World War II in real time

Day 1350 of World War II, May 23rd 1943

Eastern Front

Heavy fighting continued between the Germans and Russians in the Kuban.

Air War over Europe

12 Venturas of 487 Squadron bombed a power station at Zeebrugge in the first operation for the squadron since its heavy losses on the Amsterdam raid 3 weeks earlier. The formation's bombs fell on to railway yards near the power station. No losses.

After a 9 day break in major operations, Bomber Command despatched 826 aircraft on this raid to Dortmund, 343 Lancasters, 199 Halifaxes, 151 Wellingtons, 120 Stirlings and 13 Mosquitoes. 38 aircraft were lost. This raid involved the greatest number in a "non-1000" force so far in the war and the largest raid of the Battle of the Ruhr. The Pathfinders marked the target accurately in clear weather conditions and the ensuing attack proceeded according to plan. It was a very successful raid. Large areas in the centre, the north and the east of Dortmund were devastated. Nearly 2,000 buildings were completely destroyed. Many industrial premises were hit, particularly the large Hoesch steelworks which ceased production. 599 people were killed, 1275 were injured and the bodies of about 25 other people were never found. Dortmund was not attacked in strength again by Bomber Command until exactly 1 year after this raid. There is an interesting story to tell about a Wellington of 431 Squadron which took part in this raid. Just after leaving the target the Wellington was coned by searchlights and hit several times by fragments of flak. The rear gunner reported that he thought the aircraft was on fire. The pilot twice put the aircraft into a steep dive to evade the searchlights but was not able to do so. There was some confusion over whether an order to bale out was given by the pilot and the pilot actually did leave the aircraft. The bomb aimer, Sergeant S.N. Sloan, an Englishman, took over the controls and eventually was able to shake off the searchlights. The navigator and wireless operator were still aboard and Sergeant Sloan flew the aircraft back to England and made a perfect landing at Cranwell. He was immediately awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, commissioned and posted to a pilot training course. The wireless operator, Flying Officer J.B.G. Bailey and the navigator, Sergeant G.C.W. Parslow received immediate awards of the DFC and the DFM respectively. They later became part of the crew of Wing Commander J. Coverdale, the squadron commander but were killed with Coverdale on the night of 21/22 June 1943 on a raid to Krefeld. Sergeant (later Flight Lieutenant) Sloan came back to Bomber Command as a Halifax pilot with 158 Squadron and flew on operations from January 1945 until the end of the war. In the post-war years he served with the King's Flight.
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During the heavy raid on Dortmund, the total weight of bombs dropped by RAF Bomber Command on Germany reached 100,000 tons. To mark the occasion, the Air Officer Commanding in Chief, RAF Bomber Command, Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris sent this message;

"In 1939, Goring promised that not a single enemy bomb would reach the Ruhr. Congratulations on having delivered the first 100,000 tons of bombs on Germany to refute him".

The last major raid of the war in the North-East caused the highest death toll. In its 35th raid of the war and its 11th of appreciable dimensions, eleven PMs, sixty-seven HEs, nine firepot HEs and about 600 IBs fell on Sunderland causing widespread damage. 84 people died and 221 were injured; among the dead were a group of joiners from Glasgow who were there to repair earlier bomb damage. Many casualties occurred when a PM landed on St George's Square. Three Public Shelters were hit; three died in the Bromarsh Shelter, North Bridge Street, five in Bonners Field Shelter, Monkwearmouth and thirteen in Lodge Terrace Shelter at Hendon. The Isolation Hospital (now Havelock Hospital) was evacuated because of an UXPM. Including those slightly damaged about 5,000 houses were involved in this last attack and, together with the attack of 15/16th May, about 15,000. The morale of the people was reported as excellent.

Simultaneous lunchtime Luftwaffe attacks were launched against Hastings and Bournemouth. Hastings was attacked by 20 aircraft of II/SKG 10, with Bournemouth attacked by 26 from IV/SKG 10. At Hastings, anti-aircraft sites appeared to be the chosen targets but, for a change, these sites and the fighter standing patrol had received ample warning. The town was still bombed and the two German losses, one to a Typhoon, the other to anti-aircraft fire, occurred after the bombs had been dropped. The two Fw 190s lost on the Hastings raid were flown by Fw. Adam Fischer of 6./SKG 10 and Ofw. Herbert Dobroch.

