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



Sunday, 1 July 1945

In Borneo, B-24s pound defenses at Balikpapan as Australian forces make amphibious landings; and B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s hit airfields at Oelin, Tabanio, and Trombol, and bomb the Tawau area. B-24s hit Limboeng and Mandai airstrips on Celebes Island. Fighter-bombers hit troops and gun positions in the Kayan-Tadian area on Luzon, Philippine Islands.

Monday, 2 July 1945

In Borneo, B-24s bomb defenses in the Balikpapan area, P-38s support Australian forces as they complete the capture of Balikpapan and its oil installations and B-25s hit the Bintula personnel area. On Luzon Island, fighter-bombers hit resistance pockets near Kiangan and supply areas in the Cervantes sector. B-24s pound Toyohara Airfield on Formosa.

Tuesday, 3 July 1945

Fifth AF fighters fly their first mission over Japan, P-51s destroying floatplanes in the Fukuoka harbor area on Kyushu. On Luzon, fighter-bombers hit resistance areas in the Mankayan and Kiangan sectors. On Celebes Island, B-24s bomb runways at Mandai and Limboeng airfields. In Borneo, B-24s pound Batu Kawa airstrip SE of Kuching and defensive positions near Balikpapan in support of the Australian drive inland. The 868th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Thirteenth AF, moves from Morotai Island to Leyte Island with B-24s (the squadron specializes in low-level night attacks and pathfinder missions).

Wednesday, 4 July 1945

P-51s fly a massive sweep along the W coast of Kyushu Island, Japan. On Luzon, fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Cagayan Valley and others attack Batan Island. On Borneo, B-24s again pound defenses near Balikpapan and B-25s bomb Sibuti. On Celebes Island, B-24s pound the Donggala seaplane base and runways at Boeloedowang and Limboeng Airfields

Thursday, 5 July 1945

On Formosa, B-24s bomb Toshien, Takao, Toyohara and the nearby Kamioka supply area, and Taihoku Airfield. Fighter-bombers fly nearly 100 sorties in support of ground forces in the Kiangan area on Luzon. In Borneo, B-24s bomb Manggar and Riko and Australian troops cross Balikpapan Bay and land on the W shore. P-51s sweeping Kyushu Island, Japan strafe targets of opportunity and down several aircraft.

Friday, 6 July 1945

On Luzon, fighter-bombers continue to support ground forces N of Kiangan and bomb the town of Mankayan. In Formosa, B-24s bomb Heito, Ryutan, and Taien Airfields and A-26s pound the Taito railroad yards. B-24s over Borneo bomb Bandjermasin warehouses, Tandjoengredeb buildings, Samarinda shipyards, and the Balikpapan and Manggar areas. Okinawa-based P-51s hit transportation targets in the Kagoshima Bay area of Japan.

Saturday, 7 July 1945

On Luzon Island, B-25s and fighter-bombers strike at remnants of the Japanese army in the Laguna de Bay and Marikina areas and fighter-bombers also hit areas of resistance near Kiangan, Penablanca, and Mankayan. B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s support Australian ground forces in the area near Balikpapan, Borneo. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Matsuyama and Taihoku Airfields in force.

Sunday, 8 July 1945

On Luzon, P-38s and P-51s supporting ground operations hit supply and personnel areas near Kiangan and Penablanca. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Shinchiku Airfield, B-25s start fires at the Getsubi alcohol plant and on Koto Island, and P-38s attack oil production area at Gyuni Kuki. On Borneo, B-24s and B-25s, supporting Australian forces, hit the Balikpapan area defensive positions, Samarinda shipyards, various targets along the Samarinda road, and warehouses at Tandjung. B-24s [including some of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)] bomb warehouses at Donggala on Celebes Island. The 69th and 311th Fighter Squadrons, 58th Fighter Group, move from Porac, Luzon to Okinawa with P-47s.

Monday, 9 July 1945

On Luzon, P-38s and P-51s fly ground support in the Iguig area of the Cagayan River Valley and hit Sabangan. Nearly 50 P-51s are weathered out of a Kyushu, Japan sweep from Okinawa. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Okaseki, Toyohara, and Takao Airfields and A-26s attack Karenko. On Borneo, B-24s and P-38s supporting Australian forces, hit Japanese forces in areas near Balikpapan, Manggar, and Sepinggang; (Australian and Dutch forces complete the encirclement of Balikpapan Bay); other B-24s hit the Samarinda shipyards; and B-25s in support of operations in the Brunei Bay area bomb a Japanese-occupied area E of Beaufort. Unit moves: HQ 348th Fighter Group and 340th Fighter Squadron from Floridablanca, Luzon to Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands with P-51s; ground echelon of 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Okinawa (air echelon is at Clark Field, Luzon with F-5s); 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, from Porac, Luzon to Okinawa with P-47s; 418th Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command [attached to 308th Bombardment Wing (Heavy)] from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Okinawa with P-61s.

