Air Operations, Europe

The principal efforts of the Allied air forces based in Britain is directed to preparations for the Normandy landings. RAF Bomber Command only drops 8,500 tons on targets in Germany with the major raids being on Duisburg and Aachen. Another 28,500 sorties are devoted to a range of small targets in France including stores dumps and rail and training centers. Mailly, Bourg Leopold and Boulogne are all hit with many others. The American heavy bombers drop 63,000 tons on 3 types of objective: rail centers, oil production areas and the more usual manufacturing towns. Among the oil targets are Bohlen and Poolitz; the aircraft manufacturing towns are Strasbourg and Poser; and the rail centers hit include Metz, Belfort, Mulhouse and Hamm. To round off the program Berlin and Brunswick are raided.

The medium and fighter-bombers of the US 9th Air Force drop 20,000 tons on targets in France mostly connected with communications. They hit 13 of the Seine bridges as well as road, rail and canal targets. The activities of the British light and medium forces follow the same pattern with redoubled strength this month. Planes of British Bomber and Coastal Commands step up mining operations in the Channel as well as their other tasks in preparation for D-Day. There is increased air activity here and off Norway to prevent U-boats being on station in early June. The Mediterranean Air Forces contribute attacks on oil and communications systems in southeast Europe. Bucharest, Brasov and Ploesti are all struck.

English Channel

During the month there is intense naval activity as both sides prepare for the coming operations. There are numerous small battles as patrols, coastal convoys and minelaying vessels meet.

Air Operations, Carolines

• 5th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Woleai Atoll.
• As the bulk of Task Force 58 retires toward the Majuro Atoll, carrier aircraft from Task Group 58.1 mount light raids against Satawan and Ponape islands, and cover 6 US battleships, which bombard Ponape without response.

Air Operations, CBI

• More than 30 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Maymyo, a marshalling yard at Mandalay, and fuel facilities at Yenangyaung.
• 18 10th Air Force P-38s and A-31s attack Japanese Army positions and dumps.
• 7 10th Air Force P-40s attack Kamaing and Japanese Army positions near Nanyaseik. 14th Air Force P-40 fighter-bombers attack a motor pool at Wa Pa-Hsa and a bridge at Wan Lai-Kam.

• 7 341st Medium Bomb Group B-24s and 8 14th Air Force P-40s attack the airfield at Tangyang and a Japanese Army cavalry camp.
• 2 B-25s attack a freighter off Amoy.
• P-40 fighter-bombers attack the airfield at Yuncheng.
• 15 Japanese aircraft attack the airfields at Ankang and Hengyang.

• 14th Air Force P-40 fighter-bombers attack rail yards at Na Cham, bridges and rail cars at three locations, and carbide mines at three locations.

Air Operations, Europe

• 131 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group attack the aircraft assembly factory and explosives factory at Toulouse. Both targets are hit with no aircraft being lost.
• 89 Halifaxes, 40 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos of Nos. 6 and 8 Groups are sent to hit the railway yards at St Ghislain. An accurate attack takes place.
• 1 Halifax and 1 Lancaster are lost.

• 110 Halifaxes, 14 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos attack railway targets at Malines. The bombing is scattered, but the locomotive sheds are hit.
• 1 Halifax is lost.
• 120 aircraft of Nos. 3 and 8 Groups are sent to Chambly. In this total are 96 Lancasters, 16 Stirlings and 8 Mosquitos.
• Chambly, to the north of Paris, is the main railway stores and repair depot for the northern French system which the Allied bombers are trying to put out of action. Reports from the ground say the raid is extremely successful. Around 500 high-explosive bombs fall inside the railway depot area and serious damage is caused to all departments. The depot is put out of action for 10 days.
• 3 Lancasters and 2 Stirlings are lost.
• 75 Lancasters of No. 1 Group attack the Berliet motor works at Lyon. The factory is badly damaged and nearby railways and factories are also hit.
• There are no losses.
• 46 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos carry out an accurate attack on the aircraft repair workshops at Tours. The main buildings are completely destroyed.
• There are no losses.

• 28 Mosquitos are sent to Ludwigshafen, 2 to Achéres, 32 Halifaxes and 3 Stirlings lay mines off the French coast and in the Frisians, 40 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 9 RCM sorties and 16 Serrate and 18 Intruder patrols.
• 1 Serrate Mosquito is lost.

• During the afternoon, 13 3rd Bomb Division B-17s and 59 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Brussels.
• 40 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Liege.
• IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s attack a variety of industrial targets and marshallin yards.

• Of 531 8th Air Force heavy bombers dispatched in the morning against 23 V-weapons sites in France, more than 400 abort due to bad weather. Only 22 3rd Bomb Division B-17s and 57 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack assigned targets in the Pas-de-Calais area.
• A total of 51 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack the Montdidier, Poix, and Roye/Amy Airdromes as targets of opportunity.
• In the afternoon 57 and 52 1st Bomb Division B-17s, respectively attack the marshalling yards at Reims and Troyes.
• 42 and 64 3rd Bomb Division B-17s, respectively, attack the marshalling yards at Metz and Saarguemines.

• 4th Fighter Group P-51 pilots down 5 Bf-109s, and a 355th Fighter Group P-51 pilot downs 1 Bf-109 over northwestern Germany between 1810 and 1830 hours.

• IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s attack a variety of industrial targets and marshalling yards.

• 12th Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack several bridges in central and northern Italy and several marshalling yards in and around Florence.
• XII TAC A-20s attack an ammo dump.
• XII TAC fighter-bombers attack dumps, rail targets, a factory, several Axis ships at sea, and several tunnels.

• 15th Air Force B-24s attack Castel Maggiore and a rail bridge.
• 15th Air Force B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Bolzano.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighters and fighter-bombers mount more than 180 sorties throughout the day against the Hansa Bay and Wewak areas, but scheduled attacks against the Wakde-Sarmi area are cancelled due to bad weather.

Air Operations, Carolines

During the night, VII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Truk Atoll.

Air Operations, CBI

• 24 10th Air Force A-31s attack Japanese Army positions and occupied villages in the Buthidaung area.

• 3 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack 2 freighters in the Formosa Strait.

Air Operations, Europe

• 29 Mosquitos are sent to Leverkusen, 7 to Achéres, 9 Stirlings lay mines in the Frisians and there are 2 RCM sorties.

• 50 2nd Bomb Division B-24s, escorted by 108 VIII Fighter Command fighers, attack V-weapons sites in the Pas-de-Calais area using GH blind-bombing equipment.

• More than 250 IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s attack marshalling yards at three locations.
• More than 400 9th Air Force P-47s and P-51s attack airdromes and marshalling yards throughout France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

• 12th Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack bridges and marshalling yards.
• XII TAC A-20s attack an ammo dump near Rome.
• XII TAC fighter-bombers attack rail and road targets, bridges, landing grounds, and dumps in central and northern Italy.

• Nearly 250 15th Air Force B-24s attack marshalling yards at Castel Maggiore and Parma, port facilities at La Spezia, and rail bridges at Faenza and Orbetello.

Eastern Front

The 2nd Tank Army and 27th Army launch a spoiling attack at Targul-Frumos, north of Jassy. The LVII Panzer and IV Corps counterattack, inflicting heavy casualties upon the attackers.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• 2 V Bomber Command B-24s attack an airfield on Biak Island in the Schouten group.
• A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers mount more than 120 sorties through the day against numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.
• 8 B-25s attack oil stores and other targets in the Wakde Islands.
• 2 B-25s attack airfields at Boram and Wewak.

Arctic

• U-674 is sunk by Swordfish 'B' of 842 NAS from the British escort carrier HMS Fencer during the passage of Convoy RA-58. Three depth charges straddle abaft the conning tower and when the explosions subside the U-boat could be seen sinking by the stern.

U-674 Class Type VIIC CO Oberleutnant zur See Harald Muhs Location Arctic, NE of Jan Mayen Island Cause Air attack Casualties 49 Survivors None

U-959 Class Type VIIC CO Oberleutnant zur See Friedrich Weitz Location Arctic, NE of Iceland Cause Air attack Casualties 53 Survivors None

• U-959 is sunk by Swordfish 'K' of 842 NAS from the carrier HMS Fencer also during the passage of Convoy RA-58.

Air Operations, CBI

• 12 10th Air Force B-25s and more than 30 A-31s attack Kalewa and Kohima (India).
• 18 A-31s attack Japanese Army positions near Buthidaung.
• 9 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack airfields in the Meiktila area.
• 7 P-40s support Allied ground forces near Lakatawng and attack the town area.
• 28 10th Air Force fighter-bombers attack ammunition and supply dumps at Mohnyin and near Nanyaseik.
• 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s down 3 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over the Kangaung airfield at Meiktila at 1455 hours.

• 7 B-25s of 1st CACW Medium Bomb Group attack the town area of Mihsien and Japanese Army ground troops in the Mihsien area.
• 10 CACW P-40s attack rail and highway bridges spanning the Yellow River near Chengshan.
• 4 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 8 P-40s attack the airfield at Tangyang.

• 10 14th Air Force P-40s attack small craft at Cat Ba Island, rail yards at Na Cham, and bridges Bac Le and Kep.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• 72 V Bomber Command B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s attack the airfields at Boram and Wewak.
• B-25s attack airfields at Maffin Bay.
• 5th Air Force B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers mount 120 sorties throughouth the day against the Hansa Bay and Wewak areas.
• During the night, several Japanese bombers mount an ineffective raid against ground targets in the Hollandia area.

Air Operations, Europe

• 346 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 5 Groups and 2 Pathfinder Mosquitos are sent to bomb a German military camp near the French village of Mailly, near Rheims.
• The control of this raid in the target area fails to operate according to plan. The initial low-level markers are accurate and are well backed up by Lancaster marker aircraft. The 'Marker Leader', Wing Commander Cheshire, orders the Main Force to come in and bomb but the 'Main Force Controller', Wing Commander L. C. Deane, can not transmit the order to do so to the waiting Lancasters because his VHF radio set is being drowned by an American forces broadcast and his wireless transmitter is wrongly tuned. German fighters arrive during the delay and bomber casualties are heavy. The main attack eventually starts when the Deputy Controller, Squadron Leader E. N. M. Sparks, takes over.

