June 18, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 18 JUNE 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) The 58th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), Seventh Air Force begins a movement from Wheeler Field to Canton with A-24s.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield while B-25's hit Ballale and strafe barges in Wilson Strait.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's bomb and strafe power launches off Cape Gloucester and Finschhafen, sinking 1 and damaging 2 near the Cape. A single B-17 bombs Unea Island, while an A-20 on armed reconnaissance during the night of 18/19 June bomb and strafes Salamaua and nearby coastal areas. Crashed on take off is P-40E Warhawk 41-36157 pilot 1st Lt. Benjamin F. Duke, Jr. (KIA).

IJN: Japanese submarine I-178 off the eastern coast of Australia failed to respond to signals and was presumed missing.

USMC: Six SBDs from VMSB-144 the 1st Division fly a anti-submarine mission over Santa Isabel and Malaita without any sightings.