Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces
January 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 Beaufighter, Bristol C-46, Curtiss Commando C-47, Douglas Skytrain UC-64, Noorduyn Norseman F-5, Lockheed Lightning F-6, North American Mustang F-7, Consolidated Liberator F-13, Boeing Superfortress Fw 190, Focke Wulf 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 Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
NOTE: A number in parenthesis after a target name indicates the number of bombers attacking.
MONDAY, 1 JANUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: 5 B-24s fly coverage for a naval force upon aborting a bomb mission to the Kurile Islands.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 3 B-24s bomb Ft Bayard; 40 P-51s and P-40s pound railroad targets, warehouses, industrial works, and gun positions from Yoyang to Puchi; 8 P-51s hit Suchow Airfield, claiming 25 aircraft destroyed; 47 other P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance hit troops, horses, town areas, and rail and road traffic at several locations especially at Liuchenghsien and between Siaokan and Hsuchang; a detachment of the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, begins operating from Laohokow with P-51s (squadron is based at Chengkung; another detachment is at Kwanghan); during Jan 45, the detachment of the 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group operating from Poashan with P-51s moves to Leangshan; the 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group sends detachments to operate from Poseh, Liangshan and Laohokow with P-51s; and the detachments of the 528th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, operating from Hanchung and Liangshan with P-51s, return to base at Shwangliu.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 71 P-47s and P-38s attack villages, general supply areas, fuel dumps, tanks and other vehicles, and troop concentrations at several locations including Man Hio, Bahe, Mongmit, Hatka, Namhpakka, Loi-hseng, Mong Yaw and in the Hsenwi area, 4 others hit targets of opportunity along the Irrawaddy River from Tanaung to Kyungyi; 4 B-25s harass communications lines during the night of 1/2 Jan. Large-scale air transport operations continue. The 14th and 15th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 4th Combat Cargo Group, move from Sylhet to Argartala, India with C-46s. During Jan, the detachment of the 436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Luliang, China with B-24s ferrying gasoline to Suichwan, China, returns to base at Madhaiganj, India.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 774: 845 bombers and 725 fighters are dispatched to hit oil installations and rail bridges and junctions in W Germany visually and by PFF; they claim 23-1-3 Luftwaffe aircraft including a jet fighter; 8 bombers and 2 fighters are lost: 1. 451 B-17s are sent to hit an oil refinery at Magdeburg (11); secondary targets are the Henschel marshalling yard at Kassel (292) and the Gottingen marshalling yard (26); targets of opportunity are Hadamar (12), Wetzlar (12), Dillenburg (15), Koblenz (11), Wetter (12), Limburg (8), Kirchbunden (7) and other (22); 2 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 71 damaged; 10 airmen are KIA, 8 WIA and 18 MIA. Escorting are 327 of 374 P-51s; they claim 17-1-1 aircraft; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 2. 109 B-17s are dispatched to hit oil industry targets at Dollbergen (54) and Ehmen (24); targets of opportunity are the Koblenz marshalling yard (12), Limburg (4) and other (5); 3 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 43 damaged; 10 airmen are KIA. Escort is provided by 199 P-47s and P-51s without loss. 3. 273 B-24s hit the Lutzel (56) and Guls (30) rail bridges at Koblens, the Irlich rail bridge (57) and the Remagen rail bridge (6); targets of opportunity are Andernach (26), Engers rail bridge (9), Trier (1) and others (6); 1 B-24 is lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 63 damaged; 20 airmen are KIA, 8 WIA and 10 MIA. The escort is 66 of 70 P-51s without loss. 4. 12 of 12 B-17s fly a screening force mission; they are 8 minutes late for their escort and are attacked by Fw 190s when 50 miles (80 km) ahead of the bombers; they claim 6-0-2 aircraft; 5 B-17s are lost and 1 damaged beyond repair; 45 airmen are MIA. Escort is supposed to be 23 of 26 P-51s. 5. 2 of 5 B-17s fly an APHRODITE mission against Oldenburg without loss. 6. 11 of 11 P-51s escort 9 F-5s and 1 Spitfire on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany without loss. 7. 25 P-47s and P-51s escort 3 of 4 Mosquitoes on a special operations mission without loss. Mission 775: 5 B-24s and 3 B-17s drop leaflet on Belgium and Germany during the night without loss. The 1st, 2d and 3d Bombardment Divisions are redesignated 1st, 2d and 3d Air Divisions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): The Luftwaffe launches an attack of 700-800 aircraft against Ninth AF and Allied airfields, mainly in the Brussels, Belgium and Eindhoven, the Netherlands areas, and to a lesser degree in the Metz, France area; 127 operational Allied aircraft are destroyed; Allied fighters claim 160 air victories while AA claims 300. 190 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s hit rail bridges, communications centers, a road junction, a command post, and HQ, all in Belgium and Germany; fighters escort 9th Bombardment Division and Eighth AF bombers, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance (claiming 39 air victories and numerous ground targets destroyed) and support the US III, VII, and XII Corps between Saint-Hubert, Belgium and the Mosel River, Germany. In France, the detachment of the 72d Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Sixth Army Group), ceases operating from Steinbourg with L-5s and returns to base at Buhl. During Jan 45, HQ XIX Tactical Air Command moves from France to Luxembourg.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Unfavorable weather permits only P-38 reconnaissance flights.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers attack bridges at Palazzuolo sull'Oglio, Parma, and Calcinato (the latter 2 targets are missed) and an ammunition dump at Parma; fighter-bombers support ground forces S of Bologna, hit communications and numerous targets of opportunity to the N and completely destroy a fuel dump at Parma; A-20s on intruder missions during the night of 31 Dec/1 Jan, achieve excellent results on a motor park near Molinella and hit a marshalling yard near Milan. HQ 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) departs Corsica for the US where it converts to A-26 aircraft in preparation for assignment to the Pacific.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 19 B-24s from Saipan Island, Mariana Islands, bomb Iwo Jima Island, Volcano Islands; 9 more, during snooper missions on the night of 1/2 Jan, hit the island at varying intervals.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): In the Philippine Islands, B-25s and fighter-bombers make low level attacks on Negros Island airfields; B-24s, with P-38 cover, bomb Clark Field on Luzon Island and others pound the Sasa area on Mindanao Island. On Halmahera Island, Moluccas Islands, B-24s along with B-25s hit the Djailolo, Wasile Bay bivouac areas, and Miti ammunition dump. B-25s bomb airfields on Ceram Island, Moluccas Islands and barracks at Laoag on Luzon. Fighter-bombers are active against targets in the Manila area on Luzon and also hit Silay on Negros. Airfields, shipyards, and other targets in the Borneo, Celebes and Lesser Sunda Islands also sustain light raids, by FEAF fighters and bombers, which also fly armed reconnaissance. HQ 345th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Dulag to Tacloban, Leyte Island, Philippine Islands. During Jan 44, the detachment of the 4th Photographic Charting Squadron, 311th Photographic Wing [attached to 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)] ceases operating from Morotai Island, Moluccas Islands, with F-7s and returns to base at Hollandia, New Guinea; at the same time, a detachment of this squadron begins operating in Australia during the month (this squadron is mapping areas of the SW and W Pacific); in New Guinea, the detachment of the 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, operating from Noemfoor Island returns to base on Biak Island with C-47s. During Jan, the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2d Combat Cargo Group, moves from Finschhafen, New Guinea to Biak with C-46s.
TUESDAY, 2 JANUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s bomb Kentung, Burma. 30+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack targets of opportunity, mainly railroad traffic, at or near Lohochai, Pengpu, and Sinyang, China; and Man Pong, Wanling, and Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 24: 49 B-29s, operating from the Calcutta, India area, are dispatched to attack a railroad bridge at Bangkok, Thailand; 44 hit the primary target and 2 hit an alternate and a target of opportunity; they claim 0-1-1 Japanese aircraft.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, troop concentrations and supplies are attacked at Mabein, Panghka, Mansut, Letpangon, Loi-mun, Panghkai, Namhsan, Thabeikkyin, and in the Lashio area by 66 P-47s and 13 P-38s. 546 transport sorties are flown to forward bases and frontline areas. In India, the 13th Combat Cargo Squadron, 4th Combat Cargo Group, moves from Sylhet to Agartala with C-46s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 776: 1,011 bombers and 503 fighters are dispatched to attack communications and tactical targets in W Germany visually and using Gee-H; 4 bombers and 3 fighters are lost: 1. 299 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Gerolstein marshalling yard (74) and communications centers are Mayen (68), Prum (34), Daun (34), Kyllburg (37) and Bitburg (36); 3 others hit a target of opportunity; 70 B-17s are damaged. Escorting are 128 of 130 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 2. 296 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Lutzel (65) and Guls (59) rail bridges at Koblenz plus rail bridges at Irlich (59), Remagen (56) and Engers (43); 3 others hit a target of opportunity; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 26 damaged. The escort is 215 P-47s and P-51s without loss. 3. 410 B-17s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Bad Kreuznach (73) and Ehrang (66), a rail junction at Bad Kreuznach (67), a rail bridge at Kaiserslautern (34) and tank concentrations at Lebach (128); targets of opportunity are marshalling yards at St Wendel (11) and Trier (3) and other (3); 4 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 36 damaged; 10 airmen are KIA, 2 WIA and 37 MIA. Escort is provided by 125 of 127 P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). 4. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening force mission. 5. 23 P-51s escort 6 F-5s and a Spitfire on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany. Mission 777: 2 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets in France and Germany during the night. HQ VIII Air Force Services Command (Advanced) is established in Brussels, Belgium, along with a "Far Shore" staff division; through this HQ, the Commanding General Air Force Services Command can administer his command and closely communicate with other commands operating on the Continent; this arrangement functions until 29 Apr 45 when it is relieved by the 5th Strategic Air Depot at Merville, France.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): The 314th, 315th and 316th Fighter Squadrons, 324th Fighter Group, move from Tavaux to Luneville, France with P-47s.
(Ninth Air Force): 135 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s hit rail bridges and communications centers in Belgium and Germany; fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance and support the US III and VIII Corps in the Bastogne, Belgium area and the XII Corps S of the Clerf River, Luxembourg, and W of the Sauer River in Germany. The 72d Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Sixth Army Group), moves from Buhl to Epinal, France with L-5s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather restricts operations to reconnaissance flights,
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, fighter-bombers concentrate their effort in the W Po Valley and Brenner area, claiming large number of rail lines cut and many vehicles and trains destroyed and damaged; the Milan marshalling yard is hit hard and good coverage is achieved on support targets in the US Fifth Army battle area; A-20s during the night of 1/2 Jan, continue intruder missions over the Po Valley; the 84th and 86th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light) move from Rosignano Airfield to Grosseto with A-20s.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 12 Guam Island-based B-24s hit Haha Jima Island in the Bonin Islands while 14 others pound Iwo Jima Island; during the night of 2/3 Jan, 10 B-24s, flying snooper strikes out of Guam, hit Iwo Jima over a 7-hour period.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): P-38s and A-20s hit shipping in San Fernando harbor on Negros Island; on Luzon Island, B-24s pound Clark Field and B-25s hit Batangas; airfields in the C Philippine Islands area are bombed by B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers while B-24s strike Likanan on Mindanao Island; Menado on Celebes Island; and the Wasile Bay area on Halmahera Island. Other FEAF aircraft make armed reconnaissance and harassing strikes on targets of opportunity throughout the C Philippine Islands area and the Netherlands East Indies. The 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Tacloban, Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands, with P-38s.
