USAAF in WW II - 28 February

SATURDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

  ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): 92d Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium),
45th Bombardment Group (Medium), begins flying ASW patrols from Dow Field,
Bangor, Maine with A-29's.

SUNDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 1943

AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
  A-29, Lockheed Hudson
  B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
  B-24, Consolidated Liberator
  B-25, North American Mitchell
  Bf 109, Messerschmitt
  P-38, Lockheed Lightning
  P-40, Curtiss
  P-70, Douglas
  Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
    In the Aleutians, reconnaissance is flown over Kiska, Buldir, Semichis,
Attu, and Agattu, with negative results.  Six B-24s and 6 B-25s bomb the
Main Camp area on Kiska Island.
  CARIBBEAN (AAF Antisubmarine Command)
    The 23d Antisubmarine Squadron (Medium), 26th Antisubmarine Wing with
A-29s based in Washington State begins operating from Batista Field, Cuba.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force)
  In Burma, P-40s from Dinjan, India knock out a bridge near Kazu and bomb
and strafe Nsopzup.  Eight B-25s hit the Thazi railroad junction.
  In China, 6 B-25s from Kunming, with fighter escort, bomb a storage area
at Mangshih.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
  Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 12 uneventful patrol sorties.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

  WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (North African Air Force)
    In Tunisia, fighters and fighter-bombers hit troops, tanks, and motor
transport along the Tunisian battleline southwest of Maleur, at Sidi Nsir
near Pont-du-Fhas, northeast of Bedja, and in the Goubellat area.  The 17th
Bombardment Group (Medium) sends 9 B-26s to destroy the La Hencha Bridge
between Gabes and Sfax.  Their escort is jumped by Bf 109s and the bombers
turn back.
    HQ 325th Fighter Group and it's 317th and 318th Fighter Squadrons with
P-40Fs arrive at Tafaraoui, Algeria from the U.S.
    The 48th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group with P-38s transfers from
Berteaux, Algeria to Mediouna, French Morocco for R&R.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
  In the Solomons, P-38s and Navy aircraft attack Vila Airfield on
Kolombangara Island.  B-24s bomb Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island and
also hit Ballale Island.
  Detachment B, 6th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group with 5 P-70s
begins operating from Guadalcanal.  This squadron is based in Hawaii.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
  In New Guinea, a lone B-17 bombs Lae Airfield.

MONDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 1944

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s from Shemya Island search for enemy
shipping; 1 B-24 crashes during takeoff, the others find nothing.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS

  BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 B-25s hit bridges and trains
between Pintha and Kinu; 1 bridge is damaged and several boxcars are
destroyed; 13 B-24s bomb the marshalling yard at Mandalay and targets of
opportunity at Akyab, Monywa, and Pakokku; P-51s, A-36s and P-40s attack
bridges, radio stations, supply dumps, bivouacs, troop concentrations,
railroad by-passes, AA positions, and other targets at Seton, Sinkan, Ye-u,
Kawlin, Loilaw, Namkwin, Shaduzup, and the Mogaung-Kamaing area.

  CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 P-40s on armed reconnaissance strafe the
airfield at Myitkyina, Burma.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Missions 237, 238 and 239 are
flown today against targets in France; 7 B-17s are lost. Heavy clouds cause
over half the bombers dispatched to return without bombing.
  Mission 237: 49 of 81 B-24s hit the Ecalles sur Buchy V-weapon sites; 1
B-24 is damaged. Escort is provided by 61 P-47s.
  Mission 238: 258 B-17s are dispatched against V-weapon sites in the Pas
de Calais; 109 hit the primary target, 10 hit a road junction E of Yerville,
7 hit a rail siding SW of Abbeville and 6 hit targets of opportunity; 7 B-17s
are lost and 75 damaged; casualties are 5 WIA and 63 MIA. Escort is provided
by 81 P-38s, 94 P-47s and 22 P-51s; 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; the
P-51s claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground.
  Mission 239: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Amiens, Rennes,
Paris, Rouen and Le Mans, France at 2023-2055 hours without loss.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 180 B-26s attack NOBALL (V-weapon)
targets and Rosieres-en-Santerre, France. Bad weather makes bombing difficult
and causes 34 other B-26s to abort.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25s attack Canino
landing ground, but clouds prevent accurate bombing and most bombs fall W and
SW of the main target area; A-36s attack airfields at Littoria, Guidonia and
Marciglialia. P-47's hit motor vessels and a tug off Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia
and targets of opportunity inland.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-40s from Makin Island strafe
and bomb the runway and radio installation on Mille Atoll; B-25s from Tarawa
Atoll pound the airfield on Wotje Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 22
B-25s, with fighter escort, pound Rabaul; 9 minutes later 12 P-38s glide-bomb
Rabaul; 2 minutes afterward 11 B-24s pound the same target; 6 other B-24s
bomb Rapopo; P-40s and US Navy (USN) fighters escort USN dive bombers in a
strike on Wunapope; P-39s attack Monoitu Mission.
  394th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based
on Guadalcanal Island with B-24s, begins operating from Munda, New Georgia
Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 23 B-24s and
39 A-20s thoroughly pound the Hansa Bay area. Nearly 20 other B-24s bomb
Nubia and Awar Airfields. In preparation for the Allied landing, 50+ B-25s
and B-24s pound Momote on Los Negros Island, Lorengau on Manus Island and
other targets in the Admiralty Islands.
  80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Dobodura, New Guinea
to Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island with P-38s.

WEDNESDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 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
  C-46, Curtiss Commando
  C-47, Douglas Skytrain
  F-5, Lockheed Lightning
  P-38, Lockheed Lightning
  P-47, Republic Thunderbolt
  P-51, North American Mustang
  Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine

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

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

  CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25s attack targets of
opportunity in the Hsiang River Valley while 2 P-51s hit targets of
opportunity NE of Hengyang; a single B-24 damages a cargo vessel in the S
China Sea; the 11th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group
(Medium), based at Yangkai with B-25s, sends a detachment to operate from
Laowhangpin.

  INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-47s support forces of
the British 36 Division in the Mongmit area; 75 fighter-bombers continueu
pounding troop concentrations, supply dumps, and road traffic behind enemy
lines. 552 transport sorties are flown, landing men and supplies at forward
bases and dropping supplies to frontline troops.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): Units moving from England
to France: HQ 313th Troop Carrier Group from Folkingham to Achiet; HQ 314th
Troop Carrier Group and the 32d and 61st Troop Carrier Squadrons from Saltby
to Poix with C-47s.

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown.
  Mission 854: 1,104 bombers and 737 fighters are dispatched to make PFF
attacks on rail targets in Germany; they calim 18-0-11 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1
B-17 and 5 P-51s are lost:
  1. 378 B-17s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Soest (143), Hagen (151)
and Schwerte (74) using Gee-H; 1 other hits a target of opportunity; 1 B-17s
is lost; 3 airmen are MIA. 106 of 112 P-51s escort without loss.
  2. 346 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Arnsberg (95) and Bielefeld (81)
viaducts, the Siegen marshalling yard (77) and the Henschel tank plant at
Meschede (79); 1 other hits the Neustadt road junction, a target of
opportunity; all attacks are made using Gee-H; no casualties. Escorting are
117 of 123 P-51s; 1 is lost (pilot MIA).
  3. 364 of 380 B-17s hit the marshalling yard at Kassel, the secondary
target; 6 others hit 6 targets of opportunity; the attacks are made using H2X
radar; no casualties. The escort is 113 of 118 P-51s; they claim 0-0-1
aircraft in the air and 10-0-4 on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
  4. 308 of 318 P-51s fly a strafing run in the Wurzburg-Munich area; they
calim 8-0-6 aircraft on the ground; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
  5. 18 of 20 P-47s fly a figher-bomber mission against Ablar, Offenbach and
Werdorf marshalling yards and factory buildings without loss.
  6. 16 P-51s escort 4 F-5s and 1 Spitfire on a photo reconnaissance mission
over Germany.
  Mission 855: 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during
the night without loss. 1 Mosquito flies a SKYWAVE mission over Germany.
(SKYWAVE is a special navigational mission to calibrate LORAN equipment.)
  Mission 856: 22 of 24 B-24s bomb the Freiburg rail depot during the night
using PFF methods; no losses.
  The 36th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 1st Air Division [attached to 482d
Bombardment Group (Heavy)], moves from Cheddington to Alconbury, England with
B-24s (the 36th is engaged in radio countermeasures operations).

