USAAF CHRONOLOGY
JANUARY-MARCH 1943
1/1/43 Twelfth AF Gen Cannon becomes CG, XII BC. Col Peter S Rask takes cmd of XII A Spt Cmd. B-17's hit harbor at Tunis, while B-26's hit M/Y. B-25's on mission against shipping near La Goulette abort due to weather.
Ftrs escort bmr missions and C-47 transport runs and carry out routine patrols.
1/1/43 Ninth AF B-24's strike harbor at Tunis, hitting turning basin, area just SW of it, and nearby rail junction. A few of the aircraft bomb SW and SE coast of Sicily.
1/1/43 Tenth AF 6 B-25's attack railroad bridge near Myitnge, claiming several hits on the tgt. The nearby A/F is also bombed.
1/1/43 Fifth AF B-24's and B-17's bomb A/Fs at Rabaul, Gasmata, and Lae, and attack shipping at Rabaul.
1/2/43 Eighth AF 4 radar-equipped B-24's fly 'moling,' or intruder, mission aimed at harassing enemy in weather unsuitable for large missions by alerting air-raid crews in area north of the Ruhr. This mission and 2 subsequent missions in Jan are foiled by clear weather over tgt area.
1/2/43 Twelfth AF B-17's bomb harbor and shipping at La Goulette. Escorting P-38's and Me 109's engage in air battle, each side losing 2 airplanes. A-20's and. DB-7's, with ftr escorts, consecutively raid Sousse harbor. In afternoon, DB-7's again hit the harbor. B-26's, with ftr protection, hit bridge N of El Djem. Ftrs fly escort, patrol, and rcn missions, attacking enemy vehicles and aircraft. Several trucks and Ftrs are claimed destroyed.
1/2/43 Ninth AF B-25's bomb A/F at Heraklion. B-24's hit A/F at Kastelli/Pediada.
1/2/43 Tenth AF CATF Ftrs continue to hit transportation tgts, strafing truck convoy on Burma Road. The strikes begin near Loiwing and cover 30 mi of highway. At least 5 trucks are destroyed and others damaged. 6 B- 25's bomb Monywa A/F.
1/2/43 Fifth AF A-20's, B-25's, B-26's, and B-24's, hit A/F and T/Os at Lae and Gasmata. Buna Mission is finally overrun by Australian and US forces.
1/2/43 Eleventh AF 3 B-25's, 3 B-26's, and 8 P-38's heading for Kiska are forced back by bad weather. The weather aircraft cannot see into Kiska Harbor or Gertrude Cove. 2 B-24's fly photo rcn over Amchitka and encounter poor weather. An OA-10 unsuccessfully searches islands E of Segula for missing OA-10.
1/3/43 Eighth AF 68 HBs of VIII BC strike Saint-Nazaire U-boat base in first attack on that installation since 23 Nov 42, and the heaviest attack to date against submarine bases. Formation (instead of individual) precision bombing is used for the first time by VIII BC, and considerable damage is done to dock area. There is heavy ftr opposition, and German flak is thrown up in an effective predirected barrage rather than in the usual attempt to track the bmrs. 7 aircraft are lost and 47 damaged; 70 men are missing and 5 killed.
1/3/43 Twelfth AF All XII FC units in Tunisia (Ftrs and LBS) attack tanks which, with inf and arty Spt, have overrun French troops at Fondouk el Aouareb. The ftrs and LBs attack the tanks as they move W from Fondouk. Several tanks are reported destroyed or aflame and numerous other tanks and vehicles damaged. Spitfires based in Algeria escort C-47's on transport missions.
1/3/43 Ninth AF RAF Baltimores, operating under IX BC, bomb Suda Bay and Timbakion A/F. A few of the aircraft bomb Kapistri.
1/3/43 Fifth AF P-40's strafe troops in waters off Buna as US-Australian ground forces are mopping up in nearby Buna Mission area. B-26's along with a single B-24, bomb A/F at Lae while a B-24 bombs Madang and an A-20 hits Salamaua. A lone B-24 strafes A/F at Gasmata.
1/3/43 Eleventh AF All but 2 searches are canceled because of weather.
1/4/43 Twelfth AF B-17's sent, in 2 forces, to bomb Bizerte are forced to abort by heavy clouds over tgt. B-25's hit railroad yards at Kairouan while A-20's attack Cherichera. Ftrs provide escort for the bmrs and for C-47 transport runs, and fly rcn and patrol missions.
1/4/43 Ninth AF Col Robert Kauch replaces Gen Adler as CO IX ASC.
1/4/43 Tenth AF HBs from Gaya and Pandaveswar pound M/Y at Mandalay, halting northbound flow of supplies.
Tracks and cars in S half of the M/Y are heavily bombed, causing fires visible for 70 mi. HBs also damage 15,000-ton transport at mouth of Rangoon R. 1 B-25 and 9 P-40's hit rail tgts at Naba.
1/4/43 Fifth AF B-26's pound Sanananda Pt area as preparations for allied offensive in that sector get underway. A- 20's and B-25's hit A/F, AA positions and buildings at Lae. B-24's, on single-plane flights, bomb A/F at Lae and attack schooners off Gasmata and Cape Kwoi.
1/4/43 Eleventh AF 6 B-24's, 3 B-25's, 3 B-26's, and 10 P-40's en route to Kiska, are forced back near Segula by snow squalls and low ceiling. The weather aircraft flies unsuccessful rcn over Kiska. Photo rcn is flown over Amchitka. An OA-10 investigates flares reported near Kagalaska Strait.
1/5/43 AAF Gen Spaatz is designated Air CinC, Allied AF, in N Africa and, as such, Chief Air Adviser to Gen Eisenhower, the CinC Allied Forces.
1/5/43 Twelfth AF Allied AF is activated. It includes Twelfth AF, EAC (RAF) and such French air units as might be assigned or attached to it. The cmd serves under direction of CinC, Allied Forces. System of area cmds in NW Africa is reorganized. HQ announces that the Moroccan, W Algerian, and C Algerian Comp Wgs are to be replaced by 2d, 1st, and 3d Air Def Wgs, respectively, upon arrival of these units in the theater. B-17's, with large P-38 escort, attack Sfax power station. Ftr-escorted B-26's hit Kairouan A/F. Other ftrs fly patrols, rcn, and C-47 escort.
1/5/43 Ninth AF B-24's of 93d Gp bomb Sousse harbor (clouds obscure primary tgt at Tunis). RAF Liberators of 160 Sq during 5/6 Jan, hit harbors at Tunis and Sousse. Severe 2-day storm (4-5 Jan) sharply decreases capacity of Bengasi port and forces British Eighth Army to make greater use of more distant port of Tobruk.
1/5/43 Fifth AF B-26's again pound Sanananda Point area as Australian inf and armd elements reach Soputa and US forces of 128th Inf start NW along coast toward Tarakena as preliminary moves to all-out assault on Sanananda get under way. B-17's, A-20's, B-25's, and B-24's hit A/F at Lae, and harbor, shipping, and A/F at Rabaul.
1/5/43 Eleventh AF 3 B-25's sink a 6,500-ton cargo vessel previously sighted by a PBY off Holtz Bay, where a weather and armed rcn B-24 with direct bomb hits sinks another freighter shortly afterwards. A B-24 flies photo rcn over Amchitka, concentrating on Constantine Harbor. A Kiska attack mission of 6 HBs, 6 MBs, and 12 ftrs is canceled due to weather.
1/6/43 Twelfth AF A-20's, in 2 forces, hit military camp S of Kairouan. B-25's hit Kairouan railroad yards. Ftrs escort bmrs, carry out patrols and rcn flights, and accompany C-47's on transport operations.
1/6/43 Fifth AF B-26's pound forces in Sanananda Pt area; A-20's hit Lae A/F; B-17's, B-24's, B-26's, and P-38's attack convoy heading SW off coast of New Britain bound for Lae; a single B-24 bombs Gasmata A/F.
1/6/43 Eleventh AF Rcn is flown over Amchitka, the Semichis, Agattu, and Attu. Flotsam sighted outside of Holtz Bay confirms that freighter bombed on previous day sank. 6 B-24's, 6 B-25's, and 12 P-38's take off to attack Kiska. The P-38's and 1 B-24 turn back due to weather. The B-25's find the tgt obscured and 5 Zeros waiting to intercept them, whereupon they turn back without attacking. The 5 remaining B-24's circle Kiska without contacting enemy airplanes. One of the B-24's, exploiting a break in cloud cover, bombs Kiska submarine base area which the others then bomb also through the clouds.
1/7/43 Twelfth AF Allied AF GO makes Twelfth AF responsible for air spt of US land forces in N Africa, and EAC responsible for spt of British First Army. However, units are to be placed under operational control of the other as the situation might dictate. B-26's bomb A/F and barracks at Gabes while A-20's attack troop concentrations at Kairouan. Ftrs escort both raids. Ftrs carry out several rcn missions and escort transports of 51st TC Wg on routine missions.
1/7/43 Ninth AF B-24's hit shipping in harbor at Palermo. Several other HBs abort because of bad weather. 1 B-24 on special mission bombs Maiouli Quay at Piraeus.
1/7/43 Tenth AF P-40's blast fuel storage at Mangshih. CATF aircraft begin a series of raids, lasting through 10 Jan, during which they destroy trucks along Burma Road, barges on the Irrawaddy R, and stores in the Bhamo area.
1/7/43 Fifth AF Japanese convoy bound for Lae from New Britain is again attacked by HBs, MBs, LBs, and ftrs (along with RAAF planes) in Solomon Sea off Finschhafen and during its progress off S coast of Huon Peninsula through Huon Gulf to Lae. Despite the heavy air resistance the convoy reaches its destination.
Ftrs also hit A/F at Lae.
1/7/43 Eleventh AF 6 B-25's and 12 P-38's dispatched to Kiska turn back due to cloud cover. 6 B-24's circle over Kiska for 2 hrs until 4 can bomb the submarine base. AA fire damages 3 of the attackers. Negative rcn is flown over Amchitka, Kiska, Agattu, and Attu. Photos taken reveal use of smoke pots by the defenders and also suggest construction of a ftr strip along the ridge S of Salmon Lagoon.
1/8/43 Twelfth AF B-17's hit docks at Ferryville and naval base at Bizerte. R-25's hit bridges and rail junctions at Graiba and at Kalaa Srira while B-26's hit Kairouan A/F. The HBs and MBs are escorted by P-38's. A-20's, escorted by P-40's, bomb tank concentration near Gabes. Other ftrs fly numerous patrols and rcn missions.
1/8/43 Ninth AF B-24's hit Tunis after weather and engine trouble prevent planned attack on Bizerte. RAF Liberators, under IX BC operational control, attack rail junction near Tripoli.
1/8/43 Tenth AF 6 P-40's bomb and strafe Watugyi and Nsopzup and strafe other tgts. 6 B-25's bomb storage area at Bhamo.
1/8/43 Fifth AF HBs, MBs, and LBs, with ftr cover, join RAAF airplanes in continued pounding of convoy as it unloads about 4,000 reinforcements at Lae. Enemy ftr cover and allied aircraft continue fierce air combat.
1/8/43 Eleventh AF A B-24 flies photo rcn over Amchitka. Another B-24 aborts a weather run over Kiska because of instrument trouble.
1/9/43 Twelfth AF B-26's, with ftr escort, hit A/F 10 mi S of Tripoli while B-25's attack shipping off N Tunisian coast. Ftrs fly rcn and patrol, and escort C-47's.
1/9/43 Ninth AF 20 P-40's fly cover mission for RAF.
1/9/43 Tenth AF 5 B-25's, with escort of 9 P-40's, bomb Bhamo. Other ftrs strafe T/Os in Wanling, Bhamo, and Loiwing areas.
1/9/43 Fifth AF US HBs, MBs, LBs, and ftrs, along with RAAF planes, continue to pound convoy as it leaves Lae.
A/Fs, supply dumps, and troop concentrations at Lae and at Salamaua are also hit. 4 days of attacks on the convoy result in 2 transports sunk, several vessels damaged, and about 80 airplanes destroyed.
1/9/43 Eleventh AF 50-plus knot winds at Adak prevent missions.
1/10/43 Twelfth AF Gen Craig takes cmd of XII A Spt Cmd. B-26's, with P-38 escort, attack M/Y and oil tanks at Gabes. B- 26's, sent against Sousse abort because of bad weather. A-20's, with P-40 cover, hit military camp at Kebili. Ftrs escort C-47 missions and fly rcn and patrols. 1 P-40, on special mission, bombs German HQ at Kairouan.
1/10/43 Ninth AF B-24's forced by overcast to divert from primary tgt of Bizerte, strike La Goulette, the seaport of the city of Tunis. P-40's fly rcn missions.
1/10/43 Tenth AF MBs and HBs jointly attack Myitnge bridge, knocking out a span and causing considerable damage to the entire tgt.
1/10/43 Fifth AF Allied aircraft operating over Solomon Sea S of New Britain continue to attack vessels of convoy which departed Lae on 9 Jan after unloading reinforcements and supplies. Supply dumps and AA positions in Lae area are also bombed.
1/10/43 SOPAC P-39's and SBD's spt ground forces in Guadalcanal battle area. Strong-point and ammo dump are destroyed.
1/11/43 Twelfth AF B-17's bomb fort and town of Gadames and attack rail bridge and highway bridge across the Oued el Akarit, NNW of Gabes. Escorting P-38's engage in 25-min combat with attacking ftrs, shooting down 1 and severely damaging another. 2 P-38's are lost. B-25's bomb shipping at NE Tunisian coast.
Escorting P-38's claim 3 aircraft shot down. Other ftrs fly patrol and rcn, and escort C-47 transport missions.
1/11/43 Ninth AF During 10/11 Jan, RAF Liberators, under IX BC control, bomb road junction at Tripoli. During daylight, US B-24's hit harbor at Naples. P-40's fly rcn and escort missions.
1/11/43 Tenth AF Ftrs attack Bhamo, destroying barges, tugs, warehouses, and other port facilities. The ftrs also strafe fuel drums along road between Chefang and Mangshih and hit a truckful of soldiers near Ho-lu.
1/11/43 SOPAC B-26's and P-39's hit Munda area.
