World War II in real time

Day 1379 of World War II, June 22nd 1943

Eastern Front

Koivisto islands in Finland were evacuated and troops transported to the west side of Bay of Vyborg.

GB "Kama" of the Baltic Fleet and Ladoga Flotilla was sunk by aviation, close to Lavensari Is.

On the second anniversary of the invasion, Radio Moscow claimed that 6.4 million Germans have been killed or taken prisoner.

Air War over Europe

VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 65: In the first US large-scale daylight raid on the Ruhr, 235 B-17s were dispatched to hit the chemical works and synthetic rubber plant at Huls. 183 bombed the target and claimed Luftwaffe aircraft but lost 16 and 75 others were damaged. This plant, representing a large percentage of the country's producing capacity, was severely damaged. 11 YB-40's accompanied the Huls raid and 1 was lost.

In a second raid, 42 B-17s were dispatched to bomb the former Ford and General Motors plants at Antwerp. They claimed 1-2-9 Luftwaffe aircraft but lost 4. An additional 21 B-17s flew an uneventful diversion.

242 Lancasters, 155 Halifaxes, 93 Stirlings, 55 Wellingtons and 12 Mosquitoes attacked Mulheim, 35 aircraft lost. The Pathfinders had to mark this target through a thin layer of stratus cloud but Mulheim's records contain reference to the accuracy of the markers over this medium sized town and to the ferocity of the ensuing bombing. The now familiar area of fire and temporary breakdown of the fire and rescue services followed. In later stages of the raid the Pathfinder markers and the bombing moved slightly into the northern part of the town. This had the effect of cutting all road and telephone communications with the neighbouring town of Oberhausen with which Mulheim was linked for air raid purposes. Not even cyclists or motor cyclists were able to get out of Mulheim, only messengers on foot coul;d get through. The centre and north of Mulheim and the eastern parts of Oberhausen were severely damaged. 578 people were killed and 1,174 were injured in the two towns. 1,135 houses were destroyed and 12,637 damaged. Other buildings hit were 41 public buildings, 27 schools, 17 churches and 6 hospitals. The only reference to industry is a general note - 'a large proportion of industries were severely affected'. The post-war British Bombing Survey Unit estimated that this single raid destroyed 64% of the town of Mulheim.

4 Mosquitoes each to Berlin and Cologne, no losses.

Battle of the Atlantic

Rocket projectiles were used for the first time against enemy surface shipping by Coastal Command with the rocket-firing version of the Bristol Beaufighter, the MK VIC.

'U-572' fired a spread of four torpedoes at Convoy UGS-10 and sank the "Lot" with two of them. The fleet oiler USS 'Merrimack' and an escorting corvette picked up the survivors.

Submarine chaser SC-751 sinks after grounding, 21°56'S, 113°53'E.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bombed Salerno, Italy during the night. Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) Beaufighters sank a small vessel off Sardinia.

'U-593' fired a spread of four torpedoes at Convoy 'Elastic' about eight miles northeast of Cape Corbelin, Algeria and hit the USS LST-333 and LST-387 with one torpedo each. The first was beached and declared a total loss, while the latter was towed to Dellys and later repaired. The torpedoing of these two ships hampered the training for the forthcoming invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky). The torpedo struck USS LST-333 on the starboard side in the stern. The explosion demolished the stern section, carried away the screws and rudder and stopped the engines. About 20 minutes after the hit, the landing crafts USS LCT-244 and LCT-19 took the landing ship in tow and proceeded slowly towards the beach. After one hour, the submarine chaser USS SC-503 came alongside and took off 32 injured crewmembers and 24 injured passengers and brought them to Algiers. After five hours of towing, the stern of the landing craft came aground near Dellys. The crew and passengers were taken off by the landing craft and brought to Dellys. The USS LST-333 later sank during a salvage attempt on 6 July.

Pacific War

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, a P-40 sights a submarine 5 mi (8 km) E of Zeto Point. A B-24 then searches the area but makes no contact.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force) 3 B-24's from Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands fly photo reconnaissance of Beru Island, Nukunau Island, Tabiteuea Island, Onotoa Island, Tarawa Atoll, and Arorae Island in the Gilbert Islands. 1 of the heavy bombers strafes Arorae.

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force) Heavy bombers join B-25's in pounding the Ywataung, Burma marshalling yard. Monywa, Burma is also thoroughly bombed.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) B-24's bomb the Taberfane, New Guinea area.

