# USAAF Chronology:

    COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
    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
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      B-29, Boeing Superfortress
      Beaufighter, Bristol
      C-46, Curtiss Commando
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      UC-64, Noorduyn Norseman
      F-5, Lockheed Lightning
      F-6, North American Mustang
      F-7, Consolidated Liberator
      F-13, Boeing Superfortress
      Fw 190, Focke Wulf
      L-1, Stinson Vigilant
      L-4, Piper Cub/Grasshopper
      L-5, Stinson Sentinel
      Mosquito, deHavilland
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      P-47, Republic Thunderbolt
      P-51, North American Mustang
      P-61, Northrop Black Widow
      Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine

    NOTE: A number in parenthesis after a target name indicates the number of
    bombers attacking.

    MONDAY, 1 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 5 B-24s fly coverage for a naval force upon
    aborting a bomb mission to the Kurile Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 3 B-24s bomb Ft Bayard; 40
    P-51s and P-40s pound railroad targets, warehouses, industrial works, and gun
    positions from Yoyang to Puchi; 8 P-51s hit Suchow Airfield, claiming 25
    aircraft destroyed; 47 other P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance hit
    troops, horses, town areas, and rail and road traffic at several locations
    especially at Liuchenghsien and between Siaokan and Hsuchang; a detachment of
    the 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, begins operating from Laohokow
    with P-51s (squadron is based at Chengkung; another detachment is at
    Kwanghan); during Jan 45, the detachment of the 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st
    Fighter Group operating from Poashan with P-51s moves to Leangshan; the 26th
    Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group sends detachments to operate from Poseh,
    Liangshan and Laohokow with P-51s; and the detachments of the 528th Fighter
    Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, operating from Hanchung and Liangshan with
    P-51s, return to base at Shwangliu.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 71 P-47s and P-38s attack
    villages, general supply areas, fuel dumps, tanks and other vehicles, and
    troop concentrations at several locations including Man Hio, Bahe, Mongmit,
    Hatka, Namhpakka, Loi-hseng, Mong Yaw and in the Hsenwi area, 4 others hit
    targets of opportunity along the Irrawaddy River from Tanaung to Kyungyi; 4
    B-25s harass communications lines during the night of 1/2 Jan.  Large-scale
    air transport operations continue. The 14th and 15th Combat Cargo Squadrons,
    4th Combat Cargo Group, move from Sylhet to Argartala, India with C-46s.
    During Jan, the detachment of the 436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Luliang, China with B-24s ferrying
    gasoline to Suichwan, China, returns to base at Madhaiganj, India.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 774: 845 bombers and 725 fighters are dispatched to hit oil
    installations and rail bridges and junctions in W Germany visually and by
    PFF; they claim 23-1-3 Luftwaffe aircraft including a jet fighter; 8 bombers
    and 2 fighters are lost:
      1. 451 B-17s are sent to hit an oil refinery at Magdeburg (11); secondary
    targets are the Henschel marshalling yard at Kassel (292) and the Gottingen
    marshalling yard (26); targets of opportunity are Hadamar (12), Wetzlar (12),
    Dillenburg (15), Koblenz (11), Wetter (12), Limburg (8), Kirchbunden (7) and
    other (22); 2 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 71 damaged; 10
    airmen are KIA, 8 WIA and 18 MIA. Escorting are 327 of 374 P-51s; they claim
    17-1-1 aircraft; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair.
      2. 109 B-17s are dispatched to hit oil industry targets at Dollbergen (54)
    and Ehmen (24); targets of opportunity are the Koblenz marshalling yard (12),
    Limburg (4) and other (5); 3 B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 43 damaged;
    10 airmen are KIA. Escort is provided by 199 P-47s and P-51s without loss.
      3. 273 B-24s hit the Lutzel (56) and Guls (30) rail bridges at Koblens, the
    Irlich rail bridge (57) and the Remagen rail bridge (6); targets of
    opportunity are Andernach (26), Engers rail bridge (9), Trier (1) and others
    (6); 1 B-24 is lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 63 damaged; 20 airmen are
    KIA, 8 WIA and 10 MIA. The escort is 66 of 70 P-51s without loss.
      4. 12 of 12 B-17s fly a screening force mission; they are 8 minutes late
    for their escort and are attacked by Fw 190s when 50 miles (80 km) ahead of
    the bombers; they claim 6-0-2 aircraft; 5 B-17s are lost and 1 damaged beyond
    repair; 45 airmen are MIA. Escort is supposed to be 23 of 26 P-51s.
      5. 2 of 5 B-17s fly an APHRODITE mission against Oldenburg without loss.
      6. 11 of 11 P-51s escort 9 F-5s and 1 Spitfire on a photo reconnaissance
    mission over Germany without loss.
      7. 25 P-47s and P-51s escort 3 of 4 Mosquitoes on a special operations
    mission without loss.
      Mission 775: 5 B-24s and 3 B-17s drop leaflet on Belgium and Germany during
    the night without loss.
      The 1st, 2d and 3d Bombardment Divisions are redesignated 1st, 2d and 3d
    Air Divisions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): The Luftwaffe launches an attack of
    700-800 aircraft against Ninth AF and Allied airfields, mainly in the
    Brussels, Belgium and Eindhoven, the Netherlands areas, and to a lesser
    degree in the Metz, France area; 127 operational Allied aircraft are
    destroyed; Allied fighters claim 160 air victories while AA claims 300. 190
    A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s hit rail bridges, communications centers, a road
    junction, a command post, and HQ, all in Belgium and Germany; fighters escort
    9th Bombardment Division and Eighth AF bombers, fly patrols, sweeps, and
    armed reconnaissance (claiming 39 air victories and numerous ground targets
    destroyed) and support the US III, VII, and XII Corps between Saint-Hubert,
    Belgium and the Mosel River, Germany. In France, the detachment of the 72d
    Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Sixth Army Group), ceases operating
    from Steinbourg with L-5s and returns to base at Buhl. During Jan 45, HQ XIX
    Tactical Air Command moves from France to Luxembourg.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Unfavorable weather permits
    only P-38 reconnaissance flights.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers attack
    bridges at Palazzuolo sull'Oglio, Parma, and Calcinato (the latter 2 targets
    are missed) and an ammunition dump at Parma; fighter-bombers support ground
    forces S of Bologna, hit communications and numerous targets of opportunity
    to the N and completely destroy a fuel dump at Parma; A-20s on intruder
    missions during the night of 31 Dec/1 Jan, achieve excellent results on a
    motor park near Molinella and hit a marshalling yard near Milan. HQ 319th
    Bombardment Group (Medium) departs Corsica for the US where it converts to
    A-26 aircraft in preparation for assignment to the Pacific.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 19 B-24s from Saipan Island, Mariana Islands,
    bomb Iwo Jima Island, Volcano Islands; 9 more, during snooper missions on the
    night of 1/2 Jan, hit the island at varying intervals.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In the Philippine
    Islands, B-25s and fighter-bombers make low level attacks on Negros Island
    airfields; B-24s, with P-38 cover, bomb Clark Field on Luzon Island and
    others  pound the Sasa area on Mindanao Island. On Halmahera Island,
    Moluccas Islands, B-24s along with B-25s hit the Djailolo, Wasile Bay bivouac
    areas, and Miti ammunition dump. B-25s bomb airfields on Ceram Island,
    Moluccas Islands and barracks at Laoag on Luzon. Fighter-bombers are active
    against targets in the Manila area on Luzon and also hit Silay on Negros.
    Airfields, shipyards, and other targets in the Borneo, Celebes and Lesser
    Sunda Islands also sustain light raids, by FEAF fighters and bombers, which
    also fly armed reconnaissance. HQ 345th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from
    Dulag to Tacloban, Leyte Island, Philippine Islands. During Jan 44, the
    detachment of the 4th Photographic Charting Squadron, 311th Photographic Wing
    [attached to 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)] ceases operating from
    Morotai Island, Moluccas Islands, with F-7s and returns to base at Hollandia,
    New Guinea; at the same time, a detachment of this squadron begins operating
    in Australia during the month (this squadron is mapping areas of the SW and W
    Pacific); in New Guinea, the detachment of the 64th Troop Carrier Squadron,
    403d Troop Carrier Group, operating from Noemfoor Island returns to base on
    Biak Island with C-47s.  During Jan, the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2d Combat
    Cargo Group, moves from Finschhafen, New Guinea to Biak with C-46s.

    TUESDAY, 2 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s bomb Kentung, Burma. 30+
    P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack targets of opportunity, mainly
    railroad traffic, at or near Lohochai, Pengpu, and Sinyang, China; and Man
    Pong, Wanling, and Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 24: 49 B-29s, operating from the
    Calcutta, India area, are dispatched to attack a railroad bridge at Bangkok,
    Thailand; 44 hit the primary target and 2 hit an alternate and a target of
    opportunity; they claim 0-1-1 Japanese aircraft.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, troop concentrations and
    supplies are attacked at Mabein, Panghka, Mansut, Letpangon, Loi-mun,
    Panghkai, Namhsan, Thabeikkyin, and in the Lashio area by 66 P-47s and 13
    P-38s. 546 transport sorties are flown to forward bases and frontline areas.
    In India, the 13th Combat Cargo Squadron, 4th Combat Cargo Group, moves from
    Sylhet to Agartala with C-46s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 776: 1,011 bombers and 503 fighters are dispatched to attack
    communications and tactical targets in W Germany visually and using Gee-H; 4
    bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
      1. 299 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Gerolstein marshalling yard (74) and
    communications centers are Mayen (68), Prum (34), Daun (34), Kyllburg (37)
    and Bitburg (36); 3 others hit a target of opportunity; 70 B-17s are damaged.
    Escorting are 128 of 130 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged
    beyond repair.
      2. 296 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Lutzel (65) and Guls (59) rail
    bridges at Koblenz plus rail bridges at Irlich (59), Remagen (56) and Engers
    (43); 3 others hit a target of opportunity; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair
    and 26 damaged. The escort is 215 P-47s and P-51s without loss.
      3. 410 B-17s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Bad Kreuznach (73) and
    Ehrang (66), a rail junction at Bad Kreuznach (67), a rail bridge at
    Kaiserslautern (34) and tank concentrations at Lebach (128); targets of
    opportunity are marshalling yards at St Wendel (11) and Trier (3) and other
    (3); 4 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 36 damaged; 10 airmen are
    KIA, 2 WIA and 37 MIA. Escort is provided by 125 of 127 P-51s; 2 P-51s are
    lost (pilots MIA).
      4. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening force mission.
      5. 23 P-51s escort 6 F-5s and a Spitfire on a photo reconnaissance mission
    over Germany.
      Mission 777: 2 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets in France and Germany during
    the night.
      HQ VIII Air Force Services Command (Advanced) is established in Brussels,
    Belgium, along with a "Far Shore" staff division; through this HQ, the
    Commanding General Air Force Services Command can administer his command and
    closely communicate with other commands operating on the Continent; this
    arrangement functions until 29 Apr 45 when it is relieved by the 5th
    Strategic Air Depot at Merville, France.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS

        First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): The 314th, 315th and 316th
    Fighter Squadrons, 324th Fighter Group, move from Tavaux to Luneville, France
    with P-47s.

        Ninth Air Force: 135 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s hit rail bridges and
    communications centers in Belgium and Germany; fighters escort the 9th
    Bombardment Division, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance and
    support the US III and VIII Corps in the Bastogne, Belgium area and the XII
    Corps S of the Clerf River, Luxembourg, and W of the Sauer River in Germany.
    The 72d Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Sixth Army Group), moves
    from Buhl to Epinal, France with L-5s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather restricts
    operations to reconnaissance flights,

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, fighter-bombers
    concentrate their effort in the W Po Valley and Brenner area, claiming large
    number of rail lines cut and many vehicles and trains destroyed and damaged;
    the Milan marshalling yard is hit hard and good coverage is achieved on
    support targets in the US Fifth Army battle area; A-20s during the night of
    1/2 Jan, continue intruder missions over the Po Valley; the 84th and 86th
    Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light) move from
    Rosignano Airfield to Grosseto with A-20s.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 Guam Island-based B-24s hit Haha Jima Island
    in the Bonin Islands while 14 others pound Iwo Jima Island; during the night
    of 2/3 Jan, 10 B-24s, flying snooper strikes out of Guam, hit Iwo Jima over a
    7-hour period.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-38s and A-20s hit
    shipping in San Fernando harbor on Negros Island; on Luzon Island, B-24s
    pound Clark Field and B-25s hit Batangas; airfields in the C Philippine
    Islands area are bombed by B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers while B-24s
    strike Likanan on Mindanao Island; Menado on Celebes Island; and the Wasile
    Bay area on Halmahera Island. Other FEAF aircraft make armed reconnaissance
    and harassing strikes on targets of opportunity throughout the C Philippine
    Islands area and the Netherlands East Indies. The 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th
    Fighter Group, moves from Tacloban, Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island,
    Philippine Islands, with P-38s.

    WEDNESDAY, 3 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): B-25s fly coverage for a naval force over the
    Kurile Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 P-51s hit the airfield
    at Tsinan, claiming 13 aircraft destroyed; 6 P-51s claim several river
    steamers sunk in the Hankow-Chiuchiang area while 6 others damage bridges at
    Chinchengchiang. 20+ other P-40s, P-51s, and P-47s on armed reconnaissance
    attack various targets of opportunity in the Wuchang-Hankow and Shwangliu,
    China areas, and at Namtao, S and SW of Man Pong, and W of Wanling, Burma.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-25s, supported by 12
    P-47s, attack the airfield at Aungban; troop concentrations and supply and
    ammunition dumps are pounded at several locations, including Man Kun, Loi
    Hkam,  Ngawnga, Chakau, Mulaw, and Man Pwe. 575 transport flights are
    completed to forward areas; the 115th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF [attached to
    1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], based at Ledo, India, sends a detachment to
    operate from Myitkyina with L-1s and L-5s; the 165th Liaison Squadron
    (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, based at Kawlin, sends a detachment to
    operate from Inbaung with UC-64s and L-5s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 778: 1,168 bombers and 589
    fighters are dispatched to attack rail and communications targets in W
    Germany; all are PFF attacks using H2X, Gee-H and Micro H; they claim 4-0-0
    Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 fighters are lost:
      1. 417 B-17s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Fulda (141) and
    Aschaffenburg (124) and communications centers at Gemund (38) and Schleiden
    (36); the Mosel marshalling yard at Koblenz, a secondary target, is hit by 36
    bombers; targets of opportunity are the Pforzheim marshalling yard (25) and
    other (3); 1 B-17 is damaged; 2 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 219 of
    227 P-51s; they claim 4-0-0 aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 4
    damaged beyond repair.
      2. 325 B-24s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Altstadt (31),
    Homburg (41), Zweibrucken (55), Neunkirchen (84), Landau (59) and the
    Pirmasens railhead (41); 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged.
    Escorting are 143 of 148 P-51s.
      3. 421 B-17s are sent to hit the Hermulheim W (72) and E (36) marshalling
    yards, a communications center at St Vith, Belgium (98), and rail junctions
    at Mondrath (36) and Horrem (1); 100 B-24s hit the secondary target, Cologne;
    targets of opportunity are Rheydt (10) and other (3); 11 B-17s are damaged.
    The escort is 145 of 150 P-51s; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
      4. 32 of 32 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
      5. 32 of 32 P-51s escort 5 F-5s on a photo reconnaissance over Germany.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): All combat operations are cancelled
    because of weather.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather curtails operations
    for the fifth successive day. P-38s fly photo and weather reconnaissance
    missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers score
    direct hits on 2 railroad bridges at Lavis and fly good coverage of the
    Chiusaforte, Canale d'Isonzo, and Padua railroad bridges; fighter-bombers hit
    a large number of communications targets (mainly railroad targets) in the Po
    Valley which is also subjected to intruder missions during the night of 2/3
    Jan, when pontoon bridges, vehicles, and Ghedi Airfield are hit.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24s from Saipan Island bomb Iwo Jima
    Island. 3 from Guam Island, on armed reconnaissance, hit Marcus Island in the
    North Pacific. During a 6-hour period on the night of 3/4 Jan, 10 B-24s from
    Guam hit Iwo Jima.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 17: 97 Mariana Island-based B-29s are
    sent to bomb docks and urban areas of Nagoya, Japan; 57 hit the primary
    target and 21 others bomb alternates and targets of opportunity; Japanese
    fighters fly 300+ attacks on the B-29s and 5 are lost; B-29 gunners claim
    14-14-20 Japanese aircraft.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound Clark
    Field and the Mabalacat areas on Luzon Island. B-25s hit 5 airfields in the C
    Philippine Islands while B-24s bomb 2 on Mindanao Island. B-24s attack
    the Djailolo supply area on Halmahera Island, while B-25s bomb Namlea
    Airfield on Buru Island, Moluccas Islands. Numerous other FEAF aircraft on
    armed reconnaissance, harassing raids, and light strikes attack a vast
    variety of targets throughout the Netherlands East Indies and Philippine
    Islands. The 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic
    Reconnaissance Group, moves from Dulag, Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro
    Island with F-5s.

