Pacific Wrecks - 2022 Daily Updates

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

Pacific Wrecks 2022 Daily Updates
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10-4 October 4, 1943: Australian Army occupies without opposition Dumpu in the Ramu Valley.
10-3 October 3, 1943: Lost is USS Henley (DD-391) is sunk by a torpedo fired by Japanese submarine RO-108 off Cape Cretin.
10-2 October 2, 1943: "Z Force" (Z Special Unit) commandos paddle 80 km in folboats to rendezvous MV Krait (formally Kofuku Maru).
10-1 October 1, 1943: Lost is P-47D "Carter's Li'l Pill" 42-8066 pilot Lt. Wallace Harding force landed Waigani Swamp north of Port Moresby.
October 2022
9-30 September 30, 1943: Lost is F4U Corsair pilot 1st Lt. Robert A. Alexander shot down accidentally attacking PT-126 off Kolombangara.
9-29 September 29, 1943: Lost B-25D "Axis Fate" 41-30053 pilot 1st Lt. Cecil Jones crashed into the sea near the SS Pruth shipwreck.
9-28 September 28, 1943: The coast is clear! USS Grouper (SS-214) delivers personnel and cargo to support coastwatcher Malcolm Wright.
9-27 September 27, 1943: Lost is Ki-54 Hickory 5541 ditched into Lake Towada (Towada-ko) discovered 2011 and salvaged 2012.
9-26 September 26, 1943: Launched is USS England (DE-635) named for Ensign John C. England who died USS Oklahoma (BB-37).
9-25 September 25, 1943: The 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division, having completed its mission departs for Australia
9-24 September 24, 1943: Lost is P-38H 42-66580 pilot F/O Kenneth D. Kirschner (POW) and P-38H Lightning pilot Corrigan (MIA).
9-23 September 23, 1943: In the central Solomon Islands newly completed Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella becomes operational.
9-22 September 22, 1943: At dawn, U.S. Navy Task Force 76 lands the Australian Army 20th Brigade Group at Scarlet Beach in New Guinea.
9-21 September 21, 1943: P-40N Warhawks 8th Fighter Squadron pilot 1st Daniel H. David claim two bombers over Huon Peninsula.
9-20 September 20, 1943: Lost is P-38H "Mareelee II" 42-66851 pilot Captain Charles P. Sullivan force lands returning from a mission.
9-19 September 19, 1943: Lost is Beaufighter A19-133 pilot WGCDR Clarence Glasscock shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Hoskins Airfield.
9-18 September 18, 1943: U.S. Army reinforcements land on Arundel to increase pressure on the defending Japanese in the northeast.
9-17 September 17, 1943: Lost is M3A1 Stuart disabled by Japanese 37mm Anti-Tank Gun on Arundel Island.
9-16 September 16, 1943: Ditched F6F Hellcat 25839 / National POW/MIA Recognition Day 1st Lt. Gabriel J. Eggud burial Arlington.
9-15 September 15, 1943: Lost is B-17F "Listen Here Tojo!" 41-24552 pilot 1st Lt. Howard G. Eberly crashed near Wau found in 1992.
9-14 September 14, 1943: Lost is C-47A "Hell's Belles" 42-23959 pilot 1st Lt Joe Pate force landed Galley Reach west of Port Moresby.
9-13 September 13, 1943: Lost is P-40N "Mr. Five by Five / Pumkins" 42-104977 pilot 1st Lt Joel D. Thorvaldson later rescued.
9-12 September 12, 1943: Force landed is DB-7B "J is For Jessica" A28-8 pilot FO Harry Rowell at Vivigani Airfield on Goodenough Island.
9-11 September 11, 1943: Lost is B-24D “The Red Ass” 42-40524 pilot Captain David A. Lippincott lost over Makassar in the Celebes.
9-10 September 10, 1943: Lost is F-5A Lightning 42-13088 pilot 2nd Lt. Clifford O. Taylor (MIA) over Owen Stanley Range of New Guinea.
9-9 September 9, 1943: Lost is B-24D "Joltin' Janie" 42-40065 pilot 2nd Lt. Ralph Poulsen ditched Bootless Bay off Port Moresby.
9-8 September 8, 1943: Lost is Hudson A16-233 pilot F/O Lynnton A. Martin north of the Tanimbar Islands with two POWs.
9-7 September 7, 1943: Lost is B-24D "Pride of the Cornhuskers" 42-40682 crashed after take off killing 59 from the Australian Army.
9-6 September 6, 1943: Lost is B-24D "Scorpion" 41-24073 pilot 1st Lt. Francis E. Manion near Finschafen crew later rescued.
9-5 September 5, 1943: U.S. Army 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (503rd PIR) jump from C-47s at Nadzab in the Markham Valley.
9-4 September 4, 1943: VII Amphibious Force enters Huon Gulf and lands the Australian Army 9th Division east of Lae.
9-3 September 3, 1943: Defenses at Barakoma are firmly established and Barakoma Airfield is under construction at Vella Lavella.
9-2 September 2, 1943: Lost Piper L-4 Cub pilot 2nd Lt Frederic G. Heyer seaching for B-24D Liberator 42-40984 crashed two days prior.
9-1 September 1, 1943: U.S. forces land on Baker Island and begin building Baker Island Airfield (Baker Airfield) in Phoenix Islands.
