# USAAF Chronology:

                      COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
                                   DECEMBER 1943

    FTP SITES
      1. ftp.rutgers.edu in directory pub/wwii/usaf
      2. byrd.mu.wvnet.edu (129.71.32.152) in pub/history/military/airforce/
         wwii_chronology

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      A-24, Douglas Dauntless
      A-36, North American Apache
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      Beaufighter, Bristol
      C-39, Douglas
      C-45, Beechcraft Expeditor
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      C-49, Douglas
      F-4, Lockheed Lightning
      F-5, Lockheed Lightning
      F-6, North American Mustang
      F-7, Consolidated Liberator
      F-9, Consolidated Liberator
      F6F, Grumman Hellcat (USN)
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-39, Bell Airacobra
      P-40, Curtiss
      P-47, Republic Thunderbolt
      P-51, North American Mustang
      PB4Y, Consolidated Liberator (USN)
      Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
      Ventura, Lockheed

    WEDNESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands during the month of
    Dec 43, the detachment of the 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group,
    operating from Attu Island with P-40's, returns to it's base at Shemya Island.

      ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS (First Air Force): During the month of Dec 43, the
    detachment of the air echelon of the 23d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), I
    Bomber Command, operating from Zandery Field, Surinam with B-25's returns
    to base at Edinburgh Field, Trinidad.

      CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The two detachments of the 20th Troop
    Carrier Squadron (Special), Sixth Air Force Service Command, operating from
    Waller Field, Trinidad and Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico with C-39's, C-45's,
    C-47's and C-49's, return to their base at Albrook Field, Canal Zone.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 4 B-24's, flying
    out of Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands, bomb Mille Atoll in the Caroline
    Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, B-24's bomb Insein; the B-24's and
    escorting P-38's encounter a large number of Japanese fighters over the
    targets; P-51's which failed to make rendezvous with the B-24's before the
    attack join the formations on the return trip; US losses are high: 6 B-24's
    and a P-51 shot down and 5 more B-24's are seriously damaged; B-25's hit the
    newly repaired bridge at Myitnge rendering it temporarily unserviceable.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 19 B-25's, 24 P-40's, and 10 P-51's
    pound Kowloon shipyards; 2 B-25's hit nearby Taikoo Docks in Hong Kong; 4
    P-40's strafe a truck convoy near Lashio, Burma, 16 sink about 30 boats in
    the area around Changte, and 8 bomb Bac Ninh, French Indochina and vicinity.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 145:
    The industrial area at Solingen, Germany is the target.  206 of 215 B-17's,
    69 of 78 B-24's and 5 of 6 B-17 PFF aircraft hit the target at 1159-1212
    hours; they claim 4-5-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 19 B-17's and 5 B-24's are
    lost, 2 B-17's and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 85 bombers are
    damaged; casualties are 13 KIA, 23 WIA and 227 MIA.
      The mission is escorted by 42 P-38's and 374 P-47's; the P-47's claim
    20-4-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-38's and 5 P-47's are lost, 1 each are
    damaged beyond repair and 3 P-47's are damaged; casualties are 7 MIA.
      HQ VIII Air Support Command is disbanded at Sunninghill, England.
      HQ 448th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Seething, England from the
    US.
      The 362d, 363d and 364th Fighter Squadrons, 357th Fighter Group, arrive
    at Raydon, England from the US with P-51B's. They will fly their first
    mission on 11 Feb 44.
      The 708th, 709th, 710th and 711th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 447th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Rattlesden, England from the US with
    B-17G's. They will fly their first mission on 24 Dec.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 175+ B-26's bomb airfields at
    Chievres, Belgium; and Cambrai/Epinoy, Lille/Yendeville, and Cambrai/Niergnies,
    France. 28 P-51's execute a sweep over NW France, marking the first Ninth Air
    Force fighter operation from the UK.
      HQ IX Troop Carrier Command transfers from Cottesmore to Grantham, England.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, 100+ B-17's bomb the
    Turin ball bearing works and marshalling yard; escorting P-38's battle enemy
    fighters without either losses or victories; the B-17's claim 2 enemy fighters
    shot down; B-24's and other P-38's are recalled because of weather; B-26's,
    with fighter escort, attack bridges and railroad facilities at Aulla, Cecina,
    and Sestri Levante.
      HQ Fifteenth Air Force and 5th Bombardment Wing transfer from Tunis,
    Tunisia to Bari and Foggia, Italy, respectively.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-25's bomb gun positions in the
    Sant' Ambrogio area; fighter-bombers, including some Royal Air Force (RAF),
    Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and South African Air Force (SAAF) aircraft,
    hit trucks, gun positions, and other military targets E of Casoli, at Lanciano,
    near Guardiagrele, W of Mignano, W of Minturno, and near Chieti. Several of
    these missions are in support of the US Fifth and British Eighth Armies.
      During the month of Dec 43, HQ XII Bomber Command transfers from Tunis,
    Tunisia to Bari, Italy.
      HQ 52d Fighter Group and it's 5th Fighter Squadron transfer from
    Boccadifalco and Bo Rizzo, Sicily respectively to Corsica with Spitfires.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 18 B-25's and 8 P-38's attack Malai; P-39's
    strafe Tonolai and support US Navy (USN) dive bombers in an attack on the
    Jaba River area near Empress Augusta Bay; other Army Air Forces (AAF) and
    USN fighters cover dive bomber strikes on Kara and Ballale Island supply areas
    and strafe targets at Tenekow, Chabai, and Mutupina Point; 6 B-25's bomb Sarime
    Plantation.
      A detachment of the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, ceases
    operating from Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands with P-38's and
    returns to it's base on New Caledonia Island.
      During the month of Dec 43:
        1. HQ XIII Fighter Command transfers from Espiritu Santo Island, New
           Hebrides Islands to Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands.
        2. The 68th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, based on Fiji Island
           ceases operating from Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands with
           P-39's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 40+
    B-24's bomb Wewak, the B-24's and P-47 escorts claiming 11 enemy fighters shot
    down out of interception force of about 50; 3 B-24's are lost. On New Britain
    Island, 16 A-20's hit the Cape Gloucester area. 35 B-25's and B-26's bomb the
    Borgen Bay, New Guinea area.
      The 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance),
    begins a movement from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, New
    Guinea with B-24's and F-7's. They will fly their first mission on 5 Apr 44.
      The 387th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), 312th Bombardment Group (Dive)
    arrives at Port Moresby, New Guinea from the US with P-40's. The squadron
    and group will be redesignated Bombardment Group/Squadron (Light) on 6 Dec.
      During the month of Dec 43:
        1. The 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 319th, 320th, 321st and
           400th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) transfer from Port Moresby to
           Dobodura, New Guinea with B-24's.
        2. The 82d Fighter Squadron (Reconnaissance), 71st Reconnaissance
           Group, based at Dobodura, New Guinea with P-39's sends a detachment
           to Finschhafen, New Guinea.

    THURSDAY, 2 DECEMBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 18 Japanese bombers and 30 Zekes
    attack Suichwan airfield; 9 P-40's intercept, shooting down 1 Japanese
    airplane; 2 P-40's are lost; 6 P-40's on armed reconnaissance bomb villages
    between Sha Nyao and Chiao Tou Chieh; 16 others bomb Japanese positions NE
    of Changte.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY AIR FORCE (AEAF): The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS)
    authorizes AEAF to attack "sky sites" in the Pas de Calais area and on the
    Cherbourg Peninsula in France, which RAF photography and British intelligence
    have virtually identified as missile-launching sites.

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 146: 1
    B-17 flies an Oboe test over Huls, Germany at 2139 hours dropping two 2,000
    pound (907 kg) GP bombs and 1 photoflash bomb. 4 B-17's drop 2.09 million
    leaflets on Bremen, Oldenburg and Hamburg, Germany. No casualties on either
    mission.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-24's, with fighter
    escort, bomb the town area, railroad bridge and marshalling yard at Bolzano;
    B-26's achieve excellent results in a raid on a bridge S of Orvieto and
    the marshalling yard at Arezzo. B-17's blast submarine pens at Marseilles,
    France.
      HQ 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Massicault to Bizerte,
    Tunisia.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-25's, A-20's, and RAF light
    bombers support ground forces in the Monte Trocchio area, and other B-25's,
    A-20's, and RAF and SAAF airplanes support ground forces near Sant' Ambrogio;
    more B-25's hit bridge and approaches near Chieti; fighters strafe trucks and
    trains while fighter-bombers blast gun positions along the US Fifth and
    British Eighth Army fronts, and hit harbors and shipping along the Yugoslav
    coast at or near Omis, Drvenicki, Trogir, Vrbnik, and Ston.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solmon Islands, 20+ B-25's hit Malai and attack positions on
    the Porror River and Rigu Mission at Kieta; 20+ B-24's bomb Korovo; fighter
    patrols strafe the Chabai area.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 50+
    B-25's pound the Borgen Bay area; 20 B-25's and B-26's hit enemy forces in
    the Finschhafen area; and the Sio area is bombed by 2 B-24's.

    FRIDAY, 3 DECEMBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 P-40's attack barracks and other buildings
    at Wanling, China.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): A note from Air Chief Marshall
    Sir Charles F Portal, RAF, to the CCS states that OPERATION POINTBLANK, the
    Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) of the USAAF and RAF against the Luftwaffe
    and the German aircraft industry, is 3 months behind in relationship to the
    tentative date for OPERATION OVERLORD, the overall plan for the invasion of
    W Europe, which had been set for 1 May 44. This brings more pressure on the
    Eighth Air Force to destroy industrial plants of importance to aircraft
    production.
      The 365th and 366th Fighter Squadrons, 358th Fighter Group, transfer from
    Goxhill, England to Leiston, England with P-47D's. They will fly their
    first mission on 20 Dec.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-24's, with fighter escort,
    hit the Rome/Casale airfield in Italy; B-26's and escorting P-38's are
    recalled due to weather. Other P-38's escort a supply mission to Yugoslavia.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The Twelfth Air Force transfers its
    entire II Air Service Area Command with all of its subordinate units to the
    Fifteenth Air Force, where it shortly becomes the XV Air Force Service Command.
    This is a major step toward making the Fifteenth a separate, self-sufficient
    air force.
      B-25's bomb harbor and marshalling yard at Sibenik, Yugoslavia. In Italy,
    fighter-bombers, along with RAF Desert Air Force (DAF) airplanes, hit tanks
    and trucks in the Guardiagrele-Lanciano areas. Other fighter-bombers attack
    a vessel at Sibenik, Yugoslavia and vehicles and trains N of Rome. Anzio and
    Nettuno, Italy are also bombed.
      The 2d Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group, transfers from Boccadifalco,
    Sicily to Corsica with Spitfires.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 23 B-25's bomb Kieta Harbor and nearby supply
    and bivouac areas; 6 others hit Aitara Mission; 21 B-24's pound Bonis; fighter
    aircraft, USAAF and USN on patrol, hit targets of opportunity in areas from
    Numa Numa to Koromira, at Mosiga and Chabai, and W of Rlutupina Point; B-24's
    on armed reconnaissance hit a variety of targets, including Kieta, Green
    Island, Greenwich Island, and Korovo.
      The 372d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    based on Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands with B-24's, ceases
    operating from Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In the Bismarck
    Archipelago, 60+ B-24's and B-25's bomb Cape Gloucester airfield on New
    Britain Island; 1 B-24 sinks several barges in Johann Albrecht Harbor while
    another bombs a large transport near New Hanover Island. 20+ B-24's bomb
    Waingapoe on Sumba Island in the Sunda Islands. In New Guinea, A-20's attack
    villages around Finschhafen; P-47's shoot down several airplanes over Wewak.