PACIFIC

Japanese submarine I-7, damaged by destroyer Monaghan (DD-354) 10 miles south of Cape Hita, runs aground, irreparably damaged, 12 miles south-southwest of Kiska, Aleutians, 51°49'N, 177°20'E.

Submarine Grayling (SS-209) damages Japanese merchant oiler Eiyo Maru, 04°03'N, 103°57'E.

Day 1381 of World War II, June 24th 1943

Eastern Front

The Russians retreated from Kupyansk on the Oskol River east of Kharkov. Lt. Walter Nowotny of 9./JG 54 destroyed 10 Russian aircraft during the day.

Air War over Europe

251 Lancasters, 171 Halifaxes, 101 Wellingtons, 98 Stirlings and 9 Mosquitoes attacked Wuppertal, 34 aircraft lost. This attack was aimed at the Eberfeld half of Wuppertal, the Barmen half of the town having been devastated at the end of May. The Pathfinder marking was accurate and the Main Force bombing started well but the creepback became more pronounced than usual. 30 aircraft bombed targets in more western parts of the Ruhr; Wuppertal was at the eastern end of the area. These bombing failures were probably a result of the recent run of intensive operations incurring casualties at a high level. However, much serious damage was again caused to this medium sized Ruhr town. The post-war British survey estimated that 94% of the Elberfeld part of Wuppertal was destroyed on this night and Wuppertal's own records show that more bombs fell in Elberfeld than had fallen in Barmen on the last raid. 171 industrial premises and approximately 3,000 houses were destroyed; 53 industrial premises and 2,500 were severely damaged. Approximately 1,800 people were killed and 2,400 injured.

There was a dramatic incident in Gelsenkirchen, 20 miles north of Wuppertal when an RAF 4 engined bomber crashed into the hall of a building which had been taken over by the Wehrmacht. The bomber blew up 'with a terrific explosion'. A German officer, 13 soldiers, the caretaker of the building and 5 Dutch trainee postal workers were killed and 2 more soldiers died later.

4 Mosquitoes went to Duisburg and 4 Stirlings minelayng in the River Gironde without loss.

The Luftwaffe attacked the North-East of England during the night. Eight IB clusters and seventeen HEs including four of 1000kg fell over widespread areas encompassing Brunswick Avenue, Holderness Road and Mytongate. Residential, industrial and railway property damage also widespread. 51 fires were started and 23 people were killed. The first anti-personnel, or butterfly bombs were dropped, insignificant looking weapons with great destructive power if handled or disturbed. They were so small that they could get into any crevice. although there were about 100 casualties, including 23 dead, there was not a serious incident created through inquisitive people handling anti-personnel missiles. The casualties came from high explosive bombs and other causes. Central Hull was one target, Bond Street, Jarratt Street, Albion Street, Savile Street were also hit. The Royal Institution, long the centre of much of Hull's cultural life, was destroyed. The main fire station also suffered. 1,000 houses were damaged, 400 seriously.

Four German sail planes belonging to Fl.Pl.Kdo. A 7/XI were destroyed by fire near Lønstrup. The fire in the hangar, owned by “Dansk Svæveflyveunion”, was observed at 02:30 hours in the morning. Luftwaffe rented the hangar and used it to hangar three single seat and one double seat sail planes used for training. A team of Luftwaffe soldiers had been training on 23/6 and had just left for Frederikshavn in the evening. The hangar was therefore unmanned as it was only used when the weather was fit for sail flying. When the Danish police searched the tomb it became clear that the fire had been started on purpose as the remains of a fire was found next to the Kranish. The Danish police investigated the matter but those responsible for the fire were never caught.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-200' (Type IXD2) was sunk southwest of Iceland by 2 depth charges from a British Liberator aircraft (Sqdn. 120/H). 67 dead (all crew lost). The dead included 7 members from the German special force "Brandenburg" unit.

'U-119' (Type XB) was sunk in the Bay of Biscay northwest of Cape Ortegal, Spain by ramming and depth charges from the British sloop HMS 'Starling' ( CO was the famous Commander Walker RN).

'U-194' (Type IXC/40) was sunk in the North Atlantic southwest of Iceland by a homing torpedo from an American Catalina aircraft (VP-84/G). Previously it had been recorded that 'U-194' was sunk south of Iceland, by depth charges from a British Liberator aircraft (Sqdn. 120/H). This attack, however, resulted in the sinking of 'U-200'.

