TUESDAY, 1 JUNE 1943
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands,
2 P-40's, 1 B-24, and 1 F-5A fly weather reconnaissance and photo runs and 8
B-25's, 18 P-38's, and 20 P-40's, fly 7 attack missions to Kiska Island. Targets
include parked aircraft and installations, runway, gun positions, radar, and
tents on South
Head, North Head, Gertrude Cove and Main Camp.
The 36th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 28th Composite Group, based on
Amchitka Island begins operating from Adak Island with B-24's.
During Jun 43, the 73d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 28th Composite
Group transfers from Umnak to Amchitka with B-25's.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) 20 P-40's dive-bomb warehouses and railroad yards
at Changanyi, China.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
During Jun 43, the 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group which
has been operating from Guadalcanal with P-39's since Jan 43, returns to
it's base on New Caledonia.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-25's hit Bogadjim and vicinity. B-24's bomb Lae
Airfield and nearby area. Lost is B-17E "Texas #6" 41-9207 on a recon mission.
USN: Lost in a mid-air collision is F4U 02499.
WEDNESDAY, 2 JUNE 1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In China, 5 B-25's, escorted by 10 P-4O's, bomb
Pailochi Airfield. 18 P-4O's strafe troop barges and launches at Itu and 6 long
columns of troops E of Changyang.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
In the Solomon Islands, 2 B-24's on armed reconnaissance attack gun
positions, cargo boats, and shipping at Numa Numa and Tinputs.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-17's and B-24's bomb airfields at Wewak, Boram, Dagua,
and But. Isolated shipping strikes result in little damage to vessels and
barges.
NEIAF - Lost on an attack against Japanese shipping is B-25C N5-150.
USN - Lost on a search mission is SBD 10697.
THURSDAY, 3 JUNE 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
Weathered out from Kiska Island in the Aleutian Islands are 3
weather missions flown by 2 B-24's and 2 P-40's, as well as 2 attack
missions by 2 B-24's and 6 fighters.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
During the night of 3/4 Jun, B-17's bomb Kahili
Airfield and the Moliko River area. B-24's attack
small vessels at Tinputs and Teop sinking 1 and firing the other.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-24's bomb a supply dump area at Dobo, New Guinea. Other targets
attacked in the Netherland East Indies suffer little damage.
FRIDAY, 4 JUNE 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
In the Aleutian Islands, 6 B-24's following a Navy PV make a
radar-bombing run over North Head. 14 P-40's and P-38's bomb North Head,
Main Camp and Little Kiska Island. 4 P-38's and 1 B-24 flying air cover
over Attu make no enemy contact.
The 404th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 28th Composite Group based on
Adak begins operating from Amchitka with B-24's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-17's and B-24's bomb airfields at Boram, Wewak and Dagua, New Guinea.
B-25's hit Koepang and Lautem, Timor.
SATURDAY, 5 JUNE 1943
(Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, 7 B-24's, 6 B-25's, and 6 P-40's
fly weather reconnaissance and radar-bombing missions over Kiska Island, being
handicapped by poor weather and mechanical trouble.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In China, P-40's strafe troop columns near Peiyang
and hit a barge and boat NW of Yoyang.
USN: In the early morning, a formation of B-17s bombed Japanese installations at Kahili, Buin area. At about noon of the same day a formation of SBD Dauntless dive bombers and TBF Avenger torpedo bombers, escorted by P-40 Warhawk, F4U Corsair and P-38 Lightnings, attacked a Japanese destroyer, a corvette and a cargo vessel in the Bougainville area. Several large-calibre bomb hits were scored on the destroyer which undoubtedly sank. The corvette and the cargo vessel were set on fire. In the above action the U. S. attacking planes were engaged by a large force of Japanese Zero fighters. U. S. pilots claim 15 Zeros shot down and 3 damaged. Lost are: PBY 08078, SBD-3 06520, SBD-3 06524, SBD 06683 and F4U 02499 VMF-112 (lost over Russells).
