MR 203(2) Sec. 27 War Department Operational Summaries - April 1944

DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 08/18 MR 203(2) Sec. 27 -- WAR DEPARTMENT OPERATIONAL SUMMARY APRIL, 1944 MR 203 (2) Sec. 27 - WAR DEPARTMENT OPERATIONAL SUMMARY April, 1944 WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 872 0700 April 29 to 0700 April 30, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE BOLOGNA GENOA SPEZIA FORLI PRIMINI FLORENCE INCISA ANCONA LEGHORN *AREZZO PERUGN ELBA GROSSETO ORVIETO SAN STEFANO TERNI PESCARA VITERBO - CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI SULMONA ROME FOOGIA CENTRAL ITALY o 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA CAPE APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA LAMAPLES BASE MAP NO. 2769 (PREE) as OCTOBER 1943 RRA, OSS REPRODUCED, oss 10 0 e a 10 12 HV 16 is 20 " 24 26 of 32 34 36 4g 58 10 person 36 Pake " $ à - , Ovitaber 5g " o Kanigaberg OMinak 0 Gomal 52 Paramen « ording OBerlin o Warsow o o ORatterdom 50 Cologne OLeipzig o Amberille st BEAUMONT-SUR-OISE Frenkfurt Progre OXTEROM *Lwow RE1M8 & CORMEILLES LE BOURGE e 48 Periz PRennes o OBelte Money o selte @Munich / Olovis Vienno Budopes : 45 issue o Lyed 4 OMlian Piriests : no O Buchoregt. Towlever Belogne go ORNIS o TOULON office 42 o Sefie SCUTAR # o 2 4 6 10 12 14 16 is 20 = 24 # 26 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 9th Air Force operations on 28 April included attacks by 180 medium and fighter-bombers against the Cormeilles, Beaumont-sur-Oise, Reims and LeBourget airdromes; the enemy offered no aerial opposition. Preliminary reports from 771 bombers of the 8th Air Force, dispatched against Berlin on 29 April, indicate that the German capital was hit with observed effect. More than 900 fighter planes escorted this mission. The enemy capitalized on navigational difficulties imposed by weather which separated some bomber formations from their fighter cover; 63 heavy bombers and 16 fighters failed to return. Incomplete returns indicate that 21 (probably 27) enemy aircraft were destroyed by our fighters, both in aerial combat and on the ground. MEDITERRANEAN 1. San Stefano and bridges near Orvieto, Incisa and Arezzo were 143 targets for medium bombers of the Mediterranean Tactical Air Force on 28 April. Fighter and fighter-bomber missions totalling more than 300 aircraft raided enemy gun positions, supply installations and lines of communication in central Italy as far north as Arezzo; one formation of ten P-51's, attacking the Forli airfield, destroyed four enemy planes on the ground. Light Allied fighter raids along the Dalmatian coast resulted in the destruction of motor transport and a direct hit on a bridge at Scutari. The main effort of the 15th Air Force heavy bombers on 29 April was directed against the harbor and port installations at Toulon. Four - 1 - ONERI BUTHIDAUN MAUNGDAM AKYABI > BENOAL = BULF of MARTABAN F 0 3 T A B APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 as 0 50 100 00 APPROXIMATE MILES PORT BLAIR DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 hundred ninety-six escorted heavy bombers dropped 1,244 tons on targets in this area but an artificial smoke screen prevented full assessment of results. Enemy air opposition, while light, was aggressive and well coordinated. Eleven (probably 14) enemy planes were shot down; 11 of our heavy bombers and four fighters are missing. The Drnis railroad yards in Yugoslavia was the target for 36 escorted B-24's which dropped 79 tons of explosives through a cloud cover without loss. Five other B-17's operated effectively against railroad targets in the Rimini-Ancona area. 2. Continued artillery exchanges and aggressive patrolling charac- terized activity on the Italian battle fronts during the 24-hour period ending at noon on 29 April. Enemy raiding parties were particularly aggressive along the southern portion of the trans-Italian battle line and at the beachhead but Allied defensive fires were effective in breaking up and turning back these efforts. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Japanese forces recaptured two British positions five miles east of Maungdaw during the night of 26-27 April and compelled another British force to withdraw from a forward position three miles north of Buthidaung the following day. In the Manipur sector the enemy reestablished a road block at Kanglatongbi, 11 miles northwest of Imphal on the road to Kohima. A local enemy attack northwest of Kohima on 26 April was repulsed, and - 2 - MANUS L NEW KAVIENG HANOVER AITAPE NEW WEWAK IRELAND FARIERBURGO BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO MARU with Sepik RABAUL a NÚBIA TALILI BAYL VUNAPORE My VUNAKANAU RAPOPO ALEXISHAFEN OMADANG G. GLOUGESTER TALASEA BOGAD/INO o SAIDOR 0510 NEW BRITAIN ARAWE GASMATA DFINSCHHAFEN LAE OSALAMAUA WAUG KEREMA GULF TROBRIAND OF OBUNA 15. KAIRUKUO PAPUA WOODLARK L ODARU GOODENOUGH L FERGUSSON L PORT MORESBY BANIARA NORMANBY L CORAL SEA SAMARAI 20 o 40 60 120 160 MILES -see SCHOUTEN IS. BIAK ISLAND JAPEN I. HERMIT IS. WAKDE ISLAND MOERIS HOLLANDIA GEELVINK BAY AITAPE WEWAK HANSA BAY a NUBIA MADANG KEREMA MERAUKE 9 GULF OF PAPUA 50 25 o 50 100 ISO MILES DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 that night British forces with tank support made a successful attack in the town itself. The road between Dimapur and Kohima, although open, is under enemy fire and supplies for Kohima are being transported by air. 2. On 27 April rocket-carrying P-40's of the 14th Air Force attacked 20 junks on the Yangtze River south of Shasi, starting several fires and killing approximately 100 Japanese. The next day 26 escorted 14th Air Force B-24's, supporting Chinese defensive operations along the Yellow River, scored direct hits on two bridges and set fire to nearby installations. Three B-25's attacked two small vessels south of Hainan Island, leaving one in a sinking condition; a beached cargo vessel in the same area was damaged by a direct bomb hit. All aircraft returned safely from these missions. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Allied forces patrolling north of Alexishafen found many mines on 28 April. Our Hollandia forces reported much enemy war material, including aircraft engines and gasoline, in the Sentani area. 2. The weight of the Southwest Pacific bombing offensive moved westward with heavy attacks against the Wakde, Biak Island and Woleai areas. At the first target 35 B-24's and 55 B-25's bombed and machine-gunned the Wakde and Sawar airdromes and town of Sarmi, causing fires and explosions and destroying four enemy aircraft. Intense antiair- craft fires were encountered at Sawar. The Mokmer airdrome on Biak - o N Assongsong L < 5 Agrihan L $ Pages 1. CAROLINE AND MARIANAS IS. Alamagen L Guguan . = Serigan I. 50 o 50 100 50 200 250 Anotahen Le N Medinillo I. SCALE OF MILES . Seigen L Tenion 1 Aguijen I. " Rota I Even a UIIMI Is 74 Fais 1. Yes Deferut L Olal is Nguiu is Purcuise is. Hell 4a. 0 PHILIPPINE IS Serei is West Fays I. I. (Mindance o Paleu is. Olimarso is Pulop is Lamotreir is € Trub is Weles is Elete Privent is. et Halls is Ngemella is Eouripik is Polusuk is c A R o of I N E . 5 L A N DI 5 Sensoral is Pule Anna 1, Marir I. Teland is Tobi IL Helen I Morstal I .CLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-78 Island was hit by 34 B-24's which destroyed at least 14 aircraft on the ground and shot down two (probably four) of 12 intercepting air- craft. The third mission of 23 B-24's bombed the Woleai runway. Three B-24's hit Wewak. Other missions totalling 46 light bombers and 41 fighter-bombers raided targets along the northeastern New Guinea coast. 3. In additional operations by our South Pacific air forces on 27 April, the Talili area received 29 tons of explosives from 47 Navy bombers. Another 54-plane mission bombed the Kavieng airdrome and gun positions with 33 tons. During 28 April three of the Rabaul airfields, Vunakanau, Rapopo and Vunapope, were damaged by missions totalling 24 B-25's and 30 fighter-bombers. Another fighter mission over Bougainville scored hits in the Mamagata supply areas. 4. The ground situation on Bougainville remained unchanged during 28 and 29 April. 5. Seven Central Pacific B-24's dropped thirty-three 100-pound bombs on Guam and seven reconnaissance planes photographed the area on 25 April. Twelve heavy and medium bombers attacked the town and air- fields on Ponape during 27 April. In other operations during the day 79 bombers and fighters continued their raids on enemy-held atolls in the Marshall Islands. 6. Major General Willis H. Hale has been relieved as Commanding General of the 7th Air Force and designated as commander of a Joint - 4 - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Task Force comprising all shore-based Army and Navy air forces in the Central Pacific Forward Area, except air transport units. EASTERN FRONT There were no significant changes on the eastern front during 29 April. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 871 0700 April 28 to 0700 April 29, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 10 8 6 4 I o I 4 8 10 12 HV = il RO It 24 26 so 32 34 36 BODO be $2% " 10 " Paker " $ Coffige - , DVllabak 5g is openhoge " 0 O Kanigaberg OMinsk **** JUIST 52 0 Gemal of Ptnent Paramen S + Londone, o Ogerlin o Worsow o o PORTSMOUTH ESSEN 50 OBrussels- . Cologne e AULNOYE. DOREN CHERBOURG Probeville o " o Frenkfurt Oxfore PLACE - o o 48 Paris ORennes o VILLENEUVE ST. GEORGES M .CHATEAUDUN oMunish Vienna AVORD FRIEDRICHSHAFEN Budapest 4a 48 gare Beise - o you Borden so Pirisgle : Owner O Buchorest Toulouse Belogna 50 o claim : Sefie 42 o a # 0 # 4 e . 10 . 12 14 16. - RO -- : " = DECLASSIFIEB OSD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER On 26 April, 24 escorted RAF fighter-bombers attacked five merchant vessels north of Juist Island; one of the two hit by torpedoes exploded and numerous cannon strikes were reported on the remaining ships. British carrier-based aircraft hit four enemy vessels and an escort in a convoy off Bodo, Norway. During the night of 26-27 April some 490 RAF planes, dispatched to attack Essen, reported large, well concentrated fires in the target area; 195 RAF planes attacking Schweinfurt also obtained good bombing concentrations. Another RAF heavy bomber formation of 199 planes effectively attacked Villeneuve St. Georges yards in the southeastern suburbs of Paris. Twenty-nine planes are missing from the night's opera- tions. The same night some 60 enemy aircraft operated over southern England; 20 high explosive bombs and incendiaries dropped in the Portsmouth district causing some damage and casualties. Three of the raiders were destroyed. Later reports on 8th Air Force operations on 27 April indicate that 476 escorted heavy bombers effectively attacked 26 military installations in the Pas de Calais area with 1,844 tons of explosives. During the afternoon, 471 additional heavy bombers attacked six French and Belgian airdromes; seven enemy planes were shot down for a US loss of four heavy bombers and four fighters. 9th Air Force missions totalling 439 bombers and 463 fighter-bombers attacked French railroad yards and coastal gun positions. We lost three B-26's to antiaircraft fire. Smaller missions of RAF planes also operated against cross-Channel targets. That night successful RAF attacks were made against Friedrichshafen - 1 - WALEHYO SIGN MAUNGDAIR AKYAIRS > B E N 6 & SULF of MARTABAN F o YES T r B APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 25 o 50 100 150 APPROXIMATE MILES PORT BLAIR BOLOGNA GENOA / SPEZO RIMINI CE ANCONA LEGHORN PIOMB INO ELBA PORTO SAN STEFANO ERNI PESCARA ORBETELLO CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI SULM ROME FOGGIA CENTRAL ITALY o 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA BASE MAP NO. 2769 (FREE) RBA, 055 26 OCTOBER 1943 REPRODUCED, 098 DECLASSIFIES OED Letter, 5-3-72 and railroad yards near Aulnoye and Duren by 332, 223, and 114 bombers respectively. In all 34 bombers were lost in these operations. On the 28th, 234 escorted heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force were dispatched against enemy installations and airdromes in France; although weather interfered with the operations, attacks were delivered against the Avord airdrome and an enemy installation near Cherbourg. Fighter- bomber missions hit an aircraft plant at Tours as well as the Chateaudun airdrome. Very good results were reported where observation was possible. Four B-17's and two fighters are missing; nine enemy planes were destroyed on the ground. MEDITERRANEAN 1. On 28 April, 474 escorted heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force attacked the ports of Orbetello, Piombino, and Porto San Stefano dropping a total of 1,221 tons of bombs with very good results. Eight bombers and one fighter were lost and four (probably five) enemy aircraft were shot down during the operations. 