridges and other tgts, fly armed
rcn, and spt Third Army elements from Prum to Saarlautern along the
Our, Sauer, and Saar R bridgehead areas.
2/13/45
Twelfth AF
During 12/13 Feb LBs attack enemy movement in C and NC Po Valley. MBs
hit bridges at Calcinato, Dogna, and Chiusaforte and bridge approach
at Lavis. FBs fly nearly 350 sorties against enemy comm in N Italy
including M/Ys at Verona, Parma, and Vicenza.
2/13/45
Fifteenth AF
In the Vienna area 640-plus HBs with ftr spt hit S ordnance depot, S
and SE goods yards and depot, C repair shops, and Matzleinsdorf M/Y,
and M/Ys at Graz, Sarvar, Zagreb (2) and Maribor (2), Pula harbor,
Maribor locomotive depot and rolling stock repair shops, and several
T/Os. P-38's and P-51's carry out rcn and rcn escort missions.
2/13/45
Tenth AF
Troops concentrations, supply areas, and T/Os are pounded by 70 FBs
at several locations including Kongpaw, Namtu, Kyaohpak, Laihka,
Konwet, Mong Pa, Hkom-nio, and Naung-lang. 19 FBs spt ground forces
in MongmitMyitson area. 16 FBs knock out approach to main bridge and
damage bypass bridge at Hay-ti. 477 air supply sorties are flown by
transports throughout the day.
2/13/45
Fourteenth AF
Ftrs sweep railroad from Sinyang to Hsuchang, bomb approach to
Hsuchang bridge, and strafe Sinyang and Ichang A/Fs. B-25's bomb
Hsuchang foundry.
2/13/45
FEAF
B-24's continue to pound Corregidor as large segment of HBs attack
main coastal guns and score direct hits on several batteries. B-24's
bomb Mariveles while A-20's and P-47's bomb and strafe T/Os
throughout S part of Bataan Peninsula. MBs and ftrs attack small
shipping during sweeps of E and N coasts of Luzon. B-25's, with ftr
spt, hit Kagi A/F.
2/13/45
Seventh AF
25 B-24's from Saipan fly two strikes against Iwo Jima, while 10
others hit Haha Jima. During 13/14 Feb, 5 B-24's, flying individual
harassment strikes, bomb Iwo Jima at intervals over an 8-hr
period.
2/14/45
Eighth AF
Nearly 1,300 HBs attack M/Ys at Dresden, Chemnitz, Magdeburg, and
Hof, road bridge at Wesel, Dulmen oil depot 2 A/Fs, 10 town aras, and
numerous T/Os. 16 ftr gps escort HBs or fly area sweeps, strafe
ground tgts, and battle over 75 ftrs, claiming 20 destroyed.
2/14/45
Ninth AF
600-plus A-20's, A-26's, and B-26's attack rail bridges, M/Y, comm
centers, ammo dump, prime mover depot, and several T/Os in Germany in
morning and afternoon missions aimed primarily at obstructing enemy
movement and supply. Ftrs fly armed rcn over wide areas of Germany,
escort 9th Bomb Div, attack river traffic, bridges, and other tgts,
and spt US Third Army elements E of Our and Sauer Rivers.
2/14/45
Twelfth AF
During 13/14 Feb A-20's bomb bridge approach at Castelnuovo di
Garfagnana and hit T/Os in Po Valley. During the day MBs bomb bridges
or bridge approaches at San Michele all'Adige, Tarvisio, Bressanone,
and hit guns near Ponte Gardena. Ftrs and FBs, operating in poor
weather, attack mainly comm tgts in Po Valley.
2/14/45
Fifteenth AF
More than 500 B-24's and B-17's bomb Moosbierbaum, Lobau,
Vienna/Floridsdorf, and Schwechat oil refineries in Vienna area, M/Ys
at Graz, Gleisdorf, Klagenfurt, Villach, Celje, Maribor, and Zagreb,
and several scattered T/Os. P-38's also bomb Moosbierbaum refinery
and Maribor M/Y. Other P-38's and P-51's escort HBs, fly photo and
weather rcn, and escort rcn missions.
2/14/45
Tenth AF
12 B-25's attack vehicles along roads from Lashio to Takaw to Hopong.
7 P-47's strafe Laihka A/F. Bad weather cancels other scheduled
offensive missions. Transports continue to operate despite the
weather, completing 520 sorties to forward areas.
2/14/45
Fourteenth AF
P-47's bomb Kaifeng A/F and P-51's hit Shihkiachwang A/F, destroying
several parked airplanes. The P-51's afterwards blast 7 locomotives
between Puchou and Sinsiang. Other ftrs destroy 7 more locomotives
between Sinyang and Hsuchang, bomb railroad yards at Lohochai, and
destroy fuel dump at Hsiangcheng.
2/14/45
FEAF
B-24's continue to bomb Corregidor, concentrating on dock area and
gun positions. Other B-24's bomb Mariveles and B-25's bomb A/F at
Tuguegarao. MBs and ftrs provide excellent spt for ground forces,
blasting guns and troops W of Clark Field, N of Marikina A/F, and N
of Montalban. A-20's pound general area of S Bataan. B-25's bomb
barges at Zamboanga and P-38's bomb Matina A/F. Ftrs on armed rcn
strafe A/Fs on Negros and Cebu. A few MBs bomb Kagi A/F and nearby
T/Os.
2/14/45
Twentieth AF
B-29's from the Marianas again carry out rcn mission for the Navy,
covering area northward from base line at 28-02N 14555E to 28-44N
148-OOE.
2/14/45
Seventh AF
17 Guam-based B-24's pound defenses and radar and radio installations
on Iwo Jima at midday. During 14/15 Feb 5 more HBs, flying individual
snooper missions bomb Iwo Jima A/F and AA positions while 4 in
separate strikes hit Susaki A/F.
2/14/45
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's bomb and photograph Suribachi A/F (secondary).
2/15/45
Eighth AF
Over 1,000 HBs attack Magdeburg synthetic oil plant, M/Ys at Dresden,
Cottbus, and Rheine, and several T/Os. 9 ftr gps fly escort and
strafe transportation tgts.
2/15/45
Ninth AF
Around 90 B-26's bomb Sinzig and Mayen rail bridges and 4 T/Os in the
area. Ftrs patrol points along battlefront, attack railroads and
other special tgts, fly armed rcn and spt US VII, VIII, XII, and XX
Corps along Roer and Prum Rivers and in Saar R bridgehead area.
