On this day in 1944.......

In remembrance of the horrible D-Day action, I am posting the set up for the invasion with daily reports on USAAF activities. It includes my area, too.

Read and enjoy......

THURSDAY, 1 JUNE 1944

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s from Shemya Island,
Aleutian Islands photograph and bomb installations at
Buroton Bay, Kurile Islands, including a suspected
seaplane base and the harbor area. Of 2 B-25s and 4 P-38s
taking off for a guardship cover mission, 3 aircraft abort
with engine trouble; 2 other B-25s fly a negative
antishipping sweep.

ZONE OF INTERIOR (ZI, HQ AAF): The AAF Redistribution
Center, HQ at Atlantic City, New Jersey, is redesignated
AAF Personnel Distribution Command.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 7 B-25s pound
bridges at Songon and Bongyaung and hit the Imphal, India-
Tiddim road; 20+ others fly ammunition into the Imphal
area. 19 P-40s hit targets in the Myitkyina area.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 fighter-
bombers hit the Chenghsien railroad yards; 18 fighter-
bombers bomb docks, a gunboat, and barracks in the
Chiuchiang area and strafe about 300 troops at Sanyenchiao;
76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, moves from
Suichwan to Lingling with P-51s; 91st Fighter Squadron,
81st Fighter Group, moves from Karachi, India to
Fungwanshan with P-47s; and during Jun, the 449th Fighter
Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, moves from Suichwan to
Kweilin with P-38s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, around
100 B-26s bomb airfields and coastal defense batteries
from the Belgian border to the Cherbourg Peninsula.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): HQ 464th
Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 776th, 777th, 778th and 779th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) move from Gioia to Pantanell
Airfield, Italy with B-24s.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy,
medium, light and fighter-bombers continue support of
ground troops, striking concentrations, bivouac areas,
motor transport, railways and roads, bridges, trains and
other targets; fighters fly sweeps over the battle areas,
escort medium bombers and carry out sweeps along the E
coast; 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, moves
from Sardinia to Pomigliano with P-39s; and during Jun, HQ
64th Fighter Wing moves from Frattamaggiore to Orbetello.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from
Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, hit Ponape Island,
Caroline Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): HQ XIII
Bomber Command moves from Guadalcanal Island, Solomon
Islands to Los Negros Island, Admiralty Islands.
In the Bismarck Archipelago, 9 B-25s bomb Matupi Island
and on New Britain Island, 3 hit the SE part of Rabaul and
12 others pound personnel and the supply area NE of Tobera;
30+ P-38s and P-40s hit Talili Bay supply areas; and 5
medium bombers hit a barge hideout and buildings on Duke of
York Island. In the Solomon Islands, 30+ P-39s attack
Tonolai, Arigua and Arawa on Bougainville Island and barges
at Sohano Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb
Amboina on Ambon Island and Kai Island in the Moluccas
Islands and Boeroe Island in the Sunda Islands. In New
Guinea, B-25s and A-20s attack targets of opportunity in
the Kaukenau area, at Ransiki and on Noemfoor and Biak
Islands; A-20s, B-25s and P-39s hit villages, bivouac, and
other targets of opportunity in the coastal area from Wakde
Island to Hollandia; the bombing of the Wewak-Hansa Bay
coast continues.

 

