This Day In The War, In The Pacific

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1937
SWITZERLAND: The League of Nations Council refers the Chinese plea for assistance in the war against Japan to the Far Eastern Committee.

1939
INTERNATIONAL: The Soviet and Japanese governments agreed to an armistice, which ends the fighting on the Mongolian-Manchukuo frontier, which began in May. Soviet attention is now focused on Eastern Europe.

1940
UNITED STATES: The Congress passes the Burke-Wadsworth Bill (the Selective Training and Service Act) by wide margins in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This bill provides for the first peacetime draft (conscription) in the history of the U.S. but also provides that not more than 900,000 men are to be in training at any one time and it limits military service to 12 months. All men between the ages of 21 and 36 must register. It also provides for the establishment of the Selective Service System as an independent Federal agency. President Franklin D. Roosevelt immediately signs the bill into law. The first draftees will be selected next month. By war's end, approximately 34 million men had registered, and 10 million served in the military.
The first induction of National Guard (NG) units occurs. Called up are four divisions, 12 brigades, 50 regiments and four observation squadrons from 26 states. The divisions are New Jersey's 44th, Oklahoma's 45th, Oregon's 41st, and the 30th consisting of National Guard units from North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. Eighteen of the 50 regiments are coast artillery regiments.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The Japanese complete transfer of the Attu garrison to Kiska, begun on 27 August; all defensive positions on Attu are destroyed by the Japanese. A 11th Air Force B-17s and a B-24 fly photographic and reconnaissance runs over Adak.

BISMARK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, 5th Air Force B-17s bomb the wharf at Rabaul and Vunakanau and Gasmata (Tsurumi) Airfields.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Japanese ground offensive on the Kokoda Track towards Port Moresby comes to a halt at Ioribaiwa; Australian troops are entrenched on Imita Range where they are preparing a counteroffensive. The Japanese are too ill-equipped and their supply lines too extended over forbidding terrain to enable them to reach their objective, Port Moresby.
Also in Papua New Guinea, a lone 5th Air Force B-17 attacks landing barges in the Sanananda area while a single A-20 bombs and strafes positions at Nauro and Menari in the Efogi area of the Kokoda Track.

UNITED STATES: A training program for the Women's Auxiliary Flying Squadron (WAFS), under Jacqueline Cochran's direction, is approved as the 319th Army Air Forces Flying Training Detachment (Women), or more simply Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD), at Howard Hughes Field, Houston, Texas.

1943
SOLOMONS (13th AF & USMC, USN, RNZAF) US Navy 24 SBD and 31 TBF strike Ballale Airfield, while a mult-service escort, with 13 F6F from VF-38 and 11 F6F from VF-40 (first mission for Hellcats in theater) took off from Fighter One on Guadalcanal. Also, 13th AF and RNZAF P-40s. In addition, 23 F4Us of VF-214 "The Black Sheep" including Boyington took off from Banika at 1pm and rendevous over New Georgia with the formation. In total, more than 100 aircraft proceeded to the target. Weather was partly cloudy, the attack began around 14:50. There were a total of 71 escorts in the air.
Over the target 40-50 Japanese fighters including Zeros and Tonys and heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered. The 204th Kokutai launched 26 Zeros. A large, sprawing dog fight ensued over hudereds of miles. Greg Boyington scored victories over several Zeros, he landed at Munda with only 10 gallons of gas, 30 rounds of ammo, and minor damage from flying through the debrs of a Zero that exploded in mid-air. After refueling, he returning to Banika. VMF-214 were credited with 11 Zeros and 8 probables. One Hellcat was damged, landing at Munda Airfield, then flown back to Fighter One for a week of repairs. Two VMF-214 F4Us were minorly damaged.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25's and 12 P-40's hit warehouses, barracks, ammunition dumps, and HQ at Liujenpa, China.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, Lae is captured by units of the Australian 9th and 7th Divisions. Many of the escaping Japanese slip through the jungle and go to the north coast of the Huon Peninsula. Lae is the focus of a major land, sea and air operation by Australian and American forces. Fighting lasted until today when the encircled Japanese garrison are either killed, captured or escaped.
Prior to the occupation of Lae, Fifth Air Force B-17s, B-26s, B-25s, and A-20s attack Japanese positions at Lae; B-24s carry out a light strike on Sorong Aerodrome.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Two Japanese ships are sunk:
(1) a gunboat is sunk by mine (laid by submarine USS Silversides on 4 June) off Kavieng, New Ireland, Bismarck Archipelago;
(2) a PBY Catalina sinks a small Japanese cargo vessel en route to Hansa Bay, New Guinea.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s bomb Kataoka naval base on Shimushu; 4 B-25s abort a shipping sweep due to weather and mechanical difficulties.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 19 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, China. In spite of bad weather in Burma, 4 P-47s sweep the Lungling, China-Wanling-Loiwing road and 5 damage a bridge approach at Manyut. A detachment of the 3d Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, based at Sylhet, India, begins operating from Yunnani, China with C-47s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20 B-24s bomb Hengyang; 12 B-25s bomb Kutkai; 28 B-25s hit targets in China, including the Yuangshaho ferry, Pakmushih, Chuanhsien, and Lengshuitang; 130+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity in the Mangshih and Lungling area and from N of Tangyang and along the Yangtze River southward including areas around Changsha, Kiyang, Samshui, Chuanhsien, Lingling, and Kwongning; flights of the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Kunming, begin operating from Nanning and Yunnani with F-5s.

CANADA: The Second Quebec Conference (Octagon) attended by US President Franklin D Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Canadian Prime Minister MacKenzie King and the Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) ends. The CCS approves Admiral William F Halsey's plan to move the date of the Leyte invasion from 20 December to 20 October. Agreement is also reached on invading Japan; Kyushu will be invaded in October 1945 and Honshu in December 1945.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 17 Saipan based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima; 3 others on training and armed reconnaissance missions bomb Pagan and Marcus s. P-47s pound enemy positions on Pagan. B-24s in the Marshall s bomb Emidj , Jaluit Atoll, Marshall s. The 548th Night Fighter Squadron, 7th Fighter Wing, arrives at Hickam Field, Hawaii from the US with P-61s and begins flying patrols over the Pacific. Three Seventh Air Force B-24s bomb Marcus Island. The island is located in the North Pacific about 768 nautical miles WNW of Wake Island and is used as a refueling point for Japanese aircraft en route to the Central Pacific.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Kendari air depot and Ambesia Airfield while B-25s attack a large warehouse at Gorontalo and B-24s and B-25s hit Kairatoe and Kamarian. B-25s and B-24s pound Namlea on Buru , Liang on Ambon, Haroekoe, and Laha on Amboina. Fighter-bombers hit Manokwari, Sagan, Moemi, and Warren airstrips; HQ 42d BG (Medium) moves from Hollandia to Sansapor; the 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon s, to Biak with C-47s; and the 418th Night Fighter Squadron, 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium), moves from Hollandia to Owi, with P-61s.

EAST INDIES: The British Eastern Fleet begins 4 days of air strikes on Sigli on the northwestern tip of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.
Japanese aircraft make light raids on U.S. ground and naval forces involved in the invasion of Morotai in the Netherlands East Indies.
The USAAF Far East Air Force attacks various islands. On Celebes Island, B-24s bomb Kendari air depot and Ambesia Airfield while B-25s attack a large warehouse at Gorontalo and B-24s and B-25s hit Kairatoe on Halmahera Island and Kamarian. B-25s and B-24s pound Namlea and Liang on Ceram Island, Haroekoe on Haroekoe Island, and Laha on Amboina Island.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: In the Palau Islands, the beachhead on Peleliu in the Palaus Islands is consolidated by the Marines, including capturing part of the airfield.

USN: F6F Hellcat 58043 crashes strafing Galea

PACIFIC OCEAN: Five Japanese ships are sunk by USN aircraft and submarines:
(1) South of Formosa, USS Picuda sinks an army cargo ship in Bashi Channel and USS Redfish (SS-395) sinks a fleet tanker;
(2) USS Sea Devil sinks submarine HIJMS I-364 off Yokosuka, Japan;
(3) an army cargo ship is sunk by aircraft southwest of Mindanao, Philippine Islands;
(4) a cargo vessel is sunk by a mine south of Mindanao.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 119, SEPTEMBER 16, 1944
During September 15 (West Longitude Date) United States Marines made some additional gains against strong opposition on Peleliu Island and captured the airfield at the southern end. The enemy has launched several strong counterattacks against our positions but has been thrown back each time.
An attack begun by our forces on the early morning of September 15, preceded by aerial bombing and Naval gunfire, resulted in steady advances through well organized defenses in depth. This attack was supported by artillery, tanks, Naval gunfire, and bombing. Several enemy tanks were reported destroyed. Our troops had counted more than 1400 enemy dead by nightfall on September 15. Severe fighting continues.
Carrier aircraft continued to give close support to our ground forces throughout September 15. Enemy troop concentrations, gun positions, and supplies were bombed. Carrier planes also bombed airfield installations at Babelthuap, the northernmost island in the Palau Group. Several fires were started by strafing.
Seventy two tons of bombs were dropped on Dublon and Moen in the Truk Atoll by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on September 14. Five enemy planes intercepted our force and one Liberator was damaged. The enemy planes were driven off with probable damage to one. Antiaircraft fire was meager. On the same day Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Ponape Island in the Carolines.
Paramushiru in the Kuriles was bombed by Eleventh Army Air Force Liberators at night on September 12. Antiaircraft fire was meager and all of our planes returned. Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Four attacked Paramushiru on September 14, setting fire to several buildings. Intercepting enemy aircraft damaged one Ventura. Two of the interceptors were probably damaged. All of our planes returned.
Pagan Island was attacked on September 14 by Thunderbolts of the Seventh Army Air Force. Gun emplacements were hit with rockets and strafed. One plane was damaged by antiaircraft fire.
Gun emplacements at Wotje Atoll were bombed on September 14 by Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered.
A single search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two strafed and damaged two enemy sailboats at Lemotrek Island, east of Woleai, on September 14. Another search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two on routine patrol near Iwo Jima on September 14 sighted two large landing craft escorted by a fighter plane: Both landing craft were strafed and the enemy plane was shot down.

1945
INDONESIA: British Rear Admiral Patterson lands in Jakarta. He announces that the British mission is "to maintain law and order until the time that the lawful government of the Netherlands East Indies is once again functioning". The Dutch ask Patterson to have the leaders of the Republic arrested, but the British high command tells Patterson not to interfere in politics.

HONG KONG: The Japanese surrender to British forces.

 

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1941
CHINA: The Japanese 11th Corps, some 125,000 strong, launches attacks at Changsha in the Hunnan Providence, 350 miles east of Chungking.

UNITED STATES: During the Louisiana maneuvers, the U.S. Army dropped paratroopers for the first time in a tactical exercise. Thirteen Douglas DC–3s acquired for the purpose dropped a parachute company.

1942
AUSTRALIA: U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander South West Pacific Area, accuses Australian troops in New Guinea of a "lack of efficiency"

BISMARK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, 5th Air Force B-17s, carrying out single-bomber attacks, bomb airfields at Rabaul.
- Rear Admiral Ugaki recalled September 16/17, 1942 night air raid:
"The noise of gunfire and small arms was terrible. Anyway it was a night of little sleep. Now, I can see the effectiveness of night raids." He also noted the Japanese anti-aircraft fire was ineffective, 'Outrageously uncontrolled and unskilled'. At his suggestion, officers and crews from battleships Yamato and Mutsu were sent to Rabaul to train gunners.

NEW GUINEA: By 1100 hours local, Australian forces have withdraw to Imita Ridge on the Kokoda Track in Northeast New Guinea. Japanese ground forces, halted within sight of Port Moresby, are unable to attack without reinforcements and supplies, neither of which are available.
In Northeast New Guinea, 5th Air Force B-17s bomb Lae, and hit a beached cargo vessel at Salamaua; RAAF Beaufighters and USAAF P-39 and P-400 Airacobras and P-40s strafe and bomb a concentration of Japanese landing barges at Buna and Sanananda Point.

UNITED STATES: Army Brigadier General Leslie Groves is put in command of the Manhattan Engineer Project. This project is the cover name for the atomic bomb project and, under his direction, the basic research is carried out, mainly at Columbia University in New York, New York, and the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Due to overstated concern for security and simple chauvinism, he is strongly opposed to sharing any information with the British.

1943
GILBERT ISLANDS: Twenty Seventh Air Force B-24's bomb Tarawa Atoll and Abemama Island and obtain photo coverage of Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll. A B-24 is lost to interceptors.

CBI (Tenth Air Force): The 383d and 385th Bombardment Squadrons, 311th BG (Dive), arrive at Nawadih, India from the US with A-36's. The 383d will enter combat on 16 Oct.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's carry out a coastal sweep against barges and villages from Reiss Point to Langemak Bay, New Guinea. Lost on a training mission is B-25D "The Little Gem" 41-30321.

1944

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, two Eleventh Air Force B-24s abort a mission to Suribachi on Paramushiru Island due to weather and four B-25s fly an unsuccessful shipping sweep. Four PV-1 Venturas of the USN's Bombing Squadron One Hundred Thirty Six based on Attu attack Parmushiru and Shimushu Islands. The aircraft flown by the squadron commander is damaged and forced to land in the USSR where the crew is interned. As a result of this mishap, further Empire Express missions are canceled and VB-136 missions are restricted to sector searches or special photo missions where the speed of the PV-1 is required.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-47s bomb Katha, 8 hit Momauk and Wanling, and 8 others attack Bhamo; 6 B-25s hit Mangshih while 3 others bomb Indaw; 16 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, China; C-47s fly 200+ sorties delivering personnel and supplies to various points in the CBI.

BURMA: Tuitum falls to the Indian 5th Division.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 29 B-24s bomb Changsha; 27 B-25s hit Hwangshapu, Kiyang, and Nanyo; 130+ P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance attack town areas, strongpoints, shipping, railway targets, gun positions, trucks, and other targets of opportunity from NE of Ichang southward through Hunan Province and beyond; areas hit include Changsha, Kiyang, Lingling, Chuanhsien, Siangtan, Hengshan, Kweiyang, and Lingkuantien, plus scattered targets of opportunity elsewhere; the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, moves from Kunming to Chanyi with F-5s (flights are operating from Nanning and Yunnani).

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): A B-24 on a snooper mission from Saipan bombs Iwo Jima ; armed reconnaissance over Marcus is unsuccessful due to bad weather.

NAURU ISLAND: USAAF Seventh Air Force B-25s bomb the island.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Ground echelon of HQ 497th BG (Very Heavy) and the 869th, 870th and 871st Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), arrive at Isley Field from the US (first mission is 28 Oct).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s bomb Buayoan Airfield on Mindanao . B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s hit Langoan Airfield on Celebes . B-25s and P-39s, fighting bad weather, attack a variety of targets, including airfields and villages in Amboina-Ceram s area. InNew Guinea, P-47s and P-40s pound the airfield on Samate.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: In the Palau Islands, the 321st and 322d Infantry Regiments of the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division land on Angaur Island in the Palau Islands; resistance is strong from the 1,600 man Japanese garrison. During the afternoon, USN carrier-based F6F Hellcats attack U.S. Army ground troops killing seven and wounding 46. All close-air support missions are temporarily halted on Angaur.
Most of the south end of Peleliu Island is held by U.S. Marines. Attacks on the Japanese positions on Mount Umurbrogol begin, marking the tough fighting ahead.

EAST INDIES: U.S. Army action on Morotai Island in the Netherlands East Indies subsides to patrolling in order to locate small Japanese parties.
In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Force B-24, B-25s, and P-38s hit Langoan Airfield on Celebes Island while B-25s and P-39s, fighting bad weather, attack a variety of targets, including airfields and villages in Amboina-Ceram Islands area.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: USAAF Far East Air Force B-25s bomb Buayan Aerodrome on Mindanao.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 120, SEPTEMBER 17, 1944
United States Army assault troops established beachheads on Angaur Island, the southernmost of the Palau Islands, on September 16 (West Longitude Date). Carrier based aircraft of the Pacific Fleet heavily bombed the island prior to the landings, and cruisers and destroyers took enemy defensive positions under deliberate fire.
The initial landings were made by troops of the 81st Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Paul J. Mueller, U.S.A. The ships in direct support are commanded by Rear Admiral W. H. P. Blandy, U. S. Navy.
All initial objectives have been gained against resistance which so far has been relatively light.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 121, SEPTEMBER 17, 1944
The First Marine Division continued to encounter heavy opposition on Peleliu Island during September 16 (West Longitude Date), but extended the area under their control in the southwestern peninsula and moved ahead in a northerly direction approximately a third of a mile. Our attack was preceded by bombing and Naval gunfire. The enemy is using artillery and mortars in considerable numbers against our positions although many have been destroyed by bombing and counter battery fire. On Angaur Island, troops of the 81st Infantry Division have joined the beachheads established on the north and northeast sectors of the island, and have pushed inland more than a thousand yards against light opposition. The northeast third of Angaur is now in our hands.
Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands was bombed on September 14 (West Longitude Date) by a single Liberator of the Seventh Army Air Force and by Liberators in greater number on September 15. In the latter attack the airstrips and surrounding areas were bombed causing large explosions and starting fires. Four enemy planes attempted interception without success. There was moderate antiaircraft fire, which did no damage.
Pagan Island in the Marianas was attacked twice on September 15 by the Seventh Army Air Force. Liberators attacked early in the day followed by Thunderbolts which launched rockets and strafed gun positions and the runway. There was meager antiaircraft fire. There were two attacks against Rota on September 14. In the afternoon Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Air¬craft Wing strafed gun positions and Navy Hellcat fighter planes strafed the airfield at night. Rota was again visited by Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on September 15. The runway and gun emplacements were bombed and strafed.
Gun positions and the airfield at Ponape were bombed on September 14 by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells.
On September 15 a single Seventh Army Air Force Liberator bombed Marcus Island.
The same day Corsairs and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing dropped six tons of bombs on Wotje. One of our planes was shot down. The crew was rescued. Corsairs again bombed Wotje on September 16.
A lone Catalina search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two attacked Nauru on the night of September 16.

1945
INDONESIA: Mass pro-Republic rallies in Jakarta.

 

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1941
COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: Navy Department approves Hart’s proposal to confine Asiatic Fleet to Philippine waters

1942
NG: A Fifth Air Force B-17s bombs Salamaua while a B-25 strafes pack trains on the Kokoda trail in the Andemba-Wairopi- Kokoda area.
- General Horii begins pulling his Japanese Army units back from Buna and Gona. He has supply difficulties.
- HQ 8th Fighter Group and the 35th and 36th Fighter Squadrons move from Ross River, Australia to Milne Bay with P-39s and P-400s.

GUADALCANAL: The 7th Marines arrive at the Lunga Perimeter held by the 1st Marine Divison on Guadalcanal. These are the first new unit committed to the Guadalcanal Campaign since the 1st Marine Division (reinforced) landed on Guadalcanal on August 7. US strength on the island now numbers about 23,000.

U.S.A: The designation of all USAAF Air Forces is changed from a number to a name, e.g., 1st Air Force to First Air Force, 2d Air Force to Second Air Force, etc.

1943
CENTRAL PACIFIC (Seventh Air Force): GILBERT ISLANDS: Twenty four 7th AF B-24's, flying out of Funafuti Island in the Ellice Islands and Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands, bomb Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll and Maiana and Abemama Islands in the Gilbert chain during the night of 18/19 September.
This action is part of a coordinated USAAF-USN attack on Tarawa, aimed at preventing Japanese attacks on US installations at Baker Island and in the Ellice Islands.
During the day, carrier-based aircraft of the USN's Task Force 15 consisting of the aircraft carriers USS Lexington and light aircraft carriers USS Belleau Wood and USS Princeton , attack Japanese airfields and installations on Tarawa, Makin and Abemama.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 71st Liaison Squadron, US Army Forces CBI, based at Ramgarh, India sends a detachment to Ledo, India with L-4's and L-5's.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25's and 7 P-40's attack rail yards and blast furnaces at Shihhweiyao, China.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): B-24's bomb the airfield and attack a phosphate plant and radio station on Nauru in the Gilberts.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): A-20's hit Tami in the Lae area; B-26's and RAAF airplanes bomb and strafe Finschhafen. The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, based at Port Moresby begins operating from Tsili Tsili with C-47's.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The fighting on Arundel Island, a small island off the northwest tip of New Georgia Island, continues as the US Army's 27th Infantry Regiment continues their advance. New Zealand General Barrowclough takes command the New Zealand and US forces on Vella Lavella Island. USAAF P-39 Airacobra and P-40 pilots and USMC F4U Corsair pilots shoot down 15 IJN aircraft at midday.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 P-47s pound Japanese positions in the Myothit area; 8 B-25s hit supply dumps and installations at Chefang, China; 18 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow, China; and 200+ other sorties by C-47s deliver men and supplies to several points in the CBI. The detachment of the 2d Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, operating from Yunnani, China with C-47s returns to base at Sylhet, India.

