May 4, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 4 MAY 1943

U.S. Army: Attu invasion convoy departs Cold Bay, a day behind schedule because of poor weather conditions. D Day is consequently postponed to May 8, 1943. As the convoy nears Attu, strong winds force a further postponement of D Day to May 11, 1943.

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) Five B-24's, six B-25's, eight P-38's, two P-40's and two F-5A's take off on two Kiska and Attu missions. Missions to Kiska abort due to weather. Attu targets include Chichagof Harbor, AA positions at Holtz Bay, and a floatplane. The 36th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 28th Composite Group with B-24s transfers from Fort Greeley on Kodiak to Amchitka.

IJA: In Burma, continuing infiltration tactics, Japanese are now established on Buthidaung-Maungdaw road and resisting efforts of Allied forces to oust them.

CBI CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) Eighteen B-24s bomb dock installations, coal yards, and oil storage area at Samah; Nine B-25s pound docks at Haiphong; 19 P-40's escort B-24s and B-25's to Hanoi and then proceed with B-25s to Haiphong and strafe the target area following the bombing strike.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) During the night of May 3-4 B-17s fly snooper strikes against Vila Airfield and Rekata Bay. P-40s join Navy aircraft in a strike against Vangavanga.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24s bomb Babo and Wewak Town, Wewak Harbor, and shipping off Wewak. A single B-24 hit barges off the north coast of New Britain.

USN: USS Gudgeon (SS-211) sinks Japanese merchant trawler Naku Maru west of Panay at 10°11'N, 121°43'E.

USS Seal (SS-183) attacks a Japanese convoy sinking fleet tanker San Clemente Maru about 50 miles southeast of Palau, 06°30'N, 130°30'E.

Damaged SS William Williams is towed by USS Catalpa (YN-5) near Suva.