January 3, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 3 JANUARY 1943

CBI (Tenth Air Force) The 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Tenth Air Force with F-4s, moves from Chakulia to Pandaveswar. One flight is operating from Kweilin.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Army Forces in South Pacific Area) 394th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group with B-17s based on Fiji begins operating from Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal. Shot down over Munda Airfield is B-26 "Queenie" 41-17586 crew rescued.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) P-40s strafe troops in the waters off Buna as US and Australian ground forces are mopping up in the nearby Buna Mission area. B-26s, along with a single B-24 bombs Madang and an A-20 hits Salamaua. A lone B-24 strafes Gasmata Airfield. Lost is B-26 "So Sorry" 40-1422 crew rescued.

GUADALCANAL--1st Bn, 132d Inf, exerts pressure against the east of The Gifu and establishes contact with 2d Bn to left.

U.S. Army: In New Guinea, Urbana Force and Warren Force mop up the last Japanese resistance around Buna. The remaining Japanese are trapped in a hopeless positions.

USN: SOC Seagulls (VCS Detachment Ringbolt) bomb footbridge and probable Japanese bivouac near Kukumbona on Guadalcanal.