January 14, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 14 JANUARY 1943

ALASKA (Sixth Air Force) HQ 6th Bombardment Group is transferred from Rio Hato Field to Albrook Field.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomons, P-39s, dropping improvised gasoline bombs in the Guadalcanal battle area around Mount Austen and Kokumbona, pound forces and supplies throught the day. Other fighters hit barges and launches at Kaimana Bay and Aruligo Point. B-17s bomb Buka Airfield without loss.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, A-20s strafe the Labu area and small boats in Sachsen Bay. B-25s bomb the fuel dump and other supplies along the beach in the vicinity of Voco Point near Lae. B-24s carry out single-plane attacks on Madang and Finschhafen, and also bomb Gasmata.

USMC: On Guadalcanal in the costal sector, 8th Marines of 2d Mar Div is still unable to advance because of fire from ravine west of Hill 80 and Hill 81. 6th Marines replaces 2d Marines on div left flank.

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal Co C of 35th Inf, 25th Div, continues vain efforts to advance west, but patrols discover route around enemy's right flank. Depleted 2d Bn, reinf by AT Co, continues fruitless efforts to reduce The Gifu strongpoint. Capt Beach's 74th Inf force reaches Vurai; moves forward to Tapananja, about 6 miles S of Sealark Channel, when patrols find Vurai area free of enemy; establishes outposts on upper Poha. Japanese land about 600 replacements near Cape Esperance to cover withdrawal of forces from Guadalcanal. Pfc Dale W. Ross Missing In Action (MIA) west of Hill 27.

Australian Army: Gen Vasey, Aus 7th Div CG, launches offensive to intercept enemy withdrawal from trail junction. Aus 18th Brig quickly clears enemy remnants from the junction and joinst with the 163rd Inf on Sanananda Trail and Killerton Trail. Final mop up is left to Aus 2/7th Cav and 39th and 49th Bns.

U.S. Army: In New Guinea, while 163d Inf pushes S to block escape routes, The Australian Army 18th Brig quickly joins forces with 163d Inf on Sanananda Trail and Killerton Trail.

USN: USS Gudgeon (SS-211) lands men and equipment near Catmon Point on Negros in the Philippines.

USS Nautilus (SS-168) hits Japanese Toa Maru with dud torpedo off Bougainville, 05°13'S, 155°09'E.

USS Pike (SS-173) is damaged by bombs and depth charges off Ichie Saki, southern Honshu; she is forced to terminate her patrol.

USS Searaven (SS-196) attacks Japanese convoy northwest of the Palaus, sinking the sole escort, auxiliary submarine chaser No.1 Ganjitsu Maru, and army cargo ship Shiraha Maru, 09°12'N, 130°38'E.

PT-28 previously damaged, is abandoned, Dora Harbor, Unimak Island, Aleutians.

Japanese naval auxiliary Shoan Maru is damaged by aircraft off Saipan.

At night, SOC-1 Seagulls from VCS detachment Ringbolt locate and illuminate Japanese destroyers for PT-boats; the planes also bomb and strafe the enemy ships. Lost is SOC-1 Seagull 9911 (KIA).

IJN: Nauru Airfield runway is completed and ready for flight operations.