January 13, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 13 JANUARY 1943

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) Three bombers and four fighters are in the air. The weather reconnaissance aircraft returns west of Kiska due to high winds. Constantine Harbor is patrolled until weather forces aircraft to return. An strike against Kiska is cancelled.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force) The 13th Air Force (13th AF) and its subordinate XIII Bomber Command and XIII Fighter Command are activated by Major General Millard F. Harmon to assume administrative control over all USAAF units in the South Pacific (SOPAC). HQ Thirteenth Air Force under the command of Major General Nathan F. Twinning at Espiritu Santo. HQ XIII Fighter Command under the command of Brigadier General Dean C. Strother is established at Noumea, New Caledonia; HQ XIII Bomber Command under the command of Colonel Harlan T. McCormick is established on Espiritu Santo. Operational control of the Thirteenth's subordinate units is exercised by the USMC officer commanding USMC air units on Guadalcanal. P-39s strafe forces on the beach at Kokumbona and hit Visale on Guadalcanal) in support of the ground offensive. Also, B-26s with P-39 and P-38 escort pound the Rekata Bay area; no aircraft are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) A-20s bomb and strafe the Sanananda Point area and forces along the Sanananda Track. Heavy and medium bombers hit dock facilities at Lae and Lae Airfield and Salamaua Airfield.

U.S. Army: In New Guinea, General Robert Eichelberger assumes duties of Commander, Advance New Guinea Force, and takes control of all Australian and U.S. Army soldiers. Gen Herring commands New Guinea Force.

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal, XIV Corps offensive broadens as 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division completes the capture of Galloping Horse with the reduction of Hill 53 by 2d Battalion, although mopping up operations will continue until January 22, 1943. Americans now hold 4,500-yard front extending south from Point Cruz over Hill 66 to Hill 57 and Hill 55. Co C, 35th Infantry Regiment, is again halted by enemy fire from southwest as it endeavors to push west. 2d Battalion makes negligible progress against strongpoints including pillboxes in The Gifu.

USMC: 2d Marine Division begins coastal attack from line Point Cruz to Hill 66, to right of the 25th Infantry Division. 8th Marines, on right, attempts to advance west from Hill 80 and Hill 81 but is halted by enemy fire. 2d Marines advances 800 yards west from Hill 66.

USN: USS Arthur Middleton (AP-55) is damaged when she runs aground at western end of Constantine Harbor on Amchitka.

USS Triton (SS-201) damages Japanese oiler Maru north of the St. Matthias Islands, 00°26'S, 148°40'E.

USS Whale (SS-239) sinks Japanese collier Iwashiro Maru roughly 40 miles north of Kwajalein, 09°54'N, 167°07'E.