World War II in real time

Day 1320 of World War II, April 22nd 1943

Air War over Europe

32 aircraft went minelaying off Biscay ports. 1 Lancaster and 1 Wellington were lost.

Battle of the Atlantic

PBYs (VP 84), flying from bases in Iceland and Greenland, drive off German U-boats threatening convoy HX 234.

North African campaign

The Holy Thursday Massacre: 16 Me-323 were flying over cape Bon Tunisia. They were interceped by 2 RAF fighter squadrons and 4 SOuth African Squadrons with KittyHawks. 14 of the 16 were shot down. They were filled with 240 tons of fuel for the Afrika Korps, out of the 140 crews 19 suvived. 4 days earlier the Luftwaffe lost 24 Ju-52's.

Allied attacks against enemy positions began again. The US II Corps, now under General Bradley, attacked Hill 609 in 'Mousetrap Valley' on the way to Mateur. Meanwhile the British V Corps hit 'Longstop' and 'Peter's Corner', attacking on a front north and south of Medjez el Bab, while the British IX Corps attacked between Boubellat and Bou Arada. Slowly but remorselessly, the Allies were advancing on all fronts in Tunisia, driving the Axis into a corner from which escape would be almost impossible. No armies had fought a more savage defensive battle than the poorly-supplied and numerically weaker Axis forces. Their counter-attacks were fierce but always costly in men and tanks. The American 1st Division was excelling in mountain warfare in the peaks between the Dhjoumine and Tine rivers. Their colleagues of the British 78th Division were locked in a brutal combat for a hill called 'Longstop'. The British 6th Armoured Division was fighting an expensive battle - in terms of losses on both sides - with the 10.Panzerdivision at Sbkret el Kourzia.

Photo: An open-topped CMP truck and motorcycle of 11th Royal Horse Artillery (Honourable Artillery Company), 1st Armoured Division, 22 April 1943



Photo: Priest 105mm self-propelled gun of 11th Royal Horse Artillery (Honourable Artillery Company), 1st Armoured Division, 22 April 1943



NAAF B-26s bombed 2 landing grounds near Protville while fighters and A-20s flew sweeps and attacked positions at Djebel el Ahmera (Longstop Ridge), Sidi Nsir, Djebel el Ajred (Bald Hill) and other points as the British First Army's V Corps launched the start of the final phase of the assault on Tunis and Bizerte. In order to save supplies, Montgomery was ordered to stop his feeble efforts along the coast.

The US 309th FS / 31st FG came out on top of an engagement with the squadron shooting down 3 enemy aircraft, Major Hill sharing 2 with Lts. Payne and Rahn while Lt. McRaven accounted for the third.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy submarine tender USS Griffin (AS-13) at anchor off San Francisco, California (USA), on 22 April 1943



United Kingdom

Photo: New Sloop For the Royal Indian Navy Launched on Clyde Bank. 22 April 1943, Yarrows Yard, Clydebank, the Launching of a New Sloop For the Royal Indian Navy, the Ceremony Was Performed by Mrs Godfrey, Wife of Vice Admiral V H Godfrey, Cb



Pacific War

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

The submarine USS Grenadier (SS-210) is scuttled off Penang, Malaya, after having been damaged by Japanese aircraft of the 936th Kokutai yesterday. The sub was running on the surface at dawn when it was spotted by the aircraft. As the sub crash dived, her skipper, Commander John A. Fitzgerald commented "we ought to be safe now, as we are between 120 and 130 feet." Just then, bombs rocked Grenadier and heeled her over 15 to 20 degrees. Power and lights failed completely and the fatally wounded ship settled to the bottom at 267 feet.

She tried to make repairs while a fierce fire blazed in the maneuvering room. After 13 hours of sweating it out on the bottom Grenadier managed to surface after dark to clear the boat of smoke and inspect damage. The damage to her propulsion system was irreparable. Attempting to bring his ship close to shore so that the crew could scuttle her and escape into the jungle, Commander Fitzgerald even tried to jury-rig a sail. But the long night's work proved futile.

As dawn broke, 22 April, Grenadier's weary crew sighted two Japanese ships heading for them. As the skipper "didn't think it advisable to make a stationary dive in 280 feet (81.5 meters) of water without power," the crew began burning confidential documents prior to abandoning ship. A Japanese plane attacked the stricken submarine; but Grenadier, though dead in the water and to all appearances helpless, hit the plane with machine gun fire on its second pass.

