70 Years Ago Today: Saturday, March 25, 1944 Washington, D.C. The Joint Chiefs of Staff approve the liquidation of South Pacific (SOPAC) forces and the transfer of units to the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) and the Pacific Ocean Area (POA). The XIV Corps headquarters and corps troops, along with the 25th, 37th, 40th, 43rd, 93rd, and Americal Divisions are transferred to SWPA. The I Marine Amphibious Corps (IMAC), along with corps troops and the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions are moved to POA. SWPA receives the 13th Air Force as well as Navy and Marine air units and reinforcements for its Seventh Fleet. It will take several months before all of the movement is complete. Atlantic Theater (Caribbean) The 6th Air Force moves the 29th Fighter Squadron from Panama, and the 31st Fighter Squadron, from the Canal Zone, to the US. European Theater, Strategic (POINTBLANK) During the night 192 RAF aircraft attack railway yards at Aulnoye, in France. Meanwhile, 22 Lancasters hit an aircraft engine factory at Lyons, 10 Mosquitos attack Berlin, with two more hitting Hamm. In other action, seven Mosquitos fly Serrate patrols, and 14 Stirlings lay mines in Brittany to the Frisians. Five other RAF aircraft fly nighttime training missions. European Theater, Tactical (OVERLORD) The 9th Air Force sends over 140 B-26s to attack the marshalling yard at Hirson, France. Russian Front Proskurov falls to troops of First Ukrainian Front. Mediterranean Theater, Tactical Weather severely curtails operations, however, in Italy, B-26s bomb the Leghorn dockyard and the town of Rignano sullAmo, while P-40 fighter-bombers attack gun positions in the Anzio beachhead battle area, and fighters fly cover over the Anzio and Cassino areas. The 12th Air Force moves the 28th Troop Carrier Squadron, with C-47s, from Sicily to Brindisi, Italy. China – Burma – India Theater (China) In China, six 14th Air Force B-24s bomb a motor pool and fuel dump at Mangshih, demolishing a sizable portion of the target area. China – Burma – India Theater (Burma) The 10th Air Force dispatches eight B-24s to attack the Mogaung supply dumps, in Burma, causing fires and much smoke. Meanwhile, 12 P-40s bomb the Kamaing area. A Japanese aircraft force, of five medium bombers and 30 fighters, attack Allied airstrips at Chittagong and Coxs Bazaar, in India, and Anisakan, in Burma. 10th Air Force and RAF interceptors shoot down seven aircraft. Southwest Pacific Area The 5th Air Force sends a force of over 100 B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s to continue pounding the Wewak area, in New Guinea. They destroy supply dumps along the coast from Wewak Point to the airfield, a fuel dump west of Boram, and targets along the Sauri road and in the Cape Wom area. In other action, other A-20s attack the coastal area around Bunabun Harbor, and B-24s bomb the Babo-Urarom area. On New Britain Island, P-40s attack a Japanese headquarters at Cape Hoskins. On Manus Island, the last major battle takes place, as isolated enemy positions remain to be eliminated. The 5th Air Force moves the 80th Fighter Squadron, with P-38s, from New Britain Island, to Nadzab, New Guinea. On Manus Island, organized fighting ends as the 2nd Cavalry Brigade completes clearing No. 2 Road to Rossum. Air strikes, artillery, bazookas, flame throwers, and tanks are employed during the battle. Small enemy groups remain to be located and eliminated. In New Guinea, the Japanese withdraw their air headquarters from Wewak, and relocate it in Hollandia. South Pacific Area Air Command Solomons sends 23 B-25s to attack the Ratawul supply area, on New Britain Island, while 34 fighter-bombers hit the Keravia Bay fuel stores. On Bougainville Island, over 20 fighter-bombers hit a Miwo River bridge and nearby bivouac area and bomb a truck park west of the Omoi River. Central Pacific Area 7th Air Force B-25s, from Eniwetok Atoll, pound Ponape Island, and shoot down four fighters, while more B-25s, from Abemama Island, bomb Maloelap Atoll. The Advanced Headquarters 7th Air Force, located in the Tarawa Atoll, is disbanded and the 7th Air Force’s operations in the Central Pacific forward area are placed under the VII Bomber Command, at Kwajalein Atoll. The headquarters of the VII Bomber Command moves from Tarawa Atoll, to Kwajalein Atoll. North Pacific Area The 11th Air Force dispatches two B-24s, from Shemya Island, to bomb Kurabu Cape and the north coast of Onnekotan Island.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 12:14:38 +0000
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