1/12/43 Twelfth AF B-17's bomb Castel Benito A/F S of Tripoli, claiming destruction of at least 20 parked airplanes. HBs claim destruction of 14 attacking aircraft in aerial combat. B-25's sent to hit shipping in Straits of Sicily and in Gulf of Gabes fail to find tgts and return with bombs. B-26's hit bridges at La Hencha and Chaaba, completely destroying 1 bridge. Ftrs fly patrols, rcn, and C-47 escort, and strafe moored seaplanes and destroy numerous trucks during sweep over Ben Gardane area.
1/12/43 Ninth AF P-40's carry out 3 scramble interceptor missions, claiming 2 ftrs shot down. RAF Liberators, under IX BC, hit Tripoli.
1/12/43 Fifth AF B-24's, in single-plane actions, bomb Finschhafen and Madang areas.
1/12/43 SOPAC B-26's, P-38's, P-39's, and P-40's attack Munda. Other P-39's hit forces on Guadalcanal.
1/12/43 Eleventh AF 2 B-24's cover a small US Army and Navy force landing unopposed at Amchitka. 2 B-25's and 4 P-38 escorts also on this cover mission turn back due to weather. Weather rcn is flown over Attu, Agattu, Semichis and, lastly, over Kiska Harbor, where 4 ships are observed.
1/13/43 Eighth AF 64 HBs drop approximately 125 tons of bombs on the steel works, locomotive works, and M/Y at Lille.
Locomotive construction and repair work are seriously impaired.
1/13/43 Twelfth AF B-25's, with P 38 escort, bomb partially sunken freighter between Tunisia and Sicily. Ftrs fly uneventful rcn and patrol.
1/13/43 Ninth AF Weather prevents B-24's from attacking Tripoli and also causes B-25's sent to bomb Bir Dufan to abort. P-40's fly cover for RAF Baltimores.
1/13/43 Fifth AF A-20's bomb and strafe Sanananda Pt area and forces along Sanananda track. HBs and MBs hit dock facilities at Lae and A/Fs at Lae and Salamaua.
1/13/43 Thirteenth AF Thirteenth AF, XIII BC, and XIII FC are activated in S Pacific. Thirteenth AF HQ is established on Espiritu Santo, FC HQ on New Caledonia, and BC HQ on Espiritu Santo. Cmdrs are: Gen Twining, Thirteenth AF; Col Harlan T McCormick, BC; Col Dean C Strother FC. P-39's strafe forces on the beach at Kokumbona and hit Visale in spt of ground offensive. Also MBs and ftrs hit A/F and adjacent areas at Munda, and pound Rekata Bay area.
1/13/43 Eleventh AF 3 bmrs and 4 ftrs are in the air. Weather rcn airplane returns W of Kiska due to high winds.
Constantine Harbor is patrolled until weather forces aircraft to return. Attack on Kiska is can celled.
1/14/43 International Casablanca Conference opens. Churchill, Roosevelt, and CCS discuss offensive in the Mediterranean and pledge to accept only unconditional surrender.
1/14/43 Eighth AF One sq of 4th Ftr Gp becomes the first in Eighth AF to be completely equipped with P-47's.
1/14/43 Twelfth AF B-17's, with ftr escort, attack docks and shipping at Sousse and Sfax. B-25's, with P-38's, fly anti-shipping sweep in Straits of Sicily; no ships are sighted but vehicles and troop concentrations are strafed by ftrs on return trip. B-26's, with ftr escort, attack rail junction at Kalaa Srira and junction and warehouse at Mahares. Ftrs fly rcn, patrols, and C-47 escort.
1/14/43 Ninth AF B-25's strike motor transport near Gheiada, with P-40's providing cover. B-24's fail, because of weather, to locate Sousse harbor (primary tgt), but several bomb in tgt area and along road near Teboulba.
RAF Liberators, under IX BC, hit Tripoli, Tagiura, and supply dump at Misurata.
1/14/43 Fifth AF A-20's strafe Labu area and small boats in Sachsen Bay. B-25's bomb fuel dump and other sup plies along beach in vicinity of Voco Point near Lae. B-24's carry out single-plane attacks on Madang and Finschhafen, and also bomb Gasmata.
1/14/43 Thirteenth AF P-39's, dropping improvised gasoline bombs in Guadalcanal battle area around Mount Austen and Kokumbona pound forces and supplies throughout the day. Others hit barges and launches at Kaimana Bay and Aruligo Point.
1/15/43 Twelfth AF B-26's attack rail road and highway bridge across Oued el Akarit, NNW of Gabes. Escorting P-38's fight long battle with ftrs. 2 MBs and 2 P-38's are shot down. B-25's and B-26's fly 3 counter-shipping missions N and NE off Tunisia, claiming 1 vessel left in flames. Escorting ftrs strafe trucks and claim 10 aircraft shot down. Ftrs fly several rcn and patrol operations, intercept enemy airplanes attacking A/Fs in Labasse area, and escort transport aircraft.
1/15/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb harbor at Tripoli, scoring hits on vessels and on shore areas near the harbor. P-40's fly sweep and FB operations as British Eighth Army begins assault on Buerat line and drive on Tripoli.
RAF Liberators, under IX BC, hit road junction at Tripoli.
1/15/43 Tenth AF 6 B-24's hit shipping in Rangoon area, claiming 1 vessel sunk and another damaged. 6 P-40's bomb barges at Bhamo; 6 others bomb Nsopzup; 3 more hit footbridges and T/Os at Taihpa Ga, Yupbang Ga, and other points in N Burma.
1/15/43 Fifth AF A-20's strafe Sanananda Pt area as US troops envelop pockets along Soputa-Sanananda road. B- 25's bomb supply dumps at Lae while B-24's hit A/F at Gasmata. B-24's carry out single-plane attacks on bridge construction at Wewak and runway at Cape Gloucester.
1/15/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's, P-40's, P-39's, and P-38's attack shipping in C Solomons; 1 HB bombs Ballale I. Other P-39's hit forces in Guadalcanal battle area and attack vessel off Kolombangara.
1/15/43 Eleventh AF A total of 8 P-38's, 3 B-25's and a B-24 patrol Constantine Harbor, fly rcn over Kiska, where 1 ship is sighted, and fly negative armed rcn runs over Attu, the Semichis, and Buldir.
1/16/43 RAF RAF HBs attack Berlin during 16/17 Jan for first time since 7 Nov 41. Tgt indicator bombs are used for the first time.
1/16/43 Twelfth AF B-26's on shipping strike in Straits of Sicily fail to find ships. A-20's on armed rcn return to base with bombs when no tgts are sighted. Ftrs and F-4's fly rcn and patrols. Spitfires escort C-47's on ferry runs.
1/16/43 Ninth AF B-24's hit Tripoli harbor and town area. RAF Liberators of 178 Bomb Sq bomb road junction and Benito Gate at Tripoli. P-40's fly patrol, scramble, and FB missions as British Eighth Army, having passed through enemy's main defenses at Buerat, pushes toward Tripoli.
1/16/43 Tenth AF P-40's intercept aircraft that attempt strike on Yunnani and claim 7 Zeros shot down in the air battle.
Anticipating that the Japanese planes will land at Lashio A/F, Chennault sends 6 MBs and 11 ftrs to that field in hopes of catching the enemy on the ground. Finding no aircraft there, the MBs and ftrs attack town of Lashio. This is last raid by CATF before fuel shortage grounds the ftrs for the remainder of the month and the MBs for 33 days. IATF B-25's hit Mandalay-Lashio and Sagaing-Ye-u branch railroad lines with 3 strikes on 16 and 17 Jan, knocking out 2 important rail hubs. 10 B-25's bomb railroad yards at Maymyo.
1/16/43 Fifth AF A-20's pound Soputa Sanananda trail, Kurenada area, and area S of Kumusi R, after which US and Australian ground forces open assault on Sanananda which falls the next day. B-25's again bomb supplies at Lae. B-24's carry out single-plane attacks on A/Fs at Gasmata and town of Finschhafen, and cruiser ESE of Cape Orford.
1/16/43 Thirteenth AF B-26's from Espiritu Santo join P-39's and P-38's in Guadalcanal campaign, pounding the Japanese at Tassafaronga. Munda area is also bombed. B-17's bomb Buin-Faisi area, concentrating on Kahili A/F on Bougainville and Ballale A/F on Shortland I.
1/16/43 Eleventh AF 6 B-24's off to hit Kiska return due to weather. A B-24 flies negative rcn over Buldir, the Semichis, Attu, and Agattu.
1/17/43 Twelfth AF B-25's, with P-38 cover, attack rail junction at Graiba. Other B-25's on shipping strike fail to locate vessels and return with bombs. Ftrs fly routine rcn and patrols and escort C-47 missions.
1/17/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb Tripoli harbor. P-40's fly rcn, patrol, top cover, and FB missions as British ground forces pursue enemy toward Tripoli, reaching positions 10 mi E of Misurata on coast with Beni Ulid on the S flank. During 17/18 Jan, RAF Liberators hit Castel Benito A/F and road junction W of Homs.
1/17/43 Tenth AF 6 B-25's bomb railroad T/Os N of Monywa. 3 others bomb rail junction at Maymyo.
1/17/43 Fifth AF A-20's strafe Mambare Delta and hit positions between Bakumbari and Salamaua. B-17's bomb landing grounds and shipping in Rabaul. R-25's again pound supply stores at Lae. B-24's, operating individually, attack Finschhafen and Madang wharf areas, Malahang A/F, A/F at Gasmata, and a vessel SE of Rambutyo Is.
1/17/43 Thirteenth AF P-39's pound mortar positions near Allied lines on Guadalcanal. Ground supply lines to Mount Austen battle area reopen after 3 days of being closed because their extension outran the capacity of the native carriers. During the 3 days, B-17's from Henderson Field airlift rations, water, and ammo to the troops, using what improvised cargo parachutes are available and in many cases wrapping the supplies in burlap or canvas and pushing them out.
1/18/43 Twelfth AF B-17's, with ftr escort, bomb Castel Benito A/F. B-26's attack 2 vessels in Gulf of Hammamet. Ftrs fly rcn and patrols and escort C-47 runs.
1/18/43 Ninth AF B-24's strike Tripoli harbor. P-40's fly top cover and FB mission. Gen Montgomery orders accelerated day and night pursuit toward Tripoli as contact with Rommel's forces is temporarily lost due to terrain and obstacles.
1/18/43 USSR Siege of Leningrad is raised after 17 months of bombardment.
1/18/43 Tenth AF 8 P-40's and a B-25 strike Kamaing.
1/18/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb motor pool and supply dumps at Lae. B-24's, operating individually, bomb Madang and Malahang A/Fs and attack cargo ship SE of Rambutyo I.
1/18/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's, P-38's, and P-40's attack shipping at Shortland I, bomb Ballale I, and attackschooner S of Santa Isabel. Hits are scored on 2 vessels.
1/18/43 Eleventh AF A B-24 on rcn reports 2 vessels in Kiska Harbor. Thereupon 4 B-24's, 4 B-26's, 1 B-25, and 6 P-38's fly out of Adak. Mechanical trouble forces 2 B-26's to return. Bomb run is negative. Meanwhile bad weather closes in on Kiska and Adak. 6 aircraft are lost. 1 B-24 lands in a 20 mph downwind and crashes into 2 P-38's while 3 other B-24's are missing on return flight.
1/19/43 Twelfth AF B-17's hit industrial area just S of Tunis and M/Y at Jabal al Jallud. P-38's provide cover for HBs. B- 25's hit Medenine and nearby motor park. Ftrs continue routine rcn, patrol, and C-47 escort missions.
1/19/43 Ninth AF B-24's hit harbors at Tripoli and Sousse. B-25's hit Castel Benito A/F and motor transport on road.
Ground forces regain contact with enemy. Coastal force reaches Homs while S column presses toward Tarhunah.
1/19/43 Tenth AF B-24's from Pandaveswar fly missions over Burma and Thailand. 1 flight bombs Thazi, a railroad junction S of Mandalay. The other flight carries out photo rcn of Kanchanaburi and bombs docks at Bassein during return trip. This rcn flight, the largest mission in the theater to date, reveals construction of a new rail-line from Thailand to Burma. 14 P-40's and a B-25 pound Kamaing.
1/19/43 Fifth AF A-20's strafe troops in Kurenada area. B-25's hit barracks area and supply dumps at Toeal and pound supply dumps at Lae. HBs carry out individual attacks on various tgts at Lae, Madang, Cape Hollman, Cape Saint George, Finschhafen, and Gasmata.
1/19/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's, escorted by P-38's and P-40's, bomb runway and revetments at Munda.
1/19/43 Eleventh AF The crew of one of the 3 B-24's missing from previous day's mission, which had crashlanded at Great Sitkin I, is picked up by a Navy tender. Weather precludes missions and searches.
1/20/43 Twelfth AF B-17's hit Cap Mangin near Gabes when cloud cover prevents bombing of primary tgt, Tripoli. B-25's hit shipping in Straits of Sicily. Ftrs continue rcn and patrols, and C-47's continue transport flights with ftr escort.
1/20/43 Ninth AF B-24's hit harbor at Tripoli. P-40's fly top cover and FB operations as enemy resistance to British adv stiffens in Homs-Tarhunah area.
1/20/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb supply dumps at Lae. B-24's, operating singly, attack Cape Gloucester, Gasmata, Madang, and Finschhafen. B-25's attack tgts in Aroe Is.
1/20/43 Thirteenth AF B-26's claim hit on destroyer off S Bougainville.
1/20/43 Seventh AF Col Truman H Landon becomes CO VII BC.
1/20/43 Eleventh AF Weather aircraft aborts shortly after takeoff. A B-24 and a Navy PBY search without results for the 2 missing B-24's.
1/21/43 CCS 'Casablanca Directive' is issued. It broadly outlines the operations of the BCs of the US and Britain located in UK as having primary object of destruction of German military, economic, and industrial systems and undermining of morale of German people. Primary tgts listed in order of priority are submarine construction yards, aircraft industry, transportation, oil plants, and other war industries. It largely relieves VITI BC of supporting N African operations.