2. Ground activity along the Italian battlefronts was again confined to patrol activity and shelling during the 24-hour period ending at noon on 28 April. ASIATIC THEATER 1. During 27 April, two Strategic missions of 12 B-25's each effectively bombed rail installations near Shwebo and storage areas at Kalemyo. - 2 - SCHOUTEN IS. JAPEN 1. HERMIT IS. CAPE SOEADJA MOERIS HOLLANDIA GEELVINK KAIRIRU 1. I BAY AITAPE MOSHU 1. WEWAK MURIK LAGOON NANSA BAY a NUBIA BABO MADANG KEREMA MERAUKE a GULF OF PAPUA 50 25 o 50 100 150 MILES ree MANUS L NEW KAVIENG HANOVER AITAPE WEWAK NEW IRELAND BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO WILL MARIO Sepia RABAUL NUBIA a Pays GREEN ALEXISHAFEN is. MADANG c GLOUGESTER TALASEA SAIDOR 0810 NEW BRITAIN ARAWE GASMATA DFINSCHHAFEN LAE SALAMAUA KEREMA GULF TROBRIAND OF BUNA is. KAIRUKUS PAPUA WOODLARK 1. GOARU GOODENOUGH L FERGUSSON L PORT MORESBY BANIARA NORMANBY L CORAL SEA SAMARAI 20 o 40 60 120 160 MILES - DECLASSIFIED 98D Letter, 5-3-72 Tactical aircraft supported ground operations in the Imphal area and along the Arakan coast and damaged some 16 river craft. 2. The landing field at Lu-Shih (north China) was bombed by 12 enemy aircraft on 27 April. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Defenses have been established around airdromes in the Hollandia area. Our forces engaged in active patrolling during 27 April; one battalion landed on and occupied Cape Soeadja, northeast of Hollandia. Enemy casualties in the Aitape area are 121 killed and 17 prisoners of war. Airdromes in the Wewak area were again bombed by 49 B-24's and 32 A-20's and all fields were left unserviceable. Other aircraft bombed and machine-gunned barge hideouts and villages along the Sepik River and at Murik Lagoon. The Kairiru seaplane base was shelled and machine- gunned by nine B-25's which also raided villages on Mushu Island. In the extreme western end of New Guinea, nine B-24's bombed the Babo air- drome starting numerous fires and explosions. 2. South Pacific missions totalling 24 B-25's, 117 Navy bombers and 45 fighter aircraft bombed four airfields in the Rabaul area with more than 120 tons of bombs during 26 April. Twenty-eight Navy bombers hit Buka with 19 tons and other missions raided villages and installations in Bougainville and targets in the Shortlands area. Patrol bombers harassed Kavieng. The next day 24 B-25's, four B-24's and four P-39's again hit targets in the Rabaul area. - 3 - 150° 158° 160° à ITO* 179° Wake Island CENTRAL PACIFIC 50 o so IDO no 200 250 Pokookku Atoll SCALE OF MILES Bikar Atoll Eniwetok Atoll Bikini Atoll Rongerik Atoll Utirik Atoll Allinginge Atoll Rongelap Atoll Tako Atoll Wotho Atoll Alluk Atoll & 10° Ujelang Atoll 4 < Likiep Atoll Wotje Atoll Olol Is Ujoe Atoll < Murilo Is. Erikub Atoll Moloelap Atoll Terme L Kwajalein Atoll Aur Atoll Holl Is Namu Atoll S Oroluk I. Truk Is. Majuro Atoll DUBL ON Senyovin Is 0 Ailinglopalop Atoll N Arno Atoll I Pingelop Is. Jaluit Atoll Mille Atoll Emidj : Ngotik I, Kusaie I. S Sotowan is Nomorik Atoll Nomoi Is. Ebon Atoll Nukuoro Is. Makin Is. G < Apaiang L Tarawa L Kapingamarangi is. Maiono L Apamama 1. Kuria L Nauru L Nonuti 1. "Ocean I. & Tapiteuea Onotoo KAVIENG /Tomoria I IMP HISP ITCP ITS* BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND BUKA I. 10 o 10 20 30 Buka Passage MILES BURI AIREIEL BONIS Banin Boy Tolokh 1. # Matchin Teop L Bay NUMA NUMA o KIAKABA 0 c. MABIRI Anewa Boy a Bakawari L. OPIVA KIETA C. TOROKINA Reboine Bay MOY R. EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY MUTUPINA PT. Boin PERIMETER DEFENSE Ballale L OUTPOST LINE OF RESISTANCE SHORTLAND - Faisi 1. Alu 1. MONO I. 24-75009A3C2-300 DECLASSIFIED GED Letter, 5-3-72 The outpost line of resistance of our Torokina beachhead has been established along high ground running generally north and northwest from the mouth of the Moy River. Patrols south of the river along the coast reported no contact with the enemy during 27 April. Our airfield on Green Island has been completed. 3. Targets at Truk were attacked by 16 South Pacific B-24's on 27 April and again that night by 20 Central Pacific heavy bombers. Satawan and Ponape were raided by one and two heavy bombers, respectively, during this period. EASTERN FRONT On 28 April, local fighting was reported in the Stanislav, Jassy, Tiraspol and Sevastopol areas. - 4 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 870 0700 April 27 to 0700 April 28, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 503(2) 10 e 6 4 E o # 4 8 or 12 M\ 16 - 20 -} 22 24 26 30 32 34 36 Se 58 0, Specific 36 Paker 5g % Code I Ovitabes " openhopeh 5% o OKonigaberg OMinsk © Gomel of PEnelh Paramen ondong Worson BRUNSW KCK* o 0 50 OBrassels Cologne OLeining o Anbeville e 32 PERONNE ROYE o Fraskfurt Progre PLWOR 40 CORMEILLES e 48 Paris ORannes o Noney OBalls LE MANS sales aMunich / Olovis Vienna Budopest If 45 o o Lyed : OMiles do Piriede " O Buchoregi. Toulouse Belogna so o o claim : o Sefie 42 of . o 1 4. 6 . 10 12 14 = - 20 ** 24 : as 04/11/2020 DECLAESIFIES GED Letter, 5-8-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. Four German agents who landed from a small ship on the northeast coast of Iceland were apprehended on 25 April. Radio equipment and US, Norwegian and Icelandic currency were found in their possession. Two enemy planes were plotted over Iceland during 26 April. 2. During the night of 25-26 April between 120 and 150 enemy planes operated over the south coast of England causing some casualties and property damage and possibly laying mines off shore. Four (probably five) enemy planes were destroyed by night fighters. On the 26th, medium, light and fighter bombers of the 9th Air Force bombed railroad yards in Belgium and northern France; one P-47 was lost. Fighter planes raided the Le Mans and Cormeilles airdromes. Not a single enemy plane attacked the 1,915 planes of both the 8th and 9th Air Forces which operated during the day; our 8th Air Force attack against Brunswick and other targets that day was the first occasion when our heavy bombers have returned without loss from German targets. Preliminary reports covering 8th Air Force heavy bomber missions on 27 April indicate that 26 groups attacked military installations in the Pas de Calais. No enemy planes were encountered in the air; six bombers were lost to antiaircraft. Two groups of P-38's carried out high- level precision bombing against Roye and Peronne airdromes. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 25-26 April and the next day air operations - 1 - BOLOGNA GENOA SPEZIA RIMINI FANO FLORENCE ANCONA LEGHORN PERUGIA ELBA GROSSETO MONTESILVANO TERNI PESCARA VITERBO - CRECCHIO CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI SULMONA ROME MOROLO GEOCANO FOGGIA CASSINO CENTRAL ITALY o 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA CAPUA APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA NAPLES BASE MAP NO. 2769 (PREE) RGA, oss 14 OCTOBER 1943 REPRODUCED, 059 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 were hampered by unfavorable weather. Small numbers of tactical air- craft raided Ceccano and Morolo, motor transport in the Rome area, and rail facilities at Fano and Montesilvano on the Adriatic coast. Unfavorable weather cancelled all 15th Air Force missions on 27 April. 2. Patrols and raiding parties operated aggressively against our trans-Italian battle line; one attacking group penetrated British positions northeast of Crecchio but was later driven out by a counterattack. Artillery on both sides was active during the day, Allied concentrations starting fires and causing explosions southwest of Cassino. At the beachhead, a small enemy attack against US positions in the center of the line was broken up by our defensive fires. An American raiding party, advancing a short distance beyond the perimeter, received an enemy mortar barrage that caused several casualties. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Latest reports indicate that Chinese forces met strong resistance along the east bank of the Mogaung River south of Warazup; Manpin has been occupied. To the west of the river they are attacking the enemy in the Inkangahtawng area. . British forces are moving toward Aradura on the Imphal road two miles south of Kohima. Fighting continues along the Bishenpur- Silchar road. Allied gains south of the Maungdaw-Buthidaung road were reportéd; fighting continued north of Buthidaung. - 2 - LEGA MMGUYAS JAUNG VALUEY ARADURA (KOHTHA LALAGHAT DULLABCHARA 18 SKENPUR WSHAMO KATHA 004 KALEMA BEASIUB CALCUTTA MANDALAY ARAKAN SECTOR MAUNGDAW MENTALAR MEMO BUTHIDAUNG AUNGBAN ARYAB* TOUNGOO PROME < B E N 6 & 48ASSEN RANBOON BULF of MARTABAN AMOULMEN F 0 YES 4 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 25 0 50 100 IDO APPROXIMATE MILES SPORT BLAIR DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 2. On 25 and 26 April, US and British planes attacked enemy gun positions, sank five river craft, attacked targets of opportunity in the Arakan and Chindwin areas, raided enemy storage points in the Mogaung Valley, and started fires in the Japanese headquarters area at Katha. In central Burma Allied heavy bombers and fighters damaged enemy railroad lines, river craft, and airfields. Nine enemy planes were destroyed in attacks on the Heho and Aungban airfields. About 20 enemy planes damaged railroad station buildings at Dullabchara; four cargo planes are missing and one crash-landed as a result of enemy interception near the Lalaghat airfield. Nine Japanese fighters and bombers caused casualties in an attack near Imphal. During the night of 26-27 April Allied heavy and medium bombers attacked Akyab, Kalewa and the railroad yards at Mandalay. 3. Four P-40's of the 14th Air Force harassed enemy communications in offensive patrols over eastern Burma on 26 April. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Allied ground forces occupied Alexishafen on 26 April. Enemy opposition on a small island in the harbor was overcome by a landing force. At Aitape, our ground forces carried out extensive patrolling; the Japanese staged a weak counterattack in this area during the night of 25-26 April. Our columns from Tanahmerah Bay and Hollandia have now - 3 - 150° ISS* 160° MS* 170° 178" Wake Island CENTRAL PACIFIC 18" 50 o 50 IDO ISO 200 250 Pokookku Atoll SCALE OF MILES n Bikor Atoll Eniwetok Atoll Bikini Atoll Rongerik Aloll Utirik Atoll Ailinginge Atoll Rongelap Atoll Tako Atoll Wotho Atoll Ailuk Atoll & Ujelong Atoll 4 10* < Likiep Atoll Wotje Atoll Olol Is. Ujoe Atoll < / Murilo Is Erikub Atoll Maloelap Atoll Terms : Kwajalein Atoll Aur Atoll Hall Is. Namu Atoll S Oroluk I. Truk Is. Majuro Atoll PARAM < DUBLON Senyavin Is. Ailinglapalap Atoll & N Arno Atoll I - Pingelop Is. Jaluit Atoll Mille Atoll Exid) : - Ngatik I. Kusole I. S Satawan Is Namorik Atoll Nomoi Is. Ebon Atoll Nukuoro Is Makin Is. G < Apaiang L Torowo 1. Kapingamarangi Is. Maianu L Apamamo 1. Kurio Nauru L Nonuti I. "Ocean 1. Tapiteueo Onotoo KAVIENG Tamaria I 150° 60° 165° ITO* ITS* SCHOUTEN IS. JAPEN I. HERMIT IS. TANAHMERAH BAY JEFMAN 1. MOERIS HOLLANDIA GEELVINK BAY Terches AITAPE WEWAK HANSA BAY o NUBIA ALEXISHAFEN OMADANG KEREMA MERAUKE o GULF OF PAPUA 50 25 o 50 100 150 MILES DECLASSIFIED QSD Letter, 5-3-72 joined and all three airfields in this area are in our possession and in operation. Organized enemy resistance has ceased and enemy troops have fled inland to the southwest. Total known enemy dead in this area: 274; 21 prisoners captured. More than 100 light bombers, attacking the Wewak area, completed the destruction of unserviceable aircraft on airdromes in that vicinity and bombed trails and villages on either side of the town. Heavy bomber and fighter missions raided other positions along the northeast New Guinea coast, personnel areas at Hansa Bay being bombed with excellent effect by 13 B-24's. To the northwest, ten B-24's bombed Jefman Island, causing large fires in the dispersal areas there and destroying one fighter taking off. One patrol bomber also caused explosions and fires at Jefman; another sank one small freighter and ten troop-laden barges and damaged a second freighter off Sorong. 