September 8, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1943

(Seventh Air Force): B-24's patrolling from Canton fire on a flying boat scoring hits and a hut causing no visible damage.

(Tenth Air Force): Six B-24's mine the Rangoon River during the night of 8/9 Sep; and B-25's hit Gokteik Viaduct for the second consecutive day, scoring 5 hits at the base of the structure, which remains usable.

(Fifth Air Force): B-17's, B-24's, B-25's and B-26's pound the Lae area, and A-20's hit Salamaua. The Japanese at Salamaua are ordered to prepare to fall back to Lae in face of the approaching Australian 5 Division. Elements of the Australian 9 Division, moving west towards Lae, reach the flooded Busu River where the Japanese hold the west bank. Other heavy and medium bombers carry out light raids on targets in western part of New Guinea and in the Netherlands East Indies. Lost is P-38H 42-66542 pilot 1st Lt. Chester D. Phillips (MIA) on a patrol mission to Wau.

RAAF: Lost on a search mission is Hudson A16-233 pilot F/O Lynnton A. Martin (MIA).