    THURSDAY, 4 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-24s bomb the Ft Bayard area in
    China and the Samah Bay area on Hainan Island. In Burma, 6 B-25s damage a
    bridge and a warehouse, and destroy 2 other buildings at Kentung and 21 P-40s
    on armed reconnaissance pound targets of opportunity in the Wanling area. 8
    P-51s knock out a bridge at Huizan, Thailand and damage another, and 20 other
    fighters hit targets of opportunity around Lohochai, Sinyang and Hankow,
    China.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 B-25s, escorted by 12
    P-47s, bomb Namsang Airfield; 12 P-47s hit bypass road bridges at Inailong
    and Bawgyo, damaging approaches to the latter; troops and supply areas are
    hit at Man Kat, Hsenwi, Yi-ku, Se-hai, and near Nawnghkio by 36 P-47s and
    P-38s; 6 P-47s bomb cable and pontoons along the N riverbank at Na-lang; 6
    hit enemy activity near Twinnge and 5 attack a truck dispersal area and
    warehouses at Mogok. Transports fly 597 sorties to front areas and forward
    bases.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 779: 1 B-17 and 2 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, Belgium
    and Germany during the night; 1 B-24 is lost.
      Mission 780: 10 of 12 B-24s dispatched to hit the Coubre Point Coastal
    battery near Bordeaux, France hit the target using H2X radar.
      The transfer of HQ VIII Fighter Command from Bushey Hall, England to
    Charleroi, Belgium begins; the HQ is to provide administrative and
    operational support for fighter groups operating with the Ninth AF on
    tactical support missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS

        First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): HQ 324th Fighter Group moves from
    Tavaux to Luneville, France.

        Ninth Air Force: All combat operations, except a defensive patrol by 4
    fighters, are cancelled because of bad weather. The 161st Tactical
    Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating
    from Conflans, France and returns to base at Le Culot, Belgium with F-6s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, 370+ B-24s and B-17s
    bomb marshalling yards at Verona, Bronzolo, Vicenza, Padua, Trento, and
    Bolzano, and station sidings at Trento; 200+ fighters accompany the bombers;
    54 P-38s attempt high-level bombing of Cismon del Grappa but fail to hit the
    target. 9 B-24s drop supplies in Yugoslavia. P-38s and P-51s fly
    reconnaissance and escort operations.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers hit
    bridges at Lavis and Calliano; fighters and fighter-bombers interdict Po
    Valley communications and hit an ammunition dump at San Felice del Benaco;
    during the night of 3/4 Jan, A-20s successfully hit a stores dump and bridge
    near Mestre, and destroy or damage 50+ vehicles. The 416th Night Fighter
    Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, based at Pisa, Italy with Mosquitoes, sends a
    detachment to operate from Etain, France attached to the 425th Night Fighter
    Squadron.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 13 Guam Island-based B-24s pound Iwo Jima
    Island. During the night of 4/5 Jan, 10 more hit the island with individual
    harassment strikes.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound Puerto
    Princesa on Palawan Island; B-25s hit a railroad and highways in the San
    Pedro area on Luzon Island. B-25s and P-38s hit Tanamon and Sidate on Celebes
    Island. Other B-24s and B-25s, flying small scale strikes, hit airfields on S
    Luzon and Mindanao Islands, on NE Celebes Island, and in the C Philippine
    Islands, and bomb shipyards in N Borneo. The ground echelon of the 110th
    Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins
    a movement from Tacloban, Leyte Island to Luzon (the air echelon is operating
    from San Jose, Mindoro Island with P-40s).

    FRIDAY, 5 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, 4 B-24s fly an air
    coverage mission for a naval task force on its approach to Suribachi on
    Paramushiru Island.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s pound 13 storage buildings at
    Kengtung, China. 5 B-25s knock out a bridge at Dara, Thailand. 3 B-25s bomb
    Wan Pa-Hsa and Hawng Luk, Burma while 1 B-24 bombs the Cap-Saint-Jacques,
    French Indochina area. 29 P-40s and P-51s hit airfields at Hankow and
    Wuchang, China, claiming 50 aircraft destroyed in the air and on the ground.
    23 P-51s and P-38s hit the airfield and other targets in Samah Bay area on
    Hainan Island, claiming 11 aircraft destroyed. 30 P-40s and P-38s attack
    various targets of opportunity, Sinsiang, and Kengtung, China, and Wan Pa-Hsa
    and in the Wanling area of Burma. 4 P-40s pound fortified hill positions in
    the Salween, Burma area.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 B-25s flying an
    airfield sweep inflict considerable damage on the Laihka, Aungban, Kunlon,
    and Mong Long airfields; in the Namhkam sector, 2 P-47s join ground forces in
    blasting artillery positions at Kunlong, China and Wingkang; 9 P-47s damage
    bypass bridges at Mongmit; 70+ fighter-bombers attack storage areas, tanks
    and trucks, and troop concentrations at Mong Yaw, Hsenwi, Hpa-Pen, Man Ton,
    Tunghka, Man Peng, and Longhsu. Transports fly 550+ sorties to forward bases
    and frontline areas. Operation GRUBWORM, one of the major transport
    achievements of the war, is completed on this date one month from its start.
    The Chinese 14th and 22d Divisions, Chinese Sixth Army HQ, a heavy mortar
    Company, a signal Company, and 2 portable surgical hospitals have been
    airlifted; the move required 1,328 transport sorties; Air Transport Command
    provided 597 sorties; the air commando squadrons, 488; and Tenth AF, 243; the
    airlift included 25,000+ Chinese soldiers, 396 US soldiers, 1,596 animals,
    42 jeeps, 48 howitzers, 48 heavy mortars, and 48 antitank guns; the troops
    and supplies have been landed at Chanyi, Kunming, Luliang, and Yunnani, China.
    Only 3 aircraft were lost during the operation. HQ 4th Combat Cargo Group
    moves from Agartala to Chittagong, India.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 781: 1,032 bombers and 584 fighters are dispathed to hit rail
    targets and airfields in C Germany; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft in
    the air and 4-0-0 on the ground; 1 B-17 and 1 P-51 are lost.
      1. 259 B-24s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Neustadt (32), Sobernheim
    (42), Kirm (18) and St Ingbert (3), the marshalling yard and rail bridge at
    Cochem (31) and the Pirmasens railroad (39); 51 hit the Neunkirchen
    marshalling yard, a secondary target; targets of opportunities hit are
    communications centers at Rheinkirchen (8), Neubrucke (7), Prum (1) and Burg
    (1); bombing is visual and with Gee-H; 3 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and
    51 damaged; 6 airmen are KIA and 1 WIA. Escorting are 164 of 177 P-51s.
      2. 370 B-17s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Hanau (57) and
    Frankfurt (81) and communications centers at Waxweiler (32), Wetteldorf (27)
    and Pronsfeld (33); 29 hit the secondary target at Kaiserslautern; targets of
    opportunity are Heilbronn (29) and other (11); bombing is visual and PFF; 1
    B-17 is lost, 6 damaged beyond repair and 89 damaged; 13 airmen are KIA, 9
    WIA and 1 MIA. Escort is provided by 194 of 213 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0
    aircraft in the air and 4-0-0 on the ground.
      3. 379 B-17s are sent to hit airfields at Niederbreisig (70) and
    Niedermendig (54), communications centers at Dumpelfeld (37), Kall (35) and
    Mechernich (1), and the the railroad at Heimbach (37); 96 hit the secondary
    target, the Koblenz marshalling yard; targets of opportunity are
    communications centers at Pronsfeld (2) and Waxweiler (1) and other (4);
    bombing is by Gee-H and H2X; 1 B-17s is damaged beyond repair and 20 damaged.
    Escort is 109 of 117 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond
    repair.
      4. 24 of 24 B-17s fly a screening mission.
      5. 26 of 33 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
      Mission 782: 4 B-24s and 1 B-17 drop leaflets during the night over SE
    Belgium.

     TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): The 9th Bombardment Division attacks
    rail bridges at Ahrweiler, Simmern, and Bullay, Germany and communications
    centers at Gouvy, Houffalize, and near Durler, Belgium, and Massen,
    Luxembourg. Fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division and VIII Bomber
    Command, fly armed reconnaissance, attack airfields, communications centers,
    traffic concentrations, and other targets, and support the US III and VIII
    Corps W and E of Bastogne and the 2d and 3d Armored Divisions near Manhay,
    Belgium. HQ 368th Fighter Group and the 395th, 396th and 397th Fighter
    Squadrons move from Juvincourt to Metz, France with P-47s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Yugoslavia, 1 B-24 bombs
    Zagreb railroad sidings; 69 others abort due to total cloud cover over the
    target; 38 P-51s fly cover over the target area; 33 P-38s bomb the N railroad
    bridge at Doboj; other operations are limited to reconnaissance, supply drops,
    and escort.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): During the night of 4/5 Jan, A-20s
    on a S Po Valley intruder mission bomb the Modena, Italy area. Bad weather
    cancels all other operations.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24s from Saipan Island, in morning and
    afternoon raids, pound Iwo Jima Island; 7 P-38s, with 3 B-24s as navigational
    escort, fly a strafing mission against Iwo Jima. Other B-24s act as airborne
    spotters for the naval bombardment of Chichi Jima and Haha Jima Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In major strikes of
    the day B-25s hit shore installations along Lingayan Gulf, Luzon Island, and
    bomb Menado on Celebes Island. B-24s attack Miri Airfield in Borneo. Numerous
    smaller strikes are flown throughout the Philippine Islands and Netherlands
    East Indies. A-20s and fighter-bombers attack airfields on Luzon, the C
    Philippine Islands area and Mindanao Island, fighter-bombers and B-24s hit
    the Pombelaa and Tondano area, and targets of opportunity on NE Celebes
    Island. Other FEAF aircraft fly scattered strikes at various targets in
    Borneo, Lesser Sunda Islands, and Tanimbar Island in the Moluccas Islands.
    The 4th Fighter Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, arrives on Leyte
    Island from the US with P-51s. The detachment of the 68th Troop Carrier
    Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, operating from Nadzab, New Guinea with
    C-47s, returns to base on Biak Island. The 69th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d
    Troop Carrier Group moves from Nadzab, New Guinea to Biak with C-47s. The
    547th Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing [attached to 310th
    Bombardment Wing (Medium)], moves from Owi, Schouten Island to San Jose,
    Mindoro Island with P-38s and P-61s.

    SATURDAY, 6 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): On Paramushiru Island, 2 B-24s bomb Suribachi
    Bay Airfield, also hitting buildings and pier areas. 10 B-25s fly single air
    coverage sorties for a naval task force.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 40 P-40s, P-51s, and P-47s
    pound the Hankow-Wuchang area; 9 aircraft are claimed destroyed. 4 B-24s bomb
    the Cap-Saint-Jacques, French Indochina area.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 25: 49 Chengtu, China-based B-29s are
    dispatched to bomb an aircraft factory at Omura, Kyushu Island, Japan; 28 hit
    the primary target, 13 bomb a secondary target at Nanking, China while 6
    attack targets of opportunity; they claim 4-6-10 Japanese aircraft; 1 B-29 is
    lost. The is the XX Bomber Command's last mission against targets in Japan.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): Bad weather cancels all combat
    missions. Transports manage 310 sorties, landing men and supplies at advanced
    bases and dropping supplies to frontline troops. The 317th Troop Carrier
    Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, moves from Myitkyina, Burma to
    Kalaikunda, India with C-47s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 783: 816 bombers and 622 fighters are dispatched to hit rail and
    communications targets in W Germany; all but a few attacks are made using
    Gee-H and H2X; they claim 14-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 1 B-17 and
    2 P-51s are lost:
      1. 258 B-17s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Worms (62) and
    Kaiserslautern (34); 64 hit a secondary target, the marshalling yard at
    Ludwigshafen; targets of opportunity are Annweiler (31), the marshalling yard
    at Kusel (22) and other (29); some targets are bombed visually; 2 B-17s are
    damaged beyond repair and 55 damaged; 5 airmen are KIA and 2 WIA. Escorting
    are 109 of 121 P-51s; they claim 14-0-1 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-51 is
    lost (pilot MIA) and 2 damaged beyond repair (1 pilot KIA).
      2. 422 B-17s are sent to hit the Cologne South rail bridge (71) and Cologne
    North highway bridge (35) and the communications center at Kempernich (72);
    secondary targets are the Kalk marshalling yard at Cologne (183) and the
    highway bridge across the Rhine River at Bonn (38); 3 others hit a target of
    opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 17 damaged; 1 airman
    is WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 219 of 229 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost
    (pilot MIA) and 2 damaged beyond repair (1 pilot KIA).
      3. 31 of 130 B-24s hit the highway bridge across the Rhine River at Bonn;
    95 hit the secondary target, the Mosel marshalling yard at Koblenz; 1 hits a
    target of opportunity; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 17 damaged. The
    escort is 172 of 181 P-51s.
      4. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening mission.
      5. 36 of 60 P-47s attack the marshalling yard at Siegen.
      6. 23 of 23 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
      7. 8 of 8 P-51s escort 4 F-5s on a photo reconnaissance mission over W
    Germany.
      Mission 784: 6 B-17s drop leaflets over Belgium and the Netherlands during
    the night.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS: (Ninth Air Force): 26 bombers of the 9th Bombardment
    Division strike Prum, Germany. Bad weather prevents all fighter operations.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather precludes all
    operations except a single reconnaissance mission by 2 P-38s.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Bad weather over N Italy grounds
    the medium bombers. In Italy, XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter-
    bombers hit rail lines and bridges in the Genoa-La Spezia coastline area, and
    bomb vessels in the harbors at Genoa and Imperia. The air echelon of the
    417th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth AF (attached to Mediterranean Allied
    Coastal Air Force and air echelon attached to the 422d Night Fighter
    Squadron), based at La Vallon, France, begins operating from Florennes,
    Belgium with Beaufighters.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 15 B-24s, based on Guam Island, bomb Iwo Jima
    Island airfields. During the night of 6/7 Jan, 9 B-24s on individual snooper
    strikes continue to pound the airfields. HQ 508th Fighter Group and the
    466th, 467th and 468th Fighter Squadrons arrive at Kahuku, Hawaii from the US
    with P-47s (the group will serve as air defense for Hawaii, train replacement
    pilots and ferry aircraft to forward areas).

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In the day's major
    operations, B-24s bomb Clark Field while B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers
    blast bridges and targets of opportunity at Calumpit and Plaridel and in
    nearby S Luzon Island areas and B-24s bomb Nichols Field and Nielson Airfield
    on Luzon. A-20s, with P-38 cover, bomb Carolina Airfield on Negros Island.
    B-25s and fighter-bombers hit Mapanget Airfield on Celebes Island. FEAF flies
    numerous smaller strikes against various points throughout the Netherlands
    East Indies and Philippine Islands.