FRIDAY, 2 JUNE 1944

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, 2
B-24s, finding Shimushiru Island overcast, bomb and
photograph Matsuwa Island (the secondary) during dawn.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-25s continue to fly
ammunition into the Imphal, India area. 12 B-24s airborne
against Yenangyaung, Burma fail to hit the primary but
unload against alternates in the area.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 80+ P-40s and
P-51s pound troops and vehicles at Tungcheng and Chungyang
and strafe a concentration of about 75 sampans on Tungting
Lake.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The role of the
heavy bombers from 2-5 Jun in preparation for the invasion
of Normandy on 6 Jun includes continuation of attacks
against transportation and airfield targets in N France
and the institution of a series of blows against coastal
defenses, mainly located in the Pas de Calais coastal
area, to deceive the enemy as to the sector to be invaded
(Operation COVER).
Mission 384: In the morning, 521 of 633 B-17s and 284 of
293 B-24s hit V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area; 11
B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 1 WIA and 1 MIA.
Mission 385: In the afternoon, 242 B-17s are dispatched
to railroad targets in the Paris area; 163 hit the
primaries, 49 hit Conches Airfield, 12 hit Beaumont-sur-
Oise Airfield and 1 hits Caen/Carpiquet Airfield; 77 B-24s
are dispatched to Bretigny Airfield in France; 13 hit the
primary target, 47 hit Creil Airfield and 14 hit Villeneuve
Airfield; 2 B-17s and 5 B-24s are lost, 2 B-24s are damaged
beyond repair and 90 B-17s and 37 B-24s damaged; 1 airman
is KIA, 4 WIA and 68 MIA.
3 of 7 P-38s hit the Ostend Bridge, Belgium without loss.
3 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the Atlantic.
During the evening, 5 B-17s drop leaflets on targets in
Belgium and France; and 18 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER
operations.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): A special
conference for ground liaison officers is held by 21 Army
Group officers who present a detailed exposition of the
plan for the landings in Normandy.
In France, about 350 B-26s and A-20s bomb NOBALL (V-
weapon) targets and coastal defense batteries along the
English Channel coast; P-38s and P-47s dive-bomb targets
in the area, including V-weapon sites, fuel dump, railroad
junctions and bridges.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Shuttle-
bombing between Italy and the USSR (Operation FRANTIC) is
started. Under command of Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker,
130 B-17s, escorted by 70 P-51s, bomb the marshalling yard
at Debreczen, Hungary and land in the Soviet Union-the
B-17s at Poltava and Mirgorod, the P-51s at Piryatin. 1
B-17 is lost over the target; 27 other B-17s, forced off
course en route to the Oradea, Rumania marshalling yard,
also hit Debreczen. Nearly 400 other B-24s attack
marshalling yards at Szeged, Miskolc and Szolnok, Hungary
and Simeria, Rumania. P-51s and P-38s provide escort.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium
bombers attack road and rail bridges from N of the battle
area just below Rome to areas N of Rome; fighter-bombers
continue to blast motor transport, railways, trains,
command posts, roads, and bridges in the battle area,
having particularly good success against vehicles.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): In the Gilbert
Islands, B-25s based on Makin Island, strike Nauru Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New
Britain Island, 24 B-24s pound the Nordup area and 48
P-38s, P-39s, and P-40s attack the Vunakanau area. 30+
P-39s attack the airfield at Buka, Buka Island, Solomon
Islands, and supplies in the Kara-Kahili area of
Bougainville Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New
Guinea, B-25s bomb the Kaukenau-Timoeka area while B-24s
bomb positions N of Mokmer Airfield; B-24s and B-25s hit
bivouacs NE of Sawar airfield and near the Wiske River and
bomb roads along W bank of the Orai River; B-24s, P-39s,
and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airplanes hit the
Wewak area; C-47s of the 65th and 66th Troop Carrier
Squadrons, 433d Troop Carrier Group, cease operating from
Tsili Tsili and return to base at Nadzab. Thirteenth Air
Task Force B-24s bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll, Caroline
Islands.

 