September 2022
8-31 August 31, 1943: Lost is B-24D Liberator 42-40984 pilot 2nd Lt. William Cox on a mission to drop urns but crashed after take off.
8-30 August 30, 1943: Lost is F4U-1 Corsair 02351 pilot 1st Lt Walter T. Mayberry from VMF-123 shot down by Zeros off Fauro Island.
8-29 August 29, 1943: Lost is B-24D "Pete The Carrier" 42-40920 pilot 1st Lt. Alexander F. North shot down by fighters near Wewak.
8-28 August 28, 1943: Lost is F4U Corsair 02577 pilot 1st Lt Charles Cobb Lanphier who became a Prisoner Of War (POW).
8-27 August 27, 1943: Lost is B-17E "Old Topper" 41-2481 pilot 1st Lt. James O. Cobb crashed on take off from 7 Mile Drome.
8-26 August 26, 1943: Damaged is B-25D "Butch" 41-30163 pilot 1st Lt William H. Cather (survived) landing at 30 Mile Drome (Rogers).
8-25 August 25, 1943: New Georgia finale U.S. Army 169th Infantry Regiment occupy Bairoko and Bairoko Harbor without opposition.
8-24 August 24, 1943: South Pacific Tour First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt lands at Nadi Airfield and tours Viti Levu Island in Fiji.
8-23 August 23, 1943: Behind enemy lines USS Grayling (SS-209) delivers supplies to Filipino guerrillas on Panay.
8-22 August 22, 1943: Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) departs on her first sortie with Task Force 15 (TF-15).
8-21 August 21, 1943: Lost is L2D "Ceder Tree" photographed on fire over Bono Bay shot down by B-24D "Juarez Whistle" 42-40496.
8-20 August 20, 1943: Lost is P-38G Lightning 43-2201 pilot 2nd Lt. Earl W. Smith (MIA) crashed off Paga Point found 2002, identified 2020.
8-19 August 19, 1943: U.S. Army 169th Infantry Regiment on Mbanga Island (Baanga) captured a pair of Naval guns firing on Munda.
8-18 August 18, 1943: Skull and cross bombs motif on B-24D "Connell's Special" 41-23765 is adopted by the 90th BG.
8-17 August 17, 1943: Lost is B-24D "Twin Nifty's" 42-40348 pilot 1st Lt Charles R. Freas crashed returning from bombing Wewak.
8-16 August 16, 1943: Allied forces including U.S. Army and Canadian Army soldiers reach abandoned Main Camp on Kiska Island.
8-15 August 15, 1943: Lost is P-39N Airacobra pilot 2nd Lt. Frank J. Topolcany near Marilinan / Allied landing on Kiska Island found empty.
8-14 August 14, 1943: Returning from 380th BG strike on Balikpapan oil refineries, B-24D "Shady Lady" 42-40369 force lands near Drysdale.
8-13 August 13, 1943: Air raid! B5N Kates sink USS John Penn (APA-23) off Lunga Point on Guadalcanal the shipwreck remains at 200'.
8-12 August 12, 1943: Lost is P-39 Airacobra pilot 2nd Lt. John K. Boyles on a patrol off Woodlark Island and went Missing In Action.
8-11 August 11, 1943: Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit at Munda Airfield surveys captured Japanese planes including D3A1 Val 3470.
8-10 August 10, 1943: Lost after a mid-air collision is C-47 Skytrain 42-23700 (crew rescued) near Terapo.
8-9 August 9, 1943: B-24D Liberators from 90th Bombardment Group (90th BG) "Jolly Rogers" bomb Kela and Salamaua on New Guinea.
8-8 August 8, 1943: Lost is B-24D "Big Emma" 41-23751 pilot 2nd Lt. John T. Moller (KIA) returning crashed Galley Reach.
8-7 August 7, 1943: Lost C-47 "Eager Beaver" 41-7733 pilot F/O Harold G. Wilson aboard crashed Cleveland Bay near Townsville.
8-6 August 6, 1943: The Second Air Task Force under the command of Lt. Colonel Malcolm A. Moore is active at Tsili Tsili Airfield.
8-5 August 5, 1943: Lost is B-25D "Miss America" 41-30118 pilot Major Williston M. Cox ditched off Madang with 5 POWs and 1 MIA.
8-4 August 4, 1943: Lost is F4F-4 Wildcat 12090 pilot Lt(jg) Irvin E. Rink in air combat with Japanese fighters over New Georgia.
8-3 August 3, 1943: Lost is B-17E "Red Moose Express" 41-2634 pilot 1st Lt Walter K. Brenneman shot down near Bogadjim.
8-2 August 2, 1943: Lost is PT-109 rammed and sunk by Japanese destroyer Amagiri in the Blacket Strait.
8-1 August 1, 1943: Japanese air raid sinks PT-164 "Fubar" and damages PT-117 at Rendova PT Boat Base.
August 2022
7-31 July 31, 1943: Lost is F-4 Lightning 41-2014 pilot 1st Lt. LeGrand J. Kneeskern bailed out returning from a mission.
7-30 July 30, 1943: Lost is F4U-1 Corsair 02375 pilot Captain Jack Arnold Nichols shot down in air combat and Missing In Action (MIA).
7-29 July 29, 1943: Alone, 2nd Lt. Robert S. Scott defends a hilltop near Munda against counterattacks and later earnes the Medal of Honor.
7-28 July 28, 1943: B-25s sink Japanese destroyers Ariake and Mikazuki off Cape Gloucester.