2/15/45
Twelfth AF
MBs bomb Spilimbergo ammo dumps through overcast, but are forced by
the bad weather to cancel all other operations. FBs, limited by
weather, concentrate on railway tgts in NE and W Po Valley.
2/15/45
Fifteenth AF
Over 650 B-24's and B-17's bomb 5 station freight yards, SE goods
depot, Korneuburg oil refinery, and Vienna/Floridsdorf,
Matzleinsdorf, and Penzing M/Ys-- all in Vienna area, plus M/Ys at
Klagenfurt-Wiener-Neustadt and Graz, Graz ordnance depot, shipyards
in Fiume and scattered T/Os are also hit. Ftrs escort HBs and fly rcn
and rcn escort missions.
2/15/45
Tenth AF
12 B-25's hit buildings, troops, and other T/Os during sweep from
Lashio to Loilem and along road E and W from Loilem. 20 P-47's fly
close spt strikes in Mongmit-Myitson area. Bridge at Hay-ti is
knocked out by 6 P-47's. 56 P-47's attack troops, town areas, and
supplies at Paukmyaing, Nam-hpuktok, Namtoi, and Namhu-tau. 8 P-47's
hit Li-lu ferry area. Large-scale transport operations continue. 511
sorties are flown to forward areas.
2/15/45
Fourteenth AF
15 FBs attack railroad tgts at Saiping, in Hankow area, N of
Sinantien, between Hsuchang and Loyang, and along the Yangtze from
Wuhu to Hankow.
2/15/45
FEAF
B-25's attack bridges in S part of Formosa. HBs again blast
Corregidor with A-20's and FBs bombing and strafing its few remaining
gun positions. FBs hit Caballo I and FBs, B-25's, and A-20's hit
Bataan Peninsula all day. Also hit are troops and gun positions in Ft
William McKinley area and A/Fs at Tuguegarao and Echague.
2/15/45
Twentieth AF
33 Marianas-based B-29's bomb Mitsubishi aircraft engine works at
Nagoya. Almost 70 others hit last resort tgt and T/Os, 54 of them
bombing Hamamatsu.
2/15/45
Seventh AF
24 B-24's from Saipan, in two separate strikes, bomb Iwo Jima A/Fs
and AA defenses. 12 others hit A/F at Chichi Jima. 4 B-24's from
Guam, escorting photo airplanes over Truk, bomb A/Fs at Param and
Moen Is. 5 B-24's fly night harassment raids against Iwo and Chichi
Jima.
2/16/45
Eighth AF
Nearly 1,000 HBs attack benzol plants at Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen,
oil refineries at Dortmund and Salzbergen, MYs at Osnabruck, Hamm,
and Rheine, Wesel rail bridge, and several secondaries and T/Os. 4
ftr gps provide spt.
2/16/45
Ninth AF
300-plus B-26's and A-20's bomb Mayen rail bridge, Rees comm center,
Solingen turbo-jet component works, Unna ordnance depot, and a T/O.
Ftrs escort the bmrs, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed rcn, attack
bridge, railroads, and other special tgts. XIX TAC also supports US
VIII, XII, and XX Corps W of Prum R, E of Sauer R, and in Saarlautern
area.
2/16/45
Twelfth AF
Bad weather grounds MBs. FBs cut rail lines at S end of Garda Lake,
and bomb ammo and fuel dump E of Nervesa della Battaglia and ammo
dump E of Villafranca in Lunigiana.
2/16/45
Fifteenth AF
630-plus B-24's and B-17's bomb A/Fs at Regensburg, Landsberg, and
Neubiberg, M/Ys at Rosenheim, Hall, Innsbruck, Bolzano, and Vipiteno,
plus scattered T/Os in Austria and N Italy. P-38's and P-51's escort
HBs, fly rcn missions, and escort rcn and supply operations.
2/16/45
Tenth AF
12 B-25's bomb troops, storage areas, and vehicles during offensive
rcn along roads S of Lashio and from Hsenwi to Loilem. 31 P-47's spt
ground forces in Myitson area. About 160 FBs attack town areas, troop
concentrations, arty positions, transportation tgts, and general T/Os
at Namtu, Wengkau, Hsipaw, Namhsawng-hawng, Hunhla, Mong Yai, Sinkin,
Panghung, Hatka, Na-kyeh, and Panglong and similar tgts at Kyawngsu,
Kunsanlek, Namloi, Man-kyawng, Tonsing, Sam-Lau, and Mong Li.
Transports fly 632 sorties delivering men and supplies to forward
bases and dropping supplies to frontline troops.
2/16/45
Fourteenth AF
33 FBs attack A/Fs in Nanking area, railroad yards at Hsuchang and
Tungpu, and hit rail and river traffic from Wuhu to Hankow, in
Sinsiang area, in Luang Prabang area, and from Muong Soui to the
Mekong R.
2/16/45
FEAF
Ftrs attack vehicles and trains in S part of Formosa. 120-plus A-20's
and B-24's pound Corregidor during early daylight hours. Amphibious
and airborne landings follow and the paratroops soon link up with the
beachhead. A-20's and FBs also bomb nearby Caballo I. B-25's spt
ground forces in Mariveles area, hit facilities at Baguio and Santa
Fe, and bomb Camalaniugan A/F. P-38's hit Likanan and Matina A/F.
B-24's pound Kendari A/F.
2/16/45
Seventh AF
2 Guam-based B-24's on armed rcn flight bomb Marcus. 42 sent against
Iwo Jima are recalled due to total cloud cover over the tgt. During
16/17 Feb, 4 Guam-based B-24's, striking separately, hit Susaki
A/F.
2/17/45
Eighth AF
Over 300 B-17's bomb Frankfurt/Main M/Ys and several T/Os including
Giessen M/Y, Aschaffenburg, and Hanau. Nearly 600 other HBs abort
from synthetic oil tgts in Germany because of bad cloud conditions. 3
P-51 gps provide escort and strafe ground tgts.
2/17/45
Ninth AF
31 B-26's strike Mayen rail bridge and T/O at Reinfeld. Ftrs of IX
and XIX TAC fly patrols, sweeps, and armed rcn. XXIX TAC cancels
operations due to bad weather.
2/17/45
Twelfth AF
MBs bomb bridges at Chiusaforte, Bressanone, Crema, and Dogna. Ftrs
and FBs hit comm tgts in Po Valley and damage bridges at Nervesa
della Battaglia, Cittadella, Calliano, Ala, and Pordenone. Also
bombed are guns and dumps from S of La Spezia E to battle area below
Bologna.
