April 15, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 15 APRIL 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) Reconnaissance over Kiska, Attu, Semichi and Agattu spots no new enemy activities. Two bomber missions from Adak and eleven fighter missions from Amchitka, composed of 23 B-24's, 20 B-25's, 25 P-38's, and 44 P-40's, hit Kiska; 1 F-5A takes photos; 85 tons of bombs are dropped. Fires result on North Head and Little Kiska. Lost is B-24D 41-23970 (MIA) and four bombers sustain battle damage.

N. D. Communique No. 346 April 17, 1943 North Pacific April 17, 1943
"2. On April 15, Japanese installations at Kiska were attacked thirteen times by formations of U.S. Army planes. Liberator heavy bombers, Mitchell medium bombers and Lightning and Warhawk fighters carried out these raids. Many hits were scored in the main camp and on the runway and hangar areas, causing numerous fires and explosions. One heavy bomber was shot down by enemy antiaircraft fire."

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) Ten B-25's bomb the Mandalay Marshaling Yard; 9 more bomb the marshaling yard at Ywataung. Eight B-24's hit the Thilawa oil refinery while 7 others hit Prome.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42nd Bombardment Group (Medium) with B-25s arrives Henderson Field.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17's bomb the airfields at Rabaul and Gasmata Airfield. B-17's bomb Lae Airfield. 7th Fighter Squadron and 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group with P-40s transfer from Port Moresby to Dobodura.

IJN: India Maru bombed by U.S. planes and sunk five miles east of Kairuru Island.