World War II in real time

Day 1635 of World War II, March 2nd 1944

Air War over Europe

At 0259, U-744 attacked the combined Convoy MKS-40/SL-149 and reported three LSTs sunk. In fact, HMS LST-362 was sunk and HMS LST-324 was damaged.

117 RAF Halifaxes and 6 Mosquitos of 4, 6 and 8 Groups to attack the SNCA aircraft factory at Meulan-Les-Meureaux, 15 miles outside Paris. The Oboe marking was accurate and the Halifaxes seriously damaged the factory buildings. No aircraft lost.

15 Lancasters of RAF No 617 Squadron carried out a successful raid on an aircraft factory at Albert in France, 13 Mosquitos to 3 targets in Germany and a flying-bomb site, 2 RCM sorties, 8 Serrate patrols, 8 Stirlings minelaying off French Channel ports, 44 aircraft on Resistance operations, 10 OTU sorties.

84 of 106 US Eighth Air Force B-17s dispatched hit the air depot at Chartres, France; 1 B-17 is lost and 12 damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 10 MIA. This mission is escorted by 89 P-38s, 145 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 47 Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground; 1 P-38 is lost.

In France, 353 US Ninth Air Force B-26s attack NOBALL (V-weapon) targets, Tergnier, and Amiens/Glisy and Rosieres-en-Santerre Airfields in morning and afternoon missions.

US Eighth Air Force Mission 244: 327 B-17s are dispatched to the Frankfurt am Main marshalling yard; only 101 hit the primary target because of PFF failures; 103 hit Frankfurt Offenbach, 49 hit Ludwigshafen, 20 hit Limburg, 12 hit Fischbach and 8 hit other targets of opportunity; 8 B-17s are lost with 1 KIA, 5 WIA and 80 MIA. 154 B-24s are also dispatched to the same target; 36 hit the primary and 46 hit targets of opportunity; 1 B-24 is lost and 3 damaged beyond repair; casualties are 16 KIA, 4 WIA and 11 MIA. The bombers claim 2-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft. Escort is provided by 33 P-38s, 445 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 111 P-51s; 1 P-38 is damaged; the P-47s claim 13-2-3 Luftwaffe aircraft, 3 P-47s are lost and 7 damaged, 2 pilots are MIA; the P-51s claim 4-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft, 2 P-51s are damaged and 1 pilot is MIA.

Italian Campaign

The rain stopped today, and bombers roamed the blue skies blasting the Germans who have attacked the Anzio garrison day and night since 28 February. Yesterday the Germans, hampered by driving rain, gave up the ground that they had won, and today the US 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion was relieved by the 30th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. Despite Hitler's fury, Kesselring has called off the offensive.

Photo: A 5.5-inch gun of 102nd Medium Regiment (Pembroke Yeomanry), 2 March 1944



Photo: S.S. ELIHU YALE ("Liberty Ship") off the Anzio Beachhead, March 2, 1944, as men of Company B, 540th Engineers, salvage undamaged supplies from her forward holds. A German guided bomb had blown her stern off on February 15th. Note DUKW Amphibious truck alongside the hulk. Photographed by Bonnard



Over 400 people who boarded a freight train in the absence of any other transport die of carbon monoxide poisoning when the train stops in a tunnel at Salerno.

Lend Lease Aid to Turkey is cut off, due to their reluctance to join the Allies.

459th Bombardment Group (Heavy) (with B-24s) becomes operational, giving the Fifteenth Air Force 13 heavy bomber groups on combat status.

In Italy, nearly 300 US Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s, escorted by 150+ P-38s and P-47s, support the US Fifth Army's Anzio beachhead, bombing the Cisterna di Roma-La Villa area, Velletri, and troop concentrations, guns and other military targets in the battle area at several points, including the Stazione di Campoleone and Carroceto areas. US Twelfth Air Force B-26s attack an assembly area E of Carroceto and, with B-25s, bomb guns and an assembly area NW of Cisterna di Roma, A-20s hit troops in the beachhead battle area; P-40s and A-36s blast troops and guns throughout the Anzio battle area, also hitting Cisterna and Littoria; P-40s and A-36s fly uneventful cover over Anzio. P-47s hit a motor vessel off Sibenik, Yugoslavia leaving it burning.

Black Sea campaign

Soviet submarine Shch-216 of the Black Sea Fleet is sunk off Cape Tarkhankutskiy by a German submarine.

Germany

The Oberkommando der Luftwaffe ordered that only the K-4 version of the Bf 109 was to be produced, halting production of all other versions, including the K-1 and K-3.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Bataan (CVL-29) in the Delaware River near the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania (USA), on 2 March 1944. She is painted in camouflage Measure 32 Design 8A. Bataan left for the Pacific on this day



Pacific War

GILBERT AND MARSHALL ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

B-24s and B-25s drop supplies to Allied pound forces on Los Negros. Aircraft, pound Hansa Bay, Awar Point, an airfield in the Wewak area, and enemy installations and positions at Madang, Alexishafen, and Saiba. Detachment of 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from Port Moresby and returns to Finschhafen with F-5s. Moves in New Guinea during Mar: HQ 309th Bombardment Wing from Lae to Saidor; 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Reconnaissance Group, from Dobodura to Finschhafen with B-25s; 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Dobodura to Nadzab with B-24s.

US troops defending Los Negros drive off Japanese attacks on the perimeter. 30 B-24s and B-25s hit Los Negros and Lorengau.

Photo: The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) at anchor at Majuro Atoll, 2 March 1944, with other ships of the fleet in the background. Another Essex-class carrier is anchored behind Essex, followed by USS Enterprise (CV-6)



BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-40s score 3 hits on a bridge at Namkwin; 4 others hit the Myitkyina Airfield dispersal area; 56 A-36s and P-51s attack stores and personnel areas at Sawnghka. 93d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, arrives at Karachi, India from Italy; they will be equipped with P-47Ds and enter combat on 14 Aug. Moves in India during March: 90th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, from Jorhat to Moran with P-40s; 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, AAF, India-Burma Sector (attached to Tenth Air Force), based at Gushkara, India, sends detachments to Chakulia and Kharagpur with P-51s (first mission is 28 Mar).

