February 28, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 1943

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) Reconnaissance is flown over Kiska, Buldir, Semichi, Attu, and Agattu, with negative results. Six B-24s and 6 B-25s bomb the Main Camp area on Kiska.

CBI (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, P-40s from Dinjan knock out a bridge near Kazu and bomb and strafe Nsopzup. Eight B-25s hit the Thazi railroad junction. Six B-25s from Kunming, with fighter escort, bomb a storage area at Mangshih.

Burma: Construction of Ledo Road from India crosses the Burma border. In order to subdue Kachin guerrillas in north Burma, Japanese are moving one small force toward Sumprabum, Br outpost near Fort Hertz, and another toward Tanai R in Hukawng Valley.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) P-38s and Navy aircraft attack Vila Airfield. B-24s bomb Kahili Airfield and Ballale Airfield. Detachment B, 6th Night Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group with five P-70s begins operating from Guadalcanal.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) A single B-17 bombs Lae Airfield. A B-24 liberator spots a Japanese convoy departing Rabaul.

U.S. Army: General MacArthur's staff completed a plan calling for a more deliberate advance in the Southwest Pacific with GHQ revises the ELKTON plan for drive on Rabaul.

In New Guinea, 1st Battalion, 168d Infantry, 41st Division having arrived at front and relieved elements of 163d Infatry in Sanananda-Killerton-Gona area and at the mouth of the Kumusi River, advance by sea from Cape Killerton. The 162d Inf, U.S. 41st Division arrives Milne Bay.

RAAF: Lost is Catalina A24-25 pilot Wing Commander John "Jack" William Daniell (MIA) crashed into the sea off Cairns.

USMC: TBF Avengers from Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 143 (VMSB-143) bombs Japanese shipping off Buin (Kahili) and completes destruction of previously damaged ammunition ship Hibari Maru. This was the first bombing mission by TBF Avengers against southern Bougainville. Lost is TBF "Peggy" 06109 (1 MIA, 2 POW one executed, one survived).

Japanese cargo ship Kashii Maru is sunk in collision with Kasagisan Maru off Shimoda on Honshu, 34°39'N, 138°58'E.

IJN: Japanese convoy of 8 transports escorted by 8 destroyers plus air cover depart Rabaul bound for Lae with reinforcements for New Guinea. Soon after departing, the convoy is spotted by a B-24 Liberator.