January 31, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 31 JANUARY 1943

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) A weather and photographic reconnaissance aircraft flies twice over Kiska. During the first mission near Attu, the aircraft is jumped by 6 fighters which it eludes. Four B-17s, 2 B-24s, 6 B-25s, 4 P-38s and 4 P-40s then attempt an attack on Kiska; P-40s turn back with mechanical troubles; the other aircraft find Kiska closed in and abort the mission. Two patrol missions, each by one B-25 and four P-38s, fly over Amchitka; two enemy floatplanes bomb Constantine Harbor on Amchitka without results.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force & USN) SBD Dauntless from VMSB-233 escorted by F4F Wildcats from VMF-112 and P-39 Airacobras strike Japanese ships in Vella Gulf. Hits are claimed on a destroyer [sic]. Sunk is Toa Maru 2. Lost are F4F "Impatient Virgin" 03520 pilot 1st Lt. Jefferson J. De Blanc (rescued) earns the Medal of Honor for this mission and is rescued and F4F 11983 pilot SSgt James A. Feliton (rescued). B-17s bomb the ammunition dump at Vila and Vila Airfield. P-39s, P-38s and P-40s, and other Allied fighters, carry out sweeps over Vila and Munda.

IJN: U.S. planes attack warships and transports in Vella Gulf. Sunk is Toa Maru 2. Damaged is Hiyodori and minelayer Kamime. Afterwards, they rescue survivors to Kolombangara.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force) A-20s continue to pound positions between Mubo and Komiatum. A lone B-17 bombs the runway at Wewak. B-17s pound airfields, shipping and the town area at Rabaul while a single B-24 bombs the runway at Cape Gloucester. B-24s unsuccessfully attack isolated vessels over widespread areas in the Banda Sea and Solomon Sea.

NEIAF: Force landed is B-25C Mitchell N5-139 (crew rescued).

USMC: 2d and 8th Marines, 2d Mar Div departs Guadalcanal bound for New Zealand.

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal, 147th Inf, with artillery and naval gunfire support, attempts to cross the Bonegi River. Stiff resistance at the Bonegi River mouth prevents 1st Bn from crossing, but 3d Bn crosses about 2,500 yards inland from Tassafaronga Point. Small party from 147th Inf sails from Beaufort Bay to Lavoro to outpost Titi area in preparation for landing by 2d Bn of 132d Inf, reinf, Americal Div; 6 of the party go ashore and suggest by radio that landing be made at Nugu Pt. 2d Bn of 132d Inf sails from Kukum for Nugu Point at 1800.

Australian Army: Artillery fire is placed on Japanese forces in the Wau area.