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.
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.
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