Air Operations, Europe

The Allied Air Offensive continues to be very destructive. Altogether 112,400 tons of bombs are dropped by the heavy bombers this month. RAF Bomber Command drops just under half with targets including Frankfurt, Bremerhaven and Karlsruhe. The Channel ports Calais, Boulogne and Le Havre are also strongly hit with Calais being the target for 6,500 tons on two occasions. The US 8th and 15th Air Forces drop 60,000 tons in their attacks at Mainz, Hamm and Ludwigshafen among the general targets and in the more specialized oil offensive they hit Sterkrade, Merseburg, Bratislava and Lutzkendorf among others. The lighter forces of both Allies continue to be very active in their tactical role. Their attacks are particularly heavy in support of the airborne Operation MARKET GARDEN.

German avgas production is now less than 10,000 tons per month, compared with the May figure of 156,000 tons.

Air Operations, Far East

The Superfortresses from China bomb targets in Manchuria on several occasions including Anshan and Penhsiku. There are also attacks on various Japanese-held islands in the Pacific.

Air Operations, Bonin and Volcano Islands

USN carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.4 attack Chichi Jima and Iwo Jima. A VF(N)-77 F6F downs an H8K 'Emily' flying boat at sea at 0330 hours.

Air Operations, Carolines

• 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in the Marshall Islands attack the Truk Atoll.
• 5th and 307th Heavy Bomb group B-24s attack targets in the Palau Islands. One B-24 is downed by anti-aircraft fire over the Palau Islands.

Air Operations, CBI

• 1Several 10th Air Force P-47s attack Bhamo and nearby river traffic.

• 4 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack a small freighter in the Formosa Strait.
• 12 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the Kaitak airfield at Hong Kong and a supply depot near Canton.
• B-25s attack the Hengyang airfield, road traffic near Nanyo, and targets of opportunity around Anjen.
• 61 14th Air Force P-51s and P-40s attack numerous targets in east-central China.
• A 23rd Fighter Group P-40 downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter near Tatung.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack Boela and the Amahai airfield on Ceram.

Air Operations, Europe

• 121 aircraft of Nos. 4 and 8 Groups bomb V-2 rocket storage sites at Lumbres and La Porchinte. In the aircraft total are 97 Halifaxes, 15 Mosquitos and 9 Lancasters. Both raids are successful without any aircraft loss.

• 35 Mosquitos are sent to Bremen, 7 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 39 Mosquito patrols and 4 RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, Japan

6 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s attempt to attack Paramushiro through bad weather, but only 1 is able to do so.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command P-40s, attack the airfields at Babo and Urarom.
• A 419th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crew downs a Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane near the Moemi airfield at 2200 hours.

Air Operations, Philippines

• 55 V Bomber Command B-24s attack the Likanan, Matina and Sasa airfields on Mindanao.
• Several B-24s unable to reach Mindanao attack targets on Talaud Island in the Sunda Islands.

Balkans

While the Germans prepare to evacuate the Aegean and Ionian islands, as well as part of Greece, British and American air forces pound the main railway line that will be used in the withdrawal.

Bulgaria, Politics

The Prime Minister Ivan Bagrianov resigns and is replaced by Constantine Muraviev.

Eastern Front

The Russian advance reaches the Bulgarian frontier at Giurgiu on the Danube. Calarasi is also taken. Since its adhesion to the Tripartite Pact in March 1941, Bulgaria has occupied Yugoslav and Greek territory, in Greece as far as Thessaloniki, and is consequently at war with Great Britain and the United States, though it has declared its own neutrality in its relations with Russia. It has had little experience of war until the beginning of 1944, since when - especially Sofia, the capital - it has become a target for Allied air raids. Now, faced with the threat of Russian occupation, the Prime Minister, Constantine Muraviev, asks for support from the British and Americans. But he does not get it.

Army Group North is stretched along a 500-mile front in the Baltic States. In the north Gen Ehrenfried-Oskar Boege's 18th Army has the Narva Group (essentially the III SS Panzer Corps) between the Gulf of Finland and Lake Peipus, while south of the lake is the remainder of the 18th Army. Gen Carl Hilpert's 16th Army is grouped in force around Riga, holding open communications with the 3rd Panzer Army. The army group comprises 1 panzer, 2 panzer grenadier and 29 infantry divisions and 3 SS brigades.

Calarasi and Giurgiu falls to Soviet forces in Romania.

A re-formed 17th Army enters the line to the right of the 1st Panzer Army in Slovakia, while a new 6th Army is hastily raised in southern Hungary. The 6th comprises 20 weak battalions grouped around the headquarters of the XXIX Corps and the reinforces 13th Panzer and 10th Panzer Grenadier Divisions.

English Channel

An aircraft radar report is received off Trevose Head on the north coast of Cornwall and the ships of Escort Group 9 is sent to the area. A contact is made 15 miles east of Wolf Rock Light and depth-charge and Hedgehog attacks are made by the British frigates St John, Swansea and Colborne. No results from the attacks are seen. St John regains contact 3 miles from Wolf Rock and delivers 2 depth-charge attacks which produce oil and explosions from the target.

U-247

Italy

The IV Corps of the US 5th Army begins the pursuit of the Germans across the Arno. In the eastern sector 8th Army continues its attacks on the 'Gothic' Line as they capture Monte Gridolfo, a bastion of the 'Gothic' Line. The advance of the Canadian I Corps around Tomba di Pesaro is particularly successful.

Air Operations, Bonin and Volcano Islands

USN carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.4 attack Chichi Jima and Iwo Jima, then Task Group 38.4 departs to take part in attacks on targets in the Caroline Islands.

Air Operations, Carolines

5th and 307th Heavy Bomb group B-24s attack Koror Island. 1 battle-damaged B-24 ditches and only 4 members of the crew are rescued.

Air Operations, CBI

• 8 10th Air Force B-25s attack two bridges and other targets along the Burma Road near Wanling and one B-25 attacks a target near Indaw.

• 2 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the airfield at Hengyang. 30 14th Air Force P-40s attack troops, river traffic, and artillery positions in the Changning and Hengyang areas.
• 20 P-40s attack troops, river traffic, and artillery positions around Changsha, Pengste, and Siangtan.
• 12 P-51s attack a bridge at Yangtien.
• A 23rd Fighter Group P-40 downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter near Pengste.
• 24 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel to Kunming.

Air Operations, East Indies

• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Lautem, Timor.
• 13 345th Medium Bomb Group B-25s dispatched against the Langoan airfield on Celebes attack shipyards and warehouses on the Lembeh Strait when their P-38 escorts fail to appear.
• 38th Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack defenses near the Pitoe airfield on Morotai at minimum altitude.
• 2 B-25s are downed by ground fire over Lembeh, and 2 other B-25s are severely damaged.

Air Operations, Europe

• 67 Lancasters of No. 5 Group bomb shipping Brest harbor in clear visibility.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Fighter Command P-39s attack Sorong and several other areas.
• During the night, a Japanese bomber attacks the Mokmer airfield on Biak, where 1 man is killed, 7 men are wounded, and 5 aircraft are damaged.

Air Operations, Philippines

• V Bomber Command B-24s, escorted by 21 V Fighter Command P-38s, staging through the Sansapor airfield attack various targets on Mindanao.
• 12 43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack dumps at Bunawan.
• 24 22nd Heavy Bomb Group attack military targets near Lasang.
• 22 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack a Japanese Army barracks near Likanan.
• 8th Fighter Group P-38s down 1 Ki-48 'Lily' bomber, 1 A6M Zero, and 1 E13A 'Jake' reconnaissance plane over the Davao area of Mindanao at 1215 hours. These are the first USAAF fighter victories in the Philippines since April 12, 1942.
• During the night, 6 345th Medium Bomb Group B-25s staging through the Middleburg airfield attempt to attack shipping at Davao, but only 1 B-25 reaches the target area, and the results are nil.

Eastern Front

The Russians reach the Bulgarian border.

The Finns break off diplomatic relatinos with Germany and demand that all fores leave their country by September 15.

Finland

Following the collapse of Romania, the Finnish Prime Minister Antii Hackzell announces that Finland is breaking diplomatic relations with Germany and demands that all German troops be withdrawn.

Germany, Armed Forces

Strength of the German armed forces at the beginning of Septempber 1944: 10,163,303, including 7,536,946 in the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS, 1,925,291 in the Luftwaffe and 703,066 in the Kriegsmarine. But few of these are troops comparable with those serving at the beginning of the war; many of them are elderly men and boys.

Germany, Home Front

Field-Marshal Erwin von Witzleben, condemned to death by a People's Court for his part in the conspiracy against Hitler, is barbarously executed, hung on a butcher's hook.

Italy

The Canadian forces in 8th Army make a partial breakthrough and advance several miles to the Conca River west of Cattolica. San Giovanni is taken. The advance toward Rimini makes progress. The Polish forces of Gen Wladyslaw Anders' II Corps fighting in Pesaro have nearly completed the capture of the city. The 5th Army captures Pisa. The eastern end of the 'Gothic' Line has been overrun despite the arrival of some German reserves.

Air Operations, CBI

• 5 10th Air Force B-25s attack two bridges near Hsipaw.

