SATURDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1942
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Major General George H Brett,
Deputy Commanding General American-British-Dutch-Australian Forces Command
(ABDACOM) informs the War Department of his decision to evacuate the 5th Air
Force and other US troops from Java, NEI.
5th Air Force bombers at Java bases fly about 20 strikes, usually in 2- and
3-aircraft elements, against shipping in the Java Sea and against targets on
Bali from this date through 1 Mar. 11 strikes are complete failures; the
remainder, although causing some damage to vessels and airfield facilities,
fail to deter the invasion of Java.
SUNDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1943
AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
A-20, Douglas Havoc
B-24, Consolidated Liberator
B-25, North American Mitchell
P-39, Bell Airacobra
Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force)
In the Aleutians, weather prevents all flying from Adak Island. Fighters
based on Amchitka Island patrol Kiska.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
The North African Tactical Air Force assumes operational control of the
Western Desert Air Force; tactical groups remain administratively assigned to
the Ninth Air Force.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (North African Air Force)
In Tunisia, B-25s hit the railroad yards at Gafsa. Weather foils 3
attempts by P-39s and Spitfires to furnish support to ground forces
battling the German drive north and west of the Kasserine Pass. Only 2
P-39s are able to reach the enemy and strafe tanks and trucks.
HQ 31st Fighter Group transfers from Tebessa, Algeria to Youks-les-
Bains, Algeria. The 308th Fighter Squadron assigned to the group transfers
its Spitfire Mk Vs from Tebessa to Canrobert, Algeria.
The 86th and 97th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group
(Light) with A-20s transfer from Youks-les-Bains, Algeria to Canrobert,
Algeria.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
In the Solomons, USAAF, US Navy, US Marine Corps and Royal New Zealand
Air Force (RNZAF) fighters from Guadalcanal provide air support as the 103d
Infantry Regiment and 152d Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm Howitzer
Tractor-Drawn), 43d Infantry Division land on three beaches in the Russell
Islands 30 miles northwest of Guadalcanal. The landings are unopposed; the
169th Infantry Regiment lands tomorrow. The 103d was a Maine National Guard
unit activated in Feb 41; the 169th was a Connecticut NG unit activated at the
same time. Airfields will be built on the island. Fifth Air Force aircraft
had aided this operation by bombing the airfields in the Buin and Kahili
area on Bougainville Island and the airfield on Ballale Island on Friday and
Saturday.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
In the Celebes, B-24s bomb the harbor and shipping at Amboina, Ambon
Island, Netherlands East Indies.
In New Guinea, A-20s bomb and strafe several occupied villages and tracks
throughout the Mubo-Komiatum-Salamaua region.
MONDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1944
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 50+ P-51s and A-36s and a few
B-25s hit a command post at Shingban, the town of Mohnyin, a bridge at
Loilaw, a camp at Shaduzup, 2 bridges at Namkwin, and warehouses and other
buildings at Kawlin and Wuntho; fighter-bombers attacking a fuel dump at Pin
Hmi drop bombs in the wrong area; B-25s, escorted by RAF Spitfires and
Hurricanes, score effective hits on a tunnel on the Maungdaw-Buthidaung road.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 228: "Big Week" continues
with 3 areas in Germany targetted with the loss of 16 bombers and 5 fighters:
1. 336 B-17s are dispatched to the Gutersioh, Lippstadt and Werl Airfields;
because of thick overcast, 285 hit Achmer, Hopsten, Rheine, Diepholz,
Quakenbruck and Bramsche Airfields and the marshalling yards at Coevorden and
Lingen; they claim 12-5-8 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged
beyond repair and 63 damaged; casualties are 4 KIA, 13 WIA and 75 MIA.
2. 281 B-17s are dispatched to Diepholz Airfield and Brunswick; 175 hit the
primaries and 88 hit Alhorn and Verden Airfields and Hannover; they claim
2-5-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 36
damaged; casualties are 20 KIA, 4 WIA and 57 MIA.