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
The 394th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
which has been operating from Guadalcanal Island with B-24's since 25
Apr 43 returns to it's base on Fiji.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
HQ 345th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 498th, 499th, 500th and
501st Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) arrive with B-25's at Port Moresby from the US. The group will fly it's first mission on 21 Jun. Lost on a reconassance mission over New Britain is F5A Lightning 42-13073 (pilot later rescued).
USN - F4U Corsair 430605 sufferes a wheels up landing.
SUNDAY, 6 JUNE 1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
In China, 5 P-40's strafe trucks, barracks, and personnel at Tangyang;
at least 15 trucks are burned and considerable damage is done to the
barracks area. 11 P-40's hit the approaches to a bridge at Puchi; 2
locomotives in the area are destroyed. 10 other P-40's attack Shasi
Airfield and hit river shipping; in the general area. 7 B-25's bomb the
airfield at Pailochi.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
In the Solomon Islands, P-38's, P-40's, and Navy and Marine fighters
and dive bombers attack shipping off Buin scoring damaging hits on a
destroyer and 2 smaller vessels; 15 Japanese airplanes are claimed shot
down. Other P-38's and P-40's strafe the Luti Bay area of Choiseul. HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Fiji to
Guadalcanal.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
On Timor, B-24's hit the town of Koepang and the airfield at Penfoei.
MONDAY, 7 JUNE 1943
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
P-38's and P-40's, along with Royal New Zealand
Air Force (RNZAF) P-40's and Navy and Marine fighters, intercept a large
force of fighter-escorted dive bombers on a mission against Allied
shipping off Guadalcanal. Fighters from the newly-opened Banika Island bases initiate the interception. A running fight develops and
extends down to Guadalcanal. More than 20 Japanese aircraft are
downed; 9 Allied fighters are lost but all the pilots are recovered. Some of the Zeros were performing glide bombing attacks.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-17's and B-24's attack Wewak, Lae, Madang, and Kesup
hitting town areas and airfields, and strafe sampans on the Sepik River.
TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
A C-47 is the first USAAF airplane to land
on Attu, landing fighters crews at Alexai Point. All other flying
is cancelled due to weather.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
In French Indochina, 7 B-24's and 6 B-25's, with P-40 escorts, are
dispatched to bomb shipping and dock installations at Haiphong. Bad
weather prevents striking the primary targets; alternates, including
Hongay shipping, rail yard, and power facilities, Gia Lam Airfield, and
warehouses E of Hanoi are bombed.
P-40's bomb and strafe Japanese HQ at Tatung, China barracks E of
Lamaing, Burma on the Salween River, and a camp N of Lungling, China.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
B-24's on armed reconnaissance bomb Kahili
Airfield and Ballale.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-25's bomb Koepang and hit the area SE of Dili. B-24's
unsuccessfully attack shipping at Waingapoe, in the Sunda Islands and
off Wewak.
WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) 6 P-4O's damage a railroad bridge at Puchi, China
and strafe nearby railroad yards.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
In the Solomon Islands, B-24's on reconnaissance attack a small vessel
WNW of Cape Henpan. B-17's, P-40's, and P-38's' pound the airfields at Munda and Vila.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
In New Guinea, 2 B-24's bomb the town area of Manokwari and Nabire Airfield. A lone B-17 bombs Unea Island in the Bismarck Archipelago.
THURSDAY, 10 JUNE 1943
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force)
In the Aleutian Islands, 7 B-24's, 8 B-25's, 12 P-40's, and 2 F-5A's fly
weather reconnaissance, attack, and photo missions to Kiska Island and
Little Kiska Island. Targets include gun batteries, runway, North Head and
Main Camp.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
In China, 9 P-40's on armed reconnaissance strafe 10 barges and a
gunboat at Chienli; 1 barge is set aflame. 10 P-40's intercept about 25
airplanes over Hengyang; 1 enemy bomber is shot down.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
P-38's and Navy fighters claim 4 aircraft downed
off the N tip of Malaita Island. B-17's and B-24's pound the airfield at Kahili twice during the day.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
More than 20 B-17's and B-24's pound airfields in the Rabaul, New
Britain Island area. A single B-24 bombs the town of Sorong and shipping at Kokas.
