1941

1942

1943

1944

1945

USAAF CHRONOLGY

JULY - SEPTEMBER 1943

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1943

7/1/43 AAF Memo by Gen Giles for Gen Arnold stresses great need for more ftr escort for strategic bombing missions.

The present ratio of less than 1 ftr gp to 4 HB gps is held to be completely insufficient and a minimum ratio of 1 to 2 is suggested.

7/1/43 Eighth AF Gen Frederick L Anderson Jr replaces Gen Longfellow as CG VIII BC.

7/1/43 NAAF During 30 Jun/1 Jul Wellingtons bomb Cagliari barracks and railway station. NACAF flies patrol, rcn, and convoy protection.

7/1/43 Ninth AF P-40's, along with Twelfth AF ftrs, fly armed rcn of S Sicily and convoy patrol in Cap Bon area and off Kebili. RAF Halifaxes hit Catania railway yards.

7/1/43 Fifth AF A-20's bomb and strafe forces in Duali area as nearby Allied troops consolidate positions along S arm of Bitoi R. Other A-20's strafe Lae area. B-25's hit Kela Pt and Logui. B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs at Rabaul.

7/2/43 NAAF NASAF Wellingtons hit Palermo and Cagliari during 1/2 Jul. NATAF B-25's hit Castelvetrano during the day. NACAF aircraft attack 2 vessels off W coast of Italy and fly patrols, rcn, and convoy protection.

7/2/43 Ninth AF 44th, 93d, and 389th Bomb Gps, on loan from Eighth AF, begin operations (2 Jul-21 Aug) with Ninth AF. B-24's bomb A/Fs at Lecce, Grottaglie, and San Pancrazio Salentino. B-25's hit A/F and surrounding area at Sciacca. P-40's, escorting bmrs to Sciacca, shoot down ftr and damage 1. 2 P-40's are lost.

7/2/43 Fifth AF B-25's pound defenses in Kela Pt area and trail near Logui. A lone B-24 bombs Salamaua area. Allied invasion force (MacKechnie Force) holds firm beachhead on Nassau Bay and makes contact with Australian forces to the N. B-17's and B-24's again attack A/Fs in Rabaul.

7/2/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's and Navy F-4U's bomb and strafe small vessel in Baeroko anchorage.

7/2/43 Eleventh AF 3 bmrs and 4 P-38's fly 4 rcn missions over Kiska and Segula. 17 B-24's and 16 B-25's then attack Kiska in 5 missions, 2 of them radar-guided. Fires are started at several of the tgts, which include Gertrude Cove, the harbor, and buildings in Main Camp area. Intense AA fire damages 3 aircraft. 2 B- 25's on a submarine attack hit Kiska seaplane ramp after making no contact with tgt. 2 P-40's cover troops which make unopposed landing on Rat I.

7/3/43 Eighth AF Gen Devers, CG ETOUSA, in report to Gen Arnold, praises proficiency of VIII BC bombardiers but stresses dire need for high-altitude gunnery trg.

7/3/43 NAAF During 2/3 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons attack Olbia and Trapani. The following day, B-17's and B-25's hit Chilivani, Monserrato, and Alghero A/Fs. Ftrs hit radar station at Pula and Alghero, while B-26's bomb Milis and Capotera A/Fs. NATAF LBs hit area around Marsala and A/Fs at Sciacca and Trapani.

7/3/43 Ninth AF B-25's hit A/F at Comiso. P-40's fly escort over Sicily and over Pantelleria, claiming destruction of 1 ftr.

7/3/43 Tenth AF B-25's hit the oft bombed bridge at Myitnge, knocking the S end span into the river.

7/3/43 Fifth AF B-24's bomb A/Fs in Rabaul area and hit Kendari A/F. Koepang is attacked by 2 B-25's. A lone B-17 bombs landing strip at Cape Gloucester.

7/3/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's bomb A/F and AA positions at Munda.

7/3/43 Eleventh AF 6 B-24's bomb Main Camp and take photos of Segula.

7/4/43 Eighth AF 237 HBs strike in very effective attacks on aircraft factories at Le Mans and Nantes and also hit submarine yards at La Pallice. Bombing is extremely accurate.

7/4/43 NAAF During 3/4 Jul, Wellingtons hit Trapani and Lido di Roma. Leaflets are dropped in Rome area. B-17's and B-26's hit Catania and Gerbini A/Fs. B-25's bomb 2 satellite A/Fs near Gerbini. NATAF LBs and MBs hit A/F at Comiso, Trapani, Sciacca, and Castelvetrano.

7/4/43 Ninth AF RAF Halifax aircraft bomb Catania, railroad yards during 3/4 Jul. B-25's hit Comiso A/F. P-40's escort bmrs and convoy and fly sea-search for missing pilot. Ftrs claim 3 Me-109's shot down. 4 P-40's are lost.

7/4/43 Tenth AF HBs attack Shweli road bridge but fail to cause appreciable damage.

7/4/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's pound Bairoko.

7/5/43 NAAF NASAF Wellingtons bomb Villacidro A/F and Catania during 4/5 Jul. NASAF ftrs, MBs, and HBs hit main and satellite A/Fs at Gerbini and radar stations at Marsala and Licata. NATAF LBs and MBs hit Sciacca and A/Fs at Trapani, Comiso and Biscari. NACAF airplanes maintain sea patrol, rcn, and convoy escort.

7/5/43 Ninth AF B-24's attack harbor, harbor installations, railway yards, and oil storage at Messina. B-25's hit Sciacca and Biscari A/Fs. P-40's fly uneventful sea patrol. RAF HBs strike railroad yards at Catania.

7/5/43 USSR German Army begins its ill-fated offensive toward Kursk.

7/5/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb and strafe A/F at Salamaua, Komiatum Track, and HQ areas at Kela and Salamaua.

7/5/43 Thirteenth AF 9 B-24's over Buin fail to find shipping and bomb Munda and Ballale I instead.

7/6/43 NAAF NASAF Wellingtons hit Gerbini A/F and 2 satellites during 5/6 Jul. During predawn hours and throughout the day, LBs and MBs of NATAF bomb A/Fs at Biscari, Sciacca, Trapani, and Comiso. NASAF B- 17's hit again hit Gerbini A/F and 3 satellite fields. B-25's bomb Biscari A/F. NACAF maintains sea patrol and convoy protection.

7/6/43 Ninth AF B-24's strike satellite A/Fs at Gerbini. B-25's hit A/F at Biscari and Gerbini. P-40's escort bmrs, patrol, and carry out divebombing operations in Sicily.

7/6/43 Fourteenth AF 5 B-25's and 8 P-40's hit runway and revetment area at Pailochi A/F.

7/6/43 Fifth AF B-25's attack Penfoei A/F and hit Labu Lagoon area.

7/6/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's and B-24's pound A/Fs at Kahili, on Ballale and on Buka Is. B-25's hit beached destroyer at Bamberi.

7/6/43 Eleventh AF 2 B-24's and 2 P-40's on 3 weather rcn missions report Kiska overcast, and take photos of Segula. 6 B-24's bomb Main Camp. 8 B-25's abort a radar run over Kiska when 1 has engine trouble and the others fail to locate Ventura Pathfinder. They sight a submarine which crash-dives immediately.

7/7/43 Atlantic German sub, U-951, is sunk in E Atlantic, 37-40N 15-30W, by aircraft of 1st Antisub Sq.

7/7/43 NAAF NASAF Wellingtons bomb Palermo and A/Fs at Villacidro, Milis, and Pabillonis during 6/7 Jul. During the day, B-17's, B-25's, and B-26's bomb Gerbini satellite fields and Bo Rizzo A/F, as P-40's fly diversionary sweep over W part of Sicily. NATAF LBs hit Sciacca during 6/7 Jul, and the following day bomb A/Fs at Trapani, Biscari, Comiso, Bo Rizzo, and Mazara del Vallo, and hit Sciacca, Marsala radar station, Caltanissetta, and Porto Empedocle.

7/7/43 Ninth AF B-24's hit A/Fs at Gerbini and rail line N of Brucoli. B-25's bomb A/F and surrounding areas at Biscari and Comiso. P-40's bomb and strafe A/F at Lucca.

7/7/43 Fourteenth AF 7 B-25's and 22 P-40's attack shipping at Canton. At least 2 interceptors are shot down.

7/7/43 Fifth AF B-24's and B-25's, along with RAAF airplanes, operate in direct spt of Allied ground operations in Mubo area, dropping over 100 tons of bombs on numerous tgts as MacKechnie Force begins assault on Bitoi Ridge and Australian forces (2/6 Bn) capture Observation Hill, an important terrain feature W of Mubo.

7/7/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's and P-38's attack Vila A/F. B-24's bomb Kahili A/F.

7/7/43 ZI AAF Trg Cmd is established to take over functions formerly assigned to the Technical Trg and Flying Trg Cmds.

7/8/43 Atlantic German sub, U-232, is sunk off Portugal, 40-37N 13-41W, by aircraft of 2d Antisub Sq.

7/8/43 NAAF NASAF Wellingtons bomb A/Fs at Comiso and Catania during 7/8 Jul. During the day, B-17's, B-25's, and B-26's make several strikes against Gerbini and its satellite fields. P-38's strafe radar installations in E part of Sicily. NATAF LBs hit Sciacca A/F while MBs hit A/Fs at Biscari and Comiso. A-36's attack trucks, train, railroads, highways, sulphur plant, and a M/Y at several points in Sicily.

7/8/43 Ninth AF B-24's attack Catania railway station, telegraph and telephone buildings, and industrial area. B-25's hit Biscari and Comiso A/Fs and nearby areas. P-40's attack Biscari A/F, escort bmrs over Sicily, and carry out sea patrol.

7/8/43 Fourteenth AF 22 B-24's, escorted by 13 P-40's, attack shipping, docks, and cement works at Haiphong.

7/8/43 Fifth AF B-25's continue to pound enemy positions around Mubo and along coast of NE New Guinea, hitting Kela Pt and village, Malolo, Buigap Creek, and trails from Salamaua A/F and Kennedy's Crossing to Logui.

7/8/43 Eleventh AF 9 B-25's fly a special mission to Attu.

7/9/43 NAAF During 8/9 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Catania, Gerbini, and Comiso A/Fs, and throughout the following day B-17's, B-25's, B-26's, and ftrs attack other tgts in Sicily, including Sciacca and Biscari A/Fs, Gerbini satellite field, and Cape Passero I radar stations. NATAF planes hit Sciacca and Milo A/Fs during 8/9 Jul, and on 9 Jul hit Milo and Biscari A/Fs, Sciacca, Porto Empedocle HQ at Taormina, junction NE of Gela, Canicatti area, and T/Os.

7/9/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb A/Fs at Maleme, Comiso, and Taormina. B-25's hit Sciacca landing ground and Biscari A/F and dispersal areas. P-40's escort bmrs over Castelvetrano and Milo A/Fs. This pre-invasion air bombardment of Sicily provides air superiority over the enemy. British and US airborne contingents are dropped on the island during 9/10 Jul to help facilitate amphibious assault of seaborne troops which are to land on morning of 10 Jul. This is first major airborne operation to be undertaken by Allies in World War II, and subsequently becomes subject of intensive study.

7/9/43 Tenth AF B-25's bomb railroad bridge on the Mu R between Ywataung and Monywa, scoring 2 direct hits and leaving the bridge temporarily unusable.

7/9/43 Fifth AF B-25's hit forces in vicinity of Old Bobdubi, Malolo, and Busama. B-25's hit landing fields on Timor, Dili, and Cape Chater.

7/9/43 Thirteenth AF During 8/9 Jul, B-24's bomb Kahili A/F, Buin, and Poporang. B-25's and several ftrs sent against forces near Vella Lavella I fail to locate tgt and strafe Buki and Ganongga and a destroyer beached on SE Kolombangara.

7/10/43 Eighth AF 70 HBs strike Caen/Carpiquet and Abbeville/Drucat A/Fs.

7/10/43 NAAF During 9/10 Jul NASAF Wellingtons bomb Catania, Syracuse, Syracuse Isthmus, seaplane base and railroad station at Syracuse, and Caltagirone; NAAF TTC flies airborne operations to drop British and US paratroops on Sicily. US Seventh and British Eighth Armies make amphibious landings on S and SE coast of Sicily. NATAF A-36's hit railroads, road junctions, trains, and vehicles while P-40's fly cover for amphibious landings. NATAF LBs and MBs hit A/Fs at Sciacca, Canicatti, Ponte Olivo, and Trapani, and towns and surrounding areas of Caltagirone and Palazzolo. Throughout the day NASAF B-17's and B-25's bomb Milo and Sciacca A/Fs, Gerbini satellite fields, and towns of Palazzolo and Caltanissetta. P-38's on sweep strafe radar installation.

7/10/43 Ninth AF B-24's attack M/Y at Catania and A/F at Vibo Valentia. B-25's hit Palazzolo, Sciacca, Catania and Agrigento, Floridia, Giarratana, Biscari, Syracuse, and Piazza Armerina. Ftrs cover assault beach areas in Sicily.

7/10/43 Fourteenth AF 9 B-24's bomb dock area at Haiphong.

7/10/43 Fifth AF B-25's pound Salamaua, Logui, and SE bank of Francisco R as Allied ground forces effect junction at Buigap Creek cutting comm between Salamaua and Mubo. A single B-24 bombs village of Kela. B- 24's bomb Boela and Babo.

7/10/43 Thirteenth AF B-24's pound Kahili A/F. Seabees report 3,300-ft airstrip at Segi Pt available for limited operations.

This provides an emergency landing field only 40 mi from Japanese facilities at Munda.

7/10/43 Eleventh AF The Eleventh attacks the Japanese Home Islands for the first time as 8 B-25's raid Paramushiru, scoring hits on the S part of Shimushu I, Paramushiru Strait, and northern Paramushiru, in dead reckoning runs when solid cloud cover prevents maximum altitude attack. No AA fire encountered, no enemy aircraft sighted. The B-25's stage through Attu on returning to Adak. 6 B-24's, originally slated to accompany the B-25's to Paramushiru, and 5 other B-25's are on short notice dispatched to attack a convoy off Attu. They claim 2 medium freighters sunk in deck-level strikes.

7/11/43 NAAF NASAF planes hit Milo and Sciacca A/Fs during 10/11 Jul and numerous tac tgts during the day, including town areas, vehicle convoys, bridges, trains and roads. NASAF B-17's bomb Catania M/Y while B-26's hit Milo A/F and Gerbini satellite A/Fs. B-25's and P-38's hit Sciacca A/F and town of Caltanissetta. Throughout the day NASAF ftrs attack truck convoys on Sicilian highways, and hit gun positions and T/Os.

