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

SATURDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 1943

ALASKA (11th AF) A weather reconnaissance is flown over Kiska and Attu.

CBI (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, 16 fighters follow the Mali River to Hpunkizup where they destroy about 20 trucks loaded with bridge repair equipment and completely decimate the village. Heavy bombers attack the bridge at Myitnge but fail to seriously damage the target.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) The 370th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) and 424th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG) based at Kipapa Field and Mokuleia Field respectively with B-24s departs for the South Pacific (SOPAC). The 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) at Wheeler Field with B-24s begins operating from Canton. The 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (17th PRS) is redesignated 17th Photographic Squadron (Light).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) A-20s bomb and strafe forces along the track from Mubo to Komiatum to Salamaua and hit the enemy in the Mambare River delta. An Australian coast watcher reports that there are 60+ Japanese aircraft on Lae Airfield; 7 B-25s, 1 B-24, 22 P-38s, 11 P-39s, 5 P-400s and 8 P-40s plus 5 Royal Australian Air Force Beaufighters to attack Lae Airfield. When they arrive, they found Lae Airfield empty as the Japanese airborne striking Wau Airfield.

Three C-47s bound for Wau Airfield are escorted by eight P-39s from 40th FS and eight P-40E Warhawks from 49th FG, 7th FS.

Meanwhile, a Japanese air raid by nine Ki-48 Lilys from 45th Sentai escorted by 29 Ki-43 Oscars from 11th Sentai that took off from Lae Airfield to strike Wau Airfield. Arriving during the air raid, the three C-47s were preparing to land at Wau Airfield they were intercepted by the Oscars (misidentified by the Allies as "Zeros") that shoot down C-47 "Early Delivery" 41-38658 (MIA). The other two C-47s managed to evade the Oscars and returned to Port Moresby. The Ki-48 Lilys bomb Wau Airfield and a stick of bombs fell along the runway that destroys CA-9 Wirraway A20-447 and kills three in the Air Cooperation Signals hut which received a direct hit.

The American fighters intercepted in a sprawling dog fight that unfolded over Wau then down the Bulolo Valley with both sides over claiming victories. The Japanese claimed ten Allied aircraft shot down (2 claimed by WO Haruo Takagaki). Americans claimed 25 (23) Japanese planes shot down. The 40th FS claimed 12 claimed by 40th FS including two by 1st Lt. William F. McDonough two by 1st Lt. Robert W. Shirk and one by 2nd Lt. Lee R. Taylor). The 7th FS claimed 7 planes. In fact, Japanese losses were two Ki-43 Oscars shot down by fighters, and two by the 156th Light Anti-aircraft battery.

In fact, the Japanese lost Major Katsuji Suguira (C.O.), Captain Shigenori Miyabashi, Tomechi Takaga and Ki-43 pilot Sato. Three Ki-48 Lilys were lost, one claimed by gunfire from 156th Light Anti-Aircraft battery and two by fighters. On the American side, one P-40E Warhawk was damaged by a dozen machine gun hits.

A single B-24 hits cargo vessels off Finschhafen and Powell Point, claiming 1 vessel destroyed, and attacks troop barges in Riebeck Bay, causing several casualties. 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group with P-39s and P-400s transfers from 3 Mile Drome (KIila) to Mareeba. This unit has been operating in New Guinea since July 1942. USAAF planes sink Japanese cargo ship Gisho Maru, 04°30'S, 151°30'E.

JAAF: Lost is Ki-46 Dinah pilot Setaguchi crashed into the sea north of Lee Point near Darwin.

RAAF: Lost on a training mission is Kittyhawk A29-136 (pilot injured, survived).

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal, 161st Inf, 25th Div, passes through 147th Inf to continue pursuit of enemy (3d Bn moving along beach and 2d Bn to S) and reaches Umasani River patrols cross the river. 147th Inf, which moves to rear, is brought to full strength with arrival of 2d Bn from Fiji.

U.S. Navy: USS Flying Fish (SS-229) damages transport Nagizan Maru off Tinian.