WEDNESDAY, 3 JANUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: B-25s fly coverage for a naval force over the Kurile Islands.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 P-51s hit the airfield at Tsinan, claiming 13 aircraft destroyed; 6 P-51s claim several river steamers sunk in the Hankow-Chiuchiang area while 6 others damage bridges at Chinchengchiang. 20+ other P-40s, P-51s, and P-47s on armed reconnaissance attack various targets of opportunity in the Wuchang-Hankow and Shwangliu, China areas, and at Namtao, S and SW of Man Pong, and W of Wanling, Burma.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-25s, supported by 12 P-47s, attack the airfield at Aungban; troop concentrations and supply and ammunition dumps are pounded at several locations, including Man Kun, Loi Hkam, Ngawnga, Chakau, Mulaw, and Man Pwe. 575 transport flights are completed to forward areas; the 115th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], based at Ledo, India, sends a detachment to operate from Myitkyina with L-1s and L-5s; the 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, based at Kawlin, sends a detachment to operate from Inbaung with UC-64s and L-5s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 778: 1,168 bombers and 589 fighters are dispatched to attack rail and communications targets in W Germany; all are PFF attacks using H2X, Gee-H and Micro H; they claim 4-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 fighters are lost: 1. 417 B-17s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Fulda (141) and Aschaffenburg (124) and communications centers at Gemund (38) and Schleiden (36); the Mosel marshalling yard at Koblenz, a secondary target, is hit by 36 bombers; targets of opportunity are the Pforzheim marshalling yard (25) and other (3); 1 B-17 is damaged; 2 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 219 of 227 P-51s; they claim 4-0-0 aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 4 damaged beyond repair. 2. 325 B-24s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Altstadt (31), Homburg (41), Zweibrucken (55), Neunkirchen (84), Landau (59) and the Pirmasens railhead (41); 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged. Escorting are 143 of 148 P-51s. 3. 421 B-17s are sent to hit the Hermulheim W (72) and E (36) marshalling yards, a communications center at St Vith, Belgium (98), and rail junctions at Mondrath (36) and Horrem (1); 100 B-24s hit the secondary target, Cologne; targets of opportunity are Rheydt (10) and other (3); 11 B-17s are damaged. The escort is 145 of 150 P-51s; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). 4. 32 of 32 P-51s fly a scouting mission. 5. 32 of 32 P-51s escort 5 F-5s on a photo reconnaissance over Germany.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): All combat operations are cancelled because of weather.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather curtails operations for the fifth successive day. P-38s fly photo and weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers score direct hits on 2 railroad bridges at Lavis and fly good coverage of the Chiusaforte, Canale d'Isonzo, and Padua railroad bridges; fighter-bombers hit a large number of communications targets (mainly railroad targets) in the Po Valley which is also subjected to intruder missions during the night of 2/3 Jan, when pontoon bridges, vehicles, and Ghedi Airfield are hit.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24s from Saipan Island bomb Iwo Jima Island. 3 from Guam Island, on armed reconnaissance, hit Marcus Island in the North Pacific. During a 6-hour period on the night of 3/4 Jan, 10 B-24s from Guam hit Iwo Jima.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 17: 97 Mariana Island-based B-29s are sent to bomb docks and urban areas of Nagoya, Japan; 57 hit the primary target and 21 others bomb alternates and targets of opportunity; Japanese fighters fly 300+ attacks on the B-29s and 5 are lost; B-29 gunners claim 14-14-20 Japanese aircraft.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): B-24s pound Clark Field and the Mabalacat areas on Luzon Island. B-25s hit 5 airfields in the C Philippine Islands while B-24s bomb 2 on Mindanao Island. B-24s attack the Djailolo supply area on Halmahera Island, while B-25s bomb Namlea Airfield on Buru Island, Moluccas Islands. Numerous other FEAF aircraft on armed reconnaissance, harassing raids, and light strikes attack a vast variety of targets throughout the Netherlands East Indies and Philippine Islands. The 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Dulag, Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island with F-5s.
THURSDAY, 4 JANUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-24s bomb the Ft Bayard area in China and the Samah Bay area on Hainan Island. In Burma, 6 B-25s damage a bridge and a warehouse, and destroy 2 other buildings at Kentung and 21 P-40s on armed reconnaissance pound targets of opportunity in the Wanling area. 8 P-51s knock out a bridge at Huizan, Thailand and damage another, and 20 other fighters hit targets of opportunity around Lohochai, Sinyang and Hankow, China.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 B-25s, escorted by 12 P-47s, bomb Namsang Airfield; 12 P-47s hit bypass road bridges at Inailong and Bawgyo, damaging approaches to the latter; troops and supply areas are hit at Man Kat, Hsenwi, Yi-ku, Se-hai, and near Nawnghkio by 36 P-47s and P-38s; 6 P-47s bomb cable and pontoons along the N riverbank at Na-lang; 6 hit enemy activity near Twinnge and 5 attack a truck dispersal area and warehouses at Mogok. Transports fly 597 sorties to front areas and forward bases.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 779: 1 B-17 and 2 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany during the night; 1 B-24 is lost. Mission 780: 10 of 12 B-24s dispatched to hit the Coubre Point Coastal battery near Bordeaux, France hit the target using H2X radar. The transfer of HQ VIII Fighter Command from Bushey Hall, England to Charleroi, Belgium begins; the HQ is to provide administrative and operational support for fighter groups operating with the Ninth AF on tactical support missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): HQ 324th Fighter Group moves from Tavaux to Luneville, France.
(Ninth Air Force): All combat operations, except a defensive patrol by 4 fighters, are cancelled because of bad weather. The 161st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from Conflans, France and returns to base at Le Culot, Belgium with F-6s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, 370+ B-24s and B-17s bomb marshalling yards at Verona, Bronzolo, Vicenza, Padua, Trento, and Bolzano, and station sidings at Trento; 200+ fighters accompany the bombers; 54 P-38s attempt high-level bombing of Cismon del Grappa but fail to hit the target. 9 B-24s drop supplies in Yugoslavia. P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance and escort operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers hit bridges at Lavis and Calliano; fighters and fighter-bombers interdict Po Valley communications and hit an ammunition dump at San Felice del Benaco; during the night of 3/4 Jan, A-20s successfully hit a stores dump and bridge near Mestre, and destroy or damage 50+ vehicles. The 416th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, based at Pisa, Italy with Mosquitoes, sends a detachment to operate from Etain, France attached to the 425th Night Fighter Squadron.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 13 Guam Island-based B-24s pound Iwo Jima Island. During the night of 4/5 Jan, 10 more hit the island with individual harassment strikes.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): B-24s pound Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island; B-25s hit a railroad and highways in the San Pedro area on Luzon Island. B-25s and P-38s hit Tanamon and Sidate on Celebes Island. Other B-24s and B-25s, flying small scale strikes, hit airfields on S Luzon and Mindanao Islands, on NE Celebes Island, and in the C Philippine Islands, and bomb shipyards in N Borneo. The ground echelon of the 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Tacloban, Leyte Island to Luzon (the air echelon is operating from San Jose, Mindoro Island with P-40s).