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 14 B-25s and 16 P-40s pound a military zone in the NE part of Nanchang, China.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): A-24s and P-40s from Makin hit Jaluit and Mille Atolls, Marshall while B-25s pound Maloelap Atoll, Marshall . During March, 531st Fighter Squadron, Seventh Air Force, moves from Makin to Bellows Field with A-24s.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): B-24s bomb Kahili; P-38s hit Ballale and Buka; P-39s bomb and strafe Monoitu Mission, Bougainville.

ALASKA

(Eleventh Air Force): XI Strategic Air Force (Provisional) is activated at Shemya . It includes all units of the XI Bomber Command and XI Fighter Command stationed at Near Island, and is only a tactical operating agency without administrative functions.

PACIFIC

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) delivers ammunition and supplies, and evacuates people from Butuan Bay, Nasipit, Mindanao.
After submarine Burrfish (SS-312) attacks Japanese army cargo ship Shinkyo Maru without success, submarine Picuda (SS-382) sinks Shinkyo Maru about 200 miles southwest of Truk, 06°22'N, 148°27'E; escort vessel Amakusa's counterattack upon Picuda is unsuccessful.

Japanese army cargo ship Uchide Maru sinks as the result of damage inflicted by submarine Sargo (SS-188) on 29 February.

Navy SBDs and TBFs damage small Japanese cargo vessel Ransei Maru south of Keravia, Rabaul.

Day 1637 of World War II, March 4th 1944

YouTube {MacArthur and Nimitz Go Head-to-Head)



Eastern Front

The Red Army pushes German forces back across the river Bug, except for a pocket at Uman. The 1st Ukrainian Front launches a new set of attacks driving toward Tarnopol.

Air War over Europe

US Eighth Air Force Mission 247: 502 B-17s are dispatched to hit industrial areas in the suburbs of Berlin; bad weather forces aircraft to either turn back or hit targets of opportunity and only 1 wing attacks the primary target and a total of 249 bomb. A recall message was received and most of the bombers turned back. The lead aircraft for the 95th BG, "I'll Be Around", was piloted that day by Alvin Brown, with squadron leader Grif Mumford on board as a command pilot. The radio operator of the aircraft received the message, but told Mumford: (1) the message had the wrong salutation codes at the beginning, and (2) the signal was too strong and clear to have originated in England and was therefore a fake message sent by the Germans. Mumford elected to continue the mission, and the 95th BG, accompanied by elements of the 100th BG proceeded on to Berlin. They were met by P-51s of the 357th FG. Although the first US bomber over Berlin, "I'll Be Around" however was not the first to bomb the German capital. That distinction went to 2 pathfinder B-17s because the bomb bay doors of "I'll Be Around" had frozen shut.

15 B-17s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 120 damaged; casualties are 3 KIA, 11 WIA and 141 MIA. Targets: 100 hit Bonn, 35 hit Cologne, 33 hit Dusseldorf, 30 hit Berlin/Klein Machnow, 7 hit Frankfurt and 33 hit other targets of opportunity. B-24s were also dispatched but abort because of the weather. Escort is provided by 86 P-38s, 563 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 121 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; 24 fighters were lost. Details are: 4 P-38s lost, 2 damaged beyond repair, 1 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 4 MIA. P-47s claim 3-1-3 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 1-0-0 on the ground; 4 P-47s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 5 damaged; casualties are 3 MIA. P-51s claim 5-2-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 16 P-51s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 16 MIA.

RAF Mosquito operations: 15 to Berlin, 6 to Duisburg, 1 to Aachen and 1 to Sottevaast, 10 Halifaxes minelaying off Brest, 76 aircraft on Resistance operations. 15 Lancasters of No 617 Squadron were unable to locate their target, the La Ricamerie needle-bearing factory near Lyons, because of cloud, and returned without bombing. No aircraft lost.

In France, 251 US Ninth Air Force B-26s and 21 A-20s scheduled to bomb Malines marshalling yard and Bernay Saint Martin Airfield abort the mission because of heavy cloud cover over the targets. 219 B-24's are dispatched to hit French airfields; 62 hit Bergerac Airfield, 60 hit the Chateau-Bernard Airfied at Cognac; 41 hit Landes de Bussac Airfield and 1 hits La Roche Airfield. The groups participating were the 44th, 93d, 389th, 392d, 445th, 446th 448th, 453d and 458th Bombardment Groups (Heavy). Fighter support consisted of 34 P-38's, 185 P-47's and 88 P-51's.

Photo: Aerial photograph of Keevil airfield looking north, the main runway runs horizontally, the control tower and two T2 hangars are at the lower left of the airfield, operational buildings blister hangars and barrack sites are at the top, 4 March 1944. Photograph taken by 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, sortie number US/7PH/GP/LOC196. English Heritage (USAAF Photography)



Italian Campaign

German forces in Italy give up counterattacks on the Anzio front. There is a lull in the fighting giving the Germans time to rally their forces for defence.

Photo: The commander of the Allied Armies in Italy, General Sir Harold Alexander, with American General Truscott, in charge of the Allied bridgehead at Anzio, 4 March 1944



In Italy, weather cancels most air operations; P-40s fly a few sorties against gun emplacements in the battle area, and others uneventfully patrol the Anzio area.

Battle of the Atlantic

'U-703' attacked Convoy RA-57 near Kola Inlet with a spread of FAT torpedoes and sank SS 'Empire Tourist'. At 1545 hours, 'U-703' fired a Gnat and heard a detonation after 3 minutes 10 seconds, which was observed by destroyer HMS 'Milne'. This destroyer then attacked the U-boat with depth charges for several hours. The master, 41 crewmembers, 23 gunners, two signalmen and one naval personnel from the 'Empire Tourist' were picked up by minesweeper HMS 'Gleaner' and landed at Aultbea, Loch Ewe.

