Date: 18 Oct 1993 13:05:55 -0400 From: jem3@cc.bellcore.com Subject: USAAF OCT 43 This is the USAAF file for October 1943. CUT HERE CUT HERE CUT HERE -------------------------------------------------------------- COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES, OCTOBER 1943 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-36, North American Apache B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-24, Consolidated Liberator B-25, North American Mitchell B-26, Martin Marauder Boomerang, Commonwealth Aircraft Corp (RAAF) C-47, Douglas Skytrain F-4, Lockheed Lightning F-5, Lockheed Lightning F-7, Consolidated Liberator F4U, Vought Corsair (USN) Hudson, Lockheed L-1, Stinson Vigilant L-4, Piper Cub/Grasshopper L-5, Stinson Sentinel O-47, North American O-52, Curtiss Owl P-38, Lockheed Lightning P-39, Bell Airacobra P-40, Curtiss P-47, Republic Thunderbolt P-51, North American Mustang Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine Ventura, Lockheed Zeke, Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter FRIDAY, 1 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The detachment of the 15th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 26th Antisubmarine Wing, operating from Batista Field, Cuba with B-24's, returns to its base at Jacksonville AAFld, Florida. CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 10th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), transfers from Edinburgh Field to Waller Field, Trinidad, British West Indies with B-25's; a detachment of the squadron is still operating from Port of Spain, Trinidad. During October, HQ 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Albrook Field to Howard Field, Canal Zone. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): During Oct, HQ 80th Fighter Group and it's 88th Fighter Squadron transfer from Karachi to Nagaghuli and Mokelbari, India respectively with P-40's. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 21 B-24's, supported by 21 fighters, bomb a power plant, the warehouse and dock area at Haiphong, French Indochina. 40-65 fighters intercept, shooting down 2 US aircraft; 30 fighters are claimed destroyed by the Fourteenth in the air battle. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): A report by the intelligence section of the Eighth Air Force shows that despite recent efforts of the Allies to destroy the German aircraft industry, fighter production has expanded greatly and enemy fighter strength on the Western Front has increased. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): In the first half of October, HQ Ninth Air Force and HQ IX Bomber Command begin a movement to England from Egypt and Libya. WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-26's hit communications targets in the Capua, Grazzanise, Arce, and Mignano areas. B-24's, including heavy bombers on detached service from the Eighth Air Force, bomb Wiener-Neustadt, Austria; B-17's, sent against an airplane factory at Augsburg, Germany, fail to locate the target, and bomb several alternate targets and targets of opportunity in Austria, Italy, and off Corsica and Elba Island, Italy. In Italy, Northwest African Tactical Bomber Force (NATBF) and XII Air Support Command medium and light bombers, and fighter-bombers hit the Benevento town area and marshalling yard, the bridge at Capua, and motor transport, trains, and railroads mainly in the Isernia area and N to Avezzano. The British King's Dragoon Guards (with the US Fifth Army) occupy Naples. British Eighth Army troops occupy Foggia airfields. HQ 57th Fighter Group and it's 66th Fighter Squadron transfer from Gioia Airfield to Foggia, Italy with P-40's. The 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), and 311th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), Twelfth Air Force, are disbanded at Nouvion, Algeria and Gela, Sicily respectively. A detachment of the 515th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) based at Enfidaville, Tunisia with B-24's, begins operating from Bengasi, Libya. During October, HQ 63d Fighter Wing transfers from Rerhaia, Algeria to Bastia, Corsica; HQ 68th Reconnaissance Group transfers from Berteaux, Algeria to Massicault, Tunisia; the 37th Troop Carrier Squadron, 316th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Egypt to El Aouina, Tunisia with C-47's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 24 B-24's bomb a supply and bivouac area N of Vila airfield on Kolombangara Island. B-25's and P-38's join US Navy (USN) dive bombers in a strike on a barge depot at Kakasa on Choiseul Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): A-20's and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft bomb and strafe the Finschhafen, New Guinea area as the Australian 9 Division pours more troops into the assault on the town. B-25's strafe a power boat near Gasmata Island off New Britain Island. SATURDAY, 2 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 P-40's dive-bomb and strafe Yangtze River shipping in the Chiuchiang, China area. Strafing damages several small craft. HQ 51st Fighter Group transfers from Dinjan, India to Kunming, China and is reassigned from the Tenth to Fourteenth Air Force. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 106: 349 B-17's are dispatched to the industrial area of Emden, Germany; led by 2 B-17 pathfinders, 339 hit the target at 1557-1603 hours; they claim 15-6-12 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-17's are lost and 34 damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 21 MIA. The B-17's are escorted by 227 P-47's who claim 5-3-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is damaged. In addition to the above, 21 B-24's are dispatched to Woensdrecht Airfield, The Netherlands; the target is obscured by clouds and the mission is aborted. VIII Air Support Command Mission 75: 72 B-26's are dispatched to the St Omer/Longuenesse Airfield in France; because of cloud cover, only 6 hit the target at 1715 hours; the remainder refrain from bombing because the target is in occupied territory; 12 B-26's are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 4 WIA. VIII Bomber Command Mission 107: 2 B-17's join the Royal Air Force (RAF) in a night mission to Munich; no losses or casualties. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Brigadier General Gordon P Saville becomes Commanding General, XII Fighter Command. Weather curtails operations. In Italy, fighter-bombers of the XII Air Support Command attack motor transport, roads, and bridges during armed reconnaissance missions from the Volturno Valley N to Isernia and W to Benevento. The 64th and 65th Fighter Squadrons, 57th Fighter Group, transfer from Rocco Bernardo to Foggia, Italy with P-40's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 6 B-25's join USN dive bombers in attacking Hamberi Cove barge hideout near Vila on Kolombangara Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain Island, B-25's strafe villages in the Talasea area and barges off Gasmata Island; B-26's bomb Hoskins Airfield; and a B-24 bombs Cape Gloucester Airfield. Other B-24's bomb Amboina Island in the Moluccas Islands. Australian forces take the town and harbor of Finschhafen and prepare to take nearby commanding positions still held by the Japanese. The 6th Troop Carrier Squadron transfers from Port Moresby, New Guinea to Garbutt Field, Townsville, Queensland, Australia with C-47's. SUNDAY, 3 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 P-40's damage a 250-ft (76.2 m) vessel on the Yangtze River near Chiuchiang; 4 P-38's bomb Chiuchiang docks; 6 B-24's damage a 100-ft (30.5 m) coastal freighter off Tonkon Point on Hainan Island. A detachment of the 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, based at Hengyang, China begins operating from Suichwan, China with P-40's. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command Missions 76, 77 and 78: 1. 36 B-26's are dispatched to the Lille/Vendeveille Airfield in France but weather prevents their hitting the target. 2. 131 of 144 B-26's dispatched to Amsterdam/Schiphol (71 aircraft), Woensdrecht (34 aircraft) and Haamstede (26 aircraft) Airfields in the Netherlands hit their targets at 1120-1136 hours; 47 B-26's are damaged. 3. 72 B-26's are dispatched to Beauvais/Tille Airfield, France; 63 hit the target at 1724-1727 hours; 1 B-26 is lost and 27 damaged. Total casualties for all missions are 5 WIA. The 153d Liaison Squadron, 67th Observation Group, transfers from Keevil to Membury, England with A-20's and L-4's. The 328th, 329th, 330th and 409th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease operating from Oudna, Tunisia and return to their base at Hardwick, England with B-24's. The 564th, 565th, 566th and 567th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 389th Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease operating from Massicault, Tunisia and return to their base at Hethel, England with B-24's. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-26's, B-25's, and P-38's bomb railroad, highway, and pontoon bridges, an overpass, and road junction at Capua, Castel Volturno, Piana, Arce, Mignano, and Isernia; P-38's also hit shipping between Corsica and Italy. XII Bomber Command fighter-bombers hit motor transport in the battle area as US Fifth Army troops take Benevento. HQ 82d Fighter Group and it's 95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons transfer from Grombalia, Tunisia to San Pancrazio, Italy with P-38's. HQ 313th Troop Carrier Group and it's 29th Troop Carrier Squadron transfer from Sciacca to Trapani/Milo Airfield, Sicily with C-47's. HQ 321st Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 445th, 446th and 447th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) transfer from Soliman, Tunisia to Grottaglie, Italy with B-25's. HQ 324th Fighter Group and it's 314th, 315th and 316th Fighter Squadrons transfer from El Haouaria to Menzel Heurr, Tunisia with P-40's. These units have been regrouping since Jul 43. Detachments of the 512th, 513th and 514th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Enfidaville, Tunisia begin operating from Bengasi, Libya with B-24's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): P-39's strafe several barges W of Choiseul Island in the Solomon Islands. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's continue to hit barges along the W coast of New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. The 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, ceases operating from Port Moresby and returns to it's base at Dobodura, New Guinea with P-38's. MONDAY, 4 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 17 Japanese bombers and 25 Zekes attack Kweilin Airfield, China. The bombs, dropped from 20,000 feet (6,096 m), fail to hit the target. AAF fighters fail to make effective contact with the force. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 108: 4 targets in Germany and a diversion are flown. 12 B-17's and 4 B-24's are lost. 1. 104 B-17's are dispatched to the Wiesbaden industrial area; 15 aircraft hit Wiesbaden and 77 hit the industrial area at Frankfurt at 1059-1105 hours; they claim 19-3-15 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17's are lost and 45 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 8 WIA and 40 MIA. 2. 37 of 51 B-17's dispatched to Frankfurt hit the target at 1110-1111 hours; they claim 18-8-22 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17's are lost and 35 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 2 WIA and 30 MIA. 3. 115 B-17's are dispatched to the Saarlautern industrial area; 67 hit Saarlautern and 38 hit St Dizier/Robinson Airfield in France at 1136-1148 hours; they claim 37-7-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17's are lost, 4 are damaged beyond repair and 19 damaged; casualties are 6 WIA and 29 MIA. 4. 47 of 53 B-17's dispatched hit Sarreguemnines and Saarbrucken marshalling yards at 1133-1139 hours; 2 B-17's are damaged; no casualties. 5. 38 B-24's fly a diversion; they claim 13-6-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-24's are lost and 19 damaged; casualties are 11 WIA and 43 MIA. These missions are escorted by 223 P-47's; they claim 19-1-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair and 15 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA. VIII Air Support Command Mission 79: 25 B-26's are dispatched to Beauvais/Nivilliers and Evreux/Fauville Airfield in France; they return to base without bombing. VIII Bomber Command Mission 109: 4 B-17's drop 240,352 leaflets over Paris between 2257-2307 hours. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, 100+ XII Bomber Command B-17's bomb the Pisa marshalling yard and Bolzano bridges; B-25's and B-26's attack the airfield at Argos, road defiles at Terracina and Isernia, a highway overpass at Mignano, and shipping at Bastia; NATBF aircraft hit road and rail junctions on the main road N from Capua; XII Air Support Command fighter-bombers hit trains, roads, railroads, and vehicles near Isernia, Avezzano, Pescara, and Isolella. The Allies now have complete control of Corsica. The 5th Photographic Squadron (Light), Twelfth Air Force, based at La Marsa, Tunisia begins operating from Pontecagnano, Italy with F-5's. The 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, transfers from Crotone to Salsola, Italy with P-40's. The 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, based at Mateur, Tunisia sends a detachment to Gambut, Libya with P-38's. The 448th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 321st Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Soliman, Tunisia to Grottaglie, Italy with B-25's. "A" Flight of the 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, based at La Marsa, Tunisia sends a detachment to Grottaglie, Italy with B-17's and F-5's. "B" and "C" Flights are still in the US. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 23 B-24's, covered by 16 P-38's and several USN F4U's, bomb Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island; 20-30 fighters intercept, and a running battle occurs between Bougainville and Vella Lavella Island; US fighters and bombers claim 9 fighters downed; no American losses are suffered. 4 P-39's and 4 F4U's sink 18 barges in a strike along the W coast of Choiseul Island. The P-39's are especially effective because of their nose cannon. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's bomb and strafe barges, small craft, and villages on Vitu Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. The 22d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Port Moresby, New Guinea to Garbutt Field, Townsville, Queensland, Australia with C-47's. TUESDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force: HQ 25th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Ft. Amsterdam, Curacao to Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, a few B-25's and P-40's attack a foundry at Shihhweiyao; damaging hits are scored on a barrack, on AA positions, blast furnaces, hoppers, and a steam plant. 10 USAAF fighters intercept a force of about 50 Zekes W of Kweilin, shoot down 1 enemy fighter; the enemy force turns back. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 356th Fighter Group transfers from Goxhill to Martlesham, England. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Lieutenant General James H Doolittle assumes command of the Twelfth Air Force during the absence of General Carl Spaatz. In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-17's hit the Bologna marshalling yard; B-25's and B-26's bomb the Formia road, a road loop N of Mignano, and Isernia chokepoint; NATBF, XII Air Support Command, and RAF Desert Air Force (DAF) aircraft bomb numerous targets in and N of the battle area, including heavy traffic in the Isernia area, gasoline dumps at Alfedena, trains at Termoli, and towns of Venafro and Isolella. The 15th Troop Carrier Squadron, 61st Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Licata to Sciacca, Sicily with C-47's. The 27th and 71st Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group, based at Mateur, Tunisia send detachments to Gambut, Libya with P-38's. The 85th and 86th Fighter Squadrons, 79th Fighter Group, transfer from Crotone to Salsola, Italy with P-40's. The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 68th Reconnaissance Group, transfers from Sele to Pomigliano, Italy with P-51's. A detachment of the squadron is operating from Capaccio, Italy. The 526th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 86th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers from Sele Airfield to Seretella Airfield, Italy with A-36's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25's carry out a coastal sweep W to Madang, bombing and strafing villages and barges; B-17's hit the Bogadjim Road and jetties at Erima; and B-24's bomb the Babo area. HQ 35th Fighter Group transfers from Tsili Tsili to Nadzab, New Guinea. The 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Port Moresby, New Guinea to Garbutt Field, Townsville, Queensland Australia with C-47's. WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 P-40's from Suichwan intercept an attacking force of 27 bombers and 21 Zekes; 1 bomber and 1 fighter are shot down, and the attackers retire in the direction of Canton without dropping their bombs. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-17's bomb the Mestre marshalling yard while B-26's hit a highway chokepoint at Isernia, the highway at Mignano, and road junction at Formia; P-38's strafe Araxos Airfield in Greece; NATBF planes on road- blocking missions hit targets at Teano, at Alfedena, between Cassino and Capua, and near Sessa Aurunca; XII Air Support Command P-40's and A-36's attack roads and vehicles N of the US Fifth Army battle zone and patrol the Naples area. The US Fifth Army reaches the S bank of the Volturno River; Capua falls to British units. HQ 61st Troop Carrier Group and it's 14th Troop Carrier Squadron transfer from Licata to Sciacca, Sicily with C-47's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 8 P-39's and 8 USN F4U's strafe barges off the W coast of Choiseul Island. 24 B-25's and 14 P-38's carry out a low-level strike against Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island, damaging or destroying several parked aircraft. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-25's sweep along coastal areas of New Britain Island and through islands to the N and W, bombing and strafing targets of opportunity. THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS (First Air Force): The 14th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 25th Antisubmarine Wing, transfers from Otis Field, Massachusetts to Biggs Field, Texas and is transferred to the Second Air Force. CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 35th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 25th Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Zandery Field, Surinam to Vernam Field, Jamaica, British West Indies with B-25's. The detachment operating from Atkinson Field, British Guiana also transfers to Vernam Field. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25's attack a 2,500-ton freighter 100 miles (160 km) S of Amoy, China scoring 3 direct hits; the vessel is left burning and listing. 9 B-24's and 22 fighters hit a cement plant at Haiphong, French Indochina causing heavy damage to the kiln building. The 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, transfers from Dinjan, India to Kunming, China with P-40's. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 110. During the night of 7/8 Oct, 4 B-17's drop 240,352 leaflets over Paris at 2257-2307 hours; no losses or casualties. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 434th Troop Carrier Group and it's 71st, 72d, 73d and 74th Troop Carrier Squadrons arrive at Fulbeck, England from the US with C-47's. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Bad weather cancels many operations. In Italy, NATBF medium and light bombers strike roads, railway, junction, and town areas in the Capua and Guglionesi regions. RAF DAF fighter-bombers hit trucks in the Termoli-Vasto areas. HQ 57th Bombardment Wing transfers from Lentini, Sicily to Naples, Italy. HQ 64th Fighter Wing transfers from Milazzo, Sicily to Frattamaggiore, Italy. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): The 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands with B-24's, begins operating from Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In the Bismarck Archipelago, a B-24 on patrol bombs Umboi Island, scoring damaging hits on several buildings. HQ 374th Troop Carrier Group transfers from Port Moresby, New Guinea to Townsville, Queensland, Australia. FRIDAY, 8 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 9 B-24's, supported by 20 P-40's, bomb Gia Lam Airfield in French Indochina. While on ferry mission over the Hump, 3 B-24's bomb Tengchung, China scoring hits on warehouses, barracks, and a HQ area. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 111. 4 locations in Germany are targetted. On this mission the Eighth Air Forces uses, for the first time, airborne transmitters (Carpet equipment) to jam German radar. 30 bombers and 3 fighters are lost. 1. 105 of 118 B-17's dispatched to the shipyard at Breman hit the target at 1505-1513 hours; they claim 42-2-28 Luftwaffe aircraft; 9 B-17's are lost and 61 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 18 WIA and 90 MIA. 2. 53 of 56 B-17's dispatched to the industrial area at Breman hit the target at 1512-1513 hours; they claim 24-7-17 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17's are lost and 44 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 12 WIA and 41 MIA. 3. 43 of 55 B-24's dispatched to the U-boat yards at Vegesack hit the target at 1622-1624 hours; they claim 17-1-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-24's are lost and 21 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 5 WIA and 30 MIA. 4. 156 of 170 B-17's dispatched to the city of Bremen hit the target and targets of opportunity at 1505-1527 hours; they claim 84-12-33 Luftwaffe aircraft; 14 B-17's are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 110 damaged; casualties are 21 WIA and 140 MIA. The B-17's are escorted by 274 P-47's; they claim 12-2-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 P-47's are lost and 5 damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 3 MIA. VIII Air Support Command Mission 80: 144 B-26's are dispatched to Lille/Vendeville and Chievres Airfields in France; the mission is abandoned due to thick haze and generally unsuitable weather; 4 B-26's are damaged. VIII Bomber Command Mission 112: 2 B-17's drop 266,336 leaflets over Rennes at 0005-0011 hours, 9 Oct 43. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Greece, XII Bomber Command B-24's bomb Tatoi and Eleusis Airfields at Athens, airfields at Kastelli and Heraklion Airfields on Crete, and Maritsa Airfield on Rhodes; B-25's also hit Eleusis airfield; P-38's fly convoy cover, patrols, and sweeps over the Aegean Sea. Weather prevents the XII Air Support Command from operating. In Italy, the NATBF and RAF DAF hit a bridge at Minturno and a road junction and military concentration at Termoli. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's and P-40's sink a barge off the W coast of Choiseul Island in the Solomon Islands. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): A single B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs Cape Gloucester Airfield on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. SATURDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 12 Kuril-based Japanese bombers attack Attu Island. ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The 25th Antisubmarine Squadron, 26th Antisubmarine Wing, transfers from Jacksonville AAFld, Florida to Clovis AAF, New Mexico and is reassigned to the Second Air Force. The squadron will be disbanded on 28 Oct 43. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25's on a shipping sweep off the SE China coast in the Amoy-Quemoy area sink a 150-ft (45.7 m) tanker and damage a patrol vessel, and a freighter. 1 B-25 crashes into a hill and explodes. 10 P-40's bomb fuel storage and barracks at Mangshih, China; 1 P-40 is downed by ground fire. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 113. 2 targets in Germany and 2 in Poland are hit; 26 B-17's and 2 B-24's are lost. 1. 106 of 115 B-17's hit the industrial area in Anklam, Germany at 1142-1146 hours; they claim 65-19-47 Luftwaffe aircraft, 18 B-17's are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 51 damaged; casualties are 25 WIA and 185 MIA. 2. 96 of 100 B-17's hit the industrial area in Marienburg, Germany at 1253-1302 hours; they claim 9-2-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-17's are lost and 13 damaged; casualties are 3 WIA and 21 MIA. 3. 41 of 51 B-24's hit the U-boat yards at Danzig and the port area at Gdynia, Poland at 1305 hours; they claim 7-3-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-24's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 19 damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 21 MIA. 4. 109 of 112 B-17's hit the port area at Gdynia, Poland at 1304-1324 hours; they claim 41-5-10 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17's are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 62 damaged; casualties are 6 WIA and 60 MIA. VIII Air Support Command Mission 81: 66 of 72 B-26's bomb the Woensdrecht Airfield in the Netherlands at 1516-1526 hours; 26 B-26's are damaged. This is the final Eighth Air Force B-26 operation; the B-26's will be transfered to the Ninth Air Force. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command B-17's bomb airfields at Larissa, Athens and Salonika, Greece and Argos, Italy. B-24's hit Kastelli/Pediada Airfield on Crete. P-38's fly a sweep between the island of Corfu, Greece and Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia and escort shipping in the Karpathos Straits between Carpathos and Rhodes. In Italy, the XII Air Support Command does not operate, but the NATBF and RAF DAF hit traffic in the Termoli and Montenero areas, guns N of Capua, a HQ at Palata, and roads and railroads N of Naples. HQ 79th Fighter Group transfers from Crotone to Foggia, Italy. The 66th, 67th, 68th and 506th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease operating from Tunis, Tunisia and return to their base at Shipdham, England with B-24's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, B-25's and P-40's hit barges and concentrations on W Choiseul Island. P-39's and USN F4U's strafe buildings, a radar station, and gun positions at Poporang Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20's and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airplanes bomb and strafe defensive positions in the Sattelberg and Finschhafen areas. B-24's bomb Makassar on Celebes Island. The 2d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 22d Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Reid River, Australia to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-26's. They re-entered combat on 5 Oct after R&R in Australia since Jan 43. The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, transfers from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea. The squadron is operating from Tsili Tsili, New Guinea with C-47's. SUNDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 7 B-24's pound the Meza railroad bridge in Burma, destroying the 3 spans on the E end and dropping the end of a central span into the river. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 20 B-24's and 18 P-40's pound docks at Haiphong, French Indochina. In China, 8 P-40's bomb a match factory and ammunition dump at Tengchung; 8 others hit a supply dump and targets of opportunity in the Lungling area. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 114. 236 of 274 B-17's hit the railroads and waterways in and around Munster, Germany at 1503-1518 hours plus targets of opportunity at Coesfeld, Germany and Enschede Airfield in the Netherlands; they claim 183-21-51 Luftwaffe aircraft; 30 B-17's are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 102 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 18 WIA and 306 MIA. 39 B-24's fly a diversion without loss or casualties. The B-17's are escorted by 216 P-47's; they claim 19-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; casualties are 1 MIA. The 360th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, transfers from Goxhill to Martlesham, England with P-47's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on 15 Oct. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-17's bomb 2 airfields at Athens, Greece while B-24's hit Maritsa Airfield on Rhodes and Calato and Heraklion Airfields on Crete. P-38's escort shipping off Rhodes, hit Antimachia Airfield in the Dodecanese Islands, and attack vessels in the harbors of Corfu, Greece and Kotor, Yugoslavia, and off Tivat, Yugoslavia and hit targets of opportunity in the Aegean Sea and along its E coastline. In Italy, the NATBF and RAF DAF concentrate on gun positions on both the US Fifth and British Eighth Army battlefronts; vehicles, railroads, and town areas also are hit; the attacks take place NE of Capua, at Guglionesi, at Cassino and Mondragone, between Rome and Terracina, and around the Termoli- Isernia-Pescara areas. HQ 82d Fighter Group and it's 95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadron transfer from San Pancrazio to Lecce, Italy with P-38's. A detachment of the 380th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Menzel Temime, Tunisia with B-25's begins operating from Oudna, Tunisia. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 24 B-24's, 50+ P-38's, P-40's, and P-39's, and 50+ USN fighters and dive bombers pound Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island and surrounding areas, hitting runways, a fuel dump, supply area, buildings, and Malabita Hill gun positions. US airplanes claim 15 interceptors shot down. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20's, along with RAAF airplanes, again pound the Sattelberg area. During the night of 10/11 Oct, B-25's hit Saumlakki on Tanimbar Island in the Moluccas Islands. HQ 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group arrives at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the US. The ground echelon of the 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), arrives at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the US. The squadron is attached to the 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group and will be reassigned to the 6th on 5 Dec 43. The air echelon, with B-24's and F-7's, will remain in the US until 26 Jan 44. The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's. MONDAY, 11 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): HQ 311th Fighter-Bomber Group transfers from Nawadih to Dinjan, India. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-24's bomb the town areas of Tengchung, China, and Sadon and Myitkyina, Burma. The 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, transfers from Kunming to Kweilin, China with P-40's. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command B-25's bomb Garitsa Airfield, Greece and P-38's hit a vessel in the Corfu harbor on Corfu Island. In Italy, XII Air Support Command and NATBF operations are cancelled or aborted due to weather, but RAF DAF fighters hit trains, trucks, and gun positions near Montesilvano and Vasto. The 381st and 428th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Menzel Temime, Tunisia with B-25's begin operating from Oudna, Tunisia. Detachments of the 512th, 513th and 514th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy), which have been operating from Bengasi, Libya with B-24's, return to their base at Enfidaville, Tunisia. The 527th and 528th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons, 86th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfer from Sele Airfield to Serretella Airfield, Italy with A-36's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 22 B-24's join 30+ USN dive bombers in pounding Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island and the nearby area. Hits are scored on the airstrip, fuel dumps, supply areas, gun positions, bridges between Rangu and Jakohina, barges at the mouth of the Uguima River, and several other targets. The B-24's and the USN and AAF fighters covering the attack claim 12 Japanese airplanes downed. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24's attack the towns of Manokwari, Bira, and Fak Fak and score hits on a small vessel at Fak Fak. During the night of 11/12 Oct, B-25's bomb Cape Chater Airfield and Lautem on Timor Island. TUESDAY, 12 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The detachments of the 10th and 35th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 25th Bombardment Group (Medium), that have been operating from Port of Spain, Trinidad with B-25's since Aug 43 return to their base at Edinburgh Field, Trinidad and Vernam Field, Jamaica respectively. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 B-24's bomb the warehouse area and railroad yards at Myitkyina, Burma. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 359th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, transfers from Goxhill to Martlesham, England with P-47's. The squadron will fly it's first combat mission on 15 Oct. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command operations are canceled by weather. In Italy, the XII Air Support Command and other Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) elements (NATBF and RAF DAF) operate on a reduced scale, hitting road junctions at Vasto and Fossacesia, Aquino Airfield, motor transport on the Itri-Pico road and on a road N of Rome in the Bolsena and Capranica areas, roads near Tarquinia, rail facilities at Cisterna di Latina, trains between Pescara and Benedello, and guns and troops near Cercemaggiore. HQ 81st Fighter Group and it's 91st Fighter Squadron transfer from Sidi Ahmed, Tunisia to Castelvetrano, Sicily with P-39's. HQ 86th Fighter-Bomber Group and it's 526th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, transfer from Sele Airfield to Serretella Airfield, Italy with A-36's. The 86th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), transfers from Grottaglie to Vincenzo Airfield, Italy with A-20's. The detachment of the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, that has been operating from Gambut, Libya with P-38's since 4 Oct, returns to it's base at Mateur, Tunisia. The detachment of the 515th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Bengasi, Libya with B-24's since 1 Oct, returns to it's base at Enfidaville, Tunisia. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 2 B-25's skip-bomb 2 small vessels in Matchin Bay on Bougainville Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): The Allied Air Force begins a major air offensive against Rabaul on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago with the aim of isolating and neutralizing it. Almost 350 B-24's, B-25's, P-38's, and RAAF airplanes pound the town, harbor, and airfields in the area; 50+ Japanese aircraft are destroyed, 3 ships are sunk and several damaged, and several small harbor craft are sunk. B-25's fly small strikes against targets on Timor Island and other areas of the Netherlands East Indies. WEDNESDAY, 13 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 11 P-40's unsuccessfully intercept 8 Japanese medium bombers attacking Massacre Bay and the nearby airfield on Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Japanese fighters appear in strength over Sumprabum, Burma to attack over-the-Hump flights. The enemy evades US patrols and shoots down 3 transports. A fighter-bomber offensive against airfields in Burma from which fighters might operate against Hump transports opens with an attack by P-40's on Myitkyina. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 3 B-25's on a sea sweep off SE China hit shipping in Amoy harbor, claiming 1 freighter sunk and another damaged. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Italy declares war on Germany. In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-25's and B-26's bomb the town of Alife, a road junction at Sessa Aurunca, and airfield at Tirana; XII Air Support Command, supplemented by RAF DAF fighters, supports the US Fifth Army, which begins an assault crossing of the Volturno River on a 40-mile (64 km) front during the night of 12/13 Oct. Fighters and fighter-bombers hit troop and tank concentrations, trains, trucks, and communications the lines in the forward areas, especially around Ortona, Giulianova, and Campobasso. NATBF light bombers join in the attacks, hitting road junctions in the Vairano, Carinola, Dragoni, Vasto, Terracina, and Minturno areas. The 12th Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, transfers from Ariana to La Marsa, Tunisia with F-4's and F-5's. The detachment of the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, operating from Gambut, Libya with P-38's since 5 Oct, returns to it's base at Mateur, Tunisia. The 92d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, transfers from Sidi Ahmed, Tunisia to Castelvetrano, Sicily with P-39's. The 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, transfers from Montecorvino to Pomigliano, Italy with Spitfires. The 379th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Menzel Temime, Tunisia with B-25's, begins operating from Oudna, Tunisia. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, a detachment of the 17th Photographic Squadron (Light), 4th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, based on Guadalcanal Island with F-5's, begins operating from Munda, New Georgia Island. The air echelons of "C" and "D" Flights are still in the US. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, 100+ B-24's and B-25's are sent against Rabaul; bad weather forces the bombers to turn back, but 40+ B-24's hit targets including Hoskins, Lindenhafen, Cape Gloucester and Gasmata Island off the south coast of New Britain Island. THURSDAY, 14 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25's attack shipping in the Amoy area, damaging 2 freighters, and also bomb Amoy Airfield. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 115: 229 of 291 B-17's hit the city area and ball bearing plants at Schweinfurt, Germany in 2 group; the first group bombs at 1439-1445 hours, the second group at 1451-1457 hours; they claim 186-27-89 Luftwaffe aircraft; 60 B-17's are lost, 7 damaged beyond repair and 138 damaged; casualties are 5 KIA, 40 WIA and 594 MIA. The attack, which causes great damage and interference with production, results in German reorganization of the bearing industry. Fierce opposition of great numbers of fighters, many of them firing rockets, accounts for the 60 US aircraft shot down. As a result of these heavy losses, daylight bombing against strategic targets deep in Germany is discontinued for a short period. Only 29 of 60 B-24's are able to form up in poor weather; they abandoned their planned mission and fly a diversion towards Emden, Germany. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-25's hit Argos Airfield and B-17's bomb the Terni marshalling yard. Other B-17's and B-24's attack a bridge at Giulianova, the town area of Piano-Vomano and railroad and highway bridges N of Pescara and along the E coast of Italy. Weather hinders tactical aircraft operations, but the XII Air Support Command and RAF DAF hit trains and vehicles and fly patrols from N of the Volturno River to Formia and N of Pescara. HQ 31st Fighter Group and it's 308th and 309th Fighter Squadrons transfer from Montecorvino to Pomigliano, Italy with Spitfires. The 5th Photographic Squadron (Light), Twelfth Air Force, based at La Marsa, Tunisia with F-5's transfers operations from Pontecagnano to Pomigliano, Italy. The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 68th Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from Capaccio and returns to it's base at Pomigliano, Italy with P-51's. The 525th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 86th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers from Sele Airfield to Serretella Airfield, Italy with A-36's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, a single B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs 4 barges W of Taiof Island, leaving 1 sinking. The 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases operating from Guadalcanal Island and returns to it's base on Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands with B-24's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 60+ medium bombers pound Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island and Alexishafen, New Guinea. 3 others fly harassing strikes against Dili and Lautem on Timor Island. FRIDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The 25th and 26th Antisubmarine Wings are disbanded at New York, New York and Miami, Florida. The ground echelon of the 23d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), I Bomber Command, transfers from Drew Field, Tampa, Florida to Smoky Hill AAFld, Kansas where they will be disbanded on 6 Nov 43. The air echelon is based at Edinburgh Field, Trinidad with B-25's with a detachment operating from Zandery Field, Surinam. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 89th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, transfers from Karachi to Gushkara, India with P-40's. A detachment will operate from Sadiya, India during Oct. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS: HQ U.S. Army Air Forces in United Kingdom (USAAFUK) is activated to exercise supervision over and provide coordination between the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in the UK. Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker is appointed Commanding General in addition to his duties as Commanding General Eighth Air Force. STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 55th Fighter Group (38th, 338th and 343d Fighter Squadrons), a much needed P-38 group group, becomes operational in the UK. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-25's of the XII Bomber Command hit airfields at Salonika and Megalo Mikra, Greece. In Italy, XII Air Support Command and other elements of NATAF hit roads, railroads, bridges, junctions, railway facilities, town areas, and motor transport at or near Piedimonte, Vairano, Termoli, Petacciato, Sparanise, and Civitanova, and hit gun positions and communications in the general battle area N of the Volturno River. HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and it's 84th and 85th Bombardment Squadron (Light) transfer from Gorttaglie to Vincenzo Airfield, Italy with A-20's. HQ 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 489th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) transfer from Catania, Sicily to San Pancrazio, Italy with B-25's. The detachment of the 71st Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, operating from Gambut, Libya with P-38's returns to it's base at Mateur, Tunisia. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 21 B-24's, 12 P-38's, and 17 USN F4U's pound Kahili Airfield supply and personnel areas on Bougainville Island. 6 Zekes are claimed shot down. During the late evening B-25's bomb the airfield on Buka Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 50+ P-38's and P-40's intercept around 100 Japanese aircraft attacking Allied shipping in Oro Bay; the US fighters claim 40+ shot down; 4 other P-40's, encountering 20+ Japanese airplanes E of Finschhafen, claim 5 destroyed; and 70+ medium bombers hit positions and villages from Sio to Saidor. 6 B-24's bomb Boela on Ceram Island in the Moluccas Islands. HQ 22d Bombardment Group and it's 33d and 408th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) transfer from Australia to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-25's; the 22d and 33d transfer from Woodstock, Australia and the 408th from Reid River, Australia. SATURDAY, 16 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS: The Joint Chiefs of Staff send a proposed directive to General Dwight D Eisenhower, submitted by General Henry H "Hap" Arnold on 9 Oct, for the establishment of a new Air Force (the Fifteenth) in Italy to be used when needed as part of the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) against strategic targets in Germany. CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): HQ 41st Bombardment Group (Medium) arrives at Hickam Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii from the US. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Fighter patrols are increased from 4 to 8 aircraft with little effect on enemy marauders over the Hump. 3 A-36's fail to return from a mission over Sumprabum, Burma. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In the United Kingdom, HQ Ninth Air Force is established at Sunninghill as a tactical Air Force with Lieutenant General Lewis H Brereton as Commanding General. The 3d Bombardment Wing at Marks Hall is transferred from the VIII Air Support Command, Eighth Air Force to the IX Bomber Command commanded by Major General Frederick L Anderson. (HQ IX Bomber Command will not be established in England until Nov 43.) The four B-26 groups transferred are: 322d Bombardment Group (Medium) [449th, 450th, 451st and 452d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium)] 323d Bombardment Group (Medium) [453d, 454th, 455th and 456th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium)] 387th Bombardment Group (Medium) [556th, 557th, 558th and 559th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium)] 388th Bombardment Group (Medium) [560th, 561st, 562d and 563d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium)] The IX Troop Carrier Command is activated at Cottesmore with Brigadier General Benjamin F Giles as Commanding General; the 315th Troop Carrier Group (34th and 43d Troop Carrier Squadrons with C-47's) is transferred from from the Eighth Air Force; and the 434th Troop Carrier Group and it's 71st, 72d, 73d and 74th Troop Carrier Squadrons that arrived on 9 Oct are also assigned. The IX Air Service Command is re-formed under Major General Henry J Miller. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): P-38's bomb a vessel in Leukas Channel off the W coast of Greece. In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-25's bomb the marshalling yard and rail lines, railroad tunnel, highway underpass, warehouses, industrial buildings, and gas works in or near Bologna; XII Air Support Command and other NATAF elements provide close support to the US Fifth and British Eighth Armies; fighters and light and medium bombers hit communications centers of Venafro, Vairano, Sparanise, Latina, Alife, and the town of Pietravairano; roads, railroads, and junctions in the areas SE of Rome to the bomb line, between Vasto and Pescara, and at Mondragone; gun positions, trucks, and military concentrations near Vinchiaturo, Boiano, and Termoli; landing ground of Cisterna di Latina; and several other targets in the area between Rome and Ancona. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 8 B-24's bomb Kara Airfield on Bougainville Island. 6 B-25's hit the airfield on Ballale Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 60+ B-25's attack the Alexishafen area, hit coastal targets between Reiss Point and Sio, and bomb the airfield at Wewak. A-20's bomb and strafe Gasmata Island off New Britain Island. A lone B-24 destroys a patrol craft between Hoskins and Rabaul on New Britain Island. SUNDAY, 17 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The 15th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), Second Air Force, is transferred from Jacksonville AAFld, Florida to Wendover Field, Utah where it will be disbanded on 2 Nov 43. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Heavy and medium bombers bomb Naba, Burma. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 7 B-24's bomb Htawgaw, Burma. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 50th Troop Carrier Wing arrives at Cottesmore, England from the US. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather prevents operations by the XII Bomber Command. US and RAF units of NATAF operate at a reduced pace. In Italy, light and medium bombers hit the towns of Teano and Alife and motor transport at Benedello, Penna, and Pedesso; fighter-bombers bomb and strafe troops, trucks, guns, train stations, and a bridge near Vinchiaturo, Benedello, Teramo, and Sparanise; other fighters strafe locomotives S of Ancona. The 97th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), transfers from Grottaglie to Vincenzo Airfield, Italy with A-20's. The 99th Fighter Squadron, XII Air Support Command, transfers from Barcellona, Sicily to Foggia, Italy with P-40's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 18 A-20's and B-25's bomb and strafe Sattelberg and 7 B-25's hit Wewak and Boram Airfield with a low-level attack during which 15 aircraft are destroyed on the ground and 4 claimed shot down. 4 P-39's intercept 18 airplanes attacking Finschhafen, claiming 6 shot down. 40+ fighters intercept a large group of enemy aircraft attempting to attack Oro Bay; US fighters claim 24 shot down. 6 B-24's bomb Ternate Island in the Moluccas, a 2,200-mile (3,520 km) round trip. MONDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The 406th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), Fourth Air Force, departs Elmendorf Field, Anchorage for the US. The squadron will transition from B-25's to B-24's and arrive in England on 2 Nov 43. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers from Nawadih to Dinjan, India with A-36's. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, arrives at East Wretham, England from the US with P-47's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on 13 Dec 43. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 228 B-26's dispatched to bomb 4 airfields in France are recalled before attacking because of unfavorable weather. Major General Elwood R "Pete" Quesada becomes Commanding General of the IX Fighter Command. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command B-25's bomb the marshalling yard at Skoplje, Yugoslavia; P-38's follow with a strafing mission, damaging or destroying several locomotives and vehicles. In Italy, XII Air Support Command A-36's hit the Venafro railroad yards, and other fighter-bombers hit gun positions, troops, and railway stations in or near Boiano, Petacciato, and Vairano. Fighters strafe airfields around Rome and also hit Viterbo, Grosseto, and the seaplane base at Bracciano, and attack trains on the Rome-Orte and Rome-Naples, Italy lines. NATBF light bombers bomb the road and railway near Cassino, the town of Carpinone, the road junction at Castiglione della Valle, and roads, bridges, and motor transport near Minturno and Chieti. HQ 316th Troop Carrier Group transfers from Mazzara to Borizzo, Sicily. The 4th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Gela to Catania, Sicily with C-47's. The 12th Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, based at La Marsa, Tunisia with F-4's and F-5's, sends a detachment to operate from Ajaccio/Camp del Oro, Corsica. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 28 B-24's and 40+ USN dive bombers, with cover of 50+ fighters, hit the airfield on Ballale Island. 14 P-39's join 20+ US Navy aircraft in a strike on Kakasa village and a tent area on Choiseul Island. The 70th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, transfers from Guadalcanal Island to New Georgia Island with P-39's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, nearly 80 B-24's and fighters sent against Rabaul on New Britain Island are forced to abort by bad weather; however, 50+ B-25's slip beneath low clouds and pound the town, airfields, and shipping from treetop and mast-height level; the B-25's sink 2 vessels and claim 70+ planes destroyed on the ground and in the air; 13 of the B-24's bomb Cape Hoskins; 7 others bomb Cape Gloucester and hit Sio, New Guinea. B-25's bomb and strafe a road at Bogadjim, New Guinea. TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 1st Troop Carrier Squadron, Tenth Air Force, transfers from New Delhi to Sookerating, India with C-47's. The 529th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers from Nawadih to Dinjan, India with A-36's. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 359th Fighter Group and it's 369th Fighter Squadron arrives at East Wretham, England from the US with P-47's. The group will fly it's first mission on 13 Dec 43. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, during a low-level raid, XII Bomber Command B-24's bomb bridges at Porto Civitanova, S of Porto Sant' Elpidio, N of Pedaso, and N of Cupra Marittima; fighters, fighter-bombers, and light bombers of the XII Air Support Command, NATBF, and RAF DAF attack the town of Boiano, gun positions and troop concentrations on the outskirts of town, and an ammunition dump and railroad tunnel nearby, Viterbo and Tarquinia landing fields, the towns of Cassino and Anzio, the railroad N of Pesaro and near Pineto, trains near Barisciano, troops near Mintumo, and vehicles at several points. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, Kara and Kahili Airfields on Bougainville Island are hit by B-24's, Venturas, P-38's, P-40's, and USN fighters and dive bombers. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Guinea, A-20's and RAAF airplanes hit Sattelberg and surrounding areas and bomb Gasmata Island off New Britain Island; enemy air raid against Finschhafen causes no effective damage. B-25's and RAAF Hudsons bomb Fuiloro on Timor Island. WEDNESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 1943 CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): HQ 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 27th, 38th and 392d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Hickam Field, Moluleia Field, Kahuku and Barking Sands, Territory of Hawaii respectively from the US with B-24's. The 396th and 820th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group (Medium) arrive at Hickam Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii from the US with B-25's. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The bridge at Meza, Burma, being repaired after being damaged severely on 10 Oct, is attacked and damaged by B-25's. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 116. The industrial area at Duren, Germany is the primary target. 97 of 170 B-17's hit the primary target at 1413-1416 bombing from 30,000-feet (48,000 m) because the cloud tops were at 29,500-feet (47,200 m); the 1st Bombardment Division uses Oboe PFF for the first time but the equipment fails and 60 aircraft return to base without bombing; 42 of the 1st Bombardment Division's aircraft hit Woensdrecht Airfield in the Netherlands as a target of opportunity; and 70 B-24's fly a diversion; the totals are 4-1-1 Luftwaffe aircraft claimed; 9 B-17's lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 10 damaged; casualties are 4 KIA (including 3 gunners who died from oxygen system failure), 2 WIA and 85 MIA. VIII Bomber Command Mission 117: During the night of 20/21 Oct, 5 B-17's drop 876,960 leaflets over Roen and Paris at 2211-2217 hours. HQ 358th Fighter Group and it's 365th, 366th and 367th Fighter Squadrons arrive at Goxhill, England from the US. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-17's, B-26's, B-25's and P-38's bomb the Rome-Casale landing ground, Marcigliana and Cerveteri Airfields, railroad bridges at Montalto di Castro, Grosseto, and 13 miles (21 km) SE of Orvieto, and the marshalling yard at Nish, Yugoslavia obstructing the Belgrade-Sofia line; the XII Air Support Command, NATBF, and other aircraft of the NATAF devote most of their efforts to bombing gun positions, trucks, and rail and road communications S of Vasto, at Mignano, N of Cassino, in Cassino and Chieti, at Castropignano, Carpinone, Arce, Tratella, and at various other points along highways and railroads. Fighter-bombers also hit shipping along Dalmatian coast of Yugoslavia, claiming 2 vessels sunk. HQ 62d Fighter Wing transfers from Palermo, Sicily to Naples, Italy. The 527th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 86th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers from Serretella Airfield to Pomigliano, Italy with A-36's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, Kakasa on Choiseul Island is attacked 3 times by Venturas, P-40's, and USN fighters and dive bombers. 24 P-40's and nearly 50 USN F4U's sweep Kahili on Bougainville Island; one force of F4U's encounters fighters, claiming 3 destroyed. The 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), ceases operating form Guadalcanal Island with B-25's and returns to it's base on New Caledonia Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25's bomb and strafe the Bogadjim area; B-24's hit 2 freighters near Manokwari and bomb the Manokwari area; and an attack on Finschhafen by 30 Japanese aircraft causes minor damage. A-20's hit Gasmata Island off New Britain Island. THURSDAY, 21 OCTOBER 1943 CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): The 72d Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, transfers from Hilo Field to Wheeler Field, Territory of Hawaii with P-39's. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group, based at Dinjan, India with A-36's sends a detachment to operate from Kurmitola, India. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24's bomb Nawlang, Burma; the barracks area is blasted by at least 3 direct hits. 6 P-40's pound the barracks area at Kunlong, China. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Bad weather causes 72 B-26's sent to bomb Evreux/Fauville Airfield in France to abort the mission. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Colonel Arthur Thomas takes command of the XII Air Force Service Command. In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-17's hit a railroad viaduct at Terni and rail and road bridges in Albania. B-24's hit Orvieto railroad bridge; B-26's and B-25's bomb bridges at Montalto di Castro and NW of Acquapendente and the railroad at Orbetello; P-38's bomb a radar station at Pellegrino and the marshalling yard at Skoplje, Yugoslavia; RAF and US NATAF light and medium bombers concentrate on Cassino, hitting the town, a bivouac area nearby, and railroad to the S; vessels along Dalmatian coast of Yugoslavia are also attacked; XII Air Support Command fighters and fighter-bombers patrol the Naples area and attack numerous roads, railroads, bridges, junctions, trucks, gun emplacements, and other targets in the battle area. The 93d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, transfers from Sidi Ahmed, Tunisia to Castelvetrano, Sicily with P-39's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 12 B-25's, with an escort of 36 fighters, attack Kara Airfield on Bougainville Island. The runway and several buildings suffer direct hits. The 23d Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands with B-24's begins operating from Guadalcanal Island. The 75th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Guadalcanal Island to the Russell Islands with B-25's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 50+ B-24's bomb positions at Sattelberg; 19 B-25's follow with a low-level strike: other B-25's carry out a sweep along the Bogadjim road. In the Bismarck Archipelago, P-40's bomb Gasmata Island off New Britain Island and attack 2 light cruisers off New Ireland Island, damaging 1 of them. FRIDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1943 CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): The 819th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Barking Sands, Territory of Hawaii with B-24's. The squadron, the ex-3d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), will fly sea searches and supply the 30th Group with replacement crews and planes until May 44. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, a B-25 strike against a railroad bridge on the Ye-u branch line over the Mu River between Ywataung and Monywa fails to damage the structure. This raid marks the final assault of the year on this bridge. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): About 60 B-26's bomb Evreux/Fauville Airfield in France; 140+ others abort missions against other airfields because of bad weather. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) approve the plan, submitted by General Henry H "Hap" Arnold and the US Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), to create a new Air Force (the Fifteenth) in Italy from part of the Twelfth Air Force to be used in strategic bombing against Germany as well as in support of ground operations. In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-26's bomb railroad bridges N and SE of Omvieto; B-25's hit a railroad bridge S of Grosseto and Eleusis Airfield, Greece; The XII Air Support Command, along with other elements of the NATAF, hit town areas, highways, vehicles, gun positions, railroad communications, strongpoints, and targets of opportunity at or near San Salvo Teano, Venafro, Cantalupo el Sannio, Isernia, Cassino, Montenero, and Boiano. Aquino Airfield is also bombed. The 12th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, based at Gela, Sicily, begins operating from Comiso, Sicily with C-47's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island and the surrounding areas are pounded by 22 B-24's, 30+ P-39's and P-40's and about 160 USN fighters and dive bombers. 18 B-24's and USN airplanes hit targets in the Choiseul Island area. Other USN aircraft hit Kara Airfield on Bougainville Island. A single B-24 claims hits on a carrier NW of Buka Island. HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) transfer from Guadalcanal Island to the Russell Islands with B-25's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 20+ B-25's carry out a low-level attack on the Wewak area, sinking 2 small freighters, and strafing barges and airplanes; Madang is strafed by 4 P-39's and 2 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boomerangs. 50+ P-40's hit Gasmata Island off New Britain Island. 11 B-24's bomb Pombelaa nickel mines on Celebes Island. SATURDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1943 CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): AAF fighters shoot down a Japanese flying boat 70 miles (112 km) S of Baker Island in the Pacific Ocean. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-25's bomb the Meza, Burma railroad bridge, which is still being repaired following the damaging raid of 10 Oct; damage is done to the approaches. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-26's bomb railroad and road bridges at Marsicano and Montalto di Castro; P-38's hit the airfield at Tirana; B-25's hit a bridge in Albania; the XII Air Support Command, RAF Desert Air Force (DAF), and NATBF attack troop concentrations in the Spinete area, and town areas, vehicles, trains, railroads, highways, bridges, and gun positions at or near Gaeta, Pescara, Vasto, Isolella, Sulmona, Isernia, Vairano, and Ancona. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 11 B-24's and 16 P-38's hit Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island and 36 P-40's and P-39's join 60+ US Navy dive bombers and fighters in a strike on Kara Airfield on Bougainville; both Kahili and Kara are attacked again later in the day, the former by 6 B-24's and 16 USN fighters and the latter by 35 AAF fighters and 42 USN dive bombers. 6 B-24's bomb Kakasa on Choiseul Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 40+ B-24's escorted by P-38's, bomb Rapopo airstrip on New Britain Island, destroying about 20 airplanes on the ground; 20 enemy interceptors are claimed shot down. 9 B-25's hit the Bogadjim area in New Guinea. SUNDAY, 24 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 14 B-24's and 13 P-40's pound a barracks area at Co Bi, French Indochina. 8 B-24's bomb Htawgaw, Burma while on a ferry flight over the Hump. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 200 B-26's bomb airfields at Montdidier, Beauvais/Nivillers, and Saint-Andre-de-L'Eure, France. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command B-24's of the 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) hit Wiener-Neustadt, Austria; the 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) fails to complete the mission because of clouds. In Italy, medium bombers hit Tirana Airfield, a railroad bridge N of Orvieto, and a viaduct at Terni; the XII Air Support Command, NATBF, and RAF DAF attack communications and shipping targets, hitting vessels, vehicles, trains, roads, bridges, and the town areas in and around Formia, Sora, Chieti, Minturno, Sessa Aurunca, Popoli, Terracina, between Ancona- Pedaso, Frosolone (just before it is taken by allied ground forces), and along the Dalmatian coast of Yugoslavia. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 36 B-25's, along with 24 Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-40's and 4 USN F4U's, in 1 force, and 20 AAF fighter and 70+ USN fighters and dive bombers in another force, pound Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, at least 45 bombers are destroyed on the ground at Vunakanau, Rapopo, and Tobera airstrips during attacks by 50+ B-25's; the B-25's and 50+ escorting P-38's claim 40+ Japanese airplanes shot down. On New Guinea, A-20's hit enemy positions in the Lae area and B-24's carry out a light attack on Manokwari. MONDAY, 25 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 6 P-40's strafe shipping at Haiphong, claiming 3 small boats sunk and damaging 6 larger boats; 2 B-25's and 4 P-40's attack shipping in the Gulf of Tonkin, claiming a 150-ft (45.7 m) tanker sunk and 200-ft (61 m) freighter damaged. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Bomber Command P-39's strafe and bomb the landing ground at Podgorica; XII Air Support Command, NATBF and RAF DAF concentrate on blocking roads and destroying bridges; town areas, vehicles, radio stations, trains, and vessels are also attacked; targets attacked are in or near Frosinone, Formia, Gaeta, Cetraro, along the Sangro River, Kuna, along the Dalmatian coast of Yugoslavia, W of Lagosta Island and S of Rome; Tarquinia Airfield is also bombed. HQ 324th Fighter Group and it's 314th Fighter Squadron transfer from Menzel Heurr, Tunisia to Cercola, Italy with P-40's. The squadron, which has been out of combat since 21 Jul, will fly it's first mission on 30 Oct. The 36th Troop Carrier Squadron, 316th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Mazara to Castelvetrano, Sicily with C-47's. The 64th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, transfers from Foggia to Amendola, Italy with P-40's. The 486th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Catania, Sicily to San Pancrazio, Italy with B-25's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): The 372d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Espirtu Santo Island in the New Hebrides Islands, begins operating from Guadalcanal Island with B-24's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 60+ B-24's bomb the Rabaul area on New Britain Island, destroying 20+ airplanes on the ground. Of the 60-70 fighters which intercept, the B-24's claim 30+ shot down. In New Guinea, A-20's hit positions near Lae and B-24's carry out a light strike against Manokwari. MONDAY, 26 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 71st Liaison Squadron, US Army Forces, CBI, transfers from Ramgarh to Ledo, India with L-4's and L-5's. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 13 B-24's and 15 P-40's pound railroad yards at Haiphong, French Indochina. In China, 2 B-25's attack several vessels at Kiungshan, claiming 4 sunk or badly damaged; later 6 more B-25's hit shipping nearby, claiming 1 freighter sunk; the airfield at Kiungshan is strafed by 1 of the B-25's. The 21st Photographic Squadron (Light), Fourteenth Air Force, based at Kunming, China with F-4's and F-5's, sends a fight to operate from Suichwan, China. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Greece, B-25's and P-38's of the XII Bomber Command attack the airfields of Salonika/Sedhes and Megalo Mikra. In Italy, XII Air Support Command and RAF DAF fighters and fighter-bombers attack gun emplacements and road junctions in the battle area along the E coast and in the center of Italy, also destroying many vehicles and parked aircraft in the Ancona area, where railroad facilities are also hit; a schooner at Porto Civitanova is left smoking; medium bombers of the NATBF bomb Terracina and an ammunition dump. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island is hit twice during the day by B-24's, B-25's, P-38's, P-40's, P-39's, and USN fighters and dive bombers. The airfield on Buka Island is strafed by P-38's and then bombed and strafed by B-25's and P-38's. P-39's and P-40's join USN fighters and dive bombers in a strike on Kara Airfield on Bougainville. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's fly a small raid against Pombelaa on Celebes Island; fighters shoot down 2 B-24's; US gunners claim 11 aircraft downed. B-25's hit targets in Tanimbar Island in the Moluccas Islands. WEDNESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 4th Reconnaissance Squadron (Special), Antilles Air Command, transfers from Losey Field to Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico with L-1's, O-47's, O-52's and P-39's. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24's bomb the city of Tungling, China and claim 8 intercepting Zekes shot down. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Austria, 150+ B-17's and B-24's bomb Wiener-Neustadt and railroad tracks and installations and bridges at Friedberg and Ebenfurth. Weather severely curtails NATBF missions and XII Air Support Command operations in support of ground forces. Fighter-bombers attack Gaeta, Italy and bomb small vessels on the Dalmatian coast at Opuzen, Yugoslavia. HQ 57th Fighter Group and it's 65th and 66th Fighter Squadrons transfer from Foggia to Amendola, Italy with P-40's. The 315th and 316th Fighter Squadrons, 324th Fighter Group, transfer from Menzel Heurr, Tunisia to Cercola, Italy with P-40's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, B-24's pound Kahili and Kara airfields on Bougainville Island; P-40's over Kahili claim 3 Zekes shot down. P-38's, P-40's, and P-39's, plus some RNZAF P-40's and P-39's, cover the landing by New Zealand troops on Stirling and Mono Islands. The fighters claim destruction of 12 Japanese dive bombers attacking the landing force and afterwards claim 3 fighters shot down. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, P-40's and P-39's intercept an escorted Japanese bomber force dropping supplies over the Sattelberg area; the US fighters claim 12 airplanes downed. A-20's hit harbor and supply dump area at Gasmata Island off New Britain Island. THURSDAY, 28 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR: The AAF School of Applied Tactics at Orlando AAB, Florida is redesignated the AAF Tactical Center. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 B-24's bomb Mangshih; 6 P-40's strafe a warehouse and revetments at Yoyang Airfield; 3 B-25's and 7 P-38's hit a barracks at Ft Bayard; and 2 B-25's on a shipping sweep over the S China Sea damage 2 freighters near Saint John Island and sink a junk W of Kwangchow Wan. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather prevents most Twelfth Air Force operations planned for the day. No missions are flown by the XII Bomber Command. In Italy, XII Air Support Command A-36's hit several highways and bridges in advance of the battleline and attack gun positions in the Vairano area and transportation targets in the Rome area. The 28th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Gela to Gerbini, Sicily with C-47's. The 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, transfers from Rerhaia, Algeria to Sardinia with P-39's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, P-40's and P-39's join USN fighters and dive bombers in attacks on Kara Airfield on Bougainville Island and the airfield on Ballale Island. Almost 200 aircraft are involved in the 2 strikes. Kara airfield is also pounded by 19 B-24's. The 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, based on Woodlark Island with P-39's, begins operating form New Georgia Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): P-40's hit Gasmata Island off New Britain Island. P-47's attack barges at Talasea on New Britain Island and strafe surrounding area. In New Guinea, P-47's also strafe the area from Sio to Fortification Point. FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 14 B-24's and 16 P-40's pound the smelter area at Quang Yen, French Indochina. In China, 2 B-25's bomb the administration building and runway at Ft Bayard airfield; 9 P-40's on offensive reconnaissance in the Chiuchiang area strafe a 200-ft (320 m) steamer and attack a train, destroying the locomotive. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, 100+ XII Bomber Command B-17's, escorted by P-38's, bomb the Genoa marshalling yard and also hit the Sampierdarena marshalling yard, San Giorgio instrument factory, and ordnance, electric, and fitting plants and bridges at Genoa- Ansaldo; the XII Air Support Command, NATBF, and RAF DAF are forced by bad weather to abandon several missions in support of ground forces. Troops and gun positions are attacked on 2 occasions and several bridges are hit; Giulianova harbor and shipping are successfully attacked. HQ 57th Bombardment Wing transfers from Naples to Foggia, Italy. HQ 60th Troop Carrier Group and it's 11th Troop Carrier Squadron transfer from Gela to Gerbini, Sicily with C-47's. The 487th and 488th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group (Medium), transfer from Catania, Sicily to San Pancrazio, Italy with B-25's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, B-25's and B-24's, along with 40+ USN aircraft, bomb the airfield on Buka Island and Bonis Airfield on Bougainville Island. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 37 B-24's, escorted by 53 P-38's, pound Rabaul area on New Britain Island, claiming 45 airplanes destroyed on the ground and in the air. 17 B-25's hit the Madang, New Guinea area. P-47's attack shipping in Hansa Bay, New Guinea area and strafe the Cape Gloucester area on New Britain Island. B-25's sink a vessel off Tanimbar Island in the Moluccas Islands while B-24's bomb Selaroe airstrip on Tanimbar and attack the Waroe Bay area of New Guinea. The 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, transfers from Tsili Tsili to Gusap, New Guinea with P-47's. The 63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-24's. SATURDAY, 30 OCTOBER 1943 AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The ground echelons of the 6th and 22d Antisubmarine Squadrons (Heavy), 479th Antisubmarine Group, are disbanded at Salk Lake City AAB, Utah. The air echelons are at Dunkeswell, England with B-24's. CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 B-25's and 12 P-40's pound the motor pool and barracks at Shayang; 9 P-38's hit the Chiuchiang dock area; 2 interceptors are shot down. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 5 B-26's bomb Cherbourg/Maupertus Airfield in France. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-24's bomb the Genoa marshalling yard and nearby Sampierdarena and Genoa-Ansaldo steel works; B-17's bomb Savona and Varazze, Porto Maurizio, and the Imperia marshalling yard; weather reduces the efforts of NATAF elements; NATBF B-25's bomb Frosinone; fighter-bombers, mainly of the XII Air Support Command, hit bridges, junctions, shipping, marshalling yard, gun positions, and vehicles at several locations, including Giulianova, Ancona, Ortona, Sessa Aurunca, Mignano, and Cassino. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville Island in the Solomon Islands, Kara Airfield is bombed by 16 B-24's and shortly afterwards is hit by 90+ USN dive bombers escorted by USN and AAF fighters; the airstrip and other targets at Kieta are attacked by 6 B-25's, 12 P-39's and USN aircraft; and the Tonolai harbor area is hit by 8 P-40's and 17 USN planes. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's strafe barges in Rein Bay on New Britain Island. SUNDAY, 31 OCTOBER 1943 CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, in an attempt to knock out the Japanese base from which fighters are attacking ferrying operations, P-40's carrying 1000-pound (454 kg) bombs fly 4 strikes against Myitkyina; following the bomb runs, the fighters strafe AA positions; the attacks cause considerable damage to the base; B-25's attack the Meza railroad bridge, scoring hits on the approaches but missing the structure; the bridge remains unusable due to damage caused by the 10 Oct strike. MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command B-17's bomb Antheor viaduct in France. In Italy, B-26's hit Anzio; B-25's attack docks and shipping at Civitavecchia; P-38's strafe and bomb Tirana airfield; weather cancels all NATAF attacks except for 11 P-40's which bomb and strafe a tanker off Split, Yugoslavia, leaving it burning. XII Air Support Command fighters fly an uneventful naval escort. HQ 1st Fighter Group and it's 71st Fighter Squadron transfer from Mateur to Djedeida, Tunisia with P-38's. The 379th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), ceases operating from Oudna and returns to it's base at Menzel Temime, Tunisia with B-25's. SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 20+ B-25's, with fighter support, bomb Kara Airfield on Bougainville Island in the Solomon Islands. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): P-40's sink a barge off the New Britain Island coast. The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, ceases operating from Tsili Tsili and returns to it's base at Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's. 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