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JANUARY 1943 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
FRIDAY, 1 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, 15 B-24s of the 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) strike the harbor
at Tunis hitting the turning basin, the area just southwest of it, and nearby
rail junction. A few of the aircraft bomb the southwest and southeast of
Sicily.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s hit the harbor at Tunis, while B-26s hit the marshaling
yard. B-25s on a mission against shipping near La Goulette abort due to
weather. Fighters escort bomber missions and C-47 transport runs and carry out
routine patrols.
HQ 52d Fighter Group, and it's subordinate 2d, 4th and 5th Fighter Squadrons
with Spitfires, moves from La Senia to Orleansville, Algeria.
HQ 82d Fighter Group is established at Telergma, Algeria upon arrival from
Northern Ireland. The subordinate squadrons, the 95th, 96th and 97th Fighter
Squadrons with P-38s, move from Tafaroui to Telergma, Algeria.
HQ 310th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's subordinates, the 379th, 380th,
381st and 428th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) with B-25s, move from Telergma
to Berteaux, Algeria.
SATURDAY, 2 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Crete, B-25s of the 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) bomb the airfield at
Heraklion while B-24s of the 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) hit the airfield
at Kastelli/Pediada. Twenty fighters and a few bombers are destroyed on the
ground.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s bomb the harbor and shipping at La Goulette. Escorting
P-38s and Bf 109s engage in air battle, each side losing two aircraft. A-20s
and DB-7s, with fighter escorts, consecutively raid Sousse harbor. DB-7s
again hit the harbor. B-26s with fighter protection, the the bridge north of El
Djem. Fighters fly escort, patrol and reconnaissance missions, attacking enemy
vehicles and aircraft. Several trucks and fighters are claimed destroyed.
SUNDAY, 3 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Greece, RAF Baltimores, operating under the IX Bomber Command, bomb Suda
Bay and Timbakion Airfield. A few of the aircraft also bomb Kapistri.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
All XII Fighter Command units in Tunisia, i.e., fighters and light bombers
(A-20s and DB-7s), attack tanks which, with infantry and artillery support,
have overrun French troops at Fondouk el Aouareb. The fighters and light
bombers attack the tanks as they move west from Fondouk. Several tanks are
reported destroyed or aflame and numerous other tanks and vehicles are damaged.
Spitfires based in Algeria escrot C-47s on transport missions.
The 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group with P-39s, moves from Fedala
to Mediouna, French Morocco.
MONDAY, 4 JANUARY 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s sent, in two forces, to bomb Bizerte are forced to abort
by heavy clouds over the target. B-25s hit the railroad yards at Kairouan
while A-20s attack Cherichera. Fighters provide escort for the bombers and for
C-47 transport runs, and fly reconnaissance and patrol missions.
The Luftwaffe sends six Ju 88s with Bf 109 cover to attack the Thelepte,
Tunisia airfield; they are intercepted by five P-40s of the 58th Fighter
Squadron, 33d Fighter Group which shoot down one Ju 88 and one Bf 109.
The 35th Troop Carrier Squadron, 64th Troop Carrier Group, based at Blida,
Algeria with C-47s, begins operating from Telergma, Algeria.
TUESDAY, 5 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): In Tunisia, B-24s of the 93d
Bombardment Group (Heavy) bomb Sousse harbor (clouds obscure the primary target
at Tunis). RAF Liberators of No. 160 Squadron hit the harbors at Tunis and
Sousse during the night of 5/6 Jan.
On the ground, a severe two-day storm on 4 and 5 Jan sharply decrease the
capacity of Bengasi port and forces the British Eighth Army to make a greater
use of the more distant port of Tobruk.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force): In an organizational change, Allied
Air Force is activated to have operational control of Allied air units in
Northwest Africa. The new unit includes the USAAF Twelfth Air Force, the RAF
Eastern Air Command and such French air units as might be assigned or attached
to it. The command serves under the direction of Lieutenant General Dwight
Eisenhower, Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces. The USAAF system of area
commands in Northwest Africa is reorganized. HQ Twelfth Air Force announces
that the Moroccan, West Algerian and Central Algerian Composite Wings
(Provisional) are to be replaced by the 2d, 1st and 3d Air Defense Wings,
respectively, when they arrive in the theater.
In Tunisia, B-17s, with a large P-38 escort, attack the Sfax power station
while fighter-escorted B-26s hit the Kairouan Airfield. Other fighters fly
patrols, reconnaissance and C-47 escort.
HQ 81st Fighter Group is established at Mediouna, French Morocco upon
arrival from the US. The group's 92d Fighter Squadron with P-39s is
established at Port Lyautey, French Morocco.
The 16th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 27th Bombardment Group (Light) with
A-20s moves from Barbe-du-Tlelat to Nouvion, Algeria.
The 48th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group with P-38s moves from
Youks-les-Bains to Berteaux, Algeria.
WEDNESDAY, 6 JANUARY 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, A-20s, in two forces, hit a military camp south of Kairouan
while B-25s hit the Kairouan railroad yards. Fighters escort bombers, carry
out patrols and reconnaissance flights, and accompany C-47s on transport
missions.
HQ 350th Fighter Group and its 347th Fighter Squadron with P-39s and P-400s
is established at Oujda, French Morocco upon arrival from England. The group's
346th Fighter Squadron, which has been in French Morocco with P-39s and P-400s
since Nov 42, also moves to Oujda. The 346th enters combat in Jan 43.
The 60th Fighter Squadron, 33d Fighter Group, with P-40s, moves from
Telergma to Youks-les-Bains, Algeria.
The 84th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light) with
A-20s moves from Mediouna, French Morocco to Youks-les-Bains, Algeria and flies
it first combat mission on 22 Jan.
The 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group with P-39s and P-400s
transfers from Casablanca, French Morocco to Oujda, French Morocco.
THURSDAY, 7 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Sicily, 25 B-24s of the 93d, 98th and 376th Bombardment Groups (Heavy)
are dispatched to hit the shipping in Palermo harbor; weather reduces the force
and only ten bomb the target through broken clouds.
In Greece, one B-24 on a special mission bombs Maiouli Quay at Piraeus.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
An Allied Air Force General Order makes the USAAF Twelfth Air Force
responsible for air support of US ground forces in North Africa and the RAF
Eastern Air Command responsible for support of the British First Army. However,
units are to be placed under operational control of the other as the situation
might dictate.
In Tunisia, B-26s bomb the airfield and barracks at Gabes while A-20s attack
troop concentrations at Kairouan. Fighters escort both raids and also carry
out several reconnaissance missions.
HQ 33d Fighter Group moves from Telergma, Algeria to Thelepte, Tunisia.
HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) moves from Mediouna, French Morocco to
Youks-les-Bains, Algeria.
The 91st Bombardment Squadron (Light), 27th Bombardment Group (Light) moves
with its A-20s from Ste-Barbe-du-Tlelat to Nouvion, Algeria.
FRIDAY, 8 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-24s hit Tunis after weather and engine trouble prevent a
planned attack on Bizerte.
In Libya, RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber
Command, attack a rail junction near Tripoli
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s hit the docks at Ferryville and the naval base at Bizerte.
B-25s hit bridges and rail junctions at Graiba and at Kalaa Srira while B-26s
hit Kairouan Airfield. The heavy and medium bombers are escorted by P-38s.
A-20s, escorted by P-40s, bomb tank concentrations near Gabes. Other fighters
fly numerous patrols and reconnaissance missions.
The 59th Fighter Squadron, 33d Fighter Group moves with its P-40s from
Casablanca, French Morocco to Thelepte, Tunisia.
The 443d and 444th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 320th Bombardment Group
(Medium) arrive at La Senia, Algeria from England with B-26s.
SATURDAY, 9 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
Twenty P-40s fly a cover mission for the RAF.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Libya, B-26s with fighter escort, hit an airfield 10 miles south of
Tripoli.
In Tunisia, B-25s attack shipping off the northern Tunisian coast.
HQ 14th Fighter Group and it 49th Fighter Squadron with P-38s move from
Youks-les-Bains to Berteaux, Algeria.
HQ 27th Bombardment Group (Light) and it's 17th Bombardment Squadron (Light)
with A-20s moves from Ste-Barbe-du-Tlelat to Nouvion, Algeria.
The 85th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light) with
A-20s moves from Mediouna, French Morocco to Thelepte, Tunisia. The squadron
flies its first combat mission tomorrow.
The 441st and 442d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 320th Bombardment Group
(Medium) arrive at La Senia, Algeria from England with B-26s.
SUNDAY, 10 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-24s forced by overcast to divert from the primary target of
Bizerte, strike La Goulette, the seaport of the city of Tunis. P-40s fly
reconnaissance missions.
The 82d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) with
B-25s transfers from Gambut, Libya to Tmed El Chel, Libya.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-26s, with P-38 escort, attack the marshaling yard and oil
tanks at Gabes. B-26s, sent against Sousse, abort due to bad weather. A-20s
with P-40 cover, hit the military camp at Kebili. Fighters escort C-47
missions and fly reconnaissance and patrols. One P-40, flown by Major Philip
Cochran, CO of the 58th Fighter Squadron, 33d Fighter Group, bombs and
demolishes the Hotel Splendida, the German HQ in Kairouan.
Seven Bf 109s bomb and strafe Thelepte Airfield.
The 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group with Spitfire Mk Vs begins
operating from Casablanca, French Morocco instead of Tafaraoui, Algeria to
provide protection for the Casablanca Conference between Churchill and
Roosevelt.
