July 20, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 20 JULY 1943

U.S. JCS direct Adm Nimitz to seize bases in the Gilbert Islands and on Nauru Island.

CBI: Gen Bissell is recalled to U.S. to become Assistant Chief of Air Staff, A-2, and is replaced as head of Tenth Air Force by Brig Gen Howard C. Davidson.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) B-24's attack Mandalay. The 491st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Chakulia sends a detachment of ground personnel to Gaya.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In China, 4 P-40's bomb a warehouse area at Tengchung; 6 others strafe river traffic and railroad targets of opportunity at Sinti, Changanyi, Tingszekiao, Kaiyu, and near Puchi.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea US ground forces begin the struggle for the heights commanding Tambu Bay and Dot Inlet; A-20's and B-25's pound Madang Airfield and area, Komiatum, Logui, areas along the Gum River and south of the Gogol River, the Gori River bridge area, and Bogadjim. B-25's bomb Lautem, Dili, and Cape Chater Airfield. A single B-24 bombs Arawe. Lost is B-24D "Virgin III" 42-40327 (MIA).

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) 18 B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield and Ballale Airfield. Fighters strafe barges in Pakoi Bay, New Georgia.

U.S. Army: On New Guinea, U.S. forces begin lengthy struggle for heights (Roosevelt Ridge, Scout Ridge, and Mt Tambu) commanding Tambu Bay and Dot Inlet.

ATIU: A6M3 Model 32 Zero (Hybrid) pilot Captain William O. Farrior took off from Eagle Farm Airfield on a test flight.

U.S. Army: On New Georgia, elements of 145th Inf, 37th Div, relieve hard-pressed 169th Inf of 43d Div east of Munda. 148th breaks through enemy positions that have been checking it and prepares to relieve 145th. Trail from Laiana to Munda Trail is completed, easing supply situation. Liversedge Force after futile attempt to take Bairoko falls back to Enogai.

USN: Three PT Boats PT-168, PT-166 and PT-164 returning from patrol are mistaken for enemy vessels and attacked by four B-25 Mitchells from 42nd Bomb Group (42nd BG). During the attack, PT-166 was set on fire and exploded. Both PT-164 and PT-168 were damaged. Their return fire shot down B-25C "The Worry Bird" 41-13153 pilot 1st Lt. William G. Schauffler, III (MIA).

Searching PBY detects Japanese surface force under the command of Rear Admiral Nishimura Shoji through "The Slot" between Vella Lavella and Choiseul. TBFs from Henderson Field strike the warships and sink destroyer Yugure and damage heavy cruiser Kumano and destroyer Minazuki. After a second wave of American planes (TBFs and USAAF B-25s) attack the enemy ships without success, a third wave (B-25s) sinks destroyer Kiyonami.

USS Pompano (SS-181) damages Japanese transport Uyo Maru, east of Miki Zaki, 33°55'N, 136°26'.