December 29, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 29 DECEMBER 1943

Burma: Continuing attack to clear Tarung River line, Ch 38th Div eliminates another Japanese strongpoint and forces enemy to break into small groups.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 P-40's on armed reconnaissance strafe the railroad station, yards, and town area at Hsipaw, hit numerous freight cars between Hsipaw and Mansam Falls, and attack railroad yards at Hopong; 3 B-25's on a shipping sweep along the Yangtze River claim a cargo vessel and an armed passenger ship sunk SW of Wuhu. USAAF aircraft sink Japanese merchant cargo ship Kakuzan Maru and transport Daitei Maru in the middle Yangtze River.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): HQ 347th Fighter Group and 339th Fighter Squadron transfer from New Caledonia to Guadalcanal with P-38's.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): B-24s bomb Taroa Airfield. After releasing thier bombs, they were reportedly attacked by over thirty Zeros. Lost is B-24J "Baby Sandy 2" 42-73013 (2 MIA, 8 POW).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 120+ B-24's, B-25's, and B-26's pound positions at Cape Gloucester. B-25's hit Madang; B-24's bomb bivouac and communications targets near Sio, and other B-24's fly a light attack against Manokwari, hitting the town and shipping. The 69th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group transfers from Brisbane to Dobodura with P-47's. They will fly their first mission on 17 Feb 44.

USMC: Marines at Cape Gloucester capture their major objective Cape Gloucester Airfield. 5th Marines arrives to reinforce beachhead and make wide sweep inland to block enemy withdrawal. Combat Team (5th Marines), less the 3d Battalion lands on Blue Beach and Yellow Beach at Cape Gloucester, to reinforce the perimeter. The 2d Battalion, 5th Marines (Combat Team A), and the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (Combat Team B), reached Cape Gloucester Airfield No. 1 and 2 and is declared fully secure two days later on December 31, 1943.

IJA: Elements of the 1st Battalion, 53d Japanese Infantry, were crushed during a counterattack on the perimeter at the Tauali beachhead.

U.S. Army: Japanese make another unsuccessful counterattack against the Arawe beachhead. Task Force Michaelmas issues formal orders for invasion of Saidor. D Day is tentatively set for January 2, 1944.

USN: Off Palau, USS Silversides (SS-236) sinks Japanese transport Tenposan Maru, 08°09'N, 133°51'E; army cargo ship Shichisei Maru, 08°00'N, 133°51'E; and merchant cargo ship Ryuto Maru, 08°03'N, 134°04'E; and damages army cargo ship Bichu Maru.

USAAF B-24 attacks Truk-bound Japanese cargo ship Katori Maru, 06°12'N, 167°45'E.