FRIDAY, 11 JUNE 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
In the Aleutian Islands, 7 B-24's, 8 B-25's, 10 P-40's, 4 P-38's, and
2 F-5A's fly weather, photo, reconnaissance, and attack missions to Kiska
Island. Main targets are Gertrude Cove and Main Camp, South Head, North
Head, runway, and offshore barges. Fighter bombing and strafing, and
subsequent bomber runs over emplacements, are effectively coordinated.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
Eight P-40's hit a camp on the Salween River, trucks at Mangshih, and
warehouses at Tungling, China.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-24's again bomb the airfield at Rabaul
and hit targets of opportunity at Gasmata and
along the shore of Keravia Bay.
In New Guinea, B-25's pound areas along Huon Gulf coast, hitting Kela
Point, Salamaua and the bridge at Nuk Nuk. P-40's strafe a submarine off
Cape Nelson.
In Timor, Koepang is thoroughly blasted by B-24's while Penfoei and Dili airfields are hit by light B-25 attacks.
The 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group transfers with P-38's from
Charters Towers, Australia to Amberley Field, Townsville, Australia. Lost is B-24D "Care Less" 42-40500.
SATURDAY, 12 JUNE 1943
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force)
A detachment of the 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group based at
Ft Glenn, Alaska begins operating from Attu Airfield with P-40's
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
USAAF fighters, along with Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), US Navy,
and US Marine Corps fighters, claim over 30 aircraft shot down during the
interception of an enemy strike on Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands. 8
Allied fighters are lost, including four F4Fs, one F4U and one RNZAF P-40 (pilot KIA). Two B-24s on reconnaissance over Buka shoot down a G4M1 Betty.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-24's hit runways at Nabire and Kaimana; a lone B-25
bombs and strafes barges S of Langemak Bay.
Dick Bong gets his 11th kill when he downs an Oscar.
SUNDAY, 13 JUNE 1943
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, 9 B-25's attack the Meza railway bridge
on the Mandalay- Myitkyina line, causing minor damage.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
In China, 11 B-25's supported by 14 P-40's, bomb hangars and the depot
area at Nanchang Airfield.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
B-24's and B-17's again bomb Kahili Airfield.
The 371st and 372d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group
transfers from Kahuku and Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii
respectively to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands with B-24's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-17's and B-24's bomb airfields in the
Rabaul area and at Gasmata. Lost to J1N1 night fighter is B-17F "Georgia Peach" 41-24454. B-25's hit Dili and Koepang and bomb and strafe barges off the
Huon Peninsula, at Jacob Island, off Cape Gerhards, and S of Cape Cretin,
New Guinea. Single B-24's bomb Lahang Airfield and attack a freighter in
Humboldt Bay, both in New Guinea.
MONDAY, 14 JUNE 1943
CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) One B-24 from Funafuti
Atoll, Ellice Islands bombs the runways at Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) Eight P-40's intercept about 8 bombers and 20
fighters 25 mi (40 km) SW of Nanchang, China. The P-40's claim 7 fighters shot
down.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
18 B-25's, escorted by F4U's, hit Vila Airfield.
11 B-17's and B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield and hit
nearby Shortland.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
A single B-24 bombs Lakunai Airfield. Lost on a ferry flight is B-17C 'Pamela / Miss E.M.F." 40-2072 with 40 KIA, 1 survivor.
IJN - Shot down over Guadalcanal is G4M1 1570.
TUESDAY, 15 JUNE 1943
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
B-25's score 2 direct hits on the bridge at Myitnge, Burma.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
Ten B-25's, escorted by 12 P-40's, support Chinese ground forces by
bombing positions at Owchihkow, China.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
B-24's bomb Ballale Airfield.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's bomb airfields
at Rabaul in predawn strikes and hit Kendari Airfield,
Celebes in the evening. In New Guinea, a single B-25 attacks a power boat in
Hanisch Harbor and strafes a beach near Finschhafen.
