USAAF Combat Operations 1941

USAAF Worldwide Operations Chronology
		COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES

JULY 1945


AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
  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
  C-46, Curtiss Commando
  C-47, Douglas Skytrain
  UC-64, Noorduyn Norseman
  UC-78, Cessna Bobcat
  F-3, Douglas Havoc
  F-5, Lockheed Lightning
  F-6, North American Mustang
  F-7, Consolidated Liberator
  F-9, Boeing Flying Fortress
  L-1, Stinson Vigilant
  L-4, Piper Cub (Grasshopper)
  L-5, Stinson Sentinel
  P-38, Lockheed Lightning
  P-40, Curtiss
  P-47, Republic Thunderbolt
  P-51, North American Mustang
  P-61, Northrop Black Widow

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

SUNDAY, 1 JULY 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): 2 B-24s from Guam Island,
Mariana Islands, bomb the building concentration on Marcus Island in the N
Pacific. 33 B-25s, operating in two flights from Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands,
bomb Chiran Airfield on Kyushu Island, Japan. 2 others hit Yaku-shima Island
in the Osumi Islands. During Jul, HQ VII Bomber Command moves from Saipan
Island, Mariana Island to Okinawa. The 9th Troop Carrier Squadron, Seventh
AF, moves from Saipan Island to Guam Island with C-47s.

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): During the night of 1/2 Jul, 1 mining and 4 
incendiary missions are flown:
  Mission 240: 152 B-29s attack the Kure urban area destroying 1.3 square
miles (3.4 square km), 40% of the city; 2 other B-29s hit alternate targets.
  Mission 241: 154 B-29s hit the Kumamato urban area destroying 1.0 square 
mile (2.6 square km), 20% of the city; 1 other B-29 hits an alternate target; 
1 B-29 is lost.
  Mission 242: 100 B-29s bomb the Ube urban area destroying 0.42 square miles
(1.1 square km), 23% of the city.
  Mission 243: 126 B-29s attack the Shimonoseki urban area destroying 0.51
square miles (1.32 square km), 36% of the city; 5 other B-29s hit alternate
targets; 1 B-29 is lost.
  Mission 244: 24 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and the waters at Nanao and
Fushiki.
  148 Iwo Jima based P-51s are dispatched to hit airfields in the Nagoya area
(Kasumigaura, Itami, Hamamatsu, and Nagano); they claim 2-0-0 aircraft in the
air and 3-7 on the ground; 2 P-51s are lost.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, a few B-25s bomb a bridge and ferry
terminal at Chungmow and near Kaifeng and 4 escorting P-47s strafe Kaifeng 
Airfield and locomotives in the area; 4 other P-47s bomb the railroad yards 
at Yuhsiang and 4 P-51s knock out a bridge E of Kiehsiu; on this date Chinese 
forces capture Liuchow.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): HQ 437th Troop Carrier
Group and 83d, 84th, 85th and 86th Troop Carrier Squadrons begin a movement
form Voisins Airfield, Coulommiers, France to the US with C-47s.

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 547th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Grafton Underwood,
England to Istres, France with B-17s to begin moving troops from Europe to N 
Africa for shipment back to the US.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Unit moves: HQ 99th Bombardment
Wing (Medium) from Tirlemont to Namur, Belgium; 111th Tactical Reconnaissance
Squadron, 69th Reconnaissance Group, from Haguenau, France to Furth, Germany
with  F-6s. Unit moves during Jul 45: HQ IX Fighter Command from Weimar to
Fritzlar, Germany; HQ XII Tactical Air Command to Erlangen, Germany; HQ XIX
Tactical Air Command begins a movement from Germany to the US; HQ 42d
Bombardment Wing (Medium) from Dijon to Reims, France; HQ 98th Bombardment
Wing (Medium) from Venlo, the Netherlands to Tirlemont, Germany; HQ 367th
Fighter Group and 392d Fighter Squadron from Eschborn Airfield, Frankfurt,
Germany to the US; HQ 373d Fighter Group and 410th, 411th and 412th Fighter
Squadrons from Illsheim, Germany to the US; HQ 411th Fighter Group from
Illsheim, Germany to the US; the 10th and 22d Tactical Reconnaissance, 67th
Reconnaissance Group, from Haguenau, France to the US.

  UNITED STATES STRATEGIC AIR FORCES IN EUROPE (USSTAF): The 31st and 162d
Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons and 39th Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, USSTAF, begin a movement from Wiesbaden, Germany to the US.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
 
  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Unit moves: HQ 461st
Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 764th, 765th, 766th and 767th Bombardment
Squadrons from Torretto Airfield, Italy to the US with B-24s; 154th Weather
Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium), Fifteenth AF, from Bari, Italy to the US.
Unit moves during Jul 45: HQ 55th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Spinazzola to
Bari, Italy; HQ 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 32d, 352d, 353d and 419th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Lucera, Italy to the US with B-17s; HQ
325th Fighter Group and 317th, 318th and 319th Fighter Squadrons from
Mondolfo to Vincenzo Airfield, Italy; HQ 454th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and
736th, 737th, 738th and 739th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from San
Giovanni, Italy to the US with B-24s; 740th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy),
455th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from San Giovanni to Bari, Italy with B-24s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Borneo, B-24s pound
defenses at Balikpapan as Australian forces make amphibious landings; and
B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s hit airfields at Oelin, Tabanio, and Trombol, and
bomb the Tawau area. B-24s hit Limboeng and Mandai airstrips on Celebes
Island. Fighter-bombers hit troops and gun positions in the Kayan-Tadian area on
Luzon, Philippine Islands.

MONDAY, 2 JULY 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): 3 B-24s from Guam Island
attack a radar installation on Marcus Island. Unit moves to Okinawa: HQ 11th
Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 26th, 98th and 431st Bombardment Squadrons
(Heavy) from Guam Island with B-24s; HQ 319th Bombardment Group (Light) and
437th, 439th and 440th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) to Kadena from the US
with A-26s.

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 245: During the night of 2/3 Jul,
39 B-29s bomb an oil refinery at Minoshima; 1 other hits alternate targets.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 28 P-51s hit rail, river, and road
traffic, bridge, and buildings around Hengyang, Hankow, and Yoyang, attack a
bivouac area and HQ E of Changsha, and bomb a troop concentration and buildings
at Yangan. The fighter-bombers pound HQ, buildings, a fortified compound,
barracks, general targets of opportunity around Tartin, and a troop
concentration near Sichuan.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 545th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Grafton Underwood,
England to Istres, France with B-17s to transport personnel from France to
N Africa for shipment back to the US.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Units beginning a movement from
Germany to the US: HQ 405th Fighter Group and 509th, 510th and 511th Fighter
Squadrons from Straubing; and 72d and 167th Liaison Squadrons, XII Tactical
Air Command, from Augsburg and Darmstadt, respectively.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Borneo, B-24s bomb defenses
in the Balikpapan area, P-38s support Australian forces as they complete the
capture of Balikpapan and its oil installations and B-25s hit the Bintula
personnel area. On Luzon Island, fighter-bombers hit resistance pockets near
Kiangan and supply areas in the Cervantes sector. B-24s pound Toyohara
Airfield on Formosa.

TUESDAY, 3 JULY 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): 2 B-24s from Guam Island
attack water storage buildings on Marcus Island. 36 B-25s from Okinawa,
attacking in two flights, hit Chiran Airfield, Japan. The 438th Bombardment
Squadron (Light), 319th Bombardment Group (Light), arrives at Kadena, Okinawa
from the US with A-26s.

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force):  509 B-29s participate in 1 mining and 4
incendiary missions during the night of 3/4 Jul; 3 B-29s are lost:
  Mission 246: 26 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and waters at Funakawa and
Maizuru during the predawn hours of the 4th; 2 other B-29s mine alternate
targets.
  Mission 247: 116 B-29s attack the Takamatsu urban area destroying 1.4 sq 
mi (4.6 sq km), 78% of the city; 3 other hit alternate targets; 2 B-29s are
lost.
  Mission 248: 125 B-29s hit the Kochi urban area destroying 0.92 sq mi
(3.0 sq km), 48% of the city; 1 B-29 is lost.
  Mission 249: 106 B-29s attack Himeji urban area destroying 1.216 sq mi
(3.99 sq km), 63.3% of the city.
  Mission 250: 129 B-29s hit the Tokushima urban area destroying 1.7 sq mi
(5.6 sq km), 74% of the city; 2 B-29s attack alternate targets.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 3 B-25s knock out a bridge near Suicheng while 2
P-47 escorts hit nearby AA positions; 70+ P-51s and P-47s continue to disrupt
the Japanese withdrawal, attacking transport, supply, and communications
targets, troops, bridges and Japanese-held points; the targets are near
Hengyang, Paoching, Kueiyangshih, Changsha, Kweilin, Lingling, Kukong,
Hankow, Siangtan, Isuho, Chiuchiang, Fahsien, Tanchuk, Lohochai, and the
Luichow Peninsula. The fighter-bombers also hit shipping, a cement plant, an
airfield, and barracks area near Haiphong, French Indochina.

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): The air echelon of the XX Bomber Command,
including Brigadier General Joseph Smith, Commanding General, sets sails
from India for Okinawa; the rest of the command sails in 2 lots, on 12 Jul
and 4 Aug, leaving only a few small detachments in the India-Burma area.
[The 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) earlier sailed to the Marianas on 27
Feb]. 