'U-449' (Type VIIC) was sunk at 1600hrs on 24 June, 1943 in the North Atlantic, northwest of Cape Ortegal, Spain by depth charges from the British sloops HMS 'Wren', 'Woodpecker', 'Kite' and 'Wild Goose'.

Photo: The U.S. Navy battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57) anchored in Hvalfjörður, Iceland, on 24 June 1943



Battle of the Mediterranean

36 B-25s (10 of the 445th BS, 12 of the 446th BS ) took off to bomb the Olbia Venafiarita air drome in Northern Sardinia. 36 P-38s of the US 82nd FG were escort. The field, taxi strip and dispersal area were well covered. Five fires were seen as the formation left the target. One flak position was silenced in the northwest corner. Ten to twelve Bf 109’s and MA-202’s with yellow spinners were seen above the target. 4 aircraft were destroyed on the ground and one attacking aircraft was shot down by S/Sgt. Joseph C. Kovis. 2nd Lt. Louis Curdes, USAAF, 82nd FG, 95th FS shot down an Italian Mc.202 over Golfo Aranci, Sardinia.

The United States naval vessel Tug YT-211 was damaged by a storm in the North African area.

1(F)./122 was relieved at Ottana by 3(F)./33 and transferred to Montpellier/South France for rest and refit. The last elements of 1.(F)/122 departed Sardinia about 10 days later. A Me 410A-1 belonging to 2(F)./122 was shot down by a Spitfire from RAF No. 111 Sqdn after a chase south of Cape Passero.

Lancasters of No. 5 Group Bomber Command returned to base after a remarkable mission which took them to the shores of Lake Constance to bomb the Zeppelin factory at Friedrichshafen on the night of 20-21 June, then to Bilda, in Algeria from whence, after a day's rest, almost all of the original force of 60 went on to attack the Italian naval base at La Spezia on the way home. Eight remained in Algeria awaiting repair. La Spezia had to be bombed blind as its defenders covered the harbour with a dense smokescreen. "Shuttle" bombing was an interesting development and certainly confused the enemy's defences, but it was unlikely to be used regularly because of the difficulties of servicing Lancasters in North Africa.

United Kingdom

Photo: Paratroops leaving an Airspeed Horsa Glider DP288, a training aircraft of No 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit at Brize Norton. The paratroops were taking part in a Press Facility Day exercise, June 24th 1943



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

(Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, 2 photo and weather reconnaissance missions by 2 B-24's and 6 attack missions by 25 B-25's, 12 B-24's, and 2 P-38's hit Kiska Island. Targets include gun revetments at Gertrude Cove and AA batteries. The 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group transfers with P-40's from Ft Glenn to Shemya. The squadron also has detachments operating from Amchitka and Attu Airfield.

Photo: First landing on Shemya AAF 24 June 1943



SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomon Islands during the night of 24/25 Jun, B-24's attack the Kahili area and hit the airfield on Buka Island. During the following day B-25's, escorted by P-40's, hit the runway at Vila Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) B-25's bomb and strafe several occupied villages in the Sepu, New Guinea area.

JAPAN
Photo: A photo-op aboard battleship Musashi upon her return to Yokosuka Naval Base with the remains of Isoroku Yamamoto, Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet, who was killed when his plane was shot down over Bougainville Island two months earlier. On the front row, left-to-right from the 6th person: Osami Nagano, Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff; Kōichi Kido, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal; HIH Nobuhito, The Prince Takamatsu; HIM Emperor Shōwa (Hirohiro); Tsuneo Matsudaira, Imperial Household Minister; Shigetarō Shimada, Minister of the Navy; Mineichi Koga, Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet; and Saburō Hyakutake, Grand Chamberlain, 24 June 1943



PACIFIC

Submarine Snook (SS-279) damages Japanese oiler Ose west of Amami Oshima, 28°50'N, 126°56'E.

Day 1383 of World War II, June 26th 1943

Eastern Front

Soviets attacked east of Kharkov and below Soblüsselburg (Leningrad front), and the Luftwaffe started big petrol fires in a raid on Astrakhan the previous night. The Finnish High Command stated that after heavy artillery preparation Red Army units had penetrated Finnish positions near Rukajaervi, but claimed that the ground had been regained in counter-attacks. Russian aircraft, without loss, made heavy night attacks on the rail junction of Orsha (E. of Smolensk) and the port of Taman, on the Kerch peninsula loading to the Crimea. It was announced in Moscow that in the week June 19-26 hundreds of Soviet aircraft had been in action almost every night against enemy aerodromes and rail communications, some 600 enemy planes being believed destroyed or damaged on the ground.

