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



Thursday, 1 June, 1944

B-24s bomb Amboina on Ambon Island and Kai Island in the Moluccas Islands and Boeroe Island in the Sunda Islands. In New Guinea, B-25s and A-20s attack targets of opportunity in the Kaukenau area, at Ransiki and on Noemfoor and Biak Islands; A-20s, B-25s and P-39s hit villages, bivouac, and other targets of opportunity in the coastal area from Wakde Island to Hollandia; the bombing of the Wewak-Hansa Bay coast continues.

Friday, 2 June, 1944

In New Guinea, B-25s bomb the Kaukenau-Timoeka area while B-24s bomb positions N of Mokmer Airfield; B-24s and B-25s hit bivouacs Northeast of Sawar airfield and near the Wiske River and bomb roads along West bank of the Orai River; B-24s, P-39s, and Royal  Australian Air Force (RAAF) airplanes hit the Wewak area; C-47s of the 65th and 66th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 433d Troop Carrier Group, cease operating from Tsili Tsili and return to base at Nadzab. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands.

Saturday, 3 June, 1944

In New Guinea, B-25s, A-20s and B-24s hit Timoeka Airfield and nearby villages, shipping off Manokwari, Seroei Village on Japen Island, positions N of Mokmer, and strafe Mokmer, Sorido and Kamiri Airfields; P-38s and P-47s battle fighters over Biak Island and over the Babo area; P-47s and P-40s hit Sawar Airfield, supplies and fuel dumps in the Sarmi and Orai River areas, and hideouts and occupied areas along the coast; B-24s and fighter-bombers maintain consistent pounding of numerous targets in the Wewak-Hansa Bay coastal region; HQ 49th Fighter Group moves from Hollandia to Biak Island; and the ground echelon of the 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Saidor to Biak Island; the air echelon operates from Saidor with P-39s. B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Eten and Dublon Islands, Truk Atoll.

Sunday, 4 June, 1944

In New Guinea, A-20s bomb the town and harbor at Manokwari and shipping to the East in Geelvink Bay; B-24s bomb Namber and Borokoe Airfields while fighters battle enemy airplanes in the general area; B-24s bomb the area near the Orai River mouth while A-20s hit Wewak and fighter-bombers pound the Hansa Bay coast; a detachment of the 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, ceases operating from Tadji with C-47s and returns to base at Nadzab.

Monday, 5 June, 1944

In New Guinea, P-39s and RAAF aircraft attack the Wewak area; B-24s bomb the area North of Sorido airfield; during the night of 5/6 Jun an all-night series of harassing raids by Japanese airplanes destroy several Allied aircraft on Wakde Island; 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Hollandia to Biak Island with P-38s; and 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Gusap to Tadji with P-39s.

Tuesday, 6 June, 1944

In New Guinea, B-24s and B-25s bomb shipping near Efman and Waigeo Islands; A-20s hit the airfield at Babo, and A-20s and B-25s hit Namber Airfield and tanks near Mokmer; and P-39s, A-20s and RAAF aircraft continue to pound the Wewak-Hansa Bay area, hitting supply dumps and hideouts. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s hit islands in Truk Atoll.

Wednesday, 7 June, 1944

In New Guinea, B-25s bomb Biak Island, hitting pun positions near Bosnik, the airstrip at Sorido, and Borokoe road; A-20s hit shipping in the Manokwari area; B-25s blast supply areas near the Orai River; fighter-bombers and A-20s continue pounding the Wewak-Hansa Bay coast. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s hit various targets in Truk Atoll (weather permits only 10 of the 48-airplane force to reach the target area).

Thursday, 8 June, 1944

In New Guinea, B-25s, P-38s, B-24s and A-20s battle enemy fighters over Manokwari and Efman-Schouten Island areas, bomb a small freighter off Manokwari and hit gun emplacements and occupied areas at Kamiri, at Namber, and near Sorido; P-40s hit supply areas and villages in the vicinity of Sarmi; and A-20s again hit Wewak area.Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s from the Admiralty Islands hit Truk Atoll.