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 355th Fighter Group moves
from Steeple Morden, England to Gablingen, Germany. The 752d, 753d, 754th and
755th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 458th Bombardment Group (Heavy), begin a
movement from Horsham St Faith, England to the US with B-24s.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): The 161st Tactical Reconnaissance
Squadron, 67th Reconnaissance Group, moves from Wiesbaden, Germany to Reims,
France with F-6s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Fifth AF fighters fly their
first mission over Japan, P-51s destroying floatplanes in the Fukuoka harbor
area on Kyushu. On Luzon, fighter-bombers hit resistance areas in the
Mankayan and Kiangan sectors. On Celebes Island, B-24s bomb runways at Mandai
and Limboeng airfields. In Borneo, B-24s pound Batu Kawa airstrip SE of
Kuching and defensive positions near Balikpapan in support of the Australian
drive inland. The 868th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Thirteenth AF, moves
from Morotai Island to Leyte Island with B-24s (the squadron specializes in
low-level night attacks and pathfinder missions).

WEDNESDAY, 4 JULY 1945

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): To celebrate the 4th of July, 8 B-24s
radar-bomb the Kataoka naval base on Shimushu Island with napalm.

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): 3 B-24s from Guam Island
attack AA installations on the SW corner of Marcus Island.

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 159 Iwo Jima-based P-51s attack the Yokosuka
naval base, and airfields in the Tokyo area (Imba, Tsukuba, and Kasumigaura);
they claim 9-25 aircraft on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater) A group of officers arrives at
Chungking, China to organize HQ, AAF China Theater.

  Fourteenth Air Force: 30 P-51s and P-38s over French Indochina and S and
E China attack docks and shipping at Haiphong, Red River shipping between
Hanoi and Hung Yen, French Indochina, small craft between Mon Cay, French
Indochina and Pakhoi, China, between Hongay and Pai-lung Wei Cape, and
between Pai-lung Wei Cape and Umpo, China; the fighter-bombers also hit road
traffic on the Luichow Peninsula and sampans E of Tanchuk, China.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): The 301st Troop Carrier
Squadron, 442d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Halle to Tempelhof Airdrome,
Berlin, Germany with C-47s.

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 446th Bombardment Group
(Heavy) and 704th, 705th and 706th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin a
movement from Flixton, England to the US with B-24s.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Unit moves: 393d Fighter Squadron,
367th Fighter Group, from Eschborn Airfield, Frankfurt, Germany to Crepy-en-
Laonois, France with P-47s; 432d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th
Bombardment Group (Medium), from Linz to Zell-am-See, Austria with B-26s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-51s fly a massive sweep
along the W coast of Kyushu Island, Japan. On Luzon, fighter-bombers support
ground forces in the Cagayan Valley and others attack Batan Island. On Borneo,
B-24s again pound defenses near Balikpapan and B-25s bomb Sibuti. On Celebes
Island, B-24s pound the Donggala seaplane base and runways at Boeloedowang and
Limboeng Airfields.

THURSDAY, 5 JULY 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): 46 B-24s and 24 B-25s all
from Okinawa bomb Omura Airfield and 2 towns in the Omura-Nagasaki area,
Japan.

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 100 P-51s, based on Iwo Jima, strike
airfields in the Tokyo area (Ibaraki, Yatabe, Yawatasaki Cape, and Maruta);
they claim 5-11 aircraft on the ground.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

    Fourteenth Air Force: 8 B-25s sink several sampans and junks at Haiphong,
French Indochina and damage several larger vessels. 2 B-25s and 2 P-47s knock
out a bridge S of Chumatien, China. 37 P-51s over French Indochina and S and
E China blast shipping in the Hongay and Haiphong, French Indochina area, and
in China, pound docks and small vessels at Chikhom, knock out a bridge at
Chumatien, blast a barracks area at Anyang, and hit river and rail traffic
around Tanchuk and Chenghsien.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Units beginning a movement from
England to the US: HQ 448th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 712th, 713th, 714th
and 715th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Seething with B-24s; HQ 491st
Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 852d, 853d, 854th and 855th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy) from North Pickenham with B-24s; 707th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 446th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Flixton with B-24s.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Colonel Roger J Browne takes
command of HQ XIX Tactical Air Command. Unit moves: HQ 48th Fighter Group and
492d, 493d and 494th Fighter Squadrons from Illesheim, Germany to Laon,
France with P-47s; HQ 67th Reconnaissance Group and 30th Photographic
Reconnaissance and 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons begin a movement
from Eschwege, Germany to the US; 95th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th
Bombardment Group (Medium), from Liz to Ebensee, Austria with B-26s; 425th
Night Fighter Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command, from Furth, Germany to
Crepy-en-Laommis, France with P-61s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Formosa, B-24s bomb
Toshien, Takao, Toyohara and the nearby Kamioka supply area, and Taihoku
Airfield. Fighter-bombers fly nearly 100 sorties in support of ground forces
in the Kiangan area on Luzon. In Borneo, B-24s bomb Manggar and Riko and
Australian troops cross Balikpapan Bay and land on the W shore. P-51s
sweeping Kyushu Island, Japan strafe targets of opportunity and down several
aircraft.

FRIDAY, 6 JULY 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC

    HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Taking off during the late evening hours of
6 Jul, 517 B-29s make four incendiary and 1 HE attacks between 0700 and 0800
hours local on 7 Jul; 1 B-29 is lost:
    Mission 251: 124 B-29s attack the Chiba urban area destroying 0.86 sq
miles (2.23 sq km), 43.4% of the city; 1 other B-29 hits an alternate target.
    Mission 252: 123 B-29s hit the Akashi urban area destroying 0.81 sq
miles (1.7 sq km), 57.0% of the city; 1 other B-29 hits an alternate target.
    Mission 253: 133 B-29s attack the Shimizu urban area destroying 0.71 sq
miles (1.49 sq km), 50% of the city; 1 B-29 is lost.
    Mission 254: 131 B-29s hit the Kofu urban area destroying 1.3 sq miles
(2.7 sq km), 65% of the city; 1 other B-29 hits an alternate target.
    Mission 255: 59 B-29s drop 500-pound (227 kg) bombs on the Maruzen Oil
Refinery at Wakayama; 1 other hits an alternate target.
    110 Iwo Jima-based P-51s attack airfields in the Tokyo area (Kumagaya,
Yamagata, and Chiba); they claim 1-0-0 aircraft in the air and 6-25 on the
ground; 1 P-51 is lost.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater) Lieutenant General George E Stratemeyer
officially assumes command as Commanding General AAF China Theater; he will
arrive in China several days later.

  Fourteenth Air Force: 98 P-51s and P-38s over French Indochina and S and
E China continue to disrupt the Japanese retreat and hit transport and supply
targets; rail, road, and river traffic, coastal shipping, bridges, troops,
Japanese-held areas, and general targets of opportunity are blasted at many
locations chiefly around Kweilin, Kukong, and Yangso, China, and Haiphong,
and Hanoi, French Indochina. On this date Major General Claire L Chennault,
Commanding General Fourteenth AF, requests permission to retire, which is
soon granted.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 466th Bombardment Group
(Heavy) and 784th, 785th, 786th and 787th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin
a movement from Attlebridge, England to the US with B-24s.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Unit moves: 37th Bombardment
Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Linz to Horsching,
Austria with B-26s; 109th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th
Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Eschwege, Germany to the US; the
449th, 450th, 451st and 452d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 322d Bombardment
Group (Medium), from Le Culot, Belgium to Langendiebach Airfield, Honau;
Frankenberg; Arolsen; and Wickenrode Germany respectively with B-26s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon, fighter-bombers
continue to support ground forces N of Kiangan and bomb the town of Mankayan.
In Formosa, B-24s bomb Heito, Ryutan, and Taien Airfields and A-26s pound
the Taito railroad yards.  B-24s over Borneo bomb Bandjermasin warehouses,
Tandjoengredeb buildings, Samarinda shipyards, and the Balikpapan and Manggar
areas. Okinawa-based P-51s hit transportation targets in the Kagoshima Bay
area of Japan.

SATURDAY, 7 JULY 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 100+ P-51s dispatched from Iwo Jima to hit
airfields in the Tokyo area abort due to bad weather. HQ XX Bomber Command
arrives at Sakugawa, Okinawa from India; HQ 414th Fighter Group and 413th,
437th, and 456th Fighter Squadrons arrive at North Field, Iwo Jima from the
US with P-47s (first mission is 13 Jul).

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 80+ P-51s and P-38s over French Indochina and S and
E China continue to disrupt the Japanese withdrawal, pounding numerous
communications and transport targets and general targets of opportunity
particularly in the Yangso, Kweilin, and Fenstun areas.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 64th Fighter Wing moves from
Schwabisch-Hall to Darmstadt, Germany.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon Island, B-25s and
fighter-bombers strike at remnants of the Japanese army in the Laguna de Bay
and Marikina areas and fighter-bombers also hit areas of resistance near
Kiangan, Penablanca, and Mankayan. B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s support Australian
ground forces in the area near Balikpapan, Borneo. On Formosa, B-24s bomb
Matsuyama and Taihoku Airfields in force.

SUNDAY, 8 JULY 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 2 fighter groups (100+) P-51s from Iwo Jima
pound airfields and other targets at Hyakuri, Chofu, Tokorozawa, and
Yachimata, Japan; 5 aircraft are claimed downed and at least 25 destroyed on
the ground; 8 P-51s are lost.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 6 B-25s and 4 P-47s severely damage a bridge N of
Sinsiang and hit nearby trains. 60+ P-38s, P-47s, and P-51s pound river
shipping, rail traffic, supplies, and troops at Haiphong, Do Son, and
Tourane, French Indochina and at numerous locations in S and E China.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Units beginning a movement from
England: HQ 357th Fighter Group from Leiston to Neubiberg, Germany; HQ 492d
Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Harrington to the US.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): The 34th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Linz to Horsching
Austria with B-26s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): HQ 52d Fighter Group moves
from Piagiolino Airfield to Lesina, Italy.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon, P-38s and P-51s
supporting ground operations hit supply and personnel areas near Kiangan and
Penablanca. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Shinchiku Airfield, B-25s start fires at
the Getsubi alcohol plant and on Koto Island, and P-38s attack oil production
area at Gyuni Kuki. On Borneo, B-24s and B-25s, supporting Australian forces,
hit the Balikpapan area defensive positions, Samarinda shipyards, various
targets along the Samarinda road, and warehouses at Tandjung.  B-24s
[including some of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)] bomb warehouses at
Donggala on Celebes Island. The 69th and 311th Fighter Squadrons, 58th
Fighter Group, move from Porac, Luzon to Okinawa with P-47s.

