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

SATURDAY, 12 JUNE 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) A detachment of the 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group based at Fort Glenn begins operating from Attu Airfield with P-40's

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) USAAF fighters with Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), US Navy, and US Marine Corps fighters, claim over 30 aircraft shot down during the interception of an enemy strike on Guadalcanal. 8 Allied fighters are lost, including four F4Fs, one F4U and one RNZAF P-40 (pilot KIA). Two B-24s on reconnaissance over Buka shoot down a G4M1 Betty.

RNZAF: P-40s from No. 14 Squadron took off with U.S. fighters to intercept a Japanese air raid. Lost is P-40M Kittyhawk NZ3069 pilot Flying Officer Kenneth P. C. Morpeth (MIA).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's hit runways Nabire Airfield and Kaimana Airfield; a lone B-25 bombs and strafes barges south of Langemak Bay. Pilot 1st Lt. Richard I. Bong claims a Ki-43 Oscar over Bena Bena, his 11th aerial victory claim. Afterwards, promoted to the rank of Captain.

RAAF: Hudson A16-186 crashed after a test flight.

USN: USS Trout (SS-202) lands men and supplies on Mindanao.