    SUNDAY, 7 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 B-24s bomb Ft Bayard, China and
    attack shipping in Samah Bay on Hainan Island, claiming 1 vessel sunk.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): Bad weather cancels all combat
    missions. Transports complete 383 sorties to forward areas.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 785: 1,073 bombers and 700 fighters attack communications
    centers, rail targets, bridges and an oil storage depot in W Germany using
    PFF methods; 3 bombers and 1 fighter are lost.
      1. 265 B-17s are dispatched but hit secondary targets, the marshalling
    yard at Hamm (109), Paderborn (74) and Bielefeld (74); 2 hit a target of
    opportunity; all attacks made using H2X radar; 5 B-17s are damaged.
    Escorting are 197 of 204 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
      2. 351 B-17s are dispatched to hit communications centers at Blankenheim
    (39), Kall (39), Bitburg (110) and Euskirchen (75); 35 hit the Lutzel
    Bridge at Cologne; all attacks made using Gee-H and H2X; 3 B-17s are damaged;
    2 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 159 of 160 P-51s.
      3. 147 B-17s are dispatched to hit the bridge at Hohenzollern (14) and
    the highway bridge at Rodenkirchen (22); 80 hit the secondary target, the
    Kalk marshalling yard at Cologne; targets of opportunity are Limburg (11),
    Koblenz (11) and other (1); all attacks are made using Micro H and H2X; 2
    B-17s are lost and 10 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 19 MIA. The escort is 91
    of 95 P-51s.
      4. 304 B-24s are dispatched to hit the marshalling yards at Landau (54),
    Zweibrucken (64) and Rastatt (99), the rail and communications center at
    Achern (31) and the railway at Kaiserslautern (26); all attacks made using
    Gee-H; targets of opportunity hit visually are Durrmenz (8) and Karlsuhe
    (1); 1 B-24 is lost and 10 damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 9 MIA. Escorting
    are 94 of 102 P-51s.
      5. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening mission.
      6. 88 P-47s and P-51s fly a fighter sweep without loss.
      7. 12 of 12 P-51s escort 2 F-5s and 2 Mosquitoes on photo reconnaissance
    missions over Germany.
      8. 33 of 33 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
      Mission 786: 2 B-17s and 5 B-24s drop leaflets during the night in SE
    Belgium and France.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): XXIX Tactical Air Command
    (Provisional) fighters escort VIII Bomber Command bombers. All other commands
    and the 9th Bombardment Division cancel operations as the weather is bad.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Unfavorable weather again
    curtails operations. 3 P-38s complete photo and weather reconnaissance
    missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather grounds the
    medium bombers and A-20s; XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter-
    bombers make 6 cuts on the Brenner rail line, damage the W end of the rail
    bridge at Cittadella, and hit the marshalling yard S of Trento; most of the
    XXII Tactical Air Command's effort is concentrated against land and water
    communications in the La Spezia-Genoa area, including attacks on shipping at
    Savona and San Remo harbors.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 11 B-24s, flying out of Saipan Island, bomb an
    airfield on Iwo Jima Island. During the night of 7/8 Jan, 10 more B-24s again
    pound airfields, striking in single-bomber snooper missions over a 7-hour
    period.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In major strikes of
    the day against targets on Luzon Island, large numbers of B-25s and A-20s,
    supported by P-38s, hit the network of airstrips from Clark Field to Angeles
    Airfield, B-24s bomb Nielson and Grace Park Airfields and Nichols Field and
    B-25s and fighter-bombers pound bridges in the Plaridel and Calumpit areas.
    B-24s raid Padada and Daliao Airfields on Mindanao Island.  B-25s and
    fighter-bombers hit Lembeh Strait and the Langoan areas on Celebes Island.
    Other FEAF aircraft on small-scale armed reconnaissance missions strike
    targets of opportunity throughout the Philippine Islands. The 17th
    Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group,
    moves from Tacloban, Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island with B-25s.

    MONDAY, 8 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-51s hit targets of
    opportunity E of Muse and E of Wanling.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 21 B-25s hit troops and
    supply areas at Nampeng and Mong Long; 74 P-47s and P-38s attack troop
    concentrations and supply areas at Tunhunghkam, Monguy, Hpa-hpun, and Man Om;
    and 12 P-47s knock out a bypass bridge at Namhkai. Transports complete 470+
    sorties to forward bases and frontline areas. The 317th Troop Carrier
    Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India, sends
    a detachment to operate from Dinjan, India with C-47s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 787: 736 bombers and 269 fighters are dispatched to make PFF
    attacks on communications centers, rail targets and bridges in Germany; 2
    bombers are lost.
      1. 151 B-17s are sent to hit the Wissembourg communications center (36) and
    highway and rail bridge at Alzey (36); 65 hit a secondary target, the
    marshalling yard at Speyer; 4 hit a target of opportunity; all attacks are
    made using Gee-H and H2X; 2 B-17s are damaged beyond repair.
      2. 117 B-17s are dispatched to hit communications centers at Kyllburg
    (37), Schweich (24) and Speicher (37); 12 hit a secondary target, the
    marshalling yard at Koblenz; all attacks use Gee-H and H2X; 1 B-17 is lost, 1
    damaged beyond repair and 24 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 7 WIA and 9 MIA.
      3. 24 of 30 B-24s hit the Stadtkyll communications center and 2 hit a
    target of opportunity using Gee-H without loss.
      4. 204 B-24s are sent to hit communications centers at Wittlich (14),
    Oudler (29), Clerf (18), Burghreuland (31) and Dasburg (30); 2 others hit a
    target of opportunity; all use Gee-H; 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; 1
    airman is WIA.
      5. 225 B-17s are sent to hit communications centers at Waxweiller (33) and
    Lunebach (29); 131 hit the secondary, the marshalling yard at Frankfurt; 1
    hits a target of opportunity; attackers use Micro H and H2X; 1 B-17 is lost,
    1 damaged beyond repair and 47 damaged.
      6. 219 of 229 P-51s fly a freelance escort mission of all the bombers above
    without loss.
      7. 9 of 9 B-17s fly a screening mission.
      8. 29 of 32 P-51 fly a scouting mission.
      9. 8 of 8 P-51s escort 2 Mosquitoes on photo reconnaissance missions over
    Germany.
      Mission 788: 1 B-17s and 2 of 4 B-24s drop leaflets over St Hubert,
    Belgium.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Weather prevents operations. The
    153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army
    Group), moves from Tongres to Rutten, Belgium with L-5s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Austria, 300+ B-17s and
    B-24s bomb the main station yard and N main marshalling yard at Linz plus
    marshalling yards at Graz, Villach, Klagenfurt, and Salzburg, escorted by
    200+ P-38s and P-51s; 30+ other P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance
    escort. HQ 1st Fighter Group moves from Salsola Airfield to Vincenzo
    Airfield, Italy.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XXII Tactical Air
    Command A-20s fly 33 effective sorties in the Po Valley during the night of
    7/8 Jan; bad weather sharply reduces daytime operations; of 3 medium bomber
    missions dispatched, only 1 reaches the target (the Chivasso railway bridge)
    where only 6 medium bombers bomb through the overcast; less than 20 XXII
    Tactical Air Command fighters hit scattered targets in the Po Valley; HQ 51st
    Troop Carrier Wing moves from Lido di Roma to Siena; and HQ 62d Troop Carrier
    Group moves from Malignano Airfield to Tarquinia. The 437th Bombardment
    Squadron (Medium), 319th Bombardment Group (Medium), begins a movement from
    Serragia, Corsica to the US (the squadron will convert to A-26s and transfer
    to the Pacific in Jul 45).

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 26 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb airfields on
    Iwo Jima Island, while, during the night of 8/9 Jan, 10 more B-24s subject
    the island to individual snooper strikes over a 6-hour period.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In the main strikes
    during the day on Luzon Island, P-51s and P-40s strafe airfields in the
    Lingayen Gulf area; A-20s pound railroad yards at Cabanatuan, motor convoys
    between Cabanatuan and Bongalion and between Bongabon and Mojon, Rosales and
    San Quintin rail installations, bridges at Cuyapo, Paniqui, and near Santa
    Rosa; P-47s hit rail yards and a truck convoy in the San Jose area; and B-24s
    and A-20s attack Nichols Field and Nielson, Lipa, and Calingatan Airfields.
    B-25s with P-47 cover, bomb Fabrica Airfield on Negros Island, while B-24s
    bomb Likanan Airfield and oil storage at Matina on Mindanano Island. P-38s
    attack Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields in Borneo.  Numerous small-scale
    attacks over the Philippine Islands and Netherlands East Indies continue.

    TUESDAY, 9 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): For the first time the Eleventh radar-bombs
    with H2X equipment as 4 B-24s hit Suribachi Bay Airfield on Paramushiru
    Island.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s hit railroad targets, road
    bridge, and building area NE of Thanh Moi, French Indochina. 25 P-40s, P-38s,
    and P-51s hit targets of opportunity S, SW, and NE of Wanling, Burma. 8 P-51s
    bomb railroad repair shops at Sinsiang, China while 3 P-40s hit a road W of
    Muse, Burma, causing a traffic block.

      EASTERN AIR COMMAND (EAC): Colonel Minton W Kaye assumes command of the
    Photographic Reconnaissance Force, a component of the EAC.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 26: 46 B-29s from Chengtu, China are
    dispatched to bomb the harbor at Kirun, Formosa; 39 hit the target and 6 bomb
    targets of last resort along the China coast; this raid is the first of
    several such operations against Formosa in conjunction with the US invasion
    of Luzon Island.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-47s hit division HQ at
    Ho-na while 4 others support ground forces in the Si-U sector; 90+ fighter-
    bombers hit supply areas, tanks, AA positions, and troop concentrations at
    Man Kat, Tonghsim, Kong-lin, Bawdwin, Mong Tat, and in the Hsenwi vicinity.
    488 transport sorties are flown to forward areas.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 15 B-26s bomb the
    Rinnthal rail bridge with the aim of isolating 3 enemy armored divisions in
    the Landau area; XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) fighters escort the
    B-26s. Weather prevents other operations.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather permits only
    reconnaissance missions. In Italy, the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter
    Group, based at Salsola Airfield, sends a detachment to operate from Vincenzo
    Airfield with P-38s.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers attack
    bridges at Palazzuolo sull'Oglio, Pontetidone, Romano di Lombardia, and an
    assembly area at Crespellano; fighters and fighter-bombers in an excellent
    day against communications in the W and C Po Valley and other points in N
    Italy make numerous rail cuts, destroy or damage many vehicles and trains and
    effectively hit ammunition and fuel dumps, guns, and strongpoints along the
    US Fifth Army front in the N Apennines; the 4th and 8th Troop Carrier
    Squadrons, 62d Troop Carrier Group, move from Malignano Airfield to Tarquinia
    with C-47s; the 18th and 35th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier
    Group, move from Ciampino to Rosignano Airfield with C-47s. The 438th, 439th
    and 440th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 319th Bombardment Group (Medium),
    begin a movement from Serragio, Corsica to the US (they will convert to A-26s
    and move to Okinawa in Jul 45).

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 24 B-24s, based on Saipan Island, hit an
    airfield on Iwo Jima Island which is struck again by 8 B-24s on individual
    snooper missions during the night of 9/10 Jan.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 18: 72 Mariana Island-based B-29s are
    dispatched against the Musashino aircraft plant near Tokyo; high winds break
    up the formations so that only 18 B-29s can bomb the primary target; 34 hit
    alternates and targets of opportunity; they claim 13-3-11 Japanese aircraft;
    6 B-29s are lost.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Amphibious forces
    of the US Sixth Army begin landing on the shores of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon
    Island at 0930 hours local; in N Luzon, B-24s bomb Mabalacat while B-25s,
    A-20s, and fighter-bombers destroy several bridges and numerous vehicles and
    trains throughout Luzon, and bomb several airfields; B-24s also hit Nielson
    Airfield and Nichols Field. FEAF aircraft make small-scale attacks on barges,
    airfields, and targets of opportunity on Mindanao and Halmahera Islands, the
    Ceram Island area, N Borneo, and on Timor Island.

    WEDNESDAY, 10 JANUARY 1945 FTP SITES

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s on an armed photo mission bomb and
    photograph Kurabu Airfield on Paramushiru Island, scoring hits on the runway.

      CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 32d Fighter Squadron, XXVI Fighter
    Command, moves from France Field to Howard Field, Canal Zone with P-39s.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-24s bomb the Cap-Saint-Jacques
    area of French Indochina. In Burma, 50+ P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s pound various
    targets of opportunity throughout the Wanling area and 6 P-40s hit targets of
    opportunity in the Muse area. The 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group,
    based at Yunnani with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate from Leangshan,
    China.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 75 fighter-bombers pound
    troop concentrations, supplies, tanks, artillery, and buildings at Kawnglang,
    Nampa-chi, Man Namman, Pangkai, Mong Yai, Namhsan, Namyao, Se-ping, Panghai,
    and in the Hosi area; 17 P-47s knock out a bridge, damage another at Bawgyo
    and 2 others at Ho-kho; 8 P-47s support ground forces in the Si-U battle
    sector; 8 others hit supplies and ferry crossing at Ta-mawngtawn. 472
    transport sorties are flown to forward bases and frontline areas. The 165th
    Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Kawlin to
    Ye-U, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s (a detachment is operating from Inbaung,
    Burma).

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 789: 1,119 bombers and 362
    fighters are dispatched to attack airfields, rail targets and bridges in
    Germany; most attacks are made using PFF methods; they claim 3-0-0 Luftwaffe
    aircraft; 10 bombers and 2 fighters are lost:
      1. 429 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Rodenkirchen (31) and Deutz (10)
    highway bridges at Cologne, the South (34) and Hohenzollern (52) rail bridges
    at Cologne and the marshalling yard at Karlsruhe (105); 20 hit the secondary
    target, the Gereon marshalling yard at Cologne; targets of opportunity are
    bridges at Duisburg (11) and Oberkassel (21), Dusseldorf (28) and other (33);
    some targets hit visually but most by PFF methods; 5 B-17s are lost, 5
    damaged beyond repair and 199 damaged; 10 airmen are KIA, 6 WIA and 48 MIA.
      2. 233 B-24s are dispatched to hit highway bridges at Steinbruck (23),
    Schonberg (70), Weweler (60) and Dasburg (20); 1 hits Prum, a target of
    opportunity; targets are hit using Gee-H; 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair
    and 7 damaged; 3 airmen are WIA.
      3. 458 B-17s are sent to hit the Hangelar Airfield at Bonn (63); Odendorf
    Airfield at Euskirchen (98), Osteheim Airfield at Cologne (83) and Gymnich
    Airfield (52); 43 hit the secondary target, the marshalling yard at Cologne;
    targets of opportunity are the marshalling yards at Euskirchen (8), Belecke
    (8) and Duren (12) and other (26); Gee-H is used in bombing with some visual
    sightings; 5 B-17s are lost, 11 damaged beyond repair and 140 damaged; 5
    airmen are KIA, 15 WIA and 52 MIA.
      4. The bombers are escorted by 137 of 152 P-51s; 6 P-51s are lost and 1
    damaged beyond repair.
      5. 123 P-47s and P-51s make a freelance sweep to cover the bombers; they
    claim 1-0-0 aircraft in the air and 2-0-0 on the ground; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 is
    lost (1 pilot MIA); 4 P-51s are damaged beyond repair.
      6. 13 of 15 P-51s dive bomb the marshalling yard at Neustadt without loss.
      7. 6 of 8 P-51s escort 2 Mosquitoes on a photo reconnaissance of the Brux,
    Czechoslovakia area.
      8. 28 of 32 P-51s fly a scouting mission.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 30+ B-26s sent against
    communications center and road bridge abort due to weather; the XIX Tactical
    Air Command escorts the B-26s, flies patrols, attacks bridges and other
    targets and supports the US III, VIII, XII, and XX Corps in the Saint-Hubert,
    Belgium-Bastogne, Belgium-Wiltz, Luxembourg area, in the Diekirch and
    Echternach area of Luxembourg and points to the SE.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Weather restricts operations to
    photo and weather reconnaissance missions. The 27th and 71st Fighter
    Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group, based at Salsola Airfield with P-38s, send a
    detachment to operate from Vincenzo Airfield, Italy.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather restricts
    operations but fighter-bombers effectively attack communications and supply
    dumps in the C and N Po Valley; the strikes are concentrated in the N and
    around Piacenza, and score nearly 50 rail cuts, along with destruction of 80
    motor transports and several trains; fuel and ammunition dumps in the Milan
    area are bombed and a 400-foot (122 m) naval vessel at Venice is destroyed;
    HQ 64th Troop Carrier Group and the 16th and 17th Troop Carrier Squadrons
    move from Ciampino to Rosignano Airfield with C-47s.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 30 Guam Island-based B-24s operating in 2
    separate formations, bomb airfields on Iwo Jima Island; 2 other B-24s, on
    armed reconnaissance, hit airfield on Woleai Atoll, Caroline Islands. Iwo
    Jima airfields are hit again on the night of 10/11 Jan by B-24s flying
    snooper missions from Guam.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon Island,
    B-24s bomb Grace Park Airfield and warehouse area near Manila, A-20s and
    fighter-bombers pound trucks, trains, railroad yards, railroads, and highways
    over wide areas of N and S Luzon, and bomb Vigan and Laoag Airfields. About
    60 P-40s bomb and strafe the Galela area on Halmahera Island. B-25s and P-38s
    hit Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island. Other B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-
    bombers, operating in smaller forces, hit numerous shipping and
    communications targets, airfields, and other targets throughout the
    Philippine Islands. HQ XIII Fighter Command moves from Sansapor, New Guinea
    to Leyte Island. The detachment of the 12th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter
    Group, operating from Morotai Island with P-38s, returns to base at Sansapor,
    New Guinea.

