This Day In The War, In The Pacific

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1942
ALASKA: A US Naval Force bombards Japanese positions on Kiska in the Aleutians.
AMPLIFYING THE ABOVE:
In the Aleutians, the USN's Task Group 8.6 (Rear Admiral William W. Smith) consisting of the heavy cruisers USS Indianapolis and USS Louisville; the light cruisers USS Honolulu, USS Nashville and USS St. Louis; and six destroyers bombards Kiska Island between 1955 and 2021 hours local. The ships fire 631 rounds of 8-inch, 3,534 rounds of 6-inch and 2,620 rounds of 5-inch ammunition destroying barracks, landing barges, a moored "Mavis" flying boat (Kawanishi H6K Navy Type 97 Flying Boat) and the merchant ship SS Kano Maru; they also damage 2 "Mavis" flying boats.
The bombardment serves as a diversion for the Allied landings in the Solomon Islands.

ALASKA (11th AF): 3 B-24s dispatched to bomb Kiska return with their bombs due to solid overcast; 4 more B-24s also depart for Kiska; 1 turns back with mechanical trouble, the others abort the mission over the target due to undercast; 1 B-24, 4 P-38s and an LB-30 fly 2 air coverage missions at Nazan Bay, Atka for USN tenders.

GUADALCANAL: The US 1st Marine Division (reinforced) lands on Tulagi, Gavatu & Tanambogo, and Guadalcanal islands in the southern Solomon Islands. This first offensive action in the Pacific war comes 8 months to the day after Pearl Harbor. The Marines commanded by General Vandegrift, USMC have
close support from TF 62 under Admiral RK Turner, USN. Admiral Fletcher, USN with TF 61 provides air cover from carriers Enterprise, Saratoga and Wasp. The landings on Guadalcanal are not contested. The islands of Tulagi, Gavatu & Tanambogo are heavily contested.
Amplification of the Above:
The Australian Cruiser Squadron, consisting of:
HMAS Canberra; Captain Frank E. Getting, RAN
HMAS Australia; Captain H. B. Farncomb, RAN
HMAS Hobart; Captain H. A. Showers, RAN
The squadron was commanded by a Rear-Admiral of the Royal Navy, usually Australian-born. For example, Rear-Adm Jack Crace (who commanded the squadron at the Coral Sea) was born in Australia but joined the Royal Navy. The Australian naval college only started taking students in 1913, consequently it was difficult to find flag officers of the Royal Australian Navy with the requisite experience. Admiral Victor Crutchley, RN was one of the few officers to hold this command who was not born in Australia. Admiral Crutchley is in command of the Australian Cruiser Squadron at this time and has been placed in command of the transport screening forces by Admiral Turner.

The first Japanese reaction to these landings arrives in the form of an afternoon air strike from Rabaul. Among the Japanese pilots on this strike is Saburo Sakai. It is this mission from which his epic return
flight to Rabaul will begin. He returns alone with only one eye, one arm and one leg in a crippled Zero, 565 miles.
AMPLIFYING THE ABOVE:
At 1315 hours local, 27 Rabaul-based IJN "Betty" bombers escorted by 17 "Zeke" fighters attack the invasion fleet. They are met by 18 F4F-4 Wildcats of Fighting Squadrons Five and Six (VF-5 and VF-6) in the aircraft carriers USS Saratoga (CV-3) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) respectively. The Wildcat pilots shoot down 8 "Betty" bombers and a "Zeke" fighter while losing 8 Wildcats and an SBD Dauntless. A second attack consisting of 9 Rabaul-based "Val" dive bombers arrive at about 1430 hours local and 5 are shot down by VF-6 pilots and the remaining 4 ditch in the ocean during their return flight to Rabaul.

The 2nd Marine Reg. 2nd Marine Div. landed against the heavily defended Japanese positions of Gavutu and Tulagi in the British Solomon Islands, while at the same time the 1st Marine Division was landing
unopposed at Guadalcanal, My Weapons Company platoon first landed on Gavutu and then, by way of causeway, crossed over to Tulagi where we took many casualties.

NG: The Burns Phillip ship "Mamutu" (300 tons) with a crew of 32, set out, yesterday, from Port Moresby headed for Daru on the western shores of the Gulf of Papua. On board were 82 passengers which included 28 children, who were escaping the more than 70 Japanese bombing raids on Port Moresby.
"Mamutu" was about half way across the gulf when just after 11am on 7 August 1942 the ships crew spotted a Japanese submarine several miles astern.
It was Japanese submarine RO-33, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Shigeshi Kuriyama. RO-33 had left Rabaul in April 1942 to reconnoitre Port Moresby. RO-33 and RO-34 were both later ordered to blockade Port Moresby and guide Japanese shipping into the area.
The Wireless Operator on "Mamutu", Mr. R.J. Furbank sent a morse code message to Port Moresby to advise of the submarine's presence. RO-33 closed in at about 19 knots and caught up with "Mamutu". RO-33 opened fire with its 3.25" (80mm) gun. The first shot hit the radio room and killed Mr Furbank. The second shot wiped out the bridge killing Captain J. McEachern. Others shells hit the hull. Many people were killed or injured in the accurate barrage from RO-33.
Kuriyama then ordered his gunners to fire their 13 mm machine guns upon the survivors in the water. They killed as many as they could which included many women and children. RO-33 then left the scene of destruction. There were only 28 survivors from the total complement of 120 persons. One man, a European Engineer, Bill Griffin, escaped death at the hands of the ruthless machine gunners by pretending to be dead.
A B-17 Flying Fortress search aircraft dropped life rafts to the struggling survivors who eventually made it to shore. The Army signal ship "MV Reliance" which was used by the Coast Watchers, was sent from
Murray Island to try to pick up the survivors. They were unable to locate the survivors.

SWPA (5th AF): 13 B-17s of the 19th BG led by Lieutenant Colonel Richard H Carmichael hit Vunakanau Airfield. Lost is B-17E 41-2617, B-17E "Why Don't We Do This More Often" 41-2429. 22nd BG B-26s attack Lae and a B-17 and a B-25 each attack a submarine in the Gulf of Papua. HQ 38th BG(Medium) and 405th Bombardment Squadron move from Eagle Farms and Ballarat respectively to Breddan Field, Australia with B-25s; first mission is 17 Sep. On a ferry flight to Port Moresby B-26 "Dixie" 40-1496 force lands and is destroyed by her crew.

1943
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 16 B-24's and 40+ B-25's, plus nearly 30 US Navy airplanes, pound the harbor and shore areas of Bairoko. The 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, transfers with C-47's from Tontouta, New Caledonia to Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's thoroughly pound the Salamaua area and also hit Kela Village. On Timor Island, B-25's hit Cape Chater Airfield and Lautem. Lost on a flight from Townsville to Brisbane is C-47 41-7733 with 27 crew and passengers died in this crash. Lost on a flight to Brisbane is C-47 41-7733.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, B-25s destroy 2 bridges, damage 2 others, and hit targets of opportunity in areas around Naba and Mawhun; fighter-bombers attack Mohnyin, Myothit, and Pinbaw, hit motor pool at Namana, damage 2 bridges S of Bhamo, and attack targets of opportunity during sweeps of Onbauk Airfield and the town of Bhamo; fighter-bombers also support ground forces in the Taungni area.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 37 P-40s hit Hengyang and trucks, troops, and gun positions in the surrounding area; 21 P-40s bomb Changsha, 4 hit rivercraft at Siangsiang, 4 bomb the wall at Tengchung, and 6 attack Hsiaoshuipu.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Saipan Island-based B-25s hit Guam Island twice during the day.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb power plant, AA positions, and barracks area on Yap, phosphate plant on Fais Island, Caroline Islands, and airfields at Galela Airifeld and Lolobata Airfield, Moluccas Islands, where 35-50 aircraft are destroyed or damaged. In New Guinea, the 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Nadzab begins operating from Biak Island with F-7s; the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Nadzab to Noemfoor with P-47s; and the 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from the Russells to Hollandia with B-25s.
GUAM: Fierce fighting marks the todays action on Guam. The jungle and terrain assist the defending Japanese.

ALASKA: In the Aleutians, U.S. President Roosevelt arrives at NOB Kodiak in the heavy cruiser USS Baltimore and transfers to the destroyer USS Cummings.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 108, AUGUST 7, 1944
One third of the remaining enemy held area at the northern end of Guam was brought within our lines on August 6 (West Longitude Date). In the central sector we advanced north nearly three miles, occupying the village of Yigo. Near Yigo we captured several strong positions and a considerable amount of supplies and equipment.
In the area occupied on August 6 our troops found a large cemetery in which there was evidence of mass burial of enemy dead.
Supporting our ground forces, carrier aircraft on August 6 bombed and strafed enemy positions and troop concentrations near Mount Santa Rosa.
On the western coast our line is anchored near Haputo Point and on the east coast at Lumuna Point.
Navy Liberators of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two, and Army Liber¬ators of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Truk on August 5 with about 30 tons of bombs. Two of eight to 12 enemy interceptors probably were damaged. Navy search planes of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two, bombed Param in the Truk Atoll and raided Ponape on August 4. Nauru was attacked on August 4 and 5. All of our planes returned from these missions.

1945
JAPAN: The Japanese Supreme Council for the Direction of the War, meets to discuss the bombing of Hiroshima. The SCDW is know as the Big 6 of the Japanese Cabinet. PM, FM, War Minister, Navy Minister, Army CofS, Navy CofS. The Military members refuse to concede that this might be an atomic bomb. They insist on sending investigating teams. The Commander of Eta Jima Naval Academy is selected by the Navy and the Army sends Dr. Asada a professor of physics at Osaka University.

JAPAN:
8/7/45 - The decision to drop the second bomb was made on Guam. It's use was calculated to indicate that we had an endless supply of the new weapon. Many say that the 3rd bomb would actually not be ready until September. There is some differing of opinion on this.
8/7/45 - Fat Man (F31) with high explosives and a nuclear (plutonium) core was assembled by Navy Commander Ashworth. In the rush to complete the bomb, the firing unit cable was installed backwards, requiring B. J. O'Keefe to cut the connectors and reinstall them at the very last minute.

Twentieth Air Force:
154 B-29s fly a bombing mission during the day and 30 B-29s fly a mining mission during the night of 7/8 Aug; 1 B-29 is lost.
Mission 317: 124 B-29s, escorted by VII Fighter Command fighters, bomb the naval arsenal at Toyokawa. 1 B-29 is lost. After escorting the B-29s on their bombing mission, P-51s attack railroad targets and shipping in and near Magarimatsu, Chofu, Atsugi, and Sagami.
Mission 318: During the night of 7/8 Aug, 29 B-29s, escorted by FEAF P-47s, drop mines in Shimonoseki Strait, at Miyazu, Maizuru, Tsuruga, Obama and at Najin; 1 other mines an alternate target.
Fourteenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: HQ Fourteenth AF from Kunming to Paishiyi; 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Chengkung with P-51s, sends a detachment to operate at Pakhoi.

FEAF: In Japan, P-47s cover the Twentieth AF B-29 strike against Kyushu targets; B-24s and A-26s over Kyushu pound Tsuiki Airfield and other B-24s start fires at Omura; B-25s hit bridges and other targets at Matsubase and Kawajiri and bomb a convoy off Pusan, Korea; other B-25s hit Chiran Airfield and Izumi Airfields. fighter-bombers attack and considerably damage communications and transportation facilities throughout Kyushu.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 5 B-24s bomb Kataoka Airfield on Shimushu Island; AA fire damages 2 B-24s.

FORMOSA: B-24s bomb Takao Airfield on Formosa.

PHILLIPINES: In the Philippines, organized Japanese resistance ends on the island of Mindanao.
On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s support ground forces near Ambuclao, Kiangan, Batangan, Aparri, Mankayan, Bontoc, and Tabayoc and the Palugloko Mountains. In the Netherlands East Indies, B-24s bomb an area E of Bandjermasin,

NEI: Borneo, and P-51s hit the harbor at Soerabaja, Java.

[Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 8th and 13th Bombardment Squadrons, 3d BG, move from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with A-26s.

 

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1940
In the U.S., Japanese Ambassador Nomura suggests a conference between President Roosevelt and Japanese Prime Minister Konoye to discuss deteriorating relations between the two countries.

1942
SOLOMONS: US Marines finish the capture of Tulagi and Gavutu-Tanimbogo after heavy fighting around 9:00 pm.

Admiral Turner continues unloading Marines on Guadalcanal. The unloading is interrupted with another Japanese air strike from Rabaul. The 1st Marines occupy the uncompleted Japanese airfield about 4:00 pm. This field will be renamed Henderson Field for Major Lofton Henderson, a Marine pilot lost at Midway.

Shortly after 6:00 pm Admiral Fletcher advises Ghormley and Turner that TF 61 is withdrawing. Admiral Turner then calls a meeting with Admiral Crutchley, commanding the screening ships and General Vandegrift, aboard the USS McCawley, AP-10 off Lunga Point.

In the Solomon Islands:
- At 1156 hours, 23 G4M "Betty" bombers armed with torpedoes escorted by 15 A6M "Zeke" fighters arrive from Rabaul. USN F4F Wildcats and an SBD Dauntless and AA fire from the warships shoot down 17 "Bettys" and a "Zeke" but the Japanese severely damage the destroyer USS Jarvis (DD-393)
with a torpedo and the transport USS George F Elliott (AP-13), which is hit by a torpedo and a "Zeke."
- The uncompleted 3,600-foot (1.1 km) long Japanese airfield is captured by the US Marines and is renamed Henderson Field.
- The Marines capture Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo.
- Two of three RAAF Hudsons based at Milne Bay, New Guinea spot a Japanese task force consisting of 4 heavy cruisers, 3 light cruisers and a destroyer heading for the Solomon Islands. The RAAF crews report in a timely fashion but there is a delay in retransmitting it plus the USN brass underestimate the composition of the Japanese force.
- At 1807 hours, Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, commander of the USN's air and surface forces, recommends to Admiral Ghormley, Commander South Pacific Force, at Noumea, New Caledonia, that the air support force be withdrawn from Guadalcanal. Fletcher, concerned by the large numbers of
enemy planes that had attacked today, reported that he had only 78 fighters left (he had started with 99) and that fuel for the carriers was running low. Ghormley approved the recommendation, and the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise, USS Saratoga and USS Wasp retire from
Guadalcanal.
- From this date through 23 Aug, B-17s fly search missions covering the lower Solomon in order to detect any attempt to make a surprise attack on the forces consolidating the Guadalcanal beachhead. The first premeditated Kamikaze attack is delivered by two Aichi VA1 dive bombers off Guadalcanal. An American troop transport is destroyed.

CBI (CATF): In China, B-25s hit the Canton area, bombing Tien Ho Airfield and other targets in the vicinity and claiming 2 interceptors shot down.

ALASKA: In the Aleutian Islands, the USAAF's 11th Air Force dispatches 1 LB-30 and 3 B-24 Liberators, and 8 P-38 Lightnings on photo and bombing missions over Kiska Island cannot attack due to fog but 6 USN PBY-5A Catalinas of Patrol Squadron Forty One (VP-41)and VP-51, both based at NAF Dutch Harbor, also operating over and off Kiska Island, hit freighters and a transport, claiming 1 transport sinking, and score many hits on North Head and Main Camp.

USN: On the night of August 8-9th is the Battle of Savo Island. Lost are HMAS Canberra, USS Astoria, USS Quincy.

SWPA (5th AF): P-400s dive-bomb Kokoda and Yodda; B-17s, B-25s and B-26s bomb runways and targets of opportunity at Lae and Salamaua.

1943
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Kolombangara 23 B-25's, with P-38's, P-39's, and US Navy F4U's as cover, bomb Vila and Buki harbor. The 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), which has been operating from Guadalcanal Island with B-17's since Oct 42, ceases combat operations and regroups at it's base on Espiritu Santo Island
in the New Hebrides Islands. The squadron will transition to B-24D's and re-enter combat in Oct 43.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's attack Larat, shipping at Semboh, and barges at Kokas. Lost is B-24D "Big Emma" 41-23751. The 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, based at Amberley Field, 25 miles (40 km) W of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia begins operating from Port Moresby, New Guinea with P-38's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on Thursday.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, B-25s are weathered out of their primary target, the town of Shwekyina; the B-25s hit alternates, destroying the Meza bridge and damaging 3 others, and bombing railroad tracks at several points between Naba and Meza; weather severely curtails fighter-bomber missions; and the detachment of the 315th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, operating from Shingbwiyang with C-47s returns to base at Ledo, India.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-25s and 7 P-40s bomb a storage area in Hengshan and destroy several trucks in the area; 29 P-40s hit gun positions and targets of opportunity in the Hengyang vicinity; 14 P-51s and P-40s hit bridge, trucks, and river craft at Siangtan while 8 blast trucks, barges, and a compound between Siangtan and Hengyang; 12 P-40s attack river shipping from Sinti to Hankow; 15 P-40s bomb storage areas and radio stations at Amoy and Swatow.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Saipan Island-based B-25s bomb Guam Island where effective resistance ends. B-25s from the Marshall Islands hit Ponape Island while B-24s bomb Truk Atoll.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Yap and Gagil-Tomil Island, concentrating on airstrips, and airfields at Galela and Lolobata on Halmahera Island. B-24s hit Babo Airfield and the towns of Urarom and Manokwari; A-20s bomb a radio station near Hollandia and hit troop concentrations in the Musu area; fighter-bombers bomb bridges and buildings at Boram, troops at But, and guns at Dagua; and HQ 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group moves from Nadzab to Biak.
Guam: Mount Santa Rosa is captured as US forces advance on Guam.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 109, AUGUST 8, 1944
Rapid advances during August 7 (West Longitude Date) drove Japanese forces on Guam Island into the northeast corner of the island. On the west coast our troops advanced nearly six and one half miles to Ritidian Point at the northern tip of the island. On the east coast we advanced more than three miles almost to Anao Point. The center of our line running in a gen¬erally southeasterly direction from Ritidian Point to Anao Point curves sharply inward and is less than a mile from the shoreline at the point of deepest penetration. The Japanese defenders are thus threatened with being cut into two groups. Mount Santa Rosa, the highest elevation in Northern Guam, was occupied by our forces in the day's advances. Our troops have counted more than 10,000 enemy dead.
Navy carrier aircraft of a fast carrier task group on August 7 supported ground operations on Guam by bombing, strafing and firing rockets into enemy troop concentrations and installations.
Central Pacific land based aircraft on August 5, 6, and 7 attacked enemy fields and installations from Nauru Island to Wake Island.
On August 5 Navy Liberators of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Wake Island, scoring bits on the runways. Several small craft were strafed and one left sinking.
On the same day and also on August 6 Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells and Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two attacked Nauru Island, bombing airfields and the phosphate plant.
Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells and Navy Liberators of Fleet Air Wing Two hit Ponape on August 6, encountering medium antiaircraft fire.
Remaining Japanese positions in the Marshall Islands were attacked on August 6 and 7 by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators, Catalinas of Fleet Air Wing Two, and by Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing.
All our planes returned from these missions.
Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four attacked enemy objectives in the Northern Kuriles during daylight of August 4 (West Longitude Date). Airfields and adjacent installations were bombed. Antiaircraft fire was moerate. Small craft near Paramushiru were bombed and strafed. Several of our aircraft were damaged by antiaircraft fire from the vessels but all returned safely.

1945
MARIANAS:
8/8/45; 2:00 PM - Initial word was sent out that there would be an upcoming briefing.

8/8/45; 10:00 PM - Fat Man is loaded into Bock's Car, this time fully armed!
Note: The second mission was originally scheduled for August 11th but because of weather concerns, it was moved up two days to August 9th. This rescheduling also brought about a change of aircraft. This switch created a great deal of confusion, some of which still remains with us to this day. Maj. Sweeney was in line to command the second mission. However, his aircraft, The Great Artiste was still fitted with the special gear to drop the special measuring instruments and it could not be made ready to carry the bomb in time. Therefore, Tibbets made the quick decision to have the crew of The Great Artiste carry the Fat Man bomb in another B-29 named "Bockscar", so named for its pilot Fred Bock. Bock and his crew would fly The Great Artiste. The decision made a lot of sense. A simple switch of crews from one B-29 to another happened all the time.

8/8/45; 11:00 PM - A pre-flight briefing was held for all crew members of the three primary planes. Rendezvous point is changed from Iwo Jima to Yakushima due to bad weather. In addition, the altitude at which we were to fly to the Japanese Empire was raised 17,000 feet from the normal 9,000 feet. A different rendezvous point didn't mean much, but the higher altitude meant greater fuel consumption. Two important directives were issued by Tibbets at this briefing. (1) Wait no more than 15 minutes at the rendezvous point before proceeding on to Japan and (2) Drop "Fat Man" visually, ie., we must see the target!

JAPAN:
Twentieth Air Force: 381 B-29s fly three missions, 2 during the day of 8 Aug and 1 during the night of 8/9 Aug; 7 B-29s are lost.
Mission 319: Shortly before 1200 hours, 221 B-29s drop incendiaries on Yawata destroying 1.22 sq mi, 21% of the city; 6 others hit alternate targets; 1 B-29s is shot down by Japanese fighters and 3 are lost to mechanical reasons.
Mission 320: Late in the afternoon, 60 B-29s bomb an aircraft plant and arsenal complex at Tokyo; 2 others hit alternate targets; 2 B-29s are lost to flak and 1 to mechanical reasons (these are the last B-29s lost in action by the Twentieth AF).
Mission 321: During the night of 8/9 Aug, 91 B-29s hit Fukiyama with incendiaries destroying 0.88 sq mi, 73.3% of the city; 1 hits an alternate target. 100+ fighters from Iwo Jima hit airfields, factory buildings, barracks, and rail installations in the Osaka area.
Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 10 P-51s hit buildings, trucks, rivercraft, and other targets of opportunity in the Paoching, Hengyang, and Chuanhsien areas.

FEAF: Okinawa-based B-24s, B-25s, A-26s, P-51s, and P-47s carry out numerous strikes against targets on Kyushu Island, Japan; targets include the Usa and Tsuiki Airfields, communications and transport targets all over Kyushu, shipping between Kyushu and Korea, and targets of opportunity in the Ryukyu Islands, on the China coast, and on Formosa. P-47s escorting Twentieth AF B-29s claim 10 Japanese planes downed.

PACIFIC: The crew of the USN destroyer USS Cassin boards the Japanese hospital ship Kiku Maru northwest of Marcus Island but finds no violations and lets the ship proceed.

PHILLIPINES: On Luzon, B-24s support ground forces in the Lenatin River Valley and SSE of Mankayan and P-38s support ground action SSE of Mankayan, in the Kiangan area, and NW of Bagabag.