Friday, 9 June, 1944

B-24s bomb the airfield on Peleliu Island, Palau Islands. In New Guinea, A-20s bomb shipping in Manokwari harbor; B-24s, A-20s, B-25s and P-39s, along with RAAF planes, drop about 140 tons of bombs on various targets in the Wewak area; and 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Gusap to Nadzab with P-47s.B-24s of Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Alet Airfield and targets of opportunity in Truk Atoll.

Saturday, 10 June, 1944

In New Guinea, A-20s hit the airfield at Babo, destroying grounded aircraft, a fuel dump, several buildings, and a gun position; A-20s, B-25s, and RAAF aircraft hit the Wewak area with over 100 tons of bombs; HQ 312th Bombardment Group (Light) and 387th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) move from Gusap to Hollandia (Group and 389th) and Nadzab (387th) with A-20s; air echelon of 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, that has been operating from Wakde with B-25s since 25 May, returns to base at Finschhafen.

Sunday, 11 June, 1944

In New Guinea, B-24s bomb Sorido Airfield and surrounding areas as US carrier forces attack Saipan, Tinian and Guam Islands in the Marianas Islands; B-25s, A-20s, and P-47s continue to saturate the Wewak-Hansa Bay coastline with bombs; 388th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 312th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Gusap to Nadzab with A-20s. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Dublon Island in Truk Atoll and the airfield on Peleliu Island.

Monday, 12 June, 1944

In New Guinea, fierce ground fighting continues on Biak Island while Japanese aircraft attack Allied ground forces and shipping offshore; P-47s battle attacking aircraft, shooting down several; P-47s and A-20s hit troop concentrations, communications and various other targets in the Wewak and Hansa Bay areas; 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Saidor to Biak Island with P-39s; and 386th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 312th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Gusap to Nadzab with A-20s. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll and the airfield on Peleliu Island.

Tuesday, 13 June, 1944

In New Guinea, more than 100 A-20s and a few B-25s and P-39s attack miscellaneous targets in the Wewak area; P-39s hit the area around Hollandia and P-47s bomb a bridge over the Orai River and fuel dumps near Sarmi; and A-20s blast enemy positions North of Borokoe. B-24s bomb the Liang Airstrip on Ambon Island, Moluccas Islands. B-24s from Los Negros Island bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll and Woleai and Satawan Atolls in the Caroline Islands.

Wednesday, 14 June, 1944

In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s and P-39s hit the Wewak area; B-24s bomb Kamiri Airfield; A-20s hit the airfield at Babo, the Orai River bridge, and fuel dumps and other targets near the river's mouth. B-24s bomb the seaplane base at Halong, Celebes Islands.

Thursday, 15 June, 1944

FEAF is formed with jurisdiction over the Fifth and Thirteenth Air Forces. General George C. Kenney becomes Commanding General FEAF, with HQ in Brisbane, Australia; HQ Fifth Air Force moves from Brisbane to Nadzab, New Guinea and Lieutenant General Ennis C. Whitehead becomes Commanding General Fifth Air Force. In New Guinea, FEAF B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and fighters attack barges in the Manokwari area and a village in the Wakde area. Also bombed are airfields on Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, and Truk Atoll. Thirteenth Air Force aircraft still in the Solomon Islands-Bismarck Archipelago area hit Tobera Airfield on New Britain Island and forces on Bougainville Island. US Marine Corps (USMC) amphibious forces land on Saipan Island.

Friday, 16 June, 1944

Bombers and fighters hit widespread targets in the SWPA and in SOPAC. In New Guinea, personnel areas and barges along the coast in the Wewak and Hansa Bay areas are hit throughout the day; airfields and shipping at Efman and Samate Islands and at Babo and Sorong are attacked. Dublon Island in Truk Atoll and Yap Islands, Caroline Islands are hit by B-24s. On New Britain Island, B-24s hit Vunakanan Airfield at Rabaul; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and fighters attack a large variety of targets of opportunity on Gazelle Peninsula from Tobera Airfield to Rabaul.

