FRIDAY, 30 JULY 1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) Fiftteen P-40's over the Hengyang area make contact with 39 Japanese fighters
and 24 bombers. In the ensuing battle, 3 bombers and 2 fighters are downed;
2 P-40's are lost.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24s
bomb Salamaua and Kela; B-25's hit barges off Huon Peninsula and villages in
the Finschhafen area; and A-20's destroy several barges at Hanisch Harbor and Langemak Bay. Single B-24's bomb Cape Gloucester and Unea.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (13th AF & RNZAF) 9 B-24's, with an escort of 16 P-38's and 16 RNZAF No. 16 Squadron P-40 Kittyhawks and
40+ US Navy and USMC F4Us flew a mission against Kahilli Airfield on Bougainville, but found it covered in clouds. Instead they bombers hit Ballale Airfield. Meanwhile, A6M Zeros
took off from Ballale Airfield and released two
phosphorus bombs above the fomation. Anti-aircraft fire over the target was severe, but the B-24s released 22 tons of bombs. Returning, the Zeros attacked as the formation departed.
The RNZAF P-40s made no claims and had two planes slightly damaged.
USMC: Fifteen F4U Corsairs from VMF-215 took off on a fighter sweep and escort mission for B-24 Liberators on a bombing mission against Kahilli Airfield on Bougainville. After take off, one Corsair aborted the mission. The formaton diverted due to weather over Ballale Airfield.
Returning, shot down is F4U Corsair 02375 pilot Captain Jack Arnold Nichols (MIA).
U.S. Army: Alteration of boundaries gives 43d Div a wider front and places the south half of Bartley Ridge within zone of 145th Inf, 37th Div. 145th Inf repels counterattack on Horseshoe Hill and shells enemy positions. 161st is reinf by 2d Bn of 145th and continues to clear Bartley Ridge. Elements of 148th gain physical contact with 161st, but main body of 148th is isolated.
