Admiralty Islands

The first units of the US landing force sail for Los Negros. Bombing of targets in the Admiralty Islands and New Guinea continues.

Air Operations, CBI

• 13 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Mingaladon airfield at Rangoon and a number of targets of opportunity. 6 490th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s attack bridges at Kinu and Pintha. 10 Air Force P-51s, A-36s, and P-40s attack numerous targets over a wide area of Burma. 6 14th Air Force P-40s strafe the airfield at Myitkyina.

Air Operations, Europe

• 8 OTU Wellingtons make leaflet flights over France.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• In the morning, covered by 1 V Bomber Command B-24 and 2 V Fighter Command P-38s that bomb and strafe nearby airfields, a US Army reconnaissance team is safely withdrawn from Los Negros Island in the Admiralty group by a US Navy PBY.
• Allied aircraft continue to mount pre-invasion attacks against targets in the Admiralty Islands and neighboring areas of New Guinea. Beginning during the noon hour, and despite poor weather, 27 V Bomber Command B-25s attack Salmi Plantation, Momote, and Lorengau. 6 B-24s attack Momote. B-24s and A-20s attack airfields around Hansa Bay.
• During the night, 7 V Bomber Command B-24s attack Hollandia.

Italy

The Germans begin a second offensive at Anzio. The main weight of the attack falls on the 3rd US Div on either side of the Cisterna-Anzio road. The 4 attacking divs fail to break through.

Images from February 28, 1944

On 28 February 1944, This Aircraft Flipped Over from Torque while Landing, Killing its Pilot, Lt Robert B. Frazer

Allied Naval Forces SWPA, commander Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid (centre left) with MacArthur (centre) on 28 February 1944 on USS Phoenix during the bombardment of Los Negros Island, at the commencement of the Admiralty Islands campaign.

Adm Kinkaid and Gen MacArthur on the Phoenix

Aboard the Cruiser Phoenix, 28 February 1944. Gunfire Directed at Japanese Heavy Guns

28 February 1944, Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied invasion chief, fires a Browning light machine gun using his hip as a mount, during an inspection of an infantry unit in England.

Eisenhower Firing a Light Machine Gun