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 Home > History > The 5th Air Force in WWII > April 1944



Saturday, 1 April, 1944

B-25s and A-20s hit the Tadji and Hansa Bay areas in New Guinea; B-24s bomb Boela, Ceram Island, Moluccas Islands; and B-25s attack Penfoei, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands. Moves in New Guinea during Apr: 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, from Garbutt Field, Townsville, Australia to Port Moresby with C-47s; 63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Dobodura to Nadzab with B-24s.

Sunday, 2 April, 1944

In New Guinea, more than 120 bombers and fighters continue to hit targets in areas around Wewak, Hansa Bay, Madang, Bogadjim, and other points along the Northeast coastline. B-25s also hit Dili and Penfoei on Timor Island and Rambutyo Island, Bismarck Archipelago. 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, moves from Dobodura to Saidor, New Guinea with P-47s.

Monday, 3 April, 1944

In New Guinea, over 300 B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s blast airfields at Hollandia; most of the remaining Japanese airplanes there are destroyed; of 60 intercepting Japanese fighters, 26 are claimed shot down; air opposition from Hollandia is very light hereafter; more than 50 P-40s, P-47s, and P-39s hit villages, communications, AA positions, and other targets in areas around Wewak, Hansa Bay, Bogia and Madang; and B-24s hit Langgoer and B-25s bomb the Babo area and Penfoei on Timor Island. HQ 58th Fighter Group and 69th Fighter Squadron move from Dobodura to Saidor, New Guinea with P-47s.

Tuesday, 4 April, 1944

In New Guinea, over 50 B-24s pound the Wewak area; and 12 P-39s hit villages, bridges and wooded areas along the coast from Cape Gourdon to Bogia.

Wednesday, 5 April, 1944

In New Guinea, more than 270 B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and P-38s hit Hollandia town and dock area and villages and stores around Humboldt Bay; P-47s and P-40s blast numerous targets in the Hansa Bay-Bogia and Wewak areas; and B-24s hit Kaimana and Efman Island. B-25s bomb Koepang on Timor Island. Units moving from Dobodura to Saidor, New Guinea: 82d Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group, with P-39s; and 311th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, with P-47s.

Thursday, 6 April, 1944

In New Guinea, P-39s, P-40s and P-47s continue to pound coastal targets in the Wewak, Aitape, and Madang areas and at numerous other points along the coast. B-25s bomb Koepang, Timor Island.

Friday, 7 April, 1944

In New Guinea, B-25s, A-20s and P-39s hit villages, barges, a supply area, and coastal road in areas around Madang, Tadji, Bogia, and Uligan Harbor; and B-24s bomb Langgoer and Wakde Island. Other B-25s bomb barracks at Penfoei, Timor Island.

Saturday, 8 April, 1944

In New Guinea, P-40s attack targets of opportunity in the Aitape-Wewak area; and A-20s hit targets in the Hansa Bay area, firing a fuel dump and destroying several warehouses and other buildings at 3 plantations and strafing and bombing roads and bridges along the coast. HQ 417th Bombardment Group (Light) moves from Dobodura to Saidor, New Guinea.

Sunday, 9 April, 1944

In New Guinea, 55 B-25s bomb the Aitape area while B-24s and A-20s hit Wewak, Boram, Cape Moem, AA positions along Hansa Bay, and barges Southeast of Mushu Island and in the Wagol River; and P-39s hit troops, barges, and bridges in the Madang, Awar, Bogia and Bunabun areas. 675th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 417th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Dobodura to Saidor, New Guinea with A-20s.

Monday, 10 April, 1944

About 60 B-24s, teaming with US destroyers offshore, bombard the Hansa Bay, New Guinea area, concentrating on AA positions guarding airfields. 672d Bombardment Squadron (Light), 417th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Dobodura to Saidor, New Guinea with A-20s.

Tuesday, 11 April, 1944

In New Guinea, more than 80 A-20s and B-25s, supported by 30 P-47s and P-40s, blast AA positions, stores, dumps and personnel areas at Hollandia; over 50 B-24s bomb barges, AA guns, and other targets along Hansa Bay which is also hit by 12 B-25s. 12 other B-25s bomb targets on Karkar Island.

Wednesday, 12 April, 1944

In New Guinea, more than 180 B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s, supported by over 60 P-38s, bomb AA positions, airfields, supply areas and shipping construction; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and P-39s bomb and strafe various targets at Wewak, Madang, along Hansa Bay and on Karkar Island; other P-39s fly a barge sweep from Alexishafen up the coast as far as the mouth of the Sepik River. 2 B-25s bomb Penfoei on Timor Island.