WEDNESDAY, 16 JUNE 1943
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
Search aircraft report nearly 250 Japanese airplanes at Rabaul and other airfields jammed with
aircraft. In air action in the Solomon, about 120 Japanese aircraft
converging on Allied vessels off Tulagi and Guadalcanal are met by more than 100 Allied fighters (USAAF, Royal New
Zealand Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps). The skies over Savo and Tulagi, and Cape Esperance and Koli Point are
filled with dogfights and flak from ship and ground guns. The battle results
in the largest single-day Allied aerial victory of the Solomon Islands
campaign; 79 airplanes are claimed shot down by Allied fighters, and AA
claims 17 more; 6 Allied fighters are lost. The Japanese succeed in damaging
3 ships (2 of which have to be beached) and cause considerable destruction
on Guadalcanal. Lost is B-24D 42-40250.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-25's bomb Koepang and Oeikoesi on Timor and, along with A-20's, hit
barges and shore targets at several points along the coasts of NE New Guinea
and New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. On a single bomber photo recon over Buka and Bougainville is B-17E "Lucy" 41-2666 two crew members earned the medal of honor.
USN: Lost is SOC Seagull 1184.
THURSDAY, 17 JUNE 1943
CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) During the night
of 17/18 Jun, 4 B-24's take off from Funafuti Atoll, Ellice Islands at 2-hour
intervals to bomb Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. One aborts and another
fails to find the target. The 2 heavy bombers bombing the target hit runways,
silence an AA battery, and blow up an ammunition dump. The raid is a diversion
in support of the first night photo-reconnaissance mission by the VII Bomber
Command, during which 3 B-24's photograph Mille Atoll and nearby waters in the Marshall Islands.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) P-40's strafe a warehouse and train S of Chiuchiang
and a train N of Nanchang, both in China. Road traffic E of Hanoi, French Indochina
is also attacked.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-25's administer a thorough pounding to the Madang and Salamaua areas. B-24's bomb Sorong and Boela.
A single B-24 bombs the airfield at Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island
and, during the night of 17/18 Jun, a B-25 attacks power launches nearby,
sinking 1 and badly damaging 2 more.
The 433d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group transfers with P-38's from
Charters Towers, Australia to Amberley Field, Townsville, Australia.
FRIDAY, 18 JUNE 1943
CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force)
The 58th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), Seventh Air Force begins a movement
from Wheeler Field to Canton with A-24s.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield while B-25's hit Ballale and strafe barges in Wilson Strait.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-25's bomb and strafe power launches off Cape Gloucester, New Britain
Island and Finschhafen, New Guinea, sinking 1 and damaging 2 near the
Cape. A single B-17 bombs Unea Island, Bismarck Archipelago while an A-20
on armed reconnaissance during the night of 18/19 Jun bombs and strafes
Salamaua, New Guinea and nearby coastal areas.
SATURDAY, 19 JUNE 1943
CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force)
During the night of 18/19 Jun, 2 B-24's fly photo reconnaissance of
Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands from Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice
Islands.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
During the night of 18/19 Jun, B-24's bomb Nauru Island in the Gilbert
Islands.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-17's and B-24's thoroughly pound Vunakanau Airfield. A-20's hit barges in Hanisch Harbor and a trail near the village
of Tamigudu, both in New Guinea. Single B-24's bomb Finschhafen,
New Guinea area and the airstrip at Rapopo.
SUNDAY, 20 JUNE 1943
CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force)
During the night of 19/20 Jun, 3 B-24's from Funafuti Atoll in the
Ellice Islands fly photo reconnaissance of Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall
Islands.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
P-40's join Marine and Navy airplanes in a
strike against Vila Airfield. Hits are scored on the
runway and dump area. B-24's blast the airfield and other targets at Kahili,
and also bomb Kieta.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-24's bomb airstrip at Rapopo, and airfields at Keravat, and also hit Rabaul town area. A-20's pound the
airfield at Lae, New Guinea. 2 B-25's and an A-20 hit Finschhafen and barges and shoreline targets along the coast of New Britain.
RAAF: Lost is Spitfire A58-68.
MONDAY, 21 JUNE 1943
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force)
In the Aleutian Islands a fighters strip is completed at Shemya.
All missions are cancelled due to weather for the tenth straight
day.
CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force)
One B-24 carries out armed photo reconnaissance over Nonouti Island,
Beru Island, and Nukunau Island in the Gilbert Islands.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
In China, 7 B-25's, with escort of 8 P-40's, bomb the village of
Shihshow. 8 other B-25's, supported by 9 P-40's, are dispatched to attack
the Japanese-held village of Hwajung but mistakenly bomb the friendly
village of Nanhsien, killing over 50 Chinese.