SATURDAY, 3 JUNE 1944

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-25s and 2 P-38s fly
guardship cover; 2 other B-25s fly a negative shipping
search.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 B-25s pound
the Imphal, India-Tiddim road while a few P-40s hit the
Mogaung area; the B-25 ammunition lift to the Imphal area
continues.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-40s support
ground forces at Watien and Tatangtzu, destroy 2 barges
and damage others in the Gulf of Tonkin, and strafe 40
barges carrying horses and troops in the Tungting Lake
area N of Nanhsien; B-25s, P-40s, and P-51s pound the
Pingkiang area.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): In Operation
COVER, two missions, both designated Mission 388, are
flown. In the first, 219 of 238 B-17s and 120 of 124 B-24s
attack coastal defenses in the Pas de Calais, France area,
bombing a total of 22 targets; 21 B-17s and 24 B-24s are
damaged; no casualties. Escort is provided by 91 P-38s and
129 P-47s. In the second raid, 97 of 102 B-17s and 98 of
104 B-24s hit 16 of the same targets hit in the morning; 2
B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 102 P-38s, 34
P-47s and 83 P-51s; 1 P-51 is lost and 1 P-38 is damaged;
1 airman is MIA. During the night, 23 B-24s participate
in CARPETBAGGER operations in France.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 250+ B-26s and
A-20s bomb airfields, highway bridges, and coastal defense
batteries in N France; 400+ P-38s and P-47s dive-bomb
targets in NW Europe.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather
drastically curtails operations. In Yugoslavia, 36 B-24s
bomb the waterfront area of Omis and 38 hit the port area
and W part of Split. Fighters sent to strafe targets of
opportunity in the target areas abandon the mission because
of low clouds over the targets.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium
bombers pound bridges in C Italy, further damaging the
enemy's communications system; fighter-bombers continue
close support of embattled ground forces immediately S of
Rome and attack several bridges N of the city to hinder a
possible withdrawal of enemy forces; light bombers attack
ammunition and fuel dumps.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s staging
through Eniwetok Atoll, strike Truk Atoll in a pre-dawn
raid; B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, bomb Nauru
Island. HQ 15th Fighter Group moves from Wheeler Field to
Bellows Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): All
scheduled strikes on the Rabaul area of New Britain Island
are cancelled due to weather conditions. 20+ P-39s, turned
back from the Rabaul area, hit the Tsundawan-Porton road,
vehicles in the Komai area, and AA position at Kara on
Bougainville Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New
Guinea, B-25s, A-20s and B-24s hit Timoeka Airfield and
nearby villages, shipping off Manokwari, Seroei Village on
Japen Island, positions N of Mokmer, and strafe Mokmer,
Sorido and Kamiri Airfields; P-38s and P-47s battle
fighters over Biak Island and over the Babo area; P-47s and
P-40s hit Sawar Airfield, supplies and fuel dumps in the
Sarmi and Orai River areas, and hideouts and occupied areas
along the coast; B-24s and fighter-bombers maintain
consistent pounding of numerous targets in the Wewak-Hansa
Bay coastal region; HQ 49th Fighter Group moves from
Hollandia to Biak Island; and the ground echelon of the 82d
Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical
Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Saidor to Biak
