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 Home > History > The 5th Air Force in WWII > April 1945



Sunday, 1 April 1945

B-24s attack Giran Airfield on Formosa while B-25s and P-47s sweep wide areas. On Luzon Island, Philippine Islands, B-24s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers hit the Legaspi area (where a US amphibious landing is taking place), targets N of Balete Pass, the Batangas area, and support troops over parts of S and NW Luzon. In the C Philippine Islands, B-25s and A-20s support ground forces near Cebu City on Cebu Island and on Negros Island. B-24s hit Oelin Airfield in Borneo. The 159th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, based at Mangaldan, Luzon with UC-64s and L-5s, sends detachments to operate from Negros and Cebu Islands. Unit moves during Apr 45: HQ Fifth Air Force from Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands to Clark Field, Luzon; 4th Photographic Charting Squadron, 311th Photographic Wing (Mapping and Charting) [attached to 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance)], based at Hollandia, New Guinea with F-7s, sends a detachment to operate from Zamboanga, Mindanao Island, Philippine Islands, to map areas of the SW and W Pacific (another detachment is operating in Australia).

Monday, 2 April 1945

B-24s bomb the harbor at Hong Kong. On Luzon Island, B-25s and fighter-bombers attack the Bamban bridges, the Balete Pass-Baguio area and Penablanca. Troops at Cebu City on Cebu Island and on Negros Island are bombed by B-25s and fighter bombers. B-24s bomb the Sarangani Bay area on Mindanao Island. Other B-24s hit the Sandakan shipyards and Tawau Airfield, Borneo. Bongao Island, Philippine Islands, is hit by B-24s.

Tuesday, 3 April 1945

The Hong Kong docks are again bombed by B-24s. Other B-24s and B-25s hit the airfield, butanol plant, and railroad yards at Kagi, Formosa while A-20s sweep other rail targets. On Luzon Island fighter-bombers and A-20s hit the Balete Pass- Baguio-Naguilian area N of the Cagayan Valley supply targets, the Laguna de Bay area, and Infanta, also, Miri Airfield in Borneo, troops in the Cebu City area on Cebu Island, and targets on Tarakan Island, Borneo are bombed. B-25s attack N Hainan Island.

Wednesday, 4 April 1945

On Formosa, B-24s bomb Toyohara Airfield, Mako harbor, and Tokichito Island and A-20s hit Shinchiku factories and rail yards. B-24s bomb the harbor at Hong Kong. P-38s and P-51s pound various targets in C Luzon Island while A-20s and P-38s hit the Calauag area. A-20s pound NW Negros Island and B-24s bomb targets on C Mindanao Island. The 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Lingayen, Luzon with B-25s.

Thursday, 5 April 1945

B-24s bomb Kowloon Docks in Hong Kong and a nearby airfield, while other B-24s bomb Kiirun harbor in Formosa. 180+ sorties in support of ground forces are flown on Luzon Island. A-20s and patrolling P-61s support troops on Cebu and Negros Islands. P-38s hit Tarakan Island and Tawau, Borneo. HQ 58th Fighter Group moves from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Mangaldan, Luzon.

Friday, 6 April 1945

B-25s bomb the town of Hokko on Formosa. On Luzon Island, ground support sorties continue in areas around Balete Pass, W of Ft Stotsenburg, N, NE, and S of Laguna de Bay, and around Legaspi and fighters hit Carabao Island and Infanta. B-24s bomb a town N of Cebu City while fighters support ground units on Cebu Island. A-20s support ground forces on Negros Island. B-25s pound Bunawan on Mindanao Island. B-24s bomb Jolo Island, Philippine Island defenses and ammunition and supply dumps. At Manila US Army Forces, Pacific (AFPAC) is established under General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. The 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, moves from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Mangaldan, Luzon with P-47s.

Saturday, 7 April 1945

Bad weather hampers strikes N of the Philippines. B-24s and P-38s over Formosa hit various targets of opportunity. On Luzon Island, fighters fly 130+ sorties in support of ground forces at Solvec Cove, Villa Verde Trail, the Ipo and Marikina Rivers, and NE Laguna de Bay. B-24s again bomb Bunawan on Mindanao Island. Other B-24s and P-38s hit Jolo Island and B-24s bomb Bima Airfield on Sumbawa Island in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Unit moves: 311th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Mangaldan, Luzon with P-47s; 550th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command (attached to 85th Fighter Wing), from Morotai Island, Moluccas Islands to Tacloban, Leyte Island, Philippine Islands with P-38s, P-61s and P-70s.

