Eighth Air Force. Preparatory air operations for forthcoming
(
23 March 1945)
crossing of lower Rhine River by allied ground forces begin.
1,254 heavy bombers in conjunction with aircraft of The British
Royal Air Force (RAF) and Ninth Air Force attacking other
targets bomb 10 airfields in North West Germany, tank factory
at Plauen and marshalling yard at Reichenbach during morning
raid. During afternoon 90 B-24 Liberator heavy bombers bomb
Mulheim an der Ruhr airfield. Fighters fly nearly 750 effective
sorties in support of the 2 operations.
Ninth Air Force. 580 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
A-20 Havoc light bombers, A-26 Invader light bombers, and
B-26 Marauder medium bombers strike 6 command centres and
a marshalling yard East of the Rhine River along with several
casual targets in interdiction campaign to obstruct enemy
movement. Fighters fly patrols and armed reconnaissance, attack
railroads and bridges, support United States VII Corps as
its units reach Sieg River near Siegburg, co-operate with
XII Corps as more of its elements reach the Rhine at various
points between Boppard and Worms, and support XX Corps as
additional units reach the Rhine between Worms and Mannheim.
Twelfth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) light
bombers continue to attack command in Po Valley especially
Po River crossings during
20-21
March 1945. During the day fighter-bombers concentrate on
railroad targets lines, trains, bridges, and viaducts and
dumps in Po Valley and areas North of battle line in North
Apennines. Medium bombers bomb railroad fill at Salorno, bridges
at Casarsa della Delizia and Pizzighettone, marshalling yards
at Vipiteno and Brennero, and bridge approaches at Campo.
Fifteenth Air Force. 660 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers and B-17 Flying Fortress heavy
bombers, with fighters escorts, bomb Neuburg an der Donau
airfield, marshalling yards at Villach (2), Klagenfurt, Graz,
Bruck and der Mur, and Pragersko, 3 oil refineries and a goods
depot at Vienna, and 4 scattered targets. Supply and reconnaissance
missions with escort are flown.
Tenth Air Force. 30 United States Army Air Force (USAAF) P-47
Thunderbolt fighters support Chinese ground forces in Hsipaw
area. 34 P-38 Lightning fighters sweep roads South of bomb
line. 13 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers and 18 P-47 Thunderbolt
fighters attack troop concentrations and vehicles at several
points behind Japanese lines. 526 air supply sorties are flown
to forward areas. In ground action in the area of the British
Fourteenth Army's 33 Corps, organised resistance ceases in
Mandalay. Allied forces completely take over that city.
Fourteenth Air Force. 4 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
P-51 Mustang fighter-bombers damage several locomotives and
boxcars at Vinh airfield and along railroad to the North.
6 B-24 Liberator heavy bombers claim 1 vessel damaged in South
China Sea.
Far East Air Force (FEAF). On Luzon United States Army Air
Force (USAAF) B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, A-20 Havoc light
bombers, and fighters continue large-scale support missions,
hitting a variety of targets including Japanese defences at
Lipa and Tarlac and town of Naga and Camiling. In Central
Phils B-24 Liberator heavy bombers hit targets near Cebu City
while A-20 Havoc light bombers pound other towns on Cebu.
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers bomb Samah airfield. B-25 Mitchell
medium bombers on shipping sweep attack and set afire a freighter
Southeast of Nanao Island.
Seventh Air Force. 16 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
P-51 Mustang fighter-bombers from Iwo Jima strafe and bomb
barracks and radio and radar installations on Chichi Jima.
13 B-24 Liberator heavy bombers, based on Guam, hit Susaki
airfield, which is hit again during 21-
22
March 1945, by 5 more, flying separate strikes.
Zone of Interior. A United States Army Air Force (USAAF) P-63
from Walla Walla airfield intercepts Japanese balloon near
Redmond, and, after chase that includes 2 refuelling stops,
shoots it down near Reno.
V-2 rocket
launched against England, hit Wanstead / Woodford.
V-2 rocket
launched against England, hit Heston and Isleworth.
V-2 rocket
launched against England, hit Hampstead.
V-2 rocket
launched against England, hit Ruisslip.
V-2 rocket
launched against England, hit near Romford.
V-2 rocket
launched against England, hit near Braintree.
V-2 rocket
launched against England, hit Woodham Ferrers.
V-2 rocket
launched against England, hit near Bishops Stortford.
Go To: 22nd
March
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