As the damaged plane veered off, its torpedo landed about 200 yards from the boat and exploded. Reluctantly opening all vents, Grenadier's crew abandoned ship and watched her sink to her final resting place. A Japanese merchantman picked up 8 officers and 68 enlisted men and took them to Penang, Malay States, where they were questioned, beaten, and starved before being sent to other prison camps. They were then separated and transferred from camp to camp along the Malay Peninsula and finally to Japan.

Throughout the war they suffered brutal, inhuman treatment, and their refusal to reveal military information both frustrated and angered their captors. First word that any had survived Grenadier reached Australia 27 November 1943. Despite the brutal and sadistic treatment, all but four of Grenadier's crew survived their 2 years in Japanese hands.

JAPAN

Japanese Prime Minister Kideki Tojo announces that American fliers captured while bombing Japan will be given "one-way tickets to hell."

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs and B-25 Mitchells bomb the Lababia-Duali area on Nassau Bay while individual B-17s bomb the Dobo and Nubia area.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force) In the Ellice Islands, the airfield on Funafuti is bombed twice during the night of 21/22 Apr by the Japanese. Two B-24's are destroyed and 5
others damaged.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) arrives in Fiji from the U.S.

HAVANNAH HARBOUR, EFATE ISLAND

Photo: The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Denver (CL-58) enters Havannah harbour of Éfaté Island, in colonial New Hebrides (present day Vanuatu) during the Solomon Islands Campaign, as seen from USS Columbia (CL-56) on 22 April 1943. Note the Curtiss SOC Seagull floatplane in the right foreground, and the worn paintwork on Denver's hull, forward and amidships, with apparently fresh paint further aft



PACIFIC

Submarine Stingray (SS-186) mines waters off Wenchow, China.

Dutch submarine O 21, despite presence of escort vessel, sinks Japanese army cargo ship Yamazato Maru in Malacca Straits, 03°28'N, 99°47'E.

Day 1322 of World War II, April 24th 1943

Air War over Europe

5 RAF Mosquitoes attacked railway targets at Tours, Paderborn and Trier without loss.

German occupied Poland

SS forces began to reduce the Jewish strongholds in the Warsaw Ghetto. Deploying heavy artillery and flamethrowers, the defenders were burned or blown out of their defenses. But the Jews continued to fight, re-occupying the rubble and taking to the sewers in tenacious fighting.

Battle of the Atlantic

British freighter Campana rescues 15 survivors from U.S. freighter James W. Denver, sunk by German submarine U-195 in the North Atlantic on 11 April.

Swedish motor vessel Venezia rescues all hands (57 merchant seamen, 28-man Armed Guard and 10 passengers) from U.S. freighter Santa Catalina, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-129 the previous day.

North African campaign

Photo: Churchill tanks advance. In the lead is a Mk I with hull-mounted 3-inch howitzer, Tunisia, 24 April 1943



United States

San Francisco: A US invasion force sails to take Attu, in the Aleutians.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

(Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, 2 P-38's bomb Kiska and strafe personnel near Mutton Cove. Weather cancels other missions.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force) In Burma, 9 B-25's, escorted by 11 P-40's, bomb the Namtu mines and railroad yards. 7 of the P-40's strafe the mine and smelter area. In China, 13 P-40's intercept 25 fighters near Lingling and shoot down 5.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) In the Bismarck Archipelago, single B-24's bomb the runway at Cape Gloucester. In the Celebes, B-24's bomb Kendari Airfield. In New Guinea, A-20's bomb and strafe positions in the Mubo area. Single B-24's attack Lae, Gumbi, and Singor. B-25's pound Dili Airfield. Lost is C-49 "Calamity Mary Jane" Serial Number 41-7694.

PACIFIC

Submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) sinks Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Kasuga Maru in Tsugaru Strait, 41°44'N, 141°21'E.

Submarine Runner (SS-275) damages Japanese army hospital ship Buenos Aires Maru south of Hong Kong, 21°41'N, 116°24'E.