MONDAY, 9 JULY 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): 43 B-24s from Okinawa bomb
Omura Airfield, Kyushu, Japan (1 other bombs the airfield on Kikaiga-shima,
Amami Islands, Ryukyu Islands) and 50+ Okinawa-based B-25s hit Tokuno
Airfield on Tokuno Shima, Amami Islands.

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): During the night of 9/10 Jul, 1 mining, 1
bombing and 4 incendiary missions are flown against Japan; 3 B-29s are
lost:
  Mission 256: 29 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and the waters at Niigata
and Nanao; 1 other mines other targets; 1 B-29 is lost.
  Mission 257: 123 B-29s attack the Senai urban area destroying 1.22 sq mi
(3.16 sq km), 27% of the city area; 1 other B-29 hits an alternate target; 1
B-29 is lost.
  Mission 258: 115 B-29s attack the Sakai urban area destroying 1.02 sq mi
(2.64 sq km), 44% of the city area; 3 other B-29s hit alternate targets.
  Mission 259: 108 B-29s hit the Wakayama urban area destroying 2.1 sq mi
(5.44 sq km), 52.5% of the city area.
  Mission 260: 129 B-29s attack the Gifu urban area destroying 1.93 sq mi
(5.0 sq km), 74% of the city area; 1 B-29 is lost.
  Mission 261: 61 B-29s attack the Utsube Oil Refinery at Yokkaichi with
poor results; 1 hits an alternate target.
  102 Iwo Jima Island-based P-51s hit airfields at Itami, Hamamatsu, Aichi,
and Washinomiya, claiming 1-0-0 aircraft in the air and 15-5 on the ground; 3
P-51s are lost.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Tenth Air Force: The 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th
Reconnaissance Group, moves from Nagaghuli to Dergaon, India with F-6s.

  Fourteenth Air Force: 5 B-25s knock out 2 bridges in the Sinantien area;
14 P-51s and P-38s knock out bridges near Hengyang and Sinshih, damage a
bridge near Chihsien, and attack shipping and railroad targets of opportunity
around Hankow, Lukou, and Sinshih, China, and Dong Hoi, French Indochina. The
detachment of the 1st Combat Cargo Squadron, Fourteenth AF, operating from 
Liangshan returns to base at Hsinching with C-47s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): The 454th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium), 323d Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Innsbruck, Austria to
Nesselwang, Germany with B-26s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon, P-38s and P-51s fly
ground support in the Iguig area of the Cagayan River Valley and hit
Sabangan. Nearly 50 P-51s are weathered out of a Kyushu, Japan sweep from
Okinawa. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Okaseki, Toyohara, and Takao Airfields and
A-26s attack Karenko. On Borneo, B-24s and P-38s supporting Australian
forces, hit Japanese forces in areas near Balikpapan, Manggar, and
Sepinggang; (Australian and Dutch forces complete the encirclement of
Balikpapan Bay); other B-24s hit the Samarinda shipyards; and B-25s in
support of operations in the Brunei Bay area bomb a Japanese-occupied area E of
Beaufort. Unit moves: HQ 348th Fighter Group and 340th Fighter Squadron from
Floridablanca, Luzon to Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands with P-51s; ground echelon
of 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, from
San Jose, Mindoro Island to Okinawa (air echelon is at Clark Field, Luzon
with F-5s); 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, from Porac, Luzon to
Okinawa with P-47s; 418th Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command [attached
to 308th Bombardment Wing (Heavy)] from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Okinawa
with P-61s.

TUESDAY, 10 JULY 1945

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-24s fly a search down the W coasts
of Paramushiru and Shimushu Islands and then radar-bomb Minami Zaki on
Shimushu Island. 1 B-24 flies a radar-ferret mission over the N Kurile
Islands.

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): During the night of 10/11 Jul,
1 B-24 from Okinawa bombs Karasehara Airfield, Japan; 43 other Okinawa-based
B-24s bomb Wan and Sateku Airfields on Kikaiga-shima, Amami Islands; 50+
B-25s bomb Wan Airfield and Saha-Saki on Nakano Shima, Ryukyu Islands, and
Kurume, Kyushu, Japan.

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): 102 P-51s, based on Iwo Jima, attack Hashin,
Nishinomiya, Sano, and Tokushima, Japan mostly hitting airfields; 3 P-51s are
lost.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 14 B-25s bomb the town of Dong Anh and the railroad
shops at Phu Lang Thuong, French Indochina, and truck convoys moving through
the Siang Chiang Valley, China. In China, 22 P-51s and P-38s bomb warehouses
at Wuchang, hit railroad targets of opportunity near Yoyang, strafe 3
railroad stations N of Chuanhsien, bomb buildings N of Kanchou, knock out a
bridge approach S of Chuting, damage a bridge near Hengyang, and hit targets
of opportunity at Weichow Island, Laohokow, China, and Tourane, French
Indochina. The 71st Liaison Squadron, Fourteenth AF, begins a movement from
Piardoba, India to Kunming, China with UC-64s, L-1s, L-4s and L-5s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Unit moves: HQ 358th Fighter Group
and 365th and 367th Fighter Squadron begin a movement from Reims, France to
the US; 155th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Reconnaissance
Group, from Maastricht, the Netherlands to Rothwesten Airfield, Kassel,
Germany with A-20s and F-3s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The 2d, 4th and 5th Fighter
Squadrons, 52d Fighter Group, move from Piagiolina Airfield to Lesina, Italy
with P-51s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon, P-38s and P-51s
support ground action in the N Cagayan Valley and hit enemy pockets E of
Manila. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Tainan Airfield, destroying several planes,
and bomb warehouses at Takao. Bad weather again prevents fighter sweep from
Okinawa over Kyushu, Japan. B-24s hit the town of Muarakaman and airfield at
Tabanio, Borneo while P-38s strafe numerous targets of opportunity in SE
Borneo. B-24s bomb the warehouse area at Donggala on Celebes Island. HQ 58th
Fighter Group moves from Porac, Luzon to Okinawa.

WEDNESDAY, 11 JULY 1945

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 5 B-24s radar-bomb Kataoka on Shimushu
Island and 4 B-25s fly a shipping sweep and bomb a Otomae Wan fishery,
scoring hits among the buildings.

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): During the night of 11/12 Jul,
2 B-24s from Okinawa attack Byu and Miyazaki Airfields, Kyushu, Japan.

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 262: During the night of 11/12 Jul,,
25 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and waters at Miyazu, Maizuru, Obama Island
and, in the first B-29 operation to Korea, 2 mine Pusan and Najin.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 25 P-51s and P-40s attack bridges, troops,
gun positions, rail traffic, rivercraft, coastal shipping, and various
scattered targets at or near Nanchang, Kweiyi, Puchi, Tanchuk, and the
Luichow Peninsula.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): HQ 439th Troop Carrier
Group and 91st, 92d, 93d and 94th Troop Carrier Squadrons begin a movement
from Chateaudun, France to the US with C-47s.

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 93d Combat Bombardment Wing
(Heavy) begins a movement from Mendlesham, England to the US.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): The 366th Fighter Squadron, 358th
Fighter Group, begins a movement from Reims, France to the US.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-51s sweep Kyushu, Japan. B-24s
bomb Shinchiku Airfield on Formosa. B-25s and fighter-bombers pound troop
concentrations and defenses in the Cagayan Valley on Luzon Island and B-24s
pound troop concentrations on Negros Island. B-25s and P-38s pound highway
targets in the Balikpapan, Borneo area. 

ZONE OF INTERIOR (Second Air Force): The 4th Reconnaissance Squadron (Long
Range, Photographic), 311th Photographic Wing (attached to 6th Reconnaissance
Group), moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Tacloban, Leyte with F-7s (the
squadron is mapping areas of the SW and W Pacific).

THURSDAY, 12 JULY 1945

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-25s on a shipping sweep bomb and
strafe a freighter; 1 B-25 is lost killing the crew.

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): HQ Seventh AF on Okinawa is
declared open by a General Order on this date. 47 B-24s from Okinawa, failing
to bomb the primary target, Tsuiki, Japan because of clouds, attack the
airfield on Kikaiga-shima, Amami Islands. 2 Okinawa-based B-24s bomb Byu and
Miyazaki Airfields, Kyushu during the night. 50+ B-25s bomb Kanoya airfield
and the town of Aburatsu on Kyushu and Tokuno airfield on Tokuno Shima, Amami
Islands. On Kyushu, Chiran Airfield is pounded by 70 B-25s and A-26s (this is
the first strike against Japan by Seventh AF A-26s); 2 more A-26s hit the
Ibusuki seaplane station.