NEI: B-24s bomb Shinchiku Airfield. B-24s on a shipping search hit Lolobata Airfield on Halmahera Island.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves: HQ 475th FG and 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons from Lingayen Airfield to Ie Shima with P-38s; 528th Bombardment Squadron 380th BG (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with B-24s.

 

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1940
UK: Britain promises Japan that it will pull out of Shanghai and northern China; its manpower is needed elsewhere.

1941
NEWFOUNDLAND: The British battleship HMS Prince of Wales (53), with Prime Minister Winston Churchill aboard, arrives at Placentia Bay escorted by the British destroyer HMS Ripley and Canadian destroyers HMCS Restigouche (H 00) and HMCS Assiniboine. Churchill is here to meet with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt who arrived in the heavy cruiser USS Augusta two days ago. Churchill calls on Roosevelt on board USS Augusta and the two confer over lunch and dinner before Churchill returns to HMS Prince of Wales.
This conference will result in the Atlantic Charter; a statement of principles governing the policies of Britain and America. The other major outcome of this conference is that the military staff of both countries get to know each other and to begin to work together. This conference will last for 4 days.

1942
ALASKA (11th AF): 6 bombers fly armed reconnaissance over Kiska and Attu and hit Kiska.

CBI (CATF): In China, P-40s of the 23d Fighter Group continue to support Chinese ground forces by harassing the Japanese at Linchwan; 4 B-25s and 3 P-40s from the Kweilin-Hengyang area, staging through Nanning, bomb docks and warehouses at Haiphong, French Indochina, causing considerable damage and claiming a freighter sunk in the harbor; this is the first CATF raid over French Indochina.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s bomb shipping and Lakunai Airfield and Gasmata. Lost is B-17E 41-2452. B-26s hit the harbor area at Salamaua.

GUADALCANAL - US Carrier forces withdrew from direct support but remained in the area to give overall support to the campaign.

During the day the Marines consolidate their lines and defenses on Guadalcanal. Admiral Turner continues unloading supplies and men until he departs at sunset. He leaves promising aircraft for the still
uncompleted Henderson Field by the 11th.

Despite a 50-foot (15.24 meter) gash in her side, the USN destroyer USS Jarvis (DD-393), which was severely damaged by a torpedo yesterday off Guadalcanal, is considered seaworthy and ordered to proceed under cover of darkness to Efate, New Hebrides. Apparently unaware of the order, her captain, decided to steam to Sidney, Australia, for immediate repairs.
Unnoticed by her own ships, USS Jarvis departed Tulagi at 0000 hours local and moved slowly westward through "Ironbottom Sound" and between Savo Island and Cape Esperance. At 0134 hours she passed 3,000 yards northward of Rear Admiral Mikawa's cruisers, steaming to meet the Americans at the Battle of Savo Island. Mistaking her for a cruiser of the New Zealand Achilles-class, they fired torpedoes, and destroyer Yunagi later engaged her briefly, all without effect. The destroyer, continuing to retire westward, had little speed, no radio communications, and few operative guns; but she refused aid from the destroyer USS Blue upon being sighted at 0325 hours.
After daybreak, a scout plane from the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga sighted her 40 miles off Guadalcanal, trailing fuel oil and down by the bow. That was the last time Americans saw her.
The Japanese, however, still mistaking Jarvis for an escaping cruiser, dispatched 31 planes from Rabaul to search out and destroy her. Once discovered, the badly damaged destroyer was torpedoed and, according to Japanese records, "split and sank" at 1300 hours on 9 August with the loss of all hands.

In support of operations in the Solomon Islands, USAAF B-17 Flying Fortresses of the Allied Air Forces bomb shipping and airfields at Rabaul, New Britain Island and Gasmata Island off the southern coast of New Britain Island.

INDIA: In India, British authorities arrest Indian nationalist Mohandas K Gandhi.

1943
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Taungni-Sahmaw area; several others unsuccessfully attack a bridge N of Hopin and bomb the town of Tagwin. The 426th Night Fighter Squadron, Tenth Air Force, arrives at Madhaiganj, India from the US with P-61s (first mission is 21 Nov).

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-25s bomb a compound and vehicle shed on the NE edge of Hengyang; 36 P-40s and P-51s attack trucks, gun positions, and buildings at several points in the Hengyang-Siangtan area; 21 P-51s and P-40s knock out a pontoon bridge and hit junks and sampans at Changsha, and attack rivercraft at points along the C Yangtze River.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s blast AA positions in 3 different areas of Yap; other B-24s bomb airfields at Boela and at Liang, Ambon. A-20s hit shipping facilities at Asap Island and bomb Nabire Airfield; fighters strafe the villages S of Manokwari; B-25s bomb forces on the N coast of Waigeo Island; A-20s and fighter-bombers hit troops at Dagua and near Haur and bomb stores at Cape Moem and machine-guns at Cape Wom. HQ and 530th Bombardment Squadron move from Fenton to Darwin, Australia with B-24s.

PTO: On Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands, a PB4Y-1 Liberator of the USN's Bombing Squadron One Hundred Sixteen (VB-116) based at Stickell Field, crashes on takeoff and burns amid the 340 planes in the carrier aircraft replacement pool area; 106 F6F Hellcats, FM Wildcats, SB2C Helldivers and TBM Avengers are destroyed.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 110, AUGUST 9, 1944
All of Guam Island with the exception of a small area inland from Pati Point on the east coast was occupied by U. S. forces on August 8 (West Longitude Date). The remaining pocket of enemy resistance is surrounded and is under heavy pressure. A Naval patrol maintained off the northern coasts of Guam since our troops began their northward drive is believed to have prevented virtually all enemy attempts at escape.
Nauru Island was attacked several times from the afternoon of August 6 to the early morning of August 7 by Ventura search planes of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two. Runways were the principal targets. Moderate anti¬aircraft fire was encountered. A Liberator search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two strafed buildings and antiaircraft guns at Wake Island, another Navy Liberator bombed Truk, and two search Liberators bombed the airfield at Ponape on August 7. Wotje, Jaluit, and Maloelap Atolls in the Marshalls were attacked by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on August 7. We lost no planes in these operations.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Taungni-Sahmaw area; several others unsuccessfully attack a bridge N of Hopin and bomb the town of Tagwin. The 426th Night Fighter Squadron, Tenth Air Force, arrives at Madhaiganj, India from the US with P-61s (first mission is 21 Nov).

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-25s bomb a compound and vehicle shed on the NE edge of Hengyang; 36 P-40s and P-51s attack trucks, gun positions, and buildings at several points in the Hengyang-Siangtan area; 21 P-51s and P-40s knock out a pontoon bridge and hit junks and sampans at Changsha, and attack rivercraft at points along the C Yangtze River.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s blast AA positions in 3 different areas of Yap; other B-24s bomb airfields at Boela and at Liang, Ambon. A-20s hit shipping facilities at Asap Island and bomb Nabire Airfield; fighters strafe the villages S of Manokwari; B-25s bomb forces on the N coast of Waigeo Island; A-20s and fighter-bombers hit troops at Dagua and near Haur and bomb stores at Cape Moem and machine-guns at Cape Wom. HQ and 530th Bombardment Squadron move from Fenton to Darwin, Australia with B-24s.

PTO: On Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands, a PB4Y-1 Liberator of the USN's Bombing Squadron One Hundred Sixteen (VB-116) based at Stickell Field, crashes on takeoff and burns amid the 340 planes in the carrier aircraft replacement pool area; 106 F6F Hellcats, FM Wildcats, SB2C Helldivers and TBM Avengers are destroyed.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 110, AUGUST 9, 1944
All of Guam Island with the exception of a small area inland from Pati Point on the east coast was occupied by U. S. forces on August 8 (West Longitude Date). The remaining pocket of enemy resistance is surrounded and is under heavy pressure. A Naval patrol maintained off the northern coasts of Guam since our troops began their northward drive is believed to have prevented virtually all enemy attempts at escape.
Nauru Island was attacked several times from the afternoon of August 6 to the early morning of August 7 by Ventura search planes of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two. Runways were the principal targets. Moderate anti¬aircraft fire was encountered. A Liberator search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two strafed buildings and antiaircraft guns at Wake Island, another Navy Liberator bombed Truk, and two search Liberators bombed the airfield at Ponape on August 7. Wotje, Jaluit, and Maloelap Atolls in the Marshalls were attacked by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on August 7. We lost no planes in these operations.

1945
JAPAN:
Special Mission #16
The SIX B-29's of the Nagasaki Mission:
• Bockscar", piloted by Maj. Charles Sweeney carried the "Fat Man" plutonium bomb.
• "The Great Artiste", piloted by Capt. Fred Bock, was assigned to drop the three instruments used to measure the blast effects of the bomb.
• "The Big Stink", flown by Maj. James Hopkins, carried the scientific observers.
• "Full House", flown by Capt. Ralph Taylor, acts as a standby aircraft and flew to Iwo Jima in the event of mechanical problems with Bockscar.
• "Up an' Atom", piloted by Capt. George Marquardt, will act as a weather plane and fly ahead to primary target of Kokura.
• "Laggin' Dragon", piloted by Capt. Charles McKnight, will act as a weather plane and fly ahead to the secondary target of Nagasaki.

The Mission's Timeline...
8/9/45; Prior to take off, flight engineer Kuharek notices the fuel pump for one of the reserve tanks on Bockscar is not functioning. The crew deplanes while the situation is discussed. The decision is made to carry on with the mission as planned.
8/9/45; 2:58 AM - The two weather planes, Up an' Atom and Laggin' Dragon, take off for their selected cities to monitor weather conditions.
8/9/45; 3:49 AM - Bockscar, piloted by Major Charles "Chuck" Sweeney, lifts off from Tinian Island. This take off was tricky, as the B-29 was loaded past a safe limit. Everyone on Tinian, at one time or another, had witnessed a B29, heavily laden with mines, crash and explode at the end of the runway when just one engine was lost. As Bockscar sped down the 8,500 foot runway in the dark of night, you can bet it was on the minds of the crew members.
8/9/45; 3:51 AM - The Great Artiste, piloted by Capt. Fred Bock, leaves Tinian for Japan.
8/9/45; 3:53 AM - The Big Stink, piloted by Lt. Col. Hopkins, lifts off.
8/9/45; 4:00 AM - Commander Ashworth, the Weaponeer, opened the small hatch to the bomb bay and crawled inside. Approx. 15 minutes later he reappeared and said that he had changed the "green plugs to red". He also said that we had to maintain altitude because the bomb could pre-detonate if we dropped below 5,000 feet. Lt. Barnes, the other Weaponeer, turned to the black box that had been placed on the table beside Abe Spitzer, our radioman. This box had lots of dials and lights and one big red bulb that slowly blinked off and on. Lt. Barnes set on a small stool in front of the box and never took his eyes off the blinking bulb until we dropped "Fat Man" almost six hours later. When asked at one point why he was so absorbed by the blinking light, Lt. Barnes said that as long as it continued to blink slowly, everything was ok with the bomb. If it started to blink rapidly, well......
8/9/45; 9:10 AM - Bockscar reached rendezvous point and immediately spots The Great Artiste. The Big Stink is nowhere in sight. Aircraft increased their altitude to 30,000 feet and slowly circle Yakushima Island. 15 and then 20 minutes went by, still no Hopkins on The Big Stink. Everyone was remembering Tibbet's directive - wait no more than 15 minutes and then leave. It was also during this circling that both weather planes reported that both Kokura and Nagasaki had cloud cover but visibility was sufficient for visual bombing.
8/9/45; 9:50 AM - After circling for 40 minutes, Bockscar and The Great Artiste finally head in the direction of Kokura. The Big Stink was nowhere to be seen. (Note: There is still to this day differing stories of why The Big Stink failed to rendezvous with the rest.) The additional 30 minutes that Bockscar and The Great Artiste took to wait ended up costing the mission clear, visual bombing conditions over Kokura. These crucial minutes saved Kokura from utter destruction and placed Nagasaki forever in the history books.
8/9/45; 10:20 AM - B29's arrive at Kokura.
8/9/45; 10:40 AM - Target is in sight, but 7/10 cloud cover is preventing visual run.
8/9/45; 10:45 AM - Three bomb runs are made on Kokura, but each time the drop was called off. Animated discussions take place amongst crew members as what to do next. Mention is made of a fuel transfer pump problem that means the additional 640 gallons of fuel stored in the tail was useless. Fuel is now becoming a real problem!
8/9/45; 11:32 AM - Decision made to reduce power to conserve fuel and head for secondary target, Nagasaki, 95 miles to the south.
8/9/45; 11:56 AM - Bockscar and The Great Artiste arrive at Nagasaki.
8/9/45; 11:58 AM - Bombardier, Kermit Beahan, now flying Bockscar, releases "Fat Man". Both planes take a 155 degree dive to their right and left respectively.
8/9/45; 12:02 PM - Fat Man explodes at an altitude of 1,840 feet with a force of 22,000 tons of TNT. Three shock waves are felt by both planes.
8/9/45; 12:06 PM - Bockscar and The Great Artiste, now low on fuel, head toward Okinawa. Real possibility exists for a forced landing in the water. Attempt to raise air/sea rescue units fails.
8/9/45; 1:00 PM - Okinawa is in sight. Attempts to notify airfield of emergency landing fails. There were other planes landing at the time on the only active runway. Finally, Sweeney ordered flares to be fired and Bockscar headed in. They landed at 150 MPH instaed of the normal 120 MPH. The number 2 engine ran out of fuel as they were on the runway.
8/9/45; 1:20 PM - Both The Great Artiste and Hopkins' The Big Stink (now found) landed at Okinawa. As it turned out, The Big Stink made its way to Nagasaki and arrived in time to take photographs.
8/9/45; 5:30 PM - All 3 B29's take off from Okinawa for Tinian Island.
8/9/45; 11:30 PM - B29's arrive back at North Field on Tinian.

USA: US President Truman broadcasts about the atomic bombs and their use on Japan.

MANCHURIA: The Red Army attack Japanese Forces in Manchuria with an army of 1.5 million soldiers. The Japanese defense lines are soon smashed.

JAPAN: Vice Admiral Hoshina, Chief of Military Affairs Bureau for the Naval Ministry, discussed the worsening situation with Vice Admiral Onishi, the Navy Vice Chief of Staff. Onishi replies that there were "ample chances of victory for Japan." He minimizes the importance of the atom bomb and the Russian invasion, the dwindling resources. He stresses the effectiveness of "special attacks" and the suicide weapons.
Hoshina then sees Navy Minister Yonai. Yonai comments "I have given up the war."
The Japanese Supreme Council for the Direction of the War, meets at 10:30 this morning. The SCDW is known as the Big 6 of the Japanese Cabinet. PM, FM, War Minister, Navy Minister, Army CofS, Navy CofS. They are notified of the Nagasaki bomb. By 1:00 pm they are still unable to agree on acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. The Military refuses to negotiate on the continuing existence of the Emperor system, disarmament and occupation.
At the Japanese cabinet meeting this afternoon, PM Suzuki is able to set the stage for an Imperial Conference with the Emperor. The military are not aware that it will be tonight. The discussion is deadlocked over two proposals. The FM proposal is to accept the Potsdam Declaration. The military have added 1) A guarantee that the imperial family will continue to reign. 2) Disarmament of the armed forces by Japan herself. 3) Trial of war criminals by Japan herself. 4) Occupation of Japan to be limited to the minimum time and places.

Twentieth Air Force:
Mission 322: During the night of 9/10 Aug, 95 B-29s bomb the Nippon Oil Refinery at Amagasaki; 2 others hit alternate targets.

FEAF:
In Japan, B-25s over Kyushu Island, bomb airfields at Kanoya, the town of Noma, shipping in Beppu Bay, bridges, factories, and oil storage at Tsurusaki, and shipping, coastal villages, and communications targets in the Tsushima Strait area; A-26s and A-20s hit Kanoya Airfield and the industrial areas of Kushikino, Minato, and Shimahira; B-24s over W Honshu Island bomb the airfield at Iwakuni; 200+ P-47s and P-51s hit numerous targets on Shikoku and Kyushu Islands, and in the Ryukyu Islands including airfields, barracks, harbor installations, bridges, shipping, vehicles, and various factories and storage facilities.
- USN carrier-based aircraft of Task Force 38 attack Japanese shipping
and airfields in northern Honshu and Hokkaido; 9 ships are sunk.
- USN battleships and cruisers, plus 2 RN light cruisers, bombard industrial targets at Kamaishi, Honshu.

FORMOSA: B-24s bomb military stores at Matsuyama, Formosa.

PHILLIPINES: On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s support ground forces in areas N of Baguio, SSE of Mankayan, S of Kabayan, SE of Cervantes, near Kiangan, and NW of Infanta.

NEI: B-24s over Ceram Islands bomb Liang barracks on Ambon.

PACIFIC: A USN force consisting of the battleship USS New Jersey, light cruiser USS Biloxi and 4 destroyers shell Wake Island while they are enroute from Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii to Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Tenth Air Force: HQ Tenth AF moves from Kunming to Liuchow, China; when the war ends, the deployment of Tenth AF units to China is still in progress; so, for the Tenth, war ends amidst a major reorganization.
Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 5 B-25s, with P-51 escort, damage the Puchi railroad bridge, and hit rail traffic N of Sinsiang; the P-51s strafe AA positions and targets of opportunity near the bridge; 4 other B-25s operating individually, attack truck convoys and targets of opportunity S of Changsha, S and N of Yoyang, and in the Siang Chiang Valley, and hit the S end of the town of Siangtan.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves: HQ 3d Air Commando Group and 3d and 4th Fighter Squadrons (Commando) from Laoag, Luzon to Ie Shima with P-51s; HQ from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa; and 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th FG, from San Jose Mindoro to Ie Shima with P-38s.

 

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1940
The Japanese naval blockade of the coast of China is extended to South China.The Japanese naval blockade of the coast of China is extended to South China.

1941
NEWFOUNDLAND: The Atlantic Charter Conference between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill continues for a second day in Placentia Bay. Roosevelt boards the destroyer USS McDougal and is transported to religious services in the battleship HMS Prince of Wales as a guest of Churchill. After inspecting the topsides of the British battleship, the President returns in McDougal to heavy cruiser USS Augusta; that night, the President hosts the Prime Minister at dinner.

1942
SOLOMONS: Off Kavieng, New Ireland the US submarine S-44 sights 4 IJN cruisers heading for the harbor. At 700 yards she fires 4 torpedos. Kako is sunk. These are 4 of the 7 cruisers from Admiral Mikawa's 8th Fleet, the victors of Savo Island.
Off New Ireland Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, the IJN's Cruiser Division 6, which had inflicted one of the worst defeats of the war on Allied surface ships in the Battle of Savo Island yesterday, are nearing Kavieng. At 0750 hours, the submarine USS S-44 (SS-155) sights the formation, four heavy cruisers, their track less than 900 yards (823 meters) away. At 0806 hours, the submarine fires four torpedoes at the rear ship, HIJMS Kako, only 700 yards (640 meters) away. By 0808, all four torpedoes have exploded; heavy cruiser KAKO is sinking, and S-44 has begun her escape. By 0812 hours, Japanese destroyers have started depth charging, without success; S-44 reaches Brisbane, Australia, on 23
August.

ALASKA: In the Aleutian Islands, the USAAF's 11th Air Force dispatches 5 B-17 Flying Fortresses and 3 B-24 Liberators to bomb Kiska Island targets; fighters and AA down 1 B-24.

SOLOMONS: In the Solomon Islands, the first aircraft lands on Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. The aircraft, a PBY-5A Catalina, is assigned to the Commander, South Pacific Force.

CBI (CATF): In China, B-25s bomb Hankow; afterwards the P-40 escorts, led by Colonel Robert L Scott, strike ammunition dumps and military warehouses at Sienning, causing heavy destruction of material which the Japanese have accumulated to use against Hengyang and other US bases in central China.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, P-38's, P-40's, A-24s, B-24's and B-25's bomb and strafe various targets on Kiska Island; direct hits are scored on revetments W of the Wheat Grove and on gun emplacements, as well as on buildings on Little Kiska Island. HQ Eleventh Air Force transfers from Elmendorf Field, Anchorage to Adak Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, Colonel William A Matheny becomes acting Commanding General, XIII Bomber Command, a position he is officially assigned to on 30 Sep 43. P-40's and P-39's turn back about 40 fighters attacking US bulldozers working on Munda Airfield on New Georgia Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 20+ B-24's pound airfields in the Salamaua area; 12 B-25's hit barges in the Lae area and AA positions W of Borgen Bay; and 6 A-20's bomb and strafe barges in Labu Lagoon and Gasmata. Lost after a mid-air collision is C-47 42-23700 near Terapo.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-25s on a shipping sweep spot 2 patrol boats 75 miles ESE of Shimushu Island, Kurile Islands; one is sunk, the other is damaged.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s bomb the town of Shwekyina; a few P-51s support ground forces by hitting a railroad station at Mingon.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 9 P-40s strafe Taiyuan Airfield claiming 20+ aircraft destroyed; 16 P-40s destroy 4 trucks and damage about 50 others at Siangtan and in the Changsha area; 2 P-40s strafe numerous junks along the S China coast.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): 2 missions are flown during the night of 10/11 Aug; in one, 24 B-29s, out of Chengtu, China, bomb the urban area of Nagasaki and 3 others hit targets of opportunity; the B-29s claim 1 fighter shot down, the first such claim (except probables) by the B-29s. In other missions, the first staged through China Bay, Ceylon, 31 B-29s bomb oil refineries at Palembang, 8 mine the Moesi River nearby, and 3 hit targets of opportunity and a secondary target; the first attack, from Ceylon to Sumatra, is the longest single-stage combat flight (about 3,900 miles or 6,276 km) by B-29s during the war.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s flying their first mission from Saipan pound Iwo Jima, beginning the AAF's neutralization campaign of that island. Saipan-based P-47s hit Tinian and Pagan. All organized resistance on Guam Island ends. B-24s from Kwajalein hit Wotje.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s attack Yap, concentrating on AA positions, airfields and the town of Yap; others hit Galela Airfield and Lolobata and Namlea, Buru Island. In New Guinea, B-25s bomb Langgoer Airfield; fighter-bombers attack Sorong, Manokwari, and villages along the W coast of Geelvink Bay; fighter-bombers continue to pound forces between Aitape and Wewak; large-scale troop carrier missions are flown to forward bases, especially on Schouten Islands; HQ Fifth Air Force moves from Nadzab to Owi; HQ 91st Photographic Wing (Reconnaissance) moves from Nadzab to Biak Island; HQ 308th Bombardment Wing moves from Owi to Hollandia; and HQ 90th Bombardment Group and 319th and 320th Bombardment Squadrons move from Nadzab to Biak Island with B-24s.