• 12 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack marshalling yards at Nanking.
• 2 B-25s attack the airfield at Hengyang.
• More than 100 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack numerous targets in east-central China.
• During the evening, 8 11th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s sweep the road between Hengyang and Yochow. Many motor vehicles are destroyed and a ferry crossing and bivouac area are set on fire.
• A 23rd Fighter Group’s 74th Fighter Squadron P-51 downs 2 D3A 'Val' dive bombers near Tsienshan during the early afternoon.

• 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack targets near Haiphong and in the Red River valley.

Air Operations, Carolines

5th and 307th Heavy Bomb group B-24s attack targets in the Caroline Islands.

Air Operations, East Indies

• 22 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Langoan airfield on Celebes.
• 37 22nd and 43rd Heavy Bomb group B-24s attack warehouses and shipping in the Lembeh Strait area.
• B-25s attack Tobelo Island.
• V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack oil installations at Boela, Ceram.
• 1 90th Group B-24 is shot down by Japanese Army fighters.

Air Operations, Europe

• 675 aircraft carry out heavy raids on 6 airfields in southern Holland. In the aircraft total are 348 Lancasters, 315 Halifaxes and 12 Mosquitos. All raids are successful.
• 1 Halifax is lost on the Venlo raid.

• There are 2 Mosquito Ranger patrols and 1 RCM sortie.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack airfields at Babo, Nabire, and Waren, troops and stores at Manokwari, and coastal targets around MacCluer Gulf and Wewak.

Air Operations, Volcano Islands

30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based on Saipan attack Iwo Jima.

Eastern Front

Elements of the 70th Army cross the Bug River north of Warsaw.

Italy

Canadian units cross the Conca and continue their advance.

Mediterranean

The US tank landing craft LCT-151 is sunk by storm.

Air Operations, Carolines

5th and 307th Heavy Bomb group B-24s attack targets in the Caroline Islands.

Air Operations, CBI

• 9 10th Air Force P-47s attack Bhamo and Myothit.

• 12 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack river traffic around Kweiyang.
• 6 B-25s supported by 14th Air Force P-51s attack the Lingling and Paishui areas.
• More than 100 P-51s and P-40s attack numerous targets on the Salween River front and east-central China.
• 24 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Kunming.

Air Operations, East Indies

• Planned B-24 strikes against targets on Celebes are rained out.
• During the night, 23 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Kendari airfield on Celebes.

Air Operations, Europe

• 5 Mosquitos of No. 100 Group fly Ranger patrols. 2 trains are attacked, but 2 Mosquitos are lost.

• 43 Mosquitos are sent to Karlsruhe and 14 to the Steenwijk airfield, and there are 6 Serrate patrols.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, Japan

6 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s conduct an anti-shipping sweep around Paramushiro Island.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• Most of the FEAF is grounded by bad weather, but V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s attack the airfield at Urarom.
• V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack Moemi and Napido.
• 2 P-38s and 1 pilot are lost to ground fire over the Jefman airfield.

Burma

Gen William Slim, Commander of the British 14th Army, directs the XV Corps to engage the enemy in the Arakan sector, while the XXXIII Corps will launch a big offensive across the Chindwin at the beginning of December.

In the XXXIII Corps sector the 11th East African Division, which has replaced the 23rd Indian Division in pursuit of the enemy forces beyond Tamu, occupies Sittaung without opposition and sends several units forward to Kalemyo.

Eastern Front

In their attacks through the Carpathians the Russians take Brasov. Senaia is also taken.

The Germans launch a furious attack in Warsaw to establish control of the banks of the Vistula. Slightly farther north the 70th and 65th Armies of the 1st Belorussian Front close up to the Narew River around Pultusk.

Brasov and Senaia fall to Soviet troops while the 53rd Army reaches the Danube at Turnu Severin.

The armistice between Finland and the Soviet Union is ratified, bringing Finland's war to an tnd.

Finland

A cease-fire is agreed between the Russians and the Finns and comes into effect immediately. The armistice is signed on September 10 and provides for the restoration of the 1940 frontiers and for Finland to pay reparations. The Germans begin to pull out of Finland by land and sea. The bulk of their force will go to Norway, but about 7,000 men will be take off through the Baltic ports.

Air Operations, Carolines

5th and 307th Heavy Bomb group B-24s attack the airfield on Peleliu.

Air Operations, CBI

• 8 10th Air Force B-25s attack Indaw.

• 25 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Hengyang, the airfield there, and Kiyang.
• 6 B-25s attack a ferry crossing at Siangtan and other nearby targets.
• 2 B-25s attack a shipyard at Kowloon.
• 26 14th Air Force P-40s attack troops, horses, and river traffic around Kiyang and Wangyang.
• Fighter-bombers mount numerous small missions against various targets in east-central China.
• 23rd Fighter Group P-51s down a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter and an unidentified bomber near Chaling at 0930 hours.

• 21 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Kunming, China.

Air Operations, Central Pacific

Light Carrier Air Group 28 (USS Monterey) attacks Wake Island.

Air Operations, East Indies

• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount several small pre-dawn attacks against the Kendari airfield on Celebes.
• 60 V Bomber Command B-24s attack the Langoan airfield on Celebes.
• B-25s attack Djailolo airfield, anti-aircraft batteries at the Kaoe airfield on Halmahera, and several occupied villages elsewhere in the Molucca Islands.
• V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the Galela airfield on Halmahera.

Air Operations, Europe

• 348 aircraft of Nos. 1, 3 and 8 Groups carry out the first in a series of heavy raids on German positions in the Le Havre area which is still holding out after being bypassed by the Allied advance. Included in the aircraft total are 313 Lancasters, 30 Mosquitos and 5 Stirlings. This is an accurate raid in good visibility without a loss.

• 60 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group bomb gun positions outside Brest whose garrison is still holding out.
• There are no losses.

• 43 Mosquitos are sent to Hannover and 12 to Steenwijk, 19 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 23 Mosquito patrols and 8 RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the airfields at Moemi and Waren, and occupied villages on the Soepiori Peninsula.

Air Operations, Volcano Islands

20 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at Saipan attack Iwo Jima.

Arctic

U-362 is depth-charged by the Soviet minesweeper SC-116.

U-362

Diplomatic Relations

The Benelux Customs Union (between Belguim, Netherlands and Luxembourg) is established by agreement of the exile governments. This is one of the first moves which will lead eventually to the establishment of the European Economic Community.

The Bulgarian attempts to stay out of the war prove unsuccessful. The Soviet Union today declares war. 5-1/2 hours later Bulgaria requests an armistice. The Bulgarian prime minister broadcasts and declares war in turn on Germany on September 7.

Under heavy US pressure, Argentina announces all war criminals will be denied asylum.

Air Operations, Carolines

• USN carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.1, Task Group 38.2, and Task Group 38.3 opening a planned three-day preinvasion bombardment of the Palau Islands find that few worthy targets are left following several attacks by XIII Bomber Command B-24s.
• USN carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.4 attack the Yap Atoll.
• 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in the Marshall Islands attack the Truk Atroll.

Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

• 6 10th Air Force B-25s attack Indaw.
• 3 B-25s attack Katha.

• 20 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the airfields at Hengyang and Paishui, road traffic near Lingling, rail facilities at Lingkuantien, the town area at Yiyang, and Japanese Army troops at Kiyang.
• 45 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack numerous targets over a wide area.
• 24 7th Heavy Bomb Group transport 32,000 gallons of fuel from India to Kunming.

Air Operations, East Indies

• 38th Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack defensive positions along Morotai Island’s southern coast at minimum altitude.
• V Bomber Command B-25s attack Galela.
• V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the Djailolo airfield and the Kaoe airfield on Halmahera.
• A 49th Fighter Group P-38 downs an A6M Zero near Celebes at 1420 hours.

Air Operations, Europe

• 344 aircraft including 311 Lancasters, 30 Mosquitos and 3 Stirlings bomb German fortifications and transportation targets at Le Havre.
• There are no losses.
• 105 Halifaxes and 76 Lancasters of Nos. 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Emden in the first raid on this city since June 1942. Escort is provided at first by Spitfires, the later by Mustangs. The bombing is accurate and Emden was seen to be a mass of flames, but no local report is available other than a brief note hich states that several small ships in the harbour have been sunk.
• Only 1 Lancaster, that of the deputy Master Bomber, Flight Lieutenant Granville Wilson, DSO, DFC, DFM of No. 7 Squadron, a 23-year-old Northern Irishman, is lost. Wilson's aircraft received a direct hit from a flak shell and he was killed instantly, together with his navigator and bomb aimer, Sergeants D. Jones and E. R. Brunsdon. The 5 other members of the crew escape by parachute.

• 32 Mosquitos are sent to Hamburg and 6 to Emden, 8 Halifaxes lay mines in the Ems River and off Texel, 6 Stirlings are on Resistance operations, and there are 33 Mosquito patrols and 17 RCM sorties.
• 1 Serrate Mosquito is lost.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the airfields at Manokwari, Moemi, Ransiki, Waren, and Nabire.
• P-39s attack Suain.
• P-40s attack Napido and the Soepiori Peninsula.

