World War II in real time

Day 1696 of World War II, May 2nd 1944

Air War over Europe

Allied authorities and the Franco government come to an agreement to limit Spanish exports to Germany in exchange for exports increased imports of oil from the Allies.

US Eighth Air Force Mission 335: 50 of 50 B-24s bomb V-weapon sites in the Pas de Calais area of France without loss; escort is provided by 50 P-47s and 52 P-51s.

250+ US Ninth Air Force B-26s and A-20s bomb marshalling yards at Busigny, Valenciennes and Blanc-Misseron, France. 400+ P-47s and P-51s dive-bomb airfields and marshalling yards in France and the Low Countries.

Italian campaign

250+ US Fifteenth Air Force bombers hit targets in Italy; B-17s hit the marshalling yard at Bolzano; B-24s, most with fighter escort, attack Castel Maggiore and a railroad bridge at Faenza; 300+ bombers are forced to abort because of weather.

In Italy, US Twelfth Air Force attacks against rail lines and bridges in N Italy continue; medium bombers bomb an approach to a bridge in N Oriveto, bridges in S Ficulle and in Marsciano, and marshalling yards in Florence/Campo di Marte and W and NW Florence; light bombers hit an ammunition dump NE of Rome; P-40s and P-47s hit rail lines N of Rome, bridges SW of Rome, guns N of Anzio, a road at Montefiascone, a road bridge at Cecina, trucks and planes at Malignano landing ground and several other dumps, roads, and rail lines in N Italy.

Battle of the Atlantic

'U-846' shot down an RAF 58 Sqn Halifax shortly after 0100.

'U-674' sunk in the Arctic Ocean NW of Narvik, by rockets from an 842 Sqn Swordfish from HMS 'Fencer'. 49 dead (all hands lost).

'U-959' sunk SE of Jan Mayen, by depth charges from an 842 Sqn Swordfish from HMS 'Fencer'. 53 dead (all hands lost).

United Kingdom

The crossword in the Daily Telegraph has caused uproar among the D-Day planners today by apparently revealing two of the most closely guarded codewords of the invasion. The clue to 17 across is "One of US" and that of 3 down is "Red Indian on the Missouri", the answers - "Utah" and "Omaha" - are the names given to two of the American invasion beaches. These clues were spotted with horror by senior officers who are among the devotees of the crossword. Their immediate reaction was that the invasion's secrets were being leaked to the Germans. Their fears have been increased by the discovery that, in a puzzle prepared by the same compiler for publication a few days before D-Day, the answer to one clue is "Overlord", the codename for the whole invasion. MI5 is now investigating the compiler, Leonard Dawe, a 54-year old teacher from Leatherhead, Surrey.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy attack transport USS Harris (APA-2) off San Pedro, California (USA), on 2 May 1944. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 4T. Note the painting of the boats



Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 3 B-24s claim 2 freighters sunk in the S end of Formosa Straits.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): B-24s, staging through Eniwetok and Kwajalein, bomb Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands, during the night. During the day B-25s based on Makin hit Jaluit and Wotje Atolls, Marshall Islands, using Majuro as a shuttle base to rearm between strikes. B-25s from Engebi pound Ponape.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville Island, 22 P-39s bomb a village N of Kieta, airstrip and buildings of Koromira and Rigu Missions and 8 P-40s also hit the Kieta area. On New Britain Island, fighter sweeps over the Rabaul area continue; fighter-bombers hit the Vunakambi Plantation supply area with incendiaries and B-25s pound the Talili area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 140+ A-20s and fighter-bombers hit bridges, barges, gun positions, roads, personnel, supplies, huts and tent areas from Wewak to Hansa Bay throughout the day; 2 B-25s bomb airfields at Wewak and Boram; 8 others hit Wakde Island oil stores, huts, AA positions, trucks, and other targets of opportunity; and the airfield on Biak Island is bombed by 2 B-24s.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 518, MAY 2, 1944

Pacific and Far East.

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of twelve vessels, includ­ing three combatant ships, as a result of operations against the enemy in these waters, as follows

1 large tanker
1 large naval auxiliary
2 medium cargo transports
5 medium cargo vessels
1 light cruiser
2 destroyers

2. These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Depart­ment communiqué.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 44, MAY 2, 1944

Powerful Naval Task Forces of the Pacific Fleet under command of Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, U. S. Navy, have completed further attacks against enemy bases in the Central Pacific following their operations in sup­port of the Hollandia‑Humboldt Bay occupation.

Installations in Truk Atoll were attacked by carrier aircraft on April 29‑30 (West Longitude Date); Satawan, in the Nomoi Islands, was attacked by carrier‑based aircraft and shelled by cruisers under the command of Rear Admiral J. B. Oldendorf, U. S. Navy, on April 30; Ponape was attacked by carrier‑based aircraft on May 1 and shelled by battleships commanded by Vice Admiral W. A. Lee, U. S. Navy. None of our ships was damaged in any of these operations, and our aircraft losses were light. Approximately 30 flight personnel are missing.

In the first day's attack on Truk, 60 enemy planes were shot down in air combat, an equal number destroyed on the ground. Five enemy planes were shot down by our ships.

In the second day's attack at Truk, the one enemy plane encountered was shot down. Our planes dropped eight hundred tons of bombs in the Truk area, inflicting heavy damage to shore facilities.

Considerable damage was caused by our protracted shelling and bombing of Satawan and Ponape.

Our ships shot down five enemy search planes on April 26 during the retirement from the Hollandia Area.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 385, MAY 2, 1944

Wake Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on April 30 (West Longitude Date). Ninety‑five tons of bombs were dropped on defense installations. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered. Several enemy planes were in the air over the target but did not attempt intercep­tion. All of our planes returned.

Ponape Island was bombed on April 30 by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchell bombers. Explosions and fires were caused at an airfield. Anti­aircraft was moderate.

Remaining enemy positions in the Marshalls were attacked on April 30 by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, and Navy Hellcat fighters.

PACIFIC

Supported by carrier planes from TG 58.1, TG 58.7 (Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee), consisting of seven battleships screened by 14 destroyers, bombards wharf areas, seaplane base, and other Japanese installations on Ponape Island, Carolines.

District patrol craft YP-95 sinks after running aground in Beyer Bay, south shore of Adak, Aleutian Islands, while assisting in a minesweeping mission.