Day 1324 of World War II, April 26th 1943

Air War over Europe

215 Lancasters, 135 Wellingtons, 119 Halifaxes, 78 Stirlings and 14 Mosquitoes attacked Duisburg. 17 aircraft were lost. This heavy raid was a partial failure. The Pathfinders claimed to have marked their target accurately but daylight reconnaissance showed that most of the bombing had fallen to the northeast of Duisburg. The Main Force may have bombed too early or they may have been lured by early fires short of the target. However, Duisburg had more than 300 buildings destroyed and a death roll of between 130 and 207, reports varied. 4 of the Mosquitoes taking part in this raid were from 2 Group. They bombed Duisburg 3 hours after the main raid, then dived hard and flew back to England at low level. Bombs hit 6 other towns in the Ruhr.

6 RAF Mosquitoes attacked railway targets at Tours, Julich and Lingen without loss.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Naval Station, Mers el Kebir, Morocco, is established.

North African campaign

(18 Army Group) On U.S. II Corps’ 9th Div front, RCT 60 swings NE toward Kef en Nsour, previous objective of Corps Franc d’Afrique, rather than SE toward Jefna position as planned, since French are unable to advance in region N of Djebel Dardyss. RCT 39, now solely responsible for outflanking the Jefna position, takes Hill Sri, SE of Djebel Aïnchouna. Continuing holding action along highway, RCT 47 finds enemy disposed in force on Hill 598, SW of Djebel Aired. 34th Div takes over zone in Djebel Grembil–Hill 575 region, between 9th and 1st Divs, and prepares for drive on Hill 609 (Djebel Tahent). Enemy positions on hills in this area are being softened by arty fire. On S flank, 1st Div gains its initial objectives, permitting 1st Armd Div to take over Tine valley zone at 2200 in preparation for armored drive through enemy’s second line of defense to Mateur.

In Br First Army’s 5 Corps area, 78th Div finishes clearing Djebel el Ahmera. 1st Div reaches Djebel Bou Aoukaz, 4 miles from Djebel el Ahmera. On main road to Tunis, 4th Div reaches positions 7 miles E of Medjez el Bab. 9 Corps is now opposed on Goubellat plain by 3 enemy armd divs that contain further efforts to advance. 6th Armd Div is withdrawn into reserve. Fr 19th Corps continues to pursue enemy northward toward Pont-du-Fahs, reaching Djebel Fkirine.

United Kingdom

Photo: British Motor Minesweeper. 26 April 1943, Yarmouth, Picture of a 126 Ft Type British Motor Minesweeper



United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Kendrick (DD-612) at sea on 26 April 1943



Photo: The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Philadelphia (CL-41) off New York City (USA) on 26 April 1943



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

Japanese held harbor at Attu in the Aleutian Islands is bombed by a US naval squadron under the command of Admiral McMorris. This was Task Grouop 16.6 consisting of:

Light cruisers USS Richmond, USS Detroit and USS Santa Fe, and Destroyers USS Caldwell, USS Bancroft, USS Coghlan, USS Frazier, USS Gansevoort and USS Edwards.

The TG bombarded Adak Island from 0815 to 0840 hours local; the Japanese did not return fire. Kiska Island is also bombed on this day. Royal Canadian Air Force P-40K-1-CUs of No. 111 (Fighter) Squadron based on Kodiak Island fly 24 sorties while five USAAF B-25s abort due to the usual Aleutian Island weather.

SW PACIFIC

Operation Cartwheel is agreed to. This has Halsey's forces move through New Georgia and Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. MacArthur will move NW along the coast of New Guinea. Then they will both attack Rabaul, New Britian and Kavieng, New Ireland.

Day 1326 of World War II, April 28th 1943

Air War over Europe

6 RAF Mosquitoes carried out a raid to Wilhelmshaven, dropping numerous flares to divert attention from the minelaying force which was operating nearby. No Mosquitoes were lost.

207 RAF aircraft - 68 Lancasters, 60 Halifaxes, 47 Wellingtons and 32 Stirlings - carried out another large minelaying operation. 167 aircraft laid mines off Heligoland, in the River Elbe and in the Great and Little Belts. Low cloud over the German and Dutch coasts forced the minelayers to fly low in order to establish their positions before laying their mines and much German flak actvity was seen. 22 aircraft - 7 Lancasters, 7 Stirlings, 6 Wellingtons and 2 Halifaxes - were lost. This was the heaviest loss of aircraft while minelaying in the war, but the number of mines laid was the highest in one night.

