# USAAF Chronology:

    COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES, AUGUST 1945
    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
      B-32, Consolidated Dominator
      Betty, Mitsubishi G4M1 Navy Type 1 Attack Bomber
      C-46, Curtiss Commando
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      C-54, Douglas Skymaster
      UC-64, Noorduyn Norseman
      F-5, Lockheed Lightning
      F-7, Consolidated Liberator
      L-1, Stinson Vigilant
      L-4, Piper Cub (Grasshopper)
      L-5, Stinson Sentinel
      Mosquito, deHavilland
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-47, Republic Thunderbolt
      P-51, North American Mustang
      P-61, Northrop Black Widow

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

    WEDNESDAY, 1 AUGUST 1945

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Twentieth Air Force: During the night of 1/2 Aug, 801 of 836 B-29s
    dispatched carry out 1 mining, 5 fire-bomb and 1 bombing raids on Japan; 1
    B-29 is lost.
      Mission 305: 37 B-29s drop mines in Shimonoseki Strait, in Nakaumi Lagoon,
    at Hamada, Sakai, Yonago, Najin, and Seishin; 5 others mine alternate
    targets.
      Mission 306: 169 B-29s attack the Hachioji urban area destroying 1.12 sq mi
    (2.9 sq km), 80% of the city; 3 others hit alternate targets; 1 B-29 is lost.
      Mission 307: 173 B-29s hit the Toyama urban area, a center of aluminum,
    ballbearing and special steel production, destroying 1.87 sq mi (4.84 sq km),
    99.5% of the city; 1 other hits an alternate target.
      Mission 308: 125 B-29s attack the Nagaoka urban area destroying 1.33 sq mi
    (3.37 sq km), 65.5% of the city; 5 others hit alternate targets.
      Mission 309: 160 B-29s hit the Mito urban area destroying 1.7 sq mi (4.4 sq
    km), 65% of the city; 1 other hits a target of opportunity.
      Mission 310: 120 B-29s bomb the Mitsubishi Oil Company at Kawasaki but
    could only add slightly to the damage previously inflicted; 2 other hit
    targets of opportunity.
      30+ Iwo Jima-based P-51s hit airfields and other targets in the Osaka-
    Nagoya area of Japan; bad weather prevents numerous other fighters from
    reaching targets.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Tenth Air Force: Major General Albert F Hegenberger becomes Commanding
    General Tenth AF and HQ Tenth AF moves from Piardoba, India to Kunming,
    China (HQ at Kunming was officially opened on 23 Jul). The scheduled role of
    the Tenth AF in China is almost identical with its completed Burma mission:
    to act as the tactical AF giving direct support and providing air supply to
    Chinese ground forces operating S of the 27th parallel N.

      Fourteenth Air Force: In China, bad weather severely curtails operations;
    P-61s effectively sweep rivers in the Wuchou, Canton, and Tsingyun areas,
    sinking several large junks and sampans. Unit moves in China: the 26th
    Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, from Kunming to Nanning with P-51s;
    322d Troop Carrier Squadron, Fourteenth AF, from Loping to Liangshan with
    C-47s. Unit moves in China during Aug 45: HQ 23d Fighter Group and 74th and
    75th Fighter Squadrons from Luliang to Liuchow with P-51s (the detachment of
    the 74th operating from Tushan also moves to Liuchow); 528th, 529th and 530th
    Fighter Squadrons, 311th Fighter Group from Shwangliu and Pungchacheng
    respectively to Hsian with P-51s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: Unit moves in Aug 45: HQ 98th Bombardment Wing from
    Tirlemont, Belgium to Kitzingen, Germany; HQ 99th Bombardment Wing (Medium)
    from Namur, Belgium to the US; HQ 100th Fighter Wing from Konigstein, Germany
    to the US; HQ 48th Fighter Group and 492d, 493d and 494th Fighter Squadrons
    from Laon, France to the US; HQ 362d Fighter Group and 377th, 378th and 379th
    Fighter Squadrons from Straubing, Germany to the US; HQ 363d Reconnaissance
    Group from Wiesbaden to Eschwege, Germany; 422d Night Fighter Squadron, IX
    Tactical Air Command, from Rothwesten Airfield, Kassel, Germany to the US.

      VIII Fighter Command: HQ 447th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 708th and
    710th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin a movement from Rattlesden, England
    to the US with B-17s. Unit moves from England to the US in Aug 45: HQ 486th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 832d, 833d, 834th and 835th Bombardment
    Squadrons (Heavy) from Sudbury with B-17s; and 858th Bombardment Squadron
    (Heavy) from Harrington with B-24s.

      IX Troop Carrier Command: During Aug 45, the 100th Troop Carrier Squadron,
    441st Troop Carrier Group, moves from Dreux, France to Frankfurt, Germany
    with C-47s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): HQ 52d Fighter Group and 2d,
    4th and 5th Fighter Squadrons begin a movement from Lesina, Italy to the US.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Unit moves in Italy to Pomigliano
    during Aug 45: HQ XXII Tactical Air Command from Florence; HQ 57th
    Bombardment Wing from Fano; HQ 62d Fighter Wing from Antignano; the 5th and
    12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons, 3d Reconnaissance Group, from
    Peretola Airfield, Florence with F-5s. Units beginning a movement from Italy
    to the US during Aug 45: 121st Liaison Squadron, Twelfth AF, from Florence;
    445th, 446th, 447th and 448th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 321st
    Bombardment Group (Medium), from Falconara.