3. 244 B-24s are dispatched to Achmer and Handorf Airfields; 11 hit Achmer
Airfield and 203 hit Diepholz, Verden and Hesepe Airfields and Lingen; they
claim 5-6-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and
6 damaged; casualties are 3 WIA and 31 MIA.
Escort for Mission 228 is provided by 69 P-38s, 542 Eighth and Ninth Air
Force P-47s and 68 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-38s claim 0-1-0
Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; the P-47s claim 19-3-14
Luftwaffe aircraft, 2 P-47s are lost, 2 are damaged beyond repair, 3 are
damaged and 2 pilots are MIA; the P-51s claim 14-1-4 Luftwaffe aircraft, 3
P-51s are lost and the pilots are MIA.
Mission 229: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Rouen, Caen,
Paris and Amiens, France at 2215-2327 hours without loss.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 18 B-26s bomb Coxyde Airfield,
Belgium; weather causes almost 190 aborts. The Ninth Air Force's Pathfinder
Squadron (provisionally activated on 13 Feb) takes part in this operation,
its first venture into combat. 185 aircraft scheduled to attack other
airfields in the Netherlands and France in the afternoon are recalled because
of bad weather.
Arrivals in England from the US: HQ 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)
at Chalgrove; HQ 439th Troop Carrier Group and 91st and 92d Troop Carrier
Squadrons at Balderton with C-47s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25s bomb Orte
marshalling yard, and B-26s hit Imperia docks; A-20s pound troop
concentrations near Campoleone, along with P-40s and A-36s which also hit a
fuel dump, tank and truck concentrations, and gun positions in the area;
fighter-bombers also bomb and block the Itri-Gaeta road.
100th Fighter Squadron, 332d Fighter Group, moves from Montecorvino to
Capodichino, Italy with P-39s.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Tarawa Atoll and
Abemama Island hit Ponape and Kusaie Islands and Jaluit Atoll. B-25s from
Abemama bomb Maloelap Atoll. P-40s from Makin Island hit Mille Atoll. US
forces gain complete control of Eniwetok Island in Eniwetok Atoll.
9th Troop Carrier Squadron, Seventh Air Force, arrives at Hickam Field,
Territory of Hawaii from the US with C-47s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 15
B-24s bomb Lakunai Airfield; 4 others, with fighter support, attack the
airfield at Rapopo; 20 P-38s join USN fighters in covering a USN dive bomber
strikes on Lakunai gun positions. In the Bougainville Island area 3 B-24s
bomb Kara airfield while P-39s hit buildings at Tsundawan and in the area S
of Tabut, and bomb barges and jetty in the Matchin Bay area.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, almost 30
A-20s hit Madang and the Hansa Bay area. On New Britain Island, P-39s hit
Raiven Plantation; 40+ B-24s bomb the Rein Bay and Eleonora Bay areas; others
attack shipping off New Hanover Island.
WEDNESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 21 B-25s, supported by 12
P-51s, pound Taiyuan; 2 B-25s and 12 P-40s hit Yoyang; about 100 fighter-
bombers on armed reconnaissance attack troops, trucks, horses, railroad
targets, river shipping, and other targets of opportunity at many locations
throughout S and E China; the detachment of the 530th Fighter Squadron, 311th
Fighter Group, operating from Hsian with P-51s, returns to base at Kwanghan.
INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 P-47s provide close
support for ground forces in the Namhsan area; 15 support ground forces in
the Mongmit sector; 100+ fighter-bombers strike supply and troop
concentrations and make offensive sweeps of roads along the battleline areas.
Transports continue to land men and supplies at forward bases and drop
supplies to frontline troops. The 127th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air
Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India, sends a detachment to operate
from Akyab, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): Units moving from England
to France with C-47s: 75th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group,
from Welford Park to Bretigny and 79th Troop Carrier Squadron, 436th Troop
Carrier Group, from Membury to Melun.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
Mission 839: 1,262 bombers and 792 fighters are dispatched to again attack
the tank plant, main railroad station, marshalling yards and locomotive shops
at Nurnberg, Germany using H2X radar; they claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on
the ground; 7 fighters are lost:
1. 830 of 867 B-17s hit the marshalling yard; 11 others hit targets of
opportunity; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 298 damaged; 1 airman is KIA
and 6 WIA. Escorting are 373 of 391 P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft; 2 P-51s
are lost (pilots MIA).