    SATURDAY, 4 DECEMBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 bombers return early from an armed seasearch,
    due to weather.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 34 B-24's from the
    Ellice Islands and Canton Island bomb Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands;
    20+ others abort due to bad weather. 8 B-24's from Funafuti Atoll in the
    Ellice Islands attack Nauru Atoll in the Pacific.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-24's mine the Rangoon River
    while 12 others mine the Salween River at Moulmein during the night of 4/5
    Dec.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 B-25's and 12 P-40's bomb
    Changte, which was taken by the Japanese earlier in the day; 11 more B-25's
    and 24 P-40's follow with 2 more attacks on Changte; other P-40's drop
    ammunition to Chinese troops on Tehshan Mountain.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 147: 4
    B-17's drop 800,000 leaflets on Rouen, Lille and Paris, France at 0222-0333
    hours.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 148: 4 B-17's drop 800,000 leaflets on Le
    Mans, Orleans, Tours and Laval, France at 2037-2125 hours.
      The 367th Fighter Squadron, 358th Fighter Group, transfers from Goxhill
    to Leiston, England with P-47D's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): A Ninth Air Force directive
    establishes Operation CROSSBOW (operations against German missile launching
    sites) for the IX Bomber Command and provides a list of targets to be attacked
    immediately.
      203 B-26's dispatched to attack the airfields at Chievres, Belgium and
    Lille/Vendeville, France must abort mission due to bad weather.
      HQ IX Air Support Command is activated at Aldermaston Court, England.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS: The Second Cairo conference, Operation
    SEXTANT, opens and lasts until 6 Dec. President Franklin D Roosevelt, Prime
    Minister Winston S Churchill, and President Ismet Inonu of Turkey attend.
    Churchill discusses the possibility of Turkey entering the war; the plan for
    the amphibious assault in the Bay of Bengal is cancelled; A tentative timetable
    is set up for Pacific offensive; and a unified Command is established in the
    Mediterranean effective 10 Dec.

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): All missions are cancelled by
    bad weather.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather grounds Twelfth Air Force
    elements of Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF).
      The 4th Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group, transfers from Boccadifalco,
    Sicily to Corsica with Spitfires.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 21 B-24's attack Chabai; 17 B-25's follow
    with a strike on the same target.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, nearly 50 bombers hit Cape Gloucester
    airfield and attack shore targets from Rottock Bay to Rein Bay. In New
    Guinea, 12 A-20's hit villages and supply dumps in the Finshaffen area. 30+
    P-40's sink an oil laden lugger and 2 barges off Bogia and bomb bridge near
    Bogadjim.

    SUNDAY, 5 DECEMBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma during the night of 5/6 Dec, B-24's
    mine waters in the Moulmein area while 5 others lay mines in the Rangoon River.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 16 P-40's over the Changte area damage several
    large supply sampans near Ansiang and strafe various targets of opportunity in
    the Tehshan and Hsutu Lake areas; 20+ P-40's on patrols over the Changte area
    attack numerous boats and other targets throughout the nearby lake region.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 149.
    Airfields in France are targetted; 8 B-17's and 1 B-24 are lost.
      1. 216 B-17's are dispatched to La Rochelle/Laleu, St Jean D'Angely,
    Paris/Ivry, Paris/Bois and D'Colombes airfields; none hit the target due to
    weather; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged.
      2. 96 B-24's are dispatched to Cognac/Chateaubernard Airfield; 2 hit St
    Nazaire; 1 B-24 is lost and 7 damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 10 MIA.
      3. 236 B-17's are dispatched to the Bordeaux/Merignac air depot; 1 hits
    the target; they claim 12-5-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 B-17's are lost and 19
    damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 4 WIA and 50 MIA.
      These missions are escorted by 34 P-38's and 266 P-47's plus 36 Ninth Air
    Force P-51's; 1 P-47 is lost; the pilot is MIA.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 52 B-26's bomb Ligescourt, Campagne-
    les-Hesdin, and Saint-Josse, France. 200 others are forced to abandon the
    mission because of heavy cloud cover over the targets, including V-weapon sites
    which the Ninth had scheduled to attack for the first time. Ninth Air Force
    P-51's from the 354th Fighter Group fly their first escort mission,
    accompanying Eighth Air Force heavy bombers in a raid against targets in
    the area near Amiens, France.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS: At the Cairo Conference, President
    Roosevelt decides on General Dwight D Eisenhower as the Supreme Allied
    Commander for Operation OVERLORD, the invasion of W Europe.
      The CCS issue a directive for the organization of the Mediterranean Allied
    Air Forces (MAAF) consolidating British and US forces of the Mediterranean
    Air Command (MAC) and Northwest African Air Force (NAAF).

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The 37th and 95th Bombardment
    Squadrons (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium), transfer from Djedeida,
    Tunisia to Villacidro, Sardinia with B-26's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather hampers medium bomber
    operations, but B-25's manage to bomb a bridge at Pescara, Italy and
    marshalling yard and shipyards at Split, Yugoslavia. In Italy, US fighter-
    bombers and fighters (and a number of other Allied airplanes) hit gun positions
    S of Chieti, Italy, a vessel in Poljud, Yugoslavia harbor (near Split), trains
    and trucks W of Aquino, bridges near Mignano and Ladispoli, the town of Arezzo,
    airfields at Piombino and Aviano, and building S of Garda Lake.
      HQ Twelfth Air Force transfers from Tunisia to Italy.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 23 B-25's and 20+ USN dive bombers hit the
    Monoitu, Aitara Mission, and Mosigetta area; fighter patrols hit several
    areas on Bougainville and on Shortland Island, including Chabai, Numa Numa,
    Mosigetta, Monoitu, and Faisi Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 40 B-24'a bomb Cape
    Gloucester on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago; A-20's destroy
    small craft off New Britain. In New Guinea, A-20's hit enemy forces in
    the Finschhafen area; B-25's, B-26's, and P-40's attack targets along the
    Bogadjim Road.
      The 110th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group,
    arrives at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from the US with P-39Q's.
      The 531st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Manbulloo to Long Strip, Northern Territory, Australia with
    B-24's. The group is attached to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

    MONDAY, 6 DECEMBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, Changte is pounded throughout the
    day by 30+ B-25's and numerous fighters; other fighters strafe targets of
    opportunity in the railway yard at Hsipaw and damage a train at Hopong.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 70th Fighter Wing transfers
    from Greenham Common to Boxted, England while HQ 100th Fighter Wing transfers
    from Boxted to Greenham Common.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Greece, 45 B-24's bomb
    Eleusis Airfield while 56 B-17's hit Kalamaki Airfield; other B-17's return
    to base with bombs because of a heavy overcast; the heavy bombers and
    escorting P-38's claim several enemy fighters shot down; 1 B-24 is lost to
    flak.
      The 34th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium),
    transfers from Djedeida, Tunisia to Villacidro, Sardinia.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, P-40 and A-36 fighter-
    bombers bomb bridges at Ceprano and W of Mignano; weather cancels other
    operations.
      The 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, transfers from
    Castelvetrano, Sicily to Montecorvino Airfield, Italy with P-39's.
      The 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, transfers from Rerhaia,
    Algeria to Corsica with P-39's.
      A detachment of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, based
    at Cantania, Sicily, begins operating from Gaudo Airfield, Italy with
    Beaufighters.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 6 B-25's bomb the Monoitu Mission area, and 24
    others, with fighter support, pound Tarlena village; P-40's carry out a
    strafing strike in the Arawa Bay area near Kieta; P-38's strafe W the coast
    of Buka Island; general fighter patrols strafe the Chabai, Koromira, and
    Monoitu areas; the Kieta supply area is bombed by a B-24 on armed
    reconnaissance.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, nearly 100 B-24's and B-25's hit the Cape
    Gloucester and Borgen Bay areas; P-40's strafe Cape Hoskins. In New Guinea,
    A-20's and B-25's attack villages and supply dumps around Finschhafen.

    TUESDAY, 7 DECEMBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR: The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) accept the US plan
    for a strategic air command, the US Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSAFE),
    to coordinate the operations of the Eighth and Fifteenth Air Forces.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): During the night
    of 6/7 Dec, 14 B-24's, staging through Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands,
    hit targets on Maloelap and Wotje Atolls in the Marshall Islands. 6 B-24's
    from Nukufetau Island in the Ellice Islands bomb Maloelap Atoll, and 1 other,
    failing to reach the primary, drops bombs on Mille Atoll in the Caroline
    Islands. This date marks the beginning of Operation FLINTLOCK (operations
    against Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls in the Marshall Islands).

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, Changte is hit twice by a total of
    13 B-25's and several escorting fighters. In Burma, 8 P-40's strafe freight
    cars between Mogaung and Myitkyina.
      The detachment of the 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, that has
    been operating from Suichwan, China since Oct, returns to it's base at
    Kweilin with P-40's.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Heavy cloud cover severely
    restricts operations. 1 B-26 attacks a bridge S of Arma di Taggia, Italy.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25's and A-36's
    bomb the harbor and town of Civitavecchia; B-25's also attack Pescara,
    hitting the railroad, road, and town area; A-36's, P-40's, and RAF DAF
    fighters hit a gun position W of Orsogna, the towns of Viticuso and San
    Vittoria, and a bridge at Civitella Roveto.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 18 B-25's carry out strikes against Kahili and Kieta Harbor on
    Bougainville Island. Torokina Island is bombed by 2 Royal New Zealand Air
    Force (RNZAF) Ventura's on patrol.
      The 23d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    based on Espiritu Santo Island in the New Hebrides Islands with B-24's,
    ceases operating from Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, 90+ B-24's and B-25's attack the Cape
    Gloucester and Borgen Bay areas. On New Guinea, A-20's bomb troop encampments
    and dumps in the Finschhafen area; P-40's strafe boats and barges near Madang.
    B-24's bomb the airfield and village on Haroekoe in the Moluccas Islands.

    WEDNESDAY, 8 DECEMBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24's fly armed reconnaissance. During
    the night of 8/9 Dec, another B-24 off on a photographic mission over
    Kasatochi Island in the Aleutian Islands, turns back because of mechanical
    trouble.