'U-472' was sunk SE of Bear Island, Norway, by gunfire and rockets from destroyer HMS 'Onslaught' and 816 Sqn Swordfish aircraft from escort carrier HMS 'Chaser'. 23 dead and 30 survivors.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Breton (CVE-23) off San Francisco, California (USA), on 4 March 1944



Photo: Launch of the U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Jobb (DE-707) at Defoe Shipbuilding Company, Bay City, Michigan (USA), on 4 March 1944

Day 1639 of World War II, March 6th 1944

Eastern Front

Malinovski's 3rd Ukrainian Front opens. 1st Ukrainian Front continues to make impressive gains cutting the Odessa-Lvov rail line and capturing Volvchisk.

Photo: Narva after artillery and air raids, 6 March 1944



Air War over Europe

US Eighth Air Force Mission 250: 504 B-17s and 226 B-24s are dispatched to hit industrial areas in the suburbs of Berlin; fierce fighter opposition claims 69 bombers (the highest number lost by the Eighth Air Force in a single day) and 11 fighters; the bombers claim 97-28-60 Luftwaffe fighters; details are: 248 B-17s hit secondary targets in the Berlin area; 18 B-17s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 172 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 8 WIA and 184 MIA. 226 B-17s hit targets of opportunity at Templin, Verden, Kalkeberge, Potsdam, Oranienburg and Wittenberg; 35 B-17s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 121 damaged; casualties are 15 WIA and 354 MIA. 198 B-24s hit the primary target (Genshagen industrial area), secondary targets in the Berlin area and targets of opportunity at Potsdam; 16 B-24s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 54 damaged; casualties are 15 KIA, 8 WIA and 148 MIA.

Escort is provided by 86 P-38s, 615 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and100 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; results are: P-38s claim 3-0-1Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38 is lost, the pilot is MIA. P-47s claim 36-7-12 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 P-47s are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 4 damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 5 MIA. P-51s claim 43-1-20 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 P-51s are lost and 2 damaged; casualties are 5 MIA. The fighters also claim 1-0-12 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground.

Luftwaffe fighter Gruppen recieved the Green flare and Hptm. Rudolf Sinner, Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 54, led his 20 Bf 109s from their base at Luneberg and headed for an assembly point near Hanover. The fighter force, under the command of Hptm. Rolf Hermichen, included Stab and I./JG 11, III./JG 11, II./JG 11, III./JG 54, I./JG 1 and II./JG 1. In all there were 107 Bf 109s and Fw 190s - one of the largest Luftwaffe Gefechtsverbands ever vectored as a unit toward a bomber stream. I./JG 1 attacked first followed by III./JG 54. In less than a minute, 10 bombers went down. Hardest hit was the 100th BG - the "Bloody 100th" - who lost 9 B-17s.

Soon no fewer than 19 Jagdgruppen, 3 Zerstorergruppen and 4 Nachtjagdgruppen, together with some miscellaneaous units were taking on the bombers. Seven Fw 190s from Sturmstaffel 1 joined with the Bf 109s of IV./JG 3 and headed towards Magdeburg where they were to form another Gefechtsverband. Once assembled, this large formation comprised a total of 41 Bf 110s and Me 410s from II. and III./ZG 26 along with I. and II./ZG 76. Behind this formation flew 72 Bf 109s and Fw 190s from Stab./JG 3, II./JG 3, IV./JG 3, Sturmstaffel 1, I./JG 302 and the Jasta Erla works defense flight led by Hptm. Laube. The Zerstorers went in first, firing off their mortars. Asthey did so, P-51s from the Us 4th FG dived out of the sun onto them and caused the defenders to break off their attacks early. The result was that many of the mortars were ineffective. Following behind, the Bf 109s of IV./JG 3 attacked head-on out of the sun. 12 bombers would be shot down including 1 P-51.

More Luftwaffe fighters joined the battle including all three Gruppen of JG 26, II./JG 2, I./JG 1 and all 3 Gruppen of NJG 5. By the end, the Allies lost a total of 53 B-17s, 16 B-24s, 5 P-51s, 5 P-47s and 1 P-38 to fighters. But the Luftwaffe lost also. Of the 7 Bf 110s from III./ZG 26 involved, 5 were destroyed and 2 damaged. II./ZG 26 lost 5 Me 410s and I./ZG 76 lost 3 Bf 110s. NJG 5 lost 5 aircraft.

15 RAF Mosquitos flew to Hannover, 6 to Kiel and 1 to Krefeld, 1 RCM sortie, 30 aircraft on Resistance operations. No losses.

In France, 260 US Ninth Air Force B-26s bomb NOBALL (V-weapon) targets, Hirson marshalling yard, and Beauvais/Tille, Airfield; heavy clouds cause 50+ B-26s and A-20s to abort missions.

261 RAF Halifaxes and 6 Mosquitos of Nos 4, 6 and 8 Groups on the first of a series of raids on railway targets in France and Belgium in preparation for the invasion. Enormous damage is inflicted, with no loss of planes. This is the first attack of the Allied Transportation Plan, to disrupt German reinforcement routes prior to an amphibious landing.

A detachment of 22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), ceases operating from Attlebridge and returns to base at Mount Farm, England with F-5s.

RAF bombers devastate Trappes railway yard as part of the plan to disable communications in Europe in the build-up to the invasion of Europe.

Italian Campaign

General Truscott of the US 6th Corps at Anzio, Italy, launches a major offensive on German forces.

In Italy, US Twelfth Air Force P-40s pound gun positions N of the Anzio beachhead (mostly NE of Ardea), and bomb Frosinone and hit guns near Littoria; A-36s fly armed reconnaissance of roads and railroad NE of Rome, hitting several vehicles and bombing railroad cars at Capranica.

