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



Thursday, 1 February 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s pound the Canacao Peninsula and Cavite areas; targets include a shipyard, seaplane base, communications, and supply. B-25s hit Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island, Philippine Islands. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Okayama Airfield during the night of 31 Jan/1 Feb and hit Okayama and Heito Airfields and Toko seaplane base during the following day. The 71st and 823d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Morotai to Lingayen, Luzon with B-25s. During Feb 45, the 160th Liaison Squadron, 3d Air Commando Group, based at Calasio, Luzon with UC-64 and L-5s sends a detachment to operate from Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands; the 529th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Darwin, Australia to San Jose, Mindoro with B-24s.

Friday, 2 February 1945

Colonel Carl A Brandt becomes Commanding Officer XIII Bomber Command. On Luzon Island, B-24s
continue to pound Corregidor Island and Cavite and A-20s hit the Baler Bay area. In the Cagayan Valley on Mindanao Island, Philippine Islands, B-25s attack pillboxes, gun positions, and river barges. B-24s hit Okayama Airfield on Formosa during a dawn raid. HQ 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group moves
from Leyte Island, Philippine Islands to Binmaley, Luzon.

Saturday, 3 February 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s again pound Corregidor Island and the Canacao peninsula; other B-24s hit Aparri and Tuguegarao an in the Batangas area, A-20s continue ground support missions. B-24s bomb Cebu City on Cebu Island, Philippine Islands, and surrounding targets. On Mindanao Island, B-25s and P-38s hit Matina, Daliao, and Padada Airfields.

Sunday, 4 February 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s continue to hit Corregidor Island and Cavite; in support of ground forces B-25s bomb and strafe coast targets from San Felipe to Maloma, hit targets around lba, and drop napalm on San Jose del Monte and A-20s bomb Lipa and Calingatan Airfields. HQ 348th Fighter Group and the 340th Fighter Squadron move from Tanauan, Leyte Island to San Marcelino, Luzon with P-47s.

Monday, 5 February 1945

On Luzon Island, 60 B-24s deliver the heaviest attack yet on Corregidor Island; support for ground forces continues in various Luzon battle zones. B-25s on a shipping sweep of the E coast claim 9 barges and luggers sunk and several more damaged. B-24s bomb Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields on Borneo. HQ 475th Fighter Group moves from Dulag, Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island (the group's 3 squadrons, the 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons, remain at Dulag with P-38s and send detachments to operate from San Jose).

Tuesday, 6 February 1945

On Luzon, B-24s bomb Corregidor Island gun positions; B-25s and P-38s hit Echague and a camp on the Rosario-Baguio road; A-20s attack gun positions and defenses at Nichols Field in support of ground forces and bomb Caballo Island. B-24s and B-25s fly coastal sweeps hitting various targets at Divilacan Bay, Hondagua, and the Bicol Peninsula. A-20s attack Fabrica Airfield on Negros Island, Philippine Islands. B-24s, with P-38 support hit Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields in Borneo. The detachment of the 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, operating from Dulag, Leyte Island with F-5s, returns to base at San Jose, Mindoro. The 342d and 460th Fighter Squadrons, 348th Fighter Group, move from Tanauan, Leyte to San Marcelino, Luzon with P-47s.

Wednesday, 7 February 1945

On Formosa, B-24s, with P-38 support hit targets of opportunity at Heito Airfield and other points (after weather prevents the bombing of Takao) and B-25s, with P-51 cover, fly several sweeps, claiming a sub sunk, a tanker set afire, a large motor launch sunk, other shipping damaged, and several vehicles and an airplane destroyed. On Luzon Island, A-20s, supporting ground operations, attack the hills W of Clark Field. B-24s hit Bago and Mandaue on Negros Island. In Borneo, other B-24s bomb Tawau and-in another mission-Miri Airfield, Tutong oil refinery pump station and power house. The 341st Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, moves from Tanauan, Leyte Island to San Marcelino, Luzon with P-47s.

