May 14, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 14 MAY 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, poor weather curtails bombings. The air-ground liaison B-24 flies reconnaissance and photo reconnaissance over Attu throughout the day. One B-24 carrying supplies for the ground forces hits a mountain side ten miles west of the drop zone. Six B-24 and 5 B-25's fly ground support bombing missions over Attu. Two P-40's bomb Kiska through overcast.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) Single B-24's fly early evening snooper strikes against airfields at Kahili, Ballale Airfield, and Munda. During the night of 14/15 May, B-17's on a snooper mission bomb Kahili.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's administer a thorough pounding to the airfield and surrounding area at Gasmata while B-24's and B-17's pound Rabaul Airfield. B-25's bomb Penfoei Airfield and the Dili area. Single heavy bombers hit various targets in northeast New Guinea, New Britain and the Netherlands East Indies. The 475th Fighter Group and 431st Fighter Squadron, 432nd Fighter Squadron, 433nd Fighter Squadron and Headquarters Squadron are activated at Charters Towers Airfield. The unit will be equipped with P-38F and P-38H Lightning fighter aircraft and will enter combat in August 43. Lost is P-38 pilot Bauhof (MIA).