Sunday, 8 April 1945

For the second consecutive day bad weather prevents attacks on the primary targets N of the Philippine Islands. B-24s and B-25s hit secondary targets including Chomosui Airfield in the Pescadores Islands, and on Formosa, Tainan town and railroad yards, the towns of Takao, Toko, and Kaiko, and other scattered objectives. A-20s and fighter-bombers over Luzon Island support ground forces particularly in the areas E of Manila. B-24s join A-20s and fighter-bombers in support of ground forces on Cebu and Negros Islands. Other B-24s bomb the N Davao Bay area on Mindanao Island and Jolo Island. Unit moves to Luzon: 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, from Hollandia, New Guinea to Nielson Field with C-47s; 69th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Mangaldan with P-47s.

Monday, 9 April 1945

A-20s and fighter bombers support ground forces on Luzon Island in the Balete Pass, Baguio, and Solvec Cove areas and at several points in SW Luzon Island, and attack Japanese forces in the Legaspi area. B-24s and fighter-bombers support ground forces in C Cebu Island and on Negros Island. Several B-24s on armed reconnaissance missions hit China and Indochina coastal targets.

Tuesday, 10 April 1945

B-24s bomb the town of Koshun, Formosa. A-20s and fighter-bombers again support ground forces in SW Luzon Island and in the Balete Pass, Baguio, and Solvec Cove areas, and pound the Legaspi area. B-24s and fighter-bombers support ground forces on C Cebu Island. B-24s bomb Liang Airfield on Ambon island, Moluccas Islands and Bingkalapa Airfield on Celebes Island. HQ 35th Fighter Group and the 39th Fighter Squadron move from Mangaldan to Lingayen, Luzon with P-51s.

Wednesday, 11 April 1945

B-24s bomb Cotabato on Mindanao. On Negros Island, B-24s hit Japanese defenses NW of Guadalupe and A-20s hit a bivouac E of Negritos. On Luzon Island B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers bomb numerous targets including Fuga Island, the Cagayan Valley areas, Santa Fe, bridges and other communications in Iligan, Naguilian, Manga, and Tuguegarao, and troops and supply concentration N of Imugan; troop support strikes are flown in the Solvec Cove area and E of Manila; Baguio and a troop concentration in the Batangas area and on the Bicol peninsula are bombed; at Iriga, defenses are hit with napalm. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Okayama while B-25s hit several targets including the Ts'eng Wen sugar refinery, Seiko, Sunbon-sha, and Shasekiryo. P-38s attack gun positions at Tarakan, Borneo.

Thursday, 12 April 1945

P-38s and A-20s support ground troops on Cebu and Negros Islands. On Mindanao Island, B-24s bomb Sapakan, Kabacan and the Davao Bay areas and P-38s hit Cotabato and also Kabacan. On Luzon Island, B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers pound targets throughout the Cagayan Valley, blast defenses at Balete Pass and in the Baguio area, and hit troops, communications targets, and defenses at numerous points in SW and SE Luzon Island. On Formosa, B-24s attack Tainan and bomb Okayama Airfield. The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Dulag to Tanauan, Leyte Island with C-46s and C-47s.

Friday, 13 April 1945

B-24s hit the Hong Kong waterfront (Taikoo Docks) and storage areas in Canton, China. On Formosa, other B-24s hit airfields at Tainan and Okayama while B-25s attack railroads. On Luzon Island, numerous sweeps are flown over the Cagayan Valley and ground support missions are continued on Luzon, Cebu, and Negros Islands. On Mindanao Island, B-24s bomb the Davao area and B-25s hit various targets on Mindanao and in the Sulu Archipelago.

Saturday, 14 April 1945

B-25s sweep the Canton-Hong Kong, China waterways, hitting shipping and other targets and B-24s bomb four airfields on Formosa. In the Philippine Islands, B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers fly numerous strikes in support of ground forces and against airfields, gun positions, defenses, and troop concentrations throughout Luzon, Cebu, Negros, and Mindanao Islands.

Sunday, 15 April 1945

On Formosa B-24s bomb Toyohara, Shinchiku, and Shinshoshi Airfields and B-25s hit the Shoka rail yards. On Luzon Island, B-24s and fighter-bombers bomb island fortifications in Manila Bay, fighter-bombers hit bivouacs and other targets in N Luzon and support ground forces E of Manila and on Carabao Island. Fighter bombers and B-24s fly support missions for ground forces on Negros and Cebu Islands. On Mindanao Island, B-24s bomb the Davao area and B-25s join US Marine Corps (USMC) aircraft in hitting highways and vehicles. The 4th Fighter Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, moves from Mangaldan to Laoag, Luzon with P-51s.