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): During the night of 12/13 Jul, 1 bombing and
4 incendiary missions are flown; 3 B-29s are lost.
  Mission 263: 115 B-29s attack the Utsunomiya urban area destroying 0.94 sq
mi (2.4 sq km), 34.2% of the city; 5 others hit alternate targets; 1 B-29 is
lost.
  Mission 264: 123 B-29s hit the Ichinomiya urban area destroying 0.01 sq mi
(0.03 sq km), 0.8% of the city area; 2 others hit alternate targets.
  Mission 265: 92 B-29s attack the Tsuruga urban area destroying 0.77 sq mi
(2 sq km), 68% of the city; 2 others hit alternate targets.
  Mission 266: 123 B-29s hit the Uwajima urban area destroying 0.14 sq mi
(0.36 sq km), 14% of the city; 1 other hits an alternate target.
  Mission 267: 53 B-29s attack the Kawasaki Petroleum Center destroying about
25% of the target; 2 B-29s are lost, 1 between Guam and Tinian.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 3 B-25s blast supply convoys moving through
the Siang Chiang Valley; 43 P-51s and P-38s attack bridges, rivercraft,
barracks road traffic, and coastal shipping around Changsha, Hsinching, the
Luichow Peninsula and Nanchang and in French Indochina, Hamrong, the Tonkin
area, and Cao Bang. 2 bridges are knocked out and others damaged, airfields
are strafed at Vinh, French Indochina and Kiungshan, China.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 95th Combat Bombardment Wing
(Heavy) begins a movement from Kettingham, England to the US.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Unit moves in Germany: 160th
Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Reconnaissance Group, from Wiesbaden
to Eschwege with F-6s; 453d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 323d Bombardment
Group (Medium), from Augsburg to Haunstetten with B-26s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): HQ XII Air Forces Service Command
is disbanded at Siena, Italy.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-51s sweep Kyushu, Japan. B-24s
bomb Canton, China. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Toshien while A-26s hit numerous
targets at Tamazato and P-51s hit targets along the W coast. On Luzon,
fighter-bombers hit pillboxes E of Iguig, attack concentrations in the
Bontoc-Kiangan area, and support ground forces E of Manila (the town of
Kiangan falls to the 6th Infantry Division, but resistance in the area
continues). B-24s over Negros Island in support of ground forces bomb a
concentration NE of Mount Mandalagan. B-24s destroy a barrack area at
Tandjung, Borneo and others hit warehouses at Donggala, Celebes Island. The
341st, 342d and 460th Fighter Squadrons, 348th Fighter Group, move from
Floridablanca, Luzon to Ie Shima with P-51s.

FRIDAY, 13 JULY 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 268: During the night of 13/14 Jul,
30 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait and waters at Fukuoka, and ports at Seishin,
Masan, and Reisui.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 14 B-25s and 12 P-51s attack bridges, railroad yards,
AA guns, and targets of opportunity at Anyang and Puchi, China, and Do Cam,
French Indochina. 33 P-51s and P-38s attack river shipping, buildings, road
traffic, rail targets, and general targets of opportunity around Trung Khanh
Phu, Tonkin, the Delta area, Cao Bang and Thanh Hoa, French Indochina and
Wangypan, the Luichow Peninsula, Pinglo, Changsha, and Wuchou, China. The
449th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, moves from Chengkung to
Mengtsz, China with P-38s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): HQ 349th Troop Carrier
Group and the 23d, 312th, 313th and 314th Troop Carrier Squadrons begin a
movement from Amy Airfield, Roye, France to the US with C-46s.

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Unit moves in England: HQ 92d
Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Elveden Hall to the US. The 652d
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy, Weather Reconnaissance), 1st Air Division,
from Watton to Alconbury, England with B-17s (the squadron flies weather
reconnaissance missions in the ETO).

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb storage areas at
Canton, China. On Formosa, B-24s bomb boatyards and buildings at Suo while
A-26s hit the Karenko railroad yards. B-24s bomb concentrations NE of Mount
Mandalagan on Negros Island. On Luzon, B-25s and fighter-bombers hit the
Kiangan area, attack Japanese pockets E of Iguig and N of Tuguegarao, pound
pillboxes, ammunition dumps, and vehicles in the Cervantes sector, and blast
hostile areas near Siniloan, NE of Laguna de Bay. P-38s attack gun
entrenchments in the Miri area of Borneo. P-38s on a sweep over SW Celebes
Island hit vehicles and communications targets.

SATURDAY, 14 JULY 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC

  AAF PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (Seventh Air Force): HQ Seventh AF moves from
Saipan Island to Okinawa and is reassigned from AAF Pacific Ocean Area and
overall operational control by the US Navy to FEAF. Seventh AF units in the
Ryukyu Islands, operating under Tactical AF, Ryukyus (Tenth Army Tactical AF)
since Apr 45 when the first element of the Seventh AF arrived, are now under
operational control of HQ Seventh AF. The move from Saipan takes place
between 18 Jun and 28 Jul.

  HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): P-51s from Iwo Jima sent on a strike against
Meiji and Kagamigahara in the Nagoya, Japan area abort because of weather.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 25 P-51s and P-38s bomb or strafe ammunition and
supply dumps, river, road, and rail traffic, and coastal shipping around
Laohokow, Tinpak, Koyiu and Yutze, China and Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Hongay, Mon
Cay and Vinh, French Indochina.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The 308th Fighter Squadron,
31st Fighter Group, moves from Mondolfo to Triolo, Italy with P-51s.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): HQ 350th Fighter Group and 345th,
346th and 347th Fighter Squadrons begin a movement from Pisa, Italy to the US.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On this date HQ Seventh AF
officially joins the Fifth and Thirteenth AFs as part of FEAF. On Formosa,
A-26s hit the Taiharo refinery and warehouse area and P-51s over the W coast
blast railroad targets. P-47s sweep the N China coast and attack coastal
cargo vessels NW of Tinghai. On Luzon, fighter-bombers support ground forces
in the Mankayan and Kiangan areas and hit enemy positions in the Ipo-Infanta
sector.  B-24s support ground forces on Negros Island, bombing the area NE of
Mount Mandalagan. On Celebes Island, B-24s bomb airstrips at Boeloedowang,
Limboeng, Mapanget, and Tanamon and Japanese HQ at Sindjai. The air echelon
of the 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group,
moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with F-5s (ground echelon arrived on
Okinawa on 9 Jul). 

SUNDAY, 15 JULY 1945

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Twentieth Air Force): During the night of 15/16 Jul, 1
mining and 1 bombing mission are flown without loss.
  Mission 269: 26 B-29s mine waters at Naoetsu and Niigata, Japan and Najin,
Pusan, and Wonsan, Korea; 1 other mines an alternate target. 
  Mission 270: 59 B-29s bomb the Nippon Oil Company at Kudamatsu and the
facility is almost completely destroyed; 3 others hit alternate targets.
  104 Iwo Jima-based P-51s attack airfields and other tactical targets at
Meiji, Kagamigahara, Kowa, Akenogahara, Nagoya, and Suzuko, Japan claiming
13-4-20 aircraft in the air and on the ground; 3 P-51s are lost.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 3 B-25s blast truck convoys moving through the Siang
Chiang Valley of China. 39 P-51s and P-47s attack rivercraft, troops, coastal
shipping, bridges, railroad yards, gun positions, trains, and other targets
around the Luichow Peninsula, Anyang, Yutze, Sinsiang, Fentingtukou, Paoching,
Tanchuk and Kweiyi, China, and Pac Muong and Haiphong, French Indochina.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): HQ 436th Troop Carrier
Group and 79th, 80th, 81st and 82d Troop Carrier Squadrons begin a movement
from Melun, France to the US with C-47s.

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force):

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Unit moves: 34th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Reconnaissance Group, from Haguenau, France to
Furth, Germany with F-5s; 394th Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, from
Eschborn Airfield, Frankfurt, Germany to Reims, France with P-47s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Unit moves in Italy: HQ 306th
Fighter Wing begins a movement from Fano to the US; HQ 31st Fighter Group and
307th and 309th Fighter Squadrons from Mondolfo to Triolo Airfield with
P-51s.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Unit moves in Italy: HQ 57th
Fighter Group and 64th, 65th and 66th Fighter Squadrons from Grosseto to
Bagnoli with P-47s; 414th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth AF, from Pontedera
to Bagnoli with P-61s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb an arms plant at
Canton, China. On Formosa, P-51s sweep the W coast, blasting a warehouse and
other buildings S of Takao and targets of opportunity on Hoko Island. On
Luzon, P-38s and P-51s support ground forces in the N Cayagan Valley, in the
Kiangan sector, and in the Cervantes area and B-25s and P-51s bomb defensive
positions in the Infanta sector. On Kyushu Island, Japan, 58 B-24s hit
airfields at Tomitaka and Usa. 25 B-24s pound Kikaiga-shima, Amami Islands,
Miranoura on Yaku-shima, Osumi Islands, and an airfield on Tamega Island. The
65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Morotai
Island to Dulag, Leyte with C-46s and C-47s.

MONDAY, 16 JULY 1945

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s fly a negative shipping search
mission to Shimushiru Island. 4 B-25s on an enemy shipping sweep deck-level
bomb and strafe an enemy freighter; 3 of the bombers then bomb and strafe
Torishima Retto, the secondary target.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Twentieth Air Force): HQ Twentieth AF is officially moved
from Washington, DC to Harmon Field, Guam Island; HQ XX Bomber Command is
inactivated, effective 18 Jul, and HQ and HQ Squadron XXI Bomber Command is
redesignated HQ Squadron, Twentieth AF; thus the Bomber Commands are brought
to an end as actual establishments and their wings pass to direct control of
HQ Twentieth AF of which Major General Curtis Emerson LeMay takes command on
this date.  
  During the night of 16/17 Jul, 469 B-29s fly 4 incendiary raids against
Japanese cities without loss.
  Mission 271: 119 B-29s attack the Namazu urban area destroying 1.4 sq mi
(3.6 sq km), 89.5% of the city.
  Mission 272: 124 B-29s hit the Oita urban area destroying 0.555 sq mi
(1.437 sq km), 25.2% of the city.
  Mission 273: 94 B-29s attack the Kuwana urban area destroying 0.63 sq mi
(1.63 sq km), 77% of the city; 2 other B-29s hit alternate targets.
  Mission 274: 129 B-29s hit the Hiratsuka urban area destroying 1.04 sq mi
(2.69 sq km), 44.2% of the city; 1 other hits an alternate target.
  During the day, 5 P-47s hit Yanagawa and 96 Iwo Jima-based P-51s hit
targets (mainly airfields) at Kameyama, Kiyosu, Komaki, Okazaki, Suzuko, and
Akenogahara; 22 air victories are claimed; 1 P-51 is lost.
  HQ 21st Fighter Group moves from Central Field to South Field on Iwo Jima.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 5 B-25s pound enemy truck convoys moving
supplies through the Siang-Chiang Valley and S of Kweilin; 60+ P-51s, P-38s,
and P-47s continue to hit river, road, and rail traffic, bridges, troops,
supplies, and other targets at many points in French Indochina and S and E
China.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ Eighth AF issues its last
movement order in the ETO; after much reorganization and redeployment of
units, HQ relieves the VIII Fighter Command from assignment to Eighth AF and
directs HQ and HQ Squadron to move from Charleroi, Belgium back to the UK
(the unit moves to High Wycombe the following day, 17 Jul) where VIII Fighter
Command is to assume control over all Eighth AF units remaining in UK. HQ
Eighth AF is transferred without personnel, equipment, or combat elements to
Okinawa, where the Eighth and Twentieth AFs are to comprise US Army Strategic
Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF) under command of General Carl Spaatz. By
this date 90,000+ persons (50+ per cent of the Eighth's strength on 30 Apr
45) have been redeployed to US, N Africa, and various parts of the ETO. 