Battle of the Atlantic

'U-744' (type VIIC) is sunk after being torpedoed by the British destroyer HMS 'Icarus', then after unsuccessful attempts at towing the boat to port, by depth charges from 'Icarus', the Canadian frigate HMCS 'St. Catherines', corvettes 'Fennel' and 'Chilliwack' and destroyers 'Chaudiere' and 'Gatineau' and the British corvette HMS 'Kenilworth Castle'. 12 dead and 40 survivors. After 32 hours of attack 'U-744' (OLtzS Heinz Blischke, CO), was forced to surface in the North Atlantic. Of the crew of 51, 4 senior ratings, 33 junior ratings survived. Members of 'Chilliwack' boarded 'U-744' prior to her sinking, OLtzS Blischke, was among those lost in this action. 'U-744' was considered to be one of the classic U-boat hunts of the war. The C2 support group was searching 4 miles ahead of the 63-ship convoy HX 280, en route from New York City for Liverpool. 'Icarus' obtained an HF/DF bearing and Gatineau obtained a sonar contact at 1000. 'U-744' was a captained by a highly competent commander who proved to be a very wily opponent. Blischke repeatedly avoided attacks and evaded effectively in the disturbed water caused by depth charge explosions. The attackers expended every weapon in their inventory, including over 290 depth charges and there seemed to be no solution other than waiting for the U-boat to surface. After 32 hours of depth charge attacks, the German crew was at the extreme limit of their endurance and the submarine was seriously damaged. 'U-744' surfaced and the crew unsuccessfully attempted to scuttle her. Members of 'Chilliwack' boarded the boat and gathered papers and documents. 'Icarus' torpedoed 'U-744' but she did not sink. Then, after unsuccessful attempts at towing the boat to port, 'U-744' was sunk by shallow-set depth charges.

'U-973' was sunk NNW of Narvik, by rockets from an RN 816 Sqn Swordfish from escort carrier HMS 'Chaser'. 51 dead and 2 survivors.

'U-737' damaged an RAF 120 Sqn Liberator that was destroyed when forced to crash land.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Convoy UGS 33, bound from New York to Alexandria, Egypt, strays into Allied minefield off Tunis. U.S. freighter Daniel Chester French is sunk by mines at 37°18'N, 10°22'; four Armed Guard sailors (of the 28- man detachment), nine of the merchant crew (of 44 men) and 24 of the 86 Army passengers perish with the ship. British rescue tug Charon, steamer Thelma, and tug Rescue pick up the surviving crew and passengers. Freighter Virginia Dare is irreparably damaged at approximately 37°18'N, 10°22'E. There are no casualties (including among the 28-man Armed Guard) (see 8 March).

Pacific War

GILBERT AND MARSHALL ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

Los Negros: The Japanese on the island launch a series of suicide charges, and fail to route the Americans.

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 60+ A-36s, P-51s and P-40s, and a single B-25 bomb dumps, roads, bivouac area, and other targets in the Seton, Sawnghka, Pinbaw and Walawbum areas; numerous fighters carry out patrol and armed reconnaissance sorties in the Sumprabum area. 459th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, moves from Kurmitola to Chittagong with P-38s.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 5 B-25s and 23 P-40s (16 of them Chinese) pound the airfield at Kiungshan; the airfield is heavily damaged and several parked aircraft are destroyed; 17 Japanese aircraft are claimed shot down; 4 P-38s and 2 Chinese B-25s claim a freighter, a tanker, and a motor launch sunk in the Shihhweiyao and Wuhu areas; 6 waves of Japanese aircraft bomb the airfield at Suichwan, causing considerable damage. In French Indochina, 6 B-25s bomb the Thanh Hoa chromium mine and Campha Port; 2 P-40s strafe railroad yards and warehouses at Hongay and Campha Port; 5 P-40s are dispatched to bomb Cao Bang but because of bad weather attack Chinese-held Lungchow, China by mistake.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): P-40s from Makin bomb and strafe runways at Mille Atoll. B-25s from Tarawa Atoll bomb airfield installations and runways in Wotje Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain , P-40s join USN fighters and dive bombers in a strike on AA positions and targets of opportunity in the Rabaul area; 4 patrolling Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Venturas hit targets of opportunity along both coasts and at Vunalama and Mandres Plantations; 48 B-25s and 12 P-38s, along with 20+ USN fighters, hit the Rabaul town area in 3 closely spaced attacks. P-38s also attack targets of opportunity on Duke of York , Admiralty . 12 P-39s hit Monoitu and targets of opportunity along the SW coast of Bougainville. RNZAF Venturas join USN planes in attacks on Japanese embarkation ports around Choiseul Bay. Shortland targets of opportunity are hit by P-40s on patrol.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): 20+ A-20s and B-25s support ground forces on Los Negros. More than 30 B-24s with fighter escort, pound airfields in the Wewak area; 20+ other B-24s bomb Hollandia; and A-20s bomb buildings and gun positions in the Saidor area. Moves in New Guinea: HQ 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) from Port Moresby to Nadzab; HQ 43d Bombardment Group from Dobodura to Nadzab. Lost is P-38G "Veni Vidi Vici" 42-12705 on a patrol mission.

PACIFIC

TF 74 (Rear Admiral Victor A. C. Crutchley, RN), repeats shelling of Japanese shore batteries and positions on Hauwei and Norilo Islands. Despite the bombardment, the enemy guns at the mouth of Seeadler Bay damage destroyer Nicholson (DD-442), operating in TG 76.1, 02°00'S, 147°00'E.

Submarine Nautilus (SS-168), in attack on Japanese convoy about 420 miles north-northwest of Saipan, sinks transport (ex-hospital ship) America Maru, 22°19'N, 143°54'E, and survives counterattack by torpedo boat Otori.