INDIAN OCEAN: West of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies, the RN submarine HMS Tradewind torpedoes and sinks the Japanese cargo ship SS Junyo Maru at position 02.52S, 101.12E. The 5,065 ton ship was en route from Java to Sumatra carrying 2,300 Dutch, British, Australian and American POWs and 4,200 Javanese slave labourers (romushas). They were all bound for work on the 136.7 mile long Sumatra Railway Line between Pakan Baru and Muaro. Contrary to the Geneva convention, the ship was not travelling under a Red Cross flag. At about 1730 hours local, the ship was struck by two torpedoes, one forward and one aft. The Japanese crew manned the lifeboats and the escort vessels picked up Japanese survivors. In the morning, a Japanese ship arrived and began picking up survivors. Of the 6,500 men aboard the ship before the attack, only 680 POWS and 200 romushas were saved. They were taken to Sumatra and put to work on the railway where many more died.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 30 B-25s attack town areas and fuel dumps at Lingling, Taohsien, and Chuanhsien and damage the approaches to the Lingling ferry crossing; 4 B-24s over the Formosa Strait claim 1 freighter sunk; about 115 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack troops, trucks, tanks, shipping, town areas, and other targets of opportunity throughout Hunan Province S of Tungting Lake to Luicbow Peninsula and Chikhorn Bay; and the 529th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, based at Pungchacheng with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Hsian.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 2 B-24s on armed reconnaissance from Saipan bomb Marcus.
28 Eniwetok Atoll based B-24s bomb Truk.
Gilberts-based B-25s pound Ponape.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): HQ 499th and 500th BG's (Very Heavy) arrive at Isley Field from the US; and the 3d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Heavy), 11th Photographic Group (Mapping), arrives on Saipan from the US with F-13s (the squadron will fly photo, electronic and weather recon in the W Pacific, 1 Nov 44-Sep 45).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s blast several targets in the Davao, Mindanao area, including oil storage at Sasa. B-25s hit Langoan Airfield and lake area on Celebes . Bad weather forces B-24s over the Ceram-Amboina s area to individually attack targets which include 4 airfields. B-25s hit Samate Airfield and fighter-bombers hit the airfield and town of Manokwari and AA guns at Moemi; HQ 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Hollandia to Morotai ; and the 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th BG (Heavy), based on Wakde with B-24s begins operating from Noemfoor. Written off after a take off accident is A-20G "Je Reviens" 43-9458.

EAST INDIES: No. 61 Airfield Construction Wing of the Royal Australian Air Force arrive off Morotai.

PULAU: US Marines attack mount Umurbrogol on Peleliu. They run into strong resistance from the dug in Japanese and make no gain for their heavy losses. The advance on Angaur, near Peleliu, continues.

PTO: The destroyer USS Case rendezvouzes with the submarine USS Sealion and transfers a medical officer and medical supplies to treat the 73 British and 54 Australian POWs who survived the sinking of the Japanese transport Rakuyo Maru 3 days ago.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 122, SEPTEMBER 18, 1944
During the night of September 16 17 (West Longitude Date) the enemy counterattacked the western flank of our forward lines on Peleliu Island, but was thrown back. An attack launched by the First Marine Division in the early morning of September 17 resulted in further gains to the north, and the occupation of Asias Town. Meantime mopping up operations in the southern sector progressed and Ngarmoked Island off the southern tip of Peleliu was captured. Two enemy aircraft bombed our positions on September 17, but caused no casualties. Seabees are at work rebuilding the Peleliu Airfield. Heavy fighting continues.
On Angaur Island several enemy counterattacks have been repulsed and good progress has been made by the 81st Infantry Division. The northern half of the island excepting some strong-points along the western shore is under our control. Through September 17 our forces had wiped out 5,495 enemy troops on Peleliu and 48 on Angaur.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 559, SEPTEMBER 18, 1944
Major General Francis P. Mulcahy, USMC, has been designated Com¬manding General of Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, succeeding Major General Ross E. Rowell, USMC, it was announced today by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas.
The change in designation for Marine aviation in the Pacific from Marine Aircraft Wings Pacific to Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, was announced simultaneously.

1945
RNZAF: A group of Japanese aircraft that survived at Rabaul were painted in surrender markings and surrendered to New Zealand personnel. The group included: Ki-46 Dinah, A6M5 Zero 4043 and two other Zeros. Flown by Japanese crews, the aircraft took off from Vunakanau Airfield to Jacquinot Bay Airfield. After landing, the pilots saluted, made a report and were flown back to Rabaul aboard a RNZAF PBY Catalina.

JAPAN: General of the Army Douglas MacArthur moves his command headquarters to Tokyo from Yokohama.

 

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1931
MANCHURIA: Mukden and Changchun are bombed and occupied by the Japanese.

1938
SWITZERLAND: The League of Nations Council invites Japan to sit with the League to settle their dispute with China.

1942
CHINA: B-25s of the Tenth Air Force's China Air Task Force strike Lungling; the raid is ineffective due to bad weather but results in the discovery of much Japanese activity which further reconnaissance reveals as part of a heavy movement of troops and supplies along the Burma Road toward the Salween front.

NEW GUINEA: On the Kododa Track in Papua New Guinea, an Australian patrol attacks the Japanese post spotted yesterday and destroys it. The troops then set up an ambush and wait for the night.
USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s and B-26s strafe and bomb the airfield at Lae, Northeast New Guinea.
- the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th FG, moves from Batchelor, Australia to Port Moresby with P-40s.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Fifth Air Force B-17s attack cargo vessels in the Bismarck Sea near Umboi (Rooke) Island which lies between New Guinea and New Britain Island. In the Solomon Sea, USAAF Fifth Air Force fighters strafe a whaling vessel off Goodenough Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, Major General Alexander Vandegrift, Commanding General 1st Marine Division, establishes continuous defense lines and divides the Lunga area into ten sectors.

USN - Commander Patrol Wing 1 departed Kaneohe, Hawaii, for the South Pacific to direct the operations of patrol squadrons already in the area. Headquarters were first established at Noumea, New Caledonia, and subsequently at Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal, and Munda.

1943
ALASKA: The 21st Bombardment Squadron, 30th BG (Heavy), begins a movement from Shemya with B-24's to Smoky Hill AAFld, Kansas where it will be inactivated on 1 Nov 43.

GILBERT ISLANDS: USN carrier-based aircraft attack targets in Tarawa and Makin Atolls and then Task Force Fifteen, consisting of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington and the small aircraft carriers USS Belleau Wood and Princeton. In addition to attacking installations, photographic reconnaissance missions are flown over reefs, beaches and island defense. TF 15 then retires to Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii
Twenty Seventh Air Force B-24s bomb and photograph Tarawa and Abemama Atolls; one B-24 is lost.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-25s and USN SBDs, covered by fighters, bomb Vila Airfield on Kolombangara Island and a causeway, Japanese positions, and ammunition dump at Disappointment Cove on New Georgia Island. Other B-25s bomb and strafe barge centers at Ringa Cove and Webster Coves on New Georgia Island.

NEW GUINEA: The Australian 2/6th Independent Company takes Kaiapit in the Markham River Valley in Northeast New Guinea in lively fighting and repels repeated counterattacks. Kaiapit is 45 air-miles NW of Nadzab. Kaiapit is needed for the airstrip that is to be constructed there once the Japanese have been driven from the area. Kaiapit became a base for the Australian 7th Division's advance up the Markham Valley.
Fifth Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack Finschhafen, Northeast New Guinea, in preparation for Allied landings three days hence.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s and B-25s fly small strikes against Ambon Island in the Moluccas Islands, Selaroe Aerodrome on Selaroe Island in the Tanimbar Islands, and Penfui (Penfoei) Airfield on Dutch Timor.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kuriles, 2 B-25s fly a shipping sweep over Tomari Cape; and 4 B-24s off to strike Kurabu Cape turn back due to weather and mechanical failures.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 18 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow and Chengkuing, China. C-47s transports fly 100+ sorties carrying men and supplies to several CBI locations.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 28 B-25s bomb Lingling, Lengsbuitang, Chuanhsien, Sinning, and Shanhsien; 150+ P-40s and P-51s pound numerous targets of opportunity during armed reconnaissance flights from the Tungting Lake-C Yangtze River area to the S China Sea; and the fighter-bombers particularly concentrate on road transport in the Changsha area and supply dumps, buildings, and trucks near Sintsiang.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 29 Saipan based B-24s blast shipping at Chichi Jima . 24 P-47s bomb and strafe AA positions and storage areas on Pagan. 3 B-24s on snooper and armed reconnaissance missions bomb Iwo Jima and Marcus.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Ground echelons of the 881st, 882d and 883d Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 500th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), arrive at Isley Field from the US (first mission is 11 Nov).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Striking all principal targets in NE Celebes, B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s hit the Amoerang port area, Menado fuel tanks and shipping personnel areas and AA guns at Mapanget and Sidate, bivouac, supply areas, and lookout towers along Lembeh Strait, Langoan Airfield, and Kakas rest camp. In New Guinea, HQ 8th FG and the 36th Fighter Squadron move from Owi, to Morotai with P-38s; and HQ 347th FG and the 339th Fighter Squadron move from Sansapor to Middleburg with P-38s.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, the Japanese on the peaks of central ridge continues to hold up the 1st and 7th Marine Regiments; however, elements of 1st, advancing along East Road, push through Asias village. The 5th Marine Regiment secures the eastern arm of the island with little difficulty.

On Angaur Island in the Palau Islands, the Army's 81st Infantry Division commits four battalions the main effort of clearing southern Angaur and splitting Japanese forces there. Little opposition is met as assault forces establish a line across southern Angaur from Garangaoi Cove eastward, but some resistance is bypassed on the southeastern coast.

EAST INDIES: On Morotai Island in the Halmahera Islands of the Netherlands East Indies, work is begun on a bomber airstrip, Wama Airfield at Gotalalamo. The existing fighter base, Pitoe Airfield, becomes known as Moratai or Pitu Airfield.
Striking all principal targets in the northeastern Celebes Islands, Netherlands East Indies, US Far East Air Forces B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s hit the Amoerang port area, Menado fuel tanks and shipping personnel areas and antiaircraft guns at Mapanget and Sidate, bivouac, supply areas, and lookout towers along Lembeh Strait, Langoan Airfield, and Kakas rest camp. On Halmahera Island during the night of 19/20 September, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s and P-47s strike Kaoe Aerodrome while B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers, attack airfields at Amahai Airfeild on Amahai Island, Namlea Seaplane Base on Buroe Island, Liang (Laha, Ambon East) on Ambon Island, the town of Lautem on Dutch Timor Island, and several targets of opportunity.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 123, SEPTEMBER 19, 1944
First Marine Division troops on Peleliu Island scored further gains in a northeasterly direction during September 18 (West Longitude Date), securing Ngardololok Town and bringing most of the eastern coastal area under control. There was no significant change in our positions in the center and along the west coast. The enemy, fighting from pillboxes, trenches and other prepared fortifications, supported by mortars and artillery, continues to offer stubborn resistance. Found in badly damaged condition on the Peleliu Airfield were 77 single engine fighter aircraft, 28 medium bombers, eight light bombers, and four transport plane
On Angaur Island further southward advances have been made and two thirds of the island is in the hands of the 81st Infantry Division. The enemy now occupies only two isolated pockets of the island. During September 1 Saipan Town and Middle Village were occupied.
A landing craft equipped as a gunboat (LCI 459) struck a mine while firing rockets in close support of our troops on Peleliu on September 17, and sank in about 20 minutes. Two of the crew were wounded, but all are safe.
Shimushu Island in the Kuriles was bombed by Eleventh Army Air Force Liberators during the night of September 16. Antiaircraft fire was inaccurate and all our planes returned to their base. Shimushu and Paramushiru were attacked on September 17 by search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Four. Buildings were set afire. A small boat, loaded with enemy personnel, and a warship, thought to be a destroyer, were strafed off the east coast of Paramushiru. Several enemy fighter planes intercepted and one was shot down. One of our planes was damaged.
Iwo Jima was attacked on the night of September 16 (West Longitude Date) by a single plane. There was no antiaircraft fire.
Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Marcus Island on September 17. Antiaircraft fire varied from meager to intense. On the same day Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells flew through moderate antiaircraft fire to bomb runways, bivouac areas, and gun emplacements on Nauru Island.
Further neutralization raids were carried out against Wotje in the Marshalls on September 16 and 17. Both attacks were directed at storage areas and encountered meager antiaircraft fire. On September 16 Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Jaluit.

1945
AUSTRALIA: The Australian War Cabinet agrees to providing air, army and naval forces for the occupation of Japan. They will join forces from India, New Zealand and the U.K. in forming the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF).

KOREA: Kim Il Sung and his second wife Kim Chong Suk return to Korea from Siberia. Kim and his guerrillas, numbering about 40 (and their families), arrive at Wonsan, compliments of the Soviet warship Pukachev. The US intelligence file on Kim Il Sung states - "Faced with the threat of extinction by the Japanese, a few hundred under the leadership of Kim Il Sung, long time Communist, made their way North and into the Soviet Maritime Province. After verifying their political and military backgrounds, the Soviets established these people in a training camp at Yashki Station, in the general area of Khabarovsk. Here and later at Rararash, near the junction of the USSR-Korea and Manchurian frontiers these Koreans are trained in espionage, radio communications, sabotage and general military subjects. From 1941-45, these people are utilized by the Soviets as agents in Manchuria. In the spring of 1945, in addition to normal political training, they are briefed on Korea and Korean politics."

UNITED KINGDOM: William Joyce, aka Lord Haw Haw, is sentenced to death in London. Although Joyce was born in the USA, brought up in Ireland and took German nationality on 26 September 1939, he is charged with treason from 3 September 1939 to 2 July 1940, the date his British passport expired. He scratched a swastika on the wall of his cell and when shown the films of the concentration camps, he blamed the deaths of the inmates on starvation and disease caused by Allied bombing of Germany. His last public message reported by the BBC is "In death as in life, I defy the Jews who caused this last war, and I defy the powers of darkness they represent." He is hanged on 3 January 1946 and buried in an unmarked grave in the grounds of the prison.
The new Labour government makes a proposal to begin negotiations on Indian autonomy based on the plan offered by Sir Stafford Cripps in 1942.

UNITED STATES: Three Twentieth Air Force Boeing B-29s arrive in Chicago, Illinois, after flying nonstop from Hokkaido, Japan. One of the aircraft is commanded by Major General Curtis E. LeMay. After refueling in Chicago, the aircraft continue on to Washington, D.C.

 

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1939
AUSTRALIA: Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, announces that the government is offering the British the men to equipment four RAAF bomber and two fighter squadrons plus supporting units for use in Europe and/or the Mediterranean.

1940
CHINA: The Chinese Eighth Route Army attacks Japanese lines, launching the second phase of a Communist "Hundred Regiments Offensive."

1941
JAPAN: Tokyo receives reports on the U.S. fleet movements from both Manila, Philippine Islands, and Seattle, Washington, U.S.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The U.S. Army Air Forces activated the Philippine Department Air Force, later redesignated Far East Air Force and still later 5th Air Force, at Nichols Field, Luzon. This unit is not manned and all USAAF units in the Philippines remain under the control of Air Force, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East.

UNITED STATES: The Congress passes the Revenue Act of 1941 which lowers exemption levels and increases taxes on excess profits being made on the war effort. These changes do more than simply increase revenues; they expand the tax base to include all but the lowest-paid workers.

1942
AUSTRALIA: Responding to questions from the Australian government regarding the effect on the RAAF of the formation of the USAAF's Fifth Air Force in the Southwest Pacific Area, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander Southwest Pacific Area, replies that "due to unavoidable conditions" the majority of the units assigned to the Coastal Defense Unit would be Australian although the majority of RAAF units would not be assigned to this command. He continued saying that the formation of the Fifth Air Force would not affect the full employment of the RAAF in combat operations.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, Australian units continue to patrol along Imitra Ridge on the Kodoka Track. In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s bomb and strafe troops and installations at Sangara, Arehe, and along the Popondetta-Andemba road in the Owen Stanley Range, and RAAF Kittyhawks strafe the airfield at Kokoda, bridges on the trail near Wairopi, and troops at Myola, Efogi, and Kagi.

1943
CBI (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, B-24's bomb Sagaing and Naba. The 384th Bombardment Squadron, 311th BG (Dive), arrives at Nawadih, India from the US with A-36's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on 17 Oct.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 27 Japanese bombers and 20 fighters attack the airfield at Kunming, China; 24 P-40's and 3 P-38's intercept, claiming 17 airplanes shot down; 1 US fighter is lost; damage to the airfield is negligible. The 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st FG, transfers from Kweilin to Hengyang, China with P-40's.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, First Lieutenant Henry Meigs II (of the 6th Night Fighter Squadron), flying a P-38 against Japanese night attackers over Bougainville, shoots down two G4M1 Betty bombers of the 702nd Kokutai within 60 seconds: G4M1 piloted by Itakura and G4M1 piloted by Kisuberi.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's and B-17's hit roads from Kaiapit to Madang, destroying 3 key bridges; P-39's strafe and dive-bomb the Bogadjim-Yaula area; and B-24's bomb Wewak and Boram airfields. B-25's hit Penfoei on Timor Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Australian 2/6th Independent Company kills another 100 Japanese north of Kaiapit in the Markham Valley.

EAST INDIES: Fifth Air Force B-25s bomb Penfui (Penfoei) Airfield on Dutch Timor Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The 27th Infantry Regiment forces on Sagekarasa Island find that Japanese have withdrawn from the island.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, P-47s hit the Kadu rail siding, Nyaungbintha, Indaw, and troops at Hkaungtung; 3 B-25s weathered out of the Bhamo area hit alternates at Indaw; C-47s continue large-scale operations to several points in the CBI.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 27 B-25s bomb Lingling, Chuanhsien, and Kiyang and hit targets of opportunity throughout the Chuanhsien area; 100+ P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance over wide areas of SE China attack troops, horses, trucks, shipping, and other targets of opportunity, particularly concentrating on areas around Chuanhsien, Lingling, Kiyang, Changsha, and Yiyang.

CHINA: U.S. General Joseph Stilwell learns that his plan for the defense of Kweilin has been accepted by Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and issues orders accordingly.

INDIA: The All-India Congress begins today in Bombay and continues until 23 September. Under the leadership of Mohandas K. Gandhi and Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, they consider the British government's offer of India autonomy. The delegates call the plan unsatisfactory and demand the British to "quit India."

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): P-47s from Saipan bomb and strafe gun positions on Pagan. B-24s hit Jaluit Atoll while Makin based B-25s pound Nauru.

MARCUS ISLAND: A lone USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 on armed reconnaissance, bombs Marcus Island.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, the firm Japanese defense of the central ridge system on western arm virtually halts forward movement of the 1st and 7th Marines. The 1st Marines is so depleted in strength that 7th Marines relieves all its troops but those along West Road. The 5th Marines is mopping up eastern arm.
On Angaur Island in the Palau Islands, Major General Paul J Mueller, Commanding General, 81st Infantry Division, declares organized resistance at an end as the Army’s 321st Infantry Regiment drives to the southern end of island and begins mopping up scattered Japanese. The Japanese remaining on Angaur are concentrated in northwestern part of the island and are prepared for a prolonged defense of a broad, deep, bowl-shaped depression in the Lake Salome area. The 322d Infantry Regiment tries to reach the bowl from different directions, but makes little headway. Construction of Angaur Airstrip is begun in the southern part of the island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Despite poor weather over Celebes, the Menado area is again attacked and B-24s hit Mapanget and Sidate Airfields and supply dumps and other targets of opportunity. B-24s hit Djailolo and A-20s and P-47s during the night of 19/20 Sep strike Kaoe Airfields. B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers, striking during the night of 19/20 Sep and during the day, pound airfields at Amahai, Namlea on Buru , Liang and Ambon on Amboina , the town of Lautem on Timor , and several targets of opportunity. During the night of 20/21 Sep a few B-24s again hit the Menado and Sidate area. Fighter-bombers hit AA guns and targets of opportunity at Moemi and Ransiki Airfield and hit a supply dump further E along the Orai River; the 75th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d BG (Medium), moves from Hollandia to Sansapor with B-25s; the 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Owi, to Morotai with P-38s; the 370th and 372d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 307th BG (Heavy), based on Wakde with B-24s, begin operating from Noemfoor.

EAST INDIES: On Morotai Island in the Halmahera Islands of the Netherlands East Indies, the beachhead perimeter has been expanded to provide space for additional airfield construction, extending about 1,000 yards N of the original site and some 10,000 yards E along the shore to the Sabatai River.
In the air over the Netherlands East Indies, despite poor weather over Celebes Island, the USAAF's Far East Air Forces attacks the Menado area and B-24s hit Mapenget and Sidate Airfields and supply dumps and other targets of opportunity. On Halmahera Island, B-24s hit Djailolo Aerodrome. USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers, striking at Amahai Airfield on Amahai Island, Namlea Seaplane Base on Buroe Island, Liang (Laha, Ambon East) on Ambon Island, the town of Lautem on Dutch Timor Island, and several targets of opportunity. at Amahai on Ceram Island, Namlea on Buru Island, Liang and Laha on Amboina Island, the town of Lautem on Timor Island, and several targets of opportunity. During the night of 20/21 September a few B-24s again hit the Menado and Sidate area on Celebes Island.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 124, SEPTEMBER 20, 1944
During the afternoon of September 19 (West Longitude Date) organized enemy resistance ceased on Angaur Island. The 81st Infantry Division is proceeding with mopping up operations.
Shore installations and bivouac areas at Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands were bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on September 18. A direct hit and two near misses were obtained in attacking a medium cargo vessel at anchor in Futami Harbor, and numerous barges were bombed. The cargo ship was left burning and eight to 10 barges were destroyed. Antiaircraft fire was meager.
Pagan Island in the Marianas was bombed and strafed by Thunderbolts of the Seventh Army Air Force on September 18. Antiaircraft emplacements and storage facilities were the principal targets, and several fires were started.
Marcus Island was attacked by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on the same day, and Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells bombed Ponape Island, hitting gun positions and the airstrip in the latter attack.
Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed Wotje Atoll in the Marshalls on September 18, dropping 27 tons on barracks areas.
All of our aircraft returned from the foregoing missions.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 125, SEPTEMBER 20, 1944
During September 19 (West Longitude Date) the First Marine Division continued to apply heavy pressure on the left flank of our front on Peleliu Island, seeking to dislodge the enemy from strong defensive positions in the rough terrain which parallels the western shore. The enemy resistance is bitter, but slow progress is being made, and in one sector 11 field guns, 70 machine guns, and 23 mortars have been captured by our forces. Small local advances were made on the left during September 19, but there was no appreciable change in our line. On the right flank, along the eastern shore, additional gains were scored and virtually all enemy resistance has been mopped up. The small unnamed island below Ngabad Island was occupied by our forces during the day.
Mopping up on Angaur Island by troops of the 81st Infantry Division continues. Our forces have killed an estimated 7045 enemy troops on Peleliu and 600 on Angaur. Enemy aircraft dropped two bombs near positions occupied by our forces during the night of September 18 19, but caused no damage.