2/17/45
Fifteenth AF
About 500 HBs attack main M/Y, station, and benzol plant at Linz,
steel works at Judenburg, tank works at Steyr and Sankt Valentin,
M/Ys at Graz, Wels, Bruck an der Mur, and Villach, plus shipyards and
harbors at Fiume, Trieste, and Pula. P-38's and P-51's escort HBs,
rcn missions, and supply drops, strafe rail lines in Vienna-Linz area
and aircraft at Ardning and Grafenstein, and fly weather and photo
rcn.
2/17/45
Tenth AF
14 P-47's spt ground forces in Mongmit-Myitson area. 140-plus FBs
strike at troop concentrations, supply points, transport, animal
concentrations, tanks, and arms and ammo stores are pounded in N
Burma including at Hko-lawng, Hai-pu, Nakyeh, Man Sang, Samlan,
Hkummanmao, Mong Lang, Na-leng, Honwo, and Loiyek. 10 B-25's bomb
troops and supplies at Hai-hseng. 603 transport sorties are
flown.
2/17/45
Fourteenth AF
30 B-25's bomb Linfen and Yuncheng. A single B-25 hits railroad T/Os
from Hengyang to Lingling. 27 P-40's and P-51's attack animal
transport, barracks, railroad tgts, and town area at Puchi. 16 P-47's
hit Hankow-Wuchang area. 37 other FBs attack railroad yards and T/Os
and road and river traffic near Tsinan, Changsha, and Kweiyi, and at
Sinyang, Linfen, and Lung Hai.
2/17/45
FEAF
B-24's, with ftr spt attack A/F, railroad yard, and aluminum plant at
Takao. A-20's spt ground forces in Mariveles area and hit caves and
dugouts in hills W of Ft Stotsenburg. A-20's, B-25's, and FBs attack
Tuguegarao and coastal town of San Fernando. B-24's pound Miri
A/F.
2/17/45
Twentieth AF
9 B-29's from Saipan bomb Dublon I sub pens.
2/17/45
Seventh AF
42 B-24's from Saipan blast def installations and bivouac area. 3
others, on armed rcn flight, bomb Marcus. 3 B-24's from Guam,
escorting photo plane over Truk Atoll bomb Param, Uman, and Eten in
the atoll. 5 B-24's from Saipan fly individual snooper strikes during
17/18 Feb against Chichi Jima.
2/17/45
Eleventh AF
4 B-25's provide air coverage for naval TF en route to
Paramushiru.
2/18/45
Ninth AF
60-plus B-26's bomb Dottesfeld rail bridge, T/O at Daun, and 5 other
T/Os in Germany as 9th Bomb Div starts campaign to isolate the Ruhr.
XIX TAC escorts B-26's and flies weather rcn and armed rcn. IX and
XXIX TACs are grounded because of weather.
2/18/45
Twelfth AF
During 17/18 Feb A-20's bomb tgts in Po Valley, including towns of
Nogara, Castelfranco Veneto, Modena, Cremona, Bovolone, and Isola
della Scala, bridges at Cittadella and Villafranca in Lunigiana, and
A/Fs at Ghedi and Villafranca in Lunigiana. All B-25 missions abort
due to weather except attack on Ala rail bridge. Ftrs and FBs fly
less than 100 sorties, hitting ammo dumps and railroad bridges and
lines, mainly in Po Valley.
2/18/45
Fifteenth AF
During 17/18 Feb 24 B-24's drop supplies in N Italy. During the day
160 B-17's bomb benzol plant, main M/Y and station at Linz. 20 P-38's
provide escort. Almost 290 B-24's, with ftr escorts, are recalled
because of weather from missions dispatched against tgts in Austria.
Weather also causes recall of 52 P-51's on strafing mission. A few
P-38's complete rcn missions but most are recalled as weather
worsens.
2/18/45
Tenth AF
12 B-25's demolish bridges at Namsang and Ke-hsi Mansam. 30-plus FBs
spt ground forces in Mongmit-Myitson-Nabu area. More than 100 FBs
pound troop concentrations, supplies, vehicles, and other tgts
immediately in adv of the southward moving battleline in Burma.
Transports fly 602 sorties to forward areas.
2/18/45
Fourteenth AF
25 FBs attack Sinyang railroad yards and A/F and T/Os along Pinghan
railroad, at Chiuchiang, in Nanking area, E of Lohochai, and SE of
Hsuchang. 4 B-24's over S China Sea claim damage on 2 vessels.
2/18/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb Takao, Okayama, and Toshien A/Fs. P-38's provide spt.
B-25's and ftrs pound comm tgts and T/Os throughout Formosa. MBs and
ftrs continue to fly numerous missions in spt of ground forces on
Luzon. B-24's bomb Labuan A/F.
2/18/45
Twentieth AF
35 Marianas-based B-29's bomb 2 A/Fs on Moen I.
2/18/45
Seventh AF
36 Guam-based B-24's dispatched against Iwo Jima are recalled because
of complete cloud cover over the tgt. 3 others on armed rcn bomb
Marcus. During 18/19 Feb, 9 B-24's from Guam individually strike
Chichi Jima.
2/18/45
Eleventh AF
7 B-24's fly cover sorties for naval force during its approach to
Kurabu Cape.
2/19/45
Eighth AF
Nearly 1,100 HBs attack primary tgts; 3 benzol plants at Bochum and
Gelsenkirchen, oil refinery at Dortmund, tank plant near Siegen, M/Ys
at Siegen, Rheine, Munster, and Osnabruck, and Wesel rail bridge,
plus Haselunne and Haltern. 8 ftr gps fly escort and strafe rail
traffic. 4 other ftr gps effectively strafe rail and road
transportation in Hannover, Brunswick, and Magdeburg areas.
2/19/45
Ninth AF
9th Bomb Div B-26's, A-26's, and A-20's, strike Mechernich prime
mover depot, rail bridges at Pracht, Niederscheld, and NeuwiedIrlich,
Wiesbaden ordnance depot, and 4 T/Os. Ftrs escort 9th Bomb Div,
attack railroads and bridges, fly armed rcn and alerts, and cooperate
with VIII, XII, and XX Corps E of Our R, between Westwall and Prum R,
and in the Saar-Mosel triangle.
2/19/45
Twelfth AF
Gen Morris takes cmd of XII AFSC (until 1 Jan 44 designated the III
Air Serv Area Cmd). Bad weather grounds MBs. FBs, some bombing by
radar-control because of heavy clouds, attack-comm and dumps in W Po
Valley and NE Italy, and claim several rail line cuts in Brenner
area.