    WESTERN PACIFIC
      Far East Air Force (FEAF): B-24s bomb shipyards at Pontianak, Borneo and
    other B-24s hit barracks and AA guns along Makassar Strait, Celebes Island.
    P-38s strafe locomotives in the Soerabaja, Java area. On Luzon Island, P-38s
    support ground forces ENE and SE of Mankayan and, along with US Marine Corps
    (USMC) aircraft, pound enemy positions and concentrations in the Upian area.
    In French Indochina, B-24s bomb the Tourane marshalling yard while escorting
    P-51s strafe boxcars at Quang Nam. Other B-24s strike military stores at
    Takao, Formosa. In Japan, about 50 B-24s bomb targets in the Nagasaki dock
    and harbor area; B-25s and fighter-bombers in the Nagasaki area hit docks,
    railroad yards, and shipping; other B-24s bomb Koniya Airfield and hit
    Kakeroma Island; 80+ P-47s hit railroad bridges and other railroad targets at
    Sendai and P-47s fly their first combat mission from Iwo Jima, joining VII
    Fighter Command P-51s in a sweep over S Honshu Island; and rolling stock and
    airfields are attacked in the Okazaki, Itami, and Nagoya areas. Unit moves
    during Aug 45: HQ V Bomber Command and HQ V Fighter Command from Clark Field,
    Luzon to Okinawa; HQ 71st Reconnaissance Group from Binmaley, Luzon to Ie
    Shima; 22d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, from
    Finschhafen, New Guinea to Nielson Field, Luzon with C-47s; the detachment of
    the 550th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, operating from Sanga
    Sanga, Sulu Island with P-61s, returns to base at Tacloban, Leyte.
      HQ AAF: During Aug 45, the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron (Long Range,
    Photographic), 311th Reconnaissance Wing (attached to 6th Reconnaissance
    Group), based at Tacloban, Leyte Island with F-7s, sends the detachment
    operating from Clark Field, Luzon to operate from Okinawa (squadron is
    mapping areas of the SW and W Pacific).

    THURSDAY, 2 AUGUST 1945

    ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): On Shimushu Island in the Kurile
    Islands, 5 B-24s visually bomb Kataoka Naval Base and 1 radar-bombs Kokutan
    Zaki and returns to base (600 miles or 966 km) on 3 engines.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Twentieth Air Force: Lieutenant General Nathan F Twining relieves
    Lieutenant General Curtis Emerson LeMay as Commanding General Twentieth AF;
    LeMay is assigned to USASTAF as Chief of Staff.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 10 B-25s, escorted by 2 P-47s, knock out a
    bridge at Sinyang and severely damage a bridge at Lohochai; 7 B-25s bomb the
    town of Sinning, and hit several truck convoys between Siangtan and Changsha
    and in the Siang Chiang Valley; 31 P-51s also bomb the town of Sinning; 40+
    P-47s and P-51s knock out at least 3 bridges and damage others and attack
    shipping, fuel dumps, gun positions, trucks, railroad yards and general
    targets of opportunity around Sichuang, Shangkao, Yoyang, Hankow, Mingkiang,
    Sincheng, Yutze, Houmachen, Yuncheng, Anyang, and Kaoyi.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: HQ 404th Fighter Group and 506th, 507th and 508th Fighter
    Squadrons begin a movement from Stuttgart, Germany to the US.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): HQ 459th Bombardment Group
    (Heavy) and 756th, 757th, 758th and 759th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin
    a movement from Giulia Airfield, Italy to the US with B-24s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Bad weather cancels all FEAF
    missions from Okinawa. Thirteenth AF P-38s support ground forces on N Luzon,
    hitting pockets of resistance W of Kiangan and blasting enemy occupied caves
    on a ridge NW of Bontoe.

    FRIDAY, 3 AUGUST 1945

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Twentieth Air Force: Fighters from Iwo Jima fly nearly 100 effective
    sorties throughout the Tokyo area, hitting airfields, rail installations, and
    trains.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Fourteenth Air Force: 16 B-25s pound various railroad targets in E China;
    50+ fighter-bombers attack bridges, railroad yards, storage areas, enemy
    troops, river and rail traffic, and various other targets as the campaign to
    disrupt the Japanese retreat from S and E China continues in spite of
    considerable bad weather.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      VIII Fighter Command: The 709th and 711th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy),
    447th Bombardment Group (Heavy), begin a movement from Rattlesden, England to
    the US with B-17s.

      IX Troop Carrier Command: HQ 438th Troop Carrier Group and the 87th, 88th,
    89th and 90th Troop Carrier Squadrons begin a movement from Glisy Airfield,
    Amiens, France to the US.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Brigadier General William L Lee
    takes command of the Fifteenth AF.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-38s and B-25s support ground
    forces in N Luzon, hitting buildings in the Apunan area and Japanese
    positions at various locations including ridges SW of Kiangan and W of
    Banaue. B-24s bomb airstrips at Tanamon and Sidate on Celebes Island and bomb
    the seaplane base on Kangean Island in the Java Sea.

    SATURDAY, 4 AUGUST 1945

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Tenth Air Force: The 127th, 155th and 156th Liaison Squadrons (Commando),
    US Army Forces, Pacific, begin a movement from Kalaikunda, India to Okinawa.

      Fourteenth Air Force: In China, bad weather hampers operations however, 4
    B-25s damage the Sincheng railroad bridge, 4 B-25s and 2 P-51s bomb Pailochi
    Airfield and hit trucks in the area, and 7 P-51s damage 12 locomotives
    between Taiyuan and Tsinan, destroy or damage several trucks near
    Shihkiachwang, and bomb a bridge near Chihsien. The detachment of the 490th
    Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), operating
    from Hsian, China with B-25s, returns to base at Hanchung.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: Major General William E Kepner takes command of the Ninth
    AF.

      VIII Fighter Command: Units beginning a movement from England to the US: HQ
    390th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Framlingham; 856th Bombardment Squadron
    (Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Harrington with B-24s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s over Kyushu, Japan hit an
    industrial area near Takanabe, bombing warehouses, factories, a railroad
    bridge, and marshalling yard. B-25s and P-38s support ground forces on Luzon,
    hitting Japanese forces near Santa Ines, in the Butitio area, and near Mount
    Obudan. B-24s support the ground action S of Fabrica on Negros Island. B-24s
    bomb Miti Airfield on Halmahera Island. P-38s on a sweep over Singapore,
    Malaysia claim 2 Japanese planes downed. The 20th Reconnaissance Squadron
    (Long Range, Photographic-RCM), 6th Reconnaissance Group, moves from Clark
    Field, Luzon to Okinawa with F-7s; the ground echelon of the 36th
    Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, arrives on
    Okinawa from Clark Field (air echelon at Clark Field until Sep 45).

    SUNDAY, 5 AUGUST 1945

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Eighth Air Force: HQ 333d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and 435th, 460th
    and 507th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) arrive at Kadena, Okinawa from
    the US with B-29s.