GUAM: Organized Japanese resistance on Guam ends. Isolated groups are holding out in the jungle. The last of these survivors will hide out until 1972. US casualties total 1,300 KIA of 7,000 total.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 111, AUGUST 10, 1944
Organized Japanese resistance on Guam Island ceased during the after¬noon of August 9 (West Longitude Date). The First Provisional Marine Brigade, Third Marine Division, and Seventy Seventh Infantry Division are engaged in mopping up operations.
Nearly 60 tons of bombs were dropped on Truk Atoll during daylight on August 8 by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators. Approximately 10 enemy fighters intercepted our force, damaging two Liberators. One enemy fighter was shot down and two damaged. Antiaircraft fire was meager. Ventura search planes of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two, attacked Nauru Island be¬fore dawn on August 8, striking at gun emplacements. Nauru was also hit by Venturas during daylight on August 8. Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Ponape Island on the same day, and neutralization raids against Maloelap Atoll were carried out by Liberator and Catalina search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two. All of our planes returned from these operations.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 112, AUGUST 10, 1944
Casualties suffered by American forces on Guam Island through August 9 (West Longitude Date), the day on which organized Japanese resistance ended, were 1,214 killed in action, 5,704 wounded in action, and 329 missing in action. Our troops have counted 10,971 enemy dead. Elimination of scat¬tered remnants of the enemy continues.
Final figures covering our casualties on Tinian Island indicate 190 killed in action, 1,515 wounded in action, and 24 missing in action. On Tinian our troops have buried 5,544 enemy dead to date, and have taken more than 400 prisoners of war.

1945
JAPAN: The Japanese Imperial Conference begins just prior to midnight. After much discussion by various cabinet members, they are still unable to make a decision. At 2:00 am, PM Suzuki addresses Hirohito and asks, "Your Imperial decision is requested as to which porposal should be adopted, the foreign minister's or the one with the four conditions."

This was the first time in recorded Japanese history that the Emperor had been asked to make a decision. The military had expected the conference was for discussion and would then disperse. Now, the living god whose every command they had sworn to uphold was about to speak.

"I agree with the foreign minister." is the beginning of his answer. He then reviews events of the past several months. Then he goes on: "Some advocate a decisive battle in the homeland as the way to survival. In past experience, however, there has always been a discrepancy between the fighting services' plans and the results."

The military had demanded death before dishonor for Japan. Hirohito, the God-sent Ruler of the Great Japanese Empire (his official title) favored dishonor, if need be, as the price of life for his countrymen and survival of Japan.

At 3:00 am the cabinet meeting is resumed. The Emperor's decision is ratified. At 7:00 am General Yoshizumi, Chief of the Military Affairs Division of the War Ministry goes to the foreign ministry to derail sending the notice of the decision, he is too late.

During the day, the military are working at cross purposes. The Senior Officers are trying to comply with the Emperor's decision. The junior officers are confused, disillusioned and ready to revolt.

The conditional Japanese acceptance of the terms of the Potsdam Declaration is announced on Japanese Radio.

CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]
Twentieth Air Force:
The Japanese radio announces the Japanese desire for peace and USASTAF limits operations to precision mission. 104 B-29s fly 2 missions against Japan without loss.
Mission 323: During the day, 70 B-29s, escorted by 2 groups of P-51s, bomb the arsenal complex at Tokyo; 3 others hit alternate targets.
Mission 324: During the night of 10/11 Aug, 31 B-29s mine Shimonoseki Strait, Nakaumi Lagoon, and waters at Sakai and Yonago, Japan and Wonsan, Korea.

JAPAN:
In Japan, 80 B-24s, 118 B-25s, and 220+ P-47s and P-38s pound the Kumamoto area; 20+ B-24s bomb the Oita area; 39 P-51s provide cover over both targets; nearly 40 B-25s attack destroyers, cargo ships, and small vessels during a shipping sweep between Kyushu Island and Korea; P-47s bomb Sasebo Harbor; P-51s hit various targets of opportunity on Honshu and Kyushu and B-25s bomb targets of opportunity in the N Ryukyu Islands. B-24s bomb Shinchiku.
- Carrier-based aircraft from the RN's Task Force 37 and USN's Task Force 38 attack shipping, airfields and railways in the Hokkaido and northern
Honshu area; they claim the destruction of 720 aircraft on the ground.
Participating in this attack, are Corsair Mk IVs of the RCN's No. 1841 Squadron in HMS Formidable.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater Fourteenth Air Force: Major General Charles B Stone III assumes command of HQ Fourteenth AF, replacing Major General Claire L Chennault. In China, 5 B-25s and 4 P-51s bomb a bivouac S of Siangyin, hit convoys S of Siangtan and in the Siang Chiang Valley, pound a storage area and AA positions at Nanchang, and hit a truck concentration N of Hengshan; 50+ P-47s and P-51s attack rivercraft, railroad targets, troops, trucks, and bridges at several points in S and E China

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 90th BG and 320th Bombardment Squadron to Ie Shima; and 530th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), to Okinawa.

PHILLIPINES: On Luzon, P-38s hit troop concentrations near Mount Pulog and ENE of Dupax. B-24 unit moves from San Jose, Mindoro:

 

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1941
CANADA: President Franklin D Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill confer twice today aboard the US heavy cruiser USS Augusta in Placentia Bay, Argentia, Newfoundland.

1942
ALASKA (11th AF): In the Aleutian, 1 B-24 flies photo reconnaissance over W Semichi and the N coast of Attu .

CBI (CATF): In China, P-40s hit airfields at Yoyang and Nanchang from which the enemy has been attacking Hengyang.

SOPAC: 98th Bombardment Squadron, 11th BG (Heavy), moves from Hickam Field, Oahu, Hawaii to Espiritu Santo ; they have been operating B-17s from Plaine Des Gaiacs, New Caledonia since 21 Jul.

GUADALCANAL: On Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, 6 IJN A6M "Zekes," based on Rabaul, strafe US Marines working on Henderson Field.

NG: Australian forces retreat 5 miles from Deniki toward Templeton's Crossing on the Kokoda Trail. They are approaching the summit of the Owen Stanley Mountains in their retreat towards Port Morsby, New Guinea.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In B-24's, B-25's, A-24s, and P-38's pound Kiska Island targets in 11 attack missions; later, 10 reconnaissance, strafing and photo missions to Kiska are flown by 3 P-38's, 26 P-40's, 4 F-5A's and 1 B-24. 9 B-24's from Attu Airfield drop bombs and incendiaries on Paramushiru, including Kashiwabara Airfield and Shimushu where the Kataoka naval base and staging area are hit. 40 enemy aircraft challenge the attackers, which score 4 confirmed kills, 1 probable, and 4 possibles.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): The 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, transfers from Lingling to Hengyang, China with P-40's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 5 B-24's hit a supply area on the E side of Suavanau Point, Santa Isabel Island and on Papatura Fa Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24 on armored reconnaissance sinks an enemy freighter NW of Kavieng on New Ireland Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. The Second Air Task Force completes a movement to Tsili Tsili Airfield, New Guinea

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-25s bomb an encampment area and underground shelters at Kadu; 4 others abort because of bad weather; 6 P-40s attack a Japanese-occupied temple at Shwekyina and Japanese HQ at Bhamo.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 23 B-24s bomb Changsha, 16 B-25s pound Hengyang and 40+ P-51s and P-40s bomb bridges, villages, warehouses, trucks, troops, and other targets of opportunity in the Hengyang area; 26 P-40s attack targets of opportunity at or near Chuting, Puchou, and Yungfengshih.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Makin based B-25s hit Ponape Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: 312th BG A-20s hit shipping off Urarom and loose 3 A-20s shot down by AA fire: A-20G "Hot Box" 43-9392. They also hit Wandammen Bay and barges and a radar station along the coast of Geelvink Bay; A-20s pound Japanese HQ and bivouac areas S of Sawar, A-20s and B-25s bomb forces at Haur village while P-39s hit the Kairiru Island barge terminal, coastal guns at several points, and troops, supplies, and buildings from But to Rocky Point; the 2nd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Nadzab to Owi with B-24s; and the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Nadzab, begins operating from Biak Island with F-5s.

USA: An electric-powered rescue hoist is installed on a USCG HNS-1 helicopter at CGAS Floyd Bennett Field, New York. During the ensuing 4-day test period, in which flights are conducted over Jamaica Bay, the feasibility of rescuing personnel from the water and of transferring personnel and equipment to and from underway boats is demonstrated. In late September, a hydraulic hoist, which overcomes basic disadvantages of the electric hoist, is installed and successfully tested, leading to its adoption for service use.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 506, AUGUST 11, 1944
1. Iwo Jima in the Volcano group was bombed by Liberators of the 7th AAF on 9 August (West Longitude Date). Forty seven tons of bombs were dropped on the airfield and adjacent installations, and fires were started. Several enemy fighters attempted to intercept our force but did no damage, although anti aircraft fire caused minor damage to three Liberators.
2. On the same day more than a hundred Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked Mille atoll, dive bombing and strafing defense installations. Antiaircraft fire was meager. Catalina search planes during the night of 8 9 August conducted harassing raids against other enemy positions in the Marshalls.
3. Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Nauru Island on 9 August.

1945
JAPAN: Government Deliberations: Shortly after midnight Japan receives unofficial notification of the rejection of Japan's conditional acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration.
The Chief of Staff for the Army and Navy meet with Hirohito. They review the US response and offer their advice. "Reject the impertinent terms and fight to the very last." Hirohito realizes that they have not really heard his desire on the 10th to end the war.
Professor Asada, after investigating Hiroshima, returns to Osaka University. He has a visitor, Lt. Saito from the Etajima Naval Academy. He reports that his commanding officer has deduced that the Hiroshima bomb was a mixture of magnesium and oxygen. There was not much more to fear from this new bomb than conventional bombs. There were 3 notations: 1) A special bomb was used; 2) burns can be prevented by covering the body; 3) rumor has it that the same kind of bomb will be dropped on Tokyo on August 12.
Professor Asada is shocked and convinces Lt. Saito to delay his report until Asada can report to Tokyo first.
During the day, a group of junior army officers around Col. Takeshita decide to mount a coup. They intend to overrule the "false advisors" of the Emperor and continue the war.
That evening the Emperor meets with all of the Imperial Family. He explains the object of his decision and asks for their support. After open discussion, the princes pledge their support.
The War Minister Anami meets with Prince Mikasa. He requests the prince to ask the Emperor to change his mind. Anami later reports to his secretary "Prince Mikasa severly scolded me saying 'Since the Manchurian Incident the army has not once acted in accordance with the Imperial wish. It is most improper that you should still want to continue the war when things have come to this stage' "

In Japan:
- Okinawa-based B-24s, B-25s, A-26 Invaders, A-20s, and fighters of the US Far East Air Force fly about 530 sorties and cause extensive destruction to shipping and shore installations in the Inland Sea, in the Tsushima area, and of communications, transportation, and other targets throughout Kyushu Island.
- US carrier-based aircraft of Task Force 38 sink three IJN submarines at Kure.

NEI: After embarking Australian Army officers in Borneo, the US submarine USS Hawkbill lands the commandoes at Terampah Harbor, Matak Island, Anambas Islands and they destroy a gasoline dump, capture intelligence documents and rescue an Indian POW. Two radio stations are destroyed using the submarine deck gun. The submarine returned to Borneo on 13 August.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): The 11th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group moves from Adak to Shemya with P-38s.

Fourteenth Air Force: In China, 9 P-51s attack troops, trains, and rivercraft around Chenhsien, Tehsien, and Hengyang; and the 115th Liaison Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Hsingchiang with L-1, L-4s and L-5s, begins operating primarily from Peishiyi.

PHILLIPINES: Philippine based B-24s bomb Heito Airfield on Formosa and Laha barracks Ambon. P-38s hit buildings near Dibuluan and fieldguns near Kiangan on Luzon.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 400th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th BG (Heavy), moves from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with B-24s.

 

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1941
CANADA: The final conference between US President Franklin D Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Placentia Bay, Argentia, Newfoundland, is held in the US heavy cruiser USS Augusta. The two men have discussed the needs of the British for support, a joint strategy and the political character of the postwar world. At the end, The Atlantic Charter, which outlines goals in the war against Germany and emphasizes the principles of freedom, self-determination, peace and co-operation, is issued. After the last meeting, the battleship HMS Prince of Wales and her escort depart Newfoundland for England while USS Augusta, with USS Tuscaloosa and 5 destroyers, sail from Blue Hill Bay, Maine, where the presidential yacht USS Potomac and her tender, USS Calypso, are anchored.

1942
ALASKA (11th AF): In the Aleutian, 1 B-24 flies photo reconnaissance over Amlia and Atka .

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s bomb shipping Simpson Harbor scoring damaging hits on 3 vessels. Five Allied transport aircraft tasked with dropping supplies to allied troops at Kagi, Kokoda and Wau.
71st Bombardment Squadron, 38th BG (Medium), moves from Batchelor Field to Breddan Field, Australia with B-25s; first mission is 15 Sep.

SWPA (5th AF)Vanuatu - Americans build additional bases in New Hebrides to support Guadalcanal operation.

GUADALCANAL: A PBY Catalina, piloted by Adm. McCain's aide, is the first aircraft to land at, the yet unfinished, Henderson Field, Guadalcanal. On a run from Guadalancal to Tulagi, 2 Higgins boats and tank lighter are attacked by a IJN I-boat. After sinking one Higgins boat the submarine is bracketed by Battery E of the 11th Marines and submerges.
The US forces on Guadalcanal are placed on reduced rations of 2 meals per day. This relatively large ration is possible due to the captured Japanese food stuffs.
After dark a patrol led by Col. Frank Goettge (G-2, 1st MarDiv) leaves the Marine Perimeter, by boat 3 miles east, for the mouth of the Matanikau River. Stories from the 3 survivors tell of the glint of swords or bayonets as the patrol is slaughtered. This incident will profoundly affect the US forces throughout the war in the Pacific.

USA: The US light cruiser USS Cleveland, operating in the Chesapeake Bay, demonstrated the effectiveness of the radio-proximity fuze against aircraft by destroying 3 radio-controlled drones with 4 proximity bursts fired from her 5-inch guns. This successful demonstration led to mass production of the fuze.

1943
ALASKA: The USN Task Unit 16.6.1 consisting of the heavy cruisers USS Indianapolis and USS Salt Lake City, the light cruisers USS Detroit, USS Raleigh and USS Richmond, and 5 destroyers bombard Kiska Island between 0712 and 0733 hours local with 85 rounds of 8-inch, 450 rounds of 6-inch and 1,072 rounds of 5-inch shells. Scouting aircraft are launched by the cruisers to spot the shellfire but damage is difficult to assess because of the excellent camouflage the departed Japanese had used.
Later in the day, US Eleventh Air Force B-24s and B-25 Mitchells fly 26 bombing, strafing, and radar and photo reconnaissance sorties over Kiska Island targets from bases on Adak Island. From Amchitka Island P-40s, P-38 Lightnings, B-24s, B-25s, and A-24 Dauntlesses fly 70 bombing sorties over the island and are joined by B-24s, P-40s, and F-5A Lightnings flying 6 reconnaissance and photo sorties. Targets include the runway, harbor and shipping installations, army barracks, and the Rose Hill area.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, the US Thirteenth Air Force dispatches 25 B-24s, with 8 P-40s and 22 US Marine F4U Corsairs, to bomb Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island, causing considerable damage in the dispersal and runway areas. The Allied airplanes claim 11 A6M "Zekes" shot down; 1 P-40 and 1 F4U are lost. During the night, a US Army detachment lands at Barakoma on Vella Lavella Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's hit the Bogadjim-Yaula road. A-20's bomb and strafe Gasmata and nearby barges; and a B-24 hits Cape Gloucester Airfield. The 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, based at Amberley Field near Brisbane, Queensland, Australia begins operating from Port Moresby, New Guinea with P-38's. The squadron will fly it's first combat mission on Friday.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-24s and 2 F-7As over Paramushiru and Shimushu Islands hit targets which include shipping in Higashi Banjo Strait and buildings and runway on Suribachi; enemy fighters give battle; the B-24s score 3 kills and 13 probables and damaged; 6 more B-25s fly an uneventful shipping sweep and take photos over Shimushiru Island.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, about 20 fighter-bombers hit Shwekyina, damage a bridge near Manla, bomb railroad yards at Pinwe, strafe a river boat near Bhamo, and attack troops in the Myothit area; 24 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Taungni-Pinbaw area. The 427th Night Fighter Squadron, Tenth Air Force, arrives at Pomigliano, Italy with P-61s; the squadron will fly missions in the MTO for training before arriving in the CBI Theater.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 B-25s bomb the railroad yards at Hengyang; 19 P-51s and P-40s hit targets of opportunity in this area; 39 P-40s attack various targets of opportunity at Chiuchiang, Yungfengshih, Loyang, Siangtan, and Tengchung.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Saipan based B-24s hit shipping, seaplane base, and Susaki Airfield at Chichi Jima. B-25s pound Pagan while P-47s hit Rota Island. B-24s from the Marshall Islands bomb Truk Atoll while Gilbert Island-based B-25s pound Nauru Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, long-range reconnaissance is greatly increased thanks to the strategic position of newly acquired Schouten Islands bases; B-24s pound the airfield at Babo while B-25s and P-39s hit Nabire Airfield; other P-39s attack defenses at Mansinam Island and shore concentrations along W Geelvink Bay; P-47s support ground operations in the area of Sansapor Point by bombing Dore; A-20s and P-47s hit forces and targets of opportunity in the Sarmi area and along the Metimedan River; A-20s and P-39s attack troops at Haur, coastal targets in cooperation with motor torpedo (PT) boats, and fuel dumps at Boram; and the 321st and 400th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy), move from Nadzab to Biak Island with B-24s.

INDIAN OCEAN: German submarine U-198 is sunk about 169 nautical miles wnw of the Seychelles Islands (3.35S, 52.49E) by depth charges from the British frigate HMS Findhorn (K 301) and the Indian sloop HMIS Godavari (U 52). All 66 crewmen in the U-boat are lost.

ALASKA: US President Franklin D Roosevelt concludes his inspection of naval facilities in the Pacific and departs Puget Sound, Washington for Washington, DC.

1945
JAPAN: JAPAN: On this quiet Sunday, junior Army officers meet with War Minister Anami at his house, attempting to enlist his assistance in their plans for a coup. US drops leaflets telling of surrender terms to encourage leaders to quit.


JAPAN: In the Kurile Islands, the USN light cruiser USS Concord and 3 destroyers bombard Suribachi Airfield on Paramushiru Island for 20 minutes beginning at 0046 hours local. The last shot fired by a USN vessel is fired by the USS Concord.

JAPAN: FEAF: B-25s and A-26 Invaders hit Chiran and Kanoya Airfields while other A-26s and A-20s and P-47s hit the towns of Kushikino, Akune, and Miyazaki; more B-25s and fighter-bombers hit shipping and communications targets on Kyushu, the northern Ryukyu Islands, and between Japan and Korea; the aircraft claim several small merchant ships sunk and damaged, and numerous bridges, railroads, factories, and other targets of opportunity hit.

JAPAN: 11TH AF: Four US Eleventh Air Force B-24s make a combined visual and radar bomb run over Kataoka on Shimushu Island; 3 more bomb Suribachi Airfield on Paramushiru Island, hitting runways and buildings; all of these missions are in support of the naval bombardment. USN PB4Y-2 Privateers of VPB-120 based on Attu attack Kurabu Airfield on Paramushiru Island.

KOREA: Soviet troops enter N. Korea.

OKINAWA: I-58 launches last kaiten. Pennsylvania torpedoed at Okinawa

FORMOSA: B-24s from Okinawa bomb Matsuyama Airfield on Formosa. B-24s from the Philippines pound Kagi Airfield and the Takao marshalling yard.

PHILLIPINES: On Luzon, P-38s support ground forces in or near Kabayan, Kiangan, and Uldugan.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves: Air echelon of the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with F-5s joining the ground echelon that arrived in Jul; 319th and 529th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th BG (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with B-24s; 387th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 312th BG (Heavy), from Floridablanca to Okinawa with A-20s; and 529th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th BG (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with B-24s.

 

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1942
ALASKA (11th AF): 1 B-24 flies photo reconnaissance over Kiska .

SWPA (5th AF): A Japanese convoy, headed toward Basabua near Gona, with 3,000 construction troops, is attacked first by B-17s 76 mi (122 km) NE of Gona, followed by B-26s 20-25 mi (32-40 km) N of Gona and another B-17 attack as the convoy approaches landing position. Lost is B-26 40-1492.

NG: Japanese ground forces attack at Deniki, driving Allied forces back about 5 mi (8 km) and firmly securing the Buna-Kokoda trail. A Japanese Army detachment landed last night at Buna, New Guinea.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 7 B-25's from Adak bomb targets at Main Camp and North Head on Kiska and Little Kiska Islands. A B-24 flies a special reconnaissance mission. From Amchitka Island B-24's, B-25's, A-24s, and P-38's fly 8 more bombing missions against Kiska Island pounding the Camp area, gun emplacements, buildings, shipping, and airstrip revetments. The 406th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group (Medium), ceases operating from Adak Island with B-25's and returns to it's base at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage. During the latter part of Aug 43, the 515th and 516th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons, 407th Fighter-Bomber Group, cease operating from Amchitka Island with A-24s and return to their base at Drew Field, Tampa, Florida.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 P-40's bomb and strafe enemy installations at Lungling, China.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 4 P-40's become the first Allied aircraft to land on the reconstructed Munda Airfield; after refueling, they are sent on a sweep of the Kolombangara coast; 9 B-17's, with fighter cover, bomb a Kape Harbor depot; and 2 others on armored reconnaissance bomb Vila. 12 B-25's bomb supply areas in the Rekata Bay area; 2 B-24's on armored reconnaissance hit Suavanau Point, 8 bomb the airfield on Ballale. 25 B-24s escorted by 8 US P-40s and 22 F4Us bomb Kahili Airfield, they loose one P-40 and one F4U.