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Unit moves: HQ 71st Fighter Wing
from Nancy to Essey Airfield, Nancy, France; HQ 323d Bombardment Group
(Medium) from Gablingen to Landsberg, Germany; 358th Fighter Squadron, 355th
Fighter Group, from Steeple Morden, England to Gablingen, Germany with P-51s.

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (AAF, India-Burma Theater) Major General Thomas J Hanley,
Jr assumes command of AAF, India-Burma Theater.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Unit moves in Italy: 121st Liaison
Squadron, Twelfth AF, from Manerba to Florence with UC-78s, L-4s and L-5s;
the 486th, 487th, 488th and 489th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 340th
Bombardment Group (Medium), begins a movement from Rimini to the US.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb warehouses at
Watampone on Celebes Island. On Luzon, P-51s and B-25s support ground forces
in the Kiangan-Baguio sector and an area E of Manila. On Formosa, P-51s on a
sweep attack communications targets, hitting a railroad station and a
locomotive shed at Byoritsu and scoring a direct hit on bridge SW of Koryu.
On Kyushu Island, Japan, B-24s, A-26s, B-25s, P-51s and P-47s from Okinawa
and Ie Shima pound targets; P-51s hit several E coast targets, concentrating
in the Kagoshima Bay area; 27 A-26s, 1 B-24, and 39 P-47s hit the airfield
and bridge at Miyazaki; 33 B-24s bomb bridges at Nobeoka; 36 B-25s, a B-24
and an A-26 pound Sadohara bridge; 6 B-24s bomb harbor and town of Aburatsu;
and 5 P-47s hit Yanagawa. The 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier
Group, moves from Biak Island to Dulag, Leyte with C-47s.

ZONE OF INTERIOR (ZI): 
  The first atomic bomb is successfully exploded at Los Alamos, New Mexico.
  Second Air Force: The air echelon of the 19th Reconnaissance Squadron (Long
Range, Photographic), 311th Reconnaissance Wing (attached to Ninth AF), moves
from Watton to Thurleigh, England with F-9s (the squadron is photo-mapping
Europe).

TUESDAY, 17 JULY 1945

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): The 77th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium), 28th Bombardment Group (Composite), flies it's last mission of
the war when 4 B-25s make an unsuccessful shipping sweep between Kurabu
Zaki and Tomari Zaki; 2 of the B-25s land in the USSR and 11 of the 12
airmen become the last American aircrew interned in the USSR during the war
(one airman is KIA). An unsuccessful shipping sweep is flown by 2 B-24s over
Shimushiru Island. 

CENTRAL PACIFIC 

  Twentieth Air Force: Mission 275: During the night of 17/18 Jul, 27 B-29s
mine Shimonoseki Strait and waters in the Nanao-Fushiki area, at Henashi
Cape, Iwase and at Seishin; 1 other B-29 mines an alternate target.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, a single B-25 attacks 3 truck convoys in
the Siang Chiang Valley and bombs the area along the river at Hengyang; 70+
P-51s and P-47s continue to disrupt enemy movement in French Indochina and S
and E China, attacking bridges, railroad yards, rail, road, and river
traffic, airfields, gun positions, and many other targets at various
locations, especially around Suichwan, Linfen, and Sinsiang, China.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Ninth Air Force: Unit moves in Germany: HQ 63d Fighter Wing from
Schwabisch-Hall to Darmstadt; 354th and 357th Fighter Squadrons, 355th
Fighter Group, from Steeple Morden, England to Gablingen with P-51s.

  VIII Fighter Command: HQ VIII Fighter Command moves from Charleroi, Belgium
to High Wycombe, England.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In China, nearly 150 B-24s,
B-25s, and A-26s pound Chiang Wan Airfield, P-47s attack shipping and
warehouses in the Taishan Island area while others hit Tinghai Airfield and
B-25s hit Itu Aba Island. P-51s over Kyushu and the N Ryukyu Islands attack
shipping, severely damaging a 10,000-ton cargo vessel in the harbor on Amami-
O-Shima Island and P-47s dive-bomb railroad tunnels NW and SW of Kagoshima,
Kyushu. B-24s bomb Limboeng, Celebes Island barracks and strafe a schooner
off SW Celebes. B-25s attack Jesselton Airfield in Borneo. The 13th Troop
Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Espiritu Santo
Island, New Hebrides Islands to Dulag, Leyte Island with C-47s.

WEDNESDAY, 18 JULY 1945

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 2 routine search and weather sorties
are flown.

CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)] HQ
USASTAF is established at Guam Island under General Carl Spaatz.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 4 B-25s blast the railroad yards at Dong Anh, French
Indochina. 36 P-51s and P-38s hit river traffic, rail targets, coastal
shipping, enemy positions, trucks, and other targets around Viet Tri, French
Indochina and other areas of French Indochina and near Yoyang, Suichwan,
Lingling, Chikhom, Kukong, and Dosing, China.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): HQ 332d Fighter Group and 100th
and 301st Fighters Squadrons move from Cattolica to Lucera, Italy with P-51s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In China, about 150 B-24s,
B-25s, and A-26s, covered by 54 P-47s, hit the Shanghai area, airfields at
Chiang Wan, Wusung, and Lunghua, Shanghai docks, shipping on the Whangpoo
River, and airstrips on Chusan Island. Other P-47s attack various targets of
opportunity on Kyushu Island, Japan and P-51s attack communications lines,
bridges, shipping, towns, and other targets throughout Kyushu and the Ryukyu
Islands.  P-38s hit communications and transportation targets throughout the
N part of Formosa while B-24s pound the airfield at Matsuyama. B-24s bomb
Boetoeng and Watampone on Celebes Island; on Borneo, B-25s hit Jesselton and
P-38s attack Langkon. P-38s hit Japanese concentration along the Kibawe trail
on Mindanao Island, Philippine Islands.

THURSDAY, 19 JULY 1945

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

  Twentieth Air Force: During the night of 19/20 Jul, 1 mining, 4 incendiary
and 1 bombing missions are flown by B-29s against Japan and Korea; 3 B-29s
are lost.
  Mission 276: 27 B-29s lay mines in the Oyama, Niigata, Miyazu, Maizuru,
Tsuruga, Nezugaseki, Obama Island, and Kobe-Osaka areas of Japan and at
Wonsan, Korea; 1 B-29s mines an alternate target.
  Mission 277: 127 B-29s attack the Fukui urban area destroying 1.6 sq mi
(4.2 sq km), 84.8% of the city; 1 other B-29s hits an alternate target.
  Mission 278: 126 B-29s hit the Hitachi urban area destroying 0.88 sq mi
(2.28 sq km), 64.5% of the city; 1 other B-29 hits an alternate target; 2 
B-29s are lost.
  Mission 279: 91 B-29s attack the Choshi urban area destroying 0.379 sq mi
(0.982 sq km), 33.8 % of the city.
  Mission 280: 126 B-29s hit the Okazaki urban area destroying 0.65 sq mi
(1.68 sq km), 68% of the city; 1 B-29 hits an alternate target.
  Mission 281: 83 B-29s bomb the Nippon oil plant at Amagasaki; 1 other B-29
hits an alternate target.
  Iwo Jima-based P-51s strike airfields, factories, railroads, power lines
and other tactical targets at Kagamigahara, Nagoya, Meiji, Izumi,
Nishinomiya, and Tambaichi during the day.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 20 B-25s, 16 P-51s, and 4 P-47s blast
railroad yards at Shihkiachwang; 7 other B-25s and 2 P-51s hit bridges S of
Yoyang and bomb truck convoys in the Siang Chiang Valley, particularly around
the Siangtan area. 37 fighter-bombers disrupt enemy movement over wide areas
of French Indochina and S and E China, attacking numerous targets of
opportunity.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): HQ 456th Bombardment Group
(Heavy) and 744th, 745th, 746th and 747th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) begin
a movement from Stornara, Italy to the US with B-24s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Borneo, P-38s hit a suicide
boat hideout at Sandakan while B-25s bomb Jesselton Airfield. P-38s support
ground forces, hitting positions along the Kibawe trail on Mindanao Island,
Philippine Islands. B-25s hit Itu Aba Island, China. In Japan, 90+ P-51s
pound numerous targets on sweeps over the Nagoya area and hit airfields,
factories, power facilities, and gun positions at locations including
Kagamigahara, Nishinomiya, and Osaka.

FRIDAY, 20 JULY 1945

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 8 B-24s fly the heaviest and most
successful mission of the month, bombing hangars and revetments at Matsuwa
Airfield on Matsuwa Island. The detachment of the 11th Fighter Squadron, 343d
Fighter Group, operating from Amchitka Island with P-38s and P-40s since Mar
44, returns to base on Adak Island.