Air Operations, Philippines

• 45 V Bomber Command B-24s attack the dock area at Santa Ana, Mindanao.
• Several B-24s attack Rainis on the return flight.
• 11 345th Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the Buayoan airfield on Mindanao at low level.
• The B-24s are escorted by 29 475th Fighter Group P-38s, and the B-25 are escorted by 35 347th Fighter Group P-38s that also strafe Buayaon airfield. As a result of this and earlier attacks, the Japanese withdraw nearly all their aircraft to unreachable bases in northern Mindanao and the central Philippines.
• A 347th Fighter Group P-38 downs a Ki-57 'Topsy' transport plane over the Buayoan airfield on Mindanao at 1300 hours.

Air Operations, Volcano Islands

30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at Saipan attack Iwo Jima.

Balkans

In Serbia the German-backed government under Milan Neditch is still in power. The government was set up by the German on August 30, 1941. But Neditch has been in secret contact with Draja Mihailovic, leader of the Croatian monarchists, the 'Chetniks'. However, both Neditch and Mihailovic have steadily lost influence, as the initiative in a long and courageous struggle against the Germans has been taken by the Communist partisans led by Tito, Secretary-General of the Croat Communist party.

Britain, Home Front

The Minister for Home Security, Herbert Morrison relaxes blackout and other civil defense duties. The War Office ends compulsory training and drills for Home Guard units.

Burma-China

On the Salween front the commander of the Japanese forces in the Sung Shan sector is killed in action. Chinese forces from Burma and western Yunnan in China link up at the Kaolingkung Pass, the first opening of a land route between the two countries since 1942.

Carolines

Over the next three days all four groups, 16 carriers in all escorted by cruisers and destroyers, of Vice-Adm Marc A. Mitscher's TF 38 attack Japanese airfields and other installations in the Palau Islands and Yap and Ulithi Islands in the western Carolines. The attacks cause tremendous damage. The targets are also shelled from the sea. Adm William F. Halsey, commanding 3rd Fleet, is present aboard the battleship New Jersey (BB-62).

Air Operations, Carolines

• USN carrier aircraft and surface warships from Task Group 38.1, Task Group 38.2, and Task Group 38.3 continue to bombard targets in the Palau Islands.
• During the night, 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s now based on Noemfoor Island attack airfields and Japanese defenses in the Palau Islands.

Air Operations, CBI

• 5 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack shipping near Hong Kong.
• 24 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack targets in and around Kiyang, Lingling, and Yoyang.
• 11 B-25s attack the Tienho and White Cloud airfields at Canton.
• 2 B-25s attack the ferry at Siangtan.
• More than 100 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack numerous targets across large parts of southeastern and east-central China.
• 22 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Kunming.

• 4 449th Fighter Squadron P-38s attack targets of opportunity between Hanoi and the lower Red River valley.

Air Operations, East Indies

• 53 V Bomber Command B-24s attack Menado, Celebes.
• XIII Bomber Commands B-24s attack the Galela airfield on Halmahera.
• FEAF B-25s attack Wasile Bay in the Molucca Islands.
• V Bomber Command A-20s attack the Boela airfield on Ceram.
• V Fighter Command P-38 dive-bombers attack the airfield on Djailolo.

Air Operations, Europe

• 41 Mosquitos are sent to Karlsruhe, 12 to Steenwijk and 6 to Emden, and 16 Stirlings are on Resistance operations.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, Japan

6 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s attack fishing boats in the Kurile Islands.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command A-20s attack the airfield at Mongosah.
• V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the airfields at Manokwari and Wewak and occupied villages in the Schouten Islands.
• A 421st Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crew downs a Ki-21 'Sally' bomber near Japen Island at 0320 hours.
• During the night, 2 Japanese bombers attack the Owi airfield. 1 man is wounded and 5 parked aircraft are damaged.

Burma-China

On the Salween front the Chinese 8th Army completes the mopping up of the Sung Shan zone. The battle for the capture of this important staging point on the Burma Road has cost the Chinese 7,675 dead. The Japanese garrison of 2,000 odd has been wiped out.

Diplomatic Relations

Bulgaria declares war on Germany, as occupation by part of the 3rd Ukraine Front continues.

Air Operations, Bonin and Volcano Islands

30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based on Saipan attack Iwo Jima and shipping off Chichi Jima.

Air Operations, Carolines

• USN carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.1 and Task Group 38.4, plus surface warships from Task Group 38.1, Task Group 38.2, and Task Group 38.3 continue to bombard targets in the Palau Islands.
• During the night, 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s attack airfields and Japanese defenses in the Palau Islands.

Air Operations, CBI

• 9 10th Air Force B-25s attack Katha.

• 3 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack a Japanese destroyer near Hong Kong.
• 5 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Hengyang and Lingling and two bridges near Hengyang and Kiyang.
• More than 100 14th Air Force P-51s and P-40s attack numerous targets across a large area of southeastern and east-central China.
• A 449th Fighter Squadron P-38 downs 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters in an engagement over Paoshan at 1505 hours.
• 23 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Kunming.
• 90 of 108 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s staging through Chengtu attack a steel plant at Anshan.
• 3 B-29s attack targets of opportunity at Anshan.
• 5 B-29s attack rail facilities at Sinsiang.
• 3 B-29s attack unspecified targets of opportunity.
• 3 B-29s are destroyed in forced landings.
• During the night, Japanese bombers attack a headquarters, parked planes, and stores at the Hsinching airfield at Chengtu. 1 B-29 and 1 C-46 are damaged and 2 US soldiers are injured.

• 18 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack five rail bridges in northern and central French Indochina.

Air Operations, East Indies

• FEAF B-24s attack Lolobata.
• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack airfields in the Kai Islands.
• 45 V Bomber Command B-24s attack Langoan and the airfield there on Celebes.
• B-25s attack Galela and Tobelo Island.
• B-25s attack small vessels around Ceram.
• V Fighter Command P-47s attack the Kaoe airfield on Halmahera, anti-aircraft batteries at the Djailolo airfield, and barges at Point Lelo.
• P-38s attack Boela.

Air Operations, Europe

There is an explosion in Chiswick and 3 people are killed and 10 are injured. A supersonic boom is heard all over London announcing the first V-2 rocket attack on London. The rocket was launched from Wassenaar, a suburb of The Hague still in German hands. At this point the threat from the V-1 has been chiefly removed by the capture of the launch sites in France, but now the new projectile, fired from mobile launchers, poses a new problem. Its 192-mile flight is completed in 5 minutes and brings devastation to six houses in Stavely Road and much additional damage. This was not the intended target, of course, but those witnessing the event cannot explain the cause of the explosion because the speed of the projectile is such that it arrives before the sound of its passage is heard. Press statements are minimal and the public remains in the dark for two months. The Allies will find it difficult to fly raids against the mobile launch vehicles even though they quickly trace the area in which they are operating. The V-2 program will have minimal effect on the war as a whole, the daily bombardment barely equalling the effect of a single Allied bomber over Germany.

The luxury liner Rex (51,062t) is set on fire by the RAF at Trieste.

• 333 aircraft of Nos. 1, 3 and 8 attempt to bomb German positions at Le Havre, but the weather is bad with a low cloud base. In the aircraft total are 304 Lancasters, 25 Mosquitos and 4 Stirlings. Only 109 aircraft drop their bombs with indifferent results. The 4 Stirlings on this raid, all from No. 149 Squadron based at Methwold, are the last Bomber Command Stirlings to carry out a bombing operation. It is believed that Stirling LK396, piloted by Flying Officer J. J. McKee, an Australian, was the last Stirling to bomb the target.
• 2 Lancasters are lost on the raid.
• 2 Hudsons carry out Resistance operations without a loss.

• 45 Mosquitos are sent to Nuremberg, 6 to Emden and 3 to Steenwijk, 13 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 13 RCM sorties.
• 1 Stirling is lost on a Resistance flight.

Air Operations, Far East

China-based B-29 Superfortress bombers make their first daylight raid against Japanese industrial targets at Anshan, Manchuria.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-24s attack the airfields at Faan, Langgoer, Letfoean, and Toeal.
• A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack airfields and targets of opportunity at or near Babo, Efman Island, Manokwari, Moemi, Ransiki, and Urarom.
• P-39s attack coastal targets around Wewak.

Belgium

The Belgian government of premier Hubert Pierlot, which took refuge in London when Belgium capitulated in May 1940, returns to Brussels.

Burma-China

On the Salween front the Japanese have received substantial reinforcements and open an offensive against the Chinese positions north of Lung-ling.

In China, the Japanese advance from Hengyang toward the south and occupy Ling-ling from which the US 14th Air Force has withdrawn.

Air Operations, Carolines

• During the night, 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s attack airfields and Japanese defenses in the Palau Islands.
• During the night, 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s attack airfields and Japanese defenses in the Palau Islands.

Air Operations, CBI

• 9 10th Air Force B-25s attack a Japanese Army headquarters at Manwing.

• 5 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack shipping in the South China Sea.
• 24 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and about 50 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack numerous targets in east-central China.
• 17 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Kunming.

Air Operations, Europe

US and British bombers batter cities along the Rhine form Düsseldorf and München-Gladbach to Mannheim-Ludwigshafen.

