May, 1944

Tuesday, 2 May, 1944
In New Guinea, over 140 A-20s and fighter-bombers hit bridges, barges, gun positions, roads, personnel, supplies, huts and tent areas from Wewak to Hansa Bay throughout the day; 2 B-25s bomb airfields at Wewak and Boram; 8 others hit Wakde Island oil stores, huts, AA positions, trucks, and other targets of opportunity; and the airfield on Biak Island is bombed by 2 B-24s.

Wednesday, 3 May, 1944
In New Guinea, 72 B-24s, B-25s and A-20s thoroughly blast Wewak and Boram Airfields in a single raid; about 120 A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers, operating throughout the day, hit the Wewak and Hansa Bay areas, including targets at Nubia, Uligan, Mushu Island, Wewak and Boram; airfields at Maffin Bay are bombed by B-25s. Moves in New Guinea: 7th and 8th Fighter Squadrons, 49th Fighter Group, from Finschhafen and Gusap respectively to Hollandia with P-40s; 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, based at Nadzab with C-47s, begins operating from Tadji.

Thursday, 4 May, 1944
In New Guinea, 26 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Mokmer Airfield; over 60 B-24s, B-25s, A-20s and P-47s pound airfields, road, bridges, shipping, barges and other targets in the Wewak area; A-20s attack bridges over the Awar River and targets of opportunity in the Hansa Bay area while fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity in the Ramu River Valley and on the Hansa Bay coast.

Friday, 5 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s bomb Mokmer Airfield while B-25s hit supply areas at Wakde Island and along the coast of Maffin Bay; A-20s and fighter-bombers again pound targets around Wewak and along the coast of Hansa Bay, hitting supply and personnel areas, warehouses and occupied villages.

Saturday, 6 May, 1944
B-24s bomb Penfoei, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands and Biak Island off New Guinea. In New Guinea, more than 150 B-25s, A-20s and fighter-bombers, operating almost continuously throughout the day, blast a variety of targets from Wewak to the shores of Hansa Bay. B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force again bomb Woleai Atoll.

Sunday, 7 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s, B-25s and P-40s hit Urarom, Biak Island, the Hollandia-Wakde coast, and Sawar-Maffin Bay area; A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers again attack targets of opportunity from Wewak to the area around Hansa Bay and strafe villages along the Sepik River; and 90th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 3d Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s.

Monday, 8 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s and P-40s operating in the Geelvink Bay area attack Mokmer Airfield and nearby shipping; A-20s and fighter-bombers continue to pound targets of opportunity along the Northeast New Guinea coast from Wewak to Hansa Bay and along the Sepik River.

Tuesday, 9 May, 1944
In New Guinea, more than 50 B-24s and B-25s bomb Langgoer and Faan airstrips, Bosnik supply area and Mokmer Airfield; over 220 A-20s and fighter-bombers continue to blast numerous targets of opportunity along the Northeast coastline from Wewak to the Hansa Bay area. 12 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Woleai Atoll.

Wednesday, 10 May, 1944
In New Guinea, more than 120 B-24s, A-20s and fighter-bombers, along with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft, maintain attacks on targets of opportunity along the Northeast coast from the Hansa Bay area to Wewak; 2 B-24s hit Mokmer Airfield. 45 B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb the airfield on Eten Island and warehouse area at Dublon Island, both in Truk Atoll.

Thursday, 11 May, 1944
In New Guinea, more than 190 B-24s and B-25s bomb gun emplacements and supply areas on Wakde Island and Mokmer Airfield and targets of opportunity on Biak Island; over 220 fighter-bombers, A-20s, B-24s and B-25s continue to pound coastal bridges and villages, fuel dumps, vehicles, gun positions, supply areas, bivouacs and various targets along the shoreline from Hansa Bay to Wewak.

Friday, 12 May, 1944
B-24s bomb Mokmer Airfield, New Guinea, and attack targets on Ceram Island, Moluccas Islands; Amboina, Ambon Island, Moluccas Islands; and Timor Island. In New Guinea, A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers blast villages, coastal bridges and roads, vehicles, the airstrip at Boram and other targets throughout the Wewak-Hansa Bay region; HQ 3d Bombardment Group (Light) moves from Nadzab to Hollandia; 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, based at Nadzab begins operating from Tadji with C-47s; 418th Night Fighter Squadron, 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium), moves from Finschhafen to Hollandia with B-25Hs, P-38s and P-70s.