7-27 July 27, 1943: Lost B-17E "De-Icer" 41-9128 pilot 1st Lt. Karl G. Stubblefield shot down by J1N1 Irving night fighter over Bougainville.
7-26 July 26, 1943: Commence fire! Battle of the Pips false radar returns cause U.S. Navy battleships and crusiers to commence fire.
7-25 July 25, 1943: Lost is B-24D 42-40856 pilot 1st Lt. Orlin F. Wyse (MIA) last seen on take off and went Missing In Action (MIA).
7-24 July 24, 1943: Lost is P-40K Warhawk pilot Levy shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Kiska Island.
7-23 July 23, 1943: Lost is SBD-4 Dauntless 10348 pilot Lt. James Wilson Dougherty ditched into Rendova Harbor crew rescued.
7-22 July 22, 1943: SBDs and TBFs armed with bombs score at least five bomb hits and sink Nisshin off southeast Bougainville.
7-21 July 21, 1943: Zero over Brisbane! A6M3 Model 32 Zero (Hybrid) on a second test flight from Eagle Farm Airfield.
7-20 July 20, 1943: B-25s accidentally strike PT-166 sunk and PT-164 and PT-168 damged shot down is B-25C "The Worry Bird" 41-13153.
7-19 July 19, 1943: Lost is B-17E "Tokyo Taxi" 41-9153 shot down by J1N1 pilot Tokumoto that is damaged and ditched.
7-18 July 18, 1943: Torpedoed! USS LST-342 is hit by a torpedo from Japanese submarine RO-106 and sinks, bow towed to Purvis Bay.
7-17 July 17, 1943: Sunk is Hatsuyuki off Kahili (Buin) off Bougainville / Lost is P-38G 43-2206 pilot 2nd Lt. Benjamin King later rescued.
7-16 July 16, 1943: The first Allied plane lands on Narewa Airfield on Woodlark Island rapidly built by U.S. Navy 60th NCB "Seabees".
7-15 July 15, 1943: Lost is P-40 Warhark pilot F/O Andrew E. Murray shot down Vella Lavella.
7-14 July 14, 1943: Force landed is P-39 Airacobra pilot Lt. Carlos E. "Dan" Dannacher at Wau Airfield.
7-13 July 13, 1943: the Battle of Kolombangara results in three light cruisers damaged by torpedoes and light cruiser Jintsū sunk.
7-12 July 12, 1943: Lost is B-24D "Seafood Mama" 41-24219 pilot 2nd Lt. Herman L. Richardson crashed in the Owen Stanley Range.
7-11 July 11, 1943: Lost B-17F "Black Jack / The Joker's Wild" 41-24521 pilot 1st Lt Ralph K. De Loach crew later rescued.
7-10 July 10, 1943: U.S. Marine Corps 1st Raider Battalion capture Enogai on New Georgia after a furious day of fighting.
7-9 July 9, 1943: B-25s and several fighters strafe and bomb destroyer Nagatsuki beached off southeast Kolombangara.
7-8 July 8, 1943: U.S. Navy Naval Construction Battalion “Seabees” have nearly completed Segi Airfield on southeast New Georgia.
7-7 July 7, 1943: Lost is Hudson NZ2033 pilot F/L Rutherford shot down by J1N1 Irving night fighter pilot Shigetoshi Kudo over Shortland.
7-6 July 6, 1943: Battle of Kula Gulf sunk USS Helena (CL-30) / Lost PB4Y-1 Liberator 31992 pilot LtCdr Bruce A. Van Voorhis earns MOH.
7-5 July 5, 1943: Lost is USS Strong (DD-467) is hit by a Type 93 “Long Lance” from 11 nautical miles away and sinks in Kula Gulf.
7-4 July 4, 1943: Japanese Army Ki-21 Sallys strike Rendova but meet stiff oppostion from U.S. fighters and heavy anti-aircraft fire.
7-3 July 3, 1943: U.S. Army 172nd & 169th Infantry Regiments plus U.S. Marines establish a beachhead at Zanana Beach on New Georgia.
7-2 July 2, 1943: B-25s escorted by USMC F4Us from VMF-213 bomb and strafe sinking camouflaged Kashi Maru in Bauroko Harbor.
7-1 July 1, 1943: Marine Raiders from the 4th Raider Battalion make a double envelopment to capture Viru Harbor on New Georgia.
July 2022
6-30 June 30, 1943: Lost is B-17F "I Dood It / Pluto" 41-24543 shot down by J1N1 pilot Kudo / U.S. landing on Rendova Island.
6-29 June 29, 1943: Task Force 68 under Rear Admiral Merrill sorties for a bombardment and mine laying in the Shortland Islands.
6-28 June 28, 1943: The 80th Fighter Group "Burma Banshees" arrive from the United States at Karachi Airfield with P-40 Warhawks.
6-27 June 27, 1943: Lost is P-40E Kittyhawnk A29-113 pilot Sgt John G. N. Gadsden (survived) fuel line broke and crashed near Mildura.
6-26 June 26, 1943: Lost is B-17E "Naughty But Nice" 41-2430 shot down by J1N1 pilot Shigetoshi Kudo near Rabaul.
6-25 June 25, 1943: A P-40 Warhawk detachment from 344th Fighter Squadron is operating from Attu Airfield on Attu Island.
