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

MONDAY, 19 JULY 1943

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) The 633d, 634th and 635th Bombardment Squadrons (Dive), 407th Bombardment Group (Dive), based at Drew Field begin operating from Amchitka with A-24s. The squadron will fly combat missions starting August 4, 1943.

Admiral Kinkaid approves plans for the invasion of Kiska.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) B-25's damage the approaches to the Shweli, Burma road bridge.

IJN: Japanese planes bomb Funafuti Airfield.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) Four B-24's attack cement works at Haiphong.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-17's bomb Kahili Airfield. Lost is B-17E "Tokyo Taxi" 41-9153 shot down by J1N1 pilot Tokumoto that is damaged and ditches, pilot rescued, observer KIA. B-17's and B-25's bomb Ballale Airfield. B-25's in support of ground forces hit positions in the Bairoko battle area where enemy resistance is fierce.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, a B-25 bombs a bridge over the mouth of the Francisco River; a B-17 hits Finschhafen Airfield; and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Bostons attack a gun position at Komiatum and a military camp at Erskine Creek.

USN: USS Porpoise (SS-172) sinks Japanese transport No.20 Mikage Maru 50 miles south of Wake, 18°45'N, 166°04'E; vessels of Submarine Chaser Division 32 (Ch 28, Ch 29, and Ch 30 comprise the division) carry out unsuccessful counterattacks.