Tuesday, 10 July 1945

On Luzon, P-38s and P-51s support ground action in the N Cagayan Valley and hit enemy pockets E of Manila. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Tainan Airfield, destroying several planes, and bomb warehouses at Takao. Bad weather again prevents fighter sweep from Okinawa over Kyushu, Japan. B-24s hit the town of Muarakaman and airfield at Tabanio, Borneo while P-38s strafe numerous targets of opportunity in SE Borneo. B-24s bomb the warehouse area at Donggala on Celebes Island. HQ 58th Fighter Group moves from Porac, Luzon to Okinawa.

Wednesday, 11 July 1945

P-51s sweep Kyushu, Japan. B-24s bomb Shinchiku Airfield on Formosa. B-25s and fighter-bombers pound troop concentrations and defenses in the Cagayan Valley on Luzon Island and B-24s pound troop concentrations on Negros Island. B-25s and P-38s pound highway targets in the Balikpapan, Borneo area.

Thursday, 12 July 1945

P-51s sweep Kyushu, Japan. B-24s bomb Canton, China. On Formosa, B-24s bomb Toshien while A-26s hit numerous targets at Tamazato and P-51s hit targets along the W coast. On Luzon, fighter-bombers hit pillboxes E of Iguig, attack concentrations in the Bontoc-Kiangan area, and support ground forces E of Manila (the town of Kiangan falls to the 6th Infantry Division, but resistance in the area continues). B-24s over Negros Island in support of ground forces bomb a concentration NE of Mount Mandalagan. B-24s destroy a barrack area at Tandjung, Borneo and others hit warehouses at Donggala, Celebes Island. The 341st, 342d and 460th Fighter Squadrons, 348th Fighter Group, move from Floridablanca, Luzon to Ie Shima with P-51s.

Friday, 13 July 1945

B-24s bomb storage areas at Canton, China. On Formosa, B-24s bomb boatyards and buildings at Suo while A-26s hit the Karenko railroad yards. B-24s bomb concentrations NE of Mount Mandalagan on Negros Island. On Luzon, B-25s and fighter-bombers hit the Kiangan area, attack Japanese pockets E of Iguig and N of Tuguegarao, pound pillboxes, ammunition dumps, and vehicles in the Cervantes sector, and blast hostile areas near Siniloan, NE of Laguna de Bay. P-38s attack gun entrenchments in the Miri area of Borneo. P-38s on a sweep over SW Celebes Island hit vehicles and communications targets.

Saturday, 14 July 1945

On this date HQ Seventh AF officially joins the Fifth and Thirteenth AFs as part of FEAF. On Formosa, A-26s hit the Taiharo refinery and warehouse area and P-51s over the W coast blast railroad targets. P-47s sweep the N China coast and attack coastal cargo vessels NW of Tinghai. On Luzon, fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Mankayan and Kiangan areas and hit enemy positions in the Ipo-Infanta sector. B-24s support ground forces on Negros Island, bombing the area NE of Mount Mandalagan. On Celebes Island, B-24s bomb airstrips at Boeloedowang, Limboeng, Mapanget, and Tanamon and Japanese HQ at Sindjai. The air echelon of the 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa with F-5s (ground echelon arrived on Okinawa on 9 Jul).

Sunday, 15 July 1945

B-24s bomb an arms plant at Canton, China. On Formosa, P-51s sweep the W coast, blasting a warehouse and other buildings S of Takao and targets of opportunity on Hoko Island. On Luzon, P-38s and P-51s support ground forces in the N Cayagan Valley, in the Kiangan sector, and in the Cervantes area and B-25s and P-51s bomb defensive positions in the Infanta sector. On Kyushu Island, Japan, 58 B-24s hit airfields at Tomitaka and Usa. 25 B-24s pound Kikaiga-shima, Amami Islands, Miranoura on Yaku-shima, Osumi Islands, and an airfield on Tamega Island. The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Morotai Island to Dulag, Leyte with C-46s and C-47s.