1945
(Nothing to report)

 

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1931
SWITZERLAND: China appeals to the League of Nations Council stating that ". . . beginning from ten o'clock of the night of September 18, regular troops of Japanese soldiers, without provocation of any kind, opened rifle and artillery fire upon Chinese soldiers at or near the city of Mukden, bombarded the arsenal and barracks of the Chinese soldiers, set fire to the ammunition depot, disarmed the Chinese troops in Changchun, Kwanchengtse, and other places, and later took military occupation of the, cities of Mukden and Antung and other places and of public buildings therein, and are now in such occupation. Lines of communication have also been seized by Japanese troops. . . . In view of the foregoing facts, the Republic of China, a member of the League of Nations, asserts that a situation has arisen which calls for action under the terms of Article 11 of the Covenant."

1939
UNITED STATES: President Franklin D. Roosevelt today faces a joint session of Congress in person and urges the repeal of the Neutrality Act's embargo on arms sales to belligerent countries. "Our acts must be guided by one single hard-headed thought - keeping America out of this war," the president says. Allowing arms to be sold on a cash-and-carry basis would be "better calculated than any other means to keep us out of war."

1940
AUSTRALIA: A Federal election is held today. The government of Prime Minister Robert Menzies gains seats in the Senate but loses some in the House of Representatives. The result is a coalition government that has to rely on the votes of two independents from Victoria to remain in office.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: 9 B-24s, 2 B-17s, and 1 LB-30, accompanied by 15 P-39s and 20 P-40s, abort a Kiska bombing mission due to weather; photo reconnaissance suggests that Chichagof Harbor, Attu is abandoned.

BURMA: The British go on the offensive with the Indian 14th Division advancing in the Arakan River, from Chittagong via Cox's Bazar down the Mayu peninsula. The intention is to seize the peninsula, then from
there to Akyab and seize Japanese airfields that the British fear may be used to bomb Calcutta and other Indian cities. The troops of General Lord Archibald Wavell, British Commander-in- Chief India, troops are not ready for jungle warfare, and he lacks the seaborne component planned for this operation. He launches it anyway, even though the Arakan "is not fit to fight in." To reach Akyab, British and Indian troops must traverse more than 160 miles of mangrove swamps, river and rice paddies.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, artillery of the Australian 14th Field Regiment sited at Ower's Corner, about 3 miles S of Imita Ridge, pounds the Japanese all day.
In the air, RAAF Kittyhawks bomb and strafe bridges and targets of opportunity along the Buna-Kokoda trail. The two RAAF Kittyhawk squadrons at Milne Bay, Nos 75 and 76, are relieved by the USAAF's 35th and 36th Fighter Squadrons flying P-39s.
A-20s bomb and strafe occupied areas at Menari, Efogi, Nauro, Yodda, and Kokoda; P-40s strafe AA positions, huts, and barges at Buna and Salamaua and bomb and strafe Wairopi bridge, strafe buildings at Yodda, the airfield at Buna, and AA positions and other targets along the Buna-Kokoda trail; 1 B-25 bombs the N end of Buna Airfield and the coastal end of Sanananda track. B-17s bomb the airfield and shipping at Rabaul, New Britain

UNITED STATES: The prototype Boeing XB-29-BO Superfortress, USAAF s/n 41-002, msn 2482, makes its first flight at Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington.

1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25's and 8 P-40's attack railroad yards and warehouses at Chiuchiang, China, causing considerable destruction.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 20+ B-24's bomb the runway and revetment area at the airfield on Buka Island. About 20 Japanese fighters intercept; 2 Zekes are shot down.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Arundel Island, the 27th Infantry Regiment, upon renewing their assault, finds that the Japanese have withdrawn from the mainland of Arundel as well as islands nearby. The Japanese are estimated to have lost 600 dead on Arundel. By this time Japanese have decided to abandon the central Solomons entirely and want only to escape northward.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): A-20's, B-26's, and RAAF aircraft hit Tami Island and pound Finschhafen in preparation for the Allied amphibious assault on the following day; B-25's bomb and strafe the Bogadjim area and Langgoer. B-24's hit Cape Gloucester and a freighter near Talasea; A-20's and RAAF aircraft bomb Gasmata. Lost is P-40N 42-104984. The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Townsville, Queensland, Australia to Attu, New Guinea with C-47's.

NEW GUINEA: The amphibious assault force (the Australian 20th Brigade Group, Australian 9th Division) sails from Lae for Finschhafen while the Australian 22d Brigade starts an overland drive from Lae toward Langemak Bay. The 21st and 25th Brigades, Australian 7th Division, are flown to Kaiapit from Nadzab to pursue the Japanese up the Markham Valley to Dumpu.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 7 B-25s hit Man Mawn and 1 other bombs Indaw; 21 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, China. 170+ other transport sorties are flown to various terminal points in CBI.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 27 B-25s pound Kiyang, Yungming, Lingling and areas to the N, and the area W of Chuanhsien; 100+ P-40s and P-51s attack buildings, river shipping, troops, horses, and supplies at numerous points especially around Sinshih, Kiyang, Wuchou, and Isuho.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 5 B-24s on armed reconnaissance and training missions from Saipan bomb Marcus and Pagan s. B-25s, based in the Gilberts, strike Ponape .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s attack Ambon on Amboina and Kairatoe Airfield on Celebes and shipping in Piroe Bay. On Celebes, P-38s and B-25s hit Menado, Tomohon, the Kakas rest camp, small craft near Belang , Kairatoe, and Namlea Airfield on Buru , and a barge off Kaoe Point, Halmahera. Fighter-bombers hit Windissi and Ransiki and strafe targets of opportunity near the Orai River; during the night of 21/22 Sep fighter-bombers hit the Geelvink Bay-Bentoni Bay area; the 13th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Espiritu Santo to Biak with C-47s (squadron is operating from Los Negros); the detachment of the 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, operating from Wakde with P-38s and P-61s, returns to base at Nadzab.

AUSTRALIA: U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander South West Pacific Area, radios the U.S. Chiefs of Staff that he can mount a major assault on Luzon, Philippine Islands about 20 December as a result of the acceleration of the Leyte invasion; he also suggests that the Formosa operation may be unnecessary if Luzon is occupied.
Australian General Thomas Blamey, commander of the Allied Land Forces South West Pacific Area and commander of the Australian Military Force, tells the Australian Advisory War Council that he will have two divisions available for the upcoming invasion of the Philippines. This is addition to Australian responsibilities in New Guinea and adjacent islands.

EAST INDIES: Radar is established on Raoe Island, off the west coast Morotai Island, Halmahara Islands, Netherlands East Indies.
In the air over the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s attack Liang (Laha or Ambon East) Airfield on Ambon Island, Kairatoe Airfield on Halmahara Island and shipping in Piroe Bay, Ceram, Moluccas Islands. On Celebes Island, P-38s and B-25s hit Menado, Tomohon, the Kakas rest camp, small craft near Belang Island, Kairatoe Airfield on Halmahara Island, Namlea Seaplane Base on Buroe Island, and a barge off Kaoe Point, Celebes Island.

MARCUS ISLAND: USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators on an armed reconnaissance and training mission bomb the island. The island is located in the North Pacific about 768 nautical miles WNW of Wake Island and is used as a refueling point for Japanese aircraft en route to the Central Pacific.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers hit Windissi and Ransiki (Moemi North) Aerodrome and strafe targets of opportunity near the Orai River; during the night of 21/22 September fighter-bombers hit the Geelvink Bay-Bentoni Bay area.

PACIFIC: USN submarines sink five Japanese ships:
(1) USS Haddo , while lifeguarding for Task Force 38, sinks a surveying ship 80 miles SW of Manila;
(2) off the north coast of Luzon, USS Picuda and USS Redfish sink two transports;
(3) USS Searaven sinks a Kurils-bound army transport northeast of Hokkaido; and
(4) USS Shad sinks an auxiliary minesweeper east of Honshu, Japan.

USN carrier-based aircraft attack Japanese convoy about 44 nautical miles NW of Olongapo, Luzon, Philippine Islands in postions 15.25N, 119.50E. Seven ships are sunk. One of the ships is the Japanese transport SS Hofuku Maru which is carrying 1,289 British and Dutch POWs en route from Singapore, Malaya, to Japan. This ship had unloaded sick and dying POWs in Manila and sailed again in convoy and is attacked again when only three days out. It took only a few minutes for the ship to go down drowning around 1,047 men who are trapped in the holds; less than 250 survived.

PALAU ISLANDS: On Peleliu, the progress of the 1st Marine Division against the central ridges is still negligible.
On Angaur , elements of 322d Infantry Regiment break into the Lake Salome bowl on northwestern Angaur but pull back for the night since their positions are untenable. The attack is preceded by a heavy volume of artillery fire and bombardment of the position by USN aircraft. The 321st Infantry Regiment is alerted for a movement to Peleliu so that 1st Marines can be withdrawn from there and the 322d Infantry Regiment thus becomes responsible for south Angaur as well as the stubborn pocket on the northeastern end.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Aircraft from the twelve aircraft carriers of Task Groups 38.1, 38.2 and 38.3 begin attacks on shipping in Manila and Subic Bay, Clark and Nichols Fields and Cavite Navy Yard. Carrier-based aircraft sink 22 Japanese ships and then attack a convoy west of Luzon sinking another 6 ships.

UNITED STATES: Hawaiian Territorial Governor Ingram Stainback orders Honolulu brothels closed.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 126, SEPTEMBER 21, 1944
The First Marine Division made minor gains in a northerly direction along the western ridge of Peleliu Island on September 24 (West Longitude Date) facing stiff opposition from the enemy troops well entrenched in pre¬cipitous terrain. Our attack was preceded by gunfire from cruisers and destroyers and by bombing.
Meantime, our forces occupied the entire east coast of Peleliu, including the island of Ngabad.
More enemy equipment has been captured consisting of six trench mortars and 31 machine guns. An additional 10 enemy aircraft have been found destroyed on the airfield.
The 81st Division is continuing mopping up operations on Angaur.
Enemy troops killed on Peleliu number 8,792. Enemy troops killed on Angaur number 850.
The airfield and installations on Babelthuap and the seaplane base at Arakabesan were bombed on September 20.
Seventh Army Air Force Thunderbolts strafed and bombed gun emplacements on Pagan in the Marianas on September 19.
Aircraft of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed storage areas at Rota Island on September 18 and attacked it again on September 19, causing several explosions and starting fires.
A single plane bombed Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands on September 18. There was no antiaircraft fire.
Truk Atoll was the target of Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on September 18. Sixty nine tons of bombs were dropped on the airfield at Moen. Four enemy aircraft attempted interception. Antiaircraft fire was meager. Three Liberators were slightly damaged but all returned.
Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Paramushiru in the Kuriles on September 19. Direct hits were scored on communication facilities. Later the same day a single Eleventh Army Air Force Mitchell bomber attacked Paramushiru, encountering meager antiaircraft fire. All planes returned safely.
Corsairs and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked Wotje, in the Marshalls, on September 19. Bivouac areas, storage areas, and communication facilities were bombed. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 127, SEPTEMBER 21, 1944
Carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet swept the island of Luzon in the heart of the Philippines on September 20 (West Longitude Date) striking in great force at shipping in Manila Bay and in Subic Bay, at enemy Installa¬tions at Clark Field and Nichols Field near Manila, and at the Cavite Naval Base.
One hundred and ten enemy aircraft were shot down in the air and 95 were destroyed on the ground. The following additional damage was inflicted on the enemy
Enemy ships sunk: Enemy ships damaged,
One large destroyer leader including those probably sunk
Four large oil tankers One destroyer
One small oil tanker Two large oil tankers
Two large cargo ships One large transport
One medium cargo ship Ten large cargo ships
Two small cargo ships Twelve medium cargo ships
One floating dry dock
Two barges
In addition to the heavy shipping and aircraft losses inflicted upon the enemy, much damage was done to military objectives on and adjacent to Clark Field and Nichols Field, and to the fields themselves. Our losses in this superlatively successful attack which apparently caught the enemy completely by surprise, were 15 aircraft from which several of the flight personnel were recovered. There was no damage to our surface ships.

1945

 

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1937
UNITED STATES: The government protests the bombing of Nanking, China,
to Japan stating, ". . . any general bombing of an extensive area wherein there resides a large populace engaged in peaceful pursuits is unwarranted and contrary to principles of law and of humanity.
Moreover, in the present instance the period allowed for withdrawal is
inadequate, and, in view of the wide area aver which Japanese bombing operations have prevailed, there can be no assurance that even in areas to which American nationals and noncombatants might withdraw they would be secure . . . experience has shown that, when and where aerial bombing operations are engaged in, no amount of solicitude on the part of the authorities responsible therefor is effective toward insuring the safety of any persons or any property within the area of such operations . . . these operations almost invariably result in extensive destruction of noncombatant life and non-military, establishments."

1938
CHINA: The Japanese government creates the United Council of China at Beijing as the first step to overthrowing Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalist Chinese government. Under the Japanese plan, China would become a Japanese protectorate as part of the "New Order" in the Far East.

JAPAN: The government refuses the League of Nations invitation to settle her dispute with China.

1940
FRENCH INDOCHINA: The Vichy French government signs an agreement
with the Japanese in Hanoi allowing them the use of airfields and also allowing them to base troops in northern part of the country. As a result, Japanese troops cross the Chinese border seizing the Vietnamese outposts of Dong Dang and Lang Son from retreating French forces.
Vietnamese communists establish a revolutionary government in the Bac Son border district with the approval of the Japanese but the Japanese withdraw following a diplomatic protest from Vichy and the French quickly resume control. Communist forces in Bac Son effect a retreat to the mountains but their comrades engaged in a similar uprising in Cochinchina's Plain of Reeds area find themselves without refuge and are wiped out by the French.

1941
JAPAN: The Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, Admiral TOYODA Soemu, hands a document to the U.S. Ambassador in Japan, Joseph Grew, listing the nine point terms of peace with China.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USAAF Eleventh Air Force dispatches an LB-30 and nine B-24s, two B-17, accompanied by 15 P-39s and 20 P-40s, but they abort a Japanese-held Kiska Island bombing mission due to weather; photo reconnaissance suggests that Chichagof Harbor on Japanese-held Attu Island is abandoned.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s bomb the airfield and shipping at Rabaul, New Britain Island.

D'ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS: The Australian 2/10th Battalion lands on Normanby Island located about 10 miles from the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea, in the Solomon Sea. The 400 square miles island will be used by Allied warships during the war.

NEW GUINEA: The Australian 2/25th Battalion moves forward on the Kokoda Track and does not encounter any Japanese. However, a patrol from the 3d Battalion loses four men west of Ioribaiwa.
In the air over Papua New Guinea, Fifth Air Force A-20s bomb and strafe occupied areas at Menari, Efogi, Nauro, Yodda, and Kokoda on the Kokoda Trail; P-40s strafe antiaircraft positions, huts, and barges at Buna and Salamaua and bomb and strafe Wairopi bridge, strafe buildings at Yodda, Buna Airfield, and antiaircraft positions and other targets along the Buna-Kokoda trail; and a B-25 Mitchell bombs the northern end of Buna Airfield and the coastal end of the Sanananda track.

1943
CBI (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, B-25's attack the Ye-u branch line railroad bridge over the Mu River between Ywataung and Monywa. Negligible damage is done to the target.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24's and B-25's bomb Gasmata Airfield on New Britain Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): After a preparatory naval bombardment, elements of the Australian 9 Division land at the mouth of the Song River N of Finschhafen and push to the S; B-25's pound defenses in the Finschhafen area; almost 90 fighters battle Japanese aircraft attacking the convoy; 38 enemy aircraft are claimed shot down. Lost is G4M1 Betty piloted by Uchibaba.

AUSTRALIA: General Headquarters South West Pacific Area issues orders for Operation DEXTERITY, the landing on Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago. The ALAMO Force (U.S. Sixth Army) is to make an airborne and amphibious assault on Cape Gloucester; neutralize Gasmata Island and then take it in a shore-to-shore operation. D-Day, at first set for 20 November, is finally postponed to 26 December.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, 5th AF B-24's bomb Ambon Island in the Moluccas Islands.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Admiral William F Halsey Commander Third Fleet, issues a warning order for the invasion of the Northern Solomon Islands and directs Rear Admiral Theodore S Wilkinson, Commander Amphibious Force, Third Fleet, who is to head landing forces, to make detailed plans.
It is later decided to invade the Treasury Islands and the Empress Augusta Bay area of Bougainville.

NEW GUINEA: After a preparatory naval bombardment by the USN's Task Force 76 (Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey), the Australian 2/13th, 2/15th and 2/17th Battalions, 20th Brigade Group, 9th Division, land on Scarlet Beach at the mouth of the Song River, 6 miles north of Finschhafen, Northeast New Guinea, early in morning. The brigade establishes a beachhead with little difficulty and pushes south toward Finschhafen. The landing is opposed by 300-400 Japanese troops of the 80th and 238th Regiments; the Australians suffered 20 killed, 9 missing and 65 wounded.
On the Huon Peninsula, the Australian 22nd Battalion lands on Blue Beach near Hopoi on the southern coast. The battalion’s objective is to advance east and then north to Finschhafen. The rest of the 2/16th Battalion and HQ 21st Brigade are flown into Kaiapit and the battalion moves west and crosses the Maniang River.
Captured Japanese documents reveal that the Japanese force destroyed by 2/6th Independent Company at Kaiapit on 20 September was not an isolated patrol but the vanguard of 3,500 Imperial Japanese Army troops.
In the air, the 5th AF provides air support and intercepts Japanese aircraft making ineffective attacks on the convoy.
B-25's hit defenses in the Finschhafen area; almost 90 fighters battle Japanese aircraft attacking the convoy; 38 Japanese aircraft are claimed shot down. A-20's and B-25's hit the Lae area.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 13 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow, China; C-47s fly 170+ sorties to various points in the CBI. The detachment of the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, 8th Photogrpahic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Liuchow to Chanyi, China with F-7s (the squadron is based at Guskhara).

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 B-24s pound Hankow; 12 B-25s and 7 P-51s hit the Hengyang road junction and ferry; 7 B-25s bomb Kianghwa while 6 P-51s damage a nearby bridge; 5 B-25s hit Yungming; 44 P-40s and P-51s blast targets of opportunity along roads in the Changsha, Siangtaii, and Sintsiang areas. 50+ other P-40s and P-51s hit various targets of opportunity around Chuanhsien, Paoching, Lingling, Hankow, and Kiyang.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 15 Saipan -based B-24s strike shipping at Chichi Jima. In the Mariana s, 24 P-47s strafe Pagan and bomb Anatahan . 3 B-24s on a snooper mission and armed reconnaissance flight bomb Iwo Jima and Marcus. 15 B-25s, flying out of Makin bomb Nauru.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Ground echelons of the 877th, 878th and 879th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 499th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), arrive at Isley Field (first mission is 24 Nov).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound Sidate and Mapanget. B-24s and B-25s bomb Amahai and Liang on Ambon and the airfield on Haroekoe . In New Guinea, A-20s pound Urarom Airfield while fighter-bombers hit Idorra, Windissi, Moemi, and Kaimana; HQ 5th Bombardment Group moves from Wakde to Noemfoor; the 342d Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, moves from Wakde Airfield to Noemfoor with P-47s.
RAAF: Lost on a strike to Timor is B-25D A47-3

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Ulithi Atoll, Regimental Combat Team 323, 81st Infantry Division, lands without opposition and begins securing the atoll.
On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, the Japanese continue the effective defense of the central ridges and are bringing up reinforcements. The 1st Marine Division observation planes are operating from the airfield.
On Angaur, elements of the 322d Infantry again push into the bowl in the Lake Salome area from the south but retire at night.
General Geiger orders one regiment, the 321st Infantry Regiment, from the 81st Infantry to Peleliu. He is attempting to offset some of the losses incurred by the Marines. A second regiment from this division will be committed before the battle is over.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s again bomb Sidate and Mapanget Airfields on Celebes Island. B-24s and B-25s bomb Amahai Airfield on Amahai Island, and Haroekoe and Liang (Laha or Ambon East) Airfields on Ambon Island.