Air War over Europe

Two bomber pilots, Major Werner Baumbach and Major Hajo Herrmann of III./KG 30 and currently operating NJVK over Berlin, finally gained an audience with Reichsmarschall Goering to advance a new idea. They discussed the RAF's night bombing raids and how they could defend against the bombers. Major Herrmann's proposal was to illuminate the German cities so that they could be seen from the air and to equip special night-fighter aircraft for their interception. These aircraft would be fast single-engined Bf 109s and Fw 190s equipped with 85 gal. fuel tanks for extra endurance. The tactic called for the bombers to be silhouetted against the glowing cities by searchlights or 'Mattscheibe' (ground glass screen) - searchlights playing their beams on the bases of clouds - and have the fighters attack without ground support or communications. This was so the RAF could not listen in and the Luftwaffe pilots could actually see their targets without radar. Goering agreed to this proposal and ordered an experimental commando unit be formed. The bomber pilots quickly rounded up 3 Bf 109s and 9 Fw 190s and their pilots - mostly from Herrmann's experimental unit NJVK - and volunteers that were former bomber pilots and teachers from flying schools. The unit was given the code-name Stab./Nachtjagdversuchskommando Herrmann.

US Eighth Air Force Mission Number 68: 165 B-17s were dispatched against the Vilacoublay, France air depot. 12 hit the target while 6 hit the secondary target, Poissy Airfield, and 39 bombed Tricqueville Airfield. The bombers claimed 17-5-10 Luftwaffe aircraft and lost 5 B-17s and 14 others were damaged. 5 YB-40 escort bombers took off to accompany the heavy bombers but none were able to complete the attack. At 17:45 hours, the Fw 190s of JG 2 led by Major Egon Mayer met the B-17s over Liseaux and destroyed 5 of them in a few minutes with head-on attacks. An hour later, the Fw 190s of II./JG 26 were caught by surprise by the P-47s of the US 56th FG and within minutes, II./JG 26's Gruppenkommandeur Major Wilhelm-Ferdinand Galland, Oblt. Heinz Hoppe and Fw. Gunther Scholz had bagged one Thunderbolt each. 12 minutes later Major Galland had tacked another P-47 of the 56th onto his scoreboard for his 46th victory. By the end of the day, 7 Thunderbolts and 5 B-17s had been downed, the lone JG 26 loss being a III./JG 26 aircraft downed by the US 4th FG near Dieppe.

Operating from West Malling, RAF No. 315 (Polish) Sqdrn took part in another Ramrod as escort to 12 Bostons on Abbeville airfield along with 10 aircraft from RAF No. 308 Sqrdn. The whole operation went according to plan with no incidents. 12 aircraft of RAF No. 317 (Polish) Sqdrn led by S/LDR. KORNICKI took off for IBSLEY to take part in Ramrod 108 as part of the withdrawal cover wing. Other pilots did photo-attacks and air-to-air firing during the day.

12 aircraft of RAF No. 317 (Polish) Sqdrn led by S/LDR. KORNICKI took off at 0850 hours to take part in Circus 39. They were over Lizard at 0901 hours and saw Typhoons for ahead. They crossed coast at Landeda at when the wing turned left to the target. Bombing was not seen. No enemy aircraft were seen on the ground or in the air.

Resistance fighters led by a British agent, Michael Trotobas, blow up a German locomotive plant.

Generalfeldmarschall Albert Kesselring gave up his duties as commander of Luftflotte 2 in order to concentrate on his duties as Commander-In-Chief South.

4 Mosquitoes went to Hamburg and 3 to Duisburg. 16 Wellingtons went minelaying off Lorient and Brest, 1 aircraft lost.

Battle of the Mediterranean

During the night Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers, under IX Bomber Command control, bombed Messina, Sicily. Wellingtons bombed the Bari, Italy oil refinery during the night.

A detachment of the 68th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) based at Shipdham, England began operating from Benina, Libya with B-24s.

At 0955 hours, the 'Toufic Allah' was sunk by 'U-81' with 48 rounds from the deck gun 40 miles WSW of Beirut. At 1410, the 'Nelly' (approx. 80 tons) was sunk by 'U-81' with 30 rounds from the deck gun.