Saturday, 13 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s hit dispersal areas on Jaspen Island, supply areas and AA guns at Bosnik and airfields at Sorido, Namber and near the Moemi River; B-24s and B-25s hit airfields in the Wakde-Maffin-Sawar-Arare area; more than 200 fighter-bombers, A-20s, and B-25s thoroughly pound airfields, bridges, fuel dumps, vehicles, villages, AA guns, and supply areas in the Wewak-Hansa Bay area; and 89th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 3d Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s.

Sunday, 14 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s bomb Bosnik supply areas and Sorido runway; in the Wakde-Sawar-Maffin Bay area, villages and AA positions are pounded by B-24s and B-25s; fighter-bombers, A-20s, B-24s and B-25s maintain strikes against airfields, bridges, trucks, villages, and other targets in the Wewak-Hansa Bay area.

Monday, 15 May, 1944
In New Guinea, the Wewak-Hansa Bay area is again hit by A-20s, B-24s and fighter-bombers; B-24s and B-25s attack numerous targets in the Wakde-Sawar-Sarmi-Maffin Bay areas and on Biak Island; and HQ 475th Fighter Group and 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons move from Nadzab to Hollandia with P-38s. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s from Los Negros Island bomb supply and bivouac areas on Mariaon and Tagaulap Islands and AA guns on Woleai and Paliau Islands, all in Woleai Atoll.

Tuesday, 16 May, 1944
In New Guinea, aircraft continue to pound a variety of targets including airfields and supply areas on Noemfoor and Biak Islands, AA guns, supplies and occupied villages in the Wakde Island-Maffin-Sawar coastal area, and bridges, villages, troop concentrations and AA positions; 8th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 3d Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s; and 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Gusap to Hollandia with P-47s.

Wednesday, 17 May, 1944
In New Guinea, Allied forces land without opposition near Arare after a naval bombardment; B-24s and B-25s hit targets in the general vicinity at Sawar, Sarmi and the mouth of the Orai River; more than 100 B-24s, with P-38 escort, pound AA positions at Bosnik, Sorido and Mokmer, and supply areas and airfield on Noemfoor Island; over 120 fighter-bombers, A-20s, B-25s and B-24s continue to hit the Wewak-Hansa Bay area; and HQ 49th Fighter Group moves from Finschhafen to Hollandia.

Thursday, 18 May, 1944
In New Guinea, more than 100 fighter-bombers, A-20s, B-25s and B-24s pound targets of opportunity in the Wewak-Hansa Bay area throughout the day; and 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, based at Nadzab sends a detachment to operate from Tadji with C-47s. B-24s hit targets of opportunity on Halmahera Island, Moluccas Islands and bomb Bosnik. B-25s hit Larot, Celebes Islands and Saumlakki, Tanimbar Island, Moluccas Islands.

Friday, 19 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s, A-20s and P-38s hit airfields and shipping in the Manokwari-Noemfoor Island area; other B-24s pound beach defenses at Bosnik on Biak Island and hit the area between Bosnik and Mokmer; over 270 A-20s, P-47s, P-38s and B-25s continue to blast Wewak, knocking out radar and radio stations and attack targets of opportunity from Wewak to the Hansa Bay area.

Saturday, 20 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s, A-20s and B-25s hit airstrips, revetments, supply area, AA positions and shipping at Manokwari, Noemfoor and Biak Islands, and Mawi Bay; A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers continue to pound airfields, coastal villages, bridges, supply dumps, trucks and various other targets at Wewak and from Wewak to the shore of Hansa Bay.

Sunday, 21 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s, A-20s and P-38s attack airfields, town areas, barges, personnel and supply areas, and fuel dumps at Manokwari, Urarom, along the Moemi River and on Noemfoor and Biak Islands; fighter-bombers. A-20s and B-25s continue almost constant pounding of supply dumps, camps, AA positions and a variety of targets along the coast from Wewak to Hansa Bay; and 13th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 3d Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Nadzab to Hollandia with A-20s. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb Truk Atoll.