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

  Twentieth Air Force: The 393d Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy), 509th
Composite Group, begins a series of 12 precision attacks over Japan for the
purpose of familiarizing the crews with the target area and tactics
contemplated for the scheduled atomic bomb missions; the strikes (on 20, 24,
26, and 29 Jul) are mostly against (or near) cities previously bombed, in the
general area of cities chosen for possible atomic attack, and involve from 2
to 6 aircraft in order to accustom the Japanese to sight of small formations
of B-29s flying at high altitudes. 94 P-51s based on Iwo Jima are dispatched
against targets, mainly airfields, at Kamezaki, Meiji, Okazaki, Nagoya,
Kagamigahara, Hamamatsu, and Komaki, Japan; they claim 1-11 Japanese aircraft
on the ground; 3 P-51s are lost.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 10 B-25s and 6 P-51s hit truck convoys around
Hengyang and Wuchang, and storage on an island near Changsha, China,
locomotive shops at Phu Thuong, and power plant and railroad targets in the
Vinh, French Indochina area. 50+ P-51s, P-38s, and P-61s disrupt enemy
movement and general withdrawal in Indochina and S and E China, attacking
river, road, and rail traffic, coastal shipping, supplies, and other targets.
The 115th Liaison Squadron, Fourteenth AF, moves from Nagaghuli, India to
Chengkung, China with L-1s, L-4s and L-5s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Ninth Air Force: The 363d and 364th Fighter Squadrons, 357th Fighter Group,
move from Leiston, England to Neubiberg, Germany with P-51s.

  VIII Fighter Command: The 859th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 492d
Bombardment Group (Heavy) [attached to 2641st Special Group (Provisional)],
moves from Gioia del Colle to Bari, Italy with B-24s and C-47s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-38s attack the town of
Langkon, Borneo. On Celebes Island, B-24s pound Togian Island and P-38s hit
targets of opportunity on the SW. B-25s hit Itu Aba Island, China and W of
Palawan Island, Philippine Islands for the second consecutive day. On Luzon,
A-20s and fighter-bombers support the ground action in the Kiangan area and
in the lower Cagayan Valley while B-25s and fighter-bombers hit Japanese
positions in the Marikina and Infanta areas. B-24s bomb an area S of Fabrica
on Negros Island. Unit moves: The detachment of the 419th Night Fighter
Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, operating from Zamboanga, Mindanao with
P-61s, returns to base at Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island; 498th Bombardment
Squadron (Medium), 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Clark Field, Luzon
to Ie Shima with B-25s.

SATURDAY, 21 JULY 1945

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 11 B-25s and 2 P-51s attack truck convoys
in the Siang Chiang Valley, bomb a HQ near Wuchang, and hit a bridge, trains,
warehouses, and AA positions in the Sienning area. 40+ P-51s, P-38s, and
P-61s again attack numerous targets and disrupt enemy movement in French
Indochina and S and E China, hitting communications targets, supplies,
transport, and other targets of opportunity.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Ninth Air Force: HQ 357th Fighter Group and 362d Fighter Squadron arrive at
Neubiberg, Germany from Leiston, England with P-51s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s and A-26s bomb shipping at
Naze-Ko, Ryukyu Islands. P-38s hit the Kiangan area on Luzon. Bad weather
restricts activity in the Netherlands East Indies, Philippine Islands, Japan,
and other target areas mainly to light raids and snooper missions. Unit moves
to/on Okinawa: HQ 319th Bombardment Group (Light) and 437th, 438th, 439th
and 440th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) from Kadena to Machinato with A-26s;
ground echelon of 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th
Reconnaissance Group, from Dulag, Leyte (air echelon at Clark Field, Luzon
with F-5s); 373d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 494th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), from Luliang, China to Yontan with B-24s; 405th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Lingayen, Luzon with B-25s.

SUNDAY, 22 JULY 1945

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

  Twentieth Air Force: A bombing and a mining mission are flown during the
night of 23/24 Jul; 1 B-29 is lost.
  Mission 282: 23 B-29s, staging through Iwo Jima, mine Shimonoseki Strait
and the Korea coast at Najin-which in the longest B-29 combat mission of the
war-and in the Pusan-Masan, Korea area; 1 B-29 is lost. 
  Mission 283: 72 B-29s bomb the coal liquefaction company at the Imperial
Fuel Industry Company at Ube.
  100+ Iwo Jima Island-based P-51s hit airfields, rail installations, and
other tactical targets at Itami, Hanshin, Sano, Tokushima, Takamatsu, and
Minato, Japan.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 16 B-25s and 8 fighter-bombers blast truck
convoys moving supplies through the Siang Chiang Valley, bomb railroad yards
at Siaokan, and knock out 2 bridges S of Sincheng and Lohochai. 50+ P-51s,
P-47s, and P-38s continue the campaign to disrupt enemy movement and
withdrawal in French Indochina and S and E China, pounding numerous rail,
road, and river targets, supply dumps, and coastal shipping.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Ninth Air Force: Unit moves: HQ 55th Fighter Group and 338th and 343d
Fighter Squadrons from Wormingford, England to Kaufbeuren, Germany with
P-51s; 158th Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF, from Ahrweiler, Germany to Orly,
France with L-1s and L-4s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In China, 22 B-24s from Okinawa
hit Chiang Wan and 1 hits Tinghai Airfield, 37 B-25s bomb an oil plant at
Shanghai and a destroyer in the Whangpoo River, P-47s from Ie Shima join the
B-25 attack on the Shanghai area, hitting a destroyer, gunboat, and freighter
in the Whangpoo River, and factories and railroad shops, 34 P-51s from
Okinawa also hit Whangpoo shipping and 37 A-26s hit the airfield at Tachang.
B-24s on a night shipping search and weather mission bomb airfields at
Tinghai and on Chusan Island, China; Pusan, Korea; and Yonago, Japan. On
Luzon, B-25s, P-51s, and P-38s, hampered by bad weather, fly 30+ ground
support sorties in the Gubano, Cervantes, and Mankayan areas. Unit moves: HQ
322d Troop Carrier Wing from Hollandia, New Guinea to Manila, Luzon; air
echelon of 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance
Group, from Lingayen to Clark Field, Luzon with F-5s (ground echelon at
Lingayen); 311th Troop Carrier Squadron, Seventh AF, begins a movement from
Bellows Field, Hawaii to Okinawa with C-47s; 403d Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Clark Field, Luzon to Ie Shima
with B-24s.

MONDAY, 23 JULY 1945

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s radar-bomb Kurabu Cape
Airfield on Paramushiru Island.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 8 B-25s and 4 P-51s bomb the railroad yards at
Sinyang and hit a warehouse at Ichang, China. 100+ P-51s, P-38s, and P-40s
attack numerous targets, including rail, road, and river traffic, airfields,
coastal shipping, bridges, storage facilities, and railroad yards, at many
locations over S and E China, especially in the Paoching area and, to a
smaller degree, over French Indochina. The 115th Liaison Squadron,
Fourteenth AF, moves from Chengkung to Hsingchiang, China with L-1s, L-4s
and L-5s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  VIII Fighter Command: Unit moves in England: HQ 4th Fighter Group and
334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons from Debden to Steeple Morden with
P-51s; HQ 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance) begins a movement from
Watton to the US.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s pound Jesselton, Borneo
while B-24s over other areas of the Netherlands East Indies bomb Amboina on
Ambon Island and the Tolonoeoe Islands. Fighter aircraft support ground
forces in the Kiangan, Luzon area. B-25s bomb Itu Aba Island, China. B-24s
hit Miho and Saeki, Japan. Single B-24s on armed reconnaissance hit several
targets including Tinghai Airfield, China, Kure harbor, Japan, and Tanega
Island, Ryukyu Islands.

TUESDAY, 24 JULY 1945

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

  Twentieth Air Force: 7 missions (625 B-29s) are flown against targets in
the Nagoya and Osaka areas; 1 B-29 is lost.
  Mission 284: 82 B-29s attack the Sumitomo Light Metals Industries
propeller factory at Osaka; most of the machine tools had been removed but
the facility is completely wrecked; 4 others hit alternate targets; 1 B-29 is
lost.
  Mission 285: 81 B-29s hit the Kawanishi Aircraft Plant at Takarazuka
destroying 77% of the plant; 3 others hit alternate targets.
  Mission 286: 153 B-29s hit the Osaka Arsenal and Kuwana; the arsenal
sustains additional damage amounting to 10% of the original roof area; 9
others hit alternate targets;
  Mission 287: 66 B-29s attack the Aichi aircraft plant at Eitoku; the
plant sustains its heaviest damage of the war; 5 others hit alternate
targets.
  Missions 288 and 289: 113 B-29s hit the urban are of the city of Tsu; 2
others hit alternate targets.
  Mission 290: 77 B-29s attack the Nakajima plant at Handa destroying the
principal assembly buildings; 1 B-29 hit an alternate target.
  91 P-51s, operating out of Iwo Jima, hit airfields and other tactical
targets at Hamamatsu, Suruga Bay, and other points in the Nagoya, Japan area.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 8 B-25s and 6 P-51s pound truck convoys in
the Hengyang area, hit river shipping near Pakonghow, and damage a bridge and
storage area and knock out AA positions at Puchi and 15 P-51s blast the
Changsha area, destroying an estimated 28 warehouses and 8 fuel storage
buildings. 80+ P-51s, P-38s, and P-47s over French Indochina and S and E
China continue to disrupt the Japanese withdrawal, pounding dozens of targets
of opportunity at numerous locations.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  VIII Fighter Command: The 4th, 7th, 18th and 391st Bombardment Squadrons
(Heavy), 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy), begin a movement from Mendelsham,
England to the US with B-17s.

