ALASKA: 2 P-40's attempting to intercept Japanese aircraft reported near Attu abort because of weather.
(Seventh Air Force): From this date through 14 Sep, 8 B-24's conduct daily
sea-search operations from Canton in the Phoenix Islands.
(Tenth Air Force): A detachment of the 9th Photographic Squadron, Tenth
Air Force, based at Pandaveswar, India begins operating from Dinjan, India with
F-4's and F-5's. The 459th Fighter Squadron is activated at Karachi, India and
assigned to the 80th Fighter Group. The squadron begins training with P-38's.
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 B-25's, supported by 8 P-40's, attack a
Japanese destroyer at Shihhweiyao; no hits are scored
on the ship but considerable damage is done to the surrounding dock area; 6
P-40's sink a small tanker down river from Ichang, damage 2 large boats between
Ocheng and Shihhweiyao, and strafe cavalry troops at Ocheng; 3 other P-40's
heavily damage a small ship at Swatow harbor and strafe the nearby airfield;
3 P-38's and a P-40 dive-bomb and strafe barracks at Yangsin, demolishing 3
buildings; and 2 nearby locomotives are also destroyed. The fighter-bombers
then heavily damage a small steamer at Wuchang, sink 1 tug and damage another
at Kutang, and blast a train and an AA position S of Puchi. During Sep 43, HQ
23d Fighter Group transfers from Kunming to Kweilin, China. During Sep 43, detachments
of the 449th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group based at Lingling, China operate
from Hengyang and Kweilin, China with P-38's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): 70+ B-24's and B-25's hit
the Alexishafen / Madang
area, dropping 201 tons of bombs (heaviest by Fifth Air Force to date). Other
B-25's hit Iboki Plantation in the Bismarck Archipelago, barges on the Bubui
River in New Guinea, the Rein Bay on New Britain area and several villages in
New Britain. B-17's bomb Labu , New Guinea. B-26's attack Cape
Gloucester area on New Britain . B-24's and B-25's strike targets in the
Lesser Sunda . The 68th and 69th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 433d Troop Carrier
Group, arrive at Port Moresby from the US with C-47's. The 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, ceases
operating from Port Moresby and returns
to it's base at Dobodura with
P-38's.
THURSDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 1943
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 10 B-25's and 5 P-40's bomb
Hong Kong hit- ting the Kowloon area and attack shipping off Stonecutter's and
in the Lai Chi Kok area.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25's and 60+ US Navy aircraft pound Vila, hitting AA and artillery positions and the area E of Ringa Cove on New Georgia. 18 B-24's, 20+ P-40's and P-39's, and 60+ USN planes attack Kahili; shore installations, the airfield, and bridges N of the strip are hit.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): 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 the Southwest Pacific Area. Lost are B-25D 41-30319, B-25D 41-30225, B-25D 41-30247, B-25D 41-30255. On a bombing mission by 12 B-17s against Cape Glouchester Airfield, lost are B-17E "Craps For The Japs" 41-2653, P-38G "Dumbo!" 42-12847, L-4 piloted by Hayer, P-38H 42-66538.
FRIDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 1943
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 11 P-40's and 2 P-38's blast
the barracks area at Pho Lu, French Indochina. HQ 68th Fighter Wing and 69th
Bombardment Wing are activated at Kunming, China. Neither unit will be manned
until Dec 1943.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 20+ B-24's, 14 P-40's,
and 30+ USN airplanes attack Kahili Airfield. Vila Airfield is bombed by 5 B-24's and 10 USN aircraft. P-40's strafe a wharf
at Webster Cove on New Georgia.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): Heavy and medium bombers blast gun emplacements
and terrace defenses in the Lae, New Guinea area. Other heavy bombers hit the
Cape Gloucester area on New Britain . Light raids are flown against targets
on Ceram in the Moluccas and Timor in the Sunda .
SATURDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 1943
AMERICAN ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): HQ XI Bomber Command transfers from Amchitka
to Adak in the Aleutians.
