June 19, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 19 JUNE 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) During the night of June 18-19, two B-24's fly photo reconnaissance from Funafuti over Jaluit.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) During the night of June 18/19, B-24's bomb Nauru.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17's and B-24's thoroughly pound Vunakanau Airfield. A-20's hit barges in Hanisch Harbor and a trail near the village of Tamigudu, both in New Guinea. Single B-24's bomb Finschhafen area and Rapopo Airfield.

USN: USS Grouper (SS-214) departs Brisbane on her sixth war patrol.

USS Guardfish (SS-217) is damaged by depth charges north of Bismarck Archipelago, 02°00'N, 148°14'E, but remains on patrol.

USS Growler (SS-215) in attack on Japanese convoy on the Palau-to-Rabaul route, sinks army cargo ship Miyadono Maru about 200 miles north-northwest of Mussau Island, 01°38'N, 148°14'E.

USS Gunnel (SS-253) damages Japanese gunboat Hong Kong Maru (ex-Philippine Argus) and sinks merchant cargo ship Tokiwa Maru, off Shirase, Japan, 32°40'N, 126°37'E, and sinks coastal minesweeper Tsubame 32°31'N, 126°17'E.

USS Sculpin (SS-191) sinks Japanese guardboat No.1 Miyasho Maru and army cargo ship Sagami Maru off Inubozaki, Japan, 37°11'N, 142°30'E.

IJN: Japanese submarine I-37 torpedoes and sinks SS Henry Knox, en route from Fremantle to Bandar Shahpur, Iran, at Lat 0° 5'S, Long 69° 50'E. Although I-37 surfaces and conducts an extensive questioning of the survivors in one boat, the Japanese take no action against the men, who begin sailing toward the Maldive Islands 200 miles away when the enemy departs.