Monday, 22 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s and B-25s bomb Manokwari, shipping East of Cape Manggoear and storage areas and Sorido village on Biak Island; P-40s hit supply and fuel dumps, trucks and other targets of opportunity in the area of Wakde Island; B-24s, B-25s and fighter-bombers continue to bomb and strafe various targets in the Wewak-Hansa Bay area; and HQ 348th Fighter Group and 341st and 342d Fighter Squadrons move from Saidor to Wakde Island with P-47s.

Tuesday, 23 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s hit Manokwari while B-24s, A-20s and P-38s hit targets on Biak Island, including trucks at Borokoe, AA positions and control tower at Mokmer Airfield, the village of Sorido and offshore targets at Bransfari; P-40s hit troops on Wakde Island and on the Biri River; P-38s support ground forces in the Aitape area; A-20s, P-39s. B-24s and B-25s maintain bombing and strafing of the Wewak-Hansa Bay area.

Wednesday, 24 May, 1944
In New Guinea, A-20s hit airfields at Namber and Kamiri; more than 200 A-20s, P-38s, P-47s, P-39s and B-25s continue to blast targets of opportunity in the Wewak-Hansa Bay area throughout the day.

Thursday, 25 May, 1944
B-24s attack shipping at Halmahera Island and in New Guinea, hit Mokmer and targets in the Wakde area; more than 90 fighter-bombers, A-20s, B-25s, and B-24s pound numerous targets in the Wewak area. Units of the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group moving in New Guinea: air echelon of 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), from Finschhafen to Wakde Island with B-25s; 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, based at Gusap begins operating from Tadji with P-40s.

Friday, 26 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s bomb Biak Island while B-25s hit Wakde Island and nearby coastal areas; other B-25s bomb a variety of targets on Aroe Island; 100+ A-20s, B-25s and fighter-bombers continue to blast the coastal region around Wewak; villages and gun positions on Hansa Bay are also hit; and the 340th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, moves from Saidor to Wakde Island with P-47s.

Saturday, 27 May, 1944
In New Guinea, Babo Airfield and Biak Island are pounded by more than 170 B-24s and B-25s; after the aerial and naval bombardment, Allied amphibious forces land on Biak in the Bosnik area, secure the beachhead, and gain control of a trail over ridges to the inland plateau to the North. About 170 A-20s, P-38s, P-40s and B-25s blast the Wewak area.

Sunday, 28 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s and B-25s in support of ground forces on Biak Island hit villages, supply areas, troop concentrations and gun positions on Biak, Noemfoor, and Japen Islands; A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers blast troop concentrations, AA positions and supply dumps in the Wewak area; A-20s supporting ground forces in heavy fighting in the Sarmi area, hit positions with minimum-level strikes. B-24s bomb Boela, Ceram Island; and 421st Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, based at Nadzab with P-70s, sends a detachment to operate from Wakde Island. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s bomb the airfield on Woleai Atoll.

Monday, 29 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-24s pound gun positions, defense areas and troops, as the first tank battle of the SWPA is fought West of Parai on Biak Island; other B-24s pound airfields on nearby mainland at Timoeka and Babo; A-20s, B-25s and P-47s, along with RAAF aircraft and a few B-24s from the Biak strike, saturate the Wewak area with continuous air strikes; in the Wakde Island-Sarmi battle zone, B-25s and P-40s hit forces in the Mount Saskin area; B-24s of the Thirteenth Air Task Force bomb Woleai Atoll and other nearby islands in the Caroline Islands.

Tuesday, 30 May, 1944
On New Guinea, B-25s hit enemy positions as fighting on Biak Island slacks temporarily; other B-25s bomb the airfield and nearby AA guns and fuel at Timoeka; B-24s and A-20s hit Japen Island; in the Wakde Island-Sarmi battle area, B-25s bomb and strafe the shoreline from the Northwest of Sawar to Sarmi Point; the Wewak area is again blasted by more than 70 A-20s, B-24s and B-25s, along with RAAF aircraft. Thirteenth Air Task Force B-24s hit Truk Atoll and Woleai Atolls and Puluwat Atoll, Caroline Islands.

Wednesday, 31 May, 1944
In New Guinea, B-25s and A-20s hit the Babo area, bomb the airfield near the Ransiki River, cover the beachhead on Biak Island and attack fishing boats on the shore of Japen Island; P-47s and B-25s pound villages, barges, and gun positions in the Wakde Island-Sarmi battle area; B-24s, P-39s and RAAF aircraft continue to hit the Wewak and Hansa Bay areas.

Back