CENTRAL PACIFIC (Seventh Air Force): The 19th Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter
Group, transfers from Kipapa Field to Stanley Field, Territory of Hawaii with
P-40's.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 10 B-25's and 11 P-40's pound
Tien Ho airfield at Canton, China; 3 of 15 intercepting Zekes are shot down.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon , 23 B-25's hit the Dulo
Cove area on New Georgia; 9 B-24's, 15 AAF fighters, and 20+ USN fighters hit
the airfield on Ballale.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): The Allied offensive against
Lae begins as forces land at Hopoi and the mouth of the Buso River; B-24's support
the landings by pounding Lae air- field, B-25's hit the Hopoi area and bomb
the airfield at Cape Gloucester on New Britain; A-20's and Royal Australian
Air Force (RAAF) planes hit the airfield on Gasmata; supporting
P-38's intercept 100+ enemy fighters and bombers, which are airborne despite
the attacks on airfields, and claim 20 shot down. Lost was Beaufort A9-204, P-38H 42-66748
SUNDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 1943
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 15 fighter-bombers pound the
marshalling yard SE of Lao Kay, French Indochina; 16 others hit barracks in
the city.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 82 C-47'S drop paratroops
at Nadzab (first such landings in the Southwest Pacific Area) following
bombardment of
the drop zone by 52 medium bombers and pounding of Lae Airfield by 24 heavy
bombers; a smoke screen is laid over the landing area by A-20's; Nadzab
Airfield is quickly put into operational condition and will subsequently become a major
Allied airbase.
RAAF - Two Beaufighters attack Cape Glouscester Strip. Lost is Beaufighter A19-33. That morning, Boston of 22 Squadron attack Gasmata being repaired. 10 Beauforts of 100 Squadron attack Gasmata Airfield. Three are shot down: Beaufort A9-374, Beaufort A9-183 and Beaufort 186. One crashes at its home base, and another Beaufort A9-362 crashes at Vivigani. They were escorted by 8 P-40s of 76 Squadron.
MONDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 fighter-bombers attack wharves, vessels,
and destroy a small factory building in the Yoyang-Shihhweiyao area; 5 others
hit trucks, trains, gun emplacements, and railway facilities in areas around
Sintsiang and Puchi.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's and P-39's hit
enemy positions at Kakasa on Choiseul; B-24's blast gun positions at Vila; and P-39's join USN aircraft in a strike on suspected a radar
site on Morgusaia (Magusaiai). 5 Zekes are claimed shot down; 2 P-39's are lost.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, heavy bombers pound Lae
Airfield and surrounding area, and medium bombers bomb and strafe enemy defenses
in Lahang
and vicinity, as Allied ground forces push toward Lae; US fighters claim 8
enemy aircraft downed over Lae. B-25's fly a sweep against barges along
the coast of New Britain in the Bismarck Archipelago and bomb targets on Timor.
TUESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1943
CBI (Tenth Air Force): B-25's attack Gokteik Viaduct,
Burma, causing minor damage.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon, 2 B-25's bomb barge
depot and supply area E 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
7 Division to Nadzab. During an early morning takeoff, B-24D "Pride of the Cornhuskers" 42-40682 crashs and kills 59 and wounds 92 from Australian 2/33rd Infantry Battalion on the ground waiting to load into C-47s.
A-20's hit Gasmata area. The 70th Troop
Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, arrives at Townsville from the US with C-47's.
WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1943
(Seventh Air Force): B-24's, operating from Canton in the Phoenix , fire on
a flying boat scoring hits hut causing no visible damage.
(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 6 B-24's mine the Rangoon River during the night
of 7/9 Sep; and B-25's hit Gokteik Viaduct for the second consecutive day, scoring
5 hits at the base of the structure, which remains usable.
(Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-17's, B-24's, B-25's and B-26's pound the
Lae area, and A-20's hit Salamaua. The Japanese at Salamaua are ordered to prepare
to fall back to Lae in face of the approaching Australian 5 Division. Elements
of the Australian 9 Division, moving W on Lae, reach the flooded Busu River
where the Japanese hold the W bank. Other heavy and medium bombers carry out
light raids on targets in W part of New Guinea and in of Nether- lands East
Indies.
THURSDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): At Umnak,
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) No 14 (Fighter) Squadron prepares to depart
for British Columbia, Canada.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-24's again mine the Rangoon
River in Burma during the night of 8/9 Sep. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In
China, 8 B-25's and 11 P-40's hit the White Cloud Airfield at Canton; 4 P-38's
bomb the docks at Whampoa; 8 P-40's and P-38's hit shipping on the Yangtze River
shipping near Chiuchiang, Kichun, Wusueh, Ocheng, and Changanyi, and strafe
targets of opportunity in the general area. .
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 12 B-25's and 50+ USN
dive bombers pound Vila Airfield and barges at Disappointment
Cove on New Georgia. 18 B-24's, with fighter escort, bomb Kahili Airfield. 2 nearby coastal guns are also hit.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's bomb and strafe coastal area from Alexishafen to Finschhafen and hit points on New Britain coast.
Heavy bombers attack Garove off New Britain . Selaroe in the Tanibar is hit by a light medium bombers strike. Lost on a training flight is B-24D "Joltin' Janie" 42-40065.
FRIDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 9 B-24's fly from Adak to Attu
in preparation for a mission to Paramushiru in the Kurile tomorrow.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-25's again bomb Gokteik Viaduct
in Burma. The approaches are battered but the viaduct remains usable. The detachment
of ground personnel of the 491st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment
Group (Medium), at Gaya, India returns to it's base at Chakulia, India. CHINA
(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 B-25's and 7 P-40's hit a cotton warehouse
N of Wuchang and docks at Hankow; 9 of 20 intercepting Zekes are claimed destroyed;
9 P-38's bomb docks at Whampoa.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's attack barges along the New Britain
coast. In New Guinea, the Australian 7 Division, having been flown to Nadzab in C-47's, begins a push E toward Lae.
SATURDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 12 B-25's and 8 B-24's attack Paramushiru in
the Kurile for the third and last time this year. 6 B-24's bomb the Kashiwabara
staging area; shipping is bombed and strafed in Kashiwabara harbor and Paramushiru
Straits; 1 freighter and 1 large transport are sunk while 1 transport and
2 cargo ships are damaged; 2 other cargo vessels sustain possible hits; targets
hit on land include 2 buildings and an AA battery on Shimushu.
Of 40 fighters giving battle, 13 are shot down and 3 more are probables.
2 B-24's force-land in the USSR, one with mechanical defect, the other after
being hit; 1 B-24 is downed by AA fire; losses are 7 B-25's and 2 B-24's
in this most disastrous day for the Eleventh Air Force. It will be another
5 months before it is able to strike at the Kurils again. The 77th Bombardment
Squadron (Medium), 28th Composite Group, transfers from Adak to Amchitka
with B-25's.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 B-25's and 11 P-40's
attack the Hankow docks and Wuchang cotton mills; and 3 P-38's bomb ammunition
and fuel depots at Tayeh and strafe warehouses and barracks at Yangsin.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 18 B-25's pound the
area W of Vila Airfield and W of Disappointment Cove on New
Georgia. The airfield is hit again in the evening by 3 B-24's. 25 B-24's,
with fighter escort, bomb Kahili airfield; B-24's and fighters
claim 7 aircraft shot down. P-40's and P-39's support USN dive bombers in
striking gun positions at Hamberi on New Georgia.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-24's bomb Makassar on Celebes . In New
Guinea, Australian forces cross the Francisco River to Salamaua airfield as Japanese forces draw
toward Lae.
SUNDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): HQ XI Fighter Command transfers from Elmendorf
Field, Anchorage to Adak.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 90th Fighter Squadron,
80th Fighter Group, transfers from Karachi to Jorhat, India with P-40's. The
squadron will fly it's first combat mission on 16 Sep. CHINA (Fourteenth Air
Force): In China, 8 P-38's bomb shipping in the Hong Kong area, 4 hit Yangtze
River traffic at Chiuchiang, and 4 P-40's strafe barracks and destroy a locomotive
W of Shihhweiyao.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-17's and B-24's pound
Lae as the Japanese begin a withdrawal in the face of the Australian 9 and 7
Divisions moving in from E and W; the Australian 5 Division occupies Salamaua and surrounding area; the first Allied airplane lands at Salamaua Airfield;
and B-25's strafe between Saidor and Langemak Bay. B-25's hit barges near Cape
Gloucester on New Britain , and A-20's bomb a radio station on Gasmata. Lost on a training flight is B-26 40-1406 near Cape Killerton.
(RAAF) Bostons attack Gasmata. DB-7B "J is for Jessica" Serial Number A28-8 crash lands at Vivigani Strip.
MONDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1943
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER (Fifth Air Force): B-24's escorted
by P-38's, bomb airfields and ammunition dumps in the Wewak area; and B-25's
hit Lae. Lost are P-40N "Mr. Five by Five / Pumkins" 42-104977, P-38H 42-66837.
USN - Strikes Rabaul. Lost is F4U Corsair 17435.
TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1943
CBI (Tenth Air Force): HQ 311th Bombardment Group (Dive) and it's 382d Bombardment
Squadron (Dive) arrive at Nawadih, India from the US with A-36's. The group
will fly it's first combat mission on 16 Oct.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 15 B-24's are dispatched to Haiphong, French
Indochina. The first flight aborts due to bad weather but the second flight
reaches the target area and bombs docks and shipping. 4 P 38's severely damage
2 vessels at Chiuchiang, China. The 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group,
transfers from Dinjan, India to Yunnani, China with P-40's. The squadron's detachment
at Jorhat, India also transfers.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon , Allied airfields and
other facilities on Guadalcanal, and at Barakoma and Munda on New Georgia are
attacked by Japanese airplanes throughout the day. B-24's, with AAF and USN
fighter escorts, bomb Kahili Airfield 3 times during the day.
30+ B-24's unload on dispersal and revetment areas and on runways, causing considerable
damage; 8 Japanese interceptors are claimed shot down. 3 B-25's bomb Vila Airfield and 2 B-24's and 6 Venturas attack the Vila area. P-39's join
USN fighters and dive bombers in attack on Ballale Airfield.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's attack Lae and barges
in Hansa Bay; B-24's bomb Kendari on Celebes . The detachment of the 6th Nighter
Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, which has been operating from New Guinea
since 18 Apr with P-70's, begins a movement back to it's base at Kipapa, Territory
of Hawaii.
WEDNESDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 1943
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 B-24's attack a cement plant
at Haiphong, French Indochina; 50+ Japanese fighters attack the B-24's, shooting
down 4 of them; the 1 returning B-24 claims 10 fighters downed. 6 B-25's and
14 P-40's attack a cotton mill in the Wuchang, China area.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's bomb Vila Airfield, Kahili and Kara Airfield. B-24's, with
fighter escort, later pound the Kahili runway area; others hit Parapatu Point
on New Georgia . During the night, B-25's hit Kahili Airfield twice and heavy
bombers bomb airfields on Buka and Ballale . Ballale Airfield is also hit by
USN dive bombers, supported by AAF, USN and US Marine Corps (USMC) fighters;
a bivouac area, revetments, supply dumps and gun positions are hit; the runway
appears badly damaged by the strikes. HQ 403d Troop Carrier Group arrives on
Espiritu Santo , New Hebrides , from the US. A detachment of the 6th Night Fighter
Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, that has been operating from Guadalcanal with
P-70's since 28 Feb 43, departs for it's base at Kipapa, Territory of Hawaii.
The 372d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), that
has been operating from Guadalcanal with B-24's since 5 Aug, returns to it's
base on Espiritu Santo , New Hebrides for R&R.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-24's, with P-38 escort,
bomb airfields in the Wewak area, destroying 10 enemy aircraft on the ground;
14 more are claimed destroyed in air combat. B-17's bomb the Lae area lost is B-17F "Listen Here Tojo" 41-24552 and B-25's
sink about 15 barges between Alexishafen and Finschhafen, blast an ammunition
and supply dump near Bogadjim, and attack AA positions at Bostrem Bay.
THURSDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 1943
SOLOMONS (13th AF & USMC, USN, RNZAF) US Navy 24 SBD and 31 TBF
strike Ballale
Airfield, while a mult-service escort, with 13 F6F from VF-38 and 11 F6F
from VF-40 (first mission for Hellcats in theater) took off from Guadalcanal's
Fighter One. Also, 13th AF and RNZAF P-40s. In addition, 23 F4Us of VF-214 "The
Black Sheep" including Boyington took off from Banika at 1pm and rendevous
over New Georgia with the formation. In total, more than 100 aircraft proceeded
to the target. Weather was partly cloudy, the attack began around 14:50.
There were a total of 71 escorts in the air. Over the target 40-50 Japanese fighters
including Zeros and Tonys and heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered. The
204th Kokutai launched 26 Zeros. A large, sprawing dog fight ensued over hudereds
of miles. Greg Boyington scored victories over several Zeros, he landed at Munda
with only 10 gallons of gas, 30 rounds of ammo, and minor damage from flying
through the debrs of a Zero that exploded in mid-air. After refueling, he returning
to Banika. VMF-214
were credited with 11 Zeros and 8 probables. Three F6Fs were lost: F6F
25839 and F6F ????? (two pilots
rescued, third MIA, F6F Lt. Riley).
One Hellcat was damged, landing at Munda, then flown
back to Fighter One for a week of repairs. Two F4Us were minorly damaged from
VMF-214 and one plane lost, F4U
17527 also lost were TBF-1
23909, and TBF-1 06452.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25's and 12 P-40's hit warehouses, barracks,
ammunition dumps, and HQ at Liujenpa, China.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-17's, B-26's, B-25's,
and A-20's pound enemy positions at Lae after which the airfield and town
(evacuated by Japanese) are occupied by Australian forces; B-24's carry out
a light strike on Sorong.
FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 1943
CBI (Tenth Air Force): The 383d and 385th Bombardment Squadrons (Dive), 311th
Bombardment Group (Dive), arrive at Nawadih, India from the US with A-36's.
The 383d will enter combat on 16 Oct.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's carry out a coastal sweep against
barges and villages from Reiss Point to Langemak Bay, New Guinea. Lost on a training mission is B-25D "The Little Gem" 41-30321.
SATURDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 1943
CENTRAL PACIFIC (Seventh Air Force): 24 B-24's, flying out of Funafuti in
the Ellice and Canton in the Phoenix , bomb Betio , Tarawa Atoll and Maiana
and Abemama in the Gilbert chain during the night of 18/19 Sep. This action
is part of a coordinated AAF-USN attack on Tarawa, aimed at preventing Japanese
attacks on US installations at Baker and in the Ellice .
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 71st Liaison Squadron, US Army Forces
CBI, based at Ramgarh, India sends a detachment to Ledo, India with L-4's and
L-5's.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25's and 7 P-40's attack rail yards and
blast furnaces at Shihhweiyao, China.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): B-24's bomb the airfield and attack
a phosphate plant and radio station on Nauru in the Gilberts.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): A-20's hit Tami in
the Lae area; B-26's and RAAF airplanes bomb and strafe Finschhafen. The 65th
Troop Carrier Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, based at Port
Moresby begins
operating from Tsili Tsili with C-47's.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The 21st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), begins a movement from Shemya with B-24's to Smoky Hill AAFld,
Kansas where it will be inactivated on 1 Nov 43.
CENTRAL PACIFIC (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24's, out of Funafuti
and Canton, bomb Tarawa Atoll and Abemama and obtain photo
coverage of Betio. 1 B-24 is lost to interceptors.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's and USN dive bombers,
covered by fighters, bomb Vila Airfield and a causeway, enemy
positions, and ammunition dump at Disappointment Cove on New Georgia . Other
B-25's bomb and strafe barge centers at Ringa Cove and Webster Coves on New
Georgia .
