March 26, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 26 MARCH 1943
(Eleventh Air Force) A reconnaissance aircraft covers Attu, Agattu, Semichi and Alaid where a cabin is strafed. Upon report of Navy contacts with enemy surface force that results in the Battle of Komandorskies, Thirteen B-24's, eleven B-25's and eight P-38's are ordered to hit the enemy, reported 150 miles west of Cape Wrangell on Attu. Because of mechanical failures and weather, airplanes cannot take off until six hours after the surface force is sighted. Thus, Japanese ships have fled when aircraft arrive at the interception point. Some of the returning B-25's bomb a radar site, hangar, and Main Camp area on Kiska.

BURMA AND INDIA (Tenth Air Force) Six B-24's mine the Rangoon River during the night of 26/27 March. Six others fly a diversion raid on the city of Rangoon, scoring hits on Mingaladon Airfield, between the central railroad station and Pazundaung Creek, and in the Syriam area.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) B-24's bomb Nauru Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) Six B-17's from the 63rd Bomb Squadron took off for a bombing mission against enemy shipping in Wewak Harbor. One failed to take off due to engine trouble. Over the target, nothing was sighted and harbor installations at Wewak Town were bombed instead. Also, A-20's pound forces and targets of opportunity in the Mubo, Malahang, and Salamaua area. Lost is A-20A "Minnie Ha Ha / Cleo III" 40-170 (crew survived, MIA, POW). A single B-17 bombs Finschhafen and unsuccessfully attacks a ship east of Talasea. Lost on an administrative/reconassaince flight is B-17F "Pluto" 41-24384 (MIA) with Brigadier General Howard K. Ramey aboard.

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