• 272 aircraft including 230 Halifaxes, 22 Lancasters and 20 Mosquitos of Nos. 4, 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Le Havre, but because of poor visibility the Master Bomber orders the raid to be abandoned before any of the planes drop their bombs.
• There are no losses.

• 1 Hudson is on a Resistance operation and there are 2 Wellington RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

• 113 Lancasters and 24 Mosquitos of Nos. 5 and 8 Groups carry out a devastating raid on the center of Münchengladbach.
• No aircraft are lost.

• 39 Mosquitos are sent to Brunswick and 6 to Steenwijk, and there are 30 Mosquito patrols and 22 RCM sorties.
• Thee are no losses.

Air Operations, East Indies

• V Bomber Command B-24s attack the Mapanget airfield on Celebes.
• FEAF B-24s attack the Galela airfield on Halmahera.
• More than 100 V Bomber Command A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the Boela and Haroekoe airfields on Ceram, the Liang airfield on Amboina, and the Namlea airfield on Boeroe.

Air Operations, Japan

• Of 6 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s dispatched on an anti-shipping mission around Paramushiro Island, 4 return to base without locating targets, 1 lands at Petropavlovsk in the Soviet Union (where it and its crew are interned), and 1 ditches after colliding with the mast of a ship.
• During the night, 3 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack Kashiwabara.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• A 421st Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crew downs a Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane near Japen Island at 0310 hours.
• V Bomber Command B-25s attack the airfield at Babo.
• V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the airfields at Manokwari, Moemi, and Ransiki.
• During the night, 10 Japanese bombers attack Owi and Biak islands. Anti-aircraft fire downs 2 of the raiders, but 3 men are killed and 12 are wounded by bombs.

Air Operations, Philippines

• US carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.1, Task Group 38.2, and Task Group 38.3 attack targets on Mindanao in support of the upcoming invasion of the Palau Islands.
• A VF-15 F6F downs 2 D3A 'Val' dive bombers near Del Monte at 0700 hours.
• VF-18 F6F downs a D4Y 'Judy' dive bomber near the airfield at Davao at 0710 hours.
• VF-15 and VF-8 F6Fs down 2 Ki-57 'Topsy' transports over northern Mindano between 0715 and 0730 hours.
• A VF-15 F6F downs a P1Y 'Galaxy' bomber at sea at 0910 hours.
• A VF-21 F6F downs a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter at sea at 0946 hours.
• A VF-15 F6F downs a Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane at sea at 1445 hours.

Battle of the Atlantic

The sinking of U-484 is attributed to depth-charge attackes by the British corvette Portchester Castle and the frigate Helmsdale.

U-48

Air Operations, Carolines

• While also covering strikes against Mindanao airfields by the rest of Task Force 38, carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.4 begin two days of preinvasion strikes against Japanese antiaircraft and beach defenses at Peleliu and Angaur islands.
• 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in the Marshall Islands attack the Truk Atoll.
• During the night, 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s attack airfields and Japanese defenses in the Palau Islands.

Air Operations, CBI

• 45 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Lingling and other cities in east-central China.
• Nearly 140 14th Air Force fighter-bombers mount aggressive sweeps over the Salween River area (including eastern Burma) and southeastern and east-central China.
• 449th Fighter Squadron P-38s and 51st Fighter Group P-51s down 2 Ki-48 'Lily' bombers and 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over and near Tengchung during a mid-afternoon engagement.
• 24 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Kunming.

Air Operations, East Indies

• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Laha airfield on Ceram.
• FEAF B-24s attack Tomohon (Celebes), port facilities at Menado (Celebes), Wasile Bay (Moluccas), the Langoan, Mapanget and Menado airfields on Celebes, and Hate Tabako airfield.
• B-25s, A-20s, and V Fighter Command P-38s attack oil stores and the Amahai and Boela airfields on Ceram and the Namlea airfield on Boeroe. 1 B-25 and 2 A-20s are downed by ground fire over the Amahai airfield.

Air Operations, Europe

• 992 aircraft including 521 Lancasters, 426 Halifaxes and 45 Mosquitos, attack 8 different German strongpoints around Le Havre. Each target is marked separately by Pathfinders and then accurately bombed. There are no losses.

• 24 aircraft are on Resistance operations and there are 8 RCM sorties. There are no losses.

• 47 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin, 2 Lancasters lay mines of Texel, and there are 24 Mosquito patrols and 11 RCM sorties. There are no losses.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the airfields at Manokwari, Moemi, Nabire, Ransiki, Sagan, and Samate.

Air Operations, Philippines

• Carrier aircraft from Task Force 38 continue to attack targets on Mindanao in support of the upcoming invasion of the Palau Islands.
• Carrier-based F6Fs down 3 Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance planes, 1 J1N 'Irving' fighter, and 1 D3A 'Val' dive bomber over Mindanao between 0730 and 0845 hours.

Air Operations, Volcano Islands

30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at Saipan attack Iwo Jima and shipping off Iwo Jima.

Black Sea

• After U-18 is damaged by the advancing Soviet armies, the choice for the crew of U-19 is between scutlling off the Soviet Union and becoming POWs or scuttling near Turkey and becoming interned in Turkey. They chose the latter.

U-19 Class Type IIB CO Oberleutnant zur See Willi Oldenburg Location Black Sea, off Ergeli, Turkey Cause Scuttling Casualties Unknown Survivors Unknown

U-20 Class Type IIB CO Oberleutnant zur See Karl Grafen Location Black Sea, off Ergeli, Turkey Cause Scuttling Casualties Unknown Survivors Unknown

• U-20 chose the same fate as U-19.
• U-23 also opted for scuttling near Turkey.

U-23

Class	Type IIB
CO	Oberleutnant zur See Rolf Wahlen
Location	Black Sea, off Ergeli, Turkey
Cause	Scuttling
Casualties	Unknown
Survivors	Unknown

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Diplomatic Relations

The Russo-Finnish Armistice is signed in Moscow ending their 3-year war. The Finns agree to pay reparations but get the borders restored to the 1940 positions.

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Eastern Front

The 1st Belorussian Front attacks German forces in Praga, outside Warsaw. Warsaw's mayor appeals for immediate Allied aid. Stalin approves the use of Russian airfields for British and US planes to drop supplies to the Polish forces in Warsaw.

CENTRAL SECTOR


The 47th Army launches a fierce attack into the Warsaw suburb of Praga but is held in the strong German defenses. The 1st Panzer Army is holding off the Soviet 38th Army near Krosno.

Air Operations, Bonin and Volcano Islands

30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at Saipan attack Iwo Jima and shipping off Chichi Jima.

Air Operations, Carolines

• US carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.4 complete two days of pre-invasion strikes against Japanese anti-aircraft and beach defenses at Peleliu and Angaur islands.
• During the night, 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s attack airfields and defenses in the Palau Islands.

Air Operations, CBI

• 12 10th Air Force P-47s attack roads, towns, and targets of opportunity in eastern Burma and near the Chinese cities of Lungling and Tengchung.

• 18 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack stores at Manling.
• 30 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Kiaotow and Tunganhsien, and targets of opportunity around Lingling. 12 14th Air Force P-40s attack targets along the Burma Road near Lungling.
• 50 P-40s and P-51s attack a wide variety of targets between Tungting Lake and Canton.
• 23 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Kunming.

Air Operations, East Indies

• FEAF B-24s attack the Galela and Miti airfields on Halmahera.
• B-25s attack the Kairatoe and Boela airfields on Ceram and nearby villages.
• V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s attack the Kaoe airfield on Halmahera.
• V Fighter Command P-38s attack oil stores at Boela, the Amahai airfield on Ceram, and the Namlea airfield on Boeroe.
• 1 A-20 is downed by ground fire over the Kaoe airfield on Halmahera.

Air Operations, Japan

4 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s attack small vessels off Shimushu Island.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command A-20s attack the airfields at Nabire, Otawiri, Sagan, and Urarom.
• V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack facilities and anti-aircraft batteries at the airfields of Manokwari and Ransiki.

Air Operations, Europe

The US 8th Air Force carries out the last of its 'shuttle' raids, 139 aircraft attack an arms factory at Chemnitz, in Germany, and go on to land at bases in the Soviet Union.

• 218 aircraft of Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 8 Groups attack German positions outside Le Havre. Included in the aircraft total are 105 Halifaxes, 103 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos. The bombing is carried out accurately in good visibilty, but the Master Bomber orders the final wave to cease bombing because of smoke and dust. 171 aircraft bomb without a loss.
• 205 Halifaxes, 154 Lancasters and 20 Mosquitos are sent to bomb synthetic oil plants at Castrop-Rauxel, Kamen and Gelsenkirchen. The first two targets are clearly visible and are accurately bombed, but the Nordstem plane near Gelsenkirchen is partially protected by a smoke screen which hinders bombing and prevents the observation of results. The bombing forces are escorted by 26 squadrons of fighters, 20 squadrons of Spitfires and 3 each of Mustangs and Tempests. They meet no German fighters.
• 5 Halifaxes of No. 4 Group and 2 Pathfinder Lancasters are lost on the Nordstem raid and 1 Lancaster on each of the other 2 raids. The losses are caused either by flak or by 'friendly' bombs.

