December 3, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 3 DECEMBER 1943

Second Cairo Conference begins, attended by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): Eight P-40's attack barracks and other buildings at Wanling on China.

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese paddle steamer Assam, immobilized the day before by RAAF Beaufighters in Irrawaddy River.

USN: Sunk at Kwajalein by aircraft is Asakaze Maru.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): Three B-25's bomb Kieta Harbor and nearby supply and bivouac areas; six others hit Aitara Mission; Twenty-one B-24's pound Bonis; fighter aircraft, USAAF and USN on patrol, hit targets of opportunity in areas from Numa Numa to Koromira, at Mosiga and Chabai, and W of Rlutupina Point; B-24's on armed reconnaissance hit a variety of targets, including Kieta, Green, Greenwich, and Korovo. The 372d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Espiritu Santo with B-24's, ceases operating from Carney Field (Bomber 2) with B-24's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 60+ B-24's and B-25's bomb Cape Gloucester Airfield; One B-24 sinks several barges in Johann Albrecht Harbor while another bombs a large transport near New Hanover . 20+ B-24's bomb Waingapoe on Sumba Island. A-20's attack villages around Finschhafen; P-47's shoot down several airplanes over Wewak. Lost on a reconnaissance mission over the Bismarck Sea is B-24D "The Swan" 42-40475 (MIA).

B-24s bomb Japanese fishing boats off Garove, sinking No.13 Sansei Maru.

RAAF: Lost is P-40E Kittyhawk A29-41 pilot Sgt William John King (KIA).

USN: USS Guardfish (SS-217) is damaged in collision with unidentified tanker.

USS Tinosa (SS-283) sinks Palau-bound Japanese fleet tanker Azuma Maru northwest of Sonserol, 06°34'N, 131°35'E.