CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 290, MARCH 1, 1944

 

Liberators of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed and strafed installations on Wake Island on the afternoon of February 28 (West Longitude Date).

The attack was made at extremely low altitude. Airdrome installations were bombed, and six planes on the ground were destroyed or severely dam­aged. All of our planes returned safely to base.

A single Navy search plane bombed Nauru on February 28.

On the same day Mitchell bombers and Warhawk fighters of the Seventh Army Air Force and Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two attacked three enemy­-held bases in the Eastern Marshall Islands.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 291, MARCH 2, 1944

 

Aircraft of the Seventh Army Air Force continued to bomb enemy‑held positions in the Marshall Islands on February 29 (West Longitude Date).

Army Liberator and Mitchell bombers dropped nearly 80 tons of bombs on four airfields, while Army Warhawk fighters hit warehouses on one of the Islands.

Antiaircraft fire was negligible and none of our planes was damaged.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 292, MARCH 3, 1944

 

1. A small force of Ventura bombers of Fleet Air Wing Four attacked Paramushiru and Shimushu in the Kurile Islands on the morning of March 2 West Longitude Date). Five tons of bombs were dropped. There was no interception, and no damage was suffered from the sporadic antiaircraft fire encountered. All planes returned to their bases.

2. Mitchell bombers, Dauntless dive bombers and Warhawk fighters of he Seventh Army Air Force and Ventura bombers of Fleet Air Wing Two attacked three enemy‑held bases in the Eastern Marshall Islands on March 1 West Longitude Date), dropping a total of 28 tons of bombs. On the same lay, Navy search planes attacked Ponape with bombs and machine‑gun fire. Our planes returned safely from all of these operations.

 

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CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 293, MARCH 4, 1944

 

Army Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on March 2 (West Longitude Date) dropped approximately 8 tons of bombs on runways and buildings at Ponape, and attacked shipping and dock areas at Kusaie.

Army Mitchell bombers and Navy search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two on the same date attacked two enemy‑held positions in the Eastern Marshall Islands with 17 tons of bombs, hitting airfields and starting fires.

Although some antiaircraft fire was encountered, all of our planes re­turned safely.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 294, MARCH 5, 1944

 

Liberator bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force and Search Liberators of Fleet Air Wing Two attacked Ponape and Kusaie in the Carolines on March 3 (West Longitude Date). Harbor and ground installations at Ponape were hit with 23 tons of bombs, while warehouses at Kusaie were set afire.

Navy search Venturas, Army Liberator and Mitchell bombers dropped ap­proximately 23 tons of bombs on four enemy‑held atolls in the Eastern Mar­shalls on the same date.

Several of our planes suffered minor damage from antiaircraft fire, but all returned to their bases.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 295, MARCH 6, 1944

 

Aircraft of the Seventh Army Air Force and Fleet Air Wing Two attacked three enemy‑held positions in the Marshall Islands on March 4 (West Longi­tude Date).

Army Mitchell bombers and Dauntless dive bombers, Navy Hellcat fighters and Ventura search bombers dropped approximately 35 tons of bombs and strafed ground installations. Fires were started and explosions were observed. Antiaircraft fire was encountered, but all of our planes returned safely.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 297, MARCH 7, 1944

 

Seven enemy‑held positions in the Central Pacific were attacked by air­craft of the Seventh Army Air Force and Fleet Air Wing Two on March 5 (West Longitude Date).

Army Liberator bombers dropped approximately 30 tons of bombs on Ponape and Kusaie, damaging ground installations, aviation facilities and harbor areas. Heavy explosions were seen near the airfield at Ponape. Navy search Liberators also bombed Nauru.

Army Mitchell bombers, Dauntless dive‑bombers, Warhawk fighters, Navy Hellcats and search Venturas bombed and strafed four enemy‑held atolls in the Eastern Marshalls with approximately 35 tons of bombs.

Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered. Two Hellcats failed to return to their base.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 299, MARCH 8, 1944

 

1. Navy search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Four on the evening of March 5‑6 (West Longitude Date) bombed Paramushiru. Heavy antiaircraft fire was encountered in some areas. All of our planes returned.

 

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2. Army Liberator and Mitchell bombers, Dauntless dive bombers and Warhawk fighters of the Seventh Army Air Force, and Navy search Venturas and Hellcat fighters of Fleet Air Wing Two on March 6, (West Longitude Date) dropped 31 tons of bombs on four enemy‑held positions in the eastern Marshall Islands. Airfields were hit and fires were started. Several of our planes were damaged by antiaircraft fire, but all returned to their bases.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 508, MARCH 9, 1944

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported sinking sixteen vessels in operations against the enemy in these waters, as follows:

 

1 small cargo vessel

9 medium cargo vessels

2 medium transports

2 medium cargo transports

1 large tanker

1 large cargo transport

 

2. These actions have not been announced by any previous Navy Depart­ment Communiqué.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 301, MARCH 9, 1944

 

1. On March 8, 1944, (West Longitude Date) enemy planes raided our positions in Eniwetok Atoll, causing small damage.

2. Army Liberator and Mitchell bombers, Dauntless dive bombers and Warhawk fighters of the Seventh Army Air Force and Navy search Venturas and Hellcat fighters of Fleet Air Wing Two on March 7, 1944 (West Longitude Date) dropped 37 tons of bombs on five enemy‑held positions in the Marshall Islands. Barracks and runways were hit and fires started. A coastal vessel was bombed and five wooden barges strafed. Several of our planes were damaged by antiaircraft fire but all returned to their bases.

3. A Navy search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two shot down a Japanese naval medium bomber between Eniwetok and Truk.

 

 

JOINT STATEMENT, MARCH 9, 1944

 

ALLIED SHIP LOSSES AT A RECORD LOW

 

The joint Anglo‑American statement, issued under the authority of the President and Prime Minister, follows:

 

"Despite the increasing traffic of United Nations shipping in the Atlantic, February, 1944, was the lowest month as to tonnage of Allied mer­chant ship losses to enemy U‑boat action since the United States entered the war, and February was the second lowest month of the entire war.

"Again there were more U‑boats destroyed than merchant vessels sunk, so the exchange rate remains favorable to the United Nations. In actual numbers a few more U‑boats were sunk in February than in January."

 

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CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 302, MARCH 10, 1944

 

Seventh Army Air Force Liberators attacked Ponape and Kusaie in the Caroline Islands on March 8 (West Longitude Date). Airdrome and dock facilities at Ponape were bombed, and ground installations were hit at Kusaie.

On the same day four enemy bases in the Eastern Marshall Islands were attacked by Army and Marine aircraft including Mitchell bombers, Dauntless dive bombers and Warhawk fighters, and by Ventura bombers of Fleet Air Wing Two. Airfields and gun emplacements were principal targets.

There was no fighter interception on any of these raids, and damage from antiaircraft was slight.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 304, MARCH 11, 1944

 

Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Ponape and Kusaie Islands on March 9 (West Longitude Date). Explosions and fires were ob­served among ground installations at Ponape, and waterfront facilities were hit at Kusaie.

Two enemy bases in the Eastern Marshall Islands were attacked by Army and Marine aircraft, including Mitchells and Dauntless dive bombers, and another was bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two.

No fighter interception was encountered in any of these attacks, and only slight damage was suffered from antiaircraft fire. All of our planes returned to base.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 305, MARCH 12, 1944

 

Three enemy bases in the Eastern Marshall Islands were attacked on March 10 (West Longitude Date) by Marine and Seventh Army Air Force aircraft, including Mitchell bombers, Dauntless dive bombers, and Warhawk fighters. On the same day Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two attacked another Eastern Marshall base. There was no fighter intercep­tion on any of these raids and despite moderate antiaircraft fire all planes returned safely to base.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 306, MARCH 12, 1944

 

A small amphibious unit of the Pacific Fleet, including a detachment of the 22nd Marine Regiment, has occupied Wotho Atoll without resistance.

The occupation force, commanded by Major C. B. Lawton, USMC, was received by the native population with ceremony, including gifts of food. A proclamation was posted, establishing military government.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 307, MARCH 13, 1944

 

1. Seventh Army Air Force Liberator bombers and search Liberators of Fleet Air Wing Two attacked Wake Island on the afternoon of March 11 (West Longitude Date). Approximately 50 tons of bombs were dropped.

2. A small force of Army Liberators attacked Nauru on March 11, and Army Mitchell bombers and Navy search Venturas bombed three enemy bases in the Eastern Marshall Islands.

