September 7, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1943

CBI (Tenth Air Force): B-25's attack Gokteik Viaduct, Burma, causing minor damage.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): Two B-25's bomb barge depot and supply area east of Ringa Cove on New Georgia.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-24's and B-26's bomb the Lae area; B-25's bomb and strafe nearby targets on road to Markham; P-38's successfully turn back enemy bombing attack on Morobe; and C-47's begin flying the Australian Army 7th Division to Nadzab. During an early morning takeoff, B-24D "Pride of the Cornhuskers" 42-40682 crashes and kills 59 and wounds 92 from the Australian Army 2/33rd Infantry Battalion that were waiting to load aboard C-47s.

A-20's hit Gasmata area. The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group arrives from the US at Townsville with C-47's.

IJN: Thirty-six A6M Zeros from 202 Kokutai escorted two Ki-46-II Dinahs piloted by Murumitsu Sasaki and the other by C. O. Captain Kuruyasu Ichikawa on a mission over Darwin. Over the target, intercepted by RAAF Spitfires.

RAAF: Spitfires take off to intercept Japanese aircraft attacking Darwin. Eight are lost including Spitfire LZ884 pilot S/L Ron McDonald (survived) and Spitfire EF558 pilot F/O William T. Hinds (KIA).

USN: Naval Construction Battalion (NCB) "Seabees" complete the 5,000 runway at Nanumea Airfield.

U.S. Army: Sunk is MV Lakatoi sunk off New Caledonia.