Today in World War II History—17 May 1944

P-51B Mustang “Old Crow” of the US 357th Fighter Group in invasion stripes for D-day (Imperial War Museum, Roger Freeman Collection)
75 Years Ago—17 May 1944: Countdown to D-day: Allied Expeditionary Air Force approves “invasion stripes” for Allied aircraft for D-day, not announced yet to maintain security (black & white stripes to prevent friendly fire).
Chinese troops and Merrill’s Marauders (US guerillas) take Myitkyina airfield, the only hard-surfaced field in northern Burma.
US 879th Engineer Aviation Battalion arrives at Myitkyina Airfield by gliders and opens airstrip that night.

Chinese crew of a 105-mm howitzer at Myitkyina, Burma, May 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)