NAURU ISLAND: In the air, 15 USAAF Seventh Air Force B-25 Mitchells, flying out of Makin Island, bomb the island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Carrier-based aircraft from 12 aircraft carriers USN's Task Groups 38.1, 38.2 and 38.3 continue to wreak havoc on Japanese shipping in the Philippines sinking eight ships and damaging two.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 128, SEPTEMBER 22, 1944
On Peleliu Island the enemy continued to resist bitterly from heavily fortified defense positions on Umurbrogol Mountain during September 21 (West Longitude Date). Troops of the First Marine Division were unable to make any appreciable progress along the western arm of the island. Five heavy caliber enemy guns were captured by our forces during the day. Our front line remains virtually unchanged except for slight northward progress along the west coast. On Angaur the 81st Infantry Division continues to dig remnants of the enemy from caves in the northwestern section of the island. During the day a heavy cruiser shelled enemy defense installations on Koror Island, and scored several direct hits.
Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed Rota in the Marianas on September 20. On the same day installations at Pagan were bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators. No antiaircraft fire was encountered in either attack.
Seventh Army Air Force Liberators attacked Marcus Island on September 19 and again on September 20. Gun emplacements were bombed in the latter attack. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered. The runway and gun em¬placements on Nauru Island were bombed on September 20 by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.
Jaluit Atoll in the Marshalls was attacked on September 20 by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators.

1945

 

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1939
JAPAN: Admiral NOMURA Kichisaburo is appointed Foreign Minister in the recently appointed government headed by Prime Minister General ABE Nobuyki. This cabinet will hold office until January 1940, and make some conciliatory moves towards the US which will not be reciprocated. This will strengthen the position of the more militant leaders.

1940
AUSTRALIA: The government agrees to form the 9th Division in the U.K. around the 18th and 25th Brigades. The 24th Brigade had been formed in July and assigned to the 8th Division but it is transferred to the new 9th Division. Australian Lieutenant General Thomas Blamey, General Officer Commanding Australian I Corps, is critical of forming a new division with two highly trained brigades and another, the 27th, yet to be formed.
The War Cabinet agrees to send the 7th Division to the Middle East after receiving a request from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Weather causes a USAAF Eleventh Air Force mission to abort to Japanese-held Kiska Island; photo reconnaissance over Attu Island confirms its abandonment by the Japanese; a USN PBY Catalina escorted by two P-38s lands off Amchitka Island with a scouting party which determines that the island is unsuited as an airfield; the P-38s also bomb a radio shack and sink a submarine at Amchitka Island.

ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS: Troops of the Australian 2/10th Battalion, 18th Brigade find only eight Japanese on Normanby Island. They are taken prisoner and the Australians board the Australian destroyer HMAS Stuart and return to Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. The D’Entrecasteaux Islands are located about 10 miles across Goschen Strait from the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea, in the Solomon Sea.

EAST INDIES: In Betano Bay on the south coast of Portugese Timor, the Australian destroyer HMAS Voyager runs aground while landing the 2/4th Independent Company. Attempts to refloat the ships are unsuccessful and demolition charges are placed under her hull and set off. The ship is attacked by Japanese aircraft tomorrow and she sinks.

NEW GUINEA: Australian General Thomas Blamey arrives in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to take direct command of the New Guinea forces. Australian Lieutenant General Edmund F. Herring becomes commander, Advance New Guinea Force, succeeding Australian Major General Sidney F Rowell. Despite his position Blamey came into conflict with his commander, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Command South West Pacific Area, who has become Australian Prime Minister Curtin's principle military advisor.
U.S. forces are kept out of the Australian land commanders hands throughout the war in the Pacific but one historian wrote that Blamey's career is marked by “year upon year of wise decisions, stubborn determination to further the interests of Australia, and a deep concern for the well-being of his soldiers."
On the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, the Australian 14th Field Regiment, Maroubra Force, continues bombarding the Japanese. Intelligence estimates that there are 600 Japanese west of Ioribaiwa.
- The U.S. 128th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division, reaches Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, by air and is assigned to garrison force under operational control of Australian 6th Division.
- In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force P-40s, P-39 and P-400s and B-17s hit tanks, buildings, and airfield at Buna, Wairopi bridge and targets of opportunity on the Buna-Kokoda Track, and Tau-Pota Mission near Goodenough Bay.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, the 1st Marine Division begins a limited operation to the west of the Lunga perimeter to eliminate the Japanese within striking distance of Henderson Field: the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment is directed to advance along the northern slopes of Mt Austen, cross the Matamkau River, and push west to Kokumbona; the 1st Raider Battalion is to establish a patrol base at Kokumbona at a point where the inland trails intersect the coastal road.
- Five SBD Dauntlesses of VMSB-141 arrives at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. These are the first aircraft from Marine Air Group Fourteen to serve on the island; reinforcements will arrive in small increments until the entire squadron arrives on 6 October.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA The movement of the 72d Bombardment Squadron to the SOPAC on 18 Sep, plus subsequent movement of other squadrons of the 5th BG to the SOPAC, makes it difficult for some time to maintain the minimum force of 35 heavy bombers considered necessary for the defense of the Hawaii; this situation is relieved by 90th BG (Heavy), which stops in Hawaii while enroute to the SWPA, and by the 307th BG (Heavy), which is assigned to the Seventh Air Force for a time.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Admiral Thomas C Kinkaid issues Operations Plan (Op Plan) 9-43 which reorganizes the Alaskan Army and Navy air strength. The Commanding General Eleventh Air Force becomes Commander of Task Force 90 (TF 90), composed of Task Group 90.1 (TG 90.1), designated the Air Striking Unit (comprising 16 medium bombers, 12 heavy bombers, 100 fighters) and of TG 90.2, designated the Air Search Group, a Navy air arm. For operations, the Eleventh Air Force is now under the jurisdiction of Commander Northern Pacific (COMNORPAC) Forces. There is no administrative change.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 23 B-24's, 16 P-38's, and 60+ USN dive bombers, covered by AAF, USMC, USN, and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) fighters, attack Kahili; Allied aircraft claim at least 9 fighters shot down. 21 B-24's bomb area from Stanmore Plantation to the mouth of the Vila River. P-39's strafe 2 barges, at Sasamunga and Malanono, leaving both aflame.

SOUTHWEST (Fifth Air Force): B-25's bomb and strafe villages in the upper Markham River Valley. P-40's bomb Gasmata.

NEW GUINEA: Australian Lieutenant General Sir Iven Giffard Mackay arrives in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea to take command of the New Guinea Force.
Continuing south toward Finschhafen, Northeast New Guinea, the Australian 20th Brigade, 9th Division takes the airfield and reaches the Bumi River, where the Japanese are firmly established.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 19 P-47s attack bridges along a line Wanling-Bhamo-Myitkyina destroying 1 bridge; 6 B-25s hit bridges S of Meza, destroying 1 and extensively damaging several others. In China, 19 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow while 2 deliver fuel to Kunming.

CHINA: U.S. Ambassador to China Major General Patrick J Hurley sends a report to President Franklin D Roosevelt and tells him of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's reaction to his (Roosevelt's) message of 19 September.
On the Salween front, the Japanese send a rescue column to extricate the garrison at Pingka.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 15 B-24s pound the Burma Road in the Chefang area; 36 B-25s hit Chuanhsien and targets of opportunity in surrounding areas; 6 B-25s bomb Kuanyang, 5 hit Yungming, 6 damage Dara bridge, 12 bomb Lungling, and 2 knock out a bridge near Jinyang; 2 B-24s bomb docks at Amoy; again 90+ P-40s and P-51s hit numerous targets of opportunity throughout SE China concentrating on Japanese troops in the Chuanhsien area and various targets around Jungyun, Yuankiang, Yungming, Lingling, and Hsuchang.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 15 B-24s from Saipan bomb Chichi Jima, Haha Jima, and Ani Jima. 2 B-24s on armed reconnaissance bomb Marcus while 1 on a training mission hits Pagan. On the night of 23/24 Sep a B-24 from Kwajalein bombs Wake.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: During night and day raids B-24s and B-25s concentrate on Sidate and Mapanget Airfields on Celebes . P-47s pound Kaoe Airfield. P-47s and P-40s bomb AA guns at Manokwari, Moemi, and Ransiki Airfield; HQ Thirteenth Air Force moves from Hollandia to Noemfoor; the 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, moves from Nadzab to Noemfoor with P-47s.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: Regimental Combat Team 321 of the 81st Infantry Division arrives on Peleliu Island from Angaur Island and is attached to the 1st Marine Division. After relieving the 1st Marine Regiment on the left flank just north of the third phase line, north of the village of Ngarekeukl, RCT 321 reconnoiters along the coast to Garekoru, near the fourth phase line, without difficulty. Efforts to make a general advance northward, however, fail because of intense fire from the center ridges. The 7th Marine Regiment has the task of supporting the drive of the infantry. On Angaur Island, the 322d Infantry Regiment again drives into the Lake Salome bowl from south but pulls back again when forward positions become untenable.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, work is begun on another airfield, named Pitoe Drome on Morotai, about 1,200 yards N of Wama Drome.
In the air, during night and day raids USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s and B-25s concentrate on Sidate and Mapanget Airfields on Celebes Island while P-47s pound Kaoe Airfield on Halmahera Island.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: The USN battleship USS West Virginia reaches Pearl Harbor and rejoins the Pacific Fleet, marking the end of the salvage and reconstruction of 18 ships damaged at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.

NEW GUINEA: At Allied headquarters in Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea, U.S. Lieutenant General Stephen J. Chamberlin, Deputy Chief of Staff South West Pacific Area, tells Australian Lieutenant General Sir Frank Horton Berryman, General Officer Commanding I Australian Corps, that for planning purposes, the roles of I Australian Corps are:
(1) Aparri, Philippine Islands, with an earliest date of 20-30 December 1944;
(2) Sarangani, Philippine Islands after Lingayen Gulf; and
(3) after Sarangani an advance down the west coast of Borneo with Java as an ultimate objective.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Straits of Malacca, the German submarine U-859 is sunk about 15 nautical miles W of George Town, Malaya, in position 05.46N, 100.04E, by torpedoes from the RN submarine HMS/M Trenchant. Of the 67 crewmen, 20 survive. Escaping at an unknown depth, an unknown number self escape with Drager gear, the 20 survivors become PoWs.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 129, SEPTEMBER 23, 1944
Carrier based planes bombed Yap Island on September 21, finding new worthwhile targets, no airborne opposition and only moderate antiaircraft fire.
Enemy forces on Peleliu Island were slowly but steadily being pushed toward the northern end of the island during September 22. Garekoru Village and a small, unnamed island along the east coast were occupied by United States Marines. Approximately three fourths of the island is now in our hands.
On the same day seven barges were sighted in the narrow channel between Peleliu and Ngesebus Islands. One was sunk by our patrol vessels and
the remainder dispersed. These were destroyed by bombing, strafing and ships' gunfire after being beached on Peleliu. In the action a small supply dump was also set afire.
At sundown on September 22, 7,020 enemy troops had been killed on Peleliu while 950 had been killed on Angaur.
Pagan and Anatahan in the Marianas were attacked by Seventh Army Air Force Thunderbolts on September 21. On the same day Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing strafed the phosphate plant and storage facilities on Rota Island.
Seventh Army Air Force Liberators attacked shipping in the harbor at Chichi Jima in the Bonins on September 21. One barge was sunk and near misses were scored on a freighter. Large explosions in the harbor area were caused. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered.
Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Marcus Island on September 21 and gun positions and areas surrounding the airfield at Ponape were bombed on September 21 by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells.
On the same day Jaluit Atoll was attacked by Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing.

1945

 

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1937
CHINA: The Japanese capture Baoding (Paoting) in northern China.

1940
UNITED KINGDOM: The 7,528 tons Blue Funnel Line merchant vessel SS Automedon of the A & R Holt Shipping Line prepares to leave Liverpool on a routine voyage to Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Onboard is a general cargo consisting of crated aircraft, machinery, vehicles, foodstuffs and 120 mail bags, including the latest merchant navy code deciphering tables 7, 8 and 9. In addition to this is a slender green bag, placed aboard on the orders of Air Chief Marshall, Sir Cyril Newall of the Chiefs of Staff (COS). Inside of which is a full copy of the August 1940 COS Far Eastern Appreciation. This is destined for the attention of the Commander-in- Chief Far East, Air Chief Marshall Sir Robert Brooke Popham. Precisely why a copy of this report was sent to the colony in such an insecure manner is a question that, in all probability, will never receive a satisfactory answer. Explanation. Though whilst offering consideration to this point, another issue warrants far deeper consideration. This being, why was an Appreciation dealing mainly with the defence of Singapore and Malaya despatched to its Commanders at such a late date, particularly as the document had now been in restricted circulation for more than a month?

1941
JAPAN: The following message is sent to the Japanese consulate in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii: "Henceforth, we would like to have you make reports concerning vessels along the following lines insofar as possible:
1. The waters (of Pearl Harbor) are to be divided roughly into five sub-areas. (We have no objections to your abbreviating as much as you like.)
Area A. Waters between Ford Island and the Arsenal.
Area B. Waters adjacent to the Island south and west of Ford Island. (This area is on the opposite side of the Island from Area A.)
Area C. East Loch.
Area D. Middle Loch.
Area E. West Loch and the communicating water routes.
2. With regard to warships and aircraft carriers, we would like to have you report on those at anchor, (these are not so important) tied up at wharves, buoys and in locks. (Designate types and classes briefly. If possible we would like to have you make mention of the fact when there are two or more vessels along side the same wharf.)"

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24s bomb the Main Camp, storage dumps, and dock areas on Japanese-held Kiska Island, starting several fires.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s bomb shipping at Rabaul on New Britain Island.

GILBERT ISLANDS: Japanese troops land on Maiana Island, 26 nautical miles S of Tarawa Atoll.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Japanese receive an order from headquarters on Rabaul to withdraw the troops on the Kokoda Track to the Buna-Gona area. This order results from a Japanese High Command decision to give Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands priority at the expense of the campaign in New Guinea. The Japanese 144th Regiment is chosen to perform a rearguard action at Ioribaiwa with two battalions while its other battalion and the 41st Regiment withdraws.
- USAAF Fifth Air Force P-40s and A-20s hit Mubo in Northeast New Guinea. In Papua New Guinea, B-17s bomb a wrecked vessel at Gona and P-40s hit the airfield at Kokoda and targets along the Kokoda-Wairopi trail, including a bridge at Wairopi.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment is searching the west bank of the Matanikau River, for straggling remnants of the Bloody Ridge Battle. The have found several small
groups of Japanese as they move from the foothills of Mt. Austen towards the sea. The battalion suffers seven dead and 25 WIA of which 18 are stretcher cases. The 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment begins preparations to join them.
- Marine John Basilone becomes the first Marine awarded the medal of honor for his defense of bloody ridge, on Guadalcanal.
- 3 B-17s bomb Shortland Island Seaplane base. Lost are: B-17E 41-9206 and B-17E "Bessie The Jap Basher" 41-2420.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): The 72d Bombardment Squadron, 5th BG (Heavy), arrives at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides from Hawaii with B-17s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s bomb shipping at Rabaul. P-40s and A-20s hit Mubo while B-17s bomb wrecked vessel at Gona; P-40s hit the airfield at Kokoda and targets along the Kokoda-Wairopi trail, including a bridge at Wairopi.

1943
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-24's fly a small strike against Sorong and Manokwari.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: ALAMO Scouts begin reconnaissance of the Cape Gloucester area on New Britain Island in preparation for the upcoming invasion. ALAMO is the code for the U.S. Sixth Army while operating as a special ground task force headquarters directly under General Headquarters, South West Pacific Area.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Vice Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, commander of the Central Pacific Force, recommends to Admiral Chester Nimitz, commander of the Pacific Fleet and commander of the Pacific Ocean Area, that an amphibious operation against Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands be substituted for projected invasion of Nauru. [Nauru Island is a 21 square kilometer (8 square mile) island in the South Pacific Ocean, located about halfway between the Gilbert and Solomon Islands. The island is rich in phosphate deposits and was occupied by the Japanese on 25 August 1942.] This plan is subsequently accepted.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the 20th Brigade, Australian 9th Division, forces the Bumi River, north of Finschhafen, against heavy opposition, capturing Finschhafen Airdrome. In the Markham River Valley, the 2/14th Battalion, with a battery from the 2/4th Field Regiment, lands at Kaiapit.
In the air over Northeast New Guinea, nine Japanese bombers with a fighter escort bomb and strafe Finschhafen Airdrome. A USAAF Fifth Air Force P-38 Lightning pilot shoots down one of the escorting Zero's

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Barakoma Field on Vella Lavella Island becomes operational and the first Allied plane lands.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 8 B-24s striking Kurabu Cape Airfield on Paramushiru are challenged by 12 Japanese fighters and 1 of 2 damaged B-24s forcelands in the USSR; one fighter is downed; and 4 B-25s fly a negative shipping search.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, P-47s fly 20 attack sorties against targets in the Mawhun area, including Pinlon; other P-47s fly 13 sorties against targets in the Bhamo area, demolishing a bridge at Manyut and hitting enemy positions at Chayuhkwang. 11 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, China. 240+ other C-47 sorties are flown to various points in the CBI.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 26 B-25s bomb Mangshih, Taohsien, and Kuanyang, attack White Cloud Airfield at Canton, and knock out the Dara bridge; 3 others hit targets of opportunity near Changtuikuan and along the Lingling-Siangtan road; 70+ P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance over SW and SE China pound numerous targets of opportunity, especially the town areas and river shipping at Takhing and Sinshih.

(Seventh Air Force): 18 B-24s from Saipan hit harbor facilities in the Bonin’s, mostly at Chichi Jima; 2 others on an armed reconnaissance mission bomb Marcus . 16 P-47s strafe AA positions on Rota , Mariana s. 26 B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Truk while 11 B-25s, based in the Gilbert s, hit Ponape ; the detachment of the 28th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Seventh AF, operating from Kwajalein with F-5s begins a movement to Peleliu Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s and B-25s bomb Amahai Airfield and Boela, Namlea Airfield on Buru, and Haroekoe Airfield on Haroekoe and B-24s hit Lautem on Timor. Fighter-bombers attack Babo, Urarom, and Manokwari Airfields while B-25s bomb Sorong.

BONIN ISLANDS: Eighteen USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24s from Saipan hit harbor facilities in the Bonin Islands, mostly at Chichi Jima Island.

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command area, the British 36th Division encounters the Japanese in strength while probing southward from Namma and they suspend forward movement until mid-October.
In the air, USAAF Tenth Air Force P-47s fly 20 attack sorties against targets in the Mawhun area, including Pinlon; other P-47s fly 13 sorties against targets in the Bhamo area, demolishing a bridge at Manyut and hitting Japanese positions at Chayuhkwang.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: Regimental Combat Team 323, 81st Infantry Division, secures the rest of Ulithi Atoll without opposition. The atoll will become an excellent base for the USNs Pacific Fleet during operations against the Philippines.
In the Palau Islands, on Peleliu Island, the 321st Infantry attacks after air, naval, and artillery bombardment, driving through Garekoru to the fourth phase line on the left. Company E, on the right, starts along east-west trail, soon called 321st Infantry Trail, through the central ridge system running from West Road south of Garekoru to the East Road in an effort to pocket strong Japanese forces in the Umurbrogol Mountains, the southern part of the ridge system. A Japanese counterattack at the fourth phase line causes 321st Infantry to fall back a little, but positions are largely restored. A gap develops between the infantry and the 7th Marines, since the latter, to the right rear, has to clear ground that 321st Infantry should have taken. On Angaur Island, when appeal to Japanese to surrender produces only two prisoners, artillery fire is placed on the pocket throughout rest of day and ensuing night.
In the air, 26 USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll bomb Truk Island while 11 B-25s, based in the Gilbert Islands, hit Ponape Island.

MARIANA ISLANDS: Sixteen USAAF Seventh Air Force P-47s strafe antiaircraft positions on Rota Island.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s and B-25s bomb Amahai Airfield on a small island south of Ceram and Boela Aerodrome on Ceram Island, Namlea Airfield on Buroe Island, and Haroekoe Airfield on Haroekoe Island southeast of Ceram and B-24 Liberators hit Lautem on Dutch Timor.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: For the third day, USN carrier-based aircraft from the 12 aircraft carriers of Task Groups 38.1, 38.2 and 38.3 continue their attacks on Japanese shipping. The toll for today is 15 ships sunk and seven damaged. The three task groups will retire tonight to several anchorages for replenishment. US Navy aircraft attack Japanese supply fleet were at anchor in Coron Bay sinking Irako and Akitsushima.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 130, SEPTEMBER 24, 1944
Carrier based aircraft of the Pacific Fleet, continuing the smashing attack against the Northern Philippines begun on September 20 (West Longitude Date), took an additional heavy toll of enemy planes, ships and ground Installations on September 21. Total destruction in the two day strike was extensive and the enemy suffered heavily.
The following damage, part of which has been previously reported, was inflicted at and near Clark and Nichols Fields, in the Manila Harbor area and at the Cavite Naval Base during the two day operations in Southern Luzon:
Ships sunk:
40 classified as ships; six small craft.
Ships probably sunk:
11 classified as ships.
Ships damaged:
35 classified as ships; 11 small craft; two floating drydocks.
Aircraft destroyed:
169 planes shot down in combat; 188 planes destroyed on the ground.
Aircraft damaged:
45 planes probably damaged on the ground; three planes damaged by ship's gunfire.
Ground installations damaged and destroyed:
Extensive and widespread damage was done to buildings, warehouses, railroad equipment, oil storage tanks, harbor installations, hangars, shops and stored supplies and equipment.
Our own losses in this daring and highly successful strike were 11 planes in combat, 10 pilots and five aircrewmen. There was no loss or damage to any of our surface ships.
The total revised box score for the Third Fleet, under the command of Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., USN, since it began operating in the far western Pacific now stands at: 122 ships and 61 small craft sunk, 137 ships and 109 small craft damaged, 380 planes shot down in the air, 598 destroyed on the ground, total aircraft destroyed 978, crippling damage to air fields and Naval establishments. In addition ships and carrier based aircraft of the Third Fleet have supported the assaults on Palau. Our own combat losses have been 51 planes, 37 pilots and 20 crewmen.
The operations of the Third Fleet have forced the enemy to withdraw its Naval forces from their former anchorages in the Philippines and to seek new refuges in the same general area, have disrupted inter island communications, and have broken his air force in the Philippines just as operations of the Fifth Fleet broke the enemy carrier based air force in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonin Islands were bombed on September 22 by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators. Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands was attacked twice on September 22 by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered in all attacks.
A single Seventh Army Air Force Liberator bombed Pagan on September 22.
On the same day Seventh Army Air Force Mitchell bombers attacked Nauru. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.
Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing carried our further neutral¬ization raids against enemy held atolls in the Marshalls, striking at Mille on September 21 22 and at Jaluit and Wotje on September 22. Dauntless dive bombers attacked Maloelap on September 21 and 22.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 564, SEPTEMBER 24, 1944
1. An attempt by the enemy to reinforce his beleaguered troops in the northern end of Peleliu Island was broken up on 23 September (West Longitude Date). A convoy of 13 barges and one motor sampan, carrying men and equipment, was sighted northeast of Peleliu. It was immediately brought under fire by United States warships, some of which ,pushed through mined waters to close range. A number of the barges were seen to explode. Later ten wrecked barges were counted on the reef northeast of Peleliu and the remainder were thought to have sunk. A few of the enemy probably were able to swim ashore without their equipment.
On the same day in Malakal harbor, two camouflaged ships previously damaged by our aircraft, were bombarded by a United States cruiser which scored at least one direct hit.
Marine forces on Peleliu made small gains on both the right and left flanks during 23 September. On Angaur mopping up operations continue.

