January 16, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 16 JANUARY 1943

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) Six B-24s off to hit Kiska return due to weather. A B-24 flies negative reconnaissance over Buldir, Semichi, Attu and Agattu.

CBI (Tenth Air Force) China Air Task Force P-40s intercept Japanese aircraft that attempt a strike on Yunnani and claim seven Zekes shot down in the air battle. Anticipating that the Japanese planes will land at Lashio Airfield, six B-25s and eleven fighters are sent in the hope of catching the enemy on the ground; finding no aircraft there, the B-25s and fighters attack Lashio town. This is the last raid by the China Air Task Force before a fuel shortage grounds the fighters for the remainder of January and the B-25s for 33 days. In Burma, India Air Task Force B-25s hit Mandalay-Lashio and Sagaing-Ye-u branch railroad lines with three strikes on 16 and 17 Jan, knocking out two important rail hubs. Ten B-25s bomb the railroad yards at Maymyo.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomons, B-26s from Espiritu Santo join P-38s and P-39s on Guadalcanal pounding the Japanese at Tassafaronga. Munda is also bombed. B-17s bomb the Buin-Faisi area, concentrating on Kahili Airfield and Ballale Airfield. The 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (17th PRS), 4th Photographic Reconnaissance Group (4th PRG) with F-5 Lightnings ground echelon transfers from Nouméa to Henderson Field. The air echelon of C and D Flights remain in the US. The squadron will fly its first combat mission February 5, 1943 and will be redesgnated 17th Photographic Squadron (Light) on February 6, 1943.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) A-20s pound the Soputa-Sanananda Trail, the Kurenada area, and the area south of the Kumusi River, after which US Army and Australian ground forces open an assault on Sanananda which falls tomorrow. B-25s again bomb supplies at Lae. B-24s carry out single-plane attacks on airfields at Gasmata the town of Finschhafen, and a cruiser ESE of Cape Orford.

U.S. Army: Despite being hampered by disease, US forces finally manage to defeat Japanese resistance in Papua. Over 60% of the US forces was incapacitated by various illnesses, mainly malaria and dysentery.

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal, CG XIV Corps orders a second co-ordinated westward offensive in order to extend positions through Kokumbona to Poha River; forms Composite Army-Marine Div (CAM) (consisting of 6th Marines, 182d Infantry Regiment and 147th Infantry Regiment and 2d Marines and Americal Division artillery units) to drive west on 3,000 yard front in coastal sector while 25th Infantry Division attacks southwest on corps south flank to envelop enemy's south flank. In 35th Infantry Regiment sector, Co B, reinforced, advances west to corps objective, some 1,500 yards west of the Sea Horse without opposition, gaining positions on precipice overlooking southwest fork of the Matanikau River. 2d Bn commander decides to make double envelopment attack against The Gifu the next day and sends elements from Hill 27 to Hill 42 to attack from northwest as other forces drive north from Hill 27.

Australian Army: After preparatory bombardment, assault against enemy in Sanananda area opens. On left flank (west), 18th Brig drives quickly along Killerton Trail to the north coast and clears broad coastal strip from Cape Killerton to outskirts of Sanananda village.

U.S. Army In New Guinea on the Soputa-Sanananda Trail, 1st Bn of 163d Infantry Regiment, having been relieved of task of clearing enemy pocket by 3d Bn, attacks N, bypassing strongpoint immediately ahead to gain position some 400 yards west of road. 3d Bn finishes clearing pocket between Musket and Fisk. From trail junction east of the coconut plantation, 2d Bn Inf of 163d Inf hacks its way southeast to Soputa-Sanananda Road about 1,000 yards behind enemy's main line and makes contact with 1st Bn and Aus 18th Brig. Attacking toward Sanananda from east, 1st Bn of 127th Infantry Regiment makes negligible progress along coastal road.