January 6, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 6 JANUARY 1943

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) Reconnaissance is flown over Amchitka, Semichi, Agattu and Attu. Flotsam sighted outside of Holtz Bay confirms that the freighter bombed yesterday sank. Six B-24s, six B-25s and 12 P-38s take off to attack Kiska; the P-38s and one B-24 turn back due to weather. The B-25s find the target obscured and five Zekes waiting to intercept them, whereupon they turn back without attacking. The five remaining B-24s circle Kiska without contacting enemy aircraft; one of the B-24s, exploiting a break in the cloud cover, bombs the Kiska submarine base area which the others then bomb through the clouds.

Burma: In Burma, Indian 14th Div, renewing offensive on Arakan front, finds Japanese firmly entrenched at Donbaik and Rathedaung. Although fighting continues at these points for many weeks, positions remain about the same.

SOUTH PACIFIC (13th AF) B-17s with P-38 and P-40 escorts attack a transport near Shortland without loss.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) B-26s pound the forces in the Sanananda Point area; and A-20s bomb Lae Airfield. Lost is B-24D Liberator 41-23773 pilot 1st Lt. George M. Rose (MIA) on a search mission. B-17s, B-24s, B-26s and P-38s attack a Japanese conoy off southern New Britain heading southwest bound for Lae. Ditched after the attack is B-24D "Cowtown's Revenge" 41-23750 (survived, two killed). A single B-24s bombs Gasmata Airfield. At 3:50pm the convoy is attacked by six B-26s from 22nd BG and meets anti-aircraft fire and are intercepted by Ki-43 Oscars that damage B-26 "Shittenengitten" 40-1404 pilot Captain George F. Kahle force landed at Milne Bay.

Qantas: S.23C "Coriolanus" Empire Flying Boat VH-ABG rescues the crew of B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24538 off Urasi Island.

References
South Pacific Air War (2024) by Richard Dunn pages 109