March 5, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 5 MARCH 1943

(Eleventh Air Force) A B-24 flies negative weather reconnaissance over Kiska, Semichi, Attu, Agattu and Buldir.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) Heavy bombers, operating individually, hit Gasmata. A-20s pound Lae Airfield while heavy bombers, operating individually, hit Lae and Alexishafen. B-24s operating individually, hit Saumlakki on Yamdena. Force landed is P-38G 43-2195 (survived). Ditched is A-20A "Cindy" 40-176 (crew survived) into Bootless Bay.

USN: At 1:30am nine PBY4-1 Liberators from VB-101 took off from Henderson Field at 1:30am on a mission to bomb Kahilli Airfield, Ballale Airfield and Vila Airfield. They proceeded through searchlights and anti-aircraft fire to drop 500 pound bombs from medium altitude. Lost are PB4Y-1 31947 pilot Lt(jg) Donald H. Lehman (MIA) and PB4Y-1 31948 pilot Lt. Frank M. Fisler (MIA).

USN: During the night of 5-6, U.S. Navy Task Force (TF) conducts a shore bombardment of Vila and Munda.

USS Tambor (SS-198) lands men, ammunition, and currency at Pagadian Bay on Mindanao.