7/11/43 Ninth AF B-24's hit A/Fs at Vibo Valentia and Reggio di Calabria. B-25's hit A/Fs at Trapani, Milo and Bo Rizzo, and areas between Sciacca and Enna. P-40's escort bmrs and provide beach cover as invasion forces push inland in Sicily. US Seventh Army's II Corps is hit by counterattack, mainly in Gela region.

Attack is repelled, but airdrop of contingent of 82d Airborne Div troops results in heavy casualties.

7/11/43 Tenth AF A few HBs hit port of Haiphong.

7/11/43 Fourteenth AF 3 B-24's bomb Haiphong harbor area, 3 bomb shipping in Campha Port area, and 8 pound positions and barracks area at Kunlong. P-40's strafe traffic between Lao Kay and Cha Pa and hit oil storage area SW of Lao Kay.

7/11/43 Fifth AF A-20's and B-25's blast positions in battle zone from Nassau Bay inland to Mubo area, hitting trail between Logui and Kennedy's Crossing, Bobdubi and Bobdubi Ridge areas, Salamaua, Kela Pt, and villages scattered through the area. Other B-25's bomb Penfoei. B-17's and B-24's pound A/Fs in Rabaul area.

7/11/43 Thirteenth AF B-24's and B-17's attack Kahili A/F, hitting revetments E and W of the strip.

7/11/43 Seventh AF 3 B-24's from Funa futi fly photo rcn mission to Little Makin; 2 of the HBs bomb the island.

7/11/43 Eleventh AF 5 B-24's take off to attack Paramushiru and fly shipping search but are turned back by bad weather. A shipping search by 5 B-25's finds nothing. 6 B-25's and 6 B-24's in 3 missions (one by radar) attack North Head and Main Camp on Kiska with unobserved results. 4 P-40's fly rcn over Kiska sighting new excavations near Sredni Pt, strafe tent near Haycock Rock, and also fly over Segula I.

7/12/43 Atlantic 1st Antisub Sq sinks U-506 near Portugal, 42-30N 16-30W.

7/12/43 NAAF During 11/12 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons pound Trapani, Marsala, and Mazara del Vallo, and Montecorvino-Rovella A/F, and NAAF TCC drops paratroops in front of forward lines in battle area during 11/12 Jul. More than 20 C-47's fail to return from mission. During following day, B-17's hit Messina railroad bridges. MBs and LBs hit Gerbini satellite field, Agrigento, Canicatti, and Milo A/F. Ftrs hit trucks, trains, troops, tanks, and other T/Os during sweeps over Sicily. NATAF ftrs and LBs hit Milo A/F, Sicilian beaches, Termini harbor and town, Ninfa rail junction, several trains, numerous vehicles, and comm tgts throughout Sicily. NACAF aircraft fly convoy escort and carry out shipping strikes in Tyrrhenian Sea and W of Corsica and Sardinia.

7/12/43 Ninth AF B-24's attack harbor, ferry slip, and M/Y at Reggio di-Calabria, and ferry slip and railroad yards at Villa San Giovanni. B-25's hit Bo Rizzo A/F while P-40's patrol over Licata area. With bridgeheads firmly established in Sicily by end of day, British and US troops make contact at Ragusa. RAF HBs bomb Reggio di Calabria A/F.

7/12/43 Fourteenth AF 7 B-24's attack docks and shipping at Campha Port, shipping at Ha Long Bay, and railroad yards, power plant, and warehouses at Hongay. The HBs claim critical damage to 2 freighters. P-40's strafe trucks S of Ha Giang.

7/12/43 Fifth AF 13 B-24's bomb A/Fs and town area in Rabaul and vicinity. 2 B-25's hit Lingat A/F and Selaroe I villages.

A lone B-17 bombs Garove.

7/12/43 Thirteenth AF 10 B-25's attack Vila A/F, which is hit later in the day by B-24's on armed rcn. 17 B-24's pound A/F on Ballale I. Several ftrs join Navy dive bmrs in strikes on AA and bivouacs in Munda area.

7/13/43 NAAF During 12/13 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons hit Caltanissetta, Gerbini A/F, and Enna. During day, B-17's, B- 25's, B-26's, and ftrs attack Enna, Milo A/F, Carcitella landing ground, Randazzo, and T/Os in Sicily.

NATAF aircraft hit truck convoys, trains, railway stations, troops, and numerous T/Os over wide areas in Sicily. NACAF continues sea patrols, rcn, and convoy protection and attacks ship convoy NE of Palermo. British effort to break out onto Catania Plain by establishing bridgehead over Simeto R near Lentini is firmly opposed.

7/13/43 Ninth AF B-24's strike A/Fs at Crotone and Vibo Valentia. B-25's attack Leonforte road and harbor on Termini.

P-40's patrol Licata area.

7/13/43 Tenth AF 16 B-25's lay mines in Irrawaddy R.

7/13/43 Fifth AF B-17's and B-24's, operating individually, bomb A/F, town area, harbor and other tgts in Lae area. B- 25's blast positions in Salamaua area, along road between Kela and MacDonald's Junctions. Ground forces clear Mubo area and Lababia Ridge of enemy.

7/14/43 Eighth AF 101 HBs attack aircraft works at Villacoublay. Le Bourget and Amiens A/Fs are also hit by sizable forces.

7/14/43 NAAF During 13/14 Jul NASAF Wellingtons bomb Palermo and Messina, and C-47's drop paratroops in adv of Allied troops to secure bridge at Primosole. NATAF aircraft hit ammo dumps, trains, rail junctions, bridges, vehicle convoys, and other T/Os in the Sicilian countryside, and bomb several town areas including Enna and Palermo during several raids throughout 13/14 Jul and the following day. During the day, B-17's, B-26's, and B-25's, and ftrs hit Naples, Messina, Enna, Marsala, and Randazzo, and numerous T/Os throughout Sicily. NACAF continues sea patrols, rcn, and convoy protection. British forces attempting to establish bridgehead at Primosole bridge on Simeto R near Lentini continue to face strong opposition.

7/14/43 Ninth AF B-24's and RAF HBs hit railroad, M/Y, harbor, and oil storage at Messina. B-25's hit Enna and Palermo areas. P-40's patrol Licata and attack Lentini area.

7/14/43 Fifth AF A-20's bomb and strafe Orodubi area. A single B-17 hits Lae. B-24's bomb Koepang.

7/14/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's and P-40's strike small craft in Huna Cove and Beagle Channel off New Georgia. 2 barges and a small vessel are claimed destroyed. B-24's and B-17's pound A/Fs at Ballale and Buka Is and at Kahili.

7/15/43 NAAF During 14/15 Jul, Wellingtons of NASAF hit A/Fs and docks at Naples while NATAF LBs and MBs bomb Palermo and fly armed rcn, attacking roads and convoys, over extensive areas of Sicily. During the day, NASAF MBs bomb Vibo Valentia, while HBs hit Villa San Giovanni. NASAF ftrs fly numerous strafing and bombing missions against trains, road junctions, radar installations, truck convoys, railway stations, and T/Os throughout Sicily. NACAF airplanes fly sea patrols, rcn, convoy escort, and hit shipping off W. coast of Corsica and E coast of Saldinia.

7/15/43 Ninth AF B-24's strike main A/F and 2 satellite fields at Foggia. B-25's bomb Palermo, Cape Gallo, Salina I, and Cape Zafferano. P-40's patrol over Licata area.

7/15/43 Fifth AF A-20's hit positions along Orodubi-Komiatum Track.

7/15/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's, P-40's, and P-38's strafe 2 barges NE of Ganongga, leaving them sinking. A large enemy force, estimated at 27 bmrs and 40-50 Zeros, is intercepted over Vella Lavella by AAF and other Allied ftrs, which claim 15 bmrs and 30 Zeros destroyed, against 3 losses.

7/15/43 Eleventh AF 1 B-24 and 2 P-39's fly rcn over Kiska and Segula I. 9 B-24's and 14 R-25's bomb Kiska tgts including AA batteries at North Head, Jeff Cove and Gertrude Cove. Fires are started. 1 bmr turns back with 3 engines and jettisons bombs, another crashes on return. AA fire damages a B-25.

7/16/43 Eighth AF 14 B-26's attack M/Y at Abbeville. With this mission, VIII A Spt Cmd begins combat operations, having acquired the 322d, 323d, 386th, and 387th Bomb Gps.

7/16/43 NAAF During 15/16 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons bomb dock, M/Ys, and A/Fs at Vibo Valentia, Crotone, Reggio di Calabria, and Villa San Giovanni, while NATAF LBs and MBs carry out numerous missions against Randazzo and roads in Sicily. During day NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs bomb Valguarnera and T/Os in NC Sicily. British troops establish bridgehead across the Simeto.

7/16/43 Ninth AF B-24's attack Bari A/F. Enemy ftrs attack persistently, and 3 B-24's are shot down. HBs claim 11 ftrs destroyed in combat. B-25's bomb Randazzo and Valguarnera. RAF HBs hit Reggio di Calabria A/F.

7/16/43 Fifth AF A single B-24 bombs forces at MacDonald's Junction. RAAF airplanes hit positions to the SW.

7/16/43 Thirteenth AF More than 30 B-24's and B-17's pound Kahili A/F. In Buin-Faisi area, 7 B-24's join 70 plus Navy dive bmrs and more than 100 AAF, RNZAF, Navy, and Marine ftrs in attack on shipping. Allied airplanes claim more than 40 aircraft destroyed or damaged. 7 vessels, including a destroyer, are sunk.

7/17/43 Eighth AF 21 HBs hit aircraft factory at Amsterdam in main attack. Other planes bomb industrial tgts in NW Germany.

7/17/43 NAAF During 16/17 Jul and following day NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs, hit Catania, Paterno, Riposto railroad station, and T/Os (vehicles, tanks, trains, guns) throughout Sicily. During day, over 200 B-25's, B-26's, and B-17's bomb Naples, concentrating on M/Y. US 45th and 1st Inf Divs cross Salso R S and E of Caltanissetta. British 30 Corps expands Simeto R bridgehead and drives toward Catania in coastal sector while 51st Div crosses Simeto and reaches to within 10 mi of Paterno.

7/17/43 Ninth AF About 80 B-24's bomb Naples M/Y in face of fierce ftr opposition. 1 B-24 is shot down and several are damaged. The HBs claim 23 ftrs destroyed in combat. B-25's hit Catania and rail yards and roads at Paterno. P-40's fly escort to Gela and Comiso. RAF HBs hit Reggio di-Calabria.

7/17/43 Fifth AF During 17/18 Jul, B-25's bomb Lautem while B-24's bomb Adaoet I. During day, B-25's pound A/F, Army HQ and defensive positions, and general area in and around Salamaua as Allied forces from Nassau Bay-Mubo area begin drive on Salamaua. The drive is a secondary effort designed to divert enemy attention from subsequent Allied campaign to secure Markham R Valley and Huon Peninsula and thus gain control of Vitiaz and Dampier Straits.

7/17/43 Thirteenth AF 7 B-24's and more than 70 Navy and Marine airplanes, escorted by more than 100 Thirteenth AF and Allied ftrs, attack shipping off Buin. The HBs claim hits on 2 cargo vessels, and the dive bmrs claim serious damage of 3 destroyers, a patrol ship, an oiler, a merchant ship, and the 2 cargo vessels. In the air battle, Allied aircraft claim more than 40 Zeros and at least 4 float planes shot down. 5 Allied airplanes are lost.

7/18/43 NAAF During 17/18 Jul NASAF Wellingtons bomb A/Fs at Montecorvino and Pomigliano, while NATAF LBs bomb Catania and carry out rcn of extensive areas of Sicily. During the day, NATAF A-36's hit Santa Caterina, Adrano, Lercara, and Termini Imerese. US Seventh Army makes rapid progress against light opposition. British Eighth Army continues adv, but 13 Corps continues to meet strong resistance near Catania.

7/18/43 Ninth AF B-25's bomb Randazzo and Catania.

7/18/43 Fourteenth AF 7 B-24's bomb shipping at Haiphong and Hongay.

7/18/43 Fifth AF During 18/19 Jul, B-24's bomb harbor area at Makassar. Several B-25's, a B-24, and an A-20 bomb and strafe Lokanu, Boisi, Tambu Peninsula, Dot Is, Salamaua, and Komiatum as US forces secure S headland of Tambu Bay for a supply base. Other B-25's attack barges and shipping off New Britain, sinking small cargo vessel off Cape Kwoi.

7/18/43 Thirteenth AF 21 B-24's, more than 20 P-40's and P-38's, and 140 plus Navy and Marine dive bmrs and ftrs thoroughly blast the Kahili area. 15 of the HBs concentrate on the A/F. Many AA positions are attacked, as are revetments and runways. Hits are claimed on 2 destroyers, and a light craft is sunk. The allied air planes claim 21 ftrs shot down. 9 US Navy aircraft are lost. A B-25 off New Georgia strafes a motor launch.

7/18/43 Seventh AF 6 B-24's, flying out of Funafuti, bomb Betio I, Tarawa Atoll. Japanese bmrs raiding Canton I are forced to jettison bombs at sea because of intense AA and ftr def.

7/18/43 Eleventh AF 2 B-24's and 6 B-25's bomb Gertrude Cove and Main Camp at Kiska. 6 B-24's bomb shipping tgts between Paramushiru and Shimushu and completed runway at Murakami Bay on Paramushiru, which is also photographed. They observe fires among buildings S and E of this runway. Some of observed aircraft take to the air and vainly pursue the attackers.

7/19/43 NAAF During 18/19 Jul, Wellingtons drop over 800,000 leaflets on Rome. NATAF LBs attack Catania. During the following day, about 150 NASAF B-17's bomb Rome railroad yards; B-25's and B-26's hit nearby Ciampino A/F. P-40's bomb rail facilities in Alcamo area. NATAF A-36's attack trains and motor transport in W Sicily. US Seventh Army continues to push N and NW while British Eighth Army's 13 Corps still faces firm resistance near Catania.

7/19/43 Ninth AF Over 100 B-24's attack Littoria M/Ys and nearby A/F. On return flight railroads at Orlando and Anzio are bombed. B-25's hit Catania and Randazzo. P-40's escort DC-3's.

7/19/43 Tenth AF B-25's damage approaches to Shweli road bridge.

7/19/43 Fourteenth AF 4 B-24's attack cement works at Haiphong.

7/19/43 Fifth AF A B-25 bombs bridge over mouth of Francisco R. A B-17 hits Finschhafen A/F. RAAF Bostons attack gun position at Komiatum and military camp at Erskine Creek.