Island; the air echelon operates from Saidor with P-39s.
B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Eten and Dublon
Islands, Truk Atoll.

 

FP,

Did you participate in any of those SWPA actions?


John.

 

SUNDAY, 4 JUNE 1944

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s fly an uneventful
reconnaissance over Shimushiru Island; fuel shortage and
equipment failure prevent flying to Matsuwa Island (the
secondary). Later, a B-25 and 2 P-38s fly a guardship cover
mission.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ P-40s hit
the Myitkyina area while 19 others hit various points in
N Burma, including Haka, Kamaing, Kamasaing, Tagwin, and
Bilumyo. B-25s continue the ammunition lift to Imphal,
India.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-40s bomb
artillery positions and targets of opportunity in the
Watien area of the Salween battle front. Others bomb
railroad targets of opportunity in NE French Indochina.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Three mission
are flown to France. In the first mission (Mission 389),
the effort is to be divided between the Pas de Calais
(COVER) area and the Normandy assault (NEPTUNE) area,
however, D-Day is postponed 24 hrs and the NEPTUNE force is
cancelled. 183 of 201 B-17s and 51 of 56 B-24s attack 7
targets in the Pas de Calais area; 10 B-17s are damaged; no
casualties. Escorting are 130 P-47s and 42 P-51s; 2 P-51s
are lost; no casualties. In the second mission (Mission
390) 222 of 246 B-17s and 53 of 68 B-24s bomb 8 coastal
defense positions in the same area using PFF; 1 B-17 is
damaged beyond repair and 12 B-17s and 6 B-24s are damaged;
1 airman is KIA. The third mission consists of 263 B-17s
and 185 B-24s hitting airfields, railway junctions and
bridges; of the B-17s, 96 hit the Massey/ Palaiseau
railroad bridge, 50 hit the Versailles/Metelots railroad
bridge and 34 hit the Villeneuve/St George railroad bridge;
of the B-24s, 23 hit Brourges Airfield, 72 hit the
Romorantin/Prunieres Airfield, 56 hit the Avord Airfield,
55 hit the Bretigny Airfield and 8 hit the Melun bridges;
1 B-17 and 3 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; 34 B-17s and
27 B-24s are damaged; 10 airmen are KIA and 4 WIA. Escort
is 135 P-47s and 277 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe
aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 1
damaged; no casualties.
2 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the UK and the
Atlantic.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 300+
B-26s and A-20s bomb highway bridge and coastal batteries;
almost 200 P-47s and P-51s dive-bomb bridges, railroad
junction, rolling stock and targets of opportunity.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 550+ B-17s
and B-24s attack communications in NW Italy and on both
sides of the Franco-Italian frontier. In France, B-17s hit
the Antheor railroad viaduct and Var River railroad
bridges. In Italy, B-24s hit the marshalling yards at
Genoa, Turin, Savona and Novi Ligure, the viaduct at Recco,
and the railroad bridges at Orelle and Gad. Fighters fly
200+ sorties in support of the heavy bombers.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium
bombers hit railroad bridges in NC Italy; fighter-bombers
concentrate on motor transport on roads N of Rome over
which the enemy is retreating as US Fifth Army columns
converge on the city amidst an enthusiastic welcome by the
populace; a record number of 600+ motor transport are
claimed destroyed and almost as many more damaged by AAF
and Royal Air Force (RAF) units of the Mediterranean Allied
Tactical Air Force (MATAF).