Submarine Bluegill (SS-242) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Asosan Maru [repaired after her encounter with Trigger (SS-237) on 19 April] east of Mindanao, 07°05'N, 130°00'E.

PB4Y damages Japanese cargo cessel Anshu Maru off Biak.

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Stephen Potter (DD-538) underway in the central Pacific on 2 May 1944, while participating in raids on Japanese bases. Other warships are in the distance, among them an Iowa-class battleship and the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17), identifiable by her Camouflage Measure 32, Design 6A. Bunker Hill was assigned to Task Group 58.2 and participated in air raids on Truk, Satawan, and Ponape in the Caroline Islands between 29 April and 1 May 1944. The battleship is probably USS Iowa (BB-61), as USS New Jersey (BB-62) was assigned to TG 58.1 at that time. The heavy cruiser in the left backgound is USS Wichita (CA-45)

Day 1698 of World War II, May 4th 1944

Air War over Europe

28 RAF Mosquitos to Ludwigshafen and 4 to Leverkusen, 20 Halifaxes minelaying off Channel and Biscay ports. No losses.

In France, 170+ US Ninth Air Force B-26s and 36 A-20s bomb gun emplacements and other military targets at Etretat/Sainte-Marie-Au-Bosc, Etaples, Le Treport, Ault, Fecamp and Ouistreham.

US Eighth Air Force Mission 338: 591 bombers and 516 fighters are dispatched to Berlin, Brunswick and targets in C Germany; the mission is recalled due to cloud cover but 40 B-17s bomb Bergen/Alkmaar Airfield, The Netherlands; 1 B-17 is damaged beyond repair and 15 damaged; 2 airmen are KIA and 1 WIA. Escort is provided by 50 P-38s, 179 P-47s and 287 Eighth and Ninth Air Force P-51s; the P-47s claim 8-2-5 Luftwaffe aircraft and the P-51s claim 1-0-1; 2 P-47s and 1 P-51 are lost, 3 P-47s and 2 P-51s are damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 and 8 P-47s are damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 3 MIA.

Italian campaign

In the early morning of 4 May 'U-371' had to surface and save his crew, but at 0404 the U-boat still fought back and also damaged the 'Senegalais' (T 22) with a Gnat. U-371 finally sunk at 0409 in the Mediterranean north of Constantine by depth charges from destroyer escorts USS 'Pride' and 'Joseph E. Campbell', the French 'Senegalais' and destroyer HMS 'Blankney'. 3 dead and 49 survivors.

In Italy, main effort again is against lines of communications; medium bombers hit bridges, tracks and marshalling yards; P-40s, A-36s and P-47s hit rail lines in and around Priverno, guns and radar station N of Anzio, railroad cars, rail lines, and bridge in the Orte-Attigliano and Orte-Narni areas, motor transport and stores E of Frascati, marshalling yards at Colleferro and Follonica, and trucks and personnel on the Fondi-Pico road; vessels at Leghorn and numerous railroad targets at scattered points are attacked.

Battle of the Atlantic

'U-846' sunk in the Bay of Biscay north of Cape Ortegal, Spain, by depth charges from an RCAF 407 Sqn Wellington aircraft. 57 dead (all hands lost).

United States

Most cuts of meat are removed from rationing in the US. Steaks and other choice cuts for roasting remain rationed.

Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, a single B-24 bombs Akyab; 12 B-25s damage a bridge at Kalemyo and bomb Tiddim; 24 B-24s bomb Mandalay marshalling yard and barracks and the general area at Maymyo; 2 P-51s knock out a bypass bridge near Shweli.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 8 P-40s hit gun positions at Pailochi; 2 B-25s strafe 12 sampans between Hong Kong and the Luichow Peninsula, killing many soldiers on board.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): 12 B-25s, based at Makin pound Jaluit and Wotje, using Majuro as a shuttle base for rearming between the strikes. 39 B-24s from Kwajalein and Eniwetok hit Ponape. Lost is B-24J "Heaven Can Wait" 42-73496.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s bomb the Talili Bay area; 43 fighter-bombers hit Vunakanau Airfield; Allied fighter sweeps over the Bismarck Archipelago continue. 38 P-39s, flying 18 missions, hit several targets on Bougainville, including buildings at Sovele, Tinputs, the Reboine Bay area, Monoitu and in the area N of Taki; targets of opportunity in the Koromira area are also attacked.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): 26 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Mokmer Airfield; 60+ B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and P-47s pound airfields, road, bridges, shipping, barges and other targets in the Wewak area; A-20s attack bridges over the Awar River and targets of opportunity in the Hansa Bay area while fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity in the Ramu River Valley and on the Hansa Bay coast. Force landed is B-17E "War Horse" 41-24548

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 386, MAY 4, 1944

Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed the Truk Atoll on the night of May 1‑2 (West Longitude Date). Fifty tons of bombs were dropped on airstrips and adjacent installations, starting fires and causing large explo­sions. A searchlight battery was destroyed. Antiaircraft fire was moderate. Two enemy planes were in the air over the target but did not attempt inter­ception.

A single Seventh Army Air Force Liberator bombed Ponape Island at night on May 1. A fire was set in Ponape Town.

Remaining enemy positions in the Marshalls were bombed on May 1 and on May 2 by Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two and Navy Hellcat fighters. Gun positions, shore installations, buildings and a power station were bombed and strafed.
PACIFIC

Naval Base and Naval Air Facility, Majuro, are established.

Submarines Bang (SS-385), Parche (SS-384) and Tinosa (SS-283) attack Japanese convoy of merchant cargo ships in Luzon Strait. Bang sinks Kinrei Maru, 20°58'N, 117°59'E; Parche sinks Shoryu Maru and Taiyoku Maru, 20°48'N, 118°03'E, and Tinosa sinks Taibu Maru and Toyohi Maru, 20°55'N, 118°12'E.

Submarine Pargo (SS-264) sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Eiry_ Maru east of Mindanao, 07°14'N, 129°12'E.

Submarine Tuna (SS-203) sinks Japanese guardboat Tajima Maru north of Wake Island, 22°06'N, 166°47'E.

At Truk, Japanese guardboat Sapporo Maru is sunk by aircraft; gunboat No.2 Hino Maru sinks as the result of damage inflicted by TF 58 planes on 30 April.

Japanese merchant vessel Akira Maru is sunk by gunfire, 00°53'S, 134°55'E.

Japanese convoy No.3503 (ten Marus and six escort vessels) leaves Tateyama, bound for the Marshalls.