The 11th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium)
transfers with B-25's from Kunming, China to Kweilin, China. The squadron
has detachments operating from Hengyang, Suichwan, Nanning and Lingling
between Jun 43 and Jun 44.
USN - F4U piloted by Smith ditched off Midway.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
In a predawn strike B-25's bomb Koepang on Timor Island.
A-20's bomb and strafe airfields at Lae and Lahang while B-25's blast the
airfield and general area at Salamaua. A single B-24 bombs MacDonald's
Junction, New Guinea and strafes targets of opportunity along the coast S
of Buka. Lost is B-25C "Geronimo" 41-12980.
TUESDAY, 22 JUNE 1943
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force)
In the Aleutian Islands, a P-40 sights a submarine 5 mi (8 km) E of Zeto
Point. A B-24 then searches the area but makes no contact.
CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) 3 B-24's from Canton
Island in the Phoenix Islands fly photo reconnaissance of Beru Island, Nukunau
Island, Tabiteuea Island, Onotoa Island, Tarawa Atoll, and Arorae Island in
the Gilbert Islands. 1 of the heavy bombers strafes Arorae.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) Heavy bombers join B-25's in pounding the Ywataung,
Burma marshalling yard. Monywa, Burma is also thoroughly bombed.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-24's bomb the Taberfane.
USMC - Ditched into the lagoon at Midway is F4U Corsair 02326.
WEDNESDAY, 23 JUNE 1943
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
B-25's and Navy fighters and dive bombers hit
Buki village on Buki Island.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
17 B-24's bomb shipping, dock area, factory and residential areas of
Makassar, Celebes Island. 2 light cruisers are damaged and many buildings
along Juliana Quay and in the town area are damaged or demolished. A
single B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs the airfield at Lae, New Guinea.
HQ 348th Fighter Group and it's 340th, 341st and 342d Fighter Squadrons
arrive at Port Moresby from the US with P-47's.
FRIDAY, 25 JUNE 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
In the Aleutian Islands, 2 photo and weather reconnaissance missions
by 2 B-24's and 6 attack missions by 25 B-25's, 12 B-24's, and 2 P-38's
hit Kiska Island. Targets include gun revetments at Gertrude Cove and AA
batteries.
The 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group transfers with P-40's
from Ft Glenn to Shemya. The squadron also has detachments
operating from Amchitka and Attu Airfield.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
In the Solomon Islands during the night of 24/25 Jun, B-24's attack the Kahili area and hit the airfield on Buka Island.
During the following day B-25's, escorted by P-40's, hit the runway at Vila Airfield.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-25's bomb and strafe several occupied villages in the Sepu, New Guinea
area.
SATURDAY, 26 JUNE 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, 16 bombers and 28 fighters
fly 7 attack, weather reconnaissance and photo missions to Kiska and Little
Kiska Islands, starting fires. Intense machinegun fire damages 4 P-38's.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
During the night of 25/26 Jun, B-24's pound on Ballale Airfield and bomb the Poporang-Buin-Faisi area.
P-38's strafe the Rekata
Bay area.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
During the predawn and early morning hours, B-24's and B-17's bomb the
airfield and harbor at Rabaul and the town of Lae.
Lost to J1N1 night fighter over Rabaul are: B-17E "Naughty But Nice" 41-2430 and B-17F "Taxpayers Pride" 41-24448.
During the midday, B-25's hit the airfield at Lae and the town of Salamaua. In the early evening B-25's bomb Penfoei, Timor Island.