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ AAF): General Henry H "Hap" Arnold, Commanding
    General Army Air Forces, notifies Lieutenant General Carl Spaatz, Commanding
    General Twelfth Air Force, that he is to command USSAFE.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24's from
    Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands, bomb Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall
    Islands, and 11 from Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands bomb Mille Atoll
    in the Caroline Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 9 B-25's, escorted by 16 P-40's,
    pound Changte; 9 other B-25's bomb Hofuh and the 16 escorting P-40's bomb 2
    villages to the N.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 120+ B-24's and B-17's attack
    Tatoi and Eleusis airfields in Greece, and railroad bridges near Orbetello
    Lake and the town of Porto Santo Stefano in Italy. In Italy, B-26's hit
    Spoleto viaduct, Orte marshalling yard, and Civitavecchia harbor; other
    B-26's abort the mission because of weather.
      HQ 1st Fighter Group and it's 71st Fighter Squadron, transfer from Sardinia
    to Gioia del Colle, Italy with P-38's.
      The 20th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Massicault, Tunisia to Amendola, Italy with B-17's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25's bomb bridges,
    industrial targets, marshalling yard, and town areas of Pescara, Ancona, and
    Aquila; A-20's hit gun emplacements and bivouac area near Sant' Elia
    Fiumerapido; other A-20's, operating with RAF and SAAF aircraft attack troop
    concentration and gun positions near Miplinnico; fighter-bombers of the AAF,
    RAF, RAAF, and SAAF bomb targets in support of ground troops near Orsogna;
    A-36's and P-40's hit communications targets (roads, railroads, bridges) at
    Avezzano, Frosinone, Viticuso, Gaeta, and Sant' Elia Fiumerapido.
      HQ 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) and it's 12th Photographic
    Reconnaissance Squadron transfer from La Marsa, Tunisia to San Severo, Italy
    with F-4's and F-5's.
      HQ 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group transfers from La Marsa, Tunisia
    to San Severo, Italy.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, fighter patrols and aircraft on armed
    reconnaissance bomb and strafe several targets of opportunity near Kieta, SE
    of Cape Torokina, at Baniu Plantation, and along the NE coast.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's attack
    the Penfoei-Koepanp area on Timor Island. In New Guinea, B-25's and B-26's
    pound enemy supply dumps on the Huon Peninsula near Finschhafen; P-39's strafe
    barges from Saidor to Fortification Point.

    THURSDAY, 9 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 19 B-24's from
    Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands bomb Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands.
    The B-24's claim 5 fighters destroyed.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 15 B-25's bomb Wuchang and Hankow, and 3 bomb
    Changte; P-40's strafe sampans above Nanhsien and attack targets of opportunity
    in the Salween River area, including road traffic S of Hsia Chai, barracks at
    Tachai, and the town of San Tsun.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): P-38's carry out weather
    reconnaissance over the Adriatic Sea; B-17's of the 2d and 99th Bombardment
    Groups (Heavy) are recalled because of weather; all groups of the 47th (B-24)
    and 42d (B-26) Bombardment Wings cancel operations.
      HQ 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 429th Bombardment Squadron
    (Heavy) transfer from Bizerte, Tunisia to Amendola, Italy with B-17's.
      The 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, transfers from Monserrato,
    Sardinia to Gioia del Colle, Italy with P-38's.
      The 318th and 319th Fighter Squadrons, 325th Fighter Group, transfer from
    Soliman, Tunisia to Foggia, Italy with P-40's.
      The 342d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Depienne, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.
      The 352d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Oudna, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25's bomb railway and
    road bridges at Giulianova, tracks at Pescara and Teramo, and a marshalling
    yard and ironworks at Terni; A-20's hit gun positions and bivouac area at
    Sant' Elia Fiumerapido; A-36's and P-40's attack Orsogna and coastal targets
    in support of the British Eighth Army, Avezzano marshalling yard and villages
    along the US Fifth Army front, troops at San Pietro Infine and Viticuso and
    nearby gun positions, viaduct and railway bridge E of Guidonia airfield,
    crossing at Furbara, and trains and trucks in the Rome area. Brigadier
    General George H Beverley takes over as the new Commanding General, XII
    Troop Carrier Command (Provisional).

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 50 B-25's bomb and
    strafe the coast of New Britain Island from Borgen Bay to Rein Bay. In New
    Guinea, 19 B-25's and A-20's hit barges, coastal installations, and roads in
    the Fortification Point area; 60+ P-39's hit Bogadjim Road, barges and enemy
    held villages along the N coast of Huon Peninsula, and enemy positions in
    the Ramu River valley.

    FRIDAY, 10 DECEMBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 12 B-25's and 15 P-40's attack the
    marshalling  yard at Hanoi, French Indochina; the warehouse area and railroad
    station  suffer heavy damage. Japanese aircraft bomb Hengyang Airfield in
    China; 8 P-40's intercept 1 wave of airplanes over the field, shooting down
    3 of them; 2 P-40's are lost in the combat.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 150:
    1 B-17 is dispatched on an OBOE test flight but turns back due to an oxygen
    leak; two 2,000 pound (907 kg) bombs and a Photoflash are jettisoned off
    the French coast. In the second part of this mission, 6 of 6 B-17's drop
    1.2 million leaflets on Rouen, Paris, Caen and Amiens, France and Ghent,
    Belgium at 2026-2102 hours. No losses.
      HQ 2d Bombardment Division transfers from Horsham St Faith to Ketteringham
    Hall, England.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 20 German aircraft attack 4 Ninth
    Air Force airfields in the UK (Gosfield, Andrews Field, Earls Colne, and
    Great Dunmow), killing 8 and wounding 20+ men.
      HQ 434th Troop Carrier Group and it's 71st, 72d, 73d and 74th transfer from
    Fulbeck to Welford Park, England with C-47's.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-24's, with fighter escort,
    bomb a marshalling yard at Sofia, Bulgaria; P-38's fly weather reconnaissance
    in the Sofia and Zara, Yugoslavia areas. B-26's hit bridge approaches W and E
    of Ventimiglia, Italy.
      The 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, transfers from Monserrato,
    Sardinia to Gioia del Colle, Italy with P-38's.
      The 96th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Massicault, Tunisia to Amendola, Italy with B-17's.
      The 317th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group, transfers from Soliman,
    Tunisia to Foggia, Italy with P-47's.
      The 353d and 419th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group
    (Heavy), transfer from Oudna, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, P-40's and A-36's attack
    oil tanks, warehouses, railroads, and vessel at Civitavecchia, the town of
    Acquafondata, and with RAF, SAAF, and RAAF airplanes, hit tactical targets
    along the British Eighth Army front, and later strafe road traffic in the
    Canosa Sannita-Chieti area. Fighters also bomb a vessel in the harbor at
    Split, Yugoslavia.
      HQ 310th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Philippeville, Algeria
    to Corsica.
      The 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic Reconnaissance
    Group, transfers from Foggia to San Severo, Italy with P-38's and F-5's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, B-25's bomb the Kahili supply area and airfield;
    P-39's bomb the supply area and AA positions at Tonolai and strafe 4 barges
    in the harbor; RNZAF Ventura's hit buildings at Arigua Plantation.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 27 B-24's bomb
    targets at Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island and the Huon Peninsula on
    New Guinea. In New Guinea, 40 B-25's and B-26's bomb supply and bivouac areas
    and bridges along the Bogadjim Road; P-39's strafe barges in the Madang area.
      HQ 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group and it's 20th Combat Mapping
    Squadron transfer from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, New
    Guinea with B-24's and F-7's.
      HQ 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)
    transfer from Port Moresby to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-24's.

    SATURDAY, 11 DECEMBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 10th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 25th
    Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Waller Field, Trinidad to France
    Field, Canal Zone with B-25's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 B-25's and 10 P-40's attack
    Shihshow and Ansiang; 3 B-24's bomb Hankow airfield; 9 P-40's intercept about
    30 Japanese airplanes over Nanchang shortly after the enemy force bombs
    Suichwan; the P-40's claim 10 aircraft shot down.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 151:
    437 of 490 B-17's and 86 of 93 B-24's hit the industrial area at Emden,
    Germany at 1220-1312 hours; they claim 86-22-23 Luftwaffe aircraft; 15
    B-17's and 2 B-24's are lost, 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 120
    B-17's and 18 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 20 WIA and 185 MIA.
    This mission is escorted by 31 P-38's, 313 P-47's and 44 Ninth Air Force
    P-51's; they claim 21-0-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 P-47's and 1 P-51 are lost;
    1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are damaged beyond repair and 3 P-47's are damaged;
    casualties are 1 KIA and 4 MIA.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 152: 4 of 4 B-17's drop 800,000 leaflets on
    Laval, Rennes, Le Mans and Nantes, France at 2026-2039 hours; no casualties.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 67th Tactical Reconnaissance
    Group and it's 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron transfer from Membury
    to Middle Wallop, England with Spitfires and F-6's.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): All operations except weather
    reconnaissance are cancelled or recalled because of bad weather.
      HQ 99th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Oudna, Tunisia to
    Tortorella Airfield, Italy.
      HQ 325th Fighter Group transfers from Soliman, Tunisia to Foggia, Italy.
      The 32d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Oudna, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.
      The 414th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Depienne, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, P-40's and A-36's attack
    Anzio, Nettuno, Viticuso, San Vittore del Lazio, Pontecorvo, Acquafondata,
    the railway siding at Arce, tracks and junction N of Ostia, and railway
    between Ostia and Lido di Roma. Weather causes abandonment of B-25 operations.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 16 B-25's, in 2 waves, attack Kahili; several
    other B-25's hit Arigua Plantation; 20+ B-24's bomb the village and wharf area
    at Tsirogei; 8 P-39's bomb Tonolai; several aircraft on armed reconnaissance,
    operating individually or in small flights, attack targets of opportunity
    scattered throughout Bougainville and the Shortland Island area; Allied night
    fighters carry out a strike on a Japanese bivouac along the Jaba River; others
    hit Buka and Bonis.
      A detachment of the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th
    Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), based on Guadalcanal Island in the
    Solomon Islands, begins operating from Bougainville Island with F-5's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's bomb and
    strafe the Borgen Bay area on New Britain Island. In New Guinea, B-25's and
    B-26's hit bivouacs and other installations near Fortification Point and in
    the Finschhafen area. B-24's bomb Makassar on Celebes Island and Balikpapan,
    Borneo.
      The 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-24's.
      The 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, transfers from Port Moresby
    to Dobodura, New Guinea with P-38's.

    SUNDAY, 12 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 25 B-24's flying
    out of Ellice Island bases, bomb Emidj Island in the Marshall Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 B-25's and 13 B-24's carry out
    a saturation bombing strike against bridge at Myittha, over which a large
    volume of Japanese goods is flowing to the N. Despite this large air effort
    only the approach spans suffer effective damage.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 41 Japanese bombers and fighters
    bomb the W side of Hengyang Airfield, causing considerable damage; 31 P-40's
    and 6 P-38's intercept the enemy force, claiming 20 airplanes shot down; 2
    P-40's are lost. 9 B-24's bomb Hankow airfield.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 153:
    4 B-17's drop 800,000 leaflets on Paris, Amiens and Orleans, France at
    2033-2044 hours; no casualties.
      HQ 92d and 94th Combat Bombardment Wings (Heavy) transfer from Polebrook
    to Camp Blainey and Alconbury, England respectively.
      HQ 95th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) is activated at Attlebridge,
    England.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): The 109th Tactical Reconnaissance
    Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, transfers from Membury to
    Middle Wallop, England with Spitfires and F-6's.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Operations are limited to
    weather reconnaissance.
      HQ 14th Fighter Group and it's 37th Fighter Squadron transfer from
    Ste-Marie-du-Zit, Tunisia to Triolo Airfield, Italy with P-38's.
      The 341st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Depienne, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather curtails operations. In
    Italy, B-25's bomb the road, railroad, and landing ground at Terracina; P-40
    and A-36 fighter-bombers hit trucks along roads in the Chieti-Francavilla
    area and bomb the town of Itri; fighters fly patrols and reconnaissance over
    the battle area.
      The 10th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
    Gerbini, Sicily to Pomigliano, Italy with C-47's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 6 B-25's strafe Arigua Plantation; 9 others,
    with fighter support, bomb the supply area at Bonis; the fighters afterwards
    strafe Japanese forces between Kieta and the Aropa River; other fighter
    aircraft strafe the harbor at Tonolai and cover USN dive bomber strikes
    against targets in the Ratsua-Porton-Chabai-Soraken areas and the Kieta
    Harbor-Tobera Bay area; and 20+ B-24's bomb the Kahili area and Poporang.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
    P-40's dive-bomb Bogadjim Road. B-24's make light raids on Ceram Island in
    the Moluccas Islands and in the far W part of Netherlands New Guinea.