GUADALCANAL: - USS John Penn (APA-51) had just finished unloading a cargo of 155-mm. ammunition off Lunga Point, Guadalcanal. At 2120 she came under attack by enemy torpedo planes. Three minutes later, when the transport took one of the planes under fire, it burst into flames and crashed into her
mainmast. About that same instant a torpedo hit from another plane hit the ship. Although vigorous efforts were made to save her, John Penn went down stern first at 2150.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 59 B-24's, B-17's, and B-26's drop 175 tons of bombs in the Salamaua area in the heaviest single day strike by the Fifth Air Force to date.
"The most sensational of the early raids carried out by the 380th BG (Heavy), in view of the planes and techniques available at that time, occurred today, against strategic Balikpapan on the island of Borneo. At 1730, eleven B-24's carrying 69 x 500-pound bombs took off from Darwin and headed out across the Timor Sea in cloudy and turbulent weather. One aircraft was forced to turn back and another failed to find the target, but between midnight and 0145, nine planes hovered over the oil refineries, tanks, and harbor installations, dropped their bombs from between 5,000 and 8,500 feet, and claimed forty-eight 'hits.' As the last plane turned for the long flight back to the base, two refinery areas and one medium-sized vessel were afire and seven large oil-tanks were exploding. In just under seventeen hours from the take-off, eight of the nine aircraft had returned. The ninth, short of fuel, had crash-landed, but all crew members were safe."

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, of 3 B-24s departing Shemya during the night of 12/13 Aug, 1 aborts while the other 2 bomb the Kashiwabara staging area on Paramushiru; later 6 B-25s fly a shipping sweep E of the N Kurils during which a fighter is downed. Lost is B-24D "Li'l Deicer" 41-11850 the force lands at Ilak.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20 fighter-bombers hit troops and supplies at Mankwi, Myothit, and Tali; 7 others knock out a bridge at Kyauktalon and damage another near Namkwin; 26 fighter-bombers attack the village of Pinwe and hit targets of opportunity near Mawlu and Pinbaw; 9 B-25s strike a bomb storage area at Pinwe considerably damaging the village.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 30+ B-25s bomb Tungling, Sinsiang, and Hengyang, Pailochi Airfield, shipping at Takao harbor and nearby coastal areas; 3 cargo vessels are claimed sunk; 51 P-40s and P-51s attack trucks, bridges, railroad yards, troops, and other targets of opportunity in the Hengyang area; 18 P-40s and P-38s pound Tengchung; 50+ other P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s attack troops, bridges, railroad tracks, shipping, trucks, and other targets of opportunity at several locations including Lienhwa, Siangsiang, Sinshih, Puchou, Tungyangtun, Hengshan, Weichow Island, Luichow Peninsula, Tingka, Mangshih, Nanchang, Puchi, and along the Yunglo River.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Bad weather in the SWPA curtails operations. B-24s bomb bivouacs and supply dumps at Manokwari; bombers hit a Cape Wom storage area while P-39s cooperate with PT boats to hit Dagua personnel areas and Suain coastal positions; P-47s and P-39s hit Cape Wom, troops at Ulban, Matapau, and Suain, and support ground forces at Sarmi. Lost is P-39Q 42-19933; and C-47s complete nearly 90 missions to Owi and other forward bases.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 507, AUGUST 13, 1944
1. Extensive bombing raids were carried out by the Central Pacific and North Pacific shore based air forces on 10 and 11 August (West Longitude Dates).
2. One enemy patrol vessel was sunk and another damaged near Paramu¬shiro Island by two Liberators of the 11th AAF during daylight on 10 Au¬gust.
3. Chichi Jima in the Bonins was attacked by Liberators of the 7th AAF on 11 August, which bombed the airfield and a cargo ship in the harbor. The enemy made no attempt at interception and antiaircraft fire was meager.
4. Pagan Island in the northern Marianas was hit by Mitchell medium bombers of the 7th AAF on 11 August, damaging gun positions and runways.
During the day a single 7th AAF Liberator also bombed the Island. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.
5. Gun positions on Rota Island were bombed and strafed by 7th AAF Thunderbolt fighters on 11 August. More than 50 tons of bombs were dropped.
6. A single Navy Liberator bombed Truk atoll, and 7th AAF Mitchells bombed Ponape in the Caroline Islands on 11 August.
7. In the Marshall Islands, more than eighty tons of bombs were dropped on remaining enemy positions by Dauntless dive bombers and Cor¬sair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on 10 August, hitting coastal defense guns and other defense installations. On the same day Wotje in the Marshalls was attacked by 7th AAF Liberators. In the foregoing operations one Dauntless dive bomber and one Liberator were damaged but all of our planes returned.

1945
JAPAN: The Cabinet Secretary Sakomizu and Lord Kido among others, have been branded as "false advisors" to the Emperor. Placards and posters over the country have sprung up urging that they and others of the "peace faction" be killed on sight.
Lt. Gen. Okido, commander of the Kempeitai (Military Police), appears in the PMs office demanding to see Suzuki. After finding out he is not there he tells Cabinet Secretary Sakomizu that "If Japan surrenders the army will rise. This is certain. Has the PM confidence that he can suppress the revolt?"
The Japanese Supreme Council for the Direction of the War, meets at 8:45 this morning. The SCDW is know as the Big 6 of the Japanese Cabinet. PM, FM, War Minister, Navy Minister, Army CofS, Navy CofS. The meeting is interupted by a call from Hirohito for both Chief of Staffs. Hirohito asks for their offensive plans during peace negotiations. They agree to refrain from offensive measures. After the SCDW meeting resumes, it accomplishes nothing. FM Togo leaves to report to the Emperor. He instructs the FM to do his best to settle the matter.
Junior Japanese Army officers meet in small groups during the day. They are determined to take over the government and continue the war.
The full cabinet meets at 3:00 pm. Anami leaves to call Lt. Gen. Yoshizumi and tells him that the cabinet is coming around to the army's way of thinking. It is not.
At 4:00 pm a Japanese IGHQ communique is released: "The Imperial Army and Navy having hereby received the gracious Imperial Command to protect the national polity [Emperor System] and to defend the Imperial Land, the entire armed forces will single-heartedly commence a general offensive against the Allied enemy forces." The War Minister and Army Chief of Staff immediately order the distribution of this message stopped. They know nothing about it.
By 7:00 pm the cabinet meeting has decided nothing. The PM, desiring to follow the Imperial will announces that he will report to the Emperor and again ask His Majesty to give his gracious decision. This in effect puts the military on notice that any coup must happen before another Imperial Conference.

JAPAN: A USAAF OA-10A Catalina rescues a TBM Avenger crewman from the inner reaches of Tokyo Bay midway between Yokohama and Kizarazu, marking the first time that a U.S. plane has accomplished a rescue in those waters. The crewman was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Eighty Seven in the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga.

JAPAN: FEAF: B-24s and B-25s from Okinawa pound shipping in the waters off Korea and Kyushu Island and in the Inland Sea claiming several vessels sunk and damaged; P-47s over Keijo encounter 20 Japanese aircraft and claim at least 16 shot down.

JAPAN: - RN and USN carrier-based aircraft of Task Force 38 attack Japanese airfields in the Tokyo area and claim 250 aircraft destroyed on the ground.

PHILLIPINES: B-25s attack Japanese forces near Palacian, Luzon.

SINGAPORE: P-38s hit shipping in the Singapore area. Unit moves from Luzon.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): The Eleventh AF dispatches its last combat mission when 6 B-24s radar-bomb the Kashiwahara Staging Area on Paramushiru with incendiaries, leaving huge columns of smoke.

OKINAWA: Eighth Air Force: The 461st, 462d and 463d Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy), 346th BG (Very Heavy), arrive on Okinawa from the US with B-29s.

Tenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 27th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, from Chengkung to Liangshan with C-47s; 427th Night Fighter Squadron, Tenth AF, from Dinjan, India to Liuchow with P-61s (detachments at Chengkung and Nanning, China).

Fourteenth Air Force: The flight of the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, at Hanchung with F-5s, returns to base at Shwangliu (other flights are at Hsian and Ankang).

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 312th BG and 389th Bombardment Squadron from Floridablanca to Yontan with B-32s; 547th Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, from Lingayen Airfield to Ie Shima with P-38s and P-61s.

 

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1942
ALASKA (11th AF): In the Aleutians, a B-24 trying to fly photo reconnaissance over Tanaga and Adak aborts over Kiska due to weather.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s attack shipping off Gona, New Guinea.

NG: The US submarine S-39, commanded by Francis E. Brown, ran aground on a reef off Rossel Island, S.E. of New Guinea No hands lost.

GUADALCANAL: On Guadalcanal, 3 IJN G4M "Betty" bombers from Rabaul circle and photograph Henderson Field just above the range of the Marines 90 mm AA guns.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, 2 B-24's fly a special radar ferret and reconnaissance mission; 1 B-25, 8 B-24's, and 10 P-38's then fly 2 attack missions to Kiska Island, bombing with unobserved results.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 9 B-17's bomb the Rekata Bay area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 50+ B-24's, B-17's, and B-25's pound the Salamaua area battle zone; with close air and artillery support, US forces push to the crest of Roosevelt Ridge; the enemy retains several ridges along Dot Inlet; and A-20's strafe barges near Finschhafen. On New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, B-25's hit barges at Talasea and Rein Bay, and other B-25's bomb Koepang on Timor Island. HQ 475th Fighter Group and it's 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons transfer from Amberley Field to Dobodura, New Guinea with P-38's. The 431st and 432d are operating from Port Moresby, the 431st until Oct 43 and the 432d until Sep 43; the 433d will fly it's first mission tomorrow.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, B-25s bomb Mohnyin and Indaw; 18 P-51s pound targets in the Myothit area; 46 other fighter-bombers hit various N Burma targets including Naba junction, the active area near Pinbaw, a building and targets of opportunity at Thaikwagon, a command post at Hopin, a motor pool at Nansiaung Forest, ammunition and other supplies in the Mohnyin area, and bridges S of Bhamo one of which is slightly damaged; and the 2d Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Dinjan, India to Shingbwiyang with C-47s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 24 B-25s blast Lungling while 16 P-40s hit a fortified pass and targets of opportunity to the S; 12 B-25s bomb the railroad yards at Siangtan; 31 P-40s and P-51s hit the railroad yards, river shipping, and general targets of opportunity at Hengyang; 13 P-40s attack Tengchung; 13 others hit trucks, troops, and rivercraft at Pailochi and Sinying and 4 bomb a bridge at Hsenwi.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): The Seventh Air Force is reorganized as a "mobile tactical airforce" retaining only units that will function in the combat area; the VII Bomber Command includes the 11th, 30th and 494th Bombardment Groups (Heavy), and the 41st Bombardment Group (Medium); the VII Fighter Command includes the 15th, 21st (in Hawaii) and 318th Fighter Groups and the 6th Night Fighter Squadron; the recently activated VII Air Service Area Command is composed of 4 service groups; and the 9th Troop Carrier and 28th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons assigned directly to HQ Seventh Air Force. Saipan-based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima and B-25s hit Pagan and P-47s hit Rota Island. From the Marshall Islands, B-25s hit Ponape Island and B-24s bomb Wotje Atoll. HQ VII Bomber Command moves from Kwajalein to Saipan.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s and B-24s attack Ternate, AA positions, oil dumps, barracks, supply areas, and other targets throughout the Halmahera Islands. In New Guinea, B-24s pound the airfield at Babo while A-20s and fighter-bombers, along with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft, blasting bivouac, and troops at Terabu, Kaiten, and Wewak Point; and the 33d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Nadzab to Owi with B-24s.

ALASKA: In the Aleutians, the USN's Task Force 94 sorties from Attu to sweep the Kurile Islands but weather forces the ships to return to port.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 508, AUGUST 15, 1944
1. Paramushiro Island was attacked by 11th AAF Liberators on 11 August (west longitude date). Shipping near the island and the airstrip at Suribachi were bombed. Of 15 to 20 enemy fighters which attempted interception, three were shot down, five were probably shot down, and two were damaged. On 12 August Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed defense installations at Araido Island, and sunk a nearby patrol vessel by strafing. On the same day a single Ventura bombed Shimushu. Several enemy fighters attempted to intercept our force but did not press home their attacks, although damaging three Venturas. One enemy fighter was damaged.
2. Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands was attacked by 7th AAF Liber¬ators on 13 August. More than 35 tons were dropped on the airfield and ad¬jacent installations. Antiaircraft fire was meager but an aggressive group of enemy fighters intercepted our force and one Liberator was lost.
3. Pagan Island in the northern Marianas was hit by Mitchell bombers of the 7th AAF on 13 August, hitting gun positions and runways. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.
4. Rota Island was bombed and strafed on the same day.
5. Nauru Island was bombed by Ventura search planes of Group 1, Fleet Air Wing Two, on 13 August, and Marine Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters hit remaining enemy positions in the Marshalls on the same day.

1945
JAPAN: The Japanese army coup is scheduled for 10:00 am. At 9:00 am War Minister Anami addresses all senior section war ministry staff: "The army should act in unison, because Japan is now facing the critical stiuation. Strengthen your unity. Beware of any undisciplined acts. Those who consider any arbitrary actions will have to carry them out over my dead body." This statement ends the hopes of the Junior Officers for an easy takeover.

At 10:30 the Imperial Conference with the cabinet and the Emperor begins. After discussion the Emperor again gives his decision: "I have carefully studied the Allied reply and concluded that it virtually acknowledges our position in the note sent several days ago. In short, I believe the reply is acceptable. Though it is understandable that some should distrust the Allied intentions, I do not believe the reply was written with malice." With this statement it is now a matter of trust.

Shortly after Noon, Professor Asada meets with the Navy. After hearing his report on the Hiroshima bombing, he reports their conclusion was: "to isolate all Japanese physicists in the caves in Nagano Prefecture to have them produce atomic bombs. They planned to drop them on America. The Navy had no intention of surrendering. "

At 1:00 pm the full cabinet meets and after much discussion reluctantly approves the Emperor's decision.

Representatives of the Radio Tokyo arrive at the palace at 3:00 to record the Emperor's statement. It is finished recording just before midnight. There are 3 copies. Members of the household ministry agree to hold the recording until they will be broadcast tomorrow.

INDONESIA: August 14 Sukarno, Hatta, and Radjiman Wediodiningrat return to Jakarta, mistrustful of the Japanese promise.

OKINAWA: 11th Airborne Div stages to Okinawa as initial occupation force for Japan.

USA: The US War Production Board removes its controls over automobile manufacturing activity.

JAPAN – FEAF: B-25s, P-47s, and P-51s attack shipping in Korea and Kyushu waters, claiming several vessels destroyed and damaged. P-47s over the Osaka-Nagoya area claim several Japanese aircraft shot down.

Twentieth Air Force: 752 B-29s fly 7 missions against Japan without loss. These are the last B-29 missions against Japan in WWII. The following 3 missions were flown during the day:
Mission 325: 157 B-29s bomb the naval arsenal at Hikari; 4 others hit alternate targets.
Mission 326: 145 B-29s bomb the Osaka Army Arsenal and 2 hit alternate targets; 160+ P-51 escort the B-29s and attack airfields in the Nagoya area; 1 P-51 is lost.
Mission 327: 108 B-29s bomb the railroad yards at Marifu; 2 others hit alternate targets. The following 4 missions were flown during the night of 14/15 Aug:
Mission 328: In the longest nonstop unstaged B-29 mission from the Mariana Islands, 3,650 miles, 132 B-29s bomb the Nippon Oil Company at Tsuchizakiminato.
Mission 329: 81 B-29s drop incendiaries on the Kumagaya urban area destroying 0.27 sq mi, 45% of the city area.
Mission 330: 86 B-29s drop incendiaries on the Isezaki urban area destroying 0.166 sq mi, 17% of the city area.
Mission 331: 39 B-29s mine the waters at Nanao, Shimonoseki, Miyazu, and Hamada. Before the last B-29s return, President Harry S Truman announces the unconditional surrender of Japan.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 19th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Clark Field to Okinawa with B-24s.

 

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1942
GUADALCANAL: 4 APDs (converted WWI Wickes class DDs) land the first supplies, aviation fuel and CUB 1 (aircraft maintenance unit) on Guadalcanal.
- Martin Clements, coastwatcher, Jacob Vouza and other natives arrive at the Lunga perimeter on Guadalcanal. This group will become an important part of the scouting and intelligence for the 1st MarDiv in the campaign.
- 1st Marines, 7th Division lands, including the 28th Inf Regt, detached and 7th Engr Regt, detached

SWPA (5th AF): 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG (Heavy), moves from Williamstown to Torrens Creek, Australia with B-17s; first mission is 12 Nov.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, US and Canadian troops invade Kiska Island and discover that the Japanese, under the cover of fog, evacuated their garrison on 28 July. Troops landing are the US Army's 17th, 53d and 184th Infantry Regiments, 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment and the 1st Special Service Force. Also landing is the Royal Canadian Army's 13 Infantry Brigade Group. A P-38 bombs and strafes Sniper Hill. The 635th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), 407th Fighter-Bomber Group, based at Drew Field, Tampa, Florida but operating from Amchitka Island, is disbanded and it's A-24s are transferred to other units.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): Commander Air (COMAIR), New Georgia command post, recently opened at Munda Point by Major General Francis P Mulcahy, USMC, conducts its first full day of operations. Fighters are sent to cover amphibious landings at Vella Lavella where elements of the 25th Infantry Division, and supporting units, go ashore in the Barakoma area and establish a beachhead. Allied airplanes knock down about 25 Japanese aircraft (7 by Army Air Forces fighters) attacking the landings. F4U's also claim 10 Japanese shot down over Kahili. B-25's bomb Papatura Fa and Ighiti Islands in the Rekata Bay area of Santa Isabel Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): Ki-48 Lilys of the 208 Sentai led by 1/Lt Imai, escorted by 22 Ki-43 Oscars of the 59th Sentai and 12 Ki-43 Oscars of the 24th Sentai attack Tsili Tsili Airfield for the first time; intercepting P-39's claim 14 airplanes downed for the loss of 3 P-39's. Lost are C-47 "Liliane" 41-18682 and C-47 41-18668. the passengers were personnel of the 41st FS. The 41st was one of the units intercepting. Also lost were 4 P-39s. American claims included 9 of a total of 11 claims for Lily. (Actually only 7 Ki-48s were in the raid). They also claimed 2 of the 3 OSCARS shot down. Japanese losses 6 bombers, 3 fighters. Among the Ki-48 Lily losses were 1210, 1235, 1242, 1249 and 1250 (wrecks inspected at Tsili Tsili, Pesen, and Babauf). Also lost is P-400 AP 347.

Thanks to Richard Dunn for additional information, he adds:
"Souces are confused on Lilys versus Sallys. On 15 Aug there really is no dispute. Captured docs clearly establish them as Type 99 Light Bombers. In addition Impact magazine (Dec 43) has gun camera photos of several Lilys in the action. I also have the crash reports and s/ns from most of the losses. Escort of 22 from 59th and 12 from 24th. Strangely the Type 99 LBs shot down on the 16th were claimed as Kates! There were also 7 LBs in that raid."

In New Guinea, heavy bombers again hit the Salamaua area.

HQ 35th FG transfers from Port Moresby to Tsili Tsili.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 70+ P-51s, P-47s, P-40s, and A-36s hit numerous N Burma targets including general targets of opportunity in the Bhamo area, a monastery at Pegu, troops E of Mawhun, Loiwing and Lashio Airfield and rail targets between Naba and Hopin; close support strikes are flown for ground forces in the Pinbaw and Naba areas; and supply dumps at Mainghka are bombed and 2 villages N of Kazu are hit and burned out.

INDIA: In India, RAF Air Marshall William A Coryton assumes command of the Third Tactical Air Force, a major component of the Eastern Air Command; tactical air force functions remain under Coryton until it is dissolved on 4 December 1944.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s bomb Kutkai, demolishing 2 large buildings and leaving 14 burning; 35 P-40s attack Tingka, Hsenwi, Lungling, and Tengchung; and nearly 100 P-40s and P-51s attack troops, horses, trucks, river shipping, artillery pieces, warehouses, and general targets of opportunity in or near Sungpai, Sinshih, Hengyang, Chaling, Leiyang, Sinyang, Siangtan, Hukow, and Changsha. In French Indochina, 4 P-40s hit coastal shipping at Hongay and Nam Dinh.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Lolobata Airfield on Halmahera Island and B-25s attack shipping in the Ternate Island area, setting a 1,200-ton vessel afire and damaging several luggers and barges; aircraft on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity in the Ceram Island area and Tanimbar. P-39s dive-bomb AA positions at Wewak Point; HQ V Bomber Command moves from Nadzab to Owi; HQ XIII Fighter Command moves from Guadalcanal to Sansapor; HQ 347th FG and 339th Fighter Squadron move from Stirling to Sansapor with P-38s; and the 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th FG moves from the Russells to Middleburg with P-38s.

1945
CENTRAL PACIFIC [US Army Strategic Air Forces in the Pacific (USASTAF)]: All offensive action against Japan ends.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater): All offensive action against Japan ends
Fourteenth Air Force: HQ 81st FG and 91st Fighter Squadron move from Fungwansham to Huhsien, China with P-47s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: All offensive action against Japan ends. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur is notified that he is Supreme Commander for Allied powers.

MacArthur tries to communicate with Tokyo using the War Department signal facilities, but when he receives no reply, he turns to the Army Airways Communications System (AACS). The AACS Manila station (call sign WXXU), tapped out MacArthur's instructions to the Japanese using a frequency over which AACS had been broadcasting uncoded weather information; the message reads:

"From Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers To The Japanese Emperor, the Japanese Imperial Government, the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters Message Number Z-500 I have been designated as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (the United States, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and empowered to arrange directly with the Japanese authorities for the cessation of hostilities at the earliest practicable date. It is desired that a radio station in the Tokyo area be officially designated for continuous use in handling radio communications between this headquarters and your headquarters. Your reply to this message should give the call signs, frequencies and station designation. It is desired that the radio communication with my headquarters in Manila be handled in English text. Pending designation by you of a station in the Tokyo area for use as above indicated, station JUM on frequency 13705 kilocycles will be used for this purpose and Manila will reply on 15965 kilocycles. Upon receipt of this message, acknowledge. Signed MacArthur."

Within less than 2 hours, the Tokyo reply came back. This was the first direct communication between the Allies and Japan.

FEAF: Unit moves: HQ 22d BG and 33d Bombardment Squadron from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with B-24s; 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, from Morotai to Dulag with C-46s; 160th Liaison Squadron, 3d Air Commando Group [attached to 5th Air Liaison Group (Provisional)], from Mabalacat, Luzon to Ie Shima with UC-64s and L-5s; 321st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th BG (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with B-24s; 531st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with B-24s; and 674th Bombardment Squadron, 417th BG, from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with A-20s.