• About 1,500 tons of bombs are dropped with great accuracy. 114 barrack buildings, 47 transport sheds and some ammunition buildings in the camp are hit. 102 vehicles, including 37 tanks, are destroyed. The night-fighter attacks continue over the target and on the return route. Among the aircraft shot down is that of Squadron Leader Sparks, who had stayed over the target to the end. Sparks evades capture and soon returns to England. The squadrons of No. 1 Group, which make up the second wave of the attack, suffer the most casualties - 28 aircraft out of their 173 dispatched. No. 460 (Australian) Squadron, from Binbrook, loses 5 out of its 17 Lancasters on the raid.
• 42 Lancasters are lost.
• 84 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos attack a Luftwaffe airfield at Montdidier and cause a lot of damage among buildings and installations on the northern part of the airfield.
• 4 Lancasters are lost.

• In other ops, 27 Mosquitos are sent to Ludwigshafen, 14 to an ammo dump at Châteaudun, 32 Halifaxes lay mines off the French coast and in the Frisians, 23 aircraft are involved in Resistance operations, and there are 7 Intruder and 6 Serrate patrols, 3 RCM and 34 OTU sorties.
• 1 RCM Halifax, 1 Serrate Mosquito, 1 Lysander on a Resistance op and 1 OTU Wellington are lost.

• 47 2nd Bomb Division B-24s, escorted by 101 VIII Fighter Command fighters, attack V-weapons sites around Wizernes using GH blind-bombing equipment.

• 12th Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack a marshalling yard and several bridges and bridge approaches.
• XII TAC A-20s attack several ammo dumps.
• XII TAC fighter-bombers attack gun emplacements, bridges, rail lines, and buildings in the US 5th Army battle areas plus rail lines, road bridges, dumps, and port facilities at Civitavecchia and Montalto di Castro, Axis vessels at sea, and numerous other targets of opportunity throughout northern and central Italy.

Burma

In the northern sector the Chinese 22nd Division advances along the Kamaing road toward Inkangahtawng. The 64th Regiment of the same division cuts the Kamaing road a short way from the Hwelon stream. In the Arakan the 14th Army captures the heights above the Maungdaw-Buthidaung road.

Air Operations, Carolines

• In the heaviest strike to date against the target, 39 VII Bomber Command B-24s attack Ponape Island.
• During the night, VII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Truk Atoll.

Air Operations, CBI

• 24 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Maymyo and marshalling yards and barracks at Mandalay.
• 12 A-31s attack Kaladan.
• 12 490th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s attack Tiddim and a bridge at Kalemyo.
• 2 P-51s attack a bypass bridge at Shweli.

• 2 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s strafe 12 troop-filled sampans near Hong Kong.
• 8 14th Air Force P-40s attack artillery batteries at Pailochi.

• 24 10th Air Force A-31s attack Kohima.

Air Operations, Europe

There is an RAF night raid on Budapest rail installations.

• 28 Mosquitos are sent to Ludwigshafen, 4 to Leverkusen, and 20 Halifaxes lay mines off Channel and Biscay ports.
• There are no losses.

• 360 1st Bomb Division B-17s and 231 2nd Bomb Division B-24s are thwarted by heavy clouds from reaching assigned targets at Berlin and central Germany, but 40 of the B-17s are able to attack the Bergen/Alkmaar Airdrome (Netherlands) through holes in the clouds during their return flight to England.
• 516 USAAF fighter escort the 8th Air Force heavy bombers to Germany and back. 11 Luftwaffe are downed in aerial engagements along the bomber routes.
• 3 USAAF fighters are lost in action and 5 are written off following various accidents

• Approximately 170 IX Bomber Command B-26s and 36 A-20s attack German Army gun emplacements and troop concentrations at six locations.

• 12th Air Force B-25s and B-26s attack rail kines, marshalling yards, and rail bridges.
• XII TAC fighter-bombers attack gun emplacements and a radar station near Anzio, marshalling yards at two locations, shipping at Leghorn, dumps, rail lines, a bridge, troop concentrations, and numerous other targets.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• 26 5th Heavy Bomb Group (XIII Bomber Command) B-24s attack the Mokmer airfield on Biak in the Schouten Islands.
• More that 60 5th Air Force B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and P-47s attack roads, bridges, airfields, barges, and shipping throughout the Wewak area.
• A-20s attack bridges spanning the Awar River and targets of opportunity around Hansa Bay.

• V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in the Ramu Valley and coastal targets around Hansa Bay.
• During the night, several Japanese bombers mount an ineffective raid against ground targets in the Hollandia area.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-846 is sunk by Wellington 'M' of No 407 Squadron RCAF. Radar contact finds a U-boat fully surfaced and the aircraft drops six depth charges. Upon returning for a second attack, the aircraft only sees an oil slick forming on the water.

U-846

Eastern Front

The Soviet attack at Targul Frumos has been defeated.

India

The British 4th Brigade retakes GPT Ridge to the south of Kohima. Over the next few days, Allied troops of the 6th and 33rd Brigades attacking Japanese positions between Jail Hill and the Tennis Court experience less success, and are beaten back with heavy casualties.

Air Operations, CBI

• 3 10th Air Force B-25s attack the airfield at Thayaung. More than 80 B-25s and 10th Air Force fighter-bombers attack numerous targets in the Mogaung Valley. 3 B-25s and 6 fighter-bombers attack an ammunition dump near Mohnyin.
• More than 40 A-31s attack dumps, bivouacs, artillery batteries, and occupied villages at Kalewa and near Bishenpur (India).
• 18 A-31s attack Japanese Army troop concentrations near Buthidaung.
• 11 A-31s attack Naba.
• 15 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack targets along the Tiddim road.
• 12 P-38 fighter-bombers attack a warehouse near Monywa.
• 14 14th Air Force P-40 fighter-bombers attack bridges at Hsenwi and Wan Pa-Hsa, and a barracks at Kentung.

• 8 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 23 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack warehouses at Chiuchiang. 25 CACW B-25 and P-40s attack a marshalling yard and storage facilities at Sinyang.
• 10 P-40s attack Japanese Army troops and motor vehicles on the road between Loyang and Juchou.
• 3d CACW Fighter Group P-40s down 1 D3A 'Val' dive bomber and a twin-engine transport in the Luchow area at 0710 hours.

• 11 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the port and shipping at Haiphong.

• 6 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s sow mines in the harbor near Koh Si Chang Island.

Admiralty Islands

The US 8th Cavalry Regt begins the last phase of the mopping up of Manus Island.

Air Operations, Europe

The Torre Dam in Italy is dive-bombed and smashed by RAF Mustangs and Australian and South African Warhawks.

• 16 Halifaxes and 12 Stirlings lay mines off Channel and Biscay ports, 30 aircraft are on Resistance ops, and there are 6 OTU sorties.
• There are no losses.

• 33 2nd Bomb Division B-24s let by a GH-equipped pathfinder attack the V-weapons site at Sottevast, but they are force to bomb visually when the GH equipment malfunctions.
• 4 crewmen are killed when a battle-damaged B-24 crash-lands

• 355 Fighter Group's 354th Fighter Squadron P-51s down 1 Do-217, 1 Bf-109, and 1 FW-44 biplane trainer near Landsberg Airdrome between 1510 and 1530 hours.

• XII TAC A-20s attack a supply dump.
• XII TAC fighter-bombers attack rail lines north and east of Rome, gun emplacements around Anzio, dumps, barges, the Canino landing ground, and numerous rail lines.

• 485 15th Air Force heavy bombers attack marshalling yards and a pumping statin at Ploesti.
• 39 B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Turnu Severin.
• 19 bombers are lost over Ploesti to Axis fighters
• 31st Fighter Group P-51 pilots down 9 Axis fighters around Ploesti between 1355 and 1440 hours.

• 116 15th Air Force B-24s attack Axis troops around Podgorica.

Air Operations, New Guinea

5th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in the Admiralty Islands attack Biak Island. 1 B-24 is downed by a Japanese fighter and another is wiped out when it crash-lands. Scheduled attacks against the Wakde-Sarmi area are cancelled due to bad weather.

Burma-India

While the Kohima-Imphal front is stabilized, in upper Burma the Chinese and Americans are fighting in the jungle against the Japanese in the area of Myitkyina. Slim's 14th Army counterattacks near Imphal. Throughout April and into early May, IV Corps has been defending the long perimeter around Imphal, with fighting particularly heavy around the Shenan Saddle, Torbung and Mapao Ridge. Both sides are increasingly exhausted and are running out of basic foodstuffs.

Air Operations, Carolines

• 307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at the Mamote airfield on Los Negros attack the Woleai Atoll.
• During the night, VII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Truk Atoll.

Air Operations, CBI

• 14 10th Air Force B-25s attack Indainggyi, the road at Hpaungzeik, and a bridge at Sibong (India).
• 6 B-25s and 18 10th Air Force fighter-bombers attack Japanese Army ground forces at Mawlu.
• 3 B-25s and 4 P-51s attack Japanese Army positions at Nalong.
• More than 40 A-31s attack the Thaungdut area and Japanese Army troop concentrations near Palel.
• 24 A-31s attack Japanese Army positions near Buthidaung.
• More than 90 B-25s, A-31s, P-51s, and P-40s attack numerous targets in the Mogaung Valley.

• 14 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 28 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack the airfield at Hankow.
• 5 B-25s and 61 P-40s attack numerous targets throughout southern China and northern French Indochina.
• 449th Fighter Squadron P-38s down 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters in an engagement over Hankow at 1210 hours.

Air Operations, East Indies

380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in Australia attack Penfoei, Timor.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack Biak Island.
• V Bomber Command B-25s, A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers mount more than 150 sorties throughout the day against numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.

Air Operations, Europe

• 149 aircraft including 77 Halifaxes, 64 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos of Nos. 4 and 8 Groups, attack railway installations at Gassicourt suburb of Mantes La Jolie, to the west of Paris. The Bomber Command report states that stores depots and locomotive sheds are severely damaged, but reports from the ground say that some of the bombing falls outide of the railway target area. The western part of the town including old 'Mantes', the Gassicourt suburb and the hamlet of Dennemont, are all bombed.
• 2 Lancasters and 1 Halifax are lost.
• 54 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group attack an ammo dump at Sable Sur Sarthe which is destroyed by tremendous explosions.
• There are no losses.
• 52 Lancasters of No. 1 Group hit an ammo dump at Aubigne accurately and the entire target is destroyed. The only Lancaster lost on this raid, from No 576 Squadron, contains a senior officer who is flying as second pilot. This is Air Commodore R. Ivelaw-Chapman, who is commanding a 'base' (usually 3 airfields) in No. 1 Group. Ivelaw-Chapman has only just taken up this position after a staff job in which he has had access to details of the coming invasion. There is great anxiety in England that, if he becomes a prisoner of war, the Germans might hand him over to the Gestapo for questioning. He is taken prisoner but the Germans never realize his importance and he is treated in the normal manner.