FRIDAY, 5 JANUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: In the Kurile Islands, 4 B-24s fly an air coverage mission for a naval task force on its approach to Suribachi on Paramushiru Island.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s pound 13 storage buildings at Kengtung, China. 5 B-25s knock out a bridge at Dara, Thailand. 3 B-25s bomb Wan Pa-Hsa and Hawng Luk, Burma while 1 B-24 bombs the Cap-Saint-Jacques, French Indochina area. 29 P-40s and P-51s hit airfields at Hankow and Wuchang, China, claiming 50 aircraft destroyed in the air and on the ground. 23 P-51s and P-38s hit the airfield and other targets in Samah Bay area on Hainan Island, claiming 11 aircraft destroyed. 30 P-40s and P-38s attack various targets of opportunity, Sinsiang, and Kengtung, China, and Wan Pa-Hsa and in the Wanling area of Burma. 4 P-40s pound fortified hill positions in the Salween, Burma area.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 B-25s flying an airfield sweep inflict considerable damage on the Laihka, Aungban, Kunlon, and Mong Long airfields; in the Namhkam sector, 2 P-47s join ground forces in blasting artillery positions at Kunlong, China and Wingkang; 9 P-47s damage bypass bridges at Mongmit; 70+ fighter-bombers attack storage areas, tanks and trucks, and troop concentrations at Mong Yaw, Hsenwi, Hpa-Pen, Man Ton, Tunghka, Man Peng, and Longhsu. Transports fly 550+ sorties to forward bases and frontline areas. Operation GRUBWORM, one of the major transport achievements of the war, is completed on this date one month from its start. The Chinese 14th and 22d Divisions, Chinese Sixth Army HQ, a heavy mortar Company, a signal Company, and 2 portable surgical hospitals have been airlifted; the move required 1,328 transport sorties; Air Transport Command provided 597 sorties; the air commando squadrons, 488; and Tenth AF, 243; the airlift included 25,000+ Chinese soldiers, 396 US soldiers, 1,596 animals, 42 jeeps, 48 howitzers, 48 heavy mortars, and 48 antitank guns; the troops and supplies have been landed at Chanyi, Kunming, Luliang, and Yunnani, China. Only 3 aircraft were lost during the operation. HQ 4th Combat Cargo Group moves from Agartala to Chittagong, India.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 781: 1,032 bombers and 584 fighters are dispathed to hit rail targets and airfields in C Germany; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 4-0-0 on the ground; 1 B-17 and 1 P-51 are lost. 1. 259 B-24s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Neustadt (32), Sobernheim (42), Kirm (18) and St Ingbert (3), the marshalling yard and rail bridge at Cochem (31) and the Pirmasens railroad (39); 51 hit the Neunkirchen marshalling yard, a secondary target; targets of opportunities hit are communications centers at Rheinkirchen (8), Neubrucke (7), Prum (1) and Burg (1); bombing is visual and with Gee-H; 3 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 51 damaged; 6 airmen are KIA and 1 WIA. Escorting are 164 of 177 P-51s. 2. 370 B-17s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Hanau (57) and Frankfurt (81) and communications centers at Waxweiler (32), Wetteldorf (27) and Pronsfeld (33); 29 hit the secondary target at Kaiserslautern; targets of opportunity are Heilbronn (29) and other (11); bombing is visual and PFF; 1 B-17 is lost, 6 damaged beyond repair and 89 damaged; 13 airmen are KIA, 9 WIA and 1 MIA. Escort is provided by 194 of 213 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft in the air and 4-0-0 on the ground. 3. 379 B-17s are sent to hit airfields at Niederbreisig (70) and Niedermendig (54), communications centers at Dumpelfeld (37), Kall (35) and Mechernich (1), and the the railroad at Heimbach (37); 96 hit the secondary target, the Koblenz marshalling yard; targets of opportunity are communications centers at Pronsfeld (2) and Waxweiler (1) and other (4); bombing is by Gee-H and H2X; 1 B-17s is damaged beyond repair and 20 damaged. Escort is 109 of 117 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 4. 24 of 24 B-17s fly a screening mission. 5. 26 of 33 P-51s fly a scouting mission. Mission 782: 4 B-24s and 1 B-17 drop leaflets during the night over SE Belgium.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): The 9th Bombardment Division attacks rail bridges at Ahrweiler, Simmern, and Bullay, Germany and communications centers at Gouvy, Houffalize, and near Durler, Belgium, and Massen, Luxembourg. Fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division and VIII Bomber Command, fly armed reconnaissance, attack airfields, communications centers, traffic concentrations, and other targets, and support the US III and VIII Corps W and E of Bastogne and the 2d and 3d Armored Divisions near Manhay, Belgium. HQ 368th Fighter Group and the 395th, 396th and 397th Fighter Squadrons move from Juvincourt to Metz, France with P-47s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): In Yugoslavia, 1 B-24 bombs Zagreb railroad sidings; 69 others abort due to total cloud cover over the target; 38 P-51s fly cover over the target area; 33 P-38s bomb the N railroad bridge at Doboj; other operations are limited to reconnaissance, supply drops, and escort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): During the night of 4/5 Jan, A-20s on a S Po Valley intruder mission bomb the Modena, Italy area. Bad weather cancels all other operations.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24s from Saipan Island, in morning and afternoon raids, pound Iwo Jima Island; 7 P-38s, with 3 B-24s as navigational escort, fly a strafing mission against Iwo Jima. Other B-24s act as airborne spotters for the naval bombardment of Chichi Jima and Haha Jima Islands.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): In major strikes of the day B-25s hit shore installations along Lingayan Gulf, Luzon Island, and bomb Menado on Celebes Island. B-24s attack Miri Airfield in Borneo. Numerous smaller strikes are flown throughout the Philippine Islands and Netherlands East Indies. A-20s and fighter-bombers attack airfields on Luzon, the C Philippine Islands area and Mindanao Island, fighter-bombers and B-24s hit the Pombelaa and Tondano area, and targets of opportunity on NE Celebes Island. Other FEAF aircraft fly scattered strikes at various targets in Borneo, Lesser Sunda Islands, and Tanimbar Island in the Moluccas Islands. The 4th Fighter Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, arrives on Leyte Island from the US with P-51s. The detachment of the 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, operating from Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47s, returns to base on Biak Island. The 69th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group moves from Nadzab, New Guinea to Biak with C-47s. The 547th Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing [attached to 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium)], moves from Owi, Schouten Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island with P-38s and P-61s.
SATURDAY, 6 JANUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: On Paramushiru Island, 2 B-24s bomb Suribachi Bay Airfield, also hitting buildings and pier areas. 10 B-25s fly single air coverage sorties for a naval task force.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 40 P-40s, P-51s, and P-47s pound the Hankow-Wuchang area; 9 aircraft are claimed destroyed. 4 B-24s bomb the Cap-Saint-Jacques, French Indochina area.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 25: 49 Chengtu, China-based B-29s are dispatched to bomb an aircraft factory at Omura, Kyushu Island, Japan; 28 hit the primary target, 13 bomb a secondary target at Nanking, China while 6 attack targets of opportunity; they claim 4-6-10 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29 is lost. The is the XX Bomber Command's last mission against targets in Japan.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): Bad weather cancels all combat missions. Transports manage 310 sorties, landing men and supplies at advanced bases and dropping supplies to frontline troops. The 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, moves from Myitkyina, Burma to Kalaikunda, India with C-47s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 783: 816 bombers and 622 fighters are dispatched to hit rail and communications targets in W Germany; all but a few attacks are made using Gee-H and H2X; they claim 14-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 1 B-17 and 2 P-51s are lost: 1. 258 B-17s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Worms (62) and Kaiserslautern (34); 64 hit a secondary target, the marshalling yard at Ludwigshafen; targets of opportunity are Annweiler (31), the marshalling yard at Kusel (22) and other (29); some targets are bombed visually; 2 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 55 damaged; 5 airmen are KIA and 2 WIA. Escorting are 109 of 121 P-51s; they claim 14-0-1 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 2 damaged beyond repair (1 pilot KIA). 2. 422 B-17s are sent to hit the Cologne South rail bridge (71) and Cologne North highway bridge (35) and the communications center at Kempernich (72); secondary targets are the Kalk marshalling yard at Cologne (183) and the highway bridge across the Rhine River at Bonn (38); 3 others hit a target of opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 17 damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 219 of 229 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 2 damaged beyond repair (1 pilot KIA). 3. 31 of 130 B-24s hit the highway bridge across the Rhine River at Bonn; 95 hit the secondary target, the Mosel marshalling yard at Koblenz; 1 hits a target of opportunity; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 17 damaged. The escort is 172 of 181 P-51s. 4. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening mission. 5. 36 of 60 P-47s attack the marshalling yard at Siegen. 6. 23 of 23 P-51s fly a scouting mission. 7. 8 of 8 P-51s escort 4 F-5s on a photo reconnaissance mission over W Germany. Mission 784: 6 B-17s drop leaflets over Belgium and the Netherlands during the night.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): 26 bombers of the 9th Bombardment Division strike Prum, Germany. Bad weather prevents all fighter operations.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather precludes all operations except a single reconnaissance mission by 2 P-38s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): Bad weather over N Italy grounds the medium bombers. In Italy, XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter- bombers hit rail lines and bridges in the Genoa-La Spezia coastline area, and bomb vessels in the harbors at Genoa and Imperia. The air echelon of the 417th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth AF (attached to Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force and air echelon attached to the 422d Night Fighter Squadron), based at La Vallon, France, begins operating from Florennes, Belgium with Beaufighters.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 15 B-24s, based on Guam Island, bomb Iwo Jima Island airfields. During the night of 6/7 Jan, 9 B-24s on individual snooper strikes continue to pound the airfields. HQ 508th Fighter Group and the 466th, 467th and 468th Fighter Squadrons arrive at Kahuku, Hawaii from the US with P-47s (the group will serve as air defense for Hawaii, train replacement pilots and ferry aircraft to forward areas).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): In the day's major operations, B-24s bomb Clark Field while B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers blast bridges and targets of opportunity at Calumpit and Plaridel and in nearby S Luzon Island areas and B-24s bomb Nichols Field and Nielson Airfield on Luzon. A-20s, with P-38 cover, bomb Carolina Airfield on Negros Island. B-25s and fighter-bombers hit Mapanget Airfield on Celebes Island. FEAF flies numerous smaller strikes against various points throughout the Netherlands East Indies and Philippine Islands.
SUNDAY, 7 JANUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 5 B-24s bomb Ft Bayard, China and attack shipping in Samah Bay on Hainan Island, claiming 1 vessel sunk.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): Bad weather cancels all combat missions. Transports complete 383 sorties to forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 785: 1,073 bombers and 700 fighters attack communications centers, rail targets, bridges and an oil storage depot in W Germany using PFF methods; 3 bombers and 1 fighter are lost. 1. 265 B-17s are dispatched but hit secondary targets, the marshalling yard at Hamm (109), Paderborn (74) and Bielefeld (74); 2 hit a target of opportunity; all attacks made using H2X radar; 5 B-17s are damaged. Escorting are 197 of 204 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 2. 351 B-17s are dispatched to hit communications centers at Blankenheim (39), Kall (39), Bitburg (110) and Euskirchen (75); 35 hit the Lutzel Bridge at Cologne; all attacks made using Gee-H and H2X; 3 B-17s are damaged; 2 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 159 of 160 P-51s. 3. 147 B-17s are dispatched to hit the bridge at Hohenzollern (14) and the highway bridge at Rodenkirchen (22); 80 hit the secondary target, the Kalk marshalling yard at Cologne; targets of opportunity are Limburg (11), Koblenz (11) and other (1); all attacks are made using Micro H and H2X; 2 B-17s are lost and 10 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 19 MIA. The escort is 91 of 95 P-51s. 4. 304 B-24s are dispatched to hit the marshalling yards at Landau (54), Zweibrucken (64) and Rastatt (99), the rail and communications center at Achern (31) and the railway at Kaiserslautern (26); all attacks made using Gee-H; targets of opportunity hit visually are Durrmenz (8) and Karlsuhe (1); 1 B-24 is lost and 10 damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 9 MIA. Escorting are 94 of 102 P-51s. 5. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening mission. 6. 88 P-47s and P-51s fly a fighter sweep without loss. 7. 12 of 12 P-51s escort 2 F-5s and 2 Mosquitoes on photo reconnaissance missions over Germany. 8. 33 of 33 P-51s fly a scouting mission. Mission 786: 2 B-17s and 5 B-24s drop leaflets during the night in SE Belgium and France.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) fighters escort VIII Bomber Command bombers. All other commands and the 9th Bombardment Division cancel operations as the weather is bad.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Unfavorable weather again curtails operations. 3 P-38s complete photo and weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather grounds the medium bombers and A-20s; XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter- bombers make 6 cuts on the Brenner rail line, damage the W end of the rail bridge at Cittadella, and hit the marshalling yard S of Trento; most of the XXII Tactical Air Command's effort is concentrated against land and water communications in the La Spezia-Genoa area, including attacks on shipping at Savona and San Remo harbors.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 11 B-24s, flying out of Saipan Island, bomb an airfield on Iwo Jima Island. During the night of 7/8 Jan, 10 more B-24s again pound airfields, striking in single-bomber snooper missions over a 7-hour period.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): In major strikes of the day against targets on Luzon Island, large numbers of B-25s and A-20s, supported by P-38s, hit the network of airstrips from Clark Field to Angeles Airfield, B-24s bomb Nielson and Grace Park Airfields and Nichols Field and B-25s and fighter-bombers pound bridges in the Plaridel and Calumpit areas. B-24s raid Padada and Daliao Airfields on Mindanao Island. B-25s and fighter-bombers hit Lembeh Strait and the Langoan areas on Celebes Island. Other FEAF aircraft on small-scale armed reconnaissance missions strike targets of opportunity throughout the Philippine Islands. The 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Tacloban, Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island with B-25s.