1945

 

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1940
U.S.A.: Military intelligence reads the Japanese "Purple" code for the first time.
The MIT Radiation Laboratory, where much Allied radar development would take place, comes into formal existence with a budget of $455,000 for the first year of operation.

1941
Gen. Marshall requests Admiral Stark delay converting three freighters into escort carriers to increase shipping lift for the reinforcements being sent to the Philippines.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USAAF Eleventh Air Force dispatched nine B-24 Liberators, a B-17 Flying Fortress, and a B-24 photo reconnaissance airplane, escorted by 11 P-39 Airacobras and seven P-40s, to fly the first of two missions to Japanese-held Kiska Island; 11 RCAF Kittyhawks participate in this first combined Canadian-American mission of the Eleventh Air Force; two Zeke's are shot down, one by the RCAF and the other by the USAAF.
Later two B-24s and a B-17, escorted by 15 P-39s, bomb Little Kiska and Kiska Islands; radar installations at Little Kiska are destroyed and explosions and fires are caused in the Main Camp area; other targets include shipping, stores, and tents; the P-39s also strafe two submarines; two Japanese float planes are downed; five to eight biplanes are probably destroyed on the water; a large transport vessel is hit and lists badly; and 150 personnel are believed killed.

CHINA: USAAF China Air Task bombers fly 11 missions during the remainder of September and early October to support Chinese ground forces attempting to hold the Japanese on the west bank of the Salween River.

EAST INDIES: Australian destroyer HMAS Voyager goes aground whilst landing reinforcements for the Australian garrison on Portugese Timor and is attacked by Japanese aircraft. As she cannot be refloated, she is thoroughly wrecked by her own crew and abandoned. Location: Off the south coast Timor Island at 09 11S 125 43E.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: Four B-25 Mitchells of the USAAF China Air Task, with an escort of ten P-40s, attack Hanoi; the strike force is intercepted by ten Japanese fighters but the B-25's place several bombs on the runway at Gia Lam Airfield; the P-40's claim at least six fighters shot down.

GILBERT ISLANDS: Japanese troops land on Beru Island located 265 miles (426 kilometers) southeast of Tarawa.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the 25th Brigade, Australian 7th Division, opens a counteroffensive, attacking strongly towards Ioribaiwa, to drive the Japanese back along the Port Moresby-Kokoda trail. On the Kokoda Track, B Company of the Australian 2/25th Battalion attacks the Japanese north of Imita Ridge and gains some ground and captures weapons.
Australian General Thomas Blamey, Commander of the Allied Land Forces South West Pacific Area and Commander in Chief Australian Military Force, flies to Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, where he informs Australian Major General Cyril Clowes, General Officer Commanding Milne Force, that the 2/10th Battalion will be airlifted to Wanigela, about 100 miles (161 kilometers) to the northwest, where it would advance towards Buna.
- In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force P-40s again bomb the bridge at Wairopi, Papua New Guinea, scoring a direct hit on the northeastern end, which is demolished.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, the 2d Battalion of the 5th Marine Regiment joins the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, on the northwest slope of Mt. Austen to continue the attack against the Japanese in the Matanikau-Kokumbona area. Two companies of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine
Regiment, return to the Lunga perimeter. A patrol of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, reconnoiters Koli Point without incident.
Lieutenant General Kawaguchi Kiyotake, commanding the 35th Brigade, has ordered his troops to higher ground. He has received orders to seize the east bank of the river to prepare for the arrival of the 15 centimeter (5.9 inch) artillery. These units will be found the next day.
- In the air, four USAAF B-17s attack Japanese warships in Tonolei Harbor in the Shortland Islands while other B-17s attack shipping in Buka Passage and strafe the seaplane base at Rekata Bay on Santa
Isabel Island.

UNITED STATES: The US Maritime Commission announces that 488 cargo ships have been built in the past year.
- The War Labor Board orders equal pay to women as recognition of role in war.

1943
CBI (Tenth Air Force): The 436th Bombardment Squadron, 7th BG (Heavy), transfers from Bishnupur, India to Panagarh, India with B-24's.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's join USN TBF's and SBD's in pounding gun positions in the areas around Vila Airfield and Disappointment Cove on New Georgia.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The Japanese begin to evacuate Kolombangara Island. The garrison has been isolated by the island hopping campaign of the U.S.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): Nearly 40 B-17's, B-24's, and B-25's bomb installations and supply lines from Bogadjim to villages on the Ramu and Markham Rivers; A-20's and RAAF airplanes pound positions near Finschhafen as the Australian 9 Division, having crossed the Buni River the previous day, pushes S toward the town. B-25's bomb and strafe AA positions at Rein Bay on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. The 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, transfers from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Australian 20th Brigade, 9th Division, continues the battle for Finschhafen and consolidates its bridgehead across the Bumi River. In the Markham River Valley, the Australian 2/14th Battalion, with part of a battery of the 2/4th Field Regiment, lands at Kaiapit.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-25s fly a negative shipping sweep.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 P-47s attack the towns of Haungton, Myintha, and Mawlu. B-24s again haul fuel to China, 15 landing at Kunming, 3 at Liuchow, and 1 at Yungning and the Tenth AF flies 220+ other transport sorties to various CBI terminals.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s blast the barracks area at Mangshih; 12 bomb Kweiyang, and 6 hit the town area and railroad yards at Hengyang; 11 B-24s pound Nanking; about 120 P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance over the vast expanses of China S of the Yangtze River attack
a large variety of targets of opportunity at numerous locations including troops, buildings, and communications targets in the Paoching area and between Siangtan and Fulinpu.

CHINA: Still furious about the letter he received from US President Franklin D Roosevelt on the 19th, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek refuses to give US General Joseph Stillwell, Chief of Staff to Chiang, operational control of the Chinese Nationalist Army.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan based B-24s strike Iwo Jima and Marcus. During the night of 25/26 Sep Kwajalein-based B-24s stage through Eniwetok on a strike at shipping at Truk; failing to locate the primary targets the B-24s bomb Tol, Eten, Param, and Moen while others hit Wake during the night of 25/26 Sep.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Celebes , B-24s hit Kendari Airfield and B-25s bomb Langoan Airfield. A-20s fire storage areas and hit personnel areas on the W shore of Kaoe Bay. Namlea Airfield on Buru is again bombed by B-24s. P-38s pound Kairatoe Airfield on Celebes and Boela Airfield on Ceram. B-25s and A-20s hit Sagan and Urarom Airfields while P-40s attack Kaimana.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: On Morotai, Task Force TRADEWIND is dissolved. Major General Charles Hall, as Commanding General XI Corps, is responsible for continuing base development.
In the air, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Kendari Airfield and B-25s bomb Langoan Airfield on Celebes Island. A-20s fire storage areas and hit personnel areas on the western shore of Kaoe Bay on Halmahera Island. Namlea Airfield on Buru Island is again bombed by B-24s while P-38s attack Kairatoe Airfield on Celebes Island and Boela Airfield on Ceram Island.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: The submarine USS Nautilus lands 25 tons of cargo, 20 drums of gasoline and 2 drums of oil on Cebu Island in the Philippines. As she begins to retire, the submarine grounds on Iuisan Shoal. Forced to lighten her load, her evacuees, mail, captured documents, and cargo are sent ashore. All secret materials is burned. Her reserve fuel tanks are blown dry, variable ballast is blown overboard and 6-inch ammunition jettisoned. With the blowing of her main ballast tanks she is finally able to get off the reef within 3 1/2 hours, despite the receding tide, and clear the area by dawn.

PALAU ISLANDS: On Peleliu, the 7th Marines continue to support attack of 321st Infantry, 81st Infantry Division, and extends the left flank to release elements of 321st for the main push. On the left, 321st Infantry patrols northward along the coast almost to the fifth phase line against light resistance. The 5th Marines move forward to join with the 321st Infantry in an attack to clear the northern part of the island. The right flank elements of the 321st Infantry continue clearing the lateral trail through the central ridge system, meeting strong opposition.
On Angaur, the 322d Infantry, whose efforts to push into the Lake Salome bowl from the south have all ended in failure, attempts in vain to find a suitable route of advance into the bowl from the north coast. Engineers then begin construction of road for an attack from the east-northeast

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 131, SEPTEMBER 25, 1944
Units of the First Marine Division maneuvered so as to by pass enemy strong-points on Peleliu Island and made substantial progress in a northerly direction along the western arm of the island during September 24 (West Longitude Date). At one point on the western shore they are less than a mile from the northern tip of the island. During the night of September 23 24 an enemy barge was destroyed by Naval gunfire. Certain elements of the 81st Infantry Division have reinforced the First Marine Division, while other elements are continuing to mop up on Angaur Island. Through September 24 our troops had counted 8288 enemy dead, of which 7313 were killed on Peleliu and the remainder of 975 killed on Angaur. Heavy fighting continues.
Harbor facilities and shipping at Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands were bombed on September 23 by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators.
Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Marcus Island on September 22 and again on September 23.
On September 23 Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing strafed
gun emplacements at Rota Island in the Marianas. There was meager antiaircraft fire.
Bivouac areas at Jaluit Atoll were attacked twice on September 23 by Corsairs and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing. Other Corsairs struck at defensive positions at Wotje Atoll and Mille Atoll on the same day

1945

 

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1940
U.S.A.: Washington: Roosevelt announces a ban on scrap iron and steel exports to Japan and the western hemisphere, except for those to Britain and Latin America.

1941
CHINA: Japanese forces encircle Changsha.

1942
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses strike shipping and an airfield at Rabaul on New Britain Island.

NEW GUINEA: On the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, the Australian 2/25 Battalion is holding the center with the 2/31st Battalion on the left and the 2/33rd Battalion on the right. The 2/14th and 2/16th
Battalions are relieved by the 36th Battalion and leave for Port Moresby; when these two units had started out on the Track in August, they had approximately 550 men each; now the 2/14th is down to 101 men and the 2/16th has 143 men.
- In the air over Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs bomb and strafe Japanese forces north of Ioribaiwa and along the Efogi-Menari trail in support of the Australian counteroffensive and a B-17 Flying Fortress, along with RAAF aircraft, bomb Buna Airfield.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Bering Sea, USAAF Eleventh Air Force bombers attack a destroyer and a freighter north of Atka Island, Aleutian Islands; two near misses are scored on the freighter.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, Colonel Lewis "Chesty" Puller leads the 2d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and elements of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, as they reach the upper Matanikau River and push north along the east bank, encountering Japanese fire from the vicinity of Matanikau village. Artillery and aircraft are employed against the Japanese position. The 1st Raider Battalion passes through 5th Regiment sector to join in attack.
- In the air, eight USAAF B-17 Flying Fortresses attack shipping in Tonolei harbor in the Shortland Islands.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 destroyer and 1 freighter are bombed N of Atka at 53-30N 174-20E; 2 near misses are scored on the freighter.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (Tenth Air Force): 4 B-25s devastate the village of Luchiangpa in SW China.

1943
SOLOMON ISLANDS: 21 B-24's, covered by 14 P-38's, bomb a bivouac near Kahili; 30 P-40's and P-39's and 15 USN F4U's support 50+ USN dive bombers in a strike on the hangar area of the airfield at Kahili and gun positions at Kangu Hill and Jakohina.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24's bomb But and Dagua Airfields; P-38's claim 9 enemy fighters shot down in the But-Dagua-Wewak areas; other B-24's hit Nubia and Potsdam Plantation.

MALAYSIA: During Operation JAYWICK, six members of the Australian SOA (Special Operations Australia) Unit in three canoes, attach limpet mines to seven ships Singapore Harbour. The six men then retire safely.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Japanese try in vain to destroy the Australian beachhead in the Finschhafen area but the 20th Brigade repels their attacks. Two companies of the Australian 2/17th Battalion moving towards Sattelberg in the hills 6 miles (10 kilometers) northwest of Finschhafen, stop the advance of Japanese reinforcements heading for the town.

UNITED STATES: The USN aircraft carrier USS BUNKER HILL is moored main dock, N.A.S. San Diego, California. She had just finished her shake-down cruise and with Carrier Air Group Seventeen (CVG-17), had qualified all pilots. They told me she is a tight fit in the Panama Canal. We, Fighting Squadron Eighteen (VF-18 ) are told to board the carrier for transport to Pearl Harbor for further training. We are 45 percent through our training program. Things got a little tight with an additional 36 fighters aboard. IIRC, a lot of Marine Regiment are also loaded FFT to Pearl.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 flies weather reconnaissance; later 4 B-24s radar-bomb Suribachi Airfield in the Kuriles.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 2 P-47 flights hit targets in the Bhamo-Myothit area, including Sinkin, Momauk, and Nanhlaing; 3 other flights hit targets in the Pinwe-Mawlu area, including the town of Nyaungbintha; 20+ P-47s in 2 flights hit Tingka and in China, hit fuel storage at Chefang and repair shops at Wanting. In China, 9 B-25s blast troop concentrations and stores in Hinlong; and 19 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, Yangtong, and Yungning.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s bomb Lungfukwan and Mangshih while several P-40s hit targets of opportunity in same areas; 6 B-25s and 4 P-38s attack and slightly damage the Dara bridge and destroy road machinery nearby; about 50 P-40s and P-51s continue armed reconnaissance over the vast inland areas of S China, attacking troops, buildings, and other targets of opportunity.
CHINA: The Japanese capture Tanchuk and the airfield located there.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): In China, 83 B-29s, staging from Chengtu, bomb Anshan most of them striking the Showa Steel Works with poor results; 15 others bomb Dairen, Sinsiang, and various targets of opportunity; during the night of 26/27 Sep, Japanese aircraft bomb the Chengtu area, damaging 5 B-29s; this attack along with the one on 8 Sep set the pattern for Japanese raids which usually follow B-29 missions and continue until 19 Dec but are of light nature and annoying rather than
seriously damaging.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 2 B-24s from Saipan on armed reconnaissance bomb Marcus . During the night of 26/27 a B-24 snooper hits Iwo Jima. B-25s from the Gilberts bomb Nauru. B-24s hit Wake during the night of 26/27 Sep.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s bomb Maumere Bay, Flores, Lesser Sunda s. B-25s and B-24s bomb Liang Airfield on Ambon and Kendari Airfield on Celebes. P-40s hit Kokas; the 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Wakde to Noemfoor with B-24s; the 424th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Medium), based on Wakde with B-24s, begins operating from Noemfoor.

PALAU ISLANDS: On Peleliu, the 321st Infantry and the 5th Marines each cut across the west arm of Peleliu, capturing Hill 120 forming two pockets of Japanese. The 2d Battalion, 321st, completes clearing the 321st Infantry trail, cutting off the enemy to south in the Umurbrogol Mountains. The 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, pushes across the peninsula to the north, isolating
enemy on Amiangal Mountain, at the north tip. Other elements of 5th Marines drive north along the west coast almost to the tip of the island.
On Angaur, the 322d Infantry gains a foothold in the northern part of the Lake Salome bowl and clears positions along the southeastern rim.

PACIFIC OCEAN:
USN vessels sink three Japanese ships:
(1) destroyer escort USS McCoy Reynolds sinks submarine HIJMS I-175 northeast of the Palau
Islands;
(2) submarine USS Pargo sinks a minelayer off Borneo; and
(3) submarine USS Thresher sinks a merchant cargo ship Koetsu Maru
in the Yellow Sea.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s bomb Maumere Bay, Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands. B-25s and B-24s bomb Liang Airfield on Ambon Island and Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 132, SEPTEMBER 26, 1944
Elements of the First Marine Division drove almost to Akarakoro Point at the northern extremity of Peleliu Island during September 25 (West Longitude Date) while other elements of the First Division maneuvered to encircle bitterly resisting remnants of the enemy entrenched on Umurbrogol Hill. Units of the 81st Infantry Division took additional high ground in the center of the western arm of the island. Communication between the northern and southern pockets of Japanese resistance has thus been severed. Our advance to the north included the capture of Amiangal Hill and the hills adjacent to it, and was made in the fate of heavy resistance from automatic weapon and artillery fire.
Our casualties in the fighting to seize the Palau Islands through September 25 are as follows
First Marine Division, Killed in Action, 580; Wounded in Action, 3,639; Missing in Action, 401.
81st Infantry Division, Killed in Action, 106; Wounded in Action, 769; Missing in Action, 5.
No figures are now available as to the number of wounded who have been returned to duty.

1945

 

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1940
UNITED STATES: In Washington, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called his defense advisers to the White House to review the implications of the tripartite pact between Germany, Italy and Japan. Asked if he had expected Japan to join the Axis the President said: "Yes and No." A US Navy Department spokesman said that the pact would not mean any change of policy. The navy, he said, would continue to be based at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii.

1941
CHINA: Japanese forces land paratroops behind the Chinese lines and penetrate into Changsha. The Chinese counterattack the paratroops, destroying them, and in an uncharacteristically decisive move, wheel there forces north of the city, cutting off the Japanese troops in the city. About 100,000 Japanese troops found themselves surrounded.

JAPAN: After completing the ceremonies celebrating the first anniversary of the Tripartite Pact, Japanese Foreign Minister Adrmiral TOYODA Teijiro spoke to U.S. Ambassador Joseph Grew and "urged him to strongly recommend to his home government to have the 'leaders' meeting" (between President Roosevelt and Japanese leaders) materialize immediately. This information is sent in a message to the Japanese embassy in Washington, D.C.; officials there responded, "As I have pointed out on several previous occasions while reporting on matters pertaining to this issue, the United States insists that it would be inappropriate to hold the "leaders' conference" until the two nations have come to a complete agreement on all the points involved. At present the United States is allegedly investigating our attitude with regard to said various points. Since, as you said, we have already said all that is to be said, we are now committed to await expression of intentions by the United States.

UNITED STATES: The SS Patrick Henry is launched from the Baltimore, Maryland, Shipyard. The 10,000 ton cargo ship is the first of 2,742 "Liberty Ships" which would be launched in the next few years.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Shore and harbor areas of Japanese-held Kiska Island are bombed by the USAAF Eleventh Air Force: eight B-24 Liberators and a B-17 Flying Fortress, escorted by a P-38 Lightning, 13 P-39 Airacobras and four P-40s take off first, and are followed by six unescorted B-24s; weather turns back 13 of the fighters; an LB-30 Liberator flies a photo-weather reconnaissance over Attu, Buldir, the Semichi, Agattu, and Amchitka Islands.

CHINA: Four USAAF Tenth Air Force's China Air Task Force B-25 Mitchells over southwestern China attack Mengshih, claiming about 30 trucks and 400 troops destroyed; The B-25s also bomb Tengchung, leaving it aflame; three flights of P-40s strafe targets of opportunity along the Burma Road, claiming 15 trucks destroyed and five barracks groups damaged.