JAPAN: 103 carrier-based aircraft of the USN's Task Force 38 are launched at 0415 hours local and attack airfields in the Tokyo area. They encounter heavy aerial opposition and shoot down 32 Japanese aircraft. A second strike is cancelled while it is en route to objectives; pilots jettison their ordnance and return to their carriers. The last aircraft shot down by the USN in World War II occurs at 1400 hours when an F6F-5 Hellcat pilot of Fighting Squadron Thirty One (VF-31) in the light aircraft carrier USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) shoots down a "Judy" carrier bomber (Kugisho D4Y Navy Carrier Bomber Suisei) at sea.

JAPAN: Admiral Ugaki and the final Kamikazi:
[Admiral Ugaki was a prominate senior officer in the IJN throughout the war years] On 15 August 1945, Emperor Showa made a radio announcement conceding defeat and calling for the military to lay down their arms. After listening to the announcement announcing Japan's defeat, Ugaki made a last entry in his diary noting that he had not yet received an "official" cease-fire order, and that as he alone was to blame for the failure of his valiant aviators to stop the enemy, he would fly one last mission himself to show the true spirit of bushido. His subordinates protested, and even after Ugaki had climbed into the backseat of a Yokosuka D4Y "Judy", Warrant Officer Akiyoshi Endo, whose place in the kamikaze roster Ugaki had usurped, climbed into the same space that the admiral had already occupied. Thus, the aircraft containing Ugaki took off with three men, as opposed to two each in the remaining ten aircraft. Prior to boarding his aircraft, Ugaki posed for pictures and removed his rank insignia from his dark green uniform, taking only a ceremonial short sword given to him by Admiral Yamamoto.
Endo served as radioman during the mission, sending Ugaki's final messages, and a final message at 19:24, reported that the plane had begun its dive onto an American vessel. However, U.S. Navy records do not indicate any successful kamikaze attack on that day, and it is likely that all aircraft on the mission (with the exception of three that returned due to engine problems) crashed into the ocean.
The next morning, the crew of American landing craft LST-926 found the still smoldering remains of a cockpit with three bodies on the beach of Ishikawajima. The third man, his head crushed and right arm missing, wore a dark green uniform and a short sword was found nearby. The sailors buried the bodies in the sand.

USA: Gasoline rationing is ended today.

 

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1941
NEW BRITAIN: The US heavy cruisers USS Northampton and USS Salt Lake City arrive at Rabaul on New Britain Island for a good-will visit.

U.S.: The Japanese Ambassador in Washington (Nomura) sends the following message to the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo: "As I have successively reported to you, Japanese-American relations have today reached a stage in which anything might happen at any moment, and they are likely to grow worse suddenly as soon as Japan makes her next move. That this sudden change will take place with Japan's occupation of Thailand is a view upon which both Japanese and Americans agree."

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The Japanese complete transfer of the Attu garrison to Kiska, begun on 27 August; all defensive positions on Attu are destroyed by the Japanese. A USAAF 11th Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress and a B-24 Liberator fly photographic and reconnaissance runs over Adak.

BISMARK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, USAAF 5th Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses bomb the wharf at Rabaul and Vunakanau and Gasmata (Tsurumi) Airfields.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Japanese ground offensive on the Kokoda Track towards Port Moresby comes to a halt at Ioribaiwa; Australian troops are entrenched on Imita Range where they are preparing a counteroffensive. The Japanese are too ill-equipped and their supply lines too extended over forbidding terrain to enable them to reach their objective, Port Moresby.
Also in Papua New Guinea, a lone USAAF 5th Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress attacks landing barges in the Sanananda area while a single A-20 Havoc bombs and strafes positions at Nauro and Menari in the Efogi area of the Kokoda Track.

UNITED STATES: A training program for the Women's Auxiliary Flying Squadron (WAFS), under Jacqueline Cochran's direction, is approved as the 319th Army Air Forces Flying Training Detachment (Women), or more simply Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD), at Howard Hughes Field, Houston, Texas.

1943
SOLOMONS (13th AF & USMC, USN, RNZAF) US Navy 24 SBD and 31 TBF strike Ballale Airfield, while a mult-service escort, with 13 F6F from VF-38 and 11 F6F from VF-40 (first mission for Hellcats in theater) took off from Fighter One on Guadalcanal. Also, 13th AF and RNZAF P-40s. In addition, 23 F4Us of VF-214 "The Black Sheep" including Boyington took off from Banika at 1pm and rendevous over New Georgia with the formation. In total, more than 100 aircraft proceeded to the target. Weather was partly cloudy, the attack began around 14:50. There were a total of 71 escorts in the air.
Over the target 40-50 Japanese fighters including Zeros and Tonys and heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered. The 204th Kokutai launched 26 Zeros. A large, sprawing dog fight ensued over hudereds of miles. Greg Boyington scored victories over several Zeros, he landed at Munda with only 10 gallons of gas, 30 rounds of ammo, and minor damage from flying through the debrs of a Zero that exploded in mid-air. After refueling, he returning to Banika. VMF-214 were credited with 11 Zeros and 8 probables. One Hellcat was damged, landing at Munda Airfield, then flown back to Fighter One for a week of repairs. Two VMF-214 F4Us were minorly damaged. Lost were: TBF-1 23909, TBF-1 06452, F4U 17527, F6F piloted by Anderson (MIA), F6F 25839 (survived), F6F Lt. Riley (survived)

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25's and 12 P-40's hit warehouses, barracks, ammunition dumps, and HQ at Liujenpa, China.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, Lae is captured by units of the Australian 9th and 7th Divisions. Many of the escaping Japanese slip through the jungle and go to the north coast of the Huon Peninsula. Lae is the focus of a major land, sea and air operation by Australian and American forces. Fighting lasted until today when the encircled Japanese garrison are either killed, captured or escaped.
Prior to the occupation of Lae, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses, B-26 Marauders, B-25 Mitchells, and A-20 Havocs attack Japanese positions at Lae; B-24 Liberators carry out a light strike on Sorong Aerodrome.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Two Japanese ships are sunk:
(1) a gunboat is sunk by mine (laid by submarine USS Silversides on 4 June) off Kavieng, New Ireland, Bismarck Archipelago;
(2) a PBY Catalina sinks a small Japanese cargo vessel en route to Hansa Bay, New Guinea.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, as the last Japanese resistance in India ceases, 16 B-25s bomb Indaw; 20 P-51s hit airfields at Lashio, Nawnghkio, Shwebo, Anisakan, and Onbauk; 37 P-40s and P-51s hit strong points, pillboxes, and machinegun positions in the Pinbaw area; 19 P-47s and P-51s attack targets of opportunity at Katha, a bridge S of Bhamo, the town of Tagwin, railroad targets of opportunity between Naba and Hopin, an enemy-held monastery, and an ammunition dump at Pegu; and the 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Barrackpore, India, sends a detachment to operated from Tingkawk Sakan with F-5s.

INDIA: In India, the last IJA troops retreat to Burma.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 18 B-25s bomb the Wanling area and warehouses while 12 hit the Chaling area and warehouses at Siangtan; 90 P-40s and P-51s hit bridges, fortified positions, troops, trucks, rivercraft, supplies, gun positions, and other targets of opportunity in the Hsenwi and Lungling areas and in the widespread area around Tunating Lake and the C
Yangtze River.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan hit Chichi Jima and Pagan. Marshall Island-based B-24s bomb Truk Atoll.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In the Molucca Islands, B-24s and B-25s bomb Miti and Lolobata Airfields on Halmahera Island, warehouses and shipping facilities on Ternate, shipping in Wasile and Veda Bays, and Japanese positions on Tanimbar Is; and off Alor Island, Sunda Islands, B-25s sink small vessel. In New Guinea, bombers hit installations at Ajoe; A-20s support ground forces in the Maffin Bay area while P-39s hit troops and positions from Manokwari to Windissi and bomb the airfield at Ransiki, Moemi, and Waren. The 13th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, based at Espiritu Santo begins operating from Los Negros with C-47s.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 510, AUGUST 16, 1944
1. Fifty seven tons of bombs were dropped on defense installations at Eten and Moen Islands in Truk atoll by 7th AAF Liberators on 13 August (west longitude date). Seven to nine enemy fighters intercepted and one of these was destroyed and 3 damaged. All of our planes returned although several suffered damage. There were no casualties.
2. Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed the airstrips at Nauru on 13 and 14 August, and on 13 August a Catalina harassed bivouac areas at Wotje and Maloelap. On 14 August Mitchell bombers of the 7th AAF attacked the airfield and gun positions at Ponape, and on the same day Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters hit coastal defense positions at Mille atoll. All of our planes returned from these operations.

1945
INDONESIA: August 16 Sukarno and Hatta are spirited away by youth leaders, including Chaerul Saleh, to Rengasdengklok at 3:00 A.M. They later return to Jakarta, meet with General Yamamoto, and spend the next night at Vice-Admiral Maeda Tadashi's residence. Sukarno and Hatta are told privately that Japan no longer has the power to make decisions regarding the future of Indonesia.

KOREA: Korea divided into North and South.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater) Tenth Air Force: In China, the detachments of the 427th Night Fighter Squadron, Tenth AF, operating from Chengkung and Nanning with P-61s return to base at Liuchow.
Fourteenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 1st Combat Cargo Squadron, Fourteenth AF (attached to 69th Composite Wing), from Hsinching to Chengkung with C-47s; detachments of 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF at Laifeng returns to base at Shwangliu and a flight begins operating from Chihkiang, all with F-5s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves to Okinawa: HQ 49th FG and 9th Fighter Squadron from Lingayen Airfield with P-38s; 5th and 6th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 2d Combat Cargo Group, from Dulag with C-46s.

MANCHURIA: Soviet forces free Lieutenant General Jonathan Wainwright, USA, from a POW camp. Wainwright had been captured on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay on 6 May 1942 and spent the next three and a half years as a POW in Luzon, Formosa, and Manchuria. The years of captivity took its toll on the general. The man who had been nicknamed "Skinny" was now emaciated, his hair had turned white, and his skin was cracked and fragile. He was also depressed, believing he would be blamed for the loss of the Philippines to the Japanese. When Wainwright arrived in Yokohama, Japan, to attend the formal surrender ceremony, General of the Army MacArthur, his former commander, was stunned at his appearance-literally unable to eat and sleep for a day. Wainwright was given a hero's welcome upon returning to the U.S.

ALEUTIANS: In the Aleutians, US aircraft are ordered not to approach closer than 50 miles near Japanese or Soviet-held territory.

PACIFIC: While 100 miles E of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, the US destroyer USS Healy establishes sonar contact with an underwater object and carriers out a depth charge attack.

 

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1941
USA: A US note to Japan is formally presented. This note maintains the lines as agreed at Placentia Bay. Since it is toned down from what was originally agreeed, the British and Dutch governments do not present their notes at this time.
US President Franklin D Roosevelt and Secretary of State Cordell Hull talk with Japanese Ambassador Nomura Kichasaburo. The Americans state their conditions for resuming negotiations with the Japanese.

1942
AUSTRALIA: U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander South West Pacific Area, accuses Australian troops in New Guinea of a "lack of efficiency"

BISMARK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, USAAF 5th Air Force B-17's, carrying out single-bomber attacks, bomb airfields at Rabaul.
- Rear Admiral Ugaki recalled September 16/17, 1942 night air raid:
"The noise of gunfire and small arms was terrible. Anyway it was a night of little sleep. Now, I can see the effectiveness of night raids." He also noted the Japanese anti-aircraft fire was ineffective, 'Outragiously uncontrolled and unskilled'. At his suggestion, officers and crews from battleships Yamato and Mutsu were sent to Rabaul to train gunners.

NEW GUINEA: By 1100 hours local, Australian forces have withdraw to Imita Ridge on the Kokoda Track in Northeast New Guinea. Japanese ground forces, halted within sight of Port Moresby, are unable to attack without reinforcements and supplies, neither of which are available.
In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF 5th Air Force B-17's bomb Lae, and hit a beached cargo vessel at Salamaua; RAAF Beaufighters and USAAF P-39's and P-400 Airacobras and P-40s strafe and bomb a concentration of Japanese landing barges at Buna and Sanananda Point.

UNITED STATES: Army Brigadier General Leslie Groves is put in command of the Manhattan Engineer Project. This project is the cover name for the atomic bomb project and, under his direction, the basic research is carried out, mainly at Columbia University in New York, New York, and the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Due to overstated concern for security and simple chauvinism, he is strongly opposed to sharing any information with the British.

1943
GILBERT ISLANDS: Twenty USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24's bomb Tarawa Atoll and Abemama Island and obtain photo coverage of Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll. A B-24 is lost to interceptors.

CBI (Tenth Air Force): The 383d and 385th Bombardment Squadrons, 311th BG (Dive), arrive at Nawadih, India from the US with A-36's. The 383d will enter combat on 16 Oct.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's carry out a coastal sweep against barges and villages from Reiss Point to Langemak Bay, New Guinea. Lost on a training mission is B-25D "The Little Gem" 41-30321.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 47 fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Pinbaw area; 9 B-25s bomb Katha; 12 fighter-bombers pound the town areas of Nanyinbya and Bilumyo; and 12 other fighter-bombers attack artillery positions and storage areas in the Momauk area. India is cleared of all Japanese forces.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 B-24s blast Yoyang; 18 B-25s bomb the railroad yards and storage area at Chiuchiang and 4 hit the road and airfield in the Hengyang area and storage buildings at Nanyo; 100+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on offensive reconnaissance attack town areas, bridges, hangars, supply dumps, railroad targets, and road and river traffic in E Burma, around Hsenwi, Tungling, and Tengchung, and throughout the Tungling Lake-C Yangtze River area, particularly in the Hengyang area. In French Indochina, 8 P-40s attack shipping in the Haiphong area and between Dong Trieu and Ha Duong.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan Island bomb Iwo Jima. Makin based B-25s hit Ponape.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound airfields on Ambon and Ceram Islands and Boeroe Island in the Sunda Islands. B-25s strafe installations at Dili Moloe Island and Kai Islands in the Molucca Islands; and B-25s sink a transport vessel off Halmahera Island. In New Guinea, A-20s bomb Klamono oil fields while fighter-bombers hit gun positions, storage areas, and other targets at Ransiki and Manokwari and troop concentrations along the N shore of MacCluer Gulf; on Biak Island P-40s, supporting ground forces landing at Wardo, pound shore positions and troops inland as the enemy remnants on Biak Island break up into small groups; P-39s strafe troops from Cape Wom to the the Dandriwad River and near But, and hit gun positions at Marubian; HQ 5th Bombardment Group moves from Los Negros to Wakde; HQ 22d Bombardment Group moves from Nadzab to Owi; and the 68th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, moves from Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands to Middleburg Island with P-38s.

NEW GUINEA: The last significant Japanese force on Numfoor, New Guinea is largely destroyed.

INDIA: The Indian Viceroy Viscount Wavell rejects Gandhi's request to discuss war support in return for Indian independence.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 511, AUGUST 17, 1944
1. Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands was attacked by Liberators of the 7th AAF on 15 August (West Longitude Date). The seaplane base and ad¬jacent installations were bombed. Antiaircraft fire ranged from moderate to intense.
2. Maug Island in the northern Marianas was bombed on 15 August. Pagan Island was also bombed and strafed the same day.
3. Before daylight on 13 August Liberators of the 11th AAF bombed enemy supply facilities at Paramushiru Island. Antiaircraft fire was meager.
4. Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed the runways at Nauru Island, and Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing attacked Maloelap atoll on 15 August.

1945
INDONESIA: "Proclamation of Indonesian Independence", signed by Sukarno-Hatta. Tan Malaka, a former Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) leader, returns secretly from exile and reveals his identity in Jakarta and draws a large following.
Throughout this month and September, the euphoria of revolution spreads across the country, while local Japanese commanders and their troops often abandon urban areas to avoid confrontation. Many discreetly allowed Indonesian youths to acquire arms. Republican youths take over infrastructure facilities in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Malang and Bandung with little or no Japanese resistance. Mass pro-Republic rallies are held in Jakarta and Surabaya. Sukarno successfully convinces crowds to disperse without challenging the Japanese, thus further boosting his reputation as the only one able to prevent massive violence. Revolutionary spirit also emerges in literature and the arts. PETA (not the animal rights group. Indonesian Pembela Tanah Air - Defenders of the Homeland) forces, radical youths, and ordinary people in Jakarta organize defense of Sukarno's residence. Flyers are distributed proclaiming independence. Adam Malik sends out a shortwave announcement of the Proklamasi.

JAPAN: In the Kurile Islands, the Soviet 101st Infantry Division lands on Shimushu Island. The Japanese 91st Division counterattacks resulting in heated combat.

CHINA - Fourteenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st FG, from Fungwanshan to Huhsien with P-47s; detachment of the 426th Night Fighter Squadron, Fourteenth AF (attached to 312th Fighter Wing), at Hsian returns to base at Shwangliu with P-61s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves to Okinawa: HQ 417th BG and 672d and 675th Bombardment Squadrons from San Jose, Mindoro with A-20s; 7th and 8th Fighter Squadrons, 49th FG, from Lingayen Airfield with P-38s.

USA: In the U.S., 100,000 workers are laid off from war jobs as contracts end.

 

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1940
U.S.: As a result of the conference between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King at Odgensburg, New York, yesterday, the two leaders sign the Ogdensburg Agreement which provides for a Permanent Joint Board for the Defense of the US and
Canada.

1941
USA: The government tasks the U.S. Coast Guard with enforcing laws to protect war-lanes in Alaskan waters.

1942
NG: A US Fifth Air Force B-17s bombs Salamaua while a B-25 strafes pack trains on the Kokoda trail in the Andemba-Wairopi- Kokoda area.
- General Horii begins pulling his Japanese Army units back from Buna and Gona. He has supply difficulties.
- HQ 8th FG and the 35th and 36th Fighter Squadrons move from Ross River, Australia to Milne Bay with P-39s and P-400s.

GUADALCANAL: The 7th Marines arrive at the Lunga Perimeter held by the 1st Marine Divison on Guadalcanal. These are the first new unit committed to the Guadalcanal Campaign since the 1st Marine Division (re-inforced) landed on Guadalcanal on August 7. US strength on the island now numbers about 23,000.

U.S.A: The designation of all USAAF Air Forces is changed from a number to a name, e.g., 1st Air Force to First Air Force, 2d Air Force to Second Air Force, etc.

1943
CENTRAL PACIFIC (Seventh Air Force): GILBERT ISLANDS: Twenty four 7th AF B-24's, flying out of Funafuti Island in the Ellice Islands and Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands, bomb Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll and Maiana and Abemama Islands in the Gilbert chain during the night of 18/19 September.
This action is part of a coordinated USAAF-USN attack on Tarawa, aimed at preventing Japanese attacks on US installations at Baker Island and in the Ellice Islands.
During the day, carrier-based aircraft of the USN's Task Force 15 consisting of the aircraft carriers USS Lexington and light aircraft carriers USS Belleau Wood and USS Princeton , attack Japanese airfields and installations on Tarawa, Makin and Abemama.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 71st Liaison Squadron, US Army Forces CBI, based at Ramgarh, India sends a detachment to Ledo, India with L-4's and L-5's.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25's and 7 P-40's attack rail yards and blast furnaces at Shihhweiyao, China.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): B-24's bomb the airfield and attack a phosphate plant and radio station on Nauru in the Gilberts.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): A-20's hit Tami in the Lae area; B-26's and RAAF airplanes bomb and strafe Finschhafen. The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, based at Port Moresby begins operating from Tsili Tsili with C-47's.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The fighting on Arundel Island, a small island off the northwest tip of New Georgia Island, continues as the US Army's 27th Infantry Regiment continues their advance. New Zealand General Barrowclough takes command the New Zealand and US forces on Vella Lavella Island. USAAF P-39 Airacobra and P-40 pilots and USMC F4U Corsair pilots shoot down 15 IJN aircraft at midday.
1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 16 P-47s and P-51s knock out a road bridge, attack town areas, and hit general targets of opportunity in the Bhamo area; 4 P-47s knock out both approaches to a bridge in Hsenwi; a troop concentration in Moda is pounded by 15 P-47s and P-51s and an A-36; 39 P-47s, P-40s and P-51s closely support ground forces in various Pinbaw area sectors; 8 P-47s sweep Lashio Airfield, strafing several targets of opportunity.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s bomb storage areas at Mangshih; 6 pound a storage area at Changsha; 60+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s on armed reconnaissance attack troops, town areas, bridges, and other targets of opportunity in E Burma; Lashio, Burma; the Tengchung, Lungling, and Mangshih areas; and in the Tungting Lake-C Yangtze River area at points including Yoyang, Chaling, Yuhsien, Hengshan, Chuchou, and Hsuchang.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): P-47s from Saipan Island bomb and strafe Pagan.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Armed reconnaissance missions continue over wide stretches of the SWPA including Ambon-Ceram, Palau Islands, and Halmahera Islands; several targets of opportunity are attacked. In New Guinea, fighter-bombers and A-20s pound troops and a storage area at Suain and hit defensive lines near Sarmi. The detachment of the 419th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, operating from Los Negros with P-61s, returns to base on Guadalcanal. Lost is F-5 44-23227.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 515, AUGUST 18, 1944
1. Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands was attacked by 7th AAF Liberators on 16 August (West Longitude Date). Buildings, storage facilities, and in¬stallations near the airfield were bombed. Several enemy fighters were air¬borne but did not succeed in intercepting our force. Antiaircraft fire was meager. All of our aircraft returned. On the night of 15 16 August a single Liberator bombed Iwo.
2. Fighter planes attacked Rota and Pagan Islands on 16 August, bomb¬ing and strafing gun positions and the airstrips. Antiaircraft fire was light at Rota and moderate at Pagan.
3. Warehouse areas on Dublon Island in Truk atoll were bombed by 7th AAF Liberators the same day, causing large explosions and fires. One of six intercepting fighters was shot down, and 3 were damaged. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.
4. Nauru Island was attacked by Navy Venturas on 16 August, while Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing hit defense installations at Mille atoll in the Marshalls on the same day.

