August 6, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 6 AUGUST 1943

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 20 P-39's and P-40's hit the Tanagaba Harbor area; and 24 B-17's and B-24's, 24 B-25's, and 50+ US Navy and USMC fighters and dive bombers pound the Rekata Bay area, hitting bivouac and supply areas.

A F-5A photo recon lightning, escorted by eight F4Us from VMF-221 on Banika preform an armed reconnassiance flying 50-100' off the water against the seaplane base at Shortland Harbor. They suprise enemy Rufe and Jake seaplanes taking off, but are attacked by about a dozen A6M Zeros already airborne. They claim five enemy planes shot down. Lost is F4U-1 Corsair 02492 pilot 1st Lt Wilbur H. Blakeslee (MIA). Two F4Us are damaged.

The 63d Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group arrives Espiritu Santo from the US with C-47's. The squadron begins flying missions upon arrival.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): During the night of August 6-7, B-24s bomb Laha Airfield.

IJN: four destroyers Hagikaze, Arashi, Kawakaze and Shigure with soldiers and supplies embarked were on a "Tokyo Express" troop transport run bound for Vila on Kolombangara and are engaged during the Battle of Vella Gulf with three sunk Kawakaze, Hagikaze, and Arashi at roughly 07°50'S, 156°47'E with only Shigure escaping.

USN: shortly before midnight, the Battle of Vella Gulf begins when six destroyers of TG 31.2 under the command of Commander Frederick Moosbrugger) attack four Japanese destroyers attempting to bring troops and supplies to Kolombangara, Solomons, in Vella Gulf; destroyers Dunlap (DD-384), Craven (DD-382), and Maury (DD-401) sink three Japanese destroyers Kawakaze, Hagikaze, and Arashi. The U.S. force suffers no damage.