Thursday, 8 February 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s bomb the town of Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula and B-25s sink or damage several small vessels along the E coast and hit Legaspi Airfield. In Borneo, B-24s bomb Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields. Units moving to San Marcelino, Luzon: HQ 309th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) from Owi, Schouten Islands and the 421st Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing, from Tacloban, Leyte Island with P-38s and P-61s.

Friday, 9 February 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s fly morning and afternoon raids against Corregidor Island gun positions; A-20s also hit the island fortress; Mariveles and the S part of Bataan Peninsula are pounded by B-24s and A-20s throughout the morning and afternoon; B-25s and P-51s hit shipping near Legaspi and in San Miguel Bay and destroy buildings at San Fernando on Negros Island. In support of ground forces, A-24s and P-40s over Balete Pass area attack bridges and roads. The 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Thirteenth AF, based on Morotai Island with B-25s and F-5s, sends a detachment to operate from Dulag, Leyte Island. The 421st Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing, based at San Marcelino, Luzon with P-38s and P-61s, sends a detachment to operate from Tacloban, Leyte.

Saturday, 10 February 1945

Brigadier General Frederick H Smith Jr becomes Commanding General V Fighter Command. On Luzon, B-24s again blast Japanese gun positions while P-51s and P-38s, supporting ground forces hit communications targets in the Bayambang-Santa Fe area, while B-25s in the area blast villages where vehicles are hidden; B-24s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers completely saturate the S part of Bataan Peninsula with bombs during morning and afternoon attacks, thoroughly pummelling defenses and forces. P-47s on a fighter sweep over Formosa claim 10 aerial victories. HQ 312th Bombardment Group (Light) and the 386th and 387th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) move from Tanauan, Leyte Island to Mangaldan, Luzon with A-20s.

Sunday, 11 February 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s attack Corregidor Island almost continuously throughout the day; fighter-bombers support ground forces blasting numerous targets from Cauringan to Taytay and at Wawa, Montalban, Antipolo, and Marikina. P-47s blast a train NE of Heito, Formosa. B-24s fly a light strike against Bago on Negros Island. The 388th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 312th Bombardment Group (Light), move from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Mangaldan, Luzon with A-20s.

Monday, 12 February 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s continue to pound Corregidor Island in Manila Bay; A-20s sweeping S Bataan Peninsula, sink about 30 barges loaded with troops, ammunition, and supplies; throughout the day B-25s and fighters directly support ground forces on the Bataan Peninsula and from Lingayen Gulf area to Nichols Field. The 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, based on Middelburg Island, New Guinea with P-38s, begins operating from Morotai Island. The 498th, 499th, 500th and 501st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Tacloban, Leyte Island to San Marcelino, Luzon with B-25s.

Tuesday, 13 February 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s continue to pound Corregidor Island in Manila Bay as a large segment of B-24s attack the main coastal guns and score direct hits on several batteries; B-24s bomb Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula while A-20s and P-47s bomb and strafe targets of opportunity throughout the S part of Bataan Peninsula; B-25s and fighters attack small shipping during sweeps of E and N coasts. B-25s, with fighter support, hit Kagi Airfield on Formosa. HQ 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Tacloban, Leyte Island to San Marcelino, Luzon. The 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, based on Middelburg Island, New Guinea with P-38s, begins operating from Morotai Island.

Wednesday, 14 February 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s continue to bomb Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, concentrating on the dock area and gun positions; other B-24s bomb Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula and B-25s bomb the airfield at Tuguegarao; B-25s and fighters provide excellent support for ground forces, blasting guns and troops W of Clark Field, N of Marikina airfield, and N of Montalban; A-20s pound the general area of S Bataan. On Mindanao Island, B-25s bomb barges at Zamboanga and P-38s bomb Matina Airfield. Fighters on armed reconnaissance strafe airfields on Negros and Cebu Islands. A few B-25s bomb Kagi Airfield on Formosa and nearby targets of opportunity. HQ 54th Troop Carrier Wing moves from Biak Island, New Guinea to Leyte Island. The 550th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command (attached to XIII Bomber Command) moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Morotai Island with P-38s, P-61s and P-70s (the detachment operating from Middelburg Island also moves to Morotai).