The peacefulness of a beautiful Sunday morning was abruptly shattered when the German aircraft, led by Lt. Leopold Wenger, conducted their most audacious raid on Bournemouth. Despite a six-minute warning, the attack on Bournemouth was a total success. Considerable damage was caused to the town centre with five buildings destroyed and a further 3,000 damaged. The Kingsway Hotel, the Congressional Church and Beales Department Store sustained significant bomb damage, but at the Landsdowne Circle the Metropole Hotel, being used by trainee RAF aircrew, was virtually destroyed when it took a direct hit. One Fw 190 of 15./SKG 10 was lost to AAA fire, flown by Uffz. Schmidt on his first operational flight. Casualties were high. Among the 128 killed that day were 51 service men. (C.Goss, and others

The 417th Night Fighter Squadron, US VIII Fighter Command based at Cranfield, England sent a detachment to Scorton, England to train with the RAF on Beaufighters.

Battle of the Atlantic

German Admiral Karl Dönitz ordered all U-boats to be fitted with anti-aircraft guns.

A Fairey Swordfish Mk. II, aircraft "B" of No. 819 Squadron in the escort aircraft carrier HMS 'Archer', damaged the German submarine 'U-752' in the North Atlantic with rockets and the sub was scuttled by her crew. 17 of the 46-man crew survived. This was the first successful sinking of a U-boat using rockets.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-25s and B-26s bombed the docks and airfield on Pantelleria Island and P-40s attacked gun positions on the island.

In Italy, P-38s attacked the zinc works at Iglesias and Carloforte harbor on San Pietro Island.

United States

The USS 'New Jersey' BB-62 is commissioned. She displaces 45,000 tons, with a length of 887 feet 7 inches, a draft of 38 feet and beam of 108 feet 1 inch. Powered by 4 Westinghouse turbines fired by 8 boilers, with 212,000 shaft horsepower, she has a top speed of 33+ knots. She will carry a crew of 120 officers and 3,000 enlisted men. Nine 16"/50 cal guns in 3 turrets are the main armament, with 20 5"/38 cal dual purpose guns in twin mounts for the secondary armament. AA weapons include 64 40mm AA guns in 16 quad mounts and 49 20mm AA guns. She carries 3 Vought OS2U Kingfisher floatplanes.

United Kingdom

Photo: HMS Helvig, 23 May 1943



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN - OPERATION LANDCRAB

On Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands, the Americans begin a two-pronged attack on Fish Hook Ridge located southwest of Attu Village between Chichagof Harbor and the east arm of Holtz Bay. The 4th Infantry Regiment attacks the west face while the Southern Landing Force attacks the east face. The attacks are stopped cold by the Japanese.

A Navy construction battalion lands on Attu to begin construction of an airbase.

(Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, 6 B-24's and 12 B-25's fly 3 air-ground support missions to Attu. Due to bad weather they are routed to Kiska. Weather there is also poor and only 1 B-25 bombs the Main Camp area. Next, 3 B-24's and 18 P-38's fly 3 air cover missions to Attu. The last of these missions is notified by a PBY that 16 Japanese bombers are W of Attu. 5 of the P-38's then intercept the bombers over Attu, which jettison their bombs and close formation. The P-38's score 5 kills and 7 probables. 2 P- 38's are lost. The 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group begins a movement from Fort Glenn, Umnak to Shemya. The air echelon is operating with P-40's from Amchitka Island.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force) In the Territory of Hawaii, a flight of P-40's on patrol from Kauai bomb a submarine from 1,500 feet (457 m), after which an oil slick and debris are seen.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) 5 B-24's bomb the airfields at Kahili and Ballale Island during the night of 23/24 May. 10 B-17's, attempting a follow-up strike, abort because of bad weather. While other aircraft are successfully laying mines in the N Solomons in the Buin area, 19 B-17's and B-24's, in a diversionary raid, bomb the Buin-Kahili-Tonolai shoreline area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) B-24's and B-17's hit the harbor and airfield at Kavieng, the airfield at Gasmata, and the village of Ubili. The 13th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), 3d Bombardment Group (Dive) transfers with B-25's from Port Moresby to Dobodura.

