U.S. Navy Department (September 11, 1944)
Communiqué No. 541
Pacific and Far East.
U.S. submarines have reported the sinking of nine vessels, including three combatant ships, as a result of operations against the enemy in these waters, as follows:
- 1 destroyer
- 1 escort vessels
- 1 gunboat
- 2 medium cargo vessels
- 1 small cargo vessel
- 1 medium cargo transport
- 2 small tankers
These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
CINCPAC Communiqué No. 114
Carrier‑based aircraft of the Pacific Fleet struck at enemy airfields and other military objectives at Mindanao Island in the Philippines on September 8 (West Longitude Date). The airfields at Del Monte, Valencia, Cagayan, Buayan, and Davao were bombed and strafed. In these attacks, two enemy aircraft were encountered near our carriers, five were encountered over Cagayan, and one over Davao. All were shot down. Approximately 60 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Barracks, warehouses, and hangars were hit at the several airdromes attacked. Enemy waterfront installations at Matins, Cagayan, and Surigao were also bombed.
A convoy was discovered off Hinatuan Bay consisting of 32 loaded coastal cargo ships and 20 sampans. This convoy was brought under attack by Pacific Fleet cruisers, destroyers, and carrier aircraft, and all of the enemy ships were destroyed. In addition, enemy shipping found in Sarangani Bay and Davao Gulf, and near Cagayan and Surigao was attacked, resulting in the sinking or probable sinking of 16 small cargo ships, one medium cargo ship, one patrol craft, and many sampans, and setting fire to two small cargo ships, and at least 17 sampans. Our aircraft losses in the operations were very light. There was no damage to our surface ships.
More than 80 tons of bombs were dropped and numerous rockets fired by carrier aircraft in attacking the Palau Islands on September 9. Anti-aircraft emplacements and other defense installations were attacked on Angaur, Peleliu, and Koror Islands. Numerous fires were started at Koror. A destroyer and a cargo ship, believed to have been heavily damaged in previous raids, were attacked again. We lost seven fight personnel in these attacks.
Liberators of the 11th Army Air Force bombed Paramushiru Island in the Kuriles on September 9, and Liberator search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four attacked the island again before dawn on September 10. In the first attack, several enemy fighters unsuccessfully attempted to intercept our force, and one fighter was damaged. A convoy discovered underway near Paramushiru was bombed by 11th Army Air Force Mitchells on September 9.
Runways and air facilities at Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands were hit with 37 tons of bombs by 7th Army Air Force Liberators on September 9. Anti-aircraft was moderate to intense. Seven to ten enemy fighters intercepted. Of this group five or six were destroyed, one probably destroyed and one damaged. Three Liberators were damaged. On September 8, a single Liberator bombed the airfield at Iwo Jima while a Navy search plane bombed and strafed a small tanker west of Iwo Jima, leaving it aflame and probably sinking.
A single plane bombed Pagan on September 8 while fighter planes attacked Rota on September 9. There was no interception at either place.
Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells bombed the airfield and defense installations at Ponape on September 8. Anti-aircraft ranged from intense to meager. Seventh Army Air Force Liberators hit the airstrip and anti-aircraft gun positions on Nauru the following day.
Further neutralization raids were carried out against enemy‑held positions in the Marshalls on September 8 and 9. Liberators of the 7th Army Air Force and Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing hit gun positions, ammunition dumps and bivouac areas on Wotje, Mille and Jaluit.