October 25, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 25 OCTOBER 1943

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): Six P-40's strafe shipping at Haiphong, claiming 3 small boats sunk and damaging 6 larger boats; 2 B-25's and 4 P-40's attack shipping in the Gulf of Tonkin, claiming a 150' tanker sunk and 200' freighter damaged.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): The 372d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Espirtu Santo begins operating from Carney Field (Bomber 2) with B-24's. Lost is B-24D 42-40864 (ten MIA, one rescued).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 60+ B-24's bomb the Rabaul area destroying 20+ airplanes on the round. Of the 60-70 fighters which intercept, the B-24's claim 30+ shot down. Lost is B-24D "Shewansta" 42-72800 pilot 2nd Lt John W. Carlson (2 MIA, 2 rescued). A-20's hit positions near Lae and B-24's carry out a light strike against Manokwari.

USN: USS Tullibee (SS-284) attacks Japanese transport Teisho Maru (ex-German Havenstein), escorted by auxiliary minesweeper No. 11 Misago Maru 12 miles off Oshima, 26°05'N, 121°03'E. Although Tullibee claims damage to the larger vessel, Teisho Maru survives unscathed. No.11 Misago Maru carries out counterattacks but with equal lack of success.

POA: Adm Spruance issues operation plan, which is subsequently modified somewhat, outlining organization and tasks of Operation Galvanic the invasion of the Gilbert Islands.

IJA: Japanese begin withdrawing toward Sattelberg in coastal sector north of Finschhafen, suspending attacks againsts the Australian Army 9th Division.

USN: USS Tullibee (SS-284) attacks Japanese transport Teisho Maru (ex-German Havenstein), escorted by auxiliary minesweeper No.11 Misago Maru 12 miles off Oshima, 26°05'N, 121°03'E. Although Tullibee claims damage to the larger vessel, Teisho Maru survives unscathed. No.11 Misago Maru carries out counterattacks but with equal lack of success.