• 19 aircraft are on Resistance operations and there are 5 RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

• 226 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group are sent to Darmstadt. A previous raid by this Group in August had failed to harm Darmstadt but, in clear weather conditions, the group's marking methods produce an outstandingly accurate and concentrated raid on this almost intact city of 120,000 people. A fierce fire area is created in the center and in the districts immediately south and east of the center. Property damage in this area is almost complete. Casualties are very heavy.
• 12 Lancasters are lost.

• The Darmstadt raid, with its extensive fire destruction and its heavy casualties, was held by the Germans to be an extreme example of RAF 'terror bombing' and is still a sensitive subject because of the absence of any major industries in the city. Bomber Command defended the raid by pointing out the railway communications passing through Darmstadt. The directive for the offensive against German communications had not yet been issued to Bomber Command, although advance notice of the directive may have been received. Darmstadt was simply one of Germany's medium-sized cities of lesser importance which succumbed to Bomber Command's improving area-attack techniques in the last months of the war when many of the larger cities were no longer worth bombing.

• 47 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin and 7 to Steenwijk, 76 Halifaxes and Lancasters lay mines in the Kattegat, and there are 44 Mosquito patrols and 13 RCM sorties.
• 3 minelaying Lancasters and 1 Mosquito on the Berlin raid are lost.

Aegean

The Germans evacuate Mytilene.

The exiled Greek government moves from Cairo to Caserta in southern Italy to be nearer to home when the time comes for the return.

Air Operations, Carolines

• US carrier aircraft from Task Group 38.4 and a force of 4 3rd Fleet escort carriers covers a US surface force as it arrives to begin a final bombardment of invasion objectives in the Palau Islands. Aircraft and warships open a coordinated bombardment, especially of Peleliu Island.
• During the night, 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s attack airfields and Japanese defenses in the Palau Islands.

Air Operations, CBI

• 4 10th Air Force B-24s attack the Katha area.
• 8 10th Air Force P-47s conduct a sweep along the Irrawaddy River from Bhamo to Katha.
• 3 P-47s strafe buildings in Katha.
• 16 P-47s attack the airfield at Loiwing and targets of opportunity along the Burma Road from Lungling (China) to Wanling and Namhkam.

• 15 14th Air Force P-40s attack coastal and river shipping in southern China, the South China Sea, and the Red River in French Indochina.
• 22 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Kaochishih and Tunghsiangchiao, and the Kiyang area.
• 14 B-25s attack the town area and bridges in and around Sungpai.
• 10 B-25s and 6 14th Air Force P-40s attack Lungling.
• 27 P-40s and P-51s attack targets across a wide area of east-cental China.
• 23rd and 5th CACW Fighter group P-40s and P-51s down 1 D3A 'Val' dive bomber and 3 Japanese fighters in a series of engagements from Chuanhsien to near Changsha between 1500 and 1530 hours.
• 25 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Kunming.

Air Operations, East Indies

• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Lautem, Timor.
• FEAF B-24s attack three airfields on Celebes.
• B-24s attack the Galela and Kaoe airfields on Halmahera.
• 38th Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack radar facilities on Morotai at extremely low level.
• V Fighter Command P-38s dive-bomb the Namlea airfield on Boeroe.
• P-47s attack the Boela airfield on Ceram.

Air Operations, Japan

3 28th Composite Bomb Group bombers attack Suribachi airfield and nearby shipping in the Kurile Islands.

Air Operations, Europe

• 412 aircraft of Nos. 4, 6 and 8 Groups are sent to bomb synthetic oil plants at Dortmund, Scholven/Buer and Wanne-Eickel. Included in the aircraft total are 315 Halifaxes, 75 Lancasters and 22 Mosquitos. The Dortmund raid is particularly successful, but smoke screens prevent results from being observed at the other targets.
• 3 Lancasters and 1 Halifax are lost on the Wanne-Eickel raid and 2 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster on the Scholven/Buer raid.

• 119 Halifaxes of No. 4 Group and 5 Pathfinder Lancasters carry out the first raid by RAF heavy bombers on Münster since June 1943. Many fires are seen but smoke prevented an accurate assessment of the bomb damage. A brief report from Münster describes a 'sea of fire' in the southern part of the town which could not be entered for several hours and tells of water mains destroyed by high-explosive bombs so that 'the firemen could only stand helpless in front of the flames'.
• 2 Halifaxes are lost.

• 2 aircraft are on Resistance operations and there are 9 RCM sorties.

• 378 Lancasters and 9 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 3 and 8 Groups are sent to Frankfurt, the last major raid on this city by the RAF. The bombers drop 400,000 incendiaries on the city. The local report says that the raid occurred when many of the city's firemen and rescue workers were away working in Darmstadt. The bombing caused severe destruction in the western districts of the city, which contained many industrial premises. Property damage was extensive. A troop train was hit at the West Station.
• 17 Lancasters are lost.
• 204 Lancasters and 13 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 5 Groups are sent to Stuttgart. The attack is successful and local reports say a firestorm was created.
• 4 Lancasters are lost.

• Support and 138 training aircraft make a diversionary sweep over the North Sea, 29 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin and 6 to Steenwijk, 12 Halifaxes lay mines in Oslo harbor, and there are 81 Mosquito patrols and 31 RCM sorties.
• 1 Halifax is lost on the diversionary sweep and 1 from mine-laying.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the airfields at Babo, Manokwari, Moemi, Mongosah, Sagan, and Samate and anti-aircraft batteries.

Air Operations, Philippines

• US carrier aircraft from Task Force 38 open an ad hoc offensive against airfields and other targets in the central Philippines. Japanese air opposition from Leyte is so much weaker than expected that US carriers station themselves within sight of land.
• 2 VF(N)-41 F6Fs down 1 G4M 'Betty' bomber at sea at 0755 hours.
• Carrier-based F6Fs (and a VB-19 dive-bomber crew) down 1 Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane, 1 P1Y 'Galaxy' bomber, 1 D4Y 'Judy' dive bomber, and 77 Japanese fighters in almost continuous action over Cebu and Negros between 0900 and 1345 hours.
• 2 VF(N)-41 F6Fs down 1 Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane at sea at 1846 hours.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-925 left for patrol on August 24, 1944 and was not heard from again. Her fate is not known. It could have been a drifting mine or the victim of an accident resulting from material or drill failure.

U-925

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Oberleutnant zur See Helmut Knoke
Location	N Atlantic, off Iceland
Cause	Unknown
Casualties	51
Survivors	None

• The US freighter George Ade (7176t), en route from Mobile, Alabama to New York, via Key West, Florida, is torpedoed by U-518). There are no casualties among the 41-man crew or the 27-man Armed Guard. The salvage vessel Escape (ARS-6) takes the stricken vessel in tow. She is taken to Hampton Roads where the ship is repaired and returned to service.

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Air Operations, Carolines

During the night, 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s attack airfields and Japanese defenses in the Palau Islands.

Air Operations, CBI

• 12 10th Air Force P-47s attack road targets near Kutkai.
• 8 P-47s attack Mawhun and targets of opportunity along the Irrawaddy River.
• 8 P-47s sweep the Irrawaddy River between Bhamo and Katha.
• A 459th Fighter Squadron P-38 downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter over Rangoon at 1105 hours.

• 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack vessels off the Pescadore Islands.

Air Operations, Europe

The US 8th Air Force, on its return flight to Italy, bombs the great Diosgyoer steelworks in Hungary.

• 140 aircraft are sent to hit the Nordstern oil plant at Gelsenkirchen. In this total are 102 Halifaxes of No. 4 Group and 28 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of No. 8 Group. Large explosions are seen through the smoke screen.
• 2 Halifaxes are lost.
• 98 Halifaxes and 20 Lancasters of Nos. 6 and 8 Groups attack Osnabrück. The mission is to cut railway communications in the area. The marking and bombing are accurate but there are no details on the results.
• There are no losses.

• There are 13 RCM sorties.

• 36 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin and 3 to Karlsruhe, and there are 41 Mosquito patrols and 29 RCM sorties.
• 2 Mosquitos are lost on the Berlin raid.

Air Operations, Japan

During the night, 3 28th Composite Group B-24s attack the airfield at Kurabu Cape and nearby shipping.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-25s attack the airfield at Langgoer.
• A-20s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack two airfields on Efman Island.
• B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack the airfields at Mano-kwari and Ransiki, and anti=aircraft batteries near the airfield at Babo.

Air Operations, Philippines

• Virtually unopposed, carrier aircraft from Task Force 38 mount numerous attacks against targets throughout the central Philippines.
• 2 VF-21 F6Fs down a P1Y 'Galaxy' bomber at sea at 0629 hours.
• Carrier-based F6Fs (and 2 dive-bomber crews from VB-8 and VB-2) down 1 F1M 'Pete' reconnaissance plane, 2 G4Ms 'Betty' bombers, 2 Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance planes, and 80 fighters over and around Negros between 0710 and 0945 hours.
• VF-13 F6Fs down 5 fighters over Legaspi (Luzon) at 0810 hours.
• 3VF(N)-41 F6Fs down an G4M 'Betty' bomber at sea at 0812 hours.
• A VF(N)-76 F4U downs a G4M 'Betty' bomber near Luzon at 1415 hours.