MONDAY, 11 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber
Command, bomb a road junction at Tripoli during the night of 10/11 Jan. P-40s
fly reconnaissance and escort missions.
In Italy, US B-24s hit the harbor at Naples.
The 81st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) with
B-25s transfers from Gambut, Libya to Tmed El Chel, Libya.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Libya, B-17s bomb the fort and town of Gadames and attack the rail bridge
and highway bridge across the Oued el Akarit, NNW of Gabes, Tunisia. Escorting
P-38s engage in a 25-minute combat with attacking fighters, shooting down one
and severely damaging another; two P-38s are lost.
In Tunisia, B-25s bomb shipping along the northeastern Tunisian coast;
escorting P-38s claim three aircraft shot down.
Other fighters fly patrol and reconnaissance, and escort C-47 transport
planes.
Six Bf 109s with additional overhead cover strafe Thelepte Airfield.
TUESDAY, 12 JANUARY 1942
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, P-40s carry out three scramble interceptor missions claiming two
fighters shot down. RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber
Command, hit Tripoli.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Libya, 12 B-17s of the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) bomb the Castel
Benito Airfield south of Tripoli, dropping 120 120-pound fragmentation clusters
and 75 500-pound and six 1,000-pound high explosive bombs claiming the
destruction of at least 20 parked aircraft. The heavy bombers claim
destruction of 14 attacking Italian Mc 202 aircraft in aerial combat.
Over the Mediterranean, B-25s sent to hit shipping in the Straits of Sicily
and in the Gulf of Gabes fail to find targets and return with their bombs.
In Tunisia, B-26s hit the bridges at La Hencha and Chaaba, completely
destroying one bridge. Fighters fly patrols, reconnaissance, and C-47 escort,
and strafe moored seaplanes and destroy numerous trucks during a sweep over the
Ben Gardane area.
Seven Ju 88s and five Bf 109s attack Thelepte Airfield.
HQ XII Fighter Command transfers from Tebessa to La Senia, Algeria.
The 92d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group with P-39s transfers from
Mediouna, French Morocco to Thelepte, Tunisia.
WEDNESDAY, 13 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, weather prevents B-24s from attacking Tripoli and also causes
B-25s sent to bomb Bir Dufan to abort. P-40s fly cover for RAF Baltimores.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Over the Mediterranean, B-25s, with P-38 escort, bomb a partially sunken
freighter between Tunisia and Sicily.
In Tunisia, fighters fly uneventful reconnaissance and patrol missions.
Five Ju 88s drop 40 bombs on Thelepte Airfield.
THURSDAY, 14 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-25s strike motor transport near Gheiada, with P-40s providing
cover. B-24s fail, due to weather, to locate Sousse harbor (the primary
target), but several bomb in the target area and along the road near Teboulba.
In Libya, RAF Liberators, under the operational control of the IX Bomber
Command, hit Tripoli, Tagiura and the supply dump at Misurata.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
The Casablanca Conference opens. Prime Minister Churchill, President
Roosevelt, and the Combined Chiefs of Staff discuss offensive actions in the
Mediterranean and pledge to accept only unconditional surrender of the Axis
countries.
In Tunisia, 26 B-17s, with an escort of 17 P-38s, attack docks and shipping
at Sfax; a total of 253 500-pound bombs are dropped from 23,400 feet. B-26s,
with fighter escort, attack the rail junction at Kalaa Srira and the junction
and warehouse at Mahares. Fighters fly reconnaissance, patrols and C-47
escort.
Over the Mediterranean, B-25s, with P-38s, fly an anti-shipping sweep in the
Straits of Sicily; no ships are sighted but vehicles and troop concentrations
are strafed by the fighters on the return trip.
FRIDAY, 15 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, B-24s bomb the harbor at Tripoli, scoring hits on vessels and on
the shore areas near the harbor. P-40s fly sweep and fighter-bomber operations
as the British Eighth Army begins an assault on the Buerat line and a drive on
Tripoli. RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber Command,
hit a road junction at Tripoli.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-26s attack the railroad and highway bridge across Oued el
Akarit, NNW of Gabes. Escorting P-38s flight a long battle with enemy
fighters; two B-26s and two P-38s are shot down. Fighters fly several
reconnaissance and patrol operations, intercept enemy aircraft attacking
airfields in the Labasse area, and escort transport aircraft.
In the Mediterranean, B-25s and B-26s fly three counter-shipping missions
north and northeast off Tunisia, claiming one vessel left in flames. Escorting
fighters strafe trucks and claim two aircraft shot down.
Nine Ju 88s escorted by four Mc 202s attack Thelepte Airfield; eight Ju 88s
are shot down by P-40s of the 33d Fighter Group; AA gets the ninth Ju 88.
SATURDAY, 16 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, B-24s hit Tripoli harbor and the town area. RAF Liberator Mk IIs
of No. 178 Squadron bomb the road junction and Benito Gate at Tripoli. P-40s
fly patrol, scramble and fighter-bomber missions as the British Eighth Army,
having passed through the enemy's main defenses at Buerat, pushes toward
Tripoli.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In the Mediterranean, B-26s on a shipping strike in the Straits of Sicily
fail to find any ships.
In Tunisia, A-20s on an armed reconnaissance return to base with their bombs
when no targets are sighted. Fighters and F-4s fly reconnaissance and patrols
while Spitfires escort C-47s on ferry runs.
The 32d, 352d, and 419th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 301st Bombardment
Group (Heavy) with B-17s transfer from Biskra, Algeria to Ain M'lila, Algeria.
SUNDAY, 17 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, B-24s bomb Tripoli harbor. P-40s fly reconnaissance, patrol, top
cover and fighter-bomber missions as British ground forces pursue the enemy
twoard Tripoli, reaching positions ten miles E of Misurata on the coast with
Beni Ulid on the south flank. During the night of 17/18 Jan, RAF Liberators
hit Castel Benito Airfield and the road junction west of Homs.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-25s, with P-38 cover, attack the rail junction at Graiba.
Fighters fly routine reconnaissance and patrols and escort C-47 missions.
In the Mediterranean, B-25s on a shipping strike fail to locate any vessels
and return with their bombs.
HQ 52d Fighter Group transfers from Orleansville, Algeria to Telergma,
Algeria.
HQ 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 353d Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), with B-17s, transfers from Biskra, Algeria to Ain M'lila, Algeria.
MONDAY, 18 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, B-24s strike Tripoli harbor. P-40s fly top cover and
fighter-bomber missions. General Montgomery orders accelerated day and night
pursuit toward Tripoli as contact with Rommel's forces is temporarily lost due
to terrain and obstacles.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Libya, B-17s, with fighter escort, bomb Castel Benito Airfield.
In the Mediterranean, B-26s attack two vessels in the Gulf of Hammamet.
In Tunisia, fighters fly reconnaissance and patrols and escort C-47 runs.
TUESDAY, 19 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-24s hit the harbor at Sousse.
In Libya, B-24s hit the harbor at Tripoli while B-25s hit Castel Benito
Airfield and motor transport on the road. Ground forces regain contact with
the enemy. The coastal force reaches Homs while the southern column presses
toward Tarhunah.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s hit the industrial area just south of Tunis and the
marshaling yard at Jabal al Jallud; P-38s provide cover. B-25s hit Medenine
and a nearby motor pool. Fighters continue routine reconnaissance, patrol and
C-47 escort missions.
The 2d, 4th and 5th Fighter Squadrons, 51st Fighter Group with Spitfire Mk
Vs, transfer from Orleansville, Algeria to Telergma, Algeria.
72 P-40Fs of the 325th Fighter Group are flown off the USS Ranger and land
at Cazes Airdrome, Casablanca.
WEDNESDAY, 20 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, B-24s hit the harbor at Tripoli. P-40s fly top cover and
fighter-bomber operations as enemy resistance to the British advance stiffens
in the Homs-Tarhunah area.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s hit Cap Mangin near Gabes when cloud cover prevents
bombing of the primary target, Tripoli, Libya. Fighters continue
reconnaissance and patrols, and C-47s continue transport flights with fighter
cover.
In the Mediterranean, six B-25s of the 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
escorted by 12 P-38s of the 14th Fighter Group, hit shipping in the Straits of
Sicily sinking a tanker.
THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, B-24s bomb Tripoli harbor while B-25s attack targets along the
Surman-Az Zawiyah road. P-40s fly fighter-bomber missions against ground
targets as the British Eighth Army overcomes resistance in the area. The enemy
strengthens the Tarhunah area at the expense of the Homs front, causing General
Montgomery to decide to make the main effort along the coast.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In the Mediterranean, six B-26s of the 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) hit
two freighters northeast of Cape Bon, sinking one and damaging the other. The
escorting P-38s shoot down two Z 1007 bombers and then mix it up with six Bf
109s, claiming three shot down but losing two P-38s.
In Tunisia, B-25s bomb the highway and railroad bridge just north of
Pont-du-Fahs. Fighters fly bomber and C-47 escort and fly sweeps and
reconnaissance, attacking and destroying a large number of trucks on the
Gabes-Ben Gardane road. A-20s and fighter escort bomb and strafe a tank and
truck concentration near Ousseltia in support of elements of the US 1st Armored
Division which begins the Allied assault in an effort to push the enemy back in
the Ousseltia Valley into which a new enemy offensive under new German
Commanding General, Colonel General von Arnim, has advanced in a four-day push.
