"paucity of targets"

THU 7 SEP 1944
Pacific
Planes from TGs 38.1, 38.2, and 38.3 conduct full-scale air strikes on Japanese installations throughout the principal Palaus; they will repeat the evolutions (albeit with diminishing force in view of the paucity of targets) the next day. CRUDIV 14 (Rear Admiral F.E.M. Whiting) (three light cruisers, screened by four destroyers, drawn from TGs 38.2 and 38.3) bombards Japanese installations on Peleliu, Angaur, and Ngesebus, supplementing the carrier air strikes begun the previous day by TF 58. Heavy cruiser New Orleans (CA-32) and light cruiser Biloxi (CL-80) and four destroyers (from TG 38.4) bombard Yap; they will repeat the bombardment the following day. Planes from TG 38.4, meanwhile, on this day and the next will carry out operations against Yap and Ulithi.

U.S. Army forces supported by naval vessels land on Soepiori Island in the Schouten Islands of New Guinea.

Destroyer Flusser (DD-368) is damaged by shore battery, Wotje Island, Marshalls, while on a routine patrol to the south of the island.

Submarine Paddle (SS-263) sinks Japanese transport Shinyo Maru, which unbeknown to her attacker carries 750 American prisoners of war on board. Tanker No.2 Eiyo Maru is damaged by Paddle off the coast of Mindanao, 08°11'N, 122°40'E, and is beached at Sindagon Point, 08°10'N, 122°40'E.

RAAF Beaufighters sink Japanese motor sailboat Keishin Maru off southern coast of Ceram.