January 21, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 21 JANUARY 1943

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) A weather reconnaissance aircraft flies over the Aleutians. An attack run over Kiska and a patrol over Amchitka are call off due to weather. Air searches for the two B-24s missing since Monday continue. B-17E 41-2586 (MIA) collides midair with B-17E 41-9094.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomons, B-17s, B-26s and P-39s pound a bivouac and other targets in Munda, New Georgia . B-17s also attack shipping east of Kieta. HQ Thirteenth Air Force transfers from Noumea to Espiritu Santo.

(Sixth Air Force) Crashed during a pre-dawn take off is B-17E 41-2411 crew unhurt.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) B-17s bomb the airfield and shipping in Rabaul. In northeastern New Guinea, B-25s hit supply dumps and airfields. A single B-24 attacks a cruiser in Amboinea Harbor. The 403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group with B-17s and B-24s transfers from Turnbull Field to Mareeba. The squadron will begin transitioning from B-17s to B-24s.

USMC: Lost is SBD-4 Dauntless 06796 (MIA).

Pan Am: Lost is M-130 "Philippine Clipper" NC14715 pilot Robert M. Elzey on a flight bound for Treasure Island near San Francisco.

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal, XIV Corps completes preparations for offensive on 22d. 2d Bn of 161st Inf, 25th Div, advances to Hill Y, SW of Hill X, where opposition is negligible. 3d Bn, 27th Inf, moves forward to Snake to follow 1st Bn--main assault force--turning over position on Hill 57 to 2d Bn. Action against The Gifu is continued by 2d Bn, 35th Inf.

Australian Army: In afternoon AUS 2/9th and 2/10th Bns launch 3-pronged attack on enemy positions along coast W of Sanananda and clear all except small pocket. Aus 2/12th Bn, clearing southward along Soputa-Sanananda road from Sanananda Village, makes contact with U.S. Army 2d Bn of 163d Inf.

U.S. Army: In New Guinea, Australian and U.S. troops effect junctions along coast east of Sanananda and on Soputa-Sanananda road. 127th Inf column drives through Giruwa virtually unopposed to join Australians just W of the village. In afternoon AUS 2/9th and 2/10th Bns launch 3-pronged attack on enemy positions along coast W of Sanananda and clear all except small pocket. The 2d Bn of 163d Inf makes contact with the Australian Army 2/12th Bn. 163d reduces 2 of the 3 pockets on Soputa-Sanananda Road and in the course of the day kills more than 500 Japanese defenders.