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



Wednesday, 1 August 1945

B-24s bomb shipyards at Pontianak, Borneo and other B-24s hit barracks and AA guns along Makassar Strait, Celebes Island. P-38s strafe locomotives in the Soerabaja, Java area. On Luzon Island, P-38s support ground forces ENE and SE of Mankayan and, along with US Marine Corps (USMC) aircraft, pound enemy positions and concentrations in the Upian area. In French Indochina, B-24s bomb the Tourane marshalling yard while escorting P-51s strafe boxcars at Quang Nam. Other B-24s strike military stores at Takao, Formosa. In Japan, about 50 B-24s bomb targets in the Nagasaki dock and harbor area; B-25s and fighter-bombers in the Nagasaki area hit docks, railroad yards, and shipping; other B-24s bomb Koniya Airfield and hit Kakeroma Island; 80+ P-47s hit railroad bridges and other railroad targets at Sendai and P-47s fly their first combat mission from Iwo Jima, joining VII Fighter Command P-51s in a sweep over S Honshu Island; and rolling stock and airfields are attacked in the Okazaki, Itami, and Nagoya areas. Unit moves during Aug 45: HQ V Bomber Command and HQ V Fighter Command from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa; HQ 71st Reconnaissance Group from Binmaley, Luzon to Ie Shima; 22d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, from Finschhafen, New Guinea to Nielson Field, Luzon with C-47s; the detachment of the 550th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, operating from Sanga Sanga, Sulu Island with P-61s, returns to base at Tacloban, Leyte. HQ AAF: During Aug 45, the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron (Long Range, Photographic), 311th Reconnaissance Wing (attached to 6th Reconnaissance Group), based at Tacloban, Leyte Island with F-7s, sends the detachment operating from Clark Field, Luzon to operate from Okinawa (squadron is mapping areas of the SW and W Pacific).

Thursday, 2 August 1945

Bad weather cancels all FEAF missions from Okinawa. Thirteenth AF P-38s support ground forces on N Luzon, hitting pockets of resistance W of Kiangan and blasting enemy occupied caves on a ridge NW of Bontoe.

Friday, 3 August 1945

P-38s and B-25s support ground forces in N Luzon, hitting buildings in the Apunan area and Japanese positions at various locations including ridges SW of Kiangan and W of Banaue. B-24s bomb airstrips at Tanamon and Sidate on Celebes Island and bomb the seaplane base on Kangean Island in the Java Sea.

Saturday, 4 August 1945

B-25s over Kyushu, Japan hit an industrial area near Takanabe, bombing warehouses, factories, a railroad bridge, and marshalling yard. B-25s and P-38s support ground forces on Luzon, hitting Japanese forces near Santa Ines, in the Butitio area, and near Mount Obudan. B-24s support the ground action S of Fabrica on Negros Island. B-24s bomb Miti Airfield on Halmahera Island. P-38s on a sweep over Singapore, Malaysia claim 2 Japanese planes downed. The 20th Reconnaissance Squadron (Long Range, Photographic-RCM), 6th Reconnaissance Group, moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with F-7s; the ground echelon of the 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, arrives on Okinawa from Clark Field (air echelon at Clark Field until Sep 45).

Sunday, 5 August 1945

In Japan, 330+ B-24s, B-25s, A-26s, P-47s, and P-51s pound Tarumizu town, the industrial area on Kyushu and many targets of opportunity on Kyushu and in the Ryukyu Islands. P-38s support ground forces on Luzon, hitting Japanese concentrations ENE of Naguilian, near Mount Data, and at other points. B-24s pound Japanese positions S of Fabrica on Negros Island. Other B-24s bomb supply and personnel areas and AA positions in the Makassar area on Celebes Island. B-24s also bomb Miti on Halmahera Island. The 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with P-38s.

