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.

Sasebo 7th Special Navy Landing Force (Sasebo 7th SNLF) under the command of Commander Takeo Sugai with another 1,497 soldiers plus 14 Type 95 Ha Go light tanks under the command of Ensign Ohtani arrive at Tarawa (Betio) as reinforcements.