  IX Troop Carrier Command: HQ 434th Troop Carrier Group begins a movement
from Mourmelon-le-Grand, France to the US.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In China, 100+ Fifth AF B-24s
fly their first strike from Okinawa, bombing the Chiang Wan Airfield N of
Shanghai; Seventh AF B-25s from Okinawa hit Wusung and Lunghua Airfields in
the Shanghai area while A-26s and B-25s attack the Tachang and Tinghai
Airfields; and fighter-bombers hit shipping and targets of opportunity
throughout the general area attacked by the bombers. In Borneo, Thirteenth AF
B-25s pound the Jesselton Airfield and B-24s hit Oelin and Tabanio Airfields.
Other B-25s hit Itu Aba Island, China. Fifth AF fighter-bombers support
ground forces in the Infanta and Leyban areas of Luzon. Unit moves: 65th
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Clark
Field, Luzon to Ie Shima with B-24s; detachment of the 419th Night Fighter
Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, operating from Sanga Sanga, Sulu Island,
to base at Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island with P-61s; 421st Night Fighter
Squadron, V Fighter Command, from Clark Field, Luzon to Ie Shima with
P-61s; 822d and 823d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 38th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), from Lingayen, Luzon to Okinawa with B-24s.

WEDNESDAY, 25 JULY 1945

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

  Twentieth Air Force: During the night of 25/26 Jul, 106 B-29s fly 1
bombing and 1 mining mission; 1 B-29 is lost.
  Mission 291: 75 B-29s attack the Mitsubishi Oil Company and Hayama
Petroleum Company at Kawasaki destroying 33% of the storage tanks units and
other facilities; 1 B-29 hits an alternate target and 1 suffers a direct flak
hit over the target and goes down.
  Mission 292: 29 B-29s mine the waters at Nanao, Fushiki, Obama Island,
Tsuruga, and Seishin, Japan, and Pusan, Korea; 1 other mines an alternate
target.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 10 B-25s and 3 P-38s knock out bridges at Tho Linh
and Quang Tri, French Indochina and damage a barge and a river steamer in the
Wuchou, China area. 30 P-51s and P-38s attack river, road, and rail traffic,
railroad yards, and other targets in the areas of Duc Tho, Bac Ninh, Vinh,
and Hanoi, French Indochina, and Kukong, Samshui, Wuchou, and the West River,
China. The 71st Liaison Squadron, Fourteen AF [attached to XIV AF Tactical
Air Command (Provisional)], arrives at Kunming, China from Piardoba, India
with UC-64s, L-1s, L-4s and L-5s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Ninth Air Force: Unit moves: HQ 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and
364th, 365th, 366th and 422d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) from Chelveston,
England to St Trond, Belgium; 125th Liaison Squadron, XII Tactical Air
Command (attached to HQ Command, US Forces, European Theater), from
Heidelberg to Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany with L-5s; 153d Liaison Squadron,
XII Tactical Air Command, from Augsburg to Heidelberg, Germany with L-5s.

  VIII Fighter Command: Units beginning a movement from England to the US: HQ
34th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Mendlesham; 654th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy, Reconnaissance, Special), 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance),
from Watton.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  AIR TRANSPORT COMMAND (North African Division): Units inactivated at
Casablanca, French Morocco: HQ 303d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 358th,
359th 360th and 427th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy); HQ 379th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) and 524th, 525th, 526th and 527th Bombardment Squadrons
(Heavy); HQ 484th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 824th, 825th, 826th and 827th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy).

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Borneo, B-24s bomb Pontianak
and Kuching Airfields while B-25s and fighters attack a dispersal area in the
Jesselton Airfield area. B-24s pound enemy troops on Negros Island and B-25s
bomb Itu Aba Island, China. B-24s bomb Kikaiga-shima, Amami Islands, N Ryukyu
Islands and the town of Tsuiki. Unit moves from Luzon: HQ 38th Bombardment
Group (Medium) and 71st Bombardment Squadron (Medium) from Lingayen to
Okinawa with B-25s; HQ 345th Bombardment Group (Medium) from Clark Field, to
Ie Shima.

THURSDAY, 26 JULY 1945

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 7 B-24s successfully hit the Kataoka
Naval Base on Shimushu Island with incendiaries, leaving smoke columns 5,000
ft (1,524 m) high in their wake; there is no airborne opposition and AA fire
is moderate and inaccurate. Another B-24 flies a radar-ferret mission over
the N Kurile Islands.

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

  Twentieth Air Force: During the night of 26/27 Jul, 350 B-29s fly 3
incendiary missions against secondary cities; 1 B-29 is lost:
  Mission 293: 127 B-29s attack the Matsuyama urban area destroying 1.22 sq
mi (3.16 sq km), 73% of the total city area.
  Mission 294: 97 B-29s hit the Tokuyama urban area destroying 0.47 sq mi
(1.22 sq km), 37% of the city area; 1 other hits an alternate target.
  Mission 295: 124 B-29s attack the Omuta urban area destroying 2.05 sq mi
(5.31 sq km), 38% of the city area; 1 other hits an alternate target; 1 B-29
is lost.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 8 B-25s and 4 P-51s bomb the railroad yards
at Lohochai and hit a storage area and animal transport in the Pinking area.
100+ P-51s, P-38s, and P-61s pound enemy movement and withdrawal in French
Indochina and S and E China, hitting supplies, troops, river, road, and rail
traffic, coastal shipping, railroad yards, bridges, town areas and other
targets at numerous locations. The 427th Night Fighter Squadron, Tenth AF,
based at Dinjan, India with P-61s, sends a detachment to operate from
Nanning, China.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Ninth Air Force: HQ 79th Fighter Group and 85th and 86th Fighter Squadrons
move from Cesenatico, Italy to Horsching, Austria with P-47s.

  Potsdam Conference: The Potsdam ultimatum is issued, i.e., Japan is told to
surrender unconditionally or face "utter destruction."

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Borneo, B-24s hit Tabanio,
Trombol, Sengkawang, and Oelin Airfields. Fighter-bombers and B-25s over
Luzon (where the Thirteenth AF now provides ground support) aid ground forces
in the Mankayan area and near Tuguegarao. B-24s plaster Japanese positions on
ground support strikes over Negros Island. B-25s bomb Itu Aba Island, China.
Other B-25s on a shipping search attack a convoy at Tsutsu Bay, Japan sinking
3 small cargo vessels, a freighter, and a few small craft. B-24s on snooper
strikes attack several targets, including various targets in the Ryukyu
Islands, airfields at Tinghai, China and at Nakazu, Japan, and docks at
Pusan, Korea. Unit moves from Luzon: HQ 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and
64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) from Clark Field to Ie Shima with B-24s;
ground echelon of 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th
Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Clark Field to Okinawa (air
echelon at Clark Field until Sep 45).

FRIDAY, 27 JULY 1945

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

  Twentieth Air Force: Mission 296: During the night of 27/28 Jul, 24 B-29s
drop mines in Shimonoseki Strait, at Fukuoka, Niigata, Maizuru, Senzaki, and
in Fukawa Bay; 1 other mines an alternate target; 3 B-29s are lost to heavy
flak, 2 ditching with 13 men rescued and 1 crash landing on Iwo Jima and
subsequently scrapped.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 13 B-25s, some with P-51 support, hit a
supply movement in the Siang Chiang Valley, bomb railroad yards at Siaokan
and Sinyang, and hit coastal shipping in the Do Son, French Indochina area.
50+ P-51s and P-38s concentrate on attacking river shipping at numerous
points of French Indochina and S and E China also hitting road and rail
traffic, coastal vessels, storage areas, and bridges.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Ninth Air Force: HQ 386th Bombardment Group (Light) and 552d, 553d, 554th
and 555th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) begin a movement from St Trond,
Belgium to the US. Unit moves in Europe: HQ 391st Bombardment Group (Light)
and 572d and 573d Bombardment Squadrons (Light) from Vitry-en-Artois to Laon,
France with A-26s; HQ 416th Bombardment Group (Light) and 668th, 669th, 670th
and 671st Bombardment Squadrons (Light) from Cormeille-en-Vexin to Laon,
France with A-26s; 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, from
Cesenatico, Italy to Horsching, Austria with P-47s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): HQ 340th Bombardment Group
(Medium) begins a movement from Rimini, Italy to the US.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: 60+ Fifth and Seventh AF B-24s
pound a marshalling yard at Kagoshima, Kyushu and 50 escorting P-51s attack
numerous nearby targets of opportunity; 150+ P-47s over Kyushu hit
communications and industrial targets, including a tunnel S of Kurino,
bridges at Okasa, Hitosuse-gawa, and Matsubase, and factories and a power
plant at Yatsushiro. B-24s of the Thirteenth AF hit airstrip N of Pontianak,
Borneo. The 500th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 345th Bombardment Group
(Medium), moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Ie Shima with B-25s.