Monday, 16 April 1945

On Formosa, B-25s hit Taien Airfield, while B-24s and P-51s bomb Giran and Matsuyama Airfields and nearby areas. Fighter bombers hit N Luzon Island bivouacs and other targets and support strikes and sweeps are flown over Cebu, Negros, and Mindanao Islands with B-25s hitting highways on Mindanao Island and B-24s hit defenses on Carabao Island. P-38s pound Lingkas Tank Farm and other targets at Tarakan, Borneo. During the night of 15/16 Apr B-24s bomb Taihoku, Formosa. The 387th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 312th Bombardment Group (Light) moves from Mangaldan to Floridablanca, Luzon with A-20s.

Tuesday, 17 April 1945

On Formosa, B-24s bomb Taichu, Shinshoshi, Toyohara, and Okayama Airfields and B-25s hit the airfield at Taito. Numerous sweeps and sorties are flown in support of ground forces over Luzon, Cebu, Negros, and Mindanao Islands and the Sulu Archipelago. B-24s over Mindanao bomb Cotabato and Kabacan. The 69th and 311th Fighter Squadrons, 58th Fighter Group, move from Mangaldan to Porac, Luzon with P-47s.

Wednesday, 18 April 1945

On Formosa B-25s bomb Karenko Airfield, B-24s bit Tainan, Giran, Toyohara, Hobi, and Soton Airfields, and P-38s on sweeps hit rail and road transportation. Fighter bombers and A-20s hit the Balete Pass area and support ground forces on Luzon, Negros, and Cebu Islands. B-24s bomb Piso Point on Mindanao Island. On Borneo, B-25s and P-38s hit Tarakan and Sandakan. HQ 58th Fighter Group and 310th Fighter Squadron move from Mangaldan to Porac, Luzon with P-47s.

Thursday, 19 April 1945

B-24s over Formosa bomb Tainan Airfield and Shinchiku town. Numerous missions are flown in support of ground forces on Luzon, Cebu, and Negros Islands. On Mindanao Island, other B-24s bomb personnel areas at Kabacan, Cagayan, and along the Davao River. Tarakan, Borneo is hit by a light B-25 strike while B-24s returning from a French Indochina coastal sweep bomb Sandakan. B-25s, with P-51 cover, hit Haimi. Unit moves on Luzon: HQ 3d Air Commando Group and the 3d Fighter Squadron (Commando) from Mangaldan to Laoag with P-51s; HQ 35th Fighter Group from Lingayen to Clark Field; HQ 312th Bombardment Group (Light) from Mangaldan to Floridablanca; the 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons, 475th Fighter Group, from Clark Field to Lingayen with P-38s. The 25th Liaison Squadron, Thirteenth AF, moves from Dulag, Leyte to Malabang, Mindanao with UC-78s and L-5s.

Friday, 20 April 1945

On Formosa, B-24s bomb Tainan Airfield while P-51s attack Koshun Airfield. Large-scale FEAF support of ground forces on Luzon, Cebu, and Negros Islands continues. On Borneo, B-24s bomb Sepinggang and Labuan Island Airfields and P-38s and B-25s hit Tarakan Island. Unit moves on Luzon: HQ 475th Fighter Group from Clark Field to Lingayen; 386th, 388th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 312th Bombardment Group (Light) from Mangaldan to Floridablanca with A-20s.

Saturday, 21 April 1945

FEAF continues largescale support of ground forces on Luzon, Cebu, Negros, and Jolo Islands. On Borneo, B-24s bomb Miri, Kudat, Manggar, and Sepinggang Airfields and P-38s hit Tarakan Island and Sandakan, Miri Airfield, oil storage near Lutong, and, with B-24s, attack targets of opportunity along the SW Celebes coast. The 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Lingayen to Clark Field, Luzon with P-47s.

Sunday, 22 April 1945

Numerous missions in support of ground forces on Luzon, Cebu, and Negros Islands continue. In Borneo, B-24s bomb Manggar and Jesselton airfields and P-38s hit Kuching. B-24s hit shipping and harbor installations at Saigon, French Indochina.

Monday, 23 April 1945

On Formosa, B-25s hit the Shinei railroad yards, P-51s hit Karenko Airfield and P-38s attack various targets of opportunity. Fighter bombers continue to support ground forces in the N and S parts of Luzon Island pounding numerous artillery positions, supply areas, and general targets of opportunity. In China, B-24s bomb a military depot at Shanghai and shipping in Yulin harbor on Hainan Island. B-24s bomb the naval base at Saigon, French Indochina. In Borneo, other B-24s bomb airfields at Sepinggang and Jesselton and P-38s drop napalm on Tarakan Island targets. Other B-24s fly a shipping sweep over the Makassar Strait and damage several small vessels.

