November 30, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 1943

The Eureka Conference in Tehran ends. Acceding to Soviet desires to make Overlord the main effort. Overlord and Anvil are given priority over all other operations. Premier Stalin has agreed to commit Soviet forces against Japan after Germany is defeated. From Tehran, Br and U.S. delegates go back to Cairo, where the Sextant talks will be renewed.

CBI: Chiang Kai-shek again agrees to CHAMPION while inspecting Chinese troops at Ramgarh.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): Ten B-24's from Canton strike Maloelap; twenty others, sent against the same target from Nanumea run into bad weather; two attack a cargo ship and other vessels near Maloelap the remaining 18 return to base without attacking.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, six P-40's bomb a fuel and ammunition dump at Luchiangpa; 8 others strafe several boats on a lake SE of Ansiang; supplies are dropped to Chinese troops in Changte.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): Seventeen B-25's bomb Malai near Shortland. Fighter planes from both the AAF and USN attack barges and AA guns at Tonolai Harbor, the SE coast of Ballale the northwest tip of Choiseul, Amun above Cape Moltke, Numa Numa, and Chabai. Other fighters cover dive bombers attacking the Jakohina Mission area, gun positions at Kangu and Malabita Hill, and in the Mosigetta area.

RNZAF: PV-1 Venturas hit the Mawareka area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's bomb Cape Gloucester Airfield. B-25's bomb and strafe villages along coast from Borgen Bay to Riebeck Bay; B-24's hit Alexishafen; B-25's and A-20's attack Kalasa and hit trucks in the Waroe area. The 386th Bombardment Squadrons (Dive), 388th Bombardment Squadrons (Dive) and 389th Bombardment Squadrons (Dive), 312th Bombardment Group (Dive) arrives at Port Moresby from the US with P-40s. They will be redesignated Bombardment Group/Squadrons on 6 Dec; fly their first mission on 14 Jan 44; and convert to A-20G and A-20H aircraft during February 1944.

U.S. Army: Gen Krueger forms Task Force Director under Brig Gen Julian W. Cunningham based around the 112th Cavalry Regiment for the invasion of Arawe on western New Britain scheduled for December 15, 1943, called "2 Day" to distinguish it from main D-Day invasion later scheduled for Cape Gloucester.

USMC: 2d Tank Bn scouts reconnoiter Abaiang and Marakei Atolls, north of Tarawa, finding but 5 Japanese, on former.

USN: U.S. destroyers bombard Japanese positions bordering Empress Augusta Bay on western Bougainville.

USS Gato (SS-212) sinks Japanese army transport Columbia Maru, 01°54'N, 143°26'E; and escapes counterattacks by escorting submarine chaser Ch 24.

USS Skate (SS-305) attacks Zuihō at Lat 09°10'N, Long 151°30'E, which, along with carrier Un'yo and escort carrier Chuyo and escort vessels are proceeding from Truk to Japan. Although Skate claims one damaging hit, none of her four torpedoes strike (see December 4, 1943).

PBY sinks Japanese cargo ship Himalaya Maru six nautical miles south of New Hanover bound for Palau.