This Day In The War, In The Pacific

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1941
Japan offers to mediate in the conflict between French Indochina and Thailand.

U.S.: In Washington, D.C., President Franklin D. Roosevelt is inaugurated for his third term in office.

1942
AUSTRALIA: Major General George H Brett, Commanding General US Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA), halts ferrying of aircraft from India to the Netherlands East Indies. The USAAF has been sendingheavy bombers to Java by way of Africa and India, but the Japanese are able to inflict prohibitive losses on USAAF aircraft on the last stops of the route by interception from newly acquired airfields near Java. Brett advises the U.S. War Department that, in his capacity as the ABDA Command's deputy commander, he has taken over the supervision, but not the actual command, of all air activities in the Southwest Pacific.
USN destroyer USS Edsall and Australian minesweeper HMAS Deloraine sink Japanese submarine HIJMS I-124 off Darwin, Northern Territory.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Ninety Japanese carrier-based aircraft from the aircraft carriers HIJMS Akagi, HIJMS Kaga, HIJMS Shokaku and HIJMS Zuikaku attack Rabaul on New Britain Island, causing serious damage.
No. 24 Squadron RAAF loses six aircraft (3 shot down, 1 wrecked after take-off and 2 damaged in crash landings) leaving two Wirraways in commission. The squadron commander sends the following message to Northeast Area HQ: "2 Wirraways useless defence. Will you now please send some fighters."
Kavieng on New Ireland Island, is also attacked by air but by a smaller force.

BURMA: The Japanese cross into Burma in force and begin an assault on north Tenasserim, attacking the 16th Brigade, Indian 17th Division, on the Myawadi-Kawkareik road, near the Thai border east of Moulmein, in conjunction with air attacks.

CELEBES SEA: A Japanese convoy is reported in Makassar Strait, bound for Balikpapan, Borneo.

MALAYA: The British 53d Brigade counterattacks west of Yong Peng but is unable to recover lost ground. The Muar force begins a difficult withdrawal toward Yong Peng and the withdrawal of Segamat forces continues.
During the night of 20/21 January, the Australian 27th Brigade Group moves from the Segamat River line to Yong Peng; the Indian 9th Division pulls back to defensive position to the east.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: The six USAAF Far East Air Force B-17's that landed at Del Monte Field on Mindanao, Philippine Islands, yesterday, take off and attempt to bomb Japanese shipping at Jolo Island but abort to bad weather. The aircraft return to SingosariAirdrome on Java carrying 23 B-17 aircrew who had been left at Del Monte Field.

PACIFIC: A Dutch Dornier flying boat spotted a small vessel off the coast of Samboaja, heading for Balikpapan, Borneo. The flying-boat landed near the vessel, the motor boat Parsifal, and took aboard a two Dutch officer captured on Tarakan Island and three Japanese soldier-interpreter s and flew them to Balikpapan. They carried a message from the Japanese to the Balikpapan Garrison Commander, demanding that the oil refinery installations there be handed over to the Japanese Army without being
damaged; this offer was refused by the Dutch commander and the three Japanese were returned to their outfits.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the Japanese contain repeated attacks by the Philippine Division (U.S. 31st and Philippine Scout 45th Regiments) on the western flank of the II Corps while preparing for a major assault to begin on 22 January. After further fighting before Guitol, the Japanese retire northward. In the I Corps area, the Japanese maintain pressure and continue infiltration into the right flank from Mt. Silanganan.
Motor torpedo boat PT-31, damaged by grounding on reef north of Mayagao Point, Bataan, the day before, is burned by crew to prevent capture.

SAMOA ISLANDS: The U.S. Second Marine Brigade (Brigadier General Henry L. Larson, USMC) arrives at Pago Pago on Tutuila Island, America Samoa, in transports SS Lurline, SS Matsonia, and SS Monterey, along with cargo ship USS Jupiter and ammunition ship USS Lassen, to protect that portion of the important lifeline to Australia. Cover for the operation is provided by Task Force 8 formed around aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) and TF 17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher) formed around aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. The two carrier task forces then set course for the Japanese-held Marshalls and Gilberts to carry out the initial raids on the enemy's defensive perimeter.

THAILAND: Pilots of the 2d Fighter Squadron, American Volunteer Group shoot down three "Ann" Light Bombers over Mesoht Airdrome.

U.S.: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs a bill that decrees Daylight Savings Time for the duration of the war. It goes into effect on 9 February.

South China Sea: The US submarine S-36 commanded by John R. Mcknight Jr. ran aground on Taka Bakang Reef-South end of Makassar Strait. No hands lost.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, the weather aircraft aborts shortly after takeoff. A B-24 and a Navy PBY search without results for the two B-24s missing since Monday.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Seventh Air Force) The 371st Bombardment Squadron, 307th BG with B-24s and based at Wheeler Field, Territory of Hawaii begins operating from Midway.

CBI (Tenth Air Force) The 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d FG with P-40s transfers from Chanyi to Yunnani, China.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force) B-26s claim a hit on a destroyer off southern Bougainville . B-17s with fighter escort attack ships near Shortland without scoring hits. They are met by Zekes and float biplanes; eight are shot down with the loss of one US fighter. The advance grund echelon of the 18th Photographic Mapping Squadron, 4th Photographic Group arrives at Dumbea, New Caledonia from the US. The bulk of the air echelon is still in the US.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, B-25s bomb supply dumps at Lae and targets on Aroe ; B-24s, operating singly, attack Madang and Finschhafen. B-24s, operating singly, attack Cape Gloucester and Gasmata. Lost is B-24D 41-24101 near Wewak. The 64th and 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG (Heavy) with B-17s transfers from Mareeba to 7-Mile Drome.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In N Burma, 40+ A-36's and P-51's hit storage dumps along the railway in the Mogaung area and billets and warehouse area at Mohnyin. In S Burma, 16 P-38's and 6 B-25's knock out a railroad bridge, pipeline, and railroad tracks in the Nattalin area.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-24's on sweep from Hong Kong to Swatow, China, attack a freighter and a tanker, which are reported sinking.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 13 B-24's, staging through Tarawa Atoll hit Wotje Atoll during the night of 19/20 Jan. Lost is B-24D "Sexy Sue" 41-23938. Eight B-25's from Abemama , Gilbert , bomb Rakaaru ; other B-25's sent from Tarawa Atoll against shipping at Ailinglapalap Atoll, abort because of bad weather; 9 P-40's from the Gilbert strafe a corvette and a schooner at Jaluit Atoll, mortally damaging both vessels; 4 other P-40's bomb Mille Atoll. HQ 11th Bombardment Group and 98th Bombardment Squadron transfer from Funafuti and Nukufetau respectively to Tarawa Atoll with B-24's.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Several targets on Bougainville are bombed by 2 squadrons of B-24's. 18 B-25's, with about 70 escorting fighters, pound the airfield, fuel dump and gun positions, at Vunakanau Airfield. Lost are F4U 02402, F4U 17914 and F4U 55835. Also B-25C "Skilla" 42-64570 and P-38J 42-67618. HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) and 75th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) transfer from the Renard Field to Sterling with B-25's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 37 B-25's and a B-24 bomb and strafe the Hansa Bay area; 60+ B-25's hit positions on Shaggy Ridge; and P-39's strafe troops at Weber Point. 25 A-20's hit positions between Borgen Bay and Rein Bay, New Britain, and hit barge hideouts and enemy held areas on Gasmata. Transfers in New Guinea: HQ 71st Reconnaissance Group from Port Moresby to Nadzab; "A" flight of the 110th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group, based at Port Moresby, begins operating from Gusap with P-39Q's.

1945
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-24s bomb the Kataoka area on Shimushu

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s hit a bridge and railroad cars near Hanoi, French Indochina. In China, 3 B-25s attack targets of opportunity W of Hengshan, 2 hit a troop compound and other targets at Chaling and Anjen, and 1 damages a small freighter in the E China Sea; 32 P-51s pound airfields in the Shanghai area, claiming 22 aircraft destroyed; 200+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over vast S China and N French Indochina areas attack bridges, town areas, rail, road and river traffic, and other targets of opportunity at numerous points. The detachment of the 22d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st BG (Medium), operating from Yunnani, China with B-25s, returns to base at Yangkai.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Brigadier General Roger M Ramey officially becomes Commanding General XX Bomber Command.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 fighter-bombers support ground forces along the Irrawaddy River near Mabein, Shadaw, and Myitson; 8 others hit an ammunition dump at Namhkai and a supply dump at Kutkai; also hit are troop concentrations, supply areas and targets of opportunity at Kyaunghkam, Panghung, Kawnglom, Namhsan, Loi-kang, and in the Hsenwi area. 482 transport sorties are flown to advanced bases and battle sectors. HQ 80th Fighter Group moves from Tingkawk Sakan to Myitkyina, Burma. In India, the 127th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda with UC-64s and L-5s, sends a detachment to operate from Cox's Bazar (first mission is today)

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 Guam based B-24s bomb airfields on Iwo Jima; 5 from Saipan hit the town of Okimura on Chichi Jima; during the night of 20/21 Jan, 10 B-24s from Guam fly separate snooper strikes against Iwo Jima airfields. The 163d Liaison Squadron, AAFPOA (attached to Tenth Army) arrives at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii from the US with L-5s.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Major General Curtis Emerson LeMay takes command of the XXI Bomber Command.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: B-24s pound Fabrica Airfield on Negros and bomb underground storage area at Bamban. On Luzon, A-20s and B-25s hit railroads and trains near the Bicol River and between Calauag and Legaspi; other A-20s and fighter-bombers hit Aparri, Laoag and Tubang Airfields, hit artillery positions W of Bong Bong and destroy railroad bridge at Aloneros. HQ 35th FG moves from Morotai to Mangaldan. The 2d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Angaur Airfield to Guiuan Airfield with B-24s. The 82d and 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, arrive at Lingayen Airfield from Morotai and Dulag respectively with F-6s and P-40s (82d) and P-40s (110th).

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 238, JANUARY 20, 1945

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, en*countered moderate antiaircraft fire while bombing airstrips on Marcus Island on January 15 (West Longitude Date).
During a rainstorm on the night of January 17 two barges carrying about 64 enemy troops landed on Peleliu Island from neighboring Japanese‑held bases in the Palaus. Forty‑nine of the attackers were killed, two taken prisoners and the remainder surrounded by our forces. At last reports no damage had been caused to our installations.
Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed installations on Urukthapel in the Palaus and struck at buildings and small craft at Merir and Sonsoral Islands southwest of the Palaus on January 17. On the following day Marine Corsairs sank a barge and a launch and struck a bridge on Babelthuap.
On January 18 Marine Torpedo planes bombed enemy installations on Yap in the western Carolines;
Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Kurabu Saki at the southern end of Paramushiru in the Kuriles on January 19. Meager antiair*craft fire was encountered.
Neutralizing raids on enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls were continued by planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on January 16.

 

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1940
CHINA: Two former associates of Wang Ching-wei, head of the Japanese sponsored Chinese government in Nanking, publish a text of an agreement, signed by Wang, giving Japan total political and economic dominion in China. Wang issues a strenuous denial.

1941
Yosuke Matsuoka, the Japanese Foreign Minister, warns the US against meddling in Asian affairs.

1942
AUSTRALIA: The Australian corvettes HMAS Deloraine, HMAS Katoomba and HMAS Lithgow sink Japanese submarine HIJMS I-124 off Darwin, Northern Territory.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Carrier-based Japanese aircraft from the aircraft carriers HIJMS Akagi and HIJMS Kaga again bomb Rabaul on New Britain Island while aircraft from HIJMS Shokaku and HIJMS Zuikaku bomb Kaviengon New Ireland Island.

CELEBES SEA: In response to the movement of the Japanese convoy sighted the previous day in Makassar Strait, a USN task force (Rear Admiral William A. Glassford), consisting of the light cruisers USS Boise(flagship) and USS Marblehead and four destroyers sails from Koepang, Timor, Netherlands East Indies to engage it. En route, however, USS Boise steams across an uncharted pinnacle in Sape Strait, and suffers sufficient damage to eliminate her from the force. Turbine trouble limits USS Marblehead (the ship to which Glassford transfers his flag) to only 15 knots, so the admiral orders the destroyers (Commander Paul H. Talbot) ahead.
USN submarine USS S-36, damaged by grounding on Taka Bakang Reef in Makassar Strait yesterday, is scuttled by her crew.

CHINA: The Chinese Government accepts the proposal that U.S. Major General Joseph W. Stilwell act as chief of the Generalissimo' s Allied staff and agrees to give him executive authority over Allied Units. The Chinese 49th Division of the 6th Army, is authorized to move Into Burma.

FIJI ISLANDS: The USAAF's Hawaiian Air Force B-17's of Task Group 8.9 fly from Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands to Nandi on West Viti Levu Island in the Fiji Islands.

MALAYA: The withdrawal of defense forces from the Muar and Segamat fronts continues. The Commander of West Force is placed in charge of all troops on the Yong Peng-Muar road and the Muar force is supplied by air.
East Force patrols ambush the Japanese force driving on Mersing. The Japanese 55th Regiment captures Endau on the east coast. Australian troops, trapped by a Japanese roadblock at Parit Sulong, try to break through swamp and jungle to reach British lines. Before setting off, they leave their wounded at the roadside, "lying huddled around trees, smoking calmly, unafraid." The Japanese capture the men and shoot them.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the II Corps area on Bataan, the Japanese continue preparations for an offensive, massing their assault forces on extreme western flank of the corps; the Japanese also contain the further attempts of the Philippine Division to restore the western flank positions.
In the I Corps area, a small enemy force, having circled about the eastern flank of the corps, reaches West Road in the area 4 miles east of Mauban and blocks it, cutting off the 1st Division troops along the main line of resistance from forces to the south.
Forces that can be spared from other sectors attack the Japanese block from the north and south but are unable to reduce it.
USAAF Far East Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses based on Java stage through Del Monte Field on Mindanao Island to attack Japanese targets in the Philippines. Three aircraft are badly damaged by Japanese fighters.

U.K.: Prime Minister Winston Churchill urges his Chiefs of Staff to consider writing Singapore off and sending reinforcements en route there to Burma.

U.S.: General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, advises President Franklin D. Roosevelt that the Army expects the Japanese to attack Dutch Harbor on Unalaska Island in the Aleutian Islands, Territory of Alaska, at any time. The president orders that a plan to establish a striking force in Aleutian Islands be created and executed by the summer of 1942.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, a weather reconnaissance aircraft flies. An attack run over Kiska and a patrol over Amchitka are call off due to weather. Air searches for the two B-24s missing since Monday continue.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomons, B-17s, B-26s and P-39s pound a bivouac and other targets in Munda, New Georgia . B-17s also attack shipping east of Kieta, Bougainville . HQ Thirteenth Air Force transfers from Noumea, New Caledonia to Espiritu Santo , New Hebrides .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb the airfield and shipping in Rabaul. In northeastern New Guinea, B-25s hit supply dumps and airfields. A single B-24 attacks a cruiser at Amboinea Harbor on Ambon. The 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG with B-17s and B-24s transfers from Turnbull Field to Mareeba. The squadron will begin transitioning from B-17s to B-24s.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 P-40's score near misses on the Loilaw bridge and strafe Budagon nearby, starting several fires. 16 A-36's and P-51's support ground forces near Sumprabum, and 11 more bomb forces SW of Kamaing.

AUSTRALIA: After a week of talks here the prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand have today signed the Australian-New Zealand pact. Australia's leader, Mr John Curtin, described the agreement as a landmark in international collaboration in the Pacific. The text of the pact will not be published until it is formally ratified, but it covers the establishment of a regional defence zone in the South-west Pacific, co-operation in the war effort and agreement of armistice terms.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 16 B-24's staging through Tarawa Atoll during the night of 20/21 bomb targets on Kwajalein Atoll; 6 Tarawa-based B-25's hit Arno Atoll, and 12 bomb Aur Atoll; 9 B-25's from Abemama hit gun positions, barracks, and runways on Mille Atoll; 23 A-24s and 11 P-40's from Makin attack gun positions, ammunition and oil storage, barracks, and 2 small vessels at Jaluit Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 38 B-24's pound the runway and revetment area at Borpop Airfield. P-39's strafe Kara and Kahili; and RNZAF Ventura's and B-24's on armed reconnaissance bomb Kalakapisi, Nukiki, and Buka on Buka .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25's, A-20's, and P-39's bomb the Madang area, and strafe villages near Saidor and troops from Reiss Point to Erima. On New Britain, B-25's and P-39's strafe barges from Cape Raoult to Rein Bay and hit targets of opportunity along the the N coast; single B-24's on armed reconnaissance blast a control tower at Hoskins Airfield, and hit ships near Kavieng and at Lorengau. 2 B-24's bomb Waingapoe, Sunda .

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 30 B-24s pound the Hong Kong area; 12 P-51s hit Nanking Airfield (claiming 11 enemy aircraft destroyed) and targets of opportunity along the Yangtze River to Hankow; 30 P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity at several locations; 12 of the fighter-bombers concentrate on the Wanting area.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-25s bomb Heho Airfield; 12 P-38s bomb the bridge area at Nampawng; 26 P-47s support ground forces near Twinnge, Mahlainggon, and Konkha along the Irrawaddy River, and in the Si-U sector; 50+ P-38s and P-47s hit troop concentrations, supplies, and targets of opportunity at Me-han, Mogok, Hsenwi, Na-makhkaw, Kutkai, Kunhkan, and Man On. Nearly 500 transports sorties are flown to forward areas. Units moving to Myitkyina, Burma: 90th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, from Tingkawk, Burma with P-47s; 115th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], from Ledo, India with L-1s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 Guam based B-24s bomb airfields on Iwo Jima; during the night of 21/22 Jan, 8 more, flying separate snooper strikes from Saipan, pound the airfields.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 21: 30 of 33 B-29s, flying out of the Mariana , bomb Moen Airfield in Truk Atoll.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Marikina Airfield and hit barracks and coastal defense guns at Calabasan. B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers fly sweeps, small strikes, and armed reconnaissance attacks on airfields, road networks, bridges, gun positions, numerous vehicles, and other targets of opportunity throughout C and S Luzon. HQ 22d BG and the 33d Bombardment Squadron move from Angaur Airfield to Guiuan Airfield with B-24s.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 239, JANUARY 21, 1945

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos on January 18 ( West Longitude Date). Three enemy fighters rose to intercept our aircraft and one was shot down.
On the same date Army Liberators bombed harbor installations at Chichi Jima in the Bonins starting fires in barracks and warehouse areas.
On January 19 carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet shot down 16 enemy planes which were attempting to fly from Formosa to Luzon.
Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed and strafed bar*racks areas and a radio station on Wake Island on January 19. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.
Single Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Matsuwa and Onekotan Islands south of Paramushiru in the Kuriles on January 20.
Neutralizing raids on enemy held bases in the Marshalls were continued by planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on January 19.

 

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1942
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Carrier-based aircraft from HIJMS Akagi and HIJMS Kaga attack Rabaul on New Britain Island for the third straight day. The last of the fixed defenses are destroyed.
Japanese troops land on Mussau Island, largest island in the Saint Mathias group, located 113 miles NW of Kavieng, New Ireland Island.

BURMA: The Indian 16th Brigade breaks off action in the Kawkareik area and falls back toward Moulmein.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: The USN's Task Force Eleven (TF 11) (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr.), formed around carrier USS Lexington, departs Oahu to raid Wake Island.

MAKASSAR STRAIT: The Japanese invasion force headed for Balikpapan, Borneo, crosses the equator at 2000 hours local.
From this date through 3 February, USAAF FEAF B-17's launch at least 15 missions out of Malang, Java, against shipping moving through Makassar Strait between Borneo and Celebes Island. Four missions abort due to bad weather, six end with negative results, and the remaining five suffer heavy losses but sink 4 ships.

MALAYA: The six-day battle on the Muar front ends in victory for the Japanese. The Indian 45th Brigade, despite close air and naval support during the operation, is destroyed as a fighting body. The Muar force destroys its vehicles and weapons and pushes toward Yong Peng by infiltration, leaving their wounded behind. The Batu Pahat defense force (a detachment of the Indian 11th Division) skirmishes with the Japanese on the Batu Pahat-Ayer Hitam road. The Indian 8th Brigade Group, 9th
Division, having withdrawn from the Segamat sector to positions astride the main road between Labis and Yong Peng, is attacked by enemy. The East Force repels the Japanese attempt to cross the river at Mersing. The partly trained Indian 44th Brigade, reinforced, and 7,000 Indian reinforcements arrive at Singapore.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: Australian sloop HMAS Warrego and HMAS Koolama land reinforcements on Ambon Island.

NEW GUINEA: Carrier based aircraft from HIJMS Shokaku and HIJMS Zuikaku attack Lae, Salamaua and Bulolo.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, General Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief US Army Forces Far East (USAFFE), orders the withdrawal of the
entire Mauban-Abucay line southward to a final defense position, behind the Pilar-Bagac road; the withdrawal is to start after nightfall on 23 January and be completed by daylight of 26 January. In the II Corps area, the Japanese open an offensive that forces the Philippine Division back to positions east and south of Abucay Hacienda, approximately those held at beginning of counter-offensive on 16 January. In the I Corps area, elements of 91st Division, Philippine Army (PA), supported by
Philippine Scouts of the 26th Cavalry and tanks, attempt unsuccessfully to reduce the roadblock on West Road and to reach 1st Division, PA, troops still fighting along the main line of resistance to the north. The Japanese begin a series of amphibious operations during the night of 22-23 January, when a battalion embarks in barges at Moron and sails toward Caibobo Point, below Bagac.Motor Torpedo Boat 34 (PT-34) (Lieutenant John D. Bulkeley) encounters and sinks two landing barges.
Japanese reinforcements land in the Subic Bay area.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Hawaiian Air Force): HQ 14th Pursuit Wing is inactivated at Wheeler Field, Oahu. B-17's of Task Group 8.9 return from Nandi in Fiji to Canton.

USN - The first naval aircraft to operate in the Samoans, OS2Us of VS-1-D14, arrived with Marine Corps reinforcements from San Diego.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, a weather reconnaissance aircraft flies. An attack run over Kiska and a patrol over Amchitka are call off due to weather. Air searches for the two B-24s missing since Monday continue.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomons, B-17s, B-26s and P-39s pound a bivouac and other targets in Munda, New Georgia . B-17s also attack shipping east of Kieta, Bougainville . HQ Thirteenth Air Force transfers from Noumea, New Caledonia to Espiritu Santo , New Hebrides .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb the airfield and shipping in Rabaul. In northeastern New Guinea, B-25s hit supply dumps and airfields. A single B-24 attacks a cruiser at Amboinea Harbor on Ambon. The 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG with B-17s and B-24s transfers from Turnbull Field to Mareeba. The squadron will begin transitioning from B-17s to B-24s.

NEW GUINIE: The Buna and Gona area's have been cleared of Japanese troops.

GUADALCANAL: Since the request on January 12 for tank support to suppress the "Gifu" on Guadalcanal, engineers have been scratching out a road for them. Of 3 tanks inherited from the Marines, now manned by the 25th Div. Reconnaissance Squadron, only one reaches the area in operational condition. Commanded by Capt. Ted Deese the attack begins at 10:30 am. He makes two penetrations destroying 8 pillboxes and breaching a gap of almost 200 yards. This gap allows the 2nd Btn 35th Infantry to occupy a new line inside the outer rim of pillboxes.

1944
AMERICAN ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): HQ 343d Fighter Group transfers from Amchitka , Aleutian to Alexai Point, Alaska.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 B-24's bomb an encampment at Prome; 16 A-36's and P-51's and a single B-25 attack communications and supply dumps between Kumnyen and Ngamaw Ga; 12 A-36's and P-51's support ground forces in the Sumprabum area; 11 P-40's severely damage the Namkwin railroad bridge. 492d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Panagarh to Madhaiganj, India with B-24's.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 P-40's and 5 P-51's strafe the newly opened Nanchang airfield, killing about 20 troops and destroying an airplane and a truck; 12 P-38's knock out bridges at Shektan and Sheklung.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): In the Marshall , 18 B-24's, flying from Tarawa Atoll hit targets on Kwajalein, Jaluit and Mille Atoll; 10 B-25's from Abemama hit Maloelap; 9 others, flying out of Tarawa, bomb shipping and shore installations at Wotje Atoll; 3 B-25's are lost during the day's missions; 10 Japanese aircraft are claimed shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 27 B-25's, with 90+ supporting fighters, attack Lakunai Airfield, doing considerable damage to runway and revetment areas; they claim 18 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-25 and 4 fighters are lost. 6 B-25's and 30+ B-24's pound the town of Rabaul.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25's strafe villages, bridges, and barges from Cape Gourdon to Cape Croisilles, New Guinea, and hit shipping at Papitalai, Los Negros , sinking a small vessel and a barge and severely damaging a jetty. A-20's, P-40's and RAAF aircraft hit numerous scattered targets of opportunity on New Britain. Lost on a test flight is P-38G 42-12711.