2/19/45
Fifteenth AF
During 18/19 Feb, 11 B-24's drop supplies in N Italy. During the day
almost 500 B-24's and B-17's, escorted by about 220 P-51's and
P-38's, bomb 2 M/Ys and S station area in Vienna, M/Ys at Klagenfurt,
Graz, Bruck an der Mur, and Maribor, shipyards in Fiume, and Pula
harbor and military installations. 51 P-51's strafe rail and river
trafflc and A/Fs between Linz and Vienna and in Graz area. Other
P-51's and P-38's fly escort and rcn missions.
2/19/45
Tenth AF
24 B-25's and 31 P-47's fly close spt strikes in Mongmit-Myitson
area. 70-plus FBs hit troop concentrations, supplies, and villages
behind the battleline in C Burma. Heavy transport operations
continue.
2/19/45
Fourteenth AF
14 P-51's and P-40's blast rail and river traffic at Chiuchiang,
Hsuchang, Lung Hai, and Tsinpu.
2/19/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb Koshun, Heito, and Takao A/Fs. MBs and ftrs on sweeps
over the island attack a large number of T/Os including trains parked
airplanes, buildings, and coastal vessels. In C Phil, USMC Corsairs
under tac cmd of Thirteenth AF fly napalm strikes against A/Fs and
other tgts. Ftrs, B-25's, and A-20's continue to spt ground forces at
San Augustin, Carranglen, Balete Pass, and Bataan Peninsula and bomb
Japanese-held sectors on Corregidor. B-24's bomb Miri A/F.
2/19/45
Thirteenth AF
Gen Wurtsmith becomes CG Thirteenth AF.
2/19/45
Twentieth AF
Around 50 B-29's bomb Central Railroad Repair Shops at Kuala Lumpur,
some bombing from only 1,000 ft. 4 other VHBs hit alternates of Alor
Star A/F, and M/Y at Martaban. 150 B-29's are airborne against
Musashino aircraft plant hoping to draw air reinforcements away from
Iwo Jima which US Marines invade. Thick clouds completely cover the
primary so 119 B-29's bomb port and urban area of Tokyo. 12 others
hit last resort tgts and T/Os. 6 B-29's are lost. US gunners claim 39
ftrs downed.
2/19/45
Seventh AF
44 B-24's from Saipan are sent against Iwo Jima. 14 pound def
positions and bivouac and storage areas little more than an hr before
elements of US 4th and 5th Marine Divs make amphibious landing on SE;
coast at 0900. The other 30 HBs abort because of cloud cover,
mechanical trouble, or arrival over tgt too late to make a bomb run.
26 B-24's from Angaur bomb Likanan A/F. During 19/20 Feb, 8
Saipan-based B-24's fly individual heckler strikes over Chichi
Jima.
2/19/45
Eleventh AF
6 B-24's fly photo rcn over Shimushu and bomb Kurabu Cape A/F. 6 ftrs
intercept; the B-24's claim 4 damaged. 4 B-25's weather-abort a
mission to hit tgts along the Hayakegawa R.
2/20/45
Eighth AF
850-plus HBs bomb main station and M/Y at Nurnberg, plus 14 T/Os.
Thick cloud en route to tgt forces about 400 other HBs to abort. Ftrs
fly 438 effective spt sorties. About half of the escort strafes
ground tgts. 4 other gps strafe rail and road tgts in Nurnberg and
Straubing areas.
2/20/45
Ninth AF
IX Engineer Cmd is relieved of its assignment to Ninth AF and
assigned to USSTAF. (After V-E the cmd will revert to control of the
Ninth.) Weather grounds 9th Bomb Div. Ftrs fly armed rcn E and W of
Rhine R, attack bridge and defended area, and spt US VIII, XII, and
XX Corps in Lichtenborn area, W of Prum R, and in SaarMosel
triangle.
2/20/45
Twelfth AF
Twelfth AF loses more units to ETOUSA as 2 ftr gps (27th and 86th)
and an air serv gp are transferred to First Tac AF (Prov). A-20's on
night intruder missions during 19/20 Feb bomb T/Os at over 30 points
in C Po Valley, several rail diversions, and M/Ys at Villafranca in
Lunigiana, Roncanova, Bovolone, Cerea, Legnago, Cittadella, Casa di
David, Isola della Scala, Castelfranco Veneto, and Nogara. FBs devote
main effort to spt US Fifth Army offensive in Monte Torraccia area.
MBs bomb bridges at Montebello, Chiusaforte, Salzano, and
Calcinato.
2/20/45
Fifteenth AF
520-plus B-17's, with ftr escort, and B-24's bomb Lobau and Schwechat
oil refineries and Vienna/Floridsdorf M/Y, steel works at Kapfenberg,
harbor at Pula, and shipyards at Trieste and Fiume.
2/20/45
Tenth AF
44 P-47's fly close spt strikes in Mongmit battle sector. 8 spt
ground forces in Namhsan area. 13 P-38's severely damage bridge at
Mong Long. Nearly 100 P-47's and P-38's pound troop concentrations,
supply and ammo dumps, and general T/Os behind enemy lines.
Large-scale transport operations continue.
2/20/45
Fourteenth AF
34 P-51's pound locomotives, railroad cars, and other T/Os at
Tsingtao and Puchi. About 30 other FBs on armed rcn hit T/Os (mainly
rail and river trafflc) at scattered locations including Changsha,
Lohochai, Tsingtao, Chukiatsi, N of Lingling, and between Siangsiang
and Siangtan.
2/20/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb runways and warehouse at Jesselton A/F. Buildings at
Puerto Princesa and underground installation on Corregidor are
pounded. B-25's and ftrs over Formosa thoroughly blast town of
Choshu, and also hit railroad yards, vehicles, railway rolling stock,
and buildings.
2/20/45
Seventh AF
2 Guam-based B-24's on armed rcn flight bomb Marcus. During 20/21 Feb
7 B-24's flying individual raids, bomb town of Okimura and A/F on
Chichi Jima.
2/21/45
Eighth AF
1,200-plus HBs attack tank plant, main railroad station, M/Ys and
locomotive shops at Nurnberg, and 13 T/Os in the area. 12 ftr gps fly
escort and 10 of them later strafe ground tgts. 2 other gps escort
Ninth AF MBs while another gp strafes tgts in Meiningen, Coburg, and
Nurnberg areas.
2/21/45
Ninth AF
9th Bomb Div hits rail overpass and bridges, oil storage depot, M/Ys,
comm centers, and 13 T/Os in Germany. Over 1,100 ftr sorties are
completed as IX, XIX, and XXIX TACs escort 9th Bomb Div, attack
railroads, A/F, and other selected tgts, fly armed rcn over wide
areas of Germany including US First Army area between Duren and
Losheim, and spt VIII, XII, and XX Corps along Prum R, the West wall,
and in Saar-Mosel triangle.