1945
JAPAN: The last US casualty of the war.
On 18 August, four B-32 Dominators were given the task of photographing many of the targets covered on the previous day; however, mechanical problems caused two to be pulled from the flight. Over Japan, a formation of 14 A6M Zeros and three N1K2-J Shiden-Kai fighters (as is often the case, Shiden-Kai is described as Ki-44 Tojo, but it may be misunderstanding of the crews) attacked the remaining two U.S. aircraft. Saburo Sakai, a Japanese ace, said later there was concern that the Dominators were attacking. Another Japanese ace, Sadamu Komachi, stated in a 1978 Japanese magazine article that the fighter pilots could not bear to see American bombers flying serenely over a devastated Tokyo. The B-32 Dominator Hobo Queen II (s/n 42-108532) was flying at 20,000 ft when the Japanese fighters took off and received no significant damage. Hobo Queen II claimed two Zeros destroyed in the action as well as a probable Shiden-Kai. The other Dominator was flying 10,000 ft below Hobo Queen II when the fighters took off. The fighters heavily damaged that Dominator and seriously wounded two crew members. Photographer Staff Sergeant Joseph Lacharite was wounded in the legs (his recovery required several years). Sergeant Anthony Marchione, a photographer's assistant, helped Lacharite and then was fatally wounded himself. Despite the damage it received, the Dominator was able to return to Okinawa. Marchione was the last American to die in air combat in World War II. On 19 August, propellers were removed from all Japanese fighters as per the terms of the cease fire agreement.

INDONESIA: August 18 PPKI moves to form an interim government with Sukarno as President and Hatta as Vice-President.
Piagam Jakarta (Jakarta Charter) mentioning Islam among the Pancasila principles is dropped from the preamble to the new constitution.
New Republic consists of 8 provinces: Sumatra, Borneo, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Sunda Kecil.

FORMOSA: Subhas Chandra Bose, the Indian nationalist leader, is fatally injured at age 48; his Japanese plane crashes off Formosa en route to Tokyo.

JAPAN: Royal family visits military commands to confirm the will of the Emperor is to surrender.

JAPAN: The first American flag flies over Japan by American POWs on Mukaishima Island before any U.S. forces have landed on Japanese soil. Material used to make this flag was from red, white and blue parachutes used to drop food and medical supplies to the prisoners. The flag is completed today, and at 1100 hours local, the Japanese colors are lowered and this American flag is raised. The strains of "To the Colors" blown on a Japanese bugle, accompanied the ceremony conducted before the assembled group of 99 prisoners. The flag was thereafter raised daily until the liberation of the Americans on 13 September 1945.

CHINA THEATER - Tenth Air Force: The 19th Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF, moves from Chengkung to Nanning, China with L-1s and L-5s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves to Okinawa: 2d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), from Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s; 673d Bombardment Squadron, 417th BG, from San Jose, Mindoro with A-20s.

MANCHURIA: The Soviet attacks continue and most of the province of Manchuria has been overrun. They have captured Harbin and are advancing on Mukden and Changchun.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Missions from British Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia, and Chinese Gernalissimo Chiang Kai-shek have arrived in Manila for the conference with the Japanese surrender emissaries.

U.S. The 35 mph speed limit on America's roads is ended.
In New York City, scheduled demonstrations to end segregation in organized baseball are called off. The demonstrations were to be held at the Polo Grounds, home of the New York Giants, and Ebbets Field, home of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
"Peace riots" end in San Francisco, California. Eleven people died and 1000 were injured. More than 100 windows were broken on Market St. District Attorney Edmund G. "Pat" Brown promises a full report on the disturbance to the grand jury.

U.S.S.R.: Moscow radio broadcasts a message from Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek to Soveit Premier Josef Stalin saying "Close friendship between our nations will not only server as an everlasting foundation of peace in east Asia but will be an important factor in the creation of a new order in the whole world."

 

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1941
The Wake Detachment, 1st Marine Defense Battalion, arrives on Wake Island in the cargo ship USS Regulus (AK-14) to begin work on defensive positions.

1942
CHINA: B-25s of the USAAF Tenth Air Force's China Air Task Force strike Lungling; the raid is ineffective due to bad weather but results in the discovery of much Japanese activity which further
reconnaissance reveals as part of a heavy movement of troops and supplies along the Burma Road toward the Salween front.

NEW GUINEA: On the Kododa Track in Papua New Guinea, an Australian patrol attacks the Japanese post spotted yesterday and destroys it. The troops then set up an ambush and wait for the night.
USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s and B-26s strafe and bomb the airfield at Lae, Northeast New Guinea.
- the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th FG, moves from Batchelor, Australia to Port Moresby with P-40s.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s attack cargo vessels in the Bismarck Sea near Umboi (Rooke) Island which lies between New Guinea and New Britain Island. In the Solomon Sea, USAAF Fifth Air Force fighters strafe a whaling vessel off Goodenough Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, Major General Alexander Vandegrift, Commanding General 1st Marine Division, establishes continuous defense lines and divides the Lunga area into ten sectors.

USN - Commander Patrol Wing 1 departed Kaneohe, Hawaii, for the South Pacific to direct the operations of patrol squadrons already in the area. Headquarters were first established at Noumea, New Caledonia, and subsequently at Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal, and Munda.

UNITED STATES: The auxiliary aircraft carrier USS Chenango is commissioned. She is the tenth ACV in commission.

1943
ALASKA: The 21st Bombardment Squadron, 30th BG (Heavy), begins a movement from Shemya with B-24's to Smoky Hill AAFld, Kansas where it will be inactivated on 1 Nov 43.

GILBERT ISLANDS: USN carrier-based aircraft attack targets in Tarawa and Makin Atolls and then Task Force Fifteen, consisting of the aircraft carrier USS Lexington and the small aircraft carriers USS Belleau Wood and Princeton. In addition to attacking installations, photographic reconnaissance missions are flown over reefs, beaches and island defense. TF then retires to Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii
Twenty USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24s bomb and photograph Tarawa and Abemama Atolls; one B-24 is lost.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-25s and USN SBDs, covered by fighters, bomb Vila Airfield on Kolombangara Island and a causeway, Japanese positions, and ammunition dump at Disappointment Cove on New Georgia Island. Other B-25s bomb and strafe barge centers at Ringa Cove and Webster Coves on New Georgia Island.

NEW GUINEA: The Australian 2/6th Independent Company takes Kaiapit in the Markham River Valley in Northeast New Guinea in lively fighting and repels repeated counterattacks. Kaiapit is 45 air-miles NW of Nadzab. Kaiapit is needed for the airstrip that is to be constructed there once the Japanese have been driven from the area. Kaiapit became a base for the Australian 7th Division's advance up the Markham Valley.
USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack Finschhafen, Northeast New Guinea, in preparation for Allied landings three days hence.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s and B-25s fly small strikes against Ambon Island in the Moluccas Islands, Selaroe Aerodrome on Selaroe Island in the Tanimbar Islands, and Penfui (Penfoei) Airfield on Dutch Timor.


1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, a weather sortie and a 4-plane shipping sweep are flown with negative results.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 P-47s support ground forces SW of Thaikwagon; and 4 others strafe trucks carrying troops between Bhamo and Myothit.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 B-24s bomb Puchi, severely damaging the warehouse area; 11 B-25s hit Sienning; 3 hit railroad tracks and runway N of Hengyang; and 70+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack river shipping, troops, trucks, and other targets of opportunity at or near Pengtse, Hengyang, Chaling, Yoyang, Siangtan, and Changsha.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Saipan Island-based P-47s bomb installations on Anatahan Island, Mariana Islands and drop fire-bombs on Tinian Island to aid ground forces in mopping-up operations.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Weather restricts operations. In New Guinea, P-40s bomb the port of Napido; P-39s bomb and strafe coastal positions along the W shore of Geelvink Bay; A-20s operating in force in support of ground troops pound targets in the Sawar-Sarmi sector; P-39s support ground forces in Wewak area; HQ 86th Fighter Wing moves from Toem to Sansapor; and the 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th BG (Heavy), moves from Momote Airfield to Wakde Island with B-24s.

BORNEO: USN submarine USS Redfin lays mines off British Sarawak.

SOUTH CHINA SEA: Two USN submarines sink three Japanese ships off the west coast of Luzon, Philippine Islands:
- USN submarine attacks on Japanese convoy HI 71, begun the previous day, continue as USS Bluefish sinks fast fleet tanker/seaplane carrier HIJMS Hayasui, about 57 nautical miles W of Vigan in position 17.34N, 119.23E, and damages hospital ship Awa Maru about 50 nautical miles W of Vigan in position 17.36N, 119.38E.
- USS Spadefish sinks a Japanese landing craft depot repair ship about 82 nautical miles NNW of Vigan, in position 8.48N, 119.47E.

1945
FRENCH INDOCHINA: Ho Chi Minh take power in Hanoi, Vietnam (French Indochina.) On August 19, 1945, the Việt Minh under Hồ Chí Minh began the August General Uprising [Tổng Khởi Nghĩa], which was soon renamed the August Revolution (Vietnamese: Cách mạng tháng Tám). Whether or not this series of events should be called a "revolution" is disputable; what is clear is that, from August 19 onwards, demonstrations and uprisings against French colonial rule broke out in cities and towns throughout Vietnam. Given that Japan had surrendered to the [Allies of World War II|Allies]] at the end of World War II, the Japanese forces in Indochina stepped aside and allowed nationalist groups to take over public buildings in most of the major cities. While the Japanese allowed the nationalist groups free run of the country, they kept former French officials imprisoned.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On August 19, 1945, two B-25Js of the 345th BG and 80th FS P-38 Lightings escort two "Betty" bombers. The Japanese aircraft carry a delegation from Tokyo enroute to Manila to meet General MacArthur's staff to work out details of the surrender. The "Betty's" are painted all white with green crosses on the wings, fuselage and vertical tail surface and use the call signs Bataan I and Bataan II. The deligation lands at Ie Shima, and the are flown to Manila aboard a C-54. After the meeting, they returned to Ie Shima. One of the two Bettys crashed on its way back to Japan out of fuel, due to conversion of a liter were mistaken from the gallon. The crew was helped by local fisherman, and returned to Tokyo by train.

CHINA - Fourteenth Air Force: Unit moves in China: 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st FG from Chengkung to Nanning with P-51s (the detachment at Pakhoi also moves to Nanning); detachment of 426th Night Fighter Squadron, Fourteenth AF (attached to 312th Fighter Wing), at Liangshan returns to base at Shwangliu with P-61s.

PACIFIC: The formation of fleet Marine and Navy landing forces from officers and men afloat begins; these men are transferred, at sea, to transports for the impending occupation of Yokosuka under Commander, Task Force 31.

USA: The US War Production Board removes most of its controls over manufacturing activity.

 

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1939
MANCHURIA: Khalkin-Gol: 5:45AM, 150 bombers carry out a massive raid on the forward edge of the Japanese defences, their close-in reserves and artillery positions. The Soviets then assault along the entire front. Forces in the south gain the most ground, northern forces occupy the forward enemy positions reaching the fortified top of Palets Heights but are beaten back after a fierce fight

1940
CHINA: The Japanese army's strategic security network of garrisons in the ShansiProvince of northern China was suddenly cut off from the world today as 40,000 men of the Chinese Communist Eighth Route Army launched a series of well-coordinated surprise attacks on road and rail installations, severing communications in the area. The success of the attacks by the Army's 115 regiments provides a much-needed morale boost for the Chinese forces. and will help to silence critics of the Kuomintang who claim that the Communists are more intent on attacking them than the Japanese.

1942
AUSTRALIA: Responding to questions from the Australian government regarding the effect on the RAAF of the formation of the USAAF's Fifth Air Force in the Southwest Pacific Area, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander Southwest Pacific Area, replies that "due to unavoidable conditions" the majority of the units assigned to the Coastal Defense Unit would be Australian although the majority of RAAF units would not be assigned to this command. He continued saying that the formation of the Fifth Air Force would not affect the full employment of the RAAF in combat operations.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, Australian units continue to patrol along Imitra Ridge on the Kodoka Track. In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs bomb and strafe troops and installations at Sangara, Arehe, and along the Popondetta-Andemba road in the Owen Stanley Range, and RAAF Kittyhawks strafe the airfield at Kokoda, bridges on the trail near Wairopi, and troops at Myola, Efogi, and Kagi.

1943
CBI (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, B-24's bomb Sagaing and Naba. The 384th Bombardment Squadron, 311th BG (Dive), arrives at Nawadih, India from the US with A-36's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on 17 Oct.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 27 Japanese bombers and 20 fighters attack the airfield at Kunming, China; 24 P-40's and 3 P-38's intercept, claiming 17 airplanes shot down; 1 US fighter is lost; damage to the airfield is negligible. The 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, transfers from Kweilin to Hengyang, China with P-40's.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, First Lieutenant Henry Meigs II (of the 6th Night Fighter Squadron), flying a P-38 against Japanese night attackers over Bougainville, shoots down two G4M1 Betty bombers of the 702nd Kokutai within 60 seconds: G4M1 piloted by Itakura and G4M1 piloted by Kisuberi.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's and B-17's hit roads from Kaiapit to Madang, destroying 3 key bridges; P-39's strafe and dive-bomb the Bogadjim-Yaula area; and B-24's bomb Wewak and Boram airfields. B-25's hit Penfoei on Timor Island. Lost are P-38H "Mareelee II" 42-66851 and P-38H 42-66841.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Australian 2/6th Independent Company kills another 100 Japanese north of Kaiapit in the Markham Valley.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells bomb Penfui (Penfoei) Airfield on Dutch Timor Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The 27th Infantry Regiment forces on Sagekarasa Island find that Japanese have withdrawn from the island.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, 4 B-25s fly a negative shipping sweep.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 24 P-47s and P-51s fly close support strikes for ground forces immediately S of Thaikwagon; 4 P-51s hit targets of opportunity at Myintha and Aledaw; and the detachment of the 88th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, operating from Myitkyina with P-47s returns to base at Shingbwiyang.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25s and 7 P-40s damage buildings and a pontoon bridge and strafe about 30 sampans in the Hengyang area; 13 P-40s hit buildings, trucks, and river shipping in the Hengshan area; and 60+ P-40s and P-51s attack numerous trucks, rivercraft, and general targets of opportunity at Tingka, Anjen, Yangtien, S of Yoyang, between Hankow and Chinchiang, and between Sinshih and Changsha.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): 61 Chengtu, China-based B-29s bomb the Imperial Iron and Steel Works at Yawata, Japan during the day, followed by 10 more during the night of 20/21 Aug, 5 hitting targets other than the primary. Intercepted by 87 JAAF fighters. In addition to the twin-engine fighters of the 4th FR, these included Ki-84s of the 16th Flying Brigade (51st and 52nd FRs), Ki 61s of the 59th FR and a few (Ki-43s fighters of the 48th FR. The Japanese navy was represented by 33 Zero fighters and four Gekko night fighters from 352nd Kokutai. Japanese army fighters claimed 12 sure victories for two fighters lost. Navy fighters claimed four including two by Lt (j.g.) Sachio Endo whose Gekko went down in a crash landing with Endo surviving. B-29 claimed 15 Japanese fighters destroyed. 14 B-29s are lost, including 1 to AA and 4 to enemy aircraft (1 by air-to-air bombing and 1 by ramming); B-29 gunners claim 17 air victories. Lost are: B-29 42-24474, B-29 "Praying Mantis" 42-6286 , B-29 "O'Reily's Daughters" 42-6264.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Saipan based B-24s hit Yap for the first time. A B-24 bombs Alamagan Island, Mariana Islands while P-47s pound Pagan Island. Marshall Islands-based B-24s bomb Truk Atoll.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb the town and airfield at Namlea, Buru Island and others pound personnel areas and warehouses at Tobelo, Halmahara Island. In New Guinea, B-25s bomb Langgoer Airfield; P-39s hit Windissi and enemy shipping off Manokwari while P-40s pound gun positions, buildings and stores at Manokwari; other P-40s support ground forces by hitting troop concentrations at Napido; A-20s and fighter-bombers hit a personnel center near Marubian, supplies at Wom, and numerous targets during coastal sweeps in the Wewak general area; and the 23d and 31st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), move from Momote Airfield to Wakde Island with B-24s. The 528th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Fenton to Darwin with B-24s.

BIAK: MacArthur announces that the fighting has ended on Biak, New Guinea. Japanese casualties are 4,700 KIA and 220 POW. US casualties total 2550 KIA and WIA.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 517, AUGUST 20, 1944
1. Nauru Island was attacked on 17 August (West Longitude Date) by Mitchell medium bombers of the 7th AAF and Ventura search planes of Group 1, Fleet Air Wing Two. Venturas again hit Nauru on 18 August. The airfield and gun emplacements were bombed. Antiaircraft fire was meager.
2. Rota and Pagan Islands in the Marianas were bombed and strafed by fighters on 17 and 18 August. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.
3. Mille and Wotje in the Marshall Islands were bombed on 17 and 18 August by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
4. All of our planes returned from these operations.

1945
SOUTH EAST ASIA: U.S. Navy patrol planes reconnoiter Indochina and south China coasts. During the missions, Japanese fighters attempt to intercept them.

JAPAN: Soviet occupation of Kurils

CHINA - Fourteenth Air Force: The 92d Fighter Squadron, 81st FG, moves from Fungwanshan to Huhsien, China with P-47s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 2d Combat Cargo Group and 7th and 8th Combat Cargo Squadrons move from Dulag to Bolo Airfield with C-46s.

IJN: G4M1 Betty "Bataan 1" force lands off the coast of Japan after returning from Ie Shima Airfield with surrender delegation.

 

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1941
USA: In the U.S., President Franklin D. Roosevelt addresses the U.S. Congress about the Atlantic Charter. He says, "Finally, the declaration of principles at this time presents a goal which is worth while for our type of civilization to seek. It is so clear cut that it is difficult to oppose in any major particular without automatically admitting a willingness to accept compromise with Nazism; or to agree to a world peace which would give to Nazism domination over large numbers of conquered nations. Over a week ago I held several important conferences at sea with the British Prime Minister. Because of the factor of safety to British, Canadian, and American ships, and their personnel, no prior announcement of these meetings could properly be made."

1942
GUADALCANAL: 2nd Btn 1st Marines from dugin positions on the west bank of Alligator Creek on Guadalcanal successfully stop a fanatic attack by 900 IJA soldiers of the 28th Regiment, known as the Ichiki Detachment after its CO, Colonel Ichiki Kiyoano. They had landed during the night 2 days prior to the battle east of the Lunga Perimeter. This battle becomes known to history as "The Battle of the Teneru River" due to the incorrect and incomplete maps used by the Marines.
The battle starts about 0030 with some initial firefights. At 0200, with a green flare, a headlong charge by IchikiÕs 2nd Company begins. The Marines with rifles, machine guns and 37mm canister defeat this first attack. It ends with some Japanese actually reaching Marine foxholes and some hand to hand combat. Other attacks follow.
Supported by the 75mm artillery of 3rd Btn 11th Marines, they all fail. This battle welcomes the first aircrew of what will become the Cactus Airforce that arrived yesterday. It also marks the first time
American soldiers have decisively beaten an attack by the IJA. Japanese KIA are counted by the Marines at 777, 15 are captured. Marine losses are 44 KIA and 71 WIA. Jacob Vouza, a native coastwatcher, reaches US lines during the attack. He had been captured by the IJA earlier and after a severe beating and a slit throat left for dead. Vouza survives and is awarded the Silver Star by Vandegrift for his report and appointed Sgt Major in the USMC.
Later in the afternoon the 1st Btn joins 3rd Btn 1st Marines to sweep upmost of the remaining IJA soldiers.

- The Japanese send G4M "Betty" bombers and A6M "Zeke" fighters to
attack Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. The Marines have been warned by coastwatchers and the incoming raid is met by F4F Wildcats of VMF-223. The"Zekes" block the Marines attempt to attack the bombers and the G4Msbomb Henderson Field; 3 "Zekes" are shot down and 1 F4F and 1 SBD is
destroyed.

ALASKA: In the Aleutians, a US 11th Air Force B-24 Liberator trying to fly reconnaissance over Kiska Island aborts due to weather.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): During the Aleutian Campaign, 3 Jun 42 to 21 Aug 43, the Eleventh Air Force destroyed 69 aircraft, sank 21 and damaged 29 ships, and lost 29 of its own aircraft.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 B-24's, 7 B-25's, and 11 P-40's attack docks and the airfield at Hankow; a large force of fighters,
estimated at 50+, attacks the B-24 formation, shooting down 2 of the B-24's; gunners on the B-24's claim 40+ fighters shot down. In the Hengyang area, 19 P-40's battle 33 airplanes, shooting down 5 Zekes. S of Changsha, 9 P-38's clash with 12 Zekes, shooting down 3.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's and fighters strafe barges in Doveli Cove and Marquana and Paraso Bays in the Central Solomons.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's attack But Airfield and Dagua Airfield, with close escort by sixteen P-38s of the 80th FS. There were scattered clouds over the target and an overcast en route over the mountains. The formation was attacked by between 20 and 40 Ki-43 Oscars about 15 miles south of Dagua, eleven of which were claimed to have been shot down. Lost are P-38G piloted by Guttel, P-38 piloted by Feehan and P-38G piloted by Krisher also P-38F 42-12637 ditched, pilot DeGraffenreid survived. Japanese sources indicate 25 fighters intercepted from 13th Sentai (mostly flying Type 1 fighters at this time), 59th Sentai and 68th Sentai, and seven were lost (another source lists 6 pilots killed: 2 from 68th Sentai and three from 13th Sentai and one from 59th Sentai). Japanese claims 11 plus 4 uncertain.

L2D Tabby is shot down over Bono Bay by 380th BG B-24 "Juarez Whistle".

B-17's bomb the Bogadjim area; and single B-24's hit the Salamaua area and targets of opportunity at Lahang. B-24's carry out a damaging strike against Pombelaa in the Celebes.

In Northeast New Guinea, Komiatum, 3.6 miles ESE of Salamaua, is captured by Australian troops. Meanwhile, B-25 Mitchells of the USAAF's 5th Air Force bomb But Airfield (But West) and Dagua Airfield (But East).

AUSTRALIA: Election returns in Australia show that Premier Curtin's Labor Party on top.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 B-25s knock out and damage 3 river bridges in the Mu area and at Hsipaw, 36 P-51s support ground forces near Pinlon, Ingyingon, and Nansankyin; and 8 P-51s bomb a storage area at Chyahkan. HQ 1st Combat Cargo Group and the 1st Combat Cargo Squadron arrive at Sylhet, India from the US with C-47s (first mission is 10 Sep).

