December 30, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 30 DECEMBER 1942

(11th AF) B-25s and 14 P-38s approach Kiska Harbor at minimum altitude for a bombing and strafing attack. The Japanese use a smoke screen to conceal Kiska Harbor. Two ships and three submarines, newly arrived, are covered by Zekes. Four of the Zekes engage the approaching P-38s in a dogfight; two P-38s are shot down and four Zekes are listed as probables. The B-25s meanwhile attack the ships with unobserved results; one B-25 is shot down off Little Kiska. A Navy PBY picks up survivors, but fails to return to base. Kiska Harbor is then attacked again by five B-24s, four B-25s and four B-26s. They claim hits on both vessels observing explosions on the smaller ship. A single B-24 photographs Amchitka while on a weather reconnaissance of Near Island that was cancelled due to bad weather.

HQ 28th Bombardment Squadron and 435th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group are established at Pocatello, Idaho. These squadrons were at Clark Field on December 8, 1941 and were decimated in continuous fighting in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). HQs is transferred without personnel and equipment and re-equipped with B-17s, they became replacement training units until they were again re-equipped with B-29s in 1944 and the squadrons returned to Guam during January 1945.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17s bombs shipping off Rabaul. A-20s strafe forces in the Duvira Creek area while B-24s carry out single-bomber attacks on Lae Airfield, Madang, and troops and vehicles at Wewak. A B-17 strafes a schooner in Jacquinot Bay.

U.S. Army: In New Guinea, Urbana Force maintains pressure against Buna Mission from southeast and prepares to envelop it by attacking eastward from Buna Village and Musita I. Warren Force regroups. Advance elements of 163d Inf (1st Bn and hq), U.S. 91st Div, are flown to Dobodura and Popondetta from Port Moresby.

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal, 1st Lt. Raymond S. Wood (MIA) at Sea Horse on Guadalcanal. In preparation for renewing attack on Hill 27, 2d Bn of 132nd Infantry Regiment begins movement to forward positions. 1st and 3d Bns continue to patrol.

IJN: G3M Nell 6346 piloted by FPO Juhsaku Sano was damaged landing at Lae Airfield and written off.