Eighth Air Force. 26 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
heavy bomber groups are now operational. 670 heavy bombers
attack 23
V-weapon
missile launching sites being constructed in Pas de Calais
area. This is largest number of aircraft carrying out attacks
of any Eighth Air Force mission to date and the first of its
major strikes against missile sites. No aircraft are lost.
Ninth Air Force. Over 60 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
medium bombers attack NOBALL targets in Pas de Calais area.
More than 30 other medium bombers abort due to bad weather.
Twelfth Air Force. Weather severely hampers operations. P-40
fighters fail to locate target vessel at Ugljan Island, but
shoot down 1 aeroplane in the Adriatic.
Fifteenth Air Force. Over 100 United States Army Air Force
(USAAF) B-26 Marauder medium bombers dispatched to bomb Pisa
marshalling yard fail to locate target due to overcast. 24
of the medium bombers bomb marshalling yard at Cecina.
Fourteenth Air Force. 18 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers bomb Tien Ho satellite airfield.
The heavy bombers and 18 escorting fighters claim 20 interceptors
shot down. 1 heavy bomber is lost over the target.
Fifth Air Force. Preinvasion bombing effort against Cape Gloucester
reaches its peak as nearly 190 B-24 Liberator heavy bombers,
B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, and A-20 Havoc light bombers
pound the area in a day long bombardment. P-39 fighters hit
disabled destroyer offshore. Japanese forces in Arawe area
are hit by A-20 Havoc light bombers. A-20 Havoc light bombers
also sweep Northeast New Guinea coastline. B-25 Mitchell medium
bombers bomb Atamboea.
Thirteenth Air Force. During
23-24
December 1943, single aircraft carry out harassing strikes
against Buka, Kieta, and Faisi. During the day, 24 B-25 Mitchell
medium bombers attack seaplane anchorage at Bonis. 18 B-24
Liberator heavy bombers bomb Vunakanau airfield at Rabaul.
6 others hit Lakunai. Fighter cover for the strike fights
fierce air action with interceptors, claiming 25 shot down.
7 Allied fighters are lost. B-34 Lexington bomber on armed reconnaissance
bomb barges and troops in North Bougainville and claim 2 fighters
shot down East of Cape Saint George.
Seventh Air Force. 18 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers, staging through the Gilberts
from the Ellice Islands, bomb Wotje.
Go To: 25th
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