Day 1700 of World War II, May 6th 1944

YouTube (Total Chaos on the Chinese Front!)



Eastern Front

The final Soviet assault by troops under General Fedor Tolbukhin on the German forces in Sevastopol begins tonight with a heavy bombardment of Katyusha rockets. Soviet forces begin to move into the city as the German and Rumanian forces continue to attempt to evacuated the beleaguered city.

Western Front (1944)

A last effort to remedy the mistakes and muddles thrown up in the succession of invasion exercises in held on the beaches of England has been made this week with Operation Fabius. This took place over five days and extended from Littlehampton in Sussex, through Hampshire and Dorset to Slapton Sands, the scene of last month's disaster when 638 Americans were lost in a German E-boat attack during a previous D-Day exercise. The Americans, British and Canadian forces were assigned to four separate beaches corresponding to the assault beaches in France. Two other exercises involving naval forces, took place at the same time to familiarize the invasion fleet with the boarding, disembarkation and re-enforcement plans. A third exercise, Operation Splint, handled the evacuation of wounded by landing craft. Fabius has been judged satisfactory. Afterwards, though, Brigadier-General Norman Cota told his headquarters staff of the US 29th Division that when the real thing came along;

"..the little discrepancies that we tried to correct on Slapton Sands are going to be magnified and are going to give way to incidents that you might at first view as chaotic. The landing craft aren't going in on schedule and people are going to be landed in the wrong place ... The enemy will have some success in preventing our gaining lodgement. But we must improvise, carry on, not lose our heads."

Air War over Europe

At the German Heeresgruppe B's HQ in north-western France, Rommel has substantially reinforced the coastal defences from the Netherlands through the Pas de Calais to Normandy. Bunkers have been built, and the beaches bristle with innumerable angle irons laced with mined stakes slanted seawards. In the Cotentin peninsula, covering the port of Cherbourg, a network of mined poles linked by wires stands as a defence against airborne landings. But the Germans are unable to agree on where the Allies will invade, so the six divisions of General Geyr von Schweppenburg's powerful Panzer Group West have been divided between Rommel's coastal forces and von Rundstedt's reserves near Paris.

149 RAF aircraft - 77 Halifaxes, 64 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitos - of Nos 4 and 8 Groups attacked railway installations in the Gassicourt suburb of Mantes La Jolie, to the west of Paris. 2 Lancasters and 1 Halifax lost. Bomber Command's records state that 'stores depots and locomotive sheds' were severely damaged but the local report shows that some of the bombing fell outside the railway objective. The western part of the town - including 'old Mantes', the suburb of Gassicourt and the hamlet of Dennemont - were all bombed. 64 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos of No 5 Group attacked an ammunition dump at Sable Sur Sarthe which was destroyed by 'enormous explosions'. No aircraft lost.

52 RAF Lancasters of No 1 Group attacked an ammunition dump at Aubigne accurately and the entire target was destroyed. 1 aircraft lost. The only Lancaster shot down on this raid, from No 576 Squadron, contained a senior officer who was flying as second pilot. This was Air Commodore R Ivelaw-Chapman, who was commanding a 'base' (usually 3 airfields) in No 1 Group. Ivelaw-Chapman had only just taken up this position after a staff job in which he had had access to details of the coming invasion. There was great anxiety in England that, if he became a prisoner of war, the Germans might hand him over to the Gestapo for questioning. He was taken prisoner but the Germans never realized his importance and he was treated in the normal manner.

US Eighth Air Force Mission 340: 168 bombers and 185 fighters are dispatched to hit NOBALL (V-weapon) targets in France; 90 B-17s dispatched to the Pas de Calais area return to base with bombs due to cloud cover over the target; 70 of 78 B-24s hit Siracourt; 48 B-17s are damaged. Escort is provided by 57 Ninth Air Force P-38s, 47 P-47s and 81 P-51s without loss. 22 B-24s are dispatched on CARPETBAGGER operations.

75 US Ninth Air Force B-26s and A-20s dispatched to attack coastal defenses abort the mission because of weather.

28 RAF Mosquitos to Ludwigshafen, 5 to Leverkusen and 2 to Châteaudun, 9 RCM sorties, 9 Serrate and 5 Intruder patrols, 8 Halifaxes and 6 Stirlings minelaying off Biscay ports. 33 aircraft on Resistance operations, 6 OTU sorties. 1 Mosquito lost from the Leverkusen raid.

Italian campaign

About 300 US Fifteenth Air Force B-17s and B-24s, escorted by P-51s and P-38s, hit targets in Rumania; the B-17s attack an aircraft factory at Brasov and marshalling yard at Turnu Severin; the B-24s bomb Ploesti/Campina marshalling yard and an aircraft factory at Brasov.

In Italy, US Twelfth Air Force A-20s pound a storage area at Itri; A-36s hit rail lines in the Viterbo area; P 40s hit guns, tracks and railroad station in and around Frosinone, and rail lines, stations, roads and town area in and near Itri, Colleferro and Sezze; P-47s hit Certaldo marshalling yard and numerous railroad and highway targets, including several bridges; and HQ 324th Fighter Group and 314th Fighter Squadron move from Cercola to Pignataro Maggiore with P-40s.

The German General der Flakartillerie Sud issued an order that immediately night-fighters would operate nightly over "the entire Upper Italian area" without any special notification being given. When fired on by flak, the night-fighters would fire recognition signals, whereupon the flak should cease.

Battle of the Atlantic

SS 'Anadyr', dispersed from Convoy TJ-30, was torpedoed and sunk by 'U-129' about 600 miles SSE of Recife. Four crewmembers and two gunners were lost. The master and seven survivors landed at Porto de Galhinas near Recife and 39 survivors landed 20 miles south of Recife.

'U-473' sunk at 0200 hrs in the North Atlantic WSW of Ireland, by depth charges from sloops HMS 'Starling', 'Wren' and 'Wild Goose'. 23 dead and 30 survivors.

'U-765' sunk in the North Atlantic, by depth charges from two 825 Sqn Swordfish from escort carrier HMS 'Vindex' and frigates HMS 'Bickerton', 'Bligh' and 'Aylmer'. 37 dead and 11 survivors.