The Atomic Bomb is Dropped on Hiroshima by the 20th Air Force

Monday, 6 August 1945

Okinawa-based aircraft pound targets on Kyushu, Japan; 150+ P-47s and A-26s fight bad weather to hit the primary, Miyakonojo; 170+ B-24s, B-25s, and P-47s hit Kagoshima as a secondary target; and 60+ B-25s and P-51s attack shipping and ground targets of opportunity in the Tsushima Strait area and in the N Ryukyu Islands. P-51s operating in the area between Kyushu and Korea bomb an airfield and strafe numerous targets of opportunity on Saishu Island and P-47s bomb Anjo on Tanega Island. Other aircraft, operating individually or in pairs, hit various targets of opportunity on the S Korea coast, in the Inland Sea, S Honshu, W Shikoku Island, throughout the N Ryukyu Islandss, and in the Shanghai, China area. B-24s pound resistance pockets on Negros Island in the Philippine Islands. Unit moves: HQ 3d Bombardment Group (Light) and 89th and 90th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Okinawa with A-26s; HQ 8th Fighter Group and 36th Fighter Squadron from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Ie Shima with P-38s; ground echelon of 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, from Lingayen, Luzon to Okinawa (air echelon remains at Clark Field, Luzon with F-5s).

Tuesday, 7 August 1945

In Japan, P-47s cover the Twentieth AF B-29 strike against Kyushu targets; B-24s and A-26s over Kyushu pound Tsuiki Airfield and other B-24s start fires at Omura; B-25s hit bridges and other targets at Matsubase and Kawajiri and bomb a convoy off Pusan, Korea; other B-25s hit Chiran and Izumi Airfields. fighter-bombers attack and considerably damage communications and transportation facilities throughout Kyushu. B-24s bomb Takao Airfield on Formosa. On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s support ground forces near Ambuclao, Kiangan, Batangan, Aparri, Mankayan, Bontoc, and Tabayoc and the Palugloko Mountains. In the Netherlands East Indies, B-24s bomb an area E of Bandjermasin, Borneo, and P-51s hit the harbor at Soerabaja, Java. The 8th and 13th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 3d Bombardment Group (Light), move from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with A-26s.

Wednesday, 8 August 1945

Okinawa-based B-24s, B-25s, A-26s, P-51s, and P-47s carry out numerous strikes against targets on Kyushu Island, Japan; targets include the Usa and Tsuiki Airfields, communications and transport targets all over Kyushu, shipping between Kyushu and Korea, and targets of opportunity in the Ryukyu Islands, on the China coast, and on Formosa. P-47s escorting Twentieth AF B-29s claim 10 Japanese planes downed. B-24s bomb Shinchiku Airfield, Formosa. B-24s on a shipping search hit Lolobata Airfield on Halmahera Island. On Luzon, B-24s support ground forces in the Lenatin River Valley and SSE of Mankayan and P-38s support ground action SSE of Mankayan, in the Kiangan area, and NW of Bagabag. Unit moves: HQ 475th Fighter Group and 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons from Lingayen, Luzon to Ie Shima with P-38s; 528th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with B-24s.

The Atomic Bomb is Dropped on Nagasaki by the 20th Air Force

Thursday, 9 August 1945

In Japan, B-25s over Kyushu Island, bomb airfields at Kanoya, the town of Noma, shipping in Beppu Bay, bridges, factories, and oil storage at Tsurusaki, and shipping, coastal villages, and communications targets in the Tsushima Strait area; A-26s and A-20s hit Kanoya Airfield and the industrial areas of Kushikino, Minato, and Shimahira; B-24s over W Honshu Island bomb the airfield at Iwakuni; 200+ P-47s and P-51s hit numerous targets on Shikoku and Kyushu Islands, and in the Ryukyu Islands including airfields, barracks, harbor installations, bridges, shipping, vehicles, and various factories and storage facilities. B-24s bomb military stores at Matsuyama, Formosa. On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s support ground forces in areas N of Baguio, SSE of Mankayan, S of Kabayan, SE of Cervantes, near Kiangan, and NW of Infanta. B-24s over Ambon and Ceram Islands bomb Laha barracks on Ambon. Unit moves: HQ 3d Air Commando Group and 3d and 4th Fighter Squadrons (Commando) from Laoag, Luzon to Ie Shima with P-51s; HQ 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa; and 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, from San Jose Mindoro to Ie Shima with P-38s.

Friday, 10 August 1945

In Japan, 80 B-24s, 118 B-25s, and 220+ P-47s and P-38s pound the Kumamoto area; 20+ B-24s bomb the Oita area; 39 P-51s provide cover over both targets; nearly 40 B-25s attack destroyers, cargo ships, and small vessels during a shipping sweep between Kyushu Island and Korea; P-47s bomb Sasebo Harbor; P-51s hit various targets of opportunity on Honshu and Kyushu and B-25s bomb targets of opportunity in the N Ryukyu Islands. B-24s bomb Shinchiku, Formosa. On Luzon, P-38s hit troop concentrations near Mount Pulog and ENE of Dupax. B-24 unit moves from San Jose, Mindoro: HQ 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 320th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) to Ie Shima; and 530th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), to Okinawa.