2/21/45
Twelfth AF
Night ftrs and A-20's on intruder missions during 20/21 Feb continue
to attack comm and supplies in Po Valley. MBs, during the day, bomb
bridges at Dogna, Crema, and Romano di Lombardia. Fbs devote their
main effort to close spt of ground forces along W and C US Fifth Army
front, and also hit comm to the N of the battleline and in the Po
Valley.
2/21/45
Fifteenth AF
During 20/21 Feb, 1 B-17 and 13 B-24's drop supplies in N Italy.
During the day over 500 B-17's and B-24's with ftr escorts bomb
Vienna railroad tgts (C yards, S station, and Matzleinsdorf M/Y),
M/Ys at Bruck an der Mur, Wiener-Neustadt, Zeltweg, and Sopron, and
shipyards at Trieste and Fiume.
2/21/45
Tenth AF
16 P-47's provide close spt for ground forces in Namhsan area. 15 spt
ground forces in Mongmit sector. 100-plus FBs strike supply and troop
concentrations and make offensive sweeps of roads along battleline
areas. Transports continue to land men and supplies at forward bases
and drop supplies to frontline troops.
2/21/45
Fourteenth AF
21 B-25's, supported by 12 P-51's, pound Taiyuan. 2 B-25's and 12
P-40's hit Yoyang. About 100 FBs on armed rcn attack troops, trucks,
horses, railroad tgts, river shipping, and other T/Os at many
locations throughout S and E China.
2/21/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb Japanese positions in hills W of Ft Stotsenburg. P-47's
pound Corregidor and strafe Bagae-Pilar road and P-40's spt ground
forces at Marikina, San Mateo, and on Corregidor. Basco is hit by
B-25's, A-20's, and P-38's. B-24's bomb Kudat and Sandakan A/Fs while
A-20's attack Jesselton A/F and town.
2/21/45
Seventh AF
24 P-47's from Saipan hit Pagan with napalm. P-38's from Guam escort
photo airplanes over Truk and strafe aircraft on Moen and wharf on
Falas I. 3 Guambased B-24's on armed rcn flight bomb A/F on Marcus.
During 21/22 Feb, 6 HBs fly individual snooper raids from Guam
against Chichi Jima.
2/22/45
Eighth AF
1,359 HBs attack rail facilities and comm tgts (in conjunction with
RAF and Ninth AF which attack similar objectives) including over 20
M/Ys and a total of about 40 tgts altogether, in N and C Germany. Ftr
participation, including escort, strafing sweeps, and weather
scouting, amounts to 822 effective sorties. (Fifteenth AF
simultaneously hits tgts further S).
2/22/45
Ninth AF
Ninth AF joins other USAAFs in ETO and MTO, along with RAF, in
Operation CLARION with objective of paralyzing the already decimated
German railway system. 450-plus A-20's, A-26's, and B-26's of the 9th
Bomb Div bomb SW German tgts including 46 rail bridges, 12 M/Ys, 11
stations, plus junctions, roundhouses, viaduct, crossing, workshop.
CLARION marks first low-level operations by MBs since May 43. Over
1,000 ftrs of IX, XIX, and XXIX TACs escort the MBs and LBs, attack
several assigned ground tgts, fly armed rcn, and cooperate with US
VIII, XII, and XX Corps along Prum R and in Saar-Mosel Triangle.
2/22/45
Twelfth AF
A-20's during 21/22 Feb attack ammo dump, railroad bridges and lines,
and road lights in Po Valley. B-25's bomb railroad bridges and M/Ys
at Lavis, Bressanone, and Ala, cutting the bridge at Lavis and the
through tracks at Ala M/Y. Ftrs and FBs continue to spt US Fifth Army
forces S and SW of Bologna and hit comm tgts, dumps, vehicles, and
guns in and N of battle area in Apennines and in Po Valley, and bomb
A/Fs at Ghedi and Bergamo.
2/22/45
Fifteenth AF
The Fifteenth's participation in Operation CLARION includes over 350
HBs bombing 50-plus separate comm tgts in Germany, Austria, and
Italy, including some 25 M/Ys and numerous railroad lines and
bridges. Ftrs fly over 300 escort and strafing sorties.
2/22/45
Tenth AF
29 P-47's spt ground forces in Namhsam area. 11 closely spt forces in
Mongmit sector. About 100 FBs attack troop concentrations, gun
positions, supply points, trucks, and animal transport in battle
areas and behind enemy lines. Transports complete over 600 sorties to
forward areas throughout the day.
2/22/45
Fourteenth AF
19 FBs hit villages, tanks, and trucks from Hsiangcheng to Hsuchang,
attack railroad traffic around Sinsiang and Linfen, hit river craft,
trucks, and troops in Chiuchiang area, and claim 1 freighter sunk on
the Yangtze between Hankow and Nanking. A single B-25 attacks convoys
in Siang-Chiang Valley near Hengyang.
2/22/45
FEAF
100 B-24's hit troop concentrations NW of Ft Stotsenburg. P-47's
pound Corregidor. A-20's hit concentrations at Pugo, SW of Baguio,
B-24's bomb supply areas N and W of Baguio while P-51's hit Angin and
Marikina. B-24's bomb Tarakan and Labuan A/Fs.
2/22/45
Seventh AF
3 B-24's on armed rcn from Guam bomb A/F on Marcus. During 22/23 Feb,
6 HBs fly individual harassment strikes against Susaki A/F and town
of Okimura.
2/23/45
Eighth AF
As a follow-up to the previous day's attacks on transportation
facilities, 1,193 HBs strike 10 M/Ys and numerous T/Os, mostly rail
comm, in C Germany. Ftrs fly over 600 effective escort and strafing
sorties.
2/23/45
Ninth AF
9th Bomb Div hits comm centers E of Roer R as US Ninth Army crosses
the river and begins assault (Operation GRENADE) toward the Rhine.
Ftrs fly armed rcn, patrols, and alerts and spt US 104th and 8th Inf
Divs near Duren, XIII and XIX Corps' attack across the Roer at
Linnich and Rurdorf, and VIII, XII, and XX Corps at Prum R, E of Our
R, and E of Saar R.
2/23/45
Twelfth AF
A-20's on intruder missions during 22/23 Feb hit M/Ys and A/Fs
throughout N Italy. MBs concentrate on N end of Brenner Pass,
damaging bridges at Campo San Pietro and railroad fill at San Felice
del Benaco and hitting bridges at Dogna. FBs pound A/Fs, and enemy
movement in C and N Po Valley, and damage 6 bridges and cut rail
lines at numerous points.