2. 375 of 395 B-24s hit the station and marshalling yard; targets of
opportunity are Speyer (1) and other (2); 63 B-24s are damaged; 1 airman is
KIA and 3 WIA. The escort is 175 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft;
3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
3. 45 of 46 P-51s make a sweep of the Meiningen-Coburg-Nurnberg area; 1
P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
4. 98 of 101 P-51s escort Ninth AF B-26s; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft.
5. 23 of 31 P-51s fly a scouting mission; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
6. 29 of 30 P-51s escort 10 F-5s and 7 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance
mission over Germany.
Mission 840: During the night of 21/22 Feb, 25 of 29 B-24s attack the
Duisburg power and gas stations using PFF; 2 B-24s are lost.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): Units moving from Italy to France
with P-47s: 522d, 523d and 524th Fighter Squadrons, 27th Fighter Group, from
Pontedera to St Dizier; 526th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, from Pisa
to Tantonville.
Ninth Air Force: In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division hits rail a
overpass and bridges, an oil storage depot, marshalling yards, communications
centers, and 13 targets of opportunity; 1,100+ fighter sorties are completed
as the IX, XIX, and XXIX Tactical Air Commands escort the bomber, attack
railroads, airfield, and other selected targets, fly armed reconnaissance
over wide areas including the US First Army area between Duren and Losheim,
and support the VIII, XII, and XX Corps along the Prum River, the West wall,
and in the Saar-Mosel triangle.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): During the night of 20/21 Feb,
1 B-17 and 13 B-24s drop supplies in N Italy. During the day 500+ B-17s and
B-24s with fighter escorts bomb Vienna, Austria railroad targets (C yards, S
station, and Matzleinsdorf marshalling yard), marshalling yards at Bruck an
der Mur, Wiener-Neustadt, and Zeltweg, Austria, and Sopron, Hungary, and
shipyards at Trieste and Fiume, Italy. HQ 1st Fighter Group moves from
Vincenzo Airfield to Salsola Airfield, Italy and the detachment of the 27th
Fighter Squadron ceases operating from Vincenzo and returns to base at
Salsola with P-38s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, night fighters and A-20s
on intruder missions during the night of 20/21 Feb, continue to attack
communications and supplies in the Po Valley; medium bombers, during the day,
bomb bridges at Dogna, Crema, and Romano di Lombardia; fighter-bombers devote
their main effort to close support of ground forces along the W and C US
Fifth Army front, and also hit communications to the N of the battleline and
in the Po Valley.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 24 P-47s from Saipan Island hit Pagan Island
with napalm. P-38s from Guam Island escort photo aircraft over Truk Atoll and
strafe aircraft on Moen Island and a wharf on Falas Island. 3 Guam Island-
based B-24s on an armed reconnaissance flight bomb the airfield on Marcus
Island in the N Pacific. During the night of 21/22 Feb, 6 B-24s fly
individual snooper raids from Guam against Chichi Jima Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon Island,
B-24s bomb Japanese positions in the hills W of Ft Stotsenburg, P-47s pound
Corregidor Island and strafe the Bagae-Pilar road and P-40s support ground
forces at Marikina, San Mateo, and on Corregidor Island; and Basco is hit by
B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s. In Borneo, B-24s bomb Kudat and Sandakan Airfields
while A-20s attack Jesselton Airfield and town. The 528th Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Darwin,
Australia to San Jose, Mindoro Island with B-24s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Major General George H Brett,
Deputy Commanding General American-British-Dutch-Australian Forces Command
(ABDACOM) informs the War Department of his decision to evacuate the 5th Air
Force and other US troops from Java, NEI.