The German submarine 'U-66' is sunk about 290 miles (467 km) west of the Cape Verde Islands, by depth charges, ramming and gunfire from Eastern Aircraft TBM Avenger and FM Wildcat aircraft of Composite Squadron Fifty Five (VC-55) in the escort aircraft carrier USS 'Block Island' (CVE-21) and by the destroyer escort USS 'Buckley' (DE-51); 36 of the 60 submariners survive. 'Block Island' and 'Buckley' were part of Task Group 21.11 which has been hunting this submarine since 1 May; several attacks had been made, including three Fido homing torpedoes that were dropped on the U-boat. Finally in the early morning hours of the 6th, 'U-66' was sighted by the crew of USS 'Buckley' and after an exchange of gunfire, 'Buckley' rammed the U-boat at 0329 hours local. Many of the U-boat survivors, some with small arms, climbed on 'Buckley's' forecastle and the Americans, thinking they were being boarded as in the days of sail, used small arms, hand grenades, fists and a coffee cup to subdue them. 'Buckley' backed away from the U-boat leaving five armed Germans on the escort who were promptly subdued and taken below. The U-boat started to draw ahead but then turned and hit the escort near its engine room opening a hole on the starboard side and for the second time the U-boat was raked with gunfire. The U-boat finally sank after a salvo from 'Buckley's' 3-inch (76.2 mm) gun after one of the longest fights in the war.

Off Cape Race, Newfoundland, German submarine 'U-548' torpedoes Royal Canadian Navy frigate 'Valleyfield', sinking it.

Arctic naval operations

British forces make an attempt to hit the German battleship 'Tirpitz' in Norway but poor weather prevents the attack. The attack, and those planned in the near future, is part of the Normandy deception plan and is not only intended on destroying the dangerous ship but also to divert attention to Norway and away from France.

United Kingdom

Photo: Sergeant W A Greenhalgh of the Army Film and Photographic Unit loading his camera during a D-Day training exercise in Hampshire, 6 May 1944



Photo: Sherman tank crews of 1st East Riding Yeomanry are distracted by a girl on a horse, during Exercise 'Fabius', 6 May 1944



German occupied France

Photo: "Beach Defenses, France. Note Germans working. The sloping ones were designed to catch a landing craft and explode a mine at the top," 6 May 1944



Photo: "Beach Defenses, France. "Hedgehogs." Note horse on beach with working party," 6 May 1944



Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 14 B-25s bomb Indainggyi, destroy the Sibong bridge and damage a road at Hpaungzeik; 90+ P-40s, P-51s and B-25s attack a wide variety of targets throughout the Mogaung Valley; 18 fighter-bombers and 6 B-25s support ground forces at Mawlu while 3 B-25s and 4 P-51s hit positions at Nalong.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 61 P-40s and 5 B-25s attack targets throughout S China and French Indochina. In China, numerous vehicles and troops are destroyed in the Hsiangcheng, Loyang and Luchou areas; main buildings at Nanchang mines are destroyed, Sienning bridge is damaged and several railroad cars and vehicles are destroyed near Puchi; and 14 B-25s and 25 fighter-bombers pound the airfield and surrounding area at Hankow. In French Indochina, 8 boxcars are destroyed and 70 more damaged between Thanh Moi and Bac Le and between Phu Lang Thuong and Lang Son; a barge is sunk at Campha Port and numerous sampans and small craft sunk or damaged at Cat Ba Island. Detachment of 22d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), operating from Yunnani, China with B-25s returns to base at Yangkai.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Makin and Kwajalein hit Wotje and Jaluit Atolls. B-24s, staging through Eniwetok, escort USN aircraft on a photo reconnaissance of Guam Island, Marianas Islands. The B-24s bomb Guam from 20,000 ft (6,096 m), scoring hits on 2 airfields and a town area and proceed to Los Negros to prepare for the return flight; the B-24s claim 4 enemy aircraft shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25s and 12 P-39s pound the Talili Bay area on New Britain Island. 37 P-39s and 19 P-40s attack targets in the Porton area, Bougainville Island. HQ 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) moves from Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands to Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb Penfoei, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands and Biak. In New Guinea, 150+ B-25s, A-20s and fighter-bombers, operating almost continuously throughout the day, blast a variety of targets from Wewak to the shores of Hansa Bay. B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force again bomb Woleai.

JAPAN

The Mitsubishi A7M1, Navy Experimental 17-Shi Ko (A) Type Carrier Fighter Reppu (Hurricane) makes its first flight. The aircraft had been under development since 1942 as a replacement for the Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter, Allied Code Name "Zeke." The A7M1 was as maneuverable as the "Zeke" but was underpowered and lacked performance. Only ten of these aircraft, given the Allied Code Name "Sam," were built by Mitsubishi at Nagoya.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC RELEASE NO. 388, MAY 6, 1944

Eighty‑seven tons of bombs were dropped on Ponape Island by Liber­ators of the Seventh Army Air Force on May 4 (West Longitude Date). Ponape Town and dock areas were thoroughly covered, and large fires and explosions were caused.

Truk Atoll was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators before dawn on May 5. Antiaircraft fire was light.

Forty‑seven tons of bombs were dropped in attacks on remaining enemy positions in the Marshalls during May 4 by Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat lighters. Coastal batteries, anti­aircraft batteries, and magazine areas were hit.

PACIFIC

Submarine Crevalle (SS-291) attacks Japanese convoy off northern Borneo, sinking fleet tanker Nisshin Maru about 40 miles west of Kalutan Island, 07°19'N,116°52'E.

Submarine Gurnard (SS-254) encounters Japanese TAKE No.1 convoy in the Celebes Sea, sinking Manokwari-bound troop-carrying army cargo ships Aden Maru, Amatsuzan Maru and Tajima Maru, 02°42'N, 124°07'E.

Submarine Spearfish (SS-190) attacks Japanese shipping in East China Sea west of Kyushu, and sinks merchant cargo ship Toyoura Maru and damages supply ship Mamiya, 32°16'N, 127°08'E.

Day 1702 of World War II, May 8th 1944

Eastern Front

Hitler now gives in about allowing a full scale withdrawal from the Crimea. Red Army attacks into Sevastopol continues as 45,000 German and Romanian troops remain trapped in the city.

Western Front (1944)

Supreme Commander of Operation Overlord Dwight Eisenhower tentatively sets June 5 as D-Day for the invasion of Europe.