2. On 25 April Central Pacific air missions over enemy installations in the Marshall Islands were flown by 110 planes which dropped 138 tons of explosives, Wotje receiving 99 tons of this total. During that day and night Ponape was hit with some 14 tons by two missions of three B-24's and eight B-25's respectively. On the following night 16 B-24's dropped 37 tons of bombs on the Truk Group, causing explosions at Parma and Dublon. EASTERN FRONT There was no significant change on the eastern front during 27 April. - 4 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 869 0700 April 26 to 0700 April 27, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(s) KAMCHATKA PENINSULA ARAIDO-TO TATSUMI-ZAKI KATAOKA-WAN SHUMUSHU-TO OTHOTSK TOMARI-ZAKI OF / SEA PARAMUSHIRO-TO 146" 150° 154° 150° 53 a 53° KAMCHATKA / OCEAN PARAMUSHIRO ONEKOTAN 49° 49 MATSUWA PACIFIC KURILE + ISLANDS URUPPU SHIMUSHIRU 45" SCALE YETOROFU & M KURABU-SAKI KUNASHIRI APPROXIMATE MILES 146° 150° 154° 158° CENTRAL EUROPE THE PHEROES SHETLAND HU -BRUNSWICK POOLE KARLSRUHE *BABINA ELBASAN- POGRADETZ DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE Three 11th Air Force B-24's attacked Matsuwa and four Navy bombers attacked the Paramushiro-Shumushu area early on the 26th. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. Three German bombers were sighted over eastern Iceland early on the morning of 25 April. 2. During the night of 23-24 April, 70 enemy planes over England caused minor damage and several casualties at an American camp near Poole. Five (probably eight) enemy planes were destroyed by night fighters. The following night 637 RAF bombers dispatched against Karlsruhe reported good concentrations in the target area; 22 bombers were lost. Munich was hit by 259 others which started large fires; nine planes are missing. Preliminary reports state that approximately 250 B-17's of the 8th Air Force attacked an aircraft components factory at Brunswick on 26 April; results were not observed. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 24-25 April, between 35 and 40 German planes bombed the Naples area with over 50 bombs; one enemy plane was destroyed by antiaircraft fire. The next day ninety-seven B-25's bombed communication facilities at Ficulle, and 82 B-26's attacked important bridges between Terni and Florence. Four hundred and twelve Allied medium, light and fighter - 1 - «BOLOGNA GENOA SPEZIA RIMINI FLORENCES ANGONA LEGHORN PERVOIS ELBA PICULLE GROSSETO TERNE PESCARA VITERBO CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI SULMONA ROME EOGGIA CENTRAL ITALY ANZIO o 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 60 90 100 TERRAGINA APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA WAPLES BASE MAP NO. 2769 (PREE) R&A, oss 26 OCTOBER 1943 REPRODUCED, 088 HOGAUNG MANSPUR VALUEY KOHINAS ANGLATONGBI -1 SHENPUR TENGNOUPAL (KALEWA *CALOUTTA MANDALAYS ZUNG MAUNGDAW BUTHIDAUNG AKYABE «TOUNGOD) PROVE > BENGAL A 6 z *BASSEIN E RANSOON SULF of MARTABAN *MOULHEN B 0 YE# T B APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 as 0 50 199 (50 APPROXIMATE MILES SPORT BLAIR DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 bombers also effectively raided central and north central Italian communi- cation targets and enemy supply installations. Three hundred forty-eight Allied fighters flew patrols over the battle area and raided shipping along the western coast damaging a naval vessel off Elba. Coastal air- craft attacked motor transportation in the Elbasan area destroying or badly damaging 60 to 100 vehicles; enemy camps at Pogradetz and Babina were also hit. RAF fighters on defense patrol shot down one enemy plane 90 miles northwest of Alexandria on 25 April. 2. During 25 and 26 April, three small-scale attacks in the Adriatic battle sector were broken up by our artillery and mortar fire. To the south, activity on the Fifth and Eighth Army fronts was confined to patrolling and artillery exchanges. There was no significant change in the situation at the Anzio beachhead. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Latest reports indicate that advance elements of our columns in the Mogaung Valley have reached Manpin, ten miles northeast of Kamaing. In Manipur, British troops continue to maintain contact with the enemy west of Kohima and along the road to the northwest. North of Imphal, British troops attacked Kanglatongbi and cleared some enemy positions; fighting was reported at other points north and northeast of Imphal. British units were forced to withdraw from positions near Tengnoupal; fighting continues in the Bishenpur area. Heavy fighting was reported in the tunnel area on the Maungdaw-Buthidaung road. - 2 - SHANGHA Hangehow enchow CHANGSHA how Amoy Swelow CANTON HONGKONG APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT o 50 100 150 200 Pakhoi MILES HANOI Hsi-ying 2 Haiphong HAINAN ISLAND MAP NO. 2437 (FREE) COMPILED AND DRAWN IN THE BRANCH OF RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, oss 24 JUNE 1943 LITHOGRAPHED IN THE REPRODUCTION BRANCH, oss MANOKWARI SCHOUTEN IS. WNOEMFOOR La JAPEN 1. HERMIT IS. TANAHMERAH BAY MOERIS HOLLANDIA NUMBOLDT BAY GEELVINK Identify ALI I 1. BAY Publice SAITAPE ICEL YOU WEWAK HANSA BAY o NUBIA MADANG KEREMA MERAUKE Q GULF OF PAPUA 50 25 o 50 100 150 MILES MANUS L NEW HANOVER KAVIENG AITAPE WEWAK NEW IRELAND BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO BORPOP VIA MARUI Sepik RABAUL NUBIA Fir KARKAR 1. TOB & ALEXISHAFEN MADANG c. GLOUCESTER TALASEA SAIDOR 0810 NEW BRITAIN ARAWE GASMATA PFINSCHHAFEN LAE PSALAMAUA KEREMA GULF TROBRIAND OF OBUNA 15. KAIRUKUS PAPUA WOODLARK I. ©DARU GOODENOUGH L FERGUSSON L PORT MORESBY BANIARA MORMANDY L CORAL SEA of SAMARAT 20 o 40 80 IRO 160 MILES - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 2. On 23 April, 14 P-40's of the 14th Air Force raided hostile targets in the Tungting Lake region. The following day six B-25's attacked lines of communication and set fire to a factory in northern Thailand. Three P-40's attacked the airfield and barracks at Kengtung. In other operations during the day three B-25's sank a 150-foot steamer with cannon hits and left another steamer burning southeast of Hainan Island. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Australian units entered Madang against minor rear guard actions during 25 April. Large quantities of supplies and equipment were captured. US patrols in the Aitape area pressed eastward some 20 miles with only slight contact. Ali and Angel Islands off the coast also have been occupied. Our fighter planes are now operating from one Aitape landing strip, patrolling to Hollandia. In the Humboldt Bay region, US forces, employing LVT's, landed at Nefaar Village (Sentani Lake) and occupied the Cyclops airdrome during mid-afternoon. Other elements from Tanahmerah Bay occupied the Hollandia airdrome during the morning. Twelve B-25's bombed and machine-gunned reported enemy escape routes from the west end of Sentani Lake during the day; buildings in the vicinity were destroyed. Three fighters bombed Karkar Island. Two heavy patrol bombers over the Manokwari area shot down three enemy inter- cepters. Additional reports raise the number of aircraft destroyed by our 24 April heavy bomber strike against Noemfoor runways to 20. Twelve enemy torpedo planes unsuccessfully attacked an Allied destroyer off Hollandia. - 3 - DECLASSIFIED 0SD Letter, 5-3-72 2. During 24 April ten P-39's raided Tobera. Other fighters set 19 trucks afire in the same area and destroyed a large barge at Kavieng. South Pacific reconnaissance aircraft bombed Borpop. The next day, 23 B-25's hit Tobera and nine P-39's attacked targets southeast of Empress Augusta Bay. Fifteen B-24's bombed instal- lations at Truk with unobserved results. 3. Eighty-three Army and Navy planes continued their strikes against enemy-held positions in the Marshall Islands and on Ponape during 24 April. EASTERN FRONT There was heavy fighting on the Rumanian battle front during 26 April; however, no change in the lines was reported. - 4 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 868 0700 April 25 to 0700 April 26, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) KAMCHATKA PENINSULA ARAIDO-TO TATSUMI-ZAKI KATAOKA-WAN SHUMUSHU-TO OTHOTSK TOMARI-ZAKI OF SEA PARAMUSHIRO-TO 146° 150° 154° 158° 53° e 53" KAMCHATKA PARAMUSHIRO / OCEAN JONEKOTAN 49° 49 ISLANDS MATSUWA SHIMUSHIRU PACIFIC 45" KURILE URUPPU YETOROFU SCALE 10 AM KUNASHIRI KURABU-SAKI APPROXIMATE MILES 146° 150° 154° 150° CENTRAL EUROPE - VILVOORDE LOUVATN: *AMIENS SCHWEINFURT METZ MANNHEIN NANCY DIJON FERRAR PARMA 9 DECLASSIFIES OSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE One 11th Air Force B-24 bombed and photographed Matsuwa early on 25 April (target time). Four Navy bombers followed with an attack on the Paramushiro-Shumushu area. All our planes returned safely. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. During the night of 23-24 April, 25 RAF Mosquito bombers dropped 27 tons of explosives on Mannheim and 11 other bombers attacked Vilvoorde airdrome near Brussels. Six of 102 RAF planes which mined Baltic waters that night are missing. On 24 April, 32 escorted P-47's of the 9th Air Force hit the Louvain railroad yards reporting good results; no enemy aircraft were encountered. Revised claims for our 8th Air Force missions on that day were 161 (probably 186) enemy planes destroyed for a loss of 39 heavy bombers and 17 fighters. The following day 657 bombers escorted by 787 fighters of the 8th Air Force, attacked the Nancy, Metz, and Dijon airdromes, reporting fair to excellent results. Ten specially equipped P-38's attacked an airdrome near Amiens. Our fighters destroyed 34 (probably 41) enemy aircraft on the ground and in the air; seven of our bombers and two fighters failed to return. 9th Air Force aircraft attacked railroad yards, coastal guns and military installations in the Pas de Calais area. 2. Combat claims and losses for US Air Forces based in the UK for the week ending 16 April reveal that 358 (probably 433) enemy aircraft were shot down in aerial combat and 183 additional were destroyed on the - 1 - BOLOGNA GENDA Full SPEZIAL RIMINI PESARO FLORENCE ANCONA LEGHORN PERWON PIOMBINO SAN BENEDETTO ELBA LETO GROSSETO CORVIETO MONTESILVANO SAN STEFANO TERNI PESCARA VITERBO CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA AV ZZANO TERMOLI SULMONA ROME ALMONTONE 1N0 FDGGIA NAT CENTRAL ITALY o 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA CAP APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA NAPLES BASE MAP NO. 2769 (FREE) RBA, oss 26 OCTOBER 1943 REPRODUCED, 088 DECLAESIFIES OSD Letter, 5-3-72 ground. Our losses were 190 planes, including 111 heavy bombers. Corres- ponding figures for the RAF are 24 (probably 30) enemy planes destroyed and a loss of 63. Major US air missions flown during this period included four heavy bomber and fighter attacks against German air force installations including one penetration to the Schweinfurt-Munich area. MEDITERRANEAN 1. The night of 23-24 April, Allied heavy bombers, operating in formations that totalled 87 aircraft, effectively attacked San Stefano, Leghorn, Piombino, Genoa, and Parma. A-20's raided rail lines and motor transport between Cassino and Avezzano and attacked shipping at San Benedetto. The next day, in addition to previously reported strategic missions on Balkan targets, 174 medium bombers attacked bridges near Orvieto, Incisa and Montesilvano and the rail yards at Pesaro. Twenty- three A-20's made a destructive strike against supply installations at Valmontone. Large formations of fighter bombers and fighters effectively attacked rail lines, bridges, and marshalling yards north of Rome as far as Orvieto and Spoleto and damaged three vessels, one of 8,000 tons, south of Leghorn. Twelve escorted FW-190's bombed San Vittore. On 25 April bad weather en route to targets in northern Italy seriously interfered with the effectiveness of strategic bomber operations. One formation of 118 escorted B-24's hit the Turin aircraft factory with 290 tons of bombs; 11 other heavy bombers attacked the Ferrara railroad yards through an overcast which prevented assessment of results and 15 B-24's scored hits on Parma. Of some 90 enemy fighters encountered, - 2 - KARA HOPIN THETKEGY KALEWA NAM CALOUTIA AYJIYO MAUNGDAW AKYABE < BENGAL = PBASSEIN MARTAGAN BULF of MARTABAN F 0 d 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 15 o 50 100 IDO APPROXIMATE MILES PORT BLAIR DECLASSIFIES OSD Letter, 5-8-78 14 (probably 18) were destroyed. Thirteen of our heavy bombers and three fighters failed to return. 