May 12, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 12 MAY 1943

USA: Trident Conference U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and Combined Chiefs of Staff begins in Washington to reconsider strategy in the light of recent events in Tunisia, the Aleutians, and USSR.

U.S. Army: On Attu, 7th Divison, with naval gunfire and air support, continues 2-pronged thrusts toward Jarmin Pass. Frontal attacks from Massacre Bay beachhead fail to gain ground. Patrols are probing to develop enemy positions. 2d Bn, 32d Inf, goes ashore at Massacre Bay. Northern Force, finding enemy in prepared positions on Hill X, makes double envelopment attack and gains foothold on crest.

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) A P-39 reconnaissance sortie over Kiska and Rat encounters poor weather and turns back. At Attu, an air-ground liaison B-24 watches US forces land on beach "Red" while another B-24 drops supplies. Seven attack missions flown by 10 B-24's, 12 B-25's, and 24 P-38's bomb and strafe assigned Attu targets. Four barges are set afire in the west arm of Holtz Bay.

CBI: First Arakan campaign ends where it started as Ind 26th Div evacuates Maungdaw for defensive positions to N. Cost in casualties has been heavy. Factors contributing to the failure of this campaign have been the cancellation of Chinese drive into Burma from Yunnan plus unexpectedly limited action of 4 Corps from Assam.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) During the night of 11/12 May, B-17's fly snooper strikes against Kahili Airfield. During the early morning hours, P-40's and Navy aircraft hit AA positions, runway and revetments at Kahili Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's bomb Finschhafen Airfield and the surounding area. In the Moluccas B-24's hit Saumlakki. Single heavy bombers hit Salamaua and Gasmata. Lost is C-47 41-18661 pilot 2nd Lt. Lorenzo R. Gower (MIA) and C-47 "Chattanooga Choo Choo" pilot 1st Lt. Walter B. Thompson (KIA).

USN: During the night of 12-13, Allied surface vessels bombard Vila and Munda.