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 340+ A-20s, B-26s and
A-26s bomb rail bridges at Mayen, Niederscheld, and Colbe, the Unna ordnance
depot, Kamp road junction, Siegen and Sankt Wendel marshalling yards, the
town of Rheinburg, and targets of opportunity; fighters escort the bombers,
fly sweeps, patrols and armed reconnaissance, attack special targets, and
support the US 3d Armored Division at the Paffendorf bridgehead, US Ninth
Army elements near Monchen-Gladbach and Neuss [the 2d Armored Division
reaches a point within 6 miles (9.7 km) of the Rhine River], and the VIII,
XII, and XX Corps between the Prum and Kyll Rivers and near Trier.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): About 680 B-17s and B-24s bomb
marshalling yards at Lienz, Austria; Ora, Bolzano, Vipiteno, Vicenza,
Fortezza, Bressanone, Brunico, Brescia, and Conegliano, Italy, and bridges at
Albes and Verona-Parona di Valpolicella, Italy; 109 P-51s provide escort; 75
P-38s divebomb the Sankt Veit an der Glan marshalling yard in Austria and
strafe rail lines in the Sankt Veit, Austria-Klagenfurt, Austria-Villach,
Austria-Ljubljana, Yugoslavia areas; other P-38s and P-51s (about 25) strafe
rail traffic around Bruck an der Mur, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, and Worgl,
Austria and Passau, Germany, and attack Bjelovar Airfield in Yugoslavia,
destroying an enemy-held B-24 and P-38; reconnaissance and supply flights are
maintained.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 27/28
Feb, A-20s attack a few marshalling yards, bridges, rail lines, and general
movement but because of bad weather are recalled by midnight; XII Tactical
Air Command fighter-bombers continue to pound communications and other
targets, including Ghedi and Vicenza Airfields, ammunition dumps near
Codroipo and W of Villafranca di Verona, and shell loading plant SW of
Piacenza; medium bombers bomb bridges at Ala, Santa Margherita d'Adige, San
Michele all'Adige, Ponte di Piave, and Pordenone, and a railway embankment at
Salorno.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

  AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 8 Guam Island-based B-24s pound Susaki Airfield
on Chichi Jima Island. 23 B-24s from Angaur Island bomb Sasa Airfield on
Mindanao Island. During the night of 28 Feb/1 Mar, 6 B-24s from Guam, flying
separate harassment strikes, bomb Susaki Airfield again. The ground echelon
of the 548th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command arrives on Iwo Jima
Island from Hawaii (air echelon is operating from Saipan Island with P-61s).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Borneo, B-24s
strike Sandakan and Labuan Airfields and B-25s fly a napalm raid against
Sanga Sanga Airfield. B-24s bomb Caldera Point and B-25s hit San Roque
Airfield on Mindanao. The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier
Group, moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Dulag, Leyte Island with C-46s and
C-47s. The 431st and 433d Fighter Squadrons, 475th Fighter Group, move from
Dulag, Leyte to Clark Field, Luzon Island with P-38s (they are operating from
San Jose, Mindoro Island). The 530th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th
Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Darwin, Australia to San Jose, Mindoro
WEDNESDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 1945

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

  CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25s attack targets of
opportunity in the Hsiang River Valley while 2 P-51s hit targets of
opportunity NE of Hengyang; a single B-24 damages a cargo vessel in the S
China Sea; the 11th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group
(Medium), based at Yangkai with B-25s, sends a detachment to operate from
Laowhangpin.

  INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-47s support forces of
the British 36 Division in the Mongmit area; 75 fighter-bombers continue
pounding troop concentrations, supply dumps, and road traffic behind enemy
lines. 552 transport sorties are flown, landing men and supplies at forward
bases and dropping supplies to frontline troops.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): Units moving from England
to France: HQ 313th Troop Carrier Group from Folkingham to Achiet; HQ 314th
Troop Carrier Group and the 32d and 61st Troop Carrier Squadrons from Saltby
to Poix with C-47s.