Saturday, 17 June, 1944

B-24s again bomb Truk Atoll, hitting targets on Eten and Dublon Islands. On New Britain Island, B-24s hit Lakunai Airfield while A-20s, B-25s and fighters attack numerous targets between Rapopo and Tobera. In New Guinea, A-20s and B-25s and fighters hit shipping in Sorong harbor and airstrips in the Babo area; in the Wewak area, A-20s, B-25s and fighters continue to pound barges and villages; HQ 8th Fighter Group and 36th Fighter Squadron move from Nadzab to Owi, Schouten Islands with P-38s; and in the Solomon Islands, 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), based in the Russell Islands begins operating from Stirling Island with B-25s.

Sunday, 18 June, 1944

In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s, and fighters, along with RAAF aircraft, continue to pound supplies and occupied areas along the coast in the Wewak area; and 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Nadzab to Owi, Schouten Islands with P-38s. B-24s hit targets in Truk Atoll. A variety of fighter and bomber aircraft unload 18 tons of bombs on numerous targets around Rabaul, New Britain Island. Fighters continue sweeps against targets of opportunity along coastal areas of Bougainville Island.

Monday, 19 June, 1944

In New Guinea, more than 100 A-20s and fighter-bombers maintain strikes along the coast around Wewak, hitting supply and bivouac areas, roads, personnel, and a coastal gun position; A-20s hit airfields at Manokwari, Noemfoor Island, and Moemi. B-25s hit forces in the Cape Orford region of New Britain Island. B-24s bomb Dublon and Eten Island in Truk Atoll.

Tuesday, 20 June, 1944

In New Guinea, A-20s, P-39s, and RAAF aircraft, pound areas along the coast in the general area of Wewak and B-24s bomb Kamiri Airfield; and 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Biak to Owi, Schouten Islands (squadron is operating from Saidor with P-39s). B-24s attack Woleai Atoll, Caroline Islands, and Dublon Island in Truk Atoll. B-25s, P-38s and other Allied aircraft, including some of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), blast AA positions S and SW of Rapopo on New Britain Island.

Wednesday, 21 June, 1944

In New Guinea, P-39s and RAAF aircraft hit dumps and bivouacs at Suain and attack other targets in the Wewak area; A-20s attack various targets of opportunity in the Paniai Lakes area while B-25s hit villages on the coast of Netherlands New Guinea East of Maffin Bay; B-24s bomb Kamiri Airfield and other targets on Noemfoor Island and attack shipping in the Palau Islands and on Dublon Island in Truk Atoll.

Thursday, 22 June, 1944

In New Guinea, B-25s, A-20s, and P-47s hit shipping at Efman Island and airfields and targets of opportunity on Noemfoor Island, attack Manokwari and hit villages in the Sarmi area; attacks by A-20s and fighters, along with RAAF aircraft, on the wide coastal area around Wewak continue; and HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group moves from Finschhafen to Hollandia. B-24s bomb Yap Islands; Sorol Atoll, Caroline Islands; and Woleai Atoll. On New Britain Island, B-25s join the Allied aircraft in pounding Nordup and Ralum.

Friday, 23 June, 1944

In New Guinea, the Wewak area is again pounded throughout the day by A-20s, P-39s, P-47s and RAAF aircraft; a few A-20s and A-26s on a barge search bomb offshore islands near Manokwari; this marks the SWPA debut of the A-26; P-47s on sweeps strafe areas East of Maffin; and 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Hollandia to Biak Island with P-38s. B-24s hit the airfield at Yap Islands and Woleai Atoll. B-24s on armed reconnaissance bomb Dublon Island, Truk Atoll and Koror and Peleliu Islands, Palau Islands. On New Britain Island, B-24s bomb Tobera Airfield and B-25s along with other Allied aircraft, hit AA positions South and Southwest of Rapopo.

Saturday, 24 June, 1944

In New Guinea, Fifth Air Force and RAAF aircraft continue to blast stores, personnel areas, roads, and bridges in the general area of Wewak; B-25s, A-26s, and A-20s hit enemy positions in caves East of Mokmer Airfield, attack shipping in the Babo area (on MacCluer Gulf), and bomb Kamiri and Kornasoren Airfields. On New Britain Island, B-24s, B-25s and fighters, along with other Allied aircraft, hit Tobera Airfield, AA guns at Wunapope, and buildings at Nordup.

