FRIDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1943
CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): The 819th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Barking Sands with B-24's. The squadron, the ex-3d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), will fly sea searches and supply the 30th Group with replacement crews and planes until May 44.
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, a B-25 strike against a railroad bridge on the Ye-u branch line over the Mu River between Ywataung and Monywa
fails to damage the structure. This raid marks the final assault of the year
on this bridge.
SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): Kahili Airfield and the surrounding areas are pounded by 22
B-24's, 30+ P-39's and P-40's and about 160 USN fighters and dive bombers.
Eighteen B-24's and USN airplanes hit targets in the Choiseul area. Other USN aircraft
hit Kara Airfield. A single B-24 claims hits on a carrier
northwest of Buka. HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium)
and
it's 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) transfer from Henderson Field to the Renard Field with B-25's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 20+ B-25's carry out a low-level attack on the Wewak area sinking two small freighters, and strafing barges and airplanes; Lost are P-47D 42-22497 pilot 1st Lt. Wynans "Flip" E. Frankfort (rescued), P-47D 42-8117 pilot 1st Lt. Harold Jacoby (MIA), P-47D "Sunshine" 42-8121 pilot 1st Lt George O. Burgess (rescued), P-47D "Fiery Ginger" 42-8145 pilot 2nd Lt. Ernest R. Ness (MIA). Madang is strafed by 4 P-39's
and 2 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boomerangs. 50+ P-40's hit Gasmata. 11 B-24's bomb Pombelaa nickel mines on Celebes.
USMC: I MAC directs 2d Para Bn of 1st Mar Para Regt, FMF, are to land at Voza on Choiseul in the early morning of October 28, 1943, to conduct diversionary raid and, if feasible, establish permanent base there.
USN: USS Grayback (SS-208) sinks Japanese transport Awata Maru, China Sea, 26°40'N, 125°00'E.
USS Shad (SS-235) attacks Japanese light cruisers Naka and Isuzu, en route from Shanghai to Rabaul, 28°40'N, 124°10'E. Although Shad claims damaging both, neither enemy warship is hit.
