WEDNESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 1942
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Army Forces in South Pacific Area)
B-17s of the 5th Bombardment Group attack Munda Airfield. They are intercepted by sixteen Zekes; the B-17s claim four Zekes. Lost was B-17E "G. I. Angel" 41-2521 (crew rescued). Lost on a training flight is B-24D 41-23901.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) A-20s
and B-26s hit forces in the Buna area and at the mouth of the Kumusi River,
and strafe barges on the lagoon shoreline south of the mouth of the Kumusi River. Meanwhile,
B-24s attack a wreck [Ayutosen Maru] off Gona, a cargo vessel in the Bismarck Sea, and a destroyer,
two cargo ships and two tankers in the Solomon Sea, southeast of Cape Orford. Lost on a patrol mission is P-39K 42-4362 (MIA) and P-39K 42-4346 (rescued).
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Army Forces in South Pacific Area)
Lost are B-24D 41-23901 (KIA).
Six B-17s took off at 6:45am from Bomber 1 Airfield on Espiritu Santo (Buttons) the formation was led by B-17E 41-9213 with B-17E "G. I. Angel" 41-2521, B-17E 41-9122, B-17E 41-2487 and B-17E 41-2403 and B-17E 41-2415 on a bombing mission against Munda Airfield. Aboard was a crew from the 42nd Bomb Squadron. Each bomber was armed with twenty 100 pound fragmentation bombs. Arriving over the target at 11:58 and spotted by enemy fighters that did not attack. After bombing, the formation was intercepted by twelve Zeros and B-17E "G. I. Angel" 41-2521 was damaged, ditched and the crew later rescued.
USMC: Lost is SBD Dauntless 06667 pilot Captain James V. Carney (MIA) during a local flight over Guadalcanal.
At 10:30am four SBDs from VMSB-132 led by Lt. McEniry took off on a dive bombing mission to attack a group of transports reportedly unloading on the southeastern coast of the Russell Islands. No transports were found, but on the return trip a two masted schooner was spotted in Hooper Bay off the northwest coast of Pavuvu and the formation dive bombed with all bombs missing the vessel.
At 9:05pm seven SBDs from VMSB-132 led by Lt. McEniry took off on on a night dive bombing mission against Japanese shipping off Munda and Munda Airfield on New Georgia. The formation was led by Lt. McEniry with Lt. Skinner, Lt. Jackson, Lt. Christen, Lt. Simpson, TSgt Humprey and SSgt Wallof with two pilots from VMSB-142. Over the target, Lt. Jackson and Lt. Christen became separated from the formation and spotted a destroyer or light cruiser off Munda and were targeted by heavy anti-aircraft fire. Lost is SBD Dauntless 03258 pilot Lt. Frank L. Christen (MIA).
U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal, General Patch orders the 132nd Infantry Regiment, Americal Divison to occupy Mount Austen, as a preliminary to major offensive to be undertaken in January. The Mt Austen sector is to be controlled by Col John M. Arthur, USMC, commander of west sector.
