May 24, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 24 MAY 1943

JCS authorize planning and training for invasion of Kiska.

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) 2 of 3 air-ground support missions to Attu, together 6 B-24's, 11 B-25's, and 1 F-5A, bomb Attu. The third mission is cancelled, except for 2 B-25's which do not hear the cancelling order. 3 B-24's and 14 P-38's fly 3 more air cover missions over Attu but make no contacts.

U.S. Army: On Attu, efforts of 3d Bn, 32d Inf, and 2d Bn, 17th, to gain Fish Hook Ridge meet intense fire and make little headway.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's pound Lakunai Airfield while B-25's hit the runway at Gasmata. In Timor, B-25's bomb Penfoei. Lost are B-17E "Gypsy Rose" 41-9193 (ditched) B-24D 42-40359 (KIA).

RAAF: Lost is Catalina A24-39 (KIA).

USN: Damaged SS Stanvac Manila sinks with one fatality and goes down with PT-165 and PT-173 aboard.

IJN: Japanese sumarine I-17 torpedoes SS Stanvac Manila transporting PT Boats with PT-165 and PT-173 lost when the ship sinks roughly 100 miles south of Nouméa at Lat 23°45'S, Long 166°30'E.