PACIFIC

Motor torpedo boat tender Niagara (AGP-1), damaged by horizontal bomber while en route from Tulagi to New Guinea, is scuttled by motor torpedo boat PT-147, 11°00'S, 163°00'E.

Photo: The U.S. Navy motor torpedo boat tender USS Niagara (AGP-1) burns after being attacked by Japanese aircraft east of Cape Surville, San Cristobal Island, Solomon Islands, on 23 May 1943. The motor torpedo boat PT-146 is alongside the stern (port) while PT-147 moves up to the starboard side, aft. The tender sank later that day. Other boats (PT-144, PT-145, PT-148, or PT-110) maneuver to pick up other men from the doomed ship



Motor torpedo boats PT-165 and PT-173 are lost on board U.S. tanker Stanvac Manila when Japanese submarine I-17 torpedoes the tanker (which is transporting the boats) 100 miles south of Nouméa, New Caledonia, 23°45'S, 166°30'E.

Day 1352 of World War II, May 25th 1943

Continuation War

Baltic Fleet and Ladoga Flotilla: The submarine "Sch-408" was sunk by aviation and surface ships gunfire of 'Ruotsinsalmi' and Patrol Boat 'VMV', close to Vaindlo lighthouse at Keri.

Air War over Europe

323 Lancasters, 169 Halifaxes, 142 Wellingtons, 113 Stirlings and 12 Mosquitoes attacked Dusseldorf. 27 aircraft were lost.This raid was a failure. There were two layers of cloud over the target and the Pathfinders experienced great difficulty in marking it. It is believed that the Germans were also operating decoy markers and fire sites. The result was that the Main Force bombing was scattered over a wide area. There was no concentration in Dusseldorf which recorded only 50 to 100 buildings destroyed and some 30 people killed.

12 Mitchells attempted to raid Abbeville airfield but cloud over the target and flak disrupted the attack and only 5 aircraft bombed dispersal buildings near the airfield. 2 Mitchells were lost.

12 Bostons on a raid to Cherbourg abandoned the operation.

Battle of the Atlantic

PBY (VP 84) sinks German submarine U-467, 62°25'N, 14°52'W.

Battle of the Mediterranean

U-414' was sunk in the western Mediterranean NW of Tenes by depth charges from corvette HMS 'Vetch'.

B-24s attacked the Messina, Italy ferry docks and railroad yards. NASAF fighter, medium and heavy bombers bombed Terranova, a tunnel near Macomer, and Messina. In Sardinia during the night, Wellingtons bombed the docks and marshalling yard at Olbia. Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) fighters, medium and heavy bombers bombed Portoscuso, Porto Empedocle, Boccadifalco Airfield, Licata harbor, and Milo Airfield.

Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) and NASAF P-40s and B-25s hit the airfield, shipping, and military concentrations on Pantelleria Island.

North Africa

Avro York Ascalon (LV 633) flew the Prime Minister and Allied commanders to Algiers via Gibraltar. This aircraft was flown by RAF No. 24 Squadron at Northolt and was furnished as a flying conference room.

Photo: Wrecks of German Junkers Ju 52 transport planes at El Aouiana airport, Tunis, Tunisia, May 1943. Da USAAF North American B-25 Mitchell is landing in the background



United States/United Kingdom relations

The TRIDENT Conference between Churchill and Roosevelt ended in Washington. The decision to invade northern France was concluded with May 1, 1944 being selected as D-Day. Decisions were also made regarding knocking Italy out of the war early, increasing aid to China and beginning offensive operations in the Pacific. Churchill’s plan to invade the Balkans was rejected. As well as this they agreed to step up the strategic bombing of Germany and occupied Europe as a preliminary to invasion; to bomb the Ploesti oilfields in Romania, from bases in the Mediterranean and to increase aid to China. Allied superiority over the enemy in munitions production was now beginning to tell, Churchill said Allied air power had become a decisive factor in the war, and the bombing campaign against Germany would be a 24-hours-a-day operation. War would continue until unconditional surrender was obtained "from all those who had molested us". Roosevelt then interrupted Churchill to say that "molested" was the best example of understatement he had heard.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Long Island (ACV-1) underway with a mixed cargo of airplanes and stores on her flight deck, 25 May 1943. The planes include Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat, Douglas SBD Dauntless and Grumman TBF-1 Avenger types. She was repainted in Camouflage Measure 21



