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USAAF Worldwide Operations Chronology

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		COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES

AUGUST 1945


AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
  A-20, Douglas Havoc
  A-26, Douglas Invader
  B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
  B-24, Consolidated Liberator
  B-25, North American Mitchell
  B-26, Martin Marauder
  B-29, Boeing Superfortress
  B-32, Consolidated Dominator
  Betty, Mitsubishi G4M1 Navy Type 1 Attack Bomber
  C-46, Curtiss Commando
  C-47, Douglas Skytrain
  C-54, Douglas Skymaster
  UC-64, Noorduyn Norseman
  F-5, Lockheed Lightning
  F-7, Consolidated Liberator
  L-1, Stinson Vigilant
  L-4, Piper Cub (Grasshopper)
  L-5, Stinson Sentinel
  Mosquito, deHavilland
  P-38, Lockheed Lightning
  P-47, Republic Thunderbolt
  P-51, North American Mustang
  P-61, Northrop Black Widow

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

WEDNESDAY, 1 AUGUST 1945

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

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

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

THURSDAY, 2 AUGUST 1945

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

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

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

FRIDAY, 3 AUGUST 1945

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

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

SATURDAY, 4 AUGUST 1945

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

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

SUNDAY, 5 AUGUST 1945

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

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

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

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

MONDAY, 6 AUGUST 1945

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

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

TUESDAY, 7 AUGUST 1945

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

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

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

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

WEDNESDAY, 8 AUGUST 1945

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

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

THURSDAY, 9 AUGUST 1945

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

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

FRIDAY, 10 AUGUST 1945

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

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

SATURDAY, 11 AUGUST 1945

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

SUNDAY, 12 AUGUST 1945

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

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

MONDAY, 13 AUGUST 1945

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

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

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

TUESDAY, 14 AUGUST 1945

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

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

WEDNESDAY, 15 AUGUST 1945

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

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

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

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

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

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

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

THURSDAY, 16 AUGUST 1945

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

FRIDAY, 17 AUGUST 1945

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

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

SATURDAY, 18 AUGUST 1945

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

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

SUNDAY, 19 AUGUST 1945

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

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

MONDAY, 20 AUGUST 1945

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

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

TUESDAY, 21 AUGUST 1945

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

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

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

WEDNESDAY, 22 AUGUST 1945

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

THURSDAY, 23 AUGUST 1945

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

FRIDAY, 24 AUGUST 1945

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

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

SATURDAY, 25 AUGUST 1945

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

SUNDAY, 26 AUGUST 1945

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

MONDAY, 27 AUGUST 1945

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

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

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

TUESDAY, 28 AUGUST 1945

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

WEDNESDAY, 29 AUGUST 1945

Nothing to report.

THURSDAY, 30 AUGUST 1945

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

FRIDAY, 31 AUGUST 1945

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

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

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

SOURCES: 
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
  Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
  History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
  Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2
WORLD WAR II IN THE NORTH PACIFIC by Kevin D. Hutchinson, 1994,
  ISBN-0-313-29130-6

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
|  Jack McKillop              |  Those who have long enjoyed such      |
|  Bellcore                   |  privileges as we enjoy forget in      |
|  Piscataway, NJ USA         |  time that men have died to win them.  |
|  [email protected]  |                       FDR              |
------------------------------------------------------------------------
• With grateful thanks for the scholarship of Kit Carter, Robert Mueller and Jack McKillop •
• Thanks also to Charles McGrew •
Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them. Franklin Delano Roosevelt

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