February 17, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 1943

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, weather cancels all missions and also the laying of marston mat (PSP) at Amchitka Airfield.

CBI (Tenth Air Force) The 2d Troop Carrier Squadron, Tenth Air Force with C-47s arrives at Yangkai from the U.S.

China: General Chen will be CG Chinese Expeditionary Force.

Burma: Indian 55th Brig again attempts to reduce enemy position at Donbaik, on Arakan front, but is unsuccessful.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) P-39s join Navy fighters and dive bombers in a strike against Munda Airfield. Single B-24s bomb Nusave plus Ballale Airfield and at Kahili Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24s operating individually, strike Gasmata Airfield and Pondo Harbor, Bobo and the sawmill at Ubili.

U.S. Army: A small group of U.S. officers depart Guadalcanal bound for Russell Islands and after dark land on Banika to reconnoiter ahead of the main landing force before "Operation Cleanslate".

USN: USS Sawfish (SS-276) accidentally sinks Soviet cargo ship Ilmen off the east coast of Kyushu, 30°56'N, 135°30'E.