Battle of the Black Sea

'U-20' was attacked by an escort with depth charges. The boat unsuccessfully tried to attack a Soviet submarine hunter off Tuapse, but was attacked itself with 8 depth charges and then kept submerged by aircraft for 4 hours. Afterwards the boat had to return to base due to mechanical failures.

United Kingdom

Air Marshall Trafford L Leigh-Mallory was given responsibility for drafting air plans for the invasion of the Continent. His deputy was Brigadier General Haywood S Hansell, Jr.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

On Kiska Island in the Aluetian Islands, eight 11th Air Force B-24s make a radar run but return with their bombs due to weather. Later, 5 B-24s and 7 B-25s bomb the Main Camp area and vicinity north of Salmon Lagoon. Fourteen B-25s bomb Gertrude Cove, camp areas, and North Head, while seven others abort due to weather. Two P-40s fly reconnaissance over Segula Island but overcast prevents observations. Three USN PV-1s also bomb Gertrude Cove.

The Japanese issue an order for Phase II of the KE Operation, the evacuation of Kiska. The evacuation is to be accomplished in one mission by cruisers and destroyers screened by submarines.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(10th Air Force): 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, moves from Karachi, India to Kunming, China with P-40s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(5th Air Force): 22nd BG B-26s bomb Lae and Salamaua.

NEW GEORGIA

In preparation for Operation TOENAILS, the invasion of New Georgia Island in the Solomon Islands on 30 June, the USN's Task Force 36 arrives in the area. TF 36 consists of two aircraft carriers, USS Saratoga and HMS Victorious. Carrier Air Group Three is in USS Saratoga however, VF-5 is transferred to HMS Victorious while the RN's No. 832 Squadron is transferred to USS Saratoga. This exchange put four squadrons of Wildcat fighters on the RN ship. US Marines leapfrog up the coast via a short sea lift before beginning an overland advance against Viru Harbor, New Georgia in the Solomon Islands. These Marines landed on New Georgia on June 21.

PACIFIC

Submarine Jack (SS-259) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking transports Shozan Maru and Toyo Maru off Hachijo Jima, southern Honshu, Japan, 33°22'N, 138°56'E. Although damaged by a Japanese aerial bomb during enemy countermeasures, Jack continues on patrol.

Submarine Runner (SS-275) perhaps sinks Japanese army cargo ship Shinryu Maru off Matsuwa Island, Kuriles, 48°06'N, 153°15'E.

Day 1385 of World War II, June 28th 1943

Air War over Europe

A change in the design of the US National Star Insignia applied to US aircraft added white rectangles on the left and right sides of the blue circular field to form a horizontal bar, and a red border stripe around the entire design. This replaces the white star in blue circle insignia.

The prototype Hawker Tempest MK II (LA 602) flies today. With a 2,526-h.p. Bristol Centaurus engine it will be the RAF's most powerful piston-engined fighter. With extra fuel tanks it has a range of 1,640 miles.

The US VIII Bomber Command flew Mission Number 69. 185 B-17s and six YB-40s were dispatched against the locks and submarine pens at Saint-Nazaire, France; 158 hit the target between 1655 and 1713 hours local; they claimed 28-6-8 Luftwaffe aircraft; eight B-17s were lost and 57 others were damaged. This mission was escorted partway to the target by 130 P-47s. Fifty other B-17s were dispatched against Beaumont-le-Roger Airfield; 43 bombed the target between 1736 and 1740 hours local; six B-17s were damaged.

Eight aircraft of RAF No. 317 (Polish) Sqdrn did convoy patrol from early morning. At 1825 hours eleven aircraft, again led by S/LDR. KORNICKI, F. took off to take part in a Circus 40.