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 3 missions are flown.
  Mission 854: 1,104 bombers and 737 fighters are dispatched to make PFF
attacks on rail targets in Germany; they claim 18-0-11 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1
B-17 and 5 P-51s are lost:
  1. 378 B-17s are sent to hit marshalling yards at Soest (143), Hagen (151)
and Schwerte (74) using Gee-H; 1 other hits a target of opportunity; 1 B-17
is lost; 3 airmen are MIA. 106 of 112 P-51s escort without loss.
  2. 346 B-24s are dispatched to hit the Arnsberg (95) and Bielefeld (81)
viaducts, the Siegen marshalling yard (77) and the Henschel tank plant at
Meschede (79); 1 other hits the Neustadt road junction, a target of
opportunity; all attacks are made using Gee-H; no casualties. Escorting are
117 of 123 P-51s; 1 is lost (pilot MIA).
  3. 364 of 380 B-17s hit the marshalling yard at Kassel, the secondary
target; 6 others hit 6 targets of opportunity; the attacks are made using H2X
radar; no casualties. The escort is 113 of 118 P-51s; they claim 0-0-1
aircraft in the air and 10-0-4 on the ground; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
  4. 308 of 318 P-51s fly a strafing run in the Wurzburg-Munich area; they
claim 8-0-6 aircraft on the ground; 3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
  5. 18 of 20 P-47s fly a fighter-bomber mission against Ablar, Offenbach and
Werdorf marshalling yards and factory buildings without loss.
  6. 16 P-51s escort 4 F-5s and 1 Spitfire on photo reconnaissance missions
over Germany.
  Mission 855: 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany during
the night without loss. 1 Mosquito flies a SKYWAVE mission over Germany.
(SKYWAVE is a special navigational mission to calibrate LORAN equipment.)
  Mission 856: 22 of 24 B-24s bomb the Freiburg rail depot during the night
using PFF methods; no losses.
  The 36th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 1st Air Division [attached to 482d
Bombardment Group (Heavy)], moves from Cheddington to Alconbury, England with
B-24s (the 36th is engaged in radio countermeasures operations).

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 340+ A-20s, B-26s and
A-26s bomb rail bridges at Mayen, Niederscheld, and Colbe, the Unna ordnance
depot, Kamp road junction, Siegen and Sankt Wendel marshalling yards, the
town of Rheinburg, and targets of opportunity; fighters escort the bombers,
fly sweeps, patrols and armed reconnaissance, attack special targets, and
support the US 3d Armored Division at the Paffendorf bridgehead, US Ninth
Army elements near Monchen-Gladbach and Neuss [the 2d Armored Division
reaches a point within 6 miles (9.7 km) of the Rhine River], and the VIII,
XII, and XX Corps between the Prum and Kyll Rivers and near Trier.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

  STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): About 680 B-17s and B-24s bomb
marshalling yards at Lienz, Austria; Ora, Bolzano, Vipiteno, Vicenza,
Fortezza, Bressanone, Brunico, Brescia, and Conegliano, Italy, and bridges at
Albes and Verona-Parona di Valpolicella, Italy; 109 P-51s provide escort; 75
P-38s divebomb the Sankt Veit an der Glan marshalling yard in Austria and
strafe rail lines in the Sankt Veit, Austria-Klagenfurt, Austria-Villach,
Austria-Ljubljana, Yugoslavia areas; other P-38s and P-51s (about 25) strafe
rail traffic around Bruck an der Mur, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, and Worgl,
Austria and Passau, Germany, and attack Bjelovar Airfield in Yugoslavia,
destroying an enemy-held B-24 and P-38; reconnaissance and supply flights are
maintained.

  TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 27/28
Feb, A-20s attack a few marshalling yards, bridges, rail lines, and general
movement but because of bad weather are recalled by midnight; XII Tactical
Air Command fighter-bombers continue to pound communications and other
targets, including Ghedi and Vicenza Airfields, ammunition dumps near
Codroipo and W of Villafranca di Verona, and a shell loading plant SW of
Piacenza; medium bombers bomb bridges at Ala, Santa Margherita d'Adige, San
Michele all'Adige, Ponte di Piave, and Pordenone, and a railway embankment at
Salorno.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

  AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 8 Guam Island-based B-24s pound Susaki Airfield
on Chichi Jima Island. 23 B-24s from Angaur Island bomb Sasa Airfield on
Mindanao Island. During the night of 28 Feb/1 Mar, 6 B-24s from Guam, flying
separate harassment strikes, bomb Susaki Airfield again. The ground echelon
of the 548th Night Fighter Squadron, VII Fighter Command arrives on Iwo Jima
Island from Hawaii (air echelon is operating from Saipan Island with P-61s).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Borneo, B-24s
strike Sandakan and Labuan Airfields and B-25s fly a napalm raid against
Sanga Sanga Airfield. B-24s bomb Caldera Point and B-25s hit San Roque
Airfield on Mindanao. The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier
Group, moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Dulag, Leyte Island with C-46s and
C-47s. The 431st and 433d Fighter Squadrons, 475th Fighter Group, move from
Dulag, Leyte to Clark Field, Luzon Island with P-38s (they are operating from
San Jose, Mindoro Island). The 530th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th
Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Darwin, Australia to San Jose, Mindoro
with B-24s.

USAAF in WW II - 29 February

TUESDAY, 29 FEBRUARY 1944

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS

 

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 7 B-25s knock spans out of 2 bridges N of Taungtha and damage bridges S of Myingyan and between Panaing and Mahlaing; 7 B-25s and 4 P-51s bomb a radio station at Sinkan, score near misses on a bridge below Kawlin, and knock out 2 bridges in the Ye-u area. 40+ P-51s, A-36s and P-40s hit a supply area S of Seton, camp and stores near Mogaung (at Pagoda Peak), and railroad station at Myitkyina.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 23 B-24s pound the warehouse area at Yoyang, causing several fires and secondary explosions; 12 B-25s bomb Yoyang railroad yards; 16 P-40s provide support; 2 B-25s on a sweep of the NE China coast sink 3 sampans and damage a merchant ship at Siachwan Tao; 6 P-40s bomb and strafe ammunition dumps at Kunlong; 12 P-38s and P-51s sink a large motor launch NE of Anking, strafe barracks and 3 tugs in the Teian

area, hit barracks NW of Nanchang and strafe railroad installations at Yangsin; 4 P-40s hit a barracks W of Nanchang; 2 B-25s sink a large river-craft on the Yangtze River near Chiuhsienchen and damage 2 more nearby.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Missions 240, 241 and 242 are

flown; 1 bomber and 5 fighters are lost.   Mission 240: 218 of 226 B-17s hit aviation industry targets at Brunswick, Germany and targets of opportunity; 1 B-17 is lost and 54 damaged; casualties are 4 WIA and 10 MIA. Escorting are 61 P-38s, 346 Eighth and Ninth Air Force

P-47s and 147 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; 2 P-38s are lost and 1 damaged, 2 pilots are MIA; the P-47s claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-47 is lost and 1 damaged, 1 pilot is MIA; 1 P-51 is lost, the pilot is MIA.

Mission 241: 38 of 48 B-24s hit the V-weapon site at Lottinghen, France without loss. Escorting are 79 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s; 1 is lost and the pilot is MIA.   Mission 242: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Orleans, Lille, Reims, Cambrai and Chateauroux, France at 2025-2121 hours without loss.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 19 B-26s bomb a coastal gun position and nearby Breck-sur-Mer Airfield, France. 216 B-26s abort a mission against 8 V-weapon sites in France because of total cloud cover over the targets. Moves in England: HQ 370th Fighter Group and 401st Fighter Squadron from Aldermaston to Andover with P-38s (first mission is 1 May); 389th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group, from Membury to Thruxton with P-47s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): For the fourth consecutive day, bad weather limits operations to reconnaissance missions.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-26s bomb the main and satellite airfields at Viterbo and several targets of opportunity along the W coast; B-25s bomb troops and gun positions W of Cisterna di Roma while A-20s hit concentrations to the S; P-40s and A-36s strike at troop concentrations along the N perimeter of the Anzio beachhead; other P-40s hit