• 28 Mosquitos are sent to Ludwigshafen, 5 to Leverkusen and 2 to Châteaudun, 8 Halifaxes and 6 Stirlings lay mines off Biscay ports, 33 aircraft are involved in Resistance operations, there are 9 Serrate and 5 Intruder patrols, 9 RCM and 6 OTU sorties.
• 1 Mosquito is lost on the Leverkusen raid.

• 70 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack the V-weapons sites at Siracourt, but 90 1st Bomb Division B-17s dispatched against V-weapons sites in the Pas-de-Calais area abort in the face of heavy cloud cover over the target.
• Escort for the heavy bombers is provided by 185 USAAF fighters.

• The 9th Air Force's 10th Photographic Recon Group, in F-5s, begins an intense two-week effort to fully photo-map the OVERLOAD invasion beaches and adjacent areas using the low-level oblique technique.
• 1 F-5 and its pilot is lost in the course of 11 single-plane sorties

• XII TAC A-20s attack storage dumps.
• XII TAC fighter-bombers attack numerous rail and road targets, and several gun emplacements.

• 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack aircraft-industry targets around Brasov
• B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Turnu Severin.
• 15th Air Force B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Campina, near the Ploesti oil complex.
• The 1st, 14th, and 82nd Fighter Group P-38 pilots are credited with downing 7 Luftwaffe fighters while escorting the heavy bombers on these various missions.

Allied Preparations

Operation FABIUS, the dress rehearsal for D-Day, takes place on 4 beaches from Sussex to Devon.

Arctic

From now until June 1 there is a series of 6 operations by the British Home Fleet off the Norwegian coast. Various air attacks on the Tirpitz are planned but are prevented by bad weather. As well as the inherent value of these raids they are designed to support one of the deception plans for D-Day, FORTITUDE NORTH. This scheme principally involves false radio activity designed to suggest a coming landing in Norway.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-473 is spotted on May 5 and endured depth charge attack for fifteen hours. The attacking British ships are the sloops HMS Wren and HMS Wild Goose and the destroyer HMS Starling expending 345 depth charges. Having been shot to pieces, the U-boat surface early on May 6 and is abandoned by her crew after setting scuttling charges.

U-473 Class Type VIIC CO Kapitänleutnant Heinz Sternberg Location Atlantic, W of Cape Clear Cause Depth charge Casualties 23 Survivors 30

U-66 Class Type IXC CO Oberleutnant zur See Gerhard Seehausen Location Atlantic, W of Cape Verde Islands Cause Ramming/gunfire Casualties 24 Survivors 36

• The German submarine U-66 is sunk by aircraft (VC-55) from the US escort carrier Block Island (CVE-21) and the destroyer escort Buckley (DE-51) in the mid-Atlantic area.

Air Operations, CBI

• 15 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack targets in the Kangaung area.
• 4 P-40s attack targets of opportunity between Kamaing and Nanyaseik.
• 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s down 3 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over the airfield at Kangaung at 1600 hours.

• 4 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Chahsien and, with 4 14th Air Force P-40s, attack motor vehicle concentrations near Hsiangcheng.
• 8 P-40s attack tanks and motor vehicles between Loyang and Yenshih, and from Yehnsien to Paofeng.
• 8 P-40s attack Japanese Army troops near Luchou.

• 4 14th Air Force P-40s attack targets of opportunity at Lang Son.

• 35 10th Air Force A-31s attack the Bishenpur area.

• 4 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s sow mines in the Gulf of Siam near Sattahib.

Air Operations, Marianas

6 US Navy PB4Ys photograph Guam, after which 10 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24 escorts bomb 2 airfields and a town. The aircraft all fly on to the Momote airfield on Los Negros.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• 5th and 307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s, escorted by 49th Fighter Group P-40s, attack Biak Island.
• V Bomber Command B-24s attack coastal targets between Hollandia and the Wakde Islands, the Maffin Bay area, and Urarom.
• Many B-25s, A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack numerous targets of opportunity between Hansa Bay and Wewak.
• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in Australia attack the airfield at Urarom and reconnoiter Geelvink Bay.
• 49th Fighter Group P-40s down a D4Y 'Judy' dive bomber and 7 Japanese fighters over Biak Island between 1150 and 1210 hours.

Air Operations, Europe

The 8th Air Force dispatches 1,500 planes to Berlin. 9th Air Force Marauders and P-38s attack the Mézières-Charleville railway yards. 15th Air Force and RAF bombers attack the Bucharest railway yards by day and night leaving the target area in flames.

• 93 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitos of Nos. 3 and 8 Groups are sent to bomb the airfield at Nantes. Accurate bombing hits the runways and hangars.
• 1 Lancaster is lost.

• 56 Halifaxes of No. 6 Group and 8 Pathfinder Mosquitos attempt to bomb a coastal gun position at St Valery near Dieppe. They just miss the target, but no planes are lost.
• 58 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group attack an ammo dump at Salbris. The bombing is accurate and causes a lot of damage, but 7 Lancasters are lost.
• 53 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group bomb the airfield at Tours and cause much damage.
• 1 Lancaster and 1 Mosquito are lost.
• 55 Lancasters of No. 1 Group bomb the airfield and ammo dump at Rennes. The force is not able to locate and mark the target accurately. Most of the bombs fall on a nearby village.
• There are no losses.
• 28 Mosquitos are sent to Leverkusen, 4 to Châteaudon, 42 aircraft lay mines in the Frisians and the Gironde River, 39 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 5 RCM sorties and 12 Intruder patrols.
• 2 Halifaxes are lost dropping supplies on Resistance operations.

• 39 of 67 3rd Bomb Division B-17s dispatched locate the target, the marshalling yards at Liege, through heavy cloud cover. Unfortunately, all bombs miss the target.

• 283 1st Bomb Division B-17s and 231 3rd Bomb Division attack the city of Berlin with more thant 1,250 tons of bombs.
• 39 B-17s attack varous targets of opportunity.
• 147 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack Munster.
• 165 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack Osnabruck.
• 8 B-17s, 265 are damaged, 1 B-24 ditches and all but 2 crewmen are lost
• 754 USAAF fighters escort and support the heavy bomber missions to Germany.
• 4 fighters and 3 pliots are lost

• The 9th Air Force opens a bombing campaign by bombers and fighter-bombers against rail bridges serving the OVERLORD invasion area, especially those spanning the Meuse and Seine Rivers. Throughout the day, 9th Air Force fighter-bombers attack airfields and bridges within 130 miles of the invasion beaches in Normandy.
• Among other damag, 8 P-47s armed with two 1,000-pound bombs apiece completely destroy a bridge at Vernon following a low-level bombing run.

• XII TAC A-20s attack a dump.
• XII TAC fighter-bombers attack targets on Elba Island, and road and rail targets, several harbors, and other targets throughout central Italy.

Air Operations, Carolines

• VII Bomber Command B-24s and US Navy PB4Ys attack Ponape Island during their return from Momote Airfield on Los Negros to the Marshall Islands.
• During the night, VII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Truk Atoll.

Air Operations, Europe

German cities are attacked by Allied bombers. Berlin is hit by 378 Liberators. The Luftwaffe loses 119 aircraft, the Allies 49.

• 62 Halifaxes, 53 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos of Nos. 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Haine St Pierre. Severe damage is caused to half the railway yards and locomotive sheds.
• 6 Halifaxes and 3 Lancasters are lost.
• 58 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group attack the airfield and seaplane base at Lanveoc Poulmic near Brest with great accuracy.
• 1 Lancaster is lost.
• 31 Halifaxes of No. 4 Group and 8 Pathfinder Mosquitos score direct hits on a coastal gun position at Morsalines on the Cherbourg peninsula.
• 1 Halifax is lost.
• 32 Halifaxes of No. 4 Group and 7 Pathfinder Mosquitos attack a gun position at Berneval, but on 1 plane hits the target. Most of the bombing falls between 600 and 700 yards away.
• There are no losses.
• 30 Lancasters of No. 3 Group and 8 Pathfinder Mosquitos attempt to hit a gun position at Cap Griz Nez, but no hits are scored.
• There are no losses.

• 28 Mosquitos are sent to Osnabrück, 2 to Oberhausen, 30 Halifaxes and 8 Stirlings lay mines off the Dutch and French coasts, 41 aircraft are on Resistance operations, there are 10 Serrate patrols and 4 RCM and 26 OTU sorties.
• 1 Stirling is lost on a Resistance supply operation.

• During the afternoon, 57 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Brussels.

• During the afternoon, 92 1st and 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack V-weapons sites at Glacerie and Sottevast.
• 5 B-17s are lost

• Of 500 1st and 3rd Bomb Division B-17s dispatched against Berlin, 386 attack the city, 17 attack the Brandenburg suburb, and 50 attack targets of last resort at Brunswick and Magdepurg.
• 288 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack the city of Brunswick, as planned.
• 25 B-17s and 11 B-24s are lost, 7 B-24s are written off

• Escort for the 8th Air Fokrce heavy bombers is provided by 729 USAAF fighters. The USAAF fighters down 56 Luftwaffe fighters along the bomber routes between 0930 and 1235 hours, and some USAAF fighter groups strafe targets of opportunity during their return legs.
• 13 USAAF fighters are lost with their pilots in fierce air-to-air combat over Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands

• Approximately 450 IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s attack airdromes, V-weapons sites, and coastal-defense positions in northern France and Belgium.
• Throughout the day, approximately 450 IX Bomber Command B-26 and A-20 sorties, and numerous fighter-bomber missions are mounted against airfields and bridges spanning the Meuse River.
• In the first IX Bomber Command missions against specific rail bridges, B-26s attack a bridge spanning the Seine River at Oissel.

• XII TAC fighter-bombers attack a supply dump near Anzio as well as numerous road and rail targets in central Italy.

