August 12, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 12 AUGUST 1943

USN: In a final preinvasion naval bombardment of Kiska, five cruisers and five destroyers fire 60 tons of shells.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): From Adak B-24's and B-25's fly 26 bombing, strafing, and radar and photo reconnaissance sorties over Kiska. From Amchitka P-40's, P-38's, B-24's, B-25's, and A-24s fly 70 bombing sorties over Kiska and are joined by B-24's, P-40's, and F-5A's flying 6 reconnaissance and photo sorties. Targets include the runway, harbor and shipping installations, army barracks, and the Rose Hill area. Lost is B-24D 42-40309 (crew interned, returned to duty, one died).

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): Sixteen B-24's from the 307th BG and 9 B-24s from the 5th BG, 31st BS escorted by eight P-40 Warhawks from 44th FS and 22 F4Us from VMF-124 on a bombing mission over Kahili Airfield. The bombers drop 520 x 100lbs bombs on the runway and revetment areas and claim twenty aircraft destroyed on the ground. Returning, the formation is attacked by roughly 30 A6M Zeros over Ballale. Cosgrove from 70th FS claims a Zero and F4U pilot 1st Lt. Kenneth A. Walsh claimed two. In total, they the Allies claim 11 Zekes shot down. Lost is P-40F pilot Smith (survived) and F4U Corsair. Also lost is P-39 pilot Boyles (MIA) on a patrol mission from Woodlark.

U.S. Army: During the night of August 12-13, an advance landing party from Rendova lands at Barakoma on Vella Lavella to pave way for main landing on 15th and finds only stragglers. U.S. Army 43rd Division, 169th Infantry Regiment, L Company lands on Baanga to establish beachhead but meets heavy opposition and is forced to withdraw, leaving 34 soldiers stranded ashore.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25s hit the Bogadjim-Yaula Road. A-20's bomb and strafe Gasmata and nearby barges; and a B-24 hits Cape Gloucester Airfield. The 432nd Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group based at Amberley Field begins operating from Port Moresby with P-38's. The squadron will fly it's first combat mission on August 13, 1943.