24 P-38s find the Gabes-Medenine-Ben Gardane road crowded with traffic; they
swept down and strafe, claiming 65 vehicles destroyed plus two Bf 109s
destroyed in the air.
A detachment of the 154th Observation Squadron, 68th Observation Group with
P-39s begins operating from Youks-les-Bains, Algeria. The squadron will fly
its first combat mission as a tactical reconnaissance unit on 26 Jan.
FRIDAY, 22 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, B-25s bomb a road junction near Tripoli. P-40s fly cover and
fighter-bomber missions as the British Eighth Army's 22 Armored Brigade passes
through 51 Infantry Division at Homs and drives beyond Castelverde. Forces to
the south advance to within 17 miles of Tripoli.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
Another step is taken toward amalgamation of US and RAF air strength in the
Allied Air Force. Air support for US and British ground forces in North Africa
is coordinated by the formation of a new combined HQ, Allied Air Support
Command, subordinate to the Allied Air Force and under the command of Major
General Laurence S Kuter, USAAF. The new command consists of the USAAF XII Air
Support Command, the RAF No. 242 Group, a photographic reconnaissance unit and
any other units that might be assigned to it.
In Tunisia, B-17s, operating in two forces, bomb El Aouina Airfield in the
morning; B-26s hit the airfield shortly after noon; and B-25s attack later in
the afternoon. Two escorting P-38s are lost to enemy fighters. Fighters fly
escort for bombers and for C-47s and carry out numerous reconnaissance and
patrol missions. P-39s and P-40s support the Allied ground assault in the
Ousseltia Valley which has been halted to by strong opposition; the fighters
silence several machinegun positions. One P-40 is lost.
In the Mediterranean, other B-26s, on a shipping strike, severely damage a
freighter in the Straits of Sicily.
HQ 81st Fighter Group transfers from Mediouna, French Morocco to Thelepte,
Tunisia.
SATURDAY, 23 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Sicily, B-24s bomb Palermo harbor during the night of 23/24 Jan.
In Libya, P-40s fly cover and fighter-bomber missions during the day as
Tripoli falls to General Montgomery's Eighth Army.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s, in two forces, hit the Bizerte naval base and shipping in
the immediate area. Much damage is done to base facilities and one motor
vessel is sunk; 75 to 100 enemy fighters attack the formations, and the B-17s
and escorting P-38s claim 20 destroyed; two P-38s are lost and four more are
missing. A-20s, and escorting P-40s, attack a heavy gun battery, machinegun
nests, and two infantry companies while supporting ground forces in the battle
area south of Ousseltia. Fighters of the XII Air Support Command destroy over
20 vehicles on the Gabes-Ben Gardane highway.
In the Mediterranean, B-26s hit shipping off northeastern Tunisia, attacking
several vessels and claiming one destroyed; escorting fighters hit trucks and
tanks near Enfidaville, Tunisia on the return flight.
The 91st Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group with P-39s transfers from
Mediouna, French Morocco to Thelepte, Tunisia.
MONDAY, 24 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-24s strike Medenine Airfield while P-40s fly cover and
fighter-bomber missions as Axis forces retreat westward from Tripoli.
The 84th, 85th and 86th Fighter Squadrons, 79th Fighter Group with P-40s
transfers from Egypt to Libya.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-25s and B-26s, operating in two forces, attack Medenine
Airfield; B-17s hit shipping in Sousse harbor; fighters escort bombers and
attack vehicles and troop concentrations along the battleline.
MONDAY, 25 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, P-40s carry out fighter-bomber missions. The British 7 Armored
Division, in pursuit of the enemy, reaches Az Zawiyah.
HQ 79th Fighter Group transfers from Egypt to Libya.
The 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with
B-24s transfers from Fayid, Egypt to Tobruk, Libya.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, bad weather cancels heavy and medium bomber missions. Fighters
fly reconnaissance, patrol and C-47 escort missions.
TUESDAY, 26 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, headwinds prevent B-24s from reaching Naples, the primary target,
before dark, so they divert to Messina, bombing the town and the area around
the train ferry terminal.
In Libya, P-40s fly fighter-bomber operations, refueling at Castel Benito.
The 415th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with
B-24s transfers from Fayid, Egypt to Tobruk, Libya.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In the Mediterranean, B-26s on a shipping strike abort because of weather
that limits air activity.
In Tunisia, fighters fly reconnaissance and local patrol missions.
WEDNESDAY, 27 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24s bomb Naples and Messina during the night of 26/27 Jan.
In Sicily, B-24s hit Palermo during the afternoon, after weather causes a
diversion from the primary target at Naples.
In Libya, the British 7 Armored Division meets stiffening resistance near
Zuwarah.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In the Mediterranean, B-25s hit shipping off the north coast of Algeria,
attacking two destroyers and leaving one on fire. B-26s on a shipping strike
fail to attack sighted vessels because of weather.
In Tunisia, A-20s attack the town of Al Mazzunah while fighters escort
bombers and fly reconnaissance and local patrols.
THURSDAY, 28 JANUARY 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, 60 heavy and medium bombers (B-17s, B-25s and B-26s) in three
waves attack the harbor, shipping and marshaling yards at Sfax; all missions
are escorted by P-38s. P-40s of the XII Air Support Command attack infantry
and artillery while supporting French and US ground forces in the Ousseltia
Valley where the Allies gain control of the western exit and half of Kairouan
Pass.
HQ 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) and its 441st, 442d, 443d and 444th
Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) with B-26s transfer from La Senia, Algeria to
Tafaraoui, Algeria.
FRIDAY, 29 JANUARY 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, three consecutive waves of B-17s attack the docks and shipping
at Bizerte while B-26s hit El Aouina Airfield. Fighters escort the bombers and
C-47s and carry out reconnaissance.
In the Mediterranean, B-26s on a shipping strike between Tunisia and Sicily
severely damage a cargo liner.
SATURDAY, 30 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24s bomb the train ferry terminal at Messina. Direct hits are
scored on a ship and AA battery near the terminal.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, over 50 B-17s bomb the docks and shipping at Ferryville. B-25s
hit railroad installations and warehouses at El Aouinet while B-26s bomb a
railroad south of Reyville. Fighters and A-20s carry out numerous strafing and
bombing operations against tanks, motor transport and along the battleline
between El Guettar and Faid.
MONDAY, 31 JANUARY 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force):
Lieutenant General Lewis H Brereton, Commanding General Ninth Air Force
assumes command of US Army Forces in the Middle East.
In Italy, B-24s hit the railroad ferry installations at Messina harbor. The
British 7 Armored Division finishes clearing Zuwarah.
HQ IX Fighter Command arrives at Kabrit, Egypt from the US.
The 343d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with
B-24s transfers from Kabrit, Egypt to Gambut, Libya.
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s hit the harbor and shipping at Bizerte while B-26s bomb
Gabes Airfield. Fighters escort bombers and attack ground targets and furnish
cover for ground forces along the battleline between Gafsa and Faid.
With the conclusion of the Casablanca Conference, the 308th Fighter
Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, which has been operating its Spitfire Mk Vs from
Casablanca, returns to its base at Tafaraoui, Algeria.
JANUARY 1944 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY 1944
ARMY AIR FORCES, MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (AAFMTO):
A complete reorganization of USAAF units in the Mediterranean Theater of
Operations (MTO) takes place: US Army Air Forces, North African Theater of
Operations (USAAFNATO) is redesignated AAF Mediterranean Theater of Operations
(AAFMTO); XII Air Force Services Command becomes AAF Services Command
Mediterranean Theater of Operations (AAFSCMTO); III Air Services Area Command
(Special) becomes XII Air Force Services Command; II Air Services Area Command
becomes XV Air Force Services Command; XII Air Force Engineer Command
(Provisional) becomes AAF Engineer Command, Mediterranean Theather of
Operations (Provisional); and XII Air Force Training Command is changed to XII
Air Force Training and Replacement Command. The XII Bomber Command, Twelfth Air
Force is reorganized as an medium bomber organization, 3 B-25 groups and the 3
B-26 groups of the 42d Bombardment Wing (Medium), under Brigadier General
Robert D Knapp.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
The 3 remaining B-26 groups of the Fifteenth Air Force are transferred to
the Twelfth Air Force, leaving the Fifteenth with 6 heavy bomber [2d, 93d,
97th, 99th, 30lst, 376th Bombardment Groups (Heavy)] and 4 fighter groups (1st,
14th, 82d, and 325th), or 4 B-17, 2 B-24, 1 P-47, and 3 P-38 groups.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
HQ 33d Fighter Group transfers from Santa Maria to Cercola, Italy.
SUNDAY, 2 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
P-47's fly an uneventful sweep over the Rome area.
The 720th and 722d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 450th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), arrive at Manduria, Italy from the US with B-24's; they will fly their
first mission on 9 Jan.
The 724th, 725th, 726th and 727th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 451st
Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Gioia del Colle, Italy from the US with
B-24's; they will fly their first mission on 30 Jan.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's bomb the Terni marshalling yard and iron works and nearby
barracks; P-40's and Spitfires from the AAF, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF),
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), South African Air Force (SAAF), and Royal
Air Force (RAF) blast snowbound vehicles in the Aveziano-Popoli area,
warehouses at San Benedetto de Marsi and gun positions and defended areas
around Chieti; A-36's hit Civitavecchia harbor and marhalling yard to the S of
town, the Anagni marshalling yard and nearby pun positions, and other targets
of opportunity; B-26's bomb bridges at Riva Santo Stefano and Ventimiglia, the
marshalling yard at Arma di Taggia, and bridge over the Var River.