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the
night B-24s, staging through Eniwetok Atoll, hit Truk
Atoll; B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, follow
with a daylight raid on Ponape Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): Bad
weather again prevents strikes against the Rabaul area of
New Britain Island. On Bougainville Island, P-39s flying
a total of 55 sorties, blast a truck park near Komai,
strafe huts at Doure, and attack a pier at Tunuru; 9 P-38s
weathered out of the Rabaul strike the Tonolai supply area;
and a lone B-25 bombs Kahili.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New
Guinea, A-20s bomb the town and harbor at Manokwari and
shipping to the E in Geelvink Bay; B-24s bomb Namber and
Borokoe Airfields while fighters battle enemy airplanes in
the general area; B-24s bomb the area near the Orai River
mouth while A-20s hit Wewak and fighter-bombers pound the
Hansa Bay coast; a detachment of the 68th Troop Carrier
Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, ceases operating from
Tadji with C-47s and returns to base at Nadzab.

Two more coming, I hope.................

 

MONDAY, 5 JUNE 1944

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s bomb
Bhamo and 4 hit the bridge at Ledan Chaung, while others
continue ammunition haul into Imphal, India; 50 fighter-
bombers pound the Myitkyina area and 20+ others hit Loilaw,
Tagwin, Namti, and Mogaung. In India, HQ 3d Combat Cargo
Group and 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Combat Cargo Squadrons
are activated at Sylhet with C-47s. With this activation,
the following squadrons, which have been operating from
bases in India since Apr 44, will shortly return to their
bases in Italy and Sicily: 4th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d
Troop Carrier Group, to Gaudo Airfield, Italy and 16th,
17th, 18th and 35th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop
Carrier Group, to Comiso, Sicily.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 P-40s support
ground forces at Watien and Lameng on the Salween front;
18 B-24s and 12 P-40s bomb Lashio; 7 B-24s blast the
barracks and warehouse area at Namhkam; 8 P-40s hit 15
tanks at Taying; 29 P-40s attack numerous oil barges near
Yuankiang, leaving 16 of them burning.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): The Twentieth
Air Force flies its first B-29 combat mission. Of 98 B-29s
airborne from India, 77 bomb the primary target-the
railroad shops at Bangkok, Siam; 5 B-29s are lost to non-
battle causes.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 392: 423
of 464 B-17s and 203 of 206 B-24s hit coastal defenses in
the Le Havre, Caen, Boulogne and Cherbourg, France areas;
4 B-17s and 2 B-24s are lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond
repair and 37 B-17s and 39 B-24s are damaged; 1 airman is
KIA, 10 WIA and 47 MIA. Escorting are 127 P-47s and 245
P-51s; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are lost and 1 P-47 is damaged
beyond repair.
Mission 393: In France, 7 of 8 P-51 fighter-bomber attack
a truck convoy near Lille; the 8th P-51 bombs
Lille/Vendeville Airfield; no losses. In preparation for
D-Day, 3 B-17s fly weather reconnaissance over the UK and
the Atlantic Ocean.
During the night, 11 B-24s fly CARPETBAGGER missions; 1
B-24 is lost over Belgium.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 100+
B-26s bomb coastal defense batteries; 100+ P-47s dive-bomb
targets in the same area.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy,
440+ B-17s and B-24s hit targets; B-17s hit railroad
bridges at Pioppi and Vado; and B-24s hit marshallying
yards at Bologna, Castel Maggiore, Forli, Ferrara, Faenza
and 4 railroad bridges; P-38s and P-51s fly escort; 53
P-38s strafe Ferrara and Poggio Renatico Airfields and 40
strafe and dive-bomb airfields at Bologna and Reggio
Emilia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium
bombers pound road bridges just N of the forces retreating
from Rome while fighter-bombers continue attacks against
motor transport, railway lines and roads in the battle
areas and N of Rome, destroying many vehicles and train
cars, and scoring numerous hits on bridges, tracks, and
roads, as most of the US Fifth Army assault forces cross
the Tiber River in pursuit of the enemy and British Eighth
Army forces E of Rome prepare to advance astride the Tiber
River against Terni and Rieti.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-25s from
Makin Island, hit Nauru Island; B-24s from Eniwetok Atoll
escort photo aircraft over Guam Island, Marianas Islands,
bomb the island, and proceed to Los Negros Island for
rearming. B-25s from Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll strike
Ponape Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New
Britain Island, 23 B-25s bomb a truck park at Rabaul; 22
P-39s strike Ratawul; 11 P-38s hit barges and buildings in
the Vulcan Crater area. On Bougainville Island, 30+ P-39s
hit vehicles in the Komai-Tobago vicinity, a wooded supply
area N of Buka airfield, Buka Island, and Cape Tanabom and
Kangu Hill areas.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New
Guinea, P-39s and RAAF aircraft attack the Wewak area;
B-24s bomb the area N of Sorido airfield; during the night
of 5/6 Jun an all-night series of harassing raids by
Japanese airplanes destroy several Allied aircraft on Wakde
Island; 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves
from Hollandia to Biak Island with P-38s; and 110th
Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical
Reconnaissance Group, moves from Gusap to Tadji with P-39s.