2. No report on the ground situation in Italy was received during the 24-hour period ending at 7:00 a.m., EWT, 26 April. ASIATIC THEATER Between 21 and 24 April, inclusive, the Allied Air Forces in Burma > concentrated against enemy positions, installations and communications in the Manipur and Arakan areas. Strategic missions flown during the period included strikes by heavy bombers against Maymyo, Mandalay, and rail and harbor facilities at Martaban and Moulmein, mining installations at Namtu, and supply dumps at Lashio and Kalewa. B-25's hit storage areas at Kamaing. Other missions of B-25's and P-51's made particularly destructive attacks against supply areas at Hopin, the towns of Thetkegyin and Indaw and villages northeast of Bhamo. Twelve P-38's, attacking an airfield near Meiktila, destroyed two enemy aircraft. A total of 13 ) enemy aircraft attacked three Allied airfields but the only damage result- ing was the loss of one plane on the ground. Our antiaircraft fires destroyed one (probably three) enemy aircraft. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. On 24 April our patrols in northern New Guinea entered Aitape without opposition; other patrols advanced east and south of the Nigia River. Infantry units of the Humboldt Bay force encountered some resist- ance from withdrawing enemy units on the eastern end of Lake Sentani; - 3 - BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND BUKA I. 10 o 10 20 30 Buka Passage MILES BUK AIRFIELD BONIS Banin Boy Tolokh I. Matchin Teop L Bay NUMA NUMA KIAKABA o C. MABIRI Anewa Bay a Bakawari L o RIVA KIETA C. TOROKINA Reboine He Boy EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY MUTUPINA PT. Ballale : L SHORTLAND #Foisi L Alu 1. MONO I. 24-75009ABCD-300 MAPIA IS. SCHOUTEN IS. NOEMFOOR 1, JAPEN I. HERMIT IS. TANAHMERAH BAY MOERIS IMBI BAY HOLLANDIA CHUNDOLDT BAY GEELVINK BAY ALTARE WEWAK YOGELKOP PEN. HANSA BAY AWAR NUBLA OMADANG GUM KEREMA MERAUKE Q GULF OF PAPUA 50 25 0 50 100 150 MILES 24-81250ABF0-700 ADMIRALTY 15, MANUS L NEW KAVIENG HANOVER AITAPE NEW WEWAK IRELAND TERRUNGO BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO MARU WTS Sepik RABAUL a NUBIA TALILI BAYe MATURI 1. Hype OBER ALEXISHAFEN MADANG c. GLOUCESTER TALASEA 9 SAIDOR 0810 NEW BRITAIN ARAME GASMATA OFINSCHHAFEN LAE @SALAMAUA KEREMA GULF TROBRIANO OF OBUNA 15. Yy KAIRUKUO PAPUA WOODLARK 1. ©DARU GOODENOUGH L FERGUSSON L PORT MORESBY BANIARA NORMANDY L CORAL SEA 0.0 SAMURAI RO 0 40 80 120 160 MILES - DECLASSIFIED ORD Letter, 5-3-72 our force from the town of Hollandia advanced northeast along Imbi Bay. Enemy forces employed delaying action against our Tanahmerah Bay patrols near Sabron. The I Corps moved to the Humboldt Bay area. Allied patrols from the Bogadjim area reached the Gum River, about four miles south of Madang. In the 23 April B-24 attack against Woleai large fires were started and 17 (probably 21) of 30 enemy planes were destroyed; one B-24 was lost. The following day, 126 bombers heavily raided the Nubia- Awar personnel areas and inland trails. Forty-nine B-24's bombed Wewak leaving the runways unserviceable. Twenty-three additional planes bombed, glide-bombed, and machine-gunned positions, small shipping and targets of opportunity along the northeast New Guinea coast. To the northwest, 13 B-24's hit the Noemfoor runways and dispersal areas destroying a number of grounded aircraft and starting fuel fires. 13th Air Force heavy bombers based in the Admiralties, successfully attacked enemy ship- ping between the Vogelkop Peninsula and Mapia Island, leaving a cargo vessel afire and two barges beached. 2. On 23 April, 17 South Pacific B-24's, bombing individually, hit Truk and adjacent islands damaging a tank farm, seaplane base and possibly destroying an ammunition dump. Later in the day 24 B-25's hit Matupi, fighter bombers raided Tobera, and 30 Navy planes started large fires at Talili in the Rabaul area. In Bougainville during 24 April elements of the 24th Infantry employing tanks cleared the coastal area to the Moy River mouth. In the day's operations forty-six Japanese were killed; our losses were three - 4 - DECLASSIFIED OED Letter, 5-3-72 killed and three wounded. 3. Nineteen Central Pacific B-24's hit airfields in the Truk Group early on 24 April causing large fires and explosions. Two additional heavy bombers attacked their alternate target, the town of Ponape, and an adjacent airfield. One B-24 attacked Puluwat with unobserved results and two others dropped four tons on the barracks area and runways at Wotje. EASTERN FRONT No significant changes were reported on the eastern front for 25 April. GENERAL The War Department has directed all military attaches to warn evaders, escapees, internees, and other military personnel having knowledge of their experiences, of the drastic prohibitions in force against publicity on such matters. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 867 0700 April 24 to 0700 April 25, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) & 0 NONNYHS CENTRAL EUROPE SHETLAND & FRIEDRICHSHAFEN PLOESTI DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE 1. Orders were issued for the movement of the 80th Infantry Division (Major General Horace L. McBride) from Fort Dix, New Jersey, to an eastern Port of Embarkation for shipment to the European Theater of Operations. 2. An Allied sledge patrol recently made contact with the enemy on Shannon Island, northeastern Greenland; no Danish casualties resulted. No further information will be available until contact is reestablished with the patrol the latter part of the week. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. Incomplete reports on the 8th Air Force operations on 24 April indicate that 814 heavy bombers and 974 fighters were airborne, dispatched against five airdromes in the Munich area and aircraft plants at Fried- richshafen. Preliminary reports rate bombing results as fair to excellent; strong enemy fighter opposition was reported by only one formation. Thirty-nine heavy bombers and fourteen fighters have not yet returned; the Swiss radio reports that ten bombers landed on Swiss territory. Our fighters claim 66 (probably 71) enemy aircraft destroyed in the air and 57 on the ground. 2. All telegraph, telephone and radio communications, as well as airline, rail and ferry traffic, between Sweden and Germany and Sweden and Denmark, were stopped by the Germans on 24 April for unknown reasons. - 1 - BOLOGNA GENOA / SPEZIA- GRIMINI FLORENCE ANCONA LEGHORN PERUGN ELBA GROSSETO TERNI PESCARA VITERBO = CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI SULMONA ROME CARROC TO 1ST FROGIA 01 SINO CENTRAL ITALY ANZIO o 5 ID 20 30 40 so 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA CAPITAL APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA NAPLES BASE MAP NO. 2769 (FREE) R&A, oss 26 OCTOBER 1943 REPRODUCED, 085 DECLASSIFIES OSD Letter, 5-3-72 MEDITERRANEAN 1. On 23 April, medium and fighter bombers made widespread attacks on lines of communication and ammunition dumps in central and eastern Italy, and enemy gun positions in the beachhead and Cassino areas. Five hundred and fifteen escorted heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force striking again at rail centers and an aircraft factory in Rumania and Yugoslavia on 24 April, dropped a total of 1,340 tons of bombs; coverage in general was excellent. Three rail centers in the Ploesti area were hit by 798 tons, a rail center at Bucharest received 477 tons; and the Ikarus aircraft plant at Belgrade 56 tons. Five B-17's destroyed a bridge near Rimini. First reports show that 31 (probably 43) enemy planes were destroyed for a loss of eight of our bombers and one fighter. 2. During the night of 22-23 April the enemy shelled the Anzio port area but caused no damage to shipping. On 24 April, US troops seized an enemy strong point southeast of Carroceto, and south of Cisterna slightly improved our position. On the trans-Italian front artillery exchanges and patrol activity continued, enemy patrols being particularly aggressive in the Adriatic sector. 3. Cumulative totals of Air Force casualties in the Mediterranean Theater to 18 April are: (since Salerno) - 2 - IENPUR CALOUTTA ARAKAN SECTOR MAUNGDAW BUTHIDAYNG AKYAIR < BENEAL 6 N E B BULF of MARTABAN F o T A APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 25 0 50 100 go APPROXIMATE MILES APORT BLAIR DECLASSIFIES OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Air Force Killed Wounded Missing Totals and P. of W. AAF 811 776 3,784 5,371 RAF 166 139 435 740 Dominions 95 106 251 452 French 21 11 7 39 Other Allied 15 7 2 24 Totals MAAF 1,108 1,039 4,479 6,626 US casualties on personnel convoys since beginning of North African campaign total 90 killed, 395 wounded and 1,115 missing. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Two Allied attacks south of Imphal on the night of 21-22 April, were unsuccessful. Sharp fighting continued in the vicinity of Kungpi, four miles west of Bishenpur. The next day, in attacks along the Imphal-Ukhrul road, our troops secured their objectives. In the Kohima area, enemy activity has decreased; latest reports indicate an enemy force of less than 300 at Zulhami, 20 miles northeast of Kohima. In the Fort Hertz Valley Allied Burmese troops have made additional advances. On the Arakan front heavy casualties were inflicted upon enemy forces southeast of Maungdaw; small enemy parties are being cleared from the area eight miles east of Buthidaung. 2. Operations of the 14th Air Force on 23 April were limited to eight fighter sorties which bombed and machine-gunned a truck column near Chieng Mai, a barracks area south of Tengchung and a motor pool north of Lashio; one P-40 was lost. - 3 - SCHOUTEN IS. NOEMFOOR 1. JAPEN I. HERMIT IS. TANAHMERAH BAY MOERIS INBI BAB HOLLANDIA , HUMBOLDT BAY GEELVINK di Idention TUMLEO 1. BAY Typihes UTAPESELEO L. R. DAGUA WEWAK HANSA BAY BORIA o NUBIA KARKAR GOGO! R. OMADANG SAIDOR KEREMA MERAUKE Q GULF OF PAPUA 50 25 o 50 100 150 MILES DECL ASSIFIED DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Our patrols in the Aitape area reached the Nigia and Raihu Rivers during 23 April and reported no enemy in the area. Tumleo and Seleo Islands off the coast were occupied by a US infantry company. Infantry units in the Humboldt Bay region pushed to a point one mile east of Sentani Lake and reached the western shore of Imbi Bab (two miles northeast of Hollandia). Tanahmerah Bay patrols moved southeast to Sabron, only five miles northwest of Hollandia airdrome against only slight resistance. Enemy aircraft bombed Humboldt Bay late in the day. Our coastal patrols advancing towards Madang reached the Gogol River. Headquarters of the 5th Australian Division opened at Saidor. Great quantities of supplies and equipment have been captured. Sixteen Southwest Pacific heavy bombers, 51 medium bombers and 35 light bombers hit the Hansa Bay area with 135 tons of bombs, obtain- ing excellent results. Forty-five B-24's bombed the Wewak airdromes with 180 tons and 46 A-20's raided the villages and trails south and west of Dagua. One hundred and thirty-five light and fighter bombers ranged the New Guinea coast from Bogia to Karkar Island dropping over 29 tons of bombs, machine-gunning villages and starting fires. Twelve B-24's raided the Noemfoor airdromes with 16 tons of bombs; fourteen (probably 17) enemy aircraft were shot down. Another B-24 mission shot down two of eight intercepting enemy planes during an attack on Woleai. 