Atlantic

4 US warships including the destroyer Warrington (DD-383) and the Coast Guard cutters Bedloe (WSC-128) and Jackson (WSC-142) and a Liberty ship, previously torpedoed by U-518 are lost in a hurricane off the East Coast.

Eastern Front

The 2nd Belorussian Front takes Lomza on the Narew west of Bialystok, a German strongpoint for the defense of East Prussia and Warsaw.

The Soviets respond to British and American pressure and begin supply drops to the Polish Home Army (AK) forces fighting in Warsaw regarded by the Poles as too little too late.

The Leningrad, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Baltic Fronts prepare to launch a new offensive aimed at destroying the 18th and 16th Armies between Riga and Narva. While the Leningrad Front drives in from the north, the 2nd and 3rd Baltic Fronts will pin down the German forces south of Lake Peipus. The 1st Baltic Front will sweep around the right wing of the 16th Army to regain the Baltic coast west of Riga and repeat the isolation of the 2 armies.

The Leningrad Front's 2nd Shock, 59th and 8th Armies along the Narva have 195,000 men, the 1st Baltic Front 621,000 (in the 4th Shock, 6th Guards, 51st, 43rd, 2nd Guards and 39th Armies), the 2nd Baltic 339,000 men (in the 10th Guards, 3rd Shock and 22nd Armies) and the 3rd Baltic Front 345,000 men (in the 42nd, 67th, 1st Shock abd 54th Armies). The 3 Baltic fronts also have 17,000 arty pieces, 3,000 tanks and 2,600 aircraft. The Army Group North has around 400,000 ment with 400 panzers.

The 49th Army crosses the Narew and takes Lomza, while the 47th Army clears the Praga suburb of Warsaw but fails to link up with the Polish Home Army.

Britain, Home Front

The death of William Heath Robinson, an eccentric cartoonist, is reported.

Air Operations, Carolines

• 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in the Marshall Islands attack the Truk Atoll.
• During the night, 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s mount their final attack against airfields and Japanese defenses in the Palau Islands.

Air Operations, CBI

• 4 10th Air Force B-25s attack Bhamo with fragmentation and booby-trap bombs.

• 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Tunganhsien.
• 91 14th Air Force P-40s and P-51s attack numerous targets across a wide area of east-central China and the Salween River front.
• 23rd Fighter Group P-51s down 2 Ki-44 'Tojo' fighters in a morning engagement near Sanshui.

Air Operations, East Indies

• FEAF B-24s attack 4 airfields on Halmahera.
• B-25s attack the Mapanget airfield on Celebes.

Air Operations, Europe

Germany is pounded by 5,000 Allied aircraft in raids on targets from the Siegfried Line to Berlin.

• 133 Halifaxes and 51 Lancasters of Nos. 4, 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Wilhelmshaven but are recalled while over the North Sea. No reason for the recall is in Bomber Command records.
• There are no losses.
• 35 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of Nos. 3 and 8 Groups bomb 'an ammunition dump' near The Hague at Wassenar. This site is possibly a suspected V-2 storage facility. The bombing is considered accurate but smoke and dust cover the target preventing the results being observed.

• There are 6 RCM sorties without a loss.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s attack the airfield at Babo.
• V Fighter Command fighter-bombers conduct numerous small attacks against airfields, anti-aircraft batteries, and targets of opportunity across the Vogelkop Peninsula.

Air Operations, Philippines

Virtually unopposed, US carrier aircraft from Task Force 38 continue to mount numerous attacks against targets throughout the central Philippines and Mindanao. In three days, US aircraft undertake more than 2,400 effective combat sorties, down an estimated 173 Japanese aircraft, destroy an estimated 305 Japanese aircraft on the ground, sink 59 ships, probably sink 58 other ships, destroy numerous ground tagets, and inflict serious casualties upon Japanese military personnel. US losses are 8 aircraft in combat, 1 airplane in an operational accident, and 10 pilots and aircrew killed.

Air Operations, Volcano Islands

30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at Saipan attack Iwo Jima.

Burma-China

The Chinese complete the capture of Teng-chung, the town they first managed to enter on August 4. With the loss of Teng-chung and increasingly strong Chinese resistance in the Lung-ling sector, the Japanese break off their counter-offensive on the Salween front.

Italy

With the capture of Zollara the Gemmano Ridge is finally cleared of German forces and the 8th Army is able to push forward to the Marano River, which is crossed by several patrols. In the western sector the American 5th Army continues to pound the defenses of the 'Gothic' Line.

Air Operations, Carolines

• The 1st US Marine Division lands at Peleliu Island against heavy opposition. Air cover is provided by Task Group 38.4 and the escort carriers of Task Group 32.7.
• At the last minute, before Marines arrive ashore, 48 FMs (12 each from VC-20, VC-21, VC-27, and VC-75) strafe the landing beaches and areas immediately to the rear. Later in the day, escort-carrier aircraft help Marines beat off a counterattack by IJA tanks.
• Advance headquarters detachments of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Air Group 11 land with the invasion force. They will oversee Marine air operations undertaken in support of the Palaus Campaign.

Air Operations, CBI

• 16 10th Air Force P-47s sweep the Irrawaddy River between Bhamo and Katha.
• 12 P-51s attack Mawhun.
• 8 P-47s attack Kutkai.
• Several P-47s sweep the Burma Road from eastern Burma to Lungling (China).

• 19 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack military stores at Hengyang.
• 20 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Chuanhsien.
• 5 B-25s attack Lingling.
• More than 90 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack Changsha, Kiyang, and wide surrounding areas.
• 8 10th Air Force B-25s attack fuel stores and targets of opportunity in the Chefang area.
• 13 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Liuchow, China.

Air Operations, Europe

• 38 Lancasters of Nos. 9 and 617 Squadrons and a No. 5 Group Mosquito for weather reconnaissance had set out on September 11 to fly to Northern Russia in preparation for this raid on the 45,000-ton battleship Tirpitz, which is at anchor in Kaa Fjord in Northern Norway. 1 aircraft returns to Britain and 6 crash-land in Russia but their crew members are not seriously hurt. Only 27 Lancasters and a further Lancaster with a cameraman on board are available for the raid on the Tirpitz, which eventually takes place this day. 20 aircraft are loaded with the 12,000-pound Tallboy bomb and 6 (or 7, the records are not clear) carry several 'Johnny Walker' mines - of 400-500-pound weight developed for attacking capital ships moored in shallow water. The attack catches the Tirpitz by surprise and her smoke-screens are late in starting. One Tallboy hits the Tirpitz near the bow and causes considerable damage. The shock caused by the explosion of this bomb, or possibly from other bombs which are near misses, also damage the battleship's engines. The Germans decide that repairs to make Tirpitz fully seaworthy are not practicable and she will be later moved to an anchorage further south in Norway, but only for use as a semi-static heavy artillery battery. These results of the raid are not known in England at the time and further raids against Tirpitz will take place.
• None of the Lancasters are shot down on the raid and all return safely to the airfield in Russia but the No. 617 Squadron aircraft of Flying Officer F. Levy crashes in Norway while returning to Lossiemouth 2 days later with 11 men on board.

• There are 9 RCM sorties and 1 aircraft on a Resistance operation.
• There are no losses.

• 490 aircraft are sent to Kiel. In this total are 310 Lancasters, 173 Halifaxes and 7 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups. The evidence of returning crews and of photographs cause Bomber Command to record this as 'a highly concentrated raid' with 'the old town and modern shopping center devastated'.
• 4 Halifaxes and 2 Lancasters are lost.

• Support and 164 aircraft make a diversionary sweep over the North Sea, 27 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin, 9 to Lübeck and 8 to Rheine airfield, 68 Halifaxes and Lancasters lay mines near Oslo, the Kattegat and in the Elbe River, and there are 56 Mosquito patrols and 34 RCM sorties.
• 4 Mosquitos and 1 Stirling are lost on the operations.

Air Operations, East Indies

• US Army ground troops land on Morotai Island against negligble opposition. The Pitoe airfield there is quickly captured.
• In support of the invasion of Morotai, US aircraft from Task Group 38.1 and 7th fleet escort carriers attack targets on Halmahera, Batjan, and Celebes islands. US surface warships also attack areas of Halmahera.
• FEAF B-24s, V Bomber Command A-20s, and V Fighter Command P-47s attack the airfield at Hate Tabako, the Kaoe and Lolobata airfields on Halmahera while 2 38th Medium Bomb Group B-25s spray insecticide over Morotai.
• A VF-2 F6F downs a G4M 'Betty' bomber 30 miles from the US carriers at 1220 hours.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Fighter Command P-39s attack Manokwari and the airfield there.

Allied Planning

The Joint Chiefs of Staff, examining the situation in the Pacific in the light of the limited resistance by the Japanese in the central Philippines, decide to bring forward the invasion fo Leyte from December 20 to October 20, and to cancel the planned operations against the islands of Yap, east of the Palaus, Talaud, south of Mindanao, and Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

Battle of the Atlantic

It is not known when or how U-743 is lost. It is presumed to have been a victim of a mine or an accident during the middle of September 1944.

U-743

Burma-China

Chiang Kai-shek threatens to withdraw his troops from the Salween if the Chinese and American forces in the Myitkyina sector do not carry out an offensive to the south within a week.

In Burma, in the British XXXIII Corps sector, the 5th Indian Division continues its advance on Tiddim, establishing a bridgehead across the Manipur River near Tuitum.

Eastern Front

The German South Ukraine Group succeeds in concentrating 27 divisions and brigades, including 6 armored divisions, before Cluj in Transylvania. These forces block the advance of the 2nd Ukraine Front. The Polish 1st Army of the 1st Belorussian Front begins crossing the Vistula from Praga to Warsaw.

The German 20th Mountain Army launches an abortive attack against the port of Suursaari, prompting the Finnish Government to demand its immediate withdrawal from the country.

The Germans put up stout resistance against the Soviet 1st Shock Army near Valk and the 3rd Shock, 10th Guards and 22nd Armies near Madona.[MORE]

France, Politics

François de Menthon, the Justice Commissioner, orders the arrest of Marshal Pétain and all the members of the Vichy Cabinet because of their alleged collaboration with the Germans.

Greece

Between September 12 and 15 the Germans evacuate Mitilini and the Ionian Islands.

Air Operations, CBI

• 12 14th Air Force B-25s attack Kutkai.

• Despite bad weather, 10th Air Force P-47s sweep the Lungling-Wanling-Loiwing road in eastern Burma and southwestern China.
• 20 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Hengyang.
• 28 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Chuanhsien, Lengshuitang, Pakmushih, and a ferry at Yuangshsho.
• More than 130 14th Air Force fighter-bombers sorties are mounted against numerous targets in the Salween River area and east-central China.
• 5th CACW Fighter Group P-40s down 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters in an engagement near Siansiang at 0900 hours.
• 23rd Fighter Group P-40s fail to score any confirmed victories in an engagement near Shaoyang at 0945 hours.
• 2 3rd CACW Fighter Group P-40s down a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter near Kokow during the morning.
• A 23rd Fighter Group P-51 downs an A6M Zero near Kinhwa at 1100 hours.
• 19 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Liuchow, China.

Air Operations, East Indies

• In their first response to the Allied invasion, Japanese aircraft mount light raids against US ground and naval forces at Morotai.
• FEAF B-24s attack the Ambesia and Kendari airfields on Celebes.
• B-24s and B-25s attack airfields on Ceram, Kamarian, Amboina, and Boeroe.
• B-25s attack a large warehouse at Gorontalo, Celebes.
• A VC-66 FM downs an A6M Zero at sea at 0650 hours.

Air Operations, Europe

• 14 Stirlings and 4 Hudsons are on Resistance operations, and there are 2 Mosquitos on Ranger patrols and 9 RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

• Bomber Command's main operations on this night are in support of Operation MARKET GARDEN, the landings by British and American airborne troops at Arnhem and Nijmegen which take place the following morning. 200 Lancasters and 23 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 8 Groups bomb the airfields at Hopsten, Leeuwarden, Steenwijk and Rheine, and 54 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitos of Nos. 3 and 8 Groups bomb a flak position at Moerdijk. The runways of all the airfields are well cratered but there are only near misses at the flak position, although its approach road is cut.
• 2 Lancasters are lost on the Moerdijk raid.

• 29 Mosquitos are sent to Brunswick and 4 to Dortmund, and there are 29 Mosquito patrols and 14 RCM sorties.
• 1 Mosquito is lost on the Brunswick raid.

Air Operations, Japan

3 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack the Kataoka naval base.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the airfields at Manokwari, Moemi, Sagan, and Waren.

Air Operations, Volcano Islands

17 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at Saipan attack Iwo Jima.

Eastern Front

Guderian counterattacks near the Gulf of Riga with troops brought from far south of the front, spearheaded by a scratch Panzer division under Col-Gen Hyazinth Graf Stachwitz. Contact will be re-established between Army Groups Center and North by September 26.

There is a new large-scale Soviet offensive in the Baltic States by troops of the Leningrad Front and the 3 Baltic Fronts. This offensive will involve principally attacks toward Riga and Tallinn.

In the south in Bulgaria, Sofia is taken by that proportion of 3rd Ukraine Front which has crossed the Danube before turning west to threaten the retreat of the German forces in Greece. The German forces in danger are Army Group F of Maximilian von Weichs and E under Alexander Löhr. In Romania fighting continues between the South Ukraine Army Group and the 2nd Ukraine Front.

The fighting in the Baltic intensifies as the 3rd Panzer Army launches a new counterattack aimed at strengthening the ling with Army Group North. More than 400 panzers strike the 51st and 5th Guards Tank Armies. Bitter fighting ensues as the Germans advance slowly. To the east, the 22nd Army is hit by a 16th Army counterattack at Dobele.

Elements of the 1st Polish Army cross the Vistula at Magnuszew and begins to attack north in an effort to break through to the Home Army. However, the 9th Army puts up a ferocious defense, inflicting heavy casualties. Inside Warsaw the 25th Panzer Division has pushed the Poles back about half a mile in Zoliborz after fierce battles. Progress is also made in Czerniakow as the Poles lose their grip on the Vistula.

The 2nd Hungarian Army and 8th Army attacks east of Cluj, hitting the 7th Guards, 4th Romanian and 40th Armies hard.

Germany, Planning

Hitler outlines his plans for an offensive in the Ardennes to his generals. He tells Keitel, Jodl, and Guderian: 'I have just made a momentous decision. I shall go over to the counterattack, that is to say, here (pointing to a map) - out ot the Ardennes, with the objective Antwerp.' At the time, Germany has 55 divisions on the Western Front, facing 96 Allied divisions in place and another dozen in Britain.

Air Operations, Carolines

Following heavy air and naval bombardments, US Army ground forces land against light opposition at Angaur Island in the Palau Islands. After 7 US carrier-based F6Fs mistakenly attack US Army ground troops during the afternoon killing 7 and wounding 46, ground-support flight operations over Angaur are temporarily halted.

Air Operations, CBI

• 3 10th Air Force B-25s attack Indaw.
• 8 10th Air Force P-47s attack Bhamo.
• 8 P-47s attack Katha.
• 8 P-47s attack Momauk and Wanling.

• 29 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Changsha.
• 15 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 8 14th Air Force P-51s attack Japanese Army positions at Nanyo.
• 12 B-25s attack Hwangshapu and Kiyang.
• 14th Air Force fighter-bombers conducting armed reconnaissance missions mount more than 130 effective sorties against numerous targets through east-central China.
• 6 10th Air Force B-25s attack Mangshih.
• 3rd CACW Fighter Group P-40s down 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Yiyang between 1145 and 1220 hours.

Air Operations, Europe

• 762 aircraft drop more than 3,000 tons of bombs on German positions around Boulogne in preparation for an attack by Allied troops. Included in the aircraft total are 370 Lancasters, 351 Halifaxes and 41 Mosquitos. The German garrison surrenders soon after this attack.
• 1 Halifax and 1 Lancaster are lost.
• In support of Operation MARKET GARDEN, 112 Lancasters and 20 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 8 Groups bomb German flak positions in the Flushing area without a loss.

• 10 Stirlings and 1 Hudson are on Resistance operations and there are 6 Mosquito patrols and 9 RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

• In support of Operation MARKET GARDEN, 241 aircraft make 2 diversionary sweeps - 1 to the Dutch coast and 1 into Holland. The intent is to draw up German fighters from southern Holland. The intention is not achieved.
• There are no losses.

• 42 Mosquitos are sent to Bremen and 6 to Dortmund, and there are 29 Mosquito patrols and 29 RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, East Indies

• FEAF B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s attack the Langoan airfield on Celebes.
• B-25s and V Fighter Command P-39s attack airfields and occupied villages on Amboina and Ceram through bad weather.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Fighter Command P-47s and P-40s attack the airfield at Samate.

Air Operations, Philippines

FEAF B-25s attack the Buayoan airfield on Mindanao.

Britain, Home Front

The 'blackout' ends in Britain. It is replaced by the 'dim-out' allowing diffused car headlights and low street lighting.

Burma

On the British XXXIII Corps front, the 5th Indian Division captures Tuitum.

Eastern Front

Russian forces enter Estonia.

The 3rd Baltic Front attacks around Tartu as they try to drive into the rear of the German Narva Group. During the last week the 2nd Shock Army has been transferred from its positions north of Lake Peipus to the Tartu sector. The 2nd attacks alongside the 42nd and 67th Armies, and after bitter fighting breaks through the 18th Army defenses.

Italy

In the western sector the American IV Corps opens a general attack on the left flank.

Morotai

The US 31st Infantry Division begins mopping up the island and occupies the islets off the coast.

Pacific

• The US submarine Barb (SS-220) sinks the Japanese tanker Asuza Maru (11,177t) about 230 miles southeast of Hong Kong. Barb and the US submarine Queenfish (SS-393) pick up an additional 15 British and Australian POWs, survivors to the sunken Rakuyo Maru.
• The Japanese merchant cargo ship Shinai Maru (2410t) is sunk by a mine off the east coast of Celebes.

Air Operations, Carolines

28 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in the Marshall Islands attack the Truk Atoll.

Air Operations, CBI

• 9 10th Air Force P-47s attack Japanese Army positions at Myothit.

