March 12, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 12 MARCH 1943

CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 3d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-24's and LB-30's transfers from the Galapagos to David Field.

(Eleventh Air Force) Twelve P-40s from Amchitka scout Kiska. The 54th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group with P-38's transfers from Adak to Amchitka.

Burma: Because of recent enemy activity in Sumprabum sector and Hukawng Valley, Gen Stilwell orders Ch troops to Ledo area. On Arakan front, Japanese are employing envelopment tactics against Br Imperial forces and are splitting them into small groups.

(Tenth Air Force) In Burma, six B-24s attack Pazundaung bridge, causing negligible damage.

(Fourteenth Air Force) The 74th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group with P-40's transfers from Kunming to Yunnani.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) Munda Airfield, Ballale Airfield and Kahili Airfield are hit by light B-24 raids. P-38s destroy small a vessel off the northeast coast of Rendova.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) A-20s attack the Guadagasal Gap area and Salamaua Airfield. B-24s and B-25s attack shipping off Ambon and bomb Fuiloro. B-17s bomb Rabaul Airfield while individual B-24s hit a wreck off Talasea and bomb Cape Gloucester.

U.S. Pacific Military Conference March 12–15, 1943 in Washington DC to plan for operations against the Japanese during 1943. During the conference, General Sutherland, General MacArthur's chief of staff, presents plans for Operation Elkton for the reduction of Rabaul, as revised on February 28, 1943, calling for mutually supporting drives, one by South West Pacific Area (SWPA) forces from New Guinea to New Britain and another by South Pacific (SOPAC) forces up the Solomons Islands. Of great concern to the planners is the shortage of shipping in which to transport the necessary reinforcements to the Far East.