October 4, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 4 OCTOBER 1943

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 17 Japanese bombers and 25 Zekes attack Kweilin Airfield. The bombs dropped from 20,000' fail to hit the target. AAF fighters fail to make effective contact with the force.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 23 B-24's, covered by 16 P-38's and several USN F4U's, bomb Kahili Airfield; 20-30 fighters intercept, and a running battle occurs between Bougainville and Vella Lavella; US fighters and bombers claim 9 fighters downed; no American losses are suffered. Four P-39's and four F4Us sink 18 barges in a strike along the west coast of Choiseul. The P-39's are especially effective because of their nose cannon.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25s bomb and strafe barges, small craft, and villages on Vitu. The 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Port Moresby to Garbutt Field with C-47's.

Australian Army: Elements of the 7th Division capture Dumpu without opposition and developed into a base area and repair and expand Dumpu Airfield.