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 16 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack various targets in the Wanting area and in SW China; 10 P-51s bomb buildings at the Kunlong ferry; 14 P-51s and P-40s hit the Sintsiang railroad yards and destroy several locomotives and trucks E of Tsinan and Suchow; the flights of the 21st and 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons and 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron,
Fourteenth AF, operating from Suichwan with F-4s, F-5s, P-40s and P-51s, return to base at Kunming and Chengkung.

BURMA: The Indian 7th Division captures Tilin.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 46 P-47s support ground forces near Si-U, Namhkam, and along the Irrawaddy River near Twinnge, Bahe, the Nam Mit River, Myitson, and Banwe; 12 others hit targets of opportunity along roads near Kutkai, Hsenwi, Lashio, and Namtu; troop concentrations, fuel and ammunition dumps, vehicles, and general supplies are pounded at Kin, Padan, Man Lom, Namtu, Hkamtung, Kabaing, Nammaw-hpek, Panglaw, and Na-hsang. Transports fly 449 sorties to advanced bases and frontline areas. In Burma, the 5th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], moves from Mytikyina to Bhamo with L-1s and L-5s; the 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Ye-U to Shwebo with UC-64s and L-5s. The 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India with C-47s, sends a detachment to operate from Bikram, India.
MALAYA - The Malacca Government will reward $10,000 to anyone who managed to capture downed bomber crews. Reward of $1,000 will be given to anyone who can provide useful information lead to the capture of the downed crews.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24s from Guam blast airfields on Iwo Jima, while 8 more B-24s flying individual strikes from Guam pound the airfields again during the night of 22/23 Jan.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, escorted by P-38s, bomb Heito Airfield in the first major Fifth AF strike on Formosa. On Luzon , other B-24s bomb barracks in the Cabaruan Hills and gun positions across Manila Bay and hit Fabrica Airfield. In smaller miscellaneous strikes, FEAF fighters and bombers over C and S Luzon hit enemy positions, small shipping, and highways at several points, and damage a bridge over the Magata River. HQ Fifth AF, HQ V Bomber Command and HQ V Fighter Command move from Leyte to Mindoro . The 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Dulag begins operating from Biak with F-7s. The 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Morotai to Mangaldan with P-47s. The air echelon of the 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from San Jose and moves to Lingayen Airfield with P-40s.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 240, JANUARY 22, 1945

On January 20 (West Longitude Date) carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet attacked the enemy air force, shipping and. installations in Formosa. Forty‑three Japanese aircraft were destroyed in aerial combat, 97 were de*stroyed on the ground, and approximately 100 more were damaged in attacks on the airdromes at Heito, Choshu, Matsuyama, Eiko, Kuputsua, Giran, Koshum and Taien. Intense antiaircraft fire was encountered at Takao. Reports of damage to enemy shipping are as yet incomplete, but at Takao two large ships and the docks and industrial area were left burning furiously. Considerable damage was inflicted on shipping at Keelung, Toshien and Nan Wan in Formosa, at Mako in the Pescadores and in the Sakishima Islands.
During this operation one of our major ships was damaged. Our aircraft losses were relatively light.
Eleventh Army Air Force planes attacked Kataoka Wan on the island of Shimushu in the northernmost Kuriles on the same day.
Docks and buildings on Yap were bombed and small craft at Babelthuap were destroyed by planes of Fleet Air Wing One on the same day.
Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing aircraft made neutralization raids on islands in the Marshall group.

 

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1942
AUSTRALIA: Australian Prime Minister John Curtin cables British Prime Minister Winston Churchill stating, After all the assurances we have been given, the evacuation of Singapore would be regarded here and elsewhere as an inexcusable betrayal.
USN destroyer USS Edsall is damaged by an explosion of its own depth charges during an attack on a submarine contact in Howard Channel, Clarence Strait, one of the approaches to Darwin, Northern Territory.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The Japanese 55th Regimental Group, numbering about 5300 troops, lands at Rabaul on New Britain Island while the Maizuru Special Naval Landing Force lands at Kavieng on New Ireland Island.
The small Australian garrison at Rabaul numbers 76 officers and 1314 other ranks. Two officers and 26 men are killed today, about 130 men of the 2/22nd Battalion are massacred at Tol, south of Rabaul, in February 1942, about 400 escape to Australia and New Guinea and the remaining 800 become POWs. At Kavieg, six men of the 1st Independent Company are killed and the rest are captured.
Five RAAF Catalinas attempt to attack a Japanese convoy off Wantom Island which lies a few kilometers north of Rabaul. The mission is aborted due to darkness and poor visibility.

BURMA: Japanese aircraft begin a period of intensified attacks on the Rangoon area in effort to destroy Allied aircraft in Burma. Pilots of the 1st and 2d Fighter Squadrons, American Volunteer Group shoot down five "Nate" fighters, over Rangoon at 1030 hours local, and five "Mary" Light Bombers and seven Ki-27 fighters over Rangoon at 1230 hours.

MALAYA: Rear guards from the Segamat and Muar fronts complete a withdrawal through Yong Peng at midnight, 23/24 January; West Force then comes under command of the Indian 3 Corps, which is to defend central Johore State and thereby protect Singapore naval base until reinforcements arrive. The Japanese are to be kept north of the line Batu Pahat-Ayer Hitam-Kluang- Jemaluang, if possible. Fighting continues in the Batu Pahat area, and the road from there to Ayer Hitam is closed. The Japanese
intensify air attacks.
Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival, General Officer Commanding Malaya Command, orders the implementation of the plan for the withdrawal of British and Commonwealth troops to Singapore Island.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: Japanese Invasion forces move south in two convoys, one through Makassar Strait to Balikpapan on Borneo and the other through Molucca Passage to Kendari on Celebes Island. Unopposed landings are made at both places, but the convoy off Balikpapan is attacked by Dutch planes. On Sumatra, RAF reinforcements from the Middle East begin arriving at Palembang, where one of the two airdromes is attacked for the first time by enemy planes.
During the night of 23/24 January soldiers and officers of the Japanese Sasebo Combined Special Naval Landing Force went ashore north of Kendari, Celebes Island. Several hours later, they reached their main objective-the Kendari Airdrome which they captured.

PACIFIC: The oiler USS Neches is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine HIJMS I-72, 136 miles WSW of Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, in position, 21.01N, 160.06W. The loss of the oiler supporting Task Force Eleven (TF 11) (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr.) forces cancellation of the projected raid on Wake Island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the Philippine Division, on the II Corps western flank, withstands increasingly heavy pressure. After nightfall, the II Corps begins awithdrawal to the final defense line. In the I Corps area, the Japanese maintain heavy pressure against the Mauban main line of resistance and frustrate further attempts to reduce the roadblock on West Road. In the Service Command Area, a Japanese amphibious force heading for Cobweb Point, having lost its way during the night, arrives at two points on the southwestern coast, both well south of the objective. About a third land at Longoskawayan Point; the rest land at Quinauan Point. Brigadier General A.C. McBride, responsible for defense of the southern tip of Bataan except for the naval reservation near Mariveles, sends Philippine Constabulary elements to Quinauan Point, but they make little headway. Commander Francis J. Bridget, commanding the naval reservation, dispatches sailors and marines to Longoskawayan Point; these, reinforced by personnel of U.S. 301st Chemical Company and a howitzer from the Constabulary, clear Pucot Hill, but the Japanese return after nightfall.

PHOENIX ISLANDS: The USAAF's Hawaiian Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses of Task Group 8.9 return from Nandi in the Fiji Islands to Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Elements of the Japanese Fourth Fleet invade Kieta on Bougainville Island without opposition.

U.S.: The Roberts Commission, whose work had begun on 18 December 1941, concludes its investigation to "ascertain and report the facts relating to the attack made by the Japanese armed forces upon the Territory of Hawaii on December 7, 1941..." The exhibits gathered amount to 2,173 printed pages.
Major General Joseph W. Stilwell, in Washington, accepts the China assignment and takes over part of the staff previously selected by Lieutenant General Hugh A. Drum.
The USAAF's Flying Training Command is established under the Chief of Air Corps and given jurisdiction over the Southeast Gulf Coast and West Coast Flying Training Centers which had been established on 8 July 40.
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) begins to televise a series of training programs for air raid wardens in the New York City area, the start of educational television broadcasting in the U.S.
Task Force 6814 departs New York for New Zealand and then to New Caledonia. This unit with other additions will become the Americal Division. New Caledonia was a Free French French colony. With the Japanese war machine rolling, the French asked on 12-15-41 for military assistance on (protection) .
Troops from the British Empire (NZ and Aust.) were committed in North Africa. DeGaulle had been discussing the possibility of allowing Allied airfield construction prior to Pearl Harbor.
TF 6814 was built around 2 regiments, the 132nd (Illinois) and the 182nd. These had been declared surplus when the federalized NG 33rd and 26th Divisions had been reorganized into triangular divisions.The 164th Regiment (North Dakota) was later added and thus the units were in place for the creation of the Americal Division. Ameri(cans in New) Cal(edonia) gives you the name.

USN destroyers Parrott, John D. Ford, Pope and Paul Jones entered Balikpapan Bay where, lying at anchor, were 16 Japanese transports and three 750 ton torpedo boats, guarded by a Japanese Destroyer Squadron. The foursome fired several patterns of torpedoes and had the satisfaction of seeing four enemy transports and one torpedo boat sink as the Japanese destroyers searched aimlessly in the strait for non-existent submarines.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, weather reconnaissance over Kiska and a search mission for the two B-24s missing since Monday reveal nothing. Enemy aircraft appear over Amchitka twice but inflict no damage. Durint the period of 18 to 23 Jan, a period of continuous storms and sudden changes to extreme foul weather, non-combat losses are exceptionally high as 13 aircraft are lost; no losses result from enemy action.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Seventh Air Force) 24 P-40Ks of the 78th Fighter Squadron, 18th FG, escorted by three LB-30s, fly from Barking Sands, Hawaii to Midway. This flight of about 1,100 nautical miles is the longest over-water massed flight of single-engine aircraft made as of this date. The 78th has been dispatched to Midway to replace the 73rd Fighter Squadron which has been on the since 17 Jun 42.

GUADALCANAL: US ground forces, aided by P-39s and USMC fighter-bombers, have by this date pushed up the Guadalcanal coast. The XIV Corps' westward advance captures Kokumbona and Poha on Guadalcanals coast. The enemy has now lost control of a good landing beach west of the airfields; captured with the beach are the artillery pieces that have menaced Henderson Field and the ground forces in the Mount Austen area. The enemy's supply routes, communications systems and ammunition dumps are also lost.
On Guadalcanal, an attack by an estimated 100 Japanese occurs about 2:30 AM from the "Gifu". Later that morning the 2nd Btn 35th Infantry formed skirmish lines and moved in. Captured were 40 mg; 200 rifles; and an estimated 431 Japanese soldiers dead. The stronghold has finally fallen after a month of isolation.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s attack the airfields at Rabaul and shipping off Cape Gazelle. B-24s, operating individually, attack transports north of Rabaul and at Simpson Harbor, Rabaul. B-25s pound supply dumps in the terrace area of Lae. B-24s, operating individually, hit Madang and Finschhafen. HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group and its subordinate 40th, 41st and 46th Troop Carrier Squadrons with C-47s arrive at Garbutt Field from the US. The 63d Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG with B-17s transfers from Mareeba to 7-Mile Drome.

NEW GUINEA - U.S. - Australian counteroffensive secures Buna-Sanananda area.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 19 B-24's, in 2 waves, attack shipping at Mergui, claiming a 350-ft (107 m) vessel and 2 small boats destroyed; 6 B-25's and 16 P-38's knock out a bridge at Myittha, damage a bridge at Samon, and damage several trucks and railroad cars; 28 A-36's and P-51's and a single B-25 pound supply dumps at Kamaing and Mogaung, achieving excellent results; 16 P-40's hit Myitkyina Airfield, railroad cars at Pidaung, and a railroad bridge at Loilaw.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 28 P-40's and 9 B-25's from Kweilin pound Kai Tek Airfield in the Hone Kong-Kowloon area; and 2 B-25's heavily damage 3 merchant vessels S of Wenchow.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 21 B-25's from Tarawa Atoll and Abemama hit Taroa; the B-25's claim 3 fighters shot down; 23 B-24's, flying out of Makin and Abemama bomb Wotje Atoll at dusk; 1 B-24 bombs Mille Atoll during return flight after developing engine trouble.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 80 AAF, USN and US Marine Corps fighters support 60+ USN dive bombers in a strike on the Lakunai Airfield and Matupi Harbor area; they claim 30+ Japanese aircraft; 3 Allied fighters are lost; later, 40+ fighters sweep the Rabaul area; during the night of 23/24 Jan, 7 B-25's hit Tobera and Lakunai. 20 P-39's strafe targets of opportunity in the Shortland area. 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, transfers from Woodlark to Russells with P-39's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 35 B-24's, with fighter escort, bomb Wewak; 50 Japanese fighters intercept; in the ensuing air battle US aircraft claim 12 of the fighters shot down; 5 US fighters are lost lost is P-40N piloted by Crowley; P-39's strafe barges and AA positions at Uligan Harbor and on the Rai Coast, lost is P-39 piloted by McAlarney. In New Britain, A-20's hit forces and AA positions near Cape Raoult and Gasmata. B-24's hit Flores, Lesser Sunda . 25th Liaison Squadron, V Bomber Command attached to 5212th Photographic Wing (Provisional), begins moving from Brisbane, Australia to Lae, New Guinea with L-5's.

1945
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile , 1 B-24 flies a reconnaissance sortie along Onnekotan -Matsuwa E coasts; 4 B-24s strike the Kakumabetsu cannery and targets on Paramushiru ; 8 to 10 fighters intercept and the B-24s claim 2 victories; 1 B-24 is lost.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 40 P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance attack targets of opportunity (mainly river, road, and rail traffic) at several locations in both S China and in the N China plain, including the Wanting, Suchow and Yuankiang areas, the lower Tungting Lake region, points between Kiaotow and Kweiyi, and points as far N as Peking.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb airfields at Aungban and Hsumhsai; 34 P-47s support ground forces near Namhkam and along the Irrawaddy River in the the Twinnge and Bahe areas; 55 P-47s and P-38s hit troop concentrations, storage areas and vehicles at Kawngwang, Sati, Kyaukme, Wengnan, Hko-lawng, Lothke, and Panglaw. Transports fly 542 sorties, carrying men and supplies to advanced bases and drop supplies to troops in frontline areas. In Burma, the 88th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, moves from Shingbwiyang to Myitkyina with P-47s. The detachment of the 166th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, operating from Arakan, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s, returns to base at Asansol, India.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 B-24s from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima airfields. 3 from Guam fly armed reconnaissance over Woleai, 2 of them bombing the main runway on the island. During the night of 23/24 Jan, 10 B-24s from Saipan strike Iwo Jima singly at about 45-minute intervals.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 22: 73 B-29s of the XXI Bomber Command are dispatched to bomb the Mitsubishi engine plant at Nagoya; 28 hit the primary and 27 hit the secondary target, the urban area of the city; 9 bomb other alternates and targets of opportunity; an estimated 600+ fighters offer heavy and aggressive opposition; the AAF claims 33-22-40 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: During the night of 22/23 Jan, B-24s again hit Formosa in force, bombing an aluminum factory at Takao. In the day's principal missions against Luzon. B-24s bomb Baguio and, along with A-20s, hit Corregidor; other A-20s attack Aparri Airfield while fighter-bombers hit a bridge at Digdig, luggers S of Alcala, guns on Grande at the mouth of Subic Bay, a bridge over the Magata River, and the base at Camp John Hay. B-24s hit Silay Airfield

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 241, JANUARY 23, 1945

On January 21 (West Longitude Date) a strong force of carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet attacked Okinawa in the Ryukyus. Reports of damage in*flicted are not yet available.

 

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1941
The Australian Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, leaves Melbourne, bound for Britain

1942
PERU: The government breaks diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy and Japan.

BORNEO: US destroyers sink 5 Japanese transports off Balikpapan. The first US surface action of the war. These ships are KURETAKE MARU, SUMANOURA MARU, TATSUKAME MARU and P37 sunk by the destroyer attack, the USS JOHN D FORD, POPE, PARROTT, PAUL JONES. A fifth the TSUGURA MARU was sunk by a Dutch submarine, the K-KVIII before the destroyer attack.
In the Battle off Balikpapan, Borneo, or the Battle of Makassar Strait,four U.S. destroyers attack the Japanese Borneo invasion convoy. Destroyer USS John D. Ford (DD-228) is damaged by gunfire at position 01.20N, 117.01E but sinks transport Tsuruga Maru; destroyer USS Parrott (DD-218) sinks transport Sumanoura Maru; destroyers USS Paul Jones (DD-230) and USS Pope (DD-225) sink transport Tatsukami Maru; USS Paul Jones also sinks cargo ship Kuretaki Maru; and USS Parrott also sinks Patrol Boat No.37, in position 00.10N, 118.00E.
USAAF B-17s based at Malang, Java, and Netherland East Indies Air Force Martin Model 139WHs (export version of the USAAF B-10) and Brewster 339s (export version of USN F2A Buffalo) bomb invasion shipping, sinking transports Nana Maru and Jukka Maru, in position 00.10N, 118.00E.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Hawaiian Air Force): B-17's of Task Group 8.9 fly from Canton to Nandi on Fiji.

MALAYA: The outline of the plan for withdrawal to Singapore Island is issued. Hard fighting continues at Batu Pahat. The Japanese are approaching Kluang, in the Indian 9th Division sector. The 942 men of the Australian 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion and 1907 other Australian reinforcements arrive in Singapore. The reinforcements are woefully undertrained; some had only seven days training as soldiers and many had never fired a rifle.
The remainder of the Japanese 18th Division lands at Singora.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: The Japanese Eastern Invasion Force lands at Kendari on Celebes Island. A USN seaplane tender (destroyer), USS Childs (AVD-1, ex DD-241), is leaving Kendari harbor and spots the Japanese. A rain squall obscures the seaplane tender for a while, allowing her to avoid two Japanese destroyers. Than she is attacked by six Japanese aircraft at 0800 hours local but escapes to the south. By the evening, Kendari is fully occupied by the Japanese. Most of the Dutch troops are captured by Japanese; some fight a guerilla war for a short period, while others try to escape to safer parts of archipelago. Kendari Airdrome is considered the best in the Netherlands East Indies and was immediately put into operation by the Japanese 21st Air Flotilla.
USN submarine USS Swordfish sinks a Japanese gunboat north of Kema, Celebes Island.
Carrier-based aircraft from the aircraft carriers HIJMS Soryu and HIJMS Hiryu bomb Ambon Island.
The first of a small group of USAAF Far East Air Force P-40s reaches Blimbing Airdrome, Java from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

AUSTRALIA: The Combined Chiefs of Staff order that the Darwin, Northern Territory, area be incorporated into the Australian-British- Dutch-American (ABDA) Command.
The USAAF Far East Air Force orders the 20th Pursuit Squadron (Provisional) to fly its 18 P-40s to Port Moresby, New Guinea.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Five RAAF Catalinas attack Japanese shipping in Rabaul Harbour but no hits are scored.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the II Corps begins disengaging and withdrawing combat troops. The Japanese maintain intense pressure on the Philippine Division and attack the covering force, but the bulk of the troops withdraw successfully. The situation in the I Corps area deteriorates rapidly. The 1st Division, Philippine Army, exhausted by prolonged fighting along the main line of resistance and critically in need of supplies and ammunition, remains under pressure. Additional strength is applied against the Japanese roadblock on the West Road without avail.
In the Service Command Area of southern Bataan, the Japanese cannot be ousted from Quinauan and Longoskawayan Points. Sailors and marines succeed, however, in regaining Pucot Hill and driving the Japanese back to Longoskawayan and Lapiay Points; they are supported by the last four P-40s on Luzon.
Eight USAAF Far East Air Force B-17's based on Java, stage through Del Monte Field on Mindanao, to attack Japanese targets. Two aircraft are lost in crash landings.

BURMA: Rear elements of the Mergui garrison arrive at Rangoon. Moulmein is now threatened.
P-40 pilots of the 1st and 2d Fighter Squadrons, American Volunteer Group (AVG, aka, “The Flying Tigers”) shoot down four Japanese Army bombers and eight Japanese Army fighters over Rangoon between 0945 and 1030 hours local.

U.S.: The Special Court of Inquiry on Pearl Harbor, headed by Supreme Court Justice Owen J Roberts, places the main responsibility for the 7 December 1941 disaster on Admiral Husband E Kimmel and Lieutenant General Walter C Short, accusing them of neglecting to heed attack warnings, failing to confer with each other, and taking only minimum precautions.

1943
ALASKA: Six heavy bombers and six medium bombers attempt an attack on Kiska . The medium bombers abort over Semiscopochnol. The heavy bombers circle Kiska until the weather closes in. Two Japanese aircraft bomb the Amchitka harbor area before US interceptors, six P-38s, and one B-24 arrive. Two P-38s return due to mechanical troubles; the others fly a negative search over Kiska.

CBI (Tenth Air Force) The 492d Bombardment Squadron, 7th BG (Heavy), not previously tried in battle, borrows four B-24s and one crew from the 436th Bombardment Squadron and mounts a nine-plane strike docks at Rangoon, Burma. Hits are scored on the wharves, storage areas and a 6,000-ton vessel in the harbor. P-40s bomb and strafe ammunition stores at Shaduzup, Burma.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) B-17s bomb the airfield, harbor and shipping at Rabaul. Single B-24s attack runways at Cape Gloucester and Gasmata. In New Guinea, B-25s hit supply dumps in the terrace area of Lae. B-24s bomb Dili. The 22d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group with C-47s transfers from Garbutt Field, Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea.

PACIFIC OCEAN: - USS Wahoo SS-238 damages Harusame off Kairiru.

NEW BRITAIN: Japanese transports begin to gather at Rabaul in preparation for the Japanese evacuation Japanese troops on Guadalcanal.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Admiral Ainsworth leads a US naval taskforce into the Kula Gulf to bombard a Japanese airfield site on Kolombangara north of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Cruisers Honolulu, St. Louis, Nashville, Helena and destroyers Nicholas, DeHaven, Radford and O'Bannon are involved.
Later in the day, aircraft of CVG-6 in the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga, SBD'S of VB-6, F4Fs of VF-6 and TBFs of VT-6, bomb the same objectives.

1944
(CBI) CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, B-25's on sea sweeps claim sinking of a merchant ship W of Nampang , 2 freighters, a cargo-passenger vessel, and a coastal cargo boat anchored in Li-Shan Bay, and a cargo- passenger vessel at Paichuan .

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): In the Marshall , 24 A-24s from Makin supported by 12 P-39's and 7 P-40's, hit gun positions, storage areas, and barracks on Mille Atoll. In the late afternoon, 8 B-25's, staging through Makin bomb the airfield on Wotje Atoll. During the night of 24/25 Jan, 9 B-25's from Tarawa Atoll and 12 B-24's from the Ellice bomb several targets in Maloelap. 1 other B-24 bombs Mille Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): A large concentration of USAAF, USN, USMC, and RNZAF fighters support USN and USMC TBF's dive-bombing shipping in Simpson Harbor and Keravia Bay, New Britain ; several 300- to 500-ft (91 to 152 m) vessels are damaged or sunk; US aircraft claim 20+ fighters shot down. Sunmk are water tanker Koan Maru, aircraft transport Lyon Maru (previously rendered unnavigable on 17 January) and army cargo ships Taisho Maru and Yamayuri Maru, in position 04.13S, 152.11E.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 40+ B-24's bomb airfields at Wewak and Boram; 50+ B-25's and P-47's hit Madang and troops in the vicinity and bomb the Hansa Bay area; 38 other B-25's attack shipping and harbor installations on Manus. HQ 22d Bombardment Group (Medium) and 19th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) transfer from Dobodura to Nadzab with B-26's. They are transitioning to B-24's and will be redesignated a Heavy unit on 3 Feb.

