70 Years Ago Today: Saturday, August 5,1944 European Theater, (POINTBLANK) 8th Air Force Mission 519 – 1,171 bombers and 646 fighters are dispatched to attack strategic targets in the Magdeburg-Brunswick-Hannover region of Germany. The RAF sends 1,148 aircraft to hit strategic targets in France. During the night, the RAF dispatches 35 Mosquitos to attack the synthetic-oil plant at Wanne-Eickel. European Theater, Battle of Normandy 9th Air Force A-20s and B-26s bomb rail bridges at six cities in northern and western France, and the marshalling yard at Compiegne. Fighters furnish cover for ground forces and fly armed reconnaissance over wide areas of northern France. In British Second Army area, VIII Corps is clearing enemy pockets. In the XXX Corps area, Aunay falls to the 7th Armoured Division, which pushes on toward Thury-Harcourt. XXII Corps closes along the Orne River, on seven mile front between Grimbosq and Caen. In the US Third Army area, VIII Corps is attacking west, southwest, south and east simultaneously. In the XV Corps area, the 90th Division Task Force seizes Mayenne, and the 79th Division is approaching Laval. The US First Army adjusts the boundary between US and British forces and gives a new mission to V Corps. In the VII Corps area, the 1st Division, reinforced, continues to consolidate its positions in the Mortain area and probe southward with patrols. The 4th Division overruns St Pois and advances slightly beyond there. The 9th Division pushes on through Forêt de St Sever. In the XIX Corps area, the 29th Division progresses toward Vire, despite strong opposition. V Corps new mission is to drive through Vire to take the region between Tinchebray and St Jean-du-Bois, employing the 2nd and 29th Divisions. The 29th is to remain under XIX Corps until it captures Vire, and the 35th Division reverts to Third Army. In order that operations controlled by the 9th Air Force be developed in close association with the headquarters of the 12th Army Group, the 9th Air Force headquarters at Uxbridge and Grandcamp-les-Bains are closed and a single headquarters opened the following day, August 6, at Saint-Sauveur-Lendelin, France. The new location is near both the Advance Headquarters, 12th Army Group, and the Advance Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Air Force (AEAF). Italian Campaign Bad weather again restricts 12th Air Force operations, as fighter-bombers fly a few unsuccessful missions against bridges. In British Eighth Army area, X Corps takes the crest of Mount il Castello. China – Burma – India Theater (China) The 14th Air Force sends 15 B-25s to bomb the town of Wanling, China, and the Lashio Airfield, in Burma. 36 P-40s again pound Tengchung, and, in the Tungting Lake area, over 50 P-40s attack communications targets, troops, and numerous trucks. China – Burma – India Theater (Burma) The 10th Air Force dispatches 14 B-25s to bomb targets in Burma, hitting the town area of Taungni and stores area at Bilumyo. 50 P-51s also pound the Taungni area, while 21 P-47s attack targets of opportunity throughout the widespread area around Bhamo. Southwest Pacific Area Far East Air Force (FEAF) B-24s bomb personnel and supply areas on Yap Island, while other B-24s bomb oil facilities at Boela, on Ceram Island, and a few bomb the Sasa Airfield, in the Philippine Islands. Meanwhile, B-25s hit villages and small boats near Seleman Bay, in the Celebes Islands, and afterwards bomb Besar Island, in the Sunda Islands. In New Guinea, B-24s attack a seaplane anchorage at Kokas, while P-39s strafe barges in the western Geelvink Bay area. Despite bad weather, P-39s manage to hit Luain gun positions and an ammunition dump. In the Aitape area, the main body of TED Force is held up short of the main east-west trail, east of Afua. Stubborn enemy rear guards, are keeping the Driniumor River crossing-point open, but the flanking column reaches the trail about 1,500 yards east of the river. Central Pacific Area 7th Air Force B-25s, from Saipan Island, fly two strikes against Guam Island. On Guam, the 306th Infantry enters the center of the 77th Division’s line and moves northwest to pinch out the 307th Infantry, but they are slowed by enemy rear guards. Dense jungle on the 77th Division’s right delays the 305th Infantry. The 3rd Marine Division continues steadily northward on the left flank. Alaska Theater An 11th Air Force weather mission is followed by a shipping sweep, flown by two B-25s, which is aborted early due to bad weather.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 11:13:05 +0000
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