7/19/43 Thirteenth AF B-17's bomb Kahili A/F. B-17's and B-25's hit Ballale I A/F. B-25's in spt of ground forces hit positions at Bairoko battle area where enemy resistance is fierce.

7/20/43 Bay of Biscay 19th Antisub Sq sinks U-588, 45-10N 09-42W.

7/20/43 NAAF During 19/20 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Aquino and Capodichino A/Fs while NATAF MBs and LBs attack vehicles, roads, and town areas around and in Randazzo, Santo Stefano di Camastra, Orlando, and Nicosia in Sicily. During day, NASAF FBs attack T/Os in W Sicily while NASAF MBs strike Montecorvino A/F. US Seventh Army and British Eighth Army continue to push NW and N. 82d Airborne Div (US) takes Sciacca and Menfi. 3d Inf Div (US) clears Santo Stefano Quisquina and heights N of Mussomeli. 2d Armd Div, with British units, takes Enna and drives on to Villapriolo.

Canadian 1st Inf Div pushes to Leonforte area. British 51st Div attacks German A/F near Sferro. 13 Corps is halted by strong opposition on Catania Plain.

7/20/43 Ninth AF B-25's attack Randazzo and Taormina. RAF HBs hit Vibo Valentia A/F.

7/20/43 Tenth AF HBs attack Mandalay.

7/20/43 Fourteenth AF 4 P-40's bomb warehouse area at Tengchung. 6 others strafe river traffic and railroad T/Os at Sinti, Changanyi, Tingszekiao, Kaiyu, and near Puchi.

7/20/43 Fifth AF As US ground forces begin struggle for heights commanding Tambu Bay and Dot Inlet, A-20's and B- 25's pound Madang A/F and area, Komiatum, Logui, areas along Gum R and S of Gogol R, Gori R bridge area, and Bogadjim. B-25's bomb Lautem, Dili, and Cape Chater A/F. A single B-24 bombs Arawe.

7/20/43 Thirteenth AF 18 B-24's bomb A/Fs at Kahili and on Ballale I. Ftrs strafe barges in Pakoi Bay.

7/21/43 NAAF During 20/21 Jul, Wellingtons of NASAF hit Crotone A/F and Naples M/Y; NATAF LBs hit motor transport convoys in Randazzo area. During day, NASAF B-17's bomb A/F at Grosseto. Rangers seize Castelvetrano and airport. 82d Airborne Div takes San Margherita and 3d Inf Div takes Corleone. 45th Inf Div, pushing NW, takes Valledolmo. 1st Inf Div clears Alimena. In British 30 Corps area, Canadian 1st Inf Div takes Leonforte.

7/21/43 Ninth AF About 20 B-25's bomb Randazzo. P-40's escort C-47's to Licata and return.

7/21/43 Fifth AF More than 50 B-25's again thoroughly pound Madang area. Other B-25's hit junction of Gori and Ioworo Rivers and village of Bogadjim. B-26's bomb barges and jetties W of Voco Pt. Single B-24's bomb Finschhafen A/F and town of Rabaul.

7/21/43 Thirteenth AF In a series of sorties in spt of ground forces, 22 B-25's, more than 50 AAF and Navy ftrs, and more than 170 Navy dive bmrs blast positions in Bairoko area. 135 tons of bombs are dropped.

7/21/43 Eleventh AF 9 B-24's bomb Kiska tgts, including runway, North Head, and Main Camp area where fires are observed. Poor weather cancels other scheduled missions.

7/22/43 Eighth AF Results of first phase of CBO are good according to a report of Joint Intelligence Committee (British).

The report maintains CBO has caused Germany to adopt a defensive air strategy resulting in more than half its ftr strength being employed on Western Front at expense of Eastern and Mediterranean Fronts as well as causing considerable damage to transportation, synthetic rubber industry, and the fuel, iron, and coal industries of the Ruhr.

7/22/43 NAAF During 21/22 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Capodichino A/F and Salerno M/Y. NATAF LBs hit Randazzo, railroad at Falcone, and road W of Marina. During day, over 100 B-17's bomb Battipaglia M/Y and Foggia. B-26's hit Salerno bridge and M/Y. Ftrs fly sweep over Maddalena I, strafing factories, trucks, and small vessels. NATAF LBs bomb Adrano, Paterno, Troina, and Misterbianco. US Seventh Army troops take Palermo. 1st Inf Div continues N, taking Bompietro.

7/22/43 Ninth AF P-40's escort C-47's to Ponte Olivo.

7/22/43 Fifth AF More than 50 B-24's, B-25's, and B-26's blast troops, AA guns, defensive positions, and T/Os in battle zones at Komiatum, on Komiatum Ridge, at Kela Mt, at Salamaua, and along trails near Komiatum and Salamaua. B-24's bomb oil refinery, docks, and railroad yards at Soerabaja. B-25's hit T/Os on Selaroe.

7/22/43 Thirteenth AF More than 20 B-17's and B-24's, 40-plus Navy dive bmrs, and more than 100 Allied ftr aircraft attack shipping in area off Buin. A sea-plane carrier is sunk, and damaging hits are claimed on several other vessels.

7/22/43 Eleventh AF 26 B-25's, 17 B-24's, 13 P-40's, and 20 P-38's hit North Head, Main Camp, and the submarine base at Kiska, as well as coastal defenses and AA guns at both Kiska and Little Kiska, starting numerous fires. Intense and heavy AA fire downs one B-25 (crew saved) and damages 18 aircraft of which another B-25 crashes at base. 1 B-25 photographs S and W Kiska shores. 1 B-24 flies radar rcn over Kiska.

7/23/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's, B-25's, and B-26's bomb Leverano, Crotone and Aquino A/F. NATAF MBs and ftrs bomb and strafe Misterbianco, transport in Nicosia-Troina-Randazzo areas, and bridges and landing craft in coastal area around Santo Stefano di Camastra and Orlando. IJS Seventh Army mops up in W Sicily. British Eighth Army's 30 Corps meets firm opposition as it moves E from Leonforte.

7/23/43 Ninth AF P-40's escort C-47's to Licata. RAF HBs hit Reggio di Calabria A/F.

7/23/43 Fifth AF B-25's, B-26's, B-24's, and B-17's again pound tgts in coastal NE New Guinea, hitting Malolo, Asini, Busama, Voco Pt, and Salamaua, blasting barges from Hanisch Harbor to Wald Bay and Cape Busching, and thoroughly bombing Bogadjim.

7/23/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's and P-40's, along with Navy dive bmrs, pound Rekata Bay area.

7/24/43 Eighth AF 167 HBs execute very successful attack on nitrate works at Heroya. This is Eighth's first mission to Norway and its longest (1,900 mi round trip) to date. Work at the plant is disrupted for 3 1/2, months, and unfinished aluminum and magnesium plants are damaged and subsequently abandoned by the Germans. Naval installations at Trondheim also are hit. Crews successfully experiment with new assembly procedure for occasions when bad weather conditions prevent ascent in formation. Aircraft take off individually on instruments, proceed to designated splasher beacon for group formation, and then along line of 3 splasher beacons for force assembly. The method works well and makes possible many future missions which might otherwise have been abandoned.

7/24/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's and B-25's bomb Bologna railroad yards. B-26's hit Paola railroad yards. NATAF FBs hit barges, warships, and docks in Messina-Milazzo area and transport NE of Mount Etna. US Seventh Army continues to mop up W part of Sicily. Further E, 45th Inf Div takes Cefalu and Castelbuono while 1st Inf Div seizes Gangi and heads toward Nicosia.

7/24/43 Ninth AF P-40's fly armed rcn and FB missions over Adrano and Milazzo areas. Attacks are concentrated against motor transport tgts.

7/24/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb Lautem, Fuiloro, Koepang, Tenau, and A/F and surrounding areas at Lae, and attack barges in Wapelik and Cape Busching areas and villages on Itni R.

7/24/43 Thirteenth AF 48 ftrs join Navy and Marine dive bmrs in spt of ground forces in Bairoko area. Later in the day gun positions at Bibolo Hill near Munda are hit, along with other tgts.

7/24/43 Seventh AF 8 B-24's from Midway attack Wake, bombing oil storage, barracks, and a gun emplacement. 2030 Zeros attack the formation. 9 ftrs are claimed destroyed. 1 HB is lost in collision with falling Japanese ftr.

7/24/43 Eleventh AF 62 P-40's fly 9 missions to Kiska (2 of them with RCAF pilots) bombing runway and scoring many hits.

An AA battery takes a direct hit and explodes. AA guns are strafed on North Head and Little Kiska.

Intense AA fire downs 1 P-40.

7/25/43 Eighth AF 218 HBs bomb tgts in Germany, with shipyard at Hamburg and U-boat base at Kiel as major tgts. 19 HBs are lost, mostly to effective formation attacks by German ftrs. This raid on Hamburg is part of 6 CBO missions against that port city and follows a raid of the previous night during which nearly 750 RAF HBs did tremendous damage to the tgt. Bergen, one of the scheduled tgts, is completely obscured by clouds and no bombing attempt is made there because of the policy of no indiscriminate bombing over enemy-occupied countries. 13 B-26's hit coke ovens at Ghent.

7/25/43 NAAF NATAF, MBs, LBs, and ftrs during night and day raids, attack shipping and docks at Milazzo and in Santo Stefano di Camastra-Orlando area, and hit roads and motor transport, bridges and armor concentration in Orlando-Adrano-Troina-Nicosia areas. US Seventh Army makes slow progress along N coastal road, while British Eighth Army's 30 Corps takes part in hard fighting in Agira area.

7/25/43 Ninth AF B-25's bomb docks and shipping at Milazzo. Almost 100 P-40's strafe and bomb Milazzo, Taormina, and Catania harbor. Other P-40's escort C-47's.

7/25/43 Italy King Victor Emmanuel III announces fall of Mussolini government. Marshall Badoglio becomes premier and takes cmd of Italian army.

7/25/43 Fourteenth AF 9 B-25's, escorted by 17 P-40's and P-38's, bomb Hankow A/F.

7/25/43 Fifth AF Single B-24's attack large transport vessel WNW of Buka Passage and bomb Lingat, Adaoet, and area near Finschhafen.

7/25/43 Thirteenth AF Gen Twining becomes COMAIRSOLS. FC and BC, Solomons, are taken over by Gen Strother and Col William A Matheny, respectively; Strother retains his position as CG XIII FC. The Japanese try to hit US forces on Rendova I but Allied ftrs shoot down several Zeros (8 claimed) and force the enemy bmrs to drop their bombs indiscriminately. Final push on Japanese base at Munda opens with bombardment by 7 destroyers and the heaviest air attack in SOPAC to date. 170-plus B-24's, B-25's, B- 17's, TBF's, and SBD's, covered by more than 70 ftrs, pound the tgt thoroughly, dropping more than 145 tons of bombs in little more than a half hr. Later in the afternoon 10 more B-24's, with ftr cover, bomb Bibolo Hill, and SBD's and TBF's dive-bomb gun positions. Later in the day, gun positions NE of Kindu Village are hit. 43d and 37th Divs open ground assault against firmly entrenched enemy.

7/25/43 Eleventh AF 343d Ftr Gp moves from Adak to Amchitka. 40 P-40's fly 7 attack missions (2 by RCAF pilots) bombing and strafing North Head AA batteries, runway, Main Camp, and Little Kiska.

7/26/43 Eighth AF 92 HBs bomb rubber factories at Hannover as main objective. 54 attack shipbuilding yards at Hamburg. Results are good but costly. 24 aircraft are lost, mostly to enemy ftrs. 15 B-26's bomb Saint Omer/Longuenesse A/F.

7/26/43 NAAF During 25/26 Jul, NATAF MBs attack Milazzo, Adrano, and Paterno. Throughout day LBs hit Regalbuto at intervals, and FBs harass shipping, rail, and road movements. NASAF B-26's bomb Marina di Paola M/Y.

7/26/43 Ninth AF B-25's bomb Milazzo, Paterno, and Adrano. P-40's strafe and bomb Catania and shipping at Riposto harbor.

7/26/43 Fourteenth AF 5 B-25's, escorted by 12 ftrs, bomb Hankow A/F. An estimated 30-50 ftrs intercept the force. The MBs and ftrs claim 14 airplanes shot down and 17 probably destroyed. 1 P-40 is lost.

7/26/43 Fifth AF More than 40 B-24's and B-17's bomb Salamaua, Malolo Mission, Komiatum, Komiatum Ridge, and Lae A/F.

7/26/43 Thirteenth AF B-24's, P-38's, P-40's, and Navy aircraft hit bivouac area and runway at Kahili. B-25's, P-40's, and USN ftrs over S Kolombangara hit E shore of Webster Cove and bivouac area and buildings on Simbo I.

7/26/43 Seventh AF Last mission against Wake from Midway is flown. 8 B-24's bomb tgts including oil storage area. 20- plus ftrs (including an aircraft identified as a possible FW-190) intercept the formation. HBs claim 11 of the ftrs shot down.

7/26/43 Eleventh AF 3 bmrs and 5 ftrs fly 5 armed rcn missions to Kiska. 32 B-24's, 38 P-40's, and 24 P-38's fly 13 attack raids, bombing and scoring hits on numerous Kiska and Little Kiska tgts, including North Head, Main Camp, runway, Gertrude Cove, AA batteries, and on suspected submarine in Kiska harbor. A submarine is sighted near Rat I. AA fire claims 1 P-40 (pilot rescued), and damages 3 others. 1 B-25 and 15 P-38's fly 2 air cover missions to Kiska for the Navy. Over 104 tons of bombs are dropped on Kiska this day, highest one-day bomb load so far dropped by the Eleventh.

7/27/43 Eighth AF 17 B-26's raid A/F at Triqueville.

7/27/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's hit A/F at Capua and railroad at Lioni. B-25's and B-26's bomb Scalea landing Fround.

NATAF ftrs and LBs continue bombing and strafing of ports, shipping, bridges, landing grounds, and motor transport in Sicily as US Seventh Army reaches Tusa and San Maulo and pushes toward Nicosia.

7/27/43 Ninth AF P-40's attack tac tgts in battle area in NE Sicily, and others hit shipping at Catania.

7/27/43 Fourteenth AF 10 B-24's attack shipping in Samah Bay area, claiming severe damage to 2 vessels. 2530 ftrs intercept the HBs. 13 ftrs are claimed shot down. No B-24's are lost. 6 B-25's, supported by 14 ftrs, attack T/Os on Stonecutter's I in Hong Kong area after failing to locate a reported freighter in the area.

7/27/43 Fifth AF 35 B-25's and 18 B-24's pound Salamaua area in one of the largest single-strike attacks of SWPA.