Air War over Europe

123 RAF aircraft - 62 Halifaxes, 53 Lancasters, 8 Mosquitos - of 6 and 8 Groups, went to Haine St Pierre. 6 Halifaxes and 3 Lancasters lost. Severe damage was caused to half of the railway yards and to locomotive sheds. 58 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitos of No 5 Group attacked the airfield and seaplane base at Lanveoc Poulmic near Brest with great accuracy. 1 Lancaster lost. 31 Halifaxes of No 4 Group and 8 Pathfinder Mosquitos scored direct hits on a coastal gun position at Morsalines on the Cherbourg peninsular. 1 Halifax lost. 32 Halifaxes of No 4 Group and 7 Pathfinder Mosquitos attacked a gun position at Berneval but only 1 aircraft hit the target. Most of the bombing was 600-700 yards from the gun position. No aircraft lost. 30 Lancasters of No 3 Group and 8 Pathfinder Mosquitos located a gun position at Cap Griz Nez but no hits were scored. No aircraft lost. 28 Mosquitos to Osnabrück and 2 to Oberhausen, 4 RCM sorties, 10 Serrate patrols, 30 Halifaxes and 8 Stirlings minelaying off the Dutch and French coasts, 41 aircraft on Resistance operations, 26 OTU sorties. 1 Stirling lost on Resistance supply work.

US Eighth Air Force Mission 344: In the morning, 807 bombers and 729 fighters are dispatched to hit targets in Germany in a PFF mission; the bombers claim 76-16-16 Luftwaffe fighters, the fighters claim 55-4-20; 36 bombers and 13 fighters are lost: 500 B-17s are dispatched to bomb Berlin; 386 B-17s hit the primary, 42 bomb Brunswick, 17 bomb Brandenburg and 8 bomb Magderburg; 25 B-17s are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 169 damaged; 1 airman is KIA, 7 WIA and 261 MIA. 307 B-24s are dispatched to Brunswick; 288 hit the primary and 1 hits a target of opportunity; 11 B-24s are lost, 7 are damaged beyond repair and 28 damaged; 7 airmen are KIA, 8 WIA and 112 MIA. Escort is provided by 152 P-38s, 295 P-47s and 282 P-51s; the P-38s claim 6-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft, the P-47s claim 9-1-5 and the P-51s claim 40-3-12; 4 P-38s, 4 P-47s and 5 P-51s are lost; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 are damaged beyond repair; 3 P-47s and 1 P-51 are damaged; 1 pilot is WIA and 13 MIA.

US Eighth Air Force Mission 345: In the afternoon, 164 bombers and 97 fighters are dispatched against targets in France and Belgium; 5 bombers are lost: 92 of 101 B-17s bomb V-weapon sites at Glacerie and Sottevast, France; 5 B-17s are lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 29 damaged; 28 airmen are MIA. 57 of 63 B-24s hit Brussels/Schaerbeck marshalling yard, Belgium; 29 B-24s are damaged; 2 airmen are KIA, 2 WIA and 19 MIA. Escort is provided by 97 P-47s without loss.

About 450 US Ninth Air Force B-26s and A-20s bomb marshalling yards, coastal defenses, bridges, airfields and V-weapons sites in France and Belgium.

Italian Campaign

Nine U.S. Naval Aviators from Cruiser Scouting Squadron Eight (VCS-8 ) are assigned to the Twelfth Air Force's 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron based at Santa Maria, Italy for flight training and combat operations in the North American F-6 Mustang photographic reconnaissance aircraft. Previous combat experience with the USN's cruiser- and battleship-launched Curtiss SOC Seagull and Vought OS2U Kingfisher seaplanes used in air spotting and reconnaissance missions proved both types were vulnerable to enemy fighters and AA fire. A total of eleven Naval Aviators fly with the USAAF in support of the Italian campaign and the invasion of southern France until 2 September 1944 when they are returned to their ships. During their tour with the USAAF, the sailors flew missions from Italy, Corsica and France.

In Italy, fighter-bombers hit roads and railroads N of Rome, a supply dump N of Anzio beachhead, and the station at Colleferro; numerous trucks and railroad cars are destroyed and many troops killed; Attacks against rolling stock on the Rome-Orte rail line are especially effective; HQ 62d Troop Carrier Group and 4th, 7th and 8th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Ponte Olivo, Sicily to Gaudo Airfield (4th Troop Carrier Squadron is operating from bases in India); and 524th Fighter- Bomber Squadron, 27th Fighter-Bomber Group, moves from Castel Volturno to Santa Maria with P-40s.

Submarine chaser PC-558 is sunk by German submarine U-230, 28 miles northeast by north of Palermo, Sicily.

Arctic naval operations

The carrier HMS 'Furious' and her escort carriers HMS 'Searcher' and HMS 'Emporer' are conducting an anti-shipping sweep along the Norwegian coast. The F6F Hellcats of 800 Squadron FAA are escorting a Barracuda strike group when they are attacked by a mixed group of Me 109 and Fw 190s. Both German fighter types were faster than the Hellcat "and both could stay with an F6F through most of a long dive. The Grumman's great advantage was a tighter turning radius, and the 'Emperor's' pilots used it as best they could. Two Hellcats, two Me 109s, and one Fw 190 were shot down.

United States

Photo: A U.S. Navy Grumman F6F Hellcat about to take off from the escort carrier USS Charger (CVE-30), 8 May 1944, during training operations in Chesapeake Bay. The underwing markings on the Hellcat appear to be "1-OF-5"



Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-24s and 9 B-25s bomb Moirang and a village to the N, causing considerable damage including the destruction of a road bridge; 12 P-38s hit Kangaung Airfield.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): B-25s from Engebi strike Ponape Island while Makin based B-25s pound Jaluit and Wotje Atolls, using Majuro Atoll as a shuttle base between strikes. B-24s that landed at Los Negros Island after the strike on Guam Island on 6 May return to the Marshall Islands, bombing Ponape Island en route.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): Fighter-bombers pound Tobera Airfield and strafe targets of opportunity in the area. 2 squadrons of B-24s bomb gun positions at Sohano, Solomon Islands and Hahilia, New Britain Island while on Bougainville Island, 30+ P-39s and P-40s hit areas around Porton, Tsimba, Tarara, Kieta, Numa Numa, Tsirogei and at several other points and B-25s blast the coast near Banin, hit Sohano, and bomb airfield areas at Bonis and Buka on Buka Island. 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), based in the Renard Field with B-25s, ceases operating from Stirling.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24s and P-40s operating in the Geelvink Bay area attack Mokmer Airfield and nearby shipping; A-20s and fighter-bombers continue to pound targets of opportunity along the NE New Guinea coast from Wewak to Hansa Bay and along the Sepik River.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Photo: Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Fuel and water drums crowd a Guadalcanal Beach, during large-scale Marine maneuvers on May 18, 1944. In the background is USS LST-247. Photographed by Private First Class Kenneth Alfather, USMC



UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 391, MAY 8, 1944

Ventura search planes" of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Paramushiru in daylight on May 6 (West Longitude Date). Antiaircraft fire was light.