GILBERT ISLANDS: Japanese troops land on Kuria Island. This island is located about 75 nautical miles (139 kilometers) south-southeast of Tarawa.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Japanese begin their withdrawal back down the Kokoda Track as the Australians begin their attack. While Japanese positions are under artillery fire, the Australian 2/31st and 2/33rd Battalions begins attacking the Japanese flanks while the 2/25th Brigade moves forward. - USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs continue to attack forces north of Ioribaiwa in the area between Kagi and Efogi and in the Myola and Menari.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: In the combined 1st Raider Battalion, 1st Battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment attack across the Matinakau River, at the One Log Bridge, on Guadalcanal, Major Kenneth Bailey is killed. Awarded the Medal for action on Bloody Ridge, he is the Executive Officer of the Raiders.
Battles at both the One Log Bridge and the mouth of the Matinakau River are fierce and the Marines make no headway. Three companies of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment are ordered to land west of the river mouth by boat. These Marines are cut off through quick reaction by Japanese Colonel Oka, commander of the 124th Infantry Regiment. Having no radio, they use their "T" shirts to spell out help. Marine Colonel Lewis "Chesty" Puller, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, takes the destroyer USS Monssen and several landing craft to evacuate them. Using the firepower of the destroyer, the Japanese are pushed back and the Marines are evacuated under heavy fire.
U.S. Coast Guard Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro uses his Higgins boat to shield the others. Munro, the only U.S. Coast Guardsman to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II, is killed on Guadalcanal.
The citation for his award reads in part, "For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty as Petty Officer in Charge of a group of 24 Higgins boats, engaged in the evacuation of a battalion of marines trapped by Japanese forces at Point Cruz Guadalcanal, on 27 September 1942. After making preliminary plans for the evacuation of nearly 500 beleaguered Marines, Munro, under constant strafing by Japanese machine guns on the island, and at great risk of his life, daringly led five of his small craft toward the shore. As he closed the beach, he signaled the others to land, and then in order to draw the Japanese fire and protect the heavily loaded boats, he valiantly placed his craft with its two small guns as a shield between the beachhead and the Japanese. When the perilous task of evacuation is nearly completed, Munro is instantly killed by Japanese fire, but his crew, two of whom are wounded, carried on until the last boat had loaded and cleared the beach."
- After two-weeks of bad weather, Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft renew air attacks on Guadalcanal. Eighteen"Betty" bombers escorted by 27 "Zeke" fighters are engaged by 16 USMC and 18 USN F4F Wildcats. The Americans shoot down six "Bettys" and two "Zekes" an SBD Dauntless is destroyed on the ground and three SBDs and five TBF Avengers are damaged.
- Aviation Pilot First Class Lee P. Mankin, an F4F Wildcat pilot assigned to the USN's Fighting Squadron Five (VF-5), shoots down an A6M "Zeke" and becomes the only U.S. enlisted ace in WWII.

UNITED STATES: The last engagement of bandleader Glenn Miller and his Orchestra was performed at the Central Theater in Passaic, New Jersey. They did some of their most popular songs, including "In the Mood," "Moonlight Cocktail," and "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo." And when they played their "Moonlight Serenade" theme for the last time, Glenn Miller's civilian orchestra disappeared into musical history.

1943
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 27 B-24's, 20+ P-40's and P-39's, and several USN fighters pound the Kahili area. P-39's over Choiseul Island strafe (and explode) 3 barges off Wogai Point, and strafe 2 others off Bambatana, leaving 1 ablaze.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): 117 B-24's and B-25's, escorted by 129 P-38's and P-40's, attack airfields and shipping in the Wewak area; about 40 aircraft are destroyed on the ground and 8 are claimed shot down in combat; the bombers claim 10 ships (totaling about 28,000 tons), 11 luggers, and a launch sunk; Finschhafen is bombed twice during the day.

CHINA: Mao Tse-min (Mao Tse-tung's brother) and the Communist party founder Chen Tan-chi are executed by order of Chiang Kai-shek.

MALAYSIA: In Singapore harbor, the limpet mines attached to seven Japanese ships by the Australian SOA (Special Operations Australia) Unit yesterday (Operation JAYWICK) begin exploding at 0515 hours local. Two freighters are sunk and five others are badly damaged.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 P-47s bomb the area near Katba; 30 P-47s in 5 flights hit ammunition stores and the town area of Myothit, and attack Sinkin, Bhamo, and Ma-ubin; 7 other P-47s damage the approaches to a railroad bridge at Nansiaung, 7 more hit a bivouac area at Pinwe, and 7 B-25s pound Hsenwi. 10 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow and Yungning, China. C-47s fly 200+ sorties to various points in CBI.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 40+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack communications targets, river shipping, buildings, and troops in the Kiyang, Lungfukwan, Sungpai, Chuanhsien, Lingling, Paishui, and Paoching areas.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan -based P-47s bomb and strafe Pagan. 2 B-24s on armed reconnaissance hit Marcus . 14 Marshall based B-24s strike Truk .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-40s hit Ransiki, Kokas, and Warren Airfield and shipping in the Vogelkop Peninsula area; HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group moves from Nadzab to Biak ; the 72d and 394th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 5th BG (Heavy), move from Wakde to Noemfoor with B-24s. HQ 35th Fighter Group moves from Owi, Schouten s to Morotai.

SOLOMON ISLANDS - Guided Missiles were used in the Pacific as Special Task Air Group 1 (STAG-1), from its base on Stirling began a combat demonstration of the TDR assault drone. The drones had been delivered to Banika Island by surface shipping and flown 45 miles to bases in the Northern Solomons where they were stripped for pilotless flight and armed with bombs of up to 2,000 pounds. For combat against heavily defended targets, a control operator in an accompanying TBM guided the drone by radio and directed the final assault by means of a picture received from a television camera mounted in the drone. In the initial attack, against antiaircraft emplacements in a beached merchant ship defending Kahili Airstrip, two out of four TDR's struck the target ship.

BURMA: Thirteen USAAF Tenth Air Force P-47 Thunderbolts bomb the area near Katba; 30 P-47s in five flights hit ammunition stores and the town area of Myothit, and attack Sinkin, Bhamo, and Maubin; seven other P-47s damage the approaches to a railroad bridge at Nansiaung, seven more hit a bivouac area at Pinwe, and seven B-25 Mitchells pound Hsenwi. C-47 Skytrains fly 200+ sorties to various points in CBI.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, the American flag is raised at the 1st Marine Division Command Post. Although the flag raising symbolizes that the island is secured, pockets of determined Japanese defenders continued to fight on. As late as 21 April 1947, 27 Japanese holdouts finally surrendered to the American naval commander on the scene. Meanwhile, elements of the 321st Infantry Regiment begin an attack on the north side of the Umurbrogol Pocket, which the 7th Marine Regiment is helping to contain, and meet intense Japanese fire. The 1st Battalion drives north, clearing Kamilianlul Mt with ease and making contact with 5th Marine Regiment at the junction of the East and West Roads. Some elements of 5th Marine Regiment continue clearing resistance on Amiangal Mt, while others push to the end of the island, Akarakaro Point. On Angaur Island, the 322d Infantry Regiment surrounds the Lake Salome bowl and gains positions along the inside of it. Methodical elimination of doomed Japanese there ensues.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb personnel and supply areas at Menado on Celebes Island. B-25 Mitchells attack oil tanks at Boela on Ceram Island and hit Old Namlea Airfield on Buroe Island.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The 6,374 ton Japanese transport ship SS Ural Maru is torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Flasher about 223 nautical miles WNW of Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in position 15.40N, 117.18E. About 2,000 of the 2,340 people on board are drowned.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Two USN submarines, USS Narwhal and USS Stingray, land supplies and personnel on Mindanao.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 133, SEPTEMBER 27, 1944
Further gains made during September 26 (West Longitude Date) by the First Marine Division and elements of the 81st Infantry Division on Peleliu Island brought the entire Island under our control with the exception of Umur¬brogol Mountain and a small pocket at the Northeastern tip. Rapid progress was made by the First Marine Division attacking in the Northern sector and by Army troops in the center of the Western arm during the day. Two enemy aircraft dropped bombs in the water East of Angaur during the night of September 25 26, causing no damage. During the same night remaining enemy troops on Angaur failed in an attempt to infiltrate through our lines. Through September 26, our troops had counted 7,517 enemy dead on Peleliu and 1,020 on Angaur. The Northwestern area of Babelthuap Island was strafed by Corsair fighters during September 26.
On September 24, a single Ventura of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed installations at Paramushiru in the Kuriles. Antiaircraft fire was intense and several enemy planes attempted Interception; the Ventura was slightly dam¬aged, but returned safely.
Eleventh Air Force Liberators attacked Paramushiru in the same day. Direct hits were scored on the runway; several fires were started. Twelve enemy fighter planes attempted interception. One of the interceptors was destroyed and seven were damaged. Antiaircraft fire was moderate. All of our planes returned safely.
The airfield at Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands was bombed on September 24, by Liberators of the Seventh Air Force. Antiaircraft fire was intense. One of four enemy planes attempting interception was shot down. Three Liberators were damaged, but all returned safely. On September 25, a search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two strafed a small coastal cargo ship near Iwo Jima. The crew was observed abandoning the vessel which was left dead in the water.
A lone Seventh Air Force Liberator bombed Wake on the night of September 24 25, and several bombed the runway at Marcus Island on September 25. Gun emplacements at Pagan in the Marianas were bombed by Seventh Air Force Thunderbolts on September 25. Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked Rota on the night of September 24 25, scoring direct hits on the runway. Other Corsairs returned to Rota on September 25, and strafed installations. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered in the latter attack.
Ponape Island in the Carolines was attacked on the night of September 24 25, by Seventh Air Force Liberators. The airfield and gun emplacements were hit. Other Liberators attacking Truk Atoll on the night of September 24 25, dropped 55 tons of bombs on the airfield at Eten Island and scored several near misses on shipping found in the Lagoon. There was moderate antiaircraft fire and several enemy planes attempted interception without success.
Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked Jaluit in the Marshalls on the same night, scoring direct hits on communication facilities. Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two and Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed and strafed installations at Wotje Atoll on September 25. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered. On the night of September 25, Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing flew through meager antiaircraft fire to bomb installations at Mille Atoll.

1945

 

syscom,


I must register a vote of thanks for these fascinating posts. Especially so for an Australian.

'Watching' the turn of the tide over the Owen Stanleys in particular.



John.

 

Thanks! Once I'm complete with this, I intend to go back and examine in more detail the chronology of the allied ground war in NG and the Solomons.

 

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1937
SWITZERLAND: The League of Nations Assembly condemns Japanese air raids on China.

1939
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: The USN establishes the Hawaiian Detachment, US Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USAAF Eleventh Air Force flies two bombing missions to Japanese-held Kiska and Attu Islands by an LB-30 and seven B-24s and a B-17s escorted by 17 fighters. Installations on Kiska Island and a freighter nearby are bombed; one of the B-24s and the LB-30 bomb the village and Chichagof Harbor on Attu Island and on returning silence antiaircraft guns on a freighter; a "Zeke" fighter and two "Rufes" are shot down with the loss of a P-39 Airacobra.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: The Combat Intelligence Unit at Pearl Harbor issues a prediction that the Japanese would try to recapture the southern Solomon Islands and to extend their control on New Guinea. They also note that because the Allies are having good success with copying our communications methods and therefore 'we will continue to be unable to read his mail, i.e., use cryptanalysis, to any great extent."

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA The 394th Bombardment Squadron, 5th BG (Heavy), moves from Hickam Field to Bellows Field, Territory of Hawaii with B-17s.

NEW GUINEA: The main body of the U.S. 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, arrives at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and is assigned to the New Guinea Force to join the Australian advance on Wairopi.
USAAF Fifth Air Force P-40s and P-400 Airacobras bomb and strafe Wairopi bridge, the village of Kagi, Myola Lake area, and targets of opportunity along the Buna-Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea while a B-17 bombs Lae Aerodrome, Northeast New Guinea.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, Major General Alexander Vandegrift, Commanding General 1st Marine Division, writes of the recent action on the banks of the Matanikau River: "The great lesson however is to be found embodied in the passage in the Field Service Regulations which warns against 'drifting aimlessly into action' for in last analysis it is to be observed that this battle was unpremeditated and was fought without definite purpose other than the natural one of closing with the Americans at once and upon every occasion."
The Japanese Navy dispatches 27 "Betty" bombers escorted by 42 A6M "Zeke" fighters to bomb Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. All 19 USMC and 15 USN F4Fs intercept the incoming force; four "Bettys" are shot down and three later ditch in the sea returning to base. No US aircraft are lost. US reinforcements in the form of six USN SBDs, three from Scouting VS-3 and three from VS-71, and four TBFs from Torpedo VT-8 arrive at Henderson Field.

UNITED STATES: Lieutenant General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, Commanding General U.S. Army Air Forces, gives the highest priority to the development of two exceptional aircraft, the Northrop B-35 Flying Wing and the Consolidated Vultee B-36 Peacemaker, intended for bombing runs from bases in the United States to targets in Europe.

1943
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 5 B-24 snoopers attack a convoy in N Solomons waters and claim several damaging hits. The convoy reverses its course.During the night, the Japanese garrison on Kolombangara Island begins withdrawing. Five USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-24 snoopers attack a convoy in northern Solomon waters and claim several damaging hits causing the convoy to reverse its course.

UNITED STATES: Loaded up on the USS BUNKER HILL and we left San Diego, underway for Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): The Wewak area is again hit, the 40 attacking B-24's being escorted by 29 P-38's which claim 8 fighters shot down; A-20's and RAAF Vengeances attack the Finschhafen and Lae area; B-24's and P-39's hit a road near Bogadjim. The 21st Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Port Moresby, New Guinea to Archerfield, Queensland, Australia with C-47's. The 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Archerfield to Port Moresby with C-47's.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The USN submarine USS Cisco (SS-290) is sunk in the Sulu Sea about 74 nautical miles SW of Iloilo, Panay Island, the Philippines, by the gunboat HIJMS Karatsu [ex-river gunboat USS Panay (PR-7)] and a "Pete" seaplane (Mitsubishi F1M, Navy Type 0 Observation Seaplane) in position 9.47N, 121.44E.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 P-47s bomb and strafe Mawhun and Nansiaung. 21 B-24s fly fuel to Liuchow, Yungning, and Kunming, China.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 26 B-24s pound the town of Samshui; 31 B-25s attack the towns of Taochuan and Shangchiebshou, Tien Ho and White Cloud Airfields at Canton, and river and road traffic around Lingling, Siangtan, and Chuchou; 100+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance attack numerous targets of opportunity including bridges, town areas, troops, and road, rail, and river traffic throughout inland SE China and, on a smaller scale, in SW China and in French Indochina.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan bomb naval installations at Chichi Jima . P-47s bomb defenses on Pagan.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Celebes , B-25s on a shipping sweep attack small vessels off Kairatoe and A-20s bomb Langoan Airfield. P-38s hit barge and the town area at Pajahi in the Moluccas s. P-47s pound Manokwari Airfield.

BONIN ISLANDS: USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb naval installations on Chichi Jima.

BURMA: Four USAAF Tenth Air Force P-47 Thunderbolts bomb and strafe Mawhun and Nansiaung,

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, the Army's 321st Infantry Regiment finishes clearing the northern part of the Umurbrogol Pocket to a previously designated line. 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment continues clearing the northern part of the western arm. The 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, lands on three small islands off the coast, Ngcsebus, Kongauru, and an unnamed one, and begins clearing them. The landing on Ngesebus is covered by 20 Marine F4U Corsairs. On Angaur Island, the Army's 322d Infantry Regiment continues clearing a Japanese pocket inside the bowl, suffering its highest casualties for a single day on the island, about 80.

USMC - Shore-to-shore movement from Peleliu to Ngesebus, support including strikes by Marine Corps land-based units from Peleliu, the first of which, VMF(N)-541, had arrived September 24.

CHINA: Twenty one USAAF Tenth Air Force B-24 Liberators fly fuel from India to Liuchow, Yungning, and Kunming.
Twenty six USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-24s bomb the town of Samshui; 31 B-25s attack the towns of Taochuan and Shangchiebshou, Tien Ho and White Cloud Airfields at Canton, and river and road traffic around Lingling, Siangtan, and Chuchou; over 100 P-38s, P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack numerous targets of opportunity including bridges, town areas, troops, and road, rail, and river traffic throughout inland southeastern China and, on a smaller scale, in southwestern China and in French Indochina.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Force B-25s on a shipping sweep attack small vessels off Kairatoe, Halmahara Island, sinking a small cargo vessel; Fifth Air Force A-20s bomb Langoan Airfield on Celebes Island; and P-38s hit barge and the town area at Pajahi on Halmahara Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force P-47s attack Manokwari Airfield.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 134, SEPTEMBER 28, 1944
Carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet struck hard at enemy shipping and defense installations in the Visayas Group of the Philippine Islands on September 23 (West Longitude Date) attacking airfields on the Islands of Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Luzon and Mactan and all shipping found in adjacent waters.
A particularly heavy strike was delivered at Coron Bay between Busuanga Island and Culion Island in the Western Philippines, where a number of the enemy's ships including two of his valuable fleet tankers were sunk.
Only seven enemy aircraft were shot down. Twenty nine enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground at the several fields which were thoroughly bombed and strafed.
The following damage was inflicted upon enemy shipping (including the two tankers at Coron Bay):,
Ships sunk: Damaged
One destroyer (including more than one probably sunk):
One troop transport Two large oil tankers
Three large cargo ships One large cargo ship
Three large oil tankers One medium oil tanker
Six medium cargo ships Fifteen medium cargo ships
Five small cargo ships One small transport
Three destroyer escort type vessels Twenty one small cargo ships
Two destroyer escort type vessels
In addition, between 20 and 30 small craft were sunk or damaged.
The following damage was inflicted upon enemy shore installations
At Iloilo in Southern Panay, a warehouse and a Marine railway were set afire.
At Bacolod in the Northern part of Negros Island piers and barracks were bombed and strafed.
At Cebu Island warehouses and piers were heavily damaged.
At Mactan Island, East of Cebu Island, oil refining facilities and the airfield were bombed.
At Saravis in the Northern part of Negros Island, buildings and the airfield were hit.
At Legaspi in Southern Luzon a number of partially concealed aircraft were bombed and strafed on the airfield, but the number destroyed and damaged was not observed.
Near Ormoc on Leyte Island, oil storage facilities and barracks were set afire.
Our losses in these operations were 10 aircraft but only five pilots and three flight personnel are missing.

1945

 

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1939
UNITED STATES: While berthed at San Pedro, California, the engineering plant of the USN battleship USS Arizona (BB-39) is sabotaged. The FBI is called in and they determine that the act is an attempt to embarrass certain ship's officers rather than cause serious damage.

1940
MADAGASCAR: Vichy French officials reject the British ultimatum that it repudiate the Vichy French Government.

MIDWAY ISLAND: The Midway Detachment of the USMC's 3d Defense Battalion arrives on Midway Island to begin construction of defensive positions.

UNITED KINGDOM: Britain has served notice on Japan that it intends to re-open the Burma Road to China when the current three-month agreement expires on 17 October. The move, announced b Prime Minister Winston Churchill, is the first direct result of the Japan-Axis pact. Mr. Churchill told the House of Commons that Britain had originally agreed to ban the transit of war materials from Burma to China while the two sides tried to reach a settlement. Japan had not taken the opportunity and had signed a ten-year pact with the Axis. To cheers from the House the Prime Minister said that in the circumstances Britain could not see its way to renewing the agreement.

1941
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: In Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, the Japanese consulate sends the following message to Tokyo: "The following codes will be used hereafter to designate the location of vessels:
1. Repair dock in Navy Yard: KS.
2. Navy dock in the Navy Yard (The Ten Ten Pier): KT.
3. Moorings in the vicinity of Ford Island: FV.
4. Alongside in Ford Island: FG. (East and west sides will be differentiated by A and B respectively."

JAPAN: The government urges a meeting with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the fourth time stating, “if nothing came of the proposal for a meeting between the chiefs of our two Governments it might be difficult for (Foreign Minister) Prince Konoye to retain his position and that Prince Konoye then would be likely to be succeeded by a less moderate leader."

UNITED STATES: Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower, chief of staff to General Walter Kreuger, Commander Third Army at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is promoted to brigadier general (temporary).

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: A morning armed reconnaissance mission is flown by a USAAF Eleventh Air Force LB-30 Liberator over Semichi and Japanese- held Attu Islands where it strafes a ship and three B-24 Liberators bomb and strafe a sea transport, scoring no hits.

NEW GUINEA: On the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, the Australians begin offensive patrols pushing toward Nauro.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s bomb AA positions at Buna and Salamaua Airfield; a single A-20 bombs the Menari area. HQ 22d BG (Medium) and 33d Bombardment Squadron move from Woodstock to Iron Range, Australia with B-26s.
In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses bomb antiaircraft positions at Buna and Salamaua Airfields and a single A-20 Havoc bombs the Menari area.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The troop strength of the Guadalcanal garrison is now 19,261 and 3,260 troops are on Tulagi.
During the afternoon, 26 Japanese Navy “Zeke” fighters are intercepted over Guadalcanal by 14 USN F4F Wildcats; three “Zekes” are shot down with the loss of one F4F.

UNITED STATES: For the second time this month, a Japanese Navy “Glen” (Yokosuka E14Y, Navy Type 0 Small Reconnaissance Seaplane) is launched from the submarine HIJMS I-25 off the west coast, drops four 167.5 pound incendiary bombs on a forest in southern Oregon. This is the last time that the US is bombed during World War II.

1943
CBI (Fourteenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-24's bomb Myitkyina and Sadon during routine ferry trips over the Hump.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): On Choiseul P-40's, P-38's, and P-39's join USN fighters in supporting a strike by USN dive bombers on a barge depot at Kakasa; other P-40's strafe and set afire a barge off Sambi Point.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, Australian troops encounter strong resistance around the town of Finschhafen while the 2/2nd Independent Company ambushes the Japanese near Kesawai in the Ramu River Valley inflicting heavy casualties.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-24's on armed reconnaissance attack scattered shipping in the Netherlands East Indies and Solomon and Bismarck Seas. Lost on a training flight is B-25D "Axis Fate" 41-30053.