A/F and supply storage at Salamaua, town of Kela and nearby hilltop positions, and defensive positions between road and beach at Logui are hit. 5 other B-25's hit barges between Pommern Bay and Finschhafen, and 6 B-26's bomb barge concentration and supply area at Voco Pt. A lone B-24 on armed rcn bombs T/Os on Mundua and Unea Is.

7/27/43 Thirteenth AF Gen Owens becomes CG, Thirteenth AF. B-17's bomb A/Fs at Kahili and Ballale I. 8 P-38's and 70- plus Navy and Marine aircraft again attack Munda area, hitting positions on Bibolo Hill and tgts at Gurasai, Munda Pt, and Munda A/F.

7/27/43 Eleventh AF 12 bmrs and 20 ftrs take off on 5 attack missions to Kiska. Several of the ftrs jettison bombs. The other aircraft hit Main Camp, North Head and Little Kiska.

7/28/43 Bay of Biscay German sub, U-404, is sunk by aircraft of 4th Antisub Sq and RAF 224 Sq, at 45-53N 09-23W.

7/28/43 Eighth AF Over 300 HRs are dispatched in 2 forces to bomb German tgts. Bad weather prevents majority from completing mission, but 49 bomb aircraft works at Kassel and 28 attack major FW-190 factory at Oschersleben, marking deepest US bmr penetration into Germany to date. Raid achieves good results. However, 22 HBs are lost as ftrs score first effective results with rockets. 105 P-47's, equipped with jettisonable belly tanks for first time on mission, escort the B-17's into Germany; other P-47's, going more than 30 mi deeper into Germany than they have penetrated before, meet the returning bmrs. They surprise about 60 German ftrs and destroy 9 of them; one P-47 is lost. 17 B-26's hit Zeebrugge coke ovens. MB mission to bomb Triqueville A/F aborts because of failure to meet ftr escort in bad weather.

7/28/43 NAAF NASAF ftrs sweep over S Sardinia. NATAF LBs hit Regalbuto, Milazzo, and Centuripe. A-36's and P- 40's hit heavy traffic on Troina Randazzo road, bridges and roads N and W of Cesaro, landing ground at Falcone, and buildings near Randazzo. US Seventh Army takes Nicosia and pushes toward Santo Stefano di Camastra. British Eighth Army takes Agira. Allied cargo vessels begin arriving at Palermo, and Gen Alexander, 15 Army Gp CG, moves his HQ to Sicily.

7/28/43 Ninth AF Almost 100 P-40's hit shipping at Catania and Santa Teresa, fly patrol over Straits of Messina and bomb encampments.

7/28/43 Fourteenth AF 6 B-25's, with escort of 9 P-40's, bomb Taikoo Docks at Hong Kong.

7/28/43 Fifth AF B-25's attack barges and fuel dump between Cape Raoult and Rein Bay, and hit A/F at Cape Gloucester and 2 destroyers offshore. Single B-24's bomb Unea I and unsuccessfully attack shipping in Saint George Channel. B-24's bomb Manokwari, Larat, and Boela. B-25's hit town of Lautem and A/F at Cape Chater.

7/28/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's and Navy aircraft hit gun positions and other tgts at Webster Cove.

7/29/43 Eighth AF 91 HBs bomb U-boat yards at Kiel, and 81 attack Heinkel aircraft factory at Warnemunde. MBs hit Saint-Omer/Ft Rouge A/F. Mission to Schiphol A/F aborts due to navigational error.

7/29/43 NAAF NASAF B-26's hit Aquino A/F. B-17's bomb Viterbo A/F. NATAF ftrs and LBs hit Regalbuto, Milazzo, shipping off Messina, and gun positions and motor transport in NE Sicily. US Seventh Army almost completes mopup of W Sicily, approaches Santo Stefano Quisquina, advances on Mistretta, and takes 3 islands off Trapani. British Eighth Army opens assault during 29/30 Jul along axis of Catenanuova- Adrano.

7/29/43 Ninth AF Over 200 P-40's, to date the largest number of ftrs operating in 1 day during Sicilian campaign, attack Messina Riposto, shipping at Catania, Santa Teresa di Riva, Taormina, Milazzo, and in Straits of Messina.

7/29/43 Tenth AF 2 flights of B-25's blast the previously bombed Mu R bridge between Ywataung and Monywa. The bridge is hit heavily with 1 span left submerged in the river.

7/29/43 Fourteenth AF 18 B-24's, with ftr escort, bomb shipping and dockyard installations at Hong Kong. Kowloon and Taikoo Docks and the old Royal Navy yards are hit. 4 P-40's attack Japanese force of 23 bmrs and 30 ftrs attacking Hengyang. 1 Japanese ftr is downed.

7/29/43 Fifth AF B-17's, B-24's, and B-25's bomb Kela Pt and village, and Salamaua town and peninsula area. B-25's, B-26's, and a B-24 attack Army HQ, barges, and villages in Natamo vicinity, shipping off Cape Gloucester, and barges off Cape Dampier, in Borgen Bay, and along coast from Ring Ring Plantation to Roebuck Pt. P-40's strafe T/Os.

7/29/43 Eleventh AF 1 B-17 scouts Kiska and bombs Main Camp area.

7/30/43 Eighth AF 134 HBs bomb aircraft works and M/Y at Kassel. P-47's with auxiliary tanks surprise attacking German ftrs over Bocholt as enemy is not yet accustomed to ftr escort penetration beyond coastal fringe. Small number of MBs hit A/F at Woensdrecht. Bad weather causes multiple aborts on this mission and abandonment of attack on Courtrai A/F.

7/30/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's bomb Grottaglie A/F. B-25's hit A/F at Pratica di Mare. NATAF A-20's bomb Milazzo and hit gun positions N and E of Centuripe. Ftrs hit shipping off Milazzo. Enemy evacuates Santo Stefano Quisquina, with rear Fuard action. British take Catenanuova and push on to NE.

7/30/43 Ninth AF Over 100 P-40's attack shipping at Milazzo, Messina, and Riposto, and hit tgts in battle area.

7/30/43 Fourteenth AF 15 P-40's over Hengyang area make contact with 39 Japanese ftrs and 24 bmrs. In the ensuing battle, 3 bmrs and 2 ftrs are downed; 2 P-40's are lost.

7/30/43 Fifth AF B-24's bomb Salamaua and Kela. B-25's hit barges off Huon Peninsula and villages in Finschhafen area. A-20's destroy several barges at Hanisch Harbor and Langemak Bay. Single B-24's bomb Cape Gloucester and Unea I.

7/30/43 Thirteenth AF 9 B-24's, with escort of 16 P-38's and P-40's and 40 plus Navy F-4U's, pound Ballale I A/F.

7/31/43 Eighth AF MBs under heavy ftr escort carry out raids on A/Fs at Merville, Abbeville, Poix, Saint-Omer and Triqueville. Lille and Amiens are bombed by RAF bmrs, also ftr escorted, in conjunction with US raids.

7/31/43 NAAF NASAF B-26's bomb Adrano. NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs hit Paterno, Santa Maria di Licondia, and Centuripe, general area around Paterno, and vessels in Milazzo Orlando area. US ground forces in Sicily prepare to attack E along coast, and further inland press toward Troina. British, to the S, are fiercely opposed W of Regalbuto.

7/31/43 Ninth AF P-40's fly escort missions and hit shipping in Milazzo area.

7/31/43 Tenth AF 9 B-24's mine Rangoon R during 31 Jul/1 Aug.

7/31/43 Fifth AF B-25's hit Finschhafen area and barges at Hanisch Harbor and Mange. B-25's and A-20's blast several barges in Cape Gloucester area. B-24's bomb Waingapoe.

7/31/43 Thirteenth AF 17 P-40's and P-39's join 90-plus Navy and Marine aircraft in pounding guns and defensive positions on Bibolo Hill as Allied ground forces close in on Munda A/F. B-17's, B-25's, P-40's, and Navy aircraft attack Vila A/F.

8/1/43 NAAF During 31 Jul/1 Aug NASAF Wellingtons drop leaflets on Rome and Naples, and bomb Randazzo and Adrano. During following day, B-17's bomb Capodichino A/F, and B-25's hit Milazzo. NATAF LBs and MBs hit Paterno, Randazzo, Adrano, Bronte, Santa Maria di Licondia, and motor transport in Orlando area. NACAF Beaufighters score hits on shipping between Sardinia and Italy. US ground forces adv E along coast of Sicily, approach Troina further inland, and begin movement to flank defenses. British, to S, penetrate into Regalbuto.

8/1/43 Ninth AF 177 B-24's, of IX BC (including HBs on loan from Eighth AF) are dispatched to bomb oil refineries at Ploesti and nearby Campina. The operation (TIDALWAVE) is costly, 54 planes and 532 airmen being lost, but damage to the tgts is severe. More than 230 P-40's, largest Ninth AF total to date, attack Adrano, area near Randazzo, Messina, Milazzo, Taormina, and shipping in Straits of Messina.

8/1/43 Tenth AF 8 B-25's hit E approach of the road bridge at Shweli, damaging cable anchorage's and pylons but leaving bridge usable.

8/1/43 Fifth AF A lone B-24 bombs A/F at Lae.

8/1/43 Thirteenth AF P-40's and Navy aircraft again hit Munda, bombing AA positions, ammo dumps, and other tgts. 21 B- 24's, 16 P-38's, and P-40's, and 30-plus Navy airplanes pound Kahili A/F; other P-40's and 80-plus Navy aircraft hit shipping in nearby waters.

8/1/43 Eleventh AF 7 B-24's bomb Kiska Main Camp area through overcast.

8/2/43 Atlantic 4th Antisub Sq sinks U706 in E Atlantic, 46-15N 10-25W.

8/2/43 Eighth AF MBs attack Merville and Saint-Omer/Ft Rouge A/Fs.

8/2/43 NAAF NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs hit trucks, dump and road junction in NE Sicily, docks and shipping at Milazzo, Messina and in Reggio di Calabria area, and T/Os (mainly motor transport) from Barcellona S to Adrano. In Sicily, US ground forces push slowly W while British troops gain control of Regalbuto and fight indecisively in streets of Centuripe.

8/2/43 Ninth AF P-40's attack shipping in Straits of Messina and off Milazzo.

8/2/43 Fifth AF B-17's bomb supply dumps on shores of Hansa Bay and T/Os along Francisco R. A-20's hit Buiambun and B-25's pound barges from Lae to Bogadjim, from Lae to Kepler Pt, and from Bubui R to Lepsius Pt. B-24's bomb Lae harbor, Salamaua, and W shore of Voco Pt.

8/2/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's, B-17's, P-40's, and Navy ftrs pound shores of Bairoko harbor. B-24's, B-25's, P-40's and Navy F- 4U's hit supply area on W side of Webster Cove.

8/2/43 Eleventh AF 8 B-24's, 9 B-25's, and 8 P-38's hit Kiska in 2 waves bombing and strafing North Head, and coast guns on Little Kiska, scoring several hits. 1 or 2 enemy aircraft over Attu cannot be intercepted due to weather.

8/3/43 Eighth AF Gen Kepner becomes CG, VIII FC.

8/3/43 NAAF NATAF LBs hit tac tgts in battle area in Sicily. Ftrs, LBs, and MBs hit shipping in Straits of Messina and at Milazzo and attack Adrano and Biancavilla and gun emplacements and bridges in the area. US forces continue E along N coast toward Furiano R. At Troina, further inland, enemy continues firm resistance.

8/3/43 Ninth AF B-25's bomb Adrano and its highway approaches. Over 300 P-40's, largest Ninth AF total to date, attack harbors and shipping at Milazzo and Messina, and give direct spt to British ground forces in Catania-Bronte area.

8/3/43 Fifth AF B-25's, B-17's, and B-24's bomb barges, small craft, villages, grounded planes, trails, and military camps at numerous points, including areas in or around Bogadjim, Salamaua, Manokwari, and Larat and along Bubui, Masaweng, Mindjim, and Kofebi Rivers and Bogadjim Road. Also bombed are W coast of Borgen Bay and island in Marien Harbor.

8/3/43 Eleventh AF 6 attack missions 2 of which abort-are flown to Kiska by B-24's, B-25's, P-38's, and P-40's.

Numerous tgts hit and strafed include installations at North Head and South Head.

8/4/43 Eighth AF 33 B-26's hit shipyards at Le Trait.

8/4/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's bomb Naples submarine base. B-26's and B-25's hit railroad bridge at Catanzaro and railroad at Paola. NATAF MBs, LBs, and ftrs attack comm tgts, gun positions, and storage areas in Milazzo-Adrano-Biancavilla and Bronte-Riposto-Fiumefreddo areas. A number of NATAF aircraft hit rail sidings on toe of Italy and attack shipping off Messina. In Sicily, British cross Salso R with 2 divs, while other forces prepare to drive on Catania and others continue toward Misterbianco.

8/4/43 Ninth AF P-40's attack shipping at Messina and spt ground forces at N end of Mount Etna. US troops are halted by fierce opposition at Furiano R and at Troina.

8/4/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb and strafe Itni R area and hit several villages on Selaroe I. Single B-24's bomb dump area on Francisco R and Cape Gloucester A/F.

8/4/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's, and Navy dive bmrs, bomb Gurasai-Kindu area. Some of the MBs also strafe areas emitting intense small arms fire, silencing it. P-38's and P-40's claim 11 ftrs downed in series of running battles over C Solomons.

8/4/43 Eleventh AF Between 0855 and 1846, 153 tons of bombs are dropped on Kiska, a new one-day record. 6 armed weather, photo and rcn missions, flown by 3 B-24's, 2 P-40's, and 2 F-5A's bomb through clouds, take photos and observe fires in Main Camp and on Little Kiska. Later 48 B-25's, 22 B-24's, 16 A-24's, 8 P- 40's, and 40 P-38's fly 17 bombing and strafing attacks to Kiska. Tgts hit include buildings near radio station, and gun battery area on North Head. Little Kiska and Segula I are also strafed.

8/5/43 NAAF NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs attack troops, roads, and gun positions at Adrano and Troina and surrounding areas in spt of Allied ground forces, hit motor transport behind enemy lines in Sicily and on toe of Italy, and sink or damage over 20 small vessels and barges at Milazzo and in Straits of Messina.

NASAF B-17's, operating in 2 forces, hit Messina docks and railroad yards. B-25's bomb Guspini switching station, and P-40's, after escorting the B-25's, attack and probably sink U-boat off SW Sardinia. US forces open assault on San Fratello ridge, and further inland gain positions overlooking Troina. Enemy withdraws from town during night. British 13 Corps overruns Paterno, Misterbianco, and Catania, British 30 Corps continues toward Adrano.