• 4 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack shipping in the Formosa Strait.
• 30 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack targets at and near Chuanhsien, Lingling, and Taohsien.
• 14th Air Force fighter-bombers mount nearly 115 effective sorties against numerous targets across east-central China.
• 8 10th Air Force B-25s attack dumps and other installations at and around Chefang.
• 18 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Liuchow.

Air Operations, East Indies

• Despite bad weather, FEAF B-24s are able to mount individual and small attacks against targets, including four airfields on Amboina and Ceram.
• B-25s attack the Langoan airfield on Celebes.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack Manokwari, the airfield there, and anti-aircraft batteries at Moemi.

Air Operations, Philippines

• 27 22nd and 43rd Heavy Bomb group B-24s attack Japanese Army barracks at Davao, Mindanao.
• 23 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack oil stores at Sasa, Mindanao.

Air Operations, Europe

• 74 aircraft including 34 Lancasters, 30 Halifaxes and 10 Mosquitos of Nos. 6 and 8 Groups, attempt to bomb a coastal battery at Domberg on the island of Walcheren, but the Master Bomber abandons the raid after 8 Mosquitos had attempted to mark the target in poor weather conditions.
• There are no losses.
• 7 RCM sorties are flow without a loss.

• 206 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group are sent to Bremerhaven. This is another successful No. 5 Group method raid and Bremerhaven, which had not been seriously bombed by the RAF before, requires only this one knock-out blow by the comparatively small force of aircraft carrying fewer than 900 tons of bombs. The center of the town, the port area and the suburb of Geestemünde are gutted by fire as 420,000 incendiaries are dropped. 2,670 buildings are destroyed and 369 seriously damaged.
• No. 100 Group's RCM Operations successfully keep German night fighters away from the force and only 1 Lancaster and 1 Mosquito are lost.

• 33 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin and 6 to Rheine, 4 Lancasters lay mines in the Weser River, and there are 67 Mosquito patrols and 30 RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-855 is returning home from a weather-reporting patrol when she hits a mine.

U-855

Eastern Front

The German defenses at Tartu collapses. As the 2nd Shock, 42nd and 67th Armies advance the Narva Group begins to abandon its increasingly exposed positions. The 8th and 59th Armies press along the Estonian coast, harrying the Narva Group.

Air Operations, Bonin Islands

29 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at Saipan attack shipping at Chichi Jima.

Air Operations, East Indies

• FEAF B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s attack the Langoan airfield on Celebes and port facilities, fuel stores, bivouacs, anti-aircraft batteries throughout northeastern Celebes.
• VP-33 PBYs begin operating from Morotai, where they are serviced by the seaplane tender USS Tangier.
• During the night, V Bomber Command A-20s and V Fighter Command P-47s attack Kaoe, Halmahera.

Air Operations, Europe

100 German bombers attack Eindhoven, the only time long-range Luftwaffe aircraft are used in the fight for western Europe.

• 28 Lancasters, 27 Halifaxes and 1 Mosquito of Nos. 6 and 8 Groups are sent to attack the Domberg coastal battery but are recalled.
• 1 Halifax crashes in England.

• 6 Hudsons and 4 Stirlings fly Resistance operations and there are 8 RCM sorties.

• 227 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group are sent to the twin towns of Mönchengladbach/Rheydt, key traffic centers behind the Siegfried Line. Bomber Command claims severe damage to both towns, but particularly to Mönchengladbach.
• 4 Lancaster and 1 Mosquito are lost.
• The Master Bomber for this raid is Wing Commander Guy Gibson, VC, DSO, DFC flying a No. 627 Squadron Mosquito from Coningsby, where he was serving as Base Operations Officer. Gibson's instructions over the target are heard throughout the raid and give no hint of trouble, but his aircraft crashes in flames - according to a Dutch eyewitness - before crossing the coast of Holland for the homeward flight over the North Sea. There are no German fighter claims for the Mosquito. It may have been damaged by flak over the target or on the return flight, or it may have developed engine trouble. It is possible it was flying too low for the crew to escape by parachute. Gibson and his navigator, Squadron Leader J. B. Warwick, DFC are both killed and are buried in the Roman Catholic Cemetery at Steenbergen-en-Kruisland, 13 km north of Bergen-op-Zoom. Theirs are the only graves of Allied servicemen in the cemetery.

• Aircraft of No. 100 Group fly 17 Mosquito and 15 RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, CBI

• 28 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Lingling and four other cities in east-central China.
• 14th Air Force fighter-bombers mount more than 150 effective sorties against numerous targets through east-central China, especially at Changsha.
• A 5th CACW Fighter Group P-40 downs an A6M Zero in an early-morning engagement near Changsha.
• An 81st Fighter Group P-47 downs a Ki-44 'Tojo' fighter over Koyiu during a late-morning engagement.
• 18 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Chengkung and Liuchow.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-865 sailed for patrol on September 8 and is not heard from again. There is no Allied claim for her loss. She is presumed loss after striking a mine southeast of Iceland.

U-865

Black Sea

The last 3 U-boats operating in the Black Sea are scuttled after running out of fuel and a rejection of a planned sale to the Turkish Navy.

China

Roosevelt and Churchill send a message to Chiang Kai-shek telling him of the decisions of the Quebec Conference. The message is accompanied by a letter from Roosevelt which, in far from diplomatic terms, demands that the Generalissimo stop vacillating and make good his words. Chiang Kai-shek is furious.

Diplomatic Relations

The armistice between the Finns and the Allies is signed in Moscow. Finland retains its independence within the 1940 frontiers, but Finland has to cede Viipuri to the USSR because of its proximity to Leningrad. Also ceded by the Finns, the Petsamo district in the north of the country, and control, but not sovereignty, over the Porkala peninsula south of Helsinki, important for the control of communications between the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic. The Russians restore Hanko, or rather do not press their claim to that town. The Finns will have to pay reparations in the amount of $300 million to the Soviet Union and the Allies will have the right to use the country's airfields.

Morotai

The enormous superiority of MacArthur's 7th Amphibious Force gives the Americans an easy victory over the few hundred Japanese manning this little island, which is soon turned into a big air base less the 400 miles from Mindanao in the Philippines.

Eastern Front

Bitter fighting rages near Cluj between the 2nd Ukraine Front and the North Ukraine Army Group. In Estonia Valga, on the frontier between Estonia and Latvia, falls to Ivan I. Maslennikov's 3rd Baltic Front troops. The Russian offensive here and throughout the Baltic States continues as they push on toward Tallinn and Riga.

The 2nd Shock Army, moving up from Tartu, links up with the 8th Army at the northwest tip of Lake Peipus. Valk falls to the 1st Shock Army as other attacks threaten to isolate the left wing of the 18th Army in Estonia.

Fierce battles rage aroung Cluj as the 8th and 2nd Hungarian Armies pound the 2nd Ukrainian Front.

Air Operations, CBI

• 3 10th Air Force B-25s attack Indaw after diverting from Bhamo because of bad weather.
• 10th Air Force P-47s attack Indaw, rail facilities, and Japanese Army ground troops.

• 27 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Chuanhsien, Kiyang, and Lingling.
• 14th Air Force P-51s and P-40s mount more than 100 effective sorties against the same targets as well as Changsha and Yiyang.

Air Operations, East Indies

• Despite bad weather, FEAF B-24s attack northeastern Celebes and the airfield at Djailolo.
• FEAF B-24s and B-25s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers, attack airfields on Ceram, Amboina, and Boeroe, and various targets of opportunity.
• 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Lautem, Timor.
• During the night, FEAF B-24s attack the Menado and Sidate airfields on Celebes.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the airfields at Moemi and Ransiki and a supply dump on the Orai River.

Air Operations, Europe

• 646 aircraft attack German positions around Calais. In the aircraft total are 437 Lancasters, 169 Halifaxes and 40 Mosquitos. Visibility is good and the bombing is accurate and concentrates.
• 1 Lancaster is lost.

• 5 Hudsons and 2 Lysanders are on Resistance operations and there are 7 RCM sorties.
• There are no losses.

• 2 Mosquitos and 1 Fortress of No. 100 Group take off, but are quickly recalled because of widespreag fog in England which prevents any major operation from being mounted.

Eastern Front

GERMAN COMMAND

With its armies already fighting in the eastern provinces, the Hungarians are presented with a German ultimatum. Unless they accept integration of their forces in the German chain of command they will be disarmed and Germany will seize control of the state. Horthy has little option but to comply.

The Germans form the Volkssturm, a collection of battalion-sized units made up from men and boys between the ages of 16 and 60. The first draft calls 1,200,000 up for service. The new units are given the most basic training and sent to fight the experienced Allied and Soviet soldiers.

Air Operations, CBI

• 7 10th Air Force B-25s attack Man Mawn and 1 B-25 attacks Indaw.

• 27 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Kiyang, Lingling, Yungming, and targets near Chuanhsien.
• 14th Air Force P-51s and P-40s mount more than 100 effective sorties against numerous targets in east-central China.
• 5th CACW Fighter Group P-40s, 23rd Fighter Group P-40s, and an 81st Fighter Group P-47 down 8 Japanese fighters during a morning engagement over Sinshih.
• 21 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s transport fuel from India to Liuchow.