August 23, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 23 AUGUST 1942

POA (7th AF): 333d Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group equipped with P-39s is activated at Bellows Field.

SWPA (5th AF): A single B-17 bombs Buka.

USAAF: Lost is P-40E "Mary Lucille / Spare Parts" 41-24868 pilot Lt. Lawrence A. Hansen (survived) that suffered an engine failure after take off and crashed.

IJN: After noon, 27 G4M1 Bettys from Takao Kokutai (Takao Air Group) escorted by 12-15 A6M2 Zero fighters bomb Hughes Field south of Darwin (Raid 27). Destroyed on the ground is CA-9 Wirraway A20-599 and Buffalo A51-6 from the newly arrived No 1 Photo Reconnaissance Unit (PRU). Fuel and ammunition dumps were also hit, 250 drums of aviation fuel destroyed and the runway cratered. The Japanese formation was intercepted by P-40 Warkhawks from 49th Fighter Group (49th FG) that claimed four bombers destroyed plus eight fighters, for the loss of just one aircraft. Although General MacArthur was prompted to signal to his air commander, Major General Kenney, his "heartiest felicitations" at the stout defense mounted, this was actually the last occasion on when American P-40s intercepted a Japanese air raid over the Northern Territory of Australia.

Sixteen A6M3 Zeros perform a fighter sweep over Milne Bay.

USN: Damaged during take off and sunk is PBY Catalina 23-P-11.