6-24 June 24, 1943: Emperor Hirohito tours Battleship Musashi and is photographed with Navy officers while anchored at Yokosuka.
6-23 June 23, 1943: Lost is B-24D "Pelly-Can" 41-23688 pilot Captain Roy W. Olsen rammed by a B5M Mable causing both to crash.
6-22 June 22, 1943: Lost is F4U-1 Corsair 02326 pilot 1st Lt. Other F. Smith ditched outside Midway Lagoon at Midway Atoll.
6-21 June 21, 1943: U.S. Marines Corps 4th Marine Raider Battalion land at Segi as the "Eastern Landing Force" on New Georgia.
6-20 June 20, 1943: After air combat, ditched is Spitfire Mark Vc "Butch III" A58-174 pilot F/O A. Hughes at Lee Point near Darwin.
6-19 June 19, 1943: Using the deck gun, USS Sculpin (SS-191) sinks guardboat No.1 Miyasho Maru and Sagami Maru off Inubozaki.
6-18 June 18, 1943: Presumed lost is Japanese submarine I-178 off the eastern coast of Australia when it fails to respond to signals.
6-17 June 17, 1943: Rehearsals for “Operation Toenails” invasion of New Georgia with ships, personnel and landing craft are underway.
6-16 June 16, 1943: Over Buka, damaged B-17 "Lucy" 41-2666 pilot Captain Zeamer and bombardier 2nd Sarnoski earn the Medal of Honor.
6-15 June 15, 1943: Lost in an aerial collision is B-24D "Dauntless Dabbie" 42-40528 and B-24D "Kathy" 42-40517 off Rigo in New Guinea.
6-14 June 14, 1943: Lost B-17C "Pamela / E.M.F." 40-2072 pilot 1st Lt Gidcumb crashed Bakers Creek worst aviation accident in Australia.
6-13 June 13, 1943: Lost is B-17F "Georgia Peach" 41-24454 pilot 1st Lt. Woodard shot down by J1N1 nightfighter pilot Shigetoshi Kudo.
6-12 June 12, 1943: Beaufighters from No. 31 Squadron strike Taberfane Seaplane Base claim seven floatplanes destroyed, two damaged.
6-11 June 11, 1943: Lost is SBD-2 Dauntless 2106 ditched into Lake Michigan, raised 1994 displayed National Museum of Naval Aviation.
6-10 June 10, 1943: In heavy fog, USS PC-487 after intentionally rams Japanese submarine I-24 that sinks 40 miles off Shemya.
6-9 June 9, 1943: Lost is B-17E “Madame X” 41-2525 pilot 1st Lt. Richard A. Snoddy on a night bombing mission against Kahili Airfield.
6-8 June 8, 1943: Lost is Battleship Mutsu due to an internal magazine explosion and sinks into Hiroshima Bay.
6-7 June 7, 1943: Lost is Beaufighter "Time Gentlemen Please / Pandemonium" A19-27 pilot S/Ldr Boulton force landed 5 Mile (Ward).
6-6 June 6, 1943: Nippon News reports on the state funeral for Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto at Tama Cemetery yesterday.
6-5 June 5, 1943: Lost is F-5A Lightning 42-13073 pilot 1st Lt. Fred Hargesheimer on a reconnaissance mission over New Britain.
6-4 June 4, 1943: The 8th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron (8th PRS) Commanding Officer (C.O.) becomes Captain Arthur L. Post.
6-3 June 3, 1943: Japanese submarine I-24 fails to find HA-24 Type A Midget Submarine (M24) missing after attacking Sydney Harbor.
6-2 June 2, 1943: JAAF Ki-48 Lilys from 208th Sentai with Ki-43 Oscars from 24 Sentai bomb and strafe Bulldog Airfield at Bulldog.
6-1 June 1, 1943: Lost is B-17E "Flagship Texas No. VI / Strip-Straffer" 41-9207 pilot 1st Lt. Ernest A. Naumann crashed New Britain.
June 2022
5-31 May 31, 1943: Lost is Beaufighter A19-73 hit the mast of SS Purth (Moresby Wreck) and crashed with two dead and two rescued.
5-30 May 30, 1943: Ditched is P-39 pilot Fitzgerald into a lagoon off Suva in Fiji later mistakenly dubbed "Spitfire Lagoon".
5-29 May 29, 1943: Sunk is Kamikawa Maru by torpedoes from USS Scamp (SS-227) / Final Japanese banzai charge on Attu.
5-28 May 28, 1943: Lost is P-38G Lightning 42-13381 pilot 1st Lt. Gaston M. Hensley (survived) ditched into the sea off Torey Pines.
5-27 May 27, 1943: Lost is B-24D “Green Hornet” 41-24212 pilot 1st Lt. Russell A. Philips crashed into the sea north of Palmyra.
5-26 May 26, 1943: U.S. Army Private Joseph P. Martinez leads an assault on Attu Island and earns the Medal of Honor, posthumously.
5-25 May 25, 1943: Damaged is B-25C "Feather Merchant" 41-12442 on a mission against Lae and takes months to repair.
5-24 May 24, 1943: Japanese submarine I-17 torpedoes SS Stanvac Manila transporting PT Boats with PT-165 and PT-173 lost
5-23 May 23, 1943: Bettys damage USS Niagara (AGP-1) scuttled southeast of San Cristobal and I-17 torpedoes SS Stanvac Manila
5-22 May 22, 1943: Lost is B-25C Mitchell 41-12981 pilot 1st Lt. Roy J. Moore (MIA) on a night reconnaissance mission off New Guinea.