A search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two shot down an enemy four‑engine patrol plane near Ulul Island on May 6 (West Longitude Date).

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 392, MAY 8, 1944

Liberator search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two and Liberator bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Guam Island during daylight on May 6 (West Longitude Date). Our force was intercepted by approximately 25 enemy fighters. Seven of these were shot down, three probably shot down, and two damaged. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered over the target. All of our planes returned.

Truk Atoll was bombed at night on May 6 by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators. Several fires were started. Antiaircraft fire ranged from light to moderate.

Ponape Island was bombed during daylight on May 6 by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchell bombers and on the night of May 6 by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators. Airfields and defense installations were hit. No anti­aircraft fire was encountered during either strike.

Remaining enemy positions in the Marshalls received thirty‑three tons of bombs on May 6 from Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters. Coastal batteries, fuel storage facilities, and magazines were hit.

PACIFIC

Submarine Hoe (SS-258) damages Japanese escort vessel Sado and army tanker Akane Maru in South China Sea west of Luzon Strait, 19°22'N, 120°13'E.

Submarine Tautog (SS-199) attacks Japanese convoy in Tsugaru Strait, sinking army cargo ship Miyazaki Maru off Ominato, northern Honshu, 41°52'N, 141°12'E.

Day 1704 of World War II, May 10th 1944

Air War over Europe

506 RAF aircraft - 291 Lancasters, 187 Halifaxes, 28 Mosquitos - to bomb railway yards at Courtrai, Dieppe, Ghent, Lens and Lille. No post-raid reconnaissance was carried out at Dieppe and results of the raid there are not known. All other raids were successful, although some bombs fell on nearby civilian housing. 12 Lancasters lost from the No 5 Group raid to Lille and 1 Lancaster lost from the Dieppe raid. 29 Mosquitos to Ludwigshafen and 2 to Châteaudun, 5 RCM sorties, 9 Intruder and 3 Serrate patrols, 26 aircraft minelaying off Brest and Heligoland, 28 aircraft on Resistance operations, 10 OTU sorties. 1 Halifax minelayer lost.

About 300 US Ninth Air Force B-26s attack marshalling yards, airfields, and NOBALL targets in France and Belgium. P-47s and P-51s dive-bomb targets in NW Europe for the sixth straight day. Bad weather causes a large number of aborts.

A US Eighth Air Force bomber mission to Germany is abandoned due to deteriorating weather.

Around 400 US Fifteenth Air Force bombers attack targets at Wiener Neustadt Austria; B-17s bomb aviation industry targets; B-24s bomb the industrial area and an air depot; 200+ fighters provide support; 300+ bombers are forced to abort due to bad weather which has halted operations for the past few days; opposition is fierce; intercepting were units from JG 3, JG 5, JG 27, JG 302 and SG 152; 21 bombers and 1 fighter are lost; US aircraft claim 50 aircraft.

Italian Campaign

Off Anzio, destroyers 'Charles F. Hughes' (DD-428 ) and 'Hilary P. Jones' (DD-427) bombard German supply dumps. Submarine chaser PC-556 is damaged by a bomb.

485th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-24s is declared operational, giving the Fifteenth Air Force its planned operational strength of 21 bomber groups. The 52d Fighter Group with P-51s also begins operations with the Fifteenth on this date, making a total of 6 fighter groups.

In Italy, weather permits medium bomber operations for first time in several days; B-25s hit bridges near San Giovanni Valdarno, Orvieto and Monte Molino, and the Terni viaduct; B-26s attack bridges W of Arezzo; fighter-bombers continue attacks on roads and railroads N of Rome; targets in the areas of Avezzano, Civitavecchia, Furbara, Terni, Todi, Orvieto, Manciano, Perugia, Monte San Savino and La Saezia, and near Rome are attacked.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Photo: The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Marblehead (CL-12) underway at sea, 10 May 1944



German occupied France

The Free French estimate that there are 175,000 resistance fighters in France.

United States

James V. Forrestal becomes US Secretary of the Navy to succeed Frank Knox.

Photo: The U.S. Navy attack transport USS Alpine (APA-92) underway off Portland, Oregon (USA), 10 May 1944. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 3D



Pacific War

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

In a drive to free the Burma Road, Chinese troops cross the Salween River on a 100-mi (160 km) front and attack Japanese positions in N Burma.

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 70+ B-25s, A-36s, P-51s, P-40s and 10 B-24s blast numerous targets, concentrating on barracks and storage in the Myitkyina-Mogaung vicinity and also hitting gun positions and bridges at Kamaing and railroad siding and buildings at Mohnyin; 16 P-38s destroy several aircraft in strikes on Aungban and Kangaung Airfields.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): P-40s sink 6 large junks and damage several others in Fan Tou Bay, China and destroy several trucks between Wan Pa-Hsa and Mong Ho Pung, Burma. 28 P-40s bomb Tengchung, China town area, strafe a nearby truck convoy, damage bridges at Tingka, China; Bac Le, French Indochina; and Hsenwi, Burma; hit a power dam at Tasa, French Indochina; bomb a tank and truck dispersal area at Hsiangcheng, China; and hit 30+ railroad cars at Lang Giai, Dong Dang and Na Cham, French Indochina.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Wake during the night of 9/10 May. During the day, B-25s from Engebi bomb Ponape while Makin based B-25s raid Jaluit and Wotje Atolls.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): 41 fighter-bombers attack Tobera Airfield; 11 B-25s hit Matupi Island, Bismarck Archipelago; fighters on a sweep, hit trucks W of Keravat. On Bougainville Island, 4 B-25s bomb Majuai Mission; 61 P-39s (some back from the Tobera strike) and 12 P-40s attack targets throughout the Buka-Bougainville Islands area, including a bridge over the Crepers River, a supply area at Mawareka, a barge at Chabai, a village on Schwarze Point, a pillbox at Gohi and the general area of Porton Plantations. Lost is SBD Dauntless NZ5051.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): 120+ B-24s, A-20s and fighter-bombers, along with RAAF aircraft, maintain attacks on targets of opportunity along the NE coast from the Hansa Bay area to Wewak; 2 B-24s hit Mokmer Airfield. 45 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb the airfield on Eten Island and warehouse area at Dublon, both in Truk Atoll.