1/21/43 Eighth AF Gen Eaker completes paper called 'The Case For Day Bombing' which he presents to Gen Arnold at Casablanca Conference Eaker then discusses these ideas on the merits of daylight bombing with Churchill in attempt to convince him of its effectiveness. Churchill later concurs. This paper leads to development of CBO program.
1/21/43 Twelfth AF B-25's bomb highway and railroad bridge just N of Pont-du-Fahs. B-26's hit 2 freighters NE of Cap Bon, sinking 1 and damaging the other. Ftrs fly bmr and C-47 escort and fly sweeps and rcn, attacking and destroying large number of trucks on Gabes-Ben Gardane road. A-20's and ftr escort bomb and strafe tank and truck concentration near Ousseltia in spt of elements of US 1st Armd Div which begins Allied assault in effort to push enemy back in Ousseltia Valley into which new enemy offensive under new Axis CG, Col Gen von Arnim, has advanced in 4-day push.
1/21/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb Tripoli harbor. B-25's attack tgts along Surman-Az Zawiyah road. P-40's fly FB missions against ground tgts as British Eighth Army overcomes resistance in area. Enemy strengthens Tarhunah area at expense of Homs front, causing Gen Montgomery to decide to make main effort along coast.
1/21/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb A/F and shipping in Rabaul. In NE New Guinea B-25's hit supply dumps and A/F. A single B-24 attacks cruiser at Amboina harbor.
1/21/43 Thirteenth AF HQ moves from New Caledonia to Espiritu Santo. B-17's, B-26's, and P-39's pound bivouac and other tgts in Munda. B-17's also attack shipping E of Kieta.
1/21/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn airplane flies. An attack run over Kiska and patrol over Amchitka are called off due to weather. Air searches for 2 B-24's missing since 18 Jan continues.
1/22/43 Twelfth AF Another step is taken toward amalgamation of US and RAF air strength in Allied AF. Air spt for US and British land forces in N Africa is coordinated by formation of a new combined HQ, Allied A Spt Cmd, subordinate to Allied AF and under cmd of Gen Kuter. The cmd consists of XII A Spt Cmd, 242 Gp (RAF), a photo rcn unit, and other units that might be assigned to it. B-17's, operating in 2 forces, bomb El Aouina A/F in the morning. B-26's hit the A/F shortly after noon and B-25's attack later in the afternoon. Other B-26's, on shipping strike, severely damage a freighter in Straits of Sicily. Ftrs fly escort for bmrs and for C-47's and carry out numerous rcn and patrol missions. P-39's and P-40's spt allied ground assault in Ousseltia Valley which has been halted by strong opposition. The ftrs silence several machine-gun positions.
1/22/43 Ninth AF B-25's bomb road junction near Tripoli. P-40's fly cover and FB missions as British Eighth Army's 22d Armd Brig passes through 51st Inf Div at Homs and drives beyond Castelverde. Forces to S adv to within 17 mi of Tripoli.
1/22/43 Tenth AF 9 P-40's bomb and strafe Nsopzup and hit T/O S of town.
1/22/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb Lae terrace area. B-24's bomb Simpson Harbor and shipping and searchlights at Rabaul, and attack vessel off Amboina. A-20's strafe small boats in Baden Bay and at Woiba I. On this date Papua Campaign ends with collapse of organized resistance on Sanananda front. A decisive victory has been won by the Allied forces, the first of the war against the Japanese on land.
1/22/43 Thirteenth AF XIII FC moves from New Caledonia to Espiritu Santo.
1/22/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn aircraft finds Kiska closed in and flies negative search mission for 2 missing B-24's. For first time weather airplane draws AA fire through overcast at Kiska, suggesting that the Japanese have fire-control radar.
1/23/43 Eighth AF 19 HBs bomb port facilities and U-boat base at Brest while 35 attack the sub pens and supply shed at Lorient-Keroman. At Lorient, enemy ftrs use new tactics of coordinated attacks in groups of 6 aircraft.
5 bmrs are shot down.
1/23/43 Twelfth AF B-17's, in 2 forces, hit Bizerte naval base and shipping in the immediate area. Much damage is done to base facilities and 1 motor vessel is sunk. 75 to 100 ftrs attack formations, and HBs and escorting P-38's claim 20 destroyed. B-26's hit shipping off NE Tunisia, attacking several vessels and claiming 1 destroyed. Escorting ftrs hit trucks and tanks near Enfidaville during return flight. A-20's, and escorting P-40's, attack heavy gun battery, machine-gun nests, and 2 inf cos while supporting ground forces in battle area S of Ousseltia. Ftrs of XII A Spt Cmd destroy over 20 vehicles on Gabes-Ben Gardane highway.
1/23/43 Ninth AF During 23/24 Jan, B-24's bomb Palermo harbor. P-40's fly cover and FB missions during the day as Tripoli falls to Gen Montgomery's Eighth Army.
1/23/43 Fifth AF B-17's attack A/Fs at Rabaul and shipping off Cape Gazelle. B-25's pound supply dumps in terrace area of Lae. B-24's, operating individually, hit Madang and Finschhafen, and attack transports N of Rabaul and at Simpson Harbor.
1/23/43 Thirteenth AF US ground forces, aided by P-39's and USMC FBs, have by this date pushed up Guadalcanal coast and taken Kokumbona and Poha R Valley. The enemy has now lost control of good landing beach W of the A/Fs. Captured with the beach are the arty pieces that have menaced Henderson Field and ground forces in Mount Austen area. The enemy's supply routes, comm systems, and ammo dumps are also lost.
1/23/43 Seventh AF 24 P-40's of 78th Ftr Sq fly from Barking Sands, Kauai, in the Hawaiian Is to Midway (where they carry out patrols until 23 Apr 43). This flight of about 1,100 nautical mi is the longest over-water massed flight of single-engine planes made as of this date. The 78th replaces the P-40's of the 73d Ftr Sq on Midway.
1/23/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn over Kiska and search mission for missing B-24's reveal nothing. Enemy airplanes appear over Amchitka twice but inflict no damage. During 18-23 Jan, a period of continuous storm and sudden changes to extreme foul weather, non-combat losses were exceptionally high as 13 aircraft were lost. No losses resulted from enemy action.
1/24/43 Twelfth AF Col Paul L Williams assumes cmd of XII A Spt Cmd. B-25's and B-26's, operating in 2 forces, attack Medenine A/F. B-17's hit shipping in Sousse harbor. Ftrs escort bmrs and attack vehicles and troop concentrations along battleline in Tunisia.
1/24/43 Ninth AF B-25's strike Medenine A/F. P-40's fly cover and FB missions as Axis forces retreat W from Tripoli.
1/24/43 Tenth AF 492d Bomb Sq, not previously tried in battle, borrows 4 B-24's and 1 crew from 436th Sq and mounts a 9-plane strike against docks at Rangoon. Hits are scored on the wharves, storage areas, and a 6,000-ton vessel in the harbor. P-40's bomb and strafe ammo stores at Shaduzup.
1/24/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb A/F, harbor, and shipping at Rabaul. B-25's hit supply dumps in terrace area of Lae.
Single B-24's attack runways at Cape Gloucester and Gasmata, and bomb Dili.
1/24/43 Eleventh AF 6 HBs and 6 MBs attempt attack on Kiska. MBs abort over Semisopochnoi. HBs circle Kiska until weather closes in. 2 aircraft bomb Amchitka harbor area before US interceptors, 6 P-38's and 1 B-24, arrive. 2 P-38's return due to mechanical troubles. The others fly negative search over Kiska.
1/25/43 Twelfth AF Bad weather cancels HB and MB missions. Ftrs fly rcn, patrol, and C-47 escort.
1/25/43 Ninth AF P-40's carry out FB operations. 7th Armd Div, in pursuit of enemy, reaches Az Zawiyah.
1/25/43 Tenth AF 5 B-25's from Argatala bomb bridge (which the enemy is striving to rebuild) at Myitnge. The S approach to the bridge is destroyed and repair work on the bridge suspended. 3 B-25's add to destruction at Mandalay M/Y, tearing up tracks, wrecking about 75 railroad cars, and setting the freight house aflame. 3 other B-25's inflict similar damage on M/Y at Naba. 6 B-24's pound Rangoon dock area.
1/25/43 Fifth AF A-20's strafe areas in NE Papua where there appears to be some enemy movement. B-25's blast supply dumps and AA and machine-gun positions around Lae. Single B-24's attack runways at Gasmata and Cape Gloucester, and runway and beached ship at Finschhafen.
1/25/43 SOPAC Final phase of Guadalcanal offensive begins with orders of Gen Patch to begin pursuit of enemy along NW coast toward Cape Esperance. Enemy retreat is to be cut off by landing of a US bn just SW of the cape.
1/25/43 Thirteenth AF B-26's and P-38's hit A/F at Munda and bomb the wharf at Repirepi, demolishing it. Other P-38's bomb installations in Rekata Bay area, Santa Isabel I.
1/25/43 Seventh AF 6 B-24's, staging through Midway from Oahu, carry out photo rcn mission over Wake and drop 60 bombs. They claim 1 ftr shot down.
1/25/43 Eleventh AF P-38's are dispatched too late to engage 2 float-planes bombing Amchitka. Rcn is flown over Kiska, Buldir, Semichis, Attu, and Agattu. 1 B-24 and 4 P-38's fly 2 patrol missions over Amchitka. An attack mission to Kiska is turned back by weather. B-25's unsuccessfully search for missing aircraft.
1/26/43 Twelfth AF B-26's on shipping strike abort because of weather which limits air activity. Ftrs fly rcn and local patrol missions.
1/26/43 Ninth AF Headwinds prevent B-24's from reaching Naples (primary tgt) before dark, so they divert to Messina, bombing town and area around train ferry terminal. P-40's fly FB operation, refueling at Castel Benito.
1/26/43 Tenth AF 7 B-24's bomb shipping and dock area at Rangoon. 12 B-25's bomb Mandalay M/Ys. 15 P-40's and 3 B-25's hit town area and bridge at Shaduzup, railroad SW of Meza, and Naba M/Y.
1/26/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb shipping and Rapopo airstrip in Rabaul area. A-20's and B-25's pound Lae area, concentrating on supply storage dumps. B-24's carry out individual attacks on runways at Cape Gloucester and Gasmata and hit Finschhafen.
1/26/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's bomb A/F on Ballale I. P-39's, along with Navy aircraft, bomb AA positions and revetment area at Munda.
1/26/43 Seventh AF 3 B-24's, taking off from Funafuti in the Ellice Is, fly photo rcn mission over Tarawa, Maiana, Abemama, Beru, and Tomama in the Gilberts. The HBs attack merchant vessel in lagoon at Tarawa.
P-40's of 73d Ftr Sq fly from Midway to Kaneoke NAS in the Hawaiian Is, a distance of about 1,400 mi, thus breaking the record set by the 78th Sq on 23 Jan.
1/26/43 Eleventh AF All missions canceled due to weather. 2 enemy airplanes strafe Constantine Harbor.
1/27/43 Eighth AF 53 HBs make first Eighth AF attack on Germany, bombing naval base, U-boat construction works, power plant, and docks at Wilhelmshaven. 2 other HBs bomb submarine base at Emden.
1/27/43 Twelfth AF B-25's hit shipping off N coast of Algeria, attacking 2 destroyers and leaving 1 on fire. B-26's on shipping strike fail to attack sighted vessels because of weather. A-20's attack town of Al Mazzunah. Ftrs escort bmrs and fly rcn and local patrols.
1/27/43 Ninth AF During 26/27 Jan, B-24's bomb Naples and Messina. In afternoon, other B-24's hit Palermo, after weather causes diversion from primary tgt at Naples. British Eighth Army's 7th Armd Div meets stiffening resistance near Zuwarah.
1/27/43 Fifth AF A-20's hit huts and AA positions at Garrison Hill while B-25's pound supply storage and runway at Malahang. Individual B-24's bomb Finschhafen town, runway on tip of Huon Peninsula, and Gasmata A/F.
1/27/43 Thirteenth AF Gen Twining and a crew of 14 are down at sea between Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo. The entire group is rescued 6 days later. Gen Twining's rubber raft had no radio, an item which COMGEN SOPAC, Gen Millard Harmon, had been requesting for some time. This incident results in the rapid appearance of dinghy radio sets in the area. 6 B-26's and 8 P-39's attack A/F at Munda.
1/27/43 Eleventh AF Negative weather rcn sortie over Kiska. 4 P-38's fly protective patrol over Amchitka. Upon their departure, 3 Japanese aircraft appear and unsuccessfully bomb shipping but cause 3 casualties.
1/28/43 Twelfth AF 60 HBs and MBs in 3 waves (B-17's, B-25's, and B-26's) attack harbor, shipping, and M/Ys at Sfax. All missions are escorted by P-38's. P-40's of XII A Spt Cmd attack inf and arty while supporting French and US ground forces in Ousseltia Valley where Allies gain control of W exit and half of Kairouan Pass.
1/28/43 Fifth AF A-20's bomb area from Garrison Hill to Komiatum Track and B-17's hit Wewak area. B-24's carryout individual attacks at Salamaua, on cargo vessel in Open Bay and nearby village in New Britain, and on transport off Amboina.
1/28/43 Thirteenth AF 5 B-26's and 12 P-39's attack A/F at Vila on Kolombangara. P-38's and P-40's, along with Navy aircraft, hit shipping between Choiseul and Kolombangara, claiming hits on a tanker and a smaller vessel.
1/28/43 Seventh AF 1 B-24 flies photo rcn over Nauru and Ocean I.
1/28/43 Eleventh AF Weather airplane encounters poor visibility over Kiska. 2 patrols fly over Amchitka. The second runs into poor weather and aborts. Attack on Kiska is canceled due to weather.
1/29/43 Twelfth AF 3 consecutive waves of B-17's attack docks and shipping at Bizerte. B-26's hit El Aouina A/F while others on shipping strike between Tunisia and Sicily severely damage a cargo liner. Ftrs escort bmrs and C-47's and carry out rcn.
1/29/43 Fifth AF B-25's pound area around Mubo, concentrating on positions on Garrison and Mat Hill. Single B-24's bomb runways at Cape Gloucester and Gasmata.
1/29/43 Thirteenth AF B-26's and P-39's hit bivouac area at Vila, Kolombangara and A/F at Munda Pt. B-17's bomb Kahili A/F.