barracks and railroad yards at Littoria and a tank concentration S of Cisterna; P-47's (with British aircraft) hit Giulianova railway station and shipping off Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia; fighters maintain patrol over the Anzio beachhead.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s bomb Maloelap, Mille and Wotje Atolls; B-25s hit Jaluit and Mille Atolls; P-40s attack Mille Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 23 B-25s, with USN fighter escort, pound the Rabaul area; later 12 P-38s hit targets in the same area. 16 AAF fighters, along with 16 USN fighters, hit targets of opportunity throughout S Bougainville and Shortland Islands. Numerous other fighters, in forces of varying sizes, attack barges and

scattered targets of opportunity throughout the N Solomons, Bismarck Archipelago, and waters in between.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Allied amphibious forces land on Los Negros Island, temporarily taking Momote Airfield and then falling back to the beachhead on Jamandilai Point; weather prevents full air support but 7 B-24s and 8 B-25s manage to attack enemy positions and guns; Other B-24s and A-20s hit Erima, Wewak, Tadji, Awar, and Hollandia, New Guinea.

USAAF in WW II - 27 February

FRIDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 1942

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): The Battle of Java Sea. Allied air and naval units try to stop a convoy of some 80 ships approaching Java from the NE. All available B-17's, A-24's, P-40's and LB-30's are put into the air but achieve only insignificant results. An Allied naval force, 5 cruisers and 11 destroyers, under Rear Admiral Karel W Doorman, Royal

Netherlands Navy, meets the enemy near Surabaya, Java and is decisively defeated, losing 5 ships. Most of the 5th Air Force ground echelon in Java is evacusted by sea. The SS Sea Witch delivers 27 crated P-40's to Tjilatjap, Java, but these will be destroyed to prevent their falling into Japanese hands. 32 P-40's aboard the Seaplane Tender USS Langley (AV-3), which sailed

from Australia for India on 23 Feb, are lost when the USS Langley is sunk by aircraft 100 mi (160 km) S of Tjilatjsp. The pilots are rescued by other vessels in the convoy, but the enemy sinks these ships with the exception of a destroyer, which delivers 2 of the pilots to Perth, Australia.   13th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy),

arrives at Melbourne, Australia from the US with B-17's; first mission is Oct

42.

SATURDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 1943

AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:

  A-20, Douglas Havoc

  B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress

  B-24, Consolidated Liberator

  B-25, North American Mitchell

  P-38, Lockheed Lightning

  P-40, Curtiss

  Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine

  Ventura, Lockheed (RAF)

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force)

In the Aleutians, 6 B-24s, 6 B-25s and 4 P-38s bomb and strafe the Main Camp area on Kiska Island.  On the return trip, a weather aircraft flies reconnaissance and makes a bombing and strafing run on Attu Island and nearby barges with negative results.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force)

In Burma, 24 P-40s bomb and strafe Waingmaw.  Direct hits are scored on a warehouse and fuel and ammunition dump.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)

VIII Bomber Command Mission 38:  63 B-17s of the 1st Bombardment Wing and 15 B-24s of the 2d Bombardment Wing are dispatched against the U-boat pens, port and naval facilities at Brest, France; 46 B-17s and 14 B-24s drop 155 tons of bombs on the target between 1455 and 1500 hours local; 2 B-24s are damaged; there are no casualties.    Spitfire Mk Vs of the 4th Fighter Group fly 40 uneventful sorties; 16 on shipping patrols and 24 as part of an escort for RAF Venturas bombing Dunkirk, France.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)

In Tunisia, P-40s fly top cover, strafing, and fighter-bomber missions against positions along the Mareth Line. The 515th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

with B-24s transfers from Gambut, Libya to Soluch, Libya.