Thursday, 13 April, 1944

In New Guinea, over 80 B-24s and A-20s pound the airfields at Dagua and But on the North coast of New Guinea; 33 A-20s hit Aitape; P-39s, B-25s, and B-24s fly light strikes against a variety of targets along Hansa Bay, on Wakde Island, at Uligan, and several other points along the coast.

Friday, 14 April, 1944

In New Guinea, B-25s and P-39s hit barges and luggers in Vanimo Harbor and at Bogia. 673d Bombardment Squadron (Light), 417th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Dobodura to Saidor, New Guinea with A-20s.

Saturday, 15 April, 1944

In New Guinea, more than 180 B-24s, B-25s and A-20s bomb landing strips, off-shore islands and the entire coastal area in the vicinity of Aitape; 16 P-40s strafe barges at nearby Seleo Island; 20 P-39s hit villages, supply dumps, trucks and other targets along Hansa Bay and in the Alexishafen area.

Black Sunday

Sunday, 16 April, 1944

In New Guinea the Fifth Air Force lost thirty-seven aircraft to a late-afternoon frontal system which cut them off from their home bases of Gusap, Nadzab and Saidor. Another nine were seriously damaged and, as a result, the Fifth Air Force suffered its biggest operational loss of the war. The freak weather created the biggest weather-related loss in aviation history. Also in New Guinea, over 170 B-24s, B-25s and A-20s bomb Hollandia town and airfield and numerous other targets in the area; P-39s hit a wooded area and communications targets along Hansa Bay and attack villages and supply dumps from Bogia to Uligan Harbor; P-38s hit Madang area; B-24s fly a light strike against Wakde Island; other aircraft, operating singly or in pairs, attack targets of opportunity on the Northeast coast of New Guinea and Southeast coast of New Britain Island. Other B-25s bomb Koepang on Timor Island.

Monday, 17 April, 1944

More than 20 B-24s bomb storage areas and troop concentrations in Kai Island, Moluccas Islands. In New Guinea, P-39s attack AA positions at Bogia; other planes, operating individually or in pairs, attack Hollandia, Uligan Harbor and vicinity and the Madang area. 674th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 417th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Dobodura to Saidor, New Guinea with A-20s.

Tuesday, 18 April, 1944

The newly created (11 April) Thirteenth Air Task Force (Provisional) commanded by Major General St .Clair Streett and temporarily composed of elements of the Thirteenth Air Force (which is being moved to the SWPA), a few Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons, USN Seventh Fleet air units, and Fifth Air Force units in the Admiralty Islands and New Britain Island, is placed under operational control of Fifth Air Force Advanced Echelon. Operating out of Momote Airfield, Los Negros Island, B-24s of Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Woleai Atoll and Mariaon Island, Caroline Islands.   In New Guinea, B-24s of the Fifth Air Force hit Manokwari and Babo; and the Madang area is hit by fighter-bombers. HQ 54th Troop Carrier Wing moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea.

Wednesday, 19 April, 1944

In New Guinea, B-24s hit Urarom and Manokwari; B-25s, A-20s, and fighter aircraft strike a wide variety of targets around Hollandia, Aitape, Bogia, Uligan, Bunabun, Madang and Cape Croisilles. B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Woleai Atoll. Unit moves in New Guinea: HQ 49th Fighter Group from Gusap to Finschhafen; HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group from Port Moresby to Finschhafen; the detachment of the 82d Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from Finschhafen with returns to base at Saidor with P-39s.

Thursday, 20 April, 1944

B-24s bomb airfields on Noemfoor Island. In New Guinea, B-25s, A-20s, and fighters hit a variety of targets around Hollandia, on Cape Croisilles, in the Bunabun area and along Hansa Bay. Woleai Atoll is again bombed by B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force.

Friday, 21 April, 1944

21 B-24s bomb airstrips on Noemfoor Island. In New Guinea, about 320 B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s hit numerous targets in the Tadji, Wewak, and Madang area, while a USN carrier force hits Hollandia, Wakde, and Sawar as assault convoys approach the area.