1/29/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn over Kiska and patrol over Rat I, flown by 1 B-24, 2 B-25's, and 4 P-38's, are recalled early due to weather. All other missions canceled.
1/30/43 Twelfth AF Over 50 B-17's bomb docks and shipping at Ferryville. B-25's hit railroad installations and warehouses at El Aouinet while B-26's bomb railroad S of Reyville. Ftrs and A-20's carry out numerous strafing and bombing operations against tanks, motor transport, and troop concentrations along battleline in Tunisia between El Guettar and Faid.
1/30/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb train ferry terminal at Messina. Direct hits are scored on a ship and AA battery near terminal.
1/30/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb shipping and wharf facilities at Rabaul. A-20's strafe and bomb Lae and area around Mubo in vicinity of Garrison Hill and along Komiatum Track. B-24's, operating individually, bomb runway at Gasmata and attack transport vessel in Open Bay.
1/30/43 Thirteenth AF AA positions and A/F area at Munda Pt are pounded by B-17's, B-26's, P-40's and P-39's.
1/30/43 Eleventh AF 2 patrols, each composed of 1 B-25 and 4 P-38's, fly over Amchitka and are recalled early due to weather. 1 B-17, upon an alleged submarine sighting, drops 4 depth charges and 1 bomb whereupon a whale breaks water. Weather cancels other missions.
1/31/43 USAFIME Gen Brereton, CG Ninth AF, assumes cmd of USAFIME.
1/31/43 Twelfth AF B-17's hit harbor and shipping at Bizerte. B-26's bomb Gabes A/F. Ftrs escort bmrs and attack ground tgts and furnish cover for ground forces along battleline in Tunisia, mainly between Gafsa and Faid.
1/31/43 Ninth AF IX FC begins functioning at its HQ station at Kabrit, Egypt, Gen Strickland is CG. B-24's hit railroad ferry installations at Messina harbor. British 7th Armd Div finishes clearing Zuwarah.
1/31/43 Fifth AF A-20's continue to pound positions between Mubo and Komiatum. B-17's pound A/Fs, shipping, and town area at Rabaul. A single B-24 bombs runway at Cape Gloucester, while a lone B-17 bombs runway at Wewak. Other B-24's unsuccessfully attack isolated vessels over widespread areas in Banda Sea and Solomon Sea.
1/31/43 Thirteenth AF P-39's join Navy aircraft in attacks on shipping in Vella Gulf. Hits are claimed on a destroyer. B-17's bomb ammo dump and A/F at Vila. P-39's, P-38's, P-40's, and other Allied ftrs carry out sweeps over Vila and over Munda.
1/31/43 Eleventh AF Weather and photo rcn aircraft flies twice over Kiska. During first mission near Attu the airplane is jumped by 6 ftrs which it eludes. 4 B-17's, 2 B-24's, 6 B-25's, 4 P-38's, and 4 P-40's then attempt attack on Kiska. P-40's turn back with mechanical troubles. The other aircraft find Kiska closed in and abort mission. 2 patrol missions, each by 1 B-25 and 4 P-38's, fly over Amchitka. 2 enemy float-planes bomb Constantine Harbor without results.
2/1/43 Twelfth AF B-17's bomb harbor and shipping at Tunis and shipping in La Goulette harbor. Ftrs escort bmrs and cover ground forces in Sened-Maknassy area. A-20's and P-40's bomb tank and vehicle concentration near Sidi Khalif.
2/1/43 Ninth AF HQ 9th Ftr Wg arrives in Egypt.
2/1/43 Tenth AF 7 B-24's from Pandaveswar bomb Arakan tea sheds on Rangoon R near Rangoon harbor.
2/1/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb runway and aircraft dispersal areas at Rabaul. A lone B-24 bombs runway at Finschhafen, then flies E to New Britain where it bombs runway at Cape Gloucester and unsuccessfully attacks ship in Open Bay.
2/1/43 Thirteenth AF P-38's, P-40's, and P-39's, along with Navy and Marine airplanes, attack 4 destroyers N of Vangunu I.
Hits on 2 of the ships cause fires. B-17's attack shipping in Shortland-Bougainville area, claiming 3 direct hits on cargo vessels.
2/1/43 Eleventh AF All missions canceled due to weather. Enemy aircraft bomb and strafe Amchitka harbor and shipping without inflicting damage.
2/2/43 Twelfth AF B-25's and B-26's, in coordinated attacks, bomb El Maou A/F at Sfax. A-20's, with P-40's and P-39's escorting, bomb munitions dump in battle area. Other ftrs fly cover missions for ground forces along battleline and carry out rcn operations.
2/2/43 Tenth AF P-40's strafe aircraft, AA positions, and T/Os at Kentung.
2/2/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb A/F at Rabaul. B-24's attack shipping between Lolobau Is and New Britain and N of Open Bay, bomb Gasmata runway, and hit Timika. A-20's continue to bomb and strafe positions on high points between Mubo and Komiatum.
2/2/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's, along with escorting P-40's and P-38's, attack shipping off Shortland I. Of 20 Japanese aircraft which intercept, 9 are claimed destroyed. Other B-26's, P-38's, and P-39's attack Munda A/F.
2/3/43 Twelfth AF B-26's attack Gabes and vessels between Tunisia and Sicily. B-25's hit bridges over river N of Maknassy, damaging railroad bridge. A-20's hit tanks and vehicles further N, and attack a large howitzer and numerous trucks E of Ousseltia.
2/3/43 Ninth AF B-24's hit harbors at Palermo and Messina: 1 bombs Plati.
2/3/43 Fifth AF A-20's continue to strike along Mubo-Komiatum Track. B-17's and B-24's attack Gasmata runway, Simpson Harbor, Cape Gazelle area, and A/F at Cape Gloucester. B-25's bomb Dobo on Wamar.
2/3/43 Thirteenth AF P-39's, P-38's, and P-40's, along with Navy and Marine planes, attack Munda A/F.
2/4/43 JCS Gen Andrews assumes cmd of ETOUSA. NATOUSA is established with Gen Eisenhower as cmdr.
2/4/43 Eighth AF 32 HBs attack M/Y, port area and industries in Emden, and a few strike at industries in Osnabruck.
Bmrs are opposed for first time by twin-engine ftrs (Me 110's and Ju 88's).
2/4/43 Twelfth AF B-17's hit Gabes A/F and a landing ground W of the town. Weather prevents completion of a MB mission against landing ground further SW. Ftrs escort bmrs and C-47's and fly rcn over battle area.
2/4/43 Tenth AF 6 B-25's and 7 B-24's bomb Myitnge bridge S of Mandalay, damaging S approach. 3 other B-25's bomb Myitnge railroad shops.
2/4/43 Fifth AF A-20's and B-25's bomb Lae A/F and harbor and nearby AA positions, and hit forces in Mubo, Komiatum, Zaka, and Wau areas. Japanese forces begin retreating in disorder from Wau area toward Mubo. HBs hit A/Fs at Rabaul, Gasmata, and Cape Gloucester, score hits on vessel off Arawe, and attack small boats at Lorengau, sinking 1 boat.
2/4/43 Thirteenth AF A single B-17 joins Navy aircraft in pounding Kahili A/F. Other Navy airplanes hit Munda A/F.
2/4/43 Eleventh AF The weather rcn plane over Kiska, jumped by 3 ftrs, shoots 1 down. It is followed by 3 B-17's, 3 B- 24's, 3 B-25's, 4 P-38's, and 8 P-40's. The B-24's blast North Head submarine base, and score near misses on cargo ship. The B-25's hit vicinity of Main Camp area. 3 of 5 float-planes which intercept are shot down. The P-40's strafe Kiska ground installation and sight a ftr strip SW of Salmon Lagoon.
2 Amchitka ftr patrols are flown. The first also strafes gun emplacements on Vega Pt. 5 enemy bmrs strike Amchitka.
2/5/43 Twelfth AF Bad weather cancels HB and MB missions. Ftrs fly rcn missions (strafing trucks near Jabal Ash Shamsi), local patrols, and escort for C-47's.
2/5/43 Tenth AF 6 B-24's bomb railroad station area at Rangoon. P-40's bomb railway cut W of Meza, and having blocked the line, strafe a halted train. 6 B-25's attack Myitnge bridge but fail to knock out the tgt. P- 40's hit T/Os in Kentung area.
2/5/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb Rabaul A/Fs while B-24's blast docks and shipping at Amboina. B-25's hit Dobo. A-20's continue to bomb and strafe forces around Zaka, Sappa, Mubo, and Gona. HBs carry out individual attacks on shipping off Papua and New Britain and hit town of Rabaul and A/F at Gasmata.
2/6/43 Twelfth AF XII BC cancels missions because of weather. P-40's and P-39's fly rcn and strafing mission between Sidi bou Zid and Sfax. Spitfires escort transport and evacuation missions.
2/6/43 Tenth AF 16 ftrs follow Mali R to Hpunkizup where they destroy about 20 trucks loaded with bridge repair equipment and completely decimate the village. HBs attack bridge at Myitnge but fail to seriously damage the tgt.
2/6/43 Fifth AF A-20's bomb and strafe forces along track from Mubo to Komiatum to Salamaua and hit the enemy in the Mambare R delta. B-25's hit A/F at Lae. A single B-24 hits cargo vessels off Finschhafen and Powell Pt, claiming 1 vessel destroyed, and attacks troop barges in Riebeck Bay, causing several casualties. Japanese aircraft attack Wau A/F; Allied ftrs (P-40's, P-39's, P-400's, and P-39's) effectively intercept the attacks during the late morning and midday hours, claiming 24 of the enemy shot down in air combat. No allied aircraft are shot down.
2/6/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn is flown over Kiska and Attu.
2/7/43 Twelfth AF Over 50 B-17's and B-26's bomb Elmas A/F and seaplane base at Cagliari. P-38's provide escort. Ftrs and A-20's fly rcn over large areas of E Tunisia. Ftrs strafe gun batteries in Gafsa-Maknassy area.
2/7/43 Ninth AF B-24's hit harbor at Naples, scoring direct hit on 1 vessel and hits on others.
2/7/43 Fifth AF A single B-24 bombs Dobo and Babo, while another bombs Timika and Kaukenau.
2/7/43 Eleventh AF 1 B-17 flies weather rcn over Kiska.
2/8/43 Twelfth AF B-17's bomb docks and shipping at Sousse. B-26's and B-25's bomb Gabes A/F, also hitting nearby M/Y. 2 forces of A-20's attack vehicle and troop concentration E of Faid. Ftrs escort bmr missions, strafe Sened-Maknassy area and landing ground at Kebili, and fly routine rcn and patrols.
2/8/43 Ninth AF B-24's attack ferry installations at Messina.
2/8/43 Tenth AF 18 B-24's pound Rangoon M/Y, wrecking locomotive shops and destroying railroad station. 3 other HBs bomb runway at Mingaladon.
2/8/43 Fifth AF A-20's pound Japanese forces in Mubo area. B-25's bomb Dobo town area. A single B-24 bombs Gasmata A/F.
2/8/43 Thirteenth AF P-38's and Navy aircraft bomb Munda A/F.
2/8/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn is flown over Kiska, Agattu, and Attu. 5 B-24's and 5 B-25's bomb Kiska Camp area and hit water tank and bldgs. 2 B-25's bomb North Head through overcast. 4 P-38's and 1 B-25 patrol over Amchitka.
2/9/43 Twelfth AF B-17's bomb Kairouan A/F. Ftrs strafe AA and machine-guns and trucks in Faid Pass, buildings near Mezzouna, trucks in Station de Sened area, and fly escort and rcn missions.
2/9/43 Ninth AF B-25's bomb A/Fs on Crete.
2/9/43 Fifth AF B-24's bomb Kendari A/F. A-20's hit Malahang area.
2/9/43 Thirteenth AF B-26's, P-38's, and P-39's pound A/F at Vila. Other P-38's join Navy aircraft in attacking Munda A/F.
Organized Japanese resistance ends on Guadalcanal.
2/10/43 Atlantic German sub, U-519, is sunk NW of Spain, 47-05N 18-34 W, by aircraft of 2d Antisub Sq.
2/10/43 Twelfth AF B-25's attack shipping between Tunisia and Sicily, claiming 1 vessel sunk and another badly damaged.
Weather cancels other bmr missions. P-39's and Spitfires of XII A Spt Cmd strafe gun batteries, machinegun nests, vehicles, and troops in Maknassy-Station de Sened-Bou Hamran area.
2/10/43 Ninth AF B-24's sent to attack Palermo are forced to abort because of bad weather. They jettison bombs or return with them to base. 1 aircraft scores direct hits on Italian highway. Rainfall delays British Eighth Army assault on Mareth Line positions at Ben Gardane.
2/10/43 Tenth AF 8 B-25's bomb rolling stock at Maymyo.
2/10/43 Thirteenth AF P-38's and Navy aircraft attack Munda A/F.
2/10/43 Eleventh AF The weather rcn aircraft aborts due to radio failure. 4 B-24's, 2 B-17's, 8 B-25's, and 8 P-38's attack Kiska. Hits are observed on landing strip and near hangar and buildings. 2 patrol missions, each by 4 P-38's and 1 B-25, are flown over Amchitka.
2/11/43 Twelfth AF Bad weather cancels HB and MB missions. A-20's hit Station de Sened. Ftrs escort LBs and transports, and fly rcn and patrols.
2/11/43 Ninth AF RAF Liberators, under IX BC, are sent against Heraklion A/F during 10/11 Feb. Severe weather causes them to abort near S coast of Crete.
2/11/43 Fifth AF During predawn hours a B-17 carries out harassing strike over Rabaul.
2/11/43 Thirteenth AF B-26's, P-38's, and P-39's bomb A/Fs at Munda and Vila.
2/12/43 Twelfth AF HB and MB missions are canceled because of weather. A-20's attack gun installations W of Station de Sened. Ftrs escort A-20's and C-47's, and fly routine patrols.
2/12/43 Tenth AF 7 B-24's pound Myitnge bridge area but fail to damage bridge itself. This strike marks first use of 2,000-lb blockbusters in the CBI. 12 other B-24's bomb Mahlwagon M/Y and railway station at Rangoon. 12 P-40's hit barracks near Lonkin.