MARSHALL ISLANDS

Naval Base, Eniwetok, Marshalls, is established.

Photo: The U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Long Island (CVE-1) off Eniwetok Atoll on 10 May 1944. A Grumman F6F night fighter was just launched while stationary. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 9A



ALASKA

(Eleventh Air Force): The Eleventh directs its components to place more emphasis on photographing and bombing of specific targets instead of general reconnaissance.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 394, MAY 10, 1944

Ponape Island was bombed by Liberator and Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force on May 8 (West Longitude Date). The town and airfields were hit. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.

Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells, Dauntless dive bombers, and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, and Navy Hellcat fighters bombed and strafed remaining enemy positions in the Marshalls on May 8. Fuel storage facilities, antiaircraft batteries, barracks, and coastal guns were hit.

PACIFIC

Motor torpedo boat PT-79 is damaged in collision, Cold Bay.

Submarine Cod (SS-224) attacks large Japanese convoy off west coast of Luzon, sinking destroyer Karukaya and transport Shohei Maru about 150 miles northwest of Manila, 15°38'N, 119°32'E.

Submarine Silversides (SS-236) attacks Japanese convoy about 120 miles south-southwest of Guam, sinking auxiliary cable ship Okinawa Maru, gunboat No.2 Choan Maru, and collier No.18 Mikage Maru, 11°26'N, 143°46'E, and forces it to return whence it comes. Silversides survives depth-charging by one or more of the following ships: escort vessel Momi, submarine chaser Ch 30, auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 66 and auxiliary minelayer Wa 5.

Submarine Tambor (SS-198) encounters Japanese convoy 3503, and torpedoes aircraft transport Keiyo Maru about 420 miles northwest of Saipan, 19°26'N, 140°19'E.

Photo: The U.S. Navy Andromeda-class attack cargo ship USS Centaurus (AKA-17) underway on 10 May 1944

Day 1706 of World War II, May 12th 1944

Eastern Front

The Soviet Red Army liberates the Crimea area. The survivors of the 17.Armee in the Crimea surrender. 36,000 are marched off to become prisoners of war.

Air War over Europe

120 RAF aircraft - 96 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters, 4 Mosquitos - of 6 and 8 Groups went to Louvain. 3 Halifaxes and 2 Lancasters lost. The bombing was more accurate than on the previous night and considerable damage was caused in the railways yards. 111 aircraft - 100 Halifaxes, 7 Lancasters, 4 Mosquitos - of Nos 4 and 8 Groups went to Hasselt. 6 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster lost. Most of the attack fell in open fields and only a few bombs hit the railway yards.

The U.S. Eighth Air Force in England flies two missions. Mission 353: 886 bombers and 735 fighters are dispatched to hit oil production facilities in Germany and Czechoslovakia; there is strong Luftwaffe fighter reaction and 46 bombers and 7 fighters are lost: This results in a reduction of daily output from 5850 metric tons to 4820. 326 B-17s are dispatched to Mersenburg (224 bomb) and Lutzkendorf (87 bomb); 1 hits Hedrongen and 1 bombs Bullstadt; 2 B-17s are lost. 295 B-17s are dispatched to Brux, Czechoslovakia (140 bomb) and Zwickau (74 bomb); 11 hit Chemnitz, 14 hit Gera marshalling yard, 15 hit Hof and 4 hit targets of opportunity; 41 B-17s are lost. 265 B-24s are dispatched to Zeitz (116 bomb) and Bohlen (99 bomb); 14 hit Mersenburg, 1 hits Ostend Airfield, Belgium and 12 hit targets of opportunity; 3 B-24s are lost. Escort is provided by 153 P-38s, 201 P-47s and 381 P-51s; P-38s claim 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft, P-47s claim 26-0-8 and P-51s claim 33-0-3 in the air and 5-0-2 on the ground; 4 P-47s and 3 P-51s are lost. Major Guther Rall, Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 11 nearly succeeded in downing the commander of the US 56th FG, Lt. Col. Hubert Zemke and did succeed in destroying 2 P-47s. However, he was himself attacked by another pair of Thunderbolts and was forced to bail out over Frankfurt/Main, having his left thumb shot off in the process. This was the 9th time that Rall had been shot down.

RAF Mosquitoes lay mines in their first sortie to the Kiel Canal. 22 Mosquitos of No 8 Group attempted to block the Kiel Canal by laying mines from low level. Intelligence sources had said that the flak defences on part of the canal had been removed. 20 Mosquitos laid their mines in this stretch; 1 aircraft lost. 12 Mosquitos to Brunsbüttel (as a diversion for the Kiel Canal mining operation) and 8 to Châteaudun, 10 RCM sorties, 12 Serrate and 9 Intruder patrols, 43 aircraft minelaying off the French coast and in the Frisians. 8 OTU sorties. 1 Intruder Mosquito lost.

Italian Campaign

The US Fifteenth Air Force dispatches 730 B-17s and B-24s (largest force to date) to attack targets in Italy, i.e., the German HQ at Massa d'Albe and Monte Soratte; the town of Civitavecchia; airfields at Tarquinia and in the surrounding area; marshalling yards at Chivasso, Piombino, Marina di Carrara, Viareggio and Ferrara; Orbetello Island; Piombino harbor; docks and communications at San Stefano al Mare ; harbor, marshalling yard and railroad bridge at Chiavari; La Spezia marshalling yard and harbour; and several targets of opportunity; 25 P-38s strafe Piacenza Airfield; other fighters fly 250+ sorties in support of bombing missions.

Photo: A ground crewman helps a pilot of No. 601 Squadron RAF into the cockpit of his Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII at Venafro, Italy, 12 May 1944



The attacks against the Gustav Line begin to develop. The US 5th Army makes some progress. The French Expeditionary Corps breaks through the defenses of the German 71st Division and captures Monte Faito. Meanwhile, the Polish 2nd Corps is stopped cold and takes heavy losses north of Cassino. The British 13th Corps crosses the Rapido River at two locations opposite Casino.