Battle of the Atlantic

A series of running battles, between German U-Boats and Convoy ONS-5, begin. These battles will last through 6 May. The convoy will lose 13 transports. 7 U-Boats are sunk with damage to others. The ratio of 2 transports to 1 U-boat is acceptable. This convoy is being protected by British escorts and PBY-5A Catalinas of the US Navy's Patrol VP-84 based as Naval Air Facility (NAF) Reykjavik, Iceland. The effective air escort during the main battle was RCAF No. 5 Squadron from Newfoundland which sank 'U-630' on 4th May. Earlier in the voyage, on 24 April, 'U-710' was sunk by RAF 206 Squadron. The surface escort accounted for the remainder of the U-boat losses. The weather from 28 May onwards was atrocious.

In the Atlantic, a US Navy hunter-killer group comprised of the auxiliary aircraft carrier USS 'Bogue' and four destroyers drives off five German U-boats deploying against Convoy HX 235.

North African campaign

(18 Army Group) In U.S. II Corps area, 9th Div continues E astride the Sedjenane, reaching Kraim Lerhmed on N and Kef Saban on S. RCT 39 clears hills generally N of Hill 382, but enemy retains 382. In center of II Corps area, main effort is made to clear approaches to Hill 609, which is hampering forward movement of 34th and 1st In U.S. II Corps area, enemy finds positions facing corps untenable and begins withdrawal, night 1–2. 9th Div suspends offensive on N flank of corps. In center, Germans make vain efforts to regain Hill 609. On S, enemy remnants are cleared from Hill 299, and 1st Armd Div is ready for drive on Mateur. In Br First Army area, Fr 19th Corps reorganizes for final push with 3 divs: from left to right, Algerian, Moroccan, and Oran.

United States

Photo: USS Cascade (AD-16), shortly after alterations at Navy Yard Mare Island to reduce topside weight, 28 April 1943



Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Pettit (DE-253) is launched at Brown Shipbuilding Company, Houston, Texas (USA), on 28 April 1943



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

(Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, 1 B-25 unsuccessfully investigates a reported submarine 4 mi (6.4 km) W of Bay Island. Four P-38's bomb the Main Camp, then scout Buldir. Lost is B-17E 42-30681

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force) In Burma, 19 B-25's bomb the engine sheds at Thazi. P-40's hit positions S of Sarenghkyet.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) B-24's pound Vila and the airfield on Ballale. B-17's hit Kahili Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) Heavy bombers, operating individually, attack vessels off Cape Gloucester, Cape Goltz and Gasmata. A-20's bomb and strafe forces in the Green's Hill-Mubo area. B-25's bomb a village near Beru. Heavy bombers, operating individually, attack vessels NNW of Dobo and Nabire and small vessels and targets of opportunity in the Marienberg, Wewak, and Finschhafen areas.

PACIFIC

Submarine Gudgeon (SS-212) sinks Japanese transport/hospital ship Kamakura Maru 30 miles southwest of Naso Point, Panay, P.I., 10°18'N, 121°44'E.

Day 1328 of World War II, April 30th 1943

YouTube (The race for Tunisia turns into a crawl)



Air War over Europe

190 RAF Lancasters, 105 Halifaxes and 10 Mosquitoes attacked Essen, 12 aircraft lost. Cloud was expected over the target so a Pathfinder technique based solely on Oboe Mosquitoes skymarkers was planned. This was not expected to give such good results as groundmarking but the plan worked well and 238 crews reported that they had bombed Essen. Because of the cloud, no bombing photographs were produced. A map from Essen showed that this modest attack did produce new damage areas all over the city although there was no major concentration. 189 buildings were destroyed and 237 severely damaged. The Krupps factory was hit again. 53 people were killed and 218 injured. Bombs also fell on 10 other Ruhr towns particularly in Bottrop just to the north of Essen which was hit by 86 high explosive bombs. (Hugh Spencer)

8 RAF Stirlings and 4 Halifaxes of the Pathfinders carried out H2S training attacks on Bocholt. 1 Stirling was lost. In the whole of April 1943 1739 RAF Bomber Command aircrew were lost, POW's or killed.

Battle of the Atlantic

British submarine 'Seraph', releases a corpse "The Man Who Never Was" into the sea of the Spanish port of Huelva. This is part of the deception plan for the invasion of Sicily.