Saturday, 11 August 1945

In Japan, Okinawa-based B-24s, B-25s, A-26s, A-20s, and fighters flying about 530 sorties cause extensive destruction to shipping and shore installations in the Inland Sea, in the Tsushima area, and of communications, transportation, and other targets throughout Kyushu Island. Philippine Island-based B-24s bomb Heito Airfield on Formosa and Laha barracks on Ambon Island. P-38s hit buildings near Dibuluan and fieldguns near Kiangan on Luzon. The 400th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with B-24s.

Sunday, 12 August 1945

B-24s from Okinawa bomb Matsuyama Airfield on Formosa. In Japan, B-25s and A-26s hit Chiran and Kanoya Airfields while other A-26s and A-20s and P-47s hit the towns of Kushikino, Akune, and Miyazaki; more B-25s and fighter-bombers hit shipping and communications targets on Kyushu, the N Ryukyu Islands, and between Japan and Korea; the aircraft claim several small merchant ships sunk and damaged, and numerous bridges, railroads, factories, and other targets of opportunity hit. On Formosa, B-24s from the Philippine Islands pound Kagi Airfield and the Takao marshalling yard. On Luzon, P-38s support ground forces in or near Kabayan, Kiangan, and Uldugan. Unit moves: Air echelon of the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with F-5s joining the ground echelon that arrived in Jul; 319th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with B-24s; 387th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 312th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Floridablanca, Luzon to Okinawa with A-20s; and 529th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with B-24s.

Monday, 13 August 1945

B-24s and B-25s from Okinawa pound shipping in the waters off Korea and Kyushu Island and in the Inland Sea claiming several vessels sunk and damaged; P-47s over Keijo encounter 20 Japanese aircraft and claim at least 16 shot down. B-25s attack Japanese forces near Palacian, Luzon. P-38s hit shipping in the Singapore, Malaysia area. Unit moves from Luzon: HQ 312th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 386th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) from Floridablanca to Okinawa with B-32s; 547th Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, from Lingayen to Ie Shima with P-38s and P-61s.

Tuesday, 14 August 1945

B-25s, P-47s, and P-51s attack shipping in Korea and Kyushu waters, claiming several vessels destroyed and damaged. P-47s over the Osaka-Nagoya, Japan area claim several Japanese aircraft shot down. The 19th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with B-24s.

Wednesday, 15 August 1945

All offensive action against Japan ends. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur is notified that he is Supreme Commander for Allied powers. MacArthur tries to communicate with Tokyo using the War Department signal facilities, but when he receives no reply, he turns to the Army Airways Communications System (AACS). The AACS Manila station (call sign WXXU), tapped out MacArthur's instructions to the Japanese using a frequency over which AACS had been broadcasting uncoded weather information; the message reads:

From Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers To The Japanese Emperor, the Japanese Imperial Government, the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters

Message Number Z-500

I have been designated as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (the United States, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) and empowered to arrange directly with the Japanese authorities for the cessation of hostilities at the earliest practicable date.

It is desired that a radio station in the Tokyo area be officially designated for continuous use in handling radio communications between this headquarters and your headquarters. Your reply to this message should give the call signs, frequencies and station designation. It is desired that the radio communication with my headquarters in Manila be handled in English text.

Pending designation by you of a station in the Tokyo area for use as above indicated, station JUM on frequency 13705 kilocycles will be used for this purpose and Manila will reply on 15965 kilocycles.

Upon receipt of this message, acknowledge.

Signed

MacArthur.

Within less than 2 hours, the Tokyo reply came back. This was the first direct communication between the Allies and Japan.

Unit moves: HQ 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 33d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with B-24s; 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, from Morotai Island to Dulag, Leyte with C-46s; 160th Liaison Squadron, 3d Air Commando Group [attached to 5th Air Liaison Group (Provisional)], from Mabalacat, Luzon to Ie Shima with UC-64s and L-5s; 321st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Ie Shima with B-24s; 531st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with B-24s; and 674th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 417th Bombardment Group (Light), from San Jose, Mindoro to Okinawa with A-20s.

Thursday, 16 August 1945

Unit moves to Okinawa: HQ 49th Fighter Group and 9th Fighter Squadron from Lingayen, Luzon with P-38s; 5th and 6th Combat Cargo Squadrons, 2d Combat Cargo Group, from Dulag, Leyte with C-46s.