German occupied Norway

Photo: The Tirpitz (arrow) at her usual berth in Kaafjord in May 1943



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN - OPERATION LANDCRAB

On Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands, the Americans again attack Fishhook Ridge and manage to take control of the base of the snow covered ridge as well as isolated slopes.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force) HQ 341st Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 490th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) transfer to Kurmitola, India. Group HQ transfers from Chakulia, India while the 490th, which has been operating from Chakulia, India since 20 May, transfers with B-25's from Ondal, India.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) Single heavy bombers bomb coastal airfields and villages; in New Guinea they hit Madang, Kakakog, and Simbang; in the Bismarck Archipelago, they hit Cape Gloucester and attack barges off Gavuvu.

Day 1354 of World War II, May 27th 1943

Eastern Front

The German 17.Armee suspended offensive operations after making no progress. The Soviets began their own operations in the Kuban, and also met stiff resistance.

Air War over Europe

274 Lancasters, 151 Halifaxes, 81 Wellingtons and 12 Mosquitoes attacked Essen, 23 aircraft were lost. The weather was cloudy and sky-marking had to be used. The main bombing was scattered with many aircraft undershooting. The limited damage caused in Essen was mainly in the central and northern districts. 488 buildings were destroyed, 196 people were killed and 547 injured. Bombs fell in 10 surrounding Ruhr towns.

14 Mosquitoes of 105 and 139 Squadrons were despatched to fly at low level and attack a glass works and the Zeiss optical instruments factory at Jena. These were the last operations flown by the two squadrons with 2 Group before the coming transfer to 8 Group. The round flight from the Dutch coast was more than 500 miles. 2 Mosquitoes of 139 Squadron collided on the outward flight near Paderborn and crashed. Another Mosquito of 105 Squadron was also lost. 11 aircraft bombed the 2 targets with great accuracy. On the return to England 2 more Mosquitoes, 1 from each squadron, crashed in Norfolk and all the crews were killed.

23 aircraft went minelaying in the Frisians, 1 aircraft was lost.

Battle of the Atlantic

Naval Station, Coco Solo, Canal Zone, is established.

German submarine U-154 attacks Brazil-to-Trinidad convoy BT 14 at 03°56'S, 36°43'W, torpedoing three U.S. merchantmen: motor tanker Florida, freighter Cardinal Gibbons, and freighter John Worthington.

Submarine chaser PC-592 rescues Florida's crew (there are no casualties among the 52-man merchant complement or the 27-man Armed Guard); gunboat Saucy (PG-65) takes the seriously damaged tanker in tow and takes her to Fortaleza, Brazil. Salvage vessel Crusader (ARS-2) subsequently tows Florida to Puerto Rico for repairs.

Battle of the Mediterranean

For the first time in the war, small parties of British troops were para-dropped into Yugoslavia to coordinate sabotage and guerrilla activities with Tito’s partisans. The partisans have been in heavy fighting now for ten days and prepared to breakout now that the British have arrived.

For the first time since Italy came into the war, the Italian government admitted to the world that its people were rebelling against the Mussolini regime and staging strikes. Strikes were forbidden years ago by the Fascist government, and a public decree today ordered all strikers to return to work at once. Fear of an Allied invasion was driving thousands of Italians away from the south of the country.

The destroyer FS 'Leopard' was stranded and wrecked North of Benghazi. The wreck was destroyed on 19 June 1943.

Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) P-40s bombed the harbor defenses on Pantelleria Island and Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) P-40s attacked targets on the S coast of Pantelleria. In Sardinia, NASAF B-25s and B-26s hit Villacidro and Decimomannu Airfields.