Monday, 16 July 1945

B-24s bomb warehouses at Watampone on Celebes Island. On Luzon, P-51s and B-25s support ground forces in the Kiangan-Baguio sector and an area E of Manila. On Formosa, P-51s on a sweep attack communications targets, hitting a railroad station and a locomotive shed at Byoritsu and scoring a direct hit on bridge SW of Koryu. On Kyushu Island, Japan, B-24s, A-26s, B-25s, P-51s and P-47s from Okinawa and Ie Shima pound targets; P-51s hit several E coast targets, concentrating in the Kagoshima Bay area; 27 A-26s, 1 B-24, and 39 P-47s hit the airfield and bridge at Miyazaki; 33 B-24s bomb bridges at Nobeoka; 36 B-25s, a B-24 and an A-26 pound Sadohara bridge; 6 B-24s bomb harbor and town of Aburatsu; and 5 P-47s hit Yanagawa. The 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak Island to Dulag, Leyte with C-47s.

Tuesday, 17 July 1945

In China, nearly 150 B-24s, B-25s, and A-26s pound Chiang Wan Airfield, P-47s attack shipping and warehouses in the Taishan Island area while others hit Tinghai Airfield and B-25s hit Itu Aba Island. P-51s over Kyushu and the N Ryukyu Islands attack shipping, severely damaging a 10,000-ton cargo vessel in the harbor on Amami- O-Shima Island and P-47s dive-bomb railroad tunnels NW and SW of Kagoshima, Kyushu. B-24s bomb Limboeng, Celebes Island barracks and strafe a schooner off SW Celebes. B-25s attack Jesselton Airfield in Borneo. The 13th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands to Dulag, Leyte Island with C-47s.

Wednesday, 18 July 1945

In China, about 150 B-24s, B-25s, and A-26s, covered by 54 P-47s, hit the Shanghai area, airfields at Chiang Wan, Wusung, and Lunghua, Shanghai docks, shipping on the Whangpoo River, and airstrips on Chusan Island. Other P-47s attack various targets of opportunity on Kyushu Island, Japan and P-51s attack communications lines, bridges, shipping, towns, and other targets throughout Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands. P-38s hit communications and transportation targets throughout the N part of Formosa while B-24s pound the airfield at Matsuyama. B-24s bomb Boetoeng and Watampone on Celebes Island; on Borneo, B-25s hit Jesselton and P-38s attack Langkon. P-38s hit Japanese concentration along the Kibawe trail on Mindanao Island, Philippine Islands.

Thursday, 19 July 1945

In Borneo, P-38s hit a suicide boat hideout at Sandakan while B-25s bomb Jesselton Airfield. P-38s support ground forces, hitting positions along the Kibawe trail on Mindanao Island, Philippine Islands. B-25s hit Itu Aba Island, China. In Japan, 90+ P-51s pound numerous targets on sweeps over the Nagoya area and hit airfields, factories, power facilities, and gun positions at locations including Kagamigahara, Nishinomiya, and Osaka.

Friday, 20 July 1945

P-38s attack the town of Langkon, Borneo. On Celebes Island, B-24s pound Togian Island and P-38s hit targets of opportunity on the SW. B-25s hit Itu Aba Island, China and W of Palawan Island, Philippine Islands for the second consecutive day. On Luzon, A-20s and fighter-bombers support the ground action in the Kiangan area and in the lower Cagayan Valley while B-25s and fighter-bombers hit Japanese positions in the Marikina and Infanta areas. B-24s bomb an area S of Fabrica on Negros Island. Unit moves: The detachment of the 419th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, operating from Zamboanga, Mindanao with P-61s, returns to base at Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island; 498th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Clark Field, Luzon to Ie Shima with B-25s.

Saturday, 21 July 1945

B-25s and A-26s bomb shipping at Naze-Ko, Ryukyu Islands. P-38s hit the Kiangan area on Luzon. Bad weather restricts activity in the Netherlands East Indies, Philippine Islands, Japan, and other target areas mainly to light raids and snooper missions. Unit moves to/on Okinawa: HQ 319th Bombardment Group (Light) and 437th, 438th, 439th and 440th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) from Kadena to Machinato with A-26s; ground echelon of 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, from Dulag, Leyte (air echelon at Clark Field, Luzon with F-5s); 373d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 494th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Luliang, China to Yontan with B-24s; 405th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Lingayen, Luzon with B-25s.