MONDAY, 8 JANUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-51s hit targets of opportunity E of Muse and E of Wanling.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 21 B-25s hit troops and supply areas at Nampeng and Mong Long; 74 P-47s and P-38s attack troop concentrations and supply areas at Tunhunghkam, Monguy, Hpa-hpun, and Man Om; and 12 P-47s knock out a bypass bridge at Namhkai. Transports complete 470+ sorties to forward bases and frontline areas. The 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India, sends a detachment to operate from Dinjan, India with C-47s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 787: 736 bombers and 269 fighters are dispatched to make PFF attacks on communications centers, rail targets and bridges in Germany; 2 bombers are lost. 1. 151 B-17s are sent to hit the Wissembourg communications center (36) and highway and rail bridge at Alzey (36); 65 hit a secondary target, the marshalling yard at Speyer; 4 hit a target of opportunity; all attacks are made using Gee-H and H2X; 2 B-17s are damaged beyond repair. 2. 117 B-17s are dispatched to hit communications centers at Kyllburg (37), Schweich (24) and Speicher (37); 12 hit a secondary target, the marshalling yard at Koblenz; all attacks use Gee-H and H2X; 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 24 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 7 WIA and 9 MIA. 3. 24 of 30 B-24s hit the Stadtkyll communications center and 2 hit a target of opportunity using Gee-H without loss. 4. 204 B-24s are sent to hit communications centers at Wittlich (14), Oudler (29), Clerf (18), Burghreuland (31) and Dasburg (30); 2 others hit a target of opportunity; all use Gee-H; 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; 1 airman is WIA. 5. 225 B-17s are sent to hit communications centers at Waxweiller (33) and Lunebach (29); 131 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Frankfurt; 1 hits a target of opportunity; attackers use Micro H and H2X; 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 47 damaged. 6. 219 of 229 P-51s fly a freelance escort mission of all the bombers above without loss. 7. 9 of 9 B-17s fly a screening mission. 8. 29 of 32 P-51 fly a scouting mission. 9. 8 of 8 P-51s escort 2 Mosquitoes on photo reconnaissance missions over Germany. Mission 788: 1 B-17s and 2 of 4 B-24s drop leaflets over St Hubert, Belgium.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): Weather prevents operations. The 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group), moves from Tongres to Rutten, Belgium with L-5s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): In Austria, 300+ B-17s and B-24s bomb the main station yard and N main marshalling yard at Linz plus marshalling yards at Graz, Villach, Klagenfurt, and Salzburg, escorted by 200+ P-38s and P-51s; 30+ other P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort. HQ 1st Fighter Group moves from Salsola Airfield to Vincenzo Airfield, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XXII Tactical Air Command A-20s fly 33 effective sorties in the Po Valley during the night of 7/8 Jan; bad weather sharply reduces daytime operations; of 3 medium bomber missions dispatched, only 1 reaches the target (the Chivasso railway bridge) where only 6 medium bombers bomb through the overcast; less than 20 XXII Tactical Air Command fighters hit scattered targets in the Po Valley; HQ 51st Troop Carrier Wing moves from Lido di Roma to Siena; and HQ 62d Troop Carrier Group moves from Malignano Airfield to Tarquinia. The 437th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 319th Bombardment Group (Medium), begins a movement from Serragia, Corsica to the US (the squadron will convert to A-26s and transfer to the Pacific in Jul 45).
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 26 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb airfields on Iwo Jima Island, while, during the night of 8/9 Jan, 10 more B-24s subject the island to individual snooper strikes over a 6-hour period.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): In the main strikes during the day on Luzon Island, P-51s and P-40s strafe airfields in the Lingayen Gulf area; A-20s pound railroad yards at Cabanatuan, motor convoys between Cabanatuan and Bongalion and between Bongabon and Mojon, Rosales and San Quintin rail installations, bridges at Cuyapo, Paniqui, and near Santa Rosa; P-47s hit rail yards and a truck convoy in the San Jose area; and B-24s and A-20s attack Nichols Field and Nielson, Lipa, and Calingatan Airfields. B-25s with P-47 cover, bomb Fabrica Airfield on Negros Island, while B-24s bomb Likanan Airfield and oil storage at Matina on Mindanano Island. P-38s attack Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields in Borneo. Numerous small-scale attacks over the Philippine Islands and Netherlands East Indies continue.
TUESDAY, 9 JANUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: For the first time the Eleventh radar-bombs with H2X equipment as 4 B-24s hit Suribachi Bay Airfield on Paramushiru Island.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s hit railroad targets, road bridge, and building area NE of Thanh Moi, French Indochina. 25 P-40s, P-38s, and P-51s hit targets of opportunity S, SW, and NE of Wanling, Burma. 8 P-51s bomb railroad repair shops at Sinsiang, China while 3 P-40s hit a road W of Muse, Burma, causing a traffic block.
EASTERN AIR COMMAND
Colonel Minton W Kaye assumes command of the Photographic Reconnaissance Force, a component of the EAC.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 26: 46 B-29s from Chengtu, China are dispatched to bomb the harbor at Kirun, Formosa; 39 hit the target and 6 bomb targets of last resort along the China coast; this raid is the first of several such operations against Formosa in conjunction with the US invasion of Luzon Island.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-47s hit division HQ at Ho-na while 4 others support ground forces in the Si-U sector; 90+ fighter- bombers hit supply areas, tanks, AA positions, and troop concentrations at Man Kat, Tonghsim, Kong-lin, Bawdwin, Mong Tat, and in the Hsenwi vicinity. 488 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 15 B-26s bomb the Rinnthal rail bridge with the aim of isolating 3 enemy armored divisions in the Landau area; XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) fighters escort the B-26s. Weather prevents other operations.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather permits only reconnaissance missions. In Italy, the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, based at Salsola Airfield, sends a detachment to operate from Vincenzo Airfield with P-38s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers attack bridges at Palazzuolo sull'Oglio, Pontetidone, Romano di Lombardia, and an assembly area at Crespellano; fighters and fighter-bombers in an excellent day against communications in the W and C Po Valley and other points in N Italy make numerous rail cuts, destroy or damage many vehicles and trains and effectively hit ammunition and fuel dumps, guns, and strongpoints along the US Fifth Army front in the N Apennines; the 4th and 8th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 62d Troop Carrier Group, move from Malignano Airfield to Tarquinia with C-47s; the 18th and 35th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier Group, move from Ciampino to Rosignano Airfield with C-47s. The 438th, 439th and 440th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 319th Bombardment Group (Medium), begin a movement from Serragio, Corsica to the US (they will convert to A-26s and move to Okinawa in Jul 45).
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 24 B-24s, based on Saipan Island, hit an airfield on Iwo Jima Island which is struck again by 8 B-24s on individual snooper missions during the night of 9/10 Jan.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 18: 72 Mariana Island-based B-29s are dispatched against the Musashino aircraft plant near Tokyo; high winds break up the formations so that only 18 B-29s can bomb the primary target; 34 hit alternates and targets of opportunity; they claim 13-3-11 Japanese aircraft; 6 B-29s are lost.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): Amphibious forces of the US Sixth Army begin landing on the shores of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon Island at 0930 hours local; in N Luzon, B-24s bomb Mabalacat while B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers destroy several bridges and numerous vehicles and trains throughout Luzon, and bomb several airfields; B-24s also hit Nielson Airfield and Nichols Field. FEAF aircraft make small-scale attacks on barges, airfields, and targets of opportunity on Mindanao and Halmahera Islands, the Ceram Island area, N Borneo, and on Timor Island.
WEDNESDAY, 10 JANUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: 3 B-24s on an armed photo mission bomb and photograph Kurabu Airfield on Paramushiru Island, scoring hits on the runway.
CARIBBEAN
(Sixth Air Force):: The 32d Fighter Squadron, XXVI Fighter Command, moves from France Field to Howard Field, Canal Zone with P-39s.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-24s bomb the Cap-Saint-Jacques area of French Indochina. In Burma, 50+ P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s pound various targets of opportunity throughout the Wanling area and 6 P-40s hit targets of opportunity in the Muse area. The 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Yunnani with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Leangshan, China.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 75 fighter-bombers pound troop concentrations, supplies, tanks, artillery, and buildings at Kawnglang, Nampa-chi, Man Namman, Pangkai, Mong Yai, Namhsan, Namyao, Se-ping, Panghai, and in the Hosi area; 17 P-47s knock out a bridge, damage another at Bawgyo and 2 others at Ho-kho; 8 P-47s support ground forces in the Si-U battle sector; 8 others hit supplies and ferry crossing at Ta-mawngtawn. 472 transport sorties are flown to forward bases and frontline areas. The 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Kawlin to Ye-U, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s (a detachment is operating from Inbaung, Burma).