3. No fighter interception was encountered on any of these attacks and all of our planes returned to base.

 

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N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 509, MARCH 14, 1944

 

1. The U. S. submarine Corvina is overdue from patrol and must be presumed to be lost.

2. The next of kin of personnel in the Corvina have been so informed.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 308, MARCH 14, 1944

 

Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells bombed Kusaie on March 12 (West Longitude Date), starting several fires.

On the same day Army Liberators and Marine Dauntless dive bombers attacked four bases in the Eastern Marshall Islands. At one base bombs hit the cantonment area and the radio station; at another, an ammunition dump was blown up and gun emplacements damaged.

Search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed two enemy‑held Marshall Island bases, and damaged two enemy fighters in the air near Ponape.

Our planes returned safely from all of these operations.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 311, MARCH 15, 1944

 

Our air forces in the Central Pacific area attacked seven enemy‑held bases on March 13 (West Longitude Date).

Liberators of the Seventh and Navy search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed airdrome installations and mining facilities at Ponape.

Kusaie was bombed by Army Liberators and a beached cargo ship was hit by Navy search planes with bombs and machine gun fire.

Shore facilities and a small beached ship at Oroluk Atoll were attacked by Navy search planes.

Army Liberators and Mitchells, Marine Dauntless dive bombers and Hell­cats, and Navy search Venturas attacked four bases in the Eastern Marshalls, starting fires at all bases.

A Navy search plane shot down an enemy medium bomber 250 miles north of Truk.

We lost no planes in any of these operations.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 313, MARCH 16, 1944

 

1. Seventh Army Air Force Liberators attacked Truk before dawn on March 15 (West Longitude Date). Airdrome installations, fuel dumps, and ammunition storage areas on Eten and Dublon Islands were bombed, with ex­plosions and fires resulting. Heavy antiaircraft fire was encountered, but only one of our planes was hit, and all returned to base.

On the same day Army Liberators attacked ground installations at Ponape and Oroluk without damage to our planes.

2. Army Mitchells and Marine Dauntless dive bombers attacked two enemy bases in the Eastern Marshall Islands on March 14. The Mitchells hit the cantonment and ammunition storage areas and bombed the radio Station at one base, and the dive bombers started fires at another. One Dauntless was slightly damaged, but all planes returned to base.

3. A search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Pingelap Atoll.

 

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CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 314, MARCH 17, 1944

 

Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells, Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing. Two, and Dauntless dive bombers and Hellcats of the Fourth Marine Air Wing attacked three enemy‑held bases in the Eastern Marshall Islands on March 15 (West Longitude Date).

An ammunition dump was blown up by the Mitchells. The Venturas scored hits among ground installations. The dive bombers and fighters strafed and bombed small craft and shore facilities.

Navy search planes bombed Pingelap and Oroluk Atolls.

All of our planes returned safely.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 510, MARCH 18, 1944

 

1. The submarines USS Capelin and USS Sculpin are overdue from patrol and must be presumed to be lost.

2. The next of kin of personnel in the Capelin and the Sculpin have been so notified.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 316, MARCH 18, 1944

 

Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Paramushiru and Shimushu in the Kurile Islands on March 16 and again on March 17 (West Longitude Dates). No fighter opposition was encountered and antiaircraft fire was light.

On March 16 a Liberator bomber of the 11th Army Air Force bombed Matsuwa Island in the Kuriles, without opposition. Liberators bombed Shimushu on March 17.

Four enemy‑held atolls in the Eastern Marshall Islands were bombed by Mitchell medium bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Air Wing, and Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two on March 16. A large explosion was caused on one of the atolls, and fires were started on another. One of our planes was damaged by antiaircraft fire.

On the same day search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Kusaie and Oroluk in the Caroline Islands.

We lost no planes in these operations.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 317, MARCH 19, 1944

 

Paramushiru Island in the Kuriles was bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four on March 13 (West Longitude Date). Several fires were started. Light antiaircraft fire was encountered. None of our planes was damaged.

Liberator bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Ponape and Kusaie in the Caroline Islands on March 17 causing explosions and fires. Three enemy bases in the Eastern Marshalls were bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberator and Mitchell bombers, Fourth Marine Air Wing, Dauntless dive bombers, and Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two. A dive bomber was lost in these operations.

 

125

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 511, MARCH 20, 1944

Atlantic.

 

1. The USS Leopold (Destroyer Escort #319), manned by Coast Guard officers and men, was sunk on March 10th as a result of an underwater ex­plosion, while on escort duty in the Atlantic.