Tomorrow is the BIG one!

 

THE BIG ONE!

TUESDAY, 6 JUNE 1944

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 B-25s attack
the Waingmaw, Wuntho-Hopin area, and Imphal, India-Tiddim
road; others maintain ammunition lift into Imphal; 24
A-36s, 11 P-51s, and 45 P-40s pound Myitkyina; about 40
A-36s and P-40s hit the Mogaung, Mohnyin, Lachigahtawng,
Pakhren-Sakan and Kadu areas. In India, HQ 443d Troop
Carrier Group moves from Sylhet to Sookerating; and 11th
and 12th Combat Cargo Squadron, 3d Combat Cargo Group, move
from Sylhet to Dinjan and Fenny respectively with C-47s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 50 P-40s attack
shipping, horses, and troops in the Fulinpu Kweiyi
vicinity, 10 P-51s and 6 B-25s pound Tayang Chiang, and 5
B-25s bomb Pailochi Airfield; 9 P-40s hit road and rail
targets of opportunity in the Yellow River area; 2 others
sink a junk and damage others at Kwangchow Wan.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The Eighth Air
Force reaches its top strength as the 493d Bombardment
Group (Heavy) becomes operational, making a total of 40
heavy bomber groups now operational.
Heavy bombers fly 4 missions in support of the Normandy
invasion: 1. Mission 394: At first light, 659 of 882
B-17s and 418 of 543 B-24s hit coastal targets in the area
of the invasion beaches between Le Havre and Cherbourg;
overcast and inability of the bombers to locate (or absence
of) PFF leaders causes failure of some units to attack; 1
B-24 is lost, 1 B-24 is damaged beyond repair and 14 B-17s
and 1 B-24 are damaged; 12 airmen are KIA, 2 WIA and 13
MIA.
2. Mission 394: The second mission strikes at
transportation chokepoints in towns immediately around the
assault area; total cloud cover causes 84 B-17s and 259
B-24s dispatched to return with their bombs but 37 B-24s
manage to bomb secondary target of Argentan; 2 B-24s are
lost and 1 B-17 is damaged; no casualties.
3. Mission 395: The third mission is dispatched against
the important communications center of Caen; 58 of 73 B-24s
bomb through overcast skies without loss.
4. Mission 395: Transportation chokepoints in towns
immediately S and E of the assault area are the objectives
of the fourth mission; 325 of 409 B-17s and 125 of 300
B-24s hit targets including Vire, Saint-Lo, Coutances,
Falaise, Lisieux, Thury-Harcourt, Pont-l'Eveque, Argentan,
and Conde-sur-Noireau; 1 B-24 is lost, 1 B-24 is damaged
beyond repair and 11 B-24s and 5 B-17s are damaged; 10
airmen are KIA.
In all, 1,729 bombers drop 3,596 tons of bombs during D-
Day. The VIII Fighter Command has the threefold mission
of escorting bombers, attacking any movement toward the
assault area, and protecting Allied shipping. The fighters
fly 1,880 sorties including fighter-bomber attacks against
17 bridges, 10 marshalling yards, and a variety of other
targets including convoy, railroad cars, siding, rail and
highway junctions, tunnel, and a dam. Very little air
opposition is encountered. The fighters claim 26-0-8
Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 4-0-9 on the ground. Also
destroyed are 21 locomotives and 2 carloads of ammunition.
Numerous targets are damaged including locomotives,
trucks, tank cars, armored vehicles, goods carriers,
barges, and tugboats. Targets attacked with unreported
results include warehouses, radar towers, barracks,
troops, artillery, staff cars, 85 trains, and a variety of
other targets. 25 fighters are lost.
Mission 396: During the night, 12 B-17s drop leaflets in
France and the Low Countries.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 800+ A-20s and
B-26s bomb coastal defense batteries, rail and road
junctions and bridges, and marshalling yards in support of
the invasion; 2,000+ fighters fly sweeps, escort for B-26s
and C-47s, ground support, and dive-bombing missions over
W France. During the preceding night and during the day
over 1,400 C-47s, C-53's, and gliders deliver glider
troops and paratroops, including 3 full airborne divisions,
which are to secure beach exits to facilitate inland
movement of seaborne assault troops. A total of about 30
aircraft are lost.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Shuttlebombing (Operation FRANTIC) continues as 104 B-17s
and 42 P-51s (having flown to the USSR from Italy on 2
Jun) attack the airfield at Galati, Rumania and return to
Soviet shuttle bases; 8 enemy fighters are shot down and
2 P-51s are lost. 570+ other bombers, with fighter escort,
hit targets from bases in Italy, i.e., in Yugoslavia, B-17s
hit the Belgrade marshalling yard and Turnu-Severin canal
installations, and in Rumania, B-24s hit Ploesti oil
refineries and the marshalling yard at Brasov.
100th Fighter Squadron, 332d Fighter Group, moves from
Capodichino to Ramitelli Airfield, Italy with P-47s.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy,
medium, light and fighter-bombers, and fighters all hit
communications lines N of Rome to slow the enemy retreat;
bridges, road junctions, rail lines, roads, and motor
transport are continually attacked throughout the day, as
British Eighth Army forces W of the Tiber River reach
Civita Castellana and US Fifth Army forces push N and W
toward Viterbo and Civitavecchia; HQ 324th Fighter Group
and 314th Fighter Squadron move from Pignataro Maggiore to
Le Banca Airfield with P-40s; 111th Tactical Reconnaissance
Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command, moves from Santa Maria
to Nettuno with F-6s; and 523d Fighter Squadron, 27th
Fighter Group, moves from Santa Maria to Le Banca Airfield
with P-47s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s
returning to Eniwetok Atoll from Los Negros Island (where
they rearmed after bombing Guam Island the previous day)
hit Ponape Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): P-38s
bomb a supply dump near Nordup, New Britain Island. On
Bougainville Island, P-39s and US Navy (USN) aircraft hit
vehicles near Hari; other P-39s pound a pier and buildings
in SE Kahili.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New
Guinea, B-24s and B-25s bomb shipping near Efman and
Waigeo Islands; A-20s hit the airfield at Babo, and A-20s
and B-25s hit Namber Airfield and tanks near Mokmer; and
P-39s, A-20s and RAAF aircraft continue to pound the Wewak-
Hansa Bay area, hitting supply dumps and hideouts.
Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s hit islands in Truk Atoll

