December 9, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 9 DECEMBER 1943

USN: After the Teheran conference and Cairo conference, at Dakar U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt embarks aboard USS Iowa (BB-61) for the return trip across the Atlantic back to the United States.

China: Replying to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in a message Chiang Kai-shek asks for financial assistance and increased air strength.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): Nineteen B-24's from Funafuti bomb Mille Atoll. The B-24's claim 5 fighters destroyed.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): Fifteen B-25's bomb Wuchang and Hankow, and three bomb Changte; P-40's strafe sampans above Nanhsien and attack targets of opportunity in the Salween River area, including road traffic south of Hsia Chai, barracks at Tachai, and the town of San Tsun.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): Fifty B-25's bomb and strafe the coast from Borgen Bay to Rein Bay. In New Guinea, 19 B-25's and A-20's hit barges, coastal installations, and roads in the Fortification Point area; 60+ P-39's hit Bogadjim Road barges and enemy held villages along the north coast of Huon Peninsula, and enemy positions in the Ramu River Valley.

USMC: Torokina Airfield becomes operational. Ground crews from Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) and Marine Fighting Squadron 215 (VMF-215) arrive. 3d Mar Div begins struggle for hills around the U.S. perimeter until late in the month.

IJN: Sgt Robert A. Curry gunner B-17E "Honi Kuu Okole" 41-9244 detained at Japanese Navy POW Camp at Rabaul was taken from camp and executed by the Keibitai (Naval Special Police).