United Kingdom

Photo: The Visit of Hm King George Vi To No 617 Squadron (the Dambusters), Royal Air Force, Scampton, Lincolnshire, 27 May 1943. Wing Commander Guy Gibson, standing next to the King, presenting members of the air crew to His Majesty



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN - OPERATION LANDCRAB

On Attu Island in the Aleutians in the late afternoon, a U.S. Army assault force attacks up a 60 degree incline in the Fishhook Ridge sector and cuts off the Japanese escape route to Chichagof Valley. The final Japanese defensive line, Buffalo Ridge, is almost taken by the Americans. About half of the 2,300 Japanese on Attu have been killed to date.

Attu is covered by 1 B-25 flying ground support, bombing and strafing troops and dropping photos taken on the previous day to friendly forces, and by 1 B-24 and 6 P-38's flying air cover. 6 P-40's fly an attack and reconnaissance mission to Kiska, concentrating on Little Kiska and on the Main Camp area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) B-24's and B-25's pound the Lae town area and airfield. Other B-25's hit enemy forces at Labu and Jacobsens Plantation. Finschhafen, Saidor, Kakakog, and Langgoer are hit by single-plane strikes.

PACIFIC

Photo: Captain Samuel P. Ginder accepts the Presidential Unit Citation from Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz on behalf of Enterprise CV-6 and her men, 27 May 1943

Day 1356 of World War II, May 29th 1943

Air War over Europe

292 Lancasters, 185 Halifaxes, 118 Stirlings, 113 Wellingtons and 11 Mosquitoes attacked Wuppertal, 33 aircraft lost. This attack was aimed at the Barmen half of the long and narrow town of Wurrertal and was the outstanding success of the Battle of the Ruhr. Both Pathfinder marking and Main Force bombing was particularly accurate and a large fire area developed in the narrow streets of the old centre of the town. It is probable that this fire was so severe that the first small form of what would later become known as a 'firestorm' developed. Because it was a Saturday night, many of the town's fire and air raid officials were not present, having gone to their country homes for the weekend and the fire services of the town, in their first raid, were not able to control the fires. Approximately 1000 acres, possibly 80% of Barmen's built up area, was destroyed by fire. 5 out of the town's 6 largest factories, 211 other industrial premises and nearly 4,000 houses were completely destroyed. The number of buildings classed as seriously damaged, 71 industrial and 1,800 domestic, indicates the high proportion of complete destruction. Various figures were given for the number of people killed but our expert on Ruhr raids, Norbert Kruger, advises that the figure of 'approximately 3,400' was the nearest reasonable estimate. The above figures indicate that the property damage in this raid was about twice as severe as any previous raid on a German city while the number of people killed in this comparatively unprepared backwater of the Ruhr was about 5 times greater than any previous city raid.The Bf 110s of NJG 1 along with the Fw 190s and Bf 109s of NJVK intercepted the formations of RAF bombers attacking Wuppertal. Many of the bombers were shot down during the 20 mile run through the guns of the Kammhuber Line, ground-controlled "boxes" patrolled by Luftwaffe night-fighters. Many Nachtjagders added to their scores including Hptm. Manfred Meuer, Staffelkapitaen of 3./NJG 1, who destroyed 4 RAF bombers during the combat. Two Halifaxes were brought down by pilots from Major Hajo Herrmann's NJVK. The raid killed 2,450 civilians and left 118,000 homeless. Over 80% of the city was destroyed as 1000s acres of the city were burned out in a firestorm.

The USAAF's VIII Bomber Command in England flies Mission Number 61: 169 B-17 Flying Fortresses are dispatched against the submarine pens and locks at Saint-Nazaire, France; 147 aircraft hit the target at 1706-1711 hours local and claim 6-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; eight B-17s are lost. In two other raids, 72 B-17s are dispatched against the Rennes, France naval depot; 57 hit the target at 1601-1605 hours and claim 19-5-14 Luftwaffe aircraft; six B-17s are lost. In the third raid, 38 B-24 Liberators are dispatched against the U-boat yards at La Pallice, France; 34 hit the target without any casualties on either side.