NEW GUINEA: Japanese planes bomb U.S. shipping in Dreger Bay, damaging freighter SS John Muir with one direct hit and at least four near-misses that injure 16 men.

1945
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile , 4 B-25s on a low level attack on Torishima abort due to mechanical trouble; 4 more B-25s bomb buildings on Torishima; AA fire damages 2 B-25s. In the Aleutian , 6 fighters take off after radar reports an unidentified target SE of Attu; they spot a balloon which they shoot down with tracers.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack railroad targets N of Siangsiang, between Loyang and Kaifeng, and near Tungchen; 21 locomotives are claimed destroyed.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb Hsumhsai Airfield; 17 P-47s support ground forces at Padin near Namhkam, and along the Irrawaddy River in the Bahe area; 6 P-47s knock out the Inailong bypass bridge; troop concentrations and supply areas are attacked at Nawng-ang, Pangsan, Mansak, Konsan, Yaunggwin, Mangkung, Nawngngun, Mong Long, Mogok, Namhsan, and in the Mongmit area. Transports again fly 500+ sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 33 B-24s, from Guam and Saipan pound Iwo Jima during 4 raids; 6 others act as airborne spotters for a naval bombardment of Iwo Jima; during 5 hours on the night of 24/25 Jan, 10 B-24s maintain harassment strikes against the island's airfields. The 78th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, departs Bellows Field for Iwo Jima with P-51s.

IWO JIMA: In the Volcano Islands, USN Task Group 94.9 (Rear Admiral Oscar C. Badger, consisting of the battleship USS Indiana, three heavy cruisers, seven destroyers and a light minelayer and preceded by a barrier patrol of PB4Ys, bombards Iwo Jima, together with USAAF B-24s escorted by P-38s. Northeast of Iwo Jima, destroyers USS Dunlap and USS Fanning sink transport I-Go Yoneyama Maru and auxiliary minesweepers Keinan Maru and No.7 Showa Maru, a small Japanese three-ship convoy that had just arrived that morning.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 23: 20 of 28 B-29s dispatched hit 2 airfields on Iwo Jima without loss.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound Corregidor, Cavite, the Canacao peninsula seaplane base, and Grande at the mouth of Subic Bay. FEAF fighters and bombers on sweeps, armed reconnaissance, and light raids attack a variety of targets all over Luzon including small shipping, airfields, defensive positions, storage and town areas, roads, and vehicles. During the night of 24/25 Jan, B-24s on a snooper mission again hit Takao Airfield on Formosa. The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, based on Biak begins operating from Hill Field, Mindoro with C-46s and C-47s.

PHILIPINES: Calapan, taken by US forces. Organized Japanese resistance on Mindoro Island, Phillipines ends.
US Army Lands on Mindoro, Philippines

 

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1941
U.S.: The keel of the Iowa Class battleship Wisconsin (BB-64) is laid at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. She will be the last battleship commissioned by the U.S. Navy.
Clarification: Although Wisconsin was the last of the completed battleships in hull-number sequence, Missouri (BB 63) was actually the last commissioned. Wisconsin was commissioned on 16 April 1944; Missouri, built at New York (Brooklyn) Navy Yard, was commissioned on 11 June 1944.

1942
AUSTRALIA: The government orders full mobilization. The War Cabinet orders that "all able-bodied white male British subjects" between 18- and 45-years-old should be called up immediately for service. The central government also assumes control of all state budgets.
By this date, the USAAF has received 112 P-40s from the U.S. with another 160 due by 4 February.
The USAAF Far East Air Force's 20th Pursuit Squadron (Provisional), which is preparing to depart Brisbane, Queensland for Port Moresby, New Guinea, is ordered to fly to Darwin, Northern Territory, as quickly as possible for duty in Java.

BORNEO: By dawn, the Japanese Assault Unit that landed near Balikpapan have occupied the airfield. Their advance southward, however, is slow as the bridges on the coastal road have been destroyed and the unit did not reach the northern outskirts of Balikpapan City until the night of the 25th. The Dutch garrison troops had been withdrawn and the unit entered the city without a fight. Guided by the lights placed by two traitorous native policemen, who had proceeded them, the Japanese
Surprise Attack Unit lands just south of the reservoir at 0430 hours and sails up the river in camouflaged boats. No Dutch troops are encountered and while part of the unit occupies the area around the reservoir, the main body proceeds to the village of Banoeabaroe, arriving there at 1440 hours, thus cutting off the Dutch line of retreat. While the main body of the unit was advancing along the road to Balikpapan City, it ran into a Dutch military column attempting to escape from Balikpapan. After defeating this Dutch column, the Surprise Attack Unit proceeded to Balikpapan City. The city was completely occupied during the night of the 25th.

BURMA: General Archibald Lord Wavell, Commander in Chief Australian-British- Dutch-American (ABDA) Command, South West Pacific, visiting Rangoon, orders Moulmein held. The 16th Brigade, Indian 17th Division, is disposed west of the Salween River, opposite Moulmein. The Indian 46th Brigade is ordered to the Bilin area. A lull ensues as the Japanese bring up reinforcements to the vicinity of Paan and Moulmein, on the Salween River.

MALAYA: Since Batu Pahat must be abandoned at once, Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, General Officer Commanding Malaya Command, orders the entire line in central Johore State withdrawn. The Indian 3 Corps is responsible for the withdrawal operation, which begins after nightfall. Meanwhile, the Batu Pahat defense force fights a losing battle for that town throughout the day. The Indian 11th Division commander sends the British 53d Brigade Group to the relief of the Batu Pahat defense force, but most of the column is unable to get through. To the east, Japanese attacks in the Ayer Hitam-Kluang area are beaten off.

MIDWAY ISLAND: The island is shelled by Japanese submarine HIJMS-73.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: The advance flight echelon of the USAAF Far East Air Force 17th Pursuit Squadron (Provisional) arrives at Soerabaja, Java with 13 P-40s. They will undergo five days of theater training by RNAF pilots.
Twenty five Japanese fighter aircraft land on Kendari Airdrome that was captured two days ago.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the responsibility for the defense of beach area of southern Bataan passes from the Service Command Area to commanders of the I and II Corps. II Corps continues their withdrawal under air attack and with the Japanese in full pursuit. I Corps abandons the Mauban main line of resistance. The withdrawal of the 1st Division, Philippine Army, southward begins during the morning and continues through the night of 25/26 January. Diverting the enemy's attention, other elements of I Corps press in on the roadblock on West Road from the west. In the South Sector, operations against Japanese at Quinauan and Longoskawayan Points remain indecisive.

THAILAND: The government declares war on the U.S. and the U.K. The government of Great Britain, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa respond in kind.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Hawaiian Air Force): B-17's of Task Group 8.9 fly from Canton to Nandi on Fiji.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, P-38s are dispatched too late to engage two floatplanes bombing Amchitka. Reconnaissance is flown over Kiska, Buldir, Semichis, Attu and AgAttu. One B-24 and two P-38s fly two patrol missions over Amchitka. An attack mission to Kiska is turned back by weather. B-25s unsuccessfully search for missing aircraft.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Seventh Air Force) Six B-24s carry out a photographic reconnaissance missions over Wake and drop 60 bombs. They claim one fighter shot down.

CBI (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, five B-25s of the India Air Task Force bomb the bridge (which the enemy is striving to rebuild) at Myitnge. The southern approach to the bridge is destroyed and repair work on the bridge suspended. Three B-25s add to the destruction at the Mandalay Marshaling Yard, tearing up tracks, wrecking about 75 railroad cars, and setting the freight house aflame. Three other B-25s inflict similar damage on the marshaling yard at Naba. Six B-24s pound the Rangoon dock area.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomons, the final phase of the Guadalcanal offensive begins with orders to begin pursuit of the enemy along the northwestern coast toward Cape Esperance. The enemy retreat is to be cut off by the landing of a US battalion just southwest of the cape. B-26s and P-38s hit the airfield at Munda, New Georgia and bomb the wharf at Repirepi, demolishing it. Other P-38s bomb installations in the Rekata Bay area of Santa Isabel.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, A-20s strafe areas in northeastern Papua where there appears to be some enemy movement. B-25s blast supply dumps and AA and machinegun positions around Lae. Single B-24s attack a beached ship at Finschhafen. Single B-24s attack runways on Gasmata and at Cape Gloucester.

1944
(CBI) CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): B-25's on sweeps of the E China coast claim a patrol boat, a tanker and 2 freighters sunk S off Wenchow.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 24 A-24s from Makin supported by 12 P-39's, attack gun positions on Mille Atoll; 8 B-25's from Tarawa Atoll bomb a vessel and shore targets at Taroa; later, in a dusk attack, 18 B-24's flying out of the Gilberts bomb Kwajalein Atoll, hitting runways and AA positions. 26th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Nukufetau to Tarawa Atoll with B-24's.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 19 B-24's, following 3 which drop flares, attack Lakunai Airfield during the late evening. 106th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), Thirteenth Air Force (attached to 42d Bombardment Group (Medium)) transfers from Guadalcanal , Solomon to Sterling , Treasury with B-25's. It will be redesignated 100th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 9 May. 419th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, based on Guadalcanal , sends a detachment to Bougainville with P-70's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 50+ B-24's pound the Hansa Bay area; 37 B-25's bomb Alexishafen and Madang; and P-39's strafe barges on the Rai Coast. P-40's and A-20's hit Gasmata. 50+ B-25's bomb Lorengau, Manus and Momote.

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 21 P-51s hit rail targets and airfields in the Peking area, claiming 4 locomotives and 40 aircraft destroyed; 16 P-40s and P-51s attack railroad targets around Kaifeng, Shihkiachwang, Pengpu, and Chingmen; 42 locomotives are claimed destroyed.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 P-47s support ground forces in the Namhkam area, near Molo, and near Myitson; 12 B-25s pound the Heho airfield; 80+ fighter-bombers attack troops, supplies, and targets of opportunity at Hsenwi, Loi-weng, Ho hpong, Loi Nan, Ting-yet, Mong Tat, Ho-mong, Mong Long, Pangkwai, and in the Kutkai area. Transports fly 581 sorties to forward areas.

20th AF: During the night of 25-26 January, 41 of 50 B-29 bombers dispatched from the 58th BW sow water mines in the 6 approaches to Singapore and Penang.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 14 Saipan based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima in the afternoon; during the night of 25/26 Jan, 10 more, flying individual harassment strikes at intervals.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, operating in force, again pound Corregidor in Manila Bay; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers on sweeps, armed reconnaissance, and small-scale strikes hit vehicles, enemy positions, airfields, ammunition and supply dumps, barges,communications, and targets of opportunity in general, over wide areas of Luzon and Palawan , and in the C Philippine. During the night of 25/26 Jan, B-24s fly a harassing raid on Takao, Formosa. The 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Dulag, begins operating from Tacloban with F-7s; the 387th Bombardment Squadron, 312th BG moves from Tanauan to San Jose with A-20s.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 242, JANUARY 25, 1945

Surface units of the Pacific Fleet, aircraft of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, and B‑29's of the Twenty‑First Bomber Command. In a coordinated action on January 23 (West Longitude Date) attacked Iwo Jima. A sizeable force of Liberators dropped more than 70 tons of explosives on air installations and shipping, starting fires visible 15 to 20 miles away. B‑29's dropped 117 tons of bombs on the airfield areas. Three of our planes were damaged, and one was lost but most of its crew were rescued. There was no interception by enemy planes. Antiaircraft fire was meager. Our surface units inflicted severe damage on island installations. One enemy cargo vessel exploded and two others were left burning.
On the same day planes of the Eleventh Army Air Force attacked Paramushiru. Three enemy planes were shot down. One of our planes was lost.
Planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing destroyed two warehouses at Babelthuap and damaged harbor installations at Yap in the Palaus on January 23. The Palau area was attacked previously on January 21 at which time one of our planes was lost but the pilot rescued.

 

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1940
LINE ISLANDS: The minesweeper USS Quail (AM-15) arrives at Palmyra Island with the first construction party to begin building a naval air station there.

U.S.: The American-Japanese Treaty of Navigation and Commerce is allowed to lapse because the US government refuses to negotiate in protest against Japanese aggression in China.

1942
BORNEO: After occupying Balikpapan yesterday, the Japanese mop up the surrounding area today and then the troops begin repairing the airfield.

BURMA: Pilots of the 1st and 2d Fighter Squadrons, American Volunteer Group (AVG, aka, The Flying Tigers) shoot down three Japanese Army fighters over Rangoon at 1100 hours local.

MALAYA: A Japanese convoy carrying reinforcements approaches Endau. They are attacked by nine RAAF Hudson and 12 Vildebeestes; no ships are hit and 5 of the Vildebeestes are shot down. In the evening, the old destroyers HMAS Vampire and HMS Thanet sail to attack the Japanese convoy.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: Lieutenant General Sir John Lavarack, General Officer Commanding I Australian Corps, arrives in Java as the advance party of Australian troops preparing to leave the Middle East. Lavarack is soon convinced that the situation is "grim" and believes that the Japanese might size southern Sumatra before the main body of his command arrives.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the Philippine II and I Corps complete their withdrawal to the final defense line on Bataan in the morning, closely followed by the Japanese. The new line, which is to be continuous for the first time, extends from Orion on the east to Bagac on the west and is generally behind the Pilar-Bagac road. Gaps develop in each corps sector when HQ U.S. Army Forces, Far East (USAFFE) withdraws the Philippine Division as its reserve. Units are hastily shifted to replace the U.S. 31st and Philippine Scouts (PS) 57th Regiments in the II Corps line and the PS 45th Infantry in the I Corps line. The II Corps, responsible for eastern Bataan from the coast to the Pantingan River, organizes its line into four sectors, from east to west: Sector A, 31st Infantry of 31st Division, Philippine Army (PA); Sector B, Provisional Air Corps Regiment; Sector C, elements of the 31st and remnants of the 51st Divisions, PA; Sector D, the 41st and 21st Divisions, PA, and 33d Infantry, less the 1st Battalion, of the 31st Division, PA.
In addition, the beach defense forces are organized as Sector E. 1st Battalion of the 33d Infantry, 31st Division, PA, and a regiment of the PA combat engineers constitute corps reserve. The Japanese patrol along the eastern slopes of Mt Samat almost to the main line of resistance but do not discover a gap in the line, which exists for several hours. The I Corps line, extending from the Pantingan River to the west coast, is divided into Right and Left Sectors: the Right Sector is manned by the Philippine Constabulary' s 2d Regiment (less one battalion) on the east and the 11th Division, PA, on the west; disposed in the Left Sector are elements of the 1st Division, PA, on the east and 91st Infantry, PA, on the west. Beach defense forces make up the South Sector. The 26th Cavalry, Philippine Scouts (PS), is held in corps reserve.
The Japanese open an offensive, driving south along West Road toward the Binuangan River. The 91st Division, PA, contains these attacks. In the South Sector, the Japanese maintain beachheads at Quinauan and Longoskawayan Points and move reinforcements toward the former. USAFFE sends the 88th Field Artillery, PS, from the west coast from II Corps sector, one of its gun batteries to Quinauan Point and another to Longoskawayan Point.
During the night, the few remaining P-40s on Bataan bomb and strafe Nichols and Nielson Fields on Luzon.

US: The US Board of Inquiry which has been investigating the Pearl Harbor Attack releases its findings.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, all missions are cancelled due to weather. Two Japanese aircraft strafe Constantine Harbor, Amchitka .

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Seventh Air Force) Three B-24s, taking off from Funafuti fly a photographic reconnaissance missions over Tarawa, Maiana, Abemamam, Beru and Tomama. The heavy bombers attack merchant vessels in the lagoon at Tarawa. Not to be outdone by the 78th Fighter Squadron, P-40Es of the 73d Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, escorted by three LB-30s, fly from Midway to NAS Kaneohe, Territory of Hawaii, a distance of about 1,100 nautical miles. The 73d had been dispatched to Midway immediately after the Battle of Midway and had been flown off the deck of the USS Saratoga, the first land based fighters to take off from the deck of an aircraft carrier. The 371st Bombardment Squadron, 307th BG with B-24s ceases operating from Midway and returns to its base at Wheeler Field, Territory of Hawaii.

CBI (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, seven B-24s bomb shipping and the dock area at Rangoon; 12 B-25s bomb Mandalay Marshaling Yards. Three B-25s and 15 P-40s hit the town area and bridge at Shaduzup, the railroad west of Meza and the Neba Marshaling Yard.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb shipping and the Rapopo airstrip in the Rabaul area. B-24s carry out individual attacks on the runways at Cape Gloucester and Gasmata. A-20s and B-25s pound the Lae area, concentrating on supply storage dumps. B-24s carry out individual attacks on Finschhafen.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 B-24's bomb Maungdaw; 7 B-25's and 3 fighters hit a camp at Razabil and attack targets of opportunity between Maungdaw and Buthidaung.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 18 P-40's from Kunming bomb and strafe the airfield and barracks at Kengtung.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 9 B-25's from Makin hit several targets in Maloelap; about 20 fighters attack the formation; 12 P-40's, meeting the returning B-25's over Aur Atoll, join the battle against the fighters, claiming 10+ destroyed; the B-25's claim 5 shot down; several more are destroyed on the ground or while taking off during the bombing raid. 9 B-25's from Tarawa Atoll hit Aineman in Jaluit Atoll, and nearby shipping.

USN - Carrier planes from Task Force 58 bomb targets in the Marshall Islands prior to invasion.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 80+ Allied fighters cover a strike by 50+ USN dive bombers on the Lakunai area AA positions and revetments; 3 Allied fighters are lost; 20+ Japanese airplanes are claimed shot down.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 42 B-24's bomb Momote and Lorengau, Manus. 140+ B-24's, A-20's, P-39's, and P-40's hit the Alexishafen-Madang area. 18 B-25's bomb Bogia village. On New Britain , A-20's hit the Cape Raoult area and P-40's strafe barges along the N coast. 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, transfers from Brisbane, Australia to Dobodura, New Guinea with F-5's; first mission is 10 Feb.

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 15 P-51s and P-40s hit Chenghsien Airfield and locomotives, tracks, and motor transport at Nanking and Sinsiang.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown during the night of 25/26 Jan. Mission 30: In French Indochina, 25 of 26 B-29s mine Saigon, Camranh Bay and Phan Rang Bay without loss.
Mission 31: 41 of 50 B-29s mine the 6 approaches to Singapore harbor and Penang Harbor and the Pakchan River and Koh Si Chang Channel in Thailand.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Namhkam area; 140+ fighter-bombers hit troops, supplies, guns, railroad targets, and targets of opportunity at Tangtong, Panghai, Man Pwe, Kyaunghkam, Mong Pa, Na-lang, Hsenwi, Molo, Mong Tat, Humon, Tonghkan, Pangnim, Konghsa, Namtu, Namhsan, and in the Nampok area. Transports fly 500+ sorties to advanced bases and frontline areas. The detachment of the 493d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), operating from Luliang, China, transporting gasoline to Suichwan, China with B-24s, returns to base at Pandaveswar, India.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 17 Guam based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima airfields; during then night of 26/27 Jan, the airfields are hit by 9 B-24s on individual harassment missions.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: On Luzon, B-24s hit coastal guns on Corregidor and in Balete Pass; B-25s bomb the Cabcaben Airfield area and coastal guns on Carabao and A-20s attack Grande coastal defenses at the mouth of Subic Bay. On Mindanao, B-25s bomb Likanan and Sasa and P-38s strafe the same targets and also hit Padada. A-20s and fighter-bombers, along with a few B-24s, continue armed reconnaissance and miscellaneous attacks against airfields, communications, vehicles, coastal guns, town areas, and other targets throughout Luzon and in the C Philippine . HQ 3d Air Commando Group, the 3d and 4th Fighter Squadrons (Commando) and the 318th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando) move from Leyte to Mangaldan with P-51s and C-47s. HQ 90th BG and the 321st and 400th Bombardment Squadrons move from Biak to San Jose, Mindoro with B-24s. The 69th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak to Tanauan with C-47s. The 386th Bombardment Squadron, 312th BG, moves from Tanauan to San Jose with A-20s.

 

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1941
JAPAN: The Peruvian ambassador to Japan warns his American counterpart, Joseph Grew, that the Japanese plan to destroy the US fleet at the naval base of Pearl Harbor; Grew passes the information on to Washington.

USA: This week, for the first time in history, senior US and British military staff officers will meet here in secret to hammer out a common strategy in case the United States finds itself at war with Germany or Japan (or both) in alliance with Britain. The talks, known as "ABC1", illustrate how quickly Washington is changing its view of the danger of war. On 12 November Admiral Stark, the chief of US naval operations, sent "Plan Dog" to the navy secretary, Frank Knox, giving priority to war in the Atlantic and urging closer links with Britain.

1942
BORNEO: Japanese troop occupy the towns of Ledo, Singkawang, Pemangkat, Sambas with its Naval Air Station, and Singkawang II airfield located near Ledo. All Dutch aircraft had been transferred to Sumatra prior to the Japanese invasion.
USAAF Far East Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses based in Java bomb and damage a Japanese seaplane carrier off Balikpapan.

MALAYA: Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, General Officer Commanding Malaya Command, having received permission from General Archibald Lord Wavell, Commander in Chief ABDA Command, to retire to Singapore Island at his discretion, decides to withdraw at once through Johore Bahru and across the causeway to the island. Withdrawal is to be accomplished under cover of darkness and completed during the night 30/31 January.
East Force meets no opposition as it pulls back. While elements of the Indian 11th Division's Batu Pahat force fall back to Benut, the rest move to the mouth of the Ponggor River, from which they are withdrawn by sea during the following nights. West Force fights local actions while retiring along the main road and railroad.
No. 36 and 100 Squadron's RAF fly their last missions with the venerable Vickers Vildebeest biplanes against Japanese landings at Endau.
Off Endau, the destroyers HMAS Vampire and HMS Thanet encounter three Japanese destroyers and a minesweeper. HMS Thanet is sunk by gunfire but HMAS Vampire escapes to Singapore. The Japanese 96th Airfield Battalion completes their landing at Endau with much-needed supplies and ammunition.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: On Java, General Archibald Lord Wavell, Commander in Chief ABDA Command, tells Lieutenant General Sir John Lavarack, General Officer Commanding I Australian Corps, that he must hold Sumatra with one Australian division and central Java with another.
The British aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable brings a cargo of 48 Hawker Hurricane fighters to Java, for shipment to Singapore.

PACIFIC: Submarine USS Gudgeon torpedoes and sinks Japanese submarine HIJMS I-73 240 miles west of Midway Island; the Japanese submarine had shelled Midway two days earlier. This is the first Japanese submarine sunk by a USN submarine.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the II Corps area on Bataan, the Japanese begin an assault against the main line of resistance (MLR) in the afternoon.
After a feint down the East Road, the main attack is made against Sectors C and D. Sector C is thinly manned and in the process of being reinforced by the 41st Infantry, Philippine Army (PA), from Sector D.
The Japanese force the outposts back and get a small advance group across the Pilar River. In the I Corps area, the Japanese renew efforts to break through the MLR on the west coast and is again brought to a halt by the 91st Division, PA. In the South Sector, Lieutenant General Jonathan Wainwright, Commanding General I Corps, sends the 3d Battalion of the 45th Infantry, Philippine Scouts (PS), to Quinauan Point and the 2d Battalion of the 57th Infantry, PS, to Longoskawayan Point to dislodge or destroy the Japanese along the southwestern coast. Meanwhile, after preparatory fire from all available guns is conducted against Longoskawayan Pt, the infantry attacks but is unable to clear it. Scouts of 2d Battalion, 57th Infantry, relieve the naval battalion there during the
night of 27/28 January. The Japanese are contained but cannot be cleared from Quinauan Point. Water-borne reinforcements for this position land short of their objective, between the Anyasan and Silaiim Rivers, before dawn and put beach defenders, the 1st Battalion of the 1st Philippine Constabulary, to flight. The ground echelon of the USAAFâs 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) , from reserve, and the 2d Battalion of the 2d Philippine Constabulary, from the MLR to the north, move against the Japanese but are halted about 1,000 yards (914 meters) from the shore. The Japanese are ordered, upon reinforcing the Quinauan beachhead, to drive to Mariveles.
Four USAAF Far East Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses based in Java stage through Del Monte Airfield on Mindanao and attack Japanese targets on Luzon. One B-17 is shot down.
Submarine USS Seawolf delivers ammunition to Corregidor Island, and evacuates naval and army pilots.