Photo: The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) operating in the central Pacific area, March 1944. Note the Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft of Bombing Squadron 10 (VB-10) parked forward, including one with its tail supported on an outrigger just in front of the island



Photo: View of the island and flight deck of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6), taken from one of her planes as it passes low over the ship, March 1944. Enterprise was then operating in the Central Pacific. Note: men on the open bridge, the Mark 37 gun director, and the banged-up Grumman F6F Hellcat parked aft of the island



Photo: U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-5 Dauntess bombers of Bombing Squadron 10 (VB-10) fly in formation near their carrier, USS Enterprise (CV-6), during operations with Task Force 58 in the Central Pacific, March 1944

Day 1641 of World War II, March 8th 1944

Eastern Front

Adolf Hitler issues Führer Order 54, defining two classes of fortresses on the Eastern front. Fortified Areas are to hold down enemy forces, and counter-attack. Local Strong-points are to defend against enemy penetrations past Fortified Areas.

Air War over Europe

US Eighth Air Force Mission 252: The primary target is the ball bearing plant at Erkner, a suburb of Berlin; enemy opposition is fierce and 37 bombers and 16 fighters are lost; 320 of 414 B-17s and 150 of 209 B-24s dispatched hit the primary; 36 B-17s hit Wildau and targets of opportunity; 33 B-24s hit Berlin and targets of opportunity; the bombers claim 63-17-19 Luftwaffe aircraft; 28 B-17s and 9 B-24s are lost, 1 B-17 and 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; casualties are 4 KIA, 14 WIA and 364 MIA. Escort is provided by 104 P-38s, 613 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-47s and 174 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; claims/losses are: P-38s claim 9-2-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 P-38s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 2 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 4 MIA. P-47s claim 49-6-18 Luftwaffe aircraft; 10 P-47s are lost, 13 damaged beyond repair and 4 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 2 WIA and 10 MIA. P-51s claim 29-4-9 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 P-51s are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged; casualties are 4 MIA. An additional 8-4-7 Luftwaffe aircraft are claimed on the ground.

Luftwaffe opposition was fierce. III./JG 26 attacked the bombers and Oblt. Mietusch, Geschwaderkommodore, gained his 60th victory. But when he attempted to attack the withdrawing bombers he was shot down by escorting P-47s. He baled out and landed but sustained injuries that kept him out of action for several weeks. Major Muller of the new IV(Sturm)./JG 3 destroyed 3 bombers to reach 122 victories. The fighters of II./JG 1 lost their Gruppenkommandeur when Hptm. Segatz (40 kills) was killed. Major Heinz Bar took over as acting Gruppenkommandeur.

A B-17, "Phyllis Marie" went down in Occupied Europe with battle damage and was captured intact. Using a large stock of spare B-17 parts, "Phyllis Marie" was made flyable and transferred to KG 200. US forces re-captured the plane on a runway at Altenburg on 4 May 1945.

In the Netherlands, 225+ US Ninth Air Force B-26s attack Volkel Airfield once and Soesterberg Airfield twice in morning and afternoon missions.

Italian Campaign

More than a million Italian workers have marched out of the factories to strike against "German pillaging" in occupied northern Italy. German tanks and SS infantrymen are being used in an attempt to force the workers back. The Germans have also threatened to impose a quisling Gauleiter and martial law, with the death penalty for strike leaders.

In Italy, B-25s strike at the Orte marshalling yard and Orte-Fabrica di Roma railroad; B-26s hit the Rome/ Tiburtina marshalling yard and dock area at Porto Santo Stefano; P-40 fighter-bombers hit gun positions and a road junction near Rome while A-36s attack a road junction near Montalto di Castro, also hitting a bridge and a train, and guns and a castle SW of Celano; P-47s hit gun emplacements; P-40s strafe vehicles near Rome/Via Appia.

Photo: A camouflaged 5.5-inch gun of 'D' Troop, 111 Battery, 80th Medium Regiment (Scottish Horse) in action at Anzio, 8 March 1944



Battle of the Mediterranean

U.S. freighter Virginia Dare, irreparably damaged by Allied mine on 6 March off Tunis, breaks up after encountering heavy weather; she is subsequently written off as a total loss.

United Kingdom

Photo: General Montgomery greets RSM A Parsons of 8 (Midland Counties) Parachute Battalion during an inspection of 6th Airborne Division at Bulford, 8 March 1944



United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS San Diego (CL-53) underway on 8 March 1944. San Diego was on her way to the San Francisco Naval Shipyard for an overhaul



Photo: White Plains (CVE-66) at San Diego, 8 March 1944, with Wildcat fighters and Avenger torpedo bombers on her deck She is followed by a Fletcher-class destroyer in the pattern camouflage widely used in the Pacific during 1944



Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Witter (DE-636) underway off the coast of California (USA), on 8 March 1944. She left for Pearl Harbor on that day



Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 B-25s knock the center span out of the Sittang bridge and blast 2 AA positions; 14 B-25s lay mines around Kham Yai , bomb nearby Prong , and hit the marshalling yard at Pegu; 18 P-51s and P-40s attack Sawnghka bridge with poor results, start fires near Lalawng Ga, and bomb dumps near Walawbum. A flight of the 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, AAF India-Burma Sector (attached to Tenth Air Force), begins operating from Kisselbari, India with P-40s; the squadron is based at Guskhara.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): A-24s and P-40s from Makin bomb and strafe runways at Mille Atoll. B-25s from Tarawa Atoll pound the airfield at Wotje Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville, P-39s hit Monoitu Mission and huts and bridge on the Miwo River. 24 B-25s with fighter escort, pound Tobera, while 24 B-24s and 12 P-38s hit Kavieng and Panapai Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): B-25s continue to hit Japanese forces on Los Negros. B-24s bomb the airstrip and other targets in the Awar-Nubia area; P-39s and RAAF aircraft hit Japanese forces around Madang. P-39s and P-38s strafe and dive-bomb the Cape Hoskins-Talasea area as US Marines land about midway up the coast of the Willaumez Peninsula in preparation for a drive on Talasea. 405th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with B-25s. Lost is C-47A "Our Lillian Ethel Form 1A" 42-24228.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Photo: Soldiers from the 29th Brigade on parade around Lae, March 1944. The 15th Battalion is on the right, in the background



PACIFIC

Japanese planes bomb Eniwetok, Engebi Island, destroying ammunition, petroleum products and distillation units but leaving airstrip undamaged.
Submarine Lapon (SS-260), in attack on Japanese convoy southeast of Hong Kong, damages merchant cargo ship Toyokuni Maru in South China Sea, 19°21'N, 116°09'E; merchant cargo ship Nicherei Maru takes the damaged freighter in tow (see 9 March).