5-21 May 21, 1943: J1N1 Gekko night fighter pilot Shigetoshi Kudo downs B-17E "Honi Kuu Okole" 41-9244 and B-17E 41-9011.
5-20 May 20, 1943: At 11:05pm nine Beauforts take off from Vivigani Airfield on mission against Gasmata. Lost Beaufort A9-188 (MIA).
5-19 May 19, 1943: Lost is TBF-1 Avenger 06239 pilot Lt(jg) Frederic B. Sleyster (MIA) on a mine laying mission against Bougainville.
5-18 May 18, 1943: Lost is B-25D "Dittum-Dattum" 41-30073 pilot 1st Lt. John P. McLean force landed at Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield.
5-17 May 17, 1943: First use of Vivigani Airfield by six Beauforts from No. 100 Squadron to stage for a mission against Gasmata.
5-16 May 16, 1943: USS Grayback (SS-208) torpedoes Destroyer Yugure causing serious damage northwest of Kavieng.
5-15 May 15, 1943: Lost is B-25C "Miss Snafu" 41-12487 piot 1st Lt Nelson P. "Lefty" Ingram Jr. (MIA) on a night mission against Lae.
5-14 May 14, 1943: The 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels" is activated at Charters Towers Airfield.
5-13 May 13, 1943: Lost is F4U Corsair 02178 pilot Major William E. Gise (MIA) in air combat over the Russell Islands.
5-12 May 12, 1943: Lost are C-47 Skytrain 41-18661 and C-47 "Chattanooga Choo Choo" 41-18651 crashed Owen Stanley Range.
5-11 May 11, 1943: U.S. Army 7th Division lands on Attu Island at two locations: Massacre Bay and Holtz Bay under fog.
5-10 May 10, 1943: Lost is Spitfire Mark Vc A58-81 pilot FtLt Bruce Little crashed near Darwin.
5-9 May 9, 1943: Kaigun Tokubetsu Rikusentai 6th Kure Special Naval Landing Force reinforcements on New Georgia.
5-8 May 8, 1943: Lost is B-17F "Fighting Swede" 41-24520 rammed by Ki-43 Oscar pilot Oda / F-5A 42-12680 pilot 2nd Lt. Charles Roberts
5-7 May 7, 1943: Lost is B-17F "Reckless Mountain Boys" 41-24518 pilot Captain Byron L. "Dutch" Heichel ditched off New Ireland.
5-6 May 6, 1943: USS Radford (DD-446) escorts USS Gamble (DM-15), USS Preble (DM-20), and USS Breese (DM-18) to lay mines.
5-5 May 5, 1943: 73rd Fighter Squadron (73rd FS), 318th Fighter Group (318th FG) transfers from NAS Kaneohe to Mokuleia with P-40s.
5-4 May 4, 1943: 14th Air Force (14th AF) bombers and fighters bomb Hanoi and Haiphong in French Indochina (Vietnam).
5-3 May 3, 1943: A strike force of 58 U.S. planes including U.S. Navy bombers and fighters plus USAAF fighters strike Rekata Bay.
5-2 May 2, 1943: Japanese submarine I-19 scores a torpedo hit that damages SS William Williams near Suva but the vessel survives.
5-1 May 1, 1943: Lost is B-24D pilot Kavanagh force landed into a rice paddy northeast of Bassien (Pathein) in Burma.
May 2022
4-30 April 30, 1943: Lost is B-25C "Spook II" 41-12969 pilot Major Edward L. Larner buzzed the runway and crashed.
4-29 April 29, 1943: Lost is P-38G Lightning piloted by 2nd Lt John McIntyre attempted a loop close to the ground and crashed.
4-28 April 28, 1943: B-24 Liberators on snooper missions bomb Kahili Airfield on southern Bougainville.
4-27 April 27, 1943: Lost is P-40K "Swing It" 42-45981 pilot 2nd Lt. Christ A. Props (KIA) fell out of the formation and went into a spin.
4-26 April 26, 1943: Lost is PBY-5 Catalina A24-43 pilot F/Lt William J. Clark crashed dropping supplies to coastwatchers on Bougainville.
4-25 April 25, 1943: 492d Bombardment Squadron, 7th Bombardment Group transfers with B-24s from Bishnupur to Panagarh.
4-24 April 24, 1943: B-25 Mitchells bomb Dili Airfield west of Dili in East Timor.
4-23 April 23, 1943: Damaged is B-17F "Aztec's Curse" 41-24457 piloted by Captain Leon Rockwell ground looped due to brake failure.
4-22 April 22, 1943: Lost is A-20A "Strawberry Roam" 40-173 pilot 1st Lt. William Langley ditched into Bootless Bay.
4-21 April 21, 1943: Japanese Navy Admiral Mineichi Koga is appointed Commander in Chief (CinC) of the Combined Fleet.
4-20 April 20, 1943: Damaged is B-24D "Super Man" 41-23938 on a bombing raid against Nauru returns with 600 bullet holes.
4-19 April 19, 1943: Lost is B-26B 41-17576 suffers an engine failure and crashed, crew survived with injuries.
4-18 April 18, 1943: Operation Peacock G4M1 Betty Tail 323 with Admiral Yamamoto and G4M1 Betty Tail 326 pilot Vice-Admiral Ugaki.