The U.S. Navy turns over responsibility for convoys sailing between Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and the UK to the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy.

Axis submarine losses for the month of April amounted to 14 German and 1 Italian U-Boats including 3 destroyed by the RAF in the North Atlantic and off the Canaries; 1 by an RAF Bay of Biscay patrol; 1 by an RAF-laid mine in the Bay of Biscay; 1 by the RAAF north of the Faeroes and 3 to US forces in the North and South Atlantic including the one Italian.

Battle of the Mediterranean

NASAF B-26’s and P-38’s hit shipping off Tunis while B-25’s strike shipping near Cap Bon and Tunis- Medjez el Bab highway. NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs, hit positions near Mateur, Bir Meherga, and Ksar Tyr, concentrations near Furna, shipping in Gulf of Tunis and near Cap Bon, and attack isolated vehicles and troops along battleline as US II Corps makes substantial gains in Jefna area.

Photo: With Force "H" in the Mediterranean. 29 and 30 April 1943, on Board HMS Formidable. A destroyer laying a smoke screen against air attack around HMS Formidable


​
North African campaign

(18 Army Group) Gen Alexander calls on Br Eighth Army to supply reinforcements for Br First Army in preparation for final assault. Gen Montgomery agrees to release 7th Armd Div, Ind 4th Div, and 201st Gds Brig, all veteran units.

U.S. II Corps makes substantial gains: On N, RCT 60 of 9th Div takes Djebel Guermach, a short distance from Kef en Nsour; RCT 39 seizes the strongly contested Hill 382 and other heights N of the Jefna position. 34th Div drives to summit of Hill 609 in tank-supported assault but is subjected to intense fire there. RCT 16, 1st Div, takes a hills E of Hill 609 but loses both to persistent counterattacks; 1st Armd Div provides tank assistance in the area. On S flank, 1st Armd Div retains Hill 299 under enemy fire, but the hill is not yet entirely free of enemy.

United Kingdom

Photo: The new British Trawler HMT Gairsay, 30 April 1943, Greenock



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

(Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, 4 B-25's, 17 P-38's, and 7 P-40's fly 4 missions to Kiska. Only the P-38's get through and blast Gertrude Cove, Main Camp, the submarine base and a ship.

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force) In Burma, 16 B-25's pound the Gokteik Viaduct, damaging the N end. Four others bomb the Maymyo railroad yards. Five B-24's bomb the Sule Pagoda wharves at Rangoon. Four P-40's and a B-25 hit Mohnyin, while 6 P-4O's attack a camp S of Weshi.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) 5 B-17's bomb a bivouac area and revetments at Kahili Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) Single B-24's bomb Lae and airfields at Cape Gloucester and Gasmata.

HAWAII

Photo: The U.S. Navy battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48) leaving Pearl Harbor on 30 April 1943, en route to the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington (USA), for reconstruction. The Pearl Harbor Navy Yard had just finished temporary repair of the damage she had received in the Japanese attack of 7 December 1941. A New Mexico-class battleship is in the right distance, and at far right is the former mainmast of USS California (BB-44), now serving as a signal tower ashore



Photo: The U.S. Navy battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48) underway off Pearl Harbor on 30 April 1943, en route to the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington (USA), for reconstruction



BERING SEA

Photo: The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Louisville (CA-28) operating in the Bering Sea. She is followed by USS San Francisco (CA-38)



Photo: The U.S. Navy fleet oiler USS Neosho (AO-48) refueling the destroyer USS Balch (DD-363) on the opposite side and the heavy cruiser USS Wichita (CA-45), not visible, during operations in the Bering Sea



PACIFIC

Submarine Gudgeon (SS-212) lands men and equipment on Panay, P.I.

Submarine Scorpion (SS-278) sinks Japanese guardboat No.5 Ebisu Maru east of Japan, 37°24'N, 154°40'E.

Submarine Snook (SS-279) lays mines off Saddle Island, China.

U.S. freighter Phoebe A. Hearst is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-19 about 240 miles southeast of Suva, Fiji Islands, 19°48'S, 176°44'E.