    THURSDAY, 11 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, 3 B-24s on an armed
    reconnaissance to Suribachi on Paramushiru Island, bomb NW of Taro Lake; 5
    B-25s hit Kotani Shima.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-25s damage a bridge at
    Wan Mai-Lo; 12 fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity NE of Wanling, 7
    drop napalm on targets of opportunity NE of Muse, and 11 attack targets of
    opportunity SE of Wanting, China and in the E end of the Wanting River
    valley.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force):  Mission 27: 47 B-29s out of Calcutta, India
    are dispatched to bomb 2 large drydocks at Singapore, Malaysia; 25 hit the
    primary targets; around 15 others bomb Penang Island, Malaysia, Mergui,
    Burma, and various targets of opportunity; they claim 6-1-17 Japanese
    aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 P-47s support ground
    forces in the Si-U and Namhkam sectors. 3 others strafe trucks between
    Namhkam and Selan; troop concentrations, vehicles, artillery pieces, supply
    areas, and general enemy movement are pounded by 80+ fighter-bombers; 12
    B-25s bomb storage buildings in the Lashio area. 509 transport sorties are
    flown to forward areas. The 6th Fighter Squadron (Commando), 1st Air
    Commando Group, based at Asansol, India, sends a detachment to operate from
    Cox's Bazar, India with P-47s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 790: 2 B-17s and 4 of 6
    B-24s drop leaflets in Belgium during the night.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): About 120 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s
    attack communications centers and rail bridges in Belgium and Germany;
    fighters escort the bombers, hit an ammunition dump at Mayen, Germany, and
    patrol areas around Malmedy, Belgium and NE of Trier, Germany.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather limits operations.
    P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 10/11
    Jan, A-20s attack targets of opportunity in the W Po Valley; clearing weather
    during the day enables an increase of fighter and fighter-bomber attacks in
    the Po Valley and in the US Fifth Army battle area in the N Apennines; many
    ammunition and fuel dumps, rail lines, trains, and vehicles are pounded, and
    an alcohol refinery at Piacenza is severely damaged.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 23 B-24s from Saipan Island pound airfields on
    Iwo Jima Island; the bombing of Iwo Jima is continued during the night of
    11/12 Jan, by 3 B-24s flying individual snooper strikes from the Mariana
    Islands. The 6th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command (attached to
    318th Fighter Group), moves from Kipapa, Hawaii to East Field, Saipan
    Island (a detachment has been operating from Saipan with P-47s and P-61s
    since Jun 44; a detachment operates from Kipapa, Hawaii until May 45).

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): The 3d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
    (Very Heavy), 311th Photographic Wing (attached to XXI Bomber Command),
    moves from Saipan Island to Guam Island with F-13s (the squadron flies
    photo, electronic and weather reconnaissance missions in the W Pacific).

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Large numbers of
    B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers concentrate on communications
    targets throughout N Luzon Island and attack airfields, communications, and
    town areas in S Luzon, the C Philippine Islands, and on Mindanao Island.
    B-25s and P-38s attack Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island. HQ 308th
    Bombardment Wing (Heavy) moves from Leyte Island to Luzon.

    FRIDAY, 12 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s again damage a bridge at Wan
    Mai-Lo, Burma. 35 fighter-bombers pound targets of opportunity around
    Wanting, China and Muse, Burma.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 fighter-bombers support
    ground forces in the battle sectors at Si-U and at Lawa on the Irrawaddy
    River; 70+ fighter-bombers hit troops, supplies, vehicles, and general enemy
    movement at Namsa-lap, Longmao, Hsa-ihkao, Mangpu, Pangnim, and near Lashio,
    Hsipaw, and Hsenwi. Transports fly 544 sorties, landing men and supplies at
    forward bases and dropping supplies to troops in battle sectors.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): All combat operations are cancelled
    because of weather.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): For the fourth consecutive day,
    all bombing operations are cancelled by bad weather. P-38s fly photo and
    weather reconnaissance and escort missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather severely
    curtails operations, but fighters and fighter-bombers of the XXII Tactical
    Air Command score successfully against communications targets in W and C Po
    Valley, claiming 50+ rail cuts and destruction or damage of 100+ vehicles.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 28 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb airfields on
    Iwo Jima Island; 3 B-24s, on armed reconnaissance from Saipan Island, bomb
    Marcus Island. Iwo Jima is hit by snooper strikes during the night of 12/13
    Jan, by 4 B-24s from the Mariana Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb the San
    Jose del Monte area and bivouac areas on N Luzon; other B-24s hit Legaspi,
    and Batangas Airfields on Luzon, and Matina Airfield on Mindanao Island while
    B-25s bomb Fabrica warehouses on Negros Island.

    SATURDAY, 13 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s blast 6 storage buildings at
    Kengtung, China. 3 others damage a bridge at Hawng Luk, Burma. In China, 31
    P-51s, P-38s, and P-40s hit targets of opportunity in the Wanting area; 16
    P-51s hit targets of opportunity around Shanhsien, Chiatsochen, and Chaling.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 fighter-bombers hit
    Aungban Airfield while 4 others support ground forces along the Irrawaddy
    River at Molo; 20+ fighter-bombers hit horses and vehicles at Hsa-ihkao,
    buildings at Man Ping, and troops at Mankang and Man Sang. Transports fly
    556 sorties to forward areas. The detachment of the 317th Troop Carrier
    Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating from Dinjan, India with
    C-47s, returns to base at Kalaikunda, India.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 791: 958 bombers and 469
    fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards and Rhine rail bridges
    mostly by PFF methods; they claim 6-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 bombers and 2
    fighters are lost:
      1. 367 B-17s are sent to hit the Mainz rail bridge (31), the Gustavsburg
    rail bridge at Mainz (95) and the Bischofsheim marshalling yard (119); 74 hit
    the secondary target, the Mainz marshalling yard; targets of opportunity are
    Euskirchen (13) and other (7); most attacks are made using Micro H but some
    formations bomb visually; 2 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 126
    damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 4 WIA and 19 MIA. Escorting are 79 of 80 P-51s; 3
    are damaged beyond repair.
      2. 276 B-24s are dispatched to hit rail bridges at Worms (86) and Rudesheim
    (89) and the Kaiserslautern marshalling yard (87); 1 hits a target of
    opportunity; most attacks are made using Gee-H but some formations bomb
    visually; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 39 damaged; 2 airmen
    are WIA and 10 MIA. The escort is 114 of 118 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost and 1
    damaged beyond repair.
      3. 315 B-17s are sent to hit rail bridges at Germersheim (71, using Gee-H)
    and Maximiliansau (159) and rail and highway bridges at Mannheim (76)
    visually; 1 hits a target of opportunity; 5 B-17s are lost, 4 damaged beyond
    repair and 9 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA, 7 WIA and 42 MIA. Escorting are 77 of
    82 P-51s; 2 are damaged beyond repair.
      4. 102 P-47s and P-51s fly a freelance fighter sweep supporting the
    bombers; they claim 3-0-0 aircraft in the air and 3-0-1 on the ground; 1 P-51
    is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair.
      5. 45 of 45 P-51s fly a fighter-bomber mission against Mannheim, Trier, etc
    without loss.
      6. 20 of 28 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss.
      7. 4 of 4 P-51s escort an F-5 on a photo reconnaissance mission over
    Germany.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 95 9th Bombardment
    Division bombers strike road and rail bridges at Dasburg, Steinebruck, and
    Simmern to disrupt enemy movements; fighters escort the 9th Bombardment
    Division, Eighth AF, and RAF bombers, fly armed reconnaissance and patrols,
    and bomb and strafe numerous ground targets. The IX Tactical Air Command
    supports the US VII Corps near Houffalize, Belgium, the XIX Tactical Air
    Command supports the US III, VIII, XII, and XX Corps elements in the Saint-
    Hubert, Belgium-Bastogne, Belgium-Wiltz, Luxembourg areas and points E and S
    near the Clerf River, Luxembourg and the Mosel River, Germany.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): For the fifth successive day no
    bombing operations are flown. Weather permits only reconnaissance and escort
    missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, Bad weather prohibits
    all but weather reconnaissance and a scramble mission, all uneventful.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 14 Saipan Island-based B-24s hit an airfield on
    Iwo Jima Island; 2 B-24s from Guam and Saipan Islands, again raid the
    airfields on the night of 13/14 Jan.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon Island,
    B-24s hit the Tarlac barracks and storage area, Batangas Airfield, and troop
    concentrations at San Juan, Del Monte, Muzon, and San Vicente, P-47s fly a
    sweep from Laguna de Bay to Tarlac, destroying parked aircraft and vehicles
    and A-20s hit the town of Batangas and nearby railroads and highways, and
    bomb Lucena and Calingatan Airfields. Also the N Luzon area is hit throughout
    the day by small raids. HQ 18th Fighter Group and the 12th Fighter Squadron
    move from Sansapor, New Guinea to Lingayen, Luzon Island with P-38s (the 12th
    has been operating from Morotai Island since Nov 44).

    SUNDAY, 14 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 27 B-24s, supported by 45
    P-51s and P-40s, pound Hankow; 8 enemy aircraft are claimed destroyed; 7
    B-25s hit targets at and W of Kengtung; 42 P-47s, P-40s, and P-51s attack
    airfields at Wuchang and Hankow; 17 Japanese aircraft are claimed destroyed;
    21 P-40s and P-51s hit targets of opportunity in the Wanting area; 5 P-51s
    blast trucks and buildings at Shanhsien; 8 others attack shipping on the
    Yangtze River near Anking.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 28: 82 B-29s out of Chengtu, China
    are dispatched to bomb air installations at Kagi, Formosa; 55 hit the
    primary target while 1 bombs Heito, Formosa; 22 others hit alternates and
    targets of opportunity at several points, among them Taichu Airfield, Formosa
    and Hengyang, China; no B-29s are lost.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit troops,
    stores area, and knock out 3 bridges near Nampawng and Hay-ti; 26 fighter-
    bombers support ground forces at Si-U and at Mabein; 60+ fighter-bombers
    pound supply areas, troop concentrations, and general targets of opportunity
    at or near Hsenwi, Se-u, Kongnyaung, Kutkai, Mongmit, Manai, and Kawnghka.
    Transports fly 487 sorties to forward areas.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 792: 911 bombers and 860 fighters are dispatched to attack oil
    refineries and plants in C Germany and highway bridges at Cologne; clear
    skies allow all bombers to bomb visually; about 250 Luftwaffe fighters attack
    and the AAF claims 158-0-30 aircraft; 7 bombers and 11 fighters are lost:
      1. 370 B-17s are sent to hit oil targets at Derben (186) and Magdeburg
    (90); 36 hit Hallendorf, the secondary target; targets of opportunity hit are
    the Osnabruck marshalling yard (8) and other (19); they claim 31-9-7
    aircraft; 6 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 121 damaged; 4 airmen
    are WIA and 149 MIA. Escorting are 295 of 331 P-51s; they claim 89.5-0-14
    aircraft in the air and 3-0-5 on the ground; 5 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA)
    and 3 damaged beyond repair.
      2. 348 B-24s are dispatched to hit oil targets at Hallendorf (145),
    Hemmingstedt (91) and Ehmen (89); 1 hits Wangerooge Island, a target of
    opportunity; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 80 damaged; 8 airmen are KIA
    and 1 WIA. The escort is 261 of 295 P-51s; they claim 14.5-0-0 aircraft; 1
    P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair.
      3. 187 B-17s are sent to hit highway bridges at Cologne, the Deutz Bridge
    (71), the Hohenzollern Bridge (67) and the Rodenkirchen Bridge (36); targets
    of opportunity are Berg (1) and Cologne (1); 1 B-17 is lost, 3 damaged beyond
    repair and 92 damaged; 4 airmen are WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 40
    of 42 P-51s; they claim 9-0-5 aircraft; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 1
    pilot is WIA.
      4. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening mission without loss.
      5. 116 P-47s and P-51s fly a sweep over N Germany and claim 42-0-6
    aircraft; 2 P-47s and 1 P-51 are lost (pilots MIA); 1 P-47 is damaged beyond
    repair.
      6. 30 of 32 P-51s fly a scouting missions without loss.
      7. 19 of 22 P-51s escort 12 F-5s and 4 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance
    mission over Germany.
      Mission 793: 2 B-17s and 5 B-24s drop leaflets over SE Belgium and Germany
    during the night.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 280+ A-20s and B-26s strike bridges
    and communications centers in the base area of the Ardennes salient and in
    other areas of W Germany. Fighters escort 9th Bombardment Division and Eighth
    AF bombers, fly armed reconnaissance and patrols, attack numerous ground
    targets, and support the US First Army in the Vielsalm, Belgium area and the
    US Third Army around Diekirch, Luxembourg.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): For the sixth consecutive day
    bad weather permits only reconnaissance missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather again cancels
    all combat missions.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24s from Saipan Island and 21 from Guam
    Island bomb airfields on Moen Island, Truk Atoll; 9 P-38s escort the Saipan
    B-24s. 12 B-24s from Guam pound an airfield on Iwo Jima Island; 2 B-24s from
    the Mariana Islands fly snooper strikes against Iwo Jima airfields during the
    night of 14/15 Jan.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 19: 73 B-29s from the Mariana Islands
    are dispatched to bomb the Mitsubishi aircraft plant at Nagoya, Japan; 40 hit
    the primary target and 23 hit alternates and targets of opportunity; they
    claim 16-7-26 Japanese aircraft; 5 B-29s are lost.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon Island,
    B-25s pound Aparri Airfield while supporting P-51s destroy several parked
    aircraft; A-20s bomb Clark Field destroying numerous parked aircraft, while
    B-24s hit troop concentrations at Cabanatuan; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and
    fighter-bombers over wide areas of Luzon hit tanks, trucks, and other
    vehicles near Norzagaray, Masbate, Tartaro, Bulac, Banglos, and San Felipe;
    bomb a bridge N of Bocaue; hit airfields at Tuguegarao and Batangas on Luzon,
    Malabang on Mindanao Island, and Silay on Negros Island; bomb the Cotabato
    supply area on Mindanao; and attack numerous other targets.  B-25s bomb the
    Goeroea area in the Moluccas Islands. The 408th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy),
    22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Angaur Island, Palau Islands,
    Caroline Islands, to Samar Island, Philippine Islands with B-24s.

    MONDAY, 15 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 18 B-25s, supported by 20 P-51s and
    P-40s, attack Hankow, China.  Others hit the Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma town area and
    damage a nearby bridge and in China, attack shipping near Amoy, and hit
    targets of opportunity in the Siang-Chiang and Hsiang River Valleys and from
    Hong Kong to Foochow. 130+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack
    numerous targets of opportunity throughout S China from the Burma border to
    the SE coast.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-24s bomb a troop
    concentration and the supply area at Mong Ngaw; 6 fighter-bombers damage a
    bridge at Namhkai; 11 support ground forces along the Irrawaddy River,
    bombing Mabein, hitting a cable crossing at Myitson, and attacking a ferry
    landing on the Nampaw River, a tributary; troops, supplies, tanks and targets
    of opportunity are attacked at several points in N Burma including Mong Tat,
    Mong Yok and Mong Pa. Transports fly 527 sorties to forward areas. Lieutenant
    Generals Albert C Wedemeyer, Commanding General China Theater, George E
    Stratemeyer, Commanding General Eastern Air Command, and Daniel I Sultan,
    Commanding General India-Burma Theater, confer at Myitkyina, Burma and agree
    that an AAF HQ to command the US Tenth and Fourteenth Air Forces should be
    set up in China. The 15th Combat Cargo Squadron, 4th Combat Cargo Group,
    moves from Argartala to Chittagong, India with C-46s. The 164th Liaison
    Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Inbaung to Kan, Burma
    with UC-64s and L-5s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 794: 640 bombers and 782 fighters are dispatched to hit
    marshalling yards in Germany; they claim 14-0-19 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2
    fighters are lost.
      1. 223 B-17s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Ingolstadt (111) and
    Freiburg (107); 1 hits the Reudenstadt marshalling yard as a target of
    opportunity; H2X radar is used to bomb; 5 B-17s are damaged. Escorting are
    183 P-47s and P-51s; 1 P-51 is damaged beyond repair.
      2. 75 of 120 B-24 hit the secondary target, the Reutlingen marshalling
    yard; targets of opportunity are Tubingen (19), Urich (10), the Tubingen
    marshalling yard (7), Mahlberg (1) and other (1); all attacks are made
    visually; 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair. The escort consists of 109 of 117
    P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft without loss.
      3. 253 of 297 B-17s hit the secondary target, the marshalling yard at
    Augsburg using H2X radar; targets of opportunity are Bobingen (29) and other
    (5) bombed visually; 16 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA. The escort is
    provided by 184 of 204 P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
      4. 156 of 167 P-51s fly a fighter sweep over Germany; they claim 13-0-19
    aircraft without loss.
      5. 62 of 63 P-51s fly a fighter bomber mission against the marshalling yard
    at Gensingen without loss.
      6. 6 of 7 P-51s escort a Spitfire on a photo reconnaissance mission over
    Germany.
      7 29 of 32 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss.
      Mission 795: 2 B-17s and 7 B-24s drop leaflet on the Netherlands and
    Germany during the night without loss.
      HQ VIII Fighter Command moves from Bushey Hall, England to Charleroi,
    Belgium.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS

        First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): HQ 64th Fighter Wing moves from
    Ludres to Nancy, France.