Sunday, 22 July 1945

In China, 22 B-24s from Okinawa hit Chiang Wan and 1 hits Tinghai Airfield, 37 B-25s bomb an oil plant at Shanghai and a destroyer in the Whangpoo River, P-47s from Ie Shima join the B-25 attack on the Shanghai area, hitting a destroyer, gunboat, and freighter in the Whangpoo River, and factories and railroad shops, 34 P-51s from Okinawa also hit Whangpoo shipping and 37 A-26s hit the airfield at Tachang. B-24s on a night shipping search and weather mission bomb airfields at Tinghai and on Chusan Island, China; Pusan, Korea; and Yonago, Japan. On Luzon, B-25s, P-51s, and P-38s, hampered by bad weather, fly 30+ ground support sorties in the Gubano, Cervantes, and Mankayan areas. Unit moves: HQ 322d Troop Carrier Wing from Hollandia, New Guinea to Manila, Luzon; air echelon of 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, from Lingayen to Clark Field, Luzon with F-5s (ground echelon at Lingayen); 311th Troop Carrier Squadron, Seventh AF, begins a movement from Bellows Field, Hawaii to Okinawa with C-47s; 403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Clark Field, Luzon to Ie Shima with B-24s.

Monday, 23 July 1945

B-25s pound Jesselton, Borneo while B-24s over other areas of the Netherlands East Indies bomb Amboina on Ambon Island and the Tolonoeoe Islands. Fighter aircraft support ground forces in the Kiangan, Luzon area. B-25s bomb Itu Aba Island, China. B-24s hit Miho and Saeki, Japan. Single B-24s on armed reconnaissance hit several targets including Tinghai Airfield, China, Kure harbor, Japan, and Tanega Island, Ryukyu Islands.

Tuesday, 24 July 1945

In China, 100+ Fifth AF B-24s fly their first strike from Okinawa, bombing the Chiang Wan Airfield N of Shanghai; Seventh AF B-25s from Okinawa hit Wusung and Lunghua Airfields in the Shanghai area while A-26s and B-25s attack the Tachang and Tinghai Airfields; and fighter-bombers hit shipping and targets of opportunity throughout the general area attacked by the bombers. In Borneo, Thirteenth AF B-25s pound the Jesselton Airfield and B-24s hit Oelin and Tabanio Airfields. Other B-25s hit Itu Aba Island, China. Fifth AF fighter-bombers support ground forces in the Infanta and Leyban areas of Luzon. Unit moves: 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Clark Field, Luzon to Ie Shima with B-24s; detachment of the 419th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, operating from Sanga Sanga, Sulu Island, to base at Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island with P-61s; 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, from Clark Field, Luzon to Ie Shima with P-61s; 822d and 823d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 38th Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Lingayen, Luzon to Okinawa with B-24s.

Wednesday, 25 July 1945

In Borneo, B-24s bomb Pontianak and Kuching Airfields while B-25s and fighters attack a dispersal area in the Jesselton Airfield area. B-24s pound enemy troops on Negros Island and B-25s bomb Itu Aba Island, China. B-24s bomb Kikaiga-shima, Amami Islands, N Ryukyu Islands and the town of Tsuiki. Unit moves from Luzon: HQ 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) and 71st Bombardment Squadron (Medium) from Lingayen to Okinawa with B-25s; HQ 345th Bombardment Group (Medium) from Clark Field, to Ie Shima.

Thursday, 26 July 1945

In Borneo, B-24s hit Tabanio, Trombol, Sengkawang, and Oelin Airfields. Fighter-bombers and B-25s over Luzon (where the Thirteenth AF now provides ground support) aid ground forces in the Mankayan area and near Tuguegarao. B-24s plaster Japanese positions on ground support strikes over Negros Island. B-25s bomb Itu Aba Island, China. Other B-25s on a shipping search attack a convoy at Tsutsu Bay, Japan sinking 3 small cargo vessels, a freighter, and a few small craft. B-24s on snooper strikes attack several targets, including various targets in the Ryukyu Islands, airfields at Tinghai, China and at Nakazu, Japan, and docks at Pusan, Korea. Unit moves from Luzon: HQ 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) from Clark Field to Ie Shima with B-24s; ground echelon of 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Clark Field to Okinawa (air echelon at Clark Field until Sep 45).

Friday, 27 July 1945

60+ Fifth and Seventh AF B-24s pound a marshalling yard at Kagoshima, Kyushu and 50 escorting P-51s attack numerous nearby targets of opportunity; 150+ P-47s over Kyushu hit communications and industrial targets, including a tunnel S of Kurino, bridges at Okasa, Hitosuse-gawa, and Matsubase, and factories and a power plant at Yatsushiro. B-24s of the Thirteenth AF hit airstrip N of Pontianak, Borneo. The 500th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Ie Shima with B-25s.

