August 7, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 7 AUGUST 1943

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 16 B-24's and 40+ B-25's, plus nearly 30 US Navy airplanes, pound the harbor and shore areas of Bairoko. The 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group transfers with C-47's from Tontouta to Espiritu Santo.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24s thoroughly pound the Salamaua area and also hit Kela . B-25's hit Cape Chater Airfield and Lautem. Lost is C-47 "Eager Beaver" 41-7733 with 27 crew and passengers aboard crashed into Cleveland Bay southeast of Townsville. Crashed on a training flight is B-25C "Margaret" 41-12946 pilot 1st Lt Joseph H. Castelli (MIA). Damaged is P-39N 42-18807 in a landing accident and repaired.

IJN: Kawakaze was sunk by gunfire and torpedoes from U.S. Navy destroyers USS Dunlap, USS Craven and USS Maury and sunk between Kolombangara and Vella Lavella.