May 3, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 3 MAY 1943

U.S. Army: Gen Marshall transmits to Gen Stilwell news of the decision by U.S President Franklin D. Roosevelt to make major U.S. air effort in China and continue preparation for a modified Anakim, the recapture of Burma.

(Eleventh Air Force) Seven B-24's, eleven B-25's, twenty P-38's, twenty-seven P-40's and two F-5A's participate in a weather reconnaissance mission to Attu and in 9 attack missions to Kiska including Main Camp, North Head, radar, and runway at Kiska Airfield.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (USN, Thirteenth Air Force) COMAIRSOLS: 58 Allied planes including 12 TBF Avengers, 12 SBD Dauntless Dive Bombers and 12 F4U Corsairs escorted by 8 F4F Wildcats, 6 P-38 Lightnings and 8 P-40 Warhawks strike Rekata Bay. The Navy bombers drop 12 x 2,000 pound bombs and 12 x 1,000 pound bombs on Rekata Bay claiming hits on buildings, AA position sand starting one fire.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25s strafe Gasmata Airfield while a B-17 strafes launches north of Lolobau, claiming one boat sunk. HQ 54th Troop Carrier Wing transfers from Brisbane to Port Moresby.

USN: USS Neches (AO-47) is damaged when she accidentally runs aground at entrance to Cold Bay.

References
NARA CINCPAC War Diary May 1943 page 1 (64)
(Page 1) May 3, 1943 1. Contacts and Actions with the enemy in the Pacific Ocean Areas.
"(ComAirSols) 2110-2130Z/2 - 12 TBF, 12 SBDs and 12 F4Us escorted by 8 F4Fs, 6 P-38s and 8 P-40s dropped 12-2000# and 12 1000# bombs on Rekata Bay. Buildings and AA positions hit and one fire started."
NARA Admiralty War Diaries May 1943 page 689
"58 Allied aircraft attacked Rekata Bay Isabel Island a.m. 3rd May..."