CHINA: Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell, commander of the U.S. China-Burma-India Theater, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, commander of the Northern Area Combat Command and deputy commander of the South-East Asia Command, issues "A" Program for China, which he recommends that 60 Chinese Nationalist divisions be reformed.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kuriles, 2 B-24s bomb Katooka naval base and Kokutan Cape.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 11 B-25s attack and damage the main bridge, knock out the bypass bridge and silence adjoining AA positions on the Burma Road near Uambkai, Burma. 18 B-24s haul fuel to Yungning, Liuchow, and Kunming, China.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 B-25s bomb Mangshih, 24 bomb Tien Ho and White Cloud Airfields at Canton, and 15 hit targets of opportunity around Chuanhsien, Taochuan and Taohsien; about 100 P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s again attack various targets of opportunity throughout the vast expanses of China S of the Yangtze River, hitting road, rail, and river targets, troops, and town areas.

CHINA: A strong Chinese labor force begins work on a trail between Myitkyina, Burma, and Kunming via Tengchung and is assisted by small group of U.S. engineers.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 3 B-24s from Saipan bomb Marcus; 2 others hit Iwo Jima and Pagan. P-47s bomb and strafe gun positions on Pagan. B-24s from Eniwetok pound Truk.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island is bombed by B-24s. B-25s hit both Namlea Seaplane Base on Buroe Island, while B-24s blast Liang (Laha or Ambon East) Airfield on Ambon Island and Haroekoe Airfield on Haroekoe Island. Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft, continue to pound Urarom Airfield; USAAF A-20s attack Faan Airfield in the Kai Islands. other A-20s bomb Faan Airfield.

MEXICO: The Mexican government agrees to pay US$24 million (US$ 250 million in 2003 dollars) with three percent interest for the U.S. oil company property the Mexicans had expropriated in 1938. This agreement marked the conclusion of the tensions between the U.S. and Mexican governments over Mexico's petroleum policies.

PALAU ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island, the 7th Marine Regiment takes responsibility for completing the reduction of the Umurbrogol Pocket, releasing the Army’s 3d Battalion of the 321st Infantry Regiment which then starts north along the route previously taken by the 1st Battalion clearing bypassed resistance as it moves. Other elements of 321st Infantry relieve the 5th Marine Regiment on Ngesebus and Kongauru Islands. The 5th Marines continue to clear Amiangal Mountain.
On Angaur Island,
the Army’s 322d Infantry Regiment clears the floor of Lake Salome bowl and forces the Japanese to the northwest rim and northwest tip of the island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The submarine USS Narwhal evacuates 81 American POWs from Sindangan Bay, Mindanao Island. These men had survived the sinking of the Japanese transport SS Shinyo Maru by the submarine USS Paddle on 7 September. The transport had been carrying
750 American POWs.

UNITED STATES: The Soviet representative withdraws from the Dumbarton Oaks Conference in Washington, D.C., and the second part of the Conference begins with China participating.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares that Nazi-Fascist influence is growing in Argentina and that the Argentine government has failed to fulfill its obligations under the inter-American agreements. As a result, the U.S. government refuses to allow American ships to call at Argentinean ports.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 135, SEPTEMBER 29, 1944
Elements of the First Marine Division landed on Ngesebus and Kongauru Islands, north of Peleliu, on the morning of September 27 (West Longitude Date). The assault was preceded by heavy shelling from cruisers and de¬stroyers and bombing from carrier based aircraft. Light enemy opposition was speedily overcome. Ngesebus Island is completely secure and our troops are mopping up scattered enemy forces occupying only a small portion of Kongauru Island.
The First Marine Division and elements of the 81st Infantry Division continued to drive the enemy from remaining positions on Peleliu Island. Our forces drove south on Umurbrogol Hill and all the northern arm of the island has been secured with the exception of the pinnacle of an unnamed hill and a small area on the eastern coast. The 81st Division is cleaning out caves and pillboxes on the northwest tip of Angaur Island where a few enemy troops remain.
Naval installations at Chichi Jima in the Bonins were bombed on September 27 by Seventh Air Force Liberators. Fires were started and two explosions were observed. Antiaircraft fire which varied from moderate to in¬tense did no damage to our planes. A Navy search plane while on routine patrol near Iwo Jima on September 27 damaged an enemy medium bomber.
The enemy plane had one engine shot out and was forced to land, nearly missing two fighter planes about to take off from the airfield at Iwo Jima. On September 27 another Navy search plane downed an enemy bomber north of the Palau Islands. On September 26 a single Seventh Air Force Liberator bombed the airfield at Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands.
Enemy held islands in the Marianas were subjected to further neutralization raids on September 26 and 27. Seventh Air Force Thunderbolts bombed and strafed installations on Pagan on September 27, and Seventh Air Force Liberators were over Pagan Island twice on September 26. Areas of possible use as airfields were bombed and the Island was strafed. Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed Rota, doing further damage to the air¬field.
Liberators of the Seventh Air Force bombed Wake Island on the night of September 25. Nauru was bombed on September 26 by Seventh Air Force Mitchells. The airfield and gun emplacements were hit. There was meager antiaircraft fire.
Liberators of the Seventh Air Force flew over Truk Atoll on September 26 in search for possible enemy shipping attempting to supply the isolated gar¬rison. No shipping was found and bomb loads were dropped on installations still remaining on the key islands. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.
Defense installations at Jaluit Atoll in the Marshalls were bombed on September 26 by Venturas of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two, and Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing. On the same day Corsairs and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing further neutralized Wotje, Maloelap, and Mille Atolls.
Eleventh Air Force Liberators bombed Southern Paramushiru September 26. There was no enemy opposition.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 136, SEPTEMBER 29, 1944
Kongauru Island and an unnamed Island near it, both in the Palau Group Northeast of Peleliu Island, were secured on September 28 (West Longitude Date) by United States Marines. On Peleliu enemy troops cornered in eaves on Umurbrogol Hill are still offering bitter resistance. Mopping up operations are proceeding in the Northern sector of Peleliu and on Angaur Island. Through September 28, our troops had counted 8,717 enemy dead on Peleliu and 1,055 on Angaur, and had captured more than 150 enemy troops who have been made prisoners of war.
The airfield at Babelthuap Island was attacked on September 28, by Corsair fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing, which scored numerous direct hits on the landing strips.

1945

 

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1931
SWITZERLAND: The League of Nations Council passes a resolution noting the Japanese intention of withdrawal of its troops as rapidly as possible and disclaimer of territorial designs in Manchuria.

1938
SWITZERLAND: The League of Nations Council adopts a resolution for investigation of alleged use of poison gas by Japan.

1941
CHINA: Japanese forces fight their way out of the encirclement at Changsha suffering serious losses in the retreat to Yoochow. Chinese estimates range up to 40,000 losses for the Japanese, a major victory for the Chinese.

UNITED STATES: General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, directs Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthur, Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) in Manila, Philippine Islands, to arrange for the "regular use" of British and Commonwealth airfields at Port Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia; Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago; Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; and Singapore, Malaya, for the "emergency use" of fields in the Netherlands East Indies, and to ask the British to develop an additional air field in the northern part of Borneo.

1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Of 9 B-24s off to bomb Kiska and Attu , 2 turn back; the others blast the Attu Camp area, and at Kiska Harbor score at least 1 direct hit and near misses on a ship; 8 fighters intercept over Kiska and Little Kiska but inflict no losses; the detachment of the 57th Fighter Squadron, 54th FG operating from Elmendorf Field, Anchorage moves to Kodiak with P-39s (the squadron is based at Harding Field, Louisiana).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-17s, A-20s, and P-40s pound occupied areas at Menari, Myola Lake, Kagi, and Efogi and a bridge at Wairopi. HQ 38th BG and the 405th Bombardment Squadron moves from Breddan Field to Townsville, Australia with B-25s.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz travels from Noumea to Guadalcanal via B-17 bomber to
(1) to determine if the island can be held
(2) to award decorations.
The plane becomes lost, and Commander Ralph Ofstie navigates to Henderson Field using a map from National Geographic. Nimitz views the mud of Henderson Field, since it has been raining. He tours Edson's (Bloody) Ridge and the perimeter with General Vandegrift and leaves tomorrow.
The Japanese Navy changes their entire communications system. Many useful tools are lost, to the US, in the radio intelligence war.

NEW GUINEA: The US forces attacking Buna make their first significant gains.

BURMA: The British 123rd Brigade's advance reaches Bawli Bazar, Burma in the Arakan Valley. The weather, which would normally clear during November, has not cooperated thus making the advance extremely difficult.

JAPAN: The German surface Raider "Thor" is destroyed by fire in the Yokohama, Japan Harbor. From January through October, 1942 the Thor sank 10 merchant ships for 56,000 tons.

USA: Everyone from the First Lady downwards had made it clear that the American war effort demands that women play dramatically different roles. Not only women themselves are being educated into new ways; so, too, are employers, labour leaders, store owners, men in uniform and legislators.
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, for instance, called for easing the burden of housework for those women working to win the war. She suggested that restaurants should prepare meals which working women could pick up and take home for quick service. More child care is needed, she said, as is transportation to and from schools.
Training started this month to teach women such trades as welding, armature winding and burning. Mrs. Elinore M. Herrick, the newly-appointed director of personnel for Todd Shipyards, which as 12 yards on three coasts, said training for more difficult jobs will start soon, since Selective Service has given semi-skilled males but six months' deferment. At Republic Steel, 1,000 women have been hired in its 27 plants to make and assemble aircraft parts and accessories. They are given uniforms, hairnets and pay equal to men's. But the company says that it will draw the line on women in open-hearth areas because of the 100-degree Fahrenheit heat. Asked if more women would be hired, one Republic vice-president growled: "There are too many women here now." However, he was in the midst of 25 women reporters.
Production jobs are not the only ones open to women. Columbia University has begun a course to train women to be engineering aides for Grumman Aircraft Corporation, and the Red Cross wants more nurses' aides, targeting "leisure-class" women. Women are joining up in record numbers, according to the WAACS and WAVES. The chief of the WAVES (the US equivalent of Wrens), Mildred McAfee, says that she doesn't mind at all being called "the old man".

1943
ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The 10th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 26th Antisubmarine Wing, ceases flying ASW patrols from Galveston, Texas with B-25's. The squadron will be redesignated 867th Bombardment Squadron and will transfer to the Central Pacific with B-24's in Jun 44.

SINGAPORE: A canoe-borne Australian Special Forces group has penetrated the heavily protected harbour at Singapore and blown up between 37,000 and 38,000 tons of Japanese shipping in Operation Jaywick.
The operation began on the night of 26-27 September. Led by Major Ivan Lyon of the Gordon Highlanders, six "Z" Special men entered the harbour in three canoes and attached limpet mines to seven ships, all of which were sunk or badly damaged. All three canoes were clear of Singapore when the first mines exploded at 5.15am on 27 September. The "Z" Special group was a mix of army and navy men. Its canoes, limpet mines and equipment were conveyed to a point near Singapore in the 68-ton ketch KRAIT.
The ketch left Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia, on 1 September and on entering enemy waters posed as an Indonesian trading vessel. The KRAIT is a former Japanese fishing vessel, the KOKUFU MARU, seized from the Japanese in the early part of the Pacific War.
Sailing to Singapore without incident the group sighted the lights of the city on 18 September. While attaching a limpet mine to a tanker two of the crewmen became aware of a sailor watching them intently through a porthole. The froze in their task, but fortunately the sailor did not raise the alarm.

CBI (Tenth Air Force): The 311th BGroup is redesignated 311th Fighter-Bomber Group. The 385th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) is disbanded at Nawadih, India; the 382d, 383d and 384th Bombardment Squadrons (Dive) are redesignated 528th, 529th and 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-25's and 4 P-40's claim heavy damage to a gunboat at Ft Bayard, China.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 16 B-24's, covered by 20+ P-38's and P-40's and a few US Navy F4U's, pound the Kahili Airfield area, hitting a supply and bivouac area NE of the strip. 6 B-25's bomb Kakasa on Choiseul Island.

USN - (VMF-214) Four F4Us on a mission against Kolombangara spot three ships. The ships were actually PT-126, PT 124 and PT 116 and fired a recognition flare. The F4U piloted by Alexander opened fire and was shot down. Several crew on PT-126 were wounded in the friendly fire accident.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 50+ P-47s hit various targets in the Myothit and Bhamo areas, attack targets of opportunity at Khalayang, sweep the Anisakan and Nawnghkio Airfield areas, bomb Nansiaung railroad bridge, and hit targets of opportunity on or near the Burma Road between Mangshih and Lashio; 11 B-25s knock out a span of the main bridge and damage 2 bypass bridges at Hsenwi. 18 B-24s haul fuel to Liuchow, Yungning, and Kunming, China.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 29 B-24s and 12 B-25s bomb Wuchou and Tien Ho and White Cloud Airfields at Canton; 6 B-25s hit targets of opportunity S of Lungfukwan; nearly 100 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance over wide areas of China S of the Yangtze River again hit numerous targets of opportunity, concentrating on river shipping.

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan -based P-47s blast the airfield area on Pagan; later in the day a B-24 hits the same target. During the night of 30 Sep/1 Oct a Kwajalein-based B-24 bombs Wake. HQ 494th Bombardment Group and the 864th, 865th, 866th and 867th Bombardment Squadrons move from Barking Sands, Hawaii to Angaur Airfield with B-24s (first mission is 22 Nov).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s strike oil installations at Balikpapan. On Celebes , Ambesia Airfield is pounded by B-24s while B-25s hit Mapanget, Langoan, and Sidate, and P-38s hit shipping in Wasile Bay. Other B-25s attack shipping in the Halmahera waters. P-38s hit Amahai, Kairatoe and Halong seaplane base on Celebes , and Haroekoe Airfield on Haroekoe. A-20s and fighter-bombers hit Babo, Urarom, and Fak Fak; A-20s and B-25s bomb Faan; the 23d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Wakde to Noemfoor with B-24s. Lost are F7A 44-40422 and P-47D 42-23241. Lost in a crash near Brisbane is B-25D 43-3488.

AUSTRALIA: At their final meeting, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander South West Pacific Area, tells Australian Prime Minister John Curtin that the future operations of Australian forces would consist of “firstly, the garrisoning role for the neutralization of Japanese pockets on the various islands and, secondly, the operational activities of the two Australian Imperial Force divisions which were to accompany the U.S. forces in the advance against the Japanese.” MacArthur suggested that the Australian garrison forces should not attempt to liquidate the Japanese pockets and the commanders may wish to take some active actions. Expanding on future plans, MacArthur tells Curtin that the two Australian divisions would take part in the capture of Borneo and then in an attack on Java. Curtin makes no comment thereby giving tacit approval to this plan.

BURMA: Over 50 USAAF Tenth Air Force P-47s hit various targets in the Myothit and Bhamo areas, attack targets of opportunity at Khalayang, sweep the Anisakan and Nawnghkio Airfield areas, bomb Nansiaung railroad bridge, and hit targets of opportunity on or near the Burma Road between Mangshih and Lashio and 11 B-25s knock out a span of the main bridge and damage two bypass bridges at Hsenwi.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: Rear Admiral George H. Fort, Commander of the Western Attack Force, declares Peleliu, Angaur, Ngesebus, and Kongarur Islands in the Palau Islands occupied. On Peleliu, the 1st Battalion of the Army’s 321st Infantry Regiment relieves the 5th Marine Regiment on Amiangal Mountain, which is not yet completely clear of organized resistance although marines report over 1,170 Japanese killed or captured there, far more than the 500 recently estimated to be on the mountain. The 7th Marine Regiment begins attacks to reduce the Umurbrogol Pocket; progress during the next few days is very slow.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, 70 USAAF Far East Air Force B-24s strike oil installations at Balikpapan, Dutch Borneo; four B-24s are lost. On Celebes Island, Ambesia Airfield is bombed by B-24s while B-25s attack Mapenget, Langoan and Sidate Airfields on Celebes Island, and P-38s hit shipping in Wasile Bay in the Halmahara Islands. Other B-25s attack shipping in the Halmahera Island waters. P-38s hit Amahai and Haroekoe Aerodrome on Ceram Island and Kairatoe and Halong seaplane base on Halmahara Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, A-20s and fighter-bombers hit Babo and Utarom (Kaimana) Airfields and Fak Fak; A-20s and B-25s bomb Faan Airfield in the Kai Islands.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The USN submarine USS Nautilus lands supplies on Panay Island and takes out seven servicemen, ten women, five civilian men and 25 children. Meanwhile, the submarine USS Stingray lands supplies on Mindanao.

1945

 

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1931
SWITZERLAND: China asks the League of Nations Council members to send observers to Manchuria, "to collect information on evacuation and relevant circumstances."

1936
JAPAN: The Japanese government issues a series of secret demands to the Chinese Nationalist government and threaten immediate invasion of north and central China. The demands include the integration of Japanese troops in Chinese forces to fight Communists anywhere in China (a demand which would allow the Japanese to send military units across the country); the employment of Japanese advisors in all branches of the Chinese government; autonomy for the five northern Chinese provinces; and a reduction of Chinese tariffs to the 1928 level. The Japanese dispatched troops to Shanghai, but the Nationalist government refuses to acquiesce to these terms.

1939
JAPAN: Senior officers of the Japanese Kwantung Army have been dismissed in the wake of the agreement signed in Moscow settling the border war with the Soviet Union. The failure of the anti-Soviet offensive has bolstered those in Japan who favour confrontation with U.S. interests in the Pacific rather than those of the Soviet Union.

1940
AUSTRALIA: The Federal government introduces petrol (gasoline) rationing. The private motorist was allowed enough petrol to drive 4,000 miles per year, about 1,000 to 1,500 milesabove the previous average mileage.

CHINA: The Nationalist Chinese 89th Army attacks Communist Chen Yi's New Fourth Army at Taixing. Weihhaiwei is occupied by the Japanese.

1941
AUSTRALIA: There are now 113,887 soldiers on full-time duty in Australia; 61,396 are Militia and 36,357 are Australian Imperial Force.

CHINA: Chinese troops repel a Japanese offensive at Changla.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: A Japanese reconnaissance airplane over Adak Island establishes U.S. occupation of the island. Seven USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24 Liberators on a search-attack and photo reconnaissance mission over Japanese-held Kiska Island hit hangars and ramps, starting several fires; four Japanese fighters appear and are engaged; one probable victory is claimed; two other B-24s take off, after a USN PBY Catalina sights a transport, but cannot locate it.

NEW GUINEA: General Headquarters issues a plan for the encirclement and reduction of the Buna-Gona beachhead. Upon securing Kumusi River line from Wairopi southeastward, Goodenough Island, and the north coast from Mime Bay to Cape Nelson, concerted assault is to be made on the Buna-Gona area. The advance will be along three routes: Kokoda Trail, where Australians are now pursuing the Japanese; from the south coast to Jaure along either the Rigo or Abau track, both of which are being reconnoitered; and northwest along the coast from Milne Bay.
- A U.S. force is to move over the Kapa Kapa Trail to join the Australians on the Kokoda Trail to cut the Japanese retreat at the Kumusi River. In Papua New Guinea, soldiers of the Australian 25th Brigade advance northward on the Kokoda Track from Nauro toward Manari.
- In Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses and P-400 Airacobras attack Japanese forces and communications in the Owen Stanley Range, hitting Menari, Kagi, Myola Lake, the Kokoda area, Wairopi bridge, and the Buna-Wairopi trail.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the South China Sea, the 7,053 ton Japanese transport vessel SS Lisbon Maru, is sailing from Hong Kong, China, to Japan carrying 1,816 British and Canadian POWs. The prisoners are contained in three holds which soon became foul with the stench of sweat, excreta and vomit. Many POWs become unconsciousness through thirst, lack of fresh air and extreme heat. Men are reduced to licking the condensation from the sides of the ships hull. A bucket of liquid is lowered by the guards and thirsty men rush to grab it, only to find it was filled with urine.
On the top deck are 778 Japanese military men on their way home to Japan. At 0700 hours, a torpedo fired by the USN submarine USS Grouper strikes severely damaging the ship but causing no casualties among the prisoners. Soon a Japanese ship, the freighter SS Toyukuni Maru comes alongside and takes off all the Japanese soldiers but none of the Allied prisoners. The SS Lisbon Maru is then taken in tow heading for Shanghai, China, but some hours later the ship, now low in the water, begins to sink by the stern. Prisoners in Number 3 hold are unfortunately below the waterline and now beyond rescue. Some
prisoners in the other two holds manage to break free but are shot down as they emerge. Lisbon Maru sinks about 107 nautical miles SE of Shanghai, China, in position 29.57N, 122.56E. Another four Japanese ships appear on the scene and some escaped prisoners, swimming in the water, manage to reach the dangling ropes and start to climb aboard only to be kicked back into the water when within a few inches from the deck. Eventually, most of the surviving prisoners are taken on board the four ships and taken to Shanghai where 35 sick and wounded are unloaded. A few however, managed to swim away from the Lisbon Maru and are rescued by Chinese fishermen and taken to a group of small islands nearby.
At Shanghai, a roll call accounted for 970 men, a total of 846 had perished, 154 were from the Middlesex regiment. Of the 970 survivors, some 244 died during their first winter in the Japanese camps.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Japanese Navy Destroyer Division 11, (HIJMS Fubuki, Shirayuki, Hatsuyuki, and Muakumo), make a Tokyo Express Run to Guadalcanal. Major General Nasu and the 4th Regiment are landed.

UNITED STATES: Fuel oil is now rationed in most areas of the country.
- The first American turbojet aircraft, the Bell Model 27 XP-59A-BE Airacomet, msn 27-1, USAAF s/n 42-108784, makes its first flight at Muroc Army Air Base, Muroc, California. The flight was made with the landing gear in the down position and at 25 feet off the ground. Three more flights were made today in this aircraft. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ends two-week trip to war plants across U.S.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC In New Guinea, B-17s andP-400s pound forces and communications in the Owen Stanley Range, hitting Menari, Kagi, Myola Lake, the Kokoda area, Wairopi bridge, and the Buna-Wairopi trail; and the 71st Bombardment Squadron, 38th BG (Medium), moves from Bredden Field, Australia to Port Moresby with B-25s.