Day 1330 of World War II, May 2nd 1943

Air War over Europe

A maximum force, 154 B-17s, 21 B-24s and 12 B-26s of the US 8th Bomber Command were dispatched against 4 targets. This was the first time more than 200 US bombers were dispatched. The principal attack was against submarine yards and naval installations at Kiel and destroyed 3 U-Boats. They lost 5 B-24s and 3 B-17s.

42 B-17s were dispatched against the former Ford and General Motors plants at Antwerp, Belgium. 38 bombers hit the target and claimed 5 Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed. One B-17 was lost. The bombers were escorted by 118 P-47s which claimed 4 Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed and lost 3 P-47s. 39 B-17s were dispatched against the Coutrai airfield and lost 2 B-17s. Another 12 B-17s were sent against the Velsen power station at Ijmuiden and hit the target without loss.

RAF Mosquitoes raided the railway yards at Thionville, France.

German Dornier bombers laid mines off the Thames and Huber estuaries.

Battle of the Atlantic

The German transport 'Gneisenau' struck a mine and sank, east of Gedser. 'U-465' was sunk in the Bay of Biscay north of Cape Finisterre by depth charges from an RAAF No. 461 Sqdrn Sunderland with all hands lost. 'U-188' was heading home through the Bay of Biscay when a Whitley aircraft attacked it. The commander, KL Siegfried Ludden and a crewmember were seriously wounded.

Photo: HMCS Bittersweet about to be taken in tow by HMCS Skeena



North African campaign

In Tunisia, P-40s attacked shipping off the coast. Bad weather restricted the NASAF to recon missions. NATAF fighters hit tank and troop concentrations near Massicault and Tebourba and flew recon as the US II Coprs occupied Kef en Nsour while Axis forces withdrew toward Bizerte.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

In the Aleutians, 6 B-25's, 8 P-40's, and 8 P-38's fly bombing, photographic and attack missions to Kiska. Targets include North Head, South Head and buildings and AA gun batteries on Gertrude Cove.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA

(Fourteenth Air Force) In China, 17 P-40's intercept 30-40 fighters near Lingling and in a running battle to just N of Changsha claim at least 7 Zekes downed. One P-40 is shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomons, B-17's on harassing strikes hit the Rekata Bay area and Munda Airfield. P-38's and P-39's join Navy aircraft in pounding the runway area at Munda.

AUSTRALIA

Japanese aircraft bomb Darwin.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) In Timor, B-25's bomb Penfoei. In New Guinea, other B-25's unsuccessfully attack a vessel off Toeal. A single B-17 bombs dock area at Finschhafen.

PACIFIC

Submarine Gar (SS-206) sinks Japanese guardboat No.12 Jimbo Maru in Makassar Strait, 00°41'S, 117°50'E.

Submarine Stingray (SS-186) attacks Japanese convoy off Wenchow, China, sinking army transport Tamon Maru about 12 miles off Nanki Shan, 27°18'N, 121°38'E.

Day 1332 of World War II, May 4th 1943

Eastern Front

Hitler decided to post-pone the planned summer offensive at Kursk until more of the new Tiger and Panther tanks could be delivered. By mid-May, the Russians had prepared an extensive defense network that was more than enough to defeat the Germans at Kursk.

Air War over Europe

The USAAF dispatched 79 B-17s against the former Ford and General Motors plants at Antwerp. The B-17s were escorted by 117 P-47Cs up to 175 miles from their bases along with Spitfires. The Spitfires and Thunderbolts intercepted the Fw 190s of JG 26 sent to attack the bombers and were successful in keeping the German fighters away from the bombers. A diversion was flown by 20 B-17s and 13 B-24s towards the French coast arousing more than 100 German fighters (about half of the total number in the region) and kept many of them airbourne long enough to prevent their attacking the main effort. No bombers were lost on this mission. A pilot with JG 26 wrote that the Geschwader's failure to destroy the bombers had brought, "a great salvo from Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring. We should be disbanded - our formation leaders should be arrested - we are all cowardly dogs!" Oblt. Konrad von Donner of Stab II./JG 26 was credited with destroying a 4 engined airplane near Scheld-Mundung. A Spitfire was also awarded to Major Josef Priller from Stab./JG 26 for his 85th victory.

