Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
August 17, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology
TUESDAY, 17 AUGUST 1943

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 flies over Kiska watching friendly forces land on the shore of east Kiska Lake.

U.S. Army: On Kiska, the main camp area is found deserted.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 23 B-24's, operating in three waves, bomb barracks at Cau Lo, French Indochina. 4 P-40's bomb town of Mangshih, China.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 50+ B-24's and B-17's make a predawn strike against Wewak Airfield and plus satellite airfields at Boram Airfield, Dagua Airfield, and But Airfield, and also hit Tadji and Madang. Over Boram Airfield searchlights and intense anti-aircraft fire met the attacking bombers, including Ki-45 night fighters, that claim one shot down and one probable. Japanese also employ barrage balloons over the coastal area and vessels in Wewak Harbor. Lost are B-24D 42-40981 1st Lt. John T. Parran (7 survived, 3 MIA), B-24D "Yanks From Hell II" 41-23716 pilot 2nd Lt Joseph M. Casale (MIA) and B-24D "Twin Niftys" 42-40348 pilot 1st Lt Charles R. Freas (MIA).

During the midmorning, 30+ B-25's, with 80+ P-38's covering, carry out the day's second bombing and strafing strike on Boram Airfield, Wewak Airfield and Dagua Airfield. This begins a campaign to neutralize Japanese airfields in preparation for the Allied offensive against Lae. On the ground around Wewak, the Japanese reported 13 Japanese aircraft were destroyed, 20 badly damaged and 34 slightly damaged. A-20's hit enemy forces in the Salamaua area. B-24's bomb oil facilities at Balikpapan.

JAAF: Lost is Ki-46 Dinah 2250 near Channel Point. Lost is Ki-46 Dinah 2273 crashed near Bathurst Island. Lost is Ki-46 Dinah 2237 shot down near Fenton.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): Lost is F-5A 42-12977 pilot 1st Lt. Roy L. Peterson (MIA) on a solo photographic and visual search over Kahili Airfield on Bougainville.

U.S. Army: On New Georgia, the second echelon of Northern Landing Force arrives at Vella Lavella and unloads despite enemy air attacks. 43d Div soldiers on Baanga are assisted by dive bombers as well as artillery but make little headway.

RAAF: Crash landed is Hudson A16-129 (survived).


  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram