May 27, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 27 MAY 1943

US: Joint Staff Planners direct Joint War Plans Committee to determine troop needs and suggest target dates for invasion of the Marshalls, POA.

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) Attu is covered by one B-25 flying ground support, bombing and strafing troops and dropping photos taken on the previous day to friendly forces, and by 1 B-24 and 6 P-38's flying air cover. Six P-40's fly an attack and reconnaissance mission to Kiska, concentrating on Little Kiska and on the Main Camp area.

U.S. Army: On Attu, the 7th Divison finishes clearing Fish Hook Ridge. Meanwhile, a fighter strip is being constructed at Alexai Point that will become Attu Airfield (Alexai Point Airfield).

7th AF: Lost on a search mission is B-24D "Green Hornet" 41-24212 pilot 1st Lt. Russel A. Philips bombardier 1st Lt. Louis S. Zamperini ditched with 2 survivors who became POWs.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's and B-25's pound the Lae area and Lae Airfield. Other B-25's hit enemy forces at Labu and Jacobsens Plantation. Finschhafen, Saidor, Kakakog, and Langgoer are hit by single-plane strikes.

USN: Naval Station Coco Solo, Canal Zone, is established.

USS Finback (SS-230) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Kochi Maru about 75 miles northwest of Palau, 08°23'N, 134°06'E.

USS Runner (SS-275) departs Midway for her third war patrol. She is never heard from again.