    MONDAY, 13 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 10 B-24's, staging
    through Baker Island from Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands, bomb Wotje
    Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In India, 20 Japanese bombers, escorted by
    25 fighters, hit Dinjan Airfield before US interceptors make contact; however,
    little damage is done and the US fighters catch the attackers shortly
    afterward; 12 Japanese bombers and 5 fighters are claimed shot down.
      The 436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Panagarh to Madhaiganj, India with B-24's.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25's, with fighter escort,
    bomb Li-Chou and Kungan; 8 B-25's pound Wuchang Airfield; and 16 P-40's on
    armed reconnaissance strafe targets of opportunity from Changte to Linli to
    Li-Chou.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 154;
    the port area at Bremen and Kiel, Germany are hit; 5 aircraft are lost. This
    is the first mission where more than 600 aircraft are dispatched.
      1. 171 of 182 B-17's dispatched to Bremen hit the target at 1159-1206
    hours; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 30 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA
    and 3 WIA.
      2. 367 of 403 B-17's, 93 of 107 B-24's, 12 of 12 B-17 PFF and 6 of 6 B-24
    PFF aircraft are dispatched to Kiel; heavy frosting and poor visibility
    disrupts the formation and 78 B-17's hit targets of opportunity in Hamburg
    at 1300-1305 hours; the remaining aircraft hit Kiel at 1245-1317 hours;
    7-3-17 Luftwaffe aircraft are claimed; 4 B-17's and 1 B-24 are lost; 1 B-17
    is damaged beyond repair and 136 B-17's and 4 B-24's are lost; casualties
    are 4 KIA, 16 WIA and 50 MIA.
      These missions are escorted by 31 P-38's, 322 P-47's and 41 Ninth Air Force
    P-51's; they claim 1-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost, 1
    P-38 and 1 P-47 are damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 is damaged; casualties
    are 2 WIA and 1 MIA. P-51's escorting the heavy bombers reach the limit of
    their escort range for the first time.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 155: 5 B-17's drop 1 million leaflets on Le
    Mans, Rennes, Tours, Nantes and Chartres, France at 2138-2155 hours; no
    losses.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Nearly 200 B-26's attack Schiphol
    Airfield in The Netherlands.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Operations are restricted to
    weather reconnaissance.
      The 346th, 347th and 348th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 99th Bombardment
    Group (Heavy), transfer from Oudna, Tunisia to Tortorella Airfield, Italy
    with B-17's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):  In Yugoslavia, B-25's bomb an oil
    depot, harbor, warehouses, and railway yard at Sibenik and Split. In Italy,
    P-40 and A-36 fighter-bombers attack defended points in the Miglionico area;
    quays, roads, railway yard, and gun emplacements at Terracina; and bridges at
    Pontecorvo and W of Isolella; town areas and bridges at and near Atina and
    Acquafondsta are also hit.
      The 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, based at Montecorvino
    Airfield, Italy with P-38's and P-39's, begins operating from Capodichino,
    Italy.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 17 B-25's bomb Porton, and their fighter
    escorts strafe Tenekow bivouac areas during the return flight; 24 B-24's
    bomb Bonis; 6 B-25's carry out low-level strikes against concentrations on
    Numa Numa.
      The 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    based on Espiritu Santo Island in the New Hebrides Islands with B-24's,
    begins operating from Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 100+ B-24's and
    B-25's and several P-40's bomb Gasmata Island in the Bismarck Archipelago.
    In New Guinea, A-20's hit villages along Bogadjim Road; a small flight of
    P-39's strafe barges along the Huon Peninsula.
      The 340th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, transfers from Port
    Moresby to Finschhafen, New Guinea with P-47's.
      The 403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-24's.

    TUESDAY, 14 DECEMBER 194

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 16 B-24's, flying
    out of bases in the Ellice Islands, bomb Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall
    Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 13 B-25's, with fighter escort,
    bomb Shasi; 2 P-40's strafe supply trucks S of Tengchung. 6 P-40's on armed
    reconnaissance strafe Gia Lam Airfield and railroad yard in French Indochina.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 150+ B-17's and B-24's, with
    fighter escorts, bomb Greece. The B-24's hit the Tatoi air depot at Athens;
    the B-17's hit the Kalamaki and Eleusis air depots at Athens and the docks
    and shipping at Piraeus. The heavy bombers claim 10 fighters shot down.
      HQ 90th Reconnaissance Wing transfers from La Marsa, Tunisia to San
    Severo, Italy.
      The 340th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Depienne, Tunisia to Cerignola, Italy with B-17's.
      The 416th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 99th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Oudna, Tunisia to Tortorella Airfield, Italy with B-17's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium bombers hit Orte,
    concentrating on the marshalling yard; light bombers attack road bridge SW
    of Pontecorvo in front of US Fifth Army lines; P-40 fighter-bombers hit
    bridges S of Roccasecca and E of Atina; A-36's destroy a bridge at Ceprano
    and bomb railroad yards, the town area, and highway at Sora, and docks and
    town area of Civitavecchia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 18 B-24's, with fighter support, bomb positions on Sohano Island.
    18 B-25's and 8 fighters hit Manob village E of Buka Passage. Other Thirteenth
    Air Force fighters hit gun positions, communications targets, and other
    targets of opportunity at scattered points in the Bougainville-Shortland
    areas and cover US Navy (USN) dive bomber strikes against AA positions in
    Chabai area on Bougainville Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, in
    the heaviest raid to date in the Southwest Pacific Area, 228 B-24's, B-25's,
    and A-20's bomb Arawe in an almost continuous attack from 0645 to 1548 hours;
    P-39's strafe barges along the Huon Peninsula. Gasmata Island off the S coast
    of New Britain Island is hit by B-25's and B-26's. B-24's on armed
    reconnaissance hit Saidor, New Guinea; and Gasmata and Unea Islands in the
    Bismarck Archipelago.

    WEDNESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24's from
    Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands, hit Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall
    Islands. 10, staging from Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands through Baker
    Island, bomb Wotje Atoll in the Marshall Islands. 1 B-24 is lost on Maloelap
    Atoll raid; 2 enemy fighters are claimed destroyed.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN AIR COMMAND: Eastern Air Command (EAC), a combined US-British
    Command, is formed under Lieutenant General George E Stratemeyer (USAAF),
    with Air Vice Marshall Thomas M Williams (RAF) as Assistant Commander. HQ,
    at New Delhi, India, will control all operational air units in Assam and
    Burma which presently make up the US Tenth Air Force and RAF Bengal Air
    Command. Major components of EAC are to be the Third Tactical Air Force
    under Air Marshall Sir John E Baldwin (RAF), Strategic Air Force under
    Brigadier General Howard C Davidson (USAAF), Troop Carrier Command under
    Brigadier General William D Old (USAAF), and Photo Reconnaissance Force under
    Group Captain Stewart G Wise. The Strategic Air Force and Troop Carrier
    Command are activated on this date, the former having HQ at Belvedere Palace,
    Calcutta, India and the latter at Comilla, India.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 P-40's strafe parked aircraft,
    trucks, and several buildings at Pailochi; at least 3 enemy airplanes are
    destroyed; 2 B-25's on a sea sweep over the Gulf of Tonkin claim 1 ocean-
    going tug sunk; 16 P-40's on armed reconnaissance strafe the towns of
    Owchihkow and Shihshow; 6 others attack the town of Luchiangpa and villages in
    the area.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): The Ninth Air Force comes under
    operational control of the AEAF. A new directive for tactical bomber operations
    lists reduction of enemy fighter forces as the basic objective. A Ninth Air
    Force planning staff, composed of officers who have had service with the Chief
    of Staff, Supreme Allied Commander (COSSAC), is set up in London.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-17's. with P-38 and P-47
    escorts, bomb marshalling yards at Bolzano, Italy and Innsbruck, Austria.
    B-24's, with P-38 escort, attack Avisio, Italy viaduct. All targets suffer
    considerable damage.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Yugoslavia, B-25's bomb the
    airfield at Mostar and A-36 and P-40 fighter-bombers attack vessels, vehicles,
    and parked aircraft N and E of the Peljesac Peninsula, near Mostar, and at
    the Zemonico landing ground. In Italy, B-25's and A-20's bomb roads at
    Pontecorvo and N of Frosinone; fighter-bombers blast gun positions along
    the US Fifth Army front.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 21 B-24's strike Sohano Island; 6 B-25's hit installations in the
    Numa Numa-Arigua area; 23 B-25's and 16 fighters attack Buka Island, causing
    heavy damage in the Chinatown area; P-40's destroy bridge at Runai. Numerous
    targets of opportunity are attacked by AAF aircraft, operating individually
    and in small flights, on armed reconnaissance over Bougainville Island and
    other N Solomons areas.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): As a preliminary
    to the main invasion of New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, US
    forces under command of Brigadier General Julian W Cunningham land on the W
    coast of the Arawe Peninsula on New Britain Island about 0700 local following
    a naval and air bombardment; B-25's pound villages in the Arawe area; B-24's
    bomb Cape Gloucester while P-39's strafe barges at Reiss Point. B-25's hit 2
    freighters on Timor Island in the Sunda Islands.
      The 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, transfers from Port Moresby
    to Nadzab, New Guinea with P-47's.

