Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces
February 1945
AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: A-20, Douglas Havoc A-26, Douglas Invader B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-24, Consolidated Liberator B-25, North American Mitchell B-26, Martin Marauder B-29, Boeing Superfortress C-46, Curtiss Commando C-47, Douglas Skytrain UC-64, Noorduyn Norseman UC-78, Cessna Bobcat F-3, Douglas Havoc F-4, Lockheed Lightning F-5, Lockheed Lightning F-7, Consolidated Liberator F-9, Consolidated Liberator F4U, Vought Corsair L-1, Stinson Vigilant L-4, Piper Cub (Grasshopper) L-5, Stinson Sentinel Mosquito, deHavilland P-38, Lockheed Lightning P-40, Curtiss P-47, Republic Thunderbolt P-51, North American Mustang P-61, Northrop Black Widow P-70, Douglas Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
NOTE: A number in parenthesis after a target name indicates the number of bombers attacking.
THURSDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ZONE OF INTERIOR
The air echelon of the 19th Photographic Charting Squadron, 311th Photographic Wing (Mapping and Charting), based at MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida, begins operating from Accra, Gold Coast photo-mapping Africa with F-9s.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24s attack shipping off the French Indochina coast, claiming 1 cargo vessel sunk and a patrol boat damaged. In China, 4 P-40s attack a division HQ SW of Yungning; the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Chengkung with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Poseh (another detachment is operating from Laohowkow).
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 33: 113 B-29s are dispatched to hit the naval base at Singapore, Malayan States; 67 bomb the Admiralty IX Floating Drydock (and a vessel berthed in it) and 21 bomb the West Wall area of the naval base; 21 others hit alternate targets at Martaban, Burma and George Town, Malayan States; they claim 3-4-14 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 fighter-bombers support ground forces around Hosi and Molo; 12 B-25s knock out the Mong Pawn bridge; 8 P-47s damage the approach to the Pa-mao bridge; 8 others hit Hsumhsai Airfield; 90+ fighter-bombers hit troops, supplies, vehicles, a ferry crossing, and various targets of opportunity at several locations including Nauchye, Hsenwi, Man Pwe, Pongkalau, Nawng Mawn, Na-lang, Kunhkan, and Panghtu-Iin. 550 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. The 2d and 4th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 1st Combat Cargo Group, move from Tsuyung and Chengkung, China respectively to Dohazari, India with C-47s; the 459th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, moves from Chittagong to Rumkha, India with P-38s. During Feb 45, the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Guskhara, India sends elements to operate from Tulihal and Cox's Bazar, India with F-7s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS
(IX Troop Carrier Command): During Feb 45, HQ 438th Troop Carrier Group and the 87th, 88th, 89th and 90th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Greenham Common, England to Prosnes, France with C-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 814: 699 B-17s and 328 P-51s are dispatched to hit rail targets and bridges in W Germany using Micro-H and H2X radar; no losses: 1. 463 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yards at Mannheim (74) and Ludwigshafen (70); 270 hit the secondary target, the highway and rail bridge at Mannheim; targets of opportunity are Pforzheim (11) and other (3); 2 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 24 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA. Escorting are 142 of 151 P-51s. 2. 236 B-17s are send to hit the rail bridge at Wesel (139); 36 hit the marshalling yard at Krefeld, the secondary target; and 13 hit Barth, a target of opportunity; 2 B-17s are damaged. 49 of 53 P-51s escort. 3. 20 of 22 P-51s fly a scouting mission. 4. 87 of 102 P-51s fly a freelance sweep in support of the bombers. Mission 815: 6 of 9 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night. HQ 361st Fighter Group and the 374th, 375th and 376th Fighter Squadrons move from Little Walden, England to Chievres, Belgium with P-51s (the squadrons have been operating from St-Dizier, France since 23 Dec 44).
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): 146 B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s bomb rail bridges and defended areas on the Rhine and Mosel Rivers and in W Germany near the battlefront. The IX and XIX Tactical Air Commands escort the bombers, fly armed reconnaissance, and in Germany, attack the Euskirchen marshalling yard and the town of Arloff. In France, HQ 98th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Athies Airfield, Laon to Havrincourt and HQ 367th Fighter Group moves from Juvincourt to St-Dizier.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): In Austria, 300+ B-17s and B-24s attack the Moosbierbaum oil refinery and the marshalling yards at Graz, Furstenfeld, and Klagenfurt. 1 bomber bombs Pula, Yugoslavia. P-38s and P-51s fly 270+ sorties escorting the bombers; other P-38s carry out reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, bad weather curtails operations; A-20s and medium bombers are grounded and fighters and fighter- bombers fly only 14 sorties, 12 against communications targets N of the battle area and 2 weather reconnaissance sorties.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 21 Saipan Island, Mariana Island-based B-24s hit Iwo Jima Island, Volcano Islands, in the afternoon, and 10 more, flying individual snooper raids, hit the island during the night of 1/2 Feb. 20 B-24s from Angaur Island, Palau Island, Caroline Islands, bomb Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, Luzon Island, Philippine Islands. During Feb 45, the 6th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command (attached to 318th Fighter Group) moves from East Field to Kaman Field, Saipan with P-61s (a detachment is operating from Kipapa, Hawaii); the detachment of the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), operating from Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands with F-5s, returns to base on Morotai Island, Moluccas Islands.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s pound the Canacao Peninsula and Cavite areas; targets include a shipyard, seaplane base, communications, and supply. B-25s hit Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island, Philippine Islands. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Okayama Airfield during the night of 31 Jan/1 Feb and hit Okayama and Heito Airfields and Toko seaplane base during the following day. The 71st and 823d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Morotai to Lingayen, Luzon with B-25s. During Feb 45, the 160th Liaison Squadron, 3d Air Commando Group, based at Calasio, Luzon with UC-64 and L-5s sends a detachment to operate from Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands; the 529th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Darwin, Australia to San Jose, Mindoro with B-24s.
FRIDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 4 P-40s attack a regimental HQ and a storage area at Lungchow, China.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-25s pound troops and supplies at Loilem; 60+ fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Molo, Hosi, and Mabein areas; troops, supplies, town areas, and vehicles are attacked at Panma, Kan-loi, Pansak, Man Ho Pang, Pongkalau, Hsenwi, Namtu, Panghai, Kong kang, and Ondon. Transports complete 485 sorties to forward bases and over the frontline areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 22 of 24 P-51s fly an uneventful sweep in the Koblenz-Wetzlar-Siegen-Siegburg, Germany area. Mission 816: During the night of 2/3 Feb, 1 B-17 and 8 B-24s drop leaflets in W Germany.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): 350+ B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s bomb road and rail bridges to block the E-W movement E of the Rhine River and defended localities E of the battlefront in W Germany; fighters hit bridges and fly escort, armed reconnaissance and patrols, and support US Third Army elements along the Our River in Belgium and the Sauer River in Germany. In France, HQ 406th Fighter Group and the 513th Fighter Squadron move from Mourmelon-le-Grand to Metz with P-47s; the 393d Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Juvincourt to St Dizier with P-38s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather cancels bombing operations; 1 B-17 and 1 B-24 drop supplies in N Italy. 33 P-51s, with 14 others flying top cover, strafe Kurilovec Airfield in Yugoslavia; 11 other P-51s escort a Royal Air Force (RAF) supply dropping mission over Yugoslavia. 11 P-38s fly photo and weather reconnaissance; photo reconnaissance is covered by 24 other P-38s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers, taking advantage of improving weather conditions in NE Italy, hit bridges at Lavis, Chiusaforte, Calliano, Mantua, Rovereto, Calcinato, and Dogna; bad weather at bases restricts XXII Tactical Air Command aircraft to 5 weather reconnaissance sorties.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 20 Guam Island, Mariana Island-based B-24s pound a storage area on Iwo Jima Island. During the night of 2/3 Feb, 10 B-24s, flying individual harassment raids, bomb the island's airfields. 4 P-47s, on a reconnaissance flight, strafe buildings on Pagan Island, Mariana Islands. 22 B-24s from Angaur Island bomb Corregidor Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): Colonel Carl A Brandt becomes Commanding Officer XIII Bomber Command. On Luzon Island, B-24s continue to pound Corregidor Island and Cavite and A-20s hit the Baler Bay area. In the Cagayan Valley on Mindanao Island, Philippine Islands, B-25s attack pillboxes, gun positions, and river barges. B-24s hit Okayama Airfield on Formosa during a dawn raid. HQ 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group moves from Leyte Island, Philippine Islands to Binmaley, Luzon.
SATURDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s attack troops and supplies at Loilem; 27 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Molo, Hosi, and Myitson areas; 80+ fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supplies, town areas, tanks, and other targets at Kyaung-hen, Mongkyet, Hsipaw, Hsenwi, Na-sang, Konghsa, and Hkaihsi. Transports complete 531 sorties, landing men and supplies at advanced bases and dropping supplies to forward troops.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 817: 1,437 bombers and 948 fighters are dispatched in a major strike on Berlin by B-17s while B-24s hit the synthetic oil industry at Magdeburg; they claim 38-1-18 Luftwaffe aircraft; 25 bombers and 8 fighters are lost: 1. 1,003 B-17s are sent to hit the Tempelhof marshalling yard in Berlin (937); targets of opportunity are Bad Zwischenahn (1), Bromsche (1), Gatow (13), Luneburg (2), Sogel (1) and other (1); 23 B-17s are lost, 6 damaged beyond repair and 339 damaged; 18 airmen are KIA, 11 WIA and 189 MIA. Escort is provided by 575 of 613 P-51s; they claim 12-1-0 aircraft in the air and 17-0-11 on the ground; 7 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 2 damaged beyond repair. 2. 434 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Rothensee oil plant at Magdeburg (116); 246 hit a target of last resort, the marshalling yard at Magdeburg; targets of opportunity are Wesermunde (17), Mockern (12), Cuxhaven (9), Yechta Airfield (2) and other (3); 2 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 58 damaged; 19 airmen are MIA. Escorting are 210 of 232 P-51s without loss. 3. 41 of 44 P-47s fly a sweep over Friedersdorf Airfield; they claim 9-0-6 aircraft in the air; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot MIA). 4. 35 P-51s fly a scouting mission. 5. 24 P-51s escort 9 F-5s and 7 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany. Mission 818: 1 B-17 and 10 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and W Germany during the night.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division attacks the Berg-Gladbach storage and repair depot, Dahlem communications center, rail bridges at Ahrweiler and Sinzig, and marshalling yard at Junkerath; fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, fly patrols, and carry out armed reconnaissance over W Germany. In France, the 394th Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Juvincourt to St Dizier with P-38s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Weather again cancels bombing operations. P-38s fly photo and weather reconnaissance. P-51s escort the photo reconnaissance aircraft while other P-38s escort Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force (MATAF) B-25s on a transport run to Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather restricts combat operations to an attack by 4 P-47s on the Sonico marshalling yard.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 9 Saipan Island-based B-24s hit Chichi Jima Island, Bonin Islands; 10 others hit Iwo Jima Island while 9, flying single bomber harassment strikes, pound Iwo Jima during the night of 3/4 Feb; 15 P-38s, part of a force escorting photo aircraft, strafe the island in a 2-wave attack.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s again pound Corregidor Island and the Canacao peninsula; other B-24s hit Aparri and Tuguegarao an in the Batangas area, A-20s continue ground support missions. B-24s bomb Cebu City on Cebu Island, Philippine Islands, and surrounding targets. On Mindanao Island, B-25s and P-38s hit Matina, Daliao, and Padada Airfields.
SUNDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 P-40s bomb the airfield and Japanese HQ at Yungning and railroad yards at Sinyang; 2 of the P-40s over Sinyang are lost to ground fire. The detachments of the 25th and 26th Fighter Squadrons, 51st Fighter Group, operating from Leangshan and Laohokow, China respectfully with P-51s, return to base at Yunnani and Kunming, China respectfully; the 25th Fighter Squadron sends a detachment to operate from Poseh with P-51s.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 54 P-38s and P-47s destroy or damage bridges at Inailong, Bawgyo, Ho-hko, Hay-ti, Mong Long, and Pa-mao; 26 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson and Hosi areas. Troops, supplies, and vehicles are attacked at Nam Yem, Na-makhkaw, Mansam, Kong kang, Nawngsong, Mong Yai, Na-lang, and Pangmit. Again transports complete 500+ sorties to advanced bases and over forward areas, where supplies are dropped to troops. The 166th Liaison Squadron, 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asansol, India to Sinthe, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 819: 7 of 9 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division attacks a repair depot at Mechernich, the Arloff road and rail junction, and flies a leaflet mission. The IX and XIX Tactical Air Commands patrol the battle area. The 158th Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Twelfth Army Group) arrives at Somme-Suippe, France from England with L-5s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather cancels bombing operations for the third successive day. 24 B-24s and 1 B-17 drop supplies and leaflets in N Yugoslavia. 8 P-38s carry out photo and weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers bomb railroad bridges at Ala, San Michele all' Adige, Lavis, Dogna, and Bodrez, and attack the Ala marshalling yard; XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter-bombers escort the medium bombers and, in widespread areas of N Italy, destroy 2 bridges, damage 8 others, and blast rolling stock.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 9 B-24s from Guam Island, bomb AA defenses on Iwo Jima Island while 10 hit the town of Okimura on Haha Jima Island in the Bonin Islands. 2 B-24s from Saipan Island, on an armed reconnaissance flight, bomb Marcus Island in the North Pacific. 23 B-24s from Angaur Island bomb Caballo Island in the Philippine Islands. During the night of 4/5 Feb, 8 Guam-based B-24s, operating singly, pound airfields on Iwo Jima.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 26: For the first time the XXI Bomber Command sends B-29s from 2 wings [the 73d and 313th Bombardment Wings (Very Heavy)] against Japanese Home Islands. 110 B-29s are dispatched; 69 bomb the urban area of Kobe; 30 others, including 15 hitting Natsusaka, bomb last resort targets and targets of opportunity; about 200 attacking fighters down 1 B-29 and damage 35 others; 1 other crashes upon landing at Saipan Island; B-29s claim 4-20-39 Japanese aircraft.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s continue to hit Corregidor Island and Cavite; in support of ground forces B-25s bomb and strafe coast targets from San Felipe to Maloma, hit targets around lba, and drop napalm on San Jose del Monte and A-20s bomb Lipa and Calingatan Airfields. HQ 348th Fighter Group and the 340th Fighter Squadron move from Tanauan, Leyte Island to San Marcelino, Luzon with P-47s.
MONDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: 5 B-24s bomb Kataoka on Shimushu Island in the Kurile Islands through solid overcast; a shipping sweep by B-25s is cancelled due to weather.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 P-51s and P-40s attack locomotives and trucks at the Pinghan railroad yards, Hsiangcheng, and Lohochai; at least 9 locomotives and an undetermined number of trucks are destroyed; the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Kunming with F-4s and F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Hsian (another flight is operating from Luliang).
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 35 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson, Hosi, and Molo areas; 8 P-38s bomb Mong Long; 60 P-38s and P-47s hit troops and supplies at Kan-loi, Nam-yang, Man Peng, Pangmakhe- leng, Kwangteng, Mong Pa, and Mansam. Transports fly 554 sorties to forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): Weather cancels all operations except IX Tactical Air Command fighter patrols over the US First Army area around Butgenbach, Belgium.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): 730+ B-17s and B-24s bomb oil storage at Regensburg, Germany, the main station and 2 marshalling yards at Salzburg, Austria, the marshalling yards at Rosenheim, Germany and Villach, Austria, and Straubing, Germany railroad installations; 6 bombers bomb the Comeglians, Italy road bridge. P-38s and P-51s escort the bombers, fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance support missions, and accompany 25 B-24s on a supply mission to Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25s score excellently against the San Ambrogio di Valpolicella landslide (the overhanging cliff collapses on the railroad by bombing) and bridges at San Michele all' Adige and Calliano; during the night of 4/5 Feb, XXII Tactical Air Command A-20 intruder missions hit lights, motor transport, and roads in the Po Valley and areas S of Bologna; fighters and fighter-bombers fly 270+ sorties against communications targets in N Italy; incendiary bombing of a truck park damages numerous vehicles.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 21 B-24s from Saipan Island bomb AA positions, defense installations, and a bivouac on the N end of Iwo Jima Island; during the night of 5/6 Feb, Iwo Jima airfields are pounded by 10 Saipan-based B-24s flying individual snooper strikes. HQ 15th Fighter Group departs Hawaii for Iwo Jima.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, 60 B-24s deliver the heaviest attack yet on Corregidor Island; support for ground forces continues in various Luzon battle zones. B-25s on a shipping sweep of the E coast claim 9 barges and luggers sunk and several more damaged. B-24s bomb Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields on Borneo. HQ 475th Fighter Group moves from Dulag, Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island (the group's 3 squadrons, the 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons, remain at Dulag with P-38s and send detachments to operate from San Jose).
TUESDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CARIBBEAN
(Sixth Air Force):: The 397th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VI Bomber Command, moves from the Galapagos Islands to Rio Hato, Panama with B-24s.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20 P-51s pound and considerably damage Peking Airfield, claiming 7 aircraft destroyed; other fighter-bombers on armed reconnaissance hit several targets of opportunity (mainly rail and river traffic) around Tsingpu, Wuhu, Suchow, Hsiangcheng, Ichang, Chingmen, and Yungning. Fighter-bombers sink numerous river craft on the Mekong River from Wan Mai-Lo to Nguen, Burma.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 86 P-47s and P-38s and 25 B-25s pound troop concentrations, supplies, and AA positions in the Lashio area; 4 P-38s damage the approach to Mong Tong bridge. Transports complete 514 sorties, carrying men and supplies to forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 821: 1,383 bombers and 904 fighters are dispatched to attack oil targets in Germany; the expected clear weather does not materialize and the bombers attack secondary targets and targets of opportunity using H2X radar; they claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 bombers and 4 fighters are lost: 1. 474 of 949 B-17s hit the secondary target in 2 forces, the marshalling yard at Chemnitz; targets of opportunity are the Gotha marshalling yard (88), Giessen (68), Saalfeld (39), Ohrdruf (35), Eisfeld (34), Schmalkalden (32), Greiz (22), Zwickau (22), Eisenach (13), Waltershausen (12), Dirlos (12), Ostheim (12), Friedrichroda (11), Steinbach (2), Meppen (1), Reichenbach (1), Schmalkalden (1), and other (1); 3 B-17s are lost, 13 damaged beyond repair and 115 damaged; 41 airmen are KIA, 7 WIA and 24 MIA. Escorting are 545 of 588 P-51s; they claim 1-0-1 aircraft in the air and 3-0-0 on the ground; 4 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 7 damaged beyond repair. 2. 418 of 434 B-24s hit the secondary target, the marshalling yard at Magdeburg; targets of opportunity are the Meppen Bridge (1) and Quackenbruck (1); 2 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 61 damaged; 18 airmen are MIA. The escort is 235 of 262 P-51s without loss. 3. 33 of 38 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss. 4. 8 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany. 5. 8 P-51s escort air-sea-rescue aircraft.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 261 B-26s, A-20s and A-26s attack the Rheinbach ammunition dump, Sotenich communications center, Vlatten defended village, Berg-Gladbach motor transport center, and several casual targets; fighters fly armed reconnaissance, alert flights and patrols, dive-bomb the Horrem bridge, cut rails, and escort the 9th Bombardment Division bombers. The 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from Conflans, France with F-6s and returns to base at Le Culot, Belgium. In France, the 392d Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Juvincourt to St Dizier with P-38s. Units moving from France to Belgium with P-47s: the 509th and 510th Fighter Squadrons, 405th Fighter Group, from St Dizier to Ophoven; the 513th and 514th Fighter Squadrons, 406th Fighter Group, from Metz to Asch.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather permits only supply and reconnaissance missions; 5 P-38s complete weather and photo reconnaissance while 12 B-24s and 1 B-17 drop supplies in Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25s attack railroad targets on the line running N to the Brenner Pass, damaging bridges at Rovereto and Ala; marshalling yards at Rovereto and San Ambrogio di Valpolicella and a bridge at Crema are less successfully hit; fighter-bombers cut railroad bridges at Nervesa delta Battaglia and San Michele all'Adige; the P-47s claim 3 fighters destroyed in combat N of Verona and attack numerous targets of opportunity throughout the target areas; during the night of 5/6 Feb, A-20s attack lights, roads, and motor transport in the C Po Valley.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 9 Guam Island-based B-24s hit AA defenses and radar and radio installations on Iwo Jima Island; 10 more bomb Ototo Jima Island in the Volcano Islands and the the town of Omura on Kyushu Island, Japan. 1 B-24 from Angaur Island bombs Koror Island in the Palau Islands, and on Luzon Island, 2 hit Bulan Airfield and 19 bomb Corregidor Island in Manila Bay. 8 B-24s from Guam Island fly individual strikes against Iwo Jima airfields during the night of 6/7 Feb.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon, B-24s bomb Corregidor Island gun positions; B-25s and P-38s hit Echague and a camp on the Rosario-Baguio road; A-20s attack gun positions and defenses at Nichols Field in support of ground forces and bomb Caballo Island. B-24s and B-25s fly coastal sweeps hitting various targets at Divilacan Bay, Hondagua, and the Bicol Peninsula. A-20s attack Fabrica Airfield on Negros Island, Philippine Islands. B-24s, with P-38 support hit Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields in Borneo. The detachment of the 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, operating from Dulag, Leyte Island with F-5s, returns to base at San Jose, Mindoro. The 342d and 460th Fighter Squadrons, 348th Fighter Group, move from Tanauan, Leyte to San Marcelino, Luzon with P-47s.
WEDNESDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: 6 B-24s off to Kataoka, Shimushu Island abort the mission when all aircraft accidentally drop bombs prior to the bombing run. 4 B-25s weather abort.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 P-51s knock out a bridge at Hengshan; 34 P-40s hit river, road, and rail traffic from Kweiyi to Hengshan, from Chiuchiang to Wuhu, from Siaokan southward, in the area S of Tsinan, and N of Tehsien, and from Wan Mai-Lo, Burma to Luang Prabang, French Indochina. 2 fighter-bombers hit the warehouse area at Kweihsien, China.
(Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 34: 67 B-29s are dispatched to hit Saigon, French Indochina; 44 bomb the primary target (11 drop prematurely and 33 hit a residential section), 19 hit Pnom Penh, a target of opportunity, and 2 bomb the last resort target, the marshalling yard at Martaban, Burma; they claim 0-0-1 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29 is lost. Mission 35: 64 B-29s are dispatched to hit the Rama VI bridge at Bangkok, Thailand; 58 bomb and effect the collapse of most of middle span of the bridge (this is the 3d strike at this target) and destroy the NE approach; 1 B-29 bombs the Martaban, Burma marshalling yard; no B-29s are lost.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-25s attack tanks and troops at Man Namman; 50 P-47s support forces preparing to cross the Shweli River in the Myitson area; 40+ P-47s and P-40s attack troops and supply areas at Nawngkalio, Man Li, Hsunkwe, Nawnghkio, Loi Hkam, Panghsapye, Na-lang, Wingnang, and Pang Eng Hkye. 464 transport sorties are flown to advanced bases and frontline areas. In India, the 5th and 6th Fighter Squadrons (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, move from Fenny and Asansol respectfully to Hay with P-47s; the detachment of the 127th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating from Cox's Bazar with UC-64s and L-5s returns to base at Kalaikunda; and the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, moves from Kalaikunda to Palel with C-47s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 822: 295 B-17s and 80 P-51s are recalled when they encounter a weather front rising to 30,000 feet (9,144 m) over the North Sea; 1 B-17 attacks Essen; no bombers are lost. Escort is provided by 41 of 80 P-51s without loss. 36 of 36 P-51s patrol the Siegen, Germany area without loss. Mission 823: 10 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): 16 B-26s strike the rail siding at Lipp, Germany; weather cancels other operations. The 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF, moves from Valenciennes to Amand, France with F-5s (first mission is 16 Mar).
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): 680 B-17s and B-24s bomb oil refineries at Moosbierbaum, Schwechat, and the Lobau, Floridsdorf, Korneuburg and Kagran refineries in the Vienna, Austria area; oil storage at Pula, Yugoslavia; shipyard and harbor of Trieste, Italy; the town of Bratislava, Czechoslovakia; Zwolfaxing Airfield, Austria; and several scattered targets of opportunity; 274 P-38s and P-51s provide escort. 8 B-24s drop supplies in Yugoslavia. 18 P-51s strafe the Zeltweg Airfield in Austria and the surrounding area while in Yugoslavia, 10 P-38s sweep the Zagreb-Karlovac- Sisak area. Other P-38s fly reconnaissance and escort operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 6/7 Feb, A-20s bomb lights and movement over extensive areas of N Italy; during the day B-25 blasts cut bridges at Bodrez and Lavis, a viaduct at Lavis, and block rail lines at San Michele all'Adige and Mantua; XXII Tactical Air Command P-47s destroy 4 railroad bridges and damage another severely in the NE and C Po Valley and Brenner Pass, and blast dumps and sugar refineries in the Mantua, Brescia, and Reggio Emilia areas.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 6 B-24s from Saipan Island bomb the town of Okimura on Haha Jima Island; 8 B-24s hit AA positions and radio and radar installations on Iwo Jima Island, while 2 others bomb the airfield in Woleai Atoll in the Caroline Islands. From Angaur Island 20 B-24s bomb Silay and Talisay Airfields on Negros Island and 1 bombs Opon airfield on Mactan Island in the Philippine Islands. 9 B-24s on snooper raids from Saipan Island during the night of 7/8 Feb, bomb Iwo Jima airfields.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Formosa, B-24s, with P-38 support hit targets of opportunity at Heito Airfield and other points (after weather prevents the bombing of Takao) and B-25s, with P-51 cover, fly several sweeps, claiming a sub sunk, a tanker set afire, a large motor launch sunk, other shipping damaged, and several vehicles and an airplane destroyed. On Luzon Island, A-20s, supporting ground operations, attack the hills W of Clark Field. B-24s hit Bago and Mandaue on Negros Island. In Borneo, other B-24s bomb Tawau and-in another mission-Miri Airfield, Tutong oil refinery pump station and power house. The 341st Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, moves from Tanauan, Leyte Island to San Marcelino, Luzon with P-47s.
THURSDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: In the Kurile Islands, 4 B-25s abort a mission to the Masugawa River when unable to identify the target.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 P-51s knock out a bridge at Shihtangchung and blast a bridge approach at Changsha; 9 other fighters knock out another bridge N of Changsha; 4 fighters hit railroad targets of opportunity from Linfen to Yutze to Shihkiachwang and bomb Tsinan Airfield.
(Twentieth Air Force): In India, HQ 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) moves from Kharagpur to Hijli Base Area.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 72 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson area; 37 P-47s and P-38s hit troops, supply areas, ammunition dumps, and targets of opportunity at Namsaw, Hsunkwe, Loi-Kong, Nawng-un, Hsipaw, Panghai, and Kongnio, and bomb a village near Pangkawn. Transports fly 581 sorties carrying men and supplies to forward bases and dropping supplies to frontline areas. The 155th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India with UC-64s and L-5s, sends a detachment to operate from various bases in Burma.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 150 B-17s and 264 B-24s dispatched to attack targets in W Germany are recalled before leaving the UK coast due to clouds over bases, routes, and targets. 98 of 99 P-51s fly a sweep strafing rail traffic and parked aircraft; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft. 11 of 13 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): 320+ B-26s, A-20s, and A-26s strike a road junction, marshalling yard, 3 defended areas, and 10 casual targets in Germany. Fighters fly armed reconnaissance, bomb numerous ground targets, and support the US XII Corps which has, on 7 Feb, crossed the Our and Sauer Rivers between Vianden and Echternach, Luxembourg and established bridgeheads. HQ 406th Fighter Group and the 512th Fighter Squadron move from Metz, France to Assche, Belgium with P-47s. The 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF, based at St Amand, France with F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Le Culot, Belgium.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): In Austria, 500+ B-24s and B-17s bomb SE Vienna communications targets and the marshalling yard at Graz, plus several targets of opportunity; 270+ P-38s and P-51s escort. In Yugoslavia, 12 B-24s drop supplies and 11 P-51s sweep the Zagreb area. Other P-51s and P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 7/8 Feb, A-20s on intruder missions bomb various targets at 58 points in the Po Valley and Brenner Pass area; medium bombers during the day attack bridges at Calliano, Chiusaforte, Dogna and Piacenza; fighters and fighter-bombers closely support US Fifth Army forces in the Serchio Valley where counterattacks oppose the Allied offensive-and destroy the Nervesa della Battaglia railroad bridge and oil dump N of Mestre.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24s from Guam Island bomb radar and radio installations and AA defenses on Iwo Jima Island in the afternoon; during the night of 8/9 Feb, 10 B-24s fly single-plane snooper strikes against Iwo Jima's airfields.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 27: 30 of 31 B-29s from the Mariana Islands bomb Airfield Number 1 on Moen Island in Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s bomb the town of Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula and B-25s sink or damage several small vessels along the E coast and hit Legaspi Airfield. In Borneo, B-24s bomb Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields. Units moving to San Marcelino, Luzon: HQ 309th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Owi, Schouten Islands and the 421st Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing, from Tacloban, Leyte Island with P-38s and P-61s.
FRIDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 8 fighters hit rail bridges in the Kiyang and Lukou areas, damaging 1 bridge; several trucks are strafed and destroyed; 3 fighters on a railroad sweep destroy several locomotives between Peking and Sinsiang; several other fighters bomb railroad yards at Kaifeng and the airfield at Sinsiang; Chinese-American Composite Wing (CACW) fighters make a surprise strike at Tsingtao Airfield, and claim about 100 aircraft destroyed and damaged, and also destroy several nearby locomotives.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-25s damage a bridge at Tonglau and destroy 1 bridge and damage another at Ke-hsi Mansam; 2 others pound trucks, gun positions, and buildings during a road sweep from Hsipaw to Loilem to Lashio; 9 P-47s knock out a bridge at Bawgyo and damage another at Inailong; 22 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson area; troops, supplies, and communications are attacked at Tangtong, Man Mau, Se-u, Mansam, Panghai, Na-lang, and Man hpat by 40+ fighter-bombers. 479 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 824: 1,296 bombers and 871 fighters in 6 forces hit oil targets in Germany; except where noted, attacks were made with PFF; they claim 61-4-22 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 bombers and 5 fighters are lost: 1. 313 B-24s are sent to hit the Rothensee oil plant at Magdeburg (10); 268 hit the secondary target, the marshalling yard at Magdeburg; targets of opportunity are Tarchen (9) and Quackenbruck Airfield (1); the Magdeburg attacks are made using H2X; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft; 3 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 51 damaged; 14 airmen are KIA, 5 WIA and 20 MIA. Escorting are 151 of 173 P-51s; they claim 9-0-5 aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 2. 198 of 311 B-17s hit the secondary target, the munitions industry at Weimar; targets of opportunity are the marshalling yards at Giessen (25) and Gottingen (15), the munitions industry at Eisenach (11), Jena (11) and Fulda (24) and other (4); attacks are made using H2X and visually; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft; 3 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 7 damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 28 MIA. The escort is 271 of 274 P-51s; they claim 8-1-3 aircraft in the air and 2-0-9 on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 3. 304 B-17s are dispatched to the oil plants at Lutzkendorf (233); 12 hit the secondary target, Erfurt; targets of opportunity are Eisenach (13, using H2X radar), Eisleben (13), Montesada (11) and other (3); all attacks except 1 were visual; 1 B-17 is lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 64 damaged; 6 airmen are KIA, 3 WIA and 26 MIA. 193 of 215 P-51s escort and claim 2-1-0 aircraft in the air and 34-0-3 on the ground; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 4. 64 of 65 B-24s hit the Schildesche rail viaduct at Bielefeld using Gee-H without loss. 39 of 40 P-47s escort without loss. 5. 151 B-17s are sent to hit the Altenbeken rail viaduct at Paderborn (72) and the Arnsberg rail viaduct (75) using Gee-H; 1 B-17 is lost and 1 damaged. 47 of 53 P-51s escort without loss. 6. 107 of 152 B-17s hit the secondary target, oil plants at Dulmen using Micro H; 21 hit a target of opportunity, the marshalling yard at Munster with H2X radar; 10 B-17s are damaged. Escorting are 55 of 60 P-51s without loss. 7. 33 of 35 P-51s fly a scouting mission; they claim 5-1-0 aircraft in the air without loss. 8 20 of 21 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance missions over Germany.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 347 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s bomb communications centers at Viersen and Kempen, marshalling yards at Rheydt, Grevenbroich, and Viersen, and rail bridges at Neuwied-Irlich and Sinzig. Fighters fly armed reconnaissance over the E and W of the Rhine River, attack rail bridges, and support US XII Corps bridgeheads across the Our and Sauer Rivers. In France, HQ 323d Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 453d, 454th, 455th and 456th Bombardment Squadrons move from Athies Airfield, Laon to Prouvy Airfield, Denain and Valenciennes (454th) with B-26s; HQ 410th Bombardment Group (Light) and the 644th, 645th, 646th and 647th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) move from Coulommiers to Juvincourt with A-20s; and the 669th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 416th Bombardment Group (Light) moves from Melun to Athies Airfield, Laon with A-26s. HQ 405th Fighter Group and the 511th Fighter Squadron move from St Dizier, France to Ophoven, Belgium with P-47s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): During the night of 8/9 Feb, 1 B-17 and 10 B-24s drop supplies in N Italy. During the day in Austria, 49 bombers hit the Moosbierbaum oil refinery; 5 others bomb marshalling yards at Graz and Bruck an der Mur. 11 B-24s drop supplies in C Yugoslavia, while P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance missions and reconnaissance and supply escort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 8/9 Feb, A-20s and A-26s on intruder missions attack communications targets throughout the C and NE Po Valley; weather restricts daytime operations to weather reconnaissance and supply dropping missions.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24s from Guam and Saipan Islands bomb airfields, defense and radar-radio installations and AA positions on Iwo Jima Island; during the night of 9/10 Feb, 11 more B-24s from Saipan make separate strikes against airfields and AA defenses. HQ 21st Fighter Group departs Hawaii for Iwo Jima.
(VI Air Service Area Command): The 311th Troop Carrier Squadron arrives at Kahuku, Hawaii from the U.S. with C-47s (the squadron will perform aerial transportation in the C and W Pacific, Feb-2 Sep 45).
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 28: 29 XXI Bomber Command B-29s hit Moen Island for the second consecutive day, bombing airfield number 2.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s fly morning and afternoon raids against Corregidor Island gun positions; A-20s also hit the island fortress; Mariveles and the S part of Bataan Peninsula are pounded by B-24s and A-20s throughout the morning and afternoon; B-25s and P-51s hit shipping near Legaspi and in San Miguel Bay and destroy buildings at San Fernando on Negros Island. In support of ground forces, A-24s and P-40s over Balete Pass area attack bridges and roads. The 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Thirteenth AF, based on Morotai Island with B-25s and F-5s, sends a detachment to operate from Dulag, Leyte Island. The 421st Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing, based at San Marcelino, Luzon with P-38s and P-61s, sends a detachment to operate from Tacloban, Leyte.
SATURDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, HQ 308th Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from Kunming to Hsinching; the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Chanyi with F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Chengkung (another flight is at Chihkiang).
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-25s destroy the Laihka Bridge; 4 others hit the Namsang Bridge, with poor results; 9 P-47s knock out approaches to the Pa-mao Bridge while 8 others destroy half of the bridge at Inailong; 15 P-47s support ground forces in the Mongmit area, concentrating on Japanese positions S of Myitson; 76 fighter-bombers attack troops and supply areas at Panglong, Namsangsok, Namtu, Kutkai, Mong Yaw, Mongmit, Ho-mong, Man Pwe, Namsam, and Loiya. Again transports fly 500+ sorties to forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 825: 9 of 164 B-17s carry out the first DISNEY mission (Royal Navy rocket-boosted concrete piercing bombs) against the U-boat pens at Ijmuiden, the Netherlands visually; 140 hit the secondary target, the oil storage depot at Dulmen, Germany using Micro H; and 1 hits Lingen, a target of opportunity; 5 B-17s fly a screening mission; 5 B-17s are damaged. Escorting are 102 of 106 P-51s without loss. 3 of 6 P-51s fly a scouting mission and 20 of 21 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany. 102 of 104 P-51s fly a strafing mission in the Steinhuder Lake area but abort because of bad weather; 2 P-51s are lost. Mission 826: 1 B-17 and 11 of 12 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night; 1 airman is KIA.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 320+ bombers of the 9th Bombardment Division attack communications centers at Kempen, Horrem, and Euskirchen, vehicle center and depot at Munstereifeland at Berg-Gladbach, and several casual targets including rail bridge at Bullay; fighters escort the bombers, fly patrols and armed reconnaissance, bomb bridges, attack railroad cars and other targets, and support the US VIII and XII Corps in the Prum area on the Prum River and in the bridgehead area E of the Sauer River NW of Echternach, Luxembourg. In France, HQ 416th Bombardment Group (Light) and the 668th and 670th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) move from Melun to Athies Airfield, Laon with A-26s; the 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF, based at St Amand with F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Jarny (another flight is at Le Culot, Belgium).
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather prevents bombing; 12 B-24s drop supplies in Yugoslavia while P-38s fly reconnaissance and escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 9/10 Feb, A-20s and A-26s hit railroads, lights, and movement in the Po Valley and Brenner area and bomb docks at La Spezia; weather cancels all but 2 medium bomber missions; however, the B-25s cut bridges at Palazzuolo sull' Oglio and Romano di Lombardia; fighter-bombers concentrate on railroads in NE Italy, and destroy numerous vehicles in a truck park in the Mantua area.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 10 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb Okimura on Haha Jima Island; 6 P-38s escort a photo mission and fly fighter a sweep over Iwo Jima Island. 17 B-24s from Guam, with P-38 escort, pound Iwo Jima in the late afternoon, and 9 more make single bomber harassment strikes on the island during the night of 10/11 Feb.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 29: 118 B-29s from the Mariana Islands are dispatched to hit the Nakajima aircraft plant at Ota, Japan; 84 hit the primary target and 14 hit other targets; they claim 21-15-26 Japanese aircraft; 12 B-29s are lost.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): Brigadier General Frederick H Smith Jr becomes Commanding General V Fighter Command. On Luzon, B-24s again blast Japanese gun positions while P-51s and P-38s, supporting ground forces hit communications targets in the Bayambang-Santa Fe area, while B-25s in the area blast villages where vehicles are hidden; B-24s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers completely saturate the S part of Bataan Peninsula with bombs during morning and afternoon attacks, thoroughly pummelling defenses and forces. P-47s on a fighter sweep over Formosa claim 10 aerial victories. HQ 312th Bombardment Group (Light) and the 386th and 387th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) move from Tanauan, Leyte Island to Mangaldan, Luzon with A-20s.
SUNDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: Of 7 B-24s off on an air cover mission for a naval task force, only 3 reach the target.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 17 B-25s hit railroad yards at Sinyang and Lohochai and a locomotive foundry at Hsuchang; 23 P-47s pound Hankow Airfield; 8 fighters hit Anyang Airfield and Pinghan railroad targets of opportunity; B-24s claim 2 cargo vessels sunk in the S China Sea.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 36: 56 of 59 B-29s bomb storage dumps around Rangoon, Burma; they claim 0-0-3 Japanese aircraft; no B-29s are lost; the mission is flown in conjunction with B-24s of the Eastern Air Command's Strategic AF which also hit the target.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-25s bomb troops and supplies at Loilem; 22 P-47s support ground forces in the Mongmit area, hitting buildings at Nabu and Japanese positions S of Myitson; 100+ fighter- bombers pound troop concentrations, supplies, ammunition dumps, gun positions, and targets of opportunity at several locations including Pangsang, Taung-gaing, Panghsapye, Nampok, Byaungbyan, Manai, Kutkai, Mongmit, Namun, and Pangmakhe-leng. Transports complete 503 sorties to forward bases and over frontline areas (dropping supplies).
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 827: In Germany, 124 of 127 B-24s attack the Dulmen oil depot using Micro H; 1 B-24 hits the Lochern road junction using H2X; no losses. Escorting are 50 of 51 P-51s without loss. Other fighter missions are: 1. 48 of 51 P-51s hit the Celle/Uelzen railroad without loss. 2. 183 of 192 P-51s make a sweep over NW Germany; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 3. 7 of 11 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany without loss. 4. 8 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 97 B-26s and A-20s bomb the Bingen and Modrath marshalling yards; fighters fly armed reconnaissance and patrols, attack special targets and targets of opportunity, and attack in cooperation with the US XII Corps across the Sauer River NW of Echternach, Luxembourg. The flight of the 112th Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to HQ Command, SHAFE), operating from Namur, Belgium with UC-78s and L-5s, returns to base at Buc, France.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather limits operations to B-24 supply mission to Yugoslavia during the night of 10/11 Feb and to P-38 reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, A-20s on night intruder missions attack enemy movement and lights at various points in N Italy, hit bridges in the Po Valley, and attack frontline positions in the N Apennines; weather grounds the medium bombers but fighters and fighter-bombers blast railroad bridges and lines in the NE and C Po Valley and stores and supply dumps in the C and W Po River areas.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 21 B-24s from Saipan Island, operating in 2 separate forces, bomb airfields and defenses on Iwo Jima Island; 3 others, on armed reconnaissance, bomb Marcus Island. 25 B-24s based on Angaur Island bomb Corregidor Island in Manila Bay on Luzon Island. During the night of 11/12 Feb, 10 B-24s from Saipan fly individual harassment strikes against Iwo Jima.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 30: 9 B-29s from the Mariana Islands carry out a reconnaissance mission for the US Navy; 1 returns early; the area covers 135-OOE to 148-OOE to 30-OON.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s attack Corregidor Island almost continuously throughout the day; fighter-bombers support ground forces blasting numerous targets from Cauringan to Taytay and at Wawa, Montalban, Antipolo, and Marikina. P-47s blast a train NE of Heito, Formosa. B-24s fly a light strike against Bago on Negros Island. The 388th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 312th Bombardment Group (Light), move from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Mangaldan, Luzon with A-20s.
MONDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: B-25s cancel a cover mission for a naval force because of weather.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 P-51s destroy 6 locomotives between Suchow and Pengpu and strafe the Nanking and Suchow airfields; other fighters claim at least 10 more locomotives destroyed in areas S of the Yellow River; P-40s bomb troops in the Hsiangcheng area and hit trains on the Pinghan railroad; HQ 81st Fighter Group and the 92d Fighter Squadron move from Kwanghan to Fungwansham with P-47s.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): 23 P-47s support ground forces hitting NE of Nabu and bombing mortar positions S of Myitson; 4 others support forces at Loiya; 3 P-47s severely damage a bridge at Pa-mao; 60+ P-47s and P-38s pound supply areas, troops, tanks, and trucks at various locations including Hu-kawt, Kongtap, Namtu, Namta-gun, Mongmit, Loingu, and Tonsing. 520 transport sorties are flown to forward areas throughout the day.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS
(IX Troop Carrier Command): HQ 434th Troop Carrier Group and the 71st, 72d, 73d and 74th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Aldermaston, England to Mourmelon-le-Grand, France with C-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 828: During the night, 6 of 7 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany without loss. In England, HQ 92d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from St Edmunds to Elveden Hall after all it's bombardment groups are reassigned.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): All combat operations cancelled because of bad weather. In France, HQ 409th Bombardment Group (Light) and the 640th, 641st, 642d and 643d Bombardment Squadrons move from Bretigny to Couvron Airfield, Laon with A-26s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Continued bad weather restricts operations to reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort by P-38s and P-51s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, A-20s, during the night of 11/12 Feb, bomb communications targets in the Po Valley and NE Italy, including the Brenner Pass area; bad weather during the day restricts medium bomber operations to bombing the bridge at Ala and a a sugar refinery at Legnago; only 1 fighter gp, the 57th, can operate, hitting bridges, rail lines, and guns in the Po Valley.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 9 Guam Island-based B-24s pound Chichi Jima Island naval installations while 19 bomb airfields and defenses on Iwo Jima Island; during the night of 12/13 Feb, 8 B-24s from Guam fly single bomber harassment strikes against both Iwo and Chichi Jima.
(Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 31: 21 B-29s from the Mariana Islands bomb heavy AA sites on Iwo Jima Island in preparation for the amphibious invasion of the island on 19 Feb; no losses. Mission 32: 10 B-29s fly a reconnaissance mission for the US Navy covering from 135-OOE to 148-OOE and to 30-OON; 1 B-29 is lost.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s continue to pound Corregidor Island in Manila Bay; A-20s sweeping S Bataan Peninsula, sink about 30 barges loaded with troops, ammunition, and supplies; throughout the day B-25s and fighters directly support ground forces on the Bataan Peninsula and from Lingayen Gulf area to Nichols Field. The 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, based on Middelburg Island, New Guinea with P-38s, begins operating from Morotai Island. The 498th, 499th, 500th and 501st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Tacloban, Leyte Island to San Marcelino, Luzon with B-25s.
TUESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATONS
CARIBBEAN
(Sixth Air Force):: The 74th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VI Bomber Command, moves from the Galapagos Islands to Aguadulce, Panama with B-24s.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, fighters sweep the railroad from Sinyang to Hsuchang, bomb the approach to a Hsuchang bridge, and strafe Sinyang and Ichang Airfields; B-25s bomb a foundry at Hsuchang
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, troop concentrations, supply areas, and targets of opportunity are pounded by 70 fighter-bombers at several locations including Kongpaw, Namtu, Kyao-hpak, Laihka, Kon-wet, Mong Pa, Hkom-nio, and Naung-lang; 19 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Mongmit-Myitson area; 16 fighter-bombers knock out the approach to the main bridge and damage the bypass bridge at Hay-ti. 477 air supply sorties are flown by transports throughout the day. In India, the 1st and 2d Fighter Squadrons (Commando) move from Kalaikunda to Cox's Bazar with P-51s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS
(IX Troop Carrier Command): HQ 435th Troop Carrier Group moves from Welford Park, England to Bretigny, France.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 829: 9 B-24s drop leaflet in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 320+ B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s, attack rail bridges at Sinzig, Neuwied-Irlich, and Euskirchen, military transport depots at Schwelm and Iserlohn, defended points at Wittlich, and targets of opportunity; fighters escort the A-20s, A-26 and B-26s, bomb the Neuss and Zieverich bridges and other targets, fly armed reconnaissance, and support Third Army elements from Prum to Saarlautern along the Our and Sauer Rivers, and Saar River bridgehead areas. In France, HQ 97th Combat Bombardment Wing (Light) moves from Voisenon to Marchais; the 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF, based at Amand with F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Gosselies, Belgium (another flight is operating from Jarny); and the 405th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, moves from Tantonville to Metz with P-47s. The 155th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from St Dizier, France to Le Culot, Belgium with A-20s and F-3s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): In the Vienna area of Austria, 640+ B-17s and B-24s with fighter support hit the S ordnance depot, S and SE goods yards and depot, C repair shops, and Matzleinsdorf marshalling yard, and the marshalling yards at Graz, Austria; Sarvar, Hungary; and in Yugoslavia, 2 at Zagreb and 2 at Maribor, the Pula harbor, the Maribor locomotive depot and rolling stock repair shops, and several targets of opportunity. P-38s and P-51s carry out reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 12/13 Feb, A-20s attack enemy movement in the C and NC Po Valley; medium bombers hit bridges at Calcinato, Dogna, and Chiusaforte and the bridge approach at Lavis; fighter-bombers fly nearly 350 sorties against enemy communications in N Italy including marshalling yards at Verona, Parma, and Vicenza.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 25 B-24s from Saipan Island fly two strikes against Iwo Jima Island, while 10 others hit Haha Jima Island; during the night of 13/14 Feb, 5 B-24s, flying individual harassment strikes, bomb Iwo Jima at intervals over an 8-hour period.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s continue to pound Corregidor Island in Manila Bay as a large segment of B-24s attack the main coastal guns and score direct hits on several batteries; B-24s bomb Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula while A-20s and P-47s bomb and strafe targets of opportunity throughout the S part of Bataan Peninsula; B-25s and fighters attack small shipping during sweeps of E and N coasts. B-25s, with fighter support, hit Kagi Airfield on Formosa. HQ 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Tacloban, Leyte Island to San Marcelino, Luzon. The 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, based on Middelburg Island, New Guinea with P-38s, begins operating from Morotai Island.
WEDNESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: 3 B-24s bomb and photograph Suribachi Airfield on Paramushiru Island, Kurile Islands (the secondary target).
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-47s bomb Kaifeng Airfield and P-51s hit Shihkiachwang Airfield, destroying several parked aircraft; the P-51s afterwards blast 7 locomotives between Puchou and Sinsiang; other fighters destroy 7 more locomotives between Sinyang and Hsuchang, bomb the railroad yards at Lohochai, and destroy a fuel dump at Hsiangcheng.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s attack vehicles along roads from Lashio to Takaw to Hopong; 7 P-47s strafe Laihka Airfield; bad weather cancels other scheduled offensive missions. Transports continue to operate despite the weather, completing 520 sorties to forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 830: 1,377 bombers and 962 fighters are dispatched to hit oil and rail targets in Germany; bombing of most targets is by H2X radar; they claim 11-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 bombers and 7 fighters are lost: 1. 461 B-17s are dispatched to hit the marshalling yard at Dresden (311); targets of opportunity are Prague (62), Brux (25) and Pilsen (12) in Czechoslovakia and other (25); they claim 1-0-0 aircraft; 5 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 54 damaged; 4 airmen are KIA, 15 WIA and 49 MIA. Escorting are 281 of 316 P-51s; 3 are lost (pilots MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 2. 457 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Chemnitz (294); targets of opportunity are Eger Airfield (38), Bamberg (33), Sonneberg (23), Tachau (24), Hof marshalling yard (12) and other (17); 1 B-17 is lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 103 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 4 WIA and 14 MIA. The escort is 224 of 238 P-51s; 2 are lost (pilots MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 3. 375 B-24s are sent to hit an oil refinery at Magdeburg but are unable to attack due to weather; 340 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Magdeburg; targets of opportunity are Emlicheim (1), Meppen (1), Bodenteich (1) and other (1); 1 B-24 is lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 16 damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. 253 of 273 P-51s escort; they claim 10-0-3 aircraft; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). 4. 84 B-17s are sent to hit the Wesel road bridge (37); 35 hit the secondary, the Dulmen oil depot and 1 hits Ahaus, a target of opportunity; 15 B-17s are damaged. 26 of 30 P-51s escort the bombers. 5. 44 of 49 P-47s fly a sweep of the Magdeburg area without loss. 6. 24 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany. 7. 29 of 32 P-51s fly a scouting mission. Mission 831: 10 B-24s drop leaflet in the Netherlands and Germany during the night.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 600+ A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s attack rail bridges, a marshalling yard, communications centers, an ammunition dump, a prime mover depot, and several targets of opportunity in morning and afternoon missions aimed primarily at obstructing enemy movement and supply; fighters fly armed reconnaissance over wide areas, escort the bombers bombers, attack river traffic, bridges, and other targets, and support US Third Army elements E of the Our and Sauer Rivers.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): 500+ B-24s and B-17s bomb the Moosbierbaum, Vienna/Lobau, Vienna/Floridsdorf, and Schwechat oil refineries in the Vienna, Austria area; marshalling yards at Graz, Gleisdorf, Klagenfurt, and Villach, Austria; Celje, Maribor, and Zagreb, Yugoslavia; and several scattered targets of opportunity; P-38s also bomb the Moosbierbaum refinery and Maribor marshalling yard; other P-38s and P-51s escort the bombers, fly photo and weather reconnaissance, and escort reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 13/14 Feb, A-20s bomb the bridge approach at Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and hit targets of opportunity in the Po Valley; during the day medium bombers bomb bridges or bridge approaches at San Michele all'Adige, Tarvisio, Bressanone, and hit guns near Ponte Gardena; fighters and fighter-bombers, operating in poor weather, attack mainly communications targets in the Po Valley.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 17 Guam Island-based B-24s pound defenses and radar and radio installations on Iwo Jima Island at midday; during the night of 14/15 Feb, 5 more B-24s, flying individual snooper missions bomb Iwo Jima Airfield and AA positions while 4 in separate strikes hit Susaki Airfield on Chichi Jima Island.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 33: 6 B-29s from the Mariana Islands again carry out a reconnaissance mission for the US Navy, covering the area northward from the base line at 28-02N 145-55E to 28-44N 148-OOE.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s continue to bomb Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, concentrating on the dock area and gun positions; other B-24s bomb Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula and B-25s bomb the airfield at Tuguegarao; B-25s and fighters provide excellent support for ground forces, blasting guns and troops W of Clark Field, N of Marikina airfield, and N of Montalban; A-20s pound the general area of S Bataan. On Mindanao Island, B-25s bomb barges at Zamboanga and P-38s bomb Matina Airfield. Fighters on armed reconnaissance strafe airfields on Negros and Cebu Islands. A few B-25s bomb Kagi Airfield on Formosa and nearby targets of opportunity. HQ 54th Troop Carrier Wing moves from Biak Island, New Guinea to Leyte Island. The 550th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command (attached to XIII Bomber Command) moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Morotai Island with P-38s, P-61s and P-70s (the detachment operating from Middelburg Island also moves to Morotai).
THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 15 fighter-bombers attack railroad targets at Saiping, in the Hankow area, N of Sinantien, between Hsuchang and Loyang, and along the Yangtze River from Wuhu to Hankow; the 27th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Yunnani to Chengkung with C-47s; the 528th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, based at Shwangliu with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Hsian.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit buildings, troops, and other targets of opportunity during a sweep from Lashio to Loilem and along the road E and W from Loilem; 20 P-47s fly close support strikes in the Mongmit-Myitson area; a bridge at Hay-ti is knocked out by 6 P-47s; 56 P-47s attack troops, town areas, and supplies at Paukmyaing, Nam-hpuktok, Namtoi, and Namhu-tau and 8 P-47s hit the Li-lu ferry area. Large-scale transport operations continue; 511 sorties are flown to forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 832: 1,131 bombers and 510 fighters are dispatched to hit oil targets in Germany; with some exceptions, all attacks are made using H2X radar; they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 bombers and 1 P-51 are lost 1. 459 B-17s are sent to hit oil targets at Bohlen; 435 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Cottbus; targets of opportunity are Dresden (1), Quackenbruck (1) and other (2); 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 34 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA and 9 MIA. 153 of 173 P-51s escort; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft; 3 P-51s are damaged beyond repair. 2. 224 B-17s are dispatched to hit oil targets at Ruhland; 210 hit the secondary, Dresden; targets of opportunity are Lingen (1) and the Ems-Weser Canal (1); 4 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 8 damaged; 7 airmen are KIA and 8 WIA. Escorting are 141 of 158 P-51s; 1 is lost (pilot MIA). 3. 353 of 372 B-24s hit the Magdeburg synthetic oil plant; 1 B-24 is lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 32 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA and 3 MIA. The escort is 110 of 120 P-51s. 4. 58 of 76 B-17s hit a target of last resort, the Rheine marshalling yard; 13 others hit Munster, a target of opportunity. Escorting are 27 P-47s. 5. 4 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany. 6. 25 of 28 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, around 90 B-26s bomb Sinzig and Mayen rail bridges and 4 targets of opportunity in the area; fighters patrol points along the battlefront, attack railroads and other special targets, fly armed reconnaissance and support the US VII, VIII, XII, and XX Corps along the Roer and Prum Rivers and in the Saar River bridgehead area. In France, HQ 371st Fighter Group and the 404th and 406th Fighter Squadrons move from Tantonville to Metz with P-47s; and the 671st Bombardment Squadron (Light), 416th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Melun to Athies Airfield, Laon with A-26s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): In Austria, 650+ B-24s and B-17s bomb 5 station freight yards, SE goods depot, Korneuburg oil refinery, and Vienna/Floridsdorf, Matzleinsdorf, and Penzing marshalling yards all in the Vienna area, plus marshalling yards at Klagenfurt, Wiener-Neustadt and Graz, the Graz ordnance depot, shipyards in Fiume, Italy and scattered targets of opportunity are also hit; fighters escort the bombers and fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers bomb the Spilimbergo ammunition dumps through an overcast, but are forced by the bad weather to cancel all other operations; fighter-bombers, limited by weather, concentrate on railway targets in NE and W Po Valley.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(VI Air Service Area Command): The 311th Troop Carrier Squadron, VI Air Service Area Command, moves from Kahuku to Bellows Field, Hawaii with C-47s. Seventh Air Force: 24 B-24s from Saipan Island, in two separate strikes, bomb Iwo Jima Island airfields and AA defenses; 12 others hit the airfield on Chichi Jima Island; 4 B-24s from Guam Island, escorting photo aircraft over Truk Atoll, bomb airfields on Param and Moen Islands; 5 B-24s fly night harassment raids against Iwo and Chichi Jima.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 34: 117 B-29s from the Mariana Islands are dispatched to hit the Mitsubishi aircraft engine works at Nagoya, Japan; 33 hit the primary; 68 hit targets of last resort and targets of opportunity, 54 of them bombing Hamamatsu; they claim 7-8-23 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29 is lost.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): B-25s attack bridges in the S part of Formosa. B-24s again blast Corregidor Island in Manila Bay with A-20s and fighter-bombers bombing and strafing its few remaining gun positions; fighter-bombers hit Caballo Island and fighter- bombers, B-25s, and A-20s hit Bataan Peninsula all day; also hit are troops and gun positions in the Ft William McKinley area and airfields at Tuguegarao and Echague. The 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak Island, New Guinea to Tanauan, Leyte Island with C-46s.
FRIDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 33 fighter-bombers attack airfields in the Nanking area, railroad yards at Hsuchang and Tungpu, and hit rail and river traffic from Wuhu to Hankow, in the Sinsiang area, and in French Indochina, the Luang Prabang area, and from Muong Soui to the Mekong River.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb troops, storage areas, and vehicles during offensive reconnaissance along roads S of Lashio and from Hsenwi to Loilem; 31 P-47s support ground forces in the Myitson area; about 160 fighter-bombers attack town areas, troop concentrations, artillery positions, transportation targets, and general targets of opportunity at Namtu, Wengkau, Hsipaw, Namhsawng-hawng, Hunhla, Mong Yai, Sinkin, Panghung, Hatka, Na-kyeh, and Panglong and similar targets at Kyawngsu, Kunsanlek, Namloi, Man-kyawng, Tonsing, Sam-Lau, and Mong Li. Transports fly 632 sorties delivering men and supplies to forward bases and dropping supplies to frontline troops.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS
(IX Troop Carrier Command): The 77th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Welford Park, England to Bretigny, France with C-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 833: 1,042 bombers and 197 fighters attack benzol plants, oil refineries and marshalling yards in C Germany; 8 bombers are lost: 1. 223 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Hamm (208); targets of opportunity are Osnabruck (1), Meppen (1) and Rheine (1); bombing is by H2X, Micro H and some visual; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 95 damaged; 7 airmen are WIA and 11 MIA. Escorting are 44 of 45 P-51s. 2. 375 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Harpenerweg oil refinery at Dortmund (78) and oil refineries at Nordstern (104) and Minsterstein (112); 30 hit the marshalling yard at Munster, a secondary target; targets of opportunity are Langendreer (23) and other (2); bombing is by Gee-H with some visual; 5 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 170 damaged; 8 airmen are WIA and 46 MIA. 38 of 39 P-51s escort. 3. 362 B-24s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Osnabruck (174) and Rheine (94) and the Salzbergen oil refinery (46); 31 hit Burgsteinfurt, a target of opportunity; H2X and Gee-H are used; 1 B-24 is lost and 26 damaged; 10 airmen are MIA. 50 P-51s escort the B-24s. 4. 63 of 76 B-17s hit the rail bridge at Wesel visually; 13 hit the marshalling yard at Rheine, a target of opportunity, with H2X. Escorting are 45 of 51 P-51s. 5. 6 B-24s fly a screening mission without loss. 6. 4 P-51s fly a scouting mission. 7. 4 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany. 8. 4 P-51s escort a B-17 on a "special sortie."
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 300+ B-26s and A-20s bomb the Mayen, rail bridge, Rees communications center, Solingen turbo-jet component works, Unna ordnance depot, and a target of opportunity; fighters escort the bombers, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance, attack bridge, railroads, and other special targets; the XIX Tactical Air Command also supports the US VIII, XII, and XX Corps W of the Prum River, E of the Sauer River, and in the Saarlautern area. The 158th Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Twelfth Army Group), moves from Somme-Suippe, France to Celles, Belgium with L-1s, L-4s and L-5s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): 630+ B-24s and B-17s bomb airfields at Regensburg, Landsberg, and Neubiberg, Germany; marshalling yards at Rosenheim, Germany, Hall, and Innsbruck, Austria, and Bolzano, and Vipiteno, Italy, plus scattered targets of opportunity in Austria and N Italy; P-38s and P-51s escort the bombers, fly reconnaissance missions, and escort reconnaissance and supply operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, bad weather grounds medium bombers; fighter-bombers cut rail lines at the S end of Garda Lake, and bomb an ammunition and fuel dump E of Nervesa della Battaglia and an ammunition dump E of Villafranca in Lunigiana.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(VI Air Service Area Command): The 316th Troop Carrier Squadron, VI Air Service Area Command, moves from Kahuku to Bellows Field, Hawaii with C-47s. Seventh Air Force: 2 Guam Island-based B-24s on an armed reconnaissance flight bomb Marcus Island in the N Pacific. 42 sent against Iwo Jima Island are recalled due to total cloud cover over the target. During the night of 16/17 Feb, 4 Guam-based B-24s, striking separately, hit Susaki Airfield on Chichi Jima Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): Fighters attack vehicles and trains in the S part of Formosa. On Luzon Island, 120+ A-20s and B-24s pound Corregidor Island during the early daylight hours; amphibious and airborne landings follow and the paratroops soon link up with the beachhead; A-20s and fighter-bombers also bomb nearby Caballo Island; B-25s support ground forces in the Mariveles area, hit facilities at Baguio and Santa Fe, and bomb Camalaniugan Airfield. P-38s hit Likanan and Matina Airfields on Mindanao Island and B-24s pound Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island.
SATURDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: 4 B-25s provide air coverage for a naval task force en route to Paramushiru Island.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 30 B-25s bomb Linfen and Yuncheng; a single B-25 hits railroad targets of opportunity from Hengyang to Lingling; 27 P-40s and P-51s attack animal transport, barracks, railroad targets, and the town area at Puchi; 16 P-47s hit the Hankow-Wuchang area; 37 other fighter-bombers attack railroad yards and targets of opportunity and road and river traffic near Tsinan, Changsha, and Kweiyi, and at Sinyang, Linfen, and Lung Hai.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): 14 P-47s support ground forces in the Mongmit-Myitson area; 140+ fighter-bombers strike at troop concentrations, supply points, transport, animal concentrations, tanks, and arms and ammunition stores are pounded in N Burma including at Hko-lawng, Hai-pu, Na-kyeh, Man Sang, Samlan, Hkummanmao, Mong Lang, Na-leng, Honwo, and Loi-pyek; and 10 B-25s bomb troops and supplies at Hai-hseng. 603 transport sorties are flown. The detachment of the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, operating from Chanyi, China with F-7s returns to base at Guskhara, India.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS
(IX Troop Carrier Command):
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 834: 895 bombers and 183 fighters are dispatched to hit synthetic oil plants in Germany and the Frankfurt marshalling yard; deteriorating weather forces the recall of 261 B-17s and 288 B-24s; the weather was so bad that some aircraft controls froze and several had to jettison their bombs during assembly; 3 B-17s and 2 of the recalled B-24 force are lost in addition to 1 P-51. 346 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Frankfurt (260); targets of opportunity are the Giessen marshalling yard (45), Aschaffenburg (12), Hanau (10) and other (4); 3 B-17s and 2 B-24s are lost, 1 B-17 and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 106 B-17s damaged; 17 airmen are KIA, 2 WIA and 38 MIA. The escort is 151 of 167 P-51s; 1 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 12 P-51s fly a scouting mission and 4 escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany. The 862d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) (attached to 3d Air Division), moves from Debach to Wormingford, England and begins flying weather reconnaissance missions with B-17s and P-51s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 31 B-26s strike the Mayen rail bridge and a target of opportunity at Reinfeld; fighters of the IX and XIX Tactical Air Commands fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance; the XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) cancels operations due to bad weather.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): About 500 B-17s and B-24s attack the marshalling yard, station, and benzol plant at Linz, steel works at Judenburg, tank works at Steyr and Sankt Valentin, marshalling yards at Graz, Wels, Bruck an der Mur, and Villach, Austria; plus shipyards and harbors at Fiume and Trieste, Italy, and Pula, Yugoslavia. P-38s and P-51s escort the bombers, fly reconnaissance missions, and supply drops, strafe rail lines in the Vienna-Linz, Austria area and aircraft at Ardning and Grafenstein Austria, and fly weather and photo reconnaissance.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers bomb bridges at Chiusaforte, Bressanone, Crema, and Dogna; fighters and fighter- bombers hit communications targets in the Po Valley and damage bridges at Nervesa della Battaglia, Cittadella, Calliano, Ala, and Pordenone; also bombed are guns and dumps from the S of La Spezia E to the battle area below Bologna.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 42 B-24s from Saipan Island blast defense installations and a bivouac area on Iwo Jima Island; 3 others, on an armed reconnaissance flight, bomb Marcus Island; 3 B-24s from Guam Island, escorting a photo plane over Truk Atoll bomb Param, Uman, and Eten Islands in the atoll. 5 B-24s from Saipan fly individual snooper strikes during the night of 17/18 Feb, against Chichi Jima Island. The air echelon of the 548th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command, begins operating from Saipan with P-61s (ground echelon is enroute from Hawaii to Iwo Jima).
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 35: 8 of 9 B-29s from Saipan bomb the submarine pens on Dublon Island, Truk Atoll without loss.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): B-24s, with fighter support attack the airfield, railroad yard, and aluminum plant at Takao, Formosa. On Luzon Island, A-20s support ground forces in the Mariveles area and hit caves and dugouts in hills W of Ft Stotsenburg; A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers attack Tuguegarao and the coastal town of San Fernando. B-24s pound Miri Airfield in Borneo. HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group moves from Biak Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island.
SUNDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: 7 B-24s fly cover sorties for a naval force during its approach to Kurabu Cape, Paramushiru Island.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 fighter-bombers attack the Sinyang railroad yards and airfield and targets of opportunity along the Pinghan railroad, at Chiuchiang, in the Nanking area, E of Lohochai, and SE of Hsuchang; 4 B-24s over the S China Sea claim damage on 2 vessels; the 374th, 375th and 425th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 308th Bombardment Group (Heavy), move from Chengkung and Kunming to Kwanghan with B-24s.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s demolish bridges at Namsang and Ke-hsi Mansam; 30+ fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Mongmit-Myitson-Nabu area; 100+ fighter-bombers pound troop concentrations, supplies, vehicles, and other targets immediately in advance of the southward moving battleline. Transports fly 602 sorties to the forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 60+ B-26s bomb the Dottesfeld rail bridge, a target of opportunity at Daun, and 5 other targets of opportunity as the 9th Bombardment Division starts a campaign to isolate the Ruhr; the XIX Tactical Air Command escorts the B-26s and flies weather reconnaissance and armed reconnaissance; the IX and XXIX Tactical Air Commands are grounded because of weather.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): During the night of 17/18 Feb, 24 B-24s drop supplies in N Italy; during the day 160 B-17s bomb a benzol plant, main marshalling yard and station at Linz, Austria; 20 P-38s provide escort; almost 290 B-24s, with fighter escorts, are recalled because of weather from missions dispatched against targets in Austria; weather also causes the recall of 52 P-51s on a strafing mission. A few P-38s complete reconnaissance missions but most are recalled as weather worsens. In Italy, the detachments of the 71st and 94th Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group, operating from Vincenzo Airfield with P-38s, return to base at Salsola Airfield.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 17/18 Feb, A-20s bomb targets in the Po Valley, including the towns of Nogara, Castelfranco Veneto, Modena, Cremona, Bovolone, and Isola della Scala, bridges at Cittadella and Villafranca in Lunigiana, and airfields at Ghedi and Villafranca in Lunigiana; all B-25 missions abort due to weather except an attack on the Ala rail bridge; fighters and fighter-bombers fly less than 100 sorties, hitting ammunition dumps and railroad bridges and lines, mainly in the Po Valley.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 36 Guam Island-based B-24s dispatched against Iwo Jima Island are recalled because of complete cloud cover over the target. 3 others on armed reconnaissance bomb Marcus Island. During the night of 18/19 Feb, 9 B-24s from Guam individually strike Chichi Jima Island.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 36: 36 Mariana Islands-based B-29s bomb 2 airfields on Moen Island in Truk Atoll without loss. HQ 39th and 330th Bombardment Groups (Very Heavy) and the 457th, 458th and 459th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) arrive at North Field, Guam Island from the US with B-29s (first mission is 12 Apr).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Formosa, B-24s bomb Takao, Okayama, and Toshien Airfields and P-38s provide support while B-25s and fighters pound communications targets and targets of opportunity throughout Formosa. B-25s and fighters continue to fly numerous missions in support of the ground forces on Luzon Island. B-24s bomb Labuan Airfield in Borneo.
MONDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: In the Kurile Islands, 6 B-24s fly photo reconnaissance over Shimushu Island and bomb Kurabu Cape Airfield on Paramushiru Island; 6 Japanese fighters intercept; the B-24s claim 4 damaged. 4 B-25s weather-abort a mission to hit targets along the Hayakegawa River.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 P-51s and P-40s blast rail and river traffic at Chiuchiang, Hsuchang, Lung Hai, and Tsinpu.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 37: In the Mayalan States, 49 of 59 B-29s bomb the Central Railroad Repair Shops at Kuala Lumpur, some bombing from only 1,000 feet (305 m); 4 other B-29s hit alternate targets, the Alor Star Airfield, and the marshalling yard at Martaban, Burma; they claim 1-0-7 Japanese aircraft; no B-29s are lost.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 B-25s and 31 P-47s fly close support strikes in the Mongmit-Myitson area; 70+ fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supplies, and villages behind the battleline in C Burma. Heavy transport operations continue. The 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Shwebo, Burma to Asansol, India with UC-64s and L-5s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS
(IX Troop Carrier Command): The 76th and 78th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 435th Troop Carrier Group, move from Welford Park, England to Bretigny, France with C-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 835: 1,135 bombers and 560 fighters are dispatched to hit oil, industrial and rail targets in Germany; they claim 3-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-24 and 7 P-51s are lost: 1. 196 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Osnabruck (155); 24 hit the secondary target, the marshalling yard at Munster; 10 hit Haselunne, a target of opportunity; Micro-H and H2X are used; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 21 damaged; 1 airman is WIA. Escorting are 38 of 42 P-51s. 2. 291 B-24s are dispatched to hit military vehicle plants at Meschede (97) and Jungenthal (86) and the marshalling yard at Siegen (94) using Gee-H; 1 B-24 is lost and 8 damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. 122 P-47s and P-51s escort. 3. 422 B-17s are sent to hit benzol plants at Bochum (99) and Gelsenkirchen (36), oil refineries at Dortmund (74) and Alm (37) using Micro H and H2X; 162 hit the secondary target, the Munster marshalling yard (162) visually; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 59 damaged; 1 airman is KIA. 91 of 96 P-51s escort; 1 is lost (pilot MIA). 4. 131 of 144 B-17s hit the marshalling yard at Rheine with Micro H without loss. 48 P-51s escort. 5. 68 of 82 B-17s hit the rail bridge at Wesel using Micro H; 25 B-17s are damaged. 32 of 37 P-51s escort. 6. 163 of 179 P-51s fly a fighter sweep against rail and road targets in the Hannover-Magdeburg-Brunswick area claiming 2-0-0 aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 5 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). 7. 27 of 28 P-51s fly a scouting misson; 1 is lost (pilot MIA).
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s, strike the Mechernich prime mover depot, rail bridges at Pracht, Niederscheld, and Neuwied-Irlich, the Wiesbaden ordnance depot, and 4 targets of opportunity; fighters escort the bombers, attack railroads and bridges, fly armed reconnaissance and alerts, and cooperate with the VIII, XII, and XX Corps E of the Our River, between the Westwall and the Prum River, and in the Saar-Mosel triangle. The 167th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached to the Sixth Army Group), is activated at Vittel, France with L-4s and L-5s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): During the night of 18/19 Feb, 11 B-24s drop supplies in N Italy. In Austria during the day almost 500 B-24s and B-17s, escorted by about 220 P-51s and P-38s, bomb 2 marshalling yards and the S station area in Vienna, marshalling yards at Klagenfurt, Graz, and Bruck an der Mur; marshalling yards at Maribor, Yugoslavia; shipyards in Fiume, Italy; and the Pula, Yugoslavia harbor and military installations. In Austria, 51 P-51s strafe rail and river traffic and airfields between Linz and Vienna and in the Graz area; other P-51s and P-38s fly escort and reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): Brigadier General Edward M Morris takes command of the XII Air Force Services Command (until 1 Jan 44 designated the III Air Service Area Command). In Italy, bad weather grounds the medium bombers; fighter-bombers, some bombing by radar-control because of heavy clouds, attack-communications and dumps in the W Po Valley and NE Italy, and claim several rail line cuts in the Brenner area.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 44 B-24s from Saipan Island are sent against Iwo Jima Island; 14 pound defense positions and bivouac and storage areas little more than an hour before elements of the US 4th and 5th Marine Divisions make an amphibious landing on the SE coast at 0900 hours; the other 30 B-24s abort because of cloud cover, mechanical trouble, or arrival over target too late to make a bomb run. 26 B-24s from Angaur Island bomb Likanan Airfield on Mindanao Island. During the night of 19/20 Feb, 8 Saipan-based B-24s fly individual heckler strikes over Chichi Jima Island.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 37: 150 B-29s are dispatched to hit the Musashino aircraft plant in Tokyo hoping to draw air reinforcements away from the Iwo Jima invasion; thick clouds completely cover the primary target so 119 bomb the port and urban area of Tokyo; 12 others hit targets of last resort and targets of opportunity; they claim 39-16-37 Japanese aircraft; 6 B-29s are lost.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): Major General Paul B Wurtsmith becomes Commanding General Thirteenth AF. In Formosa, B-24s bomb Koshun, Heito, and Takao Airfields and B-25s and fighters on sweeps attack a large number of targets of opportunity including trains, parked aircraft, buildings, and coastal vessels. In the C Philippine Islands, US Marine Corps (USMC) F4Us under the tactical command of the Thirteenth AF fly napalm strikes against airfields and other targets. On Luzon Island, fighters, B-25s, and A-20s continue to support ground forces at San Augustin, Carranglen, Balete Pass, and Bataan Peninsula and bomb Japanese-held sectors on Corregidor Island. B-24s bomb Miri Airfield on Borneo.
TUESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 34 P-51s pound locomotives, railroad cars, and other targets of opportunity at Tsingtao and Puchi; about 30 other fighter-bombers on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity (mainly rail and river traffic) at scattered locations including Changsha, Lohochai, Tsingtao, Chukiatsi, N of Lingling, and between Siangsiang and Siangtan.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 44 P-47s fly close support strikes in the Mongmit battle sector; 8 support ground forces in the Namhsan area; 13 P-38s severely damage a bridge at Mong Long; nearly 100 P-47s and P-38s pound troop concentrations, supply and ammunition dumps, and general targets of opportunity behind enemy lines. Large-scale transport operations continue. The 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Assansol, India to Shwebo with UC-64s and L-5s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS
(IX Troop Carrier Command): HQ 53d Troop Carrier Wing moves from Greenham Common, England to Voisenon, France.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 3 missions are flown. Mission 836: 1,264 bombers and 726 fighters are dispatched to hit the main station and marshalling yard at Nurnberg, Germany; the target is bombed visually and using H2X radar; they claim 49-1-21 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17s and 7 fighters are lost: 1. 360 B-24s dispatched abandon the mission over Belgium due to weather conditions; one B-24 hits Steig, a target of opportunity; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair; 3 airmen are KIA and 2 WIA. Escorting are 123 of 141 P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 2. 831 of 904 B-17s hit the primary target; targets of opportunity are Schiltach (16) and other (12); 5 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 241 damaged; 9 airmen are KIA, 10 WIA and 47 MIA. The escort is 315 of 337 P-51s; they claim 8-0-2 aircraft on the ground; 5 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). 3. 194 P-47s and P-51s strafe rail and road targets in the Nurnberg and Straubing areas; they claim 12-0-1 aircraft in the air and 35-1-20 on the ground; 7 fighters are lost (pilots MIA). 4. 28 of 29 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss. 5. 10 P-51s escort photo reconnaissance aircraft over Germany. Mission 837: 10 of 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss. Mission 838: During the night of 20/21 Feb, 30 B-24s attack the Neustadt marshalling yard without loss and 6 of 7 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): The IX Engineer Command is relieved of its assignment to the Ninth AF and assigned to US Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF). (After V-E the command will revert to control of the Ninth.) Weather grounds the 9th Bombardment Division; in Germany, fighters fly armed reconnaissance E and W of the Rhine River, attack a bridge and defended area, and support the US VIII, XII, and XX Corps in the Lichtenborn area, W of the Prum River, and in the Saar-Mosel triangle.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): 520+ B-17s, with fighter escort, and B-24s bomb the Lobau, Vienna and Schwechat, Austria oil refineries and Floridsdorf marshalling yard at Vienna, steel works at Kapfenberg, Austria, harbor at Pula, Yugoslavia, and shipyards at Trieste and Fiume, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): The 27th and 86th Fighter Groups and an air service group are transferred from the Twelfth AF to the First Tactical Air Force (Provisional) in France; HQ 86th Fighter Group moves from Pisa, Italy to Tantonville, France. In Italy, A-20s on night intruder missions during the night of 19/20 Feb, bomb targets of opportunity at over 30 points in the C Po Valley, several rail diversions, and marshalling yards at Villafranca in Lunigiana, Roncanova, Bovolone, Cerea, Legnago, Cittadella, Casa di David, Isola della Scala, Castelfranco Veneto, and Nogara; fighter- bombers devote their main effort to support the US Fifth Army offensive in the Monte Torraccia area; medium bombers bomb bridges at Montebello, Chiusaforte, Salzano, and Calcinato; the detachment of the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, operating from Etain, France with Mosquitos, returns to base at Pisa.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 2 Guam Island-based B-24s on an armed reconnaissance flight bomb Marcus Island in the N Pacific. During the night of 20/21 Feb, 7 B-24s flying individual raids, bomb the town of Okimura and airfield on Haha Jima Island. The air echelon of the 549th Night Fighter Squadron begins operating from Saipan Island with P-61s (ground echelon is enroute from Hawaii to Iwo Jima).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): B-24s bomb runways and warehouse at Jesselton Airfield in Borneo. Buildings at Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island and underground installation on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay are pounded. B-25s and fighters over Formosa thoroughly blast the town of Choshu, and also hit railroad yards, vehicles, railway rolling stock, and buildings. HQ 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from Darwin, Australia to San Jose, Mindoro Island. The 23d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Morotai Island to Samar Island, Philippine Islands.
WEDNESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 21 B-25s, supported by 12 P-51s, pound Taiyuan; 2 B-25s and 12 P-40s hit Yoyang; about 100 fighter- bombers on armed reconnaissance attack troops, trucks, horses, railroad targets, river shipping, and other targets of opportunity at many locations throughout S and E China; the detachment of the 530th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, operating from Hsian with P-51s, returns to base at Kwanghan.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 P-47s provide close support for ground forces in the Namhsan area; 15 support ground forces in the Mongmit sector; 100+ fighter-bombers strike supply and troop concentrations and make offensive sweeps of roads along the battleline areas. Transports continue to land men and supplies at forward bases and drop supplies to frontline troops. The 127th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India, sends a detachment to operate from Akyab, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS
(IX Troop Carrier Command): Units moving from England to France with C-47s: 75th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group, from Welford Park to Bretigny and 79th Troop Carrier Squadron, 436th Troop Carrier Group, from Membury to Melun.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 839: 1,262 bombers and 792 fighters are dispatched to again attack the tank plant, main railroad station, marshalling yards and locomotive shops at Nurnberg, Germany using H2X radar; they claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 7 fighters are lost: 1. 830 of 867 B-17s hit the marshalling yard; 11 others hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 298 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 6 WIA. Escorting are 373 of 391 P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). 2. 375 of 395 B-24s hit the station and marshalling yard; targets of opportunity are Speyer (1) and other (2); 63 B-24s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 3 WIA. The escort is 175 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). 3. 45 of 46 P-51s make a sweep of the Meiningen-Coburg-Nurnberg area; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 4. 98 of 101 P-51s escort Ninth AF B-26s; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft. 5. 23 of 31 P-51s fly a scouting mission; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 6. 29 of 30 P-51s escort 10 F-5s and 7 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany. Mission 840: During the night of 21/22 Feb, 25 of 29 B-24s attack the Duisburg power and gas stations using PFF; 2 B-24s are lost.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): Units moving from Italy to France with P-47s: 522d, 523d and 524th Fighter Squadrons, 27th Fighter Group, from Pontedera to St Dizier; 526th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, from Pisa to Tantonville. Ninth Air Force: In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division hits rail a overpass and bridges, an oil storage depot, marshalling yards, communications centers, and 13 targets of opportunity; 1,100+ fighter sorties are completed as the IX, XIX, and XXIX Tactical Air Commands escort the bomber, attack railroads, airfield, and other selected targets, fly armed reconnaissance over wide areas including the US First Army area between Duren and Losheim, and support the VIII, XII, and XX Corps along the Prum River, the West wall, and in the Saar-Mosel triangle.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): During the night of 20/21 Feb, 1 B-17 and 13 B-24s drop supplies in N Italy. During the day 500+ B-17s and B-24s with fighter escorts bomb Vienna, Austria railroad targets (C yards, S station, and Matzleinsdorf marshalling yard), marshalling yards at Bruck an der Mur, Wiener-Neustadt, and Zeltweg, Austria, and Sopron, Hungary, and shipyards at Trieste and Fiume, Italy. HQ 1st Fighter Group moves from Vincenzo Airfield to Salsola Airfield, Italy and the detachment of the 27th Fighter Squadron ceases operating from Vincenzo and returns to base at Salsola with P-38s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, night fighters and A-20s on intruder missions during the night of 20/21 Feb, continue to attack communications and supplies in the Po Valley; medium bombers, during the day, bomb bridges at Dogna, Crema, and Romano di Lombardia; fighter-bombers devote their main effort to close support of ground forces along the W and C US Fifth Army front, and also hit communications to the N of the battleline and in the Po Valley.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 24 P-47s from Saipan Island hit Pagan Island with napalm. P-38s from Guam Island escort photo aircraft over Truk Atoll and strafe aircraft on Moen Island and a wharf on Falas Island. 3 Guam Island- based B-24s on an armed reconnaissance flight bomb the airfield on Marcus Island in the N Pacific. During the night of 21/22 Feb, 6 B-24s fly individual snooper raids from Guam against Chichi Jima Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s bomb Japanese positions in the hills W of Ft Stotsenburg, P-47s pound Corregidor Island and strafe the Bagae-Pilar road and P-40s support ground forces at Marikina, San Mateo, and on Corregidor Island; and Basco is hit by B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s. In Borneo, B-24s bomb Kudat and Sandakan Airfields while A-20s attack Jesselton Airfield and town. The 528th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Darwin, Australia to San Jose, Mindoro Island with B-24s.
THURSDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 19 fighter-bombers hit villages, tanks, and trucks from Hsiangcheng to Hsuchang, attack railroad traffic around Sinsiang and Linfen, hit river craft, trucks, and troops in the Chiuchiang area, and claim 1 freighter sunk on the Yangtze River between Hankow and Nanking; a single B-25 attacks convoys in the Siang-Chiang Valley near Hengyang.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 29 P-47s support ground forces in the Namhsan area; 11 closely support forces in the Mongmit sector; about 100 fighter-bombers attack troop concentrations, gun positions, supply points, trucks, and animal transport in the