Tuesday, 24 April 1945

A-20s and fighter bombers continue to strike in support of ground forces on Luzon Island. On Formosa, A-20s hit sugar refineries at Mizukami and Shinei while B-24s bomb Tainan and Hokko. Other B-24s bomb Tabanio and Miri in Borneo.

Wednesday, 25 April 1945

B-24s bomb the harbor at Saigon, French Indochina, Balete Pass bridges on Luzon Island, and the airfields at Boeloedowang on Celebes Island and Basco on Batan Island. On Luzon, B-25s, A-20s, and fighters concentrate on Cagayan Valley bridges and support ground forces around Balete Pass, Baguio, and Solvee Cove; other FEAF support missions continue on S Luzon from Ipo Dam to New Bosoboso, E of Santa Maria, NE of Siniloan, Anuling, Monte Banahao, near Legaspi, and S of Camalig, and in the Monte Mandalagan-Monte Silay area.

Thursday, 26 April 1945

B-24s bomb Shanghai, China. On Formosa, B-25s hit the Heito sugar refinery and nearby targets of opportunitys and P-38s on a sweep also hit several targets of opportunity. B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers continue to fly numerous sorties in support of ground forces on N and S Luzon Island. B-24s join USMC aircraft in pounding Cebu Island targets. On Borneo, B-24s hit Miri Airfield and B-25s and fighters hit targets on Tarakan Island. Unit moves: 12th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, based at San Jose, Mindoro Island with P-38s, begins operating from Palawan Island; 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, from San Marcelino to Clark Field, Luzon with P-38s and P-61s.

Friday, 27 April 1945

On Luzon Island, B-25s attack Japanese installations at Cabatuan, La-lo, and Garit Norte; A-20s hit towns throughout the area; in S Luzon, fighter-bombers and A-20s hit targets E of Manila, in the Legaspi area, and at other scattered points. In Borneo, B-24s hit Jesselton Airfield and B-25s bomb Tarakan Island. B-24s bomb Mandai Airfield on Celebes Island and other B-24s hit Soerabaja, Java. The 550th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command (attached to 85th Fighter Wing), based at Tacloban, Leyte Island with P-38s, P-61s and P-70s, sends a detachment to operate from Zamboanga, Mindanao Island.

Saturday, 28 April 1945

On N Luzon Island, B-25s hit targets in the Itogon area; A-20s attack Itogon mines and start fires among huts at Fabrica; fighter-bombers attack Balete Pass, Cagayan Valley, Tuguegarao, Trinidad, and Cervantes; on S Luzon A-20s and fighter- bombers support ground forces at various points including the Batangas sector and hit targets around Norzagaray, Ipo Dam, Montalban, New Bosoboso, and along the San Andres trail. B-24s bomb Toshien, Formosa and several secondary targets. In Borneo, B-24s hit Kuching while B-25s and P-38s hit Tarakan Island and targets of opportunity along the Sarawak coast. B-24s over the Celebes bomb Masamba, Malimpoeng, and Mandai Airfields. B-25s sink about 20,000 tons of merchant shipping in Saigon, French Indochina harbor. The 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, moves from Biak Island, New Guinea to Clark Field, Luzon with F-5s.

Sunday, 29 April 1945

In support of ground forces on Luzon Island, fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations, supply areas, pillboxes, gun positions, vehicles, and other targets mainly in the Balete Pass, Baguio, and Echague areas and A-20s hit the New Bosoboso area, where fighters also support ground forces concentrating in the Ipo Dam area. In Borneo, B-24s pound Kuching Airfield while B-25s bomb Tarakan Island. Other B-24s hit Langoan, Mandai, and Mapanget airfields on Celebes Island. P-38s sweep French Indochina and strafe Thu Dau Mot Airfield. The 318th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, moves from Mangaldan to Laoag, Luzon with C-47s.

Monday, 30 April 1945

On Formosa, B-24s hit the Toshien fuel storage and bomb Tainan, Takao, and Okayama Airfields while B-25s hit Taito; escorting P-38s attack numerous targets of opportunity; and P-51s bomb Okayama Airfield. Numerous missions are flown over Luzon and Negros Islands by B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers in support of the ground forces. B-24s attack the Davao area on Mindanao Island. In Borneo, P-38s hit Tarakan Island and B-24s bomb Manggar Airfield. Other B-24s bomb Malimpoeng Airfield on Celebes Island. The 157th and 160th Liaison Squadrons (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, move from Calasio to Mabalacat, Luzon with UC-64s and L-5s (the 160th has a detachment operating from Mindoro Island).