USN
Mediterranean
Submarine chaser PC-558 is sunk by German submarine U-230,
28 miles northeast by north of Palermo, Sicily.
Japanese TAKE No.1 convoy reaches Wasile Bay, Halmahera,
having lost four of its original nine Marus during its passage to its
destination.
AAF
Eighth AF
A total of 797 B-17’s and B-24’s bomb airfields at Saint
Dizier Robinson, Thionville, Juvincourt-et-Damary, Laon/Athies, Laon/Couvron,
Lille, Nivelles, Saint-Trond, and Florennes; and marshalling yards at Liege,
Thionville, and Luxembourg. This is start of an offensive against airfields,
set within a month of Normandy invasion so that the GAF will not have time to
recover before D-Day.
Ninth AF
The 367th and 406th FGs become operational, bringing the fighter
group total of the Ninth AF to 18. Over 40 Medium Bombers attack marshalling yards,
railway batteries, coastal defense batteries, bridges, and NOBALL sites in France.
Twelfth AF
B-26’s hit Incisa in Valdarno railroad bridge and viaduct
while A-20’s attack fuel dumps. Fighter Bombers again blast roads and railroads
and other targets at various locations N of Rome, including Lake Bolsena, Civitavecchia,
Colleferro, Civita Castel-lana, Orte, and San Giovanni Valdarno.
USSR
Soviet Army captures Sevastopol.
Tenth AF
20-plus A-31’s continue attacks on Buthidaung area, hitting
troop concentrations and supply dumps Myothit, and SE of Palel, and severely
damage bridge over Uyu R near Nawngpuawng. Mogaung Valley targets, including targets
in support of ground forces near Kamaing, are pounded by more than 60 B-25’s, A-36’s,
P-51’s, and P-40’s. 9 P-51’s hit troops and gun positions at Mawlu and Namkwin
and hit Nalong area. 3 B-24’s blast barracks area at Nagorn Sawarn while 3
P-51’s hit Anisakan airfield, destroying or damaging 20-plus trucks, 2
airplanes, and a locomotive. 8 B-24’s lay mines in Moulmein area, 2 others make
diversionary strike on Martaban, and 5 mine Mergui waterfront.
Fifth AF
More than 50 B-24’s and B-25’s bomb Langgoer and Faan
airstrips, and Bosnik supply area and Mokmer airfield. 220-plus A-20’s and Fighter
Bombers continue to blast numerous targets of opportunity along NE New Guinea
coastline from Wewak to Hansa Bay area. 12 B-24’s of Thirteenth Air TF bomb
Woleai.
Thirteenth AF
33 Fighter Bombers pound A/ F at Lakunai. Fighter sweeps over
New Ireland and New Britain continue. On Bougainville 30-plus P-39’s and P-38’s
hit barges in Porton-Chabai area, huts at Kieta, and ammo dump S of Aitara
Mission. 10 other P-38’s and 12 B-25’s bomb Bonis airfield and nearby targets
of opportunity in Buka Passage.
Seventh AF
During 8/9 May B-24’s stage through Kwajalein to bomb Truk.
Makin-based B-25’s hit Wotje and Jaluit, using Majuro as a rearming point
between attacks.
USA
NEW GUINEA—Planners meeting at ALAMO Force hq decide to
undertake the Wakde-Biak operation as proposed by Gen MacArthur with forces originally
assigned to the Wakde-Sarmi operation. D Day for Wakde is set for 17 May and Z
Day for Biak for 27 May. Japanese withdraw their MLR to line Sorong–Halmahera.
Nyaparake Force patrols, using coastal trail and an inland one paralleling it, advance
almost 5,000 yards E of the Dandriwad against some resistance and retire to
Babiang at dusk.
BURMA—In NCAC area, Ch 198th Div, Y– Force, is ordered to
move forward to crossing site over Salween. Salween crossings are to be made night
10 or 11 May. Japanese are driven from Ritpong, and Chinese troops remain there
to mop up while Marauders move S to Lazu and block trail. 114th Regt, Ch 38th
Div, overruns East Wala and Hlagyi and is approaching 112th Regt’s outposts just
N of Manpin.
USSR—Sevastopol falls to Soviet forces.
FRANCE-BELGIUM—U.S. Eighth Air Force begins large-scale
attacks on airfields, striking at Laon, Florennes, Thionville, St Dizier,
Juvincourt, Orleans, Bourges, and Avord. The offensive against airfields, in
which RAF BC, AEAF, and U.S. Eighth Air Force are to participate, is started
less than a month before Normandy invasion so the enemy will not have time to
recover by D Day.
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