Friday, 17 August 1945

Unit moves to Okinawa: HQ 417th Bombardment Group (Light) and 672d and 675th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) from San Jose, Mindoro with A-20s; 7th and 8th Fighter Squadrons, 49th Fighter Group, from Lingayen, Luzon with P-38s.

Saturday, 18 August 1945

Unit moves to Okinawa: 2d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s; 673d Bombardment Squadron (Light), 417th Bombardment Group (Light), from San Jose, Mindoro with A-20s.

Sunday, 19 August 1945

Two B-25Js of the 345th Bombardment Group (Medium) intercept two "Betty" bombers N of Ie Shima. The Japanese aircraft carry a delegation from Tokyo enroute to Manila to meet General MacArthur's staff to work out details of the surrender. The "Betty's" are painted all white with green crosses on the wings, fuselage and vertical tail surface and use the call signs Bataan I and Bataan II. The Japanese land on Ie Shima and transfer to C-54s for the flight to Manila. On the return flight from Ie Shima to Japan, the Betty's run out of fuel and ditch in Tokyo Bay but the delegation is rescued and completes the mission. The 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with C-47s.

Monday, 20 August 1945

HQ 2d Combat Cargo Group and 7th and 8th Combat Cargo Squadrons move from Dulag, Leyte to Okinawa with C-46s.

Tuesday, 21 August 1945

The 408th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with B-24s.

Wednesday, 22 August 1945

C-47 units arriving on Okinawa from Hawaii: 311th Troop Carrier Squadron, US Army Forces, Middle Pacific; and 316th Troop Carrier Squadron, Seventh AF.

Thursday, 23 August 1945

HQ 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium), Fifth AF, moves from San Jose, Mindoro to Clark Field, Luzon.

Friday, 24 August 1945

HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa.

Saturday, 25 August 1945

Unit moves: 68th and 69th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 433d Troop Carrier Group, from Clark Field, Luzon to Iwo Jima with C-46s and C-47s respectively; 318th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group, from Laoag, Luzon to Ie Shima with C-47s.

Sunday, 26 August 1945

The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Iwo Jima with C-46s.

Monday, 27 August 1945

Unit moves: HQ XIII Bomber Command from Morotai Island to Clark Field, Luzon; and 67th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, from Clark Field, Luzon to Iwo Jima with C-46s.

Tuesday, 28 August 1945

The occupation of Japan officially begins as an advance party arrives in the Home Islands. When the news of the Japanese proposal for surrender came on 15 Aug, the 68th Army Airways Communications System (AACS) Group, 7th AACS Wing, received orders to fly into Atsugi Airfield near Tokyo and set up the communications equipment necessary to guide in the first contingent of occupation troops. AACSs mission was to provide navigational aids, point-to-point communications with Okinawa, air-to-ground communications for planes in flight, weather data, and air traffic control. Colonel Gordon Blake quickly assembled a special unit of 5 hand-picked men. Colonel Blake and his AACS men, part of a 150 man task force, flew from Okinawa to Atsugi with 24 C-47 aircraft laden with equipment. In order to carry as much equipment as possible, the load was lightened by carrying only enough fuel to reach Atsugi. Although the Japanese had surrendered unconditionally, Blake and his communicators still did not know whether some might still be hostile. The sight of hundreds of Japanese Navy guards lined up along the airfield was not encouraging to the occupants of the first aircraft to land, but they were met by a group of courteous, English-speaking Japanese military personnel. The navy guards were in their honor. The AACS-men lost no time in getting operations into full swing, and by 29 Aug, the Atsugi control tower was completed. The first planes to arrive on 30 Aug were 5 additional C-47s carrying components to set up the first airborne radio station in Air Force history. Within a few hours, the first C-54 aircraft of the official occupation forces landed at Atsugi and by mid-afternoon Blake's AACS crews had directed 340+ takeoffs and landings at the rate of 1 every 2 minutes. On 30 Aug, Atsugi was the busiest airport in the world.

Thursday, 30 August 1945

The occupation of Japan in force begins when the 11th Airborne Division is flown to Atsugi Airfield and US Marines land at Yokosuka naval base. The 159th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 3d Air Commando Group [attached to 5th Air Liaison Group (Provisional)] moves from Mangaldan, Luzon to Okinawa with UC-64s and L-5s.