HQ 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 488th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) transfer from Foggia to Pompeii, Italy with B-25's.
MONDAY, 3 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Lieutenant General Nathan F Twining becomes Commanding General, Fifteenth
Air Force.
In Italy, B-17's escorted by P-38's, bomb the Villarperosa ball bearing
works and Lingotto marshalling yard and Fiat motor works in the Turin area.
P-47's fly top cover for the B-17's as far as the Italian coast, then turn and
carry out an uneventful sweep over the Rome area.
Arrivals in Italy from US:
719th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 449th Bombardment Group (Heavy), to
Grottaglie with B-24's; first mission is 8 Jan.
721st and 723d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 450th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), to Manduria with B-24's; first mission is 8 Jan.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Brigadier General Edward M Morris assumes command of the XII Fighter
Command.
In Yugoslavia, B-25's bomb a troop concentration area at Prijedor, and hit
Split and Sibenik. In Italy, P-40's and A-36's bomb gun positions near Cassino,
the Anagni railroad station, a village near Vicenza, the railway and trains
between Ceccano and Segni, and the harbor at Civitavecchia; P-40's, with SAAF
and RCAF Spitfires, hit 100+ vehicles in the Avezzano-Sulmona area; other
P-40's, with AAF, RAF, SAAF, and RAAF fighters, hit targets in the
Filetto-Tollo areas in support of ground troops.
TUESDAY, 4 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
100+ B-17's are dispatched to bomb the Dupnica area of Bulgaria; 29 bomb the
target area, but heavy cloud cover causes 77 B-17's to return bombs to base;
P-38's escort the B-17's the total distance to and from targets; P-47's provide
escort part way.
HQ 449th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Grottaglie, Italy from the US.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Yugoslavia, B-25's bomb the Brodac town area and marshalling yard, and
the town of Travnik. P-40's hit a bridge and trains and fly patrols over the
battleline in Italy.
Transfers in Italy:
HQ XII Bomber Command and HQ 57th Bombardment Wing from Bari and Foggia
respectively to Trocchia.
HQ 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) and 12th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron from San Severo to Pomigliano with F-4's and F-5's.
380th and 428th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group
(Medium), from Philippeville, Algeria to Ghisonaccia, Corsica with B-25's.
WEDNESDAY, 5 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Transfers:
154th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 68th Tactical Reconnaissance Group
(attached to Fifteenth Air Force), from Nouvion to Oran, Algeria with P-38's.
717th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 449th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from US
to Grottaglie, Italy with B-24's; first mission is 8 Jan.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, A-36's hit gun positions N of Mignano and on the S slope of Monte
Porchia. Weather cancels other operations.
489th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Foggia to Pompeii, Italy with B-25's.
THURSDAY, 6 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Control of Fifteenth Air Force operations against targets of the Combined
Bomber Offensive (CBO) is placed under USSAFE.
718th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 449th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives
at Grottaglie, Italy from the US with B-24's; first mission is 8 Jan.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's bomb Pontedera hitting the marshalling yard and Piaggio
aircraft factory there, the Lucca marshalling yard, and the railway N of
Follonica; P-40 and A-36 fighter- bombers attack gun positions in the
Cervaro-Monte Trocchio area and near Aquino, the town of Cervaro, the railway
at Civitavecchia, trains N and E of Rome, the Velletri train station, and the
town of Fondi.
FRIDAY, 7 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-17's, with P-38 escort, bomb an aircraft factory at Maribor and
a torpedo factory at Fiume; the P-38's battle a superior number of enemy
fighters over the Maribor area; 3 P-38's are lost and several are missing; 4
fighters are claimed destroyed, with 1 probably downed and 4 damaged, during
the fierce half-hour fight.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's strike Perugia Airfield; A-20's hit defenses in close
support of the US Fifth Army; B-26's hit the marshalling yards at Foligno and
Arezzo and attack a bridge at Roccasecca; A-36's hit gun positions, trucks, and
trains in the Cervaro- Aquino-Cassino area, bomb the Aquino station, and hit
the Velletri railway yards; P-40's give close support in the Monte Maio, Monte
La Chiaia, Monte Porchia, and Cedro Hill areas as the US Fifth Army drives
toward the Rapido River.
Air echelon of the 417th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force,
transfers from Tafaraoui to La Senia, Algeria with Beaufighters; ground echelon
is at Ghisonaccia, Corsica.
SATURDAY, 8 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
449th and and 450th Bombardment Groups (Heavy) with B-24's become
operational, giving the Fifteenth a total of 8 heavy bomber groups.
B-24's bomb the airfield at Mostar, Yugoslavia. B-17's hit the Reggio Emilia
aircraft factory; P-38's and P-47's fly escort.
HQ 1st Fighter Group and 27th and 94th Fighter Squadrons transfer from Gioia
del Colle to Salsola Airfield, Italy with P-38's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
B-25's bomb the harbor, warehouses, and railway at Metkovic, Yugoslavia. In
Italy, A-20's hit railway stations at Frosinone and in the Colleferro-Segni
area; B-26's bomb marshalling yards at Grosseto and Lucca; P-40's support the
US Fifth Army in the mountains E and SE of Cassino, and, with A-36's, hit
railway targets S of Rome at Aquino, Frosinone, Palestrina and Castelforte;
other P-40's hit Avezzano, and A-36's blast trains and vessels in the vicinity
of Tarquinia.
SUNDAY, 9 JANUARY 1944
MEDITERRANEAN:
Prime Minister Winston S Churchill and General Charles A De Gaulle meet at
Marrakesh, French Morocco. They discuss cooperation of a French expeditionary
force in invasion of Europe and the degree of authority of the French inside
France after the invasion.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-17's hit the docks and shipping at Pola, Yugoslavia.
71st Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, transfers from Gioia del Colle to
Salsola Airfield, Italy with P-38's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's attack the marshalling yard and docks at Ancona; P-40's hit
tanks and trucks at Palena and S of Sulmona, and positions and vehicles near
Cervaro; and A-36's hit positions in the same area.
414th Night Fighter Squadron, 63d Fighter Wing, based at Elmas, Sardinia
with Beaufighters, sends a detachment to operate from Ghisonaccia, Corsica.
MONDAY, 10 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-17's bomb Sofia, Bulgaria causing considerable damage in the marshalling
yards. B-24's hit the marshalling yard at Skoplje, Yugoslavia. P-38's and
P-47's provide escort. Around 60 Luftwaffe fighters attack the Sofia force and
a fierce air battle ensues; 2 B-17's are lost; they claim 28 aircraft shot
down.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's hit San Benedetto de Marsi; P-40's, with RAF, SAAF, and
RAAF airplanes, hit communications, gun positions, trucks, and tanks at
numerous points in and NW of the battle area; other P-40's give close support
to ground forces in the Chieti area; and A-36's hit trucks, tanks, trains, and
other targets of opportunity N of Rome.
Transfers:
HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) from Vincenzo Airfield to Vesuvius
Airfield, Italy.
Air echelon of the 417th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force (attached
to RAF 337 Wing) from Tafaraoui to La Senia, Algeria with Beaufighters; ground
echelon is at Ghisonaccia, Corsica.
TUESDAY, 11 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-17's, with P-38 escort, bomb the
harbor at Piraeus, Greece; they destroy 8 attacking fighters; 6 B-17's are lost
in midair collisions in the heavy overcast.
Transfers in Italy:
HQ 82d Fighter Group and 95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons from Lecce to
Vincenzo Airfield with P-38's.
HQ 456th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 744th, 745th, 746th and 747th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) to Cerignola from the US with B-24's; first
mission is 10 Feb.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's attack the iron and steel works at Piombino during the
night of 10/11 Jan; during the day, B-25's bomb Falconara (hitting the railroad
junction) and railroad yards at Fabriano; P-40's and A-36's blast defenses and
gun positions in Cervaro-Monte Trocchio, a gun position N of Minturno, the
towns of Sora and Isola del Liri, road traffic in the Macerata-Aquila-Popoli
area, and railroad facilities at San Giorgio del Sannio.
Transfers:
HQ 87th Fighter Wing to Nouvion, Algeria from the US.
84th and 85th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light),
from Vincenzo Airfield to Vesuvius Airfield, Italy with A-20's.
WEDNESDAY, 12 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, P-47's fly a fighter sweep in the Rome area, strafing the
marshalling yard at Teramo and buildings between the Tronto and Tesino Rivers.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Colonel Archibald Y Smith assumes command of the XII Air Force Training and
Replacement Command.
In Italy, B-25's and B-26's bomb the Giulianova railway bridge and attack a
dam and road bridge; A-20's hit San Donato; P-40's attack a vessel in the Krka
River of Yugoslavia, hit enemy defensive positions at San Biagio Saracinesa,
Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, Monte Trocchio, and Atina, and bomb Vallerotonda;
A-36's attack the Avezzano railroad yards, a village near Atina, railroad
facilities at Cisterna di Latina, and numerous trucks and train cars in the
Rome area.