2/23/45
Fifteenth AF
About 380 HBs hit M/Ys at Villach, Worgl, Knittelfeld, Klagenfurt and
Udine, plus Kitzbuhel railroad junction. 140-plus P-38's and P-51's
provide escort. Some of the ftrs strafe areas NW of Linz and N of
Munich. 35 other P-38's dive-bomb Worgl M/Y and afterwards 30 of them
strafe rail me Rosenheim-Innsbruck-Landeck. Other P-38's and P-51's
fly rcn and escort missions.
2/23/45
Tenth AF
20-plus P-47's spt ground forces in Mongmit sector and near Lashio,
hitting Japanese concentration. 12 B-25's and 120-plus FBs continue
pounding troop concentrations, supply areas, road trafflc, and ammo
dumps in frontline areas and behind enemy lines. Large transport
effort completes 655 sorties.
2/23/45
Fourteenth AF
29 B-24's and 22 ftrs scheduled to attack Shihkiachwang abort because
of bad weather. 8 P-51's hit railroad T/Os near Siaokan and attack
river traffic from Nanking to Hankow. 5 B-24's sweep Gulf of Tonkin
and S China Sea, damaging 1 vessel. 4 P-40's attack T/Os in Kaifeng
area.
2/23/45
FEAF
Strikes supporting ground forces continue throughout battle zones on
Luzon. P-47's hit Jesselton A/F while B-24's bomb Sandakan, Lahat
Datu, and Miri A/Fs. B-25's on shipping sweeps bomb vessels in Phan
Rang harbor and hit small convoy SW of Camranh Bay.
2/23/45
Seventh AF
26 B-24's from Angaur bomb San Roque A/F. 2 P-47's from Saipan on
armed rcn strafe Pagan. On 23/24 Feb, 7 B-24's from Guam fly snooper
raids against A/F on Chichi Jima and town of Okimura on Haha Jima.
Marines raise US flag on summit of Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima.
2/23/45
ZI
A P-38 from Santa Rosa AAFld shoots down Japanese balloon over
Calistoga.
2/24/45
Eighth AF
1,050 HBs attack 4 oil refineries, 3 M/Ys, shipyards, 2 rail bridges,
an industrial area, and a city area--all in Germany. 12 P-51 gps spt
the HBs, 8 of them strafing numerous ground tgts.
2/24/45
Ninth AF
Nearly 500 MBs and LBs hit 5 comm centers, 2 M/Ys, 3 rail bridges, 6
town areas, and a T/O as part of interdiction operations against
troops during Rhineland campaign. Ftrs spt 8th and 104th Inf Divs in
Duren area, XIII and XIX Corps at Roer R bridgehead area, and VIII,
XII, and XX Corps E of and along Prum R and in Saarlautern area.
2/24/45
Twelfth AF
During 23/24 Feb A-20's bomb M/Ys, including those at Castelfranco
Veneto, Rovereto, Villafranca di Verona, and Legnago, and A/Fs at
Villafranca di Verona, Ghedi, and Bergamo. MBs bomb rail lines,
bridges, bridge approaches, and fills at Bozzolo, Santa Margherita
d'Adige, San Michele all'Adige, Pizzighetone, and Lavis, and severely
damage Sesto Calende industrial complex. FBs hit comm, mainly A/Fs,
railroad bridges, lines, and M/Ys at several points including
Villafranca, Calliano, N of Nervesa della Battaglia, N of Santa
Margherita d'Adige, Bergamo, Pavullo nel Frigano, Isola della Scala,
and Motta di Livenza. Ftrs and FBs spt US Fifth Army forces, hitting
gun positions in adv of battlefront, at Montese and E of Modena, and
blast tgts in battle area as 10th Mountain Div reaches summit of
Monte Torraccia.
2/24/45
Fifteenth AF
More than 500 Hbs with ftr escorts) attack Udine, Padua, Verona, and
Ferrara M/Ys and Ferrara railroad bridge, M/Ys at Graz and
Klagenfurt, and several T/Os. During previous night 20 HBs continue
supply drops in N Italy.
2/24/45
Tenth AF
8 P-47's in close spt of ground forces near Lashio pound vehicle and
troop concentration. 12 B-25's and about 125 FBs strike against tgts
immediately behind lines, hitting troops, supply areas, occupied
towns and villages, vehicles, and general T/Os. Transports complete
600 sorties carrying men and supplies to forward areas.
2/24/45
Fourteenth AF
5 B 24's on individual sweeps over S China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin
claim 4 vessels sunk.
2/24/45
FEAF
On Luzon, strikes in spt of ground forces continue, especially W of
Ft Stotsenburg. FBs attack forces holding out on Corregidor. B-24's
bomb Sepinggang and Manggar A/Fs. B-25's sweep off China coast,
bombing naval base at Ryukyu-Sho.
2/24/45
Twentieth AF
In an all-incendiary attack 105 B-29's hit Empire Dock area at
Singapore, burning out about 40 per cent of the warehouse area. This
is the last 100-aircraft strike of XX BC.
2/24/45
Seventh AF
28 B-24's from Angaur bomb Ising. 3 B-24's on armed rcn from Guam
bomb Marcus A/F. During 24/25 Feb, 5 B-24's out of Guam fly
individual snooper strikes against Chichi Jima A/F and town of
Okimura.
2/24/45
Eleventh AF
4 B-25's on shipping sweep attack Hayakegawa. Returning, the B-25's
sight and photograph a Japanese bomb-carrying balloon.
2/25/45
Eighth AF
1,141 HBs attack 2 tank factories, 4 M/Ys, 2 A/Fs, an oil depot, and
3 T/Os (city areas) in SC Germany. 11 ftr gps on close escort and
area patrols cover the Hbs.
2/25/45
Ninth AF
9th Bomb Div strikes 4 rail bridges, 4 comm centers, M/Y and 9 T/Os
as part of interdiction campaign against Germany. Ftrs escort 9th
Bomb Div, attack assigned ground tgts, fly armed rcn, and spt 8th and
104th Inf Divs in Duren area, XIII and XIX Corps E of the Roer, and
VIII, XII, and XX Corps along the Prum and Saar Rivers.
