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



Thursday, 1 March 1945

In Formosa, B-24s bomb the Takao aluminum plant, Tainan Airfield and nearby satellite field and fighters hit buildings at Keishu and storage tanks, railroad yards, and targets of opportunity. On Luzon Island, Philippine Islands, troops on Corregidor Island and W of Ft Stotsenburg are hit with napalm. In Borneo, B-24s bomb Tarakan Island, Labuan Island, and Manggar Airfields. B-25s hit Zettle Field on Jolo Island, Philippine Islands. HQ Thirteenth AF moves from Morotai Island, Moluccas Islands to Leyte Island, Philippine Islands and HQ XIII Fighter Command moves from Leyte to Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Philippine Islands. HQ 18th Fighter Group moves from Lingayen, Luzon to San Jose, Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands; the 531st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Darwin, Australia to San Jose, Mindoro with B-24s. During Mar 45, HQ V Bomber Command and HQ V Fighter Command moves from Mindoro to Clark Field, Luzon.

Friday, 2 March 1945

On Formosa, B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers hit Matsuyama, Toyohara, Kagi, and Kato Airfields. In Borneo, other B-24s pound Sepinggang and Manggar Airfields and the waterfront area of Sandakan. The 394th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Morotai Island to Samar Island, Philippine Islands with B-24s. The detachment of the 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, operating from San Jose, Mindoro Island with P-38s, returns to base at Clark Field, Luzon Island.

Saturday, 3 March 1945

In Formosa, B-24s pound the Tainan area and Kiirun while fighters hit numerous targets of opportunity and fighter-bombers bomb Koshun Airfield. B-25s bomb San Roque Airfield on Mindanao Island, Philippine Islands. B-24s and B-25s attack Zettle Field on Jolo Island. Ternate on Samar Island and Echague on Luzon Island and Caballo Island in Manila Bay are bombed by A-20s. B-25s, aborting a strike against Formosa, bomb the airstrip at Basco on Batan Island, Philippine Islands.

Sunday, 4 March 1945

On Mindanao Island, B-24s bomb Sasa and Likanan Airfields and the town of Zamboanga. On Luzon Island, B-24s bomb targets of opportunity in the Cagayan Valley, gun positions, ammunition storage, and targets of opportunity at Antipolo and Wawa, supply dumps and the town area at Bamban, fortifications on Caballo Island in Manila Bay, and airfields at Aparri and Tuguegarao. The detachments of the 431st and 433d Fighter Squadrons, 475th Fighter Group, operating from San Jose, Mindoro Island with P-38s, return to base at Clark Field, Luzon.

Monday, 5 March 1945

B-25s hit San Roque Airfield on Mindanao Island. On Luzon Island, B-24s with fighter support hit troops in the Antipolo area while fighter-bombers dive-bomb San Pablo, hit Fort Drum in Manila Bay, attack troops W of Ft Stotsenburg, and support guerrilla forces NE of Lingayen Gulf. Targets on Formosa are hit by fighters on sweeps and B-24s on armed reconnaissance; the fighter sweeps are especially effective against railroad targets. B-25s hit Zettle Field on Jolo Island. HQ 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from Morotai Island to Samar Island; the 25th Liaison Squadron, FEAF (attached to Thirteenth AF), moves from Biak Island, New Guinea to Dulag, Leyte Island with UC-78s and L-5s.

Tuesday, 6 March 1945

On Mindanao Island, B-24s pound the San Roque and Zamboanga areas. On Luzon Island, other B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers hit the Antipolo area, bomb Balete Pass and Ft Drum and Caballo Island in Manila Bay and support guerrillas near San Fernando. B-25s and P-38s attack Hainan Island and considerably damage Samah Airfield on the island. Fighters sweeping over Formosa hit the Koshun area. HQ 347th Fighter Group and the 67th, 68th and 339th Fighter Squadrons move from San Jose, Mindoro Island to Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island with P-38s (the 67th and 339th are operating from Morotai Island); the 419th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, moves from Middelburg Island, New Guinea to Puerto Princesa, Palawan (the squadron is operating from Morotai Island with P-38s and P-61s).

Wednesday, 7 March 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s hit the Balete Pass area while A-20s and fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations and gun positions near Antipolo and near San Fernando, NW of Ft Stotsenburg, and in the Bayombong-Solano area and targets of opportunity in the Lake Taal area, the towns of Santa Fe, Lallo and Vigan, and on Caballo Island in Manila Bay; numerous ground support missions are flown throughout Luzon.

Thursday, 8 March 1945

B-24s pound the Zamboanga area on Mindanao Island. On Luzon Island, B-24s hit road targets at Balete Pass while A-20s support guerrilla forces in the San Fernando area; fighter-bombers hit fuel dumps, gun positions, and other targets near Angat and Ipo dam and numerous targets of opportunity in the Antipolo area, personnel and storage areas near Baguio, and several targets in the Cagayan Valley (including the town of Caggay, the Dummun River area, and barges at Naguilian). The 6th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2d Combat Cargo Group, based on Biak Island with C-46s, begins operating from Samar Island; and the 550th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, based on Morotai Island with P-38s, P-61s and P-70s, sends a detachment to operate from Tacloban, Leyte Island.

Friday, 9 March 1945

B-24s bomb Zamboanga on Mindanao Island. B-25s, in cooperation with PT boats, attack targets on Basilan Island, Philippine Islands. On Luzon Island, B-24s hit the Ipo area, B-25s and fighter-bombers support ground forces E of Manila Bay, hit Japanese-occupied areas at Mabiga, Lipa Bay, and Ternate, and bomb and strafe targets of opportunity on Caballo Island in Manila Bay; B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers hit bridges at Bayombong, the town of Makati, Cabugao, and Cauayan, San Fernando and the Solvec Cove areas on the NW coast, the town of Cauayan, and Aparri Airfield. B-24s pound the dock area at Takao, Formosa.

Saturday, 10 March 1945

On Mindanao Island, B-24s and B-25s over the Zamboanga Peninsula area bomb the town of Zamboanga, Calarian Airfield, Pangasahan, Port Holland, Kulibato Point, and Sibago Island. On Luzon Island, B-24s bomb the Ipo area and Aparri Airfield; B-25s and A-20s support guerrillas near San Fernando and bomb Cabugao; fighter-bombers hit Caballo Island in Manila Bay, bomb the town of Minanga, hit enemy concentrations at Burgos, near Ft Stotsenburg, in Batangag Province, and at other locations, and attack Teresa. B-24s bomb Kudat and Jesselton Airfields in Borneo.

Sunday, 11 March 1945

On Mindanao Island, B-24s bomb the Zamboanga area, Mercedes village, and San Roque Airfield and B-25s hit Mercedes, support ground forces near Zamboanga, and in conjunction with PT boats, hit Isabela, Barlak, Taluksangay, and a HQ N of Zamboanga. On Luzon Island, B-24s hit the Aparri area and support ground forces at Wawa; A-20s and fighter-bombers fly ground support missions and attack supply dumps and numerous targets of opportunity throughout Luzon. On Formosa, fighter-bombers hit Takao and B-24s bomb Mako. 

Monday, 12 March 1945

B-24s hit Mercedes and Malabang on Mindanao Island. On Luzon Island, other B-24s bomb Japanese troops near Ipo, B-25s hit supply area at Bangued and troops at Pattao, A-20s and fighter-bombers fly ground forces support missions. fighter-bombers also bomb Calallo Island. On Formosa B-24s, with P-38 support bomb Takao and Tainan and P-51s also hit Tainan and bomb Jitsugetsu power plants. The 6th Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Biak Island to Tacloban, Leyte Island with C-47s; the 33d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Samar Island to Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s; the 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Sansapor, New Guinea to Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island with B-25s (the 69th is operating from Morotai Island).

Tuesday, 13 March 1945

On Mindanao Island, B-24s hit targets in the Saragani Bay area and effectively hit the town of Lagao and B-25s support ground operations in the Zamboanga area. B-25s, A-20s, and fighters support ground forces hitting forces and positions in the Cagayan Valley on Luzon Island. B-25s hit sampans off Hainan Island, China while P-51s sweep Samah Airfield on the island. B-24s hit installations in WC Formosa and at Mako. The 408th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Samar Island to Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s.

Wednesday, 14 March 1945

On Mindanao Island, B-24s bomb the Konel area while B-25s and B-24s hit the village and AA positions near Zamboanga and dock area at Isabela. A-20s and numerous fighter-bombers (including some US Marine aircraft) hit installations and defensive positions throughout Luzon Island. A-20s over Palawan Island hit Pandanan Island. B-24s bomb the Mako, Formosa naval base. B-25s on an armed reconnaissance and shipping sweep along the China coast bomb the secondary targets when no ships are sighted. The 2d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Samar Island to Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s.

Thursday, 15 March 1945

In support of US ground forces on Luzon Island, B-24s, A-20s, and P-38s hit a HQ area at Baguio; P-47s hit Minuli bridge and enemy concentrations in the Balete Pass and W of Ft Stotsenburg; and A-20s and P-47s hit gun positions and occupied areas around Batangas. On Mindanao Island, B-24s and B-25s hit personnel N of Saragani Bay and troops and gun positions in the Zamboanga area. B-24s bomb Lahug on Cebu Island. P-47s dive-bomb Takao power installations on Formosa. HQ 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 19th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) move from Samar Island to Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s; the 100th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Sansapor, New Guinea to Palawan Island with B-25s; the 403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Tacloban, Leyte Island to Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s.

