June 21, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 21 JUNE 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands a fighters strip is completed at Shemya. All missions are cancelled due to weather for the tenth straight day.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) One B-24 carries out armed photo reconnaissance over Nonouti Island, Beru Island, and Nukunau Island in the Gilbert Islands.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In China, 7 B-25's, with escort of 8 P-40's, bomb the village of Shihshow. 8 other B-25's, supported by 9 P-40's, are dispatched to attack the Japanese-held village of Hwajung but mistakenly bomb the friendly village of Nanhsien, killing over 50 Chinese. The 11th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers with B-25's from Kunming to Kweilin. The squadron has detachments operating from Hengyang, Suichwan, Nanning and Lingling between Jun 43 and Jun 44.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In a predawn strike B-25's bomb Koepang. A-20's bomb and strafe Lae Airfield and Malahang Airfield while B-25's blast Salamaua Airfield and general area at Salamaua. A single B-24 bombs MacDonald's Junction and strafes targets of opportunity along the southern coast of Buka. Lost is B-25C "Geronimo" 41-12980 (MIA, 1 recovered).

USN: At 5:30am two destroyer-transports USS Dent APD-9 and Waters APD-8 landed the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) 1st Raider Regiment, 4th Marine Raider Battalion lands Segi on New Georgia and begins the New Georgia campaign.

USMC: 1st Raider Regiment, 4th Marine Raider Battalion under the command of Michael S. Currin as part of the "Eastern Landing Force" lands Segi on New Georgia and begins the New Georgia campaign.