2. Japanese elements opposing our Bougainville forces maintained strong trail blocks in the vicinity of the upper Laruma River on 23 April. Our patrols to the east encountered an enemy platoon near the - 4 - 16" - 20* or 24° 28" 30° N° 34° M° janingred EASTERN FRONT Teljan 50 o so 100 ISO 200 SCALE OF MILES - Bax and/or Bex Vellhie Labi o 155° Moscher Mamel Kaunes office Orshi o 54+ 54° I Bryans / Be willing 52° Kurek Brasi Roma DUBNO Ries to 50° Cream 10 Last D TAX j 48° Krivel Reg o Budepest PTS 44" Num Buthorest 44° Complaints 20° II* 24" 26" - 30° NP* S4° BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND BUKA I. 10 o 10 20 30 Buko Passage MILES BUR AIRFIELD BONIS Banin Boy Tolokh I. # Matchin Teop L Bay NUMA NUMA o KIAKABA 9 c. MABIRI LARUMA 8. Anewa Boy TOROKINA R. Bakawari I. o PIVA R. KIETA c. TOROKINA Reboine Boy EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY MUTUPINA PT. KARA Boier Ballole : L SHORTLAND - Faisi 1. Alu I. MONO 1. DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 headwaters of the Torokina River and drew small arms fire from the Saua River area. 3. During 23 April (target time) 54 Central Pacific-based Army and Navy planes continued their raids on enemy installations on Ponape and in the Marshalls. EASTERN FRONT German forces attacking Red Army positions west of Dubno made a slight progress during 24 April. South of Stanislav, German and Hungarian forces substantially reduced the Soviet salient extending to the west ] between Stanislav and the Carpathian Mountains. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 866 0700 April 23 to 0700 April 24, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) CENTRAL EUROPE THE PARADES - BRUNSWICK HAMM OUSSELDORE <AON NANNHE1M BAD-VOSLAU SCHWECHAT WIENER-NEUSTADT - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER During operations against Hamm and targets on the Continent on 22 April our planes destroyed 60 (probably 73) enemy aircraft for a loss of 25 heavy bombers, three medium bombers, one light bomber and 13 fighter planes. Seven of our heavy bombers were shot down by 20 enemy intruder aircraft which attacked our planes near the English coast. During the night of 22-23 April, 1,040 RAF bombers were dispatched against Dusseldorf, Brunswick and the Laon railroad yards. Early reports indicate that results were generally good. Forty-two planes are missing. Mosquito bombers were dispatched against Mannheim and military objectives on the Continent. 8th Air Force missions were cancelled on 23 April because of unfavor- able weather. The 9th Air Force attacked coastal installations in Belgium and France, including military objectives in the Pas de Calais area. A total of 480 fighters were dispatched against an aircraft repair factory and three airdromes in France and two airdromes in Germany. The fighters carried out a high-level precision bombing attack and also dive-bombed and machine-gunned their targets. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 21-22 April small missions of strategic bombers attacked Leghorn, Piombino, Genoa and San Stefano. Planes of the Tactical Air Force raided shipping at Civitanova, railroad facilities at Fano and motor transportation south of Rome. The next day Allied medium bombers attacked lines of communication - 1 - BOLOGNA GENOA F SPEZIA RIMINI FANO FLORENCE ANCONA LEGHORN POGGIBONS BUCINE CIVITANOVA PERUGIA PIOMBINO ELBA GROSSETO ORVIETO SAN STEFANO TERNI PESCARA VITERBO L CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI SULMONA ROME FOGGIA CASSINO CENTRAL ITALY ANZIO FOND o 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA FORMIA CAPUA APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA NAPLES RBA, oss BASE MAP NO. 2769 (FREE) REPRODUCED, oss 26 OCTOBER 1943 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 in central Italy, including bridges at Poggibonsi, Bucine and Orvieto. Other planes attacked the port of San Stefano, railroad lines south of Florence and troop concentrations in the vicinity of Fondi and Formia and patrolled the battle areas. On 23 April, 171 B-17's of the 15th Air Force dropped 513 tons of bombs on aircraft factories at Wiener-Neustadt and 33 B-24's attacked a nearby airdrome. Another mission totalling 143 B-24's dropped 346 tons of bombs on the aircraft factory at Schwechat, and 170 B-24's dropped 387 tons of fragmentation and heavy bombs on a similar target at Bad-Voslau. Results of these raids varied from good to excellent. Forty-seven (probably 58) enemy planes were shot down by our bombers and escorting fighters. We lost 13 heavy bombers and five fighters. 2. With the exception of a 15-plane enemy air raid on the night of the 22nd and an unsuccessful attack by an enemy company, the situation was generally quiet in the Anzio area. Both there and along the trans- Italian battle line both sides engaged in patrolling and artillery action, the latter destroying an enemy ammunition dump at Cassino. 3. Cumulative casualties on the Italian mainland follow: Unit Killed Wounded Missing Total V Corps ( to 21 April) 138 696 74 908 Eighth Army (to 21 April) British 3,356 12,198 2,148 17,702 Polish 16 120 5 141 Total 3,372 12,318 2,153 17,843 - 2 - ADUZOP COMINA AWLU INDA UNTHO IXALEWA TANGON CALOUTTA MAUNGDAM AND TH DAUNG AKYABE > B E N G A HBASSEIN BULF d MARTABAN F o YES T 7 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANOS 50 25 9 50 100 IDO APPROXIMATE MILES PORT BLAIR 1,887 26,597 BECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 5,623 2,312 19,087 4,602 15,059 3.73 27,232 8,145 GLATE 41,656 7,000 42,000 Fifth Army (Main Front) 8,000 27,000 (to 20 April) US 5,623 19,087 1,887 26,597 British 3,194 14,858 4,674 22,726 French 2,208 8,221 652 11,081 Italian 185 406 483 1,074 Total 11,210 42,572 7,696 61,478 VI Corps (ABF) (to 19 April) US 2,312 8,145 4,602 15,059 British 1,430 6,533 4,453 12,416 Total 3,742 14,678 9,055 27,475 Grand Total 18,462 70,264 18,978 107,704 4. In enemy air attacks against two Allied convoys off Algiers during 20 April three cargo vessels were sunk and two others damaged. The following day a US cargo vessel was damaged south of Anzio as the result of two underwater explosions; the vessel proceeded to Naples under its own power. ASIATIC THEATER 1. On the Arakan coast British forces had moved to positions eight miles east of Buthidaung by 21 April. At Kohima the original garrison has been relieved; British forces were successful in several local engage- ments with the enemy northeast of Imphal. Chinese troops have advanced 11 miles southwest and 17 miles southeast of Shaduzup. 2. Allied planes attacked enemy positions in the vicinity of Tiddim, Kohima and Ukhrul, set fire to buildings at Wuntho, and heavily attacked river craft, villages, and motor trucks in the Chindwin and Chin Hills - 3 - SCHOUTEN IS. NOEMFOOR JAPEN 1. HERMIT IS. MOERIS TANAHMERAH BAY HOLLANDIA BOLDT BAY GEELVINK BAY AITAPE KAIRIRU 1. MUSHU 1. WEWAK NANSA BAY a NUBIA BUNABUN MADANG Children KEREMA MERAUKE 9 GULF OF PAPUA 50 25 o 50 100 150 MILES MANUSL NEW KAVIENG HANOVER AITAPE NEW WEWAK IRELAND CARUAGO BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO MARVI Sepik 9: RABAUL D NÚBIA First ALEXISHAFEN MADANG WIDE BAY G GLOUCESTER TALASEA EGAD 9 SAIDOR 0810 NEW BRITAIN ARAWE GASMATA OFINSCHHAFEN LAE PSALAMAUA KEREMA GULF TROBRIANO OF OBUNA IS. KAIRUKUD PAPUA WOODLARK 1. ODARU GOODENOUGH L FERGUSSON L PORT MORESBY BANIARA NORMANDY L CORAL SEA TAMERAL RO o 40 80 120 160 MILES ---- & DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 regions, on 20 April. That night three RAF Wellingtons bombed dumps at Kalewa. On 21 April five medium bombers and four fighters destroyed three bridges near Tangon and one near Shweli. Other planes attacked enemy positions in the vicinity of Buthidaung and Imphal and dumps at Indaw. Six B-25's and eight P-51's raided Mawlu, 3. Six B-24's of the 14th Air Force sank three tankers, two medium cargo vessels and a small naval vessel at Cape St. Jacques, near Saigon, on 22 April. Another B-24 destroyed a railroad bridge eight miles south- west of Vinh. Three P-40's machine-gunned rolling stock north of Lashio. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Reported details of our I Corps landings (Lt. Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger) in Dutch New Guinea indicate that a regimental combat team of the 41st Division landed in the Aitape area on 22 April against minor opposition. Three hours after the initial landings the airstrips were secured and a beachhead established; our casualties were three killed, 20 wounded and eight missing. At Humboldt Bay the two remaining combat teams of the 41st Division made unopposed landings at four points and secured their initial objective. Two combat teams of the 24th Division landed unopposed at Tanahmerah Bay; by noon, advance elements had reached Paipou against slight opposition. Command post for the I Corps has been established at Tanahmerah Bay. Seventeen RAAF medium bombers attacked villages in the vicinity of Wide Bay (New Britain), and 22 light bombers raided Mushu and Kairiru Islands, on 21 April. The following day 47 B-24's, 50 B-25's, and 48 - 4 - 150° ISS* 180° - 170° IMP Wake Island CENTRAL PACIFIC 15 so o 50 IDO ISO 200 250 Pokaokku Atoll SCALE OF MILES 4 Bikor Atoll Eniwetok Atoll Bikini Atoll P Rongerik Atoll Utirik Atoll s Ailinginoe Atoll Rongelap Atoll Tako Atoll Wotho Atoll Ailuk Atoll 8 Ujelang Atoll 4 < Likiep Atoll Wotje Atoll Olol Is Ujae Atoll < Murilo Is Erikub Atoll Maloelop Atoll Terms: IGUP Kwajalein Atoll Hall Is Aur Atoll Namu Atoll s Truk Is Oroluk I. ALET Majuro Atoll Senyavin Is. 0 Allinglapalap Atoll N Arno Atoll I Pingelop Is. Jaluit Atoll Mille Atoll Emidj : - Ngatik 1. Kusale I. S Satawan Is Namorik Atoll Nomoi Is. Ebon Atoll Nukuoro Is. Makin Is G Apaiang Tarawa L Kapingamarangi is. Moiano L Apamama L Kuria L Nouru L Nonuti 1. "Ocean 1. Tapiteueo Onotoo KAVIENG Tamoria I ISS* - 170° È DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 fighter planes heavily attacked the Hansa Bay region. A total of 85 heavy and light bombers attacked enemy installations and airdromes at Wewak. Additional medium and light bombers raided Bunabun, Angoram, and Tadji. Twenty-two heavy bombers started fires at the airdromes on Noemfoor Island and 11 escorted Dutch medium bombers attacked the town of Dilli. 2. Twenty-four South Pacific B-25's started several large fires and destroyed a number of buildings on Matupi Island, in the Rabaul area, on 21 April. A mission of 11 P-39's bombed Tinputs Harbor, northern Bougainville. The next day, 120 bombers and fighter bombers again attacked the Rabaul area, hitting airfield installations and several buildings. Forty Navy dive and torpedo bombers raided Kavieng. Naval aircraft hit an 800-ton freighter and left a 75-foot escort vessel burn- ing off Alet Island. 3. Six Central Pacific B-24's and three fighter planes raided Truk during the night of 21-22 April. The next day patrol planes raided Olol and Igup, and destroyed or badly damaged seven small cargo vessels and a 750-ton patrol vessel in the Murilo Islands. Forty-eight planes including 18 Army B-24's attacked Wotje on 22 April. Other Army and Marine aircraft raided Jaluit, Mille and Maloelap, and airfields on Ponape. EASTERN FRONT No significant changes were reported along the front on 23 April. Local German attacks were reported southwest of Narva and south of Stanislav. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 865 0700 April 22 to 0700 April 23, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) CENTRAL EUROPE THE PARADES SHETLAND IS HAMM BIHAC *BOLOGNA GENOA SPEZIA RIMINI FLORENCE ANCONA LEGHORN PERUGH ELBA GROSSETO SPOCETO ATTIGLIANO. TERNE PESCARA VITERBO ORTE CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI *SULMONA ROME CARROC TO CIS EDGGIA SINO CENTRAL ITALY o 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA CAPITAL APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA WAPLES BASE MAP NO. 2769 (FREE) RBA, oss 26 OCTOBER 1943 REPRODUCED, 055 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER During the night of 21-22 April, harassing raids by RAF Mosquito bombers included an attack against Cologne. Other formations mined - waters off the French and Dutch coasts. 