PHOENIX ISLAND: The USAAF's Hawaiian Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses of Task Group 8.9 return to Canton Island.

U.K.: Prime Minister Winston Churchill opens a major House of Commons debate with the report on Allied Cooperation. He details the Combined Chiefs of Staff, the Pacific Councils and the plans for the arrival of American land forces in Britain, and that an Australian representative is to join the war cabinet. The vote of confidence is opposed by one member of the House.

U.S.: President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces that the Office of Price Administration (OPA) will ration all retail goods and commodities until the end of the war.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, a negative weather reconnaissance sortie is flown over Kiska . Four P-38s fly protective patrol over Amchitka . Upon their departure, three Japanese aircraft appear and unsuccessfully bomb shipping but cause three casualties.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force) B-17E 41-2403 ditches south of Guadalcanal. Passengers included Major General Nathan F Twining, Commanding General Thirteenth Air Force and a crew of 14 are down at sea between Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo. The entire group is rescued six days later. General Twining's raft had no radio, an item which Lieutenant General Millard F Harmon, Commanding General of US Army Forces in the South Pacific, had been requesting for some time. This incident results in the rapid appearance of dinghy radio sets in the area. Six B-26s and eight P-39s attack the airfield at Munda.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, A-20s hit huts and AA positions at Garrison Hill while B-25s pound the supply storage and runway at Lahang. Individual B-24s bomb Finschhafen town and the runway. In the Bismarck Archipelago, individual B-24s bomb the airfield on Gasmata.

PACIFIC: USS Whale damages Japanese transport Shoan Maru in the central Pacific, 14.39;N, 153.39;E; towed to Saipan and grounded to facilitate salvage, Shoan Maru performs no more active service.
Japanese ship No.2 Choko Maru rescues about 1,000 survivors of army cargo ship Buyo Maru, sunk the previous day by submarine USS Wahoo.
Japanese destroyer Karukaya is damaged off Takao, Formosa, by marine casualty.
Submarine I-27 is damaged by marine casualty off Penang, Malaya.

1944
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 6 B-25's from Tarawa Atoll hit Nauru, and 9 staging through Makin hit Wotje Atoll, Marshall ; 23 A-24s, supported by 10 P-39's, pound Mille Atoll; and 7 B-24's, staging through Makin bomb Taroa in a dusk attack.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 19 B-25's, with and escort of 60+ AAF and USN fighters, pound Lakunai Airfield; 6 US fighters are lost; US aircraft claim 20+ Japanese fighters shot down. On Bougainville , P-39's ranging over a wide area, strafe targets of opportunity at Motupena, Gazelle Harbor, and Buka . 2 squadrons of B-24's blast concentrations at Sulphur Creek in the Rabaul area of New Britain . 72d Bombardment Squadron, 5th BG (Heavy), based at Munda, New Georgia ceases operating from Guadalcanal with B-24's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 41 B-24's bomb Lorengau, Manus . Almost 70 B-25's, A-20's, and P-39's, along with several RAAF aircraft attack the Madang and Bogia areas. B-24's hit a freighter and the town area at Dili and shipping at Sorong and MacCluer Gulf. 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, transfers from Nadzab to Gusap with P-47's.

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 22 P-40s and P-51s attack locomotives, trucks, and shipping at Sinsiang, Kihsien, and Nanking, from Taiyuan to Puchou, and E of Yiyang.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): By this date the complete forward detachments of the 4 B-29 groups in the Chengtu, China area have evacuated their bases and moved to more permanent bases in India; this move complies with the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) directive formulated on 15 Dec 44 and received on 18 Dec; the long-existing understanding that the XX Bomber Command might be moved from the CBI Theater when more convenient bases are available is thus put into its initial stage when the XX Bomber Command's Commanding General, Major General Curtis Emerson LeMay, and the JCS agree that on logistical grounds XX Bomber Command's operating scheme is basically unsound, a situation made more apparent when in Nov the Japanese had overrun Luchou and Yungning and threatened Kunming, China; this development necessitated air tonnage flown over the Hump being diverted to Chinese ground forces and the Fourteenth AF, resulting in curtailed supplies to XX Bomber Command and providing the catalyst for beginning a movement of the command from China. Mission 32: 22 of 25 XX Bomber Command B-29s based in India hit the navy yard and arsenal at Saigon, French Indochina and 1 bombs a bridge at Bangkok, without loss; the results are poor.
Jan 27th 1945

BURMA: The Ledo Road from Burma to China is finally opened.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 30+ fighter-bombers support ground forces at Mansak, Molo Ywama, the area S of Molo, and the area S of Banwe; 8 others knock out a bypass bridge at Bawgyo; about 100 fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supplies, and targets of opportunity at or near Man Kyan, Kuinkuiloi, Ho-hkun, Pongkalau, Hsenwi, Kutkai, Hsa-tong, Pinghoi, Ho-mong, Padon, and Kyaung-hen. Transports fly 527 sorties to advanced bases and over forward areas, landing men and landing and dropping supplies.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 19 B-24s, based on Saipan bomb Iwo Jima; 10 B-24s from Saipan and Guam follow up with individua harassment raids against the during the night of 27/28 Jan. 1 B-24 from Angaur Airfield bombs Arakabesan

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 24 (Enkindle #3): 76 B-29s of the 73d Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) are dispatched from the Mariana against the Musashiho and Nakajima aircraft plants near Tokyo; clouds and high winds over the target area prevent bombing of the primary; 56 B-29s bomb the secondary target, the Tokyo urban area, and 6 others attack alternates and targets of opportunity; fighter opposition is the heaviest to date and 5 B-29s are downed; 4 others ditch or crashland; B-29 gunners claim 60-17-39 Japanese aircraft, the highest claim to date. American Losses included B-29 "Haley's Comet" 42-24616 and B-29 "Werewolf" 42-63423, B-29 "Ghastly Goose" 42-63541, B-29 "Shady Lady" 42-24619. B-29 "Irish Lassie" 42-65246 was rammed twice, but made it back to base to crash land and was then scrapped.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound the Canacao seaplane base, Cavite, and Grande at the mouth of Subic Bay while B-25s hit Cabcaben and the airfield at Calingatan. Other FEAF aircraft continue small-scale strikes against numerous other airfields, town areas, gun emplacements, harbors, and communications and transportation targets throughout Luzon. The 19th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Angaur Airfield to Guiuan Airfield with B-24s. Units moving to San Jose, Mindoro: 320th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th BG (Heavy), from Biak with B-24s and 388th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons, 312th BG (Light), from Tanauan, Leyte with A-20s.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 570, JANUARY 27, 1945
Far Eastern Waters.

1. United States submarines operating in Far Eastern Waters have reported sinking 21 enemy vessels, including one light cruiser. The enemy vessels sunk were:

1 light cruiser
1 large tanker
1 large cargo transport
1 medium auxiliary
9 medium cargo vessels
1 medium tanker
3 small cargo transports
4 small cargo vessels

2. These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 243, JANUARY 27, 1945

An estimated 60,000 thus of Japanese shipping in Formosa ports was destroyed and 65,000 tons damaged in attacks by Pacific Fleet carrier aircraft on January 20 (West Longitude Date). Among enemy ships sunk were:

Six oilers and four medium cargo ships

Among ships damaged were:

Three destroyers
One large troop transport
Four large oilers
One large cargo ship
One medium cargo ship

Liberators of the Strategic Air Force bombed installations and the airfield areas on Iwo Jima on January 24. Several fires were started. Antiaircraft fire was meager. Only one enemy plane intercepted our bombers.
Planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing attacked installations at Babelthuap and in the Yap area on the same day.

 

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1941
ALASKA: A survey of the eight proposed radar sites in Alaska determines that only three are acceptable and additional surveys are required for the other five. Continuing an effort to increase the defense of the territory, U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson approves the establishment of 12 radar stations.

1942
PACIFIC: The British carrier HMS INDOMITABLE delivers 48 Hurricane fighters, destined for Singapore to Java.

AUSTRALIA: The USAAF activates the first U.S. air transport unit in Australia. None of its original complement of 14 officers and 19 enlisted men had been trained for transport operations; they just happened to be available. The aircraft assigned to the unit are two old Douglas B-18 Bolo bombers, one Douglas C-39 (Model DC-2-243) transport which had been flown down from the Philippines and five new Douglas C-53 (Model DC-3A-405) transports recently arrived from the U.S. None of these aircraft
has a cargo door, i.e., one wide enough to load and unload cargo other than humans.

BRAZIL: The Third Conference of Foreign Ministers of the (21) American Republics at Rio de Janeiro is concluded. Despite the efforts of Argentina and Chile, Pan-American unity is preserved; within days, all Latin American nations that had not already done so (except Argentina and Chile) sever ties with Germany, Italy, and Japan. Today, Brazil and Paraguay break diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy and Japan.

BURMA: Pilots of the 1st and 2d Fighter Squadrons, "The Flying Tigers" shoot down six Nakajima "NATE" fighters over and near Mingaladon Airdrome, Rangoon, between 1150 and 1210 hours local.

LOUISADE ARCHIPELAGO: The Japanese land on Rossel Island, the easternmost island of this archipelago. The island is located about 490 miles ESE of Port Moresby, New Guinea, and 420 miles WSW of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, an ideal position to block shipping from either point. The Japanese immediately begin building an airfield.

MALAYA: East Force continues their unopposed withdrawal toward Singapore Island. The Japanese reach Benut and continue southward behind the Indian 11th Division. A gap develops between the two brigades of the Indian 9th Division withdrawing along the railroad and the 22d Brigade becomes isolated from the main body. In Singapore, Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, General Officer Commanding Malaya Command, summons his commanders and finds he has no reserves and only one of the island's 15-inch guns points northward.
Four USAAF Far East Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses from Java stage through Palembang Airdrome on Sumatra and attack Kuala Lumpur.
Only 21 of the 51 Hawker Hurricane fighters that arrived in Singapore on 13 January are still serviceable.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses based at Singosari Airdrome, Java, attack Kendari Airdrome on Celebes Island.
The RAAF begins evacuating the two flights of No. 13 Squadron, with its few remaining Lockheed Hudson bombers, from Laha Airdrome on Ambon Island.

PACIFIC: The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise becomes the first heavy ship to refuel at sea by night, doing so in the central Pacific at 2000 hours local from the oiler USS Platte, under blackout conditions. The successful evolution takes five hours.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the II Corps area on Bataan, the 41st Infantry, Philippine Army (PA), completes its movement into the Sector C line, taking up positions between 31st and 51st Divisions, PA, elements.
The Japanese renew their attack against the corps in the evening: some Japanese troops cross the Tiawir River in front of Sector D, where they are halted; others attempt to move forward in Sector C without success.
From the west coast, in the I Corps area, the Japanese move eastward along the corps' main line of resistance to the 1st Division, PA, sector, where defense preparations are not yet completed; during the night of the 28/29th, the Japanese breach the main line of resistance (MLR) there and pour southward through the gap. As the enemy force becomes divided in dense jungle, two pockets, called the Little Pocket and the Big Pocket, are formed, Little Pocket about 400 yards below the MLR and Big Pocket nearly a mile behind the MLR.
In the South Sector, Scouts of 2d Battalion, 57th Infantry, Philippine Scouts (PS), attack Longoskawayan Point and advance two thirds of its length before artillery support is obstructed by Pucot Hill. The 3d Battalion of the 45th Infantry, PS, attacks the enemy beachhead at Quinauan Point, but jungle terrain and the enemy make progress slow and costly.
At night the 3d Battalion is reinforced by Company B of the 57th Infantry, PS. In the Anyasan-Silaiim sector, the ground echelon of the USAAF's 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) and Philippine Constabulary elements push almost to the coast of Anyasan Bay, but the Constabulary troops, fearing a counterattack, withdraws in confusion after dark.

1943
AUSTRALIA: The Japanese submarine I-165 left Surabaya on 21 January 1943 headed for the Western Australian coastline. It arrived at a position about 7 kms off the small township of Port Gregory, 64 kms north of Geraldton, at around midnight (Tokyo time) on 28 January 1943.
Commander Tatenosuke Tosu fired about 10 shells from the 3.9 inch (100 mm) deck guns of I-165 towards Port Gregory. The purpose of the attack was apparently to draw the Allies' attention away from the fierce battle at Guadalcanal some 3,250 kms away!!

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, a weather aircraft encounters poor visibility over Kiska . Two patrols fly over Amchitka. The second runs into poor weather and aborts. An attack on Kiska is cancelled due to weather.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Seventh Air Force) One B-24 flies photographic reconnaissance over Nauru and Ocean in the Gilbert .

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force) Five B-26s and 12 P-39s attack the airfield at Vila. P-38s and P-40s, along with Navy aircraft, hit shipping between Choiseul and Kolombangara, claiming hits on a tanker and a smaller vessel.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, A-20s bomb the area from Garrison Hill to the Komiatum Track and B-17s hit the Wewak area. B-24s carry out individual attacks at Salamaua. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-24s carry out individual attacks on a cargo vessel in Open Bay and a nearby village. In the Dutch East Indies, B-24s in individual attacks bomb a transport off Amboina, Ambon. HQ 3d Bombardment Group (Dive) and its 8th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) with A-20s and 90th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) with B-25s transfer from Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea.

1944
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): 9 B-25's, staging through Makin bomb Taroa; B-24's, staging through Tarawa and Makin and taking off at varying intervals, carry out several hours of strikes against Wotje, Kwajalein, Maloelap, and Jaluit Atolls.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): AAF and USN fighters support a USN dive-bomber attack on targets in the Rabaul area; 5 P-38's are lost; Allied aircraft claim about 30 aircraft shot down; at Lakunai Airfield, one of the targets, 20-30 parked aircraft are destroyed and several AA positions are destroyed or damaged; and 25 B-25's, covered by 12 P-38's, pound Tobera Airfield. 16 P-39's strafe the Shortland area. HQ 307th Bombardment Group transfers from Guadalcanal to Munda, New Georgia .i 424th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Guadalcanal with B-24's begins operating from Munda, New Georgia .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25's attack targets of opportunity from Bogia to Cape Croisilles. A-20's attack in the Cape Gloucester area; P-40's hit Hoskins Airfield; and P-39's strafe barges in Rein Bay. HQ 417th BG and 672d, 673d, 674th and 675th Bombardment Squadrons arrive at Cape Sudest, New Guinea from the US with A-20's; first mission is 27 Mar.

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 23 P-40s and P-51s attack railway and river traffic at Wuhu, Sinyang, and Linfen, in the Sinsiang-Hantan area, between Loyang and Sinyang, and along the Pinghan (Hankow-Peking) railroad.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 40 fighter-bombers support ground forces SE of Banwe, E of Molo, S of Molo Ywama, and near Namhkam; 80 fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supply areas, and enemy movement and active areas at or near Namsangsok, Namlan, Pangmakmo, Wengnan, Kutkai, and Mu-lwat. Again 500+ sorties are flown to forward areas by transports. The first convoy from Ledo, India crosses the Chinese border heading for Kunming, China.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 10 B-24s from Guam and 10 from Saipan bomb airfields on Iwo Jima ; 10 more follow during the night of 28/29 Jan with single-bomber harassment raids on the airfields. Two B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Arakabesan.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and fighter-bombers concentrate attacks on Luzon: the heaviest tonnage (from B-24s) falling on Corregidor in Manila Bay; Cavite and targets between Manila and Subic Bay, including Laoag Airfield, are also hit; A-20s concentrate on targets in the Aparri-Gattaran area while fighter-bombers and A-20s hit airfields in the Cagayan Valley and troops, trucks, and roads in the San Felipe and Talavera areas. HQ 91st Photographic Wing (Reconnaissance) smoves from Leyte to Mindoro.

USN: Three USMC R4D-5 (DC-3; C-47 type) aircraft from Squadon VMR 152 navigated for a flight of SBDs from Peleliu to Luzon. They arrive Luzon on the 29th. The SBDs were sent to assist the army for their dive bomb capabilities.

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 244*, JANUARY 28, 1945

A recapitulation of damage inflicted on enemy shipping in and around Formosa on January 20 (West Longitude Date) by aircraft of the United States Pacific Fleet is as follows: (Including damage reported in Communiqué No. 240. )

*First communiqué to be released at Advance Headquarters by Admiral Nimitz. See CINCPOA Press Release No. 4, February 7, 1945.

334​

Sunk: Sixty thousand tons, including six oilers, two medium cargo vessels previously damaged, one medium cargo vessel, two small coastal cargo ships, four luggers, one medium cargo ship.
Damaged: Sixty‑five thousand tons, including one large transport, two large oilers, one large cargo ship, three luggers, one destroyer, two medium cargo ships, four small coastal cargo ships.
Aircraft destroyed or damaged: 47 shot down, 102 destroyed on the ground, 162 damaged on the ground.
In attacks in and around Okinawa Jima in the Nansei Shoto, aircraft of the Pacific Fleet inflicted the following damage on the enemy on January 21:
(Attack reported in communiqué No. 241.)

Sunk: 4 ships, 25 vessels.

Damaged: 5 ships, 36 small vessels.

Aircraft destroyed or damaged: 28 planes burned on the ground, 40 planes damaged on the ground.

The two‑day operations cost our forces 15 carrier aircraft lost in combat.

Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Four made rocket and machine gun attacks on radio and lighthouse installations on Shimushu in the Kuriles on January 25. On the same day Eleventh Army Air Force Mitchells bombed installations on Torishima in the same group. Eight enemy fighters were encountered by the Army bombers which probably destroyed two and damaged four others. All our aircraft returned safely.
Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos through moderate antiaircraft fire on January 25.
Two enemy fighters were seen in the air.
On January 24 and 25 torpedo planes and fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed enemy installations on Yap in the Western Carolines.
On January 25, Marine aircraft destroyed a building and bridge on Urukthapel in the Palaus, sank a barge near Babelthuap, and bombed Sonsoral Island southeast of the Palaus.
Neutralizing raids were continued by planes of Fleet Air Wing Two on enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls on January 26.




CINCPOA* PRESS RELEASE NO. 1, JANUARY 28, 1945

Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz, U. S. Navy, Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, today sent the following message to Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., USN, Commander, Third Fleet; Vice Admiral Charles A. Lock*wood, Jr., USN, Commander, Submarine Force, and Lieutenant General Millard F. Harmon, USA, Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Pacific Ocean Areas

"The Third Fleet in the last four months has hit the enemy hard in the Philippines, the Ryukyu Islands, Formosa, Indo‑China and South China. It has demolished and damaged aircraft, ships and land objectives to a degree which has materially reduced Japan's ability to make war.

*CINCPOA‑United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Areas, Advanced Headquarters. See CINCPOA Press Release No. 4, February 7, 1945.

It has paved the way for and covered the Philippine re‑occupation. It has written proud pages, in our nation's history.
"Submarines of the Pacific Fleet and the Army Air Forces in China and in the Pacific Ocean Areas have provided extremely effective cooperation and support and have continued to destroy the enemy wherever found.
"Well done to the officers and men of these gallant fighting forces."

 

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1941
U.S.: Secret U.S.-British- Canadian staff conversations begin in Washington to determine joint strategy in case of U.S. involvement in the war; the talks will continue until 27 March. They produce conclusions code named ABC1 which state that Allied policy in the event of war with Germany and Japan should be to put the defeat of Germany first.
The talks mark an important stage in the development of cooperation between the US and Britain. As well as their important decisions they accustom the staffs to working with each other.
Another decision was that US and Allied representatives would meet in Singapore on April 21, 1941, to discuss development of common defense policies and procedures.

CHINA: Nationalist Chinese soldiers and Kuomintang guerrillas recover Zhenyang from the Japanese.

SINGAPORE: On his way to Britain, the Australian Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, is appalled at the neglect of Singapore's defences, which he considers an easy target for Japan.

1942
AUSTRALIA: The government establishes the Manpower Directorate to ensure the organization of all citizens, in the best possible way to meet all defence requirements and the essential needs of a community who overriding purpose, for the duration, of the war.

BORNEO: The Japanese occupy Pontianak, on the west coast of Dutch Borneo site of a Dutch Naval Air Station.

BURMA: Pilots of the 1st and 2d Fighter Squadrons, American Volunteer shoot down 12 "Nates" over Rangoon during the afternoon.

ECUADOR: The government breaks diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy and Japan.

FIJI ISLANDS: The USAAF 70th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) arrives at Suva on Viti Levu Island from the U.S. with 25 crated P-39s Airacobras.

HAWAII: At Hickam Field, the USAAF Hawaiian Air Force inactivates the 18th Bombardment Wing and activates the VII Bomber Command; the new command will control all bomber units.

JAPAN: Imperial General Headquarters orders the Navy to secure Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea and then Tulagi, Solomon Islands. The Army and Navy are ordered to combine their efforts and seize Port Moresby, New Guinea.

MALAYA: The withdrawal towards Singapore Island continues. West Force is ordered to accelerate its withdrawal by one day. Major Angus Rose of the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders tries to set up a strongpoint on a golf course; the club secretary says, "Nothing can be done until we've called a meeting of the committee." Additional elements of the British 18th Division arrive at Singapore; two of the ships that transported the troops are the USN transports, USS Wakefield, and USS West Point; also, a squad of obsolete light tanks arrives from India, the only tanks to reach Malaya.
Four USAAF FEAF B-17's, striking out of Palembang, Sumatra, attack Kuantan Airfield scoring numerous hits on runways and hangars.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: The Japanese land at Badoeng Island and Mampawan on Celebes Island.An estimated five Japanese warships and seventeen transports,
with five unidentified vessels, are reported to be approaching Ambon Island by RAAF airmen. On Dutch orders Australian engineers destroy naval oil reserves, bomb dumps, hangers and other equipment at Laha, and attempt to make the airfield unusable. Ships are sighted before dusk off the coast of Laitimor Peninsula.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the II Corps withstands further efforts of the Japanese to breach the main line of resistance.
In the I Corps area, troops of 1st and 11th Divisions, Philippine Army (PA), operate against the Little and Big Pockets, respectively, in an effort to determine their strength and disposition, and evoke sharp opposition. Scouts of 1st Battalion, 45th Infantry, Philippine Scouts (PS), prepare to assist the 11th Division in an attack on Big Pocket. In the South Sector, after a half-hour artillery preparation augmented by fire of theminesweeper USS Quail (AM-15), the 2d Battalion of the 57th Infantry, PS, attacks and clears Longoskawayan Point; enemy remnants are being mopped up. The 3d Battalion of 45th Infantry, PS, continues to make slow and costly progress at Canaan Point. In the Anniston-Psyllium sector, scouts of 2d Battalion, 45th Infantry, PS, prepare for an attack and are reinforced by 1st Battalion of the Philippine Constabulary and 1st Battalion of the 12th Infantry, PA, both of these having been relieved at Canaan Point. Company A of the 57th Infantry, PS, is to guard West Road.

U.S.: The Combined Chiefs of Staff establish the ANZAC Area, covering ocean expanses between Australia, New Zealand, and the French territory of New Caledonia in the New Hebrides Islands. This area is to be under U.S. naval command.
Five-inch projectiles containing radio-proximity fuzes are test fired at the Naval Proving Ground, Dahlgren, Virginia, and 52 percent of the fuzes functioned satisfactorily by proximity to water at the end of a 5-mile trajectory. This performance, obtained with samples selected to simulate a production lot, confirmed that the radio proximity fuze would greatly increase the effectiveness of anti-aircraft batteries and led to immediate small scale production of the fuze.

1943
Wessel Islands: HMAS Kuru rescues survivors from HMAS Patricia Cam after it was attacked by a Japanese float plane (Aichi E13A) of the 734th Kokatai. 18 were rescued in total.

NEW GUINEA: Battle of Wau begins and heavy fighting begins. The Japanese attacked the airfield at Wau at the head of the Bulldog Track. This was the second track inland, the other being the Kokoda Track. Poor weather had hampered the resupply of Wau. By 29 Jan 43, the Japanese had advanced to within 50 metres of the airstrip. On that day the weather cleared and as planes began to land, 17 Bde a counter-attack with effective artillery support. The Japanese resisted with their usual vigour.