2/12/43 Fifth AF B-24's, operating individually, attack sawmill at Ubili, runway at Cape Gloucester, and harbor and A/F at Rabaul, and score possible hit on 6,000-ton vessel in Solomon Sea between New Britain and Bougainville.
2/12/43 Thirteenth AF P-38's, along with Navy aircraft, attack Munda area, hitting AA at Rapa and setting fires at Kokengolo.
B-26's and P-39's follow with strike on the Munda A/F.
2/12/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn and attack missions on Kiska and a ftr patrol over Amchitka are broken off due to weather.
2/13/43 Twelfth AF B-26's bomb El Aouina A/F. Ftrs escort MBs, strafe tanks near Station de Sened, and destroy several trucks and staff cars in the Faid area.
2/13/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb Naples area and Crotone A/F and city area under storm conditions. During late afternoon and early evening RAF Liberators hit Heraklion A/F. 1 HB hits Kastelli/Pediada A/F on return trip.
2/13/43 Tenth AF 7 HBs from Gaya bomb Rangoon M/Y, scoring over 30 direct hits on the tgt. P-40's hit HQ at Lonkin, burning 12 barracks. 9 B-25's hit rolling stock in M/Y at Paukkan and along rail line from Shwebo to Sagaing.
2/13/43 Fifth AF A-20's pound forces in and around Mubo while B-25's hit Lae area. A single B-24 bombs saw mill area at Ubili and a B-17 hits T/Os in Rabaul area.
2/13/43 Thirteenth AF 6 B-24's, with light ftr cover from Guadalcanal, bomb Buin and shipping in nearby Shortland Is area.
Ftr opposition is aggressive; 3 HBs, plus 3 ftrs, are shot down. This is the baptism of fire in the Solomons for the B-24's of 424th Bomb Sq, 307th Bomb Gp.
2/13/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn is flown over Kiska, Attu, Agattu, the Semichis, and Buldir I. 5 HBs, 6 MBs, and 10 P-38's bomb and strafe Kiska tgts including Camp area, landing strip, and shipping. Of 5 float-type ftrs which attack, P-38's shoot down 3. 4 P-38's and 1 B-25 fly patrol mission over Amchitka and Little Kiska. A B-25 shoots down a floatplane.
2/14/43 Twelfth AF B-25's on shipping strike return with bombs when no vessels are sighted. Other MB and HB operations are canceled by bad weather. Ftrs strafe vehicles and gun emplacements in El Guettar-Sened- Maknassy areas, and hit tanks and trucks near Sidi Saad. A-20's bomb tanks in Faid Pass, trucks near Maknassy and SW of Faid, town of Maknassy, and railroad yards at Station de Sened. Enemy ground forces (armd and inf ) begin drive, supported by arty and dive bmrs, against Allied forces E of Sidi bou Zid.
2/14/43 USSR Soviet Army takes Rostov, key comm center for German forces.
2/14/43 Tenth AF MBs unsuccessfully attack bridge at Myitnge. 14 FBs hit town area of Maingkwan and barracks to the SW.
2/14/43 Fifth AF B-17's and B-24's administer a thorough pounding to the Rabaul area, and also bomb Kokopo area, Watom I, vessels off Kokopo and off Cape Nelson. Individual B-24's attack Madang area and hit sawmill at Ubili. B-25's bomb A/F at Lae.
2/14/43 Thirteenth AF 9 B-24's, with light ftr protection, again attack Buin. Japanese ftrs again put up rugged opposition and shoot down 2 B-24's. As a result of the loss of 5 HBs in 15 sorties in 2 days, all daylight bombing missions in N Solomons are halted till adequate ftr protection can be furnished. P-39's and Navy aircraft bomb and strafe Munda A/F and hit AA position and other tgts at Munda Pt. P-38's and Navy aircraft report hits on small vessel near Kahili and claim 11 shot down. 8 more Allied airplanes are lost.
2/14/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn airplane turns back due to weather, as does morning patrol of 1 B-25 and 4 P-38's flying over Amchitka. Other missions from Adak are also called off. 7 enemy float-type planes bomb and strafe Constantine Harbor area without effect.
2/15/43 Eighth AF 21 HBs strike shipping at Dunkirk.
2/15/43 Twelfth AF B-17's hit harbor and shipping at Palermo, while B-25's and B-26's attack Kairouan A/F. Ftrs spt Allied ground forces being pushed back from Faid-Sidi bou Zid area to position at Sbeitla, Kasserine, and Feriana. Enemy troops, vehicles, gun positions, and tanks are repeatedly attacked. Ftrs hit similar tgts in Gafsa-Bou Hamran area.
2/15/43 Ninth AF DATF is established with Gen Strickland as CG. Whereas Desert Air Task Force HQ, organized 22 Oct 42, controlled USAMEAF tac operations in the Western Desert, this new organization, with HQ at Tripoli, supervises, operationally and administratively, all of Ninth AF W of, and including, Marble Arch.
In addition the CG is cmdr of all US troops in the area. Col Hugo P Rush succeeds Gen Timberlake as CO of IX BC, which begins functioning from its new station at Bengasi. B-24's attack harbor at Naples, scoring direct hits on 2 vessels. British Army groundforces resume operations toward Mareth Line as weather improves.
2/15/43 Tenth AF For second consecutive day HB strikes against bridge at Myitnge cause little damage.
2/15/43 Fifth AF B-17's again bomb town of Rabaul and hit area nearby W of Simpson Harbor. A single HB attacks Rapopo A/F. B-24's pound shipping and town area at Amboina. B-25's attack town and A/F of Dili and pound supply dumps at Malahang. B-24's operating singly bomb runway at Finschhafen, and claim direct hit on vessel in Stettin Bay.
2/15/43 Thirteenth AF B-26's, P-39's, and P-40's attack Vila A/F. B-24's, hindered by effective AA fire, bomb A/Fs at Kahili and on Ballale I. 2 B-24's are lost.
2/15/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn B-24 is soon called off due to weather. All other missions canceled. 6 float-type enemy aircraft bomb and strafe Amchitka, hitting runway and inflicting casualties.
2/16/43 Eighth AF 65 HBs hit locks and U-boat base at Saint-Nazaire. Unsuccessful air-to-air bombing attempt is made by German ftrs. 8 aircraft are lost during mission.
2/16/43 Twelfth AF B-25's on shipping strike abort due to weather. Other XII BC operations are canceled. A-20's, in spt of hard-pressed Allied ground forces, bomb gun positions W of Sidi bou Zid. Ftrs fly repeated strafing missions against troops and vehicles in Gafsa area.
2/16/43 Ninth AF During 16/17 Feb, RAF Liberators, under IX BC, bomb Heraklion A/F. British Eighth Army's 7th Armd Div drives into Ben Gardane, outpost of Mareth Line.
2/16/43 USSR Soviet Army takes Kharkov, stronghold of German line in S Russia since Oct 41.
2/16/43 Tenth AF 18 P-40's hit T/Os in Nsopzup and Hpunkizup areas.
2/16/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb Malahang A/F and strafe T/Os on Salamaua peninsula. B-17's bomb warehouse at Ubili.
2/16/43 SOPAC Adm Mason becomes CO MAIRSOLS with cmd of all aircraft in the Solomons.
2/16/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn airplane flies over Kiska, Attu, Agattu, the Semichis, and Buldir. 5 HBs, 6 MBs, 6 P-38's, and 1 MB photo airplane take off for Kiska but do not attack due to weather. 1 P-40, accompanying several P-38's on Amchitka ftr patrol, lands on Amchitka strip. An afternoon patrol of 7 P-40's and 1 transport aircraft also land at the strip which is now safe for limited operations.
2/17/43 Twelfth AF Twelfth AF and other organizations of Allied AF are transferred to NAAF which supplants Allied AF.
NAAF, in turn, becomes part of MAC, a new air cmd which comes into existence on this date with ACM Tedder as cmdr. MAC also includes Middle East Air Cmd (later RAF, Middle East) and Malta Air Cmd (later RAF, Malta). NAAF CG is Gen Spaatz. Over 40 B-17's bomb Elmas A/F. B-25's and B-26's hit Sardinian A/Fs of Villacidro and Decimomannu. Ftrs escort bmrs and spt ground forces in Sbeitla Kasserine-Feriana area. The ftrs, along with A-20's, attack and destroy numerous tanks, trucks, and other vehicles moving against hard-pressed British First Army forces.
2/17/43 Fifth AF B-24's operating individually, strike Gasmata A/F and Pondo Harbor, Babo, and sawmill at Ubili.
2/17/43 Thirteenth AF P-39's join Navy ftrs and dive bmrs in strike against Munda A/F. Single B-24's bomb Nusave I, and A/Fs on Ballale I and at Kahili.
2/17/43 Eleventh AF Weather cancels all missions and also laying of mat at Amchitka airstrip.
2/18/43 NAAF HQ NAAF is set up (under Gen Spaatz) and 6 principal subordinate cmds are specified; NATAF, NASAF, NACAF, NATC, NAASC, and NW African Photo Rcn Wg.
2/18/43 Twelfth AF Weather cancels bmr missions. Ftrs provide direct spt for British First Army in Sbeitla-Kasserine- Feriana areas.
2/18/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb Barar area and unsuccessfully attack shipping off Dili. Individual B-24's bomb Finschhafen landing ground and Madang area, and unsuccessfully attack shipping off Cape Gloucester and Cape Orford.
2/18/43 Thirteenth AF B-24's pound A/F at Munda. B-17's attack Kahili area and shipping nearby.
2/18/43 Eleventh AF Weather rcn B-24 determines 3 ships at Attu to be friendly. P-40's on local patrol over Amchitka encounter and shoot down 2 ftrs.
2/19/43 Twelfth AF Weather prevents bmr operations. Ftrs and LBs of XII A Spt Cmd are grounded and unable to spt ground forces as enemy opens attack on Kasserine with inf and tanks supported by arty.
2/19/43 Ninth AF B-25's bomb Gabes W area through heavy clouds.
2/19/43 Tenth AF Ftrs dive-bomb a Japanese HQ at Hpunkizup and afterwards strafe rail defile S of Meza, burying about 100 ft of track. 5 B-25's bomb rail terminal at Sagaing.
2/19/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb shipping and seaplane base between Buin and Faisi and at Ballale I, and hit Kahili A/F.
A-20's bomb and strafe forces in Butibum and Angari areas. B-24's carry out single-plane attacks against shipping at Salamaua, off Cape Gloucester, and at Gasmata.
2/19/43 Eleventh AF Weather cancels all missions except limited weather rcn.
2/20/43 Twelfth AF Weather again severely limits operations. A handful of P-39's strafe trucks and half-tracks in Kasserine area as enemy breaks through Kasserine Pass and thrusts N and W toward Thala and Tebessa.
2/20/43 Ninth AF During 19/20 Feb, RAF Liberators bomb Heraklion and Kastelli/Pediada A/F. B-24's bomb Crotone, Naples, Amantea, Palmi, Nicotera, and Rosarno.
2/20/43 Tenth AF 17 P-40's bomb factory, oil tanks, and railroad tracks at Sahmaw. 13 B-24's attack Gokteik Viaduct but fail to damage the structure.
2/20/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb landing strips at Kahili and at Ballale I, and Gasmata A/F.
2/20/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's and Navy PBY's bomb Ballale I and Kahili. B-24's pound Vila. During 19/20 Feb and day strikes, P-39's and Navy airplanes attack Munda area, hitting A/F and nearby Lambeti and Munda Pt.
2/20/43 Seventh AF 3 B-24's, from Canton I, photograph Makin, Abaiang, and Tarawa, and attack shipping at Tarawa.
2/20/43 Eleventh AF Rcn over Kiska finds weather favorable. Therefore 5 B-24's, 7 B-25's and 8 P-38's take off. The ftrs blast Main Camp area. The bmrs bomb North Head, Camp area, and runway.
2/21/43 NAAF WDAF passes under operational control of NATAF; AAF gps of WDAF remain under administrative control of Ninth AF. B-25's hit Gafsa railroad yards. Weather foils 3 attempts by P-39's and Spitfires to furnish spt to ground forces battling enemy drive N and W of Kasserine Pass. Only 2 P-39's are able to reach the enemy and strafe tanks and trucks.
2/21/43 Ninth AF 93d Bomb Gp is relieved from duty with Ninth AF in the ME for return to duty with Eighth AF in UK.
2/21/43 Fifth AF B-24's bomb harbor and shipping at Amboina. A-20's bomb and strafe several occupied villages and tracks throughout Mubo Komiatum-Salamaua region.
2/21/43 Thirteenth AF Thirteenth AF ftrs and others (USN, USMC, and RNZAF) from Guadalcanal provide air spt as 43d Div lands in Russell Is to begin the long push up the Solomons toward Rabaul. SWPA forces had aided by bombing A/Fs in Buin, Kahili, and Ballale areas preceding the invasion (see Fifth AF, 19 and 20 Feb).
2/21/43 Eleventh AF Weather prevents all flying from Adak. Amchitka-based ftrs patrol Kiska.
2/22/43 NAAF A-20's and ftrs, flying close spt to ground forces, aid in repulsing FM Rommel's drive toward Thala and Tebessa. At 1915 the enemy begins general withdrawal toward Kasserine. B-17's bomb Kasserine Pass while B-25's hit nearby bridge. Escorting P-38's strafe retreating troops. Other B-25's hit Gafsa railway yards.
2/22/43 Tenth AF During 22/23 Feb, 10 B-24's mine Gulf of Martaban between Pagoda Pt and mouth of Rangoon R. 24 US and RAF Liberators fly diversionary strike against city of Rangoon and Mingaladon A/F.
2/22/43 Fifth AF B-25's pound Lae area while to the S A-20's hit forces at Buibuining, Waipali, Guadagasal, and along trails in the surrounding areas. A single B-17 bombs Lae, and a B-24 hits Lorengau A/F.
2/22/43 Thirteenth AF P-38's, P-39's, and Navy aircraft hit Rekata Bay area and barges in Sambi Bay.
2/22/43 Eleventh AF 16 bmrs and 8 ftrs abort Kiska attack mission due to weather.