Here's more........
FRIDAY, 9 JUNE 1944

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-25s carry
out a strike on the Imphal, India-Tiddim road while 20+
others continue to supply ammunition to the Imphal area;
40+ A-36s, P-51s, and P-40s hit Myitkyina, Mogaung and
Kadu.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, P-40s, P-51s and
B-25s fly 200+ sorties against numerous targets throughout
the Tungting Lake area; river shipping of all description
is pounded, several troop concentrations are attacked,
airfields at Hankow and Wuchang are bombed, and the towns
of Ichang, Siangyin, Yuankiang and Kiaotow are hit; and 4
B-24 and fighter-bomber sorties over the S China Sea result
in claims of 3 sea going vessels, a tug and a barge sunk.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Bad weather
prevents bomber operations; P-38s attempt to cover shipping
in the English Channel; 7th Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance) dispatches 5 aircraft but they all turn
back due to weather; and 2 B-17s fly weather flights over
the UK and the Atlantic Ocean.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 70th Fighter
Wing moves from Ibsley, England to Criqueville, France; and
112th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached
principally to Headquarters Command, ETO) arrives at
Kingston Deverill, England from the US with L-5s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Around 500
B-17s and B-24s attack targets in Germany and Italy; B-17s
hit the industrial area and air depot at Munich, Germany;
B-24s also hit the industrial area and ordinance depot at
Munich and oil storage at Porto Marghera, Italy; P-47s,
P-38s and P-51s fly 250+ sorties in support of the Munich
raids; the bombers and fighters claim 30+ aircraft
destroyed; 13 AAF aircraft are lost.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium
bombers again hit enemy communications, bombing bridges
with good results; light bombers hit targets of opportunity
in the Acquapendente area; fighter-bombers and fighters
continue to pound motor transport retreating up the Italian
peninsula, and to bomb roads and railways in the path of
the enemy retreat, as the US Fifth Army reaches Viterbo,
where the British Eighth Army shortly makes contact with
it; and 86th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment
Group (Light), moves from Vesuvious Airfield to Ponte
Galeria with A-20s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): During the
night of 8/9 Jun B-24s from Eniwetok Atoll bomb Truk Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New
Britain Island, 32 B-25s, 20 P-39s and 5 P-38s pound
supplies and gun positions in the Rataaul-Talili Bay area;
5 other B-25s attack a pier at New Massava Plantation and
railroad to Mandres Saw Mill. On Buka Island, P-39s hit the
town of Buka, a supply area to the N of the airfield, and
Arigua Plantation.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb
the airfield on Peleliu Island, Palau Islands. In New
Guinea, A-20s bomb shipping in Manokwari harbor; B-24s,
A-20s, B-25s and P-39s, along with RAAF planes, drop about
140 tons of bombs on various targets in the Wewak area; and
39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Gusap
to Nadzab with P-47s. B-24s of Thirteenth Air Task Force
bomb Alet Airfield and targets of opportunity in Truk
Atoll.