        Ninth Air Force: In Germany, 16 B-26s hit the Simmern bridge to help
    thwart movement in the Trier area; the XIX Tactical Air Command escorts the
    B-26s, flies armed reconnaissance and patrols, and supports the US III and
    VIII Corps in the Houffalize, Belgium-Bastogne, Belgium-Wiltz, Luxembourg
    areas.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 400+ B-24s and B-17s escorted
    by 270+ P-38s and P-51s, bomb marshalling yards and other railroad
    communications in NE and SE Vienna, Austria and marshalling yard at Treviso,
    Italy.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, operations resume as the
    weather clears; medium bombers concentrate on the Brenner rail line, flying
    nearly 150 sorties against bridges at San Michele all'Adige, Rovereto, Ala,
    Lavis, Santa Margherita d'Adige, and Motta di Livenza; the XXII Tactical Air
    Command attacks communications in the Po Valley and further N, destroying or
    damaging several bridges and a very large number of railway cars (most of
    them at the Como marshalling yard); during the night of 14/15 Jan, A-20s hit
    targets in the Po Valley, including Po River crossings at Borgoforte,
    Piacenza, and San Benedetto Po.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 B-24s from Saipan Island hit airfields on
    Iwo Jima Island; 2 B-24s, operating singly from Guam Island and Saipan,
    strike Iwo Jima airfields during the night of 15/16 Jan.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, B-25s,
    A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack objectives on Luzon Island, in the C
    Philippine Islands, and on Palawan Island, hitting highways, railroads,
    airfields and numerous targets of opportunity including tanks, trucks, and
    other vehicles. B-24s also bomb Jesselton Airfields in Borneo. The 318th
    Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, moves from Nadzab,
    New Guinea to Leyte Island with C-47s.

    TUESDAY, 16 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25s and 8 P-40s destroy
    a train N of Hankow and 8 B-25s pound Wanting. 180+ P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s
    on armed reconnaissance over vast expanses of China S of the Yangtze River
    and from the Burma border to the S China Sea attack numerous targets of
    opportunity; the Muse, Burma and Wanting and Changsha, China areas are hit
    especially hard.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s attack a troop
    concentration and supply dump at Namtoi; 15 P-47s support ground forces near
    Yenya-u and S of Shadaw; 22 bomb airfields at Anisakan and Nawnghkio; a troop
    concentration, supplies, town areas, vehicles, and other targets are attacked
    by 40+ fighter-bombers; the 71st Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF [attached to 1st
    Liaison Group (Provisional)] moves from Sahmaw to Katha with UC-64s, L-1s,
    L-4s and L-5s. Transports fly 550 sorties to forward areas.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 796: A planned major strike at oil and industrial targets in
    Germany is cancelled by weather; 627 bombers and 693 fighters are dispatched
    to hit oil targets; 2 B-24s and 1 P-51 are lost; due to heavy fog a large
    percentage of the bombers are diverted to various landing fields in the UK
    and on the Continent:
      1. 364 B-24s are sent to hit the Rothensee synthetic oil plant at Magdeburg
    (61) and the oil plant at Ruhland (67); secondary targets hit are the
    marshalling yard at Dresden (138) and a tank factory at Magdeburg (61); 5
    others hit a target of opportunity; targets are bombed visually and using H2X
    radar; 2 B-24s are lost and 8 damaged beyond repair; 3 airmen are KIA, 20 WIA
    and 22 MIA. Escorting are 368 of 392 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 7
    damaged beyond repair.
      2. 263 B-17s dispatched hit secondary targets, the marshalling yard at
    Dessau (146) and 2 aircraft engine plants at Bitterfeld (96); 4 others hit
    targets of opportunity; all attacks are made using H2X radar; 2 B-17s are
    damaged beyond repair; 1 airman is KIA and 3 WIA. The escort is 194 of 203
    P-51s.
      3. 68 P-47s and P-51s fly a sweep.
      4. 19 of 20 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
      5. 5 of 7 P-51s escort a Spitfire on a photo reconnaissance mission on
    Berlin and Misburg.
      Mission 797: 1 B-24 drop leaflets on Belgium during the night.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 311 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s hit road
    and rail bridges, communications centers, motor transport repair center, and
    other targets in Germany; fighters escort 9th Bombardment Division and Eighth
    AF bombers, fly armed reconnaissance and defensive patrols, and support US
    First Army elements along the battleline NE of Houffalize, Belgium, and the
    III Corps along the battleline SE of Houffalize.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather restricts
    operations to reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions by 30 P-38s.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 15/16
    Jan, A-20s exploit a break in the bad weather and blast motor transport
    around Genoa and NE of Milan; during the day bad weather returns, grounding
    the medium bombers and limiting fighter-bombers to 16 completed sorties
    against communications in the Po Valley and NE Italy; the 23d Photographic
    Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from
    Malignano to Peretola Airfield, Florence with F-5s.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 10 B-24s from Guam Island bomb an airfield on
    Iwo Jima Island; 12 P-38s from Saipan Island assigned to high cover for the
    B-24 strike fail to make contact with the formation due to bad weather; 3 of
    the fighters strafe beached vessels. 3 B-24s fly snooper strikes against Iwo
    Jima airfields during the night of 16/17 Jan.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 32 of 44 B-29s of the 313th Bombardment Wing
    (Very Heavy) fly a shakedown mission against the airfield on Pagan Island,
    Mariana Islands. Units arriving at North Field, Guam Island from the US: HQ
    316th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy); HQ 19th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)
    and the 28th, 30th and 93d Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) with B-29s
    (first mission 12 Feb 45).

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In the day's
    principal strikes B-24s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers pound Japanese
    concentrations, trains, trucks, and targets of opportunity on Luzon Island.
    Other B-24s hit airfields in N Borneo and on Halmahera Island. B-25s, A-20s,
    and fighter-bombers on small raids, armed reconnaissance, and harassing
    strikes hit airfields on Negros Island and airfields, communications targets,
    trains, trucks, and other targets of opportunity throughout Luzon. HQ 86th
    Fighter Wing moves from Sansapor, New Guinea to Luzon. The 26th Photographic
    Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from
    Biak Island to Lingayen, Luzon with F-5s. The 70th Fighter Squadron, 18th
    Fighter Group, ceases operating from Morotai Island with P-38s and begins a
    movement to Luzon. The 547th Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing
    (attached to 308th Bombardment Wing) moves from San Jose, Mindoro Island to
    Lingayen, Luzon with P-38s and P-61s.

    WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s bomb the town
    area, river shipping, and trucks at Ishan and 3 B-25s and 8 P-40s pound
    sampans and storage areas W of Hengshan while 2 B-25s hit an oil dump and
    other targets of opportunity in the Hsiang River Valley and another blasts a
    troop compound at Chaling. 4 B-25s damage a bridge at Phu Lang Thuong, French
    Indochina. 180+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s hit a large number of targets of
    opportunity from the Burma border to Shanghai, China, concentrating on the
    Wanling, Burma area and airfields in the Shanghai, Wuchou, and Wuchang, China
    areas.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 29: 77 of 92 B-29s from Chengtu,
    China bomb the airfield at Shinchiku, Formosa; 8 other hit alternates and
    targets of opportunity in SE China; 1 B-29 is lost.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 B-25s demolish 2 bypass
    bridges at Ho-hko; 8 pound the village of Mansam; 20 P-47s support ground
    forces along the Irrawaddy River, hitting targets at Konkha, Onbaing, and
    Wabyudaung; troop concentrations and supplies are bombed by 75 fighter-
    bombers at Nawngchio, No-na, Man Hpa-yaw, Man Namket, Nanhu, Panghai, Mong
    Nge, and Ho-Pok. Transports fly 489 sorties to forward bases and frontline
    areas.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 798: 700 bombers and 362
    fighters are dispatched to make visual attacks on oil refineries at Hamburg
    and Harburg and Gee-H and H2X attacks on rail targets; 9 bombers and 7
    fighters are lost:
      1. 158 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Rhenania (40) and Albrecht (34) oil
    refineries at Hamburg and the U-boat base at Hamburg (73); 1 other hits a
    target of opportunity; 4 B-17s are lost and 88 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and
    39 MIA. Escorting are 61 P-47s and P-51s; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA) and 1
    P-47 is damaged beyond repair.
      2. 78 of 84 B-24s hit the Rhenania oil refinery at Harburg; 1 other hits
    Borkum Airfield as a target of opportunity; 4 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged
    beyond repair and 57 damaged; 7 airmen are WIA and 44 MIA. Escort is provided
    by 46 of 55 P-51s; 2 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
      3. 458 B-17s are sent to hit the Paderborn marshalling yard (397) and the
    Schildesche rail viaduct at Bielefeld (37); 4 others hit a target of
    opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost and 6 damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. The escort is
    108 of 118 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
      4. 80 of 87 P-51s fly a fighter sweep against a rail target without loss.
      5. 25 of 28 P-51s fly a scouting mission; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Weather cancels all bomber
    operations and limits the fighters; the XIX Tactical Air Command flies a
    night patrol while the IX Tactical Air Command flies a leaflet mission and
    patrols the XIX Corps area around the Hurtgen Forest, Germany.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Continued bad weather cancels
    all operations.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers, taking
    advantage of improved weather conditions, attack 6 rail targets on the
    Brenner rail line, blocking the line at Calliano, cutting tracks at Ora, and
    destroying a section of the bridge at Sacile; in NE Italy fighters and
    fighter-bombers concentrate their large effort on rail lines and bridges,
    destroying 4 and damaging another, cutting tracks at numerous points, and
    blasting vehicles and trains; HQ 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) and
    the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron move from Rosia and Malignano
    respectively to Florence/Peretola with A-20s, B-25s and F-5s.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 14 B-24s from Saipan Island pound airfields on
    Iwo Jima Island; 3 from Guam Island, on armed reconnaissance flight, bomb
    Marcus Island in the N Pacific; 2 B-24s, from Guam and Saipan, fly individual
    harassment strikes against Iwo Jima during the night of 17/18 Jan.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): HQ 29th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and
    the 6th, 43d and 52d Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) arrive at North
    Field, Guam Island from the US with B-29s (first mission is 16 Feb).

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In principal
    strikes of the day on Luzon Island, B-24s bomb railroad yards at Legaspi
    while B-25s hit roads and railways E of Manila, destroying many railroad cars
    and troop-laden trucks. Other B-24s pound the Daliao area on Mindanao Island
    and Talisay Airfield on Negros Island. B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers
    continue to fly small strikes and armed reconnaissance against bridges,
    shipping, port areas, airfields, trucks, and other targets of opportunity
    throughout Luzon and in the C Philippine Islands. The air echelon of the 82d
    Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves
    from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Lingayen, Luzon with F-6s and P-40s (ground
    echelon is enroute from Morotai Island to Lingayen).

    THURSDAY, 18 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s fly an unsuccessful reconnaissance
    mission to Kurabu Airfield on Paramushiru Island; one of the B-24s force-
    lands in the USSR on the return trip.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 29 B-24s bomb and 25 P-40s
    pound shipping and railroad targets at Hong Kong; 7 B-25s bomb Ishan and
    Chinchengchiang, 4 B-25s and 12 P-40s hit shipping in the Puchi area, 4 B-25s
    bomb the town of Wanting, and 2 hit troop compounds at Chaling. 11 B-25s and
    12 fighter-bombers attack Phu Lang Thuong, French Indochina. About 140 P-51s,
    P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over S China from the Burma boundary
    to Hong Kong attack a huge variety of targets of opportunity.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 23 P-47s and P-38s hit
    Anisakan and Hsumhsai Airfields; 12 B-25s bomb the airfield at Nawnghkio; 20+
    P-47s support ground forces at Si-U and near Yenya-u and Mahlainggon; troops,
    supplies, and general targets of opportunity are attacked at Antawsai, Mong
    Nak, Namhpakka, Mong Yok, Loi-pyek, Kyawnghkam, Pangnok, and in the Namtu
    vicinity. 529 transport sorties are flown to forward areas. In India, the
    detachment of the 6th Fighter Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group,
    operating from Cox's Bazar, India with P-47s returns to base at Asansol.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 799: Bad weather limits
    operations; 114 of 114 B-17s attack the marshalling yard at Kaiserslautern
    without loss; most are diverted to bases on the Continent after the raid
    because of heavy clouds; escort is provided by 105 of 113 P-51s with the loss
    of 3 aircraft and pilots. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening mission and 4 of 4
    P-51s fly a scouting mission.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ IX Tactical Air Command returns
    to operational control of the Ninth AF (from the RAF Second Tactical AF) as
    the US First Army returns from the Twenty First Army Group to the Twelfth
    Army Group. In Belgium, HQ IX Tactical Air Command (Rear) returns to Verviers
    from Charleroi. Weather prevents all Ninth AF operations except for alert
    flights by 11 fighters of the IX and XXIX Tactical Air Commands. The 153d
    Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group),
    moves from Rutten to Spa, Belgium with L-5s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Weather prevents bombing
    operations; P-38s and P-51s fly photo reconnaissance and escort missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 17/18
    Jan, A-20s attack Po River crossings, lights and movement throughout the Po
    Valley; during the day medium bombers pound targets on the Brenner line,
    including a temporary bridge between San Michele all'Adige and Ora, and an
    overhanging cliff over the railroad at San Ambrogio di Valpolicella; fighters
    and fighter-bombers blast communications lines in NE Italy and fuel and
    supply dumps in the Piacenza area, destroying numerous railroad tracks,
    trains, and vehicles, and causing explosions or fires in most of the dumps.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 19 Saipan Island-based B-24s bomb targets on
    Chichi Jima and Haha Jima Islands, damaging the naval base and the town of
    Okimura on Chichi Jima. 10 B-24s from Guam Island pound an airfield on Iwo
    Jima Island. During the night of 18/19 Jan, 3 B-24s continue snooper strikes
    against Iwo Jima airfields. In Hawaii, HQ VII Fighter Command moves from
    Hickam Field to Ft Kamehameha.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s blast the
    Cotabato area on Mindanao Island. B-24s bomb targets in the Miti area of
    Halmahera Island, and on Luzon Island, B-25s hit troop concentrations at
    Bamban, A-20s hit warehouses and highway traffic N of Bataan, and P-38s
    strafe parked aircraft at Tuguegarao and vehicles at Enrile and Butigui and
    Calarian on Mindanao. A variety of FEAF aircraft fly small-scale raids and
    armed reconnaissance missions against road and rail targets, bridges,
    airfields, and numerous targets of opportunity throughout the Philippine
    Islands. The 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, based on
    Biak Island, begins operating from Hill Field, Mindoro Island and Dulag,
    Leyte Island with C-46s and C-47s. The 67th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d
    Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak to Tinauan, Leyte with C-46s and C-47s.

