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

SUNDAY, 21 MARCH 1943

(Eleventh Air Force) Thirteen B-24's, 9 B-25's, 50 P-38's, 16 P-4O's, and 2 F-5A's fly 8 bombing and strafing missions to Kiska. Some of the missions abort due to weather. The others hit the Main Camp area, while two P-40's make no contact when trying to intercept reported enemy aircraft.

BURMA AND INDIA (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, 15 B-24's pound the Gokteik Viaduct, causing considerable damage to the structure. Six other B-24's, unable to bomb the viaduct due to haze and clouds, attack the previously damaged bridge at Myitnge. P-40's again dive-bomb targets in the Mogaung area, using 1,000-pound bombs for the second time. Three of the fighters bomb the town area, causing heavy destruction over 2 blocks. Three others attack the bridge south of town, claiming damaging hits in the area. Others attack targets of opportunity in northern Indochina.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In French Indochina, P-40's strafe the Lao Kay phosphate mine area and targets of opportunity in the vicinity.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) A B-24 claims a direct hit on a cargo vessel ESE of Cape Gloucester. Other isolated attacks on shipping are unsuccessful. 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group with P-38Fs transfers from Mareeba to 3 Mile Drome (Kila).

USMC: A group of U.S. Marine scouts aboard a PBY Catalina land off Segi to reconnoiter the area. They report the beach will not accommodate a large amphibious landing.

USN: Lost is TBF Avenger 06091 (MIA) pilot 1st Lt. Ellis E. Matheson on a bombing mission against Kahili Airfield (Buin) on southern Bougainville. USS Finback (SS-230) damages Japanese transport (ex-aircraft tender) Sanuki Maru south of the Carolines, 07°40'N, 139°48'E. USS Scamp (SS-277) damages Japanese transport Manju Maru off east coast of Honshu, 41°45'N, 142°14'E. USS Wahoo (SS-238), operating in the Yellow Sea off Korea, sinks Japanese merchant cargo ships Hozan Maru, 38°11'N, 124°33'E and Nittsu Maru, 38°05'N, 124°33'E.