THURSDAY, 13 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-17's bomb Centocelle and Guidonia airfields and B-24's hit
Perugia airfield. P-38's provide escort, and P-47's fly top cover for the B-17
missions. The heavy bombers destroy several fighters in aerial combat.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's and B-26's bomb Guidonia, Centocelle, and Ciampino
airfields; A-20's strike the town of Atina. AAF, RAF, SAAF, and RAAF
fighter-bombers hit shipping along the Dalmatian coast at Sibenik and in the
Krka River of Yugoslavia. A-36's hit the town and railway yards at Isola del
Liri, a factory at Colleferro, docks at Formia, railroad yards at Valmontone,
and a railway station SE of Frosinone. P-40's hit Sant' Elia Fiumerapido, San
Biagio, Saracinesa, and a rail and road junction near Villa Latina.
86th and 97th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light),
transfer from Vincenzo Airfield to Vesuvius Airfield, Italy with A-20's.
FRIDAY, 14 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Around 200 B-24's and B-17's attack the town area and airfield at Mostar,
Yugoslavia. P-38's provide escort throughout the missions, and P-47's join the
B-17's at the target and cover the flight back to base.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's strike the Pontecorvo bridge; A-20's offer close support to
US Fifth Army forces in the Monte Trocchio area; P-40's blast Loreto tank
repair shops; P-40's and A-36's hit defenses in the San Giuseppe, Sant' Elia
Fiumerapido. and Monte Trocchio areas; A-36's also attack road and buildings E
of Minturno, the town of Isola del Liri, and the harbor at Anzio.
Transfers in Italy: HQ 321st Bombardment Group (Medium) and 445th, 446th,
447th and 448th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) from Amendola to Vincenzo
Airfield with B-25's and 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, from
Pomigliano to Castel Volturno with P-51's.
SATURDAY, 15 JANUARY 1944
MEDITERRANEAN ALLIED AIR FORCE (MAAF):
Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker, USAAF, assumes command of MAAF and Army Air
Forces, MTO (AAFMTO), replacing Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur Tedder, RAF, and
General Carl Spaatz, who along with Air Vice Marshall Sir Arthur Coningham,
RAF, and numerous other American and British officers have departed for the UK.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's bomb the Prato marshalling yard and industrial area, and
also hit roads in the area and drop several bombs on the town of Pistoia.
B-17's concentrate on railroad yards and bridges in the Florence area at
Certaldo, Poggibonsi, Montalto di Castro, Arezzo, Civitavecchia, and near Porto
Civitanova and Orvieto, and hit scattered targets of opportunity. Fighters
escort all the missions.
HQ 306th and 307th Bombardment Wings (Heavy) are activated at Bari, Italy.
HQ 455th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 740th, 741st, 742d and 743d
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at San Giovanni, Italy from the US with
B-24's; first mission is 12 Feb.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's attack the Foligno railway junction; B-26's bomb bridges at
Orvieto. P-40's of the 79th Fighter Group and RAF 239 Wing hit the San
Valentino station in a joint attack; A-36's and other P-40's, in support of US
Fifth Army forces, hit gun positions and strongpoints, especially at Picinisco
and Atina; P-40's on armed reconnaissance hit the railroad W of Frosinone
station and strafe the Ceccano station and railway cars.
SUNDAY, 16 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-24's attack the Osoppo, Italy landing ground and the town of Zara,
Yugoslavia; they claim 9 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-24 is lost. B-17's bomb the
Messerschmitt factory at Klagenfurt, Austria and the landing ground at
Villaorba, Italy. Escorting P-38's claim 9 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 P-38's are
lost.
Transfers in Italy: HQ 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 342d Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy) from Cerignola to Amendola with B-17's; HQ 454th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) and 736th and 737th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) to San Giovanni
from the US with B-24's, first mission is 8 Feb; and 154th Tactical
Reconnaissance Squadron, 68th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (attached to
Fifteenth Air Force), begins a movement from Oran, Algeria to Bari, Italy with
P-38's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's bomb the marshalling yard and choke points at Terni; B-26's
attack the marshalling yard and bridge at Orte; A-20's bomb the town of Atina;
P-40's attack bridges in the San Giorgio del Sannio area and gun emplacements
near Cassino; Sant' Angelo in Theodice and Picinisco; A-36's hit the railway
junction at Cecina, road and railway S of Siena, and the town areas of Avezzano
and Formia.
Transfers in Italy: HQ 79th Fighter Group and 85th and 86th Fighter
Squadrons from Madna Airfield to Capodichino with P-40's; and 99th Fighter
Squadron, XII Air Support Command (attached to 79th Fighter Group), from Madna
Airfield to Capodichino with P-40's.
MONDAY, 17 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-17's attack the marshalling yard at Prato and the marshalling
yard and bridge at Pontassieve; B-24's bomb the marshalling yard at Arezzo; and
P-38's and P-47's provide escort.
Transfers in Italy: HQ 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 343d Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy) from Manduria to Lecce with B-24's; 340th, 341st and 414th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Cerignola
to Amendola with B-17's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's attack marshalling yards at Terni, Chiaravalle, and
Montemarciano; B-26's strike the Orte railway bridge and Viterbo marshalling
yard; P-40's hit the Sibenik, Yugoslavia harbor, the bridge at San Giorgio del
Sannio, gun positions at San Giuseppe and Formia and docks at Anzio; A-36's
bomb Anzio, the Avezzano town area and road junction, and Tarquinia town and
factory buildings.
Transfers in Italy: 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, from Madna
Airfield to Capodichino with P-40's; 92d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group,
from Castelvetrano, Sicily to Capodichino with P-39's.
TUESDAY, 18 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-17's attack marshalling yards, a bridge and an airfield in the Florence,
Italy area; P-38's and P-47's provide close escort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's hit the harbor, tin mills, steel works, power house, and
blast furnaces at Piombino, and bomb the Montalto di Castro railroad and
bridge; B-25's hit the town and railway viaduct at Terni, and A-20's blast gun
positions in the Minturno area; P-40's hit trains, wharves and vessels in the
Ploca and Metkovic, Yugoslavia areas; A-36's and P-40's pound troops, trucks,
and gun positions in the Minturno area and near Pontecorvo and Atina, hit a
gasoline dump at Pignataro Interamna, a warehouse at Fontana Liri, a factory at
Ceprano, the rail and road junction at Avezzano, and railway at Santa
Marinella.
Transfers in Italy: 81st and 434th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 12th
Bombardment Group (Medium), from Foggia to Gaudo Airfield with B-25's; 307th
Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, from Pomigliano to Castel Volturno with
P-51's; 344th, 345th and 415th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 98th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), from Manduria to Lecce with B-24's.
WEDNESDAY, 19 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's and B-17's hit airfields at Perugia, Iesi, Centocelle, and
Ciampino; P-38's fly close escort for all the missons while P-47's fly top
cover over Ciampino and Centocelle and carry out a sweep over the Rome area.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's bomb Rieti Airfield; B-26's hit the airfield at Viterbo;
A-20's attack the marshalling yard at Colleferro; P-40's bomb and strafe 2
schooners at Makarska, Yugoslavia; A-36's hit guns, trucks, and trains N of
Rome and fly 70+ sorties against rail, communications and troop positions in
the US Fifth Army battle area as the Garigliano bridgehead expands; P-40's also
hit defended positions in the battle area and near Scauri, Tremensuoli, and
Alvito.
Transfers in Italy: HQ 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) and 82d and 83d
Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) from Foggia to Gaudo Airfield with B-25's; HQ
27th Fighter-Bomber Group and 522d, 523d and 524th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons
from Paestum to Pomigliano with A-36's; HQ 31st Fighter Group and 309th Fighter
Squadron from Pomigliano to Castel Volturno with P-51's.
THURSDAY, 20 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's and B-17's bomb airfields at Guidonia, Centocelle, and
Ciampino; P-38's provide escort and P-47's carry out sweeps over the targets.
Other P-47's escort transport airplanes on a mission to Yugoslavia.
HQ 451st Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from the US to Gioia del Colle,
Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's bomb the Viterbo marshalling yard and attack a bridge at
Pontecorvo; B-25's attack railroads in the Carsoli area; A-20's give close
support to the US 5th Infantry Division in the Minturno area; British and US
P-40's follow RAF light bombers in a raid on the Popoli station; A-36's pound a
rail and road crossing at Viterbo. and P-40's hit communications at Frosinone,
Palestrina, and Carsoli, where a traffic block is created; A-36's and P-40's
fly nearly 200 sorties in support of the US Fifth Army ground forces as the
36th Infantry Division begins an assault across the Rapido River in the
Theodice area; and P-40's hit targets along the British Eighth Army front.
FRIDAY, 21 JANUARY
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-17's bomb airfields at Istres- Le-Tube and Salon-de-Provence, France, and
in Italy, railroad bridges at Porto Civitanova, and a bridge and marshalling
yard at Rimini, Italy; B-24's attack the marshalling yards at Pontedera and
Prato; P-38's fly escort; and P-47's sweep over wide areas around Rome and
Florence.
738th and 739th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 454th Bombardment Group
(Heavy) arrives at San Giovanni, Italy from the US with B-24's; first mission
is 8 Feb.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's hit railroad bridges N and S of Orvieto; B-25's bomb
chokepoints around Rome and unsuccessfully attack the Pontecorvo bridge; A-20's
attack communications at Atina; P-40's hit shipping at Povlje, Yugoslavia;
other P-40's and A-36's attack strongpoints, trucks, a command post, a HQ
building, and radar station in the battle area; P-40's also give close support
to US Fifth Army troops which are hardpressed at both Garigliano and the Rapido
River bridgeheads; and A-36's bomb Veletri, a concentration at Minturno, and
the area S of Viterbo.