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (North African Air Force)

In Sardinia, B-17s bomb the Cagliari area and ships north of Capo d'Orlando. In Tunisia, RAF Wellingtons hit Bizerte.  Fighters fly sweeps and reconnaissance, attacking ground forces at points along the battleline, including the Medjez el Bab area where the enemy advance is being halted. The 37th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group with P-38s arrives at La Senia, Algeria from the U.S.  This squadron will become the third squadron of the 14th Fighter Group when it is reassigned to the 14th on 1 Mar. The 85th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light) with A-20s transfers from Youks-les-Bains, Algeria to Canrobert, Algeria. A detachment of the 111th Observation Squadron, 68th Observation Group with A-20s ceases operating from La Senia, Algeria and returns to its base at Oujda, French Morocco.  Prior to WWII, the 111th was a Texas National Guard unit.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)

In the Solomons, P-40s and P-38s join Navy aircraft in an attack on small vessels off Vella Lavella Island; hits are claimed on 2 vessels.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)

In New Guinea, B-25s hit Japanese-occupied villages in the Labu area. B-17s, operating individually, strafe a schooner off Matiu Point and bomb Finschhafen Airfield.

SUNDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 1944

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS

 

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 30+ P-51s and A-36s and 2 B-25s hit ammunition dumps near the Kamaing-Walawbum road, warehouses, railroad and power facilities, bridges, and targets of opportunity in the Ye-u and Tindeinyan areas.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 4 B-25s fly a sea sweep from Vinh to Nam Dinh, bombing the Nam Dinh distillery and railroad yards; no ships are sighted. 8 P-40s hit the railroad bridge at Puchi, China, rendering it unusable.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Major General Elwood R Quesada (reappointed Commanding General IX Fighter Command on 21 Feb) receives authority to revive the IX Fighter Command (existing only on paper since creation of the IX Air Support Command) on a temporary basis as an operational HQ to function as a Combined Control Center with RAF 11 Group at Uxbridge, England, where Fighter Command will prepare operations orders for

Ninth Air Force fighter and fighter-bomber groups. Quesada retains command of the IX Air Support Command.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, A-36s attack Littoria and Guidonia Airfields and Ladispoli dock area; rail cars NE of Rome are also attacked; P-40s follow up with a raid against Littoria and hit trucks and other targets in the area; weather prevents other operations by the Twelfth Air Force.

4th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Catania to Ponte Olivo, Sicily with C-47s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): A-24s and P-40s from Makin Island pound Jaluit and Mille Atolls, while B-25s from Abemama Island hit Wotje and Mille Atolls; B-24s from Makin Island and Tarawa Atoll bomb Ponape Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): 16 P-39s strafe barges and other targets of opportunity along the SW coast of Bougainville Island throughout the day. On New Britain Island, Wunapope is attacked by 21 B-24s and 24 B-25s (both forces supported by fighter escorts) and by 14 P-38s; P-40s and USN fighters cover a USN dive bomber strike on Lakunai AA positions. 3 other P-38s strafe a radar station at Cape Saint George on New

Ireland Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): Colonel Jarred V Crabb becomes Commanding General V Bomber Command. In New Guinea, 30+ B-24s, with P-40 support, hit airfields at Boram, Wewak, and Tadji, 27 B-25s hit the Hansa Bay area, and over 30 A-20s attack Alexishafen and Marakum village. 30+ other B-25s attack Momote on Los Negros Island, Lorengau on Manus Island and other targets in the Admiralty Islands. P-39s maintain armed reconnaissance over New Britain Island.

TUESDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 1945

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): 12 B-25s knock out 4 bridges and damage 2 others in N French Indochina. In China, 12 others bomb Ishan and Hwaiyuanchen; 4 B-24s over the Gulf of Tonkin and S China Sea attack shipping, claiming 2 vessels sunk; 19 fighter-bombers hit barracks SW of Ishan, 15 attack Kiungshan Airfield, 12 hit targets of opportunity in the Yoyang area, 23 hit targets of opportunity around Kiyang, and 30 others hit scattered targets of opportunity at other points in S and E China; the 22d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Yangkai with B-25s, sends a detachment to operate from Peishiyi; the 35^th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Chanyi with F-5s, sends a detachment to operate from Laohwangping (another detachment is

operating from Chengkung).

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 40: In the Malayan States during the night of 27/28 Feb, 10 of 12 B-29s mine Johore Strait on the E of Singapore and 1 mines Penang harbor.   Personnel of the 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) begin shipping out of Calcutta, India for Tinian and Guam Islands, implementing the redeployment orders of the 6 Feb War Department directive; the final shipment arrives in the the Mariana Islands on 6 Jun, completing the transfer of the wing from India without loss of a single life or aircraft. 

INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 18 P-47s closely support ground forces in the Mongmit area; 4 others knock out a small bypass bridge at Hay-ti; about 100 fighter-bombers attack troop concentrations, supplies, gun positions, elephant transport, and road traffic along the battlefronts and behind enemy lines. Transport operations continue on a large-scale as 589 sorties are completed.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.   Mission 851: 1,107 bombers and 745 fighters are dispatched to hit road and rail communications at Halle and Leipzig using H2X radar; they claim 83-0-19 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-24s and 2 P-51s are lost:

  1. 314 of 351 B-24s hit the marshalling yard at Halle; targets of opportunity are Bitterfeld (21) and other (3); 2 B-24s are lost and 4 damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 18 MIA. Escorting are 196 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft in the air and 45-0-3 on the ground; 2 P-51s are lost

(pilots MIA).

  2. 717 of 756 B-17s hit the rail center at Leipzig; 7 others hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 3 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA. The escort is 453 of 489 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft in the air and 36-0-16 on the ground without loss.

  3. 28 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss.

  4. 13 P-51s escort 2 F-5s and 2 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance mission over C and E Germany. Mission 852: During the night of 27/28 Feb, 23 of 26 B-24s bomb Wilhelmshafen oil storage by PFF without loss and 1 B-17 and 11 B-24s drop leaflets in the Netherlands and Germany.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In Germany, 118 A-20s, A-26s and B-26s attack the Ahrweiler rail bridge, communications centers at Glessen, Munstereifel, and Monheim, and a target of opportunity; fighters fly leaflet missions, attack Frankfurt/Main oil storage tanks, fly alerts, and strafe from W of Duisburg to Worringen; the XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) also flies support for the XIII and XIX Corps SW and S of Monchen-Gladbach.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 540+ B-24s and B-17s, with fighter escort, bomb marshalling yards at Augsburg, Germany and Salzburg, Lienz, and Jenbach, Austria plus several targets of opportunity; escorting fighters strafe targets of opportunity during the return flight. Routine reconnaissance and supply missions continue.

 TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 26/27 Feb, A-20s bomb enemy movement at 14 different places in the Po Valley, marshalling yards at Villafranca di Verona and Isola della Scala, the town of Bazzano, and airfields at Villafranca di Verona and Ghedi; XXII Tactical Air Command fighter-bombers concentrate on railroad cutting in the Brenner area and NE Italy, claiming 36 cuts, and attack rolling stock in the Villach, Austria area; medium bombers destroy a railroad diversion bridge at San Michele all'Adige and cut approaches on the Ala and Lavis bridges and effectively blast the Spilimbergo and Pagnocco dumps.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)

AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 9 Guam Island-based B-24s blast pillboxes, artillery emplacements, blockhouse, and mortar positions on the N part of Iwo Jima Island. On Mindanao Island, 22 B-24s from Angaur Island bomb Daliao and Libby Airfields. During the night of 27/28 Feb, 9 B-24s, flying snooper strikes out of Guam, bomb airfields, radio stations, and the town of Okimura on Haha Jima Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s, A-20s, and P-38s strike Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island in preparation for the following morning's allied amphibious landings. On Luzon Island, ground support continues on a largescale including a strike on Baguio by P-51s. On Mindanao P-38s and USMC aircraft hit airfields. B-24s bomb Tarakan and Jesselton Airfields in Borneo. On Formosa, Takao is hit by B-24s while fighters sweep the W coast. Sweeping the China coast, B-25s hit a fleet of junks and sampans near Hong Kong destroying and damaging 25+. The 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Lingayen, Luzon with P-38s and the 12th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, moves from Lingayen to San Jose with P-38s. The 65th and 66th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak Island to Morotai Island with C-46s and C-47s (the squadrons cease operating from Hill Field, Mindoro); and the 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, moves from Dulag, Leyte Island to Clark Field, Luzon with P-38s (a detachment is operating from San Jose, Mindoro).