Thursday, 15 February 1945

B-25s attack bridges in the S part of Formosa. B-24s again blast Corregidor Island in Manila Bay with A-20s and fighter-bombers bombing and strafing its few remaining gun positions; fighter-bombers hit Caballo Island and fighter- bombers, B-25s, and A-20s hit Bataan Peninsula all day; also hit are troops and gun positions in the Ft William McKinley area and airfields at Tuguegarao and Echague. The 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak Island, New Guinea to Tanauan, Leyte Island with C-46s.

Friday, 16 February 1945

Fighters attack vehicles and trains in the S part of Formosa. On Luzon Island, 120+ A-20s and B-24s pound Corregidor Island during the early daylight hours; amphibious and airborne landings follow and the paratroops soon link up with the beachhead; A-20s and fighter-bombers also bomb nearby Caballo Island; B-25s support ground forces in the Mariveles area, hit facilities at Baguio and Santa Fe, and bomb Camalaniugan Airfield. P-38s hit Likanan and Matina Airfields on Mindanao Island and B-24s pound Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island.

Saturday, 17 February 1945

B-24s, with fighter support attack the airfield, railroad yard, and aluminum plant at Takao, Formosa. On Luzon Island, A-20s support ground forces in the Mariveles area and hit caves and dugouts in hills W of Ft Stotsenburg; A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers attack Tuguegarao and the coastal town of San Fernando. B-24s pound Miri Airfield in Borneo. HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group moves from Biak Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island.

Sunday, 18 February 1945

On Formosa, B-24s bomb Takao, Okayama, and Toshien Airfields and P-38s provide support while B-25s and fighters pound communications targets and targets of opportunity throughout Formosa. B-25s and fighters continue to fly numerous missions in support of the ground forces on Luzon Island. B-24s bomb Labuan Airfield in Borneo.

Monday, 19 February 1945

Major General Paul B Wurtsmith becomes Commanding General Thirteenth AF. In Formosa, B-24s bomb Koshun, Heito, and Takao Airfields and B-25s and fighters on sweeps attack a large number of targets of opportunity including trains, parked aircraft, buildings, and coastal vessels. In the C Philippine Islands, US Marine Corps (USMC) F4Us under the tactical command of the Thirteenth AF fly napalm strikes against airfields and other targets. On Luzon Island, fighters, B-25s, and A-20s continue to support ground forces at San Augustin, Carranglen, Balete Pass, and Bataan Peninsula and bomb Japanese-held sectors on Corregidor Island. B-24s bomb Miri Airfield on Borneo.

Tuesday, 20 February 1945

B-24s bomb runways and warehouse at Jesselton Airfield in Borneo. Buildings at Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island and underground installation on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay are pounded. B-25s and fighters over Formosa thoroughly blast the town of Choshu, and also hit railroad yards, vehicles, railway rolling stock, and buildings. HQ 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from Darwin, Australia to San Jose, Mindoro Island. The 23d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Morotai Island to Samar Island, Philippine Islands.

Wednesday, 21 February 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s bomb Japanese positions in the hills W of Ft Stotsenburg, P-47s pound Corregidor Island and strafe the Bagae-Pilar road and P-40s support ground forces at Marikina, San Mateo, and on Corregidor Island; and Basco is hit by B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s. In Borneo, B-24s bomb Kudat and Sandakan Airfields while A-20s attack Jesselton Airfield and town. The 528th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Darwin, Australia to San Jose, Mindoro Island with B-24s.

Thursday, 22 February 1945

On Luzon Island, 100 B-24s hit troop concentrations NW of Ft Stotsenburg, P-47s pound Corregidor Island, A-20s hit concentrations at Pugo, SW of Baguio, B-24s bomb supply areas N and W of Baguio while P-51s hit Angin and Marikina. B-24s bomb Tarakan and Labuan Airfields in Borneo. Units moving from New Guinea: HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) Sansapor to Morotai Island [the group's 75th and 100th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) remain at Sansapor but begins operating from Morotai with B-25s]; HQ 347th Fighter Group and the 67th and 339th Fighter Squadrons from Middelburg Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island with P-38s (the 67th and 339th are operating from Morotai).