    THURSDAY, 16 DECEMBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 9 B-25's and 11 P-40's hit the NW
    part of Owchihkow; 4 B-25's on sweeps over the S China Sea damage freighter
    S of Nampang Island, bomb Tunguan docks, and shoot down 1 bomber; 15 P-40's
    on armed reconnaissance strafe Pailochi Airfield; 11 others strafe boats in
    channels N of Nanhsien; 6 P-38's strafe a troop train near Changanyi and
    attack 25 sampans (destroying most of them) on the Yangtze River just above
    Huangtang Lake.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 156:
    the port area at Bremen, Germany is the target. 402 of 479 B-17's, 133 of
    141 B-24's and 10 of 11 PFF aircraft hit the target at 1309-1322 hours;
    they claim 18-11-11 Luftwaffe aircraft; 10 B-17's are lost; 2 B-17's and 2
    B-24's are damaged beyond repair; 128 B-17's, 22 B-24's and 5 PFF aircraft
    are damaged; casualties are 6 KIA, 8 WIA and 104 MIA. The mission is escorted
    by 31 P-38's, 131 P-47's and 39 Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 2-0-0
    Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair and 1
    P-38 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 1 MIA.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 157: 4 B-17's drop 1.952 million leaflets
    over Hannover, Germany; Brussels, Belgium; and Lille, France at 1903-1943
    hours; no losses or casualties.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): A basic directive for IX Bomber
    Command training is issued on this date. Since most of IX Bomber Command's
    combat units have been operational for some time earlier under the VIII Air
    Support Command, extensive training will not begin until after the first of
    the year when inexperienced units begin to arrive.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-24's attack a
    railroad bridge and tunnel at Dogna and the railroad between Dogna and
    Chiusaforte; escorting P-38's strafe trains and oil tanks between Portogruaro
    and Latisana; B-17's, escorted by P-38's and P-47's, bomb the Padua
    marshalling yard and rail junction; rail lines, rolling stock, and buildings
    are damaged extensively.              .

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Yugoslavia, B-25's bomb
    shipping at Zara and the harbor and marshalling yard at Sibenik; P-40's and
    P-47's hit a vessel S of Zara and strafe targets of opportunity on the
    Peljesac Peninsula. In Italy, A-20's attack gun positions near Mignano; P-40's
    and A-36's hit gun batteries and strongpoints along the British Eighth Army
    front S and E of Chieti, gun emplacements and troop concentrations all along
    the US Fifth Army front, especially NE and S of Cassino, and also bomb
    Roccasecca and docks at Civitavecchia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 14 B-24's bomb Monoitu on Bougainville Island. Smaller flights of
    B-24's bomb Poporang and Sohano Islands, and dispersal areas at Bonis
    Airfield on Bougainville. 5 B-25's, with fighter cover, hit Sankau Island.
    RNZAF Ventura's attack targets on Green Island and in the Mawareka, Marveiropa,
    and Mamaregu areas. Fighter aircraft support USN dive bomber strikes on Sohano
    Island and gun positions at Bonis and afterwards strafe targets of opportunity
    at several points on Bougainville.
      The 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, which has been operating
    from New Georgia Island with P-39's since Oct 43, returns to it's base on
    Woodlark Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's hit Cape
    Gloucester Airfield on New Britain Island. On New Guinea, B-25's hit Sio
    and Kelana Harbor and P-40's hit the Timoeka area.
      HQ 348th Fighter Group transfers from Port Moresby to Finschhafen, New
    Guinea.
      The 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, transfers from Dobodura to
    Gusap, New Guinea with P-47's.

    FRIDAY, 17 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 10 B-24's are
    dispatched from Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands to bomb Maloelap Atoll
    in the Marshall Islands; 9 are recalled because of weather; 1 bombs the
    alternate target of Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands.
      HQ 41st Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Hickam Field, Oahu,
    Territory of Hawaii to Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 P-40's bomb and strafe barracks near
    Kunlong. 6 others bomb and strafe targets of opportunity in Hanoi, French
    Indochina.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): The Ninth Air Force planning group
    joins the 21 Army Group, AEAF, and the RAF's Second Tactical Air Force in
    preparation of the air section of the initial joint plan (Operation NEPTUNE)
    for Operation OVERLORD (the invasion of Normandy). This begins planning which
    later results in a massive Ninth Air Force plan for moving the Ninth into
    battle on the continent of Europe.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Operations are restricted to
    weather reconnaissance.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, A-20's strike an
    artillery concentration near Sant'Elia Fiumerapido; All B-25 missions are
    abortive; A-36's and P-40 fighter-bombers bomb positions at Monte Trocchio,
    Cervaro, and Cardito, and the marshalling yard, barracks, warehouses, and
    docks at Nettuno and Anzio. In Yugoslavia, P-40's and P-51's, with SAAF
    escort, strafe a vessel near Trpanj.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 18 B-25's strike Malai; 6 others join USN dive
    bombers in pounding the Mutupina Point Area; 5 RNZAF Ventura's hit Poroporo
    and Tarekekori.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, P-47's intercept 35-40 aircraft attacking
    Allied forces on the Arawe peninsula; at least 10 airplanes are claimed shot
    down; Cape Gloucester and nearby shipping are attacked by B-24's and B-25's.
    In New Guinea, B-25's bomb the Sio area and P-39's sink 2 barges during a
    sweep along the Huon Peninsula.
      The 341st and 342d Fighter Squadrons, 348th Fighter Group, transfer from
    Port Moresby to Finschhafen, New Guinea with P-47's.

    SATURDAY, 18 DECEMBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ AAF): General Henry H "Hap" Arnold sends to Air Chief
    Marshall Sir Charles F Portal (RAF) announcement of the US air officers for
    top commands in Europe in 1944. The list includes Lieutenant General Ira C
    Eaker, Allied Air Forces in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO);
    Lieutenant General John K Cannon, Twelfth Air Force; Lieutenant General
    Nathan F Twining, Fifteenth Air Force; General Carl Spaatz, US Strategic Air
    Forces (USSAFE); Lieutenant General James H Doolittle, Eighth Air Force; and
    Lieutenant General Lewis H Brereton, Ninth Air Force.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 14 B-24's bomb
    Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands.
      The 46th and 72d Fighter Squadrons, 15th Fighter Group, transfer from Canton
    Island in the Phoenix Islands and Wheeler Field, Territory of Hawaii
    respectively to Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands with P-39's.
      The 531st Fighter-Bomber Squadron, Seventh Air Force, transfers from
    Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands to Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands
    with A-24's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN AIR COMMAND (EAC): The Third Tactical Air Force is activated under
    Air Marshall Sir John E Baldwin (RAF) as a major component of EAC.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 27 B-24's, supported by 28 P-40's,
    pound the airfield at Namsang; some of the P-40's strafe Laihka Airfield; 2
    B-25's on a sea sweep claim damaging hits on a freighter and a tanker in
    the Hainan Straits; 5 B-25's bomb SW part of Nanhsien.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In France, B-26's bomb Var
    River bridges, destroying a highway bridge and damaging a railroad bridge;
    other B-26's have less success against the Antheor viaduct, although there
    are several near misses.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather limits operations. In
    Italy, P-40 fighter-bombers attack positions in Tollo, Canosa Sannita, and
    Orsogna, and strafe a schooner off Trogir; A-36's hit defended areas near
    Cassino and at Viticuso, a supply dump and gun emplacement near Tenacina,
    and positions at Monte Trocchio.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 10 B-24's bomb the Kahili supply area, 5 more
    hit the Bonis supply area, and 19 others hit targets in the Chabai-Porton
    area; 5 B-25's carry out low-level strike on troop concentrations at Poroporo
    and 11 bomb Korovo; B-24's, operating individually and in small flights, on
    armed reconnaissance attack Kahili, Kieta, and Poporang; fighters strafe
    targets of opportunity at Numa Numa, Cape Pui Pui, and the E coast of Buka.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, 70+ B-24's, B-25's, and B-26's bomb Cape
    Gloucester; 20+ B-25's bomb the Borgen Bay area; and nearly 40 B-24's hit
    Hoskins Airfield. In New Guinea, 33 A-20's bomb and strafe dumps and
    bivouacs N of Finschhafen.

    SUNDAY, 19 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 29 B-24's from
    Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands and Baker Island bomb barracks, hangars,
    and wharf areas on Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands and Maloelap Atoll in
    the Marshall Islands; they claim 7 fighters shot down. P-39's from Makin
    Island in the Gilbert Islands strafe Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands,
    destroying 3 airplanes and firing an oil dump; 2 P-39's are lost.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 20 B-24's fly a night strike against newly
    expanded dock area at Bangkok, Thailand causing considerable destruction.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, about 35 Japanese bombers and
    fighters attack Hengyang Airfield; 26 P-40's are sent up against the
    attacking force and shoot down 9; 2 P-40's are lost. 12 B-25's and 8 P-40's
    attack Nanhsien and Ansiang.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 158:
    5 B-17's drop 1 million leaflets on Paris, Amiens and Chartres, France at
    2059-2135 hours; no losses or casualties.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Austria, about 50 B-24's
    attack the Messerschmitt plant at Augsburg and and about 100 B-17's hit the
    marshalling yard at Innsbruck. P-38's and P-47's provide partial escort.  9
    heavy bombers are lost; US aircraft claim 37 fighters shot down. In Italy,
    P-47's of the 325th Fighter Group, dispatched for escort duty, miss the
    rendezvous with the heavy bombers and instead strafe Ancona Airfield, truck
    convoys at Porto Civitsnova, a train near Senigallia, and a vessel at Roseto
    degli Abruzzi; B-26's bomb the Perugia railroad installations and marshalling
    yards at Castiglione della Valle and Foligno.
      HQ 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 343d, 344th and 415th Bombardment
    Squadrons (Heavy) transfer from Brindisi to Manduria, Italy with B-24's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25's bomb the Terni
    marshalling yard and the Orte marshalling yard and airfield; A-20's attack
    road, bridge, and the town of Orte and hit Cassino; P-40's bomb Orsogna,
    Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, and dump near Arce, and hit shipping at Split, Trogir,
    and Solin, Yugoslavia. A-36's hit railroad and harbor area at Civitavecchia,
    Italy.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 24 B-25's bomb the Moisuru bivouac and supply
    dump; other planes on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity at Buka,
    Bonis, Ratsua, Poporang, Kara, Kahili, Koiaris, and on Nissan Island. 16
    B-24's, escorted by 50 AAF and RNZAF fighters, bomb the town of Rabaul and
    Simpson Harbor on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, Cape Gloucester is bombed by more than
    140 B-24's, B-25's, and B-26's as pre-invasion operations increase; 37 P-40's
    hit Gasmata Island off the S coast of New Britain; and 20 A-20's pound forces
    NE of Arawe. In New Guinea, about 30 B-25's, A-20's, and P-39's hit barges,
    bivouac areas, and gun positions N and W of Finschhafen; 30 B-25's and B-26's
    pound Madang; and P-47's sweep the coastline of NE New Guinea.
      HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group transfers from Dobodura to Port Moresby, New
    Guinea.
      The 2d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 22d Bombardment Group (Medium),
    transfers from Dobodura to Nadzab, New Guinea with B-25's.

