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• Weather data for 17 May 1944

• USS Hoe damaged a Japanese freighter with 1 of 5 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
• USS Tunny received reports of a Japanese convoy from USS Sand Lance and intercepted the 3-ship and 3-destroyer convoy just after sunset in the Mariana Islands. She launched three torpedoes each against two cargo ships, sinking Nichiwa Maru. She endured a counterattack consisted of 81 depth charges, suffering no damage. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
• USS Hawkbill was commissioned into service with Lieutenant Commander F. Worth Scanland, Jr. in command. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
• USS Astoria was commissioned into service with Captain George Dye in command. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
• The Japanese attack on the Blackpool site of Operation Thursday in Burma was repulsed. On the same day, William Slim handed operational control of the Chindits over to Joseph Stilwell. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
• American, Chinese, and Kachin troops began the assault on Myitkyina, Burma. The attack began at 1000 hours, and by 1050 the airfield was captured. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]

• Japanese hospital ship Hikawa Maru departed Surabaya, Java. ww2dbase [Main Article | Tabular Record of Movement | CPC]
• British and American carrier aircraft struck oil refineries at the Wonokromo district of Surabaya, Java, Dutch East Indies and the nearby Braat Engineering Works. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]

• German troops evacuated Cassino, Italy. Meanwhile, the French penetration of the Gustav Line reached 25 miles. Nearby, Polish troops launched what was to become the final attack on Monte Cassino. ww2dbase [Main Article | TH, CPC]

17 May 1944 Interactive Map