      Twentieth Air Force: During the night of 5/6 Aug, 612 B-29s fly 1 mining,
    1 bombing and 4 incendiary raids against Japan; 2 B-29s are lost.
      Mission 311: 27 B-29s mine the waters of the Sakai, Yonago, Nakaumi Lagoon,
    Miyazu, Maizuru, Tsuruga, Obama, Najin and Geijitsu areas; 1 other B-29 mines
    an alternate target.
      Mission 312: 63 B-29s attack the Saga urban area destroying 0.02 sq mi
    (0.05 sq km), 1.5% of the city; 1 B-29 is lost.
      Mission 313: 92 B-29s hit the Maebashi urban area destroying 1 sq mi (2.59
    sq km), 42.5% of the city; 4 others hit alternate targets.
      Mission 314: 250 B-29s attack the Nishinomiya-Mikage urban area destroying
    2.8 sq mi (7.25 sq km), 29.6% of the city; 3 others hit alternate targets; 1
    B-29 is lost.
      Mission 315: 106 B-29s bomb the Ube Coal Liquefaction Co. facility at Ube
    destroying 100% of the refining units and destroying or damaging 80% of other
    structures; 2 others hit alternate targets.
      Mission 316: 64 B-29s attack the Imabari urban area destroying 0.73 sq mi
    (1.89 sq km), 76% of the city area.
      HQ VII Fighter Command is officially assigned to HQ Twentieth AF. 100+
    P-51s strike airfields and military installations in large area around Tokyo,
    scoring especially effective hits at Katori Airfield.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 20 P-51s knock out a bridge NW of Anyang
    and damage another NE of Kiehsiu, attack railroad targets during sweeps from
    Taiyuan to Suchow and Tehsien to Pengpu, and strafe rivercraft between Ichang
    and Lokehang.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      VIII Fighter Command: HQ 96th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) begins a movement
    from Ketteringham, England to the US; the 653d Bombardment Squadron (Light,
    Weather Reconnaissance), 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance), moves from
    Watton to Chalgrove, England with Mosquito XVIs; the 728th, 729th, 730th and
    731st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 452d Bombardment Group (Heavy), begin  a
    movement from Deopham Green, England to the US with B-17s.

      IX Troop Carrier Command: HQ 313th Troop Carrier Group and 29th Troop
    Carrier Squadron begin a movement from Achiet, France to the US with C-47s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): HQ 31st Fighter Group and
    307th, 308th, and 309th Fighter Squadrons begin a movement from Triolo
    Airfield, Italy to the US.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): HQ 57th Fighter Group and 65th and
    66th Fighter Squadrons begin a movement from Bagnoli, Italy to the US.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 330+ B-24s, B-25s,
    A-26s, P-47s, and P-51s pound Tarumizu town, the industrial area on Kyushu
    and many targets of opportunity on Kyushu and in the Ryukyu Islands. P-38s
    support ground forces on Luzon, hitting Japanese concentrations ENE of
    Naguilian, near Mount Data, and at other points. B-24s pound Japanese
    positions S of Fabrica on Negros Island. Other B-24s bomb supply and
    personnel areas and AA positions in the Makassar area on Celebes Island.
    B-24s also bomb Miti on Halmahera Island. The 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th
    Fighter Group, moves from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with P-38s.

    MONDAY, 6 AUGUST 1945

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Twentieth Air Force: The world's first atomic attack takes place. At 0245
    hours, Colonel Paul W Tibbets pilots the B-29 ENOLA GAY off the runway at
    North Field, Tinian Island; at 2-minute intervals, 2 observation B-29s follow
    (Major Charles W Sweeney's GREAT ARTISTE and Captain George W Marquardt's
    Number 91. At 0915 hours (0815 hours Japan time) the atomic bomb is released
    over Hiroshima from 31,600 feet (9,632 meters); it explodes 50 seconds later.
    80+% of the city's buildings are destroyed and over 71,000 people (Japanese
    figures (US figures say from 70,000 to 80,000) are killed. The ENOLA GAY
    lands on Tinian at 1458 hours, followed within the hour by the 2 observation
    B-29s.
      Almost 100 fighters from Iwo Jima attack airfields and military
    installations at 6 locations throughout the general area around Tokyo.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 10 P-51s and P-47s damage 10 locomotives
    between Tehsien and Suchow and 5 around Anyang, Kaifeng, and Loyang, and
    lightly damage bridges N of Chihsien and S of Houmachen.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: Unit moves: HQ 370th Fighter Group and 401st, 402d and
    485th Fighter Squadrons move from Sandhofen to Fritzlar, Germany with P-51s.

      VIII Fighter Command: Unit movements from England to the US: HQ 13th and HQ
    20th Bombardment Wings (Heavy) from Horham and Snetterton Heath; HQ 385th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 548th, 549th, 550th and 551st Bombardment
    Squadrons (Heavy) from Great Ashfield with B-17s; HQ 388th Bombardment Group
    (Heavy) and 560th, 561st, 562d and 563d Bombardment Squadrons from
    Knettishall with B-17s; HQ 452d Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Deopham Green;
    HQ 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 860th, 861st, 862d and 863d Bombardment
    Squadrons (Heavy) from Debach with B-17s; 334th, 335th, 336th and 412th
    Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 95th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Horham
    with B-17s; 406th and 857th Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 492d
    Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), from Harrington and Alconbury respectively;
    the 568th, 569th, 570th and 571st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 390th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Framlingham with B-17s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The 64th Fighter Squadron, 57th
    Fighter Group, begins a movement from Bagnoli, Italy to the US.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Okinawa-based aircraft pound
    targets on Kyushu, Japan; 150+ P-47s and A-26s fight bad weather to hit the
    primary, Miyakonojo; 170+ B-24s, B-25s, and P-47s hit Kagoshima as a
    secondary target; and 60+ B-25s and P-51s attack shipping and ground targets
    of opportunity in the Tsushima Strait area and in the N Ryukyu Islands. P-51s
    operating in the area between Kyushu and Korea bomb an airfield and strafe
    numerous targets of opportunity on Saishu Island and P-47s bomb Anjo on
    Tanega Island. Other aircraft, operating individually or in pairs, hit
    various targets of opportunity on the S Korea coast, in the Inland Sea, S
    Honshu, W Shikoku Island, throughout the N Ryukyu Islandss, and in the
    Shanghai, China area. B-24s pound resistance pockets on Negros Island in the
    Philippine Islands. Unit moves: HQ 3d Bombardment Group (Light) and 89th and
    90th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Okinawa
    with A-26s; HQ 8th Fighter Group and 36th Fighter Squadron from San Jose,
    Mindoro Island to Ie Shima with P-38s; ground echelon of 26th Photographic
    Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, from Lingayen, Luzon to
    Okinawa (air echelon remains at Clark Field, Luzon with F-5s).

