June 15, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 15 JUNE 1943

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) B-25's score 2 direct hits on the bridge at Myitnge, Burma.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) Ten B-25's, escorted by 12 P-40's, support Chinese ground forces by bombing positions at Owchihkow, China.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-24s bomb Ballale Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In predawn strikes B-24s bomb airfields at Rabaul and hit Kendari Airfield in the evening. Returning, lost in an aerial collision is B-24D "Kathy" 42-40517 (7 MIA) and B-24D "Dauntless Dabbie" 42-40528 (1 MIA). In New Guinea, a single B-25 attacks a power boat in Hanisch Harbor and strafes a beach near Finschhafen.

Four G4M1 Bettys from 705 Kōkūtai (705 Air Group) took off from Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul a night bombing mission against the Russel Islands and Guadalcanal. One Betty was lost, the entire crew was rescued by the Japanese Army.

USN: USS Gunnel (SS-253) sinks Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Koyo Maru in Tsushima Straits, 33°55'N, 127°38'E.

USS Sailfish (SS-192) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Shinju Maru south of Todozaki, Honshu, 39°00'N, 142°00'E.

USS Trout (SS-202) damages Japanese oiler Sanraku Maru in the Celebes Sea, off Sibitu, 05°09'N, 119°38'E; Sanraku Maru is eventually scuttled, 04°45'N, 119°48'E.

IJA: Chinese resident, Mr. Leong Cheung was shot in public at Namatanai.