British submarine HMS Sea Rover, in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks transport Sh_bu Maru in Strait of Malacca, 03°38'N, 99°12'E.

PBY sinks Japanese fishing boat No.5 Ebisu Maru off Tadji, 03°10'S, 142°13'E.

USAAF P-38s sink Japanese fishing boat No.38 Taigyo Maru off Aitape.

U.S. aircraft sink Japanese guardboat No.2 Nanshu Maru off Duke of York Isle, St. George Channel, 04°12'S, 152°30'E.

Day 1643 of World War II, March 10th 1944

Eastern Front

The Red Army has made another breakthrough, the third in a week, in the Ukraine. On the whole 500-mile front, from the approaches to the Dnieper estuary north to Tarnopol, von Manstein's Army Group South is in flight, desperately trying to avoid being encircled. The Wehrmacht, bogged down in the black Ukrainian mud, is abandoning arms and equipment in its flight. The Russians claim to have captured 200 Tiger and Panther tanks among the booty. Konev's 2nd Ukrainian Front opens a fresh offensive utterly destroying the German defensive positions along a front of 100 miles. The German airbase at Uman falls in the attacks and some of the mobile formations drive 40 miles into the German rear. Meanwhile, Zhukov's 1st Ukrainian Front captures Proskurov to the north.

Photo: Captured Pz.Kpfw. V ausf. Panther three days after the liberation near Uman in the Ukraine on March 10th 1944



Air War over Europe

102 RAF Lancasters of No 5 Group carried out moonlight raids on 4 factories in France -33 aircraft to the Michelin works at Clermont-Ferrand, 30 to an aircraft factory at Châteauroux, 23 to Ossun and 16 (from 617 Squadron) to the La Ricamerie factory. All targets were successfully bombed. 1 Lancaster lost from the Clermont-Ferrand raid.

Italian Campaign

In Italy, B-26s bomb the Rome/Tiburtina marshalling yard and unsuccessfully attack the Orvieto railroad bridge, while B-25s hit the Littoria marshalling yard; P-40s and A-36s strike at enemy positions on the coast at San Felice Circeo, gun positions E of Littoria, guns and tanks at Cisterna di Roma, railroad at Montalto di Castro, train at Monte Libretti station and railway buildings at Zagarolo; and fighters patrol the Anzio area without incident.

'U-343' is sunk in the Mediterranean south of Sardinia, by depth charges from ASW trawler HMS 'Mull'. 51 dead (all hands lost).

'U-450' is sunk in the western Mediterranean south of Ostia, by depth charges from escort destroyers HMS 'Blankney', 'Blencathra', 'Brecon' and 'Exmoor' and destroyer USS 'Madison'. 42 survivors (No casualties).

The US freighter 'William B. Woods' (Master Edward Ames Clark), escorted by 'Aretusa', was hit on the port side by a Gnat torpedo from 'U-952' about 47 miles northeast of Palermo, Sicily. The torpedo struck in the #5 hold, opening a hole twelve feet wide, breaking the shaft, blowing off the hatch cover and beams and throwing cargo over the deck, but did not ignite the bombs stowed in that hold. The master tried to save the ship, but the engines had to be secured as she settled by the stern and most of the nine officers, 34 crewmen, 28 armed guards (the ship was armed with two 3in and eight 20mm guns) and 407 US Army troops began to abandon ship after 25 minutes in four lifeboats, one raft and 14 Army rafts. 70 men had to remain behind and constructed makeshift rafts before they jumped overboard when the ship sank by the stern at 19.40 hours. One armed guard and 51 troops were lost. The survivors were picked up by the escort and two small British motor boats and taken to Palermo. Escorting Italian destroyer escort 'Aretusa' provides no help. Complaints were made about the actions of the Italian escort due to her deplorable rescue efforts.

Battle of the Atlantic

'U-845' (type IXC/40) is sunk by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS 'Forester', the Canadian destroyer HMCS 'St Laurent', the corvette HMCS 'Owensound' and the frigate HMCS 'Swansea'. 10 dead and 45 survivors. KKpt Weber was among those lost in the action. The attacking ships were part of Escort Groups C-1 and EG-9, which had been sent to support Convoy SC-154. 'U-845', who had conducted one unsuccessful attack, surfaced astern of the convoy to recharge batteries and to reposition for further attacks. 'St Laurent' sighted her at 1647, who closed at high speed and forced the U-boat to submerge. 'U-845’s' batteries had been depleted to 60-percent, which placed her at a major disadvantage. A prolonged series of attacks lasted until 22 -34 when the submarine re-surfaced and attempted to disengage. Weber made many innovative attempts to evade but was thwarted by ideal acoustic conditions and bright moonlight. A running gun battle ensued that resulted in the sinking of the submarine at 23 -38. 'St Laurent' expended 119 rounds of 4.7-inch and 1,440 rounds of 20-mm ammunition. KKpt Weber was killed by gunfire.

'U-625' (type VIIC) is sunk west of Ireland, by depth charges from a Canadian 422 Sqn Sunderland aircraft (RCAF Sqdn. 422/U). 53 dead (all hands lost). 'U-625' was engaged in operations against the 30-ship Halifax to Liverpool convoy SC-154 when she was attacked on the surface in the late afternoon. The submarine dove as she was attacked but resurfaced three minutes later and the crew abandoned the boat. A signal was sent by lamp to the aircraft from the survivors in their life raft that read "Nice bombing." SC-154 arrived in Liverpool on 15 Mar 44 with all of its ships intact.