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 8 B-25s bomb Anjen and targets of opportunity in the surrounding area; 7 others attack Hengyang Airfield, the town of Nanyo, and several buildings and other targets of opportunity near Yangtien; 90+ fighter-bombers hit town areas, river and road traffic, and other targets of opportunity at Pengtse, Kinhwa, Tenchung, Anjen, Hengyang, and Yangtsishih; S of Sintsaing, N of Tungting Lake, between Hankow and Sinti, and in the Changsha area.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan Island hit Yap, P-47s bomb Pagan, and Makin based B-25s hit Nauru Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In the Molucca Islands, B-24s blast supply dumps and AA guns on the Wasile Bay coast; B-25s hit Kaoe Airfield and town on Halmahera Island and villages and supply areas on Karakelong Island. Fighter-bombers blast warehouses and other targets in the Manokwari area; A-20s and fighter-bombers hit supply dumps in the Sawar-Sarmi sector and attack troops along the coast, particularly from Babiang to Luain. The 419th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, moves from Guadalcanal to Middelburg with P-61s (a detachment is operating from Noemfoor).

UK: The Dumbarton Oaks Conference begins. This conference marks the beginning discussions about a postwar assembly that will become the United Nations. Stettinius for the US, Cadogan for Britain and Gromyko for the USSR are in attendance. The conference will last through the 29th.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 519, AUGUST 21, 1944
1. Yap Island in the western Carolines was bombed by Liberators of the 7th AAF on 19 August (West Longitude Date). The airfield and adjacent installations were bombed. No attempt was made to intercept our force, and antiaircraft fire was meager.
2. On the same day our aircraft obtained direct hits on gun emplacements and the dock at Pagan Island, and bombed Alamagan Island in the Marianas. Intense antiaircraft fire was encountered at Pagan Island.
3. Nauru Island was attacked on 18 and 19 August by Ventura search planes of Group 1, Fleet Air Wing Two, hitting runways and gun positions. In the Marshall Islands on 19 August, Wotje and Mille atolls were bombed and strafed by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing against light opposition.
4. All of our aircraft returned from these operations.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 520, AUGUST 21, 1944
1. Paramushiru Island in the Northern Kuriles was attacked by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four on 19 August (West Longitude Date). The airfields were bombed and strafed. Three enemy fighters were airborne but did not attempt to intercept our force. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.
2. Mopping up operations have continued in the Marianas since 9 August (west longitude date). During the period 11 17 August an additional 593 Japanese were killed on Guam Island. We lost 12 killed and 61 wounded in action during this period. With these additional losses inflicted on the enemy, plus the number buried and not previously announced, 14,067 of the enemy have been killed in the Guam campaign through 17 August, and more than a hundred made prisoner. During the same period an additional 187 Japanese were killed on Saipan Island, and 15 prisoners of war were taken, at a cost to us of 5 wounded and 1 missing. A total of 25,144 of the enemy had been buried through 16 August on Saipan. On Tinian Island 201 Japanese were killed during the period 11 17 August, and 15 prisoners taken. We lost 5 killed in action and 11 wounded in action. Enemy dead on Tinian now number 5,745.

1945
USA: US President Truman orders Lend-Lease aid to stop. This action stands in stark contrast to the earlier generosity of Lend-Lease or later the Marshall Plan. The Lend-Lease program shipped some $50 billion in aid to America's allies during World War II.

CHINA: Chinese civil war breaks out : Communist Mao vs. Chiang Kai-shek. Battle of the Junks -- last surface fight of WW2 Overloaded Japanese junk tried to commandeer two smaller junks using an army howitzer, but they were manned by American-Chinese guerilla force on way to rescue POWs and armed with bazookas, machine guns, and grenades. First boarding by marines of enemy at sea in over 100 years.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s are prevented by cloud cover from taking photos of the Soviet occupation of the Kurile Islands; 4 others abort a photo mission to Paramushiru and Shimushu due to weather.
Tenth Air Force: The 71st Liaison Squadron, Tenth AF, moves from Kunming to Liuchow, China with UC-64s, L-1s and L-5s.

Fourteenth Air Force: The detachment of the 426th Night Fighter Squadron, Fourteenth AF (attached to 312th Fighter Wing), operating from Ankang, China with P-61s, returns to base at Shwangliu.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: The 408th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d BG (Heavy), moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with B-24s.

 

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1940
In the U.S., James V. Forrestal, former Administrative Assistant to the President and Wall Street broker, becomes first Undersecretary of the Navy. His office will become the most important coordinating agency for procurement and materiel in the Navy Department

1942
ALASKA (11th AF): A photo reconnaissance mission over Kiska is aborted due to overcast.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): First AAF aircraft, 5 P-400s of the 67th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, based on New Caledonia , arrive at Henderson Field, joining USMC aircraft which arrived earlier; these P-400s, which operate under control of Marine Aircraft Wing One (MAW-1), prove no match for Japanese Zekes or bombers at high altitudes.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s bomb airfields at Lae and Lakunai Airfield.

GUADALCANAL: The first USAAF aircraft, 5 P-400 Airacobras of the 67th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, based on New Caledonia Island, New Hebrides, arrive at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal Island, joining USMC aircraft which arrived earlier; these P-400s, which operate under control of Marine Aircraft Wing One (MAW-1), prove no match for Japanese Zekes or bombers at high altitudes.
The USN destroyers USS Blue and USS Henley, trying to intercept Japanese reinforcements heading for Guadalcanal, run into the Japanese destroyer HIJMS Kawakaze, whose night-fighting experience outperforms the Americans' radar. The Blue is torpedoed at 0359 hours local and throughout the 22nd and 23rd, unsuccessful attempts are made to tow her to Tulagi. She was scuttled at 2221 on 23 August 1942. Kawakaze escapes unscathed.

NEW GUINEA: The 18th Australian Brigade lands at Milne Bay. Allied troops in the Milne Bay area now numbered more than 8,800 and the fighting at Milne Bay resulted in the first defeat of a Japanese amphibious landing in WWII.
- Buna - 11,430 Japanese troops at Buna

1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 P-40's bomb Japanese HQ and a supply dump at Tengchung, and strafe trucks and troops in the area; 2 others strafe road traffic between Tengchung and Lungling. The 12th Photographic Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force, transfers from Bishnupur, India to Kunming, China with F-5's. The flight which has been operating from Kweilin since Jul will remain there until Sep 43.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's and US Navy dive bombers, escorted by fighter aircraft, bomb barge centers on the W coast of Vella Lavella.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's strike Dili. In New Guinea, as a result of the air offensive against Wewak and satellite airfields, Japanese airpower on New Guinea is sufficiently neutralized for 4 Allied destroyers to proceed along the coast from Milne Bay to Finschhafen; after bombarding Finschhafen during the night of 22/23 August, the warships return to Milne Bay.

USN - Four Allied destroyers to proceed along the coast from Milne Bay to Finschhafen; after bombarding Finschhafen during the night of 22/23 Aug, then return to Milne Bay. Lost is TBF Avenger 06240.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): P-51s and P-47s fly 53 sorties against Tengchung, China in support of attacking Chinese forces. In Burma, 28 P-47s attack buildings, supply dumps, troops, and gun positions near Ingyingon, Nansankyin, and Pinlon; 8 P-47s strafe targets of opportunity between Tingka, China and Bhamo; 2 rocket-firing P-51s seriously damage several buildings at Aledaw; and 9 B-25s bomb Hopin.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 P-40s and P-38s hit bridges and road targets around Tingka, Mangshih, Loiwing, and Pangpying; and 6 others attack a landing strip and river traffic at an island near Foochow.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): Saipan based B-24s bomb airfields on Yap and Pagan; P-47s also pound the airfield on Pagan and AA emplacements. Kwajalein based B-24s hit Mille Atoll.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Fighter-bombers continue to blast supply and personnel targets in Manokwari and the surrounding areas; fighter-bombers again hit N coastal areas, including shipping facilities at Wewak, barge terminal on Mushu, and trains and troop positions at various coastal points; and the 370th, 371st, 372d and 424th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 307th BG (Heavy), move from Los Negros to Wakde with B-24s.

JAPAN: The Japanese government announces decrees conscripting women between 12 and 40 for war work.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 521, AUGUST 22, 1944
1. On 20 August (West Longitude Date) two Navy Liberator search planes of Group 1, Fleet Air Wing Two, found two enemy ships proceeding toward Marcus Island and carried out attacks at mast head level which resulted in setting fire to a medium cargo ship, left dead in the water and burning, and a small cargo ship, which was noticeably slowed and left heavily smoking. One Liberator suffered minor damage from antiaircraft fire.
2. On the same day Liberators of the 7th AAF bombed Yap Island, causing large fires and explosions among bivouac areas and buildings near the airfield. Antiaircraft fire was meager.
3. Truk atoll was attacked on 20 August, Liberators of the 7th AAF bombing warehouses and antiaircraft batteries at Dublon Island and other buildings on Moen Island. Seven to 8 enemy fighters intercepted. Two enemy fighters were damaged and two of our bombers were damaged. All of our planes returned.
4. Pagan and Rota Islands in the Marianas were bombed and strafed by our aircraft on 20 August.
5. Search planes of Group 1, Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Wake Island and the airstrip at Ponape on 20 August. On the same day Mitchell medium bombers of the 7th AAF dropped twelve tons of bombs on the Ponape airstrip.
6. Nauru Island was attacked by Ventura search planes of Group 1, Fleet Air Wing Two, hitting runways on 20 August.
7. Catalina search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two and Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing continued neutralization raids against enemy positions in the Marshalls on 20 August, hitting Maloelap, Wotje and Mille atolls.

1945
HONG KONG: Japanese AA near Hong Kong fire upon navy patrol planes.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: C-47 units arriving on Okinawa from Hawaii: 311th Troop Carrier Squadron, US Army Forces, Middle Pacific; and 316th Troop Carrier Squadron, Seventh AF.

MANCHURIA: The Japanese Kwantung Army surrenders in Manchuria, China. Soviet forces capture Port Arthur and Darien.

PACIFIC: The Japanese commander of Mille Atoll in the Marshalls surrenders to the Americans; this is the first Japanese garrison to capitulate.

INDONESIA: Japanese announce their surrender publicly in Jakarta. Japanese forces disarm and disband Peta and Heiho. Many members of these groups have not yet heard of independence.

 

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1939
MANCHURIA: Khalkin-Gol: Northern group reinforced by 212th Airborne Brigade seizes the Palets Heights. In fierce hand to hand combat 600 Japanese soldiers are killed. Zhukov begins to reduce to trapped Japanese forces.

1942
POA (7th AF): 333d Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, is activated at Bellows Field, Hawaii and equipped with P-39s.

SWPA (5th AF): A lone B-17 bombs Buka , Solomon.

GILBERT ISLANDS: Japanese light cruiser HIJMS Yubari, accompanied by four destroyers and supporting ships, shells Nauru Island in preparation for landings there.

EASTERN SOLOMONS: US Admiral Fletcher with TF 61 and Japanese Admiral Nagumo with the units of the IJN begin skirmishes which will result in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. The US force built around 3 fleet carriers and the IJN force is built around 2 fleet carriers and one escort carrier. These units of the IJN are charged with a mission of delivering additional troops and supplies in a convoy to Guadalcanal. This will develop into the 3rd carrier vs. carrier battle of the war.

1943
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-24's and P-39's strafe targets of opportunity on Wagina Island in the Solomon Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's bomb the town and airfield of Kendari on Celebes Island. B-25's hit targets in the Aroe Islands. In New Guinea, B-26's pound Kela; and B-25's hit Marawasa, Finschhafen, and Lillum Saun. Lost is P-38G piloted by Mathers.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-25's fly low-level strike against Myitnge, Burma bridge, knocking out a center span and badly damaging 2 others.

NEW GUINIE: Tonight 4 US destroyers will bombard Finschhafen, New Guinea. They are supporting air ops against Wewak.
Amplifying the above:
The main 5 AF raids against Wewak were delivered on 17 and 18 August, so this shoot would have been too late to provide an effective diversion. Perhaps this bombardment was part of the deception plan designed to draw attention from the landing of 9th Division AIF at Lae on 4 Sep 43?

CHINA: In China, the Japanese bomb Chungking for the first time since 1941.

JAPAN: The Japanese General Staff decides to abandon the central Solomons and concentrate its forces in the northern islands of the archipelago, notably Bougainville.

PACIFIC: USN submarine USS Paddle sinks Italian merchant passenger/cargo ship SS Ada off Hamamatsu, Japan, in position 34.37N, 137.53E.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: USN submarine USS Grayling delivers supplies to Filipino guerrilla forces on Panay Island.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 32 P-47s support British advances down the railroad in the Pinbaw area hitting gun positions, troops, and HQ buildings, immediately N of Pinbaw, and along Nansonti Creek; and 6 P-47s pound Onsansaing, and 8 P-51s bomb an encampment near Kadu. In China, 4 P-51s hit Lungling and Mangshih; 5 others attack guns, fuel dump, and other targets of opportunity along the Burma Road from Wanling to Lungling while 7 more hit buildings and vehicles during sweeps of the general Mangshih-Chefang area; and 12 P-51s hit targets of opportunity SW of Lungling and 2 P-40s strafe trucks at Chefang.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 B-25s and 21 fighter-bombers attack villages, compounds, other targets of opportunity near Hengyang, Lingyang, and Anjen; 40+ fighter-bombers hit villages, shipping, troops, supplies, and other targets of opportunity around Ichang, Yangtien, Siangtan, and Yiyang, and S of Sungpai and Siangyin; and the 529th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, moves from Dinjan, India to Pungchacheng with P-51s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan bomb Yap and Iwo Jima while P-47s hit Pagan and Aguijan Islands, Mariana Islands. Gilbert Island-based B-25s attack Ponape Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s pound the Galela, Halmahera Island area; in New Guinea, B-24s hit Langgoer Airfield and Saumlakki; fighter-bombers hit the airfield at Nabire, Moemi, and Urarom, the village of Moari, and town of Manokwari; B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers continue to attack barge hideouts, troops, villages, and general targets of opportunity around Wewak; HQ 18th Fighter Group and it's 12th and 70 Fighter Squadrons move from Guadalcanal and New Georgia (70th FS) to Sansapor with P-38s; and the 69th and 390th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Stirling to Hollandia with B-25s.

RAAF - Shot down near Babo is P-40N A29-568.

PACIFIC: USN submarine USS Paddle sinks Italian merchant passenger/cargo ship SS Ada off Hamamatsu, Japan, in position 34.37N, 137.53E.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: USN submarine USS Grayling delivers supplies to Filipino guerrilla forces on Panay Island.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 527, AUGUST 23, 1944
A Japanese convoy consisting of three cargo ships escorted by two de¬stroyers was attacked by two Navy search Liberators of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two, on August 22 (West Longitude Date) near Chichi Jima in the Bonins. A bombing attack conducted at low level resulted in sinking two of the enemy cargo ships, and the third was left on fire. One Liberator was lost in this action.
Liberator bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Yap Island during daylight on August 21, bombing bivouac areas and airfield installations. Antiaircraft fire was meager. A single Seventh Army Air Force Liberator bombed Asor in the Ulithi Islands on the same day, encountering no opposition. All of our aircraft returned.

1945
INDONESIA:Sukarno delivers first radio address to the nation. BKR (Badan Keamanan Rakyat), first Indonesian military force, begins organizing from former Peta and Heiho members. Some former Peta batallions join as entire units, having been told to disband only a few days before. Dutch forces land at Sabang in Aceh.



ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-24s fly a photo mission over Paramushiru and Shimushu.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium), Fifth AF, moves from San Jose, Mindoro to Clark Field.

 

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1942
ALASKA (11th AF): 404th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 28th Composite Group, begins to operate from Umnak , Aleutian with B-24s. A photo reconnaissance sortie is cancelled due to overcast.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s hit Gasmata and airfields at Rabaul.

NG: A Japanese amphibious force leaves Buna in seven large barges and New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago, in transports, heading for Milne Bay; the barges are detected by an Australian coastwatcher during the afternoon.

EASTERN SOLOMONS:East of Guadalcanal, US scout planes flying from Enterprise spot carrier Ryujo. A strike is dispatched. Then Shokaku and Zuikaku are sighted. Attempts to redirect the attack from Admiral Fletcher are unsuccessful. The Ryujo is sunk.
Japanese attacks from the two fleet carriers find Enterprise and while damaged, she is still able to land planes. One of the bombs is caught on film at the exact moment of explosion. Most of the Japanese
planes in this strike choose the Enterprise, only a few attack the Saratoga and North Carolina for superficial damage. The steering gear on Enterprise goes out of commission during damage control, and for 30 minutes the "Big E" circles with her rudder jammed hard to starboard. A second Japanese strike is spotted on radar while the Enterprise is disabled. It heads for an estimated position and does not find the US forces.

- The new tactic of centralized fighter direction, using radar, is marred by radio frequencies jammed with too many American transmissions. The mission of this Japanese Naval task force is to protect a supply and reinforcement convoy under command of Admiral Tanaka. This will become known as "The Battle of the Eastern Solomons". The final act involving the convoy will occur tomorrow.
AMPLIFYING THE ABOVE:
HIJMS Ryujo is sunk and the seaplane carrier HIJMS Chitose is damaged by SBD-3 Dauntlesses of VB-3and VS-3 and TBF-1 Avengers of Torpedo Squadon VT-8 in USS Saratoga. Light cruiser HIJMS Jintsu is damaged by SBD-3s of Marine Scout Bombing Squadron VMSB-232 based on Guadalcanal. During the night of 24/25 August, 4 Japanese warships shell Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.

PACIFIC: USN submarine USS Guardfish torpedoes and sinks a Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship off entrance to Sendai harbor, on the northeast coast of Honshu, Japan.

U.S.: Hollywood stars Tyrone Power, 28, and Henry Fonda, 37, join the armed forces. Power joins the Marine Corps but doesn't go to boot camp until he finishes the motion picture "Crash Dive" about submarines. Fonda joins the Navy and goes straight to boot camp as a Seaman Apprentice. Power went to Officer Candidate School and was commissioned and then took flight training and was later assigned as a transport pilot in the Pacific. He was discharged in Jan 46.
Fonda served on the destroyer USS Satterlee rising to the rank of Quartermaster Third Class. Based on the recommendation of the executive officer on the ship, Fonda was commissioned a Lieutenant (jg) and served in Air Combat Intelligence in the Central Pacific; he was discharged in Oct 45.

1943
USA: The USAAF's Antisubmarine Command is redesignated I Bomber Command and reassigned to the First Air Force after the USAAF and USN reach an agreement under which the USAAF withdraws from antisubmarine operations. The USN accepts responsibility for all ASW operations in the Atlantic and the USAAF will transfer all aircraft engaged in this activity to the USN.

CHINA: 7 B-24s and 6 B-25s of the USAAF's Fourteenth Air Force, escorted by 22 P-40s and P-38s, bomb airfields at Hankow and Wuchang; 4 B-24s are lost; 24 IJA interceptors are claimed shot down.

SOLOMONS:
- 25 Thirteenth Air Force B-24s, with fighter escort, bomb Papatura Fa Island and attack the eastern shore of Ringa Cove on New Georgia Island. P-39s strafe barges at Kakasa on Choiseul Island.
- The New Georgia campaign ends as U.S. Army troops occupy Bairoko Harbor.

CANADA: The Quadrant Conference between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill and Canadian Prime Minister W.L. MacKenzie King in Quebec City, Quebec, ends.
Operation OVERLORD, the invasion of northwestern Europe, target date is 1 May 1944, and Operation POINTBLANK, the Combined Bomber Offensive to destroy economic and military power of Germany as a prelude to OVERLORD, shall constitute the primary effort against Germany.
Plans for the invasion of Italy are approved, but the forces to be employed are confined to those already allotted by TRIDENT, the U.S.-British conference held in Washington, D.C., USA, in May 1943.
Advances against Japan are to be made along both the Central Pacific and the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) route. Action in the Central Pacific is to begin with invasion of Gilberts and Marshalls Islands. In the SWPA, Rabaul on New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, will be neutralized but not captured; New Guinea will be neutralized as far west as Wewak; Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands and Kavieng on New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago, are to be secured as bases from which further advances can be supported.
A new Allied command, Southeast Asia Command (SEAC), is authorized to simplify command structure in Asia; British Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten is to be Supreme Commander and U.S. Lieutenant Gerneral Joseph Stilwell will be his deputy. The China Theater is not included in SEAC; as China is an area of U.S. strategic responsibility, General Stilwell is responsible to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai shek.
The North Burma offensive is scheduled to begin in February 1944.
President Roosevelt opposed recognition of a DeGaulle government, but Churchill recognizes French General Charles DeGaulle's National Committee as a wartime ally. Although there was growing unity on military strategy, there was also growing political disunity especially involving Italy.

EAST INDIES: Fifth Air Force B-25s bomb Larat Island in the Tanimbar Islands of the Netherlands East Indies.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Australian 3 Division is replaced by the 5 Division during the final phases of operations against Salamaua. This attack is really a feint; the main objective is Lae and the main body of Australian forces are approaching it from the interior of the island. In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s bomb Wewak and Salamaua. In Papua New Guinea, U.S. forces continue their operations to capture Dot Inlet located northwest of Morobe.

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS: The Japanese submarine HIJMS I-25 launches a "Glen" to reconnoiter Espiritu Santo Island.

1944
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s bomb Kangon; 3 P-47 flights support British troops NE of Pinbaw, hitting forces and gun emplacements near Namyin Te and Nansankyin; 4 P-47s bomb Nankan; and 4 P-51s strafe vehicles along the Shweli River and bomb a storage area S of Hopin.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, town areas, river and road traffic, railroad targets, and other targets of opportunity in or near Hengyang, Chuchou, Siangtan, and Yangtien are attacked by 8 B-25s and 25 P-40s; 19 other P-40s hit similar targets of opportunity at Yungeheng, Anjen, along the C Yangtze River, and S of Mangshih; and the 528th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, moves from Tingkawk Sakan, Burma to Shwangliu with P-51s.

AAF, POA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan Island-based P-47s pound Aguijan and Pagan Islands. Marshall Island-based B-24s bomb Truk Atoll while B-25s hit Nauru Island.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): The advanced air echelon of Brigadier General Emmett O'Donnell Jr's HQ 73d Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) arrives in the Mariana Islands with B-29s, the first Twentieth AF contingent to arrive; the ground echelon arrives by water on 16 Sep

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Shipping in Lembeh Strait, Celebes Island, is attacked by B-25s, while B-24s bomb Lolobata Airfield on Halmahera. HQ 307th BG moves from Los Negros to Wakde; the 100th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), Thirteenth Air Force [attached to 42d BG], moves from Stirling to Sansapor but continues operating from Hollandia with B-25; and the 340th and 341st Fighter Squadrons, 348th FG, move from Wakde to Noemfoor with P-47s.

INDIAN OCEAN: A British naval force including carriers HMS Victorious and Indomitable, and battleship HMS Howe, under Admiral Moody, attack Padang in SW Sumatra.

