1944: Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1945 1st ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 1945 2nd ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

The basic chronology and general information on these pages is a composite of entries excerpted from “Air War Pacific Chronology: America’s Air War Against Japan in East Asia and the Pacific 1941-1945” by Eric Hammel (Pacifica, CA: Pacifica Press, 1988 ISBN 0-933353-26-6) and, “USAAF Chronology: Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces” by Jack McKillop (Piscataway, NJ). Also on line at Rutgers University.

Note: Shaded boxes show updates and comments from members of our B-29 mailing list, many of whom were there.

1 October 1944 (page 456) No actions reported.

2 October 1944 (page 457) No actions reported.

3 October 1944 (page 457) No actions reported.

4 October 1944 (page 458) No actions reported.

5 October 1944 (page 458)

INDIA:
Four 426th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 night fighters are transferred from the Tenth Air Force to Fourteenth Air Force control and are flown from India to Chengtu, China to cover B-29 bases against night air attacks. Thirteen additional P-61's will reach Chengtu by October 25.

6 October 1944 (page 456) No actions reported.

7 October 1944 (page 457) No actions reported.

8 October 1944 (page 458) No actions reported.

9 October 1944 (page 460) No actions reported.

10 October 1944 (page 460) No actions reported.

11 October 1944 (page 462) No actions reported.

12 October 1944 (page 462)

MARIANAS:
An advance echelon 73rd BW HQ detachment - led by one B-29 "Joltin' Josie, The Pacific Pioneer", piloted by the XXI BC commanding general, BGen Haywood S. Hansell, Jr. - arrives at Saipan/Isely Field from the United States even though none of the B-29 bases on the island are complete or operational.

Regular air echelons of the 73rd BW also arrive on Saipan followed during Oct '44 and the first week in Nov '44 by 4 BG's and 4 air service groups; HQ 313th BW will be established in the theater in Dec '44, HQ 314th BW in Jan '45, HQ 58th BW in Mar '45, and HQ 314th BW in Apr '45.

CBI:
The following units are inactivated in India: HQ 58th BW and the 795th BS, 468th BG at Kharagpur; the 679th BS, 444th BG, at Dudhkundi; the 771st BS, 462nd BG at Piardoba.

13 October 1944 (page 463) No actions reported.

14 October 1944 (page 464)

FORMOSA:
One hundred and three B-29's dispatched from Chengtu attack the Okayama aircraft plant on Formosa; 12 more hit last-resort targets and targets of opportunity; this is the first 20th AF during which 100+ B29's attack targets and the first of a series of missions against Formosa in conjunction with the US invasion of Leyte, Philippine Islands.

Two B-29's were lost: 42-6280 444th BG, MACR 9321, Vannoy Crew, 11 KIA 42-24513, "Sweater Out" 40th BG, Meyers Crew, Laohokow, China, bailout from Formosa, 11 rescued by the Chinese From A/C Scotty McCall who was on mission: "42-6280--Major Ed Vanoy had just been transferred to the 678th. [due to breakup of the 679th] I was on the Oct 14th mission to Formosa we went IFR on way across China and our route was planned too low due to faulty maps. He hit a hill at around 7000ft. Rest of us flew through the valleys by outhouse luck. "We went back to Formosa the 16th and were VFR at about 11000 outbound and still close to the hilltops. " Scotty

15 October 1944 (page 465) No actions reported.

16 October 1944 (page 466)

FORMOSA:
Forty-three of 72 58th BW B-29's dispatched from Chengtu attack Formosa Heito Airdrome and an aircraft factory at Okayama; more than 20 other B-29's unable to reach their primary targets on Formosa attack targets of opportunity on Formosa or in mainland China, including Taichu Airdrome, Hengyang, and port areas at Sintien, Swatow, Takao, and Toshien harbor.

17 October 1944 (page 467)

FORMOSA:
Ten of 30 58th BW B-29's dispatched from Chengtu attack the Einansho air depot; and 14 B-29's attack several alternate targets. One B-29 is lost.

There was an operational loss: 42-6342 "Sister Sue" 40th BG, Capt. Ernest Turner Crew, 10 miles from Hsinching, engine fire, bail out, 2 KIA. Clark Rauth: KIA Elwing "Pop" Gardner: KIA Pictures of aircraft and funeral for lost crewmembers. Additionally, on 42-6295, "Monsoon Minnie," the right blister blew out, taking Right Gunner Edward Hornyia with it. The aircraft landed safely. Read the full story here.

18 October 1944 (page 468) No actions reported. [42-6335 from the 462nd Bomb Group exploded while fueling and was damaged beyond repair.]

19 October 1944 (page 470) No actions reported.

20 October 1944 (page 470)

MARIANAS:
The 73rd BW headquarters is formally activated at Saipan Isely Field.

21 October 1944 (page 471) No actions reported.

22 October 1944 (page 472) No actions reported.

One aircraft was lost today in an operational accident: 42-6288 40th BG, Capt. William Mueller Crew, Crashed on take off from Hsinching (A-1) for a photo mission, 7 KIA

23 October 1944 (page 473) No actions reported.

24 October 1944 (page 473)

CBI:
Following the recall of Gen Joseph W. Stilwell to the U.S., the CBI Theater is formally split into the India-Burma Theater and the China Theater. LGen Daniel I. Sultan is placed in command of the IBT and MGen Albert C. Wedemeyer is designated to command the CT. Pending is arrival in the region, MGen Claire L. Chennault is named temporary CT commanding general.

25 October 1944 (page 476)

JAPAN:
Fifty-nine of 78 58th BW B-29's dispatched from Chengtu attack an aircraft plant at Omura; and 11 B-29's attack alternates and targets of opportunity. Two B-29's are lost.

The two aircraft lost were: 42-6281 "20th Century Unlimited" 40th BG, Jack Ledford Crew, 1 KIA, Harry Miller: Crew photo and story here. Story of Harry Miller. Surviving crew named their next aircraft after him. 42-24504, "Gunga Din" 468th BG, Parsons Crew, Crashed on take off, 11 KIA KIA: Edward Parsons Harold Barber Argyle Hanscom Franklin McDonald Boyd Ebel Louis Pfeifer Wallace Martin Warren Wood John Fowler Paul Coburn Rube Puckett, Jr.

26 October 1944 (page 478) No actions reported.

27 October 1944 (page 479) No actions reported.

28 October 1944 (page 480)

CAROLINE ISLANDS:
In it's first combat of the war, fourteen of 18 B-29's dispatched from the 73rd BW, 497th and 498th BG's on Saipan attack the submarine pens on Doblon Island, Truk Atoll. Four aircraft including one carrying BGen Haywood S. Hansell, Jr., Commanding General XXI BC, abort. Approximately one third of the bombs fall in the general target area.

29 October 1944 (page 481) No actions reported.

30 October 1944 (page 482)

CAROLINE ISLANDS:
Eight of 18 B-29's dispatched by the 73 BW attack the submarine pens on Doblon Island, Truk Atoll. Nine other aircraft two miles beyond the target.

MARIANAS:
The first two F-13's of the XX AF's 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron arrive at Saipan. The unit will eventually be composed of ten F-13's.

31 October 1944 (page 483) No actions reported.

1944: Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1945 1st ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 1945 2nd ½: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep