August 18, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 18 AUGUST 1943

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 70+ B-24's, B-25's, and B-17's, with cover of almost 100 fighters, blast Wewak Airfield, Boram Airfield, Dagua Airfield, and But Airfield. The midmorning attacks cause heavy destruction of Japanese airplanes on the ground, and US fighters and bombers claim 30+ enemy aircraft shot down. Lost are P-38H 42-66572 (MIA), B-25D 41-30526 pilot 1st Lt. Richard C. Henrich (MIA) and B-25D 41-3'0117 pilot Major Ralph Cheli (3 POW, 5 MIA). Force landed is B-25D 41-30529 pilot 1st Lt. John Donegan (survived). Lost on an escort mission due to weather are P-47D 42-8059 pilot F/O Wilfrid J. Desilets, Jr. (MIA) and P-47D 42-8144 (survived).

During the middle of August 1943, Sgt Leonard Baer painted a large skull and cross bombs in white atop a black rectangle on the tail of B-24D "Connell's Special" 41-23765. Immediately, this distinctive insignia was adopted as the group motif and painted on the tail of each bomber.

U.S. Army: Implementing the directive of July 20, 1943 to establish bases to support future assault against the Marshall Islands, an advance party arrives on Nanumea Island to reconnoiter and choose a location for Nanumea Airfield.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): Lost is P-39N 42-190?? pilot 2nd Lt. Jack B. Eddy (MIA).

USN: A Japanese naval force bound for Horaniu bordering Kokolope Bay on northeast Vella Lavella to establish a barge base, is intercepted early in morning by U.S. naval force, which sinks 2 submarine chasers, 2 torpedo boats, and 1 barge. 43d Div commits another Battalion from the 172nd Infantry Reigment to the battle on Baanga.