8/5/43 Ninth AF B-25's bomb town, roads, and road junctions of Francavilla. P-40's attack Messina harbor and shipping in the Straits of Messina.

8/5/43 Fifth AF More than 30 B-25's pound barges near Madang and at Alexishafen, and hit Nuru R bridge and towns of Bogadjim and Saidor. A single B-24 bombs Finschhafen while another hits Vitu Is. Lt Col Malcolm A Moore takes cmd of newly formed Second Air TF based at recently constructed adv A/F at Tsili Tsili.

Strikes from here will facilitate operations against Lae.

8/5/43 Thirteenth AF B-24's bomb shore of Rekata Bay W of Brokeiello Pt area. B-25's and Navy ftrs strafe barges on NE coast of Gizo I. Munda A/F, principal objective of C Solomons campaign, is taken by XIV Corps forces after 12 continuous days of fierce fighting in jungle area.

8/6/43 Caribbean 10th Bomb Sq and USN land-based aircraft sink U-615 at 12-38N 64-15W.

8/6/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's bomb coastal roads near Messina. B-26's and B-25's hit road junction SW of Badiazza and railroad bridges N of Gesso. NATAF LBs and MBs hit roads, junctions, and buildings in Troina, Adrano, Bagnara, Biancavilla, Tortorici, Bronte, Piraino, and Randazzo areas. FBs hit shipping from Vibo Valentia, S to Straits of Messina. US troops are unable to cross Furiano R as fierce resistance continues. At Troina troops push through town and 1 mi to E before opposition halts them. British take Biancavilla, and Adrano falls as enemy pulls out during 6/7 Aug.

8/6/43 Ninth AF 60-plus B-25's hit Bronte, Catania, and Randazzo and the area N of Adrano-Biancavilla road. Over 20 others bomb road intersections in Adrano and Bronte. Over 100 P-40's attack shipping and shore tgts in Messina area while 30 others attack shipping on W coast of Sicily.

8/6/43 Fifth AF B-24's, during 6/7 Aug bomb Laha A/F.

8/6/43 Thirteenth AF 20 P-39's and P-40's hit Tanagaba Harbor area. 24 B-17's and B-24's, 24 B-25's, and 50 plus Navy and Marine ftrs and dive bmrs pound Rekata Bay area, hitting bivouac and supply areas.

8/7/43 NAAF Throughout the day NATBF MBs and LBs pound Randazzo, the enemy's key withdrawal point.

Maletto is also bombed. P-40's and A-36's strafe and bomb small craft between Sicily and mainland Italy, motor transport near Randazzo, warehouse N of Messina, dumps on toe of Italy, and vehicles and comm tgts in Sant' Agata di Militello, Bronte, Cesaro, Tortorici, Castiglione di Sicilia and Riposto areas. NASAF B-25's in 2 forces hit Crotone landing ground while B-26's bomb Marina di Catanzaro railroad bridge and highway bridge over Angitola R. US forces improve positions on N coast in San Fratello region against heavy resistance. During 7/8 Aug, small amphibious force lands on coast 2 mi E of Sant' Agata di Militello, greatly aiding progress along coast. Other forces begin drive on Randazzo.

8/7/43 Ninth AF 150 B-25's attack Randazzo. Over 140 P-40's attack shipping at Messina and in the Straits, and shipping and shore-supply stores along NE coast of Sicily.

8/7/43 Fifth AF B-40's on armed rcn from Sinti to Yoyang to Sienning, strafe and bomb several T/Os; 3 locomotives are exploded and another damaged, a water tank is knocked down, and several railroad stations are heavily damaged. 4 other P-40's attack convoy E of Hong Kong; 1 freighter is hit amidships, causing heavy damage; 2 other vessels are also effectively damaged.

8/7/43 Fifth AF B-24's pound Dagua But, and Tadji. A-20's hit barges on Bubui R. B-26's bomb Cape Gloucester A/F while B-25's sweep along NW coast, bombing and strafing barges and enemy-occupied villages.

8/7/43 Thirteenth AF 24 B-24's, along with 20 P-40's and P-39's and 20 plus Navy F-4U's, pound Kahili A/F. Allied airplanes claim more than 30 Japanese shot down. 6 US aircraft are lost.

8/8/43 NAAF NASAF B-26's hit highway and rail bridges at Angitola, while P-38's strafe trains and other T/Os SW of the town. NATAF LBs and MBs pound Randazzo. Ftrs hit road tgts N of Etna, shipping in Straits of Messina and cover ground forces at Saint' Agata di Militello.

8/8/43 Ninth AF Over 90 B-25's bomb Randazzo area. More than 130 P-40's hit shipping at Messina and provide ground spt in NE Sicily as US and British forces push E and N, capturing Saint' Agata di Militello, Monte Camolato, and Bronte.

8/8/43 Fifth AF B-24's attack Larat, shipping at Semboh, and barges at Kokas.

8/8/43 Thirteenth AF 23 B-25's, with P-38's, P-39's, and Navy F-4U's as cover, bomb Vila and Buki harbor.

8/9/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's bomb crossroads N of Messina, B-25's hit Catanzaro and Soverato R bridges, B-26's attack Angitola R bridges, P-40's sweep over S Sardinia, and P-38's hit lighthouse and other T/Os in S Italy. NATAF bmrs hit Gesso road junction. Ftrs concentrate on highways and junctions and also hit rail sidings and gun positions in areas around Linguagossa, Floresta, Falcone, Patti, Orlando, Novara di Sicilia, and Milazzo. US troops reach Torrenuovo, and, to the S, drive enemy back to Simeto R between Cesaro and Randazzo.

8/9/43 Ninth AF B-25's hit Divieto and nearby tunnel W of Spadafora San Martino, and attack special points in battle area of NE Sicily. P-40's hit shipping at Messina, Milazzo, and Palmi.

8/9/43 Fifth AF B-17's, B-24's, and B-25's bomb Salamaua, Lae, Nuk Nuk, Somoa harbor at mouth of Francisco R, barge near Reiss Pt, and bridges on Bogadjim-Ramu road, Barges and machine- gun positions along Borgen Bay, installations at Unea I, and T/Os at Alilit are bombed. Amboina is thoroughly pounded.

8/9/43 Thirteenth AF 10 B-25's with ftr cover, bomb Vila. Shortly there-after 22 B-24's strike the same tgt.

8/9/43 Eleventh AF 1 B-24 flies photo rcn over various Kiska sites.

8/10/43 NAAF Gen Dunn takes cmd of NAAF TCC (Prov). NASAF P- 38's bomb and strafe comm tgts on toe of Italy.

Bridges at Angitola and N of Locri are attacked. NATAF planes fly anti- shipping sweeps over coastal areas of NE Sicily and Straits of Messina, carry out armed rcn over battle areas and toe of Italy, and bomb Randazzo. US Seventh Army forces pursue enemy to point W of Naso near N coast of Sicily.

During 10/11 Aug, 3d Inf Div makes amphibious landing on coast, outflanking enemy E of Capo d'Orlando. 9th Inf Div reaches point N of Bronte.

8/10/43 Ninth AF B-25's attack Randazzo while P-40's bomb and strafe shipping on SW coast of Italy and in Straits of Messina.

8/10/43 Fifth AF Over 20 B-24's pound A/Fs in Salamaua area. 12 B-25's hit barges in Lae area and AA positions W of Borgen Bay. 6 A-20's bomb and strafe barges in Labu Lagoon and in Gasmata area.

8/10/43 Thirteenth AF Col William A Matheny becomes acting CG, XIII BC, a position he is officially assigned to on 30 Sep.

P- 40's and P-39's turn back about 40 ftrs attacking US bulldozers working on Munda A/F.

8/10/43 Eleventh AF P-38's, P-40's, A-24's, B-24's and B- 25's bomb and strafe various Kiska tgts. Direct hits are scored on revetments W of Wheat Grove and on gun emplacements, as well as on buildings on Little Kiska.

8/11/43 International Quebec Conference begins. Roosevelt and Churchill discuss entire spectrum of world operations and decide on future action of Anglo-US armed forces.

8/11/43 NAAF NASAF again hits comm tgts on toe of Italy. B-17's hit Terni M/Y, B-25's bomb Angitola R bridges, and B-26's and P-38's attack bridge at Catanzaro. NATAF FB's spt US Seventh Army's landing E of Orlando by attacking troop concentrations, gun positions, and comm lines leading to the area. US Seventh Army forces take Naso and press closer to Randazzo. MBs apt British Eighth Army by raiding Flumefreddo and Randazzo area.

8/11/43 Ninth AF Over 90 B-25's bomb bridge, roads, railway, and city area in and about Randazzo. About 170 P-40's hit Randazzo, shipping at Milazzo and Messina, road and train near Messina, and troop movements and evacuations in NE Sicily.

8/11/43 Fifth AF A B-24 on armed rcn sinks enemy freighter NW of Kavieng. Second Air TF completes movement to Tsili Tsili A/F.

8/11/43 Thirteenth AF 5 B-24's hit supply area on E side of Suavanau Pt and at Papatura Fa I.

8/11/43 Eleventh AF B-24's, B-25's, A-24's, and P-38's pound Kiska tgts in 11 attack missions. Later, 10 rcn, strafing and photo missions to Kiska are flown by 3 P-38's, 26 P-40's, 4 F-5A's and 1 B-24. 9 B-24's from Attu drop bombs and incendiaries on Paramushiru I tgts, including Kashiwabara A/F and Shimushu I where Kataoka naval base and staging area are hit. 40 enemy aircraft challenge the attackers, which score 4 confirmed kills, 1 probable, and 4 possibles.

8/12/43 Eighth AF 243 HBs attack tgts in the Ruhr, concentrating on manufacturing installations at Bonn and synthetic oil industries at Gelsenkirchen. 26 airplanes are lost on mission.

8/12/43 NAAF NASAF B-25's attack landing grounds at Crotone, and B-26's hit Grazzanise A/F. MBs claim 9 ftrs shot down. NATAF P-40's and A-36's hit shipping along NE coast of Sicily and in Straits of Messina, attack gun positions and vehicles at Capo Calava and E of Randazzo, and hit bridge at Taormina and roads in Maletto-Fiumefreddo areas. NATAF bmrs athek Patti, Falcone, Barcellona, and Nunziata. US Seventh Army continues to pursue enemy E along N coast. Further inland US forces gain favorable position from which to assault Randazzo, but enemy withdraws during 12/13 Aug, precluding attack.

British Eighth Army seizes Maletto and Riposto.

8/12/43 Ninth AF 7 B-25's attack Falcone, Patti, Novara di Sicilia, and Barcellona. P-40's bomb and strafe shipping at Messina.

8/12/43 Fifth AF B-25's hit Bogadjim Yaula road. A-20's bomb and strafe Gasmata and nearby barges. A B-24 hits Cape Gloucester A/F.

8/12/43 Thirteenth AF 20-plus B-24's, with P-40 and F-4U cover, bomb Kahili A/F, causing considerable damage in dispersal and runway areas. The Allied airplanes claim 11 Zeros shot down. 1 P-40 and 1 F-4U are lost.

8/12/43 Eleventh AF From Adak B-24's and B-25's fly 26 bombing, strafing, and radar and photo rcn sorties over Kiska tgts.

From Amchitka P-40's, P-38's, B-24's, B-25's, and A-24's fly 70 bombing sorties over the island and are joined by B-24's, P-40's, and F-5A's flying 6 rcn and photo sorties. Tgts include runway, harbor and shipping installations, army barracks, and Rose Hill area.

8/13/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's bomb Lorenzi M/Y, and B-25's and B-26's hit Littoria M/Y. Other B-25's hit vessel off Pizzo. P-40's fly sweep over S Sardinia, strafing small boats, power station, and railroad junction NATAF LBs and MBs bomb Piedimonte, Falcone, and bridges N of Scaletta. A-36's and ftrs hit tgts in NE Sicily, Straits of Messina and on toe of Italy, including Gioia Tauro, Barcellona, road junction E of Randazzo, M/Y and trucks at Spadafora, trucks between Taormina and Baracca, and barges, ferries, and small vessels in the Strait of Messina. US Seventh Army enters Randazzo with out opposition.

Coastal forces continue E toward Patti.

8/13/43 Ninth AF 61 B-24's hit aircraft factory at Wiener-Neustadt in first Ninth AF raid on Austria. Over 80 B-25's hit Piedimonte, Falcone, and shipping at Messina. More than 200 P-40's attack shipping and bridges along SW Italian coast, hit shipping in Straits of Messina, and fly armed rcn and FB operations in NE Sicily.

8/13/43 Fourteenth AF 4 P-40's bomb and strafe enemy installations at Lungling.

8/13/43 Fifth AF 59 B-24's, B-17's, and B-26's drop 175 tons of bombs in Salamaua area in the heaviest single day strike by Fifth AF to date. 9 other B-24's bomb oil center at Balikpapan during late night raid; the round trip covers 1,200 mi.

8/13/43 Thirteenth AF 4 P-40's become the first Allied aircraft to land on the reconstructed Munda A/F; after refueling, they are sent on a sweep of the Kolombangara coast. 9 B-17's, with ftr cover, bomb Kape Harbor depot; 2 others on armed rcn bomb Vila. 12 B-25's bomb supply areas in Rekata Bay area. 2 B-24's on armed rcn hit Suavanau Pt, 8 bomb Ballale I A/F, and 13 bomb Kahili A/F.

8/13/43 Eleventh AF 7 B-26's from Adak bomb tgts at Main Camp and North Head at Kiska and Little Kiska. A B-24 flies a special rcn mission. From Amchitka B-24's, B-25's, A-24's, and P-38's fly 8 more bombing missions against Kiska pounding Camp area, gun emplacements, buildings, shipping, and airstrip revetments.

8/14/43 NAAF NASAF P-38's sweep toe of Italy but find little enemy movement. NATAF ftrs, MBs, and Lbs, 3 hit refueling depot at Nicola, near Gesso, road junction N of Palmi, shipping in straits and along W coast of Italy N to Gioia, and numerous T/Os in NE Sicily and S Italy as enemy continues orderly evacuation from Sicily to mainland Italy across Straits of Messina. US troops speed E along coast to Barcellona area and also continue pursuit of enemy E of Randazzo.

8/14/43 Ninth AF 61 B-24's, on loan from Eighth AF bomb Me 109 factory at Wiener-Neustadt. B-25's attack road junctions and vehicle concentrations along NE coast of Sicily and bomb crossroads N of Palmi. P-40's hit shipping in Milazzo and Messina area and along Italian coast in Palmi area.