GUADALCANAL: The Japanese submarine I-1 is detected off Guadalcanal by New Zealand corvettes Moa and Kiwi. The I-1 was making a supply run and is loaded with cargo for Guadalcanal. After depth charging and ramming by Kiwi,
the I-1 serverly damaged is run aground on Guadalcanal. This submarine
proves to be a treasure trove of intelligence material.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, weather reconnaissance over Kiska and a patrol over Rat , flown by one B-24, two B-25s and four P-38s, are recalled early due to weather. All other missions are cancelled.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force) B-26s and P-39s hit a bivouac area at Vila, and the airfield at Munda. B-17s bomb Kahili Airfield. The 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group based in New Caledonia with P-39s begins operating from Guadalcanal. This squadron will continue to operate from Guadalcanal until June 1943.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) B-25s pound the area around Mubo, concentrating on positions on Garrison and Mat Mat Hill. Single B-24s bomb runways at Cape Gloucester and Gasmata

1944
CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 B-24's, supported by 16 P-38's, bomb gasoline plants at Yenangyaung, causing large fires; 1 B-24 later bombs Akyab; 6 B-25's attack bridges at Meza and Pyintha, damaging the former and blasting railroad approaches to the latter.

USN - Four groups of Task Force 58 (Rear Admiral M. A. Mitscher), opened the campaign to capture the Marshalls with heavy air attacks on Maloelap, Kwajalein, and Wotje. On the first day the defending enemy air forces were eliminated and complete control of the air was maintained by carrier aircraft during the entire operation.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): As a US invasion force approaches the Marshalls, B-24's, attacking from bases in the Gilberts maintain day and night attacks (both multiple-plane missions and single-plane attacks at intervals) against Maloelap, Jaluit, Aur, Wotje, and Mille Atolls. 9 B-25's from Tarawa Atoll also carry out a strike against shipping and shore installations at Wotje. 18 A-24s, supported by 12 P-40's, hit Jaluit. 12 P-39's, operating in flights of 4 aircraft, patrol and strafe Mille all day to deny the use of the airfield to the enemy.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): About 60 Allied fighters cover a strike by 40 USN dive bombers on Tobera, lost is TBF Avenger 47748; Lakunai Airfield is pounded by 19 B-24's, escorted by P-38's and USN fighters; at Tobera and Lakunai, Allied aircraft claim 20+ Japanese shot down.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 40+ B-25's bomb Bogia and Nubia landing grounds, New Guinea. 45 A-20's hit positions in the Cape Gloucester area. Ground looped at Finschafen is B-17E "Yankee Diddl'er" 41-2458.

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, Pailochi Airfield, river and road shipping, troops, gun positions, buildings, and other targets of opportunity are attacked at Kweiyi, Hankow, Sinyang and Chihkiang, between Hengshan and Siangtan, between Wuhu and Anking, N of Hengyang, and E and S of Yutze.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 B-25s knock out road bridges at Loi-leng and Tonglau and hit several nearby targets of opportunity; 26 P-47s hit troop positions in the Namhkai area; 11 P-38s and 16 P-47s attack airfields at Aungban and Heho; 8 P-47s support ground forces near Banwe; 70 P-47s and P-38s pound troop concentrations and supplies at Panglong, Tangyan, Wengnan, Homang, Mong Long, Namtu, Mongyin, Mong Yang, and Namhsam. Largescale transport operations continue. The 1st Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, moves from Tsuyung to Hsinching, China with C-47s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 19 Guam based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima airfields. 2 from Saipan, on an armed reconnaissance flight, bomb Marcus. 1 B-24 from Angaur Airfield bombs Arakabesan. During the night of 29/30 Jan, 5 B-24s from Saipan continue harassment raids on Iwo Jima airfields.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 25: 28 of 33 Mariana based B-29s strike at 2 airfields on Iwo Jima without loss.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Heavy B-24 daylight raids concentrate on the Heito airfield area of Formosa and Corregidor in Manila Bay while B-25s bomb nearby Cabcaben. On Luzon, fighter-bombers and A-20s hit targets of opportunity from Aparri to Echague; further S, two P-38s and two B-25s hit gun positions in the Batangas and Verde areas; A-20s support ground forces inland from Lingayen by hitting the Carranglen road network; others hit Talavera and Carabao. HQ 38th BG (Medium) and the 822d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), move from Morotai to Lingayen Airfield with B-25s. The 319th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th BG (Heavy), moves from Biak to San Jose, Mindoro with B-24s.

USN - Four PT-Boats, lead by PT-222 (lead by Lt. Robert J. Wehrli, USNR), covered by two P-38s and two B-25s enter Batangas Bay, the boats preformed a 67 minute strike hitting small craft and shore installations at Batangas. For 37 minutes they were under intense shore fire. In the end destroyed 2 luggers, 3 barges and 24 sailing vessels, and unknown number of suicide boats hidden along the shore in huts. With help from the aircraft, they target several guns and knock them out, and start 8 fires, one in a fuel dump.

PHIIPINES: US landing at San Antonio, Luzon, Phillipine Islands by the US XI Corps.

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 245, JANUARY 29, 1945

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, en*countered moderate antiaircraft fire over Iwo Jima in the Volcanos while bombing air installations on the island on January 26 (West Longitude Date). One of our planes suffered a hit by a 75 millimeter projectile but all our air*craft returned safely. One of two enemy fighters opposing our force was shot down. On the following day Liberators again bombed the island. This mission marked the fifty‑second day in succession that Seventh Army Air Force bombers, operating under the Strategic Air Force, have attacked Iwo Jima an average of twenty‑eight aircraft per day bombing the island.
On the night of January 26, Marine Mitchells of Victor Mike Baker 61 swept over the Bonins and Volcanos attacking a small coastal cargo ship from low altitude. On the following night the Marine bombers attacked a convoy near the Bonins damaging a destroyer. An attack was also made on a destroyer and medium cargo ship near the Volcanos and rocket hits were scored on both targets. Another destroyer south of the Bonins was left dead in the water by our aircraft which scored four hits causing explosions aboard the ship. This shipping search marked the fifty‑fourth consecutive night on which aircraft of this squadron have carried out harassing flights against enemy shipping in the Bonins Volcanos area.
Fighters and bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing sank a barge near Babelthuap in the Palaus on January 26 and bombed and strafed shore installations in the same area on the following day.
Harbor installations and shore facilities on Yap in the western Carolines were attacked with bombs and rockets by Marine aircraft on the same dates.

 

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1942
BURMA: The Japanese open a strong attack on Moulmein and seize the airdrome.

HAWAII: USAAF Hawaiian Air Force B-17's of Task Group 8.9 return to Hawaii, having completed a mission (began on 16 January 42) which afforded a pioneer look at the problem of air operations over vast Pacific areas, especially the problems of navigation and the servicing of aircraft.

MALAYA: The British withdrawal to Singapore Island reaches its final stage. East Force is the first unit to cross the causeway and is followed by the Indian 11th Division and West Force. West Force delays withdrawal as long as possible in a futile effort to recover the 22d Brigade of the Indian 9th Division. Remnants of this brigade are eventually ferried across the Strait of Singapore. It is decided to withdraw the Malaya Air Force to the Netherlands East Indies except for a single squadron. )
At 1100 hours local, 27 Japanese naval land attack planes bomb Allied shipping at Keppel Harbor; the transport USS Wakefield (AP-21, ex-SS Manhattan), waiting to embark 400 British women and children being evacuated to Ceylon, is damaged by a bomb which kills 5 crewmen; three British transports are also hit. The transport USS West Point (AP-23, ex-SS America) is straddled and showered with fragments, but suffers no damage and provides medical assistance to the crew of USS Wakefield.
Both U.S. transports subsequently embark passengers that include dockyard workers from Singapore and their families, in addition to Royal Navy officers and enlisted men and a small RAF contingent. The ships will then proceed to Batavia, Java, Netherlands East Indies for additional evacuees, and thence on to Colombo, Ceylon, arriving there on 6 February.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: The Japanese invade 314 square mile Ambon Island which has the second largest naval base in the East Indies. The defenders include Dutch troop and the Australian 2/21 Battalion plus supporting troops. During the night of 30 January two Japanese landings are launched; the 1st Kure Special Landing Force lands at Hitu-Iama and the 228th Infantry lands on the southern coast of Laitimor. The defenders are at a disadvantage to contest the landings, only a few Dutch detachments were in the area. At Hitu-Iama on the north coast the defending infantry and machine-gun crews are quickly overwhelmed and bridges on the road leading to the town of Paso are left intact allowing the Japanese to speedily advance south across the Hitu Peninsula. Other landings occurred around Hutumori; the Japanese split westward to the town, and northward to Paso using captured Ambonese compelled to act as guides.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In Sector C of II Corps on Bataan, efforts to dislodge the enemy from the Pilar River bridgehead fail and indecisive fighting continues along the main line of resistance (MLR). The I Corps makes slow progress against enemy pockets behind the MLR. While the 1st Division, Philippine Army (PA), attempts to reduce Little Pocket, elements of the 11th Infantry, PA, and 45th Infantry, Philippine Scouts (PS), attack Big Pocket from the north and south, respectively. In the South Sector, the 3d Battalion of the 45th Infantry, PS, reinforced, continues to attack the Quinauan Point beachhead. The 2d Battalion of the same regiment, reinforced, supported by the 88th Field Artillery battery, PS, pushes slowly toward the mouth of the Silaiim River.
General Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief US Army Forces Far East (USAFFE), takes control of all naval forces in the Philippines.

U.S.: The last pre-war automobiles produced by General Motors' Chevrolet Division and Chrysler's DeSoto Division roll off the assembly lines today.
California Governor Culbert Olson revokes the professional and business licenses of 5,000 Japanese, German and Italian aliens in California. The revocations mostly affect Japanese-Americans.
The Congress passes the Emergency Price Control Act which allows the Office of Price Administration (OPA) to place ceilings on prices and rents.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians, two patrols, each composed of one B-25 and four P-38s, fly over Amchitka and are recalled early due to weather. One B-17, upon an alleged submarine sighting, drops four depth charges and one bomb whereupon a whale breaks water. Weather cancels other missions.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): AA positions and the airfield area at Munda are pounded by B-17s, B-26s, P-39s and P-40s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb shipping and wharf facilities at Rabaul. B-24s, operating individually, bomb the runway at Gasmata and attack a transport vessel in Open Bay. A-20s strafe and bomb Lae and the area around Mubo in the vicinity of Garrison Hill and along the Komiatum Track.

SOLOMON SEA: USS Chicago damAged yesterday during the Battle of Rennell Island is attacked while being towed clear of the combat zone, and sunk.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 B-25's attack bridges at Meza, Zawchaung, and N of Kyungon; Meza bridge is put out of commission, Kyungon bridge demolished, and Zawchaung bridge damaged; a locomotive and tender are destroyed at the latter target; and a single B-25 attacks vehicles and other targets of opportunity between Taihpa Ga and Tsumhpawng Ga.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 20 P-40's fly armed reconnaissance over E Burma. 8 of them strafe buildings at Loi wing Airfield, Burma.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): In the Marshall , P-40's and P-39's maintain patrols over Mille Atoll, bombing and strafing the airfield to prevent its use by the enemy against invading US forces; B-24's maintain all-night strikes against Kwajalen Atoll in preparation for the invasion the following morning; the invasion of Majuro begins during the night of 30/31 Jan.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 20 P-39's attack Kunrai, Bougainville. 26 B-25's, with large fighter cover, bomb Lakunai Airfield; 18 B-24's, supported by fighters, hit Vunakanau Airfield; 50 Allied fighters support a USN dive bomber strike on shipping in the Rabaul area; altogether 20+ Japanese fighters are claimed shot down.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 34 B-25's bomb the Hansa Bay area and Nubia. A-20's fly a barge sweep along the N coast and P-39's strafe barges and fuel dumps at Rein Bay. 90th Bombardment Squadron, 3d Bombardment Group , transfers from Dobodura to Nadzab with A-20's.

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 27 B-24s, escorted by 32 P-40s and P-51s, bomb Hankow; 8 P-51s hit targets of opportunity in the areas around Loyang, Yuncheng, and Sinantien; the detachment of the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, at Kwanghan with P-51s returns to base at Chengkung (another detachment is at Laohokow).

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 65 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Banwe, Yenya-u, Hsenwi, Molo, and Mongmit areas; 5 others knock out a bridge E of Mong Long; 100+ fighter-bombers attack troops, supplies, artillery, and communications targets at several locations including Kutkai, Bawgyo, Hamn gai, Namhsan, Naleng, Pangsari, Hsenwi, and Wengnan. Transports again fly 500+ sorties to forward areas. HQ 1st Combat Cargo Group moves from Tsuyung, China to Dohazari, India. The detachment of the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating from Bikram, India with C-47s, returns to base at Kalaikunda, India. The detachment of the 492d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Luliang, China ferrying gasoline to Suichwan, China in B-24s, returns to base at Madhaiganij, India.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 17 B-24s from Saipan bomb an Iwo Jima airfield. 3 others bomb the airfield on Woleai. 5 B-24s from Angaur Airfield strike Koror and Arakabesan. During the night of 30/31 Jan, 10 B-24s from Saipan fly single-bomber snooper raids against Iwo Jima airfields.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Bad weather cancels most of the scheduled strikes over Luzon; however, B-24s bomb Cavite while fighter-bombers flying support for ground forces hit artillery and troop concentrations NE of Labayug and others attack ammunition dumps N of San Isidro. The 405th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Morotai to Lingayen Airfield with B-25s.
RNZAF - Fighter sweeps against Rabaul.

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 246, JANUARY 30, 1945

More than 40 tons of bombs were dropped on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos by Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, on Jan*uary 28 (West Longitude Date). An explosion was observed on an airstrip and several fires were started in storage areas.
Liberators of the same force bombed Marcus Island on the same date.
Night flying Marine Mitchells of the Strategic Air Force, struck at ship*ping around the Bonins and Volcanos on January 29. Hits scored with rockets caused large explosions on a large enemy cargo ship and a medium cargo ship in the Bonins.
On January 28 fighters and torpedo aircraft of the Fourth Marine Air*craft Wing attacked shore and harbor installations on Yap in the Western Carolines.
Facilities on Babelthuap in the Palaus were attacked by Marine Aircraft on January 29.

 

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1942
BORNEO: The Japanese continue their conquest of Borneo; they occupy the town of Ngabang, and a battalion size unit with ca. 400 men lands in Adang Bay (Teluk Adang) without opposition before daybreak.

BURMA: The Moulmein garrison withdraws across the Salween River to Martaban. The 48th Brigade of the Indian 19th Division arrives in Rangoon and is held in reserve. Another brief lull ensues in ground action as the Japanese prepare for further attacks, infiltrating across the Salween and bombing and shelling Martaban.

HAWAII: Task Force Eleven (TF 11) (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr.), formed around the aircraft carrier USS Lexington, departs Pearl Harbor to cover the retirement of TF 8 (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr.) and TF 17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher) from the Marshall and Gilbert Islands.

MALAYA: Allied defense forces complete their withdrawal to Singapore Island at 0800 hours and blows the causeway. There are 85,000 men from 38 battalions, 13 British, six Australian, 17 Indian, and two Malay, on the island; The Japanese are attacking with less than 40,000 men.
For defense purposes, Singapore is divided into three sectors. The Indian 3 Corps, under command of Lieutenant General Sir Lewis Macclesfield Heath, consisting of the Indian 11th and British 18th Divisions and corps troops, is responsible for the North Area. The South Area, which includes Singapore town, is the responsibility of Major General F. Keith Simmons, commander of Singapore Fortress troops, who has under his command in addition to fixed defenses, the 1st and 2d Malayan Brigades and Strait Settlements Volunteer Force. The West Area, under command of Lieutenant General Henry Bennett, General Officer Commanding Australian Imperial Force Malaya, is manned by Australians and the Indian 44th Brigade, with attachments. Activity from this time until the Japanese invasion is confined to artillery exchanges, air attacks, and patrolling. The chief targets for Japanese aircraft are the docks and Kalang Airdrome.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: On Ambon Island, the Japanese attack Laha late in the afternoon; they are repulsed by an outnumbered platoon of Australians on the northeast of the airfield.

NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand continues to dig in for war by introducing air-raid shelter regulations, and inviting women to join the Emergency Precaution Service as fire-watchers. All men must register for the Emergency Defence Corps.

PACIFIC: The destroyer USS Helm evacuates civilian radio operators and weather observers from Howland and Baker Islands; she is bombed by a Japanese reconnaissance flying boat off Baker, but is not damaged.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the Japanese begin an attack on II Corps in the evening after air and artillery preparation but are halted by corps fire. A Japanese regiment concealed in the bridgehead across the Pilar River begins withdrawing under cover of darkness. The I Corps continues the battle against enemy pockets in sectors of 1st and 11th Divisions, Philippine Army; the pockets are now cut off from supply. In the South Sector, operations against the enemy beachhead at Quinauan Point continue with little change in positions. Japanese reinforcements are ordered to the area. The U.S. 192d Tank Battalion (less one company) is sent to the west coast to help reduce the Quinauan Point beachhead.

U.S.: Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell, in a memo to General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff U.S. Army, estimates his needs for China assignment and requests that his staff and any forces that may join it be called a task force. The War Department subsequently approves designation of Stilwell's forces as U.S. Task Force in China.
The last pre-war automobiles produced by Chrysler, Plymouth, and Studebaker roll off the assembly lines today.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, a weather and photographic reconnaissance aircraft flies twice over Kiska . During the first mission near Attu , the aircraft is jumped by 6 fighters which it eludes. Four B-17s, 2 B-24s, 6 B-25s, 4 P-38s and 4 P-40s then attempt an attack on Kiska; P-40s turn back with mechanical troubles; the other aircraft find Kiska closed in and abort the mission. Two patrol missions, each by 1 B-25 and 4 P-38s, fly over Amchitka ; two enemy floatplanes bomb Constantine Harbor on Amchitka without results.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force & USN) P-39s join SBD Dauntless and F4F Wilcats of VMF-112 in attacks on shipping in the Vella Gulf; hits are claimed on a destroyer. Sunk is Toa Maru 2. Lost are F4F 11983 and F4F "Impatient Virgin" 03520 (pilot Jefferson J. De Blanc earns Medal of Honor). B-17s bomb the ammunition dump and airfield at Vila. P-39s, P-38s and P-40s, and other Allied fighters, carry out sweeps over Vila and Munda.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) A-20s continue to pound positions between Mubo and Komiatum. A lone B-17 bombs the runway at Wewak. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s pound airfields, shipping and the town area at Rabaul while a single B-24 bombs the runway at Cape Gloucester. In the ocean areas, B-24s unsuccessfully attack isolated vessels over widespread areas in the Banda Sea and Solomon Sea.

Australia:
Northern Territory:
On 31 January 1943, while returning from a dawn raid on Dili, two B-25 Mitchells from 18 Squadron of the Netherlands East Indies Air Force (NEI-AF) made forced landings short of their home base at McDonald airfield in the Northern Territory due to a shortage of fuel. There were no casualties.
One of these two aircraft was B-25C Mitchell, N5-139 (#41-12913) which made an emergency landing in an area east of Tree Point, south west of Darwin (about 30 - 40 kms NNE of Port Keats) on 31 January 1943. This aircraft was written off and Struck Off Charge (SOC).

RAAF: 457 Squadron returned to front-line service on 31 January 1943. Re-equipped with Spitfires, it was based at Batchelor in the Northern Territory and joined 1 Fighter Wing, defending Darwin. The squadron relocated to Livingstone on 31 January where it remained until it transferred to the newly-formed 80 Wing and moved to Sattler on 13 May 1944. During the squadron’s time as part of Darwin’s air garrison it detached aircraft on several occasions to Milingimbi, Drysdale, Perth and Exmouth. While at Livingstone, the squadron was re-equipped with an updated version of the Spitfire, imported from Britain, which arrived in a grey and green camouflage scheme. This led to the squadron nicknaming itself the “Grey Nurse Squadron” and adorning its aircraft with a distinctive shark’s mouth on the nose.


New Guinea: No. 4 Squadron was re-deployed to Wau where it participated in the Battle of Wau.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians, 5 bombers fly a negative sea-search mission.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): US Army and USMC troops land on Kwajalein Atoll, under overall command of Admiral Raymond A Spruance, the USAAF hits other atolls. 19 A-24s bomb Mille Atoll airfield, over which P-39's and P-40's maintain all-day cover and harassment; 9 P-40's carry out a strafing mission against Jaluit Atoll; during the night of 31 Jan/1 Feb, 8 B-24's, attacking at intervals, bomb Wotje Atoll.

USN - Aircraft from the carriers flew cover and antisubmarine patrols for attack shipping and assisted two fast carrier groups, providing air support for landings on Kwajalein

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 40+ Allied fighters cover a strike by USN dive bombers on Tobera; 8 enemy aircraft are claimed shot down; this strike is immediately followed by an attack by 17 B-24's, with fighter support, on the same target. The detachment of the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), operating from Munda with F-5's, returns to base on Guadalcanal.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20's attack Uligan Harbor and P-39's strafe Bogadjim, Bostrem Bay, and landing strip at Alexishafen. B-24's hit a motor vessel off Ceram . 89th Bombardment Squadron , 3d Bombardment Group, transfers from Dobodura to Nadzab, New Guinea with A-20's.

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-51s strafe targets of opportunity along the Pinghan (Hankow-Peking) railroad.

BURMA: Myitkyina: The Burma Road from India to China has re-opened, bringing supplies to Chiang Kei-shek's Nationalist armies. The road - which Chiang has named the "Stilwell Road" - runs via Ledo, Myitkyina and Bhamo.
The first convoy, carrying 75mm and 105mm guns, has crossed the Chinese border and been greeted with fireworks. "During the years that China stood alone the Japanese militarists told their people that if the Burma Road were closed our courage would collapse," Chiang said. "Now comes this caravan, roaring into China over an area which they thought just yesterday to hold in everlasting peace."
Kangaw: Lt. George Arthur Knowland (b.1922), Royal Norfolk Regt., held up 300 Japanese with a Bren gun, standing firm for 12 hours before being fatally hit. (Victoria Cross)

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit troops and stores at Namlan; 50+ P-47s attack troops and supplies at several locations including Na-mawtawng, Tawkut, Mong Long, Hsipaw, Hsenwi, and Namhpakka. Transports complete 535 sorties to forward bases and frontline areas. The 13th, 14th and 16th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 4th Combat Cargo Group, move from Agartala to Chittagong with C-46s. The 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Kan, Burma to Asansol, India with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24s from Guam bomb airfields and AA defenses on Iwo Jima; during the night of 31 Jan/1 Feb, 9 more B-24s, flying single-bomber harassment strikes, hit the island. HQ 419th Troop Carrier Group is activated on Guam; no tactical squadrons or aircraft are assigned; the group's HQ had detachments on Saipan, Tinian and Angaur Airfield to operate transportation terminals that assisted in moving troops, equipment, food and mail to, and in evacuating wounded personnel from combat areas.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Brigadier General Earl W Barnes again assumes command of the XIII Fighter Command. The 157th, 159th and 160th Liaison Squadrons (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, move from Leyte to Calasio, Mangaldan and Calasio, Luzon respectively with UC-64s and L-5s (first mission is 17 Feb and 7 Feb espectively).

PHILLIPINES: Luzon: General MacArthur's US forces are closing fast on all sides on Manila since landing at Lingayen on Luzon three weeks ago. Clark Field, a key airbase 50 miles north of the Philippines capital, was recaptured today by XIV Corps. South of the city US paratroops of the 11th Airborne Division landed at Nasagbu, on the west coast, taking the Japanese defence forces by surprise.
The fierce seven-day battle for Clark Field's cave and tunnel complex ended with survivors of the 30,000-man Kembu Group retreating further into the Zambales Mountains. General Yamashita, the Japanese Philippines C-in-C is fighting similar delaying actions in the north-east with his 150,000-man Shobu Group, hoping to prevent Luzon from becoming the launching pad for an attack on Japan.

USA: Hanford, Washington: The first weapon-grade plutonium is ready for shipment

 

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1940
JAPAN: Japanese expenditure on defence is to account for half of the national budget.
Japan makes a diplomatic protest to the British government concerning the removal of 21 German nationals from the Japanese liner SS Asama Maru by British forces of the cruiser HMS Gloucester and demands they be returned.

1941
JAPAN: Japan begins rationing rice.

UK: Churchill asks the Minister of Economic Warfare about the feasibility of buying South American copper in order to deny it to the USSR and Japan and thus to Germany.

USA: Admiral Ernest J. King is appointed to command the US Atlantic Fleet. Admiral Kimmel is appointed to command the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor.

HAWAII: Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, former Commander Cruisers Battle Force, relieves Admiral J.O. Richardson as Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet (CINCUS) in the battleship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) at Pearl Harbor.