21 Apri The next day, 858 bombers of the 8th Air Force, escorted by 968 fighters, were dispatched against the marshalling yards at Hamm. Preliminary reports indicate that the attack was pressed home against enemy fighter reaction that varied from weak to strong; claims and losses were not supplied. Sixteen military installations and two railroad yards were the targets for 9th Air Force formations totaling 570 light and medium bombers and four groups of fighter bombers. Results were assessed at from poor to excellent but further details are lacking. MEDITERRANEAN 1. The striking power of Mediterranean Tactical aircraft was concentrated against the Terni area during 21 April. Twelve B-26's scored direct hits on an ammunition dump near Spoleto and 70 fighter aircraft effectively attacked rail installations near that town. Forty- four A-36's scored many hits on the rail line between Orte and Attigliano. Strong formations of light bombers and fighters also raided ammunition dumps, enemy bivouac areas, gun positions and transportation facilities between Rome and Cassino. Along the Dalmatian coast, fighters scored hits on a bridge near Bihac, destroyed motor transport and damaged shipping. - 1 - BUTHIDAUN MAUNGDAM AKYABS > BENOAL z SULF of MARTABAN o T 7 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50. 23 9 50 100 (50 APPROXIMATE MILES PORT BLAIR DECLASSIFIES 06D Letter, 5-3-72 Strategic bombers of the 15th Air Force were grounded on 22 April by bad weather over their bases and en route to targets. 2. During the 24-hour period ending at noon on 22 April, US forces, including armored units, attacked and improved their positions south of Cisterna. Other US forces made small gains southeast of Carroceto. Enemy forces attempting to form for an attack against the center of the beachhead were dispersed by our artillery fires. Enemy patrols operated aggressively in the Adriatic sector of the battle line; elsewhere along the front no significant action was reported. ASIATIC THEATER 1. During the night of 19-20 April and the following day, 11 B-25's hit camp and store areas northwest of Manywet; medium bombers and fighters raided gun positions, supply dumps, trucks and troops east of Maungdaw, south of Buthidaung, and near Mawlu. Three river craft were destroyed ) and many others damaged by 22 British fighter planes in the Mayu-Kaladan area. 2. Fighter planes of the 14th Air Force, supporting Chinese and American ground operations in the Mogaung Valley, attacked Japanese supply lines in northern Burma on 21 April, damaging engineering equipment in the vicinity of Bhamo, setting fire to a fuel dump and attacking trucks in the Lashio-Hsenwi area and machine-gunning buildings near Takaw. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. During 21 April pre-invasion air missions were flown against - 2 - THE MAPIA 18. SCHOUTEN IS. NOEMFOOR 1; JAPEN I. HERMIT IS. MDERIS HOLLANDIA GEELVINK BAY ALTAPE WEWAK HANSA BAY O'NUBIA MADANG along KEREMA MERAUKE 0 GULF OF PAPUA 50 25 0 50 100 150 MILES 180° ISS* ISC* MIS* 170° 175" Wake Island CENTRAL PACIFIC 189 50 o 50 IDO 150 200 250 Pokaakku Atoll SCALE OF MILES 4 Bikor Atoll Eniwetok Atoll Bikini Atoll Rongerik Atoll Utirik Atoll Ailinginoe Atoll 04 Rongelop Atoll Tako Atoll Wotho Atoll Ailuk Atoll 8 Ujelang Atoll 4 ~ Likiep Atoll Wotje Atoll Olol Is. Ujoe Atoll < Murilo Is. Erikub Atoll Maloelap Atoll Terms | Kwajalein Atoll Holl Is QAur Atoll Namu Atoll s Oroluk I. Truk Is. ( Majuro Atoll Senyavin Is 4 0 Ailinglapalap Atoll & N Arno Atoll I 1. Pingelop is. Jaluit Atoll Mille Atoll Ngatik I. Kusale I. S Sotowan Is Namorik Atoll Nomoi Is. Ebon Atoll Nukuoro is. Makin Is G < Apaiong 1. Tarawa 1. Kapingamarangi Is. Maiano L Apamama L Kuria I. Nouru 1. Nonuti L Ocean L Tapiteuea Onotoa KAVIENG |Tamorjo I INP ISS* HIST - È DECLASSIFIED GED Letter, 5-3-72 the northeastern New Guinea coast; 31 B-24's, 47 B-25's and 71 A-20's made a destructive attack against the Aitape-Tadji coastal area and 54 B-24's left the runways unserviceable at three Wewak airdromes. Over 460 tons of bombs were dropped in these operations. Twenty-one B-24's bombed airfields on Noemfoor. Patrol bombers, attacking shipping off Mapia Island, drove two small cargo vessels ashore and left the third sinking. 2. Eighty-eight Central Pacific planes, including 11 B-24's, continued operations against enemy-held positions in the Marshall Islands during 21 April; Wotje, the principal target, received more than 39 tons of bombs which caused a large explosion in the magazine area. One Navy dive bomber was lost. Clean-up squads have cleared Erikub and Aur Atolls of the enemy and are mopping up on Ujelang. EASTERN FRONT The situation on the eastern front remained unchanged during 22 April. - 3 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 864 0700 April 21 to 0700 April 22, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 205(2) CENTRAL EUROPE THE PAERSES - DOVER FOLKESTONE LENS VENICE TURNU-SEVERIN - PLOYDIY b L. DECLASSIFIED CED Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE The Eighth US Army was activated at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on 15 April 1944. EUROPEAN THEATER Four RAF missions, totalling 1,021 bombers, attacked Cologne and the railroad centers near Paris, Brussels, and Lens during the night of 20-21 April. Twelve planes are missing. Additional small RAF missions successfully raided Berlin, laid sea mines off the north and northwest coast of France and attacked two convoys off the Dutch coast, sinking or damaging at least five vessels. Enemy bombers carried out minor and scattered raids over southern England during the night and German coastal guns shelled the British towns of Dover and Folkestone, causing some property damage but no casualties. Deteriorating weather conditions en route to and over the target areas grounded strategic bomber missions on 21 April. 9th Air Force missions attacked eight military installations in northwestern France and hit four French railroad yards. Six groups of medium bombers, two groups of light bombers and four groups of fighters participated. MEDITERRANEAN 1. Sixty-three RAF bombers attacked the ports of San Stefano, Piombino, Leghorn, Genoa, and the railroad yards at Plovdiv with 121 tons of bombs during the night of 19-20 April. The next day 622 US heavy bombers hit critical communication centers in northern Italy, - 1 - & 20° à la IF Der 43° 43% - e à - - EASTERN WEDITERRAREAN AREA IDO e co 800 300 : 1 1 n° M Birthday 0 - 41° Drans 4P o I 1 s THANGE Sciente 00 40° 47 LIEMMON - COMPU Lanise 0 of o 39* MITILENE 59° Signa LEUGAS 0 - CHIDS Pathay CEPHALONIA sex N° 0 AMERICA DATE MMUS Norte 0 TENOS , 8 D ? 37° PAROS o 11" NAMES b 4 & Male o DODECANESE KYTHERA 6 PHODOCT à KAPSALI 36° of Corpotives MIDDLE EASTERN AREA Khange PEDIADA KASTELLI IF to 0 so 8 MP CRETE SCALE 19 34° M° NP BI* II" à N° à DEPT E - 1 *BOLOGNA GENOA F SPEZIA RIMINI FLORENCE ANCONA LEGHORN CECINA PERUGH PIOMBINO ELBA GROSSETO S. STEFANO TERNI PESCARA VITERBO ORTE CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI SULMORA ROME EDGGIA CENTRAL ITALY o 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA CAPH APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA NAPLES BASE MAP NO. 2769 (FREE) RBA, oss REPRODUCED, 055 26 OCTOBER 1943 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 including Venice, Trieste, and Ancona, with 693 tons of bombs. Included in 766 tactical sorties during the day were strikes by 154 medium bombers against the Cecina bridge, the Arezzo viaduct, and fuel dumps at Orte. Ammunition dumps, communication facilities, rail and motor transport, and enemy installations between Rome and the beachhead provided targets for other formations. From these operations two heavy bombers, one medium bomber, one light bomber and eight fighters failed to return; 19 (probably 24) enemy planes were destroyed in the air and on the ground. The Pediada Kastelli airdrome in Crete was attacked by 12 escorted medium bombers which scored hits on the runway and dispersal areas. Additional aircraft attacked the radar station at Kapsali (Kythera Island) and construction equipment being used to build a landing strip on Paros Island. During 21 April, Bucharest railway centers received 290 tons of bombs from 118 escorted 15th Air Force planes. Twenty-eight other heavy bombers attacked the alternate target of Turnu-Severin with 39 tons on the railway yards and town. Thirty-five (probably 56) enemy planes were shot down; seven heavy bombers and five fighters are missing. 2. Active patrolling and continued artillery exchanges by both sides characterized our operations for the 24-hour period ending at 1200, 21 April, on the Italian mainland. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Thirty-one medium and light bombers attacked a fuel dump near Wuntho, railway yards at Ywataung, and supply areas at Kamaing and Akyab - 2 - wis NPUR GNOUPAL CALCUTTA MAUNGDAW AKYAS < BENGAL & = SULF of MARTABAN F o 4 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 25 0 50 100 ($0 APPROXIMATE MILES PORT BLAIR SCHOUTEN IS. PALAU 3 NOEMFOOR 1. MAPIA I JAPEN I. HERMIT IS. MOERIS HOL LANDIA VANIMO GEELVINK Telches BAY AITAPE WEWAK HANSA BAY BOGI NUBIA UL IGAN HBR. BUNAOUN HDR MADANG - KEREMA MERAUKE a GULF OF PAPUA 50 25 o 50 100 150 MILES DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 during 18 and 19 April. Over 350 medium, light and fighter-bombers ranged northern, central and western Burma during this two-day period, attacking enemy communications, supply installations and rendering close support to Allied ground troops in northern and western Burma. 2. Chinese troops in the Mogaung Valley were reported on 21 April to be advancing slowly southward and enveloping Japanese positions south of Warazup; to the southeast, they are in contact with the enemy. Fight- ing continues in the Kohima area; to the northeast the British have increased their strength and improved their positions. The road from Kohima to Dimapur has been cleared of the enemy. Wakan, 13 miles northeast of Imphal, has also been occupied by Allied troops who are mopping up. British troops have retaken Kungpi; fighting continues in the Bishenpur and Tengnoupal areas. Scattered skirmishes and patrol actions characterized operations on the Arakan front. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. On 20 April, B-24's bombed two airstrips on Noemfoor Island, damaged a small freighter west of Mapia Island, sank a sea truck northwest of Hollandia and shot down an enemy plane 230 miles southeast of Palau. Eight B-25's attacked Vanimo, starting numerous fires, and 46 light bombers attacked enemy supply installations and machine-gunned personnel in the Bunabun Harbor area. Fighters raided buildings, bridges and enemy instal- lations along the northeastern New Guinea coast from Uligan Harbor to Bogia. - 3 - BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND BUKA I. 10 o 10 20 30 Buka Passage MILES BUKI AIRFIELD BONIS Banin Boy Tolokh 1. # Matchin Teop I, Boy NUMA NUMA KIAKABA o c. MABIRI Anewa Boy LARUMA a Bakowari L o IVA KIETA c. TOROKINA Reboine MAVAVIA Boy EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY MUTUPINA PT. DEIP TONOLEI BAY Bollole L SHORTLAND Foisi L Alu 1. MONO 1. MANUS - NEW HANOVER KAVIENG AITAPE WEWAK NEW IRELAND BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO Sepik R RABAUL NUBIA # LAKUNA KERAVA H. 1. Far VUNAKANA RAPO GAZELLE ALEXISHAFEN MADANG G. GLOUCESTER TALASEA 9. SAIDOR OSIO NEW BRITAIN ARAWE PFINSCHHAFEN GASMATA LAE PSALAMAUA KEREMA GULF OF TROBRIAND OBUNA IS. KAIRUKUO PAPUA ©DARU WOODLARK I. GOODENOUGH L PORT MORESBY FERGUSSON L. BANIARA HORMANDY L CORAL SEA of SAMAWAY 20 o 40 2 IRO 160 MILES - DECLASSIFIED USD Letter, 5-3-72 2. Early reports from the Southwest Pacific indicate that our forces landed in the Hollandia area and at Aitape on 22 April against light opposition. Effective aerial preparation and supporting fires from Naval vessels contributed materially to the success of initial assaults. 3. On 19 April, 21 heavy bombers attacked Satawan with 50 tons of bombs; excellent results were obtained. Fifty-six South Pacific bombers hit Lakunai with 34 tons and 45 fighter-bombers started several fires at Matupi and raided Rapopo. In Bougainville, our planes set fire to an ammunition dump opposite our beachhead perimeter, dive-bombed Numa Numa plantation and hit targets at Tonolei and Buka. Three squadrons of heavy bombers attacked Woleai for the third consecutive day during 20 April. A large fire was started and three enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. One hundred and forty-four Army and Navy planes continued their strikes against enemy installations on the northern Gazelle Penin- sula, hitting the Rabaul area with 35 tons, the Vunakanau runways, and the Lakunai airstrip. Twenty-two B-25's started large fires and several explosions on Matupi Island. Twelve other fighters scored hits on the Keravat runway. 