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's and B-26's pound
Finschhafen in preparation for Allied landings on 22 Sep. B-17's and B-24's
bomb the airfield and surrounding area at Cape Gloucester on New Britain . B-24's
and B-25's fly small strikes against Amboina in the Moluccas , Selaroe in the
Tanimbar , and Penfoei on Timor.
RAAF - Lost to anti-aircraft fire over Cape Hoskins area is Beaufighter A19-133.
MONDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 1943
CBI (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, B-24's bomb Sagaing and Naba. The 384th Bombardment
Squadron (Dive), 311th Bombardment Group (Dive), arrives at Nawadih, India from
the US with A-36's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on 17
Oct.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 27 Japanese bombers and 20 fighters attack the airfield at Kunming, China; 24 P-40's and 3 P-38's intercept, claiming 17 airplanes shot down; 1 US fighter is lost; damage to the airfield is negligible. The 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, transfers from Kweilin to Hengyang, China with P-40's.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, First Lieutenant Henry Meigs II (of the 6th Night Fighter Squadron), flying a P-38 against Japanese night attackers over Bougainville, shoots down two G4M1 Betty bombers of the 702nd Kokutai within 60 seconds: G4M1 piloted by Itakura and G4M1 piloted by Kisuberi.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's and B-17's hit roads from Kaiapit to Madang, destroying 3 key bridges; P-39's strafe and dive-bomb the Bogadjim-Yaula area; and B-24's bomb Wewak and Boram airfields. B-25's hit Penfoei on Timor Island. Lost are P-38H "Mareelee II" 42-66851 and P-38H 42-66841.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25's and 8 P-40's attack railroad yards and warehouses at Chiuchiang, China, causing considerable destruction.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 20+ B-24's bomb the runway and revetment area at the airfield on Buka Island. About 20 Japanese fighters intercept; 2 Zekes are shot down.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): A-20's, B-26's, and RAAF aircraft hit Tami Island and pound Finschhafen in preparation for the Allied amphibious assault on the following day; B-25's bomb and strafe the Bogadjim area and Langgoer. B-24's hit Cape Gloucester and a freighter near Talasea; A-20's and RAAF aircraft bomb Gasmata. Lost is P-40N 42-104984. The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Townsville, Queensland, Australia to Attu, New Guinea with C-47's.
WEDNESDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 1943
CBI (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, B-25's attack the Ye-u branch line railroad
bridge over the Mu River between Ywataung and Monywa. Negligible damage is done
to the target.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): After a preparatory naval bombardment, elements of the Australian 9 Division land at the mouth of the Song River N of Finschhafen and push to the S; B-25's pound defenses in the Finschhafen area; almost 90 fighters battle Japanese aircraft attacking the convoy; 38 enemy aircraft are claimed shot down. Lost is G4M1 Betty piloted by Uchibaba.
A-20's and B-25's hit the Lae area. B-24's and B-25's bomb the airfield on Gasmata; and B-24 hit Amboina Island in the Moluccas Islands.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Admiral Thomas C Kinkaid issues Operations Plan (Op Plan) 9-43 which reorganizes the Alaskan Army and Navy air strength. The Commanding General Eleventh Air Force becomes Commander of Task Force 90 (TF 90), composed of Task Group 90.1 (TG 90.1), designated the Air Striking Unit (comprising 16 medium bombers, 12 heavy bombers, 100 fighters) and of TG 90.2, designated the Air Search Group, a Navy air arm. For operations, the Eleventh Air Force is now under the jurisdiction of Commander Northern Pacific (COMNORPAC) Forces. There is no administrative change.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 23 B-24's, 16 P-38's, and 60+ USN dive bombers, covered by AAF, USMC, USN, and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) fighters, attack Kahili; Allied aircraft claim at least 9 fighters shot down. 21 B-24's bomb area from Stanmore Plantation to the mouth of the Vila River. P-39's strafe 2 barges, at Sasamunga and Malanono, leaving both aflame.