Photo: Members of an American mortar squad moving up toward Santa Maria Infante, Italy, 12 May, 1944



Photo: A 4.2-inch mortar of 'S' Troop, 307th Battery, 99th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, in action with the mortar for the first time, at Cassino, Italy, 12 May 1944



Black Sea campaign

At 2323 hours, 'U-24' fired a torpedo at two escorts and observed a hit amidships after 67 seconds and heard how five depth charges detonated when the vessel sank. The vessel sunk was the Soviet patrol craft SKA-0376.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

Photo: The British battlecruiser HMS Renown operating with other capital ships of the British Eastern Fleet in the Indian Ocean area, 12 May 1944. The battleship HMS Valiant is in the right distance. The French battleship Richelieu is in the left background



Allies

The Allies call on the Axis satellites Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria to withdraw from the war.

Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 4 B-25s strike the Tiddim road NNW of Tonzang; 50+ B-25s and fighter-bombers knock out a railroad bridge at Pinbaw, pound gun positions and supply area at Myitkyina and hit defensive positions near Kazu-Tiangsup; 4 B-25s damage Myothit bridge while 8 P-38s bomb Kyaukye; 21 P-51s hit airfields at Meiktila and Heho, claiming 8 Japanese aircraft downed; 4 B-25s knock out a bridge at Daga while 2 others bomb a camp at Taungbaw.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 16 P-40s and 11 B-25s hit several targets in S China and in French Indochina. In China, military installations, artillery positions and tank concentrations are pounded in the Yoyang area, a bridge and several trucks are damaged at Sienning, a naval vessel is attacked at Hong Kong and in French Indochina, a radio station on Cat Ba Island is bombed and railroad yards, supply dump, and river junks are blasted in the Phu Langi Thuong area; and HQ 81st Fighter Group moves from Karachi, India to Kwanghan.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA

(Seventh Air Force): 12 Makin based B-25s bomb Nauru Island. A single B-24 from Kwajalein bombs Jaluit Atoll.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA

(Thirteenth Air Force): 12 B-25s and 20+ P-40s and P-38s pound Tobera Airstrip and nearby personnel areas; some of the B-25s returning from Tobera bomb Sohano; 12 P-39s and about 70 USN SBDs and TBFs sink numerous barges throughout the Rabaul area, especially at Simpson Harbor and Keravia Bay; gun positions in the Matupi area are also attacked.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): B-24s bomb Mokmer Airfield, New Guinea, and attack targets on Ceram Island, Moluccas Islands; Amboina, Ambon Island, Moluccas Islands; and Timor Island. In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers blast villages, coastal bridges and roads, vehicles, the airstrip at Boram and other targets throughout the Wewak-Hansa Bay region; HQ 3d Bombardment Group moves from Nadzab to Hollandia; 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, based at Nadzab begins operating from Tadji with C-47s; 418th Night Fighter Squadron, 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium), moves from Finschhafen to Hollandia with B-25Hs, P-38s and P-70s.

ALASKA

(Eleventh Air Force): 1 B-24 reconnoiters and bombs installations on Matsuwa Island, Kurile Islands, concentrating on the airfield on Tagan Cape.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 520, MAY 12, 1944

Pacific and Far East.

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of fourteen vessels, includ­ing one combatant ship, as a result of operations against the enemy in these waters, as follows

1 destroyer
1 large tanker
1 medium tanker
1 medium transport
1 medium cargo transport
7 medium cargo vessels
1 small cargo transport
1 small cargo vessel

2. These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Depart­ment communiqué.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 397, MAY 12, 1944

Better than 7 to 1—that's the ratio the Navy's carrier squadron have es­tablished during the past eight months: 1,229 Japanese aircraft destroyed at a cost of 164 U. S. planes. A large proportion of the crews of these 164 air­craft were rescued.

The score begins with the Marcus Island raid on September 1 last year, and includes our second big raid on Truk on the last two days of April. It does not include our own comparatively light losses at Truk and during the Hollandia landings on April 21. Nor does it include 54 Japanese craft shot down by task force anti‑aircraft fire.

To achieve this better than 7 to 1 superiority in aircraft destruction, our carrier‑squadrons wiped out 673 Japanese planes in aerial combat, and smashed 556 on the ground. All this was in addition to great losses and damage in­flicted on enemy ships and installations.

The escort carrier Liscome Bay, sunk by a submarine torpedo, was the only ship lost during 19 major raids against 15 enemy bases by these big carrier task forces which ranged from the Solomons to Marcus, from the Marshalls to the Marianas and Palau.

Figures released today mirror the increasing effectiveness of these forces. Only seven planes, all on the ground, were destroyed in the September 1 thrust at Marcus. But at Truk in February, 205 Japanese craft were demolished in the air and on the ground. In the 10‑week period since the initial assault on the Truk bastion, the carrier units accounted for 719 enemy craft, more than half the total for the eight‑month period.

Indicative of our increasing ascendancy in the air, at least in the area of the Japanese outer island defenses, is the fact that in the occupation of Kwajalein Atoll enemy air opposition was eliminated within four hours after the first fighter sweep. Further, at Truk in February not a single Japanese plane rose to challenge our aviators on the second day.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 398, MAY 12, 1944

Single search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed landing strips at Kusaie Island and at Murilo in the Hall Islands on May 10 (West Longitude Date).

Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Ponape Island on May 10.

Enemy‑held objectives in the Marshalls were bombed on May 10 by Mitchells of the Seventh Army Air Force, Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing. Antiair­craft batteries, building areas, and underground shelters were hit.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 399, MAY 12, 1944

Two flights of Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Truk Atoll before dawn on May 11 (West Longitude Date). Sixty‑two tons of bombs were dropped. Airfields were hit and explosions and fires observed. Seven enemy planes intercepted the first flight of Liberators and one of these enemy planes was shot down. One of four enemy aircraft intercepting the second flight was probably destroyed. All of our planes returned.

A single Liberator of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Ponape Island before dawn on May 11.

PACIFIC

Submarine Tautog (SS-199) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking merchant collier No.2 Banei Maru off northeast Honshu, 40°01'N, 141°58'E.

Japanese transport Kasumi Maru is sunk by mine (probably Japanese) in Straits of Malacca, 03°50'N, 99°30'E.

Japanese river gunboat Saga is damaged by aircraft, South China Sea.

Photo: The U.S. Navy transport USS Starlight (AP-175) underway at sea on 12 May 1944. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 8T. The photo was taken by a blimp of squadron ZP-14