PACIFIC: The USN submarine USS Harder is sunk by Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No. 22 off the west coast of Luzon.
USN submarine sink four Japanese merchant ships.
(1) USS Ronquil attacks a Japanese convoy, sinking an army cargo ship off Keelung, Formosa, and a merchant cargo ship off Sankaku Island;
(2) USS Sailfish attacks Japanese convoy in Luzon Strait, sinking a transport
(3) USS Seal sinks a merchant cargo ship off the southeast coast of Hokkaido, Japan.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 528, AUGUST 24, 1944
1. Paramushiru Island in the northern Kuriles was bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four on 20 August (West Longitude Date). Direct hits were obtained in storage areas, a small vessel offshore was sunk aped another damaged. One of 7 intercepting enemy fighters was shot down. Antiaircraft fire was meager, and all of our aircraft returned.
2. Yap Island in the western Carolines was attacked by 7th AAF Liberators on 22 August. Bivouac areas and facilities near the airfield were bombed through meager antiaircraft fire.
3. Pagan and Rota Islands in the Marianas were attacked by our aircraft on 21 and 22 August, and Aguijan Island was hit on 22 August.
4. Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Nauru island on 21 and 22 August, concentrating on the airstrips.
5. Neutralization raids against enemy positions in the Marshalls continued, with Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing striking at Wotje on 21 and 22 August and at Mille atoll on 21 August.

1945
JAPAN: Military cadets occupy broadcasting facilities in Kawaguchi, near Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture, in protest to the Japanese surrender. General Tanaka Shizuichi, Commander of the Eastern District Army, goes to the station and continues to harangue the cadets until they give up. Late that night, General Tanaka commits harakiri in his office. He takes the whole responsibility for the destruction by fire of a section of the Imperial Palace. The fire was the result of a USAAF bombing raid. His instructions to the regimental commanders of the Eastern District Army are: "I am very grateful to all of your regiments for keeping in strict order after the Imperial command to surrender. Now I have fulfilled my duty as Commanding Officer of the District Army. I am determined to lay down my life to beg His Majesty's awful pardon in place of you and all of your officers and men. I heartily hope that you and all your officers and men will strictly watch yourselves and guard against rashness and be devoted to the peaceful revival of our fatherland."

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS (Eleventh Air Force): B-24s try to photograph the Soviet occupation of the Kurile Islands but are impeded by clouds.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater) Tenth Air Force: C-47 unit moves: 2d Troop Carrier Squadron, 443d Troop Carrier Group, from Dinjan, India to Chihkiang, China; 322d Troop Carrier Squadron, Tenth AF, from Liangshan to Chihkiang, China.

Fourteenth Air Force: The 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d FG, moves from Luliang to Liuchow, China with P-51s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa.

NEW GUINEA: Forces of the Japanese 18th Army have been ordered to ceasefire but their commander says that he cannot order them to surrender until he receives instructions from Field Marshal Count Terauchi Hisaichi, Commander in Chief Southern Army.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, Japanese commander, Lieutenant General Kanda Masatane, Commander of the 17th Army, is still awaiting instruction from Tokyo.

U.K.: Prime Minister Clement Atlee announces in the House of Commons that the sudden ending of Lend-Lease aid, without prior consultation. Attlee, notes that the abrupt ending of American aid has left the country in a "very serious financial position." The Foreign Minister, Ernest Bevin, says that 700,000 homes in London require repairs. Former Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill described the statement as very grave and disquieting.

U.S.: The last M-24 Chaffee light tank built by the Cadillac Division of the General Motors Corporation rolls off the assembly line. Cadillac is now free to begin building automobiles for the first time since 1942.

U.S.S.R.: The Soviet Union and China sign a treaty of alliance.

 

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1942
ALASKA (11th AF): A photo reconnaissance airplane flies over Kiska, Attu and Adak, then turns back because of mechanical failure.

SOLOMONS: The last act of the Battle of the Eastern Solomons is played out today. The convoy bearing elements of General Kawaguchi's 35th Brigade, under command of Admiral Tanaka in Jintsu, is turned back. The convoy, intended to reinforce Guadalcanal, is bombed with two transports, light cruiser Jintsu damaged and one destroyer, Mitsuki, sunk. Jintsu is damaged by a Marine SBD from Henderson Field, Admiral Tanaka is knocked unconcious in the explosion. Mitsuki is sunk during a level bombing by B-17s. The Japanese, realizing the cost of daylight naval operations within range of Henderson Field, turn to high speed destroyer runs at night for resupply efforts. These will become known as "The Tokyo Express". Thus this battle ends as a clear victory, both tactical and strategic, for the US.
The Japanese invasion force sailing towards Guadalcanal is hit hard by 4 USMC and 3 USN SBDs, and 4 USMC F4Fs 125 mi from the island at 0835 hours; a Marine SBD pilot hits the light cruiser HIJMS Jintsu and another damages the transport Boston Maru while a USN SBD pilot mortally damages the large transport Kinryu Maru.
At 1015 hours, 8 B-17s from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Island sink the destroyer HIJMS Mutsuki as it is attempting to sink the damaged transport. In the afternoon, USN SBDs attack 2 transports and their 5 escorts as they retreat back to Rabaul.

NAURU ISLAND: Japanese troops occupy undefended Nauru Island. Nauru, an 8 square mile island located about 380 nautical miles west-southwest of Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati), has large phosphate deposits.

SWPA (5th AF): Japanese amphibious forces bound for Milne Bay from Buna are stranded on Goodenough when P-40s from Milne Bay destroy all of their beached barges. P-40s also attack a convoy proceeding from New Ireland toward Milne Bay but are hampered by bad weather and fail to halt landings at 3 points E of Rabi during the night of 25/26 Aug. P-400s hit the airfield and AA positions at Buna.

SOLOMON SEA: An Allied Air Force reconnaissance aircraft spots a Japanese convoy consisting of two light cruisers, five destroyers and two submarine chasers en route from Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, to Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. Bad weather prevents RAAF Kittyhawks of Nos. 75 and 76 Squadrons from attacking the convoy.

MOZAMBIQUE: In Portuguese South Africa, five USN nurses, who had been held as POWs by the Japanese, are repatriated to the diplomatic corps at Mozambique. The five, Lieutenants (jg) Leona Jackson, Lorraine Christiansen, Virginia Fogerty and Doris Yetter, under the command of Chief Nurse Marion Olds, had been captured on Guam on 10 December 1942. They continued caring for casualties at the U.S. Naval Hospital on Guam until 10 January 1942 when they were transported to Japan. Held for three months in the Zentsuji Prison on Shikoku Island, they were moved to the Eastern Lodge in Kobe on 12 March until being placed on the Swedish-America line ship SS Gripsholm and brought to Mozambique.

1943
RN - Admiral Louis F Mountbatten is appointed Supreme Allied Commander, Southeast Asia.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25's, with fighter escort, bomb Kowloon Docks at Hong Kong.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 13 B-25's, along with 40+ US Navy dive bombers and an escort of
fighter aircraft, pound barge centers at Webster and Ringa Coves on New Georgia Island. 6 B-24's, along with 24 fighters, hit Kahili Airfield. Other P-40's strafe large motor vessels and a barge in the NW part of the Slot. The 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th BG (Heavy), based on Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides Islands begins operating from Guadalcanal Island with B-24's; they will fly their first mission tomorrow.

NEW GEORGIA: Offensive operations end.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, almost 100 B-24's, B-25's, and B-17's carry out an hour-long strike against the Hansa Bay area, Nubia, and Awar, and nearby shipping; and small flights of B-24's attack Finschhafen and hit a transport off New Hanover Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. A-20's hit Gasmata; and B-25's bomb targets on Timor Island. HQ 433d Troop Carrier Group arrives at Port Moresby, New Guinea from the US. They will remain at this station until Oct 44.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, 1 B-24 flies reconnaissance over Shasukotan, Onnekotan, and Harumukotan Islands but drops no bombs due to accurate AA fire.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-25s bomb Kondangyi; 4 P-47s knock out a bridge S of Bhamo and hit several targets of opportunity in the area; 2 P-51s bomb a probable factory at Hopin; 6 flights of P-51s attack buildings and targets of opportunity at Pinlon and Kyagyigon; 32 other P-51s support ground forces at Ingyingon and along the Hsai-hkao and Namsang River; and the detachment of the 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from Myitkyina with P-40 and returns to base at Kisselbari, India (the squadron is operating from Tingkawk Sakan).

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 3 B-24s bomb Kowloon docks in Hong Kong; 3 B-25s and 12 P-40s hit buildings, troop compounds, and general targets of opportunity in the Yangtien area; 4 B-25s and 21 P-40s attack similar targets in and around Anjen; 2 B-25s bomb the fighter strip at Leiyang and 2 others hit the town of Nanyo; 40 P-51s and P-40s attack a wide variety of targets of opportunity throughout the Hengyang, Siangyin, Siangtan, and Siangsiang areas, Chenghsien, Lishui, Samshui, Chiangmen, Luichow Peninsula, and the Red River delta.

AAF, POA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan hit the airfield on Iwo Jima while P-47s blast AA positions and troops on Pagan Island. A B-24 bombs Yap. Gilbert Island-based B-25s bomb Ponape.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s strike Koror and Malakal Islands, Palau Islands, Caroline Islands; B-24s pound Lolobata; B-25s on a shipping sweep over Lembeh Strait, Celebes Island claim a merchant ship sunk and hit several small vessels. In the Lesser Sunda Islands a few B-25s on a shipping sweep attack several small vessels. In New Guinea, A-20s and fighter-bombers hit Babo Airfield, Sagan, and Otawiri; P-39s strafe troops near But; the 394th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th BG (Heavy), moves from Momote Airfield to Wakde Island; and the 822d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th BG (Medium), moves from Nadzab to Biak Island with B-25s.

NEI: Bob Hope was at Biak on 25 August 1944 putting on a special show for the Air Corps. He is seen in the "Jolly Rogers" staff car holding a captured Japanese flag which was presented to him. The Jolly Roger's squadron got all the limelight.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 530 AUGUST 25, 1944
1. Iwo Jima in the Bonin Islands was bombed by Liberators of the 7th AAF during the night of 23 24 August (West Longitude Dates). Meager anti¬aircraft fire was encountered and there was no interception.
2. Pagan and Aguijan Islands in the Marianas were attacked on 23 August. Gun positions, storage facilities and buildings were bombed. Several fires were started.
3. Ponape Island was bombed on 23 August by Mitchell medium bombers of the 7th AAF, and on 22 and 23 August Navy Ventura search planes of Group 1, Fleet Air Wing Two, attacked enemy installations at Nauru Island. A Search Liberator of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Ponape on 22 August.
4. Wake Island was bombed on 22 August by a Fleet Air Wing Two search plane, and further neutralization raids were carried out against enemy objectives in the Marshalls by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, and by 7th AAF Liberators.

1945
JAPAN: There are reports of large numbers of people "committing hara-kiri before the Imperial Palace in Tokyo."
In the Kurile Islands, Soviet troops occupy Paramushiru Island. USN PB4Y-2 Privateers based in the Aleutian Islands continue their photographic missions over Onekotan, Shasukotan and Harumukotan Islands.
Carrier-based USN aircraft begin daily patrols over airfields and attempt to locate and supply POW camps. This operation continues until 2 September.
Two USAAF 7th Fighter Squadron P-38s, one flown by Lieutenant Colonel Clay Tice, Jr., Commanding Officer of the 49th FG based at Motuba Airfield on Okinawa, lands at Nittagahara on Kyushu at 1205 hours local. The second aircraft was low on fuel and could not return to Okinawa. The two had been part of a six-plane element flying over Japan. At 1305 hours, the American were contacted by officers and men of the Imperial Japanese Army and although conversation was difficult, they were greeted in a friendly manner. Prior to landing, Colonel Tice had contacted an SB-17 Flying Fortress of the of the 6th Air Sea Rescue Squadron and advised him of the situation. The SB-17 landed at approximately 1315 hours and with a fuel pump and hose furnished by the Japanese, the Americans transferred approximately US 260 gallons of fuel from the SB-17 to the P-38. The SB-17 and two P-38s took off at 1445 hours and landed on Okinawa at 1645 hours.

CHINA THEATER (AAF, China Theater) Tenth Air Force: C-47 units moving to Luliang, China: 3d and 4th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 1st Combat Cargo Group (under operational control of HQ 69th Composite Wing), from Myitkyina, Burma and Hathazari, India respectively.

Fourteenth Air Force: The 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, moves from Laohwangping to Liuchow, China with F-6s.

WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Unit moves: 68th and 69th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 433d Troop Carrier Group, from Clark Field, Luzon to Iwo Jima with C-46s and C-47s respectively; 318th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, from Laoag, Luzon to Ie Shima with C-47s.

CHINA: Nationalist forces enter Nanking and Shanghai.
For no apparent reason, John Birch, an American missionary before the war and an Army captain during the war. is killed by the Chinese communists. Birch, a Baptist missionary in China when the war started, was commanding an American Special Services team when ordered to halt by Communist troops. A scuffle ensued and Birch was shot dead. In the 1950s, Robert Welch created a right-wing anticommunist organization named the John Birch Society.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: As the Japanese surrendered to the Allies, the Communist Viet Minh under Ho Chi Minh aimed to take power. Due to Emperor Bao Dai's Japanese associations, Ho Chi Minh was able to persuade him to abdicate today, handing power to the Viet Minh, an event that greatly enhanced Ho's legitimacy in the eyes of the Vietnamese people. Bao Dai was appointed "supreme advisor" in the new government in Hanoi, which asserted independence on 2 September 1945.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: General Yamashita Tomoyoki, Commander of the 14th Area Army, informs the commander of the US 32d Infantry Division that he has ordered all Japanese troops in the Philippines to lay down their arms.

U.S.: Vice-Admiral Willis A. "Ching" Lee Jr. succumbs to a fatal heart attack while in his launch, returning to his flagship, USS Wyoming (AG-17), off the coast of Maine. Lee had been Commander, Battleships, Pacific Fleet from April 1943 to December 1944 and then commanded Battleship Squadron Two until June 1945. He was sent to the Atlantic to command a special unit researching defenses against the Kamikaze threat. He is buried, with honors, at Arlington National Cemetery.
The seven German POWs convicted of hanging a fellow German submariner in the shower room of Compound 4 at Camp Papago, 8 miles east of downtown Phoenix, Arizona, on 12 March 1944, are executed at Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth, Kansas.

 

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1939
MANCHURIA: Khalkin-Gol: The Japanese attempt to relieve their trapped forces. It is repulsed, mainly by 6th Tank Brigade. In the last two days Soviet planes have made 218 sorties and claimed 74 Japanese aircraft.

1941
U.S.: The White House issues a statement that "this Government is preparing to send a military mission to China. The mission will be sent for the purpose of assisting in carrying out the purposes of the Lend-Lease Act. It is being organized and it will operate under the direction of the Secretary of War. Its chief will be Brigadier General John Magruder."

1942
ALASKA (11th AF): A photo mission is aborted over Atka due to weather. A U.S. Army reconnaissance troop lands on Adak Island and finds no Japanese troops.

CBI (CATF): B-25s, which have moved temporarily from C China to Yunnani, bomb Lashio, Burma, an important rail center, highway junction and air base; covering P-40s strafe numerous targets of opportunity and shoot down at least 2 Japanese fighters.

SWPA (5th AF): P-40s, B-25s, B-26s and B-17s plus RAAF Hudsons, pound Japanese forces in Milne Bay; a large transport is damaged and most of the supplies on the beachheads E of Rabi are destroyed; Lost is B-17F 41-24354 and B-17E "The Daylight Ltd" 41-2621 (crash landing at Mareeba). P-400s strafe Buna Airfield, lost is P-400 1122.

GILBERT ISLANDS: Undefended Ocean Island, located about 242 nautical miles WSW of Tarawa Atoll, is occupied by
Japanese troops. Like Nauru Island, occupied yesterday, the island has large phosphate deposits and the loss of these two islands cause a severe shortage of fertilizer in Australia and New Zealand.

INDIA÷The training center for Chinese troops is activated at Ramgarh, Bihar Province, with Colonel Frederick McCabe as commandant.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, beginning at 0145 hours local, the Japanese convoy bringing the rest of the 1,170-man force from New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago, arrives safely in Mime Bay. During the night of 26/27 August, the Japanese make another night attack to the west, forcing the Australian militia back to the Gama River line. In the air, elements of the Allied Air Force, RAAF Hudsons and Kittyhawks and USAAF B-25 Mitchells, B-26 Marauders and B-17 Flying Fortresses, attack Japanese forces who have landed in Milne Bay ; a large transport is damaged and most of the supplies on the beachheads east of Rabi are destroyed.
Meanwhile, Japanese forces on the track between Isurava and Deniki renew their overland drive on Port Moresby at dawn and, after a five-hour fight, the Japanese withdraw. The Japanese supply lines, which are becoming overextended, are frequently attacked by air.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The "Tokyo Express" lands 350 Imperial Japanese Army troops east of Taivu Point on Guadalcanal. At approximately 1200 hours, 12 USMC F4F Wildcats intercept 16 "Betty" bombers which have just bombed Henderson Field. The Marine shoot down three of the bombers but they have damaged the aviation gasoline supply and two 1,000-pound bombs and several parked aircraft are damaged by bomb splinters.

U.S.: Wendell Willkie, the Republican candidate for President in the 1940 election, begins a trip around the world as the envoy of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. One of the purposes of the trip is to boost Allied solidarity.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, the Eleventh Air Force's striking power shrinks rapidly as the the following squadrons are ordered to prepare for departure to the Zone of Interior (ZI): 21st Bombardment Squadron, 30th BG (Heavy), on Umnak Island with B-24's, 36th Bombardment Squadron, 28th Composite Group, on Amchitka Island with B-24's, 73d BS (Medium), 28th Composite Group, on Amchitka Island with B-25's, and 406th Bombardment Squadron, 41st BG (Medium), at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage, with B-25's.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 15 B-24's, with an escort of 17 fighters, bomb Kowloon Docks at Hong Kong; 5 Japanese interceptors are shot down. 5 B-25's, supported by 11 P-40's, bomb Tien Ho Airfield at Canton, China; in a battle with enemy interceptors 1 P-40 is lost; the B-25's and P-40's claim 5 Zekes downed. In China, the 449th Fighter Squadron is activated at Kunming and is assigned to the 51st Fighter Group. The squadron forms at Lingling and begins training with P-38's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 11 B-25's and 50+ US Navy dive bombers, escorted by fighters, pound AA positions and barges at Ringa and Webster Coves on New Georgia Island and at Nusatuva Island; P-40's strafe 2 large motor boats and a 100-foot (30.5 m) steam vessel off Ganongga Island; 15 B-24's bomb Papatura Ite and supply areas on Papatura Fa Island; 15 B-24's, with fighter escort, bomb Kahili Airfield; and P-39's strafe buildings at Gizo and at Kolulavabae Inlet.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): Lost on a landing accident at 30-Mile Drome is B-25D "Butch" 41-30163.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile Islands, 3 B-24s hit the Kashiwabara staging area on Paramushiru Island during the early morning, starting several fires; later 6 B-25s strafe and bomb the E coast of the N Kurile Islands, sinking a patrol boat; 1 out of 4 interceptors and one of the B-25s are hit; 7 more B-24s bomb targets on Kashiwabara and on Otomari Cape, including docks, piers, boats, and a fuel dump. 6 P-38s unsuccessfully attempt to intercept 4 unidentified aircraft W of Attu Island.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 490th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st BG (Medium), moves from Kurmitola to Dergaon, India with B-25s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 3 B-24s bomb a storage area at Amoy; 3 B-25s bomb a barracks area near Wenchow harbor and damage a bridge near Sincheng; 31 fighter-bombers attack railroad targets, troops, sampans, and other targets of opportunity in or near Yangtien, Yungfengshih, Siangsiang, Anjen, Laiyuan, Kinhwa, and Pengtse.

AAF, POA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan Island-based B-24s bomb the airfield on Iwo Jima. P-47s blast AA guns and troops on Pagan and Aguijan. A B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs Woleai and Yap.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Koror and Peleliu Airfield. Other B-24s bomb Haroekoe and Liang Airfields on Ambon. In New Guinea, A-20s in close ground support hit troop concentrations in the Sarmi sector; fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity in the Wewak and Suain areas; P-39s maintain patrols over the W shore of Geelvink Bay; HQ 348th Fighter Group moves from Wakde to Noemfoor; the 6th and 21st Troop Carrier Squadrons, 374th Troop Carrier Group, move from Garbutt Field and Archerfield, Australia respectively to Nadzab with C-47s; and the 823d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Nadzab to Biak Island with B-25s.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 531, AUGUST 26, 1944
1. Forty seven tons of bombs were dropped on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands by Liberators of the 7th AAF during daylight on 24 August (West Longitude Date). Three of approximately ten intercepting enemy fighters were destroyed, and one was damaged. Two Liberators were damaged. Antiaircraft fire ranged from moderate to intense.
2. In the Marianas, Rota Island was attacked by our aircraft on 23 August, and Pagan and Aguijan Islands were bombed on 24 August. Gun positions and other defense installations were the targets.
3. A single 7th AAF Liberator bombed barracks on Yap Island in the western Carolines on 24 August, encountering meager anti aircraft fire.
4. Nauru Island was attacked by Ventura search planes of Group 1, Fleet Air Wing Two on 23 August, and on 24 August Venturas and 7th AAF Mitchells again heavily bombed the runways, gun positions, and the town.
5. In the Marshalls, Corsair fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing bombed and strafed barracks and gun emplacements at Mille atoll on 23 August.

1945
JAPAN: Japanese diplomats board the U.S. battleship USS Missouri to receive instructions on Japan's surrender.
The posts of Minister of Greater East Asia, Minister of Agriculture and Commerce and Minister of Munitions in the Cabinet of Prime Minister, Prince HIGASHIKUNI Naruhiko are abolished.

WESTERN PACIFIC: The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Clark Field to Iwo Jima with C-46s.

BURMA: Japanese envoys, led by Lieutenant General Numata Takazo, Chief of Staff to Field Marshal Count Terauchi Hisaichi, Commander in Chief, Japanese Southern Army, arrives at an airfield outside Rangoon this morning to carry out surrender arrangements in southeast Asia.

HONG KONG: Instructions have been given to the Japanese garrison to surrender to British Rear Admiral Cecil H. J. Harcourt, Commander of the 11th Aircraft Carrier Squadron.

U.K.: Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur "Bomber" Harris, Commander in Chief of RAF Bomber Command, announces his resignation. He will relinquish his command next month and retire from the RAF shortly afterwards.