    FRIDAY, 19 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 B-24 flies a radar ferret mission over
    Shimushu and Onnekotan Islands in the Kurile Islands; 2 other B-24s hit
    Matsuwa and Onnekotan Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s bomb Monguy, Burma and
    vicinity, 5 bomb Ishan, China, and in French Indochina, 8 hit shipping and
    rail targets at Song Cau, and 4 hit shipping, railroad targets, and a bridge
    at Do Len. About 115 P-51s, P-40s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over S
    China and N French Indochina attack a great variety of targets of opportunity
    covering especially in the Wanting, China area.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s bomb troops and
    stores at Na-mon and near Hsenwi; 28 fighter-bombers support ground forces in
    the Si-U and Namhkam battle sectors and along the Irrawaddy River near
    Yenya-u, Kyaukpyu, and Myitson; 4 others bomb a causeway in the lake at
    Mogok; troops, supplies, and artillery are hit by 80+ fighter-bombers at
    Tonghsim, Konghsa, Mankang, Mong Pa, Pangkawlong, Saihkao, Man Hio, Man Mao,
    and other locations in N Burma. Transports complete 500+ sorties to forward
    areas.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 800: 2 B-17s and 9 B-24s
    drop leaflets in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany during the night.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Bad weather cancels bomber
    operations; fighters fly patrols and armed reconnaissance; the XIX Tactical
    Air Command also supports elements of the US III and VIII Corps NE of
    Houffalize, Belgium and around Clervaux, Luxembourg, and the 5th Infantry
    Division around Bettendorf, Germany.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Yugoslavia, 400+ B-17s and
    B-24s attack N and S marshalling yards, a railroad bridge, and a highway
    bridge at Brod; because of overcast, only 1 of 112 bombers sent against the
    Zagreb marshalling yard bombs the target while others abort; 46 P-38s bomb
    the S railroad bridge at Doboj and 59 P-51s sweep from Zagreb to Gyor,
    Hungary. Other P-38s fly reconnaissance missions and reconnaissance escort
    and cover Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force (MATAF) B-25s on a supply
    run.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 18/19
    Jan, A-20s bomb motor transport movements, lights, roads, and railroads
    throughout the Po Valley; weather cancels medium bomber operations and
    prevents fighter-bombers from completing the XXII Tactical Air Command's only
    mission airborne during the day.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 7 B-24s from Saipan Island bomb harbor
    installations at Chichi Jima Island; 9 from Guam Island hit airfields on Iwo
    Jima Island; 7 B-24s escort photo planes over the Bonin and Kazan Islands and
    1 bombs Iwo Jima; during the night, 3 B-24s on individual snooper strikes
    from the Mariana Islands bomb Iwo Jima.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 20: 80 B-29s are dispatched to hit
    the Kawasaki aircraft plant at Akashi, Japan; 62 hit the primary target and 9
    others bomb alternates and targets of opportunity; they claim 4-4-8 Japanese
    aircraft.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In principal
    missions of the day, B-24s and B-25s bomb La Carlota and Bacolod Airfields on
    Negros Island. On Luzon Island, A-20s attack shipping at Salomague and
    Callaguip and B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack throughout Luzon,
    hitting airfields, vehicles, storage areas, highways, and a variety of other
    targets. HQ 433d Troop Carrier Group moves from Biak Island to Tanauan, Leyte
    Island. The 70th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, arrives at Lingayen,
    Luzon from Sansapor, New Guinea with P-38s.

    SATURDAY, 20 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-24s bomb the Kataoka area on Shimushu
    Island, Kurile Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25s hit a bridge and railroad
    cars near Hanoi, French Indochina. In China, 3 B-25s attack targets of
    opportunity W of Hengshan, 2 hit a troop compound and other targets at
    Chaling and Anjen, and 1 damages a small freighter in the E China Sea; 32
    P-51s pound airfields in the Shanghai area, claiming 22 aircraft destroyed;
    200+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance over vast S China and N
    French Indochina areas attack bridges, town areas, rail, road and river
    traffic, and other targets of opportunity at numerous points. The detachment
    of the 22d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium),
    operating from Yunnani, China with B-25s, returns to base at Yangkai.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Brigadier General Roger M Ramey officially
    becomes Commanding General XX Bomber Command.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 fighter-bombers support
    ground forces along the Irrawaddy River near Mabein, Shadaw, and Myitson; 8
    others hit an ammunition dump at Namhkai and a supply dump at Kutkai; also
    hit are troop concentrations, supply areas and targets of opportunity at
    Kyaunghkam, Panghung, Kawnglom, Namhsan, Loi-kang, and in the Hsenwi area.
    482 transport sorties are flown to advanced bases and battle sectors. HQ 80th
    Fighter Group moves from Tingkawk Sakan to Myitkyina, Burma. In India, the
    127th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda
    with UC-64s and L-5s, sends a detachment to operate from Cox's Bazar (first
    mission is today).

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 801: 772 bombers and 455
    fighters are dispatched to hit synthetic oil plants at Sterkrade and rail
    targets and bridges in W Germany using H2X radar; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe
    aircraft; 4 bombers and 3 fighters are lost:
      1. 36 of 309 B-17s hit the Holten oil plant at Sterkrade; 225 hit the
    secondary target, the marshalling yard at Rheine; 1 B-17 is lost, 2 damaged
    beyond repair and 68 damaged; 8 airmen are KIA, 33 WIA and 61 MIA. Escorting
    are 189 of 199 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
      2. 187 of 223 B-17s hit the Heilbronn marshalling yard; 8 hit the
    secondary, the Pforzheim marshalling yard and 2 hit a target of opportunity;
    2 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 18 damaged. Escort is provided
    by 39 of 48 P-51s without loss.
      3. 170 of 230 B-17s hit the Mannheim marshalling yard and rail bridge;
    targets of opportunity are Stuttgart (24), Mannheim (21) and other (1); 1
    B-17 is lost, 4 damaged beyond repair and 29 damaged. The escort is 130 of
    137 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
      4. 36 of 39 P-51s fly a fighter sweep in the Frankfurt area; 1 P-51 is lost
    (pilot MIA).
      5. 16 of 16 P-51s fly a sweep in the St Vith/Duren area without loss.
      6. 16 of 16 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Bomber operations are cancelled due
    to weather; fighters fly armed reconnaissance, alerts, and night patrol; the
    IX Tactical Air Command also supports the 7th Armored Division on the Dutch-
    German boundary.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The tactical organization of
    the Fifteenth AF becomes fully developed when a supply-dropping group, the
    15th Special Group (Provisional), organized on 18 Jan, is given control of
    the 859th (B-24) and 885th (B-17) Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) which drop
    supplies in France, Italy, and Yugoslavia. [In Mar, the 15th Group will be
    redesignated the the 2641st Special Group (Provisional) and with its units
    attached to the Twelfth AF for operational control, the Fifteenth retaining
    administrative control].
      345 B-17s and B-24s attack N and S main marshalling yards and station
    sidings at Linz, Austria, marshalling yards at Salzburg, Austria and
    Rosenheim, Germany, and oil storage at Regensburg, Germany; fighters escort
    the bombers and fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers destroy 1
    and damage another bridge near San Michele all'Adige, and score good coverage
    on the Trento marshalling yard; the XXII Tactical Air Command fighter-bombers
    very successfully blast communications and fuel and ammunition dumps in the
    Po Valley.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb airfields on
    Iwo Jima Island; 5 from Saipan Island hit the town of Okimura on Chichi Jima
    Island; during the night of 20/21 Jan, 10 B-24s from Guam fly separate
    snooper strikes against Iwo Jima airfields.
        The 163d Liaison Squadron, AAFPOA (attached to Tenth Army) arrives at
    Schofield Barracks, Hawaii from the US with L-5s.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Major General Curtis Emerson LeMay takes
    command of the XXI Bomber Command.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound Fabrica
    Airfield on Negros Island and bomb underground storage area at Bamban on
    Luzon Island. On Luzon, A-20s and B-25s hit railroads and trains near the
    Bicol River and between Calauag and Legaspi; other A-20s and fighter-bombers
    hit Aparri-Laoag and Tubang Airfields, hit artillery positions W of Bong Bong
    and destroy railroad bridge at Aloneros. HQ 35th Fighter Group moves from
    Morotai Island to Mangaldan, Luzon. The 2d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Angaur Island to Samar Island with
    B-24s. The 82d and 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons, 71st Tactical
    Reconnaissance Group, arrive at Lingayen, Luzon from Morotai Island and
    Dulag, Leyte Island respectively with F-6s and P-40s (82d) and P-40s (110th).

    SUNDAY, 21 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 30 B-24s pound the Hong
    Kong area; 12 P-51s hit Nanking Airfield (claiming 11 enemy aircraft
    destroyed) and targets of opportunity along the Yangtze River to Hankow; 30
    P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity at several
    locations; 12 of the fighter-bombers concentrate on the Wanting area.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-25s bomb Heho
    Airfield; 12 P-38s bomb the bridge area at Nampawng; 26 P-47s support ground
    forces near Twinnge, Mahlainggon, and Konkha along the Irrawaddy River, and
    in the Si-U sector; 50+ P-38s and P-47s hit troop concentrations, supplies,
    and targets of opportunity at Me-han, Mogok, Hsenwi, Na-makhkaw, Kutkai,
    Kunhkan, and Man On. Nearly 500 transports sorties are flown to forward
    areas. Units moving to Myitkyina, Burma: 90th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter
    Group, from Tingkawk, Burma with P-47s; 115th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF
    [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], from Ledo, India with L-1s and
    L-5s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 803: 912 bombers and 523 fighters are dispatched to hit industrial
    and rail targets in C Germany using PFF methods with some visual bombing;
    they claim 8-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 bombers are lost:
      1. 379 B-17s are sent to hit the marshalling yard (257) and oil plant (66)
    at Aschaffenburg; targets of opportunity are the Pforzheim marshalling yard
    (24) and military vehicle plant at Mannheim (3); Gee-H and H2X are used; 2
    B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 4 damaged; 18 airmen are KIA and
    2 MIA. Escorting are 112 of 139 P-51s.
      2. 382 B-17s are dispatched to hit the marshalling yard (254), Lanz
    military vehicle factory (21) and highway and rail bridges (16) at Mannheim;
    targets of opportunity are the Pforzheim marshalling yard (16), Speyer (4) and
    other (3); bombing is by Micro H and H2X; 6 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond
    repair and 53 damaged; 3 airmen are KIA, 12 WIA and 55 MIA. The escort is 138
    of 150 P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft on the ground.
      3. 152 B-24s are sent to hit the marshalling yard at Heilbronn (68) using
    H2X; targets of opportunity bombed visually are the marshalling yard at
    Pforzheim (11), the communications centers at Arnbach (14) and Mannheim (1)
    and Reutlingen (1); 4 B-24s are damaged beyond repair and 2 damaged; 3 airmen
    are WIA. Escort is provided by 120 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 6-0-1 aircraft
    on the ground.
      4. 26 of 26 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
      5. 6 of 7 P-51s fly an armed photographic mission over Politz.
      6. 22 of 23 P-51s escort 4 F-5s on a photo reconnaissance mission over
    Germany.
      Mission 804: 2 B-17s and 9 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands, France
    and Germany during the night without loss.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 166 A-26s, A-20s, and
    B-26s hit a rail junction and bridge at Euskirchen and marshalling yard and
    defended positions at Mayen; fighters fly armed reconnaissance, escort
    bombers, bomb bridges, and support the US 7th Armored Division.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 170 B-17s bomb the Lobau and
    Schweehat oil refineries at Vienna, Austria; 131 P-51s and P-38s provide
    support. 43 P-38s bomb an oil refinery at Fiume, Italy. Other fighters escort
    reconnaissance missions and accompany supply-dropping operations to
    Yugoslavia.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather restricts
    operations during the night of 21/22 Jan to armed reconnaissance by 5 A-20s;
    the A-20s bomb communications targets in the Po Valley. During the day B-25s
    hit bridges at Rovereto and Lavis, destroy a bridge at Pontetidone, and blast
    a railroad fill at San Michele all' Adige, and supply dump at Cremona;
    fighters and fighter-bombers concentrate on communications in the same area
    as the medium bombers, destroying 1 bridge, inflicting 36 rail cuts, hitting
    fuel and ammunition dumps, and destroying and damaging many vehicles and much
    railroad rolling stock, mostly in Milan area.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb airfields on
    Iwo Jima Island; during the night of 21/22 Jan, 8 more, flying separate
    snooper strikes from Saipan Island, pound the airfields.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 21: 30 of 33 B-29s, flying out of the
    Mariana Islands, bomb Moen Airfield in Truk Atoll.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Marikina
    Airfield and hit barracks and coastal defense guns at Calabasan. B-25s,
    A-20s, and fighter-bombers fly sweeps, small strikes, and armed
    reconnaissance attacks on airfields, road networks, bridges, gun positions,
    numerous vehicles, and other targets of opportunity throughout C and S Luzon.
    HQ 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 33d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)
    move from Angaur Island to Samar Island with B-24s.

    MONDAY, 22 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 16 P-40s and P-51s on armed
    reconnaissance attack various targets in the Wanting area and in SW China; 10
    P-51s bomb buildings at the Kunlong ferry; 14 P-51s and P-40s hit the
    Sintsiang railroad yards and destroy several locomotives and trucks E of
    Tsinan and Suchow; the flights of the 21st and 35th Photographic
    Reconnaissance Squadrons and 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron,
    Fourteenth AF, operating from Suichwan with F-4s, F-5s, P-40s and P-51s,
    return to base at Kunming and Chengkung.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 46 P-47s support ground
    forces near Si-U, Namhkam, and along the Irrawaddy River near Twinnge, Bahe,
    the Nam Mit River, Myitson, and Banwe; 12 others hit targets of opportunity
    along roads near Kutkai, Hsenwi, Lashio, and Namtu; troop concentrations,
    fuel and ammunition dumps, vehicles, and general supplies are pounded at Kin,
    Padan, Man Lom, Namtu, Hkamtung, Kabaing, Nammaw-hpek, Panglaw, and Na-hsang.
    Transports fly 449 sorties to advanced bases and frontline areas. In Burma,
    the 5th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF [attached to 1st Liaison Group
    (Provisional)], moves from Mytikyina to Bhamo with L-1s and L-5s; the 165th
    Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Ye-U to
    Shwebo with UC-64s and L-5s. The 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d
    Air Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India with C-47s, sends a detachment
    to operate from Bikram, India.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 805: 206 B-17s and 258 fighters are dispatched to make visual
    attacks on the Holten synthetic oil plant at Sterkrade (167); 1 hits the
    secondary target, the marshalling yard at Rheine; targets of opportunity are
    Dinslaken (12), Osnabruck (5), Heiden (8) and other (4); 5 B-17s are lost, 3
    damaged beyond repair and 144 damaged; 13 airmen are WIA and 45 MIA. Escort
    is provided by 85 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 3-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on the
    ground. Other fighter missions are:
      1. 128 of 136 P-51s fly a sweep in the St Vith, Belgium-Karlsruhe-
    Darmstadt and Kobenz, Germany areas, some as escort for Ninth AF bombers; 1
    P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
      2. 10 of 11 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
      Mission 806: 1 B-17 and 8 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and
    France.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 304 B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s bomb a
    marshalling yard, railhead, and road and rail bridges in Germany with the aim
    of obstructing troop movement; fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division,
    fly armed reconnaissance and sweeps and airfield cover, and support the US
    7th Armored Division near Montfort, the Netherlands; the III, VIII, and XII
    Corps from S of Saint-Vith, Belgium along the battlefront to NW of
    Echternach, Luxembourg; and the 4th, 5th, 94th, and 95th Infantry Divisions
    from Echternach, Luxembourg S to just W of Saarlautern, Germany. In Belgium,
    HQ 70th Fighter Wing moves from Liege to Verviers. In France, the 514th
    Fighter Squadron, 406th Fighter Group, based at Mourmelon with P-47s, begins
    operating from Prosnes.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather limits operations
    to 1 P-38 weather reconnaissance flight.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25s score damaging
    hits at Rovereto, San Michele all' Adige and on the Dogna bridge, and attack
    the Chiari and Crema bridges with fair results; fighter-bombers range over
    practically all of N Italy destroying and damaging a large number of vehicles
    and railway cars and several locomotives, also hitting fuel and ammunition
    dumps around Mantua. The air echelon of the 417th Night Fighter Squadron,
    Twelfth AF (attached to 422d Night Fighter Squadron) operating from
    Florennes, Belgium with Beaufighters, returns to base at La Vallon, France.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24s from Guam Island blast airfields on
    Iwo Jima Island, while 8 more B-24s flying individual strikes from Guam pound
    the airfields again during the night of 22/23 Jan.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, escorted by
    P-38s, bomb Heito Airfield in the first major Fifth AF strike on Formosa. On
    Luzon Island, other B-24s bomb barracks in the Cabaruan Hills and gun
    positions across Manila Bay and hit Fabrica Airfield. In smaller
    miscellaneous strikes, FEAF fighters and bombers over C and S Luzon hit enemy
    positions, small shipping, and highways at several points, and damage a
    bridge over the Magata River. HQ Fifth AF, HQ V Bomber Command and HQ V
    Fighter Command move from Leyte Island to Mindoro Island. The 20th Combat
    Mapping Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Dulag,
    Leyte, begins operating from Biak Island with F-7s. The 39th Fighter
    Squadron,  35th Fighter Group, moves from Morotai Island to Mangaldan, Luzon
    with P-47s. The air echelon of the 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron,
    71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from San Jose, Mindoro
    and moves to Lingayen, Luzon with P-40s.