SATURDAY, 10 JUNE 1944

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 23 B-24s bomb
targets at Chauk, Lonywa and Yenangyaung while 29 others
supply ammunition to the Imphal, India area; 50 A-36s,
P-51s and P-40s blast targets at Myitkyina, Mogaung and
Tapo. 315th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier
Group, moves from Sylhet to Sookerating, India with C-47s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 23 P-40s and
P-51s hit railroad traffic and tracks at Linfen and Loning
and a tank concentration at Lingpao; 6 P-40s hit a bridge
at Tasa; B-25s, P-40s, P-51s and P-38s carry out 150+
sorties against numerous targets throughout the Tungting
Lake area; numerous rivercraft are destroyed or damaged,
Kukang and other villages WE of Changsha are bombed,
Hankow-Wuchang Airfield revetments and buildings are
pounded, the Changshowkai area is blasted and several river
landings and storage installations in the lake area are
attacked; 3 B-24s on a S China Sea sweep claim 1 small
cargo ship sunk; and 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter
Group, moves from Hengyang to Lingling with P-51s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): Mission 403: Bad
weather restricts operations to NW France; 883 bombers and
1,491 fighter sorties are flown but 200+ bombers abort due
to cloud conditions; 1 bomber and 24 fighters are lost.
1. 507 B-17s are dispatched to Equihen (24 bomb), Hardelot
(23 bomb), St Gabriel (26 bomb), Gael Airfield (36 bomb),
Nantes/Bouguenais Airfield (55 bomb), Vannes Airfield (59
bomb), Berck (26 bomb), Merlimont Plage (39 bomb), and
Toucquet-Paris-Plage (10 bomb); 1 B-17 is damaged beyond
repair and 36 damaged; 6 airmen are KIA and 4 WIA.
2. 257 B-24s are dispatched to Wimereau (23 bomb),
Boulogne (34 bomb), Dreux Airfield (26 bomb),
Evreux/Fauville Airfield (65 bomb) and Boulogne (13 bomb);
39 others hit Conches Airfield; 1 B-24 is lost, 2 are
damaged beyond repair and 28 damaged; 10 airmen are MIA.
3. 119 B-24s are dispatched to Chateaudun Airfield (45
bomb) and Orleans/ Bricy Airfield (66 bomb) without loss.
VIII Fighter Command missions during the day are:
1. 405 P-38s fly sweep and escort; they claim 5-2-1
Luftwaffe aircraft. 2. 3 P-47s and 364 P-51s provided
escort for the bombers above; they claim 0-0-1 Luftwaffe
aircraft on the ground; 7 fighters are lost. 3. 506 P-47s
and 213 P-51s fly fighter-bomber missions against
communications targets in the beachhead area; they claim
8-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-1 on the
ground; 15 P-47s and 2 P-51 are lost; 3 P-47s and a P-51
are damaged beyond repair.
During the day, 1 fighter pilot is KIA and 24 are MIA.
Mission 404: During the evening, 11 B-17s drop leaflets
on Norway and France without loss.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 500+
B-26s and A-20s bomb targets in the assault area including
military concentrations, road and rail bridges and
junctions, artillery batteries, marshalling yards and town
areas; aircraft of 15+ fighter groups fly escort to bombers
and transports, and bomb numerous targets in support of the
ground assault, including rail facilities, roads, troop
concentrations, artillery, and town areas; HQ IX Tactical
Air Command moves from Uxbridge, England to Au Gay.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 550+ B-17s
and B-24s attack targets in Italy; B-17s hit a marshalling
yard at Mestre and oil storage and marshalling yard at
Porto Marghera; B-24s hit oil refinery at Trieste, air
depot at Ferrara and the town of Ancona. P-51s and P-38s
fly escort, and in Rumania, strafe targets of opportunity
between Bucharest and the Danube River and S of Craiova,
and dive-bomb an oil refinery at Ploesti.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, medium
bombers attack bridges, railroads, and roads N, NE, and NW
of Rome; light bombers hit motor transport in the town of
Arcidosso; fighter-bombers and fighters bomb and strafe
motor transport and roads N of the battle area, destroying
numerous vehicles, especially along the roads between Rome
and Vetralla; in ground action the Indian 4 Division takes
Pescara and Chieti, while the New Zealand 2 Division
reaches Avezzano E of Rome; HQ XII Bomber Command is
disbanded in Corsica; HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and
84th Bombardment Squadron (Light) move from Vesuvius
Airfield to Ponte Galeria with A-20s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging
through Eniwetok Atoll, bomb Truk Atoll and Ponape Island
during the night of 9/10 Jun. B-25s from Makin Island hit
Nauru Island during the day.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Thirteenth Air Force): On New
Britain Island, 8 P-38s skip-bomb supply tunnels at Keravia
Bay while 4 others strafe nearby AA positions; AA guns S of
Rapopo are attacked by 12 B-25s, 20 P-39s, and 20+ US Navy
(USN) dive bombers; other B-25s bomb Ratawul. 31 P-39s and
20+ USN aircraft hit Chinatown at Buka on Buka Island and
a supply area NE of the airstrip, a barge at Sohano Island,
and on Bougainville Island, trucks near Tsirogei and a ford
near Monoitu.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New
Guinea, A-20s hit the airfield at Babo, destroying grounded
aircraft, a fuel dump, several buildings, and a gun
position; A-20s, B-25s, and RAAF aircraft hit the Wewak
area with 100+ tons of bombs; HQ 312th Bombardment Group
(Light) and 387th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons (Light)
move from Gusap to Hollandia (Group and 389th) and Nadzab
(387th) with A-20s; air echelon of 17th Reconnaissance
Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group,
that has been operating from Wakde with B-25s since 25 May,
returns to base at Finschhafen.

 

hello i am doing a project on the d-day invasion and i need an interview with someone who was there during the d-day invasion, and i think from your writing that you possibly were, or if you know someone who was, could you email me at emmy1_1 at hotmail.com this would be a great help.