Eighth Air Force. Approximately 500 United States Army Air
Force (USAAF) heavy bombers attack targets in France and off
French coast. Targets include a blockade runner, industries
at Paris, and airfields at Bordeaux, Cognac, Saint-Jean-d'
Angely, La Rochelle, and Landes de Bussac. 25 aeroplanes are
lost to antiaircraft fire and fighters. Total bomb tonnage
dropped by the Eighth in December 1943, 13,142 tons, for the
first time exceeds that dropped by The British Royal Air Force
(RAF) Bomber command.
Ninth Air Force. Around 200 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-26 Marauder medium bombers bomb
V-weapon
sites in French coastal area.
Twelfth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) P-40
fighters and Spitfires of Army Air Force, The British Royal
Air Force (RAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and South
African Air Force (SAAF), strike infantry and heavy artillery
around Tollo, Orsogna, Miglianico, Ripa, and Teatina in support
of British Eighth Army. A-36 Apache dive bomber bomb town of Formia and hit
gun positions.
Fifteenth Air Force. 154th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
is transferred from XII Training Command to Fifteenth Air
Force for purpose of flying weather reconnaissance, a duty
presently being handled by a P-38 Lightning fighters unit
called Fifteenth Air Force Weather Reconnaissance Detachment
(and by some B-26 Marauder medium bombers of 3 medium bombers
groups which are transferred to Twelfth Air Force after this
date). Personnel and equipment of the 154th Tactical Reconnaissance
Squadron and the Weather Reconnaissance Detachment are subsequently
integrated, and the unit is redesignated the 154th Tactical
Reconnaissance Squadron (Weather). Operations are limited
to weather reconnaissance.
Fourteenth Air Force. 25 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers pound Lampang railroad yards,
causing several big fires and many secondary explosions. 6
B-25 Mitchell medium bombers hit Yangtze River shipping in
Anking and Lu-Kuan areas, claiming 3 cargo vessels and a troop
carrier sunk. 2 others on sea sweep damage passenger vessel
in Hainan Straits.
Fifth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) A-20
Havoc light bombers hit troop concentrations in Cape Gloucester
area. Nearly 50 P-40 fighters and P-47 Thunderbolt fighters
intercept small force of aeroplanes attacking Arawe beachhead
area. 12 aircraft are claimed shot down. Almost 150 heavy
bombers and medium bombers pound Madang, Alexishafen, and
Bogadjim areas.
Go To: 1st
January
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