Polish pilots flying in the RAF F/O Dubielecki claimed 2 Fw-190s damaged and P/O Zurakowski claimed 1 Fw-190 damaged. F/O Lipinski in Spitfire IX (EN131, PK-M), was killed in action over Flushing (Vlissingen, Netherlands). Although he virtually never made any notes in his log book, the Northolt Wing's Deputy Commnader S/Ldr Sawicz, after flying that mission had made an entry in it: "An exhausting flight - heavy fight. I got out of a/c on very shaky legs. One Fw-190 damaged."

12 RAF Venturas attacked railway yards at Abbeville. 3 Mosquitoes out of 6 despatched bombed power stations at Haarlem and The Hague. No losses. (Hugh Spencer)

255 RAF Lancasters, 141 Halifaxes, 110 Wellingtons, 80 Stirlings and 10 Mosquitoes attacked Dortmund - the largest non-1000 raid of the war to date and the largest on this city. 31 aircraft were lost and a further 7 aircraft crashed in bad weather at their bomber bases. The initial Pathfinder marking was accurate but some of the back-up marking fell short. A decoy fire site also attracted many bombs. Half of the large force did bomb within 3 miles of the aiming point and severe damage was caused in central and northern parts of Dortmund. The city's report stated that 1218 buildings were destroyed and 2141 seriously damaged including the Hoesch and the Dortmunder Union steel factories and many facilities in the dock area. The old Rathaus was among 7 buildings of a cultural nature which were destroyed. At least 693 people were killed including 200 prisoners of war and 1075 people were injured. The number of dead in this raid was a new record. (Hugh Spencer)

Battle of the Atlantic

After sailing for a week through raging storms, westbound convoy 'ONS-5' made contact with the German wolf pack sent to destroy it. As German submarine 'U-630' was starting its attack run, a Canadian RAF airplane depth charged the U-Boat, sinking it. U.S. freighter West Maximus is torpedoed and sunk by U-264 at 55°00'N, 43°00'W; during the abandonment, one sailor of the 21-man Armed Guard drowns, while five of the 39-man merchant complement are lost with the ship. British trawler HMS Northern Spray rescues the survivors (who also include two Army passengers).

Portuguese fishing trawler Albufeira rescues 11 survivors from U.S. freighter James W. Denver,torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-195 in the North Atlantic on 11 April.

North African campaign

In an act of purest desperation, the Italian merchant ship 'Campobasso' attempted to deliver desperately needed fuel and military supplies to the Axis forces in Tunisia. It was intercepted and sunk by British destroyers. Weather restricted most NASAF operations to recon and uneventful sweeps. NATAF fighters attacked gun positions and vehicles near Zaghouan and Massicault and at other points in the surrounding area. A-20s and medium bombers hit Zaghouan in support of the French advance.

(18 Army Group) U.S. II Corps pushes forward in preparation for full-scale drive on Bizerte on 6th. On N flank, 9th Div and Corps Franc d’Afrique get into position for advance on Bizerte over hills N of Garaet Achkel. Corps d’Afrique improves positions W of Djebel Cheniti, commanding ridge just N of Garaet Achkel. To right, 1st Armd Div, whose next objective is Ferryville, patrols actively from Mateur. Enemy is subjecting Mateur to heavy air attacks. 91st Rcn Sq begins limited offensive for Djebel Achkel, a precipitous hill just S of Garaet Achkel commanding Mateur-Ferryville area, and meets strong opposition. On S flank of II Corps, 34th Div patrols uneventfully to Eddekhila in preparation for attack on Chouïgui Pass.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

Invasion convoy leaves Cold Harbor for target, a day behind schedule because of poor weather conditions. D Day is consequently postponed to 8 May. As the convoy later approaches Attu, strong winds force a further postponement of D Day to 11 May.

BURMA

Continuing infiltration tactics, Japanese are now established on Buthidaung–Maungdaw road and resisting efforts of Br Imperial forces to oust them.

PACIFIC

Submarine Gudgeon (SS-212) sinks Japanese merchant trawler Naku Maru west of Panay, P.I., 10°11'N, 121°43'E.

Submarine Seal (SS-183) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking fleet tanker San Clemente Maru about 50 miles southeast of Palau, 06°30'N, 130°30'E.

Net tender Catalpa (YN-5) begins towing damaged U.S. freighter William Williams, torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-19 near Suva on 2 May.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

Photo: View of the battered afterdeck of the Japanese troop transport Kinugawa Maru, beached during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12-15 November 1942. The photo was taken on 4 May 1943