Date: Thu, 30 Jun 1994 07:01 -0400 (EDT) From: jem3@donuts0.bellcore.com (mc killop) Subject: USAAF JUN 44 COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES JUNE 1944 FTP SITES 1. ftp.rutgers.edu in directory pub/wwii/usaf 2. byrd.mu.wvnet.edu (129.71.32.152) in pub/history/military/airforce/ wwii_chronology AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: A-20, Douglas Havoc A-26, Douglas Invader A-36, North American Apache 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-47, Douglas Skytrain C-53, Douglas Skytrooper F-5, Lockheed Lightning F-6, North American Mustang L-5, Stinson Sentinel P-38, Lockheed Lightning P-39, Bell Airacobra P-40, Curtiss P-47, Republic Thunderbolt P-51, North American Mustang P-61, Northrop Black Widow THURSDAY, 1 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s from Shemya Island, Aleutian Islands photograph and bomb installations at Buroton Bay, Kurile Islands, including a suspected seaplane base and the harbor area. Of 2 B-25s and 4 P-38s taking off for a guardship cover mission, 3 aircraft abort with engine trouble; 2 other B-25s fly a negative antishipping sweep. ZONE OF INTERIOR (ZI, HQ AAF): The AAF Redistribution Center, HQ at Atlantic City, New Jersey, is redesignated AAF Personnel Distribution Command. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 7 B-25s pound bridges at Songon and Bongyaung and hit the Imphal, India-Tiddim road; 20+ others fly ammunition into the Imphal area. 19 P-40s hit targets in the Myitkyina area. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 fighter-bombers hit the Chenghsien railroad yards; 18 fighter-bombers bomb docks, a gunboat, and barracks in the Chiuchiang area and strafe about 300 troops at Sanyenchiao; 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, moves from Suichwan to Lingling with P-51s; 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, moves from Karachi, India to Fungwanshan with P-47s; and during Jun, the 449th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, moves from Suichwan to Kweilin with P-38s. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, around 100 B-26s bomb airfields and coastal defense batteries from the Belgian border to the Cherbourg Peninsula. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): HQ 464th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 776th, 777th, 778th and 779th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) move from Gioia to Pantanell Airfield, Italy with B-24s. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium, light and fighter-bombers continue support of ground troops, striking concentrations, bivouac areas, motor transport, railways and roads, bridges, trains and other targets; fighters fly sweeps over the battle areas, escort medium bombers and carry out sweeps along the E coast; 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, moves from Sardinia to Pomigliano with P-39s; and during Jun, HQ 64th Fighter Wing moves from Frattamaggiore to Orbetello. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, hit Ponape Island, Caroline Islands. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): HQ XIII Bomber Command moves from Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands to Los Negros Island, Admiralty Islands. In the Bismarck Archipelago, 9 B-25s bomb Matupi Island and on New Britain Island, 3 hit the SE part of Rabaul and 12 others pound personnel and the supply area NE of Tobera; 30+ P-38s and P-40s hit Talili Bay supply areas; and 5 medium bombers hit a barge hideout and buildings on Duke of York Island. In the Solomon Islands, 30+ P-39s attack Tonolai, Arigua and Arawa on Bougainville Island and barges at Sohano Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb Amboina on Ambon Island and Kai Island in the Moluccas Islands and Boeroe Island in the Sunda Islands. In New Guinea, B-25s and A-20s attack targets of opportunity in the Kaukenau area, at Ransiki and on Noemfoor and Biak Islands; A-20s, B-25s and P-39s hit villages, bivouac, and other targets of opportunity in the coastal area from Wakde Island to Hollandia; the bombing of the Wewak-Hansa Bay coast continues. FRIDAY, 2 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, 2 B-24s, finding Shimushiru Island overcast, bomb and photograph Matsuwa Island (the secondary) during dawn. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-25s continue to fly ammunition into the Imphal, India area. 12 B-24s airborne against Yenangyaung, Burma fail to hit the primary but unload against alternates in the area. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 80+ P-40s and P-51s pound troops and vehicles at Tungcheng and Chungyang and strafe a concentration of about 75 sampans on Tungting Lake. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The role of the heavy bombers from 2-5 Jun in preparation for the invasion of Normandy on 6 Jun includes continuation of attacks against transportation and airfield targets in N France and the institution of a series of blows against coastal defenses, mainly located in the Pas de Calais coastal area, to deceive the enemy as to the sector to be invaded (Operation COVER). Mission 384: In the morning, 521 of 633 B-17s and 284 of 293 B-24s hit V- weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 11 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 1 WIA and 1 MIA. Mission 385: In the afternoon, 242 B-17s are dispatched to railroad targets in the Paris area; 163 hit the primaries, 49 hit Conches Airfield, 12 hit Beaumont-sur-Oise Airfield and 1 hits Caen/Carpiquet Airfield; 77 B-24s are dispatched to Bretigny Airfield in France; 13 hit the primary target, 47 hit Creil Airfield and 14 hit Villeneuve Airfield; 2 B-17s and 5 B-24s are lost, 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 90 B-17s and 37 B-24s damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 4 WIA and 68 MIA. 3 of 7 P-38s hit the Ostend Bridge, Belgium without loss. 3 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the Atlantic. During the evening, 5 B-17s drop leaflets on targets in Belgium and France; and 18 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER operations. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): A special conference for ground liaison officers is held by 21 Army Group officers who present a detailed exposition of the plan for the landings in Normandy. In France, about 350 B-26s and A-20s bomb NOBALL (V-weapon) targets and coastal defense batteries along the English Channel coast; P-38s and P-47s dive-bomb targets in the area, including V-weapon sites, fuel dump, railroad junctions and bridges. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Shuttle-bombing between Italy and the USSR (Operation FRANTIC) is started. Under command of Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker, 130 B-17s, escorted by 70 P-51s, bomb the marshalling yard at Debreczen, Hungary and land in the Soviet Union-the B-17s at Poltava and Mirgorod, the P-51s at Piryatin. 1 B-17 is lost over the target; 27 other B-17s, forced off course en route to the Oradea, Rumania marshalling yard, also hit Debreczen. Nearly 400 other B-24s attack marshalling yards at Szeged, Miskolc and Szolnok, Hungary and Simeria, Rumania. P-51s and P-38s provide escort. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers attack road and rail bridges from N of the battle area just below Rome to areas N of Rome; fighter-bombers continue to blast motor transport, railways, trains, command posts, roads, and bridges in the battle area, having particularly good success against vehicles. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): In the Gilbert Islands, B-25s based on Makin Island, strike Nauru Island. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 24 B-24s pound the Nordup area and 48 P-38s, P-39s, and P-40s attack the Vunakanau area. 30+ P-39s attack the airfield at Buka, Buka Island, Solomon Islands, and supplies in the Kara-Kahili area of Bougainville Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25s bomb the Kaukenau-Timoeka area while B-24s bomb positions N of Mokmer Airfield; B-24s and B-25s hit bivouacs NE of Sawar airfield and near the Wiske River and bomb roads along W bank of the Orai River; B-24s, P-39s, and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airplanes hit the Wewak area; C-47s of the 65th and 66th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 433d Troop Carrier Group, cease operating from Tsili Tsili and return to base at Nadzab. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands. SATURDAY, 3 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-25s and 2 P-38s fly guardship cover; 2 other B-25s fly a negative shipping search. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 B-25s pound the Imphal, India- Tiddim road while a few P-40s hit the Mogaung area; the B-25 ammunition lift to the Imphal area continues. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-40s support ground forces at Watien and Tatangtzu, destroy 2 barges and damage others in the Gulf of Tonkin, and strafe 40 barges carrying horses and troops in the Tungting Lake area N of Nanhsien; B-25s, P-40s, and P-51s pound the Pingkiang area. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): In Operation COVER, two missions, both designated Mission 388, are flown. In the first, 219 of 238 B-17s and 120 of 124 B-24s attack coastal defenses in the Pas de Calais, France area, bombing a total of 22 targets; 21 B-17s and 24 B-24s are damaged; no casualties. Escort is provided by 91 P-38s and 129 P-47s. In the second raid, 97 of 102 B-17s and 98 of 104 B-24s hit 16 of the same targets hit in the morning; 2 B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 102 P-38s, 34 P-47s and 83 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost and 1 P-38 is damaged; 1 airman is MIA. During the night, 23 B-24s participate in CARPETBAGGER operations in France. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 250+ B-26s and A-20s bomb airfields, highway bridges, and coastal defense batteries in N France; 400+ P-38s and P-47s dive-bomb targets in NW Europe. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather drastically curtails operations. In Yugoslavia, 36 B-24s bomb the waterfront area of Omis and 38 hit the port area and W part of Split. Fighters sent to strafe targets of opportunity in the target areas abandon the mission because of low clouds over the targets. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers pound bridges in C Italy, further damaging the enemy's communications system; fighter-bombers continue close support of embattled ground forces immediately S of Rome and attack several bridges N of the city to hinder a possible withdrawal of enemy forces; light bombers attack ammunition and fuel dumps. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s staging through Eniwetok Atoll, strike Truk Atoll in a pre-dawn raid; B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, bomb Nauru Island. HQ 15th Fighter Group moves from Wheeler Field to Bellows Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): All scheduled strikes on the Rabaul area of New Britain Island are cancelled due to weather conditions. 20+ P-39s, turned back from the Rabaul area, hit the Tsundawan-Porton road, vehicles in the Komai area, and AA position at Kara on Bougainville Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25s, A-20s and B-24s hit Timoeka Airfield and nearby villages, shipping off Manokwari, Seroei Village on Japen Island, positions N of Mokmer, and strafe Mokmer, Sorido and Kamiri Airfields; P-38s and P-47s battle fighters over Biak Island and over the Babo area; P-47s and P-40s hit Sawar Airfield, supplies and fuel dumps in the Sarmi and Orai River areas, and hideouts and occupied areas along the coast; B-24s and fighter-bombers maintain consistent pounding of numerous targets in the Wewak-Hansa Bay coastal region; HQ 49th Fighter Group moves from Hollandia to Biak Island; and the ground echelon of the 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Saidor to Biak Island; the air echelon operates from Saidor with P-39s. B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Eten and Dublon Islands, Truk Atoll. SUNDAY, 4 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s fly an uneventful reconnaissance over Shimushiru Island; fuel shortage and equipment failure prevent flying to Matsuwa Island (the secondary). Later, a B-25 and 2 P-38s fly a guardship cover mission. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ P-40s hit the Myitkyina area while 19 others hit various points in N Burma, including Haka, Kamaing, Kamasaing, Tagwin, and Bilumyo. B-25s continue the ammunition lift to Imphal, India. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-40s bomb artillery positions and targets of opportunity in the Watien area of the Salween battle front. Others bomb railroad targets of opportunity in NE French Indochina. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Three mission are flown to France. In the first mission (Mission 389), the effort is to be divided between the Pas de Calais (COVER) area and the Normandy assault (NEPTUNE) area, however, D-Day is postponed 24 hrs and the NEPTUNE force is cancelled. 183 of 201 B-17s and 51 of 56 B-24s attack 7 targets in the Pas de Calais area; 10 B-17s are damaged; no casualties. Escorting are 130 P-47s and 42 P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost; no casualties. In the second mission (Mission 390) 222 of 246 B-17s and 53 of 68 B-24s bomb 8 coastal defense positions in the same area using PFF; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 12 B-17s and 6 B-24s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA. The third mission consists of 263 B-17s and 185 B-24s hitting airfields, railway junctions and bridges; of the B-17s, 96 hit the Massey/ Palaiseau railroad bridge, 50 hit the Versailles/Metelots railroad bridge and 34 hit the Villeneuve/St George railroad bridge; of the B-24s, 23 hit Brourges Airfield, 72 hit the Romorantin/Prunieres Airfield, 56 hit the Avord Airfield, 55 hit the Bretigny Airfield and 8 hit the Melun bridges; 1 B-17 and 3 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; 34 B-17s and 27 B-24s are damaged; 10 airmen are KIA and 4 WIA. Escort is 135 P-47s and 277 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; no casualties. 2 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the UK and the Atlantic. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 300+ B-26s and A-20s bomb highway bridge and coastal batteries; almost 200 P-47s and P-51s dive- bomb bridges, railroad junction, rolling stock and targets of opportunity. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 550+ B-17s and B-24s attack communications in NW Italy and on both sides of the Franco-Italian frontier. In France, B-17s hit the Antheor railroad viaduct and Var River railroad bridges. In Italy, B-24s hit the marshalling yards at Genoa, Turin, Savona and Novi Ligure, the viaduct at Recco, and the railroad bridges at Orelle and Gad. Fighters fly 200+ sorties in support of the heavy bombers. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers hit railroad bridges in NC Italy; fighter-bombers concentrate on motor transport on roads N of Rome over which the enemy is retreating as US Fifth Army columns converge on the city amidst an enthusiastic welcome by the populace; a record number of 600+ motor transport are claimed destroyed and almost as many more damaged by AAF and Royal Air Force (RAF) units of the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force (MATAF). PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the night B-24s, staging through Eniwetok Atoll, hit Truk Atoll; B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, follow with a daylight raid on Ponape Island. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Bad weather again prevents strikes against the Rabaul area of New Britain Island. On Bougainville Island, P-39s flying a total of 55 sorties, blast a truck park near Komai, strafe huts at Doure, and attack a pier at Tunuru; 9 P-38s weathered out of the Rabaul strike the Tonolai supply area; and a lone B-25 bombs Kahili. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s bomb the town and harbor at Manokwari and shipping to the E in Geelvink Bay; B-24s bomb Namber and Borokoe Airfields while fighters battle enemy airplanes in the general area; B-24s bomb the area near the Orai River mouth while A-20s hit Wewak and fighter-bombers pound the Hansa Bay coast; a detachment of the 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, ceases operating from Tadji with C-47s and returns to base at Nadzab. MONDAY, 5 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s bomb Bhamo and 4 hit the bridge at Ledan Chaung, while others continue ammunition haul into Imphal, India; 50 fighter-bombers pound the Myitkyina area and 20+ others hit Loilaw, Tagwin, Namti, and Mogaung. In India, HQ 3d Combat Cargo Group and 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Combat Cargo Squadrons are activated at Sylhet with C-47s. With this activation, the following squadrons, which have been operating from bases in India since Apr 44, will shortly return to their bases in Italy and Sicily: 4th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, to Gaudo Airfield, Italy and 16th, 17th, 18th and 35th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier Group, to Comiso, Sicily. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 P-40s support ground forces at Watien and Lameng on the Salween front; 18 B-24s and 12 P-40s bomb Lashio; 7 B-24s blast the barracks and warehouse area at Namhkam; 8 P-40s hit 15 tanks at Taying; 29 P-40s attack numerous oil barges near Yuankiang, leaving 16 of them burning. STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): The Twentieth Air Force flies its first B-29 combat mission. Of 98 B-29s airborne from India, 77 bomb the primary target-the railroad shops at Bangkok, Siam; 5 B-29s are lost to non-battle causes. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 392: 423 of 464 B-17s and 203 of 206 B-24s hit coastal defenses in the Le Havre, Caen, Boulogne and Cherbourg, France areas; 4 B-17s and 2 B-24s are lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 37 B-17s and 39 B-24s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 10 WIA and 47 MIA. Escorting are 127 P-47s and 245 P-51s; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost and 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair. Mission 393: In France, 7 of 8 P-51 fighter-bomber attack a truck convoy near Lille; the 8th P-51 bombs Lille/Vendeville Airfield; no losses. In preparation for D-Day, 3 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the UK and the Atlantic Ocean. During the night, 11 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions; 1 B-24 is lost over Belgium. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 100+ B-26s bomb coastal defense batteries; 100+ P-47s dive-bomb targets in the same area. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, 440+ B-17s and B-24s hit targets; B-17s hit railroad bridges at Pioppi and Vado; and B-24s hit marshallying yards at Bologna, Castel Maggiore, Forli, Ferrara, Faenza and 4 railroad bridges; P-38s and P-51s fly escort; 53 P-38s strafe Ferrara and Poggio Renatico Airfields and 40 strafe and dive-bomb airfields at Bologna and Reggio Emilia. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers pound road bridges just N of the forces retreating from Rome while fighter-bombers continue attacks against motor transport, railway lines and roads in the battle areas and N of Rome, destroying many vehicles and train cars, and scoring numerous hits on bridges, tracks, and roads, as most of the US Fifth Army assault forces cross the Tiber River in pursuit of the enemy and British Eighth Army forces E of Rome prepare to advance astride the Tiber River against Terni and Rieti. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin Island, hit Nauru Island; B-24s from Eniwetok Atoll escort photo aircraft over Guam Island, Marianas Islands, bomb the island, and proceed to Los Negros Island for rearming. B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll strike Ponape Island. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 23 B-25s bomb a truck park at Rabaul; 22 P-39s strike Ratawul; 11 P-38s hit barges and buildings in the Vulcan Crater area. On Bougainville Island, 30+ P-39s hit vehicles in the Komai-Tobago vicinity, a wooded supply area N of Buka airfield, Buka Island, and Cape Tanabom and Kangu Hill areas. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, P-39s and RAAF aircraft attack the Wewak area; B-24s bomb the area N of Sorido airfield; during the night of 5/6 Jun an all-night series of harassing raids by Japanese airplanes destroy several Allied aircraft on Wakde Island; 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Hollandia to Biak Island with P-38s; and 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Gusap to Tadji with P-39s. TUESDAY, 6 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 B-25s attack the Waingmaw, Wuntho-Hopin area, and Imphal, India-Tiddim road; others maintain ammunition lift into Imphal; 24 A-36s, 11 P-51s, and 45 P-40s pound Myitkyina; about 40 A-36s and P-40s hit the Mogaung, Mohnyin, Lachigahtawng, Pakhren-Sakan and Kadu areas. In India, HQ 443d Troop Carrier Group moves from Sylhet to Sookerating; and 11th and 12th Combat Cargo Squadron, 3d Combat Cargo Group, move from Sylhet to Dinjan and Fenny respectively with C-47s. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 50 P-40s attack shipping, horses, and troops in the Fulinpu Kweiyi vicinity, 10 P-51s and 6 B-25s pound Tayang Chiang, and 5 B-25s bomb Pailochi Airfield; 9 P-40s hit road and rail targets of opportunity in the Yellow River area; 2 others sink a junk and damage others at Kwangchow Wan. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The Eighth Air Force reaches its top strength as the 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) becomes operational, making a total of 40 heavy bomber groups now operational. Heavy bombers fly 4 missions in support of the Normandy invasion: 1. Mission 394: At first light, 659 of 882 B-17s and 418 of 543 B-24s hit coastal targets in the area of the invasion beaches between Le Havre and Cherbourg; overcast and inability of the bombers to locate (or absence of) PFF leaders causes failure of some units to attack; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 14 B-17s and 1 B-24 are damaged; 12 airmen are KIA, 2 WIA and 13 MIA. 2. Mission 394: The second mission strikes at transportation chokepoints in towns immediately around the assault area; total cloud cover causes 84 B-17s and 259 B-24s dispatched to return with their bombs but 37 B-24s manage to bomb secondary target of Argentan; 2 B-24s are lost and 1 B-17 is damaged; no casualties. 3. Mission 395: The third mission is dispatched against the important communications center of Caen; 58 of 73 B-24s bomb through overcast skies without loss. 4. Mission 395: Transportation chokepoints in towns immediately S and E of the assault area are the objectives of the fourth mission; 325 of 409 B-17s and 125 of 300 B-24s hit targets including Vire, Saint-Lo, Coutances, Falaise, Lisieux, Thury-Harcourt, Pont-l'Eveque, Argentan, and Conde-sur- Noireau; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 11 B-24s and 5 B-17s are damaged; 10 airmen are KIA. In all, 1,729 bombers drop 3,596 tons of bombs during D-Day. The VIII Fighter Command has the threefold mission of escorting bombers, attacking any movement toward the assault area, and protecting Allied shipping. The fighters fly 1,880 sorties including fighter-bomber attacks against 17 bridges, 10 marshalling yards, and a variety of other targets including convoy, railroad cars, siding, rail and highway junctions, tunnel, and a dam. Very little air opposition is encountered. The fighters claim 26-0-8 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 4-0-9 on the ground. Also destroyed are 21 locomotives and 2 carloads of ammunition. Numerous targets are damaged including locomotives, trucks, tank cars, armored vehicles, goods carriers, barges, and tugboats. Targets attacked with unreported results include warehouses, radar towers, barracks, troops, artillery, staff cars, 85 trains, and a variety of other targets. 25 fighters are lost. Mission 396: During the night, 12 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Low Countries. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 800+ A-20s and B-26s bomb coastal defense batteries, rail and road junctions and bridges, and marshalling yards in support of the invasion; 2,000+ fighters fly sweeps, escort for B-26s and C-47s, ground support, and dive-bombing missions over W France. During the preceding night and during the day over 1,400 C-47s, C-53's, and gliders deliver glider troops and paratroops, including 3 full airborne divisions, which are to secure beach exits to facilitate inland movement of seaborne assault troops. A total of about 30 aircraft are lost. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Shuttlebombing (Operation FRANTIC) continues as 104 B-17s and 42 P-51s (having flown to the USSR from Italy on 2 Jun) attack the airfield at Galati, Rumania and return to Soviet shuttle bases; 8 enemy fighters are shot down and 2 P-51s are lost. 570+ other bombers, with fighter escort, hit targets from bases in Italy, i.e., in Yugoslavia, B-17s hit the Belgrade marshalling yard and Turnu-Severin canal installations, and in Rumania, B-24s hit Ploesti oil refineries and the marshalling yard at Brasov. 100th Fighter Squadron, 332d Fighter Group, moves from Capodichino to Ramitelli Airfield, Italy with P-47s. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium, light and fighter-bombers, and fighters all hit communications lines N of Rome to slow the enemy retreat; bridges, road junctions, rail lines, roads, and motor transport are continually attacked throughout the day, as British Eighth Army forces W of the Tiber River reach Civita Castellana and US Fifth Army forces push N and W toward Viterbo and Civitavecchia; HQ 324th Fighter Group and 314th Fighter Squadron move from Pignataro Maggiore to Le Banca Airfield with P-40s; 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, moves from Santa Maria to Nettuno with F-6s; and 523d Fighter Squadron, 27th Fighter Group, moves from Santa Maria to Le Banca Airfield with P-47s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s returning to Eniwetok Atoll from Los Negros Island (where they rearmed after bombing Guam Island the previous day) hit Ponape Island. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): P-38s bomb a supply dump near Nordup, New Britain Island. On Bougainville Island, P-39s and US Navy (USN) aircraft hit vehicles near Hari; other P-39s pound a pier and buildings in SE Kahili. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s and B-25s bomb shipping near Efman and Waigeo Islands; A-20s hit the airfield at Babo, and A-20s and B-25s hit Namber Airfield and tanks near Mokmer; and P-39s, A-20s and RAAF aircraft continue to pound the Wewak-Hansa Bay area, hitting supply dumps and hideouts. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s hit islands in Truk Atoll. WEDNESDAY, 7 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-24s bomb Wuntho and Kalemyo; 9 B-25s hit the Wuntho-Shwebo railroad and bridge at Thityabin; other B-25s continue flying ammunition to Imphal, India; and a few P-51s hit Lachigahtawng. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 B-25s bomb Lashio and targets of opportunity along the Salween front; 3 B-25s and 15 fighter-bombers bomb tank concentrations at Taying, destroy several locomotives at Linfen, and pound railroad yards at Chenghsien; and P-40s and B-25s strafe sampans at Fort Bayard and sink a schooner off Nampang Island. 2 rocket-firing P-40s damage a processing building at the carbide mines at Na Duonp, French Indochina. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The Allied Expeditionary Air Force (AEAF) directs air attacks against congested points to delay movement of more enemy forces into the assault area. In the first mission (Mission 397) in the morning, 182 B-17s and 291 B-24s, including 20 PFFs, are dispatched; of the B-17s, 58 hit Conde sur Noireau, 60 hit Flers, and 54 hit Falaise; of the B-24s, 66 hit Argentan, 19 hit Vascoeuil, 61 hit Laigle and 83 hit Lisieux; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 17 B-17s are damaged; 8 airmen are KIA and 3 WIA. In the second mission (Mission 398) in the afternoon, 487 B-17s and 88 B-24s are dispatched; the primary targets for the B-17s are Nantes (190 bomb) and the Kerlin/Bastard Airfield (132 bomb); 23 B-17s hit Niort and 40 hit the Nantes Bridge; the primary target for the B-24s is Tours/La Roche (12 bomb) and 13 hit Pouance, 13 hit Blain, 13 hit Chateaubriand, 25 hit Laval Airfield, 12 hit Vitre and 3 hit Tours; 1 B-17 and 1 B-24 are lost, 1 B-17 and 7 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 78 B-17s and 96 B-24s are damaged; 21 airmen are KIA, 12 WIA and 12 MIA. Heavy cloud prevents almost 100 others from bombing targets. VIII Fighter Command furnishes area support for beachhead areas in the early morning and to heavy bomber operations at midday and in the late afternoon, at the same time maintaining harassment of communications and flying shipping patrol. 526 P-38s and 294 P-51s patrol the beachhead and provide escort in N France; they claim 2-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 0-0-2 on the ground; 8 P-51s are lost; 1 airman is KIA and 7 MIA. 505 P-47s and 148 P-51s engage in general strafing over N France and claim 29-1-12 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 25-0-12 on the ground; 10 P-47s and 4 P-51s are lost and 3 P-51s are damaged beyond repair; 1 airman is KIA and 12 MIA. Mission 399: 10 B-17s drop leaflets over The Netherlands, France and Belgium. 14 B-24s participate in CARPETBAGGER operations in France. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 600+ B-26s hit bridges, junctions, trestles, coastal and field batteries, and marshalling yards in France in support of the invasion; 1,100+ fighters support ground troops by dive bombing and strafing, escort B-26s and C-47s, and make sweeps throughout the battle area as Bayeux is liberated and the Bayeux-Caen road is cut; and 400+ C-47s, C-53's, and gliders resupply paratroops in the assault area. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The Fifteenth Air Force reaches its planned operational strength of 21 heavy bomber groups and 7 fighter groups as the 332d Fighter Group begins operations with P-47s. In Italy, 340 B-17s and B-24s, some with fighter cover, hit Leghorn dock and harbor installations, Voltri shipyards, Savona railroad junction, and Vado Ligure marshalling yard; 42 P-38s bomb the Recco viaduct and 32 P-47s fly an uneventful sweep over the Fenara-Bologna area. In France, the Antheor viaduct and Var River bridge are hit. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather hampers medium bomber operation but several rail and road bridges and viaducts are attacked; fighter-bombers blast retreating motor transport and troops, and hit bridges N of Rome; numerous vehicles are destroyed immediately N of Rome and especially in the Subiaco area near Rome; many hits are scored on roads and railroads, and several railroad cars and gun emplacements are destroyed; the US Fifth Army captures Civitavecchia; 315th and 316th Fighter Squadrons, 324th Fighter Group, move from Pignataro Maggiore to Le Banca Airfield with P-40s; and 522d and 524th Fighter Squadrons, 27th Fighter Group, move from Santa Maria to Le Banca Airfield with P-47s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin Island bomb Ponape Island. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): All scheduled strikes in the Rabaul area of New Britain Island are weathered out. P-39s and P-38s hit several targets of opportunity on Bougainville Island, including occupied areas at Monoitu. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25s bomb Biak Island, hitting pun positions near Bosnik, the airstrip at Sorido, and Borokoe road; A-20s hit shipping in the Manokwari area; B-25s blast supply areas near the Orai River; fighter-bombers and A-20s continue pounding the Wewak-Hansa Bay coast. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s hit various targets in Truk Atoll (weather permits only 10 of the 48-airplane force to reach the target area). THURSDAY, 8 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-24s mine the Bangkok, Siam and Mergui, Burma areas. B-25s maintain the ammunition supply to Imphal, India. In Burma, 9 B-25s pound the Imphal, India-Tiddim road and a few A-36s and P-51s hit the enemy in the Mogaung area. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 19 P-40s bomb docks, warehouses and military installations at Ichang and Shasi and strafe 2 cavalry units at Nanying; 4 P-51s attack railroad traffic in the Singtai-Chengting area. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 400: 1,178 bombers and 1,353 fighter sorties are flown on communications in France to isolate German forward elements, and airfields are bombed to prevent Luftwaffe support. Cloud conditions prevent 400+ bombers from executing attacks. 1. 640 B-17s are dispatched to La Frilliere (66 bomb), Orleans (36 bomb), Rennes Airfield (30 bomb), Orleans/Les Aubrais marshalling yard (60 bomb), Nantes (25 bomb), La Huchetiere (31 bomb), Tours/La Riche (61 bomb) and Cinq Mars bridge (57 bomb); 18 hit Bruz, 2 hit Rennes and 13 hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 63 damaged; 11 airmen are KIA and 10 MIA. 2. 538 B-24s are dispatched to Pontaubault (67 bomb), Angers/St Laud (24 bomb), Angers (19 bomb), Le Mans/Arnage Airfield (14 bomb), Pontaubault (13 bomb), Nantes (42 bomb) and Cinq Mars bridge (55 bomb); 5 hit Dinon, 1 hits Precey, 1 hits Cinq Mars bridge, 30 hit Grandville Harbor, 19 hit a bridge at Rennes, 9 hit Precey and 26 hit targets of opportunity; an attack on the Melun bridge by an Azon unit is foiled by clouds; 2 B-24s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 73 damaged; 17 airmen are KIA, 4 WIA and 20 MIA. Escort for the bombers is provided by 116 P-51s; they claim 3-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-51s are lost and 1 is damaged beyond repair. Other fighter-bomber missions are: 1. 381 P-38s, 24 P-47s and 89 P-51s fly sweeps and patrols along the Normandy beachhead and the Channel area; P-47s claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 P-51s are lost; 1 P-38 and 1 P-51 are damaged beyond repair. 2. 333 P-47s and 526 P-51s fly fighter-bomber missions against communications in NW France; they claim 27-2-4 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 21-0-11 on the ground; 6 P-47s and 11 P-51s are lost; 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair. Overall, the fighters fly 1,405 sorties and attack nearly 75 targets; 1 pilot is KIA and 21 MIA during the day. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Around 400 B-26s attack rail and road bridges and junctions, rail sidings, marshalling yards, town areas, fuel storage tanks, ammunition dumps, troop concentration and strong points in the Calais, France area. Around 1,300 fighter sorties provide support to B-26s and high cover over the assault area, and bomb and strafe bridges, marshalling yards, gun batteries, rail facilities, vehicles, towns, and troop concentrations. 125th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached principally to Headquarters Command, ETO), arrives at Cheltenham, England from the US with L-5s; first mission is in Aug 44. US STRATEGIC AIR FORCES IN EUROPE (USSTAF): General Carl Spaatz, Commanding General, places oil as the first priority target for USSTAF as a result of the destructive effect achieved by several missions against oil centers in May 44. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 52 B-17s, with P-47 escort, bomb the navy yard and drydocks at Pola, Yugoslavia. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather again restricts activity; many medium bomber missions are abortive, though several bridges, railroad lines, and guns are attacked; A-20s hit the town of Bolsena and targets in the surrounding areas; fighter-bombers and fighters continue to patrol battle areas destroying motor transport, and attacking train cars, roads, rail lines, and enemy concentrations, as the US Fifth Army approaches Viterbo and the British Eighth Army pushes toward Orvieto. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the night of 7/8 Jun, B-24s from Eniwetok Atoll bomb Truk Atoll and Ponape Island. B-25s from Makin Island follow up during the day with a strike against Nauru Island. In Hawaii, 72d Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, moves from Haleiwa Field to Mokuleia Field with P-38s; 78th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, moves from Mokuleia Field to Bellows Field with P-47s. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s bomb a supply area at Ratawul, New Britain Island. On Bougainville Island, 32 P-39s bomb Tsirogei and a supply area N of Buka, Buka Island and 6 P-38s hit Monoitu Mission. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25s, P-38s, B-24s and A-20s battle enemy fighters over Manokwari and Efman-Schouten Island areas, bomb a small freighter off Manokwari and hit gun emplacements and occupied areas at Kamiri, at Namber, and near Sorido; P-40s hit supply areas and villages in the vicinity of Sarmi; and A-20s again hit Wewak area. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s from the Admiralty Islands hit Truk Atoll. FRIDAY, 9 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-25s carry out a strike on the Imphal, India-Tiddim road while 20+ others continue to supply ammunition to the Imphal area; 40+ A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s hit Myitkyina, Mogaung and Kadu. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-40s, P-51s and B-25s fly 200+ sorties against numerous targets throughout the Tungting Lake area; river shipping of all description is pounded, several troop concentrations are attacked, airfields at Hankow and Wuchang are bombed, and the towns of Ichang, Siangyin, Yuankiang and Kiaotow are hit; and 4 B-24 and fighter- bomber sorties over the S China Sea result in claims of 3 sea going vessels, a tug and a barge sunk. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Bad weather prevents bomber operations; P-38s attempt to cover shipping in the English Channel; 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) dispatches 5 aircraft but they all turn back due to weather; and 2 B-17s fly weather flights over the UK and the Atlantic Ocean. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 70th Fighter Wing moves from Ibsley, England to Criqueville, France; and 112th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached principally to Headquarters Command, ETO) arrives at Kingston Deverill, England from the US with L-5s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Around 500 B-17s and B-24s attack targets in Germany and Italy; B-17s hit the industrial area and air depot at Munich, Germany; B-24s also hit the industrial area and ordinance depot at Munich and oil storage at Porto Marghera, Italy; P-47s, P-38s and P-51s fly 250+ sorties in support of the Munich raids; the bombers and fighters claim 30+ aircraft destroyed; 13 AAF aircraft are lost. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers again hit enemy communications, bombing bridges with good results; light bombers hit targets of opportunity in the Acquapendente area; fighter-bombers and fighters continue to pound motor transport retreating up the Italian peninsula, and to bomb roads and railways in the path of the enemy retreat, as the US Fifth Army reaches Viterbo, where the British Eighth Army shortly makes contact with it; and 86th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Vesuvious Airfield to Ponte Galeria with A-20s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the night of 8/9 Jun B-24s from Eniwetok Atoll bomb Truk Atoll. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 32 B-25s, 20 P-39s and 5 P-38s pound supplies and gun positions in the Rataaul- Talili Bay area; 5 other B-25s attack a pier at New Massava Plantation and railroad to Mandres Saw Mill. On Buka Island, P-39s hit the town of Buka, a supply area to the N of the airfield, and Arigua Plantation. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb the airfield on Peleliu Island, Palau Islands. In New Guinea, A-20s bomb shipping in Manokwari harbor; B-24s, A-20s, B-25s and P-39s, along with RAAF planes, drop about 140 tons of bombs on various targets in the Wewak area; and 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Gusap to Nadzab with P-47s. B-24s of Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Alet Airfield and targets of opportunity in Truk Atoll. SATURDAY, 10 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 23 B-24s bomb targets at Chauk, Lonywa and Yenangyaung while 29 others supply ammunition to the Imphal, India area; 50 A-36s, P-51s and P-40s blast targets at Myitkyina, Mogaung and Tapo. 315th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Sylhet to Sookerating, India with C-47s. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 23 P-40s and P-51s hit railroad traffic and tracks at Linfen and Loning and a tank concentration at Lingpao; 6 P-40s hit a bridge at Tasa; B-25s, P-40s, P-51s and P-38s carry out 150+ sorties against numerous targets throughout the Tungting Lake area; numerous rivercraft are destroyed or damaged, Kukang and other villages WE of Changsha are bombed, Hankow-Wuchang Airfield revetments and buildings are pounded, the Changshowkai area is blasted and several river landings and storage installations in the lake area are attacked; 3 B-24s on a S China Sea sweep claim 1 small cargo ship sunk; and 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, moves from Hengyang to Lingling with P-51s. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 403: Bad weather restricts operations to NW France; 883 bombers and 1,491 fighter sorties are flown but 200+ bombers abort due to cloud conditions; 1 bomber and 24 fighters are lost. 1. 507 B-17s are dispatched to Equihen (24 bomb), Hardelot (23 bomb), St Gabriel (26 bomb), Gael Airfield (36 bomb), Nantes/Bouguenais Airfield (55 bomb), Vannes Airfield (59 bomb), Berck (26 bomb), Merlimont Plage (39 bomb), and Toucquet-Paris-Plage (10 bomb); 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 36 damaged; 6 airmen are KIA and 4 WIA. 2. 257 B-24s are dispatched to Wimereau (23 bomb), Boulogne (34 bomb), Dreux Airfield (26 bomb), Evreux/Fauville Airfield (65 bomb) and Boulogne (13 bomb); 39 others hit Conches Airfield; 1 B-24 is lost, 2 are damaged beyond repair and 28 damaged; 10 airmen are MIA. 3. 119 B-24s are dispatched to Chateaudun Airfield (45 bomb) and Orleans/ Bricy Airfield (66 bomb) without loss. VIII Fighter Command missions during the day are: 1. 405 P-38s fly sweep and escort; they claim 5-2-1 Luftwaffe aircraft. 2. 3 P-47s and 364 P-51s provided escort for the bombers above; they claim 0-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 7 fighters are lost. 3. 506 P-47s and 213 P-51s fly fighter-bomber missions against communications targets in the beachhead area; they claim 8-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-1 on the ground; 15 P-47s and 2 P-51 are lost; 3 P-47s and a P-51 are damaged beyond repair. During the day, 1 fighter pilot is KIA and 24 are MIA. Mission 404: During the evening, 11 B-17s drop leaflets on Norway and France without loss. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 500+ B-26s and A-20s bomb targets in the assault area including military concentrations, road and rail bridges and junctions, artillery batteries, marshalling yards and town areas; aircraft of 15+ fighter groups fly escort to bombers and transports, and bomb numerous targets in support of the ground assault, including rail facilities, roads, troop concentrations, artillery, and town areas; HQ IX Tactical Air Command moves from Uxbridge, England to Au Gay. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 550+ B-17s and B-24s attack targets in Italy; B-17s hit a marshalling yard at Mestre and oil storage and marshalling yard at Porto Marghera; B-24s hit oil refinery at Trieste, air depot at Ferrara and the town of Ancona. P-51s and P-38s fly escort, and in Rumania, strafe targets of opportunity between Bucharest and the Danube River and S of Craiova, and dive-bomb an oil refinery at Ploesti. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers attack bridges, railroads, and roads N, NE, and NW of Rome; light bombers hit motor transport in the town of Arcidosso; fighter-bombers and fighters bomb and strafe motor transport and roads N of the battle area, destroying numerous vehicles, especially along the roads between Rome and Vetralla; in ground action the Indian 4 Division takes Pescara and Chieti, while the New Zealand 2 Division reaches Avezzano E of Rome; HQ XII Bomber Command is disbanded in Corsica; HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and 84th Bombardment Squadron (Light) move from Vesuvius Airfield to Ponte Galeria with A-20s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll and Ponape Island during the night of 9/10 Jun. B-25s from Makin Island hit Nauru Island during the day. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 8 P-38s skip-bomb supply tunnels at Keravia Bay while 4 others strafe nearby AA positions; AA guns S of Rapopo are attacked by 12 B-25s, 20 P-39s, and 20+ US Navy (USN) dive bombers; other B-25s bomb Ratawul. 31 P-39s and 20+ USN aircraft hit Chinatown at Buka on Buka Island and a supply area NE of the airstrip, a barge at Sohano Island, and on Bougainville Island, trucks near Tsirogei and a ford near Monoitu. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s hit the airfield at Babo, destroying grounded aircraft, a fuel dump, several buildings, and a gun position; A-20s, B-25s, and RAAF aircraft hit the Wewak area with 100+ tons of bombs; HQ 312th Bombardment Group (Light) and 387th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) move from Gusap to Hollandia (Group and 389th) and Nadzab (387th) with A-20s; air echelon of 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, that has been operating from Wakde with B-25s since 25 May, returns to base at Finschhafen. SUNDAY, 11 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 55 A-36s, P-51s and P-40s attack targets at Myitkyina, Mogaung, Indawgyi Lake and Padaung, Burma. In India, 30 B-25s continue flying ammunition to the Imphal area; 9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Pandaveswar to Kurmitola with B-24s; and detachment of 530th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, operating from Kurmitola with P-40s, returns to base at Dinjan. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China's Tungting Lake area 80+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s pound the towns of Lanchi and Anking, hit a cavalry compound at Kintsing, attack Japanese HQ, positions, and river traffic N of Changsha, destroy or damage several boats, barges, and sampans at Changsha, and strafe numerous targets of opportunity throughout the entire region; in the Yellow River area, 27 B-25s and P-40s pound barracks, fortifications, tank concentration, several armored vehicles, and cavalry forces at Iching and Lingpao; 3 B-25s on a sea sweep in the S China Sea claim a 600-ft (183 m) freighter sunk. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 405: Weather prevents operations against priority targets in Germany so the bombers attack targets in France; 1,055 bombers and 914 fighter sorties are flown; over 400 bombers abort or fail to bomb due to clouds and absence or malfunction of Pathfinders; 3 bombers and 8 fighters are lost: 1. 471 B-17s are dispatched to airfields at Beaumont-le-Roger (38 bomb), Bernay/St Martin (50 bomb) and Dinard/Pluertuit (37 bomb), and Toucquet-Paris- Plage (27 bomb), Merlimont Plage (34 bomb), Pontaubault Bridge (50 bomb) and Berck (36 bomb); 33 others hit Conches Airfield and 4 hit targets of opportunity; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 11 damaged; 20 airmen are MIA. 2. 584 B-24s are dispatched to airfields at Cormeilles-en-Vexin (34 bomb), Beauvais/Nivelliers (27 bomb), Beaumont-sur-Oise (36 bomb) and Creil (19 bomb) and Vicomte-sur-Rance (19 bomb), Montford Bridge (18 bomb) and Blois/St Denis (41 bomb); 12 others hit Beauvais/Tille Airfield, 7 hit Poix Airfield, 32 hit Montauban marshalling yard and 52 hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-24 is lost and 14 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 3 WIA and 4 MIA. 87 P-47s and 144 P-51s provide escort for the bombers without loss. Other fighter missions are: 1. 143 P-38s patrol the beachhead and claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft without loss. 2. 77 P-38s, 195 P-47s and 268 P-51s fly fighter-bomber missions against communications targets in NW France; the P-38s claim 3-2-5 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 0-0-1 on the ground; 3 P-38s, 1 P-47 and 4 P-51s are lost; 7 of the 8 pilots are MIA. Mission 406: During the night, 5 B-17s drop leaflets on France and the Low Countries without loss. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 129 B-26s and A-20s bomb rail and road bridges and intersections, rail lines, oil tanks, artillery and town areas, in morning operations; bad weather prevents afternoon operations; 10 fighter groups fly escort and strafe and bomb bridges, railroads, gun emplacements, rail and road traffic and marshalling yards in support of ground troops. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 126 B-17s and 60 P-51s depart Russian shuttle bases for Italy to complete the first FRANTIC operation. On the way 121 B-17s bomb the Focsani, Rumania airfield; 1 B-l7 is lost. 540+ other B-17s and B-24s attack targets in Rumania and Yugoslavia; the B-17s attack the Smederevo, Yugoslavia marshalling yard; the B-24s attack oil installations at Constanta and Giurpiu, Rumania (both raids having fighter escorts); the AAF claims 60 aircraft destroyed during the days missions. 99th Fighter Squadron, 332d Fighter Group (attached to 86th Fighter Group, Twelfth Air Force), moves from Pignataro to Ciampino, Italy with P-47s. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather cancels all light and medium bomber operations; fighter-bombers and fighters operating on a reduced scale, hit vehicles, roads, and bridges N of the battleline which the US Fifth Army's VI Corps has extended 95 mi (153 km) N of Rome; HQ 79th Fighter Group and 85th, 86th and 87th Fighter Squadrons move from Pomigliano to Corsica with P-47s; 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, moves from Nettuno to Galera with F-6s; 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, moves from Pomigliano to La Banca with Beaufighters; and 524th, 525th and 526th Fighter Squadrons, 27th Fighter Group, move from La Banca (524th) and Marcianise (525th and 526th) to Ciampino with P-47s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Eniwetok Atoll hit Truk Atoll during the night of 11/12 Jun. B-25s follow with a raid against Ponape Island during the morning. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 130+ B-25s, P-38s P-39s and USN dive bombers pound AA positions S and SW of Rapopo, New Britain Island. On Bougainville Island, P-39s fly 44 sorties against occupied areas at Komai, Kakaura, and Quaga, AA guns at Kangu Hill, and plantations at Arigua and Tsirogei. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s bomb Sorido Airfield and surrounding areas as US carrier forces attack Saipan, Tinian and Guam Islands in the Marianas Islands; B-25s, A-20s, and P-47s continue to saturate the Wewak-Hansa Bay coastline with bombs; 388th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 312th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Gusap to Nadzab with A-20s. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Dublon Island in Truk Atoll and the airfield on Peleliu Island. MONDAY, 12 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 30+ B-25s continue to supply troops at Imphal, India with ammunition. 16 P-40s hit Mogaung and targets of opportunity in N Burma. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 50 P-40s, P-51s and B-25s hit troop concentrations in the Yellow River area at Lingpao and S of Loyang; in the Tungting Lake area about 100 P-40s and P-51s attack numerous supply boats and other river and lake traffic, and hit dock areas and warehouses at Lanchi, Yuankiang and at scattered points; also hit are villages and troops in the Changsha and Kuanchuang areas; 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force, moves from Gushkara, India to Chengkung with P-51s. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 407: With bad weather over top priority targets in Germany, 1,442 bombers are dispatched against airfields and landing grounds in NE France and rail and road bridges on the Brest Peninsula; 691 of 769 B-17s and 586 of 673 B-24s hit 16 airfields and 6 railroad bridges in the Rennes and St Nazaire area; they claim 1-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17s and 2 B-24s are lost; 1 B-17 and 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; and 188 B-17s and 52 B-24s are damaged; 7 airmen are KIA, 14 WIA and 58 MIA. 988 fighter sorties are flown with the loss of 16 aircraft; 15 pilots are MIA: 1. 234 P-38s, 80 P-47s and 201 P-51s fly escort, sweeps and patrols over the Channel NW of Paris and in the Rennes area; they claim 20-0-8 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 3 P-38s, 1 P-47 and 3 P-51s are lost; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair. 2. 93 P-38s and 183 P-47s fly fighter-bomber missions against 5 railroad bridges in the Tours-Paris area; they claim 5-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-38 and 8 P-47s are lost; 1 each is damaged beyond repair. 3. 45 P-38s and 152 P-51s fly escort for Ninth Air Force A-20s and B-26s. Mission 408: 7 of 7 B-17s drop leaflets on France and Belgium during the night without loss. 16 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 509 B-26s and A-20s bomb marshalling yards, road and rail junctions, bridges, artillery, town areas, troop concentrations and various targets of opportunity; aircraft of 15+ fighter groups fly close and area support for bombers and bomb and strafe rail lines, gun batteries, bridges, fortifications, radar installation, tanks, ammunition dumps, town areas and strongpoints in the battle area. In England, HQ 366th Fighter Group begins a movement from Thruxton to France; HQ 442d Troop Carrier Group and 303d and 304th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Fulbeck to Weston Zoyland with C-47s; and 425th Night Fighter Squadron, IX Air Defense Command, moves from Chormy Down to Scorton with P-61s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers hit bridges, viaducts, and rail lines at Collazone, Perugia, Foligno, Massa Lombarda, Pietrasanta, Cattolica, Pesaro, Arezzo and Bucine; light bombers hit Arcidosso and motor transport in the area; fighter-bombers are restricted by bad weather but attack several bridges and roads in the line of enemy retreat which at its farthest point is N and W of Viterbo; moves in Italy: HQ 86th Fighter Group and 527th Fighter Squadron from Marcianise to Ciampino with P-47s; 5th Combat Mapping Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), from Pomigliano to Nettuno with F-5s; 97th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), from Vesuvius Airfield to Ponte Galeria; and 522d and 523d Fighter Squadrons, 27th Fighter Group, from Le Banca to Ciampino with P-47s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Eniwetok Atoll-based B-24s hit Truk Atoll during the night of 11/12 Jun and again during the day. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 6 B-24s bomb runways at Tobera and Rapopo; 22 P-39s and 10 P-38s join 20+ USN aircraft in attacks on supply dumps near Ralum; and 20 B-25s pound Malapau village. 44 P-39s hit the airfield on Buka Island and on Bougainville Island, Tsirogei plantation, barges and pier S of Kleine Island and the occupied area W of Komai. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, fierce ground fighting continues on Biak Island while Japanese aircraft attack Allied ground forces and shipping offshore; P-47s battle attacking aircraft, shooting down several; P-47s and A-20s hit troop concentrations, communications and various other targets in the Wewak and Hansa Bay areas; 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Saidor to Biak Island with P-39s; and 386th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 312th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Gusap to Nadzab with A-20s. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll and the airfield on Peleliu Island. TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): During the night of 12/13 Jun 6 B-24s dispatched to fly an offensive sweep and provide air cover for a naval task force abort the missions due to weather. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): A few P-51s hit Mogaung, Burma. In India, 39 B-25s fly ammunition to the Imphal area; HQ 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) and 81st, 83d and 434th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Tezgaon to Pandaveswar (group and 83d) and Madhaiganj Airfield (81st and 434th) with B-25s; and 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, AAF, India-Burma Sector, arrives at Guskhara from the US with F-5s. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 18 B-25s and 56 fighter-bombers pound the marshalling yard at Wuchang; about 70 other B-25s and fighter- bombers attack a variety of other targets in the Tungting Lake region, including many river vessels, the airfield at Pailochi, troop positions NE of Changsha, warehouse and factory area at Shasi and numerous general targets of opportunity; 12 fighter-bombers hit Japanese HQ and barracks at Loyang; 4 B-24s over the S China Sea claim 1 cargo vessel sunk; 4 P-40s pound Japanese positions at Watien and Kaitou; and 491st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Yangkai, sends a detachment to operate from Kweilin and Liuchow with B-25s. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) The first V-1 "buzz bomb" lands in S England; more land during the night of 13/14 Jun, and throughout the rest of the month. STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Bad weather cancels large-scale bombing of high priority targets in Germany; overcast bombing against tactical targets in NW France is undertaken: Mission 409: In the first mission of the day cloud cover is less than anticipated and visual runs are made by 129 of 139 B-17s against Evreux/ Fauville Airfield (37 bomb), Dreux Airfield (52 bomb) and St Andre de L'Eure (40 bomb); 30 B-17s are damaged; escort is provided by 101 of 113 P-51s dispatched; they claim 4-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft. Mission 410: In the second mission, 112 B-17s and 260 B-24s are dispatched: 1. B-17s to Beaumont-sur-Oise Airfield (41 bomb) and Beauvais/Nivelliers Airfield (56 bomb); 15 B-17s are damaged. 2. 148 B-24s to Dinard/Pleurtuit Airfield (10 bomb), Ploermel Bridge (26 bomb), Vannes Bride (19 bomb), Vicomte-sur-Rance Bridge (24 bomb), Montfort- sur-Meu Bridge (21 bomb), Porcaro Bridge (12 bomb) and 3 others hit targets of opportunity; 2 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 16 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 19 MIA. Escort for Mission 410 is provided by 12 P-38s, 47 P-47s and 174 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost and the pilot is MIA. Other fighter sorties during the day are: 1. 97 P-38s are dispatched on fighter-bomber missions (58 bomb) and 17 hit La Poissonniere Montjean; 2 P-38s are lost and the pilots are MIA. 2. 199 P-47s are dispatched to La Port Boulet (90 attack), Montlouis (24 attack), transport targets (33 attack) and Chinon (31 attack); they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair; 2 pilots are MIA. 3. 35 P-51s fly escort for fighter bombers. 4. 12 P-38s and 35 P-47s escort Ninth Air Force bombers. 5. 62 of 64 P-38s fly patrol over the English Channel. Mission 411: 8 of 8 B-17s drop leaflets on France during the night. 6 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions over France. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 397 B-26s and A-20s bomb rail and road junctions, marshalling yards and fuel dumps in the assault areas; aircraft of 9 fighter groups escort the bombers and attack bridges, marshalling yards, troop areas, rail and road traffic, gun emplacements, ammunition dumps and other targets. 305th and 306th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 442d Troop Carrier Group, move from Fulbeck to Weston Zoyland, England with C-47s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 560+ B-17s and B-24s, most with fighter escorts, attack targets in Germany and Italy; B-17s attack aircraft component plants at Munich-Allach; B-24s marshalling yards at Innsbruck and Munich, Germany and the industrial area at Porto Marghera, Italy; they claim 30+ Luftwaffe aircraft shot down; 10 AAF aircraft are lost and several others are missing. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers bomb shipping at Leghorn with excellent results and score numerous hits on bridges, viaducts, rail lines, and roads in NC Italy; fighter-bombers continue to disrupt the German retreat over the entire area N of the battle zone as the British Eighth Army's 13 Corps pushes toward Orvieto and 10 Corps reaches Terni; 85th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Vesuvius Airfield to Ponte Galeria with A-20s; and 314th Fighter Squadron, 324th Fighter Group, moves from Le Banca Airfield to Montalto Di Castro with P-40s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): An attack during the night of 12/13 Jun by B-24s from Eniwetok Atoll against Truk Atoll and Ponape Island is followed by a daylight attack by Makin Island-based B-25s against Nauru and Ponape Islands. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 9 P-38s and 23 P-39s hit Ralum and AA positions to the S; 24 B-25s bomb Tobera AA guns and airfield; 15 others, in 2 waves, bomb Praed Point; and 6 B-24s also bomb Tobera. 31 P-39s and 12 USN aircraft attack supply dumps at Buka on Buka Island and Tapsadawato, Bougainville Island, bomb approach to the Abia River bridge, and hit a garden area at Tabago all on Bougainville Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 100+ A-20s and a few B-25s and P-39s attack miscellaneous targets in the Wewak area; P-39s hit the area around Hollandia and P-47s bomb a bridge over the Orai River and fuel dumps near Sarmi; and A-20s blast enemy positions N of Borokoe. B-24s bomb the Liang Airstrip on Ambon Island, Moluccas Islands. B-24s from Los Negros Island bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll and Woleai and Satawan Atolls in the Caroline Islands. WEDNESDAY, 14 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-24s fly extensive photo reconnaissance over the C and N Kurile Islands; they are attacked by about 20 fighters of which 3 are damaged. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): A few P-40s hit the Mogaung, Burma area. In India, 21 B-25s continue ammunition supply to the Imphal vicinity; and 436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Majhaiganj to Tezgaon with B-24s. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 43 P-40s attack river shipping, troops and villages in the Tungting Lake area, at or near Lanchi, Changsha, Chulianchiao and Linyang. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 412: Bad weather again covers all strategic targets in Germany except one in the extreme N; a major effort is against tactical objectives, mainly in France; 1,357 of 1,525 bombers dispatched hit the targets listed below; 14 bombers are lost: 1. 502 B-17s are dispatched to hit airfields in France, i.e.,: Le Bourget (134 bomb), Coulommiers (24 bomb), Creil (25 bomb), Bretigny (69 bomb), Melun (50 bomb), Creil (66 bomb) and Etampes (69 bomb); they claim 0-5-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 11 B-17s are lost and 139 damaged; 6 airmen are KIA, 14 WIA and 97 MIA. 2. 466 B-24s are dispatched to hit airfields at Chateaudun (103 bomb), Orleans/Bricy (97 bomb), Eindhoven, the Netherlands (63 bomb) and Coxyde, Belgium (7 bomb); and 61 hit the Emmerich, Germany oil refinery, 50 hit Beauvois, 44 hit Domleger, 12 hit targets of opportunity and 4 hit the Normandy beaches; 33 B-24s are damaged. 3. Of 191 B-24s, 7 hit Ham-sur-Somme, 32 hit targets of opportunity, 52 hit Lille/Vendeville, 12 hit Calas Tres, 12 hit Denain Drousey, 39 hit Laon/ Athies and 70 hit Chievres; 2 B-24s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 56 damaged; 10 airmen are KIA, 2 WIA and 4 MIA. 4. 351 B-17s are dispatched to hit targets in Belgium: 35 bomb St Trond Airfield, 95 hit Florennes Airfield, 52 bomb Le Culot and 61 attack Brussels/Melsbroek; 1 B-17 is lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 73 damaged; 1 airman is MIA. 5. 7 of 15 B-24s hit the Ham-sur-Somme Bridge and 5 use Azon missiles against targets of opportunity; no losses. Escort for the bomber missions is provided by 103 P-47s; 2 P-47s lost, the pilots are MIA. Other fighter missions are: 1. 168 of 176 P-47s fly fighter-bomber missions against Luftwaffe HQ at Chantilly, France and Panzer columns; they claim 0-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft. 2. 234 of 242 P-38s, 178 of 190 P-47s and 171 of 197 P-51s fly beachhead patrols and sweeps in front of the bomber force; they claim 4-1-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 P-38s, 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost (all pilots are MIA; and 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair. Mission 413: 3 of 4 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. 20 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 500+ B-26s and A-20s attack rail communications SW of Paris and highway communications centers S of the beachhead area; junctions, bridges, marshalling yards, gun emplacements and various defensive strongpoints are included; 15+ fighter groups fly escort and attack numerous ground targets, including rail lines running from SW of Paris to the Rennes area, and highway traffic on the Cherbourg Peninsula and S of the beachhead area to the Loire River. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) ARMY AIR FORCES, MTO (AAF, MTO): 72d Liaison, AAF, MTO, arrives at Oran, Algeria from the US with L-5s; first mission is in Aug 44. STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 660+ B-17s and B-24s attack targets in Czechoslovakia and Hungary; the B-17s attack oil refineries in Budapest, Hungary; the B-24s hit five oil targets, one at Parducice, Czechoslovakia and Petfurdo, Komarom, Osijek and Sisak, Hungary. P-38s, P-47s, and P-51s escort the bombers and P-38s strafe and dive-bomb the airfield at Kecskemet, Hungary. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers bomb several bridges and viaducts in NC Italy, with especially good results on a viaduct and railway bridge N of Arezzo; ships in Leghorn harbor also are hit; A-20s pound ammunition supplies; fighter-bombers continue to attack roads and bridges in and just N of the battle area (only a small number of German vehicles are seen) as US Fifth Army forces take Magliano and Orvieto falls to elements of the British Eighth Army; HQ 324th Fighter Group moves from Le Banca Airfield to Montalto Di Castro; and 416th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, based at Pomigliano, sends a detachment to Tre Cancello Landing Strip with Beaufighters. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 80+ B-25s, P-38s, P-39s and USN aircraft hit supply areas and underground storages along the N shore of Gazelle Peninsula from Vulcan Crater to Wunapope; Ralum, Keravia Bay and Wunapope stores are the hardest hit. P-39s fly 27 sorties along the E shoreline of Bougainville Island from Bonis to Kieta, hitting Monoitu, Bonis and a pier at Kieta Mission. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s and P-39s hit the Wewak area; B-24s bomb Kamiri Airfield; A-20s hit the airfield at Babo, the Orai River bridge, and fuel dumps and other targets near the river's mouth. B-24s bomb the seaplane base at Halong, Celebes Islands. THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s fly armed photo reconnaissance over Shimushiru Island. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 27 A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s pound Mogaung and Myitkyina, Burma. In India, 30 B-25s fly ammunition to the Imphal area; and 82d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Tezgaon to Pandaveswar with B-25s. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 P-40s hit Japanese cavalry forces at Chuchou and several supply boats on the Siang-Chiang River; 10 P-40s destroy or damage several tanks, trucks, and train cars between Loyang and Shanhsien; 24 B-24s bomb the warehouse area at Canton, causing heavy damage. STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): B-29's bomb Japan. With the exception of the Eleventh Air Force's raids on the Kurile Islands, this is the first air attack against Japan since the Doolittle's raid in Apr 42. 47 B-29s operating out of Chengtu, Chian, bomb the primary target, the Imperial Iron and Steel Works at Yawata, Japan. The Twentieth's first combat loss during a bombing mission results when Japanese fighters destroy a B-29 down with engine trouble at Neihsiang Airfield, China. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) ICELAND (Iceland Base Command): HQ 24th Composite Wing is disbanded. STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 414: 1,361 bombers are dispatched in 8 forces to bomb an oil refinery Germany and numerous tactical targets in France, including 9 airfields, an aircraft plant, a CROSSBOW (V- weapon) sites, 11 bridges, a marshalling yard, and various scattered targets; 2 B-17s are lost: 1. Of 747 B-17s dispatched, 172 hit the Hannover/Misburg oil refinery, 16 hit Wilster, 16 hit Wesermunde, 2 hit the Hannover area and 1 hits Helgoland Island, Germany; in France, 144 hit Bordeaux/Merignac Airfield, 71 hit Nantes railroad bridge N, 71 hit La Poissonniere rail viaduct, 70 hit Angouleme marshalling yard, 59 hit Beauvoir V-weapon site, 46 hit Nantes railroad bridge S, 12 hit Gael Airfield and 10 hit a viaduct N of Nantes; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 267 damaged; 7 airmen are WIA and 18 MIA. 2. Of 614 B-24s dispatched to France, 89 hit Le Port Boulet railroad bridge, 61 hit Evreux/Fauville Airfield, 59 hit Tours-la-Frillerie, 54 hit Tours-La Rice railroad bridge, 46 hit Guyancourt Airfield, 45 hit Etampes/ Modesir Airfield, 44 hit Cinq Mars bridge, 27 hit St Cyr, 21 hit Buc Airfield, 12 hit Tours-La Riche highway bridge, 12 hit Le Mans Airfield, 12 hit Orleans/Saran Airfield and 8 hit targets of opportunity; 12 B-24s use Azon missiles against Etaples railroad bridge and 7 others use the missiles against the Pecrone railroad bridge. Fighter operations are: 1. 96 P-38s, 202 P-47s and 211 P-51s escort the bombers and claim 5-0-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-38s and 1 P-51 are lost with the pilots MIA. 2. 36 of 48 P-47s bomb Etaples, France; 1 P-47s is lost (pilot is MIA). 3. 177 of 185 P-38s fly a fighter sweep in front of the bomber forces without loss. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 550+ B-26s and A-20s direct main attacks against fuel and ammunition dumps, rail and highway communications, and armored division HQ S of the bridgehead on the Douve River; 1,400+ fighters fly armed reconnaissance in the Valognes-Cherbourg area, the W part of the Cherbourg Peninsula, and along communications lines S to Loire; fighters also attack shipping between the Channel Islands and the Cherbourg Peninsula. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Weather cancels bombing operations. P-51s and P-38s strafe La Jasse, Orange/Plan de Dieu, Orange/ Caritat, Avignon/Chateau-Blanc and Avignon/Pujaut Airfields in France. HQ 307th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) is disbanded at Bari, Italy and HQ 68th Tactical Reconnaissance Group is disbanded at Blida, Algeria. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers blast rail and road bridges in the La Spezia sector and in the area S of Florence; light bombers again hit ammunition supples; fighter-bombers and fighters hit bridges and roads N of the battlelines (again only scattered motor transport targets are available for strafing); US Fifth Army patrols move into Grosseto and the British Eighth Army pushes beyond Todi toward Perugia; 315th and 316th Fighter Squadrons, 324th Fighter Group, move from Le Banca Airfield to Montalto Di Castro with P-40s; and the detachment of the 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, operating from Sidi Amor, Tunisia since 7 Feb, returns to base on Sardinia with P-39s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): HQ 494th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 864th, 865th, 866th and 867th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Barking Sands, Territory of Hawaii from the US with B-24s. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Commander Air Solomons (COMAIRSOLS) is dissolved, to be replaced by a new command, Commander Air North Solomons (COMAIRNORSOLS). HQ Thirteenth Air Force moves from Guadalcanal Island to Los Negros Island, from which the B-24s have been operating since Apr as the Thirteenth Air Task Force. Major General St Clair Streett becomes Commanding General Thirteenth Air Force, which becomes part of Far East Air Force (FEAF) (see below). The B-25s and fighters, together with other COMAIRSOLS aircraft, continue to maintain the neutralization of Rabaul, New Britain Island and the pounding of the Bougainville-Buka Islands area through Jul and into Aug 44. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: FEAF is formed with jurisdiction over the Fifth and Thirteenth Air Forces. General George C Kenney becomes Commanding General FEAF, with HQ in Brisbane, Australia; HQ Fifth Air Force moves from Brisbane to Nadzab, New Guinea and Lieutenant General Ennis C Whitehead becomes Commanding General Fifth Air Force. In New Guinea, FEAF B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and fighters attack barges in the Manokwari area and a village in the Wakde area. Also bombed are airfields on Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, and Truk Atoll. Thirteenth Air Force aircraft still in the Solomon Islands-Bismarck Archipelago area hit Tobera Airfield on New Britain Island and forces on Bougainville Island. US Marine Corps (USMC) amphibious forces land on Saipan Island. FRIDAY, 16 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 28 A-36s, P-51s and P-40s hit Myitkyina and targets of opportunity in N Burma. In India, 11th Combat Cargo Squadron, 3d Combat Cargo Group, based at Dinjan, sends a detachment to operate from Sookerating (attached to 443d Troop Carrier Group) with C-47s. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, air echelon of 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force (attached to 23d Fighter Group), based at Chengkung, begins operating from Kweilin. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 416: 370 bombers, including 22 Pathfinders are dispatched to 4 airfields and 4 CROSSBOW (V- weapon) supply sites in France; 1 B-17 is lost: 1. Of 146 B-17s, 38 bomb Laon/Athies Airfield, 38 hit Juvincourt Airfield, 18 hit railroad targets of opportunity and 17 hit Laon/Couvron Airfield; 1 B-17 is lost and 58 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA and 9 MIA. 2. 224 B-24s are dispatched to bomb airfields and CROSSBOW sites; B-24s attacking V-weapon supply sites are: 48 hit Renescure, 44 hit Sautrecourt, 43 hit Domleger and 21 hit Beauvoir; airfields attacked are: 17 hit Beauvais/ Tille, 17 hit Authe and 12 hit St Andre de L'Eure; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 13 damaged; 5 airmen are KIA and 2 WIA. VIII Fighter Command missions for the day are: 1. 165 P-38s, 88 P-47s and 172 P-51s escort the bombers above, they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; no losses. 2. 70 P-51s perform a sweep against stalled trains between Angouleme and Poitiers, dropping external fuel tanks on them and firing the tanks by strafing; the same tactics are used on trains in the marshalling yard at Saint-Pierre-d'Ecideuil; heavy damage is inflicted on both targets, including heavy troop casualties. 3. 50 P-38s and 75 P-47s make fighter-bomber attacks on troops in the Arras-St Pol area; at St-Pol-sur-Ternoise a large number of railroad cars are burned by oil and phosphorus bombs and strafing attacks; other marshalling yards, a power station, railroad station, trains, barges, tanks, trucks, gun emplacements, AA tower and an armored vehicle are attacked; A total of about 400 railroad cars are attacked and about half of them set on fire. In general the fighter attacks are highly effective; 3 P-38s are lost (pilots are MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. Mission 417: 10 of 10 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the evening. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, bad weather prevents bomber operations; 500+ fighters strafe and bomb rail lines, bridges and highway traffic on the Cherbourg Peninsula; and 397th Fighter Squadron, 368th Fighter Group moves from Chilbolton, England to Cardonville with P-47s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Almost 600 bombers attack targets in Austria and Czechoslovakia; the B-17s attack the Kragan and Florisdorf oil refineries around Vienna; the B-24s bomb the industrial area at Bratislava, Czechoslovakia and the Lobau and Schwechat oil refineries and Winterhafen oil depot in the Vienna area. Between 200 and 250 fighters attack the formations and 15 AAF aircraft are shot down; the bombers and escorting fighters claim 70 aircraft destroyed. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-26s and B-25s hit rail and road bridges, viaduct and other communications targets at Casalecchio di Reno/Villa Vergano, Lissone, Viareggio, Pisa, Vernio, Grizzana and Pietrasanta; A-20s continue to hit ammunition supplies; fighter-bombers continue interdiction by hitting bridges, trucks, rail lines and other targets closer to the front, which now reaches across Italy from the W coast near Grosseto to the E coast in the vicinity of Macerata; and HQ 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) moves from Pomigliano to Nettuno. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s, based on Makin Island, hit Ponape Island. SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC): Major General Ralph J Mitchell, USMC, becomes Commander Air North Solomons (COMAIRNORSOLS). SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Bombers and fighters hit widespread targets in the SWPA and in SOPAC. In New Guinea, personnel areas and barges along the coast in the Wewak and Hansa Bay areas are hit throughout the day; airfields and shipping at Efman and Samate Islands and at Babo and Sorong are attacked. Dublon Island in Truk Atoll and Yap Islands, Caroline Islands are hit by B-24s. On New Britain Island, B-24s hit Vunakanan Airfield at Rabaul; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and fighters attack a large variety of targets of opportunity on Gazelle Peninsula from Tobera Airfield to Rabaul. SATURDAY, 17 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 12 B-25s fly 3 air missions for a Naval Task Force on withdrawal, following the shelling of Kurabu Cape installations on Paramushiru Island, Kurile Islands. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 8 A-36s attack forces at Mogaung, Burma. In India, 25 B-25s fly ammunition to the Imphal area; and the 492d and 493d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), move from Madhaiganj and Pandaveswar respectively to Tezgaon with B-24s. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, B-25s and fighter-bombers attack large troop concentrations at Shanglishih and Fenglinpu, bomb the town of Lanchi and nearby villages, attack 4 villages in the Chuchou area, hit troop barges at Changsha, damage several supply boats at Yiyang, and bomb military installations at Ichang. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Targets in France, primarily airfields, are hit; 2 B-17s are lost; fighters fly 1,027 sorties during the day and destroy 15 locomotives, train cars, trucks and other vehicles. Mission 418: 232 of 332 bombers attack targets in France: 1. Of 174 B-17s, 52 hit Monchy-Breton Airfield, 31 hit a railroad bridge at Noyen, 18 hit Chateaudun Airfield and 18 hit Villiers/L'Eveque Airfield; 2 B-17s are lost and 22 damaged; 22 airmen are MIA; escort is provided by 43 P-38s, 39 P-47s and 90 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA). 2. Of 158 B-24s, 28 hit Laval Airfield, 26 hit Guyancourt/Caudron Airfield, 18 hit Le Mans/Arnage Airfield, 17 hit Bretigny Airfield, 12 hit Brunnelles, 9 hit Melun Airfield, 1 hits Dreux, 1 hits St Valery and 1 hits a target of opportunity; escort is provided by 87 P-47s and 170 P-51s; they claim 2-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 3-0-0 on the ground; no losses or casualties. 99 P-38s fly fighter-bomber missions against railroad bridges at Corbie and Peronne; 4 P-38s are lost (pilots are MIA). Mission 419: Of 312 B-24s dispatched, 80 hit Angers Airfield, 75 hit Laval Airfield, 55 hit Tours Airfield, 38 hit Essay airstrip, 25 hit Lonray airstrip and 1 hits LeMans; 1 B-24 is lost and 35 damaged; 10 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 122 P-47s and 148 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA). 49 P-38s and 39 P-47s, escorted by 47 P-38s, make fighter-bomber attacks on Corbie-Peronne railroad bridges; 2 P-38s are lost (pilots are MIA). Mission 420: 9 of 10 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Operational control of air-ground coordination of fighter-bomber missions moves from HQ Ninth Air Force and 21 Army Group Combined Control Center (in the UK) to Advanced HQ IX Tactical Air Command (in Normandy) operating in close proximity to the US First Army. In France, 265 B-26s attack fuel dumps, a bridge and a railway line S of the battle area; 1,300+ fighters fly escort and top cover, and strafe and bomb troop concentrations, military vehicles, bridges, gun emplacements, tanks and other tactical targets; units moving to France from England with P-47s: HQ 354th Fighter Group and 353d and 356th Fighter Squadrons from Lashenden to Criqueville; HQ 366th Fighter Group and 389th and 391st Fighter Squadrons from Thruxton to St Pierre du Mont; HQ 371st Fighter Group and 405th and 406th Fighter Squadrons from Bisterne to Beuzeville. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Operations are limited to reconnaissance missions. 99th Fighter Squadron, 332d Fighter Group (attached to 86th Fighter Group, Twelfth Air Force), moves from Ciampino to Orbetello, Italy with P-40s. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, except for a B-26 attack on 1 bridge and an A-20 raid on an ammunition dump, weather prevents completion of light and medium bomber missions; fighter-bombers are also restricted but manage to hit several gun positions, communications targets, boats, small ships, barges, and targets of opportunity in the battle area and at various other locations including Capo d'Enfola and other points on Elba Island (where French forces land and begin clearing the island), and Rio Marina; 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Pomigliano to Voltone with F-5s (detachment is operating from Nettuno); and 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, moves from La Banca to Valtone with Beaufighters. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, flying from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, bomb Ponape Island. B-25s from Makin Island hit Nauru Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s again bomb Truk Atoll, hitting targets on Eten and Dublon Islands. On New Britain Island, B-24s hit Lakunai Airfield while A-20s, B-25s and fighters attack numerous targets between Rapopo and Tobera. In New Guinea, A-20s and B-25s and fighters hit shipping in Sorong harbor and airstrips in the Babo area; in the Wewak area, A-20s, B-25s and fighters continue to pound barges and villages; HQ 8th Fighter Group and 36th Fighter Squadron move from Nadzab to Owi, Schouten Islands with P-38s; and in the Solomon Islands, 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), based in the Russell Islands begins operating from Stirling Island with B-25s. SUNDAY, 18 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 16 A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s hit Myitkyina and Mogaung, Burma. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, B-25s and P-40s bomb Yoyang and hit shipping and boats in the Siang-Chiang River delta area; P-40s and P-51s attack about 100 supply boats in the lower Tungting Lake area, strafe cavalry forces between Siangyin and Changsha, and hit a village just E of Changsha. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 421: 1,378 bombers are dispatched to targets in Germany; 11 bombers are lost, 10 to AA fire and 1 to unknown causes: 1. Of 890 B-17s dispatched, 381 bomb Hamburg, 88 hit Hannover-Misburg oil refinery, 85 hit the Bremen area; 60 hit Hannover, 54 hit Hamburg-Eurotank oil refinery, 38 hit Hamburg-Ossag oil refinery, 36 hit Hamburg-Schindler oil refinery, 18 hit Bremen-Oslebshausen; 18 hit Hamburg-Ebano oil refinery and 5 hit targets of opportunity; 7 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 284 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 10 WIA and 70 MIA. 2. Of 488 B-24s, 168 hit Hamburg, 107 bomb Bremerhaven, 58 attack the Watten V-weapon sites, France, 54 hit Brunsbuttel, 45 hit Stade Airfield, 28 hit Wesermunde, 13 hit Husum Airfield, 9 hit Nordenham, 8 hit Heligoland Airfield, 5 hit targets of opportunity and 1 hits Wrist marshalling yard; 4 B-24s are lost and 53 damaged; 8 airmen are WIA and 39 MIA. Escort is provided by 198 P-38s, 172 P-47s and 215 P-51s; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; no losses or claims. Other VIII Fighter Command missions in France are: 1. 94 of 98 P-38s and 82 of 87 P-47s attack railroad bridges in the St Quentin area without loss. 2. 47 P-51s make a sweep of the Dol de Bretagne area; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA). Mission 422: 9 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions in France; 1 B-24 hits a tree at the drop zone. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, about 130 A-20s and B-26s bomb fuel dumps at Foret d'Andaine and Conches and marshalling yards at Rennes and Meudon during the morning and NOBALL (V-weapon) targets in the afternoon; fighters, in addition to escort duty, continue strafing and bombing rail lines, troop concentrations, and highway traffic on the Cherbourg Peninsula; HQ 48th Fighter Group and 492d and 493d Fighter Squadrons move from Ibsley, England to Deux Jumeaux with P-47s; 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command, moves from Erlestokes, England to Vouilly with L-5s; and 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, moves from Lashenden, England to Criqueville with P-47s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, bad weather grounds medium and light bombers; fighter-bombers and fighters are restricted to patrols, mainly over the Piombino area and island of Elba, during which several gun positions, boats, and barges are hit; 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, moves from Galera to Voltone with F-6s; and 525th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, moves from Ciampino to Orbetello with P-47s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin Island pound Nauru Island. B-24s stage through Eniwetok Atoll to bomb Truk Atoll. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s, and fighters, along with RAAF aircraft, continue to pound supplies and occupied areas along the coast in the Wewak area; and 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Nadzab to Owi, Schouten Islands with P-38s. B-24s hit targets in Truk Atoll. A variety of fighter and bomber aircraft unload 18 tons of bombs on numerous targets around Rabaul, New Britain Island. Fighters continue sweeps against targets of opportunity along coastal areas of Bougainville Island. MONDAY, 19 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s fly armored photo reconnaissance over Paramushiru Island and bomb the Suribachi area with unobserved results. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 30 B-25s complete an ammunition run to Imphal, India. 33 A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s strike Myitkyina, Mogaung and Pinbaw, Burma. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, about 150 fighter-bombers and 8 B-25s again pound a variety of targets throughout the Tungting Lake area; targets include much shipping from Siangyin to Chuchou, and at various points along the Siang-Chiang River, villages and compounds between Yiyang and Changsha, and boats and river area at Anking; 18 P-40s damage 2 bridges and destroy about 20 fuel trucks at Yuncheng; on the Salween front 15 P-40s hit trucks and military installations; and 4 B-25s bomb Kengluang bridge. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Morning and afternoon missions are made against targets in France. Mission 423: In the morning, 464 B-17s are dispatched against airfields in the Bordeaux area: 92 hit Cormes Ecluse, 84 hit Bordeaux/Merignac, 39 hit Cazaux, 34 hit Landes-de-Bussac, 12 hit Cabanac and 3 hit targets of opportunity; 7 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 11 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA and 59 MIA; escort is provided by 88 P-38s and 261 P-51s; 4 P-38s and 6 P-51s are lost (all pilots MIA). Mission 424: In both morning and afternoon missions, 216 of 391 B-17s and 294 of 312 B-24s hit 35 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 B-24 damaged beyond repair and 65 B-17s and 22 B-24s damaged; 2 airmen are WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 196 P-38s, 122 P-47s and 48 P-51s; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; 1 P-38 group, after completing escort duty, dive-bombs and strafes transportation targets in NE France, destroying a locomotive and 3 barges. 858th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VIII Air Force Composite Command, moves from North Pickenham to Cheddington, England with B-24s (the squadron begins flying leaflet missions). TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, the airfield at Cardonville, the first US field in France, becomes operational; around 200 fighters carry out uneventful armed reconnaissance and patrols in the morning, and dive-bomb 6 NOBALL (V-weapon) targets in the afternoon; and HQ 84th Fighter Wing moves from Beaulieu, England to Houesville. 125th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached to HQ Command, ETO), moves from Cheltenham to Chedworth, England with L-5s (first mission is in Aug). MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather again grounds light and medium bombers; fighter-bombers hit railroads, gun emplacements, factory and shipping in an N of the battle area at scattered points in the countryside and in and near the towns of Pontedera, Leghorn, Sestri Levante and Viareggio; and HQ 86th Fighter Group and 527th Fighter Squadron moves from Ciampinto to Orbetello with P-47s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok Atoll, strike Truk Atoll. B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll and B-25s out of Makin Island pound Ponape Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, 100+ A-20s and fighter-bombers maintain strikes along the coast around Wewak, hitting supply and bivouac areas, roads, personnel, and a coastal gun position; A-20s hit airfields at Manokwari, Noemfoor Island, and Moemi. B-25s hit forces in the Cape Orford region of New Britain Island. B-24s bomb Dublon and Eten Island in Truk Atoll. TUESDAY, 20 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-24s fly fuel to Kamaing; 2 B-25s hit a bridge at Banchaung; and 8 A-36s and 3 P-40s attack targets at Myitkyina. In India, 13 B-25s supply ammunition to Imphal; 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Kisselbari, ceases operating from Dinjan with P-40s; and 315th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Sookerating to Moran with C-47s. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In the Yangtze River-Tungting Lake area of China, about 120 B-25s and fighter-bombers again attack a wide variety of targets, pound river shipping at numerous points, hit villages and supply lines in the Pinkiang area, and bomb the towns of Changsha, Pingsiang and Ikiawan; in the Salween River area 24 B-25s pound Lungling and 16 P-40s hit troops and positions at Tengchung and Chenanso; in the Yellow River area 8 P-40s pound railroad yards and strafe about 75 trucks, destroying 20+ of them; 3 B-24s over the S China Sea attack shipping, claiming a 5,000-ton commercial ship sunk; and a detachment of 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, moves from Liangshan to Kweilin with P-40s (squadron is based at Kunming). EASTERN AIR COMMAND (EAC): Royal Air Force (RAF) Air Commodore (AAF Brigadier General) Sir Francis J Mellersh assumes command of Strategic Air Force, EAC. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 425: In the morning 1,548 bombers are dispatched to attack 14 strategic targets in N Germany and V-weapon sites in France; 49 bombers are lost: 1. 126 of 146 B-24s bomb V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 83 damaged; 4 airmen are KIA, 8 WIA and 24 MIA. Escort is provided by 44 P-47s; they claim 3-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost (pilot is MIA). 2. Of 341 B-17s dispatched, 137 hit Fallersleben, 95 hit Magdeburg/ Rothensee and 52 hit Konigsberg; they claim 2-0-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 116 damaged; 11 airmen are WIA and 60 MIA. Of 191 B-24s, 169 hit Hannover/Misburg and 3 hit a target of opportunity; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 89 damaged; 4 airmen are KIA, 6 WIA and 9 MIA. Escort is provided by 98 P-38s, 86 P-47s and 38 P-51s and 81 Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 10-1-10 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 8-0-3 on the ground; 1 P-38, 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost (2 pilots MIA). 3. Of 512 B-17s dispatched, 107 hit Hamburg/Eurotank oil refinery, 60 hit Harburg/Ebano oil refinery, 54 hit Hamburg/Schliemanns oil refinery, 53 hit Harburg/Rhenania oil refinery, 53 hit Hamburg/Deut.Petr.AG, 50 hit Hamburg/ Rhenania-Ossag oil refinery, 26 hit Hamburg/Schindler oil refinery, 12 hit Brunsbuttel canal lock and 2 hit targets of opportunity; 7 B-17s are lost and 349 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 13 WIA and 63 MIA. Escort is provided by 96 P-38s and 48 P-47s without claims or loss. 4. Of 358 B-24s, 245 hit Politz, 71 bomb Ostermoor and 12 hit targets of opportunity; they claim 10-3-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 34 B-24s are lost and 205 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA, 6 WIA and 343 MIA. Escort is provided by 50 P-38s and 221 P-51s; they claim 28-1-9 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 5-0-9 on the ground; 3 P-38s are lost. Mission 426: In the afternoon, 33 of 37 B-17s and 196 of 380 B-24s attack 10 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 1 B-24 is lost and 96 damaged. Escort is provided by 72 P-47s and 40 P-51s without loss. Mission 427: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. 25 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, about 370 B-26s and A-20s bomb 9 V-weapon sites and a coastal defense battery at Houlgate; 1,000+ fighters operating over frontline areas, the Cherbourg Peninsula, and S to Dreux, bomb and strafe rail lines, marshalling yards, bridges, troop concentrations and other targets; HQ 368th Fighter Group and 395th and 396th Fighter Squadrons move from Chilboton, England to Cardonville with P-47s; and 390th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group, moves from Thruxton, England to Pierre du Mont with P-47s. 112th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached to HQ Command, ETO), moves from Kingston Deverill to Hurst Park, England with L-5s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather continues to hamper operations but 60+ medium bombers manage to attack rail targets between Genoa and La Spezia; fighter-bombers destroy several road bridges in the battle area and to the N, and damage several other road and rail bridges as the Allies' rapid advance slows down due to the enemy's ability to strengthen his position and form a delaying line across Italy to the S of the Gothic Line (Pisa-Rimini) where he is prepared to make a stand; fighter- bombers also damage a 20,000-ton aircraft carrier in Genoa harbor; and 526th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, moves from Ciampino to Orbetello with P-47s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin Island strike Ponape Island. Kwajalein Atoll based B-24s bomb Truk Atoll. HQ 318th Fighter Group and 19th Fighter Squadron move from Bellow Field, Territory of Hawaii to Saipan Island with P-47s [the aircraft are launched from the deck of the USS Natoma Bay (CVE-62)]. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, A-20s, P-39s, and RAAF aircraft, pound areas along the coast in the general area of Wewak and B-24s bomb Kamiri Airfield; and 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Biak to Owi, Schouten Islands (squadron is operating from Saidor with P-39s). B-24s attack Woleai Atoll, Caroline Islands, and Dublon Island in Truk Atoll. B-25s, P-38s and other Allied aircraft, including some of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), blast AA positions S and SW of Rapopo on New Britain Island. WEDNESDAY 21 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 34 B-25s maintain an ammunition run to Imphal, India. In Burma, 61 A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s pound Myitkyina and Mogaung; 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Kisselbari, India begins operating from Tingkawk Sakan with P-40s. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 11 fighter-bombers hit river shipping, barracks, and cavalry forces at Siangtan and Hengshan, China. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 428: 1,234 bombers and 1,170 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany; 45 bombers and 4 fighters are lost: 1. 145 of 163 B-17s begin shuttle bombing missions (Operation FRANTIC) between the UK and bases in the USSR; 72 P-38s, 38 P-47s and 57 P-51s escort the B-17s to the target (synthetic oil plant at Ruhland, Germany); 123 B-17s bomb the primary target, 21 bomb Elsteriverda and a lone B-17 bombs Riesa due to a bomb rack malfunction; after the attack, the supporting P-51s are relieved 50 miles (80 km) SE of Poznan, Poland by 65 other P-51s which are to accompany the B-17s to the USSR; 50 miles (80 km) SE of Brest Litovsk 20 to 30 Luftwaffe fighters attack the force; in the resulting battle 1 P-51 and 6 German fighters are destroyed; 1 B-17 is lost (to unknown causes) on the flight; 144 B-17s land in the USSR, 73 at Poltava, and the rest at Mirgorod; the 64 remaining P-51s land at Piryatin; 1 airman is KIA, 5 WIA and 10 MIA. During the night of 21/22 Jun the 73 B-17s which earlier landed at Poltava are attacked for 2 hours by an estimated 75 German bombers led by aircraft dropping flares; 47 B-17s are destroyed and most of the remainder severely damaged; heavy damage is also suffered by stores of fuel and ammunition. This AAF shuttle run is made in conjunction with a large-scale effort against targets in the Berlin area as follows: 2. 456 of 496 B-17s attack Berlin; 12 other hit targets of opportunity; they claim 16-20-19 Luftwaffe aircraft; 16 B-17s are lost and 216 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 10 WIA and 148 MIA; escort is provided by 99 P-38s, 95 P-47s and 73 P-51s; they claim 4-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 fighter is lost. 3. Of 368 B-24s dispatched, 69 hit Genshagen, 52 hit Marienfelde, 47 hit Berlin, 40, hit Potsdam, 28 hit Niederschonweide, 23 hit Genshagen, 16 hit Rangsdorf, 10 hit Trebbin, 8 hit Selvig, 8 hit Stendal, 7 hit targets of opportunity in the Berlin area and 1 hits Bederekesa; they claim 13-3-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 19 B-24s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 150 damaged; 21 airmen are KIA, 20 WIA and 182 MIA; escort is provided by 148 P-38s, 147 P-47s and 116 P-51s; they claim 13-0-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 P-38 damaged beyond repair. 4. Of 207 B-17s, 103 hit Berlin, 80 hit Basdorf and 5 hit targets of opportunity; 9 B-17s are lost; escort is provided by 108 P-38s, 81 P-47s and 91 P-51s; 1 P-38, 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost (all pilot MIA) and 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair. Mission 429: In the late afternoon, 31 B-24s bomb CROSSBOW (V-weapon) supply sites at Oisemont/Neuville and Saint-Martin-L'Hortier and 39 bomb a rocket site at Siracourt, France. AA fire shoots down 1 B-24; escort is provided by 99 P-47s, meeting no enemy aircraft, but 1 group strafes railroad and canal targets. Mission 430: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France. 21 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France during the night. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 250+ B-26s and A-20s bomb 13 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area of France. 700+ fighters escort Eighth Air Force bombers over Germany, bomb bridges S and W of Paris, and strafe rail and road traffic and communications centers N and W of Paris. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers have excellent results against rail bridges in N and NC Italy, also hitting viaducts, road bridges, and other communications targets, and bombing ships at Leghorn harbor; light bombers again hit ammunition supply while fighter- bombers concentrate on rail and road bridges over a large area including locations in the vicinity of the Gothic Line and at points to the N. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s based on Kwajalein Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll. 6th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command, based at John Rodgers Airport, Territory of Hawaii sends a detachment with P-61s to Saipan Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, P-39s and RAAF aircraft hit dumps and bivouacs at Suain and attack other targets in the Wewak area; A-20s attack various targets of opportunity in the Paniai Lakes area while B-25s hit villages on the coast of Netherlands New Guinea E of Maffin Bay; B-24s bomb Kamiri Airfield and other targets on Noemfoor Island and attack shipping in the Palau Islands and on Dublon Island in Truk Atoll. THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 B-24s fly fuel to Kamaing while 40 B-25s supply Imphal, India with ammunition; 40 A-36s, P-51s and P-40s hit Mogaung and Myitkyina while 10 others hit targets at Hopin, Namma and Sahmaw. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 18 P-40s destroy 20+ trucks between Hsuchang and Lohochai; 4 P-40s damage a troop steamer in Tungting Lake; 13 B-24s bomb Bakli harbor, Hainan Island, damaging dock facilities and claiming 1 freighter sunk. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Because of the attack on B-17s at Poltava, USSR, on yesterday's shuttle mission, the B-17s at Mirgorod and P-51s at Piryatin are moved farther E; they are to be returned to Mirgorod and Piryatin to be dispatched to bases in Italy as soon as the weather permits; the move is fortunate as German bombers strike both Piryatin and Mirgorod during the night of 22/23 Jun. Mission 431: In a morning mission 85 of 108 B-17s and 132 of 194 B-24s attack 12 CROSSBOW (V-weapon) installations in the Pas de Calais area; 1 B-17s is lost; 64 B-17s and 59 B-24s are damaged; 10 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 165 P-47s and 97 P-51s; some of the support fighters strafe coastal defenses; 1 P-51 is lost and 2 P-47s are damaged beyond repair; 1 pilot is KIA and 1 MIA. Mission 432: During the afternoon 797 bombers are dispatched to attack 22 targets in France and Belgium; 9 bombers are lost: 1. Of 319 B-17s dispatched, 76 hit Lille/Fimes marshalling yard, 69 hit Ghent/Maritime marshalling yard, 35 hit Rouen oil depot, 13 hit La Vaubaliers, 13 hit Furnes Airfield, 13 hit Tingry, 12 hit Abbeville, 12 hit a tank area N of Rouen, 12 hit Douai railroad, 11 hit Mazingarbe, 10 hit Pont a Vendin, 1 hits Douai railroad; 3 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 81 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 5 WIA and 29 MIA. Escort is provided by 108 P-47s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft. 2. Of 149 B-24s, 46 hit Guyancourt/Caudron Airfield, 43 hit St Cyr Airfield, 36 hit Buc Airfield, 13 hit targets of opportunity and 5 hit Tours/La Riche bridge; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 67 B-24s are damaged; 1 airmen is KIA and 3 MIA. Escort is provided by 187 of 200 P-38s and 36 of 46 P-47s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 P-38s are lost (pilots are MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 3. Of 216 B-17s, 70 hit Nucourt V-weapon site, 38 hit Brie-Comte-Robert Sug, 33 hit Etampes Airfield, 11 hit Lieusant railroad, 11 hit Melun bridge and 11 hit Melun marshalling yard; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 187 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA and 30 MIA. Of 113 B-24s, 101 hit an oil dump at Paris and 1 hits Dreux Airfield; 2 B-24s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 37 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 2 WIA and 23 MIA. Escort is provided by 78 of 86 P-51s; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA). 4. 9 of 10 B-24s use Azon glide bombs against the Samur Bridge; escort is provided by 41 of 43 P-51s. Mission 433: 1 B-17 flies a daylight leaflet mission to La Glacrie, France. Mission 434: 9 of 9 B-17s drop leaflets in France and the Low Countries during the night. 10 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France during the night. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, around 600 B-26s and A-20s and 1,200+ fighters fly missions during the day; the main effort consists of an attack on the tip of the Cherbourg Peninsula in support of the US VII Corps assault on the port of Cherbourg; beginning 1 hour before the ground attack and continuing until the attack begins fighters and fighter- bombers pound the whole area S of the city from low level; as the ground assault begins, B-26s and A-20s strike a series of strongpoints selected by the US First Army, forming a 55-minute aerial barrage moving N in advance of ground forces; later in the day B-26s attack marshalling yards, fuel dumps and a German HQ; fighter-bombers fly armed reconnaissance over various railroads and bomb rail facilities, trains, road traffic and gun emplacements; 25 fighter-bombers are lost during the day's operations. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Following 5 consecutive days of bad weather 600+ B-17s and B-24s bomb targets in N Italy; B-17s hit marshalling yards at Fornova di Taro, Modena and Parma; B-24s hit 6 marshalling yards and 2 bridges in Italy, an automobile factory at Turin and an automobile depot at Chivasso; fighters fly 250+ sorties in support of the missions. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers attack railway bridges and viaducts, at Marzabotto, Boccheto, and Gricigliana; A-20s again hit ammunition supplies; fighter-bombers pound road and rail bridges, mainly in the Pisa area, and cut rail lines between Bologna and Pistoia; the detachment of the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), at Nettuno returns to base at Voltone with F-5s; and 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 63d Fighter Wing, moves from Elmas to Alghero, Sardinia with Beaufighters. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok Atoll from Kwajalein Atoll, hit Truk Atoll; 1 bombs Ponape Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, B-25s, A-20s, and P-47s hit shipping at Efman Island and airfields and targets of opportunity on Noemfoor Island, attack Manokwari and hit villages in the Sarmi area; attacks by A-20s and fighters, along with RAAF aircraft, on the wide coastal area around Wewak continue; and HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group moves from Finschhafen to Hollandia. B-24s bomb Yap Islands; Sorol Atoll, Caroline Islands; and Woleai Atoll. On New Britain Island, B-25s join the Allied aircraft in pounding Nordup and Ralum. FRIDAY, 23 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-25s fly a negative shipping sweep. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-24s fly gasoline to Kamaing while 29 B-25s make an ammunition run to Imphal, India; about 80 A-36s, P-51s and P-40s attack Mogaung, Myitkyina, Taungni and a bridge at Namkwi. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20 B-24s bomb docks at Hankow; in the Tungting Lake area 70+ B-25s and fighter-bombers attack a wide variety of river shipping at several locations, bomb a runway at Hengyang, strafe cavalry troops in the area, and hit the towns and villages of Chuchou, Ikiawan, Chuting, Chwanchishih, and Siangtan; 30 B-25s and fighter-bombers hit various targets of opportunity along the Yellow River. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 435: at midday 110 of 134 B-17s and 102 of 106 B-24s attack 12 CROSSBOW (V-weapon) installations, damaging at least 6 of them; 3 B-17s and 2 B-24s are damaged. Fighter support is furnished by 4 P-51 groups (141 of 161 aircraft) all of which afterward strafe transportation targets in the Paris area, destroying 3 locomotives, 100 pieces of rolling stock, and 14 motor vehicles; An exploding ammunition train causes a low-flying P-51 to crash, the only aircraft lost on the mission (pilot is MIA). Mission 436: During the late afternoon, 109 B-17s are dispatched to Nanteuil; 13 hit the primary and 2 hit targets of opportunity; the rest abort due to heavy cloud cover; 1 B-17 is lost and 2 are damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 10 MIA. Of 219 B-24s dispatched to airfields in France, 113 hit Juvincourt, 46 hit Laon/Athies, 23 hit Coulommiers and 1 hits Soissons; 6 B-24s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 81 are damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 3 WIA and 58 MIA. Escort is provided by 155 P-47s and 83 P-51s; afterwards part of a P-47 group bombs and strafes a marshalling yard while the remainder of the group bombs and strafes a train carrying trucks and armored cars, destroying the locomotive, 3 trucks, and an armored car, and damaging 20 freight 169 of 195 P-38s fly flighter-bomber missions in the Paris area; 2 P-38s are lost (pilots are MIA. 21 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER mission during the night. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Bad weather prevents A-20 and B-26 missions during the morning; in the afternoon 175+ B-26s and A-20s bomb 7 V-weapon sites in France; around 630 fighters provide escort and also bomb and strafe rail and road traffic and communications centers; 200 C-47s and C-53s fly supplies to the Continent; and 404th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, moves from Bisterne, England to Beuzeville with P-47s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 400+ B-17s and B-24s attack oil targets in Rumania; the B-17s hit oil refineries at Ploesti; the B-24s also hit oil refineries at Ploesti and oil storage at Guirgiu. 100+ US aircraft are shot down; the bombers and escorting fighters claim 30+ aircraft destroyed. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather cancels medium bomber operations; A-20s continue to attack ammunition supplies; fighter- bomber operations are restricted but P-47s hit rail communications at 4 different points in the battle area as a fierce struggle for Chiusi takes place; and 86th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Ponte Galeria to Ombrone Airfield with A-20s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Eniwetok Atoll-based B-24s strike Truk Atoll. B-25s from Engebi Island pound Ponape Island. During the evening, B-24s from Kwajalein Atoll also attack Ponape Island. P-47s of the 73d Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, are launched off the USS Manila Bay (CVE-61) and land on Saipan Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, the Wewak area is again pounded throughout the day by A-20s, P-39s, P-47s and RAAF aircraft; a few A-20s and A-26s on a barge search bomb offshore islands near Manokwari; this marks the SWPA debut of the A-26; P-47s on sweeps strafe areas E of Maffin; and 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Hollandia to Biak Island with P-38s. B-24s hit the airfield at Yap Islands and Woleai Atoll. B-24s on armed reconnaissance bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll and Koror and Peleliu Islands, Palau Islands. On New Britain Island, B-24s bomb Tobera Airfield and B-25s along with other Allied aircraft, hit AA positions S and SW of Rapopo. SATURDAY, 24 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s at dawn bomb the area N of the airfield at Kurabu Cape on Paramushiru Island; later 2 B-25s fly a negative shipping search. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 B-24s fly gasoline to Kamaing while 35 B-25s supply Imphal, India with ammunition; 60+ A-36s, P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s attack the Myitkyina, Mogaung, Mawlaik-Kin area, Pinbaw, and Hopin. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 60+ P-40s and P-38s bomb the towns of Siangsiang and Yuankiang, attack cavalry forces in the Hengyang area, and damage a pontoon bridge between Tungcheng and Pingkiang; 4 B-25s and a few P-40s knock out a bridge N of Chenghsien. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 438: During the morning 967 bombers are dispatched to hit targets in Germany and France: 5 bombers are lost: 1. Of 340 B-17s, 213 hit oil industry targets in Bremen, 53 hit an aircraft factory at Westermunde and 40 attack Bremen; 1 B-17 is lost and 105 damaged; 2 airmen are WIA and 9 MIA. Escort is provided by 6 fighter groups (185 P-38s and 85 P-47s); 1 group strafes an airfield and rail transport in the Munster and Hamm areas and claims 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; no losses. 2. 407 B-24s are dispatched to France; 78 hit Conches Airfield, 45 hit Chateaudun Airfield, 45 hit Orleans/Bricy Airfield, 34 hit Toussus/Le Noble, 31 hit a fighter strip, 12 hit Pont Audmer, 11 hit Toussus/Paris and 9 hit Dreux Airfield; 2 B-24s are lost and 81 damaged; 20 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 45 P-38s and 36 P-47s; 1 P-38 is lost (pilot is MIA); the fighters later fly strafing missions. 3. 86 B-17s and 60 B-24s are dispatched to hit 12 CROSSBOW (V-weapon) sites in the Pas de Calais area but are prevented by overcast from bombing the sites, but 11 B-17s fly S and release bombs near the industrial area of Rouen; 1 B-17 is lost to AA fire; 13 B-17s and 1 B-24 are damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 35 of 36 P-47s without loss. 4. Of 74 B-17s dispatched to the Saumur bridge, 38 hit the primary and 36 hit Tours/La Riche Airfield without loss; escort is provided by 121 of 135 P-51s who claim 4-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground. Mission 439: During the afternoon 62 B-17s and 167 B-24s are dispatched to targets in France; 2 B-24s are lost; escort for the mission is provided by 71 P-47s and 50 P-51s without loss; 25 other P-51s fly a sweep of the Angers/Le Mans area and claim 25-0-6 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground: 1. Of 62 B-17s, 32 hit V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area, 12 hit Holque electrical stations and 12 hit Saint-Pol-sur-Mer marshalling yards; 17 B-17s are damaged. 2. Of 167 B-24s, 67 hit V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area, 14 hit the Abbeville power station, 12 hit Pont-a-Vendin and 12 hit the Tingry electrical station; 2 B-24s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 44 damaged; 20 airmen are MIA. Mission 440: 5 of 5 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 430+ B-26s and A-20s attack targets in France, including 4 gun positions, 3 V-weapon sites, 3 fuel dumps, 2 marshalling yards, and a railroad bridge; 200+ transports fly supplies to the Continent; 11 fighter groups provide escort, attack fuel dumps, rail targets and bridges W of Paris and S of the Loire, and fly armed reconnaissance S of the Cherbourg Peninsula and SW of Paris; and 313th Fighter Squadron, 50th Fighter Group, moves from Lymington, England to Carentan with P-47s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 335 bombers attack targets in Rumania; B-17s attack the railroad bridge at Piatra; B-24s bomb the railroad repair depot at Craiova and oil refinery at Ploesti; 33 P-51s sweep the Ploesti-Bucharest area while other P-51s, P-38s, and P-47s fly 220+ sorties in support of the bombers; the bombers and fighters claim 20+ aircraft shot down; 10 US aircraft are downed and several others are missing. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather cancels medium bomber operations; fighter-bomber activity is restricted but P-47s attack several bridges, railway lines, guns, and other targets in the Lucca area and other points along and N of the battleline; 5th Combat Mapping Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Nettuno to Viterbo with F-5s; and 84th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Ponte Galeria to Ombrone Airfield with A-20s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s, based on Saipan, strafe the remnants of the enemy forces on the island and also hit forces left on Tinian Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, Fifth Air Force and RAAF aircraft continue to blast stores, personnel areas, roads, and bridges in the general area of Wewak; B-25s, A-26s, and A-20s hit enemy positions in caves E of Mokmer Airfield, attack shipping in the Babo area (on MacCluer Gulf), and bomb Kamiri and Kornasoren Airfields. On New Britain Island, B-24s, B-25s and fighters, along with other Allied aircraft, hit Tobera Airfield, AA guns at Wunapope, and buildings at Nordup. SUNDAY, 25 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Two B-24s bomb the airfield at Kurabu Cape, Paramushiru Island. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 50+ B-25s make an ammunition run to Imphal, India. In Burma, 60+ A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s pound Myitkyina and Mogaung; 2 B-25s bomb the Mohnyin-Mawhun railroad. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 31 B-25s, P-40s, and P-51s hit the towns of Siangtan and Ichang, attack sampans at Wukou, destroy about 50 trucks and strafe concentrations of troops and horses in the Tangyang- Pingkiang and Siangtan-Yungfengshih areas, and pound river dock and sampans at Siangsiang; 7 Chinese-American Composite Wing (CACW) B-25s bomb the Shayang storage area; 23 B-25s and P-40s bomb a storage area and damage a bridge at Chenghsien; and 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, moves from Lingling to Kweilin with P-40s. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 441: During the morning 658 bombers are dispatched to hit targets in France; 7 bombers are lost: 1. Of 263 B-17s, 104 hit Toulouse/Francazal Airfield, 72 hit Toulouse/ Blangnac Airfield and 64 hit Montbartier oil depot; 5 B-17s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 114 damaged; 10 airmen are KIA, 5 WIA and 45 MIA. Escort is provided by 46 P-38s, 36 P-47s and 146 P-51s; they claim 10-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA). 2. Of 258 B-24s, 43 hit targets of opportunity, 23 hit Beuvry, 18 hit Mazingarbe, 12 hit Aube-sur-Risle, 12 hit Doullens, 12 hit La Vaupalier, 12 hit Peronne Airfield, 11 hit Amiens/St Maurice, 11 hit Calais, 11 hit Tingry, 10 hit Abbeville, 10 hit St Omer/Longuenesse, 8 hit Boulogne, 8 hit Holque, 7 hit Nunque, 7 hit Pont-a-Vendin, 2 hit Chocques; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 26 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 2 WIA. Escort is provided by 68 P-47s and 34 P-51s without loss. 3. Of 137 B-24s, 59 hit St Avord Airfield and 48 hit Bourge Airfield; 1 B-24 is lost; 10 airmen are MIA. Escort is provided by 102 P-38s and 44 P-47s; they claim 8-0-4 Luftwaffe aircraft without loss. Mission 442: During the midday 463 bombers are dispatched to targets in France; 6 bombers are lost; escort is provided by 127 P-38s, 35 P-47s and 181 P-51s; they claim 4-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot is MIA): 1. Of 274 B-24s, 63 hit Villacoublay air depot, 35 hit Bretigny Airfield and 11 hit Buc Airfield; 5 B-24s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 104 damaged; 11 airmen are KIA, 7 WIA and 59 MIA. 2. Of 189 B-17s, 70 hit Soigny Bridge, 38 hit Sens Bridge, 28 hit Clamecy, 21 hit Auxerre Bridge, 21 hit Nanteuil, 20 hit Nogent, 18 hit Orly Airfield, 13 hit Romilly-sur-Seine, 12 hit Folous, 12 hit Etampes/Mondesir Airfield and 3 hit Orly marshalling yard; 1 B-17 is lost and 20 damaged; 2 airmen are WIA and 19 MIA. 41 of 43 P-47s fly a flight-bomber mission against Evreux/Fauville landing ground. In the USSR, B-17s and P-51s are flown, at daybreak, from dispersal bases to Poltava and Mirgorod and loaded and fueled with intentions of bombing the oil refinery at Drohobycz, Poland and proceed to base in Italy. Bad weather cancels the mission until the tomorrow. The aircraft return to dispersal bases for the night as precaution against air attacks. 24 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER mission. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 400+ B-26s and A-20s hit fuel dumps at Foret d'Andaine, Foret d'Ecouves, and Senonches, and rail bridges at Cherisy, Chartres, Oiseme and Epernon; 14 fighter groups send aircraft on escort, and on armed reconnaissance and dive bombing missions over the Chartres, Dreux, Argentan, Tours, and Orleans areas; transports fly supply and evacuation missions; and HQ 50th Fighter Group and 10th and 81st Fighter Squadrons move from Lymington, England to Carentan with P-47s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 650+ bombers attack targets in France; B-17s attack the marshalling yard and oil installations at Sete; B-24s bomb the industrial area at Sete, the marshalling yard at Avignon and harbor facilities at Toulon; fighters fly almost 200 sorties in support; 1 fighter group strafes targets along the Fiume, Italy-Senje, Yugoslavia road and at other points on the Istrian peninsula. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, bad weather again prevents operations by medium bombers; light bombers hit enemy ammunition supply; fighter-bombers bomb the towns of San Quirico di Moriano and Castelflorentino and several rail lines and bridges in the battle area near the Gothic Line; Piombino falls to the US Fifth Army during the day, and the enemy withdraws from Chiusi during the night of 25/26 Jun after several days of resisting British Eighth Army forces attacking the town; and 345th and 346th Fighter Squadrons, 350th Fighter Group, move from Pomigliano and Sardinia respectively to Tarquinia and Pomigliano respectively with P-47s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s based on Saipan Island carry out reconnaissance and strafing missions over Saipan and Tinian Islands. B-24s based on Kwajelein Atoll hit Truk and Wotje Atolls. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, the Wewak area continues under attack of Fifth Air Force and RAAF aircraft; personnel areas at But, Dagua, and Suain and barges at Mushu and Kairiru Islands are hit; P-40s and B-24s strike Kamiri Airfield while A-20s, P-47s, and B-25s hit villages along the Tor River and P-47s hit tanks along the Wiske River; and air echelon of the 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Nadzab begins operating from Hollandia with F-5s. B-24s pound Yap Islands and Sorol Atoll. On New Britain Island, B-25s and fighters, along with other Allied aircraft, hit AA positions near Wunapope and blast plantations along Wide Bay. MONDAY, 26 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 12 B-25s fly three 4-plane air cover missions for a Naval task force on withdrawal following shelling of Kurabu Cape installations on Paramushiru Island. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 30+ B-25s fly ammunition to Imphal, India. 80+ A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s pound Myitkyina; 7 other fighter-bombers hit Waingmaw, Loilaw, and Pyindaw. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 B-24s blast Hankow, causing heavy damage and fires; 180+ B-25s and fighter-bombers attack river shipping and several villages in the Tungting Lake area; the towns of Yuankiang, Sinshih, Siangtan, Liling, and Hengshan are bombed, as is the warehouse area at Yuhsien; numerous troop and truck concentrations and other targets of opportunity throughout the entire region are attacked; in the Salween area 14 B-25s and 36 P-40s knock out a bridge at Tingka, damage another near Mangshih, bomb military installations at Tengchung, strafe Japanese positions at Lungling, and hit targets of opportunity between Lungling and Tengchung; the Japanese bomb Lingling Airfield, damaging the runway and destroying a P-51; and the flight of the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force, operating from Suichwan with F-5s returns to base at Kunming. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 72 B-17s leave Poltava and Mirgorod, USSR, rendezvous with 55 P-51s from Piryatin, bomb the oil refinery and marshalling yard at Drohobycz, Poland (1 returns to the USSR because of mechanical trouble), and then proceed to Italy; Fifteenth Air Force P-51s meet the formation 1 hour after the attack and escort the B-17s to Foggia; it is planned to return the B-17s to bases in the UK on 27 Jun but bad weather delays this move until 5 Jul. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, weather cancels all operations save a few fighter sorties which result in claims against a few military vehicles and 3 aircraft as US ground forces capture Cherbourg; 3 US fighters are lost. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 677 B-17s and B-24s attack targets in the Vienna, Austria area, hitting an aircraft factory at Schwechat, marshalling yard at Vienna/Floridsdorf, and oil refineries at Korneuburg, Vienna/Floridsdorf, Moosbierbaum, Schwechat, Winterhafen, and Lobau; fighters fly 260+ sorties in support; an estimated 150 to 175 enemy fighters attack the formations; nearly 30 US aircraft (mostly bombers) are lost; US claims total 60+ enemy fighters. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, bad weather grounds the medium bombers; fighter-bombers, operating on a reduced schedule, hit railroad targets and other targets in the battle area S of the Gothic Line; HQ 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) moves from Pomigliano to Nettuno; and 85th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Ponte Galeria to Ombrone Airfield with A-20s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Saipan Island-based P-47s continue to hit enemy forces remaining on Saipan and Tinian Islands while P-61s carry out night patrols over Saipan. B-25s from Makin Island pound Ponape Island and Nauru Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb targets on Yap Islands and Sorol Atoll; others on armed reconnaissance bomb airstrips at Woleai Atoll and Peleliu Island. On New Britain Island, AAF and other Allied aircraft hit airfields, AA positions, and other targets in the Rabaul and Cape Orford areas. In New Guinea, the Wewak area is hit throughout the day by Fifth Air Force B-24s and P-39s, along with USN and RAAF aircraft; P-38s, P-47s, A-20s, A-26s, B-24s, and B-25s attack airfields, shipping, villages, town areas, roads, and numerous other targets at Efman, Noemfoor Island, Japen, and Biak Islands, at Manokwari and Ransiki, and near Sarmi; 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Hollandia to Biak Island with P-38s; and 419th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, based on Guadalcanal Island, sends a detachment to operate from Nadzab with P-61s. TUESDAY, 27 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 8 B-24s fly gasoline to Kamaing, Burma while 52 B-25s continue an ammunition run to Imphal, India. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In the Tungting Lake area of China, 160 B-25s and fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supplies, and river and road traffic between Changsha and Hengyang, bomb artillery concentrations at Sinsiang, attack waterfront and docks at Hengshan, pound villages near Chuchou, and attack numerous targets of opportunity throughout the lake region; 4 B-25s over the Formosa Strait claim 2 cargo vessels sunk and others damaged. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 443: 251 bombers and 191 fighters are dispatched to hit CROSSBOW (V-weapon) supply sites around Pas de Calais, Criel and Chantilly, France; 195 B-17s hit the Pas de Calais area, 12 B-24s hit targets of opportunity and 11 B-24s hit Criel Airfield; 5 B-24s are downed by AA fire, 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 104 B-24s and 8 B-17s are damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 7 WIA and 51 MIA. Escort is provided by 149 of 191 P-51s; they claim 6-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft and lose 2 (pilots MIA); 1 P-51 is damaged; after completing the escort, the P-51s bomb and strafe targets of opportunity, including marshalling yards, bridges, railroads, transportation and airfield installations, and dispersal areas. VIII Fighter Command fighter-bomber missions: 1. 46 of 193 P-38s attack Connantre Airfield; 3 are lost (pilots MIA), 3 are damaged beyond repair; 1 pilot is WIA. 2. 36 of 156 P-47s bomb Villeneuve/Zertes Airfield claiming 10-0-8 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air without loss. 3. 32 of 49 P-51s attack Coulommiers Airfield and 246 others attack transport in the Paris area; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground without loss. Mission 444: 4 of 4 B-17s drop leaflets in France during the night. 16 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER missions in France. A B-24 on a training flight in England is shot down by an intruder. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, bad weather precludes bomber operations; 700+ fighters take part in various operations; most of them fly high cover over the assault areas and bomb and strafe rail and road traffic and communications centers; and 386th and 387th Fighter Squadrons, 365th Fighter Group, move from Beaulieu, England to Azeville with P-47s. 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Middle Wallop to Chalgrove, England with F-6s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Around 300 bombers attack targets in Hungary, Poland and Yugoslavia; B-17s bomb marshalling yards at Budapest, Hungary; B-24s hit marshalling yards at Brod Yugoslavia and oil industry targets at Drohobycz, Poland; 75 to 90 enemy fighters attack the formations; 3 bombers are lost; the bombers and escorting fighters claim 30+ enemy planes shot down; 90 P-51s sweep Budapest area, claiming 7 fighters destroyed. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, continued bad weather cancels medium bomber operations; light bombers again hit ammunition supplies; fighter-bombers hit roads, bridges, rail lines, and other targets in and near the battleline; and HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) moves from Ponte Galeria to Ombrone Airfield. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s continue strafing and rocket attacks on Tinian, Saipan, and Rota Islands, Marianas Islands, while P-61s carry out defensive night patrols. B-24s, staging through Eniwetok Atoll, pound Truk Atoll. During the night a single B-24 bombs Ponape Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, Fifth Air Force and RAAF light bombers and fighter-bombers continue to attack the Wewak area, hitting troop concentrations, villages, ammunition dumps, and warehouses; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, A-26s, P-40s and P-47s hit airfields, gun positions, and various other targets in or near Babo, Manokwari, Biak and Noemfoor Islands, Ransiki, Waren, and Moemi; movements of units assigned to 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group: air echelon of 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) from Finschhafen, to Biak Island with B-25s; and 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron ceases operating from Saidor and returns to Owi, Schouten Islands with P-39s. B-24s bomb Yap Islands and Sorol Atoll; others on a photo reconnaissance flight bomb Woleai and Ifalik Atolls, Caroline Islands. On New Britain Island, Thirteenth Air Force fighters and bombers join other Allied aircraft from the Solomon Islands in bombing AA positions at Ralum and other targets in the Rabaul area. 419th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, based on Guadalcanal Island, sends a detachment to Los Negros Island with P-61s. WEDNESDAY, 28 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 B-24s fly fuel to Kamaing; ammunition delivery to Imphal, India is continued by 47 B-25s; 14 other B-25s pound the Naba-Mawlin railroad. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In the Yangtze River-Tungting Lake area of China, B-25s and fighter-bombers fly 160+ sorties attacking river shipping at several locations, bombing the towns of Hengshan, Liling, and Pingkiang, and bombing Japanese HQ and gun sites in the Siangsiang area; also in the Hengyang area the B-25s and fighter-bombers hit rear supply bases and cavalry and infantry concentrations; and 11th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Kweilin to Yang Tong with B-25s (detachments are operating from Kweilin and Liuchow). EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 445: 992 bombers and 638 fighters are dispatched to targets in France, Germany and Belgium; 2 bombers and 2 fighters are lost. 485 B-17s attack targets in France: 72 hit Laon/ Couvron Airfield, 64 hit Juvincourt Airfield, 60 hit Laon/Athies Airfield, 36 hit Fismes bridge, 28 hit Denain/Prouvy Airfield, 24 hit targets of opportunity, 20 hit Anizy le Chateau bridge, 19 hit Le Bourget Airfield and 18 hit the Dugny oil depot; 1 B-17s is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 99 damaged; 2 airmen are WIA and 9 MIA. Of 378 B-24s, 331 hit Saarbrucken marshalling yards, 11 hit Florennes/Juzaine Airfield and 1 hits Givet Bridge; 1 B-24 is lost and 125 damaged; 8 airmen are WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 188 P-38s, 169 P-47s and 231 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost (pilots are MIA) and 2 P-51s damaged beyond repair. About one-third of the escorting fighters afterward bomb and strafe transport targets, claiming 3 locomotives and an armored vehicle destroyed. 30 of 50 P-47s fly a fighter-bomber mission against La Perthe Airfield without loss. 18 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions in France. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 220+ fighters, based in France, attack railroad facilities, bridges, fuel and ammunition dumps, artillery, troop concentrations, vehicles, and other targets; bad weather cancels bomber and fighter operations from the UK; HQ 365th Fighter Group moves from Beaulieu, England to Azeville; and 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Middle Wallop, England to Jumeaux with F-6s. In England, 422d Night Fighter Squadron, 71st Fighter Wing, based at Scorton with P-61s, sends a detachment to operate from Hern. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 229 B-24s bomb marshalling yards and 2 oil refineries at Bucharest, Rumania; 138 others hit Karlovo Airfield, Bulgaria; 40 fighters carry out a sweep over the Bucharest area while other fighters fly 230+ sorties in escort of the B-24s; 20+ enemy fighters are claimed shot down, mostly by the fighters during the sweep over Bucharest. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, bad weather cancels all light and medium bomber operations; fighter-bombers carry out rail-cutting missions N of the battleline in NC Italy; 7th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Gaudo Airfield to Galera Airfield with C-47s; and 97th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Ponte Galeria to Ombrone Airfield with A-20s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s and P-61s carry out daylight raids and defensive night patrols over Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, Islands. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, attacks on the Wewak area continue; Japanese HQ and communications in the Suain-Karowop Plantation area and coastal road from Babiang to Nyaparake are hit; airfield and fuel dumps on Noemfoor Island, Japanese positions and occupied areas and buildings on Biak and Efman Islands, a village near Babo, and the Tor River and Maffin Bay areas are attacked; and 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, moves from Nadzab to Owi, Schouten Islands with P-61s (detachment is operating from Wakde Island). B-24s bomb the airfield and town on Yap Island and communications on Sorol and Woleai Atolls. On New Britain Island, AA guns E of the Tobera area are attacked. THURSDAY, 29 JUNE 1944 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-25s fly a negative shipping sweep. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 B-24s continue the fuel lift to Kamaing; 45 B-25s haul ammunition to Imphal, India; 23 other B-25s bomb Tamu; 19 A-36s, P-51s, and P-38s hit Myitkyina and Myitnge bridge; and a B-25 bombs targets in the Mohnyin-Naba area. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In the Tungting Lake area of China, 60+ B-25s and fighter-bombers hit shipping, gun positions, troop concentrations, and general targets of opportunity at several locations, including Lingvang, Liling, Hengyang, Yuhsien, Hengshan, Siangsiang, Chaling, and Yiyang. In Formosa, 3 B-24s bomb Takao docks. In French Indochina, P-40s damage a bridge and attack rail traffic at Phu Lang Thuong. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 447: 1,150 bombers and 779 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany and the Netherlands; 15 bombers and 3 fighters are lost; cloud cover causes 400+ aircraft to abort the mission: 1. Of 179 B-17s, 81 bomb the synthetic oil plant at Bohlen and 61 strike an aircraft components factory at Wittenberg; 4 B-17s are lost and 111 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 5 WIA and 30 MIA. 2. Of 380 B-17s, 41 hit Leipzig/Heiterblick, 30 hit Leipzig/Taucha Airfield, 19 hit Leipzig, 18 hit Wittenberg, 15 hit Limbach, 14 hit Quackenbruck and 2 hit targets of opportunity; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 76 damaged; 2 airmen are WIA and 21 MIA. 3. Of 591 B-24s, 81 hit Magdeburg, 74 hit Oschersleben, 54 hit Bernburg, 47 hit Aschersleben, 46 hit Burg Airfield, 42 hit an aviation plant at Fallersleben, 35 hit targets of opportunity, 26 hit Stendal Airfield, 9 hit Gardelegen Airfield, 8 hit Oebisfelde/Kaltendorf, 8 hit Zerbst Airfield, and 4 hit Leopoldshall marshalling yard; 9 B-24s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 204 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 12 WIA and 92 MIA. The missions above are escorted by 203 P-38s, 216 P-47 and 352 P-51s of the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces; they claim 34-0-9 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 16-0-8 on the ground; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots are MIA). 4 of 8 P-38s fly a fighter-bomber mission against shipping at Ijmuiden, the Netherlands without loss. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, almost 200 B-26s and A-20s bomb gun batteries on Cap de la Hague, bridges and rail lines in the Rennes-Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcourt-Vitre areas, and rail bridge at Oissel; fighters fly armed reconnaissance and attack enemy aircraft, road and rail traffic, gun positions, bridges and other targets in wide areas throughout NW France; and 509th and 511th Fighter Squadrons, 405th Fighter Group, move from Christchurch, England to Picauville with P-47s. In England, the 14th Liaison Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command, moves from Knutsford to Ibsley with L-5s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, fighter-bombers, medium, and light bombers attack ammunition dumps, viaducts', bridges', railroad cars, landing grounds, roads, motor transport, and other targets along the battleline in NC Italy and at various points to the N; HQ 51st Troop Carrier Wing moves from Catania, Sicily to Lido di Roma; and 4th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Gaudo Airfield to Galera Airfield with C-47s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s carry out bombing and strafing missions over Saipan, Tinian, and Rota Islands. B-24s, staging, through Eniwetok Atoll, pound Truk Atoll while B-25s based at Makin Island hit Ponape Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, Japanese concentrations at Aitape and a variety of targets of opportunity including barges, villages and bivouacs in the Wewak area are hit by A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack airfields and AA guns at Babo, Manokwari, Waren, and Moemi, barges at Noemfoor Island, and villages E of Maffin Bay. On New Britain Island, AA positions S of Ralum are bombed. FRIDAY, 30 JUNE 1944 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 47 B-25s continue the Imphal, India ammunition run while 17 B-25s haul gasoline to Kamaing; 18 B-25s bomb Tamu and 6 hit Wainggyo; and 11 P-38s attack Myitnge bridge. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, B-25s and fighter-bombers again pound numerous targets in the Tungting Lake area, concentrating on river shipping, town areas, troop concentrations, and road traffic; towns bombed include Pingkiang, Hengshan, Liling, Yuhsien, Siangyin, and Chuchou; also hit is the airfield at Hengyang and bridges at Leiyang and Liling. 15 P-40s over NE French Indochina damage bridge approaches at Phu Lang Thuong and blast 3 trains; detachment of 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, operating from Kweilin with P-40s, returns to base at Kunming. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 448: 153 bombers and 539 fighters are dispatched to attack airfields; 1 fighter is lost; of 75 B-17s, 39 hit Montdidier Airfield, 24 hit Le Culot Airfield and 11 hit Coxyde/Furnes Airfield, Belgium; 27 B-17s are damaged; of 78 B-24s, 35 hit Conches Airfield and 26 hit Evreux/Fauville Airfield, France without loss. Escort is provided by 168 of 178 P-51s without loss escort and afterwards strafe marshalling yards, airfields, barges, barracks, a train, a factory, and a warehouse with good results. No enemy aircraft are encountered and no aircraft are lost. Other P-38s, P-47s and P-51s hit bridges, marshalling yards and other targets in France; they claim 3-3-4 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-38 is lost (pilot is MIA) and 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair (pilot is KIA). TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 125+ B-26s and A-20s, using blind-bombing methods in bad weather, bomb fuel dumps and road junctions at Conde-sur-Vire, Foret de Conches, Conde-sur-Noireau, and Thury- Harcourt; around 250 others are forced to abort due to weather; 600+ fighters escort bombers, fly cover over the beach, and bomb marshalling yards at Chartres and Verneuil-sur-Avres, bridges E of Paris, and Evreux-Bueil, and Breux-sur-Avre-Trappes rail lines; the fighters fly armed reconnaissance in the Seine-Loire gap and along the Loire River, and Continent-based fighters of the IX Tactical Air Command attack communications targets in advance of the US and British positions; HQ 405th Fighter Group and 510th Fighter Squadron move from Christchurch, England to Picauville with P-47s. 112th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached primarily to HQ Command, SHAPE) moves from Hurst Park to Heston, England with L-5s. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO) STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather causes 450+ bombers and 150+ fighters to abort missions. 188 B-17s and B-24s, escorted by 138 fighters, hit an airfield at Zagreb, Yugoslavia and targets of opportunity in Hungary and Yugoslavia, including marshalling yards at Kaposvar, Osztopan and Split, a highway bridge at Brac Island, airfield at Banjaluka, and the city of Budapest, Hungary. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather again restricts medium bomber operations but B-25s attack the Pietrasanta railway bridge and Marradi viaduct and tunnel; fighter-bombers hit rail lines, bridges, railroad cars, guns, motor transport, and other targets along the battleline and the area to the N in the Pistoia area; HQ 62d Troop Carrier Group and 8th Troop Carrier Squadron move from Gaudo Airfield to Galera Airfield with C-47s. PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s on Saipan Island continue to pound enemy forces remaining on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota Islands. Detachment of 28th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Seventh Air Force (attached to VII Fighter Command), based at Kipapa Airfield, Territory of Hawaii, begins operating from Kwajalein Atoll with F-5s. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On New Britain Island, Tobera and Erventa Island are also bombed. In New Guinea, barges, troop concentrations, and other targets of opportunity near Nyaparake and Suain are attacked; Kamiri and Namber Airfields, supply areas, and defensive positions on Noemfoor Island are hit; ground echelon of 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Finschhafen to Biak Island (air echelon is operating from Biak with B-25s); and 389th Bombarment Squadron (Light), 312th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s. SOURCES: AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1 COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF 1982 THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973 THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2 Jack McKillop USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service) 1955-59 ------------------------------------------------------------------- | Jack McKillop | Those who have long enjoyed such | | Bellcore | privileges as we enjoy forget in | | Piscataway, NJ USA | time that men have died to win them. | | jem3@cc.bellcore.com | FDR | -------------------------------------------------------------------