Saturday, 22 April, 1944

More than 20 B-24s bomb airstrips on Noemfoor Island. In New Guinea, over 80 B-24s and A-20s hit Boram and But Airfields and other targets in the Wewak area; over 100 B-24s and B-25s pound targets along Hansa Bay; and all through the day B-25s and fighter-bombers, in flights of 1 to more than 20 aircraft, attack areas around Hansa Bay, Wewak, Bogia, Madang, and many other points along the North and East coasts of New Guinea; many of the strikes indirectly support Allied amphibious landings on the North coast to the East and West of Hollandia, toward which a pincer movement is begun. HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group moves from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea.

Sunday, 23 April, 1944

B-24s continue to hit airstrips on Noemfoor Island; they claim 14 air victories. In New Guinea, more than 90 B-24s bomb Wewak, Boram, and But Airfields, a road near Boram, and track and villages S of Dagua while over 80 B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s pound AA positions, airfields, stores and troop concentrations along Hansa Bay; throughout the day A-20s, P-47s, P-38s, and P-39s pound various targets along Hansa Bay, in the Wewak area, and in the vicinity of Uligan Harbor and Cape Croisilles. More than 20 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb airfield and supply areas on Woleai Atoll. In ground action Allied forces take Hollandia, Tumleo and Selo Islands, and objectives around Tadji. 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Port Moresby to Finschhafen, New Guinea with C-47s.

Monday, 24 April, 1944

B-24s again bomb parked aircraft and other targets on Noemfoor Island. In New Guinea, over 40 B-24s bomb airfields in the Wewak area; more than 140 B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s hit stores, fuel dumps and personnel areas along Hansa Bay; throughout the day B-25s and fighter-bombers hit a variety of targets along the New Guinea coast including Karkar Island, Uligan Harbor, Cape Croisilles, and the Madang area; Madang falls to Allied ground forces.

Tuesday, 25 April, 1944

In New Guinea, 12 B-25s bomb troop areas in the Hollandia vicinity, attacking villages South of Tanahmerah and huts and buildings along the road from Marneda to Banggerang; other aircraft carry out similar strikes against Karkar Island and along Hansa Bay.

Wednesday, 26 April, 1944

In New Guinea, more than 120 B-25s and A-20s pound the Wewak area, hitting airfields at Wewak, But, Dagua and Boram, and supply areas, troops, and several small villages. 13 B-24s bomb Awar Point, 20 P-39s and P-47s attack bridges and targets of opportunity near Madang and 8 P-39s attack roads, villages, and supply dump near Bunabun Harbor; a B-25 on reconnaissance sinks a lugger in the Sepik River; and Allied ground forces take Hollandia and occupy Alexishafen.

Thursday, 27 April, 1944

In New Guinea, Babo is bombed by 9 B-24s; over 100 B-24s, B-25s and A-20s attack Mushu and Kairiru Islands and airfields at Wewak, Boram, Dagua and But; more than 120 A-20s and fighter-bombers blast the coastal areas of Hansa Bay and nearby villages, personnel areas Northwest of Bunabun, and AA positions, villages and bridges from Bunabun to Cape Croisilles. 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Gusap to Finschhafen, New Guinea with P-40s.

Friday, 28 April, 1944

In New Guinea, more than 160 B-24s and B-25s bomb Wakde, Biak and Efman Island airfields; over 180 P-47s, P-39s, A-20s and P-70s hit a variety of targets along the North and Northeast New Guinea coast including villages and supply areas in the Wewak and Boram areas, barges and troops at the mouth of the Sepik River and at Murik Lakes, and enemy communications and hideouts from the Sepik River to Cape Croisilles. 21 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb the airfield on Woleai Atoll.

Saturday, 29 April, 1944

In New Guinea, more than 90 B-24s and B-25s bomb villages, AA positions and personnel areas in the Wakde Island, Maffin Bay area, and along the coast of New Guinea from Takar to Verkam Point; over 40 A-20s hit stores at Cape Wom, and targets of opportunity between But and Dagua; over 130 A-20s, P-47s, and P-39s hit hideouts and movements along the Sepik River and from the river's mouth to Cape Croisilles.

Sunday, 30 April, 1944

In New Guinea, over 80 P-39s and P-47s make almost continuous attacks throughout the day against troops and supplies along Hansa Bay; more than 40 A-20s and B-25s bomb Wewak and nearby plantation; B-24s hit Noemfoor Island with a light raid; B-24 reconnaissance flights over the Manokwari area and Geelvink Bay result in claims of 6 Japanese interceptors shot down. P-70s hit targets of opportunity on the West shore of Hansa Bay. 23 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Woleai Atoll.