USA: US War Department orders dependents to leave the Philippines. US High Commissioner Sayre recommends American civilians return to the US. War Department vetoes plan to base heavy bomber force in the Philippines. MacArthur recommends to Marshall that entire Philippine Archipelago be defended. (Marc Small)

USA:The 1st Marine Division is activated aboard the battleship Texas.

ALASKA: Construction of Fort Greely on Kodiak Island begins. The base is built as a coast defense base for the naval base on the island and is designed to accommodate 236 officers and 5,592 enlisted men.

U.S.: The U.S. Navy Department announces the reorganization of the U.S. Fleet, reviving the old names Atlantic Fleet and Pacific Fleet; the Asiatic Fleet remains unchanged. U.S. Marine Corps expansion occurs as the 1st and 2d Marine Brigades are brought up to division strength.

1942
BURMA: Pilots of the American Volunteer Group shoot down 16 more Japanese planes.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: The ABDA"Combined Striking Force" is established with Rear Admiral Karel Doorman, Royal Netherlands Navy, in command. The force consists of two heavy cruisers, nine light cruisers and 24destroyers. In reality, five of the light cruisers and 14 of the destroyers are obsolete and not fit for modern naval warfare.
On Ambon Island, the Japanese capture 10 Australian soldiers and bayonet them to death. The Japanese commander says the POWs would be "a drag" on his advance.

PACIFIC: USN Task Force Eight (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr.), formed around the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, raids the Marshall Islands concentrating on Kwajalein and Wotje, with the heavy cruiser USS Chester bombarding Maleolap Atoll. At Kwajalein, SBD Dauntlesses of Bombing Squadron Six and Scouting Squadron Six and TBD Devastators of Torpedo Squadron Six from USS Enterprise sink a transport and damage the light cruiser HIJMS Katori, submarine HIJMS I-23, a minelayer, an auxiliary netlayer, an auxiliary submarine chaser, a submarine depot ship, an oiler, a tanker, and an army cargo ship; in the bombing of shore installations, Rear Admiral Sukeyoshi Yatsushiro (Commander Sixth Base Force) becomes the first Imperial Navy flag officer to die in combat when an SBD scores a direct hit on his headquarters. Off Wotje, gunfire from heavy cruisers USS Northampton and USS Salt Lake City sink a gunboat while the destroyer USS Dunlap shells and sinks an auxiliary submarine chaser. Japanese retaliatory air attacks by six Mitsubishi G3M, "Nell" medium bombers of the Chitose Kokutai (Chitose Naval Air Corps) on TF-8 results in damage
to USS Enterprise (near-miss of a crashing land attack plane) and heavy cruiser USS Chester (by bomb dropped by carrier fighter). Three SBDs are shot down over Roi Island by Mitsuibishi A5M, Navy Type 96 Carrier Fighters and one "Claude" is shot down by a VS-5 SBD gunner.
USN TF-17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher), formed around aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, raids the Gilbert Islands targeting enemy installations on Jaluit, Makin, and Mili. Aircraft from USS Yorktown cause less damage than the attacks on the Marshall Islands, due to a scarcity of targets at the objective; nevertheless, SBDs of VS-5 bomb and strafe a gunboat at Makin and destroy two Kawanishi H6K, "Mavis" flying boats at anchor, while SBDs of VB-5 bomb and strafe a cargo ship at Jaluit. Rear Admiral Fletcher detaches three of his four destroyers to look for downed TBD of VT-5 reported in the water astern of TF-17. During the search, a Japanese "Mavis" flying boat of the Yokohama Kokutai attacks (but does not damage) destroyer USS Sims. Soon thereafter, two F4F Wildcats of Fighting Squadron Forty Two splash the flying boat. The TBD crew, however, is never found in the prevailing poor weather.
TF-11 (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr.), formed around aircraft carrier USS Lexington supports the operations from the vicinity of Christmas Island in the Line Islands.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the II Corps prepares to attack in Sector C to clear the enemy bridgehead from which Japanese continue to withdraw. I Corps continues its efforts to reduce pockets south of the main line of resistance with negligible success.
In the South Sector, Philippine Scouts renew the battle against the Quinauan Point beachhead but progress is still limited. Scout casualties by this time are estimated at 50 percent. Japanese reinforcements for Quinauan Point are spotted, during the night of 1-2 February and attacked by the remaining four P-40s of the USAAF FEAF, motor torpedo boats, and artillery and infantry weapons from shore. The Japanese are forced to land instead in the Anyasan-Silaiim area.

SINGAPORE: The British defenders finally dig entrenchments, but because of the panic and retreat, there's no civilian labor. Daily air raids sap morale and impede work. After the daily attacks, Air Raid Precautions (ARP) trucks pick up bodies and dump them in communal graves. Aviation fuel is dumped instead of being used to set the Johore Straits afire. Singapore's defenses are being prepared at the last minute.

1943
ALASKA: In the Aleutians, all missions are cancelled due to weather. Enemy aircraft bomb and strafe Amchitka harbor and shipping without inflicting damage.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) The 424th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group with B-24s ceases operating from Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice and returns to base (Dillingham Field, Territory of Hawaii).

CBI (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, 7 B-24s of the India Air Task Force from Pandaveswar, India bomb the Arakan tea sheds on the Rangoon River near Rangoon harbor. The 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Tenth Air Force, with F-4s, is based at Pandaveswar, India with a detachment at Kunming, China. A detachment of the detachment begins operating from Kweilin, China sometime in February 1943. On 6 Feb 43, this squadron is redesignated the 9th Photographic Squadron.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) P-38s, P-39s and P-40s, along with Navy and Marine aircraft, attack 4 destroyers of the Tokyo Express north of Vangunu ; unlike previous missions, these destroyers are dispatched to evacuate the Japanese troops from Guadalcanal. Hits on 2 of the ships cause fires. At night, 19 more destroyers come in, evacuate troops and, after losing one destroyer to a mine, are well away by dawn. B-17s attack shipping in the Shortland-Bougainville area, claiming 3 direct hits on cargo vessels. Lost is B-17E 41-9151 , B-17E "Eager Beavers" 41-9122 and B-17E "Yokohama Express" 41-2442. A fourth plane, piloted by a Capt. Thomas (72nd BS/5th BG), was badly damaged but managed to crash land at Guadalcanal. Two crew members (radio and bombadier) were wounded.

GUADALCANAL - Japanese begin to evacuate troops from Guadalcanal

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb the runway and aircraft dispersal areas at Rabaul, New Britain. A lone B-24 bombs the runway at Finchhafen, then flies east where it bombs the runway at Cape Gloucester and unsuccessfully attacks a ship in Open Bay.

GUADALCANAL: The 2nd Btn 132nd Regiment with 4 75mm howitzers of the 4th Battery 10th Marines is landed on the south coast of Guadalcanal north of Verahue. A Japanese recon pilot reports the escorting destroyers as cruisers. This misidentification results in an airstrike which sinks destroyer DeHaven 2 miles southeast of Savo Island in the afternoon.
18 Japanese destroyers make the trip down the slot to Guadalcanal. They are on the first of the evacuation runs. Loading 4,935 troops as Kamimbo and Cape Esperance against fierce opposition from
US PT Boats, they return to the Shortlands with the loss of one destroyer, IJN Makikumo. Either a mine or torpedo from a PT boat left her without power and she was scuttled.
US destroyers Radford, Fletcher and Nicholas are spotted by a "Pete" which drops flares. The loss of surprise renders any chance of success for Captain Briscoe and Desron 21 to join the fight as futile.

NEW GUINEA: The Australians repel the Japanese less than 400 yards from Wau, New Guinea, airfield.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 B-24s bomb Mingaladon Airfield; another hits the airfield at Nyaungbinwun; 32 P-51s and A-36s and a single B-25 hit the main airfield at Myitkyina; some of the aircraft then strafe the Radhapur transport depot and storage area to the NW.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China during Feb 44, a detachment of the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Chengkung, operates from Nanning with P-40s; 449th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, transfers from Kunming to Suichwan with P-38s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Makin hit the beach defenses on Kwajalein; P-40s on armed reconnaissance over Mille Atoll, Marshall Islands strafe a beached schooner. Operation CATCHPOLE is begun to occupy and defend Eniwetok Atoll, which is to furnish a striking base for operations against the Marianas. During the operation, Seventh Air Force aircraft operating from newly acquired bases in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands neutralize airfields in the Marianas and continue to pound by-passed airfields in the Marshalls.

USN - Operation CATCHPOLE (operations against Eniwetok and Ujelang Atolls in the Marshall Islands) is begun to occupy and defend Eniwetok Atoll. Lost is F6F Hellcat 40121.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Weather prevents 50 B-24s sent against installations in the Admiralty Islands from reaching the target; 2 B-24s bomb a freighter NE of Vanimo, New Guinea while a single B-24 on armed reconnaissance strafes barges in the Solomon Sea. HQ 308th and 309th Bombardment Wings and 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium) are activated at Oro Bay, Lae and Gusap respectively; the wings will operate with various groups that are attached for brief periods. Lost on a ferry flight is B-25D 41-30532. Transfers in New Guinea: 8th Bombardment Squadron from Dobodura to Nadzab with A-20s; 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, from Milne Bay to Nadzab with P-70s. During Feb 44, a detachment of the 2

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24s attack shipping off the French Indochina coast, claiming 1 cargo vessel sunk and a patrol boat damaged. In China, 4 P-40s attack a division HQ SW of Yungning; the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Chengkung with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Poseh (another detachment is operating from Laohowkow). Lost is B-24D 41-24183.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 33: 113 B-29s are dispatched to hit the naval base at Singapore, Malayan States; 67 bomb the Admiralty IX Floating Drydock (and a vessel berthed in it) and 21 bomb the West Wall area of the naval base; 21 others hit alternate targets at Martaban, Burma and George Town, Malayan States; they claim 3-4-14 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 fighter-bombers support ground forces around Hosi and Molo; 12 B-25s knock out the Mong Pawn bridge; 8 P-47s damage the approach to the Pa-mao bridge; 8 others hit Hsumhsai Airfield; 90+ fighter-bombers hit troops, supplies, vehicles, a ferry crossing, and various targets of opportunity at several locations including Nauchye, Hsenwi, Man Pwe, Pongkalau, Nawng Mawn, Na-lang, Kunhkan, and Panghtu-Iin. 550 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. The 2d and 4th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 1st Combat Cargo Group, move from Tsuyung and Chengkung, China respectively to Dohazari, India with C-47s; the 459th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, moves from Chittagong to Rumkha, India with P-38s. During Feb 45, the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Guskhara sends elements to operate from Tulihal and Cox's Bazar, India with F-7s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 21 Saipan , Mariana -based B-24s hit Iwo Jima in the afternoon, and 10 more, flying individual snooper raids, hit the during the night of 1/2 Feb. 20 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Corregidor in Manila Bay, Luzon , Philippine . During Feb 45, the 6th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command (attached to 318th Fighter Group) moves from East Field to Kaman Field, Saipan with P-61s (a detachment is operating from Kipapa, Hawaii); the detachment of the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), operating from Bougainville , Solomon with F-5s, returns to base on Morotai , Moluccas .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound the Canacao Peninsula and Cavite areas; targets include a shipyard, seaplane base, communications, and supply. B-25s hit Puerto Princesa. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Okayama Airfield during the night of 31 Jan/1 Feb and hit Okayama and Heito Airfields and Toko seaplane base during the following day. The 71st and 823d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 38th BG (Medium), move from Morotai to Lingayen Airfield with B-25s. During Feb 45, the 160th Liaison Squadron, 3d Air Commando Group, based at Calasio, Luzon with UC-64 and L-5s sends a detachment to operate from Mindoro , Philippines; the 529th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th BG (Heavy), moves from Darwin to San Jose, Mindoro with B-24s.

MALAYA - B-29 attacked Penang.

PHILIPPINES: U.S. Rangers and Filipino guerrillas rescue 513 American survivors of the Bataan "death march".

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 571, FEBRUARY 1, 1945
Pacific Area.

1. The minesweepers USS Hovey and USS Palmer and the LST 759 have been lost in the Philippine Area as the result of enemy action.
2. The next of kin of casualties have been informed.


N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 572, FEBRUARY 1, 1945

1. The submarine USS Growler isoverdue from patrol and presumed lost.
2. Next of kin of officers and crew have been informed.


CINCPOA PRESS RELEASE NO. 2, FEBRUARY 1, 1945

Chance Vought Corsair fighter aircraft have successfully completed their first regular operation from U. S. Navy aircraft carriers against the enemy in wartime.
These aircraft, which bear the official Navy designation of F4U‑1D, formed a portion of the fighter aircraft units used in the sustained fleet opera*tions against the Philippines, the coast of French Indo‑China, the coast of South China, Formosa and the Ryukyu Islands, which began on 2 January 1945 (West Longitude Date).
The Corsair squadrons were flown and commanded by officers of the U. S. Marine Corps. Their performance contributed materially to the success which the U. S. Pacific Fleet achieved.

 

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1942
AUSTRALIA: HQ of the USAAF's 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) , with its three subordinate squadrons, arrives at Melbourne, Victoria, from the U.S. with P-40s. The aircraft are in crates and must be assembled and the vast majority of the pilots do not have the skills to survive in combat and must undergo combat training. The first squadron will fly their first mission in March.

HAWAII: The Hawaiian Air Force activates the VII Interceptor Command at Ft Shafter.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: The Japanese begin a combined, concentrated attack against Australian troops at Laha Airdrome on Ambon Island using infantry, dive-bombers, fighter planes, warships and artillery; the Japanese capture the airfield by mid-morning. Later in the day, the surviving Australians at Laha approached the Japanese with surrender negotiations, sending at least ten representatives under the commanding officer at Laha, Major Newbury, waving a white flag. The Australian party was escorted to the village of Suakodo, where the local Japanese HQ was located, and held captive for the night at the village school.
Japanese minesweeper W.9 is sunk, and minesweepers W.11 and W.12 are damaged, by Dutch mines off Ambon Island.

PACIFIC: The submarine USS Seadragon sinks a Japanese army cargo ship off Cape Bolinao, Luzon.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the II Corps attacks to clear the Japanese bridgehead, at first employing the 31st Engineer Battalion, Philippine Army (PA), and then reinforcing with elements of the 41st Infantry, PA, after Japanese opposition proves stubborn. The Japanese completes withdrawal from the bridgehead during the of night 2-3 February. In the I Corps area, an armored platoon of U.S. 192d Tank Battalion and a platoon of the 1st Battalion, 45th Infantry, Philippine Scouts, attempt unsuccessfully to reduce the Big Pocket.
In the South Sector, Company C of the 192d Tank Battalion assists the Scouts in another attack on the Quinauan Point beachhead, but results are no more satisfactory. Other Scout battalions (2d Battalion of the 45th Infantry; 3d and 1st Battalions of the 57th Infantry) attack abreast to clear the Anyasan-Silaiim sector, making slow progress except on left, where no opposition is met.

U.S.: Major General Joseph W. Stilwell is designated Chief of Staff to Supreme Commander, China Theater, and is directed by the War Department to "increase the effectiveness of United States assistance to the Chinese Government for the prosecution of the war and to assist in improving the combat efficiency of the Chinese Army."

1943
CBI (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, P-40s strafe aircraft, AA positions and targets of opportunity at Kentung. The 1st Troop Carrier Squadron, Tenth Air Force, attached to the India-China Wing, Air Transport Command, with C-47s arrives at Chabua, India from the U.S.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-17s, along with escorting P-40s and P-38s, attack shipping off Shortland. Of 20 Japanese aircraft which intercept, 9 are claimed destroyed. Other B-26s, P-38s and P-39s attack Munda Airfield on New Georgia. The 18th Photographic Mapping Squadron, 4th Photographic Group with B-25s transfers from Dumbea, New Caledonia to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. The bulk of the air echelon remains in the U.S. This squadron is redesignated 18th Photographic Squadron on 6 Feb 43.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb the airfield at Rabaul. B-24s attack shipping between Lolobau and New Britain and north of Open Bay, bomb Gasmata runway and hit Timika. In New Guinea, A-20s continue to bomb and strafe positions on the high points between Mubo and Komiatum. The 319th Bombardment Squadron , 90th BG with B-24s transfers from Iron Range, Queensland, Australia to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

1944
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): A-24s and P-40s from Makin bomb runways and gun positions on Mille Atoll and along with P-39 escort strafe NE tip of the island; B-24s from Tarawa Atoll bomb Rongelap Island, Marshall Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Guadalcanal Island, begins operating from Munda, New Georgia Island with B-24s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb Sorong and Alexishafen; nearly 50 A-20s pound installations in the Madang area. B-25s hit coastal targets on New Britain Island from Cape Gauffre to Rein Bay. Other B-25s attack shipping off Tingwon Island in the Bismarck Archipelago and off the SE coast of New Britain Island.

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 P-40s attack a regimental HQ and a storage area at Lungchow, China.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-25s pound troops and supplies at Loilem; 60+ fighter-bombers support ground forces in the 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 the frontline areas.
21st BC: 88 US B-29s destroy the docks and Japanese naval base at Singapore.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 Guam based B-24s pound a storage area on Iwo Jima. During the night of 2/3 Feb, 10 B-24s, flying individual harassment raids, bomb the island's airfields. 4 P-47s, on a reconnaissance flight, strafe buildings on Pagan. 22 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Corregidor.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Colonel Carl A Brandt becomes Commanding Officer XIII Bomber Command. B-24s continue to pound Corregidor and Cavite and A-20s hit the Baler Bay area. In the Cagayan Valley on Mindanao , Philippine , B-25s attack pillboxes, gun positions, and river barges. B-24s hit Okayama Airfield on Formosa during a dawn raid. HQ 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group moves from Leyte , Philippine to Binmaley, Luzon.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 573, FEBRUARY 2, 1945

1. The LST reported in Navy Department communiqué No. 571 should have been identified as the LST 749. The LST 749 was lost in operations in the Philippine Area. The LST 759 has not been lost.


N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 574, FEBRUARY 2, 1945
Far East.

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of ten enemy vessels as a result of operations in these waters. The ships sunk were:

2 medium cargo transports
2 medium tankers
3 small cargo vessels 1 large transport
1 medium transport 1 small tanker

2. These sinkings have not been announced in any previous Navy Depart*ment communiqué.

JAPANESE SHIP LOSS RATE INCREASES​

Announcing the sinking or damaging of Japanese shipping at a rate in excess of 50 vessels a week since June 19, 1944, Navy Department and CinCPac communiqués show that more enemy vessels have been sunk and damaged in the Pacific since the First Battle of the Philippine Sea last year than had been reported from December 7, 1941, up to that time.
Fleet and sir units operating under the command of the Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet, have accounted for a major part of the enemy shipping listed in the tabulations, while submarines operating under the same command accounted for the remainder.
The recapitulation reveals that 152 combatant ships have been definitely sunk during that period, the same number that had been sent to the bottom in the period from December 7, 1941, to June 19, 1944.
The complete box score follows

COMBATANT SHIPS​

Sunk​

Probably Sunk​

Damaged​

Totals​

12/7/41​

6/19/44​

12/7/41​

6/19/44​

12/7/41​

6/19/44​

12/7/41​

6/19/44​

6/19/44​

2/2/45​

6/19/44​

2/2/45​

6/19/44​

2/2/45​

6/19/44​

2/2/45​

152​

152​

31​

39​

159​

105​

342​

296​

NON‑COMBATANT SHIPS​

719​

759​

52​

65​

270​

605​

1041​

1429​

TOTALS​

871​

911​

83​

104​

429​

710​

1383​

1725​

The Grand Total is 3,108 ships sunk, probably sunk or damaged.


CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 248, FEBRUARY 2, 1945

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed enemy airfield installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos on January 31 (East Longitude Date). Four enemy fighters were airborne over the target. On the following day the Army bombers again attacked the Island causing fires which were visible for thirty miles.
Marine Mitchells of the Strategic Air Force during nightly harassing attacks against enemy shipping around the Bonins and Volcanos since Decem*ber 6 have damaged twelve ships and probably destroyed one other.
Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed harbor Installa*tions at Yap in the Western Carolines on January 31 and February 1.
Coast defenses on Urukthapel in the Palaus were bombed by Marine Air*craft on January 31. On the night of the same date Marine Hellcats bombed Arakabesan, Koror and Babelthuap in the same group. An explosion and a large fire were observed on Arakabesan after the attack. Targets on the same islands were attacked again on February 1.

 

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1939
General Douglas MacArthur asks the War Department to lend more ordnance and equipment for the training of the Philippine Army. The request was declined.

1941
USA: US Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau has testified to the House that "the British ceased buying aircraft, arms and other munitions a month ago because of lack of dollars."

CHINA: Japanese forces occupy Tamshin, east of Canton.

HAWAII: During routine exercises in the Hawaiian Operating Area off Oahu, destroyers USS Dale (DD-353) and USS Hull (DD-350) contact what they believe is a submarine. With all U.S. boats accounted for, Commander Destroyers Battle Force orders USS Lamson (DD-367) to join Dale and Hull. The ships are to maintain contact and to take offensive action only if attacked. USS Mahan (DD-364) joins in the search as well. With speculation that the only possible reason a submarine would be in those waters would be to obtain supplies or land agents, USS Lamson accordingly searches the shoreline east of Diamond Head.

U.S.: Navy Department General Order No. 143 creates three independent fleets, each commanded by an admiral. Admiral Husband E. Kimmel becomes Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet (and also Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet in the event that two or more fleets operate together); Patrol Force U.S. Fleet becomes U.S. Atlantic Fleet under command of Admiral Ernest J. King; Admiral Thomas C. Hart continues as Commander in Chief U.S. Asiatic Fleet.

1942
AUSTRALIA: Thirteen P-40s of the USAAF Far East Air Force's 20th Pursuit Squadron (Provisional) depart Darwin, Northern Territory, for Java.

BURMA: Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek agrees to let the Chinese 5th Army take over the Toungoo front and the balance of the Chinese 6th Army is ordered to move into Burma. The Indian 48th Brigade is ordered to the zone of the Indian 17th Division, under which it is to fight.
Pilots of the 2d Fighter Squadron, "The Flying Tigers" shoot down a Japanese Army bomber over Toungoo Airdrome at 1600 hours local.

CANADA: The Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force is renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force (Women's Division).

INDIAN OCEAN: Port T, a top secret British naval base on Addu Atoll, in the Indian Ocean, becomes operational.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: The Japanese begin preinvasion air attacks on Java. Japanese Navy aircraft from Kendari on Celebes Island attack Soerabaja, Madionen, and Malang. While returning to base, the crew of a Japanese aircraft reports the presence of Allied naval off Madoera.
At Singosari Airdrome, four fully loaded USAAF Far East Air Force B-17s are destroyed and a fifth B-17 is shot down. Three Royal Netherlands Navy Catalina flying boats are destroyed at Soerabaja and a FEAF B- 18 Bolo bringing radar technicians from Australia to Java is shot down with the loss of everyone aboard the aircraft. At the fighter base, Blimbing Airdrome, FEAF P-40s are unable to climb to altitude to intercept the bombers but they manage to shoot down two Japanese fighters and a bomber vs. one P-40 lost.

NEW GUINEA: Japanese aircraft bomb Port Moresby, New Guinea.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the II Corps, finding the enemy bridgehead clear, advances the outpost line in that sector. I Corps continues to make little headway against enemy pockets in sectors of the 1st and 11th Divisions, Philippine Army. In the South Sector, Philippine Scouts and tanks are still unable to make much progress against the Quinauan Point beachhead. Progress is also limited in Anyasan-Silaiim sector although tanks of the U.S. 192d Tank Battalion and artillery assist the Scouts there.
The submarine USS Trout unloads 3,500 rounds of ammunition; refuels; loads two torpedoes, and requests additional ballast. Since neither sandbags nor sacks of concrete are available, she is given 20 tons of gold bars and silver pesos to be evacuated from the Philippines.
She also loads securities, mail, and State Department dispatches before submerging shortly before daybreak to wait at the bottom in Manila Bay until the return of darkness. She gets underway that night using the gold as ballast on the return voyage to Pearl Harbor.

U.S.: The major league baseball club owners hold a special meeting to discuss wartime regulations, they decide to allow 14 night games for each club, with the Washington Senators allowed 21. Two All-Star Games will be played, one with a military All-Star team. Curfews are set for night games with no inning to start after 0050 hours local.