SOUTHWEST (Fifth Air Force): B-25's bomb and strafe villages in the upper Markham River Valley. P-40's bomb Gasmata.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-24's fly a small strike against Sorong and Manokwari.
CBI (Tenth Air Force): The 436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Bishnupur, India to Panagarh, India with B-24's.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's join USN TBF's and SBD's in pounding gun positions in the areas around Vila Airfield and Disappointment Cove on New Georgia.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): Nearly 40 B-17's, B-24's, and B-25's bomb installations and supply lines from Bogadjim to villages on the Ramu and Markham Rivers; A-20's and RAAF airplanes pound positions near Finschhafen as the Australian 9 Division, having crossed the Buni River the previous day, pushes S toward the town. B-25's bomb and strafe AA positions at Rein Bay on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. The 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, transfers from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 21 B-24's, covered by 14 P-38's, bomb a bivouac near Kahili; 30 P-40's and P-39's and 15 USN F4U's support 50+ USN dive bombers in a strike on the hangar area of the airfield at Kahili and gun positions at Kangu Hill and Jakohina.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-24's bomb But and Dagua Airfields; P-38's claim 9 enemy fighters shot down in the But-Dagua-Wewak areas; other B-24's hit Nubia and Potsdam Plantation.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 27 B-24's, 20+ P-40's and P-39's, and several USN fighters pound the Kahili area. P-39's over Choiseul Island strafe (and explode) 3 barges off Wogai Point, and strafe 2 others off Bambatana, leaving 1 ablaze.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): 117 B-24's and B-25's, escorted by 129 P-38's and P-40's, attack airfields and shipping in the Wewak area; about 40 aircraft are destroyed on the ground and 8 are claimed shot down in combat; the bombers claim 10 ships (totaling about 28,000 tons), 11 luggers, and a launch sunk; Finschhafen is bombed twice during the day.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 5 B-24 snoopers attack a convoy in N Solomons waters and claim several damaging hits. The convoy reverses its course.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): The Wewak area is again hit, the 40 attacking B-24's being escorted by 29 P-38's which claim 8 fighters shot down; A-20's and RAAF Vengeances attack the Finschhafen and Lae area; B-24's and P-39's hit a road near Bogadjim. The 21st Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Port Moresby, New Guinea to Archerfield, Queensland, Australia with C-47's. The 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Archerfield to Port Moresby with C-47's.
CBI (Fourteenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 B-24's bomb Myitkyina and Sadon during routine ferry trips over the Hump.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): On Choiseul P-40's, P-38's, and P-39's join USN fighters in supporting a strike by USN dive bombers on a barge depot at Kakasa; other P-40's strafe and set afire a barge off Sambi Point.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-24's on armed reconnaissance attack scattered shipping in the Netherlands East Indies and Solomon and Bismarck Seas. Lost on a training flight is B-25D "Axis Fate" 41-30053.
ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The 10th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 26th Antisubmarine Wing, ceases flying ASW patrols from Galveston, Texas with B-25's. The squadron will be redesignated 867th Bombardment Squadron and will transfer to the Central Pacific with B-24's in Jun 44.
CBI (Tenth Air Force): The 311th Bombardment Group (Dive) is redesignated 311th Fighter-Bomber Group. The 385th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) is disbanded at Nawadih, India; the 382d, 383d and 384th Bombardment Squadrons (Dive) are redesignated 528th, 529th and 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-25's and 4 P-40's claim heavy damage to a gunboat at Ft Bayard, China.
SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 16 B-24's, covered by 20+ P-38's and P-40's and a few US Navy F4U's, pound the Kahili Airfield area, hitting a supply and bivouac area NE of the strip. 6 B-25's bomb Kakasa on Choiseul Island.
USN - (VMF-214) Four F4Us on a mission against Kolombangara spot three ships. The ships were actually PT-126, PT 124 and PT 116 and fired a recognition flare. The F4U piloted by Alexander opened fire and was shot down. Several crew on PT-126 were wounded in the friendly fire accident.