5th Air Force bombers at Java bases fly about 20 strikes, usually in 2- and
3-aircraft elements, against shipping in the Java Sea and against targets on
Bali from this date through 1 Mar. 11 strikes are complete failures; the
remainder, although causing some damage to vessels and airfield facilities,
fail to deter the invasion of Java.
SUNDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1943
AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
A-20, Douglas Havoc
B-24, Consolidated Liberator
B-25, North American Mitchell
P-39, Bell Airacobra
Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force)
In the Aleutians, weather prevents all flying from Adak Island. Fighters
based on Amchitka Island patrol Kiska.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
The North African Tactical Air Force assumes operational control of the
Western Desert Air Force; tactical groups remain administratively assigned to
the Ninth Air Force.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (North African Air Force)
In Tunisia, B-25s hit the railroad yards at Gafsa. Weather foils 3
attempts by P-39s and Spitfires to furnish support to ground forces
battling the German drive north and west of the Kasserine Pass. Only 2
P-39s are able to reach the enemy and strafe tanks and trucks.
HQ 31st Fighter Group transfers from Tebessa, Algeria to Youks-les-
Bains, Algeria. The 308th Fighter Squadron assigned to the group transfers
its Spitfire Mk Vs from Tebessa to Canrobert, Algeria.
The 86th and 97th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group
(Light) with A-20s transfer from Youks-les-Bains, Algeria to Canrobert,
Algeria.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
In the Solomons, USAAF, US Navy, US Marine Corps and Royal New Zealand
Air Force (RNZAF) fighters from Guadalcanal provide air support as the 103d
Infantry Regiment and 152d Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm Howitzer
Tractor-Drawn), 43d Infantry Division land on three beaches in the Russell
Islands 30 miles northwest of Guadalcanal. The landings are unopposed; the
169th Infantry Regiment lands tomorrow. The 103d was a Maine National Guard
unit activated in Feb 41; the 169th was a Connecticut NG unit activated at the
same time. Airfields will be built on the island. Fifth Air Force aircraft
had aided this operation by bombing the airfields in the Buin and Kahili
area on Bougainville Island and the airfield on Ballale Island on Friday and
Saturday.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
In the Celebes, B-24s bomb the harbor and shipping at Amboina, Ambon
Island, Netherlands East Indies.
In New Guinea, A-20s bomb and strafe several occupied villages and tracks
throughout the Mubo-Komiatum-Salamaua region.
MONDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1944
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 50+ P-51s and A-36s and a few
B-25s hit a command post at Shingban, the town of Mohnyin, a bridge at
Loilaw, a camp at Shaduzup, 2 bridges at Namkwin, and warehouses and other
buildings at Kawlin and Wuntho; fighter-bombers attacking a fuel dump at Pin
Hmi drop bombs in the wrong area; B-25s, escorted by RAF Spitfires and
Hurricanes, score effective hits on a tunnel on the Maungdaw-Buthidaung road.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 228: "Big Week" continues
with 3 areas in Germany targetted with the loss of 16 bombers and 5 fighters:
1. 336 B-17s are dispatched to the Gutersioh, Lippstadt and Werl Airfields;
because of thick overcast, 285 hit Achmer, Hopsten, Rheine, Diepholz,
Quakenbruck and Bramsche Airfields and the marshalling yards at Coevorden and
Lingen; they claim 12-5-8 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged
beyond repair and 63 damaged; casualties are 4 KIA, 13 WIA and 75 MIA.
2. 281 B-17s are dispatched to Diepholz Airfield and Brunswick; 175 hit the
primaries and 88 hit Alhorn and Verden Airfields and Hannover; they claim
2-5-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 36
damaged; casualties are 20 KIA, 4 WIA and 57 MIA.
3. 244 B-24s are dispatched to Achmer and Handorf Airfields; 11 hit Achmer
Airfield and 203 hit Diepholz, Verden and Hesepe Airfields and Lingen; they
claim 5-6-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and
6 damaged; casualties are 3 WIA and 31 MIA.