    MONDAY, 20 DECEMBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      MEXICO (First Air Force): A detachment of the 19th Photographic Charting
    Squadron, 11th Photographic Group (Mapping), operating from Mexico City,
    Mexico with F-9's, returns to it's base at Bradly Field, Windsor Locks,
    Connecticut.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 16 B-24's flying
    out of Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands and Baker Island bomb Maloelap
    Atoll in the Marshall Islands; 3 B-24's are shot down; they claim 8 fighters
    destroyed.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 B-25's and 6 P-40's from Kweilin
    pound the Yoyang railroad yards; P-40's from Hengyang also provide support
    for the B-25's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 159:
    the port area at Bremen, Germany is hit. 357 of 407 B-17's, 103 of 127 B-24's
    and 12 of 12 PFF aircraft hit the target at 1142-1214 hours; they claim
    21-14-23 Luftwaffe aircraft; 21 B-17's and 6 B-24's are lost; 3 B-17's are
    damaged beyond repair; 213 B-17's and 34 B-24's are damaged; casualties are
    9 KIA, 41 WIA and 270 MIA. Window-metal foil strips which, when dropped from
    an airplane, provide an echo which confuses radar locating equipment is used
    for the first time on an Eighth Air Force mission. This mission is escorted
    by 26 P-38's, 418 P-47's and 47 Ninth Air Force P-51's; they claim 19-3-6
    Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-47's and 4 P-51's are lost; 1 P-47 is damaged beyond
    repair and 5 P-47's are damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 5 MIA. Twin-engine,
    rocket-firing Luftwaffe fighters attack under protection of single engine
    airplanes.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 160: 5 B-17's drop 1 million leaflets on
    Lille and Lens, France and Ghent and Brussels, Belgium at 2005-2015 hours;
    no losses.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 35 B-26's attack V-weapon sites in
    N France; 150+ others abort because of weather.
      The 381st Fighter Squadron, 363d Fighter Group, arrives at Keevil, England
    from the U.S. without aircraft.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      MEDITERRANEAN ALLIED AIR FORCE (MAAF): The MAAF is established, retroactive
    to 10 Dec 43. Commanded by Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur Tedder (RAF), MAAF is
    comprised of all Allied air elements (RAF, USAAF, French, and other) which are
    operating in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO). These elements
    previously were part of the Mediterranean Air Command (MAC) and Northwest
    African Air Force (NAAF), which are disbanded. US Army Air Forces, North
    African Theater of Operations (USAAFNATO) is established with General Carl
    Spaatz as commander, to facilitate administration of AAF units of the Twelfth
    and Fifteenth Air Forces.

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 30+ B-24's bomb a marshalling
    yard at Sofia, Bulgaria and more than 100 B-17's hit Eleusis Airfield in
    Greece. Heavy bombers and escorting fighters claim 30+ fighters destroyed in
    combat; 9 of the escorts are lost.
      HQ 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Depienne, Tunisia to
    Cerignola, Italy.
      HQ 450th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Manduria, Italy from the U.S.
      The 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Brindisi to Manuria, Italy with B-24's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, P-40's and RAF, SAAF, and
    RAAF fighter-bombers blast vehicles and heavily defended areas near Chieti and
    Orsogna, and hit a fuel dump near Manoppello. A-36's bomb Terracina and hit
    water towers, a train, and a railway station S of Rome.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 13 B-25's, with fighter cover, bomb Korovo village and docks on
    Shortland Island. 8 others, with fighter escort, hit Buka on Buka Island.
    Afterwards the fighters strafe Kieta and Tenekow on Bougainville Island. Other
    fighters and RNZAF Ventura's on armed reconnaissance, patrol, and night
    snooper missions attack numerous targets of opportunity throughout
    Bougainville.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, A-20's hit the Arawe area and P-38's in
    the area claim 10 enemy along S coast; B-24's on armed reconnaissance bomb
    a merchant ship off Cape Pomas. In New Guinea, B-26's and B-25's hit bivouacs
    in the Finschhafen area and bomb the town of Alexishafen.

    TUESDAY, 21 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 8 B-24's from
    Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands escort 4 USN PB4Y's on a photo mission
    over Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The B-24's bomb shipping and
    aircraft landing grounds and other facilities at Roi, Ennuebing, and Kwajalein
    Islands in the Marshall Islands. A-24's, along with USN and US Marine Corps
    (USMC) aircraft, hit shipping and airfields at Emidj Island in the Marshall
    Islands. 16 P-39's strafe fuel dumps, shipping, and AA at Mille Atoll in the
    Caroline Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 29 B-24's pound the railroad yards
    at Chiengmai; the warehouse area along the W side of the yards suffers very
    heavy damage; 14 B-25's, with fighter escort, attack Hwajung.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 84 B-26's bomb V-weapon sites and
    other targets in France.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Operations are restricted to
    weather reconnaissance and to air-sea rescue patrols N of Corfu Island,
    Greece.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Lieutenant General John K Cannon
    takes command. In Italy, B-25's bomb Terracina; P-40's hit the same target
    and also bomb positions and munitions factory S of Sant' Elia Fiumerapido;
    A-36's bomb positions, a fuel dump, and munitions factory in the Cervaro area,
    and hit trains, a seaplane base, a radar station, trucks, and other targets in
    the Rome-Civitavecchia area.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 6 B-25's attack Monoitu Mission; during the
    night of 21/22 Dec, snoopers bomb various bivouac areas.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, pre-invasion air strikes continue against
    Cape Gloucester as 100+ B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's pound the area; P-39's
    strafe targets along Borgen and Rein Bays; P-40's and A-20's hit Hoskins
    Airfield; and P-47's claim 17 fighters shot down in the Arawe area. In New
    Guinea, A-20's hit camps N of Finschhafen; B-25's bomb and cannon Madang;
    and P-40's hit Kaukenau. B-24's bomb Amahai Airfield on Ceram Island.
      The 110th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group,
    transfers from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea
    with P-39Q's. They will fly their first mission on 21 Jan 44.

    WEDNESDAY, 22 DECEMBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ AAF): Orders are issued for General Carl Spaatz to
    take command of US Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSAFE). Lieutenant General
    Ira C Eaker, Eighth Air Force Commanding General, is to Command Allied Air
    Forces in the MTO, after remaining in the UK until mid-Jan to advise Spaatz
    and Lieutenant General James H Doolittle, the new Commanding General, Eighth
    Air Force.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 11 A-24's from
    Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands dive-bomb cargo ships in Mille Atoll
    lagoon in the Caroline Islands; escort is provided by 32 P-39's and USN F6F's;
    the P-39's strafe the ship and AA and gasoline dumps on the island and the
    vessel is left burning.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 B-25's, with fighter escort,
    bomb Hwajung; 2 others claim 3 direct hits on a freighter 105 miles (168
    km) S of Hong Kong. 65 Japanese bombers and fighters attack Kunming Airfield;
    10 P-40's and a P-38 from Kunming and several fighters from Yunnani engage
    the enemy force in a 50-minute running battle, claiming 12 airplanes shot
    down; 2 US aircraft are destroyed on the ground; damage to airfield is not
    serious. 7 P-40's intercept a force of 58 airplanes heading toward Chengkung,
    shooting down 3 of them and preventing an attack on the airfield.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 161:
    Marshalling yards at Osnabruck and Munster, Germany are targetted; 22 US
    bombers are lost. Heavy cloud conditions along with a malfunction of
    Pathfinder equipment result in a large number of heavy bombers failing to
    attack targets.
      1. 147 of 225 B-17's, 87 of 121 B-24's and 2 PFF aircraft hit the Osnabruck
    at 1356-1434 hours; they claim 18-8-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17's and 12
    B-24's are lost; 2 B-17's and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair; and 21 B-17's
    and 11 B-24's are damaged; casualties are 6 KIA, 13 WIA and 160 MIA.
      2. 164 of 177 B-17's, 30 of 43 B-24's and 3 PFF aircraft hit Munster at
    1353-1417 hours; 3 B-17's and 2 B-24's are lost, 1 B-17 is damaged beyond
    repair, and 29 B-17's are damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 50 MIA.
      The bombers are escorted by 40 P-38's, 448 P-47's and 28 Ninth Air Force
    P-51's; they claim 15-1-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-38's and 2 P-47's are lost
    and 1 P-47 is damaged; casualties are 4 MIA>
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 162: 6 B-17's drop 1.212 million leaflets on
    Paris, Amiens, Chartres, Orleans and Rennes, France at 1942-2018 hours; no
    casualties.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 163: 1 B-17 drops two 2,000 pound (907 kf)
    general purpose bombs and 1 Photoflash on Cologne, Germany at 2020 hours;
    no casualties.
      RAF light bombers attack numerous NOBALL (V-weapons) targets in France in
    conjunction with the Osnabruck-Munster raids.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 210 B-26's sent to bomb special
    targets in France are recalled because of bad weather.
      HQ 365th Fighter Group and it's 387th and 388th Fighter Squadrons arrive
    at Gosfield, England from the US with P-47's. They will fly their first
    mission on 22 Feb 44.
      The 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 73d Tactical Reconnaissance
    Group, arrives at Aldermaston, England from the US without aircraft. They
    will be equipped with Spitfires and fly their first mission on 26 Mar 44.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Operations are again limited
    to weather reconnaissance.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Major General Paul L Williams
    reassumes command of the XII Troop Carrier Command (Provisional). In Italy,
    P-40's and Spitfires of the Twelfth Air Force, RAF, SAAF, and RAAF hit strong
    points in the Tollo-Miglianico-Chieti areas; P-40's blast bridge, locomotives,
    trucks, and railroad tracks at and near Tortoreto and Benedello; P-47's strafe
    targets of opportunity in the area around Zara, Yugoslavia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, B-25'a carry out strikes against Numa Numa,
    the Kahili supply area, the Chinatown area on Buka Island, and scattered
    targets of opportunity; fighter aircraft and B-24's attack barge
    concentrations and hide-outs at Sohano Island, the Chabai-Porton area, Anewa
    Bay, and Ambitle Island, and several targets of opportunity throughout
    Bougainville; B-24's, operating individually and in pairs, attack targets of
    opportunity near Bonis, near Porton, and at Sohano Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, 30+ B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's continue
    bombardment of Cape Gloucester; a Japanese air raid on Arawe causes minor
    damage. In New Guinea, nearly 40 B-25's, with P-38 escort, bomb Wewak and
    Boram; the P-38's, B-25's, and some P-47's on sweep claim at least 13
    aircraft shot down; B-25's and P-39's bomb airfield and barges at Madang and
    the town of Alexishafen; and A-20's and B-26's pound occupied area N of
    Finschhafen.
      The 36th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, transfers from Port Moresby
    to Nadzab, New Guinea with P-47's.
      The 408th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Dobodura to Nadzab, New Guinea with B-25's.