Friday, 23 February 1945

Strikes supporting ground forces continue throughout the battle zones on Luzon Island. In Borneo, P-47s hit Jesselton Airfield while B-24s bomb Sandakan, Lahat Datu, and Miri Airfields. In French Indochina, B-25s on shipping sweeps bomb vessels in Phan Rang harbor and hit a small convoy SW of Camranh Bay. The 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Dulag, Leyte Island, ceases operating from Tacloban, Leyte with F-7s. The 68th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, moves from Middelburg Island to San Jose Mindoro Island with P-38s. The 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Sansapor, New Guinea, begins operating from Morotai Island with B-25s.

Saturday, 24 February 1945

On Luzon Island, strikes in support of ground forces continue, especially W of Ft Stotsenburg; fighter-bombers attack forces holding out on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay; B-24s bomb Sepinggaiig and Manggar Airfields in Borneo. B-25s sweep off the China coast, bombing the naval base at Ryukyu-Sho, Formosa. The 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Dulag, Leyte Island begins operating from San Jose, Mindoro Island with F-7s. The 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Sansapor, New Guinea, begins operating from Morotai Island with B-25s.

Sunday, 25 February 1945

In Formosa, B-24s bomb Takao and P-51s hit targets of opportunity along the E coast. On Luzon Island, B-24s attack troop concentrations on the E side of the Ipo River and pound Japanese positions between Ipo and Osboy. B-24s bomb Tawau and Labuan Airfields in Borneo. HQ 49th Fighter Group and the 7th Fighter Squadron move from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Lingayen, Luzon with P-38s.

Monday, 26 February 1945

B-24s over Formosa hit Takao Airfield while fighters on a sweep strafe railroad targets. On Luzon Island, B-24s bomb troop concentrations in the Ipo Dam area and support ground forces NE of Manila; A-20s and fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Echague Airfield area, at Ternate, Trinidad, and Antipolo, and hit troops W of Ft Stotsenburg. A-20s, P-38s, and P-47s hit Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island and B-25s bomb Zettle Airfield on Jolo Island. In Borneo, B-24s hit Manggar and Sepinggang Airfields. The 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Lingayen, Luzon with P-38s and the 70th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, moves from Lingayen, Luzon to San Jose, Mindoro with P-38s.

Tuesday, 27 February 1945

B-24s, A-20s, and P-38s strike Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island in preparation for the following morning's allied amphibious landings. On Luzon Island, ground support continues on a largescale including a strike on Baguio by P-51s. On Mindanao P-38s and USMC aircraft hit airfields. B-24s bomb Tarakan and Jesselton Airfields in Borneo. On Formosa, Takao is hit by B-24s while fighters sweep the W coast. Sweeping the China coast, B-25s hit a fleet of junks and sampans near Hong Kong destroying and damaging 25+. The 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Lingayen, Luzon with P-38s and the 12th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, moves from Lingayen to San Jose with P-38s. The 65th and 66th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak Island to Morotai Island with C-46s and C-47s (the squadrons cease operating from Hill Field, Mindoro); and the 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, moves from Dulag, Leyte Island to Clark Field, Luzon with P-38s (a detachment is operating from San Jose, Mindoro).

Wednesday, 28 February 1945

In Borneo, B-24s strike Sandakan and Labuan Airfields and B-25s fly a napalm raid against Sanga Sanga Airfield. B-24s bomb Caldera Point and B-25s hit San Roque Airfield on Mindanao. The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Dulag, Leyte Island with C-46s and C-47s. The 431st and 433d Fighter Squadrons, 475th Fighter Group, move from Dulag, Leyte to Clark Field, Luzon Island with P-38s (they are operating from San Jose, Mindoro Island). The 530th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Darwin, Australia to San Jose, Mindoro