December 13, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 13 DECEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): Ten B-24's from Canton staging through Baker bomb Wotje.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Twenty Japanese bombers, escorted by 25 fighters, hit Dinjan Airfield before US interceptors make contact; however, little damage is done and the US fighters catch the attackers shortly afterward; 12 Japanese bombers and 5 fighters are claimed shot down. The 436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Panagarh to Madhaiganj with B-24's.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, Twelve B-25's, with fighter escort, bomb Li-Chou and Kungan; eight B-25's pound Wuchang Airfield; and 16 P-40's on armed reconnaissance strafe targets of opportunity from Changte to Linli to Li-Chou.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 17 B-25's bomb Porton, and their fighter escorts strafe Tenekow bivouac areas during the return flight; Twenty-four B-24's bomb Bonis; Six B-25's carry out low-level strikes against concentrations on Numa Numa. The 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Espiritu Santo with B-24's, begins operating from Guadalcanal.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 100+ B-24's and B-25's and several P-40's bomb Gasmata. A-20's hit villages along Bogadjim Road; a small flight of P-39's strafe barges along the Huon Peninsula. 340th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group (348th FG) transfers from 7 Mile Drome to Finschhafen with P-47s. 403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from 7-Mile Drome to Dobodura with B-24s.

USMC: Marine Fighting Squadron 216 (VMF-216) fly their first direct air support mission against Hellzapoppin Ridge on Bougainville. to to support U.S. Marines on the ground. A pair of F4U Corsairs from Marine Fighter Squadron 223 (VMF-223) strafe Ballale Island. Damaged by anti-aircraft fire and ditched is F4U Corsair 17452 pilot 1st Lt George A. Davis (rescued).

U.S. Army: Task Force Director departs Goodenough then proceed via Buna en route for their landing at Arawe on western New Britain.

USN: USS Pogy (SS-266) damages Japanese army cargo ship Fukkai Maru off Palau 07°06'N, 134°30'E, but is damaged by depth charges, 07°06'N, 134°31'E, and forced to terminate her patrol.

USS Pompon (SS-267) lays mines off Poulo Condore, southwest of French Indochina.

USS Puffer (SS-268) unsuccessfully attacks Japanese transport Teiko Maru (ex-Vichy French steamship D'Artagnan), 14°29'N, 119°59'E.

USS Sailfish (SS-192) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Totai Maru, 30°15'N, 132°30'E.

PBY sinks Japanese cargo vessel Tokiwa Maru, 03°30'S, 151°30'E.