"B" and "C" Flights of the 15th Combat Mapping Squadron, 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group, depart Colorado Springs, Colorado to join "A" Flight. The
15th, based at Bari, Italy with F-5's and B-25's, has been in the MTO since Dec
42.
381st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Philippeville, Algeria to Ghisonaccia, Corsica with B-25's.
SATURDAY, 22 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, unescorted B-17's and B-24's bomb the Terni and Arezzo marshalling
yards, Pontedera marshalling yard and airfield, a road and rail junction NW of
Frascati, Terracina road defile and Pontecorvo bridge and town area; P-38's
strafe targets in the Arce-Frosinone area, including several vehicles and train
cars; P-47's on a sweep over the Rome area encounter several fighters, and
claim 5 shot down; 2 P-47's are lost.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, maximum support is given to Allied landings at Anzio, which are
begun by the US Fifth Army's VI Corps at 0200; fighter-bombers, light and
medium bombers direct efforts toward isolating the landing area by cutting
roads, bridges, and railroads and obstructing towns in the surrounding region,
at Valetri, Valmontone, Colleferro, Ceprano, and Fondi and hitting traffic and
communications throughout the area; fighters maintain a patrol over shipping
and beachhead and successfully intercept several enemy fighter-bomber missions
directed against the landings.
SUNDAY, 23 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-17's bomb road bridges at Pontecorvo and Ceprano, railroad line
and bridge at Falconara, Marittima, and marshalling yards at Poggibonsi and
Siena; P-47's escort the B-17's to the latter 2 targets; B-24's bomb Rieti
Airfield, Porto Civitanova marshalling yard, and targets of opportunity,
including a bridge near Cagli, marshalling yard N of Perugia, and landing strip
S of Iesi; P-47's and P-38's carry out sweeps in wide areas around Rome and
Florence, reaching out to Viterbo, Rieti, Orte, and Terni.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Colonel William S Gravely takes command of XII Air Force Training and
Replacement Command.
B-26's bomb the area S of Avezzano while B-25's hit the town of Avezzano and
road junction at Monte Cornacchia; A-20's bomb Vallecorsa with good results;
A-36's attack Vallecorsa, road junctions at Fondi and in the Priverno area, the
town of Ceccano, and railroad at Sezze; P-47's bomb the bridge at Skradin,
Yugoslavia; RAF Desert Air Force (DAF) fighters strafe tanks and trucks on the
British Eighth Army front, and XII Air Support Command fighters cover the US
Fifth Army's Anzio beachhead during the day.
MONDAY, 24 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-24's bomb the airfield and town area at Skoplje, Yugoslavia. In Bulgaria,
B-17's hit the marshalling yard at Vrattsa and the Dolno Tserovene area, both
targets of opportunity. P-38's escort the B-24's while P-47's accompany the
B-17's.
736th and 737th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 454th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), transfer from Torretto to San Giovanni, Italy with B-24's; first
mission is 8 Feb.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Weather cancels all medium and light bomber operations. In Italy, fighters
maintain cover over the Anzio beachhead (Anzio and Nettuno are captured during
the day) and encounter increased air attacks; 3 fighters are claimed destroyed
in aerial combat, while 1 Allied fighter is lost. P-40 fighter-bombers hit road
at Penne, while A-36's bomb Velletri and the road junction E of town, and hit
other communications targets.
TUESDAY, 25 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-17's bomb targets of opportunity (highways and railroad bridges)
at Pedaso, SE of Pedaso, at Stazione di Monte Silvano and on the Vomano River
NW of Pescara; other B-17's return bombs to base after finding targets obscured
by bad weather.
HQ 456th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 745th, 746th and 747th transfer from
Cerignola to Stornara, Italy with B-24's; first mission is 10 Feb.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's bomb Valmontone; B-26's hit the Sezze marshalling yard, the
Sezze-Bassiano road, Amelia, and Rieti marshalling yard; A-20's attack Terelle;
A-36's hit Civita Castellana, Itri, Velletri, and railroad rolling stock in the
area; P-40's hit Velletri and Belmonte in Sabina and strafe trucks E of Fondi;
P-40's and P-47's hit shipping in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, and nearby road and
rail traffic. British fighters of the RAF DAF hit bridge approaches at Popoli,
near the British Eighth Army front.
Detachment of the 416th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force (attached
to RAF No. 286 Wing) at Rerhaia, Algeria returns to base at Grottaglie, Italy
with Beaufighters.
WEDNESDAY, 26 JANUARY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, A-20's attack Cisterna di Latina, toward which the US Fifth Army's
VI Corps is moving; A-36's and P-40's fly harassing attacks against roads and
railroads, bombing at Belmonte in Sabina, Cisterna, Itri, Ceccano, Frosinone,
Poggio Mirteto and at points around these towns; A-36's destroy a fuel dump and
several trucks and artillery caissons in the Ceprano-Priverno area.
THURSDAY, 27 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In France, B-17's bomb airfields at Salon-de-Provence and
Montpellier-Frejorgues; B-24's hit Istres- Le-Tube Airfield; P-38's fly escort.
In Italy, other P-38's sweep the Rome area, and P-47's sweep the Florence area.
The heavy bombers and fighter escorts claim 20+ aircraft shot down.
Transfers in Italy: HQ 306th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Bari to Foggia;
744th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 456th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from
Cerignola to Stornara with B-24's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's attack roads at Velletri, the railway at Colleferro and
marshalling yard at Orte; B-26's bomb bridges at Ceprano and marshalling yard
at Terni; A-20's give close support to the US Fifth Army attack near Terelle;
A-36's bomb railways and buildings at Poggio Mirteto, Ceccano, and Ciampino,
hit rail and road traffic S of Rome, and, with P-40's, hit the town of
Piedimonte; 70+ P-40's provide close support to Fifth Army forces in Cisterna
di Latina and Atina, bombing gun positions; Allied fighters over the Anzio
beachhead successfully meet increased enemy air effort, claiming 28 aircraft
downed in aerial combat.
FRIDAY, 28 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-17's, with fighter escorts, bomb Aviano Airfield and Verona
marshalling yard; B-24's hit the marshalling yard at Ferrara.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's attack the Orte marshalling yard; B-26's hit bridges at
Orvieto and Montalto di Castro; A-20's bomb Cisterna di Latina with good
results; P-40's and P-47's bomb the Popoli road junction, and A-36's hit
railroad, road, and gun positions in the Cassino-Vicenza-Velletri areas, the
Colleferro marshalling yard, and Atina town area; P-40's hit Terelle, Belmonte
in Sabina, and Cisterna; Allied fighters over the Anzio area claim 21 aircraft
shot down.
416th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, transfers from Grottaglie to
Pomigliano, Italy with Beaufighters.
SATURDAY, 29 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's bomb the Siena marshalling yard through overcast; B-17's
bomb marshalling yards at Ancona, Fabriano, Rimini, and Bologna; P-47's sweep
over the Rome and Florence areas.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's bomb San Benedetto de Marsi marshalling yard; B-26's hit
bridges N of Rome; P-47's bomb a munitions factory at Bussi sul Tirino; P-40's
and A-36's, in support of US Fifth Army forces, bomb positions in the Anzio
beachhead area and hit enemy forward road and rail communications; fighters on
patrol over Anzio meet little air opposition.
SUNDAY, 30 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
The 451st Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-24's, becomes operational, making
a total of 9 heavy bomber operational.
In Italy, B-17's hit airfields and landing grounds at Villaorba, Maniago and
Lavariano; B-24's bomb Udine Airfield and Fier radar station; P-38's escort the
B-17's on the Villaorba and Maniago missions and P-38's and some RAF Spitfires
escort the B-24's on the Udine mission; P-47's carry out a sweep over the
Villaorba area; the B-24's and fighters claim 60+ aircraft shot down and a
larger number destroyed on the ground.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's hit road junctions at Valmontone and Genzano di Roma, and
bomb the town of Monte Compatri; weather cancels all B-26 operations and
several B-25 missions. A-20's hit the town of and road junction near Cori, and
XII Air Support Command fighter-bombers hit Sora; US and RAF fighters hit
barges and fishing boats off Zara and Trojica, Yugoslavia; fighters on patrol
over Anzio meet no air opposition.
415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, transfers from Montecorvino
to Marcianise, Italy with Beaufighters. The detachment operating from Gaudo
Airfield also transfers.
MONDAY, 31 JANUARY 1944
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-17's and B-24's bomb airfields at Aviano and Udine, Italy; P-38's and
P-47's provide escort. B-17's with P-38 escort, hit Klagenfurt Airfield,
Austria; they claim 16 aircraft shot down.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, A-20's bomb Artena and road junction N of town; P-40's and A-36's,
operating E of the Anzio battle area, hit a road junction at Sezze, the town of
Fondi, and junction and town area at Priverno; P-47's bomb San Benedetto de
Marsi; the XII Air Support Command flies 250+ sorties over the Anzio beachhead;
air opposition is absent.