2. The next of kin of all casualties have been notified.

 

 

MARCH 20, 1944

 

USS MACAW LOST IN PACIFIC

 

The USS Macaw, an auxiliary submarine rescue vessel, after having gone aground on a coral reef in the Pacific, slid off and sank on February 13, 1944.

Next of kin of all casualties have been notified.

Lieutenant Commander Paul W. Burton, USN, was commanding officer of the Macaw. He is listed as missing. Lieutenant Commander Burton was born in Berkeley, California, on September 29, 1911, the son of Colonel Norman G. Burton, USMC, and Mrs. Burton. He was graduated from the Naval Academy in 1933. Next of kin is his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth W. Burton, 1320 Locust Drive, Asbury Park, New Jersey.

The Macaw was launched on July 12, 1942, at the Moore Dry Dock Com­pany, Oakland, California, and was commissioned on July 12, 1943.

(Memorandum to the Press: Jane's Fighting Ships lists standard displace­ment of the Macaw was 2,000 tons.)

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 319, MARCH 20, 1944

 

Mille in the Eastern Marshalls was heavily shelled by battleships and bombed by carrier‑based aircraft on March 18 (West Longitude Date).

On the same day Mitchell medium bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Ponape, sinking a small cargo transport and starting large fires.

Five enemy‑held atolls in the Eastern Marshalls were bombed on March 18 by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Liberator and Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force. In these attacks gun em­placements, barracks, and magazines were hit. All of our planes returned.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 512, MARCH 21, 1944

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of fifteen vessels in opera­tions against the enemy in these waters, as follows

 

1 large transport.

1 medium transport 1 large tanker.

9 medium freighters.

2 small freighters.

1 medium tanker.

 

2. These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Depart­ment Communiqué.

 

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CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 320, MARCH 21, 1944

 

Four enemy positions in the Marshall Islands were bombed by Liberators and Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two on, March 19 (West Longitude Date). Thirty tons of bombs were dropped in these operations. On one atoll an ammunition dump exploded, and on another heavy explosions and fires were observed. All of our planes returned.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 513, MARCH 22, 1944

 

1. The submarine USS Scorpion is overdue from patrol and must be pre­sumed to be lost.

2. The next of kin of casualties of the Scorpion, have been so notified.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 322, MARCH 22, 1944

 

Mitchell medium bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, Dauntless dive bombers and Hellcat and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed four enemy posi­tions in the Marshall Islands on March 20, 1944 (West Longitude Date).

Heavy explosion was observed on one of the objectives, and several smaller explosions and fires observed on another. Antiaircraft fire ranged from moder­ate to meager. All of our planes returned.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 323, MARCH 23, 1944

 

Liberator bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force and Liberator search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Ponape and Kusaie on March 21 (West Longitude Date). Large fires were started among warehouses and barracks.

Ventura search planes and Hellcat fighters of Fleet Air Wing Two, Libera­tor and Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, and Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed four enemy‑held atolls in the, Marshalls. An ammunition dump was observed to explode on one atoll and fires and explosions were seen on others.

Seventy tons of bombs were dropped in all these operations. All of our planes returned.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 514, MARCH 24, 1944

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of eleven vessels as a result of operations against the enemy in these waters, as follows

 

1 converted mine layer.

2 small freighters.

3 medium sized transports.

1 medium sized tanker.

3 medium sized freighters.

1 large tanker.

 

2. These sinkings have not been reported in any previous Navy Depart­ment communiqué.

 

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CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 324, MARCH 24, 1944

 

Thirty‑three tons of bombs were dropped on four enemy positions in the Marshalls by Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two and Navy Hellcat fighters and Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on March 22 (West Longitude Date).

A large fire was set on one of the atolls and ground installations were hit on another. All of our planes returned.

On March 21 a search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed facilities on it Ant Island.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 325, MARCH 25, 1944

 

Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Wake Island on March 23 West Longitude Date). Petroleum storage tanks and barracks were hit. Anti­aircraft fire was intense.

In the Marshalls, four enemy‑held atolls were bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Liberator and Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, and Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing.

In the Carolines, Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Ponape on March 22 and 23 (West Longitude Dates). Ant Island was bombed on March 23.

Approximately 115 tons of bombs were dropped in these operations. All of our planes returned.