1943
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) P-39s, P-38s and P-40s, along with Navy and Marine aircraft, attack Munda Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) A-20s continue to strike along the Mubo-Komiatum Track. B-25s bomb Dobo on Wamar. B-17s and B-24s attack the runway on Gasmata, Simpson Harbor, the Cape Gazelle area and Cape Gloucester Airfield.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 P-38s attack bridges, encampments, and buildings along the Prome-Taungup road; 1 bridge is knocked out and another damaged; a tugboat is sunk at Akyab; 14 A-36s and a B-25 attack troops and camp area at Kumnyen and Lalawng Ga, and hit a motor pool and repair depot at Shingban; 16 P-51s hit an encampment at Sawnghka.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-40s from Makin bomb and strafe Mille Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): P-40s and US Navy fighters cover a USN dive-bomber strike on Tobera; 15 B-24s with P-38 and USN fighter escort bomb Lakunai Airfield; Allied aircraft claim 13 Japanese interceptors downed during the 2 strikes. Lost is F4U Corsair 56039.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Nearly 100 B-24s and B-25s, supported by P-38s, P-40s and P-47s, pound airfields in the Wewak area; about 80 aircraft are destroyed on the ground and in the air; A-20s attack Alexishafen and the Hansa Bay areas; P-39s and B-25s on armed reconnaissance hit trucks at Erima, barges on the New Britain coast, shipping in the N Bismarck Sea, and Momote and Hyane Harbor. Transfers in New Guinea: HQ 3d Bombardment Group from Dobodura to Nadzab; 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, from Brisbane, Australia to Lae with F-5s, first mission on 5 Feb; 673d Bombardment Squadron, 417th Bombardment Group, from Cape Sudest to Dobodura with A-20s, first mission on 25 Mar.

1945
INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s attack troops and supplies at Loilem; 27 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Molo, Hosi, and Myitson areas; 80+ fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supplies, town areas, tanks, and other targets at Kyaung-hen, Mongkyet, Hsipaw, Hsenwi, Na-sang, Konghsa, and Hkaihsi. Transports complete 531 sorties, landing men and supplies at advanced bases and dropping supplies to forward troops.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: On Luzon , B-24s again pound Corregidor and the Canacao peninsula; other B-24s hit Aparri and Tuguegarao an in the Batangas area, A-20s continue ground support missions. B-24s bomb Cebu City and surrounding targets. On Mindanao B-25s and P-38s hit Matina, Daliao Airfield and Padada Airfield. Lost is P-61

PHILIPPINES: Fighting gets fiercer north of Manila, on Luzon in the Philippines, the 511th Parachute Inf Regt, 11th Abn Div (US) jumped on to Tagaytag Ridge near Manila. The first 915 paratroopers were flown in forty-eight Douglas C-47s of the 317th Troop Carrier Group. The first serial of eighteen aircraft dropped their troops with pinpoint accuracy on the selected drop zone. The second serial of thirty aircraft dropped its planeloads early five miles from the drop zone. At noon that same day, the mistake was repeated again as another serial of fifty-one planeloads of paratroopers jumped early onto the same spot five miles short of the drop zone. In spite of the confused parachute drop, the paratroopers managed to successfully link-up at 1500 hours that afternoon with the 187th and 188th Glider Regiments of the 11th Airborne Division attacking north toward Manila.

 

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1941
USA: An editorial in the Chicago Tribune reports the leaked contents of a report from the Secretary of War which states that "...the American army today has not even one combat airplane with the gun power, the self-sealing fuel tank, and the armour protection for the pilot which the fighting in Europe has shown to be necessary."

USA: The Salvation Army, the YMCA and YWCA, the National Catholic Community Services, the National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board pooled their resources, at the request of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to form a new organization. The United Service Organizations (USO) was created to provide unduplicated recreational services to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were on pass or leave.

USA: The American United Press News Agency reports: The US Army tank arm has begun to carry out an enormous expansion program based on plans which have been developed, continuously improved and modernised since 1928. The army has always realised the striking power of rapid-moving tanks but, armoured officers explain, considered it wiser to avoid spending billions of dollars for the production of tanks that would then have to be stored in giant depots until the day they were mobilised, and that might by then have become outdated. The army trusted in geographical position of the USA to give it time to assemble, whereas the European nations are compelled to keep their armies and arms always ready to deploy.

1942
AUSTRALIA: The USAAF Far East Air Force's 7th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Squadron and 88th Reconnaissance Squadron begin a movement from Brisbane, Queensland, to Karachi, India. The 9th is operating from Jogjakarta, Java with B-17s; the 88th is operating from Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii with B-17s.

JAVA SEA: Japanese reconnaissance flying boats of the Toko Kokutai (Naval Air Corps) contact and shadow the allied force (Rear Admiral Karel W.F.M. Doorman, RNN) of four cruisers and accompanying destroyers, sighted yesterday by 1st Kokutai aircraft, attempting the transit of Madoera Strait to attack the Japanese Borneo invasion fleet. The Allied fleet is now south of the Greater Sunda Islands, about 190 miles east of Surabaya, Java.
On the strength of that intelligence, Japanese naval land attack planes of the Takao, Kanoya, and 1st Kokutais bomb Doorman's ships, damaging the heavy cruiser USS Houston and light cruiser USS Marblehead. Dutch light cruisers HNMS De Ruyter and HNMS Tromp are slightly damaged by near-misses. USS Marblehead's extensive damage (only by masterful seamanship and heroic effort does she reach Tjilatjap, Java, after the battle) results in her being sent back to the United States via Ceylon and South Africa; despite the loss of turret III (one-third of her main battery), USS Houston, however, remains.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: The small Australian garrison on Ambon Island, largely the 2/21 Battalion, surrenders to the Japanese. What followed the surrender of the Australians has become known as "The Carnage at Laha." Up to 100 of the allied prisoners were seriously wounded or ill at the time of surrender and died shortly after. According to Japanese accounts ten men were summarily executed after falling into Japanese hands during the attacks, another 20 to 40 Australians were held at Suakodo
for a few days then executed between the 6 and 8 February.
These unfortunate POWs (ca. 30 Australian POWs), said a Japanese Warrant Officer after the war, were led one by one away from the native school and a little way along the road into the jungle near Laha with their hands tied behind their back. Lieutenant Nakagawa Ken-ichi, the head executor made each kneel down with a bandage over his eyes. The Japanese troops then stepped out of ranks to behead each POW or bayonet him one by one. Each Australian was decapitated by a sword blow to the neck severing the head, death was almost instantaneous, and carried out by about ten samurai wielding Japanese having despatched two or three prisoners. The remaining Australians at Laha perished over the next two weeks, once the dead had been burned and the battleground debris cleared by the captives.

PACIFIC: Asiatic Fleet (Admiral Thomas C. Hart) ceases to exist. Units of Asiatic Fleet are organized into Naval Forces, Southwest Pacific Area under Vice Admiral William A. Glassford.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: HQ US Army Forces, Far East (USAFFE) takes direct control of the Panay and Mindoro garrisons, which were previously part of the Visayan-Mindoro Force, established early in January under command of Brigadier General William F. Sharp.
On Bataan, the II Corps front is relatively quiet. In the I Corps area, the Japanese in Big Pocket repel still another tank-infantry attack. In the South Sector, Philippine Scouts and tanks continue their attack against Canaan Point and this time succeed in compressing the Japanese into a small area at the tip. In the Anyasan-Silaiim sector, tank-infantry attacks against the Japanese still make slow progress.

SINGAPORE ISLAND: The Japanese demand the surrender of the Allied forces. The government refuses. Tengah Airfield is abandoned after intense shelling and bombing by the Japanese.

U.K.: Canadian press baron Max Beaverbrook is appointed Britain's Minister of Production. His steamrolling determination as Minister of Aircraft Production has already resulted in Britain producing more fighters than Germany.

U.S.: Attorney General Francis Biddle orders Japanese, German and Italian aliens to leave 31 areas in the states of Washington and Oregon by 15 February.


1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, six B-24s, three B-25s, three B-26s and ten P-40s en route to Kiska, are forced back near Segula by snow squalls and low ceiling. The weather aircraft flies unsuccessful reconnaissance over Kiska and photographic reconnaissance is flown over Amchitka. An OA-10 investigates flares reported near Kagalaska Strait.

CBI (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, heavy bombers from Gaya and Pandaveswar, India pound the marshaling yard at Mandalay, halting the northbound flow of supplies. Tracks and cars in the southern half of the marshaling yard are heavily bombed, causing fires visible for 70 miles. Heavy bombers also damage a 15,000-ton transport at the mouth of the Rangoon River. Meanwhile, one B-25 and nine P-40s hit rail targets at Naba.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) B-26s pound the Sanananda Point area as preparations for an allied offensive in that sector get underway. A-20s and B-25s hit the airfield and AA positions and buildings at Lae. B-24s, on single-plane flights, bomb the Lae airfield and attack schooners off Gasmata and Cape Kwoi in the Bismarck Archipelago.

AUSTRALIA: Canberra: Australian Government rules: Defence Act amended to allow conscription for military service within a limited area south of the Equator beyond the Australian mainland and territories
AIF:
New South Wales:
The 9th Australian Division (AIF) is now based at Wallgrove Army Base in New South Wales, west of Sydney in February 1943 after being returned from North Africa.
Milne Bay:
RAAF squadrons 6 ( Hudsons), 75 ( Kittyhawks ), 78 ( Kittyhawks ) and 100 ( Beauforts ) become No. 71 wing.
Port Moresby:
RAAF squadrons 4 ( Wirraways ), 22 ( Bostons ) and 30 ( Beaufighters ) become No. 73 wing.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 12 P-51s strafe runways and buildings at Indaw, Burma.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, flying from Tarawa Atoll and Makin bomb Wotje, Maloelap and Mille Atolls; B-25s from Tarawa and Abemama also hit Wotje and Maloelap; P-40s based on Makin bomb and strafe Mille Atoll.

USN - U.S. 27th Army defeat organized Japanese resistance Kwajalein.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 25 B-25s, escorted by 40+ fighters, pound the airfield at Tobera; 18 B-24s, covered by 30+ P-38s and USN fighters, hit the airfield at Vunakanau. HQ 5th BG transfers from Guadalcanal Island to Munda, New Georgia Island. 68th Fighter Squadron, 347th FG, transfers from Fiji to Bougainville with P-38s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s and B-25s carry out small raids against Ambon, Namlea on Buru Island and Amboina. In New Guinea, 170+ B-24s, A-20s. and B-25s bomb But and Dagua Airfields, Marienberg and the Madang-Alexishafen area; P-39s bomb and strafe Atemble and strafe targets of opportunity in the Alexishafen area. 672d, 674th and 675th Bombardment Squadrons , 417th Bombardment Group, transfer from Cape Sudest to Dobodura, New Guinea with A-20s, first mission on 25 Mar.

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 P-40s bomb the airfield and Japanese HQ at Yungning and railroad yards at Sinyang; 2 of the P-40s over Sinyang are lost to ground fire. The detachments of the 25th and 26th Fighter Squadrons, 51st Fighter Group, operating from Leangshan and Laohokow, China respectfully with P-51s, return to base at Yunnani and Kunming, China respectfully; the 25th Fighter Squadron sends a detachment to operate from Poseh with P-51s.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 54 P-38s and P-47s destroy or damage bridges at Inailong, Bawgyo, Ho-hko, Hay-ti, Mong Long, and Pa-mao; 26 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson and Hosi areas. Troops, supplies, and vehicles are attacked at Nam Yem, Na-makhkaw, Mansam, Kong kang, Nawngsong, Mong Yai, Na-lang, and Pangmit. Again transports complete 500+ sorties to advanced bases and over forward areas, where supplies are dropped to troops. The 166th Liaison Squadron, 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asansol, India to Sinthe, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 9 B-24s from Guam bomb AA defenses on Iwo Jima while 10 hit the town of Okimura on Haha Jima in the Bonin. 2 B-24s from Saipan on an armed reconnaissance flight, bomb Marcus in the North Pacific. 23 B-24s from Angaur Airfield bomb Caballo. During the night of 4/5 Feb, 8 Guam based B-24s, operating singly, pound airfields on Iwo Jima.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 26: For the first time the XXI Bomber Command sends B-29s from 2 wings [the 73d and 313th Bombardment Wings (Very Heavy)] against Japanese Home . 110 B-29s are dispatched; 69 bomb the urban area of Kobe; 30 others, including 15 hitting Natsusaka, bomb last resort targets and targets of opportunity; about 200 attacking fighters down 1 B-29 and damage 35 others; 1 other crashes upon landing at Saipan ; B-29s claim 4-20-39 Japanese aircraft.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s continue to hit Corregidor and Cavite; in support of ground forces B-25s bomb and strafe coast targets from San Felipe to Maloma, hit targets around lba, and drop napalm on San Jose del Monte and A-20s bomb Lipa and Calingatan Airfields. HQ 348th FG and the 340th Fighter Squadron move from Tanauan to San Marcelino with P-47s.

PHILIPPINES: Advance units of the US 1st Cavalry Division reach the Manila.
The US submarine Barbel, commanded by Conde L. Raguet, is sunk by Japanese aircraft off Palawan Island. All hands are lost.

RUSSIA: The Conference at Yalta, in the Crimea begins. The main participants are Josef Stalin representing the USSR; Winston Churchill representing Great Britain and the British Empire; and Franklin D. Roosevelt, representing the United States.

 

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1940
U.S.: The US Maritime Commission announces that Britain and France are buying 113,000 tonnes of old American cargo ships.
The USAAF issues the official requirements for a "Hemisphere Defense Weapon"; a bomber designed to carry 2,000 pounds of bombs for 5,333 miles, with a speed of 400 m.p.h. A heavy defensive armament was wincluded, plus self-sealing fuel tanks, armour protection, and a maximum bomb-load of 16,000 pounds. This will result in the Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" , and the Consolidated B-32 "Dominator".

1941
AUSTRALIA: At a meeting of the Advisory War Council in Canberra, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. John Curtin, states that Japanâs policy is one of opportunism and since Great Britain is fully engaged in Europe, the Japanese may attack Australia. Another member of government who has just returned from Malaya and Singapore relates the inadequate defenses of both.

1942
AUSTRALIA: The air echelon of the USAAF 5th Air Force's 91st Bombardment Squadron (Light), 27th Bombardment Group (Light), ceases operating from Brisbane, Queensland, with A-24 Dauntlesses and begins a movement to Malang, Java. The ground echelon is based on Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

BURMA: General Archibald Wavell, Commander in Chief ABDA Command, again visits Burma and inspects the situation west of the Salween River opposite Moulmein.

MALAYA: In Malaya the Commonwealth army has retreated into Singapore and the causeway is breached by explosive demolition. Only 14 serviceable Hurricanes remain on the Island along with 6 or so Buffaloes all other aircraft have been pulled back to P1 & P2 on Sumatra. Japanese recon reported over 50 aircraft at Palembang and an air strike was planed for the following day.
General Yamashita moves into the former Imperial Palace of the Sultan of Johore on the northern side of the causeway looking down on Singapore Island. The assault across the causeway was planed for the 9th of February.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: Twelve P-40s of the USAAF 5th Air Force's 20th Pursuit Squadron (Provisional) are refueling at den Pasar Airdrome on Bali when the field is attacked by 20 Japanese aircraft. Four P-40s are destroyed on the ground and seven get airborne; the seven shoot down four Zero fighters while the Zero pilots shoot down four of the seven P-40s. Later in the day, the four surviving P-40's arrive at Blimbing Airdrome on Java and are merged with the 5th Air Force's 17th Pursuit Squadron (Provisional) .
Japanese planes bomb Allied shipping off Soembawa Island; after destroyer USS Paul Jones is damaged by a near-miss, she then rescues survivors of a Dutch merchantman, which had run aground in an attempt to avoid Japanese bombs.
Offshore NEI: USS Houston and Dutch cruiser Tromp arrived in Tjilatjap via the Lumbok Straits; Houston has 60 dead and 100 or so wounded and her aft 8 inch gun turret is destroyed after being hit by air attacks while patrolling north of Java. The cruiser USS Marblehead arrives in the same port just after midnight. She is so badly damaged that she returns to the US via India for repair. The remaining ships in the Strike Force ~ De Ruyter and a squadron of Dutch destroyers continues on to Batavia. HMAS Vampire leaves Batavia for East Indies Station, she escorts two ships of trade Melchior Treub (3,242 tons) and Ophir (4,115 tons) to Colombo, Vampire was the only ship from Admiral Phillip's Force Z to survive the campaign, although she did not survive the war.
The mine sweepers HMAS Ballarat and Toowomba rescue survivors of themerchant Loch Ranza (4,958 Tons) along with radar gear contained within that ships cargo manifest.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the I Corps plans to attack with all available forces against enemy pockets. In the South Sector, the Japanese are driven to the edge of a cliff overlooking beaches at Quinauan Point. Little progress is made against the Japanese in the Anyasan-Silaiim sector.
Submarine USS Seadragon evacuates 21 Army and Navy personnel; 23 torpedoes; 4,000 pounds of submarine spares; and 3,000 pounds of radio equipment. The radio equipment and some of the Navy personnel are from the naval communications/ radio intelligence unit on Corregidor; they will set up facilities on Java.

SINGAPORE: The Canadian Pacific liner Empress of Asia (17,000 tons) was hit by incendiary bombs dropped by Japanese aircraft. The ships were moored off Sultan Shoal in Singapore Roads. The big liner was ablaze from bow to stern, HMAS Bendigo, Yarra and Woolongong pulled along side to take off survivors, while at the same time fighting off enemy aircraft. On board were troops of the British 18th Division, most of whom at been aboard ship for three months, after an odyssey that took the ship from the UK to Halifax, Nova Scotia, then back to the Pacific via South Africa.Yarra was taking troops off the stern while Bendigo worked her way to the bow, but due to the liners bow flare couldn't get close enough; the Australian sailors told the soldiers to jump, not realizing, that being "poms" most of the soldiers couldn't swim. The medical officer aboard Yarra commented that the surf life saving & resuscitation skills acquired earlier in life by some members of the crew came in handy on this day. During this action Acting Leading Seaman Taylor the captain of No.2 gun aboard HMAS Yarra was Mentioned in Dispatches for keenness, courage and the example he set to all ratings. This was the first of two MIDs for Taylor. After the Yarra took the last two survivors, the Master and the Chief Engineer off the bow of the liner Yarra had on board no less than 1,804 survivors. Yarra's Captain stated "I was becoming a little dubious of the stability of HMAS Yarra, and on getting clear gave orders for all hands to sit."
Leading Seaman Ronald Taylor refused to obey the order to abandon ship when HMAS Yarra was sinking on 4 March 1942. As captain of the last operating gun on the ship he continued in action until he was killed and his gun silenced. Although not mentioned in dispatches, his action was not forgotton and his name and deeds were included in the official Australian Navy history of WW2.The commanding officer of HMAS Yarra singled out Taylor for 'for keenness, courage and the example he set to all ratings' in the Empress of Asia blaze. On neither occasion was he mentioned in dispatches. HMAS Yarra was a modified Grimsby class escort sloop HMAS Yarra (II) was constructed as ship number 114. It was laid down on 24 May 1934, launched on 28 March 1935, and completed on 12 December 1935. Its overall length was 266 feet and 3 inches, and full load displacement was 1,339 tons.
Commander Rankin the Commander of HMAS Yarra is honoured in HMAS Rankin - a Collins Class Submarine.

In WW2 a British Commonwealth sailor could be awarded one of four awards for gallantry in action; the Victoria Cross, the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal or be mentioned in dispatches. Only the Victoria Cross or the mentioned in dispatches could be awarded posthumously in WW2.

U.S.: HQ USAAF redesignates the four named overseas air forces with an Arabic numeral: the Alaskan Air Force becomes the 11th Air Force; the Caribbean Air Force becomes the 6th Air Force; the Far East Air Force becomes the 5th Air Force; and the Hawaiian Air Force becomes the 7th Air Force.

1943
CBI (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, 6 B-24s bomb the railroad station area at Rangoon. P-40s bomb a railway cut west of Meza, and having blocked the line, strafe a halted train. Six B-25s attack the Myitnge bridge but fail to knock out the target but damage the approaches. P-40s hit targets of opportunity in the Kentung area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17s bomb Rabaul Airfield. Heavy bombers carry out individual attacks on shipping off Papua and New Britain and hit the town of Rabaul and the airfield at Gasmata. In the Moluccas, B-24s blast docks and shipping at Amboina. In New Guinea, B-25s hit Dobo. A-20s continue to bomb and strafe forces around Zaka, Sappa, Mubo and Gona. Lost on a training flight is B-25C 41-12502.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, 6 B-24s and 16 P-38s join USN aircraft to fly air cover in several relays during retirement of US light cruisers and destroyers following bombardment of installations in the Kurabu Cape-Musashi Bay areas; shortly afterwards, the aircraft also photograph and attack installations at Paramushiru and Shimushu.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma during the early morning hours, 8 B-24s bomb the airfield at Heho while 6 others hit Aungban Airfield; 9 B-25s follow with strikes on Heho, Sagaing and Myittha Airfields. During the daylight hours 14 fighter-bombers hit the marshalling yard at Wuntho; during the night of 5/6 Feb, 9 B-24s again hit Heho and 4 bomb Aungban.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-24s during the night of 5/6 Feb bomb Bangkok. 3 others hit Nakhon Nayok and an unidentified airfield on the Mekong River both in French Indochina. 2 B-24s and 2 B-25s attack a convoy E of Hong Kong and claim 2 freighters and 3 smaller cargo vessels sunk. In Burma, 4 P-40s on armed reconnaissance strafe a big wagon and truck column N of Hsenwi; 4 others bomb and strafe Hopang, causing large fires in the village.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-40s from Makin dive-bomb and strafe oil storage area, radio facilities, and small craft at Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands; P-39s strafe runways on Mille Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 P-40s join 40+ USN fighters in covering a strike by more than 60 USN dive bombers on Lakunai. This strike is followed by an attack of 13 B-24s, with 30+ P-38 and USN fighter escort, on the same target.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 70+ B-25s and A-20s attack the Hansa Bay area; 48 B-24s pound Hoskins Airfield, and some also bomb Gasmata, after weather prevents an attack on Kavieng. B-24s fly a light raid on Kaimana, New Guinea. B-25s on armed reconnaissance in the W Bismarck Sea claim 1 freighter sunk; others bomb wrecked ships off New Hanover Island.

1945
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 5 B-24s bomb Kataoka on Shimushu through solid overcast; a shipping sweep by B-25s is cancelled due to weather.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 P-51s and P-40s attack locomotives and trucks at the Pinghan railroad yards, Hsiangcheng, and Lohochai; at least 9 locomotives and an undetermined number of trucks are destroyed; the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Kunming with F-4s and F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Hsian (another flight is operating from Luliang).

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 35 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson, Hosi, and Molo areas; 8 P-38s bomb Mong Long; 60 P-38s and P-47s hit troops and supplies at Kan-loi, Nam-yang, Man Peng, Pangmakheleng, Kwangteng, Mong Pa, and Mansam. Transports fly 554 sorties to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 21 B-24s from Saipan bomb AA positions, defense installations, and a bivouac on the N end of Iwo Jima; during the night of 5/6 Feb, Iwo Jima airfields are pounded by 10 Saipan based B-24s flying individual snooper strikes. HQ 15th FG departs Hawaii for Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: 60 B-24s deliver the heaviest attack yet on Corregidor; support for ground forces continues in various Luzon battle zones. B-25s on a shipping sweep of the E coast claim 9 barges and luggers sunk and several more damaged. B-24s bomb Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields on Borneo. HQ 475th FG moves from Dulag to San Jose (the group's 3 squadrons, the 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons, remain at Dulag with P-38s and send detachments to operate from San Jose).

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 575, FEBRUARY 5, 1945

1. The submarine USS Tang is overdue from war patrol and presumed lost.
2. Next of kin of officers and crew have been informed.


CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 249, FEBRUARY 5, 1945

Navy search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Four made machine gun and rocket attacks on buildings and radio installations at Kurabu Saki on Para*mushiru and at Shimushu in the Kuriles on February 3 (East Longitude Date). All our aircraft returned safely.
On February 2 Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed air installations and storage areas on Iwo Jima in the Vol*canos. On the following day Army Liberators, Lightning fighters and Navy search Liberators attacked the island through intense antiaircraft fire which destroyed one of our fighters over the target. Seven enemy fighters were in the air.
Harbor installations at Chichi Jima in the Bonins were bombed by Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force on February 3.
Airplanes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked installations on Yap in the Western Carolines and on Babelthuap in the Palaus on February 3.
Marine aircraft bombed installations on Rota in the Marianas on the same date.