    TUESDAY, 7 AUGUST 1945

    ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 5 B-24s bomb Kataoka Airfield on
    Shimushu Island; AA fire damages 2 B-24s.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Eighth Air Force: HQ 346th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) arrives at
    Kadena, Okinawa from the US.

      Twentieth Air Force: 154 B-29s fly a bombing mission during the day and 30
    B-29s fly a mining mission during the night of 7/8 Aug; 1 B-29 is lost.
      Mission 317: 124 B-29s, escorted by VII Fighter Command fighters, bomb the
    naval arsenal at Toyokawa. 1 B-29 is lost. After escorting the B-29s on their
    bombing mission, P-51s attack railroad targets and shipping in and near
    Magarimatsu, Chofu, Atsugi, and Sagami.
      Mission 318: During the night of 7/8 Aug, 29 B-29s, escorted by FEAF P-47s,
    drop mines in Shimonoseki Strait, at Miyazu, Maizuru, Tsuruga, Obama and at
    Najin; 1 other mines an alternate target.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Fourteenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: HQ Fourteenth AF from Kunming to
    Paishiyi; 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Chengkung with
    P-51s, sends a detachment to operate at Pakhoi.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The 414th Night Fighter Squadron,
    Twelfth AF, begins a movement from Bagnoli, Italy to the US.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, P-47s cover the
    Twentieth AF B-29 strike against Kyushu targets; B-24s and A-26s over Kyushu
    pound Tsuiki Airfield and other B-24s start fires at Omura; B-25s hit bridges
    and other targets at Matsubase and Kawajiri and bomb a convoy off Pusan,
    Korea; other B-25s hit Chiran and Izumi Airfields. fighter-bombers attack and
    considerably damage communications and transportation facilities throughout
    Kyushu. B-24s bomb Takao Airfield on Formosa. On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s
    support ground forces near Ambuclao, Kiangan, Batangan, Aparri, Mankayan,
    Bontoc, and Tabayoc and the Palugloko Mountains. In the Netherlands East
    Indies, B-24s bomb an area E of Bandjermasin, Borneo, and P-51s hit the
    harbor at Soerabaja, Java. The 8th and 13th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 3d
    Bombardment Group (Light), move from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with A-26s.

    WEDNESDAY, 8 AUGUST 1945

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Twentieth Air Force: 381 B-29s fly three missions, 2 during the day of 8
    Aug and 1 during the night of 8/9 Aug; 7 B-29s are lost.
      Mission 319: Shortly before 1200 hours, 221 B-29s drop incendiaries on
    Yawata destroying 1.22 sq mi (3.16 sq km), 21% of the city; 6 others hit
    alternate targets; 1 B-29s is shot down by Japanese fighters and 3 are lost
    to mechanical reasons.
      Mission 320: Late in the afternoon, 60 B-29s bomb an aircraft plant and
    arsenal complex at Tokyo; 2 others hit alternate targets; 2 B-29s are lost to
    flak and 1 to mechanical reasons (these are the last B-29s lost in action by
    the Twentieth AF).
      Mission 321: During the night of 8/9 Aug, 91 B-29s hit Fukiyama with
    incendiaries destroying 0.88 sq mi (2.28 sq km), 73.3% of the city; 1 hits an
    alternate target.
      100+ fighters from Iwo Jima hit airfields, factory buildings, barracks, and
    rail installations in the Osaka, Japan area.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 10 P-51s hit buildings, trucks, rivercraft,
    and other targets of opportunity in the Paoching, Hengyang, and Chuanhsien
    areas.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The 37th Photographic
    Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Reconnaissance Group, moves from San Severo to
    Bari, Italy with F-5s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Okinawa-based B-24s, B-25s,
    A-26s, P-51s, and P-47s carry out numerous strikes against targets on Kyushu
    Island, Japan; targets include the Usa and Tsuiki Airfields, communications
    and transport targets all over Kyushu, shipping between Kyushu and Korea, and
    targets of opportunity in the Ryukyu Islands, on the China coast, and on
    Formosa. P-47s escorting Twentieth AF B-29s claim 10 Japanese planes downed.
    B-24s bomb Shinchiku Airfield, Formosa. B-24s on a shipping search hit
    Lolobata Airfield on Halmahera Island. On Luzon, B-24s support ground forces
    in the Lenatin River Valley and SSE of Mankayan and P-38s support ground
    action SSE of Mankayan, in the Kiangan area, and NW of Bagabag. Unit moves:
    HQ 475th Fighter Group and 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons from
    Lingayen, Luzon to Ie Shima with P-38s; 528th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy),
    380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with
    B-24s.

    THURSDAY, 9 AUGUST 1945

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Twentieth Air Force: The second and last atomic bomb of World War II is
    dropped on Japan; Major Charles W Sweeney pilots a B-29, BOCK'S CAR , off the
    runway at North Field, Tinian Island, Mariana Islands, at 0230 hours; he is
    followed by 2 observation B-29s-the GREAT ARTISTE piloted by Captain
    Frederick C Bock (who has exchanged planes with Sweeney for the mission) and
    another B-29 piloted by Major James I Hopkins (who loses contact with the
    other 2 B-29s); the primary target, Kokura, is obscured by bad weather; the
    attack is made against the secondary target, Nagasaki. The bomb, dropped from
    28,900 feet (8,809 meters) at 1158 hours (1058 hours Nagasaki time), explodes
    about a minute after release. Japanese reports claim nearly 24,000 killed; US
    figures estimate about 35,000. The attacking B-29s refuel on Okinawa, and
    return to Tinian by 2339 hours.
      Mission 322: During the night of 9/10 Aug, 95 B-29s bomb the Nippon Oil
    Refinery at Amagasaki; 2 others hit alternate targets.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Tenth Air Force: HQ Tenth AF moves from Kunming to Liuchow, China; when the
    war ends, the deployment of Tenth AF units to China is still in progress; so,
    for the Tenth, war ends amidst a major reorganization.

      Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 5 B-25s, with P-51 escort, damage the Puchi
    railroad bridge, and hit rail traffic N of Sinsiang; the P-51s strafe AA
    positions and targets of opportunity near the bridge; 4 other B-25s operating
    individually, attack truck convoys and targets of opportunity S of Changsha,
    S and N of Yoyang, and in the Siang Chiang Valley, and hit the S end of the
    town of Siangtan.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: The 417th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, moves
    from Braunschardt to Rothwesten Airfield, Kassel, Germany with P-61s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, B-25s over Kyushu
    Island, bomb airfields at Kanoya, the town of Noma, shipping in Beppu Bay,
    bridges, factories, and oil storage at Tsurusaki, and shipping, coastal
    villages, and communications targets in the Tsushima Strait area; A-26s and
    A-20s hit Kanoya Airfield and the industrial areas of Kushikino, Minato, and
    Shimahira; B-24s over W Honshu Island bomb the airfield at Iwakuni; 200+
    P-47s and P-51s hit numerous targets on Shikoku and Kyushu Islands, and in
    the Ryukyu Islands including airfields, barracks, harbor installations,
    bridges, shipping, vehicles, and various factories and storage facilities.
    B-24s bomb military stores at Matsuyama, Formosa. On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s
    support ground forces in areas N of Baguio, SSE of Mankayan, S of Kabayan, SE
    of Cervantes, near Kiangan, and NW of Infanta. B-24s over Ambon and Ceram
    Islands bomb Laha barracks on Ambon. Unit moves: HQ 3d Air Commando Group and
    3d and 4th Fighter Squadrons (Commando) from Laoag, Luzon to Ie Shima with
    P-51s; HQ 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa;
    and 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, from San Jose Mindoro to Ie
    Shima with P-38s.

    FRIDAY, 10 AUGUST 1945

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Twentieth Air Force: The Japanese radio announces the Japanese desire for
    peace and USASTAF limits operations to precision mission. 104 B-29s fly 2
    missions against Japan without loss.
      Mission 323: During the day, 70 B-29s, escorted by 2 groups of P-51s, bomb
    the arsenal complex at Tokyo; 3 others hit alternate targets.
      Mission 324: During the night of 10/11 Aug, 31 B-29s mine Shimonoseki
    Strait, Nakaumi Lagoon, and waters at Sakai and Yonago, Japan and Wonsan,
    Korea.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Fourteenth Air Force: Major General Charles B Stone III assumes command of
    HQ Fourteenth AF, replacing Major General Claire L Chennault. In China, 5
    B-25s and 4 P-51s bomb a bivouac S of Siangyin, hit convoys S of Siangtan and
    in the Siang Chiang Valley, pound a storage area and AA positions at
    Nanchang, and hit a truck concentration N of Hengshan; 50+ P-47s and P-51s
    attack rivercraft, railroad targets, troops, trucks, and bridges at several
    points in S and E China.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: The 34th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment
    Group (Medium), moves from Horsching to Marchtrenk, Austria with B-26s; the
    112th Liaison Squadron, US Forces, European Theater, begins a movement from
    Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany to the US.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 80 B-24s, 118 B-25s,
    and 220+ P-47s and P-38s pound the Kumamoto area; 20+ B-24s bomb the Oita
    area; 39 P-51s provide cover over both targets; nearly 40 B-25s attack
    destroyers, cargo ships, and small vessels during a shipping sweep between
    Kyushu Island and Korea; P-47s bomb Sasebo Harbor; P-51s hit various targets
    of opportunity on Honshu and Kyushu and B-25s bomb targets of opportunity in
    the N Ryukyu Islands. B-24s bomb Shinchiku, Formosa. On Luzon, P-38s hit
    troop concentrations near Mount Pulog and ENE of Dupax. B-24 unit moves from
    San Jose, Mindoro: HQ 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 320th Bombardment
    Squadron (Heavy) to Ie Shima; and 530th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), to Okinawa.

    SATURDAY, 11 AUGUST 1945

    ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): The 11th Fighter Squadron, 343d
    Fighter Group moves from Adak to Shemya Islands with P-38s.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 9 P-51s attack troops, trains, and
    rivercraft around Chenhsien, Tehsien, and Hengyang; and the 115th Liaison
    Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Hsingchiang with L-1, L-4s and L-5s,
    begins operating primarily from Peishiyi.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The 32d Photographic
    Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Reconnaissance Group, moves from San Severo to
    Bari, Italy with F-5s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, Okinawa-based B-24s,
    B-25s, A-26s, A-20s, and fighters flying about 530 sorties cause extensive
    destruction to shipping and shore installations in the Inland Sea, in the
    Tsushima area, and of communications, transportation, and other targets
    throughout Kyushu Island. Philippine Island-based B-24s bomb Heito Airfield on
    Formosa and Laha barracks on Ambon Island. P-38s hit buildings near Dibuluan
    and fieldguns near Kiangan on Luzon. The 400th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy),
    90th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with
    B-24s.

    SUNDAY, 12 AUGUST 1945

    ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-24s make a combined visual and
    radar bomb run over Kataoka on Shimushu Island; 3 more bomb Suribachi
    Airfield on Paramushiru Island, hitting runways and buildings; 1 B-24 flies a
    radar-ferret mission.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: Colonel Reginald F Vance becomes commander of HQ 9th Air
    Division.

      IX Troop Carrier Command: HQ 441st Troop Carrier Group moves from Dreux,
    France to Frankfurt, Germany.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s from Okinawa bomb
    Matsuyama Airfield on Formosa. In Japan, B-25s and A-26s hit Chiran and
    Kanoya Airfields while other A-26s and A-20s and P-47s hit the towns of
    Kushikino, Akune, and Miyazaki; more B-25s and fighter-bombers hit shipping
    and communications targets on Kyushu, the N Ryukyu Islands, and between Japan
    and Korea; the aircraft claim several small merchant ships sunk and damaged,
    and numerous bridges, railroads, factories, and other targets of opportunity
    hit. On Formosa, B-24s from the Philippine Islands pound Kagi Airfield and
    the Takao marshalling yard. On Luzon, P-38s support ground forces in or near
    Kabayan, Kiangan, and Uldugan. Unit moves: Air echelon of the 8th
    Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, from Clark
    Field, Luzon to Okinawa with F-5s joining the ground echelon that arrived in
    Jul; 319th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from
    San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with B-24s; 387th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy),
    312th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Floridablanca, Luzon to Okinawa with
    A-20s; and 529th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group
    (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with B-24s.