2/23/43 NAAF B-25's attack shipping N of Cap Bon, claiming 1 vessel sunk. B-17's bomb Kairouan A/F and hit troops retreating through Kasserine Pass. B-25's and B-26's hit Kasserine Pass and bridge nearby. A-20's and ftrs also attack retreating columns in Kasserine area.
2/23/43 Ninth AF B-24's attack Messina ferry slip, scoring several direct hits and leaving tgt area burning. During the late evening B-25's hit Arram in the Mareth Line.
2/23/43 Tenth AF 46 Japanese bmrs and ftrs are intercepted over Chabua A/F by P-40's. In running battle the P-40's claim at least 14 planes shot down. 8 P-40's knock out railroad bridge W of Myitkyina. Several HBs attack bridge at Myitnge; the strike fails to damage the structure itself but batters the S approach.
2/23/43 Fifth AF A-20's continue to pound occupied villages and trails in Buibuining-Waipali and Guadagasal-Mubo areas. B-25's bomb and strafe Angari and Yangla. B-17's bomb town and harbor area of Rabaul.
2/23/43 Eleventh AF Over Kiska 17 bmrs and 8 ftrs bomb Main Camp area while an F-5A flies a photo mission.
2/24/43 Eighth AF Gen Eaker, CG, is advised by WD of CCS decision to employ his ftr units primarily in an offensive role in spt of bmrs.
2/24/43 NAAF B-17's bomb Kairouan A/F. B-25's sink several barges NE of Cap Bon. B-26's and B-17's bomb enemy columns in Kasserine Pass and hit town of Kasserine, while B-25's attack highway traffic near Sbeitla. A-20's and ftrs hit motor transport in wide area around Kasserine and Sbeitla.
2/24/43 Tenth AF P-40's knock out S span of railroad bridge NE of Pinbaw.
2/24/43 Fifth AF A-20's continue to attack forces at Guadagasal Saddle, Waipali, trails from Waipali to Guadagasal Saddle and Mubo, and in area of Waria R mouth. B-25's pound Lae, Angari, Yangla, Malahang landing strip, and smaller villages in the area. B-17's again hit shipping at Rabaul. B-24's continue singleplane harassing strikes on shipping and A/Fs in coastal areas of Portuguese and NE New Guinea and in Solomon Sea off Cape Saint George.
2/24/43 Thirteenth AF B-24's bomb Kahili and Faisi.
2/24/43 Eleventh AF All except one mission of 4 P-40's, to Kiska, are called off. The P-40's make no contacts, however.
2/25/43 RAF RAF starts round-the-clock operations against the enemy from UK.
2/25/43 NAAF B-17's bomb El Aouina A/F. Ftrs and A-20's hit troops and military traffic in Thala-Kasserine-Sbeitla areas and along Gafsa-Feriana road. Other ftrs carry out widespread rcn and patrol missions. British First Army and US troops of II Corps occupy Kasserine Pass.
2/25/43 Ninth AF During 24/25 Feb, B-24's bomb Naples harbor and Crotone. B-25's attack motor transport on Arram road.
2/25/43 Tenth AF Ftrs from Dinjan dive-bomb bridge 10 mi W of Myitkyina. A single span is knocked out and another damaged. HBs again fail to damage Myitnge bridge. More than 40 Japanese airplanes attack Dinjan A/F; 32 intercepting P-40's claim at least 9 aircraft shot down.
2/25/43 Fifth AF A-20's again bomb and strafe forces at Guadagasal Saddle and vicinity. HBs continue to attack shipping, A/F, and town area at Rabaul. Gasmata A/F is also bombed.
2/25/43 Thirteenth AF P-38's, P-40's, and F-4U's sweep Kahili area.
2/25/43 Eleventh AF 4 P-40's sweep Kiska. 6 B-24's and 5 B-25's bomb Main Camp and North Head areas.
2/26/43 Eighth AF 65 HBs bomb U-boat yards and naval base at Wilhelmshaven. Docks and surrounding areas are also hit. This mission is originally intended for Bremen but strikes Wilhelmshaven because primary tgt is obscured by clouds. Germans attempt air-to-air bombing by ftr aircraft and use of parachute-bombs fired by arty.
2/26/43 Twelfth AF Gen Doolittle assumes cmd of XII BC.
2/26/43 NAAF B-17's, with P-38 escort, attack docks and shipping at Bizerte after Wellingtons hit same tgt the previous night. Ftrs hit trucks in Pichon-Ousseltia area and fly numerous rcn missions. Von Arnim's 5th Panzer Army opens offensive on broad front toward Bedja and Medjez el Bab.
2/26/43 Ninth AF Gen Montgomery sets 20 Mar as D-Day for attack on Mareth Line. P-40's carry out FB missions as ground forces maintain pressure on enemy along coast and on Gabes road. B-25's attack roads and motor transport in Arram area during 26/27 Feb.
2/26/43 Tenth AF Dinjan-based P-40's hit bridge NE of Pinbaw, destroying a span and damaging other parts of the bridge.
2/26/43 Fifth AF A-20's hit Buibuining-Waipali area while a single B-17 bombs A/Fs at Lae and Salamaua. B-17's and B-24's bomb A/F at Gasmata, other B-17's attack shipping and A/F at Wewak and a single B-17 attacks shipping in Hixon and Open Bays.
2/26/43 Thirteenth AF P-38's and Navy aircraft hit Vila during 25/26 Feb.
2/27/43 Eighth AF 60 HBs strike U-boat pens, port, and naval facilities at Brest.
2/27/43 NAAF B-17's bomb Cagliari area and ships N of Capo d'Orlando. Wellingtons hit Bizerte. Ftrs fly sweeps and rcn, attacking ground forces at points along battleline, including Medjez el Bab area where enemy adv is being halted.
2/27/43 Ninth AF P-40's fly top cover, strafing, and FB missions against positions along Mareth Line.
2/27/43 Tenth AF 24 P-40's bomb and strafe Waingmaw. Direct hits are scored on warehouse and fuel and ammo dump.
2/27/43 Fifth AF B-25's hit Japanese occupied villages in Labu area. B-17's, operating individually, strafe schooner off Matiu Pt and bomb Finschhafen A/F.
2/27/43 Thirteenth AF P-40's and P-38's join Navy airplanes in attack on small vessels off Vella Lavella I. Hits are claimed on 2 vessels.
2/27/43 Eleventh AF 6 B-24's, 6 B-25's, and 4 P-38's bomb and strafe Main Camp area. On return trip, weather airplane flies rcn and makes bombing and strafing run on Attu and nearby barges with negative results.
2/28/43 NAAF Ftrs and FBs hit troops, tanks, and motor transport along Tunisian battleline SW of Mateur, at Sidi Nsir near Pont-du-Fahs, NE of Bedja, and in Goubellat area.
2/28/43 Tenth AF P-40's from Dinjan knock out bridge near Kazu and bomb and strafe Nsopzup. 6 B-25's from Kunming, with ftr escort, bomb storage area at Mangshih. 8 B-25's from Ondal hit Thazi railroad junction.
2/28/43 Fifth AF A lone B-17 bombs Lae A/F.
2/28/43 Thirteenth AF P-38's and Navy aircraft attack Vila A/F. B-24's bomb Kahili A/F and hit Ballale I.
2/28/43 Eleventh AF Rcn is flown over Kiska, Buldir, Semichis, Attu, and Agattu, with negative results. 6 B-24's and 6 B- 25's bomb Main Camp area.
3/1/43 NAAF Gen Cannon takes cmd of NATC. B-17's bomb docks and shipping, also hit railroad yards and town area, at Cagliari. B-25's and B-26's of NASAF attack bridges and AA gun positions in La Hencha area.
Other B-26's attack freighter NE of Bizerte. Ftrs escort bmrs and hit ground forces in battle areas around Sidi Nsir and Bedja. B-25's of NATAF bomb Mateur area.
3/1/43 Twelfth AF Gen Spaatz assumes cmd of Twelfth AF in Algeria. Col Lawrence P Hickey becomes acting cmdr of XII FC until arrival of Gen Quesada.
3/1/43 Ninth AF B-24's raid harbor at Naples; 1 bombs Soverato while 2 others hit Staletti and Catanzaro as T/Os. AA fire is accurate and several HBs are hit over Naples and Palmi.
3/1/43 Tenth AF 46 P-40's hit T/Os in Nsopzup area and throughout Hukawng Valley.
3/1/43 Fifth AF A-20's bomb and strafe forces at Guadagasal and along trails throughout Mubo, Komiatum, and Salamaua area. B-17's bomb runway at Gasmata. B-24's carry out single-plane attacks on shipping off Soemba and Soembawa, and in Solomon Sea.
3/1/43 Eleventh AF P-40's jettison their bombs when bad weather prevents a sweep over Kiska.
3/2/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's bomb shipping and harbor area at Palermo. B-26's attack bridges and flak positions at La Hencha. NATAF ftrs hit troops, tanks, and motor transport S of Mateur and NE of Bedja as enemy renews attack along Mateur-Taberka road near Jefna.
3/2/43 Tenth AF More than 20 B-24's pound tgts in Burma. 7 splinter part of Ahlone docks and destroy a nearby warehouse, 6 hit Mahlwagon roundhouse, and 9 attack bridge at Pazundaung, tearing up its S approach. 6 B-25's, with P-40 escort, hit camp and storage area at Lamaing while 24 B-25's, also with ftr escort, pound Myitkyina.
3/2/43 Fifth AF Battle of the Bismarck Sea begins. B-17's and B-24's attack convoy of 8 transports and 8 destroyers as it proceeds from Rabaul towards Huon Gulf. The HBs first hit the convoy N of New Britain. The last air strike of the day takes place WNW of Umboi I between New Guinea and New Britain. By the end of the day, half of the transports are sunk or sinking.
3/2/43 Thirteenth AF P-40's, P-38's, and a single PB4Y fly photo rcn over Munda A/F.
3/3/43 NAAF B-17's bomb docks and shipping at Tunis and shipping and power plant at La Goulette harbor. Ftrs and MBs of NATAF hit ground forces in areas around Bedja, Bou Arada, and Mateur. Fighting around Bedja subsides but enemy forces take Sedjenane.
3/3/43 Ninth AF B-24's dispatched against Naples fail to reach primary tgt. Several bomb secondary tgt, Messina, while 3 bomb bridges at Banco and Siderno Marina. P-40's fly FB missions along Mareth Line as probing attack against British 51st Div positions near Mareth is driven back. German Afrika Korps issues plan for counterattack from Mareth Line.
3/3/43 Tenth AF 13 B-24's bomb Mahlwagon M/Y and dock area at Rangoon. 9 others attack Pazundaung railroad bridge but fail to knock it out. 6 B-25's bomb railroad sheds at Maymyo.
3/3/43 Fifth AF Battle of Bismarck Sea continues as HBs are joined by MBs, LBs, and ftr aircraft (US and Australian) in pounding convoy as it moves into Huon Gulf. PT boats of US Seventh Fleet also close with the enemy. By the end of the day all 8 transports have been sunk and Allied aircraft have destroyed 4 of the 8 destroyers and a large number of ftr aircraft covering the convoy.
3/3/43 Eleventh AF 4 P-40's sweep Kiska dropping demolition and fragmentation bombs. Adm Kinkaid, CO Alaska Def Cmd tables Kiska invasion plan and substitutes an Attu invasion plan.
3/4/43 Eighth AF 42 HBs fly missions over Germany and the Netherlands, 28 hitting the shipyards at Rotterdam and 16 attacking Hamm M/Y. This is first Eighth AF attack on a Ruhr industrial tgt.
3/4/43 NAAF B-25's and B-26's fly unsuccessful missions against shipping between Tunisia and Sicily. B-17's attack convoy NW of Bizerte, claiming 4 vessels sunk.
3/4/43 Ninth AF P-40's fly top cover mission as British Eighth Army completes concentration of troops and weapons in forward areas and awaits attack which seems imminent in view of troop movement in mts W of Medenine.
3/4/43 Tenth AF 3 B-25's bomb railroad facilities at Ywataung.
3/4/43 Fifth AF Allied aircraft continue to bombard remnants of Japanese convoy in Huon Gulf, thus ending Battle of Bismarck Sea, a decisive Allied victory. Fifth AF and RAAF aircraft sink 12 vessels in 3 days. This is last enemy attempt to use large vessels to reinforce positions on Huon Gulf. After World War II Gen MacArthur calls this the decisive aerial engagement in his theater. A-20's hit Lae A/F and vicinity, B- 17's attack Ubili and power launches off Lae and Cape Gloucester, and several B-25's and single B- 17's and B-24's hit harbor and A /F at Lae and barges off Finschhafen.
3/4/43 Thirteenth AF B-24's hit A/F on Ballale I and bomb Kahili.
3/4/43 Eleventh AF 4 P-40's fly over Kiska but drop no bombs due to weather.
3/5/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's hit convoys NW of Bizerte while B-26's attack motor vessels between Tunisia and Sicily. NATAF ftrs and MBs hit Djedeida, Sidi Nsir area, and ground forces in Bedja-Mateur areas.
3/5/43 Ninth AF RAF Liberators, under IX BC, bomb harbor at Naples during 4 '5 Mar.
3/5/43 Fifth AF A-20's pound Lae A/F while HBs, operating individually, hit Lae, Alexishafen, Gasmata, and Saumlakki.
3/5/43 Eleventh AF 1 B-24 flies negative weather rcn over Kiska, Semichis, Attu, Agattu, and Buldir.
3/6/43 Eighth AF 63 HBs strike power plant, bridge, and port area at Lorient. 15 B-24's make diversionary attack on bridge and U-boat facilities at Brest.
3/6/43 NAAF Weather cancels NASAF bmr missions. Ftrs fly rcn along battle line in Tunisia.
3/6/43 Ninth AF 35 planes strafe and bomb installations in the Mareth Line as Rommel's expected attack in Tunisia takes place and is defeated. 4 thrusts toward Medenine are repulsed by British, and enemy retreats after nightfall, having lost about 50 tanks.
