March 17, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH 1943

Eleventh Air Force: Eight P-38s patrol Kiska without making contact.

Burma: On the Arakan front, Ind 55th Brig, which has previously relieved 123d in region E of Mayu R, is attacked and outflanked by enemy at Rathedaung. Assisted by Ind 71st Brig of 26th Div, 55th Brig later succeeds in withdrawing toward Buthidaung. E flank of forces W of the Mayu is thus exposed

BURMA AND INDIA (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, eight B-25s again attack the bridge at Myitnge, damaging the northern approach. Fourteen P-40s hit bridges at Kadrangyang and northeast of Myitkyina and the motor pool at Hpunkizup. The motor pool suffers considerable damage.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-17s continue harassing raids against Vila, Kahili and Ballale.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25s bomb Langgoer.

RAAF: Wirraway A20-405 is lost on a training mission.

USN: After refueling at Tufi PT Boat Base an accidental fuel fire sets fire to PT-67 and PT-119 and Australian Ship AS16 that all burn and sink into Tufi Harbor. USS Kingfish (SS-234) damages Japanese transport Tenryugawa Maru in Formosa Strait, 24°32'N, 120°15'E. USS Tautog (SS-199) further damages Japanese fleet tanker Kaijo Maru that was damage, ran arground and abandoned March 10, 1943.

IJN: Missionaries from Manus are embarked aboard Akikaze. Seven A6M2-N Rufes from 452 Kōkūtai (452 Air Group) engaged P-38 Lightnings and claimed two shared victories, this was likely their last aerial combat.