January 1, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 1 JANUARY 1943

CBI (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, six B-25s attack the railroad bridge near Myitnge, claiming several hits on the target. Myitnge Airfield is also bombed.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) B-24s and five B-17s bomb the airfields at Rabaul and Gasmata Airfield and Lae Airfield, and attack shipping at Rabaul. Returning from the mission, ditched is B-24D "Crosair" 41-23752 (crew survived, one MIA).

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal From Hill 11, 2d Bn of 132d Inf marches slowly S and W over precipitous terrain to SE slope of Hill 27, arriving too late in day to open assault as planned. RCT 27, 25th Div, arrives on island.

U.S. Army: In New Guinea Urbana Force attacks toward Buna Mission from SE and from the spit after heavy preparatory fire, but makes little progress. In evening Japanese are seen swimming from Buna Mission. Co B, 127th Inf, moves E toward Giropa Point to assist Warren Force, which encircles enemy between Giropa Pt and Old Strip. On left, Aus 2/12th Bn, supported by 6 tanks, drives to coast at Giropa Pt and turns SE, clearing coastal strip to Simemi Creek; 1st Bn, U.S. 128th Inf, mops up bypassed pockets. On right, 3d Bn of 128th Inf and Aus 2/10th Bn make slow progress in 2-pronged attack to clear enemy entrenched in dispersal bays off NW end of Buna Airfield (Old Strip).

Australian Army: 2/10th Battalion make slow progress in 2-pronged attack to clear enemy entrenched in dispersal bays off NW end of Buna Airfield (Old Strip).

USN: Rescuer (ARS-18) sinks after running aground off Scotch Cape, Aleutians.

USS Nautilus (SS-168) evacuates 29 civilians from Teop Island off Bougainville.

USS Porpoise (SS-172) in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks Renzan Maru off northeastern coast of Honshu, 39°11'N, 142°02'E.

USS Trigger (SS-237) damages Japanese transport Shozan Maru 35°55'N, 140°55'E.

Japanese army cargo ship Osaka Maru is damaged by mine 16 miles off Ambon.