1943
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): During Oct, HQ 80th Fighter Group and it's 88th Fighter Squadron transfer from Karachi to Nagaghuli and Mokelbari, India respectively with P-40's.

AUSTRALIA: The government discontinues recruiting for the Royal Australian Navy because of a severe manpower shortage.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: B-25s strafe a power boat near Gasmata, New Britain Island.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: 21 US Fourteenth Air Force B-24s, supported by 21 P-38s and P-40s, bomb a power plant, the warehouse and dock area at Haiphong. 40-65 Japanese Army fighters intercept, shooting down two US aircraft; 30 fighters are claimed destroyed by the Fourteenth in the air battle.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Australian 9th Division commits another battalion to the assault on Finschhafen, making three in all.
In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s and ten RAAF A-31 Vengeances and eight A-20s bomb and strafe the Finschhafen area as the Australian 9th Division pours more troops into the assault on the town.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., commander of the South Pacific Area and commander of the Third Fleet, informs General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander South West Pacific Area (SWPA) in Australia, of his decision to invade Bougainville Island at Empress Augusta Bay on 1 November and is promised maximum air assistance from SWPA.
Twenty four USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-24s bomb a supply and bivouac area north of Vila airfield on Kolombangara Island. B-25s and P-38s join USN SBDs in a strike on a barge depot at Kakasa on Choiseul Island.
Eight USN destroyers make a sweep near Kolombangara Island and sink 20 or 35 Japanese barges. The destroyers are shadowed by Japanese aircraft that constantly harrass the ships; one destroyer is damaged by a near-miss.

UNITED STATES: The authorized complement of fighters in USN Essex Class carrier air groups is raised, increasing the total aircraft normally on board to 36 fighter, 36 scout bombers and 18 torpedo bombers. The authorized complement for small aircraft carrier (CVLs) air groups is established at the same time as 12 fighters, nine scout bombers and nine torpedo bombers and revised in November 1943 to 24 fighters and nine torpedo bombers and remained at that level through the war.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 34 P-47s bomb Thetkegyin while 20 others hit railroad targets throughout the N Burma railroad corridor and troop concentrations at Ponlon; 4 P-47s bomb Shwegugale while 6 others hit Lungling, China and sweep the Burma Road in the area. The 9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th BG (Heavy), moves from Kurimitola to Pandaveswar, India with B-24s. During Oct 44, the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Guskhara, sends an element to operate from Hsinching, China with F-7s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 18 B-25s bomb Tien Ho and White Cloud Airfields in Canton, the town of Wuchou, and targets of opportunity in the Samshui and Canton areas; 100+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance throughout areas S of the Yangtze River hit a variety of targets of opportunity, concentrating on communications targets and troops in the Mangshih and Hsinganhsien areas.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: Rear Admiral George H. Fort, Commander of the Western Attack Force, declares Peleliu, Angaur, Ngesebus, and Kongarur Islands in the Palau Islands occupied. On Peleliu, the 1st Battalion of the Army’s 321st Infantry Regiment relieves the 5th Marine Regiment on Amiangal Mountain, which is not yet completely clear of organized resistance although marines report over 1,170 Japanese killed or captured there, far more than the 500 recently estimated to be on the mountain. The 7th Marine Regiment begins attacks to reduce the Umurbrogol Pocket; progress during the next few days is very slow.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan strike the airfield on Iwo Jima. B-25s from Makin bomb Nauru while B-24s, staging through Eniwetok hit Truk Atoll. Saipan-based P-47 Thunderbolts of the USAAF Seventh Air Force attack the airfield area on Pagan Island; later in the day a B-24 Liberator hits the same target. During the night of 30 September/1 October a Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands-based B-24 Liberator bombs Wake Island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The USN submarine USS Nautilus lands supplies on Panay Island and takes out seven servicemen, ten women, five civilian men and 25 children. Meanwhile, the submarine USS Stingray lands supplies on Mindanao.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Celebes , B-24s bomb Langoan while B-25s hit Lembeh , Menado, and Bolaangoeki port. B-24s bomb Taka in the Moluccas while P-38s hit Amahai, Kairatoe, Celebes , and shipping off Amboina, Ambon . B-25s and P-38s on shipping sweeps off Halmahera destroy several barges and luggers. In New Guinea, A-20s and P-38s attack Urarom Airfield and Fak Fak supply dumps, while P-40s hit Doom and targets of opportunity in Windissi, Idorra, and MacCluer Gulf; P-47s and A-20s hit Doeroa, Langgoer, and Faan Airfields; the 63d and 70th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 403d Troop Carrier Group, move from Los Negros and Hollandia respectively, to Biak with C-47s. The 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Biak to Morotai with P-40s and F-6s. Lost is C-47 42-92062. Lost on a training flight is A-20G 42-86717 and A-20G "Crap Shooter" 42-54155.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, 70 USAAF Far East Air Force B-24 Liberators strike oil installations at Balikpapan, Dutch Borneo; four B-24s are lost. On Celebes Island, Ambesia Airfield is bombed by B-24s while B-25s attack Mapenget, Langoan and Sidate Airfields on Celebes Island, and P-38s hit shipping in Wasile Bay in the Halmahara Islands. Other B-25s attack shipping in the Halmahera Island waters. P-38s hit Amahai and Haroekoe Aerodrome on Ceram Island and Kairatoe and Halong seaplane base on Halmahara Island.

USN: STAG-1 tests eight TDR Drones against targets in southern Bougainville. Lost is TDR Drone (dud).

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 137, OCTOBER 1, 1944
Isolated enemy forces resisting bitterly from caves situated on Bloody Nose Ridge at Peleliu Island were bombed by aircraft of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing on September 23 (West Longitude Date). Numerous 1,000 pound bombs were dropped to demolish remaining enemy fortifications on the ridge. With the exception of the resistance at Bloody Nose Ridge (Umurbrogol Hill) and in a small pocket on Angaur Island, the islands of Peleliu, Ngesebus, Kongauru, and Angaur are secured. Elimination of the remnants of the Japanese defenders continues. More than 10,000 enemy troops have been wiped out in the Southern Palau area since the invasion began.
On September 29 Liberators of the Eleventh Air Force bombed Shimushu Island in the Kuriles. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered. All of our planes returned.

1945

 

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1939
Admiral Harold R. Stark, the Chief of Naval Operations, instructs all planning agencies within the naval establishment to accord precedence to the preparation of ORANGE (Japan) war plans.

1941
AUSTRALIA: The ruling coalition government of the United Australia Party and the United Country Party in Australia falls. The Labor Party, with John Curtin as Prime Minister, takes office.

UNITED STATES: President Franklin D. Roosevelt rejects Japanese Prime Minister Prince KONOYE, Fumimaro request to meet and discuss Pacific and Far Eastern questions. The United States asked clarification of Japan's intentions on troop withdrawal from China and French Indochina and steps Japan proposed to take to meet the difficulties arising out of the European war.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Eleven USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24s and 6 P-39s bomb two Japanese cargo ships in Japanese held Kiska harbor; no hits observed, drop demolition charges throughout the Main Camp area, and hit a hangar south of the seaplane ramp; four floatplanes and a biplane are shot down. Japanese aircraft bomb the U.S. held Adak Island airfield without inflicting damage.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s bomb shipping and airfield at Rabaul on New Britain Island, damaging Japanese light cruiser HIJMS Tenryu.

ELLICE ISLANDS: The U.S. Marine Corps 5th Defense Battalion from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands, occupies Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands. Funafuti is located about 699 nautical miles SSE of Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.

NEW GUINEA: Australian troop continue moving north on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. At Nauro, the bodies of two Australians are found; one is bound to a tree and the second is decapitated.
In the Owen Stanley Range of Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs bomb and strafe Japanese campsites around Myola and hit several trails in the area, while P-400 Airacobras strafe bridges at Sirorata and Wairopi and a village northeast of Wairopi.

UNITED STATES: President Roosevelt is granted power to control wages, salaries and agricultural prices as of 1 November by the Stabilization of the Cost of Living Act which becomes law today.
The Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, by amendment to a USN design study contract, is authorized to construct two 19A axial flow turbojet powerplants. Thereby, fabrication is initiated of the first jet engine of wholly American design.

1943
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The USAAF Fifth Air Force attacks various targets on New Britain Island: B-25s strafe villages in the Talasea area and barges off Gasmata while B-26s bomb Hoskins (Cape Hoskins or Gabubu) Airfield; and a B-24 bombs Cape Gloucester Airfield.

CHINA: Five USAAF Fourteenth Air Force P-40s dive-bomb and strafe Yangtze River shipping in the Chiuchiang area. Strafing damages several small craft.
HQ 51st Fighter Group transfers from Dinjan, India to Kunming, China and is reassigned from the Tenth to Fourteenth Air Force.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, troops of the Australian 2/17th Battalion, 20th Brigade, 9th Division, seize the village and harbor of Finschhafen and make contact with the Australian 22d Brigade, which has moved forward from Lae. The Japanese retain Sattelberg and Wareo, both of which command the Finschhafen area and must be cleared.
B-25's strafe villages in the Talasea area and barges off Gasmata; B-26's bomb Hoskins Airfield; and a B-24 bombs Cape Gloucester Airfield. Other B-24's bomb Amboina in the Moluccas.
The 6th Troop Carrier Squadron transfers from Port Moresby, New Guinea to Garbutt Field, Townsville, Queensland, Australia with C-47's.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: During the day, six USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-25s join USN SBDs in attacking the Hamberi Cove barge hideout near Vila on Kolombangara Island.
During the night of 2/3 October, the Japanese completed their withdrawal from Kolombangara Island. Efforts of U.S. naval forces to interfere are largely ineffective and some 9,400 Japanese escape safely.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile , photo reconnaissance missions, by 4 B-25s to Paramushiru and by 2 B-24s to Onnekotan , abort due to weather.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 49 P-47s pound several towns and bridges in the Bhamo area and destroy buildings in Shwekyina, Kaungsin, Maingka, Kyungyi, Singan, and Kabani; 20+ P-47s hit N Burma railroad targets and troops at Man He and Manla; 7 P-47s bomb Kutkai while 8 sweep the Lungling, China-Loiwing, Burma area, destroying a warehouse at Selan; 8 B-25s slightly damage road bridges N of Lashio; 4 others bomb and damage Nambkai road bridges and their vicinity; troop carrier aircraft fly 260+ sorties, delivering men and supplies to various points in the CBI. The detachments of the 1st and 3d Combat Cargo Squadrons, 1st Combat Cargo Group, operating from Yunnani, China with C-47s return to base at Sylhet, India.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: USAAF Fourteenth Air Force fighter-bombers attack shipping in the Campba Port Hongay area.

INDIA: The British Chiefs of Staff and War Cabinet have decided that Operation DRACULA (attack on Rangoon) cannot be undertaken in March 1945 as hoped without detracting from the main effort in Europe. Admiral Louis Mountbatten Supreme Commander, South East Asia Command, having concluded planning for Operation CAPTIAL (drive on Mandalay) and Operation DRACULA at reduced cost in response to request from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, issues directives calling for Operation CAPITAL to be undertaken at once and Operation DRACULA about November 1945.
The U.S. and Chinese Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) part of Operation CAPITAL is to be conducted in two phases: clearing to line Indaw-Kunchaung-Sikaw-Namhkam by mid-December; and to a line Lashio-Mongmit-Thabeikkyin by mid-February 1945. General tasks of NCAC are to defend the air route to China and overland communications; secure that part of Assam and upper Burma within its zone.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 B-25s attack the town of Pingnam while 16 bomb Tien Ho and White Cloud Airfields in Canton and the town of Samshui; 70+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance over S China attack various targets of opportunity, chiefly river traffic and troop areas around Chuanhsien, Taochuan, Takbing, Wuchou, Dosing, and the Wenchow peninsula, and attack shipping in the Campba Port-Hongay area of French Indochina.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, the 321st Infantry Regiment finishes clearing and mopping up Mt. Amiangal on the northern part of the western arm, having killed at least 175 Japanese. The 7th Marine Regiment continues attacks on the Umurbrogol Pocket. On Angaur Island, the 322d Infantry Regiment suspends their costly assault against a Japanese pocket on the northwestern part of the island. The pocket, known to cover an area of less than 500 yards from east to westand 150 yards from north to south, is subjected to close-in fire.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan based B-24s hit Marcus in the North Pacific and shipping W of Chichi Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s pound Laha Airfield on Ambon while B-24s hit Haroekoe ; P-38s cover the Laha raid, attack shipping in Seri and Amboina Bays and hit Amahai and Kairatoe Airfield on Celebes . Off Halmahera B-25s fly a barge sweep, bomb Laboehan, and attack the coastal villages on Weda and Boeli Bays. In New Guinea, P-40s attack vessels off Tamoelol village and Misool and bomb Otawiri and Ransiki Airfield; the 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, based on Biak begins operating from Wakde with C-47s.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, Far East Air Force B-25s bomb Liang (Laha or Ambon East) Airfield on Ambon Island while B-24s hit Haroekoe Aerodrome on Ceram Island; P-38s cover the Laha raid, attack shipping in Seri and Ambon Bays on Ambon Island and hit Amahai Airfield on Amahai Island and Kairatoe Airfield on Halmahara Island. Off Halmahera Island B-25s fly a barge sweep, bomb Laboehan on Celebes Island and attack the coastal villages on Weda and Boeli Bays on Halmahara Island.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 138, OCTOBER 2, 1944
Military government was proclaimed on Angaur Island on September 30 (West Longitude Date), as mopping up operations proceeded on Angaur and Peleliu. A few fanatical enemy troops, holed up in caves, continued to resist with small arms fire. On the same day, Corsairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing bombed the airfield on Babelthuap Island. Antiaircraft fire was intense.
On September 30, 9,076 enemy troops had been killed on Peleliu and 1,075 on Angaur, while a total of 187 prisoners have been captured on the two islands.
Seventh Army Air Liberators on September 20, dropped approximately 37 tons of bombs on Moen and Eten Islands in Truk Atoll. Antiaircraft fire was meager.
Another formation of Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed runways and airdrome facilities at Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands on September 30. Antiaircraft fire was moderate but eight aggressive enemy fighters intercepted our planes. One of the Liberators was shot down while several of the others were damaged.
Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked gun positions on Jaluit Atoll in the Marshalls with 33 tons of bombs on September 30. In the attack a small raft was sunk after strafing. Heavy antiaircraft fire damaged one of the Corsairs.

1945

 

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1938
JAPAN: Japan threatens counter measures to League of Nations sanctions stating that ". . . the adoption by the Council of the report concerning sanctions against Japan has made clear the irreconcilability between the positions of Japan and the League, . . ."

1942
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-24s, 4 P-38s, and 8 P-39s bomb and strafe7 vessels in and around Kiska Harbor hitting a beached cargo vesseland the camp; the fighters down 6 float fighters attempting interception; the enemy bombs Adak Airfield but inflicts no damage. The 77th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 28th Composite Group, moves from Elmendorf Field to Adak (the squadron continues to operate from Umnak Island with B-25s and B-26s until Dec 42).
The U.S. Navy announced that Army and Navy forces have occupied the Andreanof Islands, only 125 miles (201 kilometers) east of Japanese-held Kiska Island.

INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): The IATF is activated at Dinjan, India to support Chinese resistance along the Salween River by hitting supply lines inC and S Burma; the new task force, commanded by Colonel Caleb V Haynes,includes all AAF combat units in India, all based at Karachi-the 7th BG (Heavy), the 51st FG, and the 341st BG.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): HQ 347th Fighter Group and the 339th Fighter Squadron are activated on New Caledonia with P-38s, P-39s, and P-400s (a detachment of the 339th begins operating from Guadalcanal); the 67th, 68th and 70th Fighter Squadrons are transferred to the 347th FG; the 67th is based on New Caledonia with P-39s and P-400s but is operating from Guadalcanal; the 68th is based on Tongatabu, Tonga with P-39s and P-40s; and the 70th is based in the Fiji with P-39s.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, Australian troops begin clearing an area for aerial drops at Nauro while other troops began to move forward from Ower's Corner. USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs bomb and strafe Efogi and Myola Lake, P-40s strafe the Efogi-Buna trail, B-25 Mitchells hit a bridge at Wairopi, and a lone B-17 Flying Fortress bombs a camp on the Kumusi River.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Major General Maruyama Masao, commander of the Sendai Division of the Japanese Army, lands on Guadalcanal to lead the next offensive against the Marines. He learns that of 9,000 men already landed, 2,000 are dead and 5000 are too weak to fight and many units have no equipment.
SBD Dauntlesses of Scouting Squadrons VS-3 and VS-71 and Marine Scout Bombing Squadrons VMSB-141 and VMSB-231 plus TBF Avengers of Torpedo Squadron Eight VT-8 from Henderson Field attack a Japanese a supply convoy en route to Guadalcanal, damaging seaplane carrier HIJMS Nisshin.

UNITED STATES: The Office of Economic Stabilization is established and authorized to establish controls on farm prices, rents, wages and salaries.

1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 P-40's damage a 250-ft vessel on the Yangtze River near Chiuchiang; 4 P-38's bomb Chiuchiang docks; 6 B-24's damage a 100-ft coastal freighter off Tonkon Point on Hainan. A detachment of the 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, based at Hengyang, China begins operating from Suichwan, China with P-40's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): P-39's strafe several barges W of Choiseul.

USN - USS Henley DD-391 is sunk by Japanese submarine RO-108 off Cape Cretin.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's continue to hit barges along the W coast of New Britain in the Bismarck Archipelago. The 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, ceases operating from Port Moresby and returns to it's base at Dobodura with P-38's.

NEW GUINEA: In North East New Guinea, Australian troops north of Finschhafen are attacked by the Japanese.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile , 2 B-24s flying offshore reconnaissance over Onnekotan, Harumukotan, and Shasukotan also strafe several small vessels.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Troop carriers fly 240+ sorties, delivering men and supplies to various points in the CBI. In Burma, the 5th Liaison Squadron, Tenth Air Force [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], moves from Shaduzup to Myitkyina with L-1s and L-5s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 23 B-25s attack Pingnam, trucks and rivercraft in the Wuchou, Samshui, and Canton areas, and bomb Tien Ho and White Cloud Airfields in Canton; 100 P-51s and P-40s continue armed reconnaissance over wide expanses of China S of the Yangtze River, attacking rivercraft, road traffic, troops, town areas, and other targets of opportunity; the Hsinganhsien, Pingnam, and Chuanhsien areas are covered exceptionally well.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, the 7th Marine Regiment gains hold on ridges along east side of the Umurbrogol Pocket.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan hit shipping in the Bonin while P-47s pound gun positions, buildings, and a wharf on Pagan. B-24s on special reconnaissance missions bomb the airfield on Iwo Jima.

UNITED STATES: The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) direct General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific (SWPA), to seize bases on Luzon, Philippine Islands from which to support future operations. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Ocean Area and Commander of the Pacific Fleet, is to provide cover and support for the Luzon operation; invade Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, in January 1945 and the Ryukyu Island, with the assistance of SWPA aircraft, two months later.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: For the second time B-24s bomb oil refineries in the Balikpapan, Borneo area, B-25s hit shipping and bomb Sanana on Sanana , Moluccas; On Halmahera, B-25s smash Kaoe Airfield runway and bomb Galela; B-25s and B-24s over Ceram - Ambon hit barge and coastal targets of opportunity and pound Taka Airfield in the Moluccas , while fighter-bombers attack Halong seaplane base on Celebes and Namlea Airfield on Buru and Haroekoe Airfields on Haroekoe . On the Vogelkop Peninsula, fighter-bombers again hit Fak Fak and Otawiri.

EAST INDIES: In British North Borneo, USAAF Far East Air Force B-24s attack oil refineries and oil storage facilities at Lutong for a second time.
In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Force B-25s hit shipping and bomb Sanana on Sanana Island, Moluccas Islands; B-25s attack Kaoe Aerodrome on Halmahera Island and bomb Galela Airfield on Galela Island; B-25s and B-24s over Ceram Island and Ambon Island hit barge and coastal targets of opportunity and pound Taka Airfield in the Moluccas Islands, while fighter-bombers attack Halong seaplane base on Halong Island and Namlea Airfield on Buroe Island and Haroekoe Aerodrome on Haroekoe Island.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 139, OCTOBER 3, 1944
During October 1 and 2 (West Longitude Date) continued progress was made toward eliminating the last enemy resistance at Bloody Nose Ridge on Peleliu Island, and mopping up operations proceeded on Angaur Island. The difficult work of rooting out enemy troops from nearly inaccessible caves continues. On the night of October 1 a single enemy plane dropped two bombs in a swamp near the airfield at Peleliu, which did no damage.
On October 1 Seventh Air Force Liberators dropped 31 tons of bombs on the airfield at Dublon Island in the Truk Atoll. Two enemy planes attempted unsuccessful interception. Two Liberators were damaged by moderate antiaircraft fire.
The SS Elihu Thompson, a Liberty ship operated by the War Shipping Administration and chartered by the Navy, struck a mine while entering a South Pacific port on September 25. Eleven Army personnel on board the vessel were killed by the resultant explosion and 22 are missing. No casualties were suffered by Naval or Merchant Marine personnel. Survivors were removed from the Thompson by patrol craft and the ship's own boats, and a Navy salvage unit took the vessel in tow and beached her. The ship can be restored to service. All next of kin of casualties have been notified.

1945