Saturday, 28 July 1945

In Japan, 137 Ie Shima-based P-47s rocket and strafe airfields, oil stores, railroad yards, warehouses, industry, gun positions, and other targets on Kyushu at or near Kanoya, Metatsubara, Tachiarai, Kurume, Saga, and Junicho; 21 more P-47s attack shipping at Yatsushiro and A-26s and B-25s pound airfields at Kanoya; P-51s and B-25s, sweeping over the Inland Sea, destroy 2 small cargo vessels and a patrol boat and 70+ B-24s bomb shipping at Kure, claiming direct hits on a battleship and an aircraft carrier. On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s in support of ground forces hit enemy positions in the Mankayan-Kiangan area and in the Marikina area. In the Philippines, other P-38s hit troop concentrations on Jolo Island and B-24s support ground forces on Negros Island. Units moving from Luzon to Ie Shima: 82d and 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons, 71st Reconnaissance Group, from Lingayen with F-6s; 499th and 501st Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 345th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Clark Field with B-25s.

Sunday, 29 July 1945

P-47s from Ie Shima and B-24s, B-25s, and A-26s from Okinawa pound targets in the Japanese Home Islands; 70+ B-24s pound shipping at Kure, 41 B-24s hit a factory and storage area NW of Aburatsu, shipping and engine works in Nagasaki and vicinity, and the towns of Nobeoka, Kyushu and Oita; B-25s hit Kagoshima, Kyushu, Kibana, a bridge, barracks and other buildings at Miyazaki, warehouses, a lighthouse, and navigation light at Tozaki-hana, and bomb Tokuno Shima; A-26s pound the naval base and engine works at Nagasaki; numerous P-47s hit the harbor at Kure, shipping and seaplane station at Ibusuki, railroad station, docks, and town area of Makurazaki, Chiran and Izumi Airfields, and shipping at Kagoshima Bay. P-51s hit numerous targets of opportunity on the S coast of Korea and on the S part of Kyushu, where shipping, railroads, and Omura, Kyushu and Sashiki factories are also attacked. B-24s hit Sidate Airfield and warehouses at Watampone on Celebes Island. Other B-24s over Negros Island bomb resistance pocket S of Fabrica. On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s hit Japanese positions near San Mariano and W of Kiangan, troop concentrations in the Marikina watershed, and ridge emplacements in the Bantayan area; several buildings are destroyed at Pasco Point. Unit moves: 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Reconnaissance Group, from Lingayen, Luzon to Ie Shima with B-25s (detachment remains at Lingayen until Sep 45); 868th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Thirteenth AF from Leyte to Okinawa with B-24s (the 868th uses airborne radar for low-level attacks at night and for pathfinder operations).

Monday, 30 July 1945

In Japan, 60+ B-25s and A-26s bomb Omura Airfield and 4 of the planes hit airfield at Izumi; P-47s support the strike and also hit numerous nearby targets of opportunity; B-25s, failing to find targets on a shipping sweep over Korean waters, bomb shipping, a railroad, and a warehouse in the Sendai area and covering P-51s also hit nearby targets of opportunity; 80+ P-47s bomb Sendai, leaving much of the town in flames; P-51s on photo reconnaissance of S Kyushu destroy trains and small craft; and nearly 80 P-47s attack the Miyazaki, Karasehara, and Tomitaka areas, firing warehouses and damaging barracks, hangars, towers, and other buildings, and blast buildings and construction on and near Shibushi Airfield. B-24s bomb Kota Waringin Airfield in Borneo. On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s support ground forces E of Ilagan, near Kiangan, and E of Manila in the Infanta sector. HQ 91st Reconnaissance Wing moves from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa.

Tuesday, 31 July 1945

In Japan, 80+ B-24s pound the Kagoshima railroad yards and several other targets in the general area including the Sasebo naval base, Yaki-shima, and Nagasaki; A-26s and B-25s bomb Kanoya and Miyazaki Airfields and nearby targets, the Sasebo naval base, Marushima, warehouses at Nagasaki, and a factory and power plant on Koyagi Island; P-51s attack flak positions at Moji, blast shipping at Iki Island and off the NW and W coast of Kyushu, hit an island WSW of Sasebo, bomb railroad targets and warehouses in the Izumi area, and in general attack the railroad and road net and other communications targets throughout Kyushu and P-61s continue harassing missions during the night. P-51s over the Ryukyu Islands bomb airstrips on Miyako Island, and bomb a town in the Koniya area. On Luzon, B-25s and P-38s support ground action, hitting forces in the Cagayan Valley and Cervantes and Infanta sectors. B-24s pound the area S of Fabrica on Negros Island. Unit moves: HQ Fifth AF from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa; HQ 6th Reconnaissance Group from Clark Field, Luzon to Okinawa.