    TUESDAY, 23 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, 1 B-24 flies a
    reconnaissance sortie along Onnekotan Island-Matsuwa Island E coasts; 4 B-24s
    strike the Kakumabetsu cannery and targets on Paramushiru Island; 8 to 10
    fighters intercept and the B-24s claim 2 victories; 1 B-24 is lost.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 40 P-51s and P-40s on armed
    reconnaissance attack targets of opportunity (mainly river, road, and rail
    traffic) at several locations in both S China and in the N China plain,
    including the Wanting, Suchow and Yuankiang areas, the lower Tungting Lake
    region, points between Kiaotow and Kweiyi, and points as far N as Peking.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb airfields at
    Aungban and Hsumhsai; 34 P-47s support ground forces near Namhkam and along
    the Irrawaddy River in the the Twinnge and Bahe areas; 55 P-47s and P-38s hit
    troop concentrations, storage areas and vehicles at Kawngwang, Sati, Kyaukme,
    Wengnan, Hko-lawng, Lothke, and Panglaw. Transports fly 542 sorties, carrying
    men and supplies to advanced bases and drop supplies to troops in frontline
    areas. In Burma, the 88th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, moves from
    Shingbwiyang to Myitkyina with P-47s. The detachment of the 166th Liaison
    Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, operating from Arakan, Burma
    with UC-64s and L-5s, returns to base at Asansol, India.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 807: 209 B-17s are dispatched to hit the marshalling yard at Neuss,
    Germany (169); 12 others hit the Neuss Bridge; the attacks are made using
    Gee-H and Micro H; 1 B-17 is lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 95 damaged; 5
    airmen are KIA, 6 WIA and 10 MIA. Escort is provided by 74 of 79 P-51s; 1 is
    damaged beyond repair. Other operations are:
      1. 68 of 75 P-51s fly a sweep over the Neuss area; they claim 1-0-0
    Luftwaffe aircraft without loss.
      2. 16 of 17 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss.
      Mission 808: 5 B-24s drop leaflet in the Netherlands during the night.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In Germany, a small B-26 force hits
    troop concentrations, a road bridge, and military transport targets at
    Blankenheim, Dasburg, and Arzfeld. Fighters fly armed reconnaissance, alert
    flights, and patrols, and support the US III, VIII, and XII Corps and 4th,
    94th, and 95th Infantry Divisions from S of Saint-Vith, Belgium, S and E
    along the battleline to just W of Saarlautern, Germany.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Continued bad weather cancels
    all operations.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 22/23
    Jan, A-20s bomb lights, roads, and river crossings at over 50 locations in
    the Po Valley, hit several targets of opportunity, and attack Borgoforte and
    San Benedetto Po and airfields at Villafranca di Verona and Ghedi; weather
    cancels medium bomber operations during the day; fighter-bombers operate
    mainly against communications, principally railroad targets, in the Po Valley
    but also hit ammunition dumps, shipping, guns, vehicles, and other targets in
    N Italy scattered from Genoa to NE Italy.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 12 B-24s from Saipan Island bomb Iwo Jima
    Island airfields. 3 from Guam Island fly armed reconnaissance over Woleai
    Atoll, 2 of them bombing the main runway on the island. During the night of
    23/24 Jan, 10 B-24s from Saipan strike Iwo Jima singly at about 45-minute
    intervals.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 22: 73 B-29s of the XXI Bomber
    Command are dispatched to bomb the Mitsubishi engine plant at Nagoya; 28 hit
    the primary and 27 hit the secondary target, the urban area of the city; 9
    bomb other alternates and targets of opportunity; an estimated 600+ fighters
    offer heavy and aggressive opposition; the AAF claims 33-22-40 Japanese
    aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: During the night of
    22/23 Jan, B-24s again hit Formosa in force, bombing an aluminum factory at
    Takao. In the day's principal missions against Luzon Island, B-24s bomb
    Baguio and, along with A-20s, hit Corregidor Island in Manila Bay; other
    A-20s attack Aparri Airfield while fighter-bombers hit a bridge at Digdig,
    luggers S of Alcala, guns on Grande Island at the mouth of Subic Bay, a
    bridge over the Magata River, and the base at Camp John Hay. B-24s hit Silay
    Airfield on Negros Island.

    WEDNESDAY, 24 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, 4 B-25s on a lowlevel
    attack on Torishima Island abort due to mechanical trouble; 4 more B-25s bomb
    buildings on Torishima; AA fire damages 2 B-25s. In the Aleutian Islands, 6
    fighters take off after radar reports an unidentified target SE of Attu
    Island; they spot a balloon which they shoot down with tracers.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 P-51s on armed
    reconnaissance attack railroad targets N of Siangsiang, between Loyang and
    Kaifeng, and near Tungchen; 21 locomotives are claimed destroyed.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb Hsumhsai
    Airfield; 17 P-47s support ground forces at Padin near Namhkam, and along the
    Irrawaddy River in the Bahe area; 6 P-47s knock out the Inailong bypass
    bridge; troop concentrations and supply areas are attacked at Nawng-ang,
    Pangsan, Mansak, Konsan, Yaunggwin, Mangkung, Nawngngun, Mong Long, Mogok,
    Namhsan, and in the Mongmit area. Transports again fly 500+ sorties to
    forward areas.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 67 of 70 P-51s based in Belgium
    are dispatched in 4 flights to fly sweeps over Wahn Airfield-Dorweiler area
    and Karlsruhe-Koblenz area in Germany, claiming 3 fighters downed; 1 P-51 is
    lost.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 25 9th Bombardment Division bombers
    hit communications centers at Schleiden, Stadtkyll, and Pronsfeld, Germany;
    fighters fly armed reconnaissance, sweeps, airfield cover, and bomb 1 bridge;
    the XIX Tactical Air Command supports US III, VIII, XII, and XX Corps
    elements along the battlefront at several points from SW of Saint-Vith,
    Belgium to the Saarlautern, Germany area. The 39th Photographic
    Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF, arrives at Valenciennes, France from the
    US with F-5s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Unfavorable weather limits
    operations to 1 complete weather reconnaissance mission.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, cloud conditions and
    ground fog at bases nearly halt operations; 1 medium bomber flies weather
    reconnaissance over the Venice area and P-47s fly weather reconnaissance over
    the Bologna-Parma area; 2 of the P-47s destroy a truck and damage a train
    near Parma.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 33 B-24s, from Guam and Saipan Islands, pound
    Iwo Jima Island during 4 raids; 6 others act as airborne spotters for a naval
    bombardment of Iwo; during 5 hours on the night of 24/25 Jan, 10 B-24s
    maintain harassment strikes against the island's airfields. The 78th Fighter
    Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, departs Bellows Field, Hawaii for Iwo Jima with
    P-51s.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 23: 20 of 28 B-29s dispatched hit 2
    airfields on Iwo Jima Island without loss.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon Island,
    B-24s pound Corregidor Island, Cavite, the Canacao peninsula seaplane base,
    and Grande Island at the mouth of Subic Bay. FEAF fighters and bombers on
    sweeps, armed reconnaissance, and light raids attack a variety of targets
    all over Luzon including small shipping, airfields, defensive positions,
    storage and town areas, roads, and vehicles. During the night of 24/25 Jan,
    B-24s on a snooper mission again hit Takao Airfield on Formosa. The 65th
    Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, based on Biak Island begins
    operating from Hill Field, Mindoro Island with C-46s and C-47s.

    THURSDAY, 25 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 30th Fighter Squadron, XXVI Fighter
    Command, moves from Aguadulce, Panama to Howard Field, Canal Zone with P-39s
    and P-40s.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 21 P-51s hit rail targets
    and airfields in the Peking area, claiming 4 locomotives and 40 aircraft
    destroyed; 16 P-40s and P-51s attack railroad targets around Kaifeng,
    Shihkiachwang, Pengpu, and Chingmen; 42 locomotives are claimed destroyed.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 P-47s support ground
    forces in the Namhkam area, near Molo, and near Myitson; 12 B-25s pound the
    Heho airfield; 80+ fighter-bombers attack troops, supplies, and targets of
    opportunity at Hsenwi, Loi-weng, Ho hpong, Loi Nan, Ting-yet, Mong Tat,
    Ho-mong, Mong Long, Pangkwai, and in the Kutkai area. Transports fly 581
    sorties to forward areas.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 111 of 121 P-51s based in Belgium
    fly a sweep over wide areas of SW Germany, claiming 2 Luftwaffe fighters NE
    of Mannheim and E of Kirrlach; 1 P-51 is lost.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 170 A-20s and B-26s hit
    communications centers and railroad bridges, overpasses, and lines in W
    Germany with the aim of harassing and obstructing troop movement; fighters of
    the 3 Tactical Air Commands fly armed reconnaissance, alerts and night
    patrols, escort bombers, and attack numerous ground targets; the XIX Tactical
    Air Command supports the US 5th Infantry Division in the Echternach,
    Luxembourg area.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Weather curtails operations;
    P-38s, with P-51 escort, fly photo and weather reconnaissance missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 24/25
    Jan, A-20s make several intruder attacks on roads, motor transport, bridges,
    and trains; bad weather during the day greatly curtails flying; the only
    medium bomber mission dispatched achieves poor results on the Cremona
    ammunition dump; fighter-bombers and fighters of the XXII Tactical Air
    Command hit communications and dump areas, mainly in the Milan area, with
    good general success.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 14 Saipan Island-based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima
    Island in the afternoon; during the night of 25/26 Jan, 10 more, flying
    individual harassment strikes at intervals, pound the island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, operating in
    force, again pound Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, Luzon Island; B-24s,
    B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers on sweeps, armed reconnaissance, and small-
    scale strikes hit vehicles, enemy positions, airfields, ammunition and supply
    dumps, barges, communications, and targets of opportunity in general, over
    wide areas of Luzon and Palawan Islands, and in the C Philippine Islands.
    During the night of 25/26 Jan, B-24s fly a harassing raid on Takao, Formosa.
    The 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group,
    based at Dulag, Leyte Island, begins operating from Tacloban, Leyte with
    F-7s; the 387th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 312th Bombardment Group (Light)
    moves from Tanauan, Leyte to San Jose, Mindoro Island with A-20s.

    FRIDAY, 26 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 15 P-51s and P-40s hit
    Chenghsien Airfield and locomotives, tracks, and motor transport at Nanking
    and Sinsiang.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown during the night of
    25/26 Jan.
      Mission 30: In French Indochina, 25 of 26 B-29s mine Saigon, Camranh Bay
    and Phan Rang Bay without loss.
      Mission 31: 41 of 50 B-29s mine the 6 approaches to Singapore harbor and
    Penang harbor in the Malayan States and the Pakchan River and Koh Si Chang
    Channel in Thailand.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 fighter-bombers support
    ground forces in the Namhkam area; 140+ fighter-bombers hit troops, supplies,
    guns, railroad targets, and targets of opportunity at Tangtong, Panghai, Man
    Pwe, Kyaunghkam, Mong Pa, Na-lang, Hsenwi, Molo, Mong Tat, Humon, Tonghkan,
    Pangnim, Konghsa, Namtu, Namhsan, and in the Nampok area. Transports fly 500+
    sorties to advanced bases and frontline areas. The detachment of the 493d
    Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), operating from
    Luliang, China, transporting gasoline to Suichwan, China with B-24s, returns
    to base at Pandaveswar, India.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 31 of 32 P-51s based in Belgium,
    fly an uneventful fighter sweeps over the Heilbronn, Aschaffenburg, Giessen,
    and Trier, Germany areas.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 27 B-26s bomb the
    Euskirchen rail bridge to interdict rail traffic SW from Euskirchen, much of
    which comes from Cologne and Bonn. The 3 Tactical Air Commands fly armed
    reconnaissance, alert flights, and patrols; the XIX Tactical Air Command
    supports US Third Army elements from S of Saint-Vith, Belgium to W of
    Saarlautern, Germany.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Weather prevents bombing
    operations. P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance-escort missions and
    escort RAF supply drop over Yugoslavia.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 25/26
    Jan, A-20s fly armed reconnaissance of the Po Valley, bombing Po River
    crossings, Ghedi Airfield, and general movement throughout the area; both
    the 57th Bombardment Wing and the XXII Tactical Air Command cancel all
    operations for the day because of bad weather.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 17 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima Island
    airfields; during then night of 26/27 Jan, the airfields are hit by 9 B-24s
    on individual harassment missions.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon Island,
    B-24s hit coastal guns on Corregidor Island and in Balete Pass; B-25s bomb
    the Cabcaben Airfield area and coastal guns on Carabao Island and A-20s
    attack Grande Island coastal defenses at the mouth of Subic Bay. On Mindanao
    Island, B-25s bomb Likanan and Sasa and P-38s strafe the same targets and
    also hit Padada. A-20s and fighter-bombers, along with a few B-24s, continue
    armed reconnaissance and miscellaneous attacks against airfields,
    communications, vehicles, coastal guns, town areas, and other targets
    throughout Luzon and in the C Philippine Islands. HQ 3d Air Commando Group,
    the 3d and 4th Fighter Squadrons (Commando) and the 318th Troop Carrier
    Squadron (Commando) move from Leyte Island to Mangaldan, Luzon with P-51s and
    C-47s. HQ 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 321st and 400th Bombardment
    Squadrons (Heavy) move from Biak Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island with
    B-24s. The 69th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from
    Biak to Tanauan, Leyte with C-47s. The 386th Bombardment Squadron (Light),
    312th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Tanauan, Leyte to San Jose,
    Mindoro with A-20s.

    SATURDAY, 27 JANUARY 1945

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 29th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), VI
    Bomber Command, moves from Howard Field, Canal Zone to Rio Hato, Panama with
    B-24s.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 22 P-40s and P-51s attack
    locomotives, trucks, and shipping at Sinsiang, Kihsien, and Nanking, from
    Taiyuan to Puchou, and E of Yiyang.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): By this date the complete forward detachments
    of the 4 B-29 groups in the Chengtu, China area have evacuated their bases
    and moved to more permanent bases in India; this move complies with the Joint
    Chiefs of Staff (JCS) directive formulated on 15 Dec 44 and received on 18
    Dec; the long-existing understanding that the XX Bomber Command might be
    moved from the CBI Theater when more convenient bases are available is thus
    put into its initial stage when the XX Bomber Command's Commanding General,
    Major General Curtis Emerson LeMay, and the JCS agree that on logistical
    grounds XX Bomber Command's operating scheme is basically unsound, a
    situation made more apparent when in Nov the Japanese had overrun Luchou and
    Yungning and threatened Kunming, China; this development necessitated air
    tonnage flown over the Hump being diverted to Chinese ground forces and
    the Fourteenth AF, resulting in curtailed supplies to XX Bomber Command and
    providing the catalyst for beginning a movement of the command from China.
      Mission 32: 22 of 25 XX Bomber Command B-29s based in India hit the navy
    yard and arsenal at Saigon, French Indochina and 1 bombs a bridge at Bangkok,
    Thailand without loss; the results are poor.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 30+ fighter-bombers
    support ground forces at Mansak, Molo Ywama, the area S of Molo, and the
    area S of Banwe; 8 others knock out a bypass bridge at Bawgyo; about 100
    fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supplies, and targets of
    opportunity at or near Man Kyan, Kuinkuiloi, Ho-hkun, Pongkalau, Hsenwi,
    Kutkai, Hsa-tong, Pinghoi, Ho-mong, Padon, and Kyaung-hen. Transports fly 527
    sorties to advanced bases and over forward areas, landing men and landing and
    dropping supplies.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 352d Fighter Group and the
    486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons move from Bodney, England to Chievres,
    Belgium with P-51s.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Weather grounds the 9th Bombardment
    Division and the XIX Tactical Air Command; the IX and XXIX Tactical Air
    Commands fly armed reconnaissance over the battle area and parts of W
    Germany, along with alert flights and a leaflet mission. In Belgium, HQ 370th
    Fighter Group and the 401st, 402d and 485th Fighter Squadrons move from
    Juzaine Airfield, Florennes to Zwartberg with P-38s. The 388th Fighter
    Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, moves from Metz, France to Juzaine Airfield,
    Florennes, Belgium.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): For the sixth consecutive day
    bad weather restricts operations to reconnaissance and escort missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, bad weather during the
    morning causes all medium bombers to abort except for an attack on a bridge at
    Bressana Bottarone; XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter-bombers
    continue the interdiction of communications with good results against motor
    transport, trains, rail lines, bridges, and storage dumps; P-47s of the 57th
    Fighter Group destroy an oil plant near Fornovo di Taro. The 414th Night
    Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, based at Pontedera, Italy sends a
    detachment to operate from Florennes, Belgium with Beaufighters attached to
    the 422d Night Fighter Squadron.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 19 B-24s, based on Saipan Island, bomb Iwo Jima
    Island; 10 B-24s from Saipan and Guam Island follow up with individual
    harassment raids against the island during the night of 27/28 Jan. In the
    Palau Islands, Caroline Islands, 1 B-24 from Angaur Island bombs Arakabesan
    Island.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 24: 76 B-29s of the 73d Bombardment
    Wing (Very Heavy) are dispatched from the Mariana Islands against the
    Musashiho and Nakajima aircraft plants near Tokyo; clouds and high winds over
    the target area prevent bombing of the primary; 56 B-29s bomb the secondary
    target, the Tokyo urban area, and 6 others attack alternates and targets of
    opportunity; fighter opposition is the heaviest to date and 5 B-29s are
    downed; 4 others ditch or crashland; B-29 gunners claim 60-17-39 Japanese
    aircraft, the highest claim to date.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon Island,
    B-24s pound the Canacao seaplane base, Cavite, and Grande Island at the mouth
    of Subic Bay while B-25s hit Cabcaben and the airfield at Calingatan. Other
    FEAF aircraft continue small-scale strikes against numerous other airfields,
    town areas, gun emplacements, harbors, and communications and transportation
    targets throughout Luzon. The 19th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Angaur Island to Samar Island with
    B-24s. Units moving to San Jose, Mindoro Island: 320th Bombardment Squadron
    (Heavy), 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Biak Island with B-24s and
    388th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 312th Bombardment Group
    Light), from Tanauan, Leyte Island with A-20s.