Air Operations, CBI

• 12 10th Air Force A-31s attack targets around Buthidaung.
• 12 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack the airfield at Kangaung.

• 9 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s and 9 10th Air Force B-25s attack a bridge and other targets around Moirang.

Air Operations, East Indies

380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s reconnoiter Halmahera Island.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• XIII Bomber Command B-24s and V Fighter Command P-40s attack the Mokmer airfield on Biak.
• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in Australia attack Jefman Island.
• Many A-20s and fighter-bombers attack coastal targets of opportunity between Hansa Bay and Wewak.
• 1 B-24 is lost over Jefman Island.

Allied Planning

Originally set for an unspecified day in May, Gen Eisenhower fixes June 5 as D-Day, the date for the invasion of Normandy. Later the date has to be put back one day.

Air Operations, Carolines

• 12 307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Woleai Atoll.
• During the night, VII Bomber Command B-24s attack Wake Island.

Air Operations, CBI

• 8 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s sow mines around Moulmein.
• 5 B-24s sow mines off Mergui.
• 2 B-24s attack Martaban.
• 10th Air Force B-25s, P-51s, and A-31s mount more than 100 sorties against Japanese Army positions at Kanglatongbi (India), Moraing (India), the Palel area, and a bridge spannning the Uyu River.
• B-25s and fighter bombers mount more than 60 sorties in the Mogaung Valley.
• More than 20 A-31s attack dumps and Japanese Army troop concentrations in the Buthidaung area.
• 3 P-51s attack the airfield at Anisakan.

• 3 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Nagorn Sawarn.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• More than 50 V and XIII Bomber command B-24s and V Bomber Command B-25s attack the airfields at Faan and Langgoer and the Mokmer airfield on Biak, and supplies at Bosnik.
• A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers mount more than 200 sorties throughout the day against targets of opportunity between Hansa Bay and Wewak.
• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in Australia reconnoiter the Vogelkop Peninsula and Kai Islands.

Air Operations, Europe

The US 8th Air Force begins a large-scale attack on French airfields, particularly those at Laon, Florennes, Thionville, St Dizier, Juvincourt, Orléans, Bourges and Avord.

• 414 aircraft are sent to hit 7 coastal gun batteries in the Pas de Calais area. Included in this total are 206 Halifaxes, 120 Lancasters and 27 Mosquitos. 4 of the gun positions are claimed to have been hit.
• 1 Lancaster is lost bombing the Mardyck position.
• 56 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group are sent to attack the Gnome and Rhone factory at Grennevilliers and another factory nearby.
• 5 Lancasters are lost.
• 39 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group are sent to a small ball-bearing factory at Annecy on the French-Swiss border. Weather on the way in is very bad and only 2 Mosquito marker aircraft reach the target, but the factory is accurately bombed.
• There are no losses.

• 30 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin, 6 to Châteaudun, 20 Halifaxes and 5 Stirlings lay mines off the Dutch and French coasts, 43 aircraft are involved on Resistance operations, there are 11 Serrate and 24 Intruder patrols and 10 RCM and 12 OTU sorties.
• 2 Stirlings and 1 Halifax on Resistance flights and 1 OTU Wellington are lost.

• 96 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack the Florennes/Juzaine Airdrome.
• 101 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack the St.-Trond Airdrome.
• 63 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Liege.

• The Allied Expeditionary Air Force, 8th Air Force and RAF Bokmber Command open a full-scale bomber and fighte-bomber offensive against Luftwaffe bases in France and Belgium. The aim of the ongoing effort will be to drive the Luftwaffe from the OVERLORD invasion area by D-day.
• Escort for the USAAF heavy-bombers attacking targets in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg is provided by 668 VIII Fighter Command and 202 IX Fighter Command fighters. 5 Luftwaffe are downed over northern Europe in the morning.
• 7 USAAF fighter are lost with their pilots

• 37 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack the Thionville Airdrome.
• 75 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack the St.-Dizier/Robinson Airdrome.
• A total 16 2nd Bomb Division b-24s unable to attack their primary targets attack the Hody and Nivelles Airdromes.
• 71 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack the Juvincourt Airdrome.
• 113 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack the Laon/Athies Airdrome.
• 43 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack the Lille/Vendeville Airdrome.
• A total of 11 3rd Bomb Division B-17s unable to attack their primary targets attack the Chievers (Belgium) and Lille/Vendeville Airdromes.
• 68 3rd Bomb Division B-24s attack the Laon/Couvron Airdrome.

• 53 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Luxembourg City.

• 40 IX Bomber Command B-26s attack bridges, V-weapons sites, and coastal-defense positions in northern France.
• 9th Air Force P-47s attack V-weapons sites.

• 12th Air Force B-26s attack a rail bridge and viaduct.
• XII TAC A-20s attack several fuel dumps.
• XII TAC fighter-bombers attack numerous road and rail targets in the region north of Rome.

Air Operations, CBI

• 10 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s and more than 70 10th Air Force B-25s and fighter-bombers attack numerous targets in the Mogaung Valley.
• 12 A-31s attack the Buthidaung area.
• 16 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack the airfields at Aungban and Kangaung.
• 14th Air Force P-40s attack junks in Fan Tou Bay (China) and motor vehicles at Mong Ho Pung and Wan Pa-Hsa.
• A 459th Fighter Squadron P-38 downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter over the Kangaung airfield at 1125 hours.

• More than 60 10th Air Force A-31s attack Bishenpur and Kohima, and a bridge at Kalewa (Burma).

• More than 30 14th Air Force P-40s attack rail cars at three locations.

Air Operations, Europe

• 506 aircraft are sent to bomb railway yards at Courtrai, Dieppe, Ghent, Lens and Lille. In this total are 291 Lancasters, 187 Halifaxes and 28 Mosquitos. There are no post-raid recon flights over Dieppe, so results there are not known. All other sights are accurately bombed, although some bombs fall on civilian housing.
• 12 Lancasters are lost on the Lille raid and 1 from the Dieppe raid.

• 29 Mosquitos are sent to Ludwigshafen, 2 to Châteaudon, 26 aircraft lay mines off Brest and Heligoland, 28 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 9 Intruder and 3 Serrate patrols and 5 RCM and 10 OTU sorties.
• 1 mine-laying Halifax is lost.

• 9th Air Force B-26s, P-47s, and P-51s attack airdromes, marshalling yards, and V-weapons sites.

• 9th Air Force B-26s, P-47s, and P-51s attack airdromes, marshalling yards, and V-weapons sites.

• 12th Air Force B-25s attack bridges at five locations.
• 12th Air Force B-26s attack bridges near Arezzo.
• XII TAC fighter-bombers attack numerous road and rail targets.

• Despite bad weather along the bomber route that results in many aborts, 126 15th Air Force B-24s and 174 B-24s attack the Wiener-Neustadt Bf-109 plant with 795 tons of bombs.
• 102 B-24s attack the Wiener-Neustadt/Nord Airdrome with 212 tons of bombs.
• More than 200 15th Air Force fighters provide escort for the heavy bombers. P-38 pilots of the 1st, 14th and 82nd Fighter Groups account for 13 Luftwaffe fighters on the way to or over the target.
• 28 heavy bombers and 3 escort fighers are lost

• 19 15th Air Force heavy bomers unable to join the main attack on Wiener-Neustadt drop their bombs on Knin.

Air Operations, Carolines

• 45-five XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Truk Atoll.
• During the night, VII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Truk Atoll.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• 2 V Bomber Command B-24s attack the Mokmer airfield on Biak.
• 5th Air Force B-24s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers mount more than 120 sorties throughout the day against targets of opportunity between Hansa Bay and Wewak.

Burma-India

Chinese forces launch a major offensive aimed at retaking northern Burma. On the Salween River front, Force Y, the Yunnan Force consisting of the Chinese 116th and 190th Divs with American stiffening, begins to cross the river at Mengta Ferry.

On the Indian front the British IV Corps re-groups. The 23rd Indian Div is given the task of manning the Palel-Tamu road, the 20th Indian Div moves toward Ukhrul in 2 columns.

Eastern Front

The German High Command announces: 'The ruins of Sevastopol were evacuated in the course of a disengaging move.'

Soviet forces launch a ferocious attack upon the Khersonnes Peninsula but are repulsed. As fighting rages on the cliff tops, 15,000 soldiers are evacuated by sea.

Air Operations, CBI

• 14 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack rail facilities at Maymyo.
• 12 10th Air Force B-25s attack rail facilities in the Sagaing-Shwebo area.
• 12 B-25s attack bridges spanning the Pyu River.
• 24 A-31s attack Japanese Army positions at Labawa and near Maungdaw.
• More than 70 B-25s and fighter-bombers attack targets in the Mogaung Valley.
• 24 P-51s attack the airfields at Anisakan, Heho, and Meiktila.
• P-51s of the 311th Fighter Group’s 530th Fighter Squadron down 13 Japanese fighters over Meiktila airfield and near Mandalay between 0900 and 0940 hours.

• 24 14th Air Force P-40s attack numerous targets in southern China and northern French Indochina.
• 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 24 14th Air Force P-40s attack rail facilities at Sinyang, a warehouse near Sinyang, and a freighter and smaller vessels between Chienli and Siaokan.
• 2 B-25s and 4 P-40s attack Japanese Army tanks, motor vehicles, and ground troops.
• 6 CACW P-40s attack supply dumps at Mienchih.
• 13 P-40s attack Yangtze River traffic near Hosueh.
• 3rd CACW Fighter Group P-40ss down 6 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Mienchih and the Yellow River between 1220 and 1250 hours.
• A 76th Fighter Squadron P-51 downs an 'Oscar' fighter in an afternoon engagement over Namyung.
• Chinese Army ground forces cross the Salween River in two places and begin advancing through heavily defended terrain with the aid of 14th Air Force combat and resupply aircraft.

• 36 10th Air Force A-31s attack Japanese Army positions at Kohima and Potsangbam.

Air Operations, East Indies

380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in Australia attack the Laha airfield on Ceram and the Namlea airfield on Boeroe.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• More than 130 V and XIII Bomber command B-24s and V Bomber Command B-25s attack supplies and artillery batteries on Biak and at the Mokmer airfield on Biak.
• 5th Air Force B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers mount more than 220 sorties throughout the day against numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.

Air Operations, Europe

Oberst Walter Oesau, a fighter 'ace' with 123 victories, is shot down and killed over the Eifel Mountains. The 9th Air Force begins a series of raids on airfields around Caen. The Lancaster 'S for Sugar', of RAF No 467 Squadron, completes its 100th mission.

• 190 Lancaster and 8 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group and 3 Mosquitos of No. 8 Group are sent to attack a large military camp at Bourg Léopold in Belgium. Haze hampers the marking of the target and the Master Bomber orders the bombing to be abandoned for fear nearby housing will be hit. This is after 94 Lancaster have already dropped their loads.
• 5 Lancasters are lost.
• 135 aircraft of Nos. 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Boulogne. Included in this total are 80 Halifaxes, 47 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos. Some bombs fall in the railway yards, but the majority misses the target and falls on neaby civilian housing. 128 people are killed.
• 2 Halifaxes are lost.
• 126 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 8 Groups are sent to Hasselt in northeastern Belgium. The target is marked and 39 aircraft drop their bombs, but all miss the railway yards because of thick haze and the Master Bomber orders the bombing to stop.
• 5 Lancasters are lost.
• 105 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitos of Nos. 3 and 8 Groups attack the railway yards at Louvain near Rennes. The main bombing hits the workshops and nearby storage buildings.
• 4 Lancasters are lost.
• 53 Halifaxes of No. 4 Group and 6 Pathfinder Mosquitos attack a gun position at Colline Beaumont near Le Touquet. The target proves difficult to mark and no results are established.
• There are no losses.

• 12 aircraft lay mines off French ports, 3 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 8 RCM sorties and 6 Serrate patrols.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, Solomons

A VMF(N)-531 PV crew downs an E13A 'Jake' reconnaissance plane near Matupi Island at 0437 hours.

Eastern Front

Continual air attacks and arty fire inflict heavy losses upon the Germans on the Khersonnes Peninsula.

Air Operations, CBI

• More than 50 10th Air Force B-25s and fighter-bombers attack a rail bridge at Pinbaw, Japanese Army positions in the Kazu area and supply dumps and artillery batteries at Myitkyina.
• 4 B-25s attack a bridge at Myothit.
• 4 B-25s attack a bridge at Daga.
• 2 B-25s attack a bridge at Taungbaw.
• 4 B-25s attack the Tiddim road near Tonzang (India).
• 24 A-31s attack Japanese Army positions at Labawa and near Maungdaw.
• 8 459th Fighter Squadron P-38 fighter-bombers attack Kyaukye.
• 21 P-51s attack the airfields at Heho and Meiktila.
• P-51s of the 311th Fighter Group’s 530th Fighter Squadron down 8 Japanese fighters over over the Meiktila airfield between 1210 and 1220 hours.

• 11 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 16 14th Air Force P-40s attack various targets in southern China and northern French Indochina.
• 76th Fighter Squadron P-51s down 5 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over and near Suichwan during a morning engagement.
• A 76th Fighter Squadron P-51 and a 5th CACW Fighter Group P-40 each down 1 Ki-48 'Lily' bomber over Suichwan during an afternoon engagement.

• 36 10th Air Force A-31s attack the Bishenpur area.

Air Operations, East Indies

380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack various targets on Amboina, Ceram, and Timor.

Air Operations, Japan

1 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24 reconnoiters and bombs Matusuwa Island.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Mokmer airfield on Biak.
• V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the airfield at Boram and numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.
• 1 B-24 is downed over Biak by anti-aircraft fire.

Air Operations, Europe

800 8th Air Force bombers with heavy fighter escort attack the synthetic oil plants at Leuna-Merselburg, Böhlen, Zeitz, Lutzkendorf and Brüx northwest of Prague. 46 bombers are lost along with 10 fighters, but the Americans claim 150 German fighters are shot down.

• 120 aircraft of Nos. 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Louvain. In this total are 96 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos. The bombing is more accurate than on the previous night and considerable damage is caused in the railway yards.
• 3 Halifaxes and 2 Lancasters are lost.
• 111 aircraft of NOs. 4 and 8 Groups are sent to Hasselt. Included in the total are 100 Halifaxes, 7 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos. Only a few bombs hit the railway yards as most of the bombing falls in open fields.
• 6 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster are lost.
• 22 Mosquitos of No. 8 Group attempt to block the Kiel Canal by laying mines from a low level. Intelligence sources have reported that flak defenses on part of the canal had been removed. 20 Mosquitos lay their mines in this stretch of the canal.
• 1 Mosquito is lost.

• 12 Mosquitos are sent to BrunsBüttel as a diversion to the Kiel Canal mine-laying operations, 8 to Châteaudun, 43 aircraft lay mines off the French coast and in the Frisians, and there are 12 Serrate and 9 Intruder patrols and 10 RCM and 8 OTU sorties.
• 1 Intruder Mosquito is lost.

Algeria

French Admiral Edmond Derrien is given a life sentence after being found guilt of collaborationist activity by a French court in Algiers.

Britain, Home Front

The death of Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch ('Q'), novelist and editor of 'The Oxford Book of English Verse' is reported. He was 82.

Burma

One of the Chinese-American units finds its advance halted when engaged by numerically superior forces near Tingkrukawng. The 113th Regiment of the Chinese 38th Division advances towards West Wala and Maran. On the Salween River front the Chinese 198th Regiment attacks the Japanese forces manning Mamien Pass. The Chinese 36th Division attacks Japanese positions east of Tatangtzu Pass and is driven back to the Salween River by a night counterattack.

China

Japanese forces gain full control of the Peking-Hankow railroad.

Air Operations, Carolines

VII Bomber Command B-24s mount an early-morning attack against the Truk Atoll.

Air Operations, CBI

• More than 30 10th Air Force B-24s, B-25s, P-51s, and A-36s attack Indaw, Mohnyin, and Taungbaw.
• 11 B-25s attack Monywa.
• Nearly 100 10th Air Force fighter-bombers support Allied ground forces and attack bridges and artillery batteries in the Mogaung Valley.
• 12 A-36s attack Maungdaw.

• 19 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a bridge at Hsenwi (Burma), tanks and motor vehicles near Loyang, the town area at Lungling, and warehouses at Lungling and Mangshih.
• 39 14th Air Force P-40s attack motor vehicles at Yingyangchen, a village near the Kaitou bridge, and Japanese Army facilities at Mengta and Tating.

• 19 10th Air Force B-25s and 46 A-31s attack road targets and Japanese Army troop concentrations in the Bishenpur area.

Air Operations, Europe

Synthetic oil plants at Luna, Brux, Lutzkendorf, Zwickau and Bohlen are attacked by the US 8th Air Force with 621 B-17s and 265 B-24s. The bombers are protected by RAF and USAAF fighters.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V and XIII Bomber command B-24s and V Bomber Command B-25s attack airfields in and around the Wakde Islands.
• V Bomber Command B-24s attack the Sorido airfield on Biak, Japen Island, and anti-aircraft batteries at Bosnik.
• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in Australia attack the Namber airfield on Noemfoor and the airfield at Moemi.
• V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers mount more than 200 sorties throughout the day against numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.

Battle of the Atlantic

One of the few Japanese submarines to operate in the Western Hemisphere, the Ro-501 formerly U-1224, is sunk in the mid-Atlantic by the American destroyer escort Francis M. Robinson (DE-220). This submarine had been presented to the Japanese by the Kriegsmarine.

Burma

Having unsuccessfully tried to take Tinkrukawng by a frontal attack and an attack on the flank, the Chinese and Americans push on to by-pass the Japanese positions. On the Salween River front the Japanese succeed in almost wiping out a Chinese battalion, but the situation is restored when reinforcements are sent, and the Japanese have to withdraw. Fresh Chinese regiments cross the Salween and recapture the positions lost on Tatangtzu Pass.

Eastern Front

The campaign in the Crimea is over. Altogether 130,000 Germans and Rumanians have been evacuated by sea and another 21,500 by air since April 12, but a further 78,000 have been killed or captured and many of those evacuated have been wounded.

Air Operations, CBI

• 25 10th Air Force B-25s and P-51 fighter-bombers attack Japanese Army positions at Hopin.
• 48 A-31s attack Japanese Army positions at Kalewa and near Bishenpur (India).
• 24 A-31s attack Japanese Army troops and artillery positions at Lahaw.
• 11 P-40s attack a rail shed at Myitkyina and a bridge and road targets at Kazu.
• 12 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack traffic on the Tiddim road at Tonzang.
• More than 20 P-38s and P-51s attack the airfield at Heho and the Kanguang airfield at Meiktila.
• P-51s with the 311th Fighter Group’s 530th Fighter Squadron down 4 Japanese fighters over the Meiktila airfield at 0935 hours.

• 60 14th Air Force P-40s and P-51s attack river traffic, rail lines, and motor vehicles at Pailochi, Sienning, and Yoyang, and a supply area at Shayang.
• 20 P-40 fighter-bombers attack several occupied villages and towns.
• 6 Japanese bombers attack the airfield at Kienow.
• P-40s with the 23d Fighter Group’s 75th Fighter Squadron down 2 Japanese fighters in a morning engagement near Yochow.

Air Operations, Europe

There is a night raid on Bristol and southwestern England by 91 planes. 15 are lost.

• 30 Mosquitos are sent to Ludwigshafen, 10 to Carpiquet airfield near Caen and 3 to Leverkusen, 43 aircraft lay mines from Kiel to Biscay, 6 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 2 Serrate patrols and 1 RCM and 24 OTU sorties.
• 3 mine-laying Lancasters and 1 OTU Wellington are lost.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V and XIII Bomber command B-24s, V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak, and in the Wakde Islands area.
• B-24s attack the Sorido airfield and supplies at Bosnik.

Atlantic

In a German E-boat attack against Allied landing craft lying off the coast near the Isle of Wight, the French destroyer La Combattante sinks S-141 in which Dönitz's second son Klaus is serving. The young German is lost with the rest of the crew.

Baltic Sea

U-1234 is sunk after she is struck broadside by the steam tug Anton with the loss of 13 of her crew.

U-1234

Air Operations, Carolines

307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack bivouacs and supply dumps in the Woleai Atoll.

Air Operations, CBI

• 7 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Kalewa, Mandalay, and Myitkyina.
• 19 10th Air Force B-25s attack targets of opprtunity along the Tiddim road.
• More than 20 B-25s and fighter-bombers attack the airfield at Myitkyina and artillery positions at Hopin.
• More than 20 A-31s attack artillery batteries near Buthidaung.
• 17 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack the airfield at Heho and the Kangaung at Meiktila.
• 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s based in China attack targets near Wan Pa-Hsa.
• 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s down 8 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over the Kangaung airfield at Meiktila at 1345 hours.

• 14th Air Force P-40s attack Japanese Army troops in Mamien Pass and near Mengta (Burma) and Pingkai.

• 36 10th Air Force A-31s attack Moirang.

• 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a bridge at Kenglaung.

Air Operations, Europe

• 30 Mosquitos are sent to Ludwigshafen, 10 to Carpiquet airfield near Caen and 3 to Leverkusen, 43 aircraft lay mines from Kiel to Biscay, 6 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 2 Serrate patrols and 1 RCM and 24 OTU sorties.
• 3 mine-laying Lancaster and 1 OTU Wellington are lost.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-24s and B-25s attack Biak Island, the Wakde Islands, Maffin Bay, Sarmi, and Sawar.
• B-24s, A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.
• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in Australia search for shipping in Geelvink Bay.
• An estimated 16 Japanese fighters attack a 5 Air Force F-7 over Biak Island, but 49th Fighter Group P-40s down 7 of the Japanese fighters between 1125 and 1135 hours.

Burma

The Chinese and Americans reach the upper reaches of the river Namkwi, 15 miles from Myitkyina.

France, Politics

The Consultative Assembly asks the French National Liberation Committee to become the government of the Republic.

Italy

The German position on the Gustav line is beginning to collapse and they start withdrawing to the 'Adolf Hitler' ('Dora') Line which is immediately south of Rome. The French push on once more to take San Giorgio on the Liri. Farther north in the Liri Valley the British 78th Division reaches the Cassino-Pinaturo road. The Canadian Corps is put in to the line to try to exploit this advance.

Marshalls

US naval air bases are established at Ebeye and Roi-namur, Kwajalein Atoll. The air bases are used for the next few weeks to hit remaining Japanese installations in the Marshalls.

Air Operations, CBI

• 11 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Akyab and marshalling yards at Sagaing and Ywataung.
• Nearly 70 10th Air Force B-25s and fighter-bombers attack the Hopin and Myitkyina areas.
• A-31s attack the Buthidaung area.

• 8 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack warehouses and a motor pool at Mangshih.
• 3rd CACW Fighter Group P-40s down 2 D3A 'Val' dive bombers and 3 Japanese fighters near Loyang during morning and afternoon missions.

• 10th Air Force A-31s attack Kohima and Moirang.

Air Operations, Central Pacific

VII Bomber Command B-24s attack Wake Island.

Air Operations, Europe

• 29 Mosquitos attack Berlin without a loss.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V and XIII Bomber command B-24s, V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers and fighters attack numerous targets on Biak Island, Maffin Bay, and Sawar.
• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s, escorted by 475th Fighter Group P-38s, attack the Kamiri airfield on Noemfoor.
• 38th Medium Bomb Group B-25s bomb the waters directly off Arara in order to detonate any mines that might impede amphibious landings set to begin the next morning.
• 475th Fighter Group P-38s down 3 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Noemfoor Island at 1415 hours.

Battle of the Atlantic

• In operations over the next 2 weeks Coastal Command planes sink 5 U-boats off Norway. 3 others are seriously damaged.
• Sunderland 'V' of No 300 Squadron RAF sights U-240 and attacks. The depth charges hang up and the aircraft is damaged by flak. In a second attack 4 depth charges are released, 3 of which explode along the port side of the submarine. The bows are seen to rise up at an acute angle before the U-boat sinks stern first.

U-240

Bougainville

Skirmishing between the rearguards of the retiring Japanese and American advance units. What remains of the Japanese 18th Army, under Lt-Gen Hatazo Adachi, drag themselves back across the jungle in the hope of finding refuge on Buka Island, north of Bougainville.

Burma

The Chinese-American force operating in upper Burma crosses the Namkwi River. All the inhabitants of the village of the same name have been temporarily sent to an internment camp to insure the maximum possible security. On the Salween River front a regiment of the Chinese 190th Division reaches the Shweli valley near Laokai after crossing a ridge of mountains. The rest of the division is still held up by Japanese strongpoints on the Mamien Pass. Further south, in a sector which the Japanese have left undefended in order to reinforce their garrisons in the Shweli valley, units of the Chinese 76th and 88th Divisions approach Pingka after occupying 13 places to the northeast of it.

Burmese guerillas occupy Washang for a time, a town about 30 miles easy of Myitkyina.

Diplomatic Relations

The Allies sign agreements with Belgium, Netherlands and Norway concerning their administration during the post-liberation phase.

Air Operations, CBI

• 18 10th Air Force B-25s attack oil facilities at Chauk.
• More than 20 A-31s attack Japanese Army positions at Buthidaung and near Labawa.
• 20 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack the Kangaung airfield at Meiktila.
• B-25s and fighter-bombers mount more than 90 sorties against targets in the Mogaung Valley, including missions supporting Allied ground forces at Myitkyina.
• 80th Fighter Group P-40s down 3 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Kamaing at 0845 hours.

• 7 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 13 14th Air Force P-40s attack Japanese Army ground troops and motor vehicles near Shasi and attack a barracks at Shayang.
• P-40s support Chinese Army ground forces in the Mamien Pass and attack Japanese Army positions at Tatangtzu and Luchiangpa, a pack train near Tengchung, and a bridge and motor vehicles at Shweli.
• 23rd Fighter Group P-40s engage in an afternoon melee near Hengyang in which no Japanese airplanes are brought down.

• More than 20 10th Air Force A-31s attack the Bishenpur and Moirang areas.

Air Operations, Central Pacific

VII Bomber Command B-24s attack Wake Island.

Air Operations, East Indies

• Carrier aircraft from the British Far Eastern Fleet’s Task Force 66 (HMS Illustrious) and the USS Saratoga (Fleet Carrier Air Group 12) attack the naval base at Soerabaja (Java) and a nearby aviation fuel refinery. One VT-12 TBM is lost with its crew.
• A VF-12 F6F downs a G4M 'Betty' bomber and a VB-12 SBD downs a transport plane, both near Soerabaja at 0740 hours.
• During the night, 7 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the naval base at Soerabaja, Java.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• Supported by 6 XIII Bomber Command B-24s, 38 V Bomber Command B-25s, and 15 V Fighter Command P-40s, US Army ground forces land at Arara, New Guinea, on the mainland directly opposite the Wakde Islands. Throughout the day, flights of 3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s orbit the landing area and provide close support as needed.
• 99 V Bomber Command and XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Mokmer and Sorido airfields on Biak and Bosnik on Biak Island.
• V Bomber Command B-24s and B-25s attack targets around Sarmi, Sawar, and the mouth of the Orai River.
• V Fighter Command P-38s attack supply dumps and airfields on Noemfoor Island.
• B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers mount more than 120 sorties throughout the day against numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.
• 475th Fighter Group P-38s down 3 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Noemfoor Island at 1210 hours.

Air Operations, Pacific

During the night B-24 Liberator bombers carry on the attack from bases in the Southwest Pacific, devastating the base depots at Surabaya, Java.

Atlantic

32 German MTBs lay mines off the English south and east coasts and fight inconclusive engagements with both British patrols and a German convoy.

Britain, Home Front

Kathleen Ferrier, an English contralto singer, takes part in a performance of Handel's 'Messiah' at Westminster Abbey.

Burma

The Chinese and American forces take Myitkyina airfield in a surprise attack. A battalion of Merrill's Marauders occupies the village of Pamati, a crossing-place on the Irrawaddy River. A number of Chinese units are sent by air from Ledo, in India, to take part in the attack on Myitkyina town.

China

Street fighting breaks out in Loyang between Chinese and Japanese forces.

Dutch East Indies

The oil installations at Surabaya on Java are attacked by aircraft from the carriers Illustrious and Saratoga. The carriers are escorted by the battleships of Adm Sir James Somerville's Eastern Fleet, designated TF 65 for the ocasion (the carriers are TF 66). The damage inflicted is not in fact as great as the attackers believe. 1 Japanese freighter is sunk and 12 aircraft are destroyed on the ground. Of the 85 attacking planes only 1 is lost.

Italy

Although Kesselring, commanding Army Group C, has given von Vietinghoff 3 more divisions they have been unable to halt the continued Allied progress in the Liri Valley and to the south. The US 85th Division has gotten as far as Formia, while on the right some units of the 88th Division approach Maranola and others move towards Monte Grande.

In the French sector the Algerians of the French Expeditionary Corps take Esperia, which the Germans have abandoned, but suddenly run into fierce resistance on the road that runs from Esperia toward Sant'Olivo. Some French units push on toward Monte Oro, a little north of Esperia, which overlooks the 'Senger' Line. The French 1st Motorized Division continues its advance along the south bank of the Liri River, but is halted by fire from the enemy dug in on Monte Oro, and by mines. With the capture of Monte Faggeta by the Moroccan 4th Motorized Division, the French Expeditionary Corps controls the Itri-Pico road, the highway used by the German XIV Panzer Corps for supplies. Kesselring, fearing that communication with his rear areas may be cut, orders a withdrawal.

Air Operations, CBI

• 8 490th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s attack a bridge spanning the Mu River and a bridge at Changtu.
• 12 10th Air Force A-31s attack Daletme.
• 12 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack the airfield at Shwebo.
• B-25s and fighter bombers mount nearly 150 sorties against numerous targets in the Mogaung Valley.

• 12 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Lungling and Tengchung.
• 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 12 14th Air Force P-40s attack barracks and warehouses at Chenyangi.
• 30 51st Fighter Group P-40s support Chinese Army forces on the Salween River front.
• 25 CACW and Chinese Air Force P-40s attack tanks, motor vehicles, and troops at Chueh-shan and Loning.

• 36 10th Air Force A-31s attack targets at Moirang and near Bishenpur and Homalin (Burma).

Air Operations, East Indies

• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Halmahera.
• V Bomber Command B-25s attack Larot (Ceram) and Saumlakki (Molucca Islands).

Air Operations, Europe

• 17 Mosquitos are sent on Oboe calibration tests to targets in France, 4 aircraft bomb Mondeville and 2 Orly; the others do not bomb. There are 7 RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, Japan

2 28th Composite Group B-25s sink a ship in the Kurile Islands during the day, and 2 other B-25s sink a second vessel just before midnight.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack Bosnik on Biak Island.
• V Bomber Command Force B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers mount more than 100 sorties throughout the day against targets from Hansa Bay to Wewak.
• During the day, flights of 3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s orbit the landing area and provide close support as needed, and V Bomber Command B-25s rigged out as control planes spot targets and direct air and even artillery and shipborne fire missions.
• During the night, several Japanese bombers mount an ineffective raid against ground targets in the Hollandia area.

Admiralty Islands

The 6th Army announces that the campaign is over. The fortified bases at Kavieng, New Ireland and Rabaul, New Britain are entirely surrounded by Allied forces. They will remain this way until the end of the war, escaping invasion owing to the US policy of avoiding Japanese strongholds if they can be bypassed and isolated instead. The Americans have lost 326 dead and 1,189 wounded, the Japanese 3,820 dead and 73 prisoners.

Battle of the Atlantic

Catalina 'S' of No 210 Squadron sights U-241 on the surface and attacks with 6 depth charges placing them perfectly across the submarine. A large oil slick began to form as the boat sinks stern first.

U-241

Burma

In the Myitkyina area the Chinese and Americans defend the airfield against Japanese counter-attacks, while units of the Chinese 30th and 50th Divisions begin the assault on the city and capture the railway station.

Diplomatic Relations

The UK and the USSR agree that Rumania will be in the Soviet sphere of influence while Greece will be in the British sphere.

Air Operations, CBI

• 8 10th Air Force B-25s attack the rail line between Myingatha and Saye.
• 16 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack the airfield at Nawnghkio.
• B-25s and fighter-bombers complete more than 140 sorties against targets in the Mogaung Valley, especially Myitkyina.
• 2 14th Air Force P-40s attack a bridge at Shweli.
• 1st Air Commando Group P-51s down a Ki-48 'Lily' bomber and 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Indawgyi at 0810 hours.
• 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s down 2 Ki-43 'Oscars' over Nawnghkio at 1420 hours.

• 2 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack shipping at Hong Kong.
• 31 14th Air Force fighters support Chinese Army forces on the Salween River front.
• 16 P-38s and P-40s attack military targets at Yangsin and a bridge at Tayeh.
• 13 P-40s attack the Puchi area.
• 11 P-51s attack an occupied village near Anking.
• 16 CACW P-40s attack troops, tanks, motor vehicles at Ichang, Loyang, and Tangyang, and Yangtze River traffic at Itu.

• 10 Air Force A-31s complete more than 60 sorties against occupied villages near Bishenpur and artillery positions at Kanglatongbi.

Air Operations, Central Pacific

In an effort to test new target-briefing procedures and aerial rockets against ground targets, aircraft from 2 (USS Essex and USS Wasp) of 3 Task Group 58.6 carriers attack Marcus Island.

Air Operations, Europe

• 143 aircraft of Nos. 4 and 8 Groups are sent to hit the railway yards at Boulogne. In this total are 106 Halifaxes, 32 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitos. Only 1 of the Oboe Mosquitos is able to mark the target but the bombing is accurate. A local report states the main station is badly damaged and 33 civilians are killed.
• There are no losses.
• 118 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 8 Groups carry out an accurate attack on the railway yards at Orleans.
• 1 Lancaster is lost.
• 112 Lancasters and 9 Mosquitos of Nos. 5 and 8 Groups find their railway target at Amiens covered in cloud and the Master Bomber orders the bombing to stop after 37 aircraft have dropped their loads.
• 1 Lancaster is lost.
• 113 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group attempt the difficult task of attacking the railway installations in the center of Tours. Both the marking and the bombing force are ordered to carry out their particular tasks with great care and be prepared to wait until the Master Bomber is satisfied that the surrounding housing areas are not hit. The raid continues until well after the planned period, but no fighters appear and no aircraft are lost. Much damage is caused to the railways, but some bombs do fall to the west of the target.

• 112 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos of Nos. 3 and 8 Groups are sent to Le Mans. The majority of the bombs hit the railway yards and cause serious damage. The local report says that the locomotive sheds were destroyed, an ammunition train (or some ammunition wagons) blew up, 2 main lines were destroyed and all other lines blocked because overhead power lines were brought down across the tracks.
• Unfortunately the Lancasters of the Master Bomber and his deputy collide over the target and crash. The Master Bomber was a brilliant young New Zealander, Wing Commander J. F. Barron, DSO and Bar, DFC, DFM, and the Deputy Master Bomber was Squadron Leader J. M. Dennis, DSO, DFC. They were both killed, both were from No. 7 Squadron. 1 other Lancaster is lost.

• 58 Halifaxes of No. 6 Group and 6 Pathfinder Mosquitos attack a coastal gun positions at Le Clipon, but there is haze and the results are no known.
• There are no losses.
• 63 aircraft including 42 Halifaxes, 15 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitos, bomb a gun position at Merville near Dunkirk. Some bombs do hit the area despite the haze.
• There are no losses.
• 39 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitos of No. 8 Group attack a radar station at Mont Couple. The Mosquitos are not able to use their Oboe equipment, but 31 Lancasters use their H₂S sets to make a timed run from the coast. The approximate position of the target area is bombed.
• 1 Lancaster is lost to flak.

• 29 Mosquitos are sent to Cologne, 24 Halifaxes and 4 Stirlings lay mines off the French coast, and there are 8 Serrate and 23 Intruder patrols and 10 RCM and 12 OTU sorties.
• 1 OTU Wellington is lost.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack beach defenses on Biak Island.
• V Bomber Command B-24s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command P-38s attack shipping and airfields on and around Noemfoor Island.
• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in Australia attack the airfield on Manokwari with escorts based at Hollandia.
• 12 3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s attack shipping at Manokwari and strafe the Kamiri airfield on Noemfoor.
• 5th Air Force bombers, fighter-bombers, and fighters complete more than 270 sorties against numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.
• A 475th Fighter Group P-38 downs an F1M 'Pete' reconnaissance float plane near the Kamiri airfield on Noemfoor Island at 1000 hours.
• 49th Fighter Group P-40s and a 475th Fighter Group P-38 down 4 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Manokwari between 1315 and 1340 hours.

Baltic Sea

U-1015 sinks following a collision with U-1014, the exact circumstances of which are unknown.

U-1015

Burma

The Japanese garrison in Myitkyina is partly surrounded by the Chinese and Americans, who occupy several positions south and north of the town. The Chinese 38th Division, having obtained Chiang Kai-shek's authority, advances toward Kamaing and Magaung, important road junctions.

Germany, Policy

It is publicly announced that 47 RAF officers had been executed by the Germans when they were re-captured after escaping from Stalag Luft III near Sagan, Silesia. Only 3 of the escaped prisoners, 2 Norwegians and a Dutchman, reach England.

Air Operations, CBI

• 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s and 10th Air Force P-51s attack oil facilities at Chauk and Yenangyaung, the town of Akyab, and the airfield at Pakokku.
• 16 A-31s and 2 P-38s attack targets in the Arakan coastal region.
• More than 100 fighter-bombers attack Japanese Army positions, bridges, and artillery positions at Kamaing, Myitkyina, Nanyaseik, and Nsopzup.

• 13 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack a convoy at sea near Hong Kong (3 B-24s are lost).
• 8 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 43 14th Air Force fighters support Chinese Army ground forces on the Salween River front and attack a bridge spanning the Shweli River near Tengchung.
• 37 14th Air Force P-40s attack troops, tanks, motor vehicles, and Yangtze River traffic around Chingmen, Ichang, Loning, Loyang, Shasi, and Tangyang.

• 24 10th Air Force A-31s attack Japanese Army positions at Churachandpur.

Air Operations, Central Pacific

US carrier aircraft from Task Group 58.6 continue to attack Marcus Island, but the action is cut short by bad weather.

Air Operations, Europe

Nearly 5,000 Allied planes operate against 12 rail targets and 9 airfields in France and Belgium.

• 30 Mosquitos are sent to attack Düsseldorf. The target area is cloud-covered and the Oboe markers quickly disappear in the clouds. Most of the aircraft bomb on dead reckoning, but probably not very accurately. Wuppertal, 17 miles east of Düsseldorf, reports 71 people killed on this night.
• There are no losses.

• 14 Mosquitos are sent to Reisholz, 12 Halifaxes and 4 Stirlings lay mines off the French Atlantic ports, and there are 5 Serrate and 4 Intruder patrols and 7 OTU sorties.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s attack shipping, anti-aircraft batteries, and airfields at Manokwari, Mawi Bay, and on Biak and Noemfoor islands.
• B-25s, A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.
• 49th Fighter Group P-40s based at Cyclops Airfield, Hollandia are instrumental in defeating a Japanese Army counterattack against US Army ground troops along the Tor River.

Italy

Units of the American 88th Division pass Fondi and make for Monte Passignano. While the French reach Pico, the Polish II Corps opens the battle for Piedmonte San Germano.

Gen Fridolin von Senger and Etterlin, commanding the German XIV Panzer Corps, replaces the 71st Inf Division, already decimated by the attacks of the French Corps, by a fresh formation, the 26th Panzer Division.

Air Operations, Carolines

307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Truk Atoll.

Air Operations, CBI

• 1 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24 attacks Mandalay.
• 21 10th Air Force A-31s attack a bridge at Manipur and Japanese Army ground troops around Homalin.
• Several A-31s attack targets in the Arakan coastal region.
• B-25s and fighter-bombers mount more than 120 sorties in the Mogaung Valley.

Air Operations, Central Pacific

US carrier aircraft from Task Group 58.6 conclude their attacks on Marcus Island.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-24s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command P-38s, attack Biak Island and targets along the Moemi River.
• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in Australia attack the airfields at Manokwari, Urarom, and Moemi.
• 12 3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s attack the Kamiri airfield on Noemfoor.
• 5th Air Force B-25s, A-20s, and fighter- bombers attack numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.

Air Operations, Europe

Operation CHATTANOOGA CHOO-CHOO begins, the systematic attack by Allied aircraft on trains in Germany and France.

• 510 Lancasters and 22 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 3, 5 and 8 Groups carry out the first large raid on Duisburg in a year. The target is covered in cloud, but the Oboe skymarking is accurate and much damage is caused in the southern areas of the city.
• 29 Lancasters are lost.
• 70 Lancasters and 37 Halifaxes lay mines in the Frisians, Heligoland, the Kattegat and Kiel Bay.
• 3 Lancasters are lost.

• 25 Mosquitos are sent to Hannover, 8 to Courtrai, and there are 28 Serrate and 7 Intruder patrols and 9 RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

Burma

The Japanese counterattack; a battalion of American Marauders repulses enemy attacks along the Mogaung road, but is then halted by the Japanese when it tries to advance.

Italy

An infantry battalion of the US 85th Division is sent by sea from Gaeta to Sperlonga and lands without difficulty. The American 88th Division captures Monte Calvo and Cima del Monte, while the French positions have to withstand fierce German pressure. The US forces also take Fondi and the French Campodimele. In the Liri Valley and around Pico, the German opposition is stronger, but the Allies are bringing forces forward for another blow.

Gen Clark, Commander of the US 5th Army, orders Gen Lucian Truscott, commanding the US VI Corps, dug in on the Anzio beachhead, to launch his attack against the German positions at 6:30am on May 23. The British 8th Army will attack in force simultaneously from the north to breach the 'Senger' Line and penetrate into the valley of the Liri River.

Air Operations, CBI

• 2 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a concentration of sampans in Honghai Bay.
• 2 B-25s attack a cargo ship at Hong Kong.
• 22 14th Air Force P-51s attack Anking and targets near Nanchang.
• 24 P-40s attack targets in and around Sienning.
• 23 P-40s attack road targets and Yangtze River traffic around Itu, Loning, and Loyang.
• 5 P-40s attack Yangsin.
• In morning engagements, a 23rd Fighter Group P-40 downs a Ki-44 'Tojo' fighter over Sienning.
• 3rd CACW Fighter Group P-40s down 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over the Yangtze River.

Air Operations, Japan

2 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s attack a Japanese Navy picket boat near Paramushiro Island.

Air Operations, Marianas

4 US Navy PB4Ys photograph Rota Island, after which 9e 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24 escorts passing through Eniwetok attack ground targets on Rota and fly on to the Momote airfield on Los Negros.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-24s and B-25s attack Biak Island, Manokwari, and shipping near Cape Manggoear.
• B-24s, B-25s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.
• P-40s attack targets of opportunity in the Wakde Islands.

Air Operations, Europe

• 361 Lancasters and and 14 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 3, 6 and 8 Groups carry out the first large raid on Dortmund in a year. The attack falls mainly in the southeastern area of the city, mostly in residential areas.
• 18 Lancasters are lost.

• 225 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 5 Groups are sent to Brunswick. The raid is a failure. The weather forecast predicted a clear target but the marker aircraft find a complete covering of cloud. There is also interference on the Master Bomber's radio communications. The No. 5 Group method can not cope with these conditions and most of the bombing falls in the country areas around Brunswick. A reconnaissance aircraft flying through this area an hour later finds it completely free of cloud.
• 13 Lancasters are lost.
• 133 aircraft attack the railway yards at Le Mans. In this total are 112 Halifaxes, 13 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos. Reports from the ground say the bombing was accurate with much damage to the railways and the nearby Gnome and Rhone factory.
• 1 Halifax is lost.
• 128 aircraft including 108 Halifaxes, 12 Lancaster and 8 Mosquitos of Nos 4 and 8 Groups, are sent to Orleans. Most of the bombs fall on the passenger station and the railway repair shops.
• 1 Halifax is lost.

• 26 Mosquitos are sent to Ludwigshafen, 9 to Courtrai, 54 aircraft lay mines in the Frisians and off the French coast, and there are 21 Serrate and 8 Intruder patrols and 9 RCM and 25 OTU sorties.
• 1 OTU Whitley is lost.

Iceland

A referendum is approved to break away from Denmark and to declare the island an independent republic.

India

The Japanese offensive against Imphal and Kohima slows down, while the British and Indian forces are reinforced daily.

Italy

In the Anzio and 8th Army sectors there is preliminary activity in advance of the general attack of May 23. Keyes' II US Corps continues to push north along the coast and by Route 7. The French forces take Pico. Inland the fighting in the Liri Valley is still fierce. Meanwhile, as the 'Senger' Line crumbles in the French Corps sector, Kesselring makes systematic plans for the withdrawal of Gen von Vietinghoff's 10th Army from the Liri valley across Volmontone and Palestrina.

Air Operations, Carolines

VII Bomber Command B-24s attack Ponape Island on the return flight from the Momote airfield on Los Negros to Eniwetok.

Air Operations, CBI

• 12 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Homalin and the marshalling yard at Indaw.
• 32 10th Air Force A-31s attack Kalewa, Tiddim, and Kohima (India).
• 16 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack the Kangaung airfield at Meiktila.
• 12 P-38 fighter-bombers attack targets along the Tiddim road.
• 23 P-40s and 4 A-36s attack troops, artillery positions, and dumps in the Myitkyina area.
• 459th Fighter Squadron P-38s down 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over the Kangaung airfield at Meiktila at 1500 hours.

Air Operations, Europe

• 24 Mosquitos are sent to Dortmund, 16 to Berlin and 6 to a railway junction at Lison, France, 30 aircraft lay mines off various coasts, 4 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 2 Serrate patrols and 2 RCM and 8 OTU sorties.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-24s attack Manokwari.
• B-24s, A-20s, and V Fighter Command P-38s attack Biak Island.
• P-40s attack targets along the Biri River.
• B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and P-39s attack numerous targets between Hansa Bay and Wewak.

Italy

Operation BUFFALO begins as the Anzio beachhead bursts into new activity with a fierce bombardment from more than 500 Allied guns along with a raid on Cisterna by 60 light bombers. This is followed by an attack on Cisterna by 3 divisions of US VI Corps, the 45th, 3rd and 1st Armored. Also involved in the Anzio breakout is the 100th Japanese Infantry Battalion, made up of Americans of Japanese descent.

The German defense of Gen Eberhard von Mackensen's 14th Army is strong and casualties are heavy but some gains are made. The Americans reach the Cisterna-Rome railway line and take about 1,500 prisoners, but their losses are extremely high. The 3rd Division alone has 950 dead, wounded and missing. Advance guards of the US 85th Division of the II Corps reach Terracina while inland both the French and Canadians break into the 'Senger' Line.

In the British 8th Army sector under Gen Leese, the Canadian I Corps pushes forward to the Azuino-Pontecorvo road, breaching the 'Senger' Line. The Canadian 5th Armored Division bursts through the corridor.

Air Operations, CBI

• 1 7th Heavy Bomber Command B-24 attack a village in the Arakan coastal region.
• More than 20 10th Air Force P-40s attack numerous targets in and around Myitkyina.

• More than 60 10th Air Force A-31s attack Japanese Army positions.

Air Operations, Central Pacific

US carrier aircraft from Task Group 58.6 [see May 20, 1944] attack Wake Island.

Air Operations, Europe

RAF Spitfires shoot down 8 FW-190 fighter-bombers north of Rome.

RAF BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

• 442 aircraft are sent to attack 2 railway yards at Aachen, Aachen-West and Rothe Erde, east of town. Included in the total are 264 Lancasters, 162 Halifaxes and 16 Mosquitos from all Groups except No. 5.
• The targets are important links in the railway system between Germany and France. Local reports say that both targets are hit with the one east of town hit the hardest. Because the targets are in a German town, more planes than normal are sent for a railway attack. Many bombs fall in Aachen and in the villages near the railway yards.
• 18 Halifaxes and 7 Lancasters are lost.
• 59 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group are sent to attack the Philips factory at Eindhoven, but the Master Bomber orders the force not to bomb because of poor visibility. 1 plane does not hear the order and drops its load.
• There are no losses.
• 106 Halifaxes, 102 Lancasters and 16 Mosquitos, split into small groups, attack coastal gun positions at Boulogne, Colline Beaumont, Le Clipon and Trouville without loss.
• 55 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitos of Nos. 5 and 8 Groups attack the Ford motor factory at Antwerp, but the bombs miss the target. Some bombs fall on nearby dockside buildings.
• There are no losses.

• 15 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin, 18 Halifaxes and 7 Stirlings lay mines in the Frisians and off Brest, and there are 31 Serrate and 8 Intruder patrols and 6 RCM and 23 OTU sorties.
• 1 RCM Halifax is lost.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• 3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s attack Kamiri and Namber airfields on Noemfoor.
• 5th Air Force B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers complete more than 200 sorties against targets from Hansa Bay to Wewak.

Arctic

Catalina 'V' of No 210 Squadron sights a surfaced U-boat at a range of five miles. The aircraft attacks throught heavy flak dropping six depth charges. The explosion seems to blow U-476 out of the water before the submarine sinks stern first.

U-476

Battle of the Atlantic

Sunderland 'R' of No 4 OTU sights U-675 and attacks through flak. Six depth charges are dropped from 20 feet. After the explosions, the U-boat's bows rose to the vertical and began to sink. There was a further large explosion and the bows disappear.

U-675

Burma

There are strong counterattacks by units of the Japanese 18th Division south of Myitkyina and they drive the Chinese-American forces out of Charpate and open the road north to Myitkyina.

On the Salween River front the Chinese carry out an ineffective frontal attack against a ridge enclosing the Pingka valley to the southeast.

Eastern Front

600 German paratroopers make a surprise assault on Yugoslave Partisan headquarters near Drvar. Tito and Randolph Churchill, son of the prime minister, barely escape.

Italy

At Anzio the attacks also continue. Cisterna is still held by the Germans but a little to the south Route 7 is reached near Latina by the 1st Armored Division. The Allies now have a salient between the German 10th and 14th Armies. Hitler authorizes Kesselring to withdraw to the 'Caesar' Line, a defensive line which starts from the Tyrrhenian coast about half-way between Anzio and the Ostia Lido and reaches the Adriatic in the area of Pescara, touching Albano, Popoli and Chieti. To slow down the Allies' movement as much as possible, the Germans carry out effective rearguard actions in which the Hermann Goering Panzer Div plays a major part enabling von Vietinghoff's forces to withdraw successfully.