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 789: 1,119 bombers and 362 fighters are dispatched to attack airfields, rail targets and bridges in Germany; most attacks are made using PFF methods; they claim 3-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 10 bombers and 2 fighters are lost: 1. 429 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Rodenkirchen (31) and Deutz (10) highway bridges at Cologne, the South (34) and Hohenzollern (52) rail bridges at Cologne and the marshalling yard at Karlsruhe (105); 20 hit the secondary target, the Gereon marshalling yard at Cologne; targets of opportunity are bridges at Duisburg (11) and Oberkassel (21), Dusseldorf (28) and other (33); some targets hit visually but most by PFF methods; 5 B-17s are lost, 5 damaged beyond repair and 199 damaged; 10 airmen are KIA, 6 WIA and 48 MIA. 2. 233 B-24s are dispatched to hit highway bridges at Steinbruck (23), Schonberg (70), Weweler (60) and Dasburg (20); 1 hits Prum, a target of opportunity; targets are hit using Gee-H; 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 7 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA. 3. 458 B-17s are sent to hit the Hangelar Airfield at Bonn (63); Odendorf Airfield at Euskirchen (98), Osteheim Airfield at Cologne (83) and Gymnich Airfield (52); 43 hit the secondary target, the marshalling yard at Cologne; targets of opportunity are the marshalling yards at Euskirchen (8), Belecke (8) and Duren (12) and other (26); Gee-H is used in bombing with some visual sightings; 5 B-17s are lost, 11 damaged beyond repair and 140 damaged; 5 airmen are KIA, 15 WIA and 52 MIA. 4. The bombers are escorted by 137 of 152 P-51s; 6 P-51s are lost and 1 damaged beyond repair. 5. 123 P-47s and P-51s make a freelance sweep to cover the bombers; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft in the air and 2-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 is lost (1 pilot MIA); 4 P-51s are damaged beyond repair. 6. 13 of 15 P-51s dive bomb the marshalling yard at Neustadt without loss. 7. 6 of 8 P-51s escort 2 Mosquitoes on a photo reconnaissance of the Brux, Czechoslovakia area. 8. 28 of 32 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): 30+ B-26s sent against communications center and road bridge abort due to weather; the XIX Tactical Air Command escorts the B-26s, flies patrols, attacks bridges and other targets and supports the US III, VIII, XII, and XX Corps in the Saint-Hubert, Belgium-Bastogne, Belgium-Wiltz, Luxembourg area, in the Diekirch and Echternach area of Luxembourg and points to the SE.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Weather restricts operations to photo and weather reconnaissance missions. The 27th and 71st Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group, based at Salsola Airfield with P-38s, send a detachment to operate from Vincenzo Airfield, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather restricts operations but fighter-bombers effectively attack communications and supply dumps in the C and N Po Valley; the strikes are concentrated in the N and around Piacenza, and score nearly 50 rail cuts, along with destruction of 80 motor transports and several trains; fuel and ammunition dumps in the Milan area are bombed and a 400-foot (122 m) naval vessel at Venice is destroyed; HQ 64th Troop Carrier Group and the 16th and 17th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Ciampino to Rosignano Airfield with C-47s.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 30 Guam Island-based B-24s operating in 2 separate formations, bomb airfields on Iwo Jima Island; 2 other B-24s, on armed reconnaissance, hit airfield on Woleai Atoll, Caroline Islands. Iwo Jima airfields are hit again on the night of 10/11 Jan by B-24s flying snooper missions from Guam.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s bomb Grace Park Airfield and warehouse area near Manila, A-20s and fighter-bombers pound trucks, trains, railroad yards, railroads, and highways over wide areas of N and S Luzon, and bomb Vigan and Laoag Airfields. About 60 P-40s bomb and strafe the Galela area on Halmahera Island. B-25s and P-38s hit Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island. Other B-25s, A-20s, and fighter- bombers, operating in smaller forces, hit numerous shipping and communications targets, airfields, and other targets throughout the Philippine Islands. HQ XIII Fighter Command moves from Sansapor, New Guinea to Leyte Island. The detachment of the 12th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, operating from Morotai Island with P-38s, returns to base at Sansapor, New Guinea.
THURSDAY, 11 JANUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: In the Kurile Islands, 3 B-24s on an armed reconnaissance to Suribachi on Paramushiru Island, bomb NW of Taro Lake; 5 B-25s hit Kotani Shima.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-25s damage a bridge at Wan Mai-Lo; 12 fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity NE of Wanling, 7 drop napalm on targets of opportunity NE of Muse, and 11 attack targets of opportunity SE of Wanting, China and in the E end of the Wanting River valley.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 27: 47 B-29s out of Calcutta, India are dispatched to bomb 2 large drydocks at Singapore, Malaysia; 25 hit the primary targets; around 15 others bomb Penang Island, Malaysia, Mergui, Burma, and various targets of opportunity; they claim 6-1-17 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-47s support ground forces in the Si-U and Namhkam sectors. 3 others strafe trucks between Namhkam and Selan; troop concentrations, vehicles, artillery pieces, supply areas, and general enemy movement are pounded by 80+ fighter-bombers; 12 B-25s bomb storage buildings in the Lashio area. 509 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. The 6th Fighter Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, based at Asansol, India, sends a detachment to operate from Cox's Bazar, India with P-47s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 790: 2 B-17s and 4 of 6 B-24s drop leaflets in Belgium during the night.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): About 120 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s attack communications centers and rail bridges in Belgium and Germany; fighters escort the bombers, hit an ammunition dump at Mayen, Germany, and patrol areas around Malmedy, Belgium and NE of Trier, Germany.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather limits operations. P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 10/11 Jan, A-20s attack targets of opportunity in the W Po Valley; clearing weather during the day enables an increase of fighter and fighter-bomber attacks in the Po Valley and in the US Fifth Army battle area in the N Apennines; many ammunition and fuel dumps, rail lines, trains, and vehicles are pounded, and an alcohol refinery at Piacenza is severely damaged.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 23 B-24s from Saipan Island pound airfields on Iwo Jima Island; the bombing of Iwo Jima is continued during the night of 11/12 Jan, by 3 B-24s flying individual snooper strikes from the Mariana Islands. The 6th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command (attached to 318th Fighter Group), moves from Kipapa, Hawaii to East Field, Saipan Island (a detachment has been operating from Saipan with P-47s and P-61s since Jun 44; a detachment operates from Kipapa, Hawaii until May 45).
(Twentieth Air Force): The 3d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Heavy), 311th Photographic Wing (attached to XXI Bomber Command), moves from Saipan Island to Guam Island with F-13s (the squadron flies photo, electronic and weather reconnaissance missions in the W Pacific).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): Large numbers of B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers concentrate on communications targets throughout N Luzon Island and attack airfields, communications, and town areas in S Luzon, the C Philippine Islands, and on Mindanao Island. B-25s and P-38s attack Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island. HQ 308th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from Leyte Island to Luzon.
FRIDAY, 12 JANUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s again damage a bridge at Wan Mai-Lo, Burma. 35 fighter-bombers pound targets of opportunity around Wanting, China and Muse, Burma.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the battle sectors at Si-U and at Lawa on the Irrawaddy River; 70+ fighter-bombers hit troops, supplies, vehicles, and general enemy movement at Namsa-lap, Longmao, Hsa-ihkao, Mangpu, Pangnim, and near Lashio, Hsipaw, and Hsenwi. Transports fly 544 sorties, landing men and supplies at forward bases and dropping supplies to troops in battle sectors.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): All combat operations are cancelled because of weather.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): For the fourth consecutive day, all bombing operations are cancelled by bad weather. P-38s fly photo and weather reconnaissance and escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather severely curtails operations, but fighters and fighter-bombers of the XXII Tactical Air Command score successfully against communications targets in W and C Po Valley, claiming 50+ rail cuts and destruction or damage of 100+ vehicles.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 28 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb airfields on Iwo Jima Island; 3 B-24s, on armed reconnaissance from Saipan Island, bomb Marcus Island. Iwo Jima is hit by snooper strikes during the night of 12/13 Jan, by 4 B-24s from the Mariana Islands.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): B-24s bomb the San Jose del Monte area and bivouac areas on N Luzon; other B-24s hit Legaspi, and Batangas Airfields on Luzon, and Matina Airfield on Mindanao Island while B-25s bomb Fabrica warehouses on Negros Island.
SATURDAY, 13 JANUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s blast 6 storage buildings at Kengtung, China. 3 others damage a bridge at Hawng Luk, Burma. In China, 31 P-51s, P-38s, and P-40s hit targets of opportunity in the Wanting area; 16 P-51s hit targets of opportunity around Shanhsien, Chiatsochen, and Chaling.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 fighter-bombers hit Aungban Airfield while 4 others support ground forces along the Irrawaddy River at Molo; 20+ fighter-bombers hit horses and vehicles at Hsa-ihkao, buildings at Man Ping, and troops at Mankang and Man Sang. Transports fly 556 sorties to forward areas. The detachment of the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating from Dinjan, India with C-47s, returns to base at Kalaikunda, India.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 791: 958 bombers and 469 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards and Rhine rail bridges mostly by PFF methods; they claim 6-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 bombers and 2 fighters are lost: 1. 367 B-17s are sent to hit the Mainz rail bridge (31), the Gustavsburg rail bridge at Mainz (95) and the Bischofsheim marshalling yard (119); 74 hit the secondary target, the Mainz marshalling yard; targets of opportunity are Euskirchen (13) and other (7); most attacks are made using Micro H but some formations bomb visually; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 126 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 4 WIA and 19 MIA. Escorting are 79 of 80 P-51s; 3 are damaged beyond repair. 2. 276 B-24s are dispatched to hit rail bridges at Worms (86) and Rudesheim (89) and the Kaiserslautern marshalling yard (87); 1 hits a target of opportunity; most attacks are made using Gee-H but some formations bomb visually; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 39 damaged; 2 airmen are WIA and 10 MIA. The escort is 114 of 118 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair. 3. 315 B-17s are sent to hit rail bridges at Germersheim (71, using Gee-H) and Maximiliansau (159) and rail and highway bridges at Mannheim (76) visually; 1 hits a target of opportunity; 5 B-17s are lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 9 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA, 7 WIA and 42 MIA. Escorting are 77 of 82 P-51s; 2 are damaged beyond repair. 4. 102 P-47s and P-51s fly a freelance fighter sweep supporting the bombers; they claim 3-0-0 aircraft in the air and 3-0-1 on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair. 5. 45 of 45 P-51s fly a fighter-bomber mission against Mannheim, Trier, etc without loss. 6. 20 of 28 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss. 7. 4 of 4 P-51s escort an F-5 on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 95 9th Bombardment Division bombers strike road and rail bridges at Dasburg, Steinebruck, and Simmern to disrupt enemy movements; fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, Eighth AF, and RAF bombers, fly armed reconnaissance and patrols, and bomb and strafe numerous ground targets. The IX Tactical Air Command supports the US VII Corps near Houffalize, Belgium, the XIX Tactical Air Command supports the US III, VIII, XII, and XX Corps elements in the Saint- Hubert, Belgium-Bastogne, Belgium-Wiltz, Luxembourg areas and points E and S near the Clerf River, Luxembourg and the Mosel River, Germany.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): For the fifth successive day no bombing operations are flown. Weather permits only reconnaissance and escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, Bad weather prohibits all but weather reconnaissance and a scramble mission, all uneventful.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 14 Saipan Island-based B-24s hit an airfield on Iwo Jima Island; 2 B-24s from Guam and Saipan Islands, again raid the airfields on the night of 13/14 Jan.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-24s hit the Tarlac barracks and storage area, Batangas Airfield, and troop concentrations at San Juan, Del Monte, Muzon, and San Vicente, P-47s fly a sweep from Laguna de Bay to Tarlac, destroying parked aircraft and vehicles and A-20s hit the town of Batangas and nearby railroads and highways, and bomb Lucena and Calingatan Airfields. Also the N Luzon area is hit throughout the day by small raids. HQ 18th Fighter Group and the 12th Fighter Squadron move from Sansapor, New Guinea to Lingayen, Luzon Island with P-38s (the 12th has been operating from Morotai Island since Nov 44).