2/25/45
Twelfth AF
A-20's (24/25 Feb) attack M/Ys at Villafranca di Verona, Cittadella,
Castelfranco Veneto, Trento, and Turin, and A/Fs at Villafranca di
Verona and Bergamo. MBs cut or damage bridges at Vipiteno, Dogna,
Ala, and Campo San Pietro, and railroad fill at San Felice del
Benaco. XXII TAC ftrs and FBs are restricted by ground haze in Po
Valley but attack rail lines, M/Ys, rolling stock, motor transport,
and dumps.
2/25/45
Fifteenth AF
Over 600 B-17's and B-24's bomb M/Ys in Amstetten, Linz (2) Villach
(2), and Salzburg, plus Linz benzol plant and ordnance depot and
several T/Os. Ftrs escort and some afterwards strafe T/Os in Austria,
SE Germany, and W Czechoslovakia. 37 P 51's strafe railroad tgts in
Rosenheim-MuhldorfLandshut-Augsburg areas. Routine rcn and supply
missions continue.
2/25/45
Tenth AF
In joint operations with British and Chinese army forces, l6 P-47's
spt British 36th Inf Div in Mongmit sector while 31 P-47's spt
Chinese 38th and 50th Divs near Lashio and Namtu, respectively. Low
B-25 strike knocks out suspension bridge at Namsang. 9 B-25's and 85
FBs blast troop concentrations, supply areas, road traffic, and
general T/Os behind enemy lines. 600-plus transport sorties are
completed to forward areas.
2/25/45
Fourteenth AF
6 B-25's, supported by 5 P-40's, hit sampans and buildings in Puchi
area. 3 B-25's and 19 P-40's pound Isuho ferry and attack river and
road traffic from Siangtan to Hengyang. A single B-25 bombs truck
convoys S of Hengyang. 4 B-24's over Gulf of Tonkin and S China Sea
claim damaging hits on 2 vessels. 44 P-51's and P-40's hit bridges,
river shipping, troop areas, and motor transport at Kweiyi, Paoching,
and Siangtan, from Lingling to Hengyang and Leiyang, from Anjen to
Chaling, N of Liuchow, and W of Ishan.
2/25/45
FEAF
B-24's bomb Takao. P-51's hit T/Os along E Formosa coast. B-24's
attack troop concentrations on E side of Ipo R and pound Japanese
positions between Ipo and Osboy. B-24's bomb Tawau and Labuan
A/Fs.
2/25/45
Twentieth AF
Gen Millard F Harmon, CG AAFPOA and Dep Cmdr of Twentieth AF, is lost
near Kwajalein when his aircraft disappears en route to Washington
DC. (On 2 Mar Gen Hale, AAFPOA dep cmdr for operations, assumes
Harmon's positions). 172 B-29's bomb urban area of Tokyo. Around 30
others hit alternates and T/Os. This is XXI BC's largest mission to
date and its first 3-wg strike against Japan as the 73rd and 313th
Bomb Wgs are joined by the 314th.
2/25/45
Seventh AF
9 Guam-based B-24's hit blockhouses, and mortar and rocket-launching
positions on NW part of Iwo Jima. 8 B-24's, flying separate
harassment strikes, pound A/Fs on Chichi Jima during 25/26 Feb.
2/26/45
Eighth AF
1,102 HBs hit 3 railroad stations in Berlin, plus T/Os including
Eberswalde. 15 ftr gps provide escort.
2/26/45
Ninth AF
235 A-20's, A-26's, and B-26's attack comm center at Wickrath, rail
and road junctions at Zieverich and Gladbach, a supply and ammo depot
(casual tgt), towns of Kapellen, Viersen, and Munstereifel, and T/Os.
Weather limits ftr operations to armed rcn flights in
Aschaffenburg-Wurzburg area by XIX TAC.
2/26/45
Twelfth AF
A-20's, during 25/26 Feb, considerably damage M/Ys at Castelfranco
Veneto and Bazzano. MBs bomb railroad bridges at Legnago, Ala,
Pontetidone, and San Michele all'Adige. Ftrs and FBs hit bridges,
M/Ys, rail lines, and transport tgts at numerous points including
Nervesa della Battaglia, Ora, Bologna, Trento, Vicenza, Castelnuovo
di Garfagnana, and Avisio, and bomb A/Fs at Ghedi and Bergamo. XXII
TAC aircraft also spt US Fifth Army forces in battle area S of
Bologna.
2/26/45
Fifteenth AF
During 25/26 Feb supply drops to N Italy continue. During the day 32
P-38's dive-bomb and strafe Graz-Bruck an der MurWiener-Neustadt rail
lines. 12 others fly top cover. Other P-38's and P-51's fly rcn and
escort missions. 102 B-24's, with ftr escort, dispatched against tac
tgts in Yugoslavia, are recalled when clouds completely cover
objectives.
2/26/45
Tenth AF
12 P-47's spt troops of British 36th Div in Mongmit area. 8 spt MARS
TF (US 533rd Brig) in Lashio sector while 16 others fly close spt for
Chinese 50th Div troops near Namhsam. 8 B-25s on low-level strikes
knock out bypass bridges an Mong Pawn and Loi-leng. 80-plus FBs and 4
B-25s continue to attck troops, supplies, road traffic, and other
targets immediately behind lines. Again 600-plus transport sorties
are flown.
2/26/45
Fourteenth
20 B-25s, some with fighter escort, bomb Ishan, Luchai, Siangtan,
and hit bridges at Chuchou and Loshan. 9 B-25s attack bridges,
railroad tracks, and heavy port equipment at Ha Trung, along the Chu
River, and at Hongay and Haiphong. 70-plus FBs on armed recon over S
and E China and N Indochina attack numerous T/Os including A/Fs, town
areas, and river, rail, road traffic.
2/26/45
FEAF
B-24s over Formosa hit Takao A/F while fighters on sweep strafe
railroad targets. B-24s bomb troop concentrations in Ipo Dam area and
spt ground forces NE of Manila. A-20s and FBs spt ground forces in
Echague A/F area, at Ternate, Trinidad, and Antipolo, and hit troops
W of St. Stotsenburg. A-20s, P-38s, and 47s hit Puerto Princesa.
B-24s hit Manggar and Sepinggang A/Fs. B-25s bomb Zettle A/F.
2/27/45
Eighth AF
1,012 HBs, in three forces, bomb Leipzig rail traffic center,
Halle M/Y and T/Os including Bitterfeld M/Y. 14 P-51 gps fly close
escort while a P-47 gp patrols Halle-Leipzig area. 11 gps later
strafe road and rail tgts.
2/27/45
Ninth AF
118 MBs and LBs attack Ahrweiler rail bridge, comm centers at
Glessen, Munstereifel. and Monheim, and a T/O. Ftrs fly leaflet
missions, attack Frankfurt/Main oil storage tanks, fly alerts, and
strafe from W of Duisberg to Worringen. XXIX TAC also flies spt for
XIII and XIX Corps SW and S of Monchen-Gladbach.
