November 17, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 1942

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A weather a reconnaissance aircraft is forced back by weather west of Kiska. Bombers are on alert to attack surface vessels.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-26s hit Gona Mission as the U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division and Australian Army 7 Division continue to move toward the Buna-Gona beachhead. B-25s bomb Lae Airfield and Gasmata Airfield. A lone B-24 bombs the wharf area at Rabaul. Lost are P-40E Warhawk 41-36166 (survived) and P-40E Warhawk 41-24821 (survived).

RAAF: Beaufighters from 30 Squadron make a low level strafing raid over Lae Airfield.

CNAC: Lost is C-47 441-18556 CNAC #60 pilot Captain John J. Dean (MIA).