May 16, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 16 MAY 1943

U.S. Army: In an effort to speed operations on Attu, Maj Gen Eugene M. Landrum assumes command of assault force, relieving Gen Brown. Holtz Bay force secures foothold on northern end of Holtz Valley ridge, thereby gaining control of entire ridge. Japanese, greatly outnumbered by Americans and in danger of being taken from the rear, withdraw during night 16-17 toward Chichagof Harbor for final stand. Most of Adm Rockwell's naval force off Attu retires northward to safer waters. Gen Landrum directs Capt H. B. Knowles, USN, to assume control of the remaining vessels; takes over air-ground control.

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) Air-ground liaison B-24 bomb Chichagof Harbor with unobserved results. Another B-24 drops supplies to ground forces on Attu. 8 B-24's, 12 B-25's, and 12 P-38's fly ground support missions to Attu; because of weather, only the P-38's get through and strafe AA guns, installations and barges, scoring several hits. Bombers bomb Kiska. 2 P-40's fly reconnaissance mission over Kiska.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's bomb the Kendari Airfield area. Single heavy bombers attack coastal or offshore targets in northeast New Guinea, New Britain and New Ireland. HQ 8th Fighter Group transfers from Mareeba to Port Moresby.

USN: USS Grayback (SS-208) torpedoes Destroyer Yugure causing serious damage northwest of Kavieng at Lat 1°00'S, Long 148°44'W.

IJN: Japanese submarine I-19 torpedoes U.S. freighter William K. Vanderbilt southwest of Suva, Fiji at 18°41'S, 175°07'E and is abandoned by the 41-man merchant complement. The 16-man Armed Guard remains on board to the last, but abandons after a second torpedo splits the ship in twain. I-19 then fires upon one lifeboat and two rafts, and questions the ship's master before departing; throughout the ordeal only the ship's chief engineer is killed.