Seven YB-40s, heavily armoured B-17s with increased firepower for escorting bombers, flew their first mission. YB-40s showed an inability to keep up with B-17s after they dropped their bombs and the need for modification of waist and tail gun feeds and ammunition supplies. US 327th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Alconbury, flew its first mission with the YB-40 to St. Nazaire, France.

12 Venturas bombed Caen airfield without loss.

A damaged Sunderland flying boat of No. 461 Sqdn., RAAF, is successfully landed on an airfield in South Wales. This is one of the first occasions on which a flying-boat has been put down safely on land.

Battle of the Mediterranean

In Sicily during the night, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bombed the town areas, docks, and airfield at Castelvetrano, Bo Rizzo, Trapani, and Marsala. In Sardinia, NASAF P-38s bombed Porto Ponte Romano.

P-40s, P-38s, and B-26s of NASAF and Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) attacked gun positions, a radar station, and town area on Pantelleria Island.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

At 1937, the unescorted 'Hopetarn' was torpedoed and sunk by 'U-198' about 450 miles east of Durban. Six crewmembers and one gunner were lost. The second officer was taken prisoner by the U-boat, landed at Bordeaux on 24 September and taken to the POW camp Milag Nord. The master, 28 crewmembers and seven gunners were picked up two days later by the British merchantman 'Nirvana' and landed at Durban on 3 June.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN - OPERATION LANDCRAB

Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutians, no missions are flown. All of Attu Island is secure after 19 days of fighting. US ground forces land on Shemya.

The final Japanese counterattack on Attu in the Aleutians is carried out with fanatical determination.

On Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands, the Japanese commander elects to stake all in a desperate counterattack against American lines tonight. His plan is to penetrate the enemy's lines and seize the artillery positions and then destroy the U.S. main base at Massacre Bay and force a general reembarkation of U.S. troops.

Before the attack, all casualties in the Japanese hospital commit suicide and then a little over 1,000 Japanese troops attack and push aside a surprised infantry company, and sweep headlong toward Massacre-Sarana Pass. There engineers and service troops, with ten minutes' warning, hastily organized defense lines and in desperate hand-to-hand combat broke the force of the attack.

A few enemy detachments won through the pass but were brought up just short of a battery of 105 mm howitzers. The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters abandons its plan to evacuate Attu.

US ground forces are landed on Shemya, the same day Attu was declared secured. [This was a shore-to-shore operation from Attu. Original plans for the invasion of Attu had called for occupation of Shemya first and construction of a fighter strip by Seabees in three weeks, but shipping and other problems ruled this out.

Amplifying the above, these troops were from the 4th Infantry Regiment and they had to endure a six hour voyage over heavy seas to get to Shemya. As far as Attu being secured, since the Japanese banzai charge occurred during the night of 29/30 May, the island was not declared secured until 30 May.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA

(Fourteenth Air Force) 9 B-24's bomb Ichang. 4 P-40's hit targets of opportunity in Tengchung and Lungling areas.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) B-17's bomb Madang and Alexishafen. Heavy and medium bombers, operating individually or in flights of 2 bombers, attack the town, airfields, shipping, docks, and other targets at various places, including Babo, Nabire, Saidor, Finschhafen, and Manam Island; Cape Gloucester; Damar Island, Soemba, and Soembawa in the Sunda Islands; and Dili and Penfoei.

PACIFIC

Submarine chaser SC-669 sinks Japanese submarine I-178 30 miles west of Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 15°35'S, 166°17'E.

Submarine Gar (SS-206) sinks Japanese gunboat Aso Maru southeast of Cayagan, Sulu Sea, 09°09'N, 121°50'E.

Submarine Scamp (SS-277) sinks Japanese seaplane carrier Kamikawa Maru north of Kavieng, New Ireland, 01°36'S, 150°24'E, and survives attacks by one of the submarine chasers escorting her, Ch 12 or Ch 37.

Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Eisho Maru (ex-Panamanian Folozu) in South China Sea about 60 miles southeast of Hainan Island, 17°30'N, 110°55'E.

Submarine Tinosa (SS-283) unsuccessfully attacks Japanese cargo vessel Shinto Maru, 32°00'N, 131°51'E .

Day 1357 of World War II, May 31st 1943

Air War over Europe

A III./KG 101 Fw 190 crashed at an unknown location, causing 10% damage. Two Fw 190s were sent to Beauvais and St. Andre. During the day Oblt. Homann, Technical Officer of III./KG 101 sent a strength report. The Gruppe had 36 pilots and the Fw 190A-3 that had crashed was being repaired, having suffered a burst hydraulic pipe. Two Fw 190A-5s were handed over to JG 2 at Beaumont le Roger. Stab./JG 2 was based at this airfield and had recieved 3 Fw 190A-5s from other units, I./JG 2 had recieved one Fw 190A-5 and III./JG 2 had recieved 12 Fw 190A-5s from other units.

The squadrons of 2 Group despatched 54 aircraft on 5 raids on this, the last day before the group left Bomber Command.

30 Venturas were despatched - 12 to attack Zeebrugge power station, 12 to Caen airfield and 6 to Cherbourg docks. 12 Mitchells bombed a shipyard at Flushing. All of these raids were successful. The only casualty was a Mitchell of 180 Squadron which ditched in the sea. 3 of its crew were picked up safely but Flight Sergeant A.W.Wood, the New Zealand wireless operator, died - the last casualty suffered by 2 Group with Bomber Command. 12 Bostons sent to attack a power station in France were not able to reach the target. 27 aircraft went minelaying off Biscay ports without loss.

The approximate number of RAF Bomber Command aircrew lost during May 1943, killed or POW, was 1579.

Battle of the Atlantic

'U-440' was sunk in the North Atlantic NW of Cape Ortegal, Spain, by depth charges from an RAF No. 201 Sqn Sunderland. 'U-563' was sunk in the Bay of Biscay SW of Brest, by depth charges from RAF No. 58 and No. 228 Sqn Halifaxes and an RAAF No. 10 Sqn Sunderland.

Light cruisers Milwaukee (CL-5) and Omaha (CL-4) are damaged in collision off the coast of Brazil.

Battle of the Mediterranean

The US 15th Air Force hit the Italian airfields at Foggia, destroying large numbers of aircraft.

In Italy, Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers, including Liberators of No. 178 Squadron under operational control of the IX Bomber Command, bombed oil stores, harbor, and seaplane base at Augusta. Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-17s bombed the airfield and marshalling yard at Foggia. In Sardinia, P-38s bombed Cagliari, a factory at Guspini, and a power station at Santa Caterina.

NASAF medium bombers and fighters hit defended positions on Pantelleria Island. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) P-40s also hit positions on the island.

Free France

Generals de Gaulle and Giraud began talks on a provisional government of France. It was also announced that Rear Admiral Rene Emile Godfroy's naval squadron, immobilized at Alexandria, joined Giraud's forces on 7 May.

Egypt

The Egyptian Cabinet voted to resume diplomatic relations with Russia.

Germany

Admiral Dönitz transfered responsibility for naval armaments to Albert Speer's ministry.

Chronic shortages were biting deeper into German civilian morale. Today the government announced a cut in the weekly meat ration from 12 to nine ounces, and the SS, in one of its regular secret reports, noted on 6 May that despite stiff penalties bartering was increasing. This was not surprising, given the lack of consumer goods. An SS report on 17 May expressed concern at the consequences of a shortage of alarm clocks: arms workers and miners, exhausted from long hours and frequent air raids, were sleeping through early shifts.

German occupied Denmark

The Danish resistance blows up an engine shed at Toender as sabotage mounts, despite Danish King’s appeal for a halt.

Photo: The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) underway off Norfolk, Virginia (USA), on 31 May 1943. Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters and Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers are visible on deck



Photo: The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-23) underway in the Atlantic Ocean, during her shakedown cruise, 31 May 1943. Planes parked aft include nine Douglas SBD Dauntless scout bombers and twelve Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

In the Aleutians, 5 F-5A's fly separate photo missions. 6 B-24's, 10 B-25's, 37 P-40's and 8 P-38's fly attack missions to Kiska. Their targets include Gertrude Cove, AA installations, trenches, the North Head runway, and a vessel.