Friday, 16 March 1945

On Luzon Island, A-20s and B-24s continue pounding Japanese installations at Baguio; P-51s strike Patapat, hitting vehicles and supplies; fighters on patrol hit Caballo Island in Manila Bay; the Batangas area is again pounded by fighter-bombers and A-20s. B-24s hit Talisay and Carolina Airfields on Negros Island and bomb targets pinpointed by guerrillas on Cebu Island. B-25s bomb San Roque Airfield on Mindanao Island and attack Tarakan Island and Jesselton Airfields in Borneo. On Formosa, B-24s also hit the town of Taihoku, airfields at Heito, and the Okayama naval airbase. HQ 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) move from Tacloban, Leyte Island to Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s; the 419th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, moves from Middelburg Island to Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island with P-61s.

Saturday, 17 March 1945

Formosa airfields are pounded by B-24s operating in force. On Luzon Island, nearly 500 sorties are flown in support of ground forces by B-25s, A-20s, and fighters. B-24s hit Panay Island, Philippine Islands beaches preparatory to allied landings on 18 Mar and bomb troops in the combat areas on Mindanao Island. Bacolod Airfield on Negros Island is also bombed. HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group moves from Leyte Island to Clark Field, Luzon; the 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Morotai Island to Samar Island with B-24s.

Sunday, 18 March 1945

On S Luzon Island, B-24s, A-20s, and fighters support ground forces by hitting the Ipo area and various targets in Batangas Province. B-24s again bomb Bacolod on Negros Island, hit several targets on Cebu Island, and bomb Sepinggang and Jesselton Airfields on Borneo. On Formosa, the airfield at Tainan, seaplane base at Takao, and emergency field at Koshun are also hit. The 419th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, based at Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island with P-61s, sends a detachment to operate from Zamboanga, Mindanao Island.

Monday, 19 March 1945

B-24s and fighter- bombers again hit installations on N Luzon Island. B-24s hit a variety of targets on Cebu Island including the town of Minglanilla. The 8th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2d Combat Cargo Group, moves from Biak Island to Dulag, Leyte Island with C-46s; the 63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Tacloban, Leyte to Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s.

Tuesday, 20 March 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers fly numerous ground support missions and hit targets at Balete Pass, Bayombong, Tuguegarao, Antamok, San Fernando, Bontoc and along roads. B-24s pound the supply and personnel area E of Cebu City and N of Mambaling on Cebu Island, defensive positions NW of Talisay and AA guns to the N, and also bomb Talisay on Negros Island. Other B-24s bomb the town of Tainan, Formosa. B-25s on a shipping sweep sink 3 small vessels near Qui Nhon, French Indochina. The 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Morotai Island to Samar Island with B-24s; the detachments of the 75th and 390th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), operating from Morotai Island, return to base at Sansapor, New Guinea with B-25s.

Wednesday, 21 March 1945

On Luzon Island, B-25s, A-20s, and fighters continue large-scale support missions, hitting a variety of targets including Japanese defenses at Lipa and Tarlac and the town of Naga and Camiling. In the C Philippine Islands B-24s hit targets near Cebu City while A-20s pound other towns on Cebu Island. B-24s bomb Samah Airfield on Hainan Island. B-25s on a shipping sweep attack and set afire a freighter SE of Nanao Island, China. HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) move from Morotai Island to Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island with B-25s; the 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, ceases operating from Morotai with P-38s and returns to base at Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Thursday, 22 March 1945

On Cebu Island, B-24s and A-20s (along with US Marine Corps aircraft) hit Cebu City, defenses at several locations on Cebu, and targets on Inampulugan Island nearby. On Luzon Island, B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighters continue to hit numerous objectives, chiefly Balete Pass, Tangadon, San Fernando, and the Batangas areas. On Formosa, other B-24s hit Tainan and Okayama Airfields, destroying several hangars, planes, and gun positions. The 64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Tacloban, Leyte Island to Clark Field, Luzon with B-24s; the 69th and 100th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), cease operating from Morotai Island with B-25s and move to base at Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island; the 75th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Sansapor, New Guinea to Puerto Princesa, Palawan with B-25s; and the 868th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Thirteenth AF, moves from Noemfoor Island, New Guinea to Morotai Island with B-24s (the squadron uses airborne radar for low-level attacks at night and for pathfinder operations).

Friday, 23 March 1945

B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighters hit Visayan Island, Philippine Islands, bombing Cebu City, hitting defenses on Cebu Island and other islands, and on Luzon Island, bomb the Antamok mines, Balete Pass, and the Tangadon areas, along with several other targets. B-24s also hit targets on Mindanao Island and fighter-bombers attack Takao, Formosa. The detachment of the 421st Night Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing, operating from Tacloban, Leyte Island with P-61s, returns to base at San Marcelino, Luzon.

Saturday, 24 March 1945

B-24s and A-20s pound Cebu City and defenses and installations on Cebu Island. On Luzon Island, B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s attack Balete Pass, Legaspi, the Batangas area, and scattered targets throughout Luzon. On Formosa, B-24s hit the harbor at Takao and power plant and alcohol factory E of Okayama. HQ 91st Photographic Wing (Reconnaissance) moves from Mindoro Island to Clark Field, Luzon.

Sunday, 25 March 1945

Cebu City on Cebu Island is thoroughly pounded by nearly 70 B-24s. On Luzon Island, other B-24s hit Legaspi, and B-25s and fighter-bombers fly numerous ground support missions, especially between Montalban and Laguna de Bay. B-25s attack Pandanan Island, Philippine Islands. The 6th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2d Combat Cargo Group, moves from Biak, New Guinea to Dulag, Leyte Island with C-46s; and the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, ceases operating from Morotai Island with P-38s and returns to base at Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island.

Monday, 26 March 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers bomb Legaspi and targets in the area including a fuel dump at Camalig; fighter-bombers hit numerous targets in the N at Solvec Cove, Baguio, Mankayan, Sante Fe, and other areas; in the SW, A-20s and fighter-bombers support US ground forces, hitting Ternate, and towns in Tayabas and Batangas Provinces. B-24s and A-20s in the C Philippine Islands hit Cebu City and E coast targets on Cebu Island. B-24s hit Takao, Formosa. The 6th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2d Combat Cargo Group, moves from Biak Island to Dulag, Leyte Island with C-46s.

Tuesday, 27 March 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers bomb Legaspi, the Balete area, the Ipo-Siniloan sector, the Batangas area, and several other locations throughout Luzon; fighters support the US amphibious landings on Caballo Island in Manila Bay. In the C Philippine area B-24s bomb Negros Island airfields while B-25s and P-38s hit the Cebu City area on Cebu Island. Other B-25s bomb Kinsui, Formosa, and B-24s lightly attack Sandakan, Borneo.

Wednesday, 28 March 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s and fighter-bombers hit Balete Pass tracts and ridges, installations at Santa Fe, and ground support targets N of Laguna de Bay and in Cavite and Batangas Provinces and B-25s and A-20s attack troop concentrations at Baguio and Ilagan. Bombers hit the Cebu City area on Cebu Island and pound airfields on Negros Island. B-24s bomb Likanan Airfield on Mindanao Island. Other B-24s hit Takao and Tainan, Formosa while B-25s hit shore targets along the French Indochina coast. The 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Leyte Island to Clark Field, Luzon with C-47s.

Thursday, 29 March 1945

B-24s and B-25s attack Toshien, Byoritsu, and Eiko, Formosa. On Luzon Island, B-24s bomb Camalaniugan, B-24s and P-51s hit Legaspi and the surrounding area, and A-20s and numerous fighters hit various targets in SW Luzon. Cebu Island is bombed by B-25s in support of ground forces while A-20s support troops landing on Negros Island. B-24s bomb Oelin Airfield in Borneo.

Friday, 30 March 1945

On Luzon Island, B-24s bomb the Balete Pass and Solvec Cove areas; P-38s hit artillery positions in the Santa Fe area; B-24s and A-20s hit Legaspi Port and nearby Little Batsan; A-20s and fighter-bombers continue ground support missions in the Laguna de Bay area and W of Ft Stotsenburg. B-24s and A-20s support ground forces on Cebu Island. B-24s, B-25s, and P-38s hit Bongao Island, Philippine Islands, and the Sanga Sanga, and Kuching, Borneo area.

Saturday, 31 March 1945

On Formosa, A-20s attack an army camp at Saiatan, P-51s sweep from Babuyan Channel to the SW of the island and B-24s bomb harbors and shipping at Kiirun and Yulin, China. On Luzon Island, fighters attack targets in the Cagayan Valley and N of Laguna de Bay, blasting bridges and gun positions over wide stretches. B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers hit Cebu Island targets, several of the strikes being flown in support of ground forces. B-24s again bomb Bongao Island and hit Oelin, Borneo and fighters harass N Borneo airfields.