In the fourth successive night raid on Hamburg received greatest
battering of the war to date, bombload, exceeding previous
record, dropped in 45 minutes by 787 British Royal Air Force
(RAF) Lancasters, Halifaxes, Stirlings, Wellingtons. The burnt
out area was mostly residential. Approximately 16,000 multi-storeyed
apartment buildings were destroyed. There were few survivors
from the firestorm area and approximately 40,000 people died,
most of them by carbon monoxide poisoning when all the air
was drawn out of their basement shelters. In the period immediately
following this raid, approximately 1,200,000 people two thirds
of Hamburg's population fled the city in fear of further raids.
The British Royal Air Force (RAF) also carried out raids on
Duisburg, and minelaying in the River Elbe.
In Italy. New Italian cabinet dissolved the Fascist Party
and swept away powers of Fascist Grand Council. Mr. Churchill
said of Italy that he would let the Italians stew in their
own juice for a bit and hot up the fire to accelerate the
process.
Australasia. It was announced that a space 500 yard advance
along whole United States line in Munda (New Georgia) area.
Eighth Air Force. 17 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-26 Marauder medium bombers raid airfield at Triqueville.
Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF). Northwest African Strategic
Air Force (NASAF) B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers hit airfields
at Capua and railroad at Lioni. B-25 Mitchell medium bombers
and B-26 Marauder medium bombers bomb Scalea landing Fround.
Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters and
light bombers continue bombing and strafing of ports, shipping,
bridges, landing grounds, and motor transport in Sicily as
United States Seventh Army reaches Tusa and San Maulo and
pushes toward Nicosia.
Ninth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) P-40
fighters attack tactical targets in battle area in Northeast
Sicily, and others hit shipping at Catania.
Fourteenth Air Force. 10 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers attack shipping in Samah Bay
area, claiming severe damage to 2 vessels. 25 30 fighters
intercept the heavy bombers. 13 fighters are claimed shot
down. No B-24 Liberator heavy bombers are lost. 6 B-25 Mitchell
medium bombers, supported by 14 fighters, attack targets
on Stonecutter's Island in Hong Kong area after failing to
locate a reported freighter in the area.
Fifth Air Force. 35 United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-25
Mitchell medium bombers and 18 B-24 Liberator heavy bombers
pound Salamaua area in one of the largest single-strike attacks
of Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA). airfield and supply storage
at Salamaua, town of Kela and nearby hilltop positions, and
defensive positions between road and beach at Logui are hit.
5 other B-25 Mitchell medium bombers hit barges between Pommern
Bay and Finschhafen, and 6 B-26 Marauder medium bombers bomb
barge concentration and supply area at Voco Point. A lone
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers on armed reconnaissance bombs
targets on Mundua and Unea Islands.
Thirteenth Air Force. General Owens becomes Commending General,
Thirteenth Air Force. B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers bomb
airfields at Kahili and Ballale Island. 8 P-38 Lightning fighters
and 70 Navy and Marine aircraft again attack Munda area,
hitting positions on Bibolo Hill and targets at Gurasai, Munda
Point, and Munda airfield.
Eleventh Air Force. 12 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
bombers and 20 fighters take off on 5 attack missions to Kiska.
Several of the fighters jettison bombs. The other aircraft
hit Main Camp, North Head and Little Kiska.
Go To: 28th
July
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