    MONDAY, 13 AUGUST 1945

    ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): The Eleventh AF dispatches its last
    combat mission when 6 B-24s radar-bomb the Kashiwahara Staging Area on
    Paramushiru Island with incendiaries, leaving huge columns of smoke.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Eighth Air Force: The 461st, 462d and 463d Bombardment Squadrons (Very
    Heavy), 346th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), arrive on Okinawa from the US
    with B-29s.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Tenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 27th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d
    Troop Carrier Group, from Chengkung to Liangshan with C-47s; 427th Night
    Fighter Squadron, Tenth AF, from Dinjan, India to Liuchow with P-61s
    (detachments at Chengkung and Nanning, China).

      Fourteenth Air Force: The flight of the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance
    Squadron, Fourteenth AF, at Hanchung with F-5s, returns to base at Shwangliu
    (other flights are at Hsian and Ankang).

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: HQ 368th Fighter Group and 395th, 396th and 397th Fighter
    Squadrons move from Buchschwabach to Straubing Germany with P-47s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The 416th Night Fighter Squadron,
    XXII Tactical Air Command, moves from Pontedera, Italy to Horsching, Austria
    with P-61s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s and B-25s from Okinawa
    pound shipping in the waters off Korea and Kyushu Island and in the Inland
    Sea claiming several vessels sunk and damaged; P-47s over Keijo encounter 20
    Japanese aircraft and claim at least 16 shot down. B-25s attack Japanese
    forces near Palacian, Luzon. P-38s hit shipping in the Singapore, Malaysia
    area. Unit moves from Luzon: HQ 312th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 386th
    Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) from Floridablanca to Okinawa with B-32s; 547th
    Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, from Lingayen to Ie Shima with
    P-38s and P-61s.

    TUESDAY, 14 AUGUST 1945

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Twentieth Air Force: 752 B-29s fly 7 missions against Japan without loss.
    These are the last B-29 missions against Japan in WWII. The following 3
    missions were flown during the day:
      Mission 325: 157 B-29s bomb the naval arsenal at Hikari; 4 others hit
    alternate targets.
      Mission 326: 145 B-29s bomb the Osaka Army Arsenal and 2 hit alternate
    targets; 160+ P-51 escort the B-29s and attack airfields in the Nagoya area;
    1 P-51 is lost.
      Mission 327: 108 B-29s bomb the railroad yards at Marifu; 2 others hit
    alternate targets.
      The following 4 missions were flown during the night of 14/15 Aug:
      Mission 328: In the longest nonstop unstaged B-29 mission from the Mariana
    Islands, 3,650 miles (5,874 km), 132 B-29s bomb the Nippon Oil Company at
    Tsuchizakiminato.
      Mission 329: 81 B-29s drop incendiaries on the Kumagaya urban area
    destroying 0.27 sq mi (0.7 sq km), 45% of the city area.
      Mission 330: 86 B-29s drop incendiaries on the Isezaki urban area
    destroying 0.166 sq mi (0.43 sq km), 17% of the city area.
      Mission 331: 39 B-29s mine the waters at Nanao, Shimonoseki, Miyazu, and
    Hamada.
      Before the last B-29s return, President Harry S Truman announces the
    unconditional surrender of Japan. Immediately thereafter, the 11th Airborne
    Division leaves the Philippine Islands by air for Okinawa, where it goes on
    standby as the initial occupation force for Japan.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      IX Troop Carrier Command: The 302d Troop Carrier Squadron, 27th Air
    Transport Group, moves from Poix to Villacoublay, France with C-47s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s, P-47s, and P-51s attack
    shipping in Korea and Kyushu waters, claiming several vessels destroyed and
    damaged. P-47s over the Osaka-Nagoya, Japan area claim several Japanese
    aircraft shot down. The 19th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment
    Group (Heavy), moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with B-24s.

    WEDNESDAY, 15 AUGUST 1945

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]: All
    offensive action against Japan ends.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater): All offensive action against Japan ends.

      Fourteenth Air Force: HQ 81st Fighter Group and 91st Fighter Squadron move
    from Fungwansham to Huhsien, China with P-47s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): HQ 310th Bombardment Group
    (Medium) and 379th, 380th, 381st and 428th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium)
    move from Fano to Pomigliano, Italy with B-25s.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): All units are transferred or
    redeployed with the exception of the 6719th WAC HQ Platoon (an assigned unit)
    and a Detachment, 1054th MP Company, Aviation.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: All offensive action against
    Japan ends. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur is notified that he is
    Supreme Commander for Allied powers. MacArthur tries to communicate with
    Tokyo using the War Department signal facilities, but when he receives no
    reply, he turns to the Army Airways Communications System (AACS). The AACS
    Manila station (call sign WXXU), tapped out MacArthur's instructions to the
    Japanese using a frequency over which AACS had been broadcasting uncoded
    weather information; the message reads:

      From Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers
      To The Japanese Emperor, the Japanese Imperial Government, the Japanese
    Imperial General Headquarters
      Message Number Z-500
      I have been designated as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (the
    United States, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom and the Union of
    Soviet Socialist Republics) and empowered to arrange directly with the
    Japanese authorities for the cessation of hostilities at the earliest
    practicable date. It is desired that a radio station in the Tokyo area be
    officially designated for continuous use in handling radio communications
    between this headquarters and your headquarters. Your reply to this message
    should give the call signs, frequencies and station designation. It is
    desired that the radio communication with my headquarters in Manila be
    handled in English text. Pending designation by you of a station in the
    Tokyo area for use as above indicated, station JUM on frequency 13705
    kilocycles will be used for this purpose and Manila will reply on 15965
    kilocycles. Upon receipt of this message, acknowledge.
      Signed MacArthur.

    Within less than 2 hours, the Tokyo reply came back. This was the first
    direct communication between the Allies and Japan.