4-17 April 17, 1943: Lost is B-17F 41-24425 pilot Captain Charles N. McArthur (MIA) after an aerial collision and crashed into the sea.
4-16 April 16, 1943: Lost is B-25C "Chatter Box" 41-13088 pilot 2nd Lt. Charles Howe force lands in Veimauri swamp west of Port Moresby.
4-15 April 15, 1943: Lost is B-24D 41-23970 pilot 1st Lt. Don J. Gilliland shot down by anti-aircraft fire over Kiska Harbor.
4-14 April 14, 1943: Japanese Operation I-Go Japanese planes strike Milne Bay bomb Gurney Field and sink MS Van Heemskerk.
4-13 April 13, 1943: A message with the itinerary for a flight by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is decoded by U.S. Navy cryptographers.
4-12 April 12, 1943: Japanese Operation I-Go a formation of 175 Japanese planes targets Port Moresby.
4-11 April 11, 1943: Japanese Operation I-Go air strike against Oro Bay damages HMS Hanyang, MV Noora (S-136) and HMAS Pirie (J189).
4-10 April 10, 1943: Lost is B-24D 41-24068 pilot 1st Lt George C. McNair on a bombing mission against Wewak and crashed.
4-9 April 9 , 1943: USS Drum (SS-228) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking army cargo ship Oyama Maru.
4-8 April 8 , 1943: Lost is USS Kanawha (AO-1) damaged by a bomb that causes a fire and 19 killed sinks off Tulagi Island.
4-7 April 7, 1943: Japanese Operation I-Go over a hundered Japanese planes strike Tulagi sunk is USS Aaron Ward (DD-483).
4-6 April 6, 1943: Lost is P-38G pilot 1st Lt. George G. Topoll (KIA) while attempting to land, crashed and was killed.
4-5 April 5, 1943: Damaged is P-38G "Elsie" Tail 88 piloted by John G. O'Neill while landing at Horanda Airfield (Dobodura No. 4)
4-4 April 4, 1943: Elements of the U.S. Army "MacKechnie Force" land at Morobe Harbor and secured the area as a forward PT Boat Base.
4-3 April 3, 1943: Japanese Navy Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto aboard H8K2 Emily to Rabaul to personally supervise Operation I-Go.
4-2 April 2, 1943: P-38s and P-40s strike a small cargo ship in Kokolope Bay off Vella Lavella in the central Solomon Islands.
4-1 April 1, 1943: Smile! U.S. Army Air Force 3rd Bomb Group (3rd BG) Advanced Echelon, New Guinea with RAAF at Port Moresby.
April 2022
3-31 March 31, 1943: Commissioned in the U.S. Navy is USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) at NY Shipbuilding Corp in Camden, New Jersey.
3-30 March 30, 1943: Lost is B-25C Mitchell N5-133 pilot 2nd Lt Swane force lands after a reconassance mission with the crew rescued.
3-29 March 29, 1943: "A Nice Faisi Roast Well Done.. Admiral Halsey" P-38s and a F4U strafe Shortland Harbor and Subchaser CH-28.
3-28 March 28, 1943: Lost is P-40E Warhawk A29-150 pilot Squadron Leader Keith "Bluey" W. Truscott crashed into Exmouth Gulf.
3-27 March 27, 1943: The Battle of the Komandorski Islands (Battle of the Bering Sea) last solely ship versus ship gun and torpedo action.
3-26 March 26, 1943: Lost is B-17F "Pluto" 41-24384 pilot Brigadier General Howard K. Ramey reconnaissance and administrative flight
3-25 March 25, 1943: U.S. President Roosevelt bestows Brig Gen Kenneth N. Walker posthumous Medal of Honor to his eldest son.
3-24 March 24, 1943: Lost is P-40E "Poison P" A29-125 pilot FSgt George F. Sherwin crashed at Turnbull Field near Milne Bay.
3-23 March 23, 1943: Overnight, Bettys bomb Henderson Field destroy six bombers / B-17E 41-2417 bombs Tavurvur (Matupi Volcano).
3-22 March 22, 1943: Heavy bombers pound the Gasmata Airfield on southern New Britain.
3-21 March 21, 1943: Lost is TBF Avenger 06091 pilot 1st Lt. Ellis E. Matheson on a bombing mission against Kahili Airfield on Bougainvile.
3-20 March 20, 1943: Ditched is B-17E "Goonie" 41-2523 pilot by Lt. Col. Marion D. Unruh ditched off the Russell Islands.
3-19 March 19, 1943: During the night, TBF Avengers from VMSB-143 fly the first aerial mining operation over Buin-Tonolai on Bougainville.
3-18 March 18, 1943: Lost is DB-7 Boston A28-3 pilot FLTLT William Ellis Newton ditched off Salamaua.
3-17 March 17, 1943: An accidental fuel at Tufi PT Boat Base fire burns PT-67 and PT-119 and sink into Tufi Harbor.
3-16 March 16, 1943: Ditched is B-17F “"Hell From Heaven Men” 41-24424 pilot 1st Lt. McMullan / Lost F-4 41-2140 pilot 1st Lt. Morton.
3-15 March 15, 1943: The Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, French Frigate Shoals is established at Tern Island in the French Frigate Shoals.
3-14 March 14, 1943: Lost is F4F Wildcat 12068 pilot Lt. James "Jim" G. G. Taylor east of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.