SUNDAY, 14 JANUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 27 B-24s, supported by 45 P-51s and P-40s, pound Hankow; 8 enemy aircraft are claimed destroyed; 7 B-25s hit targets at and W of Kengtung; 42 P-47s, P-40s, and P-51s attack airfields at Wuchang and Hankow; 17 Japanese aircraft are claimed destroyed; 21 P-40s and P-51s hit targets of opportunity in the Wanting area; 5 P-51s blast trucks and buildings at Shanhsien; 8 others attack shipping on the Yangtze River near Anking.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 28: 82 B-29s out of Chengtu, China are dispatched to bomb air installations at Kagi, Formosa; 55 hit the primary target while 1 bombs Heito, Formosa; 22 others hit alternates and targets of opportunity at several points, among them Taichu Airfield, Formosa and Hengyang, China; no B-29s are lost.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit troops, stores area, and knock out 3 bridges near Nampawng and Hay-ti; 26 fighter- bombers support ground forces at Si-U and at Mabein; 60+ fighter-bombers pound supply areas, troop concentrations, and general targets of opportunity at or near Hsenwi, Se-u, Kongnyaung, Kutkai, Mongmit, Manai, and Kawnghka. Transports fly 487 sorties to forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 792: 911 bombers and 860 fighters are dispatched to attack oil refineries and plants in C Germany and highway bridges at Cologne; clear skies allow all bombers to bomb visually; about 250 Luftwaffe fighters attack and the AAF claims 158-0-30 aircraft; 7 bombers and 11 fighters are lost: 1. 370 B-17s are sent to hit oil targets at Derben (186) and Magdeburg (90); 36 hit Hallendorf, the secondary target; targets of opportunity hit are the Osnabruck marshalling yard (8) and other (19); they claim 31-9-7 aircraft; 6 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 121 damaged; 4 airmen are WIA and 149 MIA. Escorting are 295 of 331 P-51s; they claim 89.5-0-14 aircraft in the air and 3-0-5 on the ground; 5 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 3 damaged beyond repair. 2. 348 B-24s are dispatched to hit oil targets at Hallendorf (145), Hemmingstedt (91) and Ehmen (89); 1 hits Wangerooge Island, a target of opportunity; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 80 damaged; 8 airmen are KIA and 1 WIA. The escort is 261 of 295 P-51s; they claim 14.5-0-0 aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 3. 187 B-17s are sent to hit highway bridges at Cologne, the Deutz Bridge (71), the Hohenzollern Bridge (67) and the Rodenkirchen Bridge (36); targets of opportunity are Berg (1) and Cologne (1); 1 B-17 is lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 92 damaged; 4 airmen are WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 40 of 42 P-51s; they claim 9-0-5 aircraft; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 1 pilot is WIA. 4. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening mission without loss. 5. 116 P-47s and P-51s fly a sweep over N Germany and claim 42-0-6 aircraft; 2 P-47s and 1 P-51 are lost (pilots MIA); 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair. 6. 30 of 32 P-51s fly a scouting missions without loss. 7. 19 of 22 P-51s escort 12 F-5s and 4 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany. Mission 793: 2 B-17s and 5 B-24s drop leaflets over SE Belgium and Germany during the night.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): 280+ A-20s and B-26s strike bridges and communications centers in the base area of the Ardennes salient and in other areas of W Germany. Fighters escort 9th Bombardment Division and Eighth AF bombers, fly armed reconnaissance and patrols, attack numerous ground targets, and support the US First Army in the Vielsalm, Belgium area and the US Third Army around Diekirch, Luxembourg.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): For the sixth consecutive day bad weather permits only reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather again cancels all combat missions.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24s from Saipan Island and 21 from Guam Island bomb airfields on Moen Island, Truk Atoll; 9 P-38s escort the Saipan B-24s. 12 B-24s from Guam pound an airfield on Iwo Jima Island; 2 B-24s from the Mariana Islands fly snooper strikes against Iwo Jima airfields during the night of 14/15 Jan.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 19: 73 B-29s from the Mariana Islands are dispatched to bomb the Mitsubishi aircraft plant at Nagoya, Japan; 40 hit the primary target and 23 hit alternates and targets of opportunity; they claim 16-7-26 Japanese aircraft; 5 B-29s are lost.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): On Luzon Island, B-25s pound Aparri Airfield while supporting P-51s destroy several parked aircraft; A-20s bomb Clark Field destroying numerous parked aircraft, while B-24s hit troop concentrations at Cabanatuan; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers over wide areas of Luzon hit tanks, trucks, and other vehicles near Norzagaray, Masbate, Tartaro, Bulac, Banglos, and San Felipe; bomb a bridge N of Bocaue; hit airfields at Tuguegarao and Batangas on Luzon, Malabang on Mindanao Island, and Silay on Negros Island; bomb the Cotabato supply area on Mindanao; and attack numerous other targets. B-25s bomb the Goeroea area in the Moluccas Islands. The 408th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Angaur Island, Palau Islands, Caroline Islands, to Samar Island, Philippine Islands with B-24s.
MONDAY, 15 JANUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 18 B-25s, supported by 20 P-51s and P-40s, attack Hankow, China. Others hit the Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma town area and damage a nearby bridge and in China, attack shipping near Amoy, and hit targets of opportunity in the Siang-Chiang and Hsiang River Valleys and from Hong Kong to Foochow. 130+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack numerous targets of opportunity throughout S China from the Burma border to the SE coast.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-24s bomb a troop concentration and the supply area at Mong Ngaw; 6 fighter-bombers damage a bridge at Namhkai; 11 support ground forces along the Irrawaddy River, bombing Mabein, hitting a cable crossing at Myitson, and attacking a ferry landing on the Nampaw River, a tributary; troops, supplies, tanks and targets of opportunity are attacked at several points in N Burma including Mong Tat, Mong Yok and Mong Pa. Transports fly 527 sorties to forward areas. Lieutenant Generals Albert C Wedemeyer, Commanding General China Theater, George E Stratemeyer, Commanding General Eastern Air Command, and Daniel I Sultan, Commanding General India-Burma Theater, confer at Myitkyina, Burma and agree that an AAF HQ to command the US Tenth and Fourteenth Air Forces should be set up in China. The 15th Combat Cargo Squadron, 4th Combat Cargo Group, moves from Argartala to Chittagong, India with C-46s. The 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Inbaung to Kan, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 794: 640 bombers and 782 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards in Germany; they claim 14-0-19 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 fighters are lost. 1. 223 B-17s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Ingolstadt (111) and Freiburg (107); 1 hits the Reudenstadt marshalling yard as a target of opportunity; H2X radar is used to bomb; 5 B-17s are damaged. Escorting are 183 P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair. 2. 75 of 120 B-24 hit the secondary target, the Reutlingen marshalling yard; targets of opportunity are Tubingen (19), Urich (10), the Tubingen marshalling yard (7), Mahlberg (1) and other (1); all attacks are made visually; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair. The escort consists of 109 of 117 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft without loss. 3. 253 of 297 B-17s hit the secondary target, the marshalling yard at Augsburg using H2X radar; targets of opportunity are Bobingen (29) and other (5) bombed visually; 16 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA. The escort is provided by 184 of 204 P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). 4. 156 of 167 P-51s fly a fighter sweep over Germany; they claim 13-0-19 aircraft without loss. 5. 62 of 63 P-51s fly a fighter bomber mission against the marshalling yard at Gensingen without loss. 6. 6 of 7 P-51s escort a Spitfire on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany. 7 29 of 32 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss. Mission 795: 2 B-17s and 7 B-24s drop leaflet on the Netherlands and Germany during the night without loss. HQ VIII Fighter Command moves from Bushey Hall, England to Charleroi, Belgium.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): HQ 64th Fighter Wing moves from Ludres to Nancy, France.
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 16 B-26s hit the Simmern bridge to help thwart movement in the Trier area; the XIX Tactical Air Command escorts the B-26s, flies armed reconnaissance and patrols, and supports the US III and VIII Corps in the Houffalize, Belgium-Bastogne, Belgium-Wiltz, Luxembourg areas.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): 400+ B-24s and B-17s escorted by 270+ P-38s and P-51s, bomb marshalling yards and other railroad communications in NE and SE Vienna, Austria and marshalling yard at Treviso, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, operations resume as the weather clears; medium bombers concentrate on the Brenner rail line, flying nearly 150 sorties against bridges at San Michele all'Adige, Rovereto, Ala, Lavis, Santa Margherita d'Adige, and Motta di Livenza; the XXII Tactical Air Command attacks communications in the Po Valley and further N, destroying or damaging several bridges and a very large number of railway cars (most of them at the Como marshalling yard); during the night of 14/15 Jan, A-20s hit targets in the Po Valley, including Po River crossings at Borgoforte, Piacenza, and San Benedetto Po.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 12 B-24s from Saipan Island hit airfields on Iwo Jima Island; 2 B-24s, operating singly from Guam Island and Saipan, strike Iwo Jima airfields during the night of 15/16 Jan.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack objectives on Luzon Island, in the C Philippine Islands, and on Palawan Island, hitting highways, railroads, airfields and numerous targets of opportunity including tanks, trucks, and other vehicles. B-24s also bomb Jesselton Airfields in Borneo. The 318th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, moves from Nadzab, New Guinea to Leyte Island with C-47s.
TUESDAY, 16 JANUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25s and 8 P-40s destroy a train N of Hankow and 8 B-25s pound Wanting. 180+ P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over vast expanses of China S of the Yangtze River and from the Burma border to the S China Sea attack numerous targets of opportunity; the Muse, Burma and Wanting and Changsha, China areas are hit especially hard.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s attack a troop concentration and supply dump at Namtoi; 15 P-47s support ground forces near Yenya-u and S of Shadaw; 22 bomb airfields at Anisakan and Nawnghkio; a troop concentration, supplies, town areas, vehicles, and other targets are attacked by 40+ fighter-bombers; the 71st Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)] moves from Sahmaw to Katha with UC-64s, L-1s, L-4s and L-5s. Transports fly 550 sorties to forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 796: A planned major strike at oil and industrial targets in Germany is cancelled by weather; 627 bombers and 693 fighters are dispatched to hit oil targets; 2 B-24s and 1 P-51 are lost; due to heavy fog a large percentage of the bombers are diverted to various landing fields in the UK and on the Continent: 1. 364 B-24s are sent to hit the Rothensee synthetic oil plant at Magdeburg (61) and the oil plant at Ruhland (67); secondary targets hit are the marshalling yard at Dresden (138) and a tank factory at Magdeburg (61); 5 others hit a target of opportunity; targets are bombed visually and using H2X radar; 2 B-24s are lost and 8 damaged beyond repair; 3 airmen are KIA, 20 WIA and 22 MIA. Escorting are 368 of 392 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 7 damaged beyond repair. 2. 263 B-17s dispatched hit secondary targets, the marshalling yard at Dessau (146) and 2 aircraft engine plants at Bitterfeld (96); 4 others hit targets of opportunity; all attacks are made using H2X radar; 2 B-17s are damaged beyond repair; 1 airman is KIA and 3 WIA. The escort is 194 of 203 P-51s. 3. 68 P-47s and P-51s fly a sweep. 4. 19 of 20 P-51s fly a scouting mission. 5. 5 of 7 P-51s escort a Spitfire on a photo reconnaissance mission on Berlin and Misburg. Mission 797: 1 B-24 drop leaflets on Belgium during the night.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): 311 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s hit road and rail bridges, communications centers, motor transport repair center, and other targets in Germany; fighters escort 9th Bombardment Division and Eighth AF bombers, fly armed reconnaissance and defensive patrols, and support US First Army elements along the battleline NE of Houffalize, Belgium, and the III Corps along the battleline SE of Houffalize.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather restricts operations to reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions by 30 P-38s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 15/16 Jan, A-20s exploit a break in the bad weather and blast motor transport around Genoa and NE of Milan; during the day bad weather returns, grounding the medium bombers and limiting fighter-bombers to 16 completed sorties against communications in the Po Valley and NE Italy; the 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Malignano to Peretola Airfield, Florence with F-5s.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 10 B-24s from Guam Island bomb an airfield on Iwo Jima Island; 12 P-38s from Saipan Island assigned to high cover for the B-24 strike fail to make contact with the formation due to bad weather; 3 of the fighters strafe beached vessels. 3 B-24s fly snooper strikes against Iwo Jima airfields during the night of 16/17 Jan.