    Unit moves: HQ 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 33d Bombardment Squadron
    (Heavy) from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with B-24s; 66th Troop Carrier
    Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, from Morotai Island to Dulag, Leyte with
    C-46s; 160th Liaison Squadron, 3d Air Commando Group [attached to 5th Air
    Liaison Group (Provisional)], from Mabalacat, Luzon to Ie Shima with UC-64s
    and L-5s; 321st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with B-24s; 531st Bombardment Squadron
    (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa
    with B-24s; and 674th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 417th Bombardment Group
    (Light), from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with A-20s.

    THURSDAY, 16 AUGUST 1945

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Tenth Air Force: In China, the detachments of the 427th Night Fighter
    Squadron, Tenth AF, operating from Chengkung and Nanning with P-61s return to
    base at Liuchow.

      Fourteenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 1st Combat Cargo Squadron,
    Fourteenth AF (attached to 69th Composite Wing), from Hsinching to Chengkung
    with C-47s; detachments of 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron,
    Fourteenth AF at Laifeng returns to base at Shwangliu and a flight begins
    operating from Chihkiang, all with F-5s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: Unit moves: HQ 371st Fighter Group and 404th, 405th and
    406th Fighter Squadrons from Furth, Germany to Horsching, Austria with P-47s;
    364th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at
    St Trond, Belgium begins operating from Meeks Field, Iceland on photo-mapping
    operations with B-17s; 393d Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, from
    Crepy-en-Laonois, France to the US.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves to Okinawa: HQ 49th
    Fighter Group and 9th Fighter Squadron from Lingayen, Luzon with P-38s; 5th
    and 6th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 2d Combat Cargo Group, from Dulag, Leyte with
    C-46s.

    FRIDAY, 17 AUGUST 1945

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Fourteenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st
    Fighter Group, from Fungwanshan to Huhsien with P-47s; detachment of the
    426th Night Fighter Squadron, Fourteenth AF (attached to 312th Fighter Wing),
    at Hsian returns to base at Shwangliu with P-61s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves to Okinawa: HQ 417th
    Bombardment Group (Light) and 672d and 675th Bombardment Squadrons (Light)
    from San Jose, Mindoro with A-20s; 7th and 8th Fighter Squadrons, 49th
    Fighter Group, from Lingayen, Luzon with P-38s.

    SATURDAY, 18 AUGUST 1945

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Tenth Air Force: The 19th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF, moves from Chengkung
    to Nanning, China with L-1s and L-5s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: The 425th Night Fighter Squadron, Ninth AF, moves from
    Crepy-en-Laommis to St Victoret, France.

      VIII Fighter Command: The 368th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 306th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Thurleigh, England with B-17s, sends a
    detachment to operate from Gibraltar to fly photo-mapping missions.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves to Okinawa: 2d
    Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Clark
    Field, Luzon with B-24s; 673d Bombardment Squadron (Light), 417th Bombardment
    Group (Light), from San Jose, Mindoro with A-20s.

    SUNDAY, 19 AUGUST 1945

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Fourteenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st
    Fighter Group from Chengkung to Nanning with P-51s (the detachment at Pakhoi
    also moves to Nanning); detachment of 426th Night Fighter Squadron,
    Fourteenth AF (attached to 312th Fighter Wing), at Liangshan returns to base
    at Shwangliu with P-61s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Two B-25Js of the 345th
    Bombardment Group (Medium) intercept two "Betty" bombers N of Ie Shima. The
    Japanese aircraft carry a delegation from Tokyo enroute to Manila to meet
    General MacArthur's staff to work out details of the surrender. The "Betty's"
    are painted all white with green crosses on the wings, fuselage and vertical
    tail surface and use the call signs Bataan I and Bataan II. The Japanese land
    on Ie Shima and transfer to C-54s for the flight to Manila. On the return
    flight from Ie Shima to Japan, the Betty's run out of fuel and ditch in Tokyo
    Bay but the delegation is rescued and completes the mission.  The 39th Troop
    Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Clark Field, Luzon to
    Okinawa with C-47s.

    MONDAY, 20 AUGUST 1945

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Fourteenth Air Force: The 92d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, moves
    from Fungwanshan to Huhsien, China with P-47s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      VIII Fighter Command: The 367th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 306th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Thurleigh, England with B-17s, sends a
    detachment to operate from Lagens, Azores to photo-map Africa.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 2d Combat Cargo Group and 7th
    and 8th Combat Cargo Squadrons move from Dulag, Leyte to Okinawa with C-46s.

    ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ AAF): The 19th Reconnaissance Squadron (Long Range,
    Photographic), 311th Reconnaissance Wing (attached to Ninth AF), moves from
    Thurleigh, England to Tortorella Airfield, Italy with F-9s (the squadron is
    photo-mapping Europe).

    TUESDAY, 21 AUGUST 1945

    ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s are prevented by cloud cover
    from taking photos of the Soviet occupation of the Kurile Islands; 4 others
    abort a photo mission to Paramushiru and Shimushu Islands due to weather.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Tenth Air Force: The 71st Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF, moves from Kunming to
    Liuchow, China with UC-64s, L-1s and L-5s.

      Fourteenth Air Force: The detachment of the 426th Night Fighter Squadron,
    Fourteenth AF (attached to 312th Fighter Wing), operating from Ankang, China
    with P-61s, returns to base at Shwangliu.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 408th Bombardment Squadron
    (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Clark Field, Luzon to
    Okinawa with B-24s.

    WEDNESDAY, 22 AUGUST 1945

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: HQ 365th Fighter Group and 386th, 387th and 388th Fighter
    Squadrons move from Suippes, France to Antwerp, Belgium with P-47s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: C-47 units arriving on Okinawa
    from Hawaii: 311th Troop Carrier Squadron, US Army Forces, Middle Pacific;
    and 316th Troop Carrier Squadron, Seventh AF.

    THURSDAY, 23 AUGUST 1945

    ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-24s fly a photo mission over
    Paramushiru and Shimushu Islands, Kurile Islands.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: The 33d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d
    Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Eschwege, Germany to the US.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The 23d Photographic
    Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Reconnaissance Group, moves from Peretola
    Airfield, Florence to Pomigliano, Italy with F-5s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 310th Bombardment Wing
    (Medium), Fifth AF, moves from San Jose, Mindoro to Clark Field, Luzon.

