May 6, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 6 MAY 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) B-24's, B-25's and P-38's drop over 52 tons on Attu targets including Holtz Bay, Sarana Bay, and the Chichagof Harbor area and nearby gun positions. Kiska is also hit. Targets include radar gun positions and the Gertrude Cove and Main Camp areas. Returning P-38's also bomb and strafe a hut on Rat. P-40s blast Kiska and Little Kiska.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) P-40s and Navy dive bombers and fighters hit Munda Airfield. During the evening, B-24's carry out harassing strikes on Kahili Airfield, Fauro and Ballale. HQ 4th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group transfers from Espiritu Santo to Guadalcanal.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, A-20's strike the Green's Hill area. Single B-24s hit Madang and Finschhafen while other B-24s hit Manokwari and Toeal. B-25's pound Dili.

RAAF: Five Beaufighters from No. 31 Squadron strike Taberfane Seaplane Base. They claim nine moored seaplanes. Lost is Beaufighter A19-60 (MIA).

USN: Lost is F4F Wildcat 11992 pilot Ensign Leroy W. Childs (MIA).

USS Gar (SS-206) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Kotoku Maru, Tarakan, Borneo, harbor, 03°14'N, 117°58'E.