(Twentieth Air Force): 32 of 44 B-29s of the 313th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) fly a shakedown mission against the airfield on Pagan Island, Mariana Islands. Units arriving at North Field, Guam Island from the US: HQ 316th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy); HQ 19th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and the 28th, 30th and 93d Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) with B-29s (first mission 12 Feb 45).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): In the day's principal strikes B-24s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers pound Japanese concentrations, trains, trucks, and targets of opportunity on Luzon Island. Other B-24s hit airfields in N Borneo and on Halmahera Island. B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers on small raids, armed reconnaissance, and harassing strikes hit airfields on Negros Island and airfields, communications targets, trains, trucks, and other targets of opportunity throughout Luzon. HQ 86th Fighter Wing moves from Sansapor, New Guinea to Luzon. The 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Biak Island to Lingayen, Luzon with F-5s. The 70th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, ceases operating from Morotai Island with P-38s and begins a movement to Luzon. The 547th Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing (attached to 308th Bombardment Wing) moves from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Lingayen, Luzon with P-38s and P-61s.
WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s bomb the town area, river shipping, and trucks at Ishan and 3 B-25s and 8 P-40s pound sampans and storage areas W of Hengshan while 2 B-25s hit an oil dump and other targets of opportunity in the Hsiang River Valley and another blasts a troop compound at Chaling. 4 B-25s damage a bridge at Phu Lang Thuong, French Indochina. 180+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s hit a large number of targets of opportunity from the Burma border to Shanghai, China, concentrating on the Wanling, Burma area and airfields in the Shanghai, Wuchou, and Wuchang, China areas.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 29: 77 of 92 B-29s from Chengtu, China bomb the airfield at Shinchiku, Formosa; 8 other hit alternates and targets of opportunity in SE China; 1 B-29 is lost.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 B-25s demolish 2 bypass bridges at Ho-hko; 8 pound the village of Mansam; 20 P-47s support ground forces along the Irrawaddy River, hitting targets at Konkha, Onbaing, and Wabyudaung; troop concentrations and supplies are bombed by 75 fighter- bombers at Nawngchio, No-na, Man Hpa-yaw, Man Namket, Nanhu, Panghai, Mong Nge, and Ho-Pok. Transports fly 489 sorties to forward bases and frontline areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 798: 700 bombers and 362 fighters are dispatched to make visual attacks on oil refineries at Hamburg and Harburg and Gee-H and H2X attacks on rail targets; 9 bombers and 7 fighters are lost: 1. 158 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Rhenania (40) and Albrecht (34) oil refineries at Hamburg and the U-boat base at Hamburg (73); 1 other hits a target of opportunity; 4 B-17s are lost and 88 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 39 MIA. Escorting are 61 P-47s and P-51s; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair. 2. 78 of 84 B-24s hit the Rhenania oil refinery at Harburg; 1 other hits Borkum Airfield as a target of opportunity; 4 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 57 damaged; 7 airmen are WIA and 44 MIA. Escort is provided by 46 of 55 P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA). 3. 458 B-17s are sent to hit the Paderborn marshalling yard (397) and the Schildesche rail viaduct at Bielefeld (37); 4 others hit a target of opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost and 6 damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. The escort is 108 of 118 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 4. 80 of 87 P-51s fly a fighter sweep against a rail target without loss. 5. 25 of 28 P-51s fly a scouting mission; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): Weather cancels all bomber operations and limits the fighters; the XIX Tactical Air Command flies a night patrol while the IX Tactical Air Command flies a leaflet mission and patrols the XIX Corps area around the Hurtgen Forest, Germany.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Continued bad weather cancels all operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers, taking advantage of improved weather conditions, attack 6 rail targets on the Brenner rail line, blocking the line at Calliano, cutting tracks at Ora, and destroying a section of the bridge at Sacile; in NE Italy fighters and fighter-bombers concentrate their large effort on rail lines and bridges, destroying 4 and damaging another, cutting tracks at numerous points, and blasting vehicles and trains; HQ 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) and the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron move from Rosia and Malignano respectively to Florence/Peretola with A-20s, B-25s and F-5s.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 14 B-24s from Saipan Island pound airfields on Iwo Jima Island; 3 from Guam Island, on armed reconnaissance flight, bomb Marcus Island in the N Pacific; 2 B-24s, from Guam and Saipan, fly individual harassment strikes against Iwo Jima during the night of 17/18 Jan.
(Twentieth Air Force): HQ 29th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and the 6th, 43d and 52d Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) arrive at North Field, Guam Island from the US with B-29s (first mission is 16 Feb).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): In principal strikes of the day on Luzon Island, B-24s bomb railroad yards at Legaspi while B-25s hit roads and railways E of Manila, destroying many railroad cars and troop-laden trucks. Other B-24s pound the Daliao area on Mindanao Island and Talisay Airfield on Negros Island. B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers continue to fly small strikes and armed reconnaissance against bridges, shipping, port areas, airfields, trucks, and other targets of opportunity throughout Luzon and in the C Philippine Islands. The air echelon of the 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Lingayen, Luzon with F-6s and P-40s (ground echelon is enroute from Morotai Island to Lingayen).
THURSDAY, 18 JANUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: 3 B-24s fly an unsuccessful reconnaissance mission to Kurabu Airfield on Paramushiru Island; one of the B-24s force- lands in the USSR on the return trip.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 29 B-24s bomb and 25 P-40s pound shipping and railroad targets at Hong Kong; 7 B-25s bomb Ishan and Chinchengchiang, 4 B-25s and 12 P-40s hit shipping in the Puchi area, 4 B-25s bomb the town of Wanting, and 2 hit troop compounds at Chaling. 11 B-25s and 12 fighter-bombers attack Phu Lang Thuong, French Indochina. About 140 P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over S China from the Burma boundary to Hong Kong attack a huge variety of targets of opportunity.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 23 P-47s and P-38s hit Anisakan and Hsumhsai Airfields; 12 B-25s bomb the airfield at Nawnghkio; 20+ P-47s support ground forces at Si-U and near Yenya-u and Mahlainggon; troops, supplies, and general targets of opportunity are attacked at Antawsai, Mong Nak, Namhpakka, Mong Yok, Loi-pyek, Kyawnghkam, Pangnok, and in the Namtu vicinity. 529 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. In India, the detachment of the 6th Fighter Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, operating from Cox's Bazar, India with P-47s returns to base at Asansol.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 799: Bad weather limits operations; 114 of 114 B-17s attack the marshalling yard at Kaiserslautern without loss; most are diverted to bases on the Continent after the raid because of heavy clouds; escort is provided by 105 of 113 P-51s with the loss of 3 aircraft and pilots. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening mission and 4 of 4 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): HQ IX Tactical Air Command returns to operational control of the Ninth AF (from the RAF Second Tactical AF) as the US First Army returns from the Twenty First Army Group to the Twelfth Army Group. In Belgium, HQ IX Tactical Air Command (Rear) returns to Verviers from Charleroi. Weather prevents all Ninth AF operations except for alert flights by 11 fighters of the IX and XXIX Tactical Air Commands. The 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group), moves from Rutten to Spa, Belgium with L-5s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): Weather prevents bombing operations; P-38s and P-51s fly photo reconnaissance and escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 17/18 Jan, A-20s attack Po River crossings, lights and movement throughout the Po Valley; during the day medium bombers pound targets on the Brenner line, including a temporary bridge between San Michele all'Adige and Ora, and an overhanging cliff over the railroad at San Ambrogio di Valpolicella; fighters and fighter-bombers blast communications lines in NE Italy and fuel and supply dumps in the Piacenza area, destroying numerous railroad tracks, trains, and vehicles, and causing explosions or fires in most of the dumps.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 19 Saipan Island-based B-24s bomb targets on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima Islands, damaging the naval base and the town of Okimura on Chichi Jima. 10 B-24s from Guam Island pound an airfield on Iwo Jima Island. During the night of 18/19 Jan, 3 B-24s continue snooper strikes against Iwo Jima airfields. In Hawaii, HQ VII Fighter Command moves from Hickam Field to Ft Kamehameha.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): B-25s blast the Cotabato area on Mindanao Island. B-24s bomb targets in the Miti area of Halmahera Island, and on Luzon Island, B-25s hit troop concentrations at Bamban, A-20s hit warehouses and highway traffic N of Bataan, and P-38s strafe parked aircraft at Tuguegarao and vehicles at Enrile and Butigui and Calarian on Mindanao. A variety of FEAF aircraft fly small-scale raids and armed reconnaissance missions against road and rail targets, bridges, airfields, and numerous targets of opportunity throughout the Philippine Islands. The 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, based on Biak Island, begins operating from Hill Field, Mindoro Island and Dulag, Leyte Island with C-46s and C-47s. The 67th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak to Tinauan, Leyte with C-46s and C-47s.