267 Lancasters, 169 Halifaxes, 85 Wellingtons, 75 Stirlings and 12 Mosquitoes attacked Cologne, 24 aircraft lost. The circumstances of this raid did not seem promising. The weather forecast said that Cologne would probably be cloud-covered although there might be a break. The Pathfinders had to prepare a dual plan. The target was cloud-covered and the less reliable sky-marking system had to be employed. Only 7 of tyhe 12 Oboe Mosquitoes reached the target and only 6 of these were able to drop their markers. The marking was 7 minutes late in starting and proceeded only intermittently. Despite all these setbacks the Main Force delivered its most powerful blow of the Battle of the Ruhr. The result was Cologne's worst raid of the war. 43 industrial, 6 military and 6,368 other buildings were destroyed; nearly 15,000 other buildings were damaged. Listed as ' completely destroyed' were : 24 schools, 16 churches, 15 major administrative buildings, 11 hotels, 8 cinemas, 7 post offices, 6 large banks, 2 hospitals and 2 theaters. The cathedral was seriously damaged by high explosive bombs. The casualties in Cologne were 4,377 people killed, approximately 10,000 injured and 230,000 forced to leave their damaged homes. The number of dead was greater than in any previous Bomber Command raid of the war on any target. The 'number of dead' record had thus increased nearly tenfold since the opening of the Battle of the Ruhr over 3 months earlier.

4 Mosquitoes went to Hamburg and 6 Stirlings went minelaying in the River Gironde without loss.

Battle of the Atlantic

'U-172' fired a spread of two torpedoes at SS 'City of Vernon' (Master Malcolm Douglas Loutit),from convoy OS-49, and observed a hit in the forward hold. The ship settled and sank by the bow at 07.07 hours south-southeast of St. Paul Rocks. The U-boat misidentified her victim as 'Cornish City'. The master, 43 crew members and eight gunners were picked up by the Brazilian coastal tanker 'Aurora M'. and landed at Recife on 4 July.

Battle of the Mediterranean

During the night, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bombed the Messina, Sicily marshalling yards and Villa San Giovanni. The following day, 97 B-17s hit Leghorn with 261 tons of bombs severely damaging industrial and railway installations; B-25 Mitchells with 25 P-38s for escort, hit airfields near Olbia, Sardinia and Alghero, Sicily, B-26 Marauders attacked the landing ground at Milis, Sardinia, and fighters hit the airfield at Decimomannu, Sardinia.

The US 27th and 71st Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group transferred with P-38s from Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria to Mateur, Tunisia. The US 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Group transferred with P-40s from Menzel Temime, Tunisia to Pantelleria Island.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

Second group of survivors of U.S. freighter Henry Knox, torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-37 on 19 June 1943, reaches the Maldives (see 30 June 1943).

United States

Photo: Launch of the U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Tisdale (DE-33) at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 28 June 1943



Photo: Commissioning ceremonies of MTB Squadron 23 at Higgins Industrial Canal Plant, New Orleans, Louisiana, June 28, 1943. The boats present at front are PT 281, PT 277, and PT 288. Note the standardized camouflage pattern of these boats



United Kingdom

Photo: The First Glider To Cross the Atlantic, 28 June 1943, the Waco Hadrian glider 'Voo-Doo' the first Hadrian glider to be towed across the Atlantic being unloaded at Prestwick



Pacific War

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA

(10th Air Force): Colonel Robert C Oliver assumes command of the X Air Service Command. 9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (attached to USAMEAF) departs India for Palestine with B-17s. Ground echelon leaves from Lahabad, India and air echelon leaves from Baumrauli, India.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(5th Air Force): B-17s hit Lakunai Airfield and Lae Airfield during the night of 28/29 Jun. 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Port Moresby to Woodstock with P-39s.

NEW GEORGIA

In the Solomon Islands during the night of 29/30 June, four cruisers and four destroyers of the USN's Task Unit 36.2.1 bombards the Vila-Stanmore area on Kolombangara Island and the Buin-Shortland area on Bougainville Island. At the same time, three light minelayers of Task Unit 36.2.2 sow mines off Shortland Harbor on Bougainville and between Alu and Munda Islands. One of the minelayers also mines an area off New Georgia Island.

Day 1387 of World War II, June 30th 1943

Eastern Front

Preparations were being made in the Ukraine for a massive test of strength between the Red Army and the Wehrmacht. Hitler had planned Operation 'Citadel' to break the stalemate on the eastern front by pinching out the huge Russian salient around Kursk. He amassed a vast army with nearly a million men and 2,500 tanks under the command of General Model and General Hoth. But Stalin, alerted by the "Lucy" spy-ring, built a deep web of defensive positions.

Air War over Europe

Aircraft of RAF No. 300 (Polish) Sqdrn which took part in the mining operation of the previous night were flown form Harwell to base. Fourteen sorties of RAF No. 317 (Polish) Sqdrn were made for convoy patrol from early morning.

In the evening the Polish Army Choir gave a concert in Lincoln, by kind permission of his worship the Mayor.

