March 13, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 13 MARCH 1943

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) A B-24 on reconnaissance returns early because of adverse weather. Twelve P-40s strike Kiska beach, camp and Kiska runway. Hits are observed on these targets and among 14 parked airplanes. Eight P-38s with 8 P-40s flying top cover again take off for Kiska. Only 3 of the P-38s reach the target and strafe aircraft on Kiska beach. Another sights a submarine SW of Rat.

BURMA AND INDIA (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, four B-24s attack and slightly damage the Pazundaung bridge.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-24s attack Vila Airfield and Munda Airfield in light raids. Also bombed is Faisi.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17s bomb Japanese convoy off Wewak and Wewak Airfield. sinking cargo vessel Momoyama Maru while USS Greenling (SS-213) witnesses attacks. A B-17 bombs Gasmata Airfield and warehouses on Wide Bay, while a B-24 attack shipping off Dutch New Guinea. HQ 54th Troop Carrier Wing is activated at Brisbane to control all Fifth Air Force troop carrier units. Seven crew of B-24D Liberator 41-24101 ditched January 20, 1943 led by 1st Lt. James A. McMurria were sleeping on a beach when captured by a Japanese Army patrol and became Prisoners Of War (POW).

Australian Army: Kanga Force continues to press enemy back inch by inch toward Mubo and is now north of Guadagasel.

U.S. Army: Cpl Harvey M. Crandle, Pfc Julius S. Franklin and Pvt James Scott from 96th Engineers General Service Regiment earned the Soldier's Medal for Heroism in a ceremony at Port Moresby for risking their lives to rescue P-39 Airacobra pilot Lt. Robert G. Rose.

USN: USS Grayback (SS-208) damages Japanese transport Noshiro Maru 100 miles northwest of Bismarck Archipelago, 00°10'S, 151°06'E.

US Sunfish (SS-281) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Kosei Maru near Tokara Jima, Ryukyus, 29°04'N, 129°17'E.

Dutch: Submarine O 21 sinks Japanese cargo ship Kasuga Maru off Port Blair at Lat 11°40'N, Long 92°50'E.