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

SATURDAY, 6 MARCH 1943

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

(Tenth Air Force) In Burma, 4 B-24's bomb shipping near Pagoda Point, scoring near misses. On the return flight, they strafe the lighthouse on Alguada Reef, a lightship off China Park, and a radio station at Diamond Island. Three B-24s intending to bomb Pazundaung bridge fail to reach the target; 1 manages to bomb the airfield at Pagoda Point. The others return to base without bombing. Six B-24s unsuccessfully attack the Myitnge bridge.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-24s bomb Kahili Airfield and Ballale Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, A-20s hit the Guadagasal area. Single B-24s attack shipping off Manus and Talasea and hit Gasmata Airfield. HQ 49th Fighter Group and 9th Fighter Squadron with P-38Fs transfer from Port Moresby to Dobodura.

IJN: 582 Kokutai launches a mission against the Russell Islands including D3A Vals escorted by eighteen A6M2 Zeros. Over the target lost is a signle D3A Val and ditched is A6M2 Zero 1503 (MIA). This is the first indication that Japanese have learned the U.S. occupied the Russell Islands.

USMC: 11th Defense Battalion defends the the Russell Islands against Japanese air raid.

IJN: In the early morning hours, destroyers Minegumo and Murasame conduct a supply run to Vila on Kolombangara. Departing, both are detected by U.S. forces and sunk by gunfire and torpedoes during the Battle of Blackett Strait (Battle of Vila–Stanmore) with both quickly sunk into Kula Gulf at 08°05'S, 157°15'E.

USN: In the early morning, Task Force 68 (TF-68) comprising three cruisers and seven destroyers under Rear Admiral Aaron S. Merrill bombards Vila and Munda and at At 12:57am U.S. radar detects Japanese destroyers Minegumo and Murasame are sunk during the Battle of Blackett Strait (Battle of Vila–Stanmore) that results in both quickly sunk into Kula Gulf at 08°05'S, 157°15'E.

USS Sawfish (SS-176) damages Japanese army cargo ship Clyde Maru southeast of Toizaki, 31°04'N, 131°48'E.

USS Triton (SS-201) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Kiriha Maru about 145 miles northwest of the Admiralties, 00°37'N, 145°30'E. Triton, which reports her success on 11 March, is never heard from again.

The Last boatload of survivors from U.S. freighter Harvey W. Scott, torpedoed by German submarine U-160 on March 3, 1943 off the coast of South Africa reaches shore safely.



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