The US VIII Fighter Command became independent of Royal Air Force (RAF) operational control. All fighter groups were placed under control of the 4th Air Defense Wing.

Signposts were to be re-erected in rural areas of Britain, now that the danger of invasion has receded. Tank traps, anti-tank trenches and barbed wire entanglements would be removed where they were no longer necessary. Lord Mottisone said that on a windy day at least ten young women had had their frocks ripped on barbed wire within 300 yards of the House of Lords. Anti-tank blockades in the streets were the cause of accidents.

War production in Britain was at its highest since hostilities began. There were now nearly five million men and women employed in the munitions industries, and output of weapons was at its peak. The biggest of all was the aircraft industry, expanded to 1,600,000 workers, 40% of them women, which was turning out 26,000 planes a year, including 7,000 bombers. Fighting vehicles were being produced at the rate of 7,400 tanks and 24,000 armoured cars this year. It is calculated that 90% of single and 80% of married women of working age are in industry or the auxiliary forces. Over one million people over 65 are working. Average weekly wages reached £7/8/7 in aircraft factories and £6/18/3 for men (£3/9/10 for women) in engineering. But highly skilled piece-workers fitting aero engines can be earning up to £20 a week or more. Hours worked have been reduced from the 70 or more a week in 1940, as accidents and fatigue lowered productivity. The maximum recommended was 55 hours a week for men, 50 for women, with one day off a week and one week's paid holiday a year. Committees were set up to increase efficiency. Twice-weekly broadcasts of Music While You Work raised production by 15% for the next hour.

The British published aircraft losses incurred to date, with Axis losses of 18,031 aircraft and RAF losses of 9,906 aircraft. During June approximately 1,801 RAF Bomber Command aircrew were lost, either POW's or killed in action.

RAF Serrate operations - fighter interception by homing onto enemy transmissions, combined with airbourne interception radar to give range indications - began against German night-fighters.

Battle of the Atlantic

Total German submarine sikings of merchant shipping in the Atlantic during the month amounted to 18,000 tons. German submarine losses during the month were 17.

Coast Guard Cutter No. 83421 is sunk in collision with submarine chaser SC-1330, en route to Miami, Florida. Submarine chaser SC-1330 is damaged.

Battle of the Mediterranean

During the night over 60 Wellingtons hit the area NW of Cape San Marco, Italy and the marshalling yard and surrounding area at Messina, Sicily. In Sicily the following day, B-17s bombed the airfields at Palermo and Boccadifalco, B-25s hit the airfield at Sciacca, and B-26s struck the airfield at Bo Rizzo. Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) airplanes sank 2 schooners off of Sardinia and damageed a vessel off the W coast of Italy.

Thirty six B-25s (12 of the 445th) took off to bomb aircraft on the Sciacca airdrome. The visibility was very poor and a number of the crews were unable to see the target. Some hits were reported on the west and east dispersal areas with a large billow of smoke in the southeast area. Four enemy aircraft were seen which did not attack. One was destroyed by the escort. 1Lt Charles D. Lungren of the 447th BS reported,

"A funny thing happened on our way out. We were to bomb our target after the 310th---a difference of some 45 minutes in target times. We were just off the Tunisian coast when the 310th, coming back, flew under us. An ME -109 was trailing them — probably to spot their field if he could. The poor guy didn’t see us coming and the first thing he knew he was headed for the big middle of a whole flock of B-25s and P-38s! You could almost hear his tires squealing as he threw on his brakes and made a quick turn around. Last we saw of him, he was leading a big whirlpool of P-38s out to catch him. I never found out if they got him, but his chances were pretty slim!”

Worried that Italy might defect from the Axis after its defeats in North Africa, the Luftwaffe moved two operational command stations from the Russian front to southern Italy. The move followed Allied air raids on Messina, in Sicily, and Livorno, on the Italian mainland. In London, Winston Churchill talked in a broadcast of Italian speculation about where the coming invasion would land. "It is no part of our business to relieve their anxieties," he said.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

Last survivors of U.S. freighter Henry Knox, torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-37 on 19 June 1943, reaches the Maldives. From Henry Knox's complement, 13 of 42-man merchant sailors perish, as do 13 of the 25-man Armed Guard.