SATURDAY, 28 JULY 1945

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

  Twentieth Air Force: During the night of 28/29 Jul, 554 B-29s fly 6
incendiary raids on secondary cities and 1 bombing raid without loss.
  Mission 297: 76 B-29s attack the Tsu urban area destroying 0.84 sq mi
(2.18 sq km), 57% of the city area.
  Mission 298: 61 B-29s hit the Aomori urban area destroying 1.06 sq mi
(2.75 sq km), 64% of the city area; 3 others hit alternate targets.
  Mission 299: 122 B-29s attack the Ichinomiya urban area destroying 0.99
sq mi (2.56 sq km), 75% of the city area; 2 others attack alternate areas.
  Mission 300: 93 B-29s hit the Uji-Yamada urban area destroying 0.36 sq mi
(0.93 sq km), 39% of the city area; 1 other hits an alternate target.
  Mission 301: 90 B-29s attack the Ogaki urban area destroying 0.48 sq mi
(1.24 sq km), 40% of the city area.
  Mission 302: 29 B-29s hit the Uwajima urban area destroying 0.53 sq mi
(1.37 sq km), 52% of the city area.
  Mission 303: 76 B-29s bomb the Shimotsu Oil Refinery; 75% of the tank
capacity, 90% gasometer capacity and 69% of the roof area destroyed or
damaged; 1 other B-29s hits an alternate target.
  140+ P-51s, based on Iwo Jima, hit 9 objectives (airfields and military
targets) in a wide area around Tokyo and attack a destroyer escort along the
Chiba Peninsula, leaving it burning.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 7 B-25s and 4 P-51s attack a supply
movement through the Siang Chiang Valley, hit a freighter and 2 smaller
vessels off Shuitang, and pound troops near Kian. About 90 P-51s, P-47s, and
P-61s disrupt the Japanese movement throughout S and E China and in French
Indochina; the fighter-bombers concentrate on river transport.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Ninth Air Force: HQ 70th Fighter Wing moves from Bad Wildungen to
Furstenfeldbruck, Germany.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 137 Ie Shima-based
P-47s rocket and strafe airfields, oil stores, railroad yards, warehouses,
industry, gun positions, and other targets on Kyushu at or near Kanoya,
Metatsubara, Tachiarai, Kurume, Saga, and Junicho; 21 more P-47s attack
shipping at Yatsushiro and A-26s and B-25s pound airfields at Kanoya; P-51s
and B-25s, sweeping over the Inland Sea, destroy 2 small cargo vessels and a
patrol boat and 70+ B-24s bomb shipping at Kure, claiming direct hits on a
battleship and an aircraft carrier. On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s in support of
ground forces hit enemy positions in the Mankayan-Kiangan area and in the
Marikina area. In the Philippines, other P-38s hit troop concentrations on
Jolo Island and B-24s support ground forces on Negros Island. Units moving
from Luzon to Ie Shima: 82d and 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons, 71st
Reconnaissance Group, from Lingayen with F-6s; 499th and 501st Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium), 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Clark Field with
B-25s.

SUNDAY, 29 JULY 1945

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

  Twentieth Air Force: Mission 304: During the night of 29/30 Jul, 24 B-29s
mine Shimonoseki Strait and the waters at Fukuoka, Karatsu, and Najin; 2
others mine alternate targets.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 4 B-25s and 2 P-51s hit shipping off
Luichow Peninsula near Cape Kami, barracks at Chingmen, and cannon-strafe
trucks at Kuanshuishih and oil storage at Yingtak. About 100 P-51s, P-38s,
and P-61s attack a variety of targets over a vast area from Haiphong, French
Indochina to Peking, China, continuing the steady campaign against enemy
movement and withdrawal.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Ninth Air Force: HQ 365th Fighter Group and 386th Fighter Squadron move
from Fritzlar, Germany to Suippes, France with P-47s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-47s from Ie Shima and B-24s,
B-25s, and A-26s from Okinawa pound targets in the Japanese Home Islands; 70+
B-24s pound shipping at Kure, 41 B-24s hit a factory and storage area NW of
Aburatsu, shipping and engine works in Nagasaki and vicinity, and the towns
of Nobeoka, Kyushu and Oita; B-25s hit Kagoshima, Kyushu, Kibana, a bridge,
barracks and other buildings at Miyazaki, warehouses, a lighthouse, and
navigation light at Tozaki-hana, and bomb Tokuno Shima; A-26s pound the naval
base and engine works at Nagasaki; numerous P-47s hit the harbor at Kure,
shipping and seaplane station at Ibusuki, railroad station, docks, and town
area of Makurazaki, Chiran and Izumi Airfields, and shipping at Kagoshima
Bay. P-51s hit numerous targets of opportunity on the S coast of Korea and on
the S part of Kyushu, where shipping, railroads, and Omura, Kyushu and
Sashiki factories are also attacked. B-24s hit Sidate Airfield and warehouses
at Watampone on Celebes Island. Other B-24s over Negros Island bomb
resistance pocket S of Fabrica. On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s hit Japanese
positions near San Mariano and W of Kiangan, troop concentrations in the
Marikina watershed, and ridge emplacements in the Bantayan area; several
buildings are destroyed at Pasco Point. Unit moves: 17th Reconnaissance
Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Reconnaissance Group, from Lingayen, Luzon to
Ie Shima with B-25s (detachment remains at Lingayen until Sep 45); 868th
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Thirteenth AF from Leyte to Okinawa with B-24s
(the 868th uses airborne radar for low-level attacks at night and for
pathfinder operations).

MONDAY, 30 JULY 1945

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 8 B-24s on way to the Kurile islands
are soon recalled because of weather disturbances.

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

  Twentieth Air Force: Iwo Jima-based P-51s attack airfields, railroads, and
other tactical targets throughout the Kobe-Osaka, Japan area.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 2 B-25s bomb supply convoys moving through the Siang
Chiang Valley of China. 40+ P-51s, P-38s, and P-61s hit various targets in S
and E China, and in French Indochina, chiefly river transport, but also troop
concentrations, railroad traffic, and many targets of opportunity; target
areas include Nanyang, Suchow, Hankow, Sinyang, Anking, Anyang, Lohochai,
Kukong, Takhing, Koyiu, Samshui, Pingsiang, Kian, Yungcheng, Yingtak, and
Wuchou, China.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Ninth Air Force: The 387th and 388 Fighter Squadrons, 365th Fighter Group,
move from Fritzlar, Germany to Suippes, France with P-47s.

JAPAN: The Japanese reject the Potsdam ultimatum. Nevertheless General of the
Army George C Marshall, Chief of Staff, US Army, directs General of the Army
Douglas MacArthur, Commanding General US Army Forces in the Pacific,
Lieutenant General Albert C Wedemeyer, Commanding General, US Forces in the
China Theater, and Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief Pacific,
to proceed with plans for a surrender.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 60+ B-25s and A-26s
bomb Omura Airfield and 4 of the planes hit airfield at Izumi; P-47s support
the strike and also hit numerous nearby targets of opportunity; B-25s,
failing to find targets on a shipping sweep over Korean waters, bomb
shipping, a railroad, and a warehouse in the Sendai area and covering P-51s
also hit nearby targets of opportunity; 80+ P-47s bomb Sendai, leaving much
of the town in flames; P-51s on photo reconnaissance of S Kyushu destroy
trains and small craft; and nearly 80 P-47s attack the Miyazaki, Karasehara,
and Tomitaka areas, firing warehouses and damaging barracks, hangars, towers,
and other buildings, and blast buildings and construction on and near
Shibushi Airfield. B-24s bomb Kota Waringin Airfield in Borneo. On Luzon,
B-25s and P-38s support ground forces E of Ilagan, near Kiangan, and E of
Manila in the Infanta sector. HQ 91st Reconnaissance Wing moves from Clark
Field, Luzon to Okinawa.

TUESDAY, 31 JULY 1945

CARIBBEAN (Caribbean Division, Air Transport Command): Following units are
inactivated at Waller Field, Trinidad: HQ 60th Troop Carrier Group and 10th,
11th, 12th and 28th Troop Carrier Squadrons; HQ 61st Troop Carrier Group and
14th, 15th, 53d and 59th Troop Carrier Squadrons ; HQ 64th Troop Carrier
Group and 16th, 17th, 18th and 35th Troop Carrier Squadrons; HQ 315th Troop
Carrier Group and 34th, 43d, 309th and 310th Troop Carrier Squadrons; HQ
464th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 776th, 777th, 778th and 779th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy); and HQ 465th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 780th, 781st,
782d and 783d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy). 

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

  Twentieth Air Force: HQ 301st Fighter Wing arrives on Ie Shima from the US.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater)

  Fourteenth Air Force: 3 B-25s continue to bomb supply convoys moving
through the Siang Chiang Valley. 52 P-51s and P-61s over S and E China attack
rivercraft, trucks, railroad traffic, coastal shipping, ammunition dumps, and
other targets at several locations including areas around Yanglowtung,
Changsha, Siangyin, Hengyang, Hankow, Paoching, Nanyang, Nanking, Kulo,
Hoihow, and Yoyang. The flight of the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, Fourteenth AF, operating from Kunming, China with F-5s, moves to
Nanning (squadron is based at Chanyi).

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Ninth Air Force: The 574th and 575th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 391st
Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Vitry-en-Artois to Laon, France with
B-26s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Organizational charts show a great
decrease in Jul in the size of the Twelfth AF due to redeployment, transfer,
disbandment, and discontinuance of 50 units; only 5 new units are added to
the Twelfth and this leaves 77 assigned and 3 attached units compared to 122
assigned and 2 attached the previous month; the Twelfth practically ceases to
be a flying AF as only 2 bombardment groups (medium), a night fighter
squadron, and a reconnaissance group remain as flying units and the planes
from these units are shortly transferred to Army Air Forces Services Command,
MTO.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 80+ B-24s pound the
Kagoshima railroad  yards and several other targets in the general area
including the Sasebo naval base, Yaki-shima, and Nagasaki; A-26s and B-25s
bomb Kanoya and Miyazaki Airfields and nearby targets, the Sasebo naval base,
Marushima, warehouses at Nagasaki, and a factory and power plant on Koyagi
Island; P-51s attack flak positions at Moji, blast shipping at Iki Island and
off the NW and W coast of Kyushu, hit an island WSW of Sasebo, bomb railroad
targets and warehouses in the Izumi area, and in general attack the railroad
and road net and other communications targets throughout Kyushu and P-61s
continue harassing missions during the night. P-51s over the Ryukyu Islands
bomb airstrips on Miyako Island, and bomb a town in the Koniya area. On
Luzon, B-25s and P-38s support ground action, hitting forces in the Cagayan
Valley and Cervantes and Infanta sectors. B-24s pound the area S of Fabrica
on Negros Island. Unit moves: HQ Fifth AF from Clark Field, Luzon to
Okinawa; HQ 6th Reconnaissance Group from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa.


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 •
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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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