3/6/43 Tenth AF 4 B-24's over Burma bomb shipping near Pagoda Pt, scoring near misses. On return flight, they strafe lighthouse on Alguada Reef, a lightship off China Park, and a radio station at Diamond I. 3 B-24's intending to bomb Pazundaung bridge fail to reach tgt. 1 manages to bomb A/F at Pagoda Pt. The others return to base without bombing. 6 B-24's unsuccessfully attack Myitnge bridge.
3/6/43 Fifth AF A-20's hit Guadagasal area. Single B-24's attack shipping off Manus and off Talasea, and hit A/F at Gasmata.
3/6/43 Thirteenth AF B-24's bomb Kahili and Ballale I A/Fs.
3/6/43 Eleventh AF 1 B-24 flies uneventful rcn over Kiska, Attu, Agattu, Buldir, and the Semichis.
3/7/43 NAAF B-25's hit shipping between Tunisia and Sicily while B-17's bomb convoy in Gulf of Tunis and shipping and M/Y at Sousse.
3/7/43 Tenth AF 12 B-25's attack Gokteik Viaduct, causing only minor damage.
3/7/43 Fifth AF A-20's attack Guadagasal area and barges offshore. B-25's bomb Toeal. Single B-24's attack ship NW of Madang and bomb Salamaua, Gasmata, and Cape Gloucester.
3/7/43 Thirteenth AF Single B-24's hit A/Fs at Vila and Kahili. 3 HBs bomb Munda A/F.
3/7/43 Eleventh AF 343d Ftr Gp moves to Adak, and the first flight of MBs is brought up to Amchitka. This enables stepped-up raids on Kiska. 8 B-24's and 4 P-38's bomb and strafe Chichagof Harbor area and Holtz Bay installations. A ftr sweep, 6 B-24's, and 10 B-25's hit North Head and Main Camp area.
3/8/43 AAF Committee of Operations Analysts, composed of military and civilian members, submits to Gen Arnold a report attempting to set forth industrial objectives, the destruction of which would weaken Germany most decisively in the shortest time. This report, which lists German aircraft industry as first priority, is basis for much of CBO plan.
3/8/43 Eighth AF 54 HBs hit Rennes M/Y while 13 strike M/Y at Rouen. Bomb run over Rouen is considerably disrupted by well-executed attack of ftrs which down 2 bmrs including lead aircraft. This action is preceded by an earlier wave of German ftrs which occupy the ftr escort while the second wave attacks the bmrs.
3/8/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's and B-25's attack shipping between Tunisia and Sicily, claiming destruction or heavy damage of several motor vessels. Other B-17's hit shipping and M/Y at Sousse. P-38's escort the bomb missions. Ftrs of NATAF fly several rcn and patrol missions along Tunisian First Army (British) battlefront while WDAF P-40's and Spitfires hit rear of columns attacking Medenine from the W.
3/8/43 Tenth AF 12 B-25's strike at Myitnge bridge and AA positions. Results are poor. 4 B-24's bomb Bassein docks.
P-40's hit military tgs near Pebu and Wan-hat.
3/8/43 Fifth AF HBs, operating individually, hit occupied areas in SE coastal region of NW New Guinea and also strike at Saumlakki and Babo.
3/8/43 Thirteenth AF A/Fs at Munda and Vila are again hit by light B-24 raids.
3/9/43 NAAF Bad weather cancels NASAF operations and restricts other cmds to rcn, patrol, and transport missions.
3/9/43 Tenth AF P-40's hit town area and bridge at Mogaung. Many fires are started and the bridge is severely damaged.
3/9/43 Thirteenth AF 3 B-24's bomb A/Fs at Munda, Kahili, and Ballale I.
3/9/43 Eleventh AF 6 B-24's, 10 B-25's, 12 P-38's and 4 P-40's attack Kiska. The P-40's and 6 of the MBs return to base due to bad weather; the other bmrs bomb Main Camp area, North Head and submarine base.
3/10/43 Eighth AF A few P-47's take part for first time in ftr sweep from UK. Aircraft-to-aircraft communication proves impossible because of VHF radio malfunctions.
3/10/43 NAAF B-17's bomb El Aouina A/F and La Marsa landing ground, destroying several parked airplanes, and hit town of Gafsa. Ftrs escort the B-17's and carry out numerous rcn missions.
3/10/43 Ninth AF Flight echelon of 340th Bomb Gp (M) begins arriving in Egypt.
3/10/43 Tenth AF HBs strike Rangoon area at 2 points. 5 B-24's hit Pazundaung bridge. 4 others pound runways, buildings, and revetments at Mingaladon A/F. After the attack, several ftrs attack the flight. The HBs claim 3 shot down. CATF is absorbed by Fourteenth AF.
3/10/43 Fourteenth AF Fourteenth AF is activated at Kunming with Gen Chennault as CG. P-40's from Kunming fly armed rcn into Burma, crossing the Salween and covering areas SW of Lashio.
3/10/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb A/F and shipping at Wewak. Single HBs attack shipping off New Guinea.
3/10/43 Eleventh AF Rcn airplane is attacked by 5 aircraft. Kiska attack mission is flown by 10 B-25's, 6 B-24's, 12 P-38's (4 of them flying top cover), and 1 F-5A. 8 of the P-38's strafe ground installations. The B-25's bomb radar site and pound North Head, silencing AA fire. The B-24's hit Main Camp area. 4 Amchitka-based P-40's bomb submarine base.
3/11/43 NAAF B-26's attack convoy between Tunisia and Sicily. B-25's in the area carry out no attacks on vessels.
Ftrs escort MBs and attack guns, vehicles, and tanks in Sedjenane, Jefna, and Bedja areas.
3/11/43 Tenth AF 7 B-25's bomb Myitnge bridge, causing little damage.
3/11/43 Fifth AF A-20's bomb and strafe Vickers Ridge and Guadagasal area. B-24's bomb A/F at Rabaul. Single HBs attack Finschhafen, Cape Gloucester, and shipping off Powell Pt.
3/12/43 Eighth AF 63 HBs strike Rouen-Sotteville M/Y. Good ftr escort is major factor in this no-loss mission.
3/12/43 NAAF B-17's bomb docks and M/Ys at Sousse. B-26's pound supply dumps and score near misses on bridges at Enfidaville, while B-25's bomb shipping between Tunisia and Sicily. Ftrs escort the bmrs and carry out attacks on ground tgts, destroying several vehicles in Pichon area and S of Pont-du- Fahs. Wellingtons bomb Tunis docks during 12/13 Mar.
3/12/43 Tenth AF 6 B-24's attack Pazundaung bridge, causing negligible damage.
3/12/43 Fifth AF A-20's attack Guadagasal Gap area and Salamaua A/F. B-24's and B-25's attack shipping at Amboina and bomb Fuiloro. B-17's bomb Rabaul A/F while individual B-24's hit wreck of Talasea and bomb Cape Gloucester.
3/12/43 Thirteenth AF A/Fs at Munda, Ballale I, and Kahili are again hit by light B-24 raids. P-38's destroy small vessel off NE coast of Rendova I.
3/12/43 Seventh AF VII AFBC is redesignated VII AFSC.
3/12/43 Eleventh AF 12 Amchitka-based P-40's scout Kiska.
3/13/43 Eighth AF 74 HBs hit area around Amiens and Abbeville. Largest effort is aimed at Longeau railroad facilities and M/Y at Amiens. No aircraft are lost as ftr protection is excellent.
3/13/43 NAAF B-25's are sent against shipping NE of Bizerte but fail to locate tgt. Ftrs hit positions and movement in Mareth Line area, and fly patrols and rcn.
3/13/43 Ninth AF Gen Brereton, CG, directs that HQ, DATF be redesignated Adv HQ, Ninth AF, and that the AAF tac units with the HQ be designated DATF. B-24's bomb Naples harbor through heavy clouds. P-40's fly top cover and ftr sweep, and engage about 25 ftrs in combat, claiming 3 destroyed but also losing 3.
3/13/43 Tenth AF 4 B-24's attack and slightly damage Pazundaung bridge.
3/13/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb A/F and shipping at Wewak. A B-17 bombs Gasmata A/F and warehouses on Wide Bay, while a B-24 attacks shipping off Netherlands New Guinea.
3/13/43 Thirteenth AF Vila and Munda A/Fs are again attacked by B-24's in light raids. Also bombed is Faisi I.
3/13/43 Eleventh AF A B-24 on rcn returns early because of adverse weather. 12 P-40's strike Kiska beach, camp and runway.
Hits are observed on these tgts and among 14 parked airplanes. 8 P-38's with 8 P-40's flying top cover again take off for Kiska. Only 3 of the P-38's reach the tgt and strafe aircraft on beach. Another sights a submarine SW of Rat I.
3/14/43 NAAF Weather cancels all missions except NATAF ftr rcn in Enfidaville-Sfax area and between Tunisia and Sicily.
3/14/43 Ninth AF During 13/14 Mar, RAF Liberators under IX BC control hit harbor at Naples. During the day, ftrs fly cover and sweep over battle area.
3/14/43 Tenth AF 4 B-24's bomb Moulmein docks. 8 B-25's hit the oft-bombed Gokteik Viaduct but the structure remains serviceable.
3/14/43 Fifth AF B-17's and B-24's bomb Wewak, Tring, and Madang. Single B-17's bomb Gasmata, and strafe vessel off Talasea, AA position at Cape Gloucester, and Finschhafen A/F. A ]one B-24 bombs Dili.
3/15/43 NAAF NASAF B-26's, with ftr escort, attack landing ground at Mezzouna. B-25's follow with attack on same tgt. B-17's, with ftr escort, hit shipping off N Tunisia. Ftrs of NATAF fly tac rcn over battle area as British 18 Army Gp's II Corps (US) prepares to attack E from Gafsa area. Gen Dunton is designated CG of NW African Air Service Cmd (NAASC), to which are assigned HQ and HQ Sq, XII AFSC; all serv gps, depot gps, arms and serv units of XII AF SC, all maintenance, aircraft repair, aircraft assembly, embarkation, and mobile parachute servicing units, and base depots formerly assigned to EAC (RAF) and numerous RAF personnel.
3/15/43 Ninth AF B-25's, escorted by P-40's of 79th Gp (the gp's first operation in the theater) bomb Zarat. Ftrs also fly strafing and bombing raids against ground tgts.
3/15/43 Tenth AF 8 B-25's bomb Gokteik Viaduct and 8 others attack Myitnge. Neither tgt suffers effective damage. 8 FBs damage bridge at Kadrangyang.
3/15/43 Fifth AF B-25's and B-24's, along with RAAF airplanes, bomb shipping at Dobo and Wokam. B-17's, on singleplane flights bomb Gasmata and Cape Gloucester.
3/15/43 Thirteenth AF Single B-17's hit Munda and Vila A/Fs. P-38's strafe A/F at Viru.
3/15/43 Eleventh AF 6 B-25's, with 4 P-38's flying top cover, bomb North Head, hitting Main Camp and gun emplacements.
6 B-24's with 4 P-38's for top cover then bomb Main Camp. Revetments and hangar area are strafed by the P-38's one of which is lost to AA. Next, 5 B-24's and 16 P-38's bomb and strafe Main Camp area and North Head. 4 P-40's then unsuccessfully search for 3 enemy ftrs which had earlier attacked weather airplane. Main Camp is hit two more times, by 3 B-25's and by 8 P-38's.
3/16/43 NAAF B-17's attack shipping between Tunisia and Sicily, leaving 2 small vessels aflame. Weather prevents completion of other bmr operations. Ftrs fly rcn and patrols but bad weather hides enemy ground activity.
3/16/43 Ninth AF 1st Prov Trg Unit is established to train repl crews for MB and ftr gps. Personnel is drawn from HQ Sqs of IX FC, 9th Ftr Wg, and 8th Ftr Wg. P-40's fly FB operations against enemy positions as British ground forces prepare to conduct limited attacks as a preliminary to main assault against Mareth Line.
3/16/43 Tenth AF 6 B-24's damage approaches to Pazundaung bridge. 8 B-25's attack Myitnge bridge, scoring at least 2 hits, but the structure remains intact. P-40's hit positions N of Sumprabum.
3/16/43 Fourteenth AF P-40's strafe Mong Yaw storage area and docks, warehouse area, and rail-river terminal (for phosphate mines) at Lao Kay.
3/16/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb Lae. B-17's bomb Rapopo airstrip and attack Ubili, sub off Cape Turner, town of Marienberg, and Cape Gloucester area. B-24's unsuccessfully attack cargo ships between Bitsjaroe Bay and Fak.
3/16/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's and B-24's on harassing raids bomb Kahili, Vila, and Ballale A/Fs.
3/16/43 Eleventh AF 16 B-25's, 13 B-24's, 8 P-40's and 32 P- 38's (cover/escort) sorties are flown to Kiska in one weather rcn and 2 attack missions from Adak, and in 3 more missions from Amchitka. Tgts hit are North Head, Main Camp area, radar sites and submarine base. On last Amchitka mission 1 enemy floatplane is shot down with 2 more probables. 4 HBs are hit and 1 B-25 does not return.
3/17/43 NAAF Weather cancels NASAF bmr operations. Tac ftrs and LBs fly numerous armed rcn missions and sweeps over Sedjenane, Cap Serrat, and Sidi Nsir area and attack ground forces E of Gafsa in preparation for allied assault. NACAF aircraft continue coastal and sea patrols. US II Corps opens offensive to the E from Gafsa area after air and arty preparation.
3/17/43 Ninth AF P-40's fly scramble and FB operations as British ground forces continue local operations in prepara - tion for assault on Mareth Line.
3/17/43 Tenth AF 8 B-25's again attack bridge at Myitnge, damaging N approach. 14 P-40's hit bridges at Kadrangyang and NE of Myitkyina and motor pool at Hpunkizup. The motor pool suffers considerable damage.
3/17/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb Langgoer.
3/17/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's continue harassing raids against Vila, Kahili, and Ballale.
3/17/43 Eleventh AF 8 P-38's patrol Kiska without making contacts.
3/18/43 Eighth AF 97 HBs strike submarine yards at Vegesack. 7 U-boat hulls appear severely damaged. This mission marks first successful combat use of automatic flight control linked with bombsights.