FRIDAY, 19 JANUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: 1 B-24 flies a radar ferret mission over Shimushu and Onnekotan Islands in the Kurile Islands; 2 other B-24s hit Matsuwa and Onnekotan Islands.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s bomb Monguy, Burma and vicinity, 5 bomb Ishan, China, and in French Indochina, 8 hit shipping and rail targets at Song Cau, and 4 hit shipping, railroad targets, and a bridge at Do Len. About 115 P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over S China and N French Indochina attack a great variety of targets of opportunity covering especially in the Wanting, China area.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s bomb troops and stores at Na-mon and near Hsenwi; 28 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Si-U and Namhkam battle sectors and along the Irrawaddy River near Yenya-u, Kyaukpyu, and Myitson; 4 others bomb a causeway in the lake at Mogok; troops, supplies, and artillery are hit by 80+ fighter-bombers at Tonghsim, Konghsa, Mankang, Mong Pa, Pangkawlong, Saihkao, Man Hio, Man Mao, and other locations in N Burma. Transports complete 500+ sorties to forward areas.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 800: 2 B-17s and 9 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany during the night.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): Bad weather cancels bomber operations; fighters fly patrols and armed reconnaissance; the XIX Tactical Air Command also supports elements of the US III and VIII Corps NE of Houffalize, Belgium and around Clervaux, Luxembourg, and the 5th Infantry Division around Bettendorf, Germany.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): In Yugoslavia, 400+ B-17s and B-24s attack N and S marshalling yards, a railroad bridge, and a highway bridge at Brod; because of overcast, only 1 of 112 bombers sent against the Zagreb marshalling yard bombs the target while others abort; 46 P-38s bomb the S railroad bridge at Doboj and 59 P-51s sweep from Zagreb to Gyor, Hungary. Other P-38s fly reconnaissance missions and reconnaissance escort and cover Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force (MATAF) B-25s on a supply run.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 18/19 Jan, A-20s bomb motor transport movements, lights, roads, and railroads throughout the Po Valley; weather cancels medium bomber operations and prevents fighter-bombers from completing the XXII Tactical Air Command's only mission airborne during the day.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 7 B-24s from Saipan Island bomb harbor installations at Chichi Jima Island; 9 from Guam Island hit airfields on Iwo Jima Island; 7 B-24s escort photo planes over the Bonin and Kazan Islands and 1 bombs Iwo Jima; during the night, 3 B-24s on individual snooper strikes from the Mariana Islands bomb Iwo Jima.
(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 20: 80 B-29s are dispatched to hit the Kawasaki aircraft plant at Akashi, Japan; 62 hit the primary target and 9 others bomb alternates and targets of opportunity; they claim 4-4-8 Japanese aircraft.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): In principal missions of the day, B-24s and B-25s bomb La Carlota and Bacolod Airfields on Negros Island. On Luzon Island, A-20s attack shipping at Salomague and Callaguip and B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack throughout Luzon, hitting airfields, vehicles, storage areas, highways, and a variety of other targets. HQ 433d Troop Carrier Group moves from Biak Island to Tanauan, Leyte Island. The 70th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, arrives at Lingayen, Luzon from Sansapor, New Guinea with P-38s.
SATURDAY, 20 JANUARY 1945
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
ALASKA
(Eleventh Air Force):: 4 B-24s bomb the Kataoka area on Shimushu Island, Kurile Islands.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s hit a bridge and railroad cars near Hanoi, French Indochina. In China, 3 B-25s attack targets of opportunity W of Hengshan, 2 hit a troop compound and other targets at Chaling and Anjen, and 1 damages a small freighter in the E China Sea; 32 P-51s pound airfields in the Shanghai area, claiming 22 aircraft destroyed; 200+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over vast S China and N French Indochina areas attack bridges, town areas, rail, road and river traffic, and other targets of opportunity at numerous points. The detachment of the 22d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), operating from Yunnani, China with B-25s, returns to base at Yangkai.
(Twentieth Air Force): Brigadier General Roger M Ramey officially becomes Commanding General XX Bomber Command.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 fighter-bombers support ground forces along the Irrawaddy River near Mabein, Shadaw, and Myitson; 8 others hit an ammunition dump at Namhkai and a supply dump at Kutkai; also hit are troop concentrations, supply areas and targets of opportunity at Kyaunghkam, Panghung, Kawnglom, Namhsan, Loi-kang, and in the Hsenwi area. 482 transport sorties are flown to advanced bases and battle sectors. HQ 80th Fighter Group moves from Tingkawk Sakan to Myitkyina, Burma. In India, the 127th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda with UC-64s and L-5s, sends a detachment to operate from Cox's Bazar (first mission is today).
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: Mission 801: 772 bombers and 455 fighters are dispatched to hit synthetic oil plants at Sterkrade and rail targets and bridges in W Germany using H2X radar; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 bombers and 3 fighters are lost: 1. 36 of 309 B-17s hit the Holten oil plant at Sterkrade; 225 hit the secondary target, the marshalling yard at Rheine; 1 B-17 is lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 68 damaged; 8 airmen are KIA, 33 WIA and 61 MIA. Escorting are 189 of 199 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 2. 187 of 223 B-17s hit the Heilbronn marshalling yard; 8 hit the secondary, the Pforzheim marshalling yard and 2 hit a target of opportunity; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 18 damaged. Escort is provided by 39 of 48 P-51s without loss. 3. 170 of 230 B-17s hit the Mannheim marshalling yard and rail bridge; targets of opportunity are Stuttgart (24), Mannheim (21) and other (1); 1 B-17 is lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 29 damaged. The escort is 130 of 137 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 4. 36 of 39 P-51s fly a fighter sweep in the Frankfurt area; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA). 5. 16 of 16 P-51s fly a sweep in the St Vith/Duren area without loss. 6. 16 of 16 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): Bomber operations are cancelled due to weather; fighters fly armed reconnaissance, alerts, and night patrol; the IX Tactical Air Command also supports the 7th Armored Division on the Dutch- German boundary.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): The tactical organization of the Fifteenth AF becomes fully developed when a supply-dropping group, the 15th Special Group (Provisional), organized on 18 Jan, is given control of the 859th (B-24) and 885th (B-17) Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) which drop supplies in France, Italy, and Yugoslavia. [In Mar, the 15th Group will be redesignated the the 2641st Special Group (Provisional) and with its units attached to the Twelfth AF for operational control, the Fifteenth retaining administrative control]. 345 B-17s and B-24s attack N and S main marshalling yards and station sidings at Linz, Austria, marshalling yards at Salzburg, Austria and Rosenheim, Germany, and oil storage at Regensburg, Germany; fighters escort the bombers and fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers destroy 1 and damage another bridge near San Michele all'Adige, and score good coverage on the Trento marshalling yard; the XXII Tactical Air Command fighter-bombers very successfully blast communications and fuel and ammunition dumps in the Po Valley.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA
(Seventh Air Force): 12 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb airfields on Iwo Jima Island; 5 from Saipan Island hit the town of Okimura on Chichi Jima Island; during the night of 20/21 Jan, 10 B-24s from Guam fly separate snooper strikes against Iwo Jima airfields. The 163d Liaison Squadron, AAFPOA (attached to Tenth Army) arrives at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii from the US with L-5s.
(Twentieth Air Force): Major General Curtis Emerson LeMay takes command of the XXI Bomber Command.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA
( Far East Air Force): B-24s pound Fabrica Airfield on Negros Island and bomb underground storage area at Bamban on Luzon Island. On Luzon, A-20s and B-25s hit railroads and trains near the Bicol River and between Calauag and Legaspi; other A-20s and fighter-bombers hit Aparri-Laoag and Tubang Airfields, hit artillery positions W of Bong Bong and destroy railroad bridge at Aloneros. HQ 35th Fighter Group moves from Morotai Island to Mangaldan, Luzon. The 2d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Angaur Island to Samar Island with B-24s. The 82d and 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, arrive at Lingayen, Luzon from Morotai Island and Dulag, Leyte Island respectively with F-6s and P-40s (82d) and P-40s (110th).
SUNDAY, 21 JANUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS
CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 30 B-24s pound the Hong Kong area; 12 P-51s hit Nanking Airfield (claiming 11 enemy aircraft destroyed) and targets of opportunity along the Yangtze River to Hankow; 30 P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity at several locations; 12 of the fighter-bombers concentrate on the Wanting area.
INDIA-BURMA
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-25s bomb Heho Airfield; 12 P-38s bomb the bridge area at Nampawng; 26 P-47s support ground forces near Twinnge, Mahlainggon, and Konkha along the Irrawaddy River, and in the Si-U sector; 50+ P-38s and P-47s hit troop concentrations, supplies, and targets of opportunity at Me-han, Mogok, Hsenwi, Na-makhkaw, Kutkai, Kunhkan, and Man On. Nearly 500 transports sorties are flown to forward areas. Units moving to Myitkyina, Burma: 90th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, from Tingkawk, Burma with P-47s; 115th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], from Ledo, India with L-1s and L-5s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Eighth Air Force):: 2 missions are flown. Mission 803: 912 bombers and 523 fighters are dispatched to hit industrial and rail targets in C Germany using PFF methods with some visual bombing; they claim 8-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 bombers are lost: 1. 379 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard (257) and oil plant (66) at Aschaffenburg; targets of opportunity are the Pforzheim marshalling yard (24) and military vehicle plant at Mannheim (3); Gee-H and H2X are used; 2 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 4 damaged; 18 airmen are KIA and 2 MIA. Escorting are 112 of 139 P-51s. 2. 382 B-17s are dispatched to hit the marshalling yard (254), Lanz military vehicle factory (21) and highway and rail bridges (16) at Mannheim; targets of opportunity are the Pforzheim marshalling yard (16), Speyer (4) and other (3); bombing is by Micro H and H2X; 6 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 53 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA, 12 WIA and 55 MIA. The escort is 138 of 150 P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft on the ground. 3. 152 B-24s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Heilbronn (68) using H2X; targets of opportunity bombed visually are the marshalling yard at Pforzheim (11), the communications centers at Arnbach (14) and Mannheim (1) and Reutlingen (1); 4 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 2 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 120 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 6-0-1 aircraft on the ground. 4. 26 of 26 P-51s fly a scouting mission. 5. 6 of 7 P-51s fly an armed photographic mission over Politz. 6. 22 of 23 P-51s escort 4 F-5s on a photo reconnaissance mission over Germany. Mission 804: 2 B-17s and 9 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France and Germany during the night without loss.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 166 A-26s, A-20s, and B-26s hit a rail junction and bridge at Euskirchen and marshalling yard and defended positions at Mayen; fighters fly armed reconnaissance, escort bombers, bomb bridges, and support the US 7th Armored Division.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS
(Fifteenth Air Force): 170 B-17s bomb the Lobau and Schweehat oil refineries at Vienna, Austria; 131 P-51s and P-38s provide support. 43 P-38s bomb an oil refinery at Fiume, Italy. Other fighters escort reconnaissance missions and accompany supply-dropping operations to Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather restricts operations during the night of 21/22 Jan to armed reconnaissance by 5 A-20s; the A-20s bomb communications targets in the Po Valley. During the day B-25s hit bridges at Rovereto and Lavis, destroy a bridge at Pontetidone, and blast a railroad fill at San Michele all' Adige, and supply dump at Cremona; fighters and fighter-bombers concentrate on communications in the same area as the medium bombers, destroying 1 bridge, inflicting 36 rail cuts, hitting fuel and ammunit