SUNDAY, 27 JUNE 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) On Kiska Island in the Aleutian Islands, 8 B-24's
make a radar run but return with their bombs due to weather. Later, 5 B-24's
and 7 B-25's bomb the Main Camp area and vicinity N of Salmon Lagoon. 14 B-25's
bomb Gertrude Cove, camp areas, and North Head, while 7 others abort due to
weather. 2 P-40's fly reconnaissance over Segula Island but overcast prevents
observations.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) The 21st Photographic Squadron, Fourteenth
Air Force arrives at Bishnupur, India from the US with F-5's.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield and hit Ballale. 3 PB4Y of VB-101 bomb Ballale from 10,000'. A single heavy bomber on armed reconnaissance
bombs Munda Airfield.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
In New Guinea, B-25's bomb and strafe occupied areas at Dumpu, Kaigulin,
and Kaiapit while A-20's strafe barges and shore installations at Labu
Lagoon.
B-24's hit Taka, Saumlakki and Malo Island in the Moluccas Islands and
Boeroe Island in the Sunda Islands.
MONDAY, 28 JUNE 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
In the Aleutian Islands, 6 B-25's bomb Gertrude Cove, Little Kiska
Island and the southern Main Camp area through holes in the overcast. The
mission is partly ineffective because of faulty bomb-release mechanisms.
CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force)
A bombing mission against Nauru, Gilbert Islands from Funafuti
Atoll, Ellice Islands is hampered by engine trouble and bad weather. 1
B-24 had crashed at Palmyra Island, Oceania the previous day while en
route from the Hawaiian Islands to the staging base at Funafuti Atoll. Of
the 18 arriving at the forward base, 2 are released from duty because of
engine trouble, 2 crash on takeoff, and 8 are grounded after a second
crash. 6 heavy bombers are airborne for the mission, 2 abort, 2 fail to
find Nauru Island because of heavy front, and 2 drop bombs on the island,
with unobserved results.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
HQ 80th Fighter Group and it's 88th and 90th Fighter Squadrons arrive
at Karachi, India from the US with P-40's.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
The 394th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
transfers with B-24's from the Fiji to Guadalcanal.
TUESDAY, 29 JUNE 1943
CBI
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
The 89th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group arrives at Karachi, India
from the US with P-40's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
B-25's bomb and strafe strong points along the Bitoi River
and A-20's pound a supply dump on the south side of Nassau Bay in preparation
for allied amphibious landings which are to begin during the night of 29/30
Jun; a lone B-24 bombs building area W of Parsee Point near Salamaua; and
other B-24's bomb Nabire.
WEDNESDAY, 30 JUNE 1943
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
The invasion of New Georgia Island begins with
amphibious landings by US Army and US Marine Corps forces on
Rendova. Subsidiary landings take place at other points in the New
Georgia area. USAAF and other allied fighters cover the landings. At 1100
hours, 30+ Zekes attack the beachhead; Allied fighters intercept, claiming
16 shot down. At 1500 hours, a large force of fighters, dive bombers, and
torpedo-carrying bombers attack the vessels of the Task Force which is
handling the landings. F4U's, F4F's and AA down all the torpedo-carrying
bombers as they attack vessels however, a torpedo strikes the flagship, the
attack transport USS McCawley (APA-4), amidship severely damaging the vessel
(later mistakenly sunk by US PT boats). Early in the evening about 30 more
Japanese aircraft return to the assault area. Allied fighters claim 18 of
these shot down. B-25's and US Navy dive bombers bomb Munda Airfield. A B-24 strike on Kahili aborts because of bad
weather. Lost is B-24D Liberator 42-40254.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
Allied amphibious forces begin landings, unopposed, at Nassau Bay during the night of 29/30 Jun. Forces push N and S toward the
Bitoi River and Tabali Creek, respectively. Troops make contact with enemy
forces in the Cape Dinga area S of Nassau Bay. Australians open the
assault on Bobdubi Ridge and maintain pressure on the enemy in the Mubo
area. B-25's pound Bobdubi Ridge in support of the assault and hit forces
at Logui and Salamaua. B-25's also bomb the airfield at Cape Chater on
Timor Island. 43rd BG B-24's and B-17's bomb an airfield at Rabaul, lost is B-17F "Pluto" 41-24543. One heavy bomber scores a hit on a cargo
vessel off Cape Gloucester.
The 57th Troop Carrier Squadron, 375th Troop Carrier Group arrives at
Port Moresby from the US with C-47's.
USN: Bombardment of Shortland Island by TF 68, "Merrill's Marauders" including USS Cleveland (CL-55).