JANUARY 1945 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
MONDAY, 1 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Unfavorable weather permits only P-38 reconnaissance flights.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers attack bridges at Palazzuolo sull'Oglio, Parma, and
Calcinato (the latter 2 targets are missed) and an ammunition dump at Parma;
fighter-bombers support ground forces S of Bologna, hit communications and
numerous targets of opportunity to the N and completely destroy a fuel dump at
Parma; A-20s on intruder missions during the night of 31 Dec/1 Jan, achieve
excellent results on a motor park near Molinella and hit a marshalling yard
near Milan. HQ 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) departs Corsica for the US
where it converts to A-26 aircraft in preparation for assignment to the
Pacific.
TUESDAY, 2 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather restricts operations to reconnaissance flights,
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, fighter-bombers concentrate their effort in the W Po Valley and
Brenner area, claiming large number of rail lines cut and many vehicles and
trains destroyed and damaged; the Milan marshalling yard is hit hard and good
coverage is achieved on support targets in the US Fifth Army battle area; A-20s
during the night of 1/2 Jan, continue intruder missions over the Po Valley; the
84th and 86th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light)
move from Rosignano Airfield to Grosseto with A-20s.
WEDNESDAY, 3 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather curtails operations for the fifth successive day. P-38s fly
photo and weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers score direct hits on 2 railroad bridges at Lavis
and fly good coverage of the Chiusaforte, Canale d'Isonzo, and Padua railroad
bridges; fighter-bombers hit a large number of communications targets (mainly
railroad targets) in the Po Valley which is also subjected to intruder missions
during the night of 2/3 Jan, when pontoon bridges, vehicles, and Ghedi Airfield
are hit.
THURSDAY, 4 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 370+ B-24s and B-17s bomb marshalling yards at Verona, Bronzolo,
Vicenza, Padua, Trento, and Bolzano, and station sidings at Trento; 200+
fighters accompany the bombers; 54 P-38s attempt high-level bombing of Cismon
del Grappa but fail to hit the target. 9 B-24s drop supplies in Yugoslavia.
P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance and escort operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers hit bridges at Lavis and Calliano; fighters and
fighter-bombers interdict Po Valley communications and hit an ammunition dump
at San Felice del Benaco; during the night of 3/4 Jan, A-20s successfully hit a
stores dump and bridge near Mestre, and destroy or damage 50+ vehicles. The
416th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, based at Pisa, Italy with
Mosquitoes, sends a detachment to operate from Etain, France attached to the
425th Night Fighter Squadron.
FRIDAY, 5 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Yugoslavia, 1 B-24 bombs Zagreb railroad sidings; 69 others abort due to
total cloud cover over the target; 38 P-51s fly cover over the target area; 33
P-38s bomb the N railroad bridge at Doboj; other operations are limited to
reconnaissance, supply drops, and escort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
During the night of 4/5 Jan, A-20s on a S Po Valley intruder mission bomb
the Modena, Italy area. Bad weather cancels all other operations.
SATURDAY, 6 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather precludes all operations except a single reconnaissance mission
by 2 P-38s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Bad weather over N Italy grounds the medium bombers. In Italy, XXII Tactical
Air Command fighters and fighter- bombers hit rail lines and bridges in the
Genoa-La Spezia coastline area, and bomb vessels in the harbors at Genoa and
Imperia. The air echelon of the 417th Night Fighter Squadron, Twelfth AF
(attached to Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force and air echelon attached to
the 422d Night Fighter Squadron), based at La Vallon, France, begins operating
from Florennes, Belgium with Beaufighters.
SUNDAY, 7 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Unfavorable weather again curtails operations. 3 P-38s complete photo and
weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather grounds the medium bombers and A-20s; XXII Tactical Air
Command fighters and fighter- bombers make 6 cuts on the Brenner rail line,
damage the W end of the rail bridge at Cittadella, and hit the marshalling yard
S of Trento; most of the XXII Tactical Air Command's effort is concentrated
against land and water communications in the La Spezia-Genoa area, including
attacks on shipping at Savona and San Remo harbors.
MONDAY, 8 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria, 300+ B-17s and B-24s bomb the main station yard and N main
marshalling yard at Linz plus marshalling yards at Graz, Villach, Klagenfurt,
and Salzburg, escorted by 200+ P-38s and P-51s; 30+ other P-38s fly
reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort. HQ 1st Fighter Group moves from
Salsola Airfield to Vincenzo Airfield, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, XXII Tactical Air Command A-20s fly 33 effective sorties in the Po
Valley during the night of 7/8 Jan; bad weather sharply reduces daytime
operations; of 3 medium bomber missions dispatched, only 1 reaches the target
(the Chivasso railway bridge) where only 6 medium bombers bomb through the
overcast; less than 20 XXII Tactical Air Command fighters hit scattered targets
in the Po Valley; HQ 51st Troop Carrier Wing moves from Lido di Roma to Siena;
and HQ 62d Troop Carrier Group moves from Malignano Airfield to Tarquinia. The
437th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 319th Bombardment Group (Medium), begins a
movement from Serragia, Corsica to the US (the squadron will convert to A-26s
and transfer to the Pacific in Jul 45).
TUESDAY, 9 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather permits only reconnaissance missions. In Italy, the 94th Fighter
Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, based at Salsola Airfield, sends a detachment to
operate from Vincenzo Airfield with P-38s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers attack bridges at Palazzuolo sull'Oglio,
Pontetidone, Romano di Lombardia, and an assembly area at Crespellano; fighters
and fighter-bombers in an excellent day against communications in the W and C
Po Valley and other points in N Italy make numerous rail cuts, destroy or
damage many vehicles and trains and effectively hit ammunition and fuel dumps,
guns, and strongpoints along the US Fifth Army front in the N Apennines; the
4th and 8th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 62d Troop Carrier Group, move from
Malignano Airfield to Tarquinia with C-47s; the 18th and 35th Troop Carrier
Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier Group, move from Ciampino to Rosignano Airfield
with C-47s. The 438th, 439th and 440th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 319th
Bombardment Group (Medium), begin a movement from Serragio, Corsica to the US
(they will convert to A-26s and move to Okinawa in Jul 45).
WEDNESDAY, 10 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Weather restricts operations to photo and weather reconnaissance missions.
The 27th and 71st Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group, based at Salsola
Airfield with P-38s, send a detachment to operate from Vincenzo Airfield,
Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather restricts operations but fighter-bombers effectively
attack communications and supply dumps in the C and N Po Valley; the strikes
are concentrated in the N and around Piacenza, and score nearly 50 rail cuts,
along with destruction of 80 motor transports and several trains; fuel and
ammunition dumps in the Milan area are bombed and a 400-foot (122 m) naval
vessel at Venice is destroyed; HQ 64th Troop Carrier Group and the 16th and
17th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Ciampino to Rosignano Airfield with
C-47s.
THURSDAY, 11 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather limits operations. P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance
escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 10/11 Jan, A-20s attack targets of opportunity
in the W Po Valley; clearing weather during the day enables an increase of
fighter and fighter-bomber attacks in the Po Valley and in the US Fifth Army
battle area in the N Apennines; many ammunition and fuel dumps, rail lines,
trains, and vehicles are pounded, and an alcohol refinery at Piacenza is
severely damaged.
FRIDAY, 12 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
For the fourth consecutive day, all bombing operations are cancelled by bad
weather. P-38s fly photo and weather reconnaissance and escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather severely curtails operations, but fighters and
fighter-bombers of the XXII Tactical Air Command score successfully against
communications targets in W and C Po Valley, claiming 50+ rail cuts and
destruction or damage of 100+ vehicles.
SATURDAY, 13 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
For the fifth successive day no bombing operations are flown. Weather
permits only reconnaissance and escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, Bad weather prohibits all but weather reconnaissance and a
scramble mission, all uneventful.
SUNDAY, 14 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
For the sixth consecutive day bad weather permits only reconnaissance
missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather again cancels all combat missions.
MONDAY, 15 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
400+ B-24s and B-17s escorted by 270+ P-38s and P-51s, bomb marshalling
yards and other railroad communications in NE and SE Vienna, Austria and
marshalling yard at Treviso, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, operations resume as the weather clears; medium bombers
concentrate on the Brenner rail line, flying nearly 150 sorties against bridges
at San Michele all'Adige, Rovereto, Ala, Lavis, Santa Margherita d'Adige, and
Motta di Livenza; the XXII Tactical Air Command attacks communications in the
Po Valley and further N, destroying or damaging several bridges and a very
large number of railway cars (most of them at the Como marshalling yard);
during the night of 14/15 Jan, A-20s hit targets in the Po Valley, including Po
River crossings at Borgoforte, Piacenza, and San Benedetto Po.
TUESDAY, 16 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather restricts operations to reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort
missions by 30 P-38s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 15/16 Jan, A-20s exploit a break in the bad
weather and blast motor transport around Genoa and NE of Milan; during the day
bad weather returns, grounding the medium bombers and limiting fighter-bombers
to 16 completed sorties against communications in the Po Valley and NE Italy;
the 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance), moves from Malignano to Peretola Airfield, Florence with
F-5s.
WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Continued bad weather cancels all operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers, taking advantage of improved weather conditions,
attack 6 rail targets on the Brenner rail line, blocking the line at Calliano,
cutting tracks at Ora, and destroying a section of the bridge at Sacile; in NE
Italy fighters and fighter-bombers concentrate their large effort on rail lines
and bridges, destroying 4 and damaging another, cutting tracks at numerous
points, and blasting vehicles and trains; HQ 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance) and the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron move from
Rosia and Malignano respectively to Florence/Peretola with A-20s, B-25s and
F-5s.