'U-575' attacked the convoy SL-150, which was combined with convoy MKS-41 and sank HMS 'Asphodel' (K 56) (Lt M.A. Halliday, RNZNR) with a Gnat west-northwest of Cape Finisterre. The commander, four officers and 87 ratings were lost. Only five survivors were picked up by HMS 'Clover' (K 134) (Lt T.E. Fanshawe, RNR). After the attack the U-boat was hunted by escorts for 18 hours but managed to escape.

Convoy RA-57, returning from Russia, arrives safely in Loch Ewe having lost one ship, sunk three U-boats and damaged two others.

'U-275' sunk in the English Channel south of Newhaven, by a mine. 48 dead (all hands lost).

'U-681' sunk at 0930hrs in the English Channel west of Isles of Scilly by depth charges from a US Liberator aircraft (VPB-103). 11 dead and 38 survivors. The boat struck a rock while submerged near the Bishop Rock and was forced to surface and was then attacked by the Liberator aircraft. It sank roughly 4 miles to the north-east of the Isles of Scilly.

SS 'Svava' (1,216t) a Ministry of Transport coal ship was bound for the Thames from Warkworth. When off Blyth she collided with the 'Fort Beausjour' and sank in 35 metres of water. She was built in 1904.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Laning (DE-159) off the New York Naval Shipyard (USA) on 10 March 1944



Photo: The U.S. navy destroyer escort USS Loy (DE-160) off the New York Naval Shipyard (USA) on 10 March 1944



Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-51s hit the airfields at Anisakan, Shwebo, and Onbauk, destroying 30+ Japanese aircraft; later 5 B-25s and 2 P-51s hit Shwebo, scoring hits along the runway and in the dispersal area and leaving several Japanese aircraft aflame; 3 B-25s hit 2 bridges at Lalawng Ga and Warazup, knocking out the latter; and 16 A-36s and P-51s hit targets of opportunity from Chanmoi to Shaduzup.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Kunming, China with P-51s sends a detachment to operate from Nanning.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): B-24s, striking from Makin bomb Ponape and Kusaie. A-24s and P-40s, also from Makin , bomb and strafe runways and AA positions at Mille Atoll. Tarawa Atoll-based B-25s pound Wotje Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): On New Britain , 23 B-24s and 23 B-25s pound Rabaul, blasting Chinatown and the wharf area; 46 P-40s and P-39s pound the dock area E of Rabaul; 9 P-38s, turning back from Rabaul bomb Buka Airfield on Buka. 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), based in the Renard Field with B-25s begins operating from Stirling

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): B-25s carry out a number of low-level strikes as Allied ground forces capture Lombrun Plantation, virtually completing the capture of the island. 70+ B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s bomb Nubia and Awar airstrips; the bombers and escorting fighters claim 17 aircraft shot down in the Wewak area. Lost over Aitape is P-38J 42-103987. Fighters continue to strafe coastal targets in NE New Guinea and on New Britain. 822d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with B-25s.

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

Photo: Mortar crew of Co. B, 132nd Infantry, Americal Div. The company took part in the attack on Jap positions on Hill 260, Bougainville. L to R: Pfc Denver Dean, Wise, Va.; S/Sgt Edward Szafraniec, Chicago, Ill.; and Sgt Lloyd Bowyer, Chicago, Ill, March 10, 1944



Photo: Transferring from Higgins Boats to amphibious tractors. Guadalcanal. 10 March, 1944



Photo: Quickly disembarking from tractor attacking inland. Guadalcanal. 10 March, 1944



ALASKA

(Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian, bombers fly negative search and patrol missions for an enemy submarine; B-24s fly cover for a convoy en route from Adak to Shemya.

PACIFIC

Submarine Bowfin (SS-287) in attack on Japanese convoy in Tabalai Strait, damages army cargo ship Tsukikawa Maru at 01°28'S, 128°12'E. Escorts carry out ineffective counterattack.

Submarine chaser SC-700 is destroyed and fuel oil barge YO-44 is damaged by fire, Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands.

PBY bombs and sinks Japanese army cargo ship Hasshu Maru (see 21 February) off Hollandia, New Guinea.

Photo: The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16) underway on 10 March 1944



Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS O'Neill (DE-188) underway at sea on 10 March 1944. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 31, Design 10D. The photo was taken from a blimp of squadron ZP-12

Day 1645 of World War II, March 12th 1944

Eastern Front

Konev's forces reach the River Bug at Gayvoron.

Air War over Europe

14 RAF Mosquitos were sent out, 11 to Aachen and 3 to Duisburg; none lost.

US Eighth Air Force Mission 256: 46 of 52 B-24s dispatched hit a V-weapon site at St Pol/Siracourt, France and 6 hit targets of opportunity, all using blind-bombing techniques; 1 B-24 is lost and 26 damaged; casualties are 1 WIA.

Italian Campaign

Light cruisers 'Philadelphia' (CL-41) and 'Brooklyn' (CL-40) provide gunfire support off Anzio; they repeat the missions on the 13th. On both occasions they encounter shore battery fire without damage.

Submarine chaser PC-624 is damaged when she runs aground three miles east of Palermo, Sicily.

345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, ceases operating form Corsica with P-39s and returns to base on Sardinia.