2/27/45
Twelfth
A-20s on 26/27 Feb bomb enemy movement at 14 different places in
Po Valley, M/Ys at Villafranca di Verona and Isola della Scala, town
of bazzano, and A/Fs at Villafranca di Verona and Ghedi. XXII TAC FBs
concentrate on railroad cutting in Brenner area and NE Italy,
claiming 36 cuts, and attack rolling stock in Villach area. MBs
destroy railroad diversion bridge at San Michele all'Adige and cut
approaches on Ala and Lavis bridges and effectively blast Spilimbergo
an Pagnocco dumps.
2/27/45
Fifteenth
540-plus B-24s and B-17s, with ftr escort, bomb M/Ys at Augs burg,
Salzburg, Lienz, and Jenbach, plus several T/Os. Escorting ftrs
strafe T/Os during return flight. Routine recon and supply mission
continue.
2/27/45
Tenth AF
18 P-47s closely support ground forces in Mongmit area. 4 others
knock out small bypass bridge at Hay-ti. About 100 FBs attack troop
concentrations, supplies. gun positions, elephant transport, road
traffic along battlefronts and behind enemy lines. Transport
operations continue on large-scale as 589 sorties are completed.
2/27/45
Fourteenth AF
12 B-25s knock out bridges and damage 2 others in N Indochina. 12
others bomb Ishan and Hwaiyuanchen. 4 B-24s over Gulf of Tonkin and S
China Sea attack shipping, claiming two vessels sunk. 19 FBs hit
barracks SW of Ishan, 15 attack Kiungshan A/F, 12 hit T/Os in Yoyang
area, 23 hit T/Os around Kiyang, and 30 others hit scattered T/Os at
other points in S and E China.
2/27/45
FEAF
B-24s, A-20s and P-38s strike Puerto Princesa in preparation for
the following morning's allied amphibous landings. On Luzon ground
spt continues on large-scale. P-51s bomb Baguio. On Mindanao P-38s
and USMC aircraft hit A/Fs. B-24s bomb Tarakan and Jesselton A/Fs.
Takao is hit by B-24s. Ftrs sweep W coast of Formosa. Sweeping China
coast, B-25s hit fleet of junks and sampans near Hong Kong destroying
and damaging more than 25.
2/27/45
Twentieth AF
Personnel of 58th Bomb Wing (VH) begin shipping out of Calcutta
for Tinian and Guam, implementing redeployment orders of 6 Feb WD
directive. Final shipment arrives in the Marianas on 6 Jun,
completing transfer of the wg from India without loss of a single
life or aircraft. During 27/28 Feb, 10 B-29s mine Johore Strait. 1
other mines Penang Harbor.
2/27/45
Seventh AF
9 Guam-based B-24s blast pillboxes, arty emplacements, blockhouse,
and mortar positions on N part of Iwo Jima. 22 B-24s from Angaur bomb
Daliao and Libby A/Fs. During 27/28 Feb, 9 HBs flying snooper strikes
out of Guam, bomb A/Fs, radio stations, and town of Omura.
2/28/45
Eighth AF
1,054 HBs using blind-bombing techniques strike 6 M/Ys, 2 rail
viaducts, a tank plant, and a few T/Os in WC Germany. 9 ftr gps give
close escort, airplanes from 5 gps later strafing ground targets. 5
other P-51 gps conduct successful strafing attacks on numerous tgts
while P-47 gp bombs M/Ys and factory buildings.
2/28/45
Ninth AF
340-plus A-20s, B-26s, and A-26s bomb rail bridges at Mayen,
Niederscheld, and Colbe, Unna ordnance depot, Kamp road junction,
Siegen and Sankt Wendel M/Ys, town of Rheinburg, and T/Os. Ftrs
escort 9th Bomb Division, fly sweeps, patrols, and armed recon,
attack special tgts, and support US 3rd Armd Div at Paffendorf
bridgehead, US Ninth Army elements near Monchen-Gladbach and Neuss
(2nd Armd Div reaches point within 6 miles of the Rhine), and VIII,
VII, and XX Corps between the Prum and Kyll Rivers and near
Trier.
2/28/45
Twelfth AF
On 27/28 Feb A-20s attack a few M/Ys, bridges, rail lines, and
general movement but because of bad weather are recalled by midnight.
XII TAC FBs continue to pound comm and other targets, including Ghedi
and Vicenza A/Fs, ammo dumps near Codroipo and W of Villafranca di
Verona, and shell loading plant SW of Piacenza. MBs bomb bridges at
Ala, Santa Margherita d'Adige, San Michele all'Adige, Ponte di Piave,
and Pordenone, and railway embarkment at Salorno.
2/28/45
Fifteenth AF
About 680 B-17s and B-24s bomb M/Ys at Lienz, Ora, Bolzano,
Vipiteno, Vicenza, Fortezza, Bressanone, Brunico, Brescia, and
Conegliano, and bridges at Albes and Verona-Parona di Valpolicella.
109 P-51s provide escort. 75 P-38s divebomb Sankt Veit an der Glan
M/Y and strafe rail lines in Sankt Veit-Klagenfurt-Villach-Ljubljana
areas. Other P-38sand P-51s strafe rail traffic around Bruck an der
Mur, Innsbruck, klagenfurt, Worgl, and Passau, and attack Bjelovar
A/F, destroying enemy-held B-24 and P-38. Recon and supply flights
are maintained.
2/28/45
Tenth AF
28 P-47s spt forces of British 36th Div in Mongmit area. 75 FBs
continue pounding troop concentrations, supply dumps, and road
traffic behind enemy lines, 552 transport sorties are flown, landing
men and supplies at forward bases and dropping supplies to frontline
troops.
2/28/45
Fourteenth AF
2 B-25s attack T/Os in Hsiang River Valley while 2 P-51s hit T/Os
NE of Hengyang. A single B-24 damages a cargo vessel in S China
Sea.
2/28/45
FEAF
B-24s strike A/Fs at Sandaken and Labuan. B-24s bomb Caldera Point
and B-25s hit San Roque A/F. B-25s fly napalm raid against Sanga
Sanga A/F.
2/28/45
Seventh AF
8 Guam-based B-24s pound Susaki A/F. 23 B-24s from Angaur bomb Sasa A/F. During 28 Feb/1 MAr 6 HBs from Guam, flying seperate harassment strikes, bomb Susaki A/F again.
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