 

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1942
BURMA: Two P-40 pilots of the 1st Fighter Squadron, AVG, shoot down four Nakajima Ki-27, Army Type 97 Fighters near Rangoon at 1000 hours. One pilot shoots down one while the second gets three.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: A small Japanese force lands and occupies the town of Gorontalo on Minahassa Peninsula, west of Menado, on Celebes Island. On Sumatra, the first Japanese air raids hit Palembang P1 Airfield at 1100 hours; two Blenheims and four Hurricanes are shot down and two Buffaloes are destroyed on the ground.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the I Corps area on Bataan, the Japanese receive reinforcements and attack late in the day to relieve pockets. While some elements increase pressure against the1st and 11th Divisions, Philippine Army, others drive toward Big Pocket until stopped by the 11th Division 800 yards from their objective. A small salient in the corps main line of resistance is thus formed and called Upper Pocket. In the Manila Bay area, Japanese artillery, emplaced along the south shore of the Bay in the vicinity of Ternate, begins a daily bombardment of fortified islands. Forts Drum and Frank receive the main weight of shells.

SINGAPORE: General Yamashita Tomoyoki, General Office Commanding 25th Army, summons his top officers at 1100 hours to give them their orders. The Imperial Guards Division, whose men are 6 feet tall and drilled for ceremonial, will feint on the evening of 7 February, by taking Palau Ubin Island opposite Changi (today the international airport) in the northeast. Next day, the 5th and 18th Divisions will assault Singapore Island's northwest corner. The plan is a replica of British Field Marshal Allenby's victory in Palestine in 1918. That evening, British chief engineer Brigadier Ivan Simson tells Lieutenant General Ernest Percival, General Office Commanding Malaya Command, that the Japanese will probably attack the northwest corner of Singapore Island. So Percival orders Simson to concentrate supplies in the East.
Men of the 2/29th Battalion AIF take up positions in reserve between the22nd Brigade on the northwest coast and the 27th brigade positions on the north coast near the Causeway. [Between Singapore Island and the Mainland]
The merchant ship Empire Star is finally allowed the berth along side the wharves, she had a cargo of 16 tanks and 2,000 tons of ammunition. The local dock workers & stevedores know her cargo and refuse to unload the ship so the ships crew had to do the work themselves. As soon as the ship made fast to the docks Japanese aircraft appeared overhead and attacked the ship, in a panic lines were cast off and the ship made clear of the docks. Each time the ship tried to unload the same thing happened, the master suspected Japanese fifth columnists were to blame.
After off loading the survivors of Empress of Asia, HMAS Woolongong's crew spent the their last day in Singapore. Her captain, Lt Gordon Keith RANR purchased a 40mm Bofors from the army store for a crate of Gin.
Japanese plans are now in place, staff advise General Yamashita to leave the Sultans palace because it comes under frequent enemy artillery fire.Yamashita refuses!
The evacuation of Singapore continued unabated, HMS Danae, Sutlej and HMAS Yarra left Singapore escorting convoy E.M.U. consisting of Devonshire and Felix Roussel for India and City of Canterbury for Batavia. These ships had arrived the previous day as part of BM.12A with the 18th Division aboard. At midnight HMAS Woolongong departed Singapore Harbor, she would be the last allied warship to enter or leave the harbor for 4 years.

US: The first Combined Chief of Staff Conference in Washington, DC. begins. [This conference is the combined high military leaders of the UK and the US.] This is a followup to the Arcadia Sumit of December, 1941.
The Navy Department redesignates Naval Coastal Frontiers--Eastern, Gulf, Caribbean, Panama, Hawaiian, Northwest, Western, Philippine's Sea Frontiers.

1943
ALASKA In the Aleutians, a weather reconnaissance is flown over Kiska and Attu

CBI (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, 16 fighters follow the Mali River to Hpunkizup where they destroy about 20 trucks loaded with bridge repair equipment and completely decimate the village. Heavy bombers attack the bridge at Myitnge but fail to seriously damage the target.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) The 370th and 424th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group based at Kipapa Field and Dillingham Field, Territory of Hawaii respectively with B-24s begin operating from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. The 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group based at Wheeler Field, Territory of Hawaii with B-24s begins operating from Canton in the Phoenix.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) A-20s bomb and strafe forces along the track from Mubo to Komiatum to Salamaua and hit the enemy in the Mambare River delta. An Australian coast watcher reports that there are 60+ Japanese aircraft on Lae Aerodrome; 7 B-25s, 1 B-24, 22 P-38s, 11 P-39s, 5 P-400s and 8 P-40s plus 5 Royal Australian Air Force Beaufighters to attack the airfield. When they arrive, they find the airfield empty; the Japanese are attacking Wau Airfield. The airfield is attacked and bombed and on the way back to base, shot down is C-47 "Early Delivery" 41-38658. Allied aircraft encounter 9 Japanese bombers escorted by several dozen Zekes. In the melee that follows, we claim 25 aircraft shot down without any losses; 12 Zekes were shot down by the P-39s and P-400s of the 40th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group while the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group with P-40s claim 7. A single B-24 hits cargo vessels off Finschhafen and Powell Point, claiming 1 vessel destroyed, and attacks troop barges in Riebeck Bay, causing several casualties. The 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group with P-39s and P-400s transfers from Port Moresby to Mareeba. This unit has been operating in New Guinea since Jul 42.

IJN - Japanese attack Wau Airfield and destroy Wirraway A20-504 on the airstrip.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 12 P-51s hit warehouses and freight cars at Wuntho, Burma and claim 4 warehouses destroyed.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 11 P-40s on armed reconnaissance strafe sampans and power launches between Yoyang and Puchi, China. 6 B-25s knock out bridges and damage 3 trains at Anxuan, Tien An, Phong Loc and Dong Hoi, French Indochina.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Tarawa Atoll hit Maloelap and Wotje Atolls; A-24s and P-40s from Makin attack Mille Atoll; Tarawa-based P-39s strafe Jaluit Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): P-39s and RNZAF Ventura's hit barges in the Green Island area. Lakunai Airfield is hit by 32 B-25s, covered by 60+ AAF and USN fighters, and shortly afterwards by 19 B-24s, escorted by nearly 50 Allied fighters; Allied aircraft claim 16 aircraft shot down; Lakunai is practically unserviceable as a result of cumulative damage.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s and B-24s pound Bunabun Harbor, Madang, and targets from Bogia to Cape Croisilles; P-39s strafe and sink barges near Nubia; and A-20s hit shipping near Kairiru and Mushu Islands causing considerable damage and destruction. Other bombers hit targets in the Admiralty Islands, concentrating on Momote and carry out light attacks on Talasea village and Cape Dampier gun positions on New Britain Island.

1945
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20 P-51s pound and considerably damage Peking Airfield, claiming 7 aircraft destroyed; other fighter-bombers on armed reconnaissance hit several targets of opportunity (mainly rail and river traffic) around Tsingpu, Wuhu, Suchow, Hsiangcheng, Ichang, Chingmen, and Yungning. Fighter-bombers sink numerous river craft on the Mekong River from Wan Mai-Lo to Nguen, Burma.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 86 P-47s and P-38s and 25 B-25s pound troop concentrations, supplies, and AA positions in the Lashio area; 4 P-38s damage the approach to Mong Tong bridge. Transports complete 514 sorties, carrying men and supplies to forward areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 9 Guam based B-24s hit AA defenses and radar and radio installations on Iwo Jima; 10 more bomb Ototo Jima in the Volcano and the the town of Omura on Kyushu, Japan. 1 B-24 from Angaur Airfield bombs Koror. On Luzon 2 B-24s hit Bulan Airfield and 19 B-24s bomb Corregidor. 8 B-24s from Guam fly individual strikes against Iwo Jima airfields during the night of 6/7 Feb.

USMC - PBJs from Eniwetok attack Ponape Palikir Airfield Number 2. PBJ-1H 35275 is shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Corregidor gun positions; B-25s and P-38s hit Echague and a camp on the Rosario-Baguio road; A-20s attack gun positions and defenses at Nichols Field in support of ground forces and bomb Caballo . B-24s and B-25s fly coastal sweeps hitting various targets at Divilacan Bay, Hondagua, and the Bicol Peninsula. A-20s attack Fabrica Airfield. B-24s with P-38 support hit Manggar and Sepinggang Airfield. The detachment of the 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, operating from Dulag with F-5s, returns to base at San Jose, Mindoro. The 342d and 460th Fighter Squadrons, 348th FG, move from Tanauan to San Marcelino with P-47s.

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 250, FEBRUARY 6, 1945

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed storage and barracks areas on Haha Jima in the Bonins on February 4 (East Longitude Date).
On February 4 and 5, Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force attacked targets on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos.
Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed barges and build*ings in the Palaus on February 4 and 5.
Marine torpedo planes destroyed a pier and buildings on Yap in the Western Carolines on February 5.
Mitchell bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed airfield installations and destroyed a building on Ponape in the Carolines on February 6. The attack was made through intense antiaircraft fire. One of our aircraft was lost.
Neutralizing attacks on enemy held bases in the Marshalls were con*tinued on February 5 by Navy search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two.

 

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1941
CHINA: After 13 days of bitter fighting, Chinese forces have crushed a major Japanese offensive in central China intended to make Japan's garrison at Wuhan safer. By this morning Chinese troops had re-occupied Sinyang and all points north. The strategically crucial city along the Wuhan-Peking railway had fallen on 25 January when three Japanese divisions broke through Chinese lines before advancing and taking the town. The turning-point in the battle for southern Henan came when Japanese forces suffered heavy losses as they attempted to take Fangcheng to the north-west of Sinyang and were forced to retreat.

JAPAN: Peace talks between Vichy French Indochina and Thailand open under the auspices of Japan, in Tokyo, a week after an armistice was signed.

USA: US Admiral Hart is ordered to insist on US command of any Allied fleet which arose from the discussions with British and Dutch representatives he was conducting.

1942
AUSTRALIA: The Japanese submarine HIJMS I-25 launches a Yokosuka E14Y1, Navy Type 0 Small Reconnaissance Seaplane to reconnoiter Sydney, New South Wales.

BORNEO: Nine USAAF 5th Air Force B-17s based at Singosari Airdrome on Java, attempt to bomb Japanese shipping at Balikpapan but are driven off by fighters.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: Four additional USAAF 5th Air Force P-40s arrive at Blimbing Airdrome on Java from Australia.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Bataan, the I Corps opens an all-out attack against enemy pockets and partially encircles both. The 1st Division, Philippine Army (PA) is employed against Little Pocket. The 92d Infantry of the 91st Division, PA, makes the main attack against Big Pocket from the west and is supported by elements of the 11th and 51st Divisions, PA.
In the South Sector, after the Philippine Scouts on the left flank come up against enemy positions in the Anyasan-Silaiim area and are brought to a halt, Filipino air corps troops and a Philippine Constabulary battalion are committed to form a continuous line from Silaiim Bay to Quinauan Point. The methodical destruction of Japanese remnants at Quinauan Point continues. A Japanese relief force attempting to evacuate troops from the southwestern coast is attacked by P-40s and shore guns and forced back to Olongapo.

U.S.: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Executive Order 9054 establishing the War Shipping Administration (WSA) to bring the control and operation of all U.S. merchant shipping under a single head. The WSA's most pressing task is to mobilize the shipping capacity of the country (the majority of which is still in private hands by the end of the
year 1941) to bring it under single control so that vessels can be allocated more readily on the basis of overall shipping needs of the U.S. and the Allies.
The federal government orders passenger car production stopped and the automobile industry converted to wartime purposes. The government offers automakers guaranteed profits regardless of production costs throughout the war years. Furthermore, the Office of Production Management allocates US$11 billion to the construction of war manufacturing plants that would be sold to the automobile manufacturers at remarkable discounts after the war.

1943
ALASKA: (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, 1 B-17 flies weather reconnaissance over Kiska.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) During the night, the third and last Tokyo Express comes down to Guadalcanal covered by a rain squall. The three Expesses have taken off 11,706 men from Guadalcanal to fight another day. The 12th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group with P-39s transfers from Efate, New Hebrides to Guadalcanal, Solomons.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) A single B-24 bombs Dobo and Babo, while another bombs Timika and Kaukenau. Lost after take off for an armed reconnaissance mission is B-24D "Yanks From Hell" 41-23755.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): A single B-25 bombs a motor pool at Sumprabum, Burma.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 16 P-40s and 4 P-51s damage railroad bridges at Kienchang and Puchi and strafe warehouses at Teian. In French Indochina, 2 B-25s score 2 direct hits on the powerplant at Thanh Hoa, strafe nearby barracks, and attack the radio station at Vinh.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Tarawa Atoll and Abemama Island hit Wotje and Maloelap Atolls and P-40s from Makin hit a storage area at Jaluit Atoll.

USN - In one of the most effective strategic air operations of the war, planes from American carriers strike Truk.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): P-40s join USN fighters in covering a USN dive-bomber strike on Tobera; several gun positions and grounded aircraft are hit and the runway is bombed into unserviceable condition; 11 aircraft are claimed shot down; Vunakanau Airfield is bombed by 17 B-24s, escorted by P-38s and USN fighters.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 14 B-24s bomb Amboina, Ambon and Lautem, Timor Island. P-39s fly strafing sweeps over New Britain. Single B-25s on reconnaissance bomb Garua Harbor, Cape Dampier on New Britain and Kavieng. Lost is L-4 Grasshopper 43-29071 near Saidor. Transfers in New Guinea: HQ 35th FG from Nadzab to Gusap; HQ 417th Bombardment Group from Cape Sudest to Dobodura; 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, from Lae to Nadzab with F-5s; 110th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group, from Port Moresby to Gusap with P-39Qs.

1945
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-24s off to Kataoka, Shimushu abort the mission when all aircraft accidentally drop bombs prior to the bombing run. 4 B-25s weather abort.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 P-51s knock out a bridge at Hengshan; 34 P-40s hit river, road, and rail traffic from Kweiyi to Hengshan, from Chiuchiang to Wuhu, from Siaokan southward, in the area S of Tsinan, and N of Tehsien, and from Wan Mai-Lo, Burma to Luang Prabang, French Indochina. 2 fighter-bombers hit the warehouse area at Kweihsien, China.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 34: 67 B-29s are dispatched to hit Saigon, French Indochina; 44 bomb the primary target (11 drop prematurely and 33 hit a residential section), 19 hit Pnom Penh, a target of opportunity, and 2 bomb the last resort target, the marshalling yard at Martaban, Burma; they claim 0-0-1 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29 is lost. Mission 35: 64 B-29s are dispatched to hit the Rama VI bridge at Bangkok, 58 bomb and effect the collapse of most of middle span of the bridge (this is the 3d strike at this target) and destroy the NE approach; 1 B-29 bombs the Martaban, Burma marshalling yard; no B-29s are lost.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-25s attack tanks and troops at Man Namman; 50 P-47s support forces preparing to cross the Shweli River in the Myitson area; 40+ P-47s and P-40s 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. In India, the 5th and 6th Fighter Squadrons (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, move from Fenny and Asansol respectfully to Hay with P-47s; the detachment of the 127th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating from Cox's Bazar with UC-64s and L-5s returns to base at Kalaikunda; and the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron(Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, moves from Kalaikunda to Palel with C-47s.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 6 B-24s from Saipan bomb the town of Okimura on Haha Jima ; 8 B-24s hit AA positions and radio and radar installations on Iwo Jima, while 2 others bomb the airfield in Woleai. From Angaur Airfield 20 B-24s bomb Silay and Talisay Airfields on Negros and 1 bombs Opon Airfield. 9 B-24s on snooper raids from Saipan duringthe night of 7/8 Feb, bomb Iwo Jima airfields.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Formosa, B-24s, with P-38 support hit targets of opportunity at Heito Airfield and other points (after weather prevents the bombing of Takao) and B-25s, with P-51 cover, fly several sweeps, claiming a sub sunk, a tanker set afire, a large motor launch sunk, other shipping damaged, and several vehicles and an airplane destroyed. On Luzon , A-20s, supporting ground operations, attack the hills W of Clark Field. B-24s hit Bago and Mandaue on Negros. In Borneo, other B-24s bomb Tawau and-in another mission Miri Airfield, Tutong oil refinery pump station and power house. The 341st Fighter Squadron, 348th FG, moves from Tanauan to San Marcelino with P-47s.

PHILLIPINES: General Douglas MacArthur enters Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 251, FEBRUARY 7, 1945

Marine Mitchells of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, attacked shipping in and around the Bonins and Volcanos on the night of February 6 (East Longitude Date). A large ship in a convoy north of the Volcanos was hit with rockets and a second ship in a convoy north of the Bonins was left smoking after an explosion aboard caused by rocket attacks.
Seventh Army Air Force Liberators of the Strategic Air Force bombed barracks and other installations at Chichi Jima and Ototo Jima in the Bonins on the same date. Three enemy fighters were seen airborne over the targets.
The enemy base at Kataoka on Shimushu in the Kuriles was bombed by Eleventh Army Air Force Liberators on February 6.
Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing destroyed a bridge, set trucks afire and struck defense positions on Babelthuap in the Palaus on February 6.
A pier and bridge on Yap in the Western Carolines were hit by Marine fighters and torpedo planes on the same date.
On February 6, Marine fighters bombed enemy installations on Rota in the Marianas.


CINCPOA PRESS RELEASE NO. 4, FEBRUARY 7, 1945

Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz, U. S. Navy, and the plans and operations elements of his staff have moved to Advance Headquarters of the U. S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas in the Forward Area.
The first communiqué to be released at Advance Headquarters by Admiral Nimitz was Number 244, issued on 28 January 1945. Transfer of the personnel and equipment to the advance headquarters was made without incident by surface units of the fleet and by naval aircraft.
Present with Fleet Admiral Nimitz at his advance headquarters are Vice Admiral C. H. McMorris, U. S. Navy, Chief of Staff, and Rear Admiral Forrest Sherman, U. S. Navy, Deputy Chief of Staff.

 

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1942
BORNEO: Japanese troops land at Bandjermasin, a small town in southeast Borneo.

MIDWAY: Japanese submarine HIJMS I-69, which has been reconnoitering the atoll since 21 January, shells the islands.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: Nine USAAF 5th Air Force B-17's based at Singosari Airdrome, Java, attempt to bomb Kendari Airdrome on Celebes. The flight is intercepted by Japanese fighters over the Java Sea and six B-17s are lost.
Off Makassar City on Celebes Island, the submarine USS S-37 torpedoes and sinks Japanese destroyer HIJMS Natsushio.

NEW ZEALAND: The government announce a potato shortage, which will continue through 1942.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Lieutenant General Homma Masaharu, Commander of the Japanese 14th Army, orders a general withdrawal northward to more favorable positions where troops can be rested and reorganized while awaiting reinforcements for the final assault on Bataan.
The Allied I Corps continues their battle to destroy Little and Big Pockets and completely encircles the latter. The Japanese escape from Little Pocket through a small gap on the east during the night of the 8-9th. In the South Sector, resistance on Quinauan Point ends after armed motor launches from submarine tender USS Canopus neutralize the beaches, then land a party of the ground echelon of the 21st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) , which works inland and meets the Philippine Scouts (PS) pushing toward the beaches. A company of the 57th Infantry, PS, and a platoon of 37-mm. guns are released at Quinauan for action against the Japanese in the Anyasan-Silaiim sector. The Japanese make a final attempt to withdraw their force from southwestern coast by water and succeed in rescuing 34.
Filipino President Manuel Quezon, watching his country disintegrate under bombs and occupation, asks President Franklin D. Roosevelt to grant the Philippines their independence and declare it a neutral area. FDR, seeing the absurdity of the idea, gives General Douglas MacArthur, Commanding General, US Army Forces, Far East, the power to surrender Filipino troops, but not American. This calls Quezon's bluff. Privately FDR tells his advisors that the idea the Japanese would recognize an independent Philippine nation's neutrality is absurd.

SINGAPORE: The Japanese intensify their artillery bombardment and at about 2230 hours begin landing in force on the northwestern coast of the island in the Australian sector; in this sector, three depleted Australian battalions are facing 16 Japanese battalions. The first two waves of assault craft are almost annihilated, mainly by machine gun fire, but the third wave manages to land in force and fierce hand-to-hand combat ensues. Despite opposition at the beaches, the Japanese gain a firm bridgehead and start toward Tengah airfield, driving a wedge in the Australian line in the West Area.

U.S.: A congressional committee recommends that all Japanese-Americans on the west coast be interned in camps located at least 500 miles inland.

1943
ALASKA: (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, weather reconnaissance is flown over Kiska, Agattu, and Attu . Five B-24s and 5 B-25s bomb the Kiska Camp area and hit a water tank and buildings. Two B-25s bomb North Head through the overcast. Four P-38s and a B-25 patrol over Amchitka .

CBI (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, 18 B-24s of the India Air Task Force pound the Rangoon marshalling yard, wrecking locomotive ships and destroying the railroad station. Three other B-24s bomb the runway at Mingaladon.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomons, P-38s and Navy aircraft bomb Munda Airfield.

GUADALCANAL - Evacuation of some 11,000 Japanese troops from Guadalcanal is completed

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, A-20s pound Japanese forces in the Mubo area; B-25s bomb the Dobo town area. A single B-24 bombs the airfield at Gasmata

BURMA: The 77th Indian Brigade, under General Ord Wingate begins what become known as the Chindit Raids, near Imphal.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 7 B-25s bomb bridges at Budalin and Songon, displacing a section of the former and destroying an approach to
the latter; 7 others hit the stronghold at Badana; 16 A-36s and P-51s and 1 B-25 hit a camp at Mogaung; 4 P-51s strafe railroad cars NW of Myitkyina while 1 B-25 bombs a camp at Kumnyen.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Makin and Abemama Islands hit Maloelap and Mille Atolls.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): P-39s over Bougainville Island bomb and strafe Tiaraka huts and bivouac area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, nearly 50 A-20s and B-25s hit the Alexishafen and Madang areas; P-39s strafe targets of opportunity during sweeps over wide areas of NE New Guinea and New Britain Island; during the night of 8/9 Feb, B-25s bomb Toeal.

1945
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile , 4 B-25s abort a mission to the Masugawa River when unable to identify the target.

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 P-51s knock out a bridge at Shihtangchung and blast a bridge approach at Changsha; 9 other fighters knock out another bridge N of Changsha; 4 fighters hit railroad targets of opportunity from Linfen to Yutze to Shihkiachwang and bomb Tsinan Airfield.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): In India, HQ 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) moves from Kharagpur to Hijli Base Area.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 72 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson area; 37 P-47s and P-38s hit troops, supply areas, ammunition dumps, and targets of opportunity at Namsaw, Hsunkwe, Loi-Kong, Nawng-un, Hsipaw, Panghai, and Kongnio, and bomb a village near Pangkawn. Transports fly 581 sorties carrying men and supplies to forward bases and dropping supplies to frontline areas. The 155th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India with UC-64s and L-5s, sends a detachment to operate from various bases in Burma.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24s from Guam bomb radar and radio installations and AA defenses on Iwo Jima in the afternoon; during the night of 8/9 Feb, 10 B-24s fly single-plane snooper strikes against Iwo Jima airfields.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 27: 30 of 31 B-29s from the Mariana bomb Airfield Number 1 on Moen in Truk Atoll

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon, B-24s bomb the town of Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula and B-25s sink or damage several small vessels along the E coast and hit Legaspi Airfield. B-24s bomb Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields. Units moving to San Marcelino: HQ 309th Bombardment Wing from Owi, and the 421st Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing, from Tacloban, with P-38s and P-61s.

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 252, FEBRUARY 8, 1945

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos on February 6 and 7, (East Longitude Date).
Army bombers of the same force attacked Okimura Town on Haha Jima n the Bonins on February 7. Three large fires were observed.

Woleai in the Western Carolines was bombed from high altitude by Army bombers of the Strategic Air Force on February 7 and shore installations on Yap in the same group were bombed by torpedo aircraft of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on the same date. Marine aircraft bombed and strafed targets on Ponape in the Carolines on the following day.
Marine planes attacked installations on Babelthuap in the Palaus on February 7.
Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing fighters strafed targets on Rota in the Marianas on February 7.
Planes of Fleet Air Wing Two continued neutralizing attacks on enemy-held bases in the Marshalls on February 8.