March 22, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 22 MARCH 1943

USAAF: Consolidated at San Diego delivers to the U.S. Army Air Force B-24D 42-40524, B-24D 42-40527 and B-24D 42-40528.

(Eleventh Air Force) Six B-25s, twelve B-24s and twenty-two P-38s attempt three missions to Kiska. Only 8 of the P-40's get through but fly uneventful patrol. The 404th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 28th Composite Group with B-24's transfers from Elmendorf to Adak.

BURMA AND INDIA (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, seventeen B-25's, operating in two forces, bomb the Gokteik Viaduct. Several damaging hits are scored on the base and structure. Seven B-25's pound the Thazi rail junction. Considerable damage is caused to warehouses, yards, sidings, tracks, and rolling stock.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In French Indochina P-40s again strafe the phosphate mine area at Lao Kay.

Japan: The Japanese Army and Japanese Navy staff issued a new directive for operations in the Rabaul area emphasizing the primacy of a defensive effort in New Guinea.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) P-38s strafe the Rekata Bay area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) Heavy bombers pound the Gasmata Airfield. In single-plane strikes, heavy bombers attack Finschhafen, Lae and Madang. In single-plane strikes, heavy bombers attack Seeadler Harbor off Lorengau. The 400th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th Bombardment Group with B-24's transfers from Iron Range to moves to 5 Mile Drome (Ward) near Port Moresby. Repaired is B-17F "Old Baldy" 41-24455 at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby.

IJN: Five G4M1 Bettys from 705 Kokutai took off from Buka Airfield on a patrol mission and return safely without losses.
Reference: Kodochosho, 705 Kōkūtai, March 22, 1943

USN: USS Gudgeon (SS-211) attacks Japanese convoy 30 miles north of Surabaya sinking army cargo ship Meigen Maru, 06°31'S, 112°47'E, and survives depth-charge attack by escorts. USS Tambor (SS-198) damages Japanese transport Bugen Maru in the Sulu Sea, off Negros, P.I., 08°58'N, 123°08'E.

RAAF: Damaged on a mission is Beaufighter A19-11 with wing damage.

Australia: Damaged while landing is L-14 "R.M.A. Caronia" VH-ADT at Mascot Airfield.