3/18/43 NAAF Weather cancels operations of NASAF bmrs. NATAF ftrs fly sweeps and rcn over Sidi Nsir-Sedjenane- Medjez el Bab areas and attack railway station, other buildings, railroad sidings, and motor transport at Temara.
3/18/43 Ninth AF B-24's, escorted by P-40's, bomb harbor at Naples.
3/18/43 Tenth AF 16 P-40's bomb and strafe stronghold of Seniku, claiming high enemy casualty rate. 7 others attack Nalong. 16 B-24's bomb Pazundaung bridge, causing considerable damage to the structure. 8 B-25's damage the Myitnge bridge, 8 other B-25's hit AA positions in the Myitnge general area.
3/18/43 Fifth AF B-24's pound town of Madang. Single B-17's strafe launch at Talasea and barges NE of Cape Gloucester, while a lone B-24 bombs Timoeka and Langgoer.
3/18/43 Eleventh AF Taking off from Adak, 6 B-24's bomb Main Camp area, 6 B-25's bomb North Head, and 12 P-38's fly top cover and strafing attacks. 12 Amchitka-based P-38's then blast Kiska runway and Main Camp area, starting fires. At Amchitka, the 54th Ftr Sq is reinforced by several F-5A's.
3/19/43 NAAF NAAF TCC (Prov), consisting of 51st TC Wg and its subordinate units which are transferred from XII AFSC, is activated. Col Ray A Dunn is acting CO. Landing grounds are non-operational due to continued bad weather. NASAF and NATAF cancel missions. NACAF airplanes fly routine patrols.
3/19/43 Ninth AF Col Uzal G Ent assumes cmd of IX BC, replacing Col Hugo P Rush.
3/19/43 Tenth AF 8 B-25's pound bridge at Myitnge, rendering it unserviceable. A single P-40 uses a 1,000-lb bomb against bridge near Mogaung in a test to see if the ftr can carry such 'blockbusters' and deliver them effectively. Despite negligible damage suffered by the tgt, both the carrying and releasing of the bomb are considered successful. 12 B-25's, with P-40 escort, bomb rail and river terminal at Lao Kay and afterwards strafe the area, causing widespread destruction.
3/19/43 Fourteenth AF 12 B-25's, with escort of 6 P-40's, bomb power plant and railroad yards at Lao Kay. The P-40's strafe the tgt area and a barracks a few miles down the Red R.
3/19/43 Fifth AF A-20's pound forces in Mubo area while B-25's bomb submarine and barges in Lae harbor. B-24's hit Amboina. Single B-17's strike Arawe, Gasmata, Cape Gloucester, barges off Cape Gauffre and cargo boat at Lorengau.
3/19/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's and B-24's on armed rcn bomb Kahili and Ballale A/Fs.
3/19/43 Eleventh AF XI BC, constituted on 4 Mar, is activated at Adak. All missions canceled due to weather except local ftr patrols.
3/20/43 NAAF NATBF is formed under NATAF with a small combined HQ which has under it 47th Bomb Gp, 326 Wg (RAF), and air echelons of 2 sqs of 12 Bomb Gp which are attached for operational control. B-26's and B-25's launch consecutive attacks against landing ground at Djebel Tebaga. Other B-25's bomb shipping between Tunisia and Sicily. Ftrs fly escort and carry out numerous rcn missions as Eighth Army opens assault on Mareth Line.
3/20/43 Ninth AF B-25's bomb Mareth area. AA is intense and all MBs suffer hits. P-40's escort bmrs and carry out FB and top cover operations as British ground troops open assault on positions with inf and arty. 30 Corps gains bridgehead across Oued Zigzaou.
3/20/43 Tenth AF 7 B-25's again attack Myitnge bridge, inflicting little additional damage to the structure.
3/20/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb Langgoer and Kaimana. Landing strip at Finschhafen and harbor area at Salamaua are bombed by single B-24's.
3/20/43 Thirteenth AF During 19/20 Mar 42 Navy and Marine aircraft lay mines off Bougainville coast in Buin-Tonolai area while 18 B-17's and B-24's pound Kahili A/F in diversionary strike. This mission inaugurates mine-laying operations by aircraft in SOPAC.
3/21/43 NAAF During 20/21 Mar, Wellingtons bomb docks at Ferryville. On morning of 21 Mar, B-17's, with P-38 escort, attack landing grounds at Djebel Tebaga. NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs hit Djebel Tebaga, and Mezzouna. US 1st Armd Div elements push toward Maknassy, placing it under arty fire in preparation for assault on the town.
3/21/43 Ninth AF During 20/21 Mar, B-24's attack harbor and surrounding area at Naples, hitting a vessel, city area, and vicinity of railroad yards. During day B-25's bomb tgts, including a highway, in Gabes area. They are escorted by almost 100 P-40's.
3/21/43 Tenth AF 15 B-24's pound Gokteik Viaduct, causing considerable damage to the structure. 6 other B-24's, unable to bomb the viaduct due to haze and clouds, attack the previously damaged bridge at Myitnge.
P-40's again dive-bomb tgts in Mogaung area, using 1,000-lb. bombs for second time. 3 of the ftrs bomb town area, causing heavy destruction over 2 blocks. 3 others attack bridge S of town, claiming damaging hits in the area. Others attack T/Os in N Indochina.
3/21/43 Fourteenth AF P-40's strafe Lao Kay phosphate mine area and T/Os in the vicinity.
3/21/43 Fifth AF 1 B-24 claims direct hit on cargo vessel ESE of Cape Gloucester. Other isolated attacks on shipping are unsuccessful.
3/21/43 Thirteenth AF During 20/21 Mar 40 Navy and Marine airplanes lay mines in Buin-Tonolai area while 19 B-17's and B-24's bomb Kahili A/F in diversionary attack.
3/21/43 Eleventh AF 13 B-24's, 9 B-25's, 50 P-38's, 16 P-40's, and 2 F-5A's fly 8 bombing and strafing missions to Kiska.
Some of the missions abort due to weather. The others hit Main Camp area, while 2 P-40's make no contact when trying to intercept reported enemy aircraft.
3/22/43 Atlantic German sub, U-524, is sunk N of Canary Is, 30-15N 18-13W, by aircraft of 1st Antisub Sq.
3/22/43 Eighth AF 84 HBs attack Wilhelmshaven U-boat yards.
3/22/43 NAAF NASAF Wellingtons hit landing ground near Sfax during 21/22 Mar. On 22 Mar, B-26's on sea sweep attack vessels near Zembra I while B-17's bomb shipping in harbor at Palermo. NATAF ftrs fly numerous rcn and patrol missions while A-20's bomb Mezzouna and FBs hit motor transport and tanks in N Tunisian battle area.
3/22/43 Ninth AF Col John D Corkille succeeds Gen Kauch in cmd of IX ASC. During 21/22 Mar, RAF Liberators, under IX BC, bomb Naples. During the day, B-25's hit Gabes area, bombing road junction, motor transport, and troop concentration. P-40's fly 5 escort missions during the day. British ground forces, after expanding Oued Zigzaou bridgehead during 21/22 Mar, are severely handicapped by heavy rain.
Enemy counterattack forces 50th Div to give ground.
3/22/43 Tenth AF 17 B-25's, operating in 2 forces, bomb Gokteik Viaduct. Several damaging hits are scored on the base and structure. 7 B-25's pound Thazi rail junction. Considerable damage is caused to warehouses, yards, sidings, tracks, and rolling stock.
3/22/43 Fourteenth AF P-40's again strafe phosphate mine area at Lao Kay.
3/22/43 Fifth AF HBs pound Gasmata A/F and, in single-plane strikes, attack Finschhafen, Lae, Madang, and harbor at Lorengau.
3/22/43 Thirteenth AF P-38's strafe Rekata Bay area.
3/22/43 Eleventh AF 6 B-25's, 12 B-24's, and 22 P-38's attempt 3 missions to Kiska. Only 8 of the P-40's get through but fly uneventful patrol.
3/23/43 NAAF During 22/23 Mar Wellingtons hit El Maou A/F near Sfax. During the day, B-17's bomb shipping in Bizerte harbor. Ftrs fly rcn and patrol, bomb and strafe trucks, tanks, and troops near Bir Zallujah hit tanks and trucks E of Mezzouna and Maknassy, and E of El Guettar, where enemy ground forces are making thrusts toward the town.
3/23/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb Messina, concentrating on ferry slip. B-25's hit Mareth area. P-40's fly FB operations and bmr escort over battle area as British 50th Div withdraws Oued Zigzaou bridgehead under cover of arty fire.
3/23/43 Tenth AF 9 B-25's bomb barracks, warehouse, railroad tracks, and A/F at Meiktila.
3/23/43 Fourteenth AF P-40's strafe operations building at Dong Cuong and hit troop trucks between Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang.
3/23/43 Fifth AF B-17's thoroughly pound A/Fs in the Rabaul area and strafe vessel off Cape Gazelle. A-20's bomb and strafe forces in Mubo area and at mouth of Bitoi R. B-25's strafe T/Os in Salamaua, Labu Lagoon and Nadzab areas, and at mouth of Markham R. Single B-24's attack Lorengau harbor and A/Fs at Gasmata and Salamaua.
3/23/43 Eleventh AF Weather grounds all missions except weather rcn and an unsuccessful intercept attempt of an enemy rcn airplane by 2 P-40's.
3/24/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's hit shipping and dock area at Ferryville. B-26's bomb La Scala des Souassi landing ground and B-25's hit Djebel Tebaga N landing ground. NATAF A-20's and B-25's hit troop concentrations near El Guettar (where US 1st Div is under attack) and landing ground at Djebel Tebaga. Ftrs escort bmrs and strafe ground forces along battleline.
3/24/43 Ninth AF B-24's attack ferry installations at Messina. Direct hits are scored in tgt area and adjacent railroad yards and naval oil and storage tanks are set afire. B-25's hit Zarat. P-40's fly escort, armed rcn, and strafing mission. Just before midnight RAF Liberators, under IX BC control, blast docks at Messina.
British Eighth Army prepares to assault W flank of Mareth Line.
3/24/43 Tenth AF 23 R-24's and 2 B-17's attack bridge at Myitnge but fail to score damaging hits. 8 B-25's bomb engine sheds at Maymyo.
3/24/43 Fifth AF B-25's hit Langgoer and Faan. B-25's and B-17's, operating individually, attack shipping in NEI and A/Fs and T/Os at Gasmata and Mubo.
3/24/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's and Navy dive-bmrs hit A/F at Kahili.
3/24/43 Eleventh AF 10 B-24's, 3 B-25's, and 12 P-38's fly 5 attack missions to Kiska. North Head runway and Main Camp area are bombed.
3/25/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's bomb docks and shipping at Sousse. B-25's hit Djebel Tebaga landing ground. NATAF ftrs fly numerous patrols, sweeps, and rcn flights over battle areas. NATBF bmrs hit Djebel Tebaga A/F and motor transport W of Sfax and Sousse (during 24/25 Mar). XII A Spt Cmd MBs and ftrs hit Djebel Tebaga A/F, vehicles near Gabes, Mezzouna, Maknassy, and at several other points in battle areas.
3/25/43 Ninth AF B-25's, in early daylight hours, bomb installations in Mareth area. P-40's attack motor transport, tanks, and comm tgts in battle area. During 25/26 Mar HBs, MBs, and LBs blast forces gathering in El Hamma area.
3/25/43 Tenth AF 8 B-25's bomb engine sheds at Maymyo for second consecutive day. Considerable damage is done although main shed is not hit.
3/25/43 Fifth AF B-24's pound Rabaul and shipping, wharf, and town area at Amboina. Single B-17's hit Lae, Gasmata, and Ubili.
3/25/43 Eleventh AF Weather airplane take photos of Holtz Bay and Chichagof Harbor. 14 B-24's, 3 B-25's, 12 P-38's, and 2 P-40's fly 4 missions to Kiska. The tgts include beach, runway, hangar area, North Head, the Main Camp and submarine base.
3/26/43 NAAF B-25's bomb Grombalia area. Other B-25's and B-17's of NASAF fail to complete missions because of weather. P-39's destroy several trucks in Maknassy-Mezzouna area. NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs bomb fuel dump at Oudref, roads and railway near Cekhira, docks at Sfax, and A/F at Djebel Tebaga. Ftrs strafe vehicles during armed rcn between Faid and Gabes.
3/26/43 Ninth AF B-25's attack Mareth area, dropping over 57,000 lbs of bombs during 2 strikes. P-40's fly FB and strafing missions, destroying or damaging over 50 military transport vehicles, tanks, and gun emplacements.
Intense ground fire downs several US ftrs. Following aerial bombardment, allied ground forces renew assault on Mareth Line.
3/26/43 Tenth AF 6 B-24's mine Rangoon R during 26/27 Mar. 6 others fly diversion raid on city of Rangoon, scoring hits on Mingaladon A/F, between central railroad station and Pazundaung Creek, and in Syriam area.
3/26/43 Fifth AF B-17's attack shipping, harbor and town area at Wewak. A-20's pound forces and T/Os in Mubo, Malahang, and Salamaua area. A single B-17 bombs Finschhafen and unsuccessfully attacks ship E of Talasea.
3/26/43 Thirteenth AF B-24's bomb A/F on Nauru I.
3/26/43 Eleventh AF A rcn aircraft covers Attu, Agattu, Semichi and Alaid where cabin is strafed. Upon report of Navy contacts with enemy surface force (Battle of Komandorskies), 13 B-24's, 11 B-25's and 8 P-38's are ordered to hit the enemy, reported 150 mi W of Cape Wrangell (Attu). Because of mechanical failures and weather, airplanes cannot take off until 6 hrs after surface force is sighted. Thus, Japanese ships have fled when aircraft arrive at interception point. Some of the returning B-25's bomb radar site, hangar, and Main Camp area on Kiska.
3/27/43 NAAF NATAF ftrs attack machinegun installations NE of Maknassy and train at Mezzouna, and hit Djebel Naimia. NACAF ftrs on patrol claim several aircraft shot down. Weather prevents completion of antishipping sweep by NASAF B-25's.
3/27/43 Tenth AF 5 B-24's mine Rangoon R for second consecutive night.
3/27/43 Fifth AF B-25's hit Lae and Salamaua. B-24's bomb Saumlakki and attack harbor and shipping at