Eighth Air Force. 20th Fighter Group (P-38 Lightning fighters)
becomes operational, making a total of 11 operational fighters
groups in Eighth Air Force. VIII Fighter Command has flown
over 17,500 sorties and destroyed more than 200 aircraft.
VIII Bomber Command is charged with forming and training special
organisation (Radio Counter Measure Unit) to use radio countermeasures
against enemy defences. 24 specially equipped heavy bombers,
contributed by both United States and British forces, are
to operate in support of both night and day raids.
Twelfth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-25
Mitchell medium bombers, A-20 Havoc light bombers, and A-36
Apache dive bomber, in coordination with MA CAF HRs and medium
bombers operating against targets in Rome area, bomb landing
grounds at Ciampino, bridge at Roccasecca and road and railway
to the East of town, ships and harbour at Civitavecchia, and
railway sidings West of Frosinone. P-40 fighters hit harbour
at Anzio and command in Pontecorvo and Atina areas.
Fifteenth Air Force. 15th Combat Mapping Squadron (attached
to Fifteenth Air Force from Mediterranean Allied Photo Reconnaissance
Wing) begins operations, carrying out reconnaissance of area
from France to Greece and thus providing Fifteenth Air Force
with reconnaissance of its target system. Over 100 B-26 Marauder
medium bombers hit Guidonia and Centocelle airfields and railroad
bridges North and South of Orvieto. A like number of B-17
Flying Fortress heavy bombers and B-24 Liberator heavy bombers
bomb Rimini marshalling yard and, on return flight, hit bridge
over Foglia River at Pesaro and road railway intersection
South of town. 17 B-24 Liberator heavy bombers dispatched
to hit Vicenza marshalling yard are attacked by about 50 fighters
before reaching target. 10 of the unescorted heavy bombers
are lost. Several B-24 Liberator heavy bombers salvo bombs
over target area and, in the fierce battle, claim 18 fighters
shot down.
Fourteenth Air Force. 4 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-25 Mitchell medium bombers and 4 P-51 Mustang fighter-bombers
attack Yangtze River shipping at Chihchow. 1 cargo ship is
claimed sunk, 2 others damaged, and an armed motor vessel
set aflame. 7 P-40 fighters bomb building on railroad siding
at Yun-chi.
Thirteenth Air Force. 14 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers bomb supply areas at Bonis. 22
B-25 Mitchell medium bombers hit Kahili supply area. Another
large sweep of Rabaul area results in claims of more than
20 aeroplanes shot down.
Seventh Air Force. 15 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers from Funafuti and Canton Islands,
staging through Baker and Tarawa, hit Maloelap, Mille, and
Majuro. 18 A-24 Banshee dive bomber from Makin, with escort
of 20 P-39 fighters, attack Mille. This attack is followed
by another against the atoll carried out by 9 B-25 Mitchell
medium bombers from Tarawa, supported by 12 Makin based P-39
fighters.
Z27
Destroyer
Sunk 28 December 1943
T25
Torpedo boat
Sunk 28 December 1943
T26
Torpedo boat
Sunk 28 December 1943
R64
R-boat
Sunk 28 December 1943
Go To: 29th
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