 

 

MARCH 25, 1944

 

TWO UNITED STATES DESTROYERS IN MEDITERRANEAN             SINK GERMAN SUBMARINE

 

A German submarine was sunk, stern first, in the Mediterranean recently, after a ceaseless pounding by gunfire and depth charges from two United States destroyers. Several aircraft took part in the search for the U‑boat, with three U. S. destroyers, but the destruction was accomplished by two of the destroyers in the darkness of early night.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 326, MARCH 26, 1944

 

Before dawn on March 25 (West Longitude Date) Liberator bombers of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Paramushiru and Onekotan Islands in the Kuriles, and a Ventura search plane of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Shimushu Island. One of our planes was lost.

On March 24 (West Longitude Date) a Coronado search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed and sank two small cargo vessels near Ponape, and Mitchell medium bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed the Ponape air strip and adjacent buildings. On the same day Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force and Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed and strafed three enemy positions in the Marshall Islands. All of our planes returned from these operations.

 

128

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 327, MARCH 27, 1944

 

Ponape Island was bombed on March 25 (West Longitude Date) by Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force accompanied by Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing. The attacking planes were inter­cepted by 15 Zeros. Four Zeros were shot down and one was probably shot down. Corsair fighters strafed the runways. Intense antiaircraft fire was encountered. Ujelang Atoll was also strafed by these planes.

On the same day Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, and Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed four enemy‑held atolls in the Marshalls. Fires were started and heavy explosions observed.

All of our planes returned from all of these operations.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 328, MARCH 27, 1944

 

Mitchell medium bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, accompanied by Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, bombed Ponape on March 26 (West Longitude Date). Nine of 15 intercepting Zeros were shot down by our fighters, and three were probably shot down. The town of Ponape and military installations were bombed and strafed. Antiaircraft fire was intense.

Coronado search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two strafed a small vessel near Ujelang, and bombed Kusaie Island and Pingelap Atoll.

On the same day, Seventh Army Air Force Mitchell bombers, Fleet Air Wing Two Ventura search planes and Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing Dauntless bombers and Corsair fighters raided three enemy positions in the Marshall Islands.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 329, MARCH 29, 1944

 

Four enemy positions in the Marshalls were bombed and strafed on March 27 (West Longitude Date) by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two and Navy Hellcat fighters. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered. None of our planes was shot down.

On the same day a Coronado search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two dropped bombs on Pakin Island.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 330, MARCH 30, 1944

 

Liberator bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Eten and Moen Islands in the Truk Atoll on the night of March 29 (West Longitude Date). Fires were started. Intense antiaircraft fire was encountered.

Ponape Island was bombed by a search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two, starting fires in a hangar area, and gun positions and buildings on Ujelang Island were strafed by Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Air­craft Wing.

Forty‑five tons of bombs were dropped on four enemy positions in the Marshalls by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchell bombers, and Marine Daunt­less bombers and Corsair fighters. Oil storage tanks were set afire on one objective, and runways damaged on another.

 

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CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 331, MARCH 31, 1944

 

Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Dublon, Param, Uman, Fefan, and Moen in the Truk Atoll at night on March 29 (West Longitude Date). On Dublon Island heavy explosions and fires were observed and on Uman and Moen Islands fires were started. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.

A single Seventh Army Air Force Liberator bombed Ponape.

On the same day four enemy positions in the Marshalls were bombed and strafed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Navy Hellcat fighters. Antiaircraft batteries, coast defense guns, and ammunition dumps were hit. At one atoll fires were started in a warehouse area and at another several barges were severely strafed by our fighters.

All of our planes returned from all of these operations.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 41, MARCH 30, 1944

 

Strong fleet forces at dawn Wednesday, March 29 (West Longitude Date) initiated heavy attacks on the Japanese‑held Palau Islands. After discovery of approach of our forces by enemy planes searching from their bases in the Carolines and New Guinea their ships were observed fleeing the area before our units could reach attack positions. Our attacks continue. No further details are as yet available.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 515, MARCH 31, 1944

Mediterranean.

 

1. As the result of operations in the Mediterranean theater during the period January 22, 1944 to this date the following ship losses were sustained due to a variety of causes

 

1 motor minesweeper (YMS‑30).

1 large minesweeper (AM‑106).

8 landing craft.

1 harbor tug (YT‑198).

 

2. The next of kin of casualties of the above vessels have been notified.