Ireland

With an invasion attempt of occupied Europe imminent the Allies have almost sealed off Eire from the rest of the world, following Dublin's refusal to expel Axis diplomats. For the time being 250,000 Irish citizens working in Britain cannot return home, nor can any of the 164,000 serving with the British armed forces. Mr Churchill recognizes that this decision is "painful" in view of the contribution of so many Irishmen to the war effort. There were tears at Liverpool as some Irish girls were refused permission to sail home yesterday, but 1,000 others did leave.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Baldwin (DD-624) underway at sea on 12 March 1944



Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 23 B-24s pound the town areas of Mogaung and Kamaing during the afternoon, following an earlier B-25 raid on Kamaing; 40+ P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s hit gun positions S of Walawbum, troops and storage areas W of Mogaung at Pahok, trains near Myitnge and Anisakan, the airfield at Anisakan, and the town area of Laban.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-24s bomb Kowloon Docks; B-25s from Suichwan sink a motor launch and damage 2 cargo vessels and a barge in the Anking area; escorting P-38s shoot down several interceptors; P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance bomb or strafe barracks and shipping at Foochow, airfield and barracks at Nanchang, factory, barracks, and bridge near Sienning, and in French Indochina, freighters at Hongay and Campha Port, barracks at Ha Coi, and the area E of Lang Son.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): A-24s and P-40s from Makin and B-25s from Tarawa Atoll attack airfields, AA positions and radio installations at Mille and Wotje Atolls. B-25s, operating out of Engebi (secured by invading forces on 22 Feb) for the first time, bomb Kusaie.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): P-40s and P-39s attack the Vunapope supply area; 19 B-24s pound the Rabaul area, starting several large fires. 40 B-25s hit Japanese positions in the hills near Empress Augusta Bay; P-39s attack targets at Kepiai Plantation.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): 11 B-25s bomb Lorengau and several targets of opportunity on Manus. B-24s and P-39s, operating singly or in pairs, attack numerous scattered targets of opportunity throughout the SWPA during armed reconnaissance flights.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Photo: LSTs, including USS LST-466 and USS LST-202, lined up on the beach at Cape Sudest, New Guinea, awaiting loading for the Admiralty Islands action, 12 March 1944



PACIFIC

Submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Taijin Maru about 10 miles northwest of Daito Jima, approximately 175 miles southeast of the Ryukyus, 25°53'N, 131°19'E.

Submarine Gato (SS-212) sinks Japanese army cargo ship No.3 Okinoyama Maru north of New Guinea, 01°15'S, 133°20'E.

PBYs attack Japanese convoy en route to Hollandia, sinking motor sailboat Hosho Maru.

Day 1647 of World War II, March 14th 1944

Eastern Front

3rd Ukrainian Front traps about 20,000 German soldiers north of Kherson.

Air War over Europe

30 RAF Mosquitos to Düsseldorf, 2 Mosquitos on RCM sorties, 3 Halifaxes on Resistance operations. No losses.

A Halifax bomber returning on three engines from a raid on Le Mans railway yard, made it back to its destination, Burn airfield near Selby, but it attempted to overshoot and crashed near Stainer Hall. The crew escaped unhurt.

RAF No. 350 (Belgian) Sqdrn has a tough day flying, mostly dusk landings, bombing, formation flying and night flying. F/O Lavigne lost its port wing on take off (MN-Z , MK192). J. Morel has to bail out after his engine cut. Flying just above the sea, he successfully ditched near fishing boats and was rescued. F/O Siroux and F/Sgt Laloux cut each others wings on landing.

Italian Campaign

In Italy, B-26s bomb Prenestina marshalling yard and nearby chemical plant; B-25s strike Terni and Orte marshalling yards, causing considerable damage, while A-20s attack tank repair facilities unsuccessfully; P-40s attack guns in the Anzio beachhead area and also hit a supply dump; and A-36s and P-47s hit railway stations and the town of Ortia. 3./JG 2 lost its Staffelkapitaen, Hptm. Adalbert Sommer (who was killed) and Lt. Wolf Esche (baled out, wounded) when they attacked the B-26 raid on Prenestina and were bounced by 64 Spitfires from US 31st FG and RAF No. 244 Sqdrn. 4 Fw 190s were claimed by the Allies for the loss of one B-26 of the 42d BW claimed by Ofw. Seigfried Lemke of 1./JG 2.

Battle of the Atlantic

The unescorted Greek SS 'Peleus' was hit by two torpedoes from 'U-852' and sank rapidly about 500 miles north of Ascension Island. The U-boat tried to destroy all evidences of the sinking by shooting at debris and rafts from the ship. During this action some survivors were killed and only four men were alive when the U-boat left the area. One of them later died, the remaining three survivors were picked up by the Portuguese steam merchant 'Alexandre Silva' on 20 April and taken to Lobito, Angola.

Battle of the Caribbean

Photo: The U.S. Navy Somers-class destroyer USS Sampson (DD-394) underway in the Gulf of Panama, 14 March 1943. Though the pattern is not visible in this photograph, Sampson is painted in the very pale pattern of Measure 16 (Thayer system) camouflage



United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-18) at the Boston Navy Yard on 14 March 1944. Wasp is painted in Measure 33, Design 10A camouflage



Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 50+ P-40s, A-36s, and P-51s, along with a single B-25, pound troops and supply areas at Shedwiyang and near Kamaing, bomb the town of Shaduzup, and hit storage areas near Manywet and Malakawng.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Tarawa Atoll bomb Mille, Wotje and Maloelap Atolls and Nauru , Gilbert . B-25s hit Jaluit Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): 22 B-25s, with USN fighter cover, pound the Rabaul area, concentrating on the N rim of Simpson Harbor; 18 B-24s, with USN fighter cover, follow with a strike against Rabaul customs wharf area; the B-24 strike is followed by an attack on the town area of Rabaul by 64 P-40s, P-38s, and P-39s. Missing is P-39Q 44-2451.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): 12 B-25s hit enemy positions and communication at Lorengau as landings on small offshore continue with a beachhead being established on Hauwei. 40+ B-24s B-25s, and A-20s hit the Wewak, New Guinea area. Lost on a ferry flight is B-24J 42-100205. 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d Bombardment Group, moves from Dobodura to Nadzab with B-24s.

PACIFIC

USAAF B-24 damages Japanese hospital ship Tachibana Maru, en route from Wewak to Palau, 02°14'S, 142°37'E.

Japanese seaplane carrier Sanuki Maru is damaged by mine, 10°31'N, 105°04'E.

Japanese cargo ship Fuki Maru is sunk, by stranding, off east coast of Honshu, near Fukushima, 37°29'N, 141°35'E.