Twelfth Air Force. Weather limits operations. P-40 fighter-bombers
attack positions in Tollo, Canosa Sannita, and Orsogna, and
strafe schooner off Trogir. A-36 Apache dive bomber hit defended areas near
Cassino and at Viticuso, supply dump and gun emplacement near
Terracina, and positions at Monte Trocchio.
Fifteenth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-26 Marauder medium bombers bomb Var River bridges, destroying
a highway bridge and damaging a railroad bridge. Other B-26
Marauder medium bombers have less success against Antheor
viaduct, although there are several near misses.
Eastern Air Command (EAC). Third Tactical Air Force is activated
under AM Baldwin as a major component of Eastern Air Command
(EAC).
Fourteenth Air Force. 27 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers, supported by 28 P-40 fighters,
pound airfield at Namsang. Some of the P-40 fighters strafe
Laihka airfield. 2 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers on sea sweep
claim damaging hits on a freighter and a tanker in Hainan
Straits. 5 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers bomb South West part
of Nanbsien.
Fifth Air Force. Over 70 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers, B-25 Mitchell medium bombers,
and B-26 Marauder medium bombers bomb Cape Gloucester. 20
plus B-25 Mitchell medium bombers bomb Borgen Bay area. Nearly
40 B-24 Liberator heavy bombers hit Hoskins airfield. 33 A-20
Havoc light bombers bomb and strafe dumps and bivouacs North
of Finschhafen.
Thirteenth Air Force. 10 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers bomb Kahili supply area, 5 more
hit Bonis supply area, and 19 others hit targets in Chabai-Porton
area. 5 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers carry out low-level strike
on troop concentrations at Poroporo and 11 bomb Korovo. B-24
Liberator heavy bombers, operating individually and in small
flights, on armed reconnaissance attack Kahili, Kieta, and
Poporang. Fighters strafe targets at Numa Numa, Cape Pui Pui,
and East coast of Buka.
Seventh Air Force. 14 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers bomb Mille. 30 P-39 fighters
and A-24 Banshee dive bomber fly strafing and bombing raids against the same
target.
M374
Minesweeper
Launched 18 December 1943
Go To: 19th
December
Articles:
The Second Great War.
Edited by Sir John Hamilton
The War Illustrated.
Edited by Sir John Hamilton
2194 Days Of War.
ISBN-10: 086136614X
For a complete list of
sources