4. During 19-21 April our Torokina patrols destroyed an enemy ammunition dump in the upper Laruma River area. A US infantry company, supported by a platoon of tanks, engaged a Japanese force near the mouth of the Mavavia River. - 4 - SEVINE ISO* 158° 160° - 170* 175* Woke Island CENTRAL PACIFIC 18 50 0 50 100 150 200 250 Pokaokku Atoll SCALE OF MILES 4 Bikar Atoll Eniwetok Atoll Bikini Atoll Rongerik Atoll Utirik Atoll Ailinginoe Atoll Rongelop Atoll Tako Atoll Wotho Atoll Ailuk Atoll & Ujelang Atoll 4 ( Likiep Atoll Wotje Atoll Olol Is Ujoe Atoll < Murilo Is. Erikub Atoll Maloelop Atoll Terse L Kwajalein Atoll Holl Is Aur Atoll Namu Atoll Oroluk I. Truk Is. Majuro Atoll Senyovin Is. 4 Ailinglopalap Atoll & 0 N Arno Atoll WOLEA 1 Pingelop Is. Jaluit Atoll Mille Atoll Emid| Ngotik I. Kusaie I. Satawan Is S Nomorik Atoll Nomoi Is. Ebon Atoll Nukuoro Is. Mokin Is G < Apaiong Tarawa 1, Kapingamarangi Is. Maianu L Apamama L Kuria L Nouru L Nonuti 1. "Ocean 1. Topiteueo Onotoo KAVIENG (Tomario I 150° 158° 160° à ITO* È PEAI TOTAL DECLASSIFIED OBD Letter, 5-3-72 5. During 19 and 20 April, Central Pacific planes bombed and machine-gunned gun positions and barracks at Wotje. Others attacked Ponape, Mille, Jaluit and Taroa. Eighteen B-24's, in a night attack, dropped 46 tons of bombs on barracks, an airstrip and a town in the Truk Group, and hit a 2,000-ton cargo vessel in that area. Wake Island was hit by one B-24 on the 19th and again the next day by 12 others which dropped 29 tons of bombs. EASTERN FRONT On the eastern front no significant changes were reported for 21 April although the Soviets were counterattacking southwest of Narva against increased German pressure. In the southern sector, strong German attacks were reported southeast of Stanislav with slight gain. -5- ORET WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 863 0700 April 20 to 0700 April 21, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 203 CENTRAL EUROPE CITY BRAINTREE *OSNABRUCK HASBELT DIEPPE NAMUR FECAMEN VARENGEVILLE SUR MER ROUEN TERGRIER VENICE DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER During the night of 18-19 April 798 RAF bombers dropped more than 4,400 tons of bombs on railroad yards at Rouen, Tergnier and in the vicinity of Paris. Smaller Allied missions attacked Berlin, Osnabruck, gun positions at Fecamp and Varengeville Sur Mer, military objectives in western France, and targets in the Low Countries. One hundred enemy planes over southern England during the night killed or seriously wounded 200 people in the London area; a US air installation was machine-gunned and some damage was done to a US station hospital at Braintree. Thirteen (probably 16) enemy aircraft were destroyed by Allied night fighters and antiaircraft fire. On 19 April 221 medium and light bombers of the 9th Air Force attacked gun positions at Dieppe and Fecamp and military installations on the continent. Ninety-four P-51's dive bombed the Namur and Hasselt railroad yards with good results. The RAF supplemented these missions. On the 20th, 850 US heavy bombers and 580 fighters as escort were dispatched to attack 33 special military installations in the Pas de Calais area. Seven groups of B-26's and two of A-20's attacked coastal guns and military installations. Six fighter groups, with other fighters escorting, attacked French airdromes, some dive bombing and others, led by specially designed P-38's, using level bombing methods. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 18-19 April 28 Allied light bombers and fighters attacked the Ancona railroad yards and shipping at Ancona, - 1 - "BOLOGNA GENOA / SPEZIA RIMINI FANO SLORENCE ANCONA LEGHORN PERMON PIOMBINO S. BENEDETTO ELBA GROSSETO TERNI PESCARA VITERBO If CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI SULMONA ROME FDOGIA S.I.NO CENTRAL ITALY ANZIO 0 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA CAPITA APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA WAPLES BASE MAP NO. 2769 (FREE) RBA, oss 26 OCTOBER 1943 REPRODUCED, oss DECLASSIFIED 0SD Letter, 5-3-72 Pescara and San Benedetto, and patrolled the battle zones. The following day sixty medium bombers attacked railroad yards at Ancona and Piombino; fighter planes continued their attacks against lines of communication in central Italy and successfully raided motor transportation in Yugoslavia and Albania. On 20 April, 291 heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force dropped 756 tons of bombs on railroad yards, bridges, harbors, shipyards, and towns in northern Italy, including targets at Venice, Ancona and Fano. Three hundred thirty-seven other heavy bombers were turned back by weather or attacked ineffectively. Some 40 to 70 enemy aircraft were encountered of which eight (probably 13) were destroyed by our bombers and their escorting fighters. Two B-24's and one P-38 are missing. 2. In the Adriatic sector of the trans-Italian battle line raids by both enemy and Allied troops during the 24-hour period ending at noon on 20 April were repulsed. The enemy was reported to have been particularly active in the Cassino area during the night. Elsewhere patrolling and shelling by both sides continued. 3. Twelve escorted B-26's attacked the Maleme airdrome, in Crete, during 19 April; hits were observed on the runway, in a fuel dump, and among parked aircraft. ASIATIC THEATER 14th Air Force operations for 19 April included a sweep over a railroad in French Indo-China by three B-25's which damaged a bridge, - 2 - NETHERLANDS INDIES - SOE MANUS NEW KAVIENG HANOVER ALTAPE NEW WEWAK IRELAND BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO THE MARUL Sepik RABAIR, GNUBIA PALAS PT. ARANG ALEXISHAFEN 5MADANG c. GLOUGESTER PTALASEA SAIDOR 0810 NEW BRITAIN o ARAWE o GASMATA DFINSCHMAFEN LAE SALAMAUA KEREMA GULF TROBRIAND OF BUNA IS. KAIRUKUD PAPUA WOODLARK L GDARU MAKE GOODEBOUGH L FERGUSSON L PORT MORESBY BARARA HORMANDY L CORAL SEA SAMARAI to o 40 80 IRO 160 MILES I I DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 and a raid by four P-40's on Takaw, in Burma, where a 50-foot ferryboat was sunk. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS In a previously unreported operation for 18 April, 21 B-24's bombed the Woleai airdrome (480 miles west of Truk) destroying four enemy planes on the ground and two out of eleven which rose to intercept; one B-24 crashed on landing. A preliminary report for the following day states that B-24's repeated this attack. Nine B-25's attacked bivouacs and villages in the Aitape area. Twenty-four A-20's hit targets in the vicinity of Palas Point; 17 P-47's successfully glide-bombed bivouacs at Sarang, and 34 fighters attacked other coastal targets. In raids on enemy shipping a 1,000-ton freighter, a small tanker and other small craft were destroyed or badly damaged. Heavy attacks were made by 34 Allied planes on Soe (Timor) and by 19 B-24's on the Manokwari airdrome and Utarom (western New Guinea). EASTERN FRONT German troops made slight progress against a Soviet bridgehead southwest of Narva during 20 April. There was little change in the situation elsewhere on the eastern front. - 3 - SMOKET WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 862 0700 April 19 to 0700 April 20, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) CENTRAL EUROPE THE PHEROES SHETLAND RE GUTERSLOH WERL DUNK.FRK PADERBORN IPPSTADT CALAJS HEIGHTS KASSEL CHARLEROI ST MARTIN SCUTARI e - DECLASSIFIED GSD Letter, 5-3-78 WESTERN HEMISPHERE One 11th Air Force B-24 dropped six 100-pound bombs and 10 photo- flash bombs in the Paramushiro area during the night of 18-19 April (target time). EUROPEAN THEATER On 18 April a total of 249 medium and light bombers of the 9th Air Force attacked gun positions at Dunkirk and Calais, and the Charleroi- St. Martin railroad yards which were also dive-bombed by 64 P-47's. A mission of 821 heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force, escorted by 758 fighter planes, attacked German Air Force installations at Eisenach, Paderborn, Gutersloh, Lippstadt and Werl, and the fighter assembly and components plant at Kassel on 19 April. Early reports indicate that results were generally fair. Sixteen enemy planes were shot down by our fighters. We lost five B-17's and two fighters. MEDITERRANEAN 1. In previously unreported operations for 18 April tactical air- craft carried out a limited number of missions against enemy communications in Italy. Spitfires of the Coastal Air Force destroyed three enemy planes on the ground near Scutari. 15th Air Force missions for 19 April were cancelled because of unfavorable weather. 2. Continued patrol activity, artillery exchanges and minor raids - 1 - ORAUN ENGNOUP CALDUTTA BUTHIDAUN MAUNGDAW AKYABE > B E N 6 BULF of MARTABAN o 4 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 as 9 50 100 IDO APPROXIMATE MILES &PORT BLAIR NETHERLANDS INDIES MALE - WILLER BIAK ISLAND GEELVINK DECLASSIFIER OSD Letter, 5-3-72 characterized our operations on the Italian mainland for the twenty-four hour period ending at noon on 19 April. ASIATIC THEATER 1. During the night of 17-18 April, eight medium bombers dropped 12 tons on scattered targets including Akyab, Kalewa, and points near Mandalay. The next day seven escorted B-24's attacked oil plants at Yenangyaung; six B-25's hit the Shwebo-Mandalay railroad. Light bombers and fighters heavily attacked enemy positions southwest of Buthidaung and in the Mayu-Kaladan and central Burma regions. 2. No major changes occurred in the Burma ground situation during 18 and 19 April. In the Mogaung Valley, Chinese units advanced to a river line 10 miles south of Shaduzup; considerable enemy artillery fire was reported in the Mansum area. At Kohima, fighting continued without decisive results. Northwest of Imphal, British forces made a limited advance. Kungpi, 22 miles to the southwest, was taken by an enemy force estimated to be a battalion. Allied troops withdrew from Tengnoupal in the face of strong Japanese pressure. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Kleven Southwest Pacific B-24's made a destructive attack on Babo airdrome on 18 April; two other formations of six B-24's bombed the Geelvink Bay area and the Manokwari airdrome, respectively. Over northeastern New Guinea weather prevented major air opera- tions; patrolling B-24's, one operating from Momote, attacked Tumleo and - 2 - BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND BUKA I. 10 o 10 20 30 Buka Passage MILES BUX AIRFIELD BONIS Banin Boy ToloRh 1. , Matchin Teop L Bay NUMA NUMA KIAKABA c. MABIRI Anewo Bay HILL a Bakawari I. o PIVI KIETA C. TOROKINA 01 MAVAVIA Reboine Bay EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY MUTUPINA PT. MOSIGA Boig Bollole L SHORTLAND Faisi I. Alu 1. MONO I. 24-75609A3C2-300 MOMOTE MANUSL NEW o KAVIENG HANOVER TUMLEO 1, SAITAPE NEW WEWAK IRELAND BARUNGO BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO MARU Sepik RABAUL o NUBIA CHATUPE Page C.CROISSILLES ALEXISHAFEN DMADANG a GLOUGESTER WIDE BAY TALASEA 0 SAIDOR OSIO NEW BRITAIN ARAME GASMATA OFINSCHHAFEN LAE PSALAMAUA KEREMA GULF TROBRIAND OF OBUNA 15. Yr KAIRUKUNG PAPUA WOODLARK I. ©DARU GOODENOUGH L FERGUSSON L PORT MORESBY BANIARA NORMANDY L CORAL SEA SAMERAL 20 o 40 80 I20 160 MILES - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-78 Biak Islands and damaged a small merchant vessel. Light bombers and fighters made minor raids against installations at Wide Bay (eastern New Britain) and in the Cape Croissilles area of New Guinea. 