    SUNDAY, 28 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 23 P-40s and P-51s attack
    railway and river traffic at Wuhu, Sinyang, and Linfen, in the Sinsiang-
    Hantan area, between Loyang and Sinyang, and along the Pinghan (Hankow-
    Peking) railroad.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 40 fighter-bombers support
    ground forces SE of Banwe, E of Molo, S of Molo Ywama, and near Namhkam; 80
    fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supply areas, and enemy movement
    and active areas at or near Namsangsok, Namlan, Pangmakmo, Wengnan, Kutkai,
    and Mu-lwat. Again 500+ sorties are flown to forward areas by transports. The
    first convoy from Ledo, India crosses the Chinese border heading for Kunming,
    China.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 809: With the prospect of improved weather over Germany, 1,006
    bombers and 249 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards, bridges and
    benzol plants at Dortmund; 10 bombers are lost:
      1. 225 B-24s are sent to hit oil targets at Kaiserstuhl (115) and Gneisenau
    (58); targets of opportunity are Lippstadt (9), Neheim (5) and other (11);
    bombing is by Gee-H; 7 B-24s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 97 damaged;
    2 airmen are KIA, 7 WIA and 71 MIA. Escorting are 68 of 77 P-51s.
      2. 421 B-17s are sent to hit the Gremberg marshalling yard at Cologne (273)
    and the Hohenzollern Bridge at Cologne (69); secondary targets are Gutersloh
    (31) and Bielefeld (7); 3 others hit a target of opportunity; Gee-H and H2X
    radar are used to bomb; 3 B-17s are lost and 172 damaged; 4 airmen are WIA
    and 35 MIA. The escort is 69 of 76 P-51s.
      3. 360 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Hohenbudberg marshalling yard (169)
    and Rheinhausen Bridge at Duisburg (80); 10 hit the secondary, the highway
    bridge at Duisburg; targets of opportunity are Friemersheim (13) and other
    (2); some targets are hit visually while others are hit using Micro H; 2
    B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 195 damaged; 14 airmen are KIA and 20
    WIA. 35 of 38 P-51s escort the B-17s.
      4. 40 P-51s fly a sweep of the tactical area escorting Ninth AF B-26s.
      5. 13 of 18 P-51s fly a scouting mission.
      Mission 810: 2 B-17s and 6 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands,
    Luxembourg and Germany during the night.
      The 328th, 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons, 352d Fighter Group, move from
    Bodney, England to Chievres, Belgium with P-51s (detachments have been
    operating from Asch, Belgium since 23 Dec 44).

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 95 9th Bombardment
    Division B-26s hit a communications center at Mayen, rail bridges and an
    overpass at Eller, Sinzig, Remagen, and Kaiserslautern, targets of
    opportunity in W Germany, and fly cover for US First Army forces on the
    frontline in the Monschau-Butgenbach area.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Continued bad weather (for the
    seventh successive day) restricts operations to 3 weather reconnaissance
    flights.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather again hampers
    operations; B-25s have good results on railroad bridges at Lavis and San
    Michele all'Adige; XXII Tactical Air Command aircraft operate effectively
    against communications and transport targets throughout N Italy including at
    Milan, Pavia, Cremona, Nervesa della Battaglia, Treviso, Genoa, Padua, and
    the Lake Maggiore areas.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 10 B-24s from Guam Island and 10 from Saipan
    Island bomb airfields on Iwo Jima Island; 10 more follow during the night of
    28/29 Jan with single-bomber harassment raids on the airfields. In the Palau
    Islands, 2 B-24s from Angaur Island bomb Arakabesan Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, B-25s, A-20s
    and fighter-bombers concentrate attacks on Luzon Island, the heaviest tonnage
    (from B-24s) falling on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay; Cavite and targets
    between Manila and Subic Bay, including Laoag Airfield, are also hit; A-20s
    concentrate on targets in the Aparri-Gattaran area while fighter-bombers and
    A-20s hit airfields in the Cagayan Valley and troops, trucks, and roads in
    the San Felipe and Talavera areas. HQ 91st Photographic Wing (Reconnaissance)
    moves from Leyte Island to Mindoro Island.

    MONDAY, 29 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, Pailochi Airfield, river
    and road shipping, troops, gun positions, buildings, and other targets of
    opportunity are attacked at Kweiyi, Hankow, Sinyang and Chihkiang, between
    Hengshan and Siangtan, between Wuhu and Anking, N of Hengyang, and E and S of
    Yutze.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 13 B-25s knock out road
    bridges at Loi-leng and Tonglau and hit several nearby targets of
    opportunity; 26 P-47s hit troop positions in the Namhkai area; 11 P-38s and
    16 P-47s attack airfields at Aungban and Heho; 8 P-47s support ground forces
    near Banwe; 70 P-47s and P-38s pound troop concentrations and supplies at
    Panglong, Tangyan, Wengnan, Homang, Mong Long, Namtu, Mongyin, Mong Yang, and
    Namhsam. Largescale transport operations continue. The 1st Combat Cargo
    Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, moves from Tsuyung to Hsinching, China with
    C-47s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
      Mission 811: 1,158 bombers and 700 fighters are dispatched to hit
    industrial plants at Kassel and rail targets in C Germany; the attacks were
    made using H2X radar; they claim 6-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-24 and 2 P-51s
    are lost:
      1. 415 B-17s are sent to hit rail centers at Niederlahnstein (110) and
    Siegen (144); 104 hit the secondary, the Mosel marshalling yard at Koblenz;
    37 hit the marshalling yard at Bad Kreuznach, a target of opportunity; 4
    B-17s are damaged beyond repair and 7 damaged. Escorting are 235 of 254
    P-51s; they claim 1-0-1 aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair;
    1 pilot is KIA.
      2. 386 B-17s are dispatched to hit the Henschel oil plant at Kassel (93);
    154 hit the secondary, the Kassel marshalling yard; targets of opportunity
    are the Bielefeld marshalling yard (76), Koblenz (35) and other (2); 2 B-17s
    are damaged beyond repair and 28 damaged; 18 airmen are KIA and 1 WIA. The
    escort is 207 of 224 P-51s; they claim 4-0-1 aircraft; 1 P-51 is damaged
    beyond repair.
      3. 357 B-24s dispatched hit secondary targets, the marshalling yards at
    Munster (206) and Hamm (124); 9 others hit the Soest marshalling yard, a
    target of opportunity; 1 B-24 is lost and 18 damaged; 9 airmen are MIA. 173
    P-47s and P-51s escort; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-51 is
    lost (pilot MIA).
      4. 23 of 27 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss.
      Mission 812: 1 B-17 and 8 B-24s drop leaflets in Germany and the
    Netherlands during the night.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS

        First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): Brigadier General Glenn O Barcus
    becomes Commanding General XII Tactical Air Command.

        Ninth Air Force: 364 A-20s, B-26s, and A-26s bomb rail bridges, supply
    and communications centers, and defended areas in W Germany; fighters escort
    the bombers, fly armed reconnaissance and patrols and support US Third Army
    units at points along the frontlines from S of Saint-Vith, Belgium to the
    bridgehead area around Saarlautern, Germany.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Weather prevents bombing
    operations for the eighth consecutive day; P-38s fly photo and weather
    reconnaissance missions.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, due to high winds and
    generally bad weather, medium bombers successfully bomb only 2 targets, the
    railway bridges at Calliano and Rovereto, and attack with less success
    bridges at Motta di Livenza, Lavis, Mantua, and Chiusaforte, and railway
    station at Lavis; XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter-bombers
    operate primarily against communications throughout the Po Valley; results
    are generally good and a bridge at Nervesa della Battaglia is cut; bridges or
    their approaches at Cittadella, Santa Margherita d'Adige and Cismon del
    Grappa are damaged along with a variety of targets. During the night of 28/29
    Jan, A-20s hit rail facilities, pontoon bridge, lights, and motor transport
    at nearly 50 locations in the Po Valley.  The 5th Photographic Reconnaissance
    Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), based at Peretola Airfield,
    Florence with F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Pisa.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 19 Guam Island-based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima Island
    airfields. 2 from Saipan Island, on an armed reconnaissance flight, bomb
    Marcus Island in the N Pacific. In the Palau Islands, 1 B-24 from Angaur
    Island bombs Arakabesan Island. During the night of 29/30 Jan, 5 B-24s from
    Saipan continue harassment raids on Iwo Jima airfields.

      HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 25: 28 of 33 Mariana Islands based
    B-29s strike at 2 airfields on Iwo Jima Island without loss.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Heavy B-24 daylight
    raids concentrate on the Heito airfield area of Formosa and Corregidor Island
    in Manila Bay while B-25s bomb nearby Cabcaben, Luzon Island. On Luzon,
    fighter-bombers and A-20s hit targets of opportunity from Aparri to Echague;
    further S fighters hit gun positions in the Batangas and Verde Islands areas;
    A-20s support ground forces inland from Lingayen by hitting the Carranglen
    road network; others hit Talavera and Carabao. HQ 38th Bombardment Group
    (Medium) and the 822d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), move from Morotai Island
    to Lingayen, Luzon with B-25s. The 319th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Biak Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island
    with B-24s.

    TUESDAY, 30 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 27 B-24s, escorted by 32
    P-40s and P-51s, bomb Hankow; 8 P-51s hit targets of opportunity in the areas
    around Loyang, Yuncheng, and Sinantien; the detachment of the 16th Fighter
    Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, at Kwanghan with P-51s returns to base at
    Chengkung (another detachment is at Laohokow).

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 65 fighter-bombers support
    ground forces in the Banwe, Yenya-u, Hsenwi, Molo, and Mongmit areas; 5
    others knock out a bridge E of Mong Long; 100+ fighter-bombers attack troops,
    supplies, artillery, and communications targets at several locations
    including Kutkai, Bawgyo, Hamn gai, Namhsan, Naleng, Pangsari, Hsenwi, and
    Wengnan. Transports again fly 500+ sorties to forward areas. HQ 1st Combat
    Cargo Group moves from Tsuyung, China to Dohazari, India. The detachment of
    the 317th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, operating
    from Bikram, India with C-47s, returns to base at Kalaikunda, India. The
    detachment of the 492d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group
    (Heavy), at Luliang, China ferrying gasoline to Suichwan, China in B-24s,
    returns to base at Madhaiganij, India.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Weather cancels bomber operations.
    Fighters fly nightfighter and intruder reconnaissance missions; fighter cover
    for the US 5th Armored Division W of Gemund, Germany is recalled during the
    day. HQ 365th Fighter Group and the 386th Fighter Squadron move from Metz,
    France to Juzaine Airfield, Florennes, Belgium with P-47s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): For the ninth successive day,
    weather prevents bombing operations; during the night of 29/30 Jan, 13 B-24s
    drop supplies in N Italy; during the day P-38s fly reconnaissance and
    reconnaissance escort and carry out supply missions and strafing attacks in
    Austria.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, good weather in the Po
    Valley permits full-scale operations against communications lines; during the
    night of 29/30 Jan, A-20s intruders pound scattered movement (much of it near
    Milan), several Po River crossings including Borgoforte, Piacenza, and San
    Benedetto Po, the harbor at La Spezia, and fuel dumps and other targets at
    many locations; B-25s effectively strike the Brenner rail line during the
    day, especially the Lavis and Trento marshalling yards and bridges at Lavis
    and Calliano; XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter-bombers strike
    railroads and bridges in NE Italy cutting many lines and damaging several
    bridges, and hit fuel dumps and factories around Parma.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 17 B-24s from Saipan Island bomb an Iwo Jima
    Island airfield. 3 others bomb the airfield on Woleai Atoll, Caroline
    Islands. In the Palau Islands, 5 B-24s from Angaur Island strike Koror and
    Arakabesan Islands. During the night of 30/31 Jan, 10 B-24s from Saipan fly
    single-bomber snooper raids against Iwo Jima airfields.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Bad weather cancels
    most of the scheduled strikes over Luzon Island; however, B-24s bomb Cavite
    while fighter-bombers flying support for ground forces hit artillery and
    troop concentrations NE of Labayug and others attack ammunition dumps N of
    San Isidro. The 405th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group
    (Medium), moves from Morotai Island to Lingayen, Luzon with B-25s.

    WEDNESDAY, 31 JANUARY 1945

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

      CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-51s strafe targets of
    opportunity along the Pinghan (Hankow-Peking) railroad.

      INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit troops and
    stores at Namlan; 50+ P-47s attack troops and supplies at several locations
    including Na-mawtawng, Tawkut, Mong Long, Hsipaw, Hsenwi, and Namhpakka.
    Transports complete 535 sorties to forward bases and frontline areas. The
    13th, 14th and 16th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 4th Combat Cargo Group, move from
    Agartala to Chittagong, India with C-46s. The 164th Liaison Squadron
    (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Kan, Burma to Asansol, India
    with UC-64s and L-5s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 813: 291 B-24s, 112 B-17s
    and 186 P-51s are recalled from a mission against targets in Germany because
    of expected bad weather at UK bases and heavy clouds; 1 B-17 and 3 B-24s are
    damaged beyond repair; 6 airmen are KIA and 8 WIA.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): All operations are cancelled due to
    weather. The 387th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, moves from Metz,
    France to Juzaine Airfield, Florennes, Belgium with P-47s. In France, the
    512th and 514th Fighter Squadrons, 406th Fighter Group, move from Mourmelon-
    le-Grand to Metz with P-47s (the 514th has been operating from Prosnes since
    22 Jan).

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 670+ B-24s and B-17s bomb the
    Moosbierbaum, Austria oil refinery; marshalling yards at Graz, Austria and
    Maribor, Yugoslavia; and scattered targets of opportunity. P-38s and P-51s
    fly 300+ escorting sorties for the bombers; other P-38s fly reconnaissance
    and reconnaissance escort and drop supplies into Austria; during the night of
    30/31 Jan, B-24s drop supplies in N Italy.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers attack
    railroad bridges at Chiusaforte, Voghera, Lavis, Rovereto, and San Michele
    all' Adige, and the marshalling yard at Rovereto, with only fair results;
    fighters and fighter-bombers hit bridges, rail lines, trains, vehicles, and
    other targets over widespread areas of N Italy; during the night of 30/31
    Jan, A-20s hit several railroad targets during intruder missions in the Po
    Valley.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

      AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24s from Guam Island bomb airfields and AA
    defenses on Iwo Jima Island; during the night of 31 Jan/1 Feb, 9 more B-24s,
    flying single-bomber harassment strikes, hit the island. HQ 419th Troop
    Carrier Group is activated on Guam; no tactical squadrons or aircraft are
    assigned; the group's HQ had detachments on Saipan, Tinian and Angaur Islands
    to operate transportation terminals that assisted in moving troops,
    equipment, food and mail to, and in evacuating wounded personnel from combat
    areas.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Brigadier General
    Earl W Barnes again assumes command of the XIII Fighter Command. The 157th,
    159th and 160th Liaison Squadrons (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, move
    from Leyte Island to Calasio, Mangaldan and Calasio, Luzon Island
    respectively with UC-64s and L-5s (first mission is 17 Feb and 7 Feb
    respectively).

    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              |
    -------------------------------------------------------------------