8/14/43 Fifth AF More than 60 B-24's, B-17's, and B-25's pound Salamaua area battle zone. With close air and arty spt, US forces push to crest of Roosevelt Ridge. Enemy retains several ridges along Dot Inlet. A-20's strafe barges near Finschhafen. B-25's hit barges at Talasea and Rein Bay, and B-25's bomb Koepang.

8/14/43 Thirteenth AF 9 B-17's bomb Rekata Bay area.

8/14/43 Eleventh AF 2 B-24's fly special radar ferret and rcn missions. 1 B-26, 8 B-24's, and 10 P-38's then fly 2 attack missions to Kiska, bombing with unobserved results.

8/15/43 Eighth AF Over 300 HBs are dispatched to bomb GAF A/Fs in France and the Netherlands. The majority concentrates on Vlissingen A/F and on A/Fs at Lille and Merville. MBs attack Saint-Omer/Ft Rouge A/F and the Mn at Abbeville.

8/15/43 NAAF NASAF B-25's and B-26's bomb Sibari railroad junction and M/Y, and P-38's hit trains, troops, radar, and Staletti railroad tracks and tunnel. P-40's attack bivouac area near Monserrato. During 16/16 Aug, US Seventh Army troops land on Sicilian N coast NW of Barcellona to block enemy withdrawal. 3d Inf Div heads along N coast to Spadafora. British Eighth Army troops complete drive around Mount Etna as Randazzo-Linguaglossa road is closed. Linguaglossa and Taormina are taken.

8/15/43 Ninth AF B-25's hit shipping along beaches of Sant' Agata di Militello. Over 180 P-40's attack shipping at Messina and in the Straits of Messina. Enemy forces withdrawing to mainland Italy are pounded severely by constant air attacks.

8/15/43 Fifth AF HBs again hit Salamaua area. 12 Japanese bmrs, escorted by more than 20 ftrs, attack Tsili Tsili A/F for first time. Intercepting P-39's claim 14 airplanes downed. 3 P-39's are lost.

8/15/43 Thirteenth AF COMAIR, New Georgia cmd post, recently opened at Munda Pt by Gen Mulcahy, USMC, conducts its first full day of operations. Ftrs are sent to cover amphibious landings at Vella Lavella I where elements of 25th Inf Div, and supporting units, go ashore in Barakoma area and establish beachhead.

Allied airplanes knock down about 25 Japanese aircraft (7 by AAF ftrs) attacking the landings.

Corsairs also claim 10 Japanese shot down over Kahili. B-25's bomb Papatura Fa and Ighiti Is in Rekata Bay area.

8/15/43 Eleventh AF US and Canadian troops invade Kiska and discover that the Japanese, under the cover of fog, evacuated their garrison. A P-38 bombs and strafes Sniper Hill.

8/16/43 Eighth AF 169 HBs, escorted all the way to the tgt by P-47's using drop tanks, hit Le Bourget air depot in the Paris area. Smaller strikes are made at Poix and Abbeville/Drucat A/Fs. MBs hit locomotive works at Denain, and A/Fs at Beaumont-le-Roger, and Bernay/Saint Martin.

8/16/43 NAAF NASAF MBs hit Staletti and temporary bridge at Angitola. NATAF Lbs and MBs hit shipping in Straits of Messina and from N of Messina to Capo Peloro. A-36's and P-40's concentrate on comm tgts on toe of Italy, hitting trains, trucks, railroad yards, and sidings at Nicastro, Lamezia, Amantea, and Sambiase. Also bombed are barges, ferries, and small vessels off Messina and in Golfo di Sant' Eufemia.

8/16/43 Ninth AF 86 B-24's bomb city area and A/Fs at Foggia. Over 50 B-25's hit landing craft concentrations near Ganzirri and Messina, and 100-plus P-40's hit shipping at Messina and in Straits of Messina, as enemy continues withdrawal of rear guard troop to mainland Italy. Before midnight, US patrols enter Messina, which is under fire from Italian coast.

8/16/43 Tenth AF Bmrs hit and claim 2 small vessels sunk about 130 mi S of Rangoon.

8/16/43 Fourteenth AF 4 P-40's bomb town of Tengehung.

8/16/43 Fifth AF Oil tanks at Balikpapan are hit by 2 B-24's. 5 B-25's bomb Larat. 15 P-38's and 32 P-47's intercept 25 ftrs preparing to attack transport vessels near Tsili Tsili. The strike is completely thwarted and 12 ftrs shot down. This marks first combat use of the P-47 in SWPA.

8/16/43 Thirteenth AF 9 B-24's bomb Papatura Fa I. 12 B-25's, 5 B-17's, and 30-plus Navy planes attack Vila A/F.

8/16/43 Eleventh AF A B-24 rcn flight reconnoiters North Head, Main Camp, and northern Kiska, and observes friendly forces' unopposed adv into Main Camp.

8/17/43 Eighth AF On first anniversary of US HB operations from UK, 315 B-17's launch two-pronged attack into Germany, marking deepest penetration of German territory to date. The critical tgts are the Messerschmitt complex at Regensburg and the anti friction-bearing factories at Schweinfurt. The bmrs unload a 724 ton bomb load, causing extensive damage. Every important building in the complex at Regensburg is damaged, and there are 80 HE hits on the 2 main bearing plants at Schweinfurt. 60 US aircraft are lost in fierce air battle that extends to the tgts and continues after the bombing. 4th Bomb Wg, after bombing Regensburg, continues to bases in N Africa. During 17/18 Aug RAF begins CROSSBOW, massive attacks on German V-weapon sites. About 670 aircraft drop 2,000 tons of bombs on Peenemunde.

8/17/43 NAAF Sicily campaign ends with official entry of US Seventh Army's 3d Div into Messina at 1000. British force from Ali arrives shortly there after. Fall of Sicily paves way for it stepped-up air offensive against Italy. About 180 NASAF B-17's attack Istres-IoTube and Salon-de-Provence A/Fs. Around 100 MBs attack comm tgts on N part of Italian toe, hitting Battipaglia and Castrovillari with damaging effect; escorting P-38's strafe vehicles in the area. NATAF ftrs and LBs pound shipping in Straits of Messina and Gulf of Gioia, hit rail center at Lamezia, and harass enemy movement on the Italian toe.

8/17/43 Ninth AF More than 200 P-40's hit shipping at Messina, at Palmi, and in Gulf of Gioia.

8/17/43 Fourteenth AF 23 B-24's, operating in 3 waves, bomb barracks at Cau Lo. 4 P-40's bomb town of Mangshih.

8/17/43 Fifth AF More than 50 B-24's and B-17's make predawn attack on Wewak and satellite A/Fs at Boram, Dogaw, and But, and also hit Tadji and Madang. During midmorning, 30 plus B-25's, with over 80 P-38's covering, carry out the day's second bombing and strafing strike on Boram, Wewak, and Dagaw. This begins campaign to neutralize Japanese A/Fs in preparation for offensive against Lae. A-20's again hit enemy forces in Salamaua area. B-24's bomb oil facilities at Balikpapan.

8/17/43 Eleventh AF 1 B-24 flies over Kiska watching friendly forces land on shore of E Kiska Lake.

8/18/43 Eighth AF MBs hit A/Fs at Woensdrecht and Ypres-Vlamertinge. Primary tgt of Lille/ Vendeville A/F is not bombed because of mechanical trouble with comm equipment and bombsight in lead plane.

8/18/43 NAAF NASAF ftrs and MBs hit barracks and railroad at Gonnesa, sink small vessel in Golfo di Sant' Eufemia, and bomb and strafe railway station, bridge, and tracks at Soverato, bridges and road junction at Angitola, and highway and road junction at Staletti. NATAF airplanes hit gun positions and road and rail transport in S Italy.

8/18/43 Ninth AF P-40's attack motor transport between Scilla and Bagnara, and bomb shipping off Scilla.

8/18/43 Fifth AF More than 70 B-24's, B-25's, and B-17's, with cover of almost 100 ftrs, blast A/Fs at Wewak, Boram, Dagua, and But. The midmorning attacks cause heavy destruction of Japanese airplanes on the ground, and US ftrs and bmrs claim over 30 enemy aircraft shot down.

8/19/43 Eighth AF 93 HBs hit A/Fs at Flushing and Gilze-Rijen. Smaller numbers strike at Amiens and Poix. MBs attack Amiens/Glisy and Poix A/Fs.

8/19/43 NAAF Over 160 NASAF B-17's bomb Foggia M/Y, while almost 100 MBs hit M/Ys at Sapri and Salerno. The HBs, MBs, and escorting P-38's claim 34 enemy planes shot down, against 8 losses. NATAF A-36's attack Catanzaro M/Y. P-40's on sweeps over Italian toe attack train near Melito di Porto Salvo and strafe small number of trucks.

8/19/43 Ninth AF About 70 B-24's bomb M/Y at Foggia. P-40's fly coastal rcn over toe of Italy and bomb roads and buildings.

8/19/43 Tenth AF Gen Davidson becomes CG Tenth AF.

8/19/43 Fifth AF B-24's attack Manokwari, sink small craft near Babo, and bomb Larat and Saumlakki. B-26's hit Koepang, Fuiloro, and Lautem.

8/19/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's, operating in pairs and with ftr escort, hit barges at Timbala Bay and Kakasa, radio station on Gill I, and beached vessel in Paraso Bay. From this date through 26 Aug, Japanese airplanes attack Allied forces in Barakoma area of Vella Lavella, losing a considerable number of aircraft (claims total about 50) to Allied ftrs and ground fire without doing any great damage to the Allies.

8/20/43 Eighth AF B-26's and A-20's carry out light raids on Dornier air frame factory at Flushing and M/Y at Abbeville.

8/20/43 NAAF NASAF B-26's hit Capua and Aversa M/Y, while B-25's bomb Benevento M/Y, and P-40's attack A/F at Monserrato. NATAF ftrs hit road and railway at Gioia and trucks near Locri during missions along E and W coast of Italian toe.

8/20/43 Ninth AF P-40's strafe and bomb shipping off Italian toe and comm tgts on land. Hits are scored on bridges, railway yards, and railway cars.

8/20/43 CBI AAF, India-Burma Sector, China-Burma-India Theater is activated at New Delhi. Gen Stratemeyer assumes cmd. Components include Tenth AF, CBI ASC (Prov), CBI Trg Unit (Prov), and several lesser units.

8/20/43 Tenth AF X AFSC personnel and organizations are absorbed by CBI ASC (Prov) which is activated on this date at New Delhi. Gen Oliver, CG X AFSC, becomes CG CBI ASC.

8/20/43 Fourteenth AF 6 B-25's, with ftr escort, bomb Tien Ho A/F at Canton; the MBs and ftrs claim 5 interceptors shot own.

15 P-40's intercept 21 ftrs over Kweilin; 2 P-40's and 21 Zeros are shot down.

8/20/43 Fifth AF 24 B-24's, escorted by 46 P-38's, hit Boram A/F in late morning; P-38's claim 19 ftrs shot down. A-20's bomb Lae and hit Salamaua area where enemy forces have abandoned positions on Mount Tambu and Komiatum Ridge and are manning last-ditch defensive position at Salamaua. B-25's strafe barges near Cape Gloucester.

8/20/43 Thirteenth AF HQ XIII BC moves from Espiritu Santo to Guadalcanal.

8/21/43 NAAF NASAF B-26's and B-17's bomb M/Ys at Villa Literno and Aversa. P-38 escort also attacks Aversa.

NASAF aircraft claim over 20 enemy ftrs shot down. NATAF Fbs hit traffic on Bovalino-Bagnara road.

8/21/43 Ninth AF B-24's attack railroad station, M/Y, and air depot at Cancello Arnone.

8/21/43 Fourteenth AF 14 B-24's, 7 B-25's, and 11 P-40's attack docks and A/F at Hankow. A large force of ftrs, estimated at more than 60, attacks the HB formation, shooting down 2 of the B-24's. Gunners on HBs claim more than 40 ftrs shot down. In Hengyang area, 19 P-40's battle 33 airplanes, shooting down 5 Zeros. S of Changsha, 9 P-38's clash with 12 Zeros, shooting down 3.

8/21/43 Fifth AF B-25's pound But and Dagua A/Fs. B-17's bomb Bogadjim area. Single B-24's hit Salamaua area and T/O at Malahang. B-24's carry out damaging strike against Pombelaa.

8/21/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's and ftrs strafe barges in Doveli Cove and Marquana and Paraso Bays.

8/21/43 Eleventh AF During the Aleutian Campaign 3 Jun 42-21 Aug 43 Eleventh AF destroyed 69 aircraft, sank 21 and damaged 29 ships, and lost 29 of its own aircraft.

8/22/43 Eighth AF 35 B-26's hit Beaumont-le-Roger A/F.

8/22/43 NAAF NASAF B-26's, with escort of NATAF A-36's, bomb Mn at Salerno. MBs and escort claim 26 enemy ftrs destroyed. NATAF ftrs on armed rcn hit motor transport S of Locri-Gioia Tauro area and NE of Bagnara.

8/22/43 Ninth AF All ftr and MB gps of Ninth AF are transferred to Twelfth AF.

8/22/43 Fourteenth AF 4 P-40's bomb Japanese HQ and supply dump at Tengehung, and strafe trucks and troops in the area; 2 others strafe road traffic between Tengehung and Lungling.

8/22/43 Fifth AF B-25's strike Dili. As result of air offensive against Wewak and satellite A/Fs, Japanese airpower on New Guinea is sufficiently neutralized for 4 Allied destroyers to proceed along coast from Milne Bay to Finschhafen. After bombarding Finschhafen during 22/23 Aug, the warships return to Milne Bay.

8/22/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's and naval dive bmrs, escorted by ftr aircraft, bomb barge centers on W Vella Lavella I.

8/23/43 Ninth AF B-24's hit Mn at Bari.

8/23/43 NAAF NASAF B-26's bomb Battipaglia M/Y. FBs hit factory and barracks near Cagliari. NATAF P-40's and A- 36's escort NASAF B-26's, and Spitfires fly uneventful tac rcn over NE Sicily and toe of Italy.

8/23/43 Tenth AF B-25's fly low-level strike against Myitnge bridge, knocking out a center span and badly damaging 2 others.

8/23/43 Fifth AF B-24's bomb town and A/F of Kendari. B-25's hit tgts in Aroe Is. B-25's pound Kela. B-25's hit Marawasa, Finschhafen, and Lillum Saun.

8/23/43 Thirteenth AF B-24's and P-39's strafe T/Os on Wagina I.

