August 30, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology
MONDAY, 30 AUGUST 1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The 73d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 28th Composite
Group, based at Amchitka with B-25's, begins a movement back to the
US.
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 13 B-25's, some with P-40 support,
attack Owchihkow and Shihshow, blasting fuel stores and several buildings;
the P-40's strafe gun positions outside Shihshow; 10 P-38's and P-40's on armored
reconnaissance from Sinti to Yoyang to Sienning, strafe and bomb several targets
of opportunity; 3 locomotives are exploded and another damaged, a water
tank is knocked down, and several railroad stations are heavily damaged.
Four other P-40's attack a convoy east of Hong Kong; 1 freighter is hit amidships,
causing heavy damage; 2 other vessels are also effectively damaged.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-24s escorted by 20 P-40's and P-39's and 20+ US Navy F4U's,
strike Kahili Airfield. Allied planes claim more than
30 Japanese shot down; six US aircraft are lost including B-24D 42-40217 pilot 1st Lt. Harry L. McDonald (MIA), P-39 pilot Stratton (MIA), F4U Corsair 02516 pilot 1st Lt James L. Fowler (MIA) and F4U Corsair 02351 pilot 1st Lt Walter T. Mayberry (POW, executed).
RNZAF: Lost is P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3084 pilot Flying Officer Stanley Duncan (KIA) hit by a bomb dropped by a B-24 Liberator that exploded and dove into the sea from 20,000'.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's
pound Dagua Airfield, But, and Tadji;
and A-20's hit barges on the Bubui River. Lost is P-38H 42-66502 pilot 2nd Lt. Ronald E. Dunlop (survived). B-26's bomb Cape Gloucester Airfield while B-25's sweep
along the NW coast, bombing and strafing barges and enemy-occupied villages.
The 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group transfers from Dobodura to Tsili
Tsili with P-40's.
IJN: Crashed is D4Y1 Judy 340 (KIA).
RAAF: Six Beaufighters from 31 Squadron that attacked Taberfane Seaplane Base. Lost is Beaufighter A19-119 (KIA).
U.S. Army: Elements of 1st Bn, 35th Inf, 25th Div, advance northward up the east coast of Vella Lavella toward Kokolope Bay.
USN: USS Halibut (SS-232) sinks Japanese cargo ship Taibun Maru at Lat 41°50'N, Long 141°13'E.
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