    THURSDAY, 23 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): During the night
    of 23/24 Dec, P-39's are airborne over Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands to
    intercept enemy bombers; 2 bombers are shot down; 1 P-39 is lost. During the
    day, 19 B-24's, staging through Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands from
    Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands, bomb Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall
    Islands; 9 others, staging through Baker Island from Canton Island in the
    Phoenix Islands, hit Wotje and Maloelap Atolls in the Marshall Islands. 10
    A-24's, escorted by 20 P-39's, attack Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands,
    hitting shore installations and a cargo vessel (wrecked by the previous day's
    raid) in the lagoon.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 19 B-24's on a night raid bomb the railroad
    terminal at Bangkok, Thailand; heavy explosions and large fires result.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 29 B-24's, escorted by 7 P-51's and
    23 P-40's, pound White Cloud Airfield in the area; the and fighters claim 11
    interceptors downed. 14 P-38's dive-bomb and strafe Huang Shan Kou. 2 B-25's
    claim 1 gunboat sunk in the Formosa Straits.          .
      HQ 68th Composite Wing transfers from Kunming to Kweilin, China.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 92 P-47's are dispatched to
    Gilze-Rijen Airfield in The Netherlands; 2 squadrons dive-bomb the target
    while the 1 squadron provides escort; no casualties.
      HQ 453d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 732d, 733d, 734th and 735th
    Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Old Buckenham, England from the US
    with B-17's. They will fly their mission on 5 Feb 44.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 71st Fighter Wing arrives at
    Aldermaston, England from the US.
      HQ 363d Fighter Group and it's 380th and 382d Fighter Squadrons arrive at
    Keevil, England from the US without aircraft. They will be equipped with
    P-51's and fly their first mission on 24 Feb 44.
      The 386th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, arrives at Gosfield,
    England from the US with P-47's. They will fly their first mission on 22 Feb
    44.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-26's hit the viaduct at
    Antheor, France and railroad bridge and marshalling yard at Imperia, Italy.
    The Ventimiglia, Italy railroad bridge is attacked; the bridge is not hit but
    the overpass, tunnel, tracks. and transformer station nearby are damaged.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): P-40's and P-47's attempt to
    support Yugoslav partisans resisting the German invasion of Korcula Island
    off the Peljesac Peninsula, but bad weather prevents location of targets.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands,  17 B-25'a attack gun positions and other targets at Sohano Island,
    and 6 hit positions at Malevoli in Choiseul Bay on Choiseul Island. 6 RNZAF
    Ventura's attack a radar station and lighthouse on Cape Saint George on
    Bougainville Island. 16 P-39's on patrol bomb and strafe targets on Shortland
    Island. 18 B-24's bomb Taharai Airfield in the Rabaul area of New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago; Vunakanau also is hit; fighter escorts
    claim 30 aircraft shot down over the Rabaul area. This begins a Commander Air
    Solomons (COMAIRSOLS) all-out offensive against the Rabaul area that continues
    until the end of Mar 44.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, 61 B-24's bomb Cape Gloucester during
    the day; B-24's follow during the night of 23/24 Dec with harassing attacks
    with small bombs, hand grenades, and beer bottles; P-39's hit barges between
    Borgen Bay and Rein Bay, and P-40's bomb Gasmata Island off the S coast of
    New Britain and strafe Cape Hoskin. In New Guinea, 80+ B-25's, B-26's and
    A-20's attack coastal targets from Wewak to Hansa Bay, wide areas of the Huon
    Peninsula, and airfields at Alexishafen; and B-24's bomb Nabire.
      HQ 8th Fighter Group transfers from Port Moresby to Finschhafen, New Guinea.
      The 501st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 345th Bombardment Group (Medium),
    transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-25's.

    FRIDAY, 24 DECEMBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS (I Bomber Command): The air echelon of the 23d
    Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), I Bomber Command, transfers from Edinburgh
    Field, Trinidad to Drew Field, Tampa, Florida with B-25's . The squadron will
    be disbanded in Feb 44.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 18 B-24's, staging
    through the Gilbert Islands from the Ellice Islands, bomb Wotje Atoll in the
    Marshall Islands.
      The 396th and 820th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group
    (Medium), transfer from Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii to Tarawa Atoll in
    the Gilbert Islands with B-25's. They will fly their first mission on 19 Jan
    44 and 28 Dec respectively.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 18 B-24's bomb a Tien Ho satellite airfield.
    The B-24's and 18 escorting fighters claim 20 interceptors shot down. 1 B-24
    is lost over the target.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 26 heavy bomber groups are now
    operational.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 164: 23 V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais
    area of France are hit. 478 of 526 B-17's 192 of 196 B-24's hit the targets
    at 1330-1510 hours; 2 B-24's are damaged beyond repair and 85 B-17's are
    damaged; casualties are 4 WIA. This is the largest number of aircraft
    carrying out attacks of any Eighth Air Force mission to date and the first
    of its major strikes against missile sites. The heavies are escorted by 40
    P-38's, 459 P-47's and 42 Ninth Air Force P-51's; 2 P-38's are damaged
    beyond repair and 2 P-51's are damaged; no casualties.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 60+ B-26's attack NOBALL (V-missile
    sites) targets in Pas de Calais area of France. 30+ B-26's abort due to bad
    weather.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, 100+ B-26's dispatched
    to bomb the Pisa, Italy marshalling yard fail to locate the target due to
    overcast. 24 B-26's bomb the marshalling yard at Cecina.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather severely hampers
    operations. P-40's fail to locate the target, a vessel at Ugljan Island,
    Yugoslavia, but shoot down 1 airplane in the Adriatic Sea.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands during the night of 23/24 Dec, single aircraft carry out harassing
    strikes against Buka on Buka Island, Kieta on Bougainville Island and Faisi
    Island. During the day, 24 B-25's attack seaplane anchorage at Bonis on
    Bougainville. On New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, 18 B-24's
    bomb Vunakanau Airfield at Rabaul; 6 others hit Lakunai; fighter cover for
    the strike fights a fierce air action with interceptors, claiming 25 shot
    down; 7 Allied fighters are lost. RNZAF Ventura's on armed reconnaissance bomb
    barges and troops on N Bougainville and claim 2 fighters shot down E of Cape
    Saint George.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, the pre-invasion bombing effort against
    Cape Gloucester reaches its peak as nearly 190 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's
    pound the area in a day-long bombardment; P-39's hit a disabled destroyer
    offshore; and Japanese forces in Arawe area are hit by A-20's. A-20's also
    sweep the NE New Guinea coastline. B-25's bomb Atamboea on Timor Island.

    SATURDAY, 25 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 10 A-24's from
    Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands, supported by P-39's, attack Mille Atoll
    in the Caroline Islands, hitting the runway, ammunition storage, and an AA
    position.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-25's claim heavy damage to a passenger
    ship S of Hong Kong.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-26's pound the
    Pisa-Porta Nuova area, scoring especially damaging hits in the marshalling
    yards. B-17's hit the Bolzano marshalling yard; and B-24's hit the Pordenone
    marshalling yard and targets of opportunity at Vicenza. B-17's of 2 groups
    fail to locate targets due to bad weather, and many fighters ticketed for
    escort duty fail to rendezvous with heavy bombers in the overcast skies.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): A-36's bomb road, trucks, and
    the town area at Pontecorvo, Italy. P-40's, with a few SAAF Spitfires, hit a
    motor launch in Peljesac Channel of Yugoslavia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): A few B-24's,
    fighting bad weather, attack the Rabaul area on New Britain Island,
    concentrating on Lakunai airfield; covering fighters claim 13 airplanes shot
    down. 2 P-38's are lost.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, Cape Gloucester is subjected to almost
    around the clock air attacks by l80+ B-24's, B-25's, B-26's, and A-20's;
    A-20's attack Japanese forces in the Arawe area where Allied outposts and
    observation posts are being pushed back by fierce enemy assaults on the
    beachhead.
      The 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, transfers from Port Moresby
    to Finschhafen, New Guinea with P-40's.
      The 386th and 387th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 312th Bombardment Group
    (Light), transfer from Port Moresby to Gusap, New Guinea with P-40's. They
    will fly their first mission on 27 and 26 Dec respectively.

    SUNDAY, 26 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 16 B-24's, staging
    through Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, bomb Wotje Atoll in the Marshall
    Islands. P-39's fly reconnaissance and strafing missions over Mille Atoll in
    the Caroline Islands.
      The 19th Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, transfers from Stanley
    Field to Kualoa Field, Territory of Hawaii with P-47's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): The 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter
    Group, transfers from Kweilin to Suichwan, China with P-40's.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-26's bomb marshalling yards
    at Prato, Empoli, and Pistoia, Italy.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather limits operations to
    uneventful reconnaissance flights.
      The 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, transfers from Cantania,
    Sicily to Montecorvino, Italy with Beaufighters. A detachment is operating from
    Gaudo Airfield, Italy.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 7 B-25's, with 34 fighters, attack the Cape
    Saint George area; 25 B-25's pound the bivouac and supply area at Kahili.
    RNZAF Ventura's on reconnaissance bomb Chivaroi and Faisi Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, the US 1st Marine Division lands at Cape
    Gloucester at 0746 hours; 270+ B-25's. B-24's, and A-20's plaster the area
    between the Cape and Borgen Bay from 0714 to l614 hours; enemy aircraft
    attacking the landing force sink a destroyer and cause considerable damage
    to other ships, but P-38's, P-40's, and P-47's claim 60+ airplanes shot down
    over the invasion area.

    MONDAY, 27 DECEMBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 P-40's strafe buildings on
    Pailochi Airfield and sink a nearby river boat; 2 locomotives N of Yoyang are
    also destroyed. 36 Japanese airplanes attack Suichwan Airfield, destroying 1
    B-25, the alert shack, and 3 fuel dumps; US interceptors claim 4 of the
    attackers shot down; 1 P-40 is lost. In French Indochina, 4 P-40's bomb Phu
    Tho Airfield, and strafe the airfield at Dong Cuong.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 165:
    7 B-17's drop 1.392 million leaflets on Paris, Lille, Evreux, Rouen and Caen,
    France at 1735-1812 hours; no losses.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 166: 1 B-17 is dispatched to Quadrath (??) but
    drops two 2,000 pound (907 kg) bombs and a Photoflash bomb on an unknown
    target.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-26's hit viaducts
    at Zoagli and Recco and attack, but fail to hit, the marshalling yard at
    Poggibonsi.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-25's attack a vessel near Zara,
    Yugoslavia. A-36's attack targets in Italy, hitting a factory and railroad at
    Anagni, harbor and railroad facilities at Civitavecchia, a bridge at
    Pontecorvo, and several gun positions and vehicles.
      A detachment of the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force,
    based at Grottaglie, Italy with Beaufighters begins operating at Rerhaia,
    Algeria.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 20+ B-25's bomb the seaplane anchorage at Buka,
    strafe AA puns SE of Ramandata, bomb Kahili supply dumps, and attack a Kieta
    bivouac and other targets in the area. A few RNZAF Ventura's hit barges at
    Ambitle and Anir Islands; and 16 P-38's join 70+ USN dive bombers in strikes
    on Buka AA positions. About 40 Allied fighters sweep the Rabaul area on New
    Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, claiming 17 aircraft shot down.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, A-20's attack positions in the Cape
    Gloucester battle zone; B-25's hit villages and tracks from Rottock Bay to
    Riebeck Bay and strafe barges along New Britain's S coast; and B-24's bomb
    the airfield at Hoskins. In New Guinea, B-25's bomb Madang and hit coastal
    targets along the Huon Peninsula; B-24's bomb Alexishafen; and P-47's strafe
    a road near Bogia.

    TUESDAY, 28 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 15 B-24's from
    Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands and Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands,
    staging through Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands and Baker Island, hit
    Maloelap and Majuro Atolls in the Marshall Islands and Mille Atoll in the
    Caroline Islands. 18 A-24's from Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands, with
    an escort of 20 P-39's, attack Mille Atoll; this attack is followed by another
    against the atoll carried out by 9 B-25's from Tarawa, supported by 12
    Makin-based P-39's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25's and 4 P-51's attack
    Yangtze River shipping at Chihchow; 1 cargo ship is claimed sunk, 2 others
    damaged, and an armed motor vessel set aflame. 7 P-40's bomb a building on
    the railroad siding at Yun-chi.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 20th Fighter Group (P-38)
    becomes operational, making a total of 11 operational fighter groups in the
    Eighth Air Force. The VIII Fighter Command has flown over 17,500 sorties and
    destroyed more than 200 aircraft. The VIII Bomber Command is charged with
    forming and training a special organization (the Radio Counter Measure Unit)
    to use radio countermeasures against enemy defenses; 24 specially equipped
    B-17's are to operate in support of both night and day raids.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 167: A B-17 drops two 2,000 pound (907 kg)
    bombs and a Photoflash bomb on Dusseldorf, Germany in an Oboe test.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 168: 6 B-17's drop 2.84 million leaflets on
    Hannover, Osnabruck, Hildsheim, Germany; Zwolle, The Netherlands; and Amiens,
    France at 1950-2027 hours. No losses.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, 100+ B-26's hit
    Guidonia and Centocelle Airfields and railroad bridges N and S of Orvieto; a
    like number of B-17's and B-24's bomb the Rimini marshalling yard and on
    the return flight, hit a bridge over the Foglia River at Pesaro and road-
    railway intersection S of town; 17 B-24's dispatched to hit the Vicenza
    the marshalling yard are attacked by about 50 fighters before reaching the
    target; 10 of the unescorted B-24's are lost; several B-24's salvo their bombs
    over the target area and, in the fierce battle, claim 18 fighters shot down.
      The 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photographic Group
    (Reconnaissance) transfers from Grottaglie to Bari, Italy with B-17's,
    B-25's and F-5's.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-25's, A-20's, and A-36's, in
    coordination with Mediterranean Allied Strategic Air Force (MASAF) heavy and
    medium bombers operating against targets in the Rome area, bomb landing
    grounds at Ciampino, a bridge at Roccasecca and a road and railway to the
    E of town, ships and harbor at Civitavecchia, and railway sidings W of
    Frosinone; and P-40's hit the harbor at Anzio and communications in the
    Pontecorvo and Atina areas.
      The 486th and 487th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 340th Bombardment
    Group (Medium), transfer from Foggia to Pompeii, Italy with B-25's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 14 B-24's bomb supply areas at Bonis and 22
    B-25's hit the Kahili supply area. Another large fighter sweep of the Rabaul,
    New Britain Island area results in claims of 20+ airplanes shot down.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): HQ 58th Fighter
    Group and it's 310th and 311th Fighter Squadrons transfer from Brisbane,
    Queensland, Australia to Dobodura, New Guinea with P-47's. They will fly
    their first mission on 24 and 2 Feb 44 respectively.

    WEDNESDAY, 29 DECEMBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 P-40's on armed reconnaissance
    strafe the railroad station, yards, and town area at Hsipaw, hit numerous
    freight cars between Hsipaw and Mansam Falls, and attack railroad yards at
    Hopong; 3 B-25's on a shipping sweep along the Yangtze River claim a cargo
    vessel and an armed passenger ship sunk SW of Wuhu.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-26's attack the
    marshalling yard and bridge at Certaldo, the marshalling yards at Poggibonsi
    and the viaduct at Bucine, and a bridge in the NW part of Orvieto; B-17's
    blast marshalling yards at Ferrara and Rimini.
      HQ 304th and 305th Bombardment Wings (Heavy) are activated at Cerignola
    and Foggia, Italy respectively.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): P-40's hit a vessel on the N side
    of the Peljesac Peninsula in Yugoslavia and a railway station at Anagni,
    Italy. In Italy, A-36's attack the railway station at Ferentino, harbor and
    railroad yard at Civitavecchia, and truck park near Aquino.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): HQ 347th Fighter
    Group and it's 339th Fighter Squadron transfer from New Caledonia Island to
    Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands with P-38's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, 120+ B-24's, B-25's, and B-26's pound
    positions at Cape Gloucester as the US Marines take the major objective, the
    airfield. In New Guinea, B-25's hit Madang; B-24's bomb bivouac and
    communications targets near Sio, and other B-24's fly a light attack against
    Manokwari, hitting the town and shipping.
      The 69th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, transfers from Brisbane,
    Queensland, Australia to Dobodura, New Guinea with P-47's. They will fly
    their first mission on 17 Feb 44.

    THURSDAY, 30 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 17 B-24's, flying
    from Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, bomb Kwajalein Atoll in the
    Marshall Islands and 9 B-25's from Tarawa hit the town of Jabor on Jaluit
    Atoll in the Marshall Islands. A-24's from Makin Island in the Gilbert
    Islands, escorted by 24 P-39's, dive-bomb gun positions on Mille Atoll in the
    Caroline Islands. Advance HQ, Seventh Air Force, is moved from Funafuti
    Atoll in the Ellice Islands to Tarawa, where it remains until the completion
    of the main campaign in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 20 B-24's pound Monywa, Burma, hitting
    railway facilities and the area in general.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 8 Japanese fighters strafe Suichaan
    Airfield while 12 others provide cover; 2 US airplanes are destroyed on the
    ground; 8 P-40's intercept the formation after the attack and shoot down 3
    aircraft.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 169:
    The port area and oil refinery at Ludwigshafen, Germany are hit at 1156-1300
    hours. 502 of 530 B-17's 145 of 168 B-24's, and 11 of 12 PFF aircraft attack
    the target; they claim 12-4-9 Luftwaffe aircraft; 14 B-17's and 9 B-24's are
    lost, 4 B-17's and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 106 B-17's and 11
    B-24's are damaged; casualties are 11 KIA, 19 WIA and 200 MIA.
      The mission is escorted by 79 P-38's, 463 P-47's and 41 Ninth Air Force
    P-51's; they claim 8-3-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 11 P-47's and 2 P-51's are
    lost, 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair and 5 P-47's are damaged; casualties
    are 12 MIA.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 170: 5 B-17's drop 1 million leaflets on
    Antwerp, Ghent, Lens, Belgium and Cambrai, France at 2319-2340 hours; no
    losses.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, about 100 B-26's bomb
    Saint-Omer Airfield and V-weapon sites on the French N coast. About 100 others
    abort missions because of bad weather.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-17's bomb the
    marshalling yards at Rimini and Padua; 2 B-17's are lost on the the Rimini
    mission; The B-17's and escorting P-38's and P-47's claim the destruction of
    9 fighters during air battles in the Padua-Vicenza area, off the coast E
    of Ravenna, and S of Aquila; B-26's hit the Borgo San Lorenzo marshalling
    yard and viaduct, the marshalling yard at Viareggio, and a road junction near
    Roccasecca.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-25's bomb Zara, Yugoslavia,
    hitting a junction, railway station, repair shops, warehouse, and harbor.
    In Italy, A-20's hit Atina; P-40's and A-36's support ground forces, hitting
    targets in the Chieti-Miglianico area; vessels are hit at Crkvice, Yugoslavia,
    railway sidings near Frosinone, gun positions near Arce and W of Minturno,
    and the town areas of Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, Ferentino, and Atina are bombed.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, 16 B-24's and 35 B-25's bomb Kahili and the
    bivouac and supply areas in the vicinity and 6 B-25's bomb the Korovo area.
    On New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, 19 B-24's, with 25
    fighters covering, attack shipping at Rabaul and also hit Tobera airfield.
    The escorts encounter aggressive fighter opposition and claim 12 shot down.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island, A-20's hit positions in the Cape Gloncester area as US Marines
    completely secure the airfield. In New Guinea, B-24's and B-25's bomb the
    Alexishafen and Madang areas, Sio, and targets of opportunity along the coast
    of the Huon Peninsula; P-39's strafe barges along the Huon Peninsula; and
    P-47's strafe the Madang area and huts between Sio and Vincke Point.

    FRIDAY, 31 DECEMBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): The air echelon
    of the 26th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    operating from Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands since 12 Nov, returns
    to base on Nukufetau Island in the Ellice Islands with B-24's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 B-24's pound the Lampang
    railroad yards, causing several big fires and many secondary explosions. 6
    B-25's hit Yangtze River shipping in the Anking and Lu-Kuan areas, claiming
    3 cargo vessels and a troop carrier sunk; and 2 others on a sea sweep damage
    a passenger vessel in the Hainan Straits.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 171:
    Various targets in France are hit; 19 B-17's and 6 B-24's are lost.
      1. 200 of 236 B-17's and 57 of 60 B-24's hit the Bordeaux-Merignac,
    Cognac-Chateaubernard and Landes Bussac Airfields at 1211-1315 hours; they
    claim 17-13-27 Luftwaffe aircraft; 18 B-17's and 5 B-24's are lost, 8
    B-17's and 2 B-24's are damaged beyond repair and 103 B-17's and 5 B-24's
    are damaged; casualties are 9 KIA, 36 WIA and 231 MIA.
      2. 57 B-17's are dispatched to hit a blockade running ship at Gironde but
    cannot find the target; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 3 damaged;
    casualties are 2 KIA and 5 WIA.
      3. 87 of 94 B-24's hit the St Jean D'Angely Airfield at 1211-1235 hours;
    they claim 9-1-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-24 is lost, 3 are damaged beyond
    repair and 5 damaged; casualties are 10 MIA.
      4. 120 of 125 B-17's hit the industrial areas at Paris-Ivry and
    Bois-Colombes at 1207-1227 hours; 1 B-17 is lost, 1 damaged beyond repair
    and 49 damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 10 MIA.
      These missions are escorted by 74 P-38's, 441 P-47's and 33 Ninth Air
    Force P-51's; they claim 9-1-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38, 2 P-47's are 1
    P-51 are lost; 1 P-38 and 6 P-47's are damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 is
    damaged; casualties are 3 WIA and 2 MIA.
      The total bomb tonnage dropped by the Eighth Air Force in Dec 43, 13,142
    tons (14,486 tonnes), for the first time exceeds that dropped by the RAF
    Bomber Command.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Around 200 B-26's bomb V-weapon
    sites in the French coastal area.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The 154th Tactical
    Reconnaissance Squadron, 68th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, is attached to
    the Fifteenth Air Force for the purpose of flying weather reconnaissance, a
    duty presently being handled by a P-38 unit called the Fifteenth Air Force
    Weather Reconnaissance Detachment (and by some B-26's of 3 medium bomber
    groups which are transferred to the Twelfth Air Force after this date).
    Personnel and equipment of the 154th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and
    the Weather Reconnaissance Detachment are subsequently integrated, and the
    unit is redesignated the 154th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium) on
    12 May 44.
      Operations are limited to weather reconnaissance.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, P-40's and Spitfires
    of the AAF, RAF, RAAF, and SAAF, strike infantry and heavy artillery around
    Tollo, Orsogna, Miglianico, Ripa, and Teatina in support of the British Eighth
    Army. A-36's bomb the town of Formia and hit gun positions.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): The 371st
    Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases
    operating from Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands with B-24's and
    returns to base on Espiritu Santo Island in the New Hebrides Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, A-20's hit troop concentrations in the
    Cape Gloucester area; nearly 50 P-40's and P-47's intercept a small force of
    airplanes attacking the Arawe beachhead area and 12 aircraft are claimed shot
    down. In New Guinea, almost 150 B-24's and medium bombers pound the Madang,
    Alexishafen, and Bogadjim areas.

    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

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