Air Operations, CBI

• 3 490th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s and 8 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack the bridge spanning the Mu River at Monywa.

Air Operations, Europe

• 348 Lancasters and 10 Pathfinder Halifaxes raid Stettin.
• The Mosquito diversion to Berlin keeps most of the fighters away from the main bomber force. The raid is classified successful.
• 14 Lancasters and 2 Halifaxes are lost.

A crew from No 9 Squadron leave their Lancaster after successfully completing a mssion to Stettin. This aircraft, W4964 WS-J, was delivered to the RAF in April 1943 and went on to complete 106 operational sorties before being retired to ground instructional duties in December 1944.

After the Mission to Stettin

• 13 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin, 25 to 4 other targets, there is 1 Mosquito RCM sortie, 1 Beaufighter Serrate patrol and 6 Lancasters lay mines off Swinemünde.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-24s, B-25s, and B-26s attack the Alexishafen, Bogadjim, and Madang areas, and barges at Finschhafen and near Saidor. V Fighter Command P-39s attack barges and artillery batteries between Sio and Bogadjim.

Air Operations, Solomons

An effort to move 150 AirSols SBDs and TBFs through the newly completed Piva Uncle airfield on Bougainville is thwarted by bad weater over Rabaul, and all the light bombers return to the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia. However, on the return flight, 21 TBFs and 26 SBDs attack known Japanese Army troop concentrations on Bougainville. Also, XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack Fauro Island, Poporang, and Tonolei, and supply dumps at Kahili. 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Japanese Army ground troops in Choiseul Bay and southern Buka.

Atlantic

The last German blockade-runner, the Burgenland, is scuttled en route from the Far East.

Burma

The Chinese 38th Div tries without success to capture the last Japanese strongpoint keeping them from the Tarung River.

Eastern Front

Before dawn Ivan S. Konev's 2nd Ukraine Front begins a new series of attacks toward Kirovgrad. Nikolai F. Vatutin's 1st Ukraine Front captures Berdichev, a rail and road junction south of Zhitomir, and Tarascha, south of Kiev.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The Soviet 3rd Guards Tank and 18th Armies capture Berdichev. The 2nd Ukrainian Front opens its offensive against the German 8th Army. The 4th Guards, 52nd and 53rd Armies attack in the Kirovograd sector, with the 5th and 7th Guards assaulting farther south. The understrength 8th army is made up of LII, XLVII Panzer and XI Corps.[MORE]

Italy

The attacks by the British X Corps beyond the Peccia River against Monte Cedro and Monte Porchia are held by the German forces of von Vietinghoff's 10th Army. Lt-Gen Oliver Leese is appointed GOC 8th Army. 5th Army attacks the 'Winter Line', east of Cassino.

Japan, Home Front

The Japanese Government imposes major increases in taxation to meet to costs of the war.

New Guinea

The American forces at Saidor meet their Japanese opponents in patrols to the west. The Australians advancing west along the north coast of the Huon Peninsula capture Kelanoa bringing them to within 62 miles of the Americans on Saidor.

Occupied Denmark

Pastor Kaj Munk, Danish cleric and author, is murdered by the Germans. He was 45.

Poland, Politics

The Polish government-in-exile has authorized the Polish underground movement to cooperate with the Red Army only in the event of a resumption of Polish-Soviet relations. The Soviet Union has not yet recognized the London-based Polish government-in-exile.

United States, Command

The headquarters of the American strategic air force is moved to Britain. Gen Carl Spaatz is appointed Commander-in-Chief, to co-ordinate the operations of the US 8th and 15th Air Forces.

Images from January 5, 1944

US Soldier Tests Telephone in Demanio, Italy,5 January 1944

Personnel of the Saskatoon Light Infantry Firing Mortar in the Vicinity of Ortona, Italy, 5 January 1944

British Soldiers with Machine Guns in Italy,15 January 1944

The bomb bay of an Avro Lancaster of No. 9 Squadron RAF at Bardney, Lincolnshire, loaded with 1,000lb bombs before a night raid on Stettin, 5 January 1944.

Bomb Bay of an Avro Lancaster

General Sir Alan Brooke, Chief of the Imperial General Staff with General Montgomery, inspecting German prisoners captured by New Zealand troops near Cassino in January 1944.

Inspecting German Prisoners

On 5 January 1944, this aircraft was hit while parked on the ground by P-47 Thunderbolt VF-R, Serial No. 41-6354, after its rudder did not respond on take off.

Damaged Parked Aircraft

Red Cross worker serves coffee and doughnuts to members of the 379th Bomb Group at an improvised refreshment stand in England. 5 January 1944.

Coffee and Doughnuts

A depth charge explodes after being dropped from the British light cruiser HMS Ceylon (30). January 5, 1944

Depth Charge Explosion

US Tank in Pozzilli, Italy,5 January 1944

German Blockade Runner Burgenland in Flames,5 January 1944