3-13 March 13, 1943: Seven crew led by 1st Lt. James A. McMurria are captured by the Japanese and became Prisoners Of War (POW).
3-12 March 12, 1943: A-20 Havocs strike Salamaua Airfield (Logui Strip No. 2) near Logui and Salamaua on the north coast of New Guinea.
3-11 March 11, 1943: Lost is C-47 Skytrain 41-38662 pilot SSgt Elmer Crowley crashed near Skindiwai (Skin Diwai) killing everyone aboard.
3-10 March 10, 1943: The 14th Air Force (14th AF) is activated at Kunming under the command of Major General Claire L. Chennault.
3-9 March 9, 1943: Crashed B-26 "Thunderbird" 40-1480 pilot Captain Harry Patteson killed is bombardier Pvt Emil Erickson.
3-8 March 8, 1943: Sunk s'Jacob by bomb hit from G4M1 Bettys off Porlock Harbor on the north coast of New Guinea.
3-7 March 7, 1943: Lost is Ki-46 Dinah pilot Tonoi crashed into the sea off Bathurst Island.
3-6 March 6, 1943: Ditched A6M2 Zero 1503 pilot WO Kan-ichi Kashimura (MIA) off Russell Islands and later salvaged ashore.
3-5 March 5, 1943: Lost PB4Y-1 31948 pilot Lt. Frank M. Fisler (MIA) bombing Japanese shipping in Tonolei Harbor on Bougainville.
3-4 March 4, 1943: Sunk is Destroyer Arashio at the conclusion of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.
3-3 March 3, 1943: During the Battle of the Bismarck Sea lost is B-17F "Ka-Puhio-Wela" 41-24356 pilot 1st Lt. Woodrow W. Moore.
3-2 March 2, 1943: Six A6M2 Zeros strafe Coomalie Creek Airfield and destroy Beaufighter "Feaubighter" A19-31 parked.
3-1 March 1, 1943: Spotted! B-24D "Miss Deed" 41-24070 discovers a Japanese convoy en route from Rabaul for Lae.
March 2022
2-28 February 28, 1943: Lost is TBF-1 "Peggy" 06109 pilot Captain Alexander R. Berry over southern Bougainville becomes POW.
2-27 February 27, 1943: Photo recon F-4 Lightning from 17th PRS makes a photographic run from 32,500' over Ballale.
2-26 February 26, 1943: Delivery Japanese submarine I-169 Type A midget submarine and torpedoes to Kiska Harbor Submarine Base.
2-25 February 25, 1943: Japanese Prisoners Of War (POW) at Featherston POW Camp protest work details that becomes a riot.
2-24 February 24, 1943: Lost is Hudson A16-245 pilot F/O Raymond A. N. Kelly ditched into Milne Bay.
2-23 February 23, 1943: Yokosuka 7th Special Naval Landing Force (Yokosuka 7th SNLF) lands on Kolombangara Island.
2-22 February 22, 1943: A single B-24D Liberator strikes Lorengau Airfield on Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands.
2-21 February 21, 1943: Lost is B-25C "Draft Dodger" 41-12968 pilot 2nd Lt. Gordon K. McCoun ditched crew rescued.
2-20 February 20, 1943: Crew of B-17E "Naughty But Nice" 41-2430 between missions at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby.
2-19 February 19, 1943: Lost is B-24D "Lady Luck" 41-11901 pilot 2nd Lt Howard F. Carlson on a reconnaissance over New Britain.
2-18 February 18, 1943: Fire mission! Task Group 8.6 (TG 8.6) bombards Holtz Bay and Chichagof Harbor on Attu in the Aleutians.
2-17 February 17, 1943: A small group of U.S. officers depart Guadalcanal bound for Russell Islands and after dark land on Banika.
2-16 February 16, 1943: Lost is B-24D "Bundles For Japan" 41-23969 crashed returning from a mission with 3 dead and others rescued.
2-15 February 15, 1943: Four A6M2-N Rufes and three E13A1 Jakes bomb and strafe Amchitka Airfield causing casualties on the ground.
2-14 February 14, 1943: The Saint Valentines Day Massacre results in the loss of eight U.S. planes and suspends daylight raids.
2-13 February 13, 1943: Lost is P-40F Warhawk 41-14110 pilot 1st Lt. Raymond A. Morrissey on an escort mission over Shortland-Buin.
2-12 February 12, 1943: Lost is B-24D Liberator 41-24017 pilot 1st Lt. Donald A. Rininsland on an armed reconnaissance over Wewak.
2-11 February 11, 1943: Japanese Navy Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto designates Battleship Musashi as his flagship at Truk.
2-10 February 10, 1943: U.S. Army Signal Corps photographs of A6M2 Zero Tail 114? on the beach at Verahue on Guadalcanal.
2-9 February 9, 1943: Lost is B-17F "My Lovin' Dove" 41-24450 pilot Captain Classen ditched off Buka Island crew rescued 60 days later.
2-8 February 8, 1943: Overnight, Japanese destroyers complete the evacuation of personnel from Cape Esperence on Guadalcanal.
2-7 February 7, 1942: Lost is B-24D Liberator 41-23755 pilot 1st Lt James J. Crawford crashed Gerehu.
2-6 February 6, 1943: Lost is C-47 "Early Delivery" 41-38658 pilot 1st Lt. Schwensen (MIA) / Wirraway A20-447 destroyed at Wau Airfield.