2. Twenty B-24's hit the runway and dispersal areas at Satawan (Nomoi Islands) on 17 April. Other South Pacific formations, totalling more than 170 planes, hit three airfields in the Rabaul area and instal- lations at Matupi Island with destructive effect. Two B-24's cratered the Kara airstrip in Bougainville, and other missions successfully attacked gun positions at Buka, bombed Mosiga and caused a large explosion at Guppy, Choiseul Island. Again the next day 14 B-24's bombed the airstrip in the Nomoi Islands. Seventy-two bombers and fighter-bombers caused explosions and started fires in attacks on air installations and gun positions in the Rabaul area. Three fighter-bombers scored a direct hit on a coastal gun on Buka and caused a landslide which destroyed other guns. Other fighter-bombers carried out raids in Bougainville. Our Torokina beachhead forces, having occupied Hills 500 and 501, were pushing patrols eastward to the Saua River on 18 April. One platoon of tanks was landed east of Mavavia the next day to support operations in that area. 3. Army and Navy bombers and fighter-bombers made periodic raids on enemy installations in the Marshalls and Carolines during 18 April, when some 87 planes dropped bomb-loads totalling nearly 50 tons. - 3 - SECRET DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 EASTERN FRONT No significant change was reported from the eastern front for 19 April. - 4 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 861 0700 April 18 to 0700 April 19, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) CENTRAL EUROPE THE PAEADES ORANIENBURG RATHENOW. GENSHAGEN PLOVOTV DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER On 17 April, 14 B-24's escorted by 33 P-47's of the 8th Air Force attacked military installations in the Pas de Calais area. That night the principal Mosquito mission was an attack by 24 bombers against Cologne. The next day a force of 846 heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force and 789 escorting fighters was dispatched against aircraft plants at Oranien- burg, Rathenow and other targets in the Berlin area, with generally good results. Heavy air opposition was encountered by only one bomber group. Our losses for these raids were 19 bombers and six fighters; 17 enemy aircraft were claimed by our fighters. A separate mission of 12 B-24's attacked military installations in the Calais area with unobserved results. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 16-17 April, 38 Wellingtons and B-24's bombed the railroad yards at Budapest; other Wellingtons raided ports in Italy. Allied medium and light bomber. and fighter missions of the following day were directed against enemy lines of communication in central Italy, targets in the battle areas and motor transportation along the Dalmatian coast. That night Allied heavy and medium bombers attacked the Plovdiv railroad yards; light bombers raided lines of communi- cation north of Rome. Bomber missions of the 15th Air Force for 18 April were cancelled because of unfavorable weather. Allied fighters destroyed 11 parked air- craft in attacks on two enemy airdromes. During another attack mission, - 1 - CHAUN CALCUTTA MAUNSOAM AKYABE < HENZ BENGAL = a BULF of MARTABAN OF T 7 B APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANOS 50 15 0 50 100 go APPROXIMATE MILES PORT BLAIR DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 turned back by weather, six (probably eight) enemy planes were shot down for a loss of five Allied fighters. 2. During the 24-hour period ending at noon on 18 April action on the Italian battlefronts consisted chiefly of normal patrolling and light artillery exchanges. Enemy raids against the western sector of our beachhead were broken up by our artillery fire. ASIATIC THEATER 1. On 15 April,1 B-24's raided shipping at Port Blair, scoring near misses on three vessels. On the 16th and 17th, US and British planes attacked enemy positions, lines of communication and troops in western Burma. Supplies at Taungup, factories in the Henzada-Prome area, and shipping near Moulmein were also hit, as were the airfields at Shwebo and Meiktila. At the Heho airdrome nine P-38's accounted for seven enemy aircraft in the air and two on the ground. 2. Latest reports from Burma state that Chinese troops in the Mogaung Valley, after being held up by stubborn enemy resistance, resumed the advance. Patrols reported Warazup to be unoccupied by the enemy. At Kohima, no further developments in the situation were reported. British troops were moving south from Mokokchung and were in contact with the 'enemy at Wokha/ Fighting was reported at Kungpi, 22 miles southwest of Imphal. British troops in the Palel area continued to withdraw. / 3. Four P-40's of the 14th Air Force machine-gunned radio shacks near Bhamo on 17 April, destroying one. - 2 - ISO* ISS* 160* MS* 170* 179° Wake Island CENTRAL PACIFIC 19" 50 0 50 IDO 50 200 250 Pokaakku Atoll SCALE OF MILES 4 Bikor Atoll Eniwetok Atoll Bikini Atoll Rongerik Atoll Utirik Atoll D Ailinginoe Atoll Rongelap Atoll Toka Atoll Wotho Atoll Ailuk Atoll s 10° Ujelang Atoll 4 < Likiep Atoll Wotje Atoll Ujoe Atoll < Oiol Is. Erikub Atoll Murilo Is. Moloelap Atoll Terms L Kwajalein Atoll QAur Atoll Hall Is Namu Atoll S Oroluk I. < Truk Is Majuro Atoll 4 Senyavin Is. Allinglopalap Atoll N Arno Atoll Denail Pingelop Is. Jaluit Atoll Mille Atoll Emid) Ngotik I. Kusaie I. S Satowan Is 0. Nomorik Atoll Nomoi is. Ebon Atoll Nukuoro is. Makin Is. G < Apaiang Tarawa I. Kapingamarangi Is. Maiana L Apamama 1. Kuria L Nouru L Nonuti L "Oceon I. Topiteueo Onotoa KAVIENG (Tomaria I ISS* 170° È 150° 168° DECLASSIFIED GSD Letter, 5-3-72 PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. On 17 April storage and bivouac areas in the Kai Islands were attacked by 24 B-24's. Minor attacks were made on targets along the northern New Guinea coast. 2. A South Pacific search plane successfully bombed Truk during the night of 15-16 April. The following day 15 B-24's attacked an air- field in the Nomoi Islands, hitting the runway and dispersal area. The same day, 190 bombers and fighter-bombers effectively struck at airdromes and other targets in the Rabaul area. Other Allied planes attacked gun positions and installations in the Bougainville area and northern Choiseul. 3. Sixteen Central Pacific B-24's dropped 38 tons of bombs on Truk during the early morning hours of 17 April; two B-24's raided the town and an airfield at Ponape. One B-24 is missing. A total of 37 Navy and Marine bombers and fighters attacked barracks, gun positions and a radio station on Wotje during the day. Twelve B-25's and three B-34's attacked Jaluit; the same 12 B-25's bombed Taroa. Five Navy fighters made two strikes against gun positions and a radio station at Mille. EASTERN FRONT In the Crimea Soviet troops captured Balaklava on 18 April and continued their progress towards Sevastopol from the north and from the southeast. - 3 - DEVIVE WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 860 0700 April 17 to 0700 April 18, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) «BOLOGNA GENOA SPEZIA KRIMINI FLORENCES ANCONA LEGHORN PERUGN ELBA GROSSETO TERNE PESCARA VITERBO CRECCHIO CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI SULMONA ROME TERELLE EDGGIA SINO CENTRAL ITALY ANZIO o 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA CAPITA APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA ANAPLES BASE MAP NO. 2769 (FREE) RBA, oss 26 OCTOBER 1943 REPRODUCED, oss DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER During 16 April and the following night Allied air activity in northern Europe was limited to patrols by RAF Mosquitoes over France in which ten enemy planes were destroyed in the air or on the ground without loss. MEDITERRANEAN 1. Allied aircraft dropped a 150-ton bombload on the Turnu-Severin railroad yards during the night of 15-16 April. Bursts appeared to be well concentrated in the target area and large fires developed. Three British bombers were lost. The next day, in addition to the Strategic bomber missions against Balkan targets reported yesterday, planes of the Mediterranean Allied Air Force attacked railroad bridges throughout Italy, swept the Dalmatian coast, exploded an ammunition dump north of Terni, and flew offensive patrols over the battle area. Twelve Middle-Eastern B-26's, escorted by 14 Spitfires, bombed shipping in Heraklion Harbor, Crete, claiming a probable hit on one medium-sized vessel. On 17 April, escorted B-17's and B-24's of the 15th Air Force dropped 477 tons of bombs on the railroad yards at Sofia and 632 tons on the airfields, railroad yards and aircraft factories in the Belgrade areas with uniformly excellent results. Antiaircraft fire in the target area was intense and accurate. Of 45 to 50 enemy planes encountered, 24 (probably 28) were destroyed. We lost two heavy bombers and four fighters. 2. Enemy forces displayed increasing aggressiveness during the 24- hour period ending at noon on 17 April. Allied forces drove off a small - 1 - IGUM CALCUTTA MAUNGDAW AKYAITS > BENGAL HBASSON BULF of MARTABAN 0 T 7 B APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 15 0 50 100 (50 APPROXIMATE MILES PORT BLAIR WAKDE 1. & HOLLANDIA MANUS 1 NEW HANOVER KAVIENG AITAPE NEW WEWAK IRELAND ChRUNGO BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO MARU Sepik RABAUL NUBIA TALIL BAY LAKONA KERAV JUNAKANAU PH ALEXISHAFEN MADANG ERINA c GLOUGESTER TALASEA SAIDOR OSIO NEW BRITAIN ARAWE GASMATA OFINSCHMAFEN LAE PSALAMAUA KEREMA GULF TROBRIANO OF BUNA 15. KAIRUKUS PAPUA WOODLARK 1. GOARU GOODE,NOUGH FERGUSSON L PORT MORESBY BANIARA NORMANEY L CORALSEA as SAMARAI 20 o 40 so IRO 160 MILES - ---- DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 raid on the western sector of our beachhead and repulsed strong German forays in the Terelle and Crecchio areas on the trans-Italian battleline. ASIATIC THEATER Near Imphal, British forces at Sita repulsed a strong enemy attack 7mi NE Emphal. on 16 April; all commanding ground near Nungshigum was in British hands. To the north Allied troops cleared the Dimapur-Kohima road to within four. miles of Kohima, gaining contact with the garrison of the town. Chinese patrols advancing southward in the Mogaung Valley reached to within one-half mile of Warazup; to the east Allied Burmese troops recaptured Woihtup. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Allied patrols south of Madang reached Erima during 16 April and pushed forward to the Palpa River without contact. Natives in the area reported that the enemy forces had been withdrawn along the road south of Amele since 10 April. 5th Air Force planes attacked personnel and supplies at Hollandia at noon, causing extensive damage, destroying coastal defense positions, starting large fires in the supply areas, demolishing buildings and jetties and leaving a small freighter burning; no interception or antiaircraft fire was encountered. Five B-24's bombed supply and dispersal areas at Wakde Island. Twenty-three Dutch and Australian planes attacked Koepang, Timor, causing large fires in the warehouse and building areas. - 2 - BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND BUKA I. 10 o 10 20 30 Buka Passage MILES BUKI AIREIELD BONIS Banin Boy Tolokh L # Matchin Teop L Boy NUMA NUMA KIAKABA o c. MABIRI Anewa Boy HIL 500 = Bakawari L o PIVA HILL 501 KIETA C. TOROKINA Reboine Boy EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY MUTUPINA PT. MOSIGA KARA Buing Ballale : L SHORTLAND Faisi 1. Alu 1. MONO I. 24-75509A8C3-300 150° ISS* 160° NS* (70* È Wake Island CENTRAL PACIFIC 15° 50 o 50 100 150 200 250 Pokoakku Atoll D SCALE OF MILES 4 Bikor Atoll Eniwetok Atoll Bikini Atoll Rongerik Atoll D Utirik Atoll Ailinginoe Atoll Rongelap Atoll Tako Atoll Wotho Atoll Alluk Atoil 1 10° Ujelang Atoll 4 100 < Likiep Atoll Wotje Atoll Olol Is Ujoe Atoll < Murilo Is. Erikub Atoll Maloelap Atoll Torms : - Kwajalein Atoll Holl Is Qur Atoll Namu Atoll Truk Is. Oroluk 1. < Majuro Atoll PAKIN Senyovin Is 0 Allinglapalop Atoll N Arno Atoll I Pingelop is. Jaluit Atoll Mille Atoll Ngatik I. Kusaie I. Sotowan Is S Nomoi Is. Namorik Atoll Ebon Atoll Nukuoro Is. Makin Is. G < Apaiang 1. 3 Tarawa 1. Kapingamarangi Is. Maiana L Apamama I. Kuria L Nauru I. Nonuti I, "Ocean I. s Tapiteuea Onotoa KAVIENG Tomoria I 150° IBS* 60° HP ITSP 178" DECLASSIFIED OBD Letter, 5-3-72 2. More than 150 South Pacific aircraft continued the bombardment of enemy installations in the Rabaul area during 15 April, harassing the town and attacking targets at Vunakanau, Keravat, Lakunai and Talili Bay. Patrol bombers raided Kavieng and Truk. Other planes bombed suspected coastal guns in northeastern Bougainville, raided enemy gun positions at Mosiga, and patrolled the perimeter near Torokina. 3. A total of 46 Central Pacific Navy and Marine bombers and fighters raided barracks and gun positions on Wotje on 16 April; 12 B-25's dropped 12 tons of bombs on Maloelap, rearmed at Majuro and hit Emidj and Mille. Six Marine fighter planes also made two strikes on Mille during the day. Reconnaissance planes bombed Pakin and Olol. - 3 - PUBLICATION AND MICROFILM COPYING RESTRICTIONS Reel duplication of the whole or of any part of this film is prohibited. In lieu of transcripts, however, enlarged photocopies of selected items contained on these reels may be made in order to facilitate research.