September 17, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 1943

CBI (Tenth Air Force): The 383d and 385th Bombardment Squadrons (Dive), 311th Bombardment Group (Dive), arrive at Nawadih from the US with A-36's. The 383d will enter combat on 16 Oct.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's carry out a coastal sweep against barges and villages from Reiss Point to Langemak Bay, New Guinea. Lost on a training mission is B-25D "The Little Gem" 41-30321 pilot Lt. R. J. Henderson (KIA).

USMC: Admiral Halsey, ComSoPac, ordered the Commanding General, I Marine Amphibious Corps to take necessary action to establish a forward Marine Staging Base on Vella Lavella.

USN: PT-136 damaged by grounding is scuttled off eastern New Guinea area at Lat 05°55'S Long 148°01'E.

U.S. Army: At planning conference at Port Moresby, Gen MacArthur urges that a base on mainland of Bougainville be established. GHQ SWPA decides to employ Aus 9th Div force in landing on 22d at Finschhafen, which will serve as an advanced air and light naval base.

In New Guinea, U.S. 503d Para Inf, having completed its mission in Nadzab area is withdrawn. Aus 2/6th Independent Co is flown to burned off site a few miles from Kaiapit, NW of Lae, for drive towards Kaiapit, which will be used as an advanced air base.

U.S. Army: On Arundel, 27th Inf (-), assisted by tanks, begins co- ordinated drive SE toward 172d Inf's block at base of Stima Peninsula. 3d Bn, 27th, suspends attack on Sagekarasa while fire is placed on enemy positions.

USMC: Lost is M3A1 Stuart disabled by Japanese 37mm Anti-Tank Gun / Type 94 (1936) "Rapid Fire Gun" gunfire on the Bomboe peninsula of Arundel.