Escort for Mission 228 is provided by 69 P-38s, 542 Eighth and Ninth Air
Force P-47s and 68 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-38s claim 0-1-0
Luftwaffe aircraft, 1 P-38 is damaged beyond repair; the P-47s claim 19-3-14
Luftwaffe aircraft, 2 P-47s are lost, 2 are damaged beyond repair, 3 are
damaged and 2 pilots are MIA; the P-51s claim 14-1-4 Luftwaffe aircraft, 3
P-51s are lost and the pilots are MIA.
Mission 229: 5 of 5 B-17s drop 250 bundles of leaflets on Rouen, Caen,
Paris and Amiens, France at 2215-2327 hours without loss.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 18 B-26s bomb Coxyde Airfield,
Belgium; weather causes almost 190 aborts. The Ninth Air Force's Pathfinder
Squadron (provisionally activated on 13 Feb) takes part in this operation,
its first venture into combat. 185 aircraft scheduled to attack other
airfields in the Netherlands and France in the afternoon are recalled because
of bad weather.
Arrivals in England from the US: HQ 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)
at Chalgrove; HQ 439th Troop Carrier Group and 91st and 92d Troop Carrier
Squadrons at Balderton with C-47s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25s bomb Orte
marshalling yard, and B-26s hit Imperia docks; A-20s pound troop
concentrations near Campoleone, along with P-40s and A-36s which also hit a
fuel dump, tank and truck concentrations, and gun positions in the area;
fighter-bombers also bomb and block the Itri-Gaeta road.
100th Fighter Squadron, 332d Fighter Group, moves from Montecorvino to
Capodichino, Italy with P-39s.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Tarawa Atoll and
Abemama Island hit Ponape and Kusaie Islands and Jaluit Atoll. B-25s from
Abemama bomb Maloelap Atoll. P-40s from Makin Island hit Mille Atoll. US
forces gain complete control of Eniwetok Island in Eniwetok Atoll.
9th Troop Carrier Squadron, Seventh Air Force, arrives at Hickam Field,
Territory of Hawaii from the US with C-47s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain Island, 15
B-24s bomb Lakunai Airfield; 4 others, with fighter support, attack the
airfield at Rapopo; 20 P-38s join USN fighters in covering a USN dive bomber
strikes on Lakunai gun positions. In the Bougainville Island area 3 B-24s
bomb Kara airfield while P-39s hit buildings at Tsundawan and in the area S
of Tabut, and bomb barges and jetty in the Matchin Bay area.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, almost 30
A-20s hit Madang and the Hansa Bay area. On New Britain Island, P-39s hit
Raiven Plantation; 40+ B-24s bomb the Rein Bay and Eleonora Bay areas; others
attack shipping off New Hanover Island.
WEDNESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1945
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER
CHINA THEATER (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 21 B-25s, supported by 12
P-51s, pound Taiyuan; 2 B-25s and 12 P-40s hit Yoyang; about 100 fighter-
bombers on armed reconnaissance attack troops, trucks, horses, railroad
targets, river shipping, and other targets of opportunity at many locations
throughout S and E China; the detachment of the 530th Fighter Squadron, 311th
Fighter Group, operating from Hsian with P-51s, returns to base at Kwanghan.
INDIA-BURMA THEATER (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 P-47s provide close
support for ground forces in the Namhsan area; 15 support ground forces in
the Mongmit sector; 100+ fighter-bombers strike supply and troop
concentrations and make offensive sweeps of roads along the battleline areas.
Transports continue to land men and supplies at forward bases and drop
supplies to frontline troops. The 127th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 2d Air
Commando Group, based at Kalaikunda, India, sends a detachment to operate
from Akyab, Burma with UC-64s and L-5s.
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command): Units moving from England
to France with C-47s: 75th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group,
from Welford Park to Bretigny and 79th Troop Carrier Squadron, 436th Troop
Carrier Group, from Membury to Melun.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown.
Mission 839: 1,262 bombers and 792 fighters are dispatched to again attack
the tank plant, main railroad station, marshalling yards and locomotive shops
at Nurnberg, Germany using H2X radar; they claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft on
the ground; 7 fighters are lost:
1. 830 of 867 B-17s hit the marshalling yard; 11 others hit targets of
opportunity; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 298 damaged; 1 airman is KIA
and 6 WIA. Escorting are 373 of 391 P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft; 2 P-51s
are lost (pilots MIA).
2. 375 of 395 B-24s hit the station and marshalling yard; targets of
opportunity are Speyer (1) and other (2); 63 B-24s are damaged; 1 airman is
KIA and 3 WIA. The escort is 175 P-47s and P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft;
3 P-51s are lost (pilots MIA).
3. 45 of 46 P-51s make a sweep of the Meiningen-Coburg-Nurnberg area; 1
P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
4. 98 of 101 P-51s escort Ninth AF B-26s; they claim 0-0-1 aircraft.
5. 23 of 31 P-51s fly a scouting mission; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA).
6. 29 of 30 P-51s escort 10 F-5s and 7 Spitfires on a photo reconnaissance
mission over Germany.
Mission 840: During the night of 21/22 Feb, 25 of 29 B-24s attack the
Duisburg power and gas stations using PFF; 2 B-24s are lost.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): Units moving from Italy to France
with P-47s: 522d, 523d and 524th Fighter Squadrons, 27th Fighter Group, from
Pontedera to St Dizier; 526th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, from Pisa
to Tantonville.
Ninth Air Force: In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division hits rail a
overpass and bridges, an oil storage depot, marshalling yards, communications
centers, and 13 targets of opportunity; 1,100+ fighter sorties are completed
as the IX, XIX, and XXIX Tactical Air Commands escort the bomber, attack
railroads, airfield, and other selected targets, fly armed reconnaissance
over wide areas including the US First Army area between Duren and Losheim,
and support the VIII, XII, and XX Corps along the Prum River, the West wall,
and in the Saar-Mosel triangle.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): During the night of 20/21 Feb,
1 B-17 and 13 B-24s drop supplies in N Italy. During the day 500+ B-17s and
B-24s with fighter escorts bomb Vienna, Austria railroad targets (C yards, S
station, and Matzleinsdorf marshalling yard), marshalling yards at Bruck an
der Mur, Wiener-Neustadt, and Zeltweg, Austria, and Sopron, Hungary, and
shipyards at Trieste and Fiume, Italy. HQ 1st Fighter Group moves from
Vincenzo Airfield to Salsola Airfield, Italy and the detachment of the 27th
Fighter Squadron ceases operating from Vincenzo and returns to base at
Salsola with P-38s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, night fighters and A-20s
on intruder missions during the night of 20/21 Feb, continue to attack
communications and supplies in the Po Valley; medium bombers, during the day,
bomb bridges at Dogna, Crema, and Romano di Lombardia; fighter-bombers devote
their main effort to close support of ground forces along the W and C US
Fifth Army front, and also hit communications to the N of the battleline and
in the Po Valley.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA)
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 24 P-47s from Saipan Island hit Pagan Island
with napalm. P-38s from Guam Island escort photo aircraft over Truk Atoll and
strafe aircraft on Moen Island and a wharf on Falas Island. 3 Guam Island-
based B-24s on an armed reconnaissance flight bomb the airfield on Marcus
Island in the N Pacific. During the night of 21/22 Feb, 6 B-24s fly
individual snooper raids from Guam against Chichi Jima Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Luzon Island,
B-24s bomb Japanese positions in the hills W of Ft Stotsenburg, P-47s pound
Corregidor Island and strafe the Bagae-Pilar road and P-40s support ground
forces at Marikina, San Mateo, and on Corregidor Island; and Basco is hit by
B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s. In Borneo, B-24s bomb Kudat and Sandakan Airfields
while A-20s attack Jesselton Airfield and town. The 528th Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Darwin,
Australia to San Jose, Mindoro Island with B-24s.
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