2-5 February 5, 1943: Lost is B-25C Mitchell 41-12502 pilot 2nd Lt. Frederick W. Schierloh, Jr. (KIA) crashed off SS Pruth.
2-4 February 4, 1943: Damaged by a near miss Japanese destroyer Maikaze is towed by Nagatsuki back to Shortland.
2-3 February 3, 1943: A-20 Havocs conduct air strikes along the Mubo-Komiatum Track targeting Japanese concentrations.
2-2 February 2, 1943: The U.S. Army 147th Infantry Regiment crosses the Bonegi River on Guadalcanal.
2-1 February 1, 1943: Lost is A6M2 Zero 6544 pilot PO2c Sakuji Tanaka damaged over Guadalcanal and crashed Pavuvu Island.
February 2022
1-31 January 31, 1943: Damaged by bombs and strafing, Toa Maru No. 2 drifts for three days before sinking off Ghizo Island.
1-30 January 30, 1943: During the Battle of Rennell Island, G4M1 Bettys from 751 Kōkūtai damaged USS Chicago (CA-29) being towed.
1-29 January 29, 1943: Damaged and rammed by HMNZS Kiwi (T102) lost is Japanese submarine I-1 off Kamimbo Bay on Guadalcanal.
1-28 January 28, 1943: Australian Army fights a delaying action against the Japanese advancing from Salamaua via Mubo towards Wau.
1-27 January 27, 1943: Ditched is B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2403 with Brig General Nathan F. Twining (C.O. 13th AF) aboard later rescued.
1-26 January 26, 1943: P-39 Airacobra pilot 2nd Lt. William F. Fiedler, Jr. damages H6K2 Mavis pilot Kira flying boat off Choiseul Island.
1-25 January 25, 1943: Japanese submarine I-16 makes a supply run to Cape Esperance releasing an Unkato (cargo transporting tube).
1-24 January 24, 1943: Damaged is Destroyer Harusame by a torpedo fired by USS Wahoo (SS-238) off Kairuru Island.
1-23 January 23, 1943: Ditched is A6M2 Zero pilot CPO Satō Taka’aki ditched off Wei Island (Vial).
1-22 January 22, 1943: The last Japanese in The Gifu on Guadalcanal launch a futile night counterattack and are defeated.
1-21 January 21, 1943: Crashed M-130 “Philippine Clipper” NC14715 southwest of Ukiah in wCalifornia killing everyone aboard.
1-20 January 20, 1943: Shark Mouth Smile! Fighter pilots photographed with their planes including P-38G 42-12623 at 14 Mile Drome.
1-19 January 19, 1943: The U.S. Army and Australian Army close on Sanananda and Giruwa (Girewo) on the north coast of New Guinea.
1-18 January 18, 1943: Force landed is B-24D 41-23908 pilot Captain Ernest "Pappy" Pruett on Great Sitkin Island and later rescued.
1-17 January 17, 1943: Japanese air raid against Turnbull Field (No. 3 Strip) / Ditched B-17E "Tugboat Annie" 41-2599 north of Buna.
1-16 January 16, 1943: The 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron (17th PRS) arrives Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.
1-15 January 15, 1943: The first Japanese plane land at newly built Nauru Airfield on southwest Nauru Island.
1-14 January 14, 1943: Lost is Pfc Dale W. Ross Missing In Action Hill 27 on Guadalcanal / Crashed SOC-1 Seagull 9911 Lt. Brackett.
1-13 January 13, 1943: The 13th Air Force (13th AF) “Jungle Air Force” is activated with headquarters on Espiritu Santo in the South Pacific.
1-12 January 12, 1943: Australian Army tanks advance on the Sanananda Track with M3 Stuart Tank 2565 disabled and burned.
1-11 January 11, 1943: U.S. Army 27th Infantry Regiment commences attacks against Galloping Horse on Guadalcanal.
1-10 January 10, 1943: Killed are Sgt William Fournier and T/5 Lewis Hall 35th Infantry Regiment "Cacti" at Sea Horse on Guadalcanal.
1-9 January 9, 1943: Sunk is Yoshinogawa Maru off Kieta damaged by torpedoes fired by USS Nautilus (SS-168).
1-8 January 8, 1943: Crashed B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9234 pilot 1st Lt Dau / Lost is B-24D Liberator 41-23929 pilot Moznette off Kaui.
1-7 January 7, 1943: Ditched B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24383 pilot 2nd Lt. Guyton Christopher into Gulf of Papua with 6 KIA, 3 rescued.
1-6 January 6, 1943: Qantas S.23C "Coriolanus" Empire Flying Boat VH-ABG rescues the crew of B-17F 41-24538 off Urasi Island.
1-5 January 5, 1943: Lost is B-17F "San Antonio Rose" 41-24458 pilot Lindberg with General Kenneth N. Walker Missing In Action (MIA).
1-4 January 4, 1943: Japanese Imperial HQ issued an order authorizing "Operation Ke" to evacuate Japanese forces on Guadalcanal.
1-3 January 3, 1943: Damaged B-26 "So Sorry" 40-1422 pilot 1st Lt. Gerald J. Crosson force landed near Dobodura crew rescued.
1-2 January 2, 1943: Abandoned is PT-43 at Chapuru near Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal.
1-1 January 1, 1943: "New Year's Day" last entry on the door diary of C-47 "Flying Dutchman" 41-18564 as the last survivors perish.
January 2022

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