8/24/43 Eighth AF 86 HBs hit aircraft works in main strike at Villacoublay. Other planes bomb A/Fs at Conches and Evreux. 84 B-17's, which had flown to N Africa after attacking Regensburg on 17 Aug, bomb Bordeaux on return flight to UK.

8/24/43 NAAF NATAF FBs hit railroad tunnel and cruiser offshore at Sapri, tracks and buildings at Castrovillari, and town area at Sibari. DAF (British) airplanes strafe motor transport N of Reggio di Calabria and provide withdrawal cover for the NATAF Fbs.

8/24/43 Fourteenth AF 7 B-24's and 6 B-25's, escorted by 22 P-40's and P-38's, bomb A/Fs at Hankow and Wuchang. 4 B- 24's are lost. The HBs, MBs, and ftrs claim 24 enemy interceptors shot down.

8/24/43 Fifth AF B-24's thoroughly pound Wewak and bomb Salamaua. B-25's bomb Larat and barges E of Wotap.

8/24/43 Thirteenth AF 25 B-24's, with ftr escort, bomb Papatura Fa I and attack E shore of Ringa Cove. P-39's strafe barges at Kakasa.

8/24/43 ZI AAF Antisub Cmd is redesignated I BC after AAF and USN reached agreement under which the AAF withdrew from antisub operations; subsequently, I BC, Second AF, is redesignated XX BC.

8/25/43 Eighth AF US HBs are assigned role of bombing important GAF targets in Operation STARKEY, designed to contain enemy forces in west to prevent their transfer to Eastern Front, and to serve as dress rehearsal in Pas de Calais area for invasion of W Europe. Allies hope to provoke Luftwaffe into prolonged air battle. MBs hit A/Fs of Triqueville, Bernay/Saint Martin, and Beaumont-le-Roger and the power station at Le Grand-Quevilly.

8/25/43 NAAF Around 135 B-17's and 140 P-38's attack satellite A/Fs at Foggia. NATAF FBs hit trucks S of Sinopoli.

8/25/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb M/Y at Foggia.

8/25/43 Fourteenth AF 8 B-25's, with ftr escort, bomb Kowloon Docks at Hong Kong.

8/25/43 SE Asia Adm Mountbatten is appointed Supreme Allied Cmdr, SE Asia.

8/25/43 Fifth AF Almost 100 B-24's, B-25's, and B-17's carry out an hour-long strike against Hansa Bay area, Nubia, and Awar, and nearby shipping. Small flights of B-24's attack Finschhafen and hit transport off New Hanover. A-20's hit Gasmata. B-25's bomb tgts on Timor.

8/25/43 Thirteenth AF 13 B-25's, along with 40-plus dive bmrs and an escort of ftr aircraft, pound barge centers at Webster and Ringa Coves. 6 B-24's, along with 24 ftrs, hit Kahili A/F. Other P-40's strafe large motor vessels and a barge in NW part of the Slot.

8/26/43 Eighth AF 36 MBs raid Caen/Carpiquet A/F.

8/26/43 NAAF DAF is assigned to NATAF, along with American units of Ninth AF which have been an operational part of DAF and NATBF. Over 80 NASAF B-17's, with P-38 escort, bomb Capua A/F. More than 100 ftr-escorted MBs hit Grazzanise A/F and satellite field. P-40's bomb Carloforte and strafe S part of Sardinia. NATAF MBs and LBs bomb tgts on toe of Italy, including railroad junction at Locri and gun positions at Reggio di Calabria and Villa San Giovanni.

8/26/43 Ninth AF 316th TC Gp, less 1 sq, is transferred to Twelfth AF.

8/26/43 Fourteenth AF 15 B-24's, with escort of 17 ftrs, bomb Kowloon Docles at Hong Kong. 5 Japanese interceptors are shot down. 5 B-25's, supported by 11 P-40's, bomb Tien Ho A/F at Canton; in a battle with enemy interceptors 1 P-40 is lost; the MBs and P-40's claim 5 Zeros downed.

8/26/43 Thirteenth AF 11 B-25's and 60 plus Navy dive bmrs, escorted by ftrs, pound AA positions and barges at Ringa and Webster Coves and at Nusatuva I. P-40's strafe 2 large motor boats and a 100-ft steam vessel off Ganongga. 7 B-24's bomb Papatura Ite and supply areas on Papatura Fa. 16 B-24's, with ftr escort, bomb Kahili A/F. P-39's strafe buildings on Gizo I and at Kolulavabae Inlet.

8/26/43 Eleventh AF The Eleventh's striking power shrinks rapidly as the 36th, 73d, 21st, and 406th Bomb Sqs are ordered to prepare for departure to CONUS.

8/27/43 Eighth AF Over 180 HBs attack German rocket-launching site construction at Watten. This is the first of the Eighth's missions against V-weapon sites (later designated NOBALL tgts). 36 B-26's hit Poix A/F.

Mission to bomb Rouen power station is aborted because of bad weather and extremely heavy enemy ftr opposition.

8/27/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's bomb Sulmona Mn, and MBs hit Benevento and Caserta Mns. Nearly 150 P-38's escort the bmrs. NATAF MBs, LBs, and ftrs attack tgts in S Italy, including Catanzaro rail and road junction, guns near Reggio di Calabria, Sibari rail junctions, Cetraro M/Y, barracks at Tarsia, train and repair shops at Paola, and barge at Diamante.

8/27/43 Fourteenth AF 5 P-40's strafe large truck convoy between Sintsiang and Yoyang, destroying 6 trucks and damaging 15 others; 1 P 40 is downed by ground fire. 6 other P-40's hit comm lines between Yoyang and Hankow; tgts include 2 small steamboats, a gunboat, several railroad cars, and a water tower.

8/27/43 Fifth AF B-26's attack bridges in Bogadjim area. A-20's bomb and strafe barges and troops along Bubui R in Lae area. B-25's bomb Dili and Cape Chater airstrip.

8/27/43 Thirteenth AF 10 SB-24's (Snoopers) equipped with radar devices that permit blind bombing, begin operations from Camey Field, Guadalcanal. 12 B-25's, 8 P-40's, and 8 Navy F-4U's strafe barges and shoreline tgts at Kakasa. P-39's strafe barges and shore tgts at Ringa Cove.

8/28/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's bomb M/Y at Terni. B-26's hit Aversa M/Y and Sparanise. B-25's hit Cancello Arnone M/Y. P-40's fly intruder mission over Sardinia, bombing and strafing industry and town area. NATAF LBs and MBs attack railroad facilities at Lamezia and Catanzaro. FBs hit road and rail junctions, and M/Ys at Castrovillari, Cosenza, and Catanzaro.

8/28/43 Fifth AF 26 B-25's bomb and strafe dumps and shipping in Hansa Bay area, sinking a small freighter, a power launch, and 8 barges and luggers. 20 B-17's and A-20's bomb jetties at Lae and Voco Pt and hit barges in Samoa Harbor between Lae and Salamaua.

8/28/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's, P-40's, and Navy F-4U's bomb and strafe barges, buildings, and personnel in Sigolehe IBarora Ite I area.

8/29/43 Eighth AF Gen Kepner succeeds Gen Hunter as CG VIII FC.

8/29/43 NAAF NASAF B-17's hit Orte M/Y, and B-26's bomb Torre Annunziata. NATAF ftrs escort the NA SAF bmrs, hit rail junction at Bagnara, bridge and town of Angitola, gun positions in Villa San Giovanni-Reggio di Calabria areas, and M/Y at Lamezia.

8/29/43 Fourteenth AF 9 B-25's, with ftr escort, bomb A/F at Chingmen.

8/29/43 Fifth AF 35 B-24's, escorted by 44 P-38's, strike A/Fs at Wewak and Boram. 48 B-25's and 2 B-17's bomb and strafe Alexishafen and Bogadjim areas. A-20's hit dumps in Gasmata area. B-24's bomb Babo and Adodo.

8/30/43 Eighth AF 482d Bomb Gp, a Pathfinder gp fitted with British Oboe and H2X and US H2X blind-bombing equipment, becomes operational. 31 B-26's raid ammunition dump at Foret d'Eperlecques near Saint-Omer.

8/30/43 NAAF B-17's of NASAF bomb Viterbo A/F. B-25's hit Civitavecchia M/Y. B-26's bomb Aversa M/Y. P-40's strafe radar station at Pula. NATAF MBs and LBs attack M/Ys at Marina di Catanzaro and Paola, and gun emplacements and bivouac S of Reggio di Calabria. A-36's bomb M/Ys at Sapri and Lamezia and hit town of Pellaro.

8/30/43 Fourteenth AF 13 B-25's, some with P-40 spt, attack Owchihkow and Shihshow, blasting fuel stores and several buildings; the P-40's strafe gun positions outside Shihshow. 10 P-38's and P-40's on armed rcn from Sinti to Yoyang to Sienning, strafe and bomb several T/Os; 3 locomotives are exploded and another damaged, a water tank is knocked down, and several railroad stations are heavily damaged. 4 other P-40's attack convoy E of Hong Kong; 1 freighter is hit amidships, causing heavy damage; 2 other vessels are also effectively damaged.

8/30/43 Fifth AF B-24's pound Dagua, But, and Tadji. A-20's hit barges on Bubui R. B-26's bomb Cape Gloucester A/F while B-25's sweep along NW coast, bombing and strafing barges and enemy-occupied villages.

8/30/43 Thirteenth AF 24 B-24's, along with 20 P-40's and P-39's and 20 plus Navy F-4U's, pound Kahili A/F. Allied airplanes claim more than 30 Japanese shot down. 6 US aircraft are lost.

8/31/43 Eighth AF 106 HBs hit Amiens,' Glisy A/F and nearby tgts; A/F is severely damaged. 36 B-26's bomb Lille/Vendeville A/F, and 34 others strike power station at Mazingarbe.

8/31/43 NAAF About 150 NASAF B-17's blast Pisa M/Y, doing large amount of damage. NATAF MBs and LBs bomb Cosenza M/Y and road-railway junction in Catanzaro during morning, and in afternoon bomb area around Cosenza when clouds prevent hitting specific tgts. FBs hit Sapri railroads and seaplane base.

During night LBs hit bivouac areas SE of Reggio di Calabria.

8/31/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb Pescara M/Y. HBs claim 9 enemy ftrs destroyed.

8/31/43 Fourteenth AF 7 B-24's bomb Gia Lam A/F. 22 P-40's and 2 P-38's bomb dike near Co Bi barracks. 6 B-25's hit Ichang A/F while 3 others attack oil storage area to the E. P-40's also hit the oil stores. 3 P-40's claim heavy damage to freighter off Stonecutter's I near Hong Kong. 4 P-38's dive-bomb Yoyang railroad yards and Sinti warehouses. A P-38 is shot down by ground fire.

8/31/43 Fifth AF Bmrs fly scattered strikes against shipping and shore tgts in Saint George Channel, and NEI.

8/31/43 Thirteenth AF P-40's, in running battle over Vella Lavella, claim 5 Japanese airplanes shot down. Other P-40's strafe barges in Timbala Bay. 22 B-25's and 50 Navy airplanes bomb gun positions and radio station at Vila.

9/1/43 Twelfth AF All administrative functions of the AAF elements of NAAF are transferred to the appropriate Twelfth AF organizations: HQ NAAF to HQ Twelfth AF, NASAF to XII BC, NATAF to XII A Spt Cmd, NACAF to XII FC, NAASC to XII AFSC, NAAF TCC to XII TCC (Prov), NW African Photo Rcn Wg to Photo Rcn Wg (Prov), and NATC to XII Trg Cmd (Prov). Operational control remains with NAAF. P-40's bomb zinc plant at Iglesias and strafe factory N of Gonnesa. MBs and LBs hit Bova Marina, areas near Salina and Sant' Eufemia d'Aspromonte town area and bridge at Oliveto, and radar station and lighthouse at Capo Spartivento.

9/1/43 Fourteenth AF 7 B-25's, supported by 8 P-40's, attack Japanese destroyer at Shihhweiyao; no hits are scored on the ship but considerable damage is done to surrounding dock area. 6 P-40's sink small tanker down river from Ichang, damage 2 large boats between Ocheng and Shihhweiyao, and strafe cav troops at Ocheng. 3 other P-40's heavily damage small ship at Swatow harbor and strafe nearby A/F. 3 P-38's and a P-40 dive-bomb and strafe barracks at Yangsin, demolishing 3 buildings. 2 nearby locomotives are also destroyed. The FBs then heavily damage small steamer at Wuchang, sink 1 tug and damage another at Kutang, and blast a train and AA position S of Puchi.

9/1/43 Fifth AF More than 70 B-24's and B-25's hit Alexishafen-Madang area, dropping 201 tons of bombs (heaviest by Fifth AF to date). Other B-25's hit Iboki Plantation, barges on Bubui R, Rein Bay area and several villages in New Britain. B-17's bomb Labu I. B-26's attack Cape Gloucester area. B-24's and B-25's strike tgts in Lesser Sunda Is.

9/1/43 Seventh AF From this date through 14 Sep, 6 B-24's conduct daily sea-search operations out of Canton I.

9/1/43 Eleventh AF 2 P-40's attempting to intercept aircraft reported near Attu abort because of weather.

9/2/43 Eighth AF 5 forces totaling 319 B-17's are dispatched to attack GAF A/Fs in France. Because of unfavorable cloud conditions only part of one force is able to attack a tgt. 16 B-17's hit Denain/Prouvy A/F and 18 bomb Mardyck A/F. Over 100 MBs attack Foret D'Hesdin and power station at Mazingarbe.

9/2/43 Twelfth AF Almost 200 B-17's and B-25's of XII BC bomb M/Ys at Bologna, Trento, Bolzano, and Cancello Arnone. Bmrs and ftrs escorting the B-25's claim 28 enemy airplanes shot down. Tac aircraft (including RAF and Ninth AF airplanes) hit gun positions and other tgts on Italian toe, bomb rail comm at Bova Marina, Locri, Marina di Monasterace, Siderno Marina, Lamezia, and Catanzaro, and attack barges in Golfo di Sant' Eufemia and ammo dump at SaPri.

9/2/43 Fourteenth AF 10 B-25's and 5 P-40's bomb Kowloon area and attack shipping off Stonecutter's I and in Lai Chi Kok area.

9/2/43 Fifth AF B-25's, with P-38 escort, attack shipping at Wewak harbor, claiming 1 vessel sunk and 2 left aflame.

10 enemy interceptors are claimed destroyed. Barrage balloons offer some protection to the enemy ships. This is first AAF observation of Japanese use of such balloons in SWPA.

