July 23, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
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FRIDAY, 23 JULY 1943

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-25's and P-40's, and USN SBDs, pound the Rekata Bay area. The 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, transfers with P-39s to Woodlark.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's, B-26's, B-24's, and B-17's again pound targets in coastal NE New Guinea, hitting Malolo, Asini, Busama, Voco Point, and Salamaua, blasting barges from Hanisch Harbor to Wald Bay and Cape Busching and bomb Bogadjim. Lost is B-25C pilot Bromage (two MIA) and B-25C "Calamity Jane / M & M" 41-12962 pilot Captain Oscar L. Wertz (KIA remains recovered).

USMC: Lost is SBD Dauntless 10348 pilot Lt. James Wilson Dougherty (survived).

USN: Fourth group of survivors of freighter Sebastian Cermeno, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-511 on June 27 1943, reaches Durban aboard a British corvette (see July 27, 1943).