Sunday, 25 June, 1944

In New Guinea, the Wewak area continues under attack of Fifth Air Force and RAAF aircraft; personnel areas at But, Dagua, and Suain and barges at Mushu and Kairiru Islands are hit; P-40s and B-24s strike Kamiri Airfield while A-20s, P-47s, and B-25s hit villages along the Tor River and P-47s hit tanks along the Wiske River; and air echelon of the 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, based at Nadzab begins operating from Hollandia with F-5s. B-24s pound Yap Islands and Sorol Atoll. On New Britain Island, B-25s and fighters, along with other Allied aircraft, hit AA positions near Wunapope and blast plantations along Wide Bay.

Monday, 26 June, 1944

B-24s bomb targets on Yap Islands and Sorol Atoll; others on armed reconnaissance bomb airstrips at Woleai Atoll and Peleliu Island. On New Britain Island, AAF and other Allied aircraft hit airfields, AA positions, and other targets in the Rabaul and Cape Orford areas. In New Guinea, the Wewak area is hit throughout the day by Fifth Air Force B-24s and P-39s, along with USN and RAAF aircraft; P-38s, P-47s, A-20s, A-26s, B-24s, and B-25s attack airfields, shipping, villages, town areas, roads, and numerous other targets at Efman, Noemfoor Island, Japen, and Biak Islands, at Manokwari and Ransiki, and near Sarmi; 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Hollandia to Biak Island with P-38s; and 419th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, based on Guadalcanal Island, sends a detachment to operate from Nadzab with P-61s.

Tuesday, 27 June, 1944

In New Guinea, Fifth Air Force and RAAF light bombers and fighter-bombers continue to attack the Wewak area, hitting troop concentrations, villages, ammunition dumps, and warehouses; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, A-26s, P-40s and P-47s hit airfields, gun positions, and various other targets in or near Babo, Manokwari, Biak and Noemfoor Islands, Ransiki, Waren, and Moemi; movements of units assigned to 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group: air echelon of 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) from Finschhafen, to Biak Island with B-25s; and 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron ceases operating from Saidor and returns to Owi, Schouten Islands with P-39s. B-24s bomb Yap Islands and Sorol Atoll; others on a photo reconnaissance flight bomb Woleai and Ifalik Atolls, Caroline Islands. On New Britain Island, Thirteenth Air Force fighters and bombers join other Allied aircraft from the Solomon Islands in bombing AA positions at Ralum and other targets in the Rabaul area. 419th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, based on Guadalcanal Island, sends a detachment to Los Negros Island with P-61s.

Wednesday, 28 June, 1944

In New Guinea, attacks on the Wewak area continue; Japanese HQ and communications in the Suain-Karowop Plantation area and coastal road from Babiang to Nyaparake are hit; airfield and fuel dumps on Noemfoor Island, Japanese positions and occupied areas and buildings on Biak and Efman Islands, a village near Babo, and the Tor River and Maffin Bay areas are attacked; and 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, moves from Nadzab to Owi, Schouten Islands with P-61s (detachment is operating from Wakde Island). B-24s bomb the airfield and town on Yap Island and communications on Sorol and Woleai Atolls. On New Britain Island, AA guns East of the Tobera area are attacked.

Thursday, 29 June, 1944

In New Guinea, Japanese concentrations at Aitape and a variety of targets of opportunity including barges, villages and bivouacs in the Wewak area are hit by A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers; B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack airfields and AA guns at Babo, Manokwari, Waren, and Moemi, barges at Noemfoor Island, and villages East of Maffin Bay. On New Britain Island, AA positions South of Ralum are bombed.

Friday, 30 June, 1944

On New Britain Island, Tobera and Erventa Island are also bombed. In New Guinea, barges, troop concentrations, and other targets of opportunity near Nyaparake and Suain are attacked; Kamiri and Namber Airfields, supply areas, and defensive positions on Noemfoor Island are hit; ground echelon of 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Finschhafen to Biak Island (air echelon is operating from Biak with B-25s); and 389th Bombarment Squadron (Light), 312th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s.