The Japanese submarine I-24 is getting ready to sail in an attempt to rescue personnel from Attu Island. The sub approaches the entrance to Chichag of Harbor three times in early June and then sails for Kiska Island.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA

(Fourteenth Air Force) In China, 9 B-24's, escorted by US and Chinese P-40's, bomb Ichang Airfield. The heavy bombers and fighters shoot down 5 fighters of an intercepting group of about 20. 1 Chinese P-40 is lost. 6 P-4O's on armed reconnaissance over the Siaokan area blast a train and strafe a troop concentration.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomons, 3 B-24's on armed reconnaissance over S Bougainville bomb the Numa Numa area and Tinputs. A small coastal vessel at Tinputs is set afire.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, B-24's pound Lae Airfield and the town area.

Day 1359 of World War II, June 2nd 1943

Eastern Front

Luftwaffe raiders bombard Soviet positions at Kursk. The Red Air Force bombed Kiev and Roslavl. The Russians claimed 162 "kills" for the loss of 30 planes.

Air War over Europe

21 Wellingtons and 14 Stirlings laid mines off the Biscay ports without loss.

Battle of the Atlantic

A Short Sunderland of RAAF No. 464 Squadron,was attacked over the Bay of Biscay by eight Junkers Ju 88s. The ensuing combat last for 45 minutes and the Sunderland shot down three of the attacking Ju 88s. The Sunderland was badly damaged, with one of its crew killed and three wounded. Nevertheless, the pilot, Flight Lieutenant C.B. Walker brought the aircraft safely back and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order. The combat indicated the seriousness with which the Germans viewed the Allied air threat to their U-boats transiting the Bay of Biscay from their French coastal ports. The Germans deployed long range Junkers Ju 88s of KG 40 and shorter ranged Focke Wulf Fw 190 fighters to try to combat the threat of Allied aircraft. In response the Royal Air Force (RAF) deployed Bristol Beaufighter and later de Havilland Mosquito squadrons to try to counter the threat of German interceptors. The patrols became known as Instep operations. The RAF lost 15 aircraft in patrols over the Bay of Biscay during June 1943. 4 Junkers Ju 88s were claimed as destroyed by Instep patrols.

'U-105' (Type IXB) was sunk near Dakar, by depth charges from a one-of-a-kind French Potez-CAMS 141 flying boat named "Antarés" of Flotille d'exploration 4E, French Naval Air Force. The 4-engine flying boat that sank 'U-105' was the only one of that design built. The aircraft, named after a star as tradition in the French Navy, was based at Dakar and she sank the boat after a 2 hour chase.

'U-521' (Type IXC) was sunk in the North Atlantic southeast of Baltimore by depth charges from the US submarine chaser PC 565.

Battle of the Mediterranean

The British destroyer HMS 'Jervis' and the Greek ship 'Vasilissa Olga' attacked an Italian convoy, sinking the torpedo boat 'Castore' and two merchant ships.

In a message aimed at Allied bombing strategists, Pope Pius XII appealed to the warring nations to observe the "laws of humanity" in air warfare. He implicitly condemned the routine targeting of civilians in "terror" bombing campaigns, although he did not comment on German bombing.

During the night, Wellingtons of Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) hit Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean and dropped pamphlets on Naples, Italy. Fighters and medium bombers hit Pantelleria during the following morning and afternoon. P-38s attacked the airfield at Milo, Sicily while P-40s strafed targets of opportunity in Sardinia.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

In the Aleutians, the Japanese submarine I-9 lands 17 tons of weapons and ammunition and 11 tons of food on Kiska Island. The sub then evacuates 55 sailors, ten soldiers and 14 civilians.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force) In China, 5 B-25's, escorted by 10 P-4O's, bomb Pailochi Airfield. 18 P-4O's strafe troop barges and launches at Itu and 6 long columns of troops E of Changyang.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomon Islands, 2 B-24's on armed reconnaissance attack gun positions, cargo boats, and shipping at Numa Numa and Tinputs.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) B-17's and B-24's bomb airfields at Wewak, Boram, Dagua, and But. Isolated shipping strikes result in little damage to vessels and barges.

PACIFIC

Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese transport/cargo ship Eika Maru (ex-Portuguese Wing Wah) in South China Sea, 20°29'N, 107°57'E.