THURSDAY, 18 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Weather prevents bombing operations; P-38s and P-51s fly photo
reconnaissance and escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 17/18 Jan, A-20s attack Po River crossings,
lights and movement throughout the Po Valley; during the day medium bombers
pound targets on the Brenner line, including a temporary bridge between San
Michele all'Adige and Ora, and an overhanging cliff over the railroad at San
Ambrogio di Valpolicella; fighters and fighter-bombers blast communications
lines in NE Italy and fuel and supply dumps in the Piacenza area, destroying
numerous railroad tracks, trains, and vehicles, and causing explosions or fires
in most of the dumps.
FRIDAY, 19 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Yugoslavia, 400+ B-17s and B-24s attack N and S marshalling yards, a
railroad bridge, and a highway bridge at Brod; because of overcast, only 1 of
112 bombers sent against the Zagreb marshalling yard bombs the target while
others abort; 46 P-38s bomb the S railroad bridge at Doboj and 59 P-51s sweep
from Zagreb to Gyor, Hungary. Other P-38s fly reconnaissance missions and
reconnaissance escort and cover Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force (MATAF)
B-25s on a supply run.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 18/19 Jan, A-20s bomb motor transport
movements, lights, roads, and railroads throughout the Po Valley; weather
cancels medium bomber operations and prevents fighter-bombers from completing
the XXII Tactical Air Command's only mission airborne during the day.
SATURDAY, 20 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
The tactical organization of the Fifteenth AF becomes fully developed when a
supply-dropping group, the 15th Special Group (Provisional), organized on 18
Jan, is given control of the 859th (B-24) and 885th (B-17) Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy) which drop supplies in France, Italy, and Yugoslavia. [In
Mar, the 15th Group will be redesignated the the 2641st Special Group
(Provisional) and with its units attached to the Twelfth AF for operational
control, the Fifteenth retaining administrative control].
345 B-17s and B-24s attack N and S main marshalling yards and station
sidings at Linz, Austria, marshalling yards at Salzburg, Austria and Rosenheim,
Germany, and oil storage at Regensburg, Germany; fighters escort the bombers
and fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers destroy 1 and damage another bridge near San
Michele all'Adige, and score good coverage on the Trento marshalling yard; the
XXII Tactical Air Command fighter-bombers very successfully blast
communications and fuel and ammunition dumps in the Po Valley.
SUNDAY, 21 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
170 B-17s bomb the Lobau and Schweehat oil refineries at Vienna, Austria;
131 P-51s and P-38s provide support. 43 P-38s bomb an oil refinery at Fiume,
Italy. Other fighters escort reconnaissance missions and accompany
supply-dropping operations to Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather restricts operations during the night of 21/22 Jan to
armed reconnaissance by 5 A-20s; the A-20s bomb communications targets in the
Po Valley. During the day B-25s hit bridges at Rovereto and Lavis, destroy a
bridge at Pontetidone, and blast a railroad fill at San Michele all' Adige, and
supply dump at Cremona; fighters and fighter-bombers concentrate on
communications in the same area as the medium bombers, destroying 1 bridge,
inflicting 36 rail cuts, hitting fuel and ammunition dumps, and destroying and
damaging many vehicles and much railroad rolling stock, mostly in Milan area.
MONDAY, 22 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather limits operations to 1 P-38 weather reconnaissance flight.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s score damaging hits at Rovereto, San Michele all' Adige and
on the Dogna bridge, and attack the Chiari and Crema bridges with fair results;
fighter-bombers range over practically all of N Italy destroying and damaging a
large number of vehicles and railway cars and several locomotives, also hitting
fuel and ammunition dumps around Mantua. The air echelon of the 417th Night
Fighter Squadron, Twelfth AF (attached to 422d Night Fighter Squadron)
operating from Florennes, Belgium with Beaufighters, returns to base at La
Vallon, France.
TUESDAY, 23 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Continued bad weather cancels all operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 22/23 Jan, A-20s bomb lights, roads, and river
crossings at over 50 locations in the Po Valley, hit several targets of
opportunity, and attack Borgoforte and San Benedetto Po and airfields at
Villafranca di Verona and Ghedi; weather cancels medium bomber operations
during the day; fighter-bombers operate mainly against communications,
principally railroad targets, in the Po Valley but also hit ammunition dumps,
shipping, guns, vehicles, and other targets in N Italy scattered from Genoa to
NE Italy.
WEDNESDAY, 24 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Unfavorable weather limits operations to 1 complete weather reconnaissance
mission.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, cloud conditions and ground fog at bases nearly halt operations; 1
medium bomber flies weather reconnaissance over the Venice area and P-47s fly
weather reconnaissance over the Bologna-Parma area; 2 of the P-47s destroy a
truck and damage a train near Parma.
THURSDAY, 25 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Weather curtails operations; P-38s, with P-51 escort, fly photo and weather
reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 24/25 Jan, A-20s make several intruder attacks
on roads, motor transport, bridges, and trains; bad weather during the day
greatly curtails flying; the only medium bomber mission dispatched achieves
poor results on the Cremona ammunition dump; fighter-bombers and fighters of
the XXII Tactical Air Command hit communications and dump areas, mainly in the
Milan area, with good general success.
FRIDAY, 26 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Weather prevents bombing operations. P-38s fly reconnaissance and
reconnaissance-escort missions and escort RAF supply drop over Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 25/26 Jan, A-20s fly armed reconnaissance of
the Po Valley, bombing Po River crossings, Ghedi Airfield, and general movement
throughout the area; both the 57th Bombardment Wing and the XXII Tactical Air
Command cancel all operations for the day because of bad weather.
SATURDAY, 27 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
For the sixth consecutive day bad weather restricts operations to
reconnaissance and escort missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather during the morning causes all medium bombers to abort
except for an attack on a bridge at Bressana Bottarone; XXII Tactical Air
Command fighters and fighter-bombers continue the interdiction of
communications with good results against motor transport, trains, rail lines,
bridges, and storage dumps; P-47s of the 57th Fighter Group destroy an oil
plant near Fornovo di Taro. The 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing,
based at Pontedera, Italy sends a detachment to operate from Florennes, Belgium
with Beaufighters attached to the 422d Night Fighter Squadron.
SUNDAY, 28 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Continued bad weather (for the seventh successive day) restricts operations
to 3 weather reconnaissance flights.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather again hampers operations; B-25s have good results on
railroad bridges at Lavis and San Michele all'Adige; XXII Tactical Air Command
aircraft operate effectively against communications and transport targets
throughout N Italy including at Milan, Pavia, Cremona, Nervesa della Battaglia,
Treviso, Genoa, Padua, and the Lake Maggiore areas.
MONDAY, 29 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Weather prevents bombing operations for the eighth consecutive day; P-38s
fly photo and weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, due to high winds and generally bad weather, medium bombers
successfully bomb only 2 targets, the railway bridges at Calliano and Rovereto,
and attack with less success bridges at Motta di Livenza, Lavis, Mantua, and
Chiusaforte, and railway station at Lavis; XXII Tactical Air Command fighters
and fighter-bombers operate primarily against communications throughout the Po
Valley; results are generally good and a bridge at Nervesa della Battaglia is
cut; bridges or their approaches at Cittadella, Santa Margherita d'Adige and
Cismon del Grappa are damaged along with a variety of targets. During the night
of 28/29 Jan, A-20s hit rail facilities, pontoon bridge, lights, and motor
transport at nearly 50 locations in the Po Valley. The 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), based at
Peretola Airfield, Florence with F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Pisa.
TUESDAY, 30 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
For the ninth successive day, weather prevents bombing operations; during
the night of 29/30 Jan, 13 B-24s drop supplies in N Italy; during the day P-38s
fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort and carry out supply missions and
strafing attacks in Austria.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, good weather in the Po Valley permits full-scale operations
against communications lines; during the night of 29/30 Jan, A-20s intruders
pound scattered movement (much of it near Milan), several Po River crossings
including Borgoforte, Piacenza, and San Benedetto Po, the harbor at La Spezia,
and fuel dumps and other targets at many locations; B-25s effectively strike
the Brenner rail line during the day, especially the Lavis and Trento
marshalling yards and bridges at Lavis and Calliano; XXII Tactical Air Command
fighters and fighter-bombers strike railroads and bridges in NE Italy cutting
many lines and damaging several bridges, and hit fuel dumps and factories
around Parma.
WEDNESDAY, 31 JANUARY 1945
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
670+ B-24s and B-17s bomb the Moosbierbaum, Austria oil refinery;
marshalling yards at Graz, Austria and Maribor, Yugoslavia; and scattered
targets of opportunity. P-38s and P-51s fly 300+ escorting sorties for the
bombers; other P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort and drop
supplies into Austria; during the night of 30/31 Jan, B-24s drop supplies in N
Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers attack railroad bridges at Chiusaforte, Voghera,
Lavis, Rovereto, and San Michele all' Adige, and the marshalling yard at
Rovereto, with only fair results; fighters and fighter-bombers hit bridges,
rail lines, trains, vehicles, and other targets over widespread areas of N
Italy; during the night of 30/31 Jan, A-20s hit several railroad targets during
intruder missions in the Po Valley.
SOURCES:
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2
WORLD WAR II IN THE NORTH PACIFIC by Kevin D. Hutchinson, 1994, 1955-59 ISBN-0-313-29130-6
Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)1955-59
Last Update 12/07/2010