9/2/43 Thirteenth AF 24 B-25's and 60 plus Navy aircraft pound Vila, hitting AA and arty positions and area E of Ringa Cove. 18 B-24's, 20-plus P-40's and P-39's, and more than 60 Navy planes attack Kahili. Shore installations, the A/F, and bridges N of the strip are hit.

9/3/43 Eighth AF 140 HBs severely damage German A/F at Romilly-sur-Seine. Lesser air strikes take place at Meulan- Les Mureaux and at industrial areas around Paris. Almost 100 MBs hit A/F of Lille/Nord, Beauvais/Tille, and Beaumont-le-Roger.

9/3/43 Twelfth AF P-40's on sweep over Sardinia hit Pula and Capo Carbonara radar installations. A-20's, A-36's ftrs (and RAF LBs) hit gun positions throughout toe of Italy, attack A/Fs at Crotone and Camigliatello, and hit railway yards at Marina di Catanzaro and Punta di Staletti, troop concentration near Santo Stefano d'Aspromonte and road junctions and bridges at Cosenza. British Eighth Army lands on toe of Italy between Reggio di Calabria and Villa San Giovanni (Operation BAYTOWN). Italian government signs surrender terms.

9/3/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb M/Y at Sulmona. Fierce attacks by enemy ftrs account for 6 losses. HBs claim 11 enemy ftrs destroyed.

9/3/43 Fourteenth AF 11 P-40's and 2 P-38's blast barracks area at Pho Lu.

9/3/43 Fifth AF HBs and MBs blast gun emplacements and terrace defenses in Lae area. Other HBs hit Cape Gloucester area. Light raids are flown against tgts on Ceram and Timor.

9/3/43 Thirteenth AF 20-plus B-24's, 14 P-40's, and 30-plus Navy airplanes attack Kahili A/F. Vila A/F is bombed by 5 B- 24's and 10 Navy aircraft. P-40's strafe Webster Cove wharf.

9/4/43 Eighth AF Over 100 MBs launch four-pronged attack on M/Ys at Hazebrouck, Lille, Saint-Pol/Siracourt, and Courtrai.

9/4/43 Twelfth AF Bad weather prevents XII BC B-17's from locating their tgts (A/Fs in Italy). P-38's sent to hit landing grounds at Grazzanise also fail to find tgts, but attack T/Os in the general area. US FBs and RAF LBs hit motor transport scattered along Italian toe, and bomb gun positions NE of Reggio di Calabria and roads and railroad junction in Cosenza-Catanzaro-Nicastro area and at Colosimi.

9/4/43 Fourteenth AF 10 B-25's and 11 P-40's pound Tien Ho A/F at Canton. 3 of 15 intercepting Zeros are shot down.

9/4/43 Fifth AF Allied offensive against Lae begins as forces land at Hopoi and mouth of Buso R. B-24's spt landings by pounding Lae A/F, B-25's hit Hopoi area and bomb A/F at Cape Gloucester, and A-20's and RAAF planes hit Gasmata A/F. Supporting P-38's intercept more than 100 enemy ftrs and bmrs, which are airborne despite the attacks on A/Fs, and claim 20 shot down.

9/4/43 Thirteenth AF 23 B-25's hit Dulo Cove area. 9 B-24's, 15 AAF ftrs, and 20-plus Navy ftrs hit Ballale I A/F.

9/5/43 Eighth AF Over 60 MBs raid 2 M/Ys at Ghent. Bad weather causes recall of a mission intended to bomb Courtrai M/Y.

9/5/43 Twelfth AF Over 130 XII BC B-17's bomb Viterbo A/F and town of Civitavecchia. Over 200 B-25's and B-26's hit landing grounds at Grazzanise. Other MBs and ftrs hit Pula radar station and town of Pabillonis.

Weather hampers operations of the ftrs, MBs, and LBs of NATAF (Twelfth AF and RAF aircraft) and only a few tgts (guns, roads, railroads, and troops) are attacked during missions over toe of Italy.

9/5/43 Ninth AF Gen Strahm, CoS, assumes temporary cmd during absence of Gen Brereton. Col John C Kilborn assumes cmd of IX BC upon departure of Gen Ent from the theater.

9/5/43 Fourteenth AF 15 FBs pound M/Y SE of Lao Kay; 16 others hit barracks in the city.

9/6/43 Fifth AF 82 C-47's drop paratroops at Nadzab A /F (first such landings in SWPA ) following bombardment of drop zone by 52 MBs and pounding of Lae A/F by 24 HBs. Smoke screen is laid over landing area by A-20's. Nadzab A/F is quickly put into operational condition and will subsequently become a major Allied airbase.

9/6/43 Eighth AF Eighth sets new record in number of HBs dispatched. 69 of the 407 dispatched are to fly diversionary sweep over N Sea and the rest are to bomb aircraft and bearing factories in and around Stuttgart. Bad weather frustrates original tgt plans but 262 HBs bomb T/Os in Germany and France. Strong ftr opposition is encountered and 45 HBs are lost. Over 120 MBs strike M/Ys at Rouen, Serqueux, and Amiens. 2 gps of MBs sent to bomb at Ghent are recalled when bad weather prevents ftr escort from taking off.

9/6/43 Twelfth AF XII BC B-17's hit Capodichino A/F, Villa Literno M/Y, Gaeta harbor, and Minturno railroad facilities.

Weather prevents B-17 attack on Pomigliano A/F. B-25's and B-26's hit Capua A/F and landing grounds at Grazzanise. P-40's hit landing ground at Pabillonis. US and RAF planes of NATAF operate on reduced scale, flying patrols and hitting railroads and T/Os on Italian toe.

9/6/43 Fourteenth AF 6 FBs attack wharves, vessels, and destroy small factory building in Yoyang-Shihhweiyao area. 5 others hit trucks, trains, gun emplacements, and railway facilities in areas around Sintsiang and Puchi.

9/6/43 Fifth AF HBs pound Lae A/F and surrounding area, and MBs bomb and strafe enemy defenses in Malahang and vicinity, as Allied ground forces push toward Lae. US ftrs claim 8 enemy aircraft downed over Lae.

B-25's fly sweep against barges along coast of New Britain and bomb tgts on Timor.

9/6/43 Thirteenth AF B-25's and P-39's hit enemy positions at Kakasa. B-24's blast gun positions at Vila. P-39's join Navy aircraft in strike on suspected radar site at Morgusaia I. 5 Zeros are claimed shot down. 2 P-39's are lost.

9/7/43 Eighth AF Over 100 HBs strike industrial area and A/F at Brussels while smaller number of HBs bomb tgts (including NOBALL site) at Watten, and shipping off Texel I. M/Y at Saint-Pol/Siracourt is hit by over 80 MBs. Ftr escort is excellent. No aircraft are lost.

9/7/43 Ninth AF HQ AAF decides to transfer Gen Brereton, CG, and his HQ staff from Africa to UK to reform Ninth AF in ETO by absorbing VIII A Spt Cmd.

9/7/43 Twelfth AF XII BC B-17's bomb 2 satellite A/Fs at Foggia. B-25's and B-26's hit road and rail bridges at Sapri and Trebisacce and roads at Lauria. P-40's hit landing ground at Pabillonis and barges off Portoscuso. US A-20's of NATBF spt British landing on 7/8 Sep near Pizzo in an unsuccessful attempt to cut off enemy retreat up W coast of Italian toe. MBs and LBs, in afternoon raids, bomb Crotone A/F and roadblock and gun batteries N of Catanzaro.

9/7/43 Tenth AF B-25's attack Gokteik Viaduct, causing minor damage.

9/7/43 Fifth AF B-24's and B-26's bomb Lae area. B-25's bomb and strafe nearby tgts on road to Markham. P-38's successfully turn back enemy bombing attack on Morobe. C-47's begin flying Australian 7th Div to Nadzab. A-20's hit Gasmata area.

9/7/43 Thirteenth AF 2 B-25's bomb barge depot and supply area E of Ringa Cove.

9/8/43 Eighth AF 44th and 93d Bomb Gps resume operations in UK after DS in Africa; 389th, previously diverted to Africa, becomes operational in UK. Over 200 MBs attack coastal defenses in Boulogne-sur-Mer area and Lille/Nord and Lille/Vendeville A/Fs.

9/8/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb landing ground at Foggia, as convoys approach Salerno to begin US invasion of Italy (Operation AVALANCHE).

9/8/43 Twelfth AF About 130 XII BC B-17's bomb Frascati. More than 160 MBs hit highway at Lauria and bridges at Trebisacce and Sapri. Ftrs hit Pabillonis, cover Allied forces near Pizzo, and bomb and strafe roads and vehicles in Lamezia-Vibo Valentia-Pizzo-Catanzaro areas. Bmrs hit roads and junctions in Naples area during 8/9 Sep.

9/8/43 Tenth AF 6 B-24's mine Rangoon R during 7/8 Sep. B-25's hit Gokteik Viaduct for second consecutive day, scoring 5 hits at the base of the structure, which remains usable.

9/8/43 Fifth AF B-17's, B-24's, B-25's and B-26's pound Lae area, and A-20's hit Salamaua. Japanese at Salamaua are ordered to prepare to fall back to Lae in face of approaching Australian 5th Div. Elements of Australian 9th Div, moving W on Lae, reach flooded Busu R where Japanese hold W bank. Other HBs and MBs carry out light raids on tgts in W part of Netherlands New Guinea and in islands of NEI.

9/8/43 Thirteenth AF 12 B-25's hit Vila A/F area.

9/8/43 Seventh AF B-24's operating from Canton I fire on flying boat, scoring hits but causing no visible damage.

9/9/43 Eighth AF On D-day for Operation STARKEY (rehearsal for the invasion of France), Eighth AF dispatches a record number of 330 HBs, which attack Paris and Beaumontsur-Oise, Beauvais/Tille, Lille/Nord, Lille/Vendeville, Saint-Omer/Longuenesse, Saint-Omer/Ft Rouge, Abbeville/Drucat, and Vitry-en-Artois A/Fs, as well as industrial area around Paris. More than 200 MBs attack coastal installations around Boulogne-sur-Mer. STARKEY is a disappointment as Germans refuse to commit ftr defenses on large scale, thus preventing possible destruction of many of their aircraft, which Allied air forces hoped to accomplish.

9/9/43 Twelfth AF Gen Williams assumes cmd of XII TCC (Prov). Over 100 XII BC B-17's bomb bridges at Capua and Cancello Arnone, and over 240 B-25's and B-26's hit railroad bridges at Potenza and landing ground at Scanzano. P-40's fly uneventful sweep over Sardinia. XII A Spt Cmd ftrs maintain patrols over Salerno, and other NATAF planes bomb and strafe motor transport, roads, and other tgts in Catanzaro-Auletta-Rogliano area and NNW of Salerno, as Gen Clark's Fifth Army invades Italy, landing near Salerno (Operation AVALANCHE) and British forces make airborne landing on heel of Italy, taking Taranto (Operation SLAPSTICK).

9/9/43 Ninth AF B-24's hit satellite A/F at Foggia.

9/9/43 Tenth AF B-24's again mine Rangoon R, during 8/9 Sep.

9/9/43 Fourteenth AF 8 B-25's and 11 P-40's hit White Cloud A/F. 4 P-38's bomb Whampoa docks. 8 P-40's and P-38's hit Yangtze R shipping near Chiuchiang, Kichun, Wusueh, Ocheng, and Changanyi, and strafe T/Os in the general area.

9/9/43 Fifth AF B-25's bomb and strafe coastal area from Alexishafen to Finschhafen and hit points on New Britain coast. HBs attack Garove I. Selaroe I is hit by light MB strike.

9/9/43 Thirteenth AF 12 B-25's and 50 plus naval dive bmrs pound Vila A/F and barges at Disappointment Cove. 18 B-24's, with ftr escort, bomb Kahili A/F. 2 nearby coastal guns are also hit.

9/9/43 Eleventh AF At Umnak, the RCAF 14th Ftr Sq prepares to depart for Canada.

9/10/43 Twelfth AF XII BC MBs hit railroad and road junctions and road net in Castelnuovo-Pescopagano-Cassino- Capua-Formia areas. HBs attack Ariano intersection and highway bridge (and bridges and roads in the area), bridges near Botena and over the Tiber SW of Rome, and roads, buildings, and railroad facilities at Isernia. XII A Spt Cmd and RAF airplanes of NATAF blast heavy road movement N from Lauria and cover beachheads in Salerno area as British Eighth Army increases pressure on its front in effort to prevent Germans from concentrating against US Fifth Army's Salerno beachhead. German troops occupy Rome. During 10/11 Sep B-25's of 12th Bomb Gp hit comm centers at Corleto, Perticara, Auletta, and Sapri.

9/10/43 Ninth AF B-24's bomb a satellite A/F at Foggia.

9/10/43 Tenth AF B-25's again bomb Gokteik Viaduct. The approaches are battered but the viaduct remains usable.

9/10/43 Fourteenth AF 10 B-25's and 7 P-40's hit cotton warehouse N of Wuchang and docks at Hankow; 9 of 20 intercepting Zeros are claimed destroyed. 6 P-38's bomb docks at Whampoa.

9/10/43 Fifth AF B-25's attack barges along New Britain coast. Australian 7th Div, having been flown to Nadzab in C- 47's, begins push E toward Lae.

9/10/43 Eleventh AF 9 B-24's fly from Adak to Attu in preparation for Paramushiru mission on the next day.

9/10/43 ZI First and Fourth AFs are relieved from their assignments to Eastern and Western Def Cmds and hereafter serve primarily as trg organizations.

9/11/43 Eighth AF 32 B-26's attack Beaumont-le-Roger A/F. 19 others bomb Le Trait shipyards when primary tgt, Rouen power station, is obscured by clouds.

9/11/43 Twelfth AF XII BC B-17's bomb Benevento M/Y and bridge and highway junction nearby. B-25's and B-26's hit highways and junctions at Castelnuovo, Ariano, Mignano, and Isernia. P-40's fly uneventful sweep over S Sardinia. US and RAF airplanes of NATAF continue to provide beachhead cover in Salerno area, hit road comm throughout the day, and attack road and rail bridges, junctions, A/F, and town areas at Sapri, Corleto, Perticara, Auletta, and Gioia del Colle.

9/11/43 Fourteenth AF 10 B-25's and 11 P-40's attack Hankow docks and Wuchang cotton mills. 3 P-38's bomb ammo and fuel depots at Tayeh and strafe warehouses and barracks at Yangsin.

9/11/43 Fifth AF B-24's bomb Makassar. Australian forces cross Francisco R to Salamaua A/F as Japanese forces begin to evacuate Salamaua and withdraw toward Lae.

9/11/43 Thirteenth AF 18 B-25's po