February 26, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 1943

CBI (Tenth Air Force) Dinjan based P-40s hit a bridge northeast of Pinbaw, destroying a span and damaging other parts of the bridge. The 492d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group with B-24s transfers from Gaya to Bishnupur.

Burma: Pipeline that is to parallel Ledo Road gets high priority from CCS. Royal Ind Navy launches sink enemy launch loaded with troops and damage another north of Ramree Island.

U.S. Army: All units of the U.S. Army in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and all elements of the Philippine Army called into the service of the United States are administratively assigned to USAFFE which was inactive since April 1942.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) During the night of 25/26 February P-38s and U.S. Navy planes hit Vila.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17s and B-24s bomb the airfield on Gasmata. A-20s hit the Buibuining-Waipali area while a single B-17 bombs Lae Airfield and Salamaua Airfield. Other B-17s attack shipping off Wewak and Wewak Airfield. A single B-17 attacks shipping in Hixon Bay and Open Bay. A reconnaissance plane takes the first photograph of Wakde Airfield under construction.

IJN: Japanese submarine I-169 delivers a Type A midget submarine and torpedoes to Kiska Harbor Submarine Base.

Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Kyo Maru No. 3 is mined and sunk off Rangoon at 15°36'N, 96°15'E.