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• USS Hoe damaged a Japanese freighter with 1 of 5 torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Hoe | 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 [Tunny | CPC]
• USS Astoria was commissioned into service with Captain George Dye in command. ww2dbase [Astoria (Cleveland-class) | CPC]
• USS Hawkbill was commissioned into service with Lieutenant Commander F. Worth Scanland, Jr. in command. ww2dbase [Hawkbill | 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 [Operation Thursday | 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 [Battle of Myitkyina | CPC]
• U-23 began her fifteenth war patrol. ww2dbase [U-23 | CPC]

• Japanese hospital ship Hikawa Maru departed Surabaya, Java. ww2dbase [Hikawa Maru | Surabaya, Java | CPC]
• The oil refineries at the Wonokromo district of Surabaya, Java, Dutch East Indies and the nearby Braat Engineering Works were struck by British and American carrier aircraft struck by carrier aircraft of the Royal Navy’s Eastern Fleet made up of carriers HMS Illustrious and USS Saratoga escorted by HMS Cumberland, HMS Renown, USS Cummings, and others. ww2dbase [Operation Cockpit and Operation Transom | Renown | Saratoga | Illustrious | Cummings | Cumberland | Surabaya, Java | 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 [Battle of Monte Cassino | Cassino, Lazio | TH, CPC]

17 May 1944 Interactive Map