    FRIDAY, 24 AUGUST 1945

    ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): B-24s try to photograph the Soviet
    occupation of the Kurile Islands but are impeded by clouds.

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Tenth Air Force: C-47 unit moves: 2d Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop
    Carrier Group, from Dinjan, India to Chihkiang, China; 322d Troop Carrier
    Squadron, Tenth AF, from Liangshan to Chihkiang, China.

      Fourteenth Air Force: The 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, moves
    from Luliang to Liuchow, China with P-51s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: The 425th Night Fighter Squadron, Ninth AF, begins a
    movement from St Victoret, France to the US.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group
    moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa.

    SATURDAY, 25 AUGUST 1945

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Tenth Air Force: C-47 units moving to Luliang, China: 3d and 4th Combat
    Cargo Squadrons, 1st Combat Cargo Group (under operational control of HQ 69th
    Composite Wing), from Myitkyina, Burma and Hathazari, India respectively.

      Fourteenth Air Force: The 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron,
    Fourteenth AF, moves from Laohwangping to Liuchow, China with F-6s.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      VIII Fighter Command: HQ 2d Bombardment Wing (Heavy) begins a movement from
    Alconbury, England to the US.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves: 68th and 69th Troop
    Carrier Squadrons, 433d Troop Carrier Group, from Clark Field, Luzon to Iwo
    Jima with C-46s and C-47s respectively; 318th Troop Carrier Squadron
    (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, from Laoag, Luzon to Ie Shima with C-47s.

    SUNDAY, 26 AUGUST 1945

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      Ninth Air Force: The 394th Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, begins a
    movement from Reims, France to the US.

      VIII Fighter Command: Units beginning a move from England to the US: HQ 1st
    and 14th Bombardment Wings (Heavy) from Alconbury and Bury St Edmunds
    respectively; HQ 487th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 836th, 837th, 838th and
    839th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Lavenham with B-24s; and HQ 490th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 848th, 849th, 850th and 851st Bombardment
    Squadrons (Heavy) from Eye with B-17s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): HQ 3d Reconnaissance Group
    moves from Florence to Pomigliano, Italy.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron,
    433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Iwo Jima with
    C-46s.

    MONDAY, 27 AUGUST 1945

    CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]

      Twentieth Air Force: B-29s begin supplying prisoners-of-war and internee
    camps in Japan, China, and Korea with medical supplies, food, and clothing.
    The first supply drop (to Weihsien Camp near Peking, China) is followed by a
    concentrated effort of 900 sorties in a period of less than a month. 4,470
    tons of supplies are dropped to about 63,500 prisoners in 154 camps.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves: HQ XIII Bomber
    Command from Morotai Island to Clark Field, Luzon; and 67th Troop Carrier
    Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, from Clark Field, Luzon to Iwo Jima with
    C-46s.

    TUESDAY, 28 AUGUST 1945

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Tenth Air Force: HQ 443d Troop Carrier Group and 1st Troop Carrier Squadron
    move from Dinjan, India to Chihkiang, China with C-47s.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): With the discontinuance of the
    6719th WAC HQ Platoon, the Detachment, 1054th MP Company, Aviation, remains
    the only unit still attached to Twelfth AF.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The occupation of Japan
    officially begins as an advance party arrives in the Home Islands. When the
    news of the Japanese proposal for surrender came on 15 Aug, the 68th Army
    Airways Communications System (AACS) Group, 7th AACS Wing, received orders to
    fly into Atsugi Airfield near Tokyo and set up the communications equipment
    necessary to guide in the first contingent of occupation troops. AACSs
    mission was to provide navigational aids, point-to-point communications with
    Okinawa, air-to-ground communications for planes in flight, weather data, and
    air traffic control. Colonel Gordon Blake quickly assembled a special unit of
    5 hand-picked men. Colonel Blake and his AACS men, part of a 150 man task
    force, flew from Okinawa to Atsugi with 24 C-47 aircraft laden with
    equipment. In order to carry as much equipment as possible, the load was
    lightened by carrying only enough fuel to reach Atsugi. Although the Japanese
    had surrendered unconditionally, Blake and his communicators still did not
    know whether some might still be hostile. The sight of hundreds of Japanese
    Navy guards lined up along the airfield was not encouraging to the occupants
    of the first aircraft to land, but they were met by a group of courteous,
    English-speaking Japanese military personnel. The navy guards were in their
    honor. The AACS-men lost no time in getting operations into full swing, and
    by 29 Aug, the Atsugi control tower was completed. The first planes to arrive
    on 30 Aug were 5 additional C-47s carrying components to set up the first
    airborne radio station in Air Force history. Within a few hours, the first
    C-54 aircraft of the official occupation forces landed at Atsugi and by
    mid-afternoon Blake's AACS crews had directed 340+ takeoffs and landings at
    the rate of 1 every 2 minutes. On 30 Aug, Atsugi was the busiest airport in
    the world.

    WEDNESDAY, 29 AUGUST 1945

    Nothing to report.

    THURSDAY, 30 AUGUST 1945

    CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

      Tenth Air Force: HQ 1st Combat Cargo Group moves from Myitkyina, Burma to
    Liuchow, China.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): HQ 82d Fighter Group and 95th,
    96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons move from Vincenzo Airfield to Lesina, Italy
    with P-38s.

    WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The occupation of Japan in force
    begins when the 11th Airborne Division is flown to Atsugi Airfield and US
    Marines land at Yokosuka naval base. The 159th Liaison Squadron (Commando),
    3d Air Commando Group [attached to 5th Air Liaison Group (Provisional)] moves
    from Mangaldan, Luzon to Okinawa with UC-64s and L-5s.

    FRIDAY, 31 AUGUST 1945

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

      VIII Fighter Command: The 369th and 423d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy),
    306th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Thurleigh, England with B-17s, send
    detachments to operate from Istres, France to photo-map Europe and Africa.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Colonel Elmer J Rogers Jr
    assumes command of HQ Fifteenth AF until it's inactivation on 15 Sep 45.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): HQ Twelfth AF is inactivated in
    Italy.

    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
    WORLD WAR II IN THE NORTH PACIFIC by Kevin D. Hutchinson, 1994,
      ISBN-0-313-29130-6

    Jack McKillop
    USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
    1955-59

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    |  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@donuts0.bellcore.com  |                       FDR              |
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