German occupied Poland

The commander of the Polish Home Army, Gort-Rowecki was arrested by the Germans in Warsaw. Bor-Komorowski replaced him.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy ammunition ship USS Rainier (AE-5) at anchor off the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 30 June 1943



Pacific War

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) The invasion of New Georgia Island begins with amphibious landings by US Army and US Marine Corps forces on Rendova. Subsidiary landings take place at other points in the New Georgia area. USAAF and other allied fighters cover the landings. At 1100 hours, 30+ Zekes attack the beachhead; Allied fighters intercept, claiming 16 shot down. At 1500 hours, a large force of fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo-carrying bombers attack the vessels of the Task Force which is handling the landings. F4U's, F4F's and AA down all the torpedo-carrying bombers as they attack vessels however, a torpedo strikes the flagship, the attack transport USS McCawley (APA-4), amidship severely damaging the vessel (later mistakenly sunk by US PT boats). Early in the evening about 30 more Japanese aircraft return to the assault area. Allied fighters claim 18 of these shot down. B-25's and US Navy dive bombers bomb Munda Airfield. A B-24 strike on Kahili aborts because of bad weather. Lost is B-24D Liberator 42-40254.

Amplifying the above: In Operation TOENAILS, the USN's Task Force 31, supported by land-based Allied aircraft, lands the 172nd Infantry Regiment of the 43d Infantry Division, on Rendova Island in the Solomon Islands; two companies of the 169th Infantry Regiment are also landed on two small islands bracketing the passage through the coral reef to the future landings on New Georgia Island. The 4th Marine Raider Battalion, which had landed at Segi Point on Vangunu Island off the southeast coast of New Georgia Island on 21 June, marches overland to seize Viru Harbor on the southeast coast of Vangunu.

Photo: American forces landing on Rendova Island



At 1530 hours local, 49 IJN aircraft attack the retiring USN invasion; the attack force consists of 24 torpedo carrying "Betty's" escorted by 25 "Zero's" One "Betty" launches a torpedo that hits the attack transport USS McCawley, the force flagship, in the engine room, killing 15 of her crew, and knocking out all power. The ship is taken under tow but at 1640 hours, all the crew except the salvage party is taken off. At 1730 hours, 30 IJN fighters attack the invasion force and the McCawley is strafed by not damaged. At 2023 hours, the ship is struck by another torpedo and sinks in 30 seconds. The following day, it was learned that six USN PT boats had torpedoed an "enemy" transport in Blanche Channel, after having been informed there were no friendly forces in the area.

Photo: Men of the 43D Signal Company wading ashore from LCM's with signal equipment, 30 June 1943



SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) Allied amphibious forces begin landings, unopposed, at Nassau Bay during the night of 29/30 Jun. Forces push N and S toward the Bitoi River and Tabali Creek, respectively. Troops make contact with enemy forces in the Cape Dinga area S of Nassau Bay. Australians open the assault on Bobdubi Ridge and maintain pressure on the enemy in the Mubo area. B-25's pound Bobdubi Ridge in support of the assault and hit forces at Logui and Salamaua. B-25's also bomb the airfield at Cape Chater on Timor Island. 43rd BG B-24's and B-17's bomb an airfield at Rabaul, lost is B-17F "Pluto" 41-24543. One heavy bomber scores a hit on a cargo vessel off Cape Gloucester. The 57th Troop Carrier Squadron, 375th Troop Carrier Group arrives at Port Moresby from the US with C-47's.

Amplifying the above: In Operation CHRONICLE, the USN's Task Force 76 lands the 112th Cavalry Regiment and the 158th Infantry Regiment, on Woodlark and Kiriwina Islands in Nassau Bay respectively. At the same time, the 1st Battalion, 162d Infantry Regiment lands in Nassau Bay. Airfield construction soon begins on Woodlark Island.

The landing on 30 June 1943 at Nassau Bay was by a battle group based on US I/162nd Bn. So far as I am aware, there was only one Australian with the landing force (Capt McBride AIF, a liaison officer from General Savige's HQ) and his landing craft did not actually make it until the following night, so the landing was actually an all-US affair.

However, Australians were on-shore to guide the landing craft in. I recall the landing craft were supplied by the 532nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, part of the US 2nd Engineer Special Brigade. Many were destroyed in the exceptionally high surf (fortunately with no loss of life). This influenced General Blamey's subsequent decision to discard Nassau Bay as a staging area for Operation Postern (the capture of Lae).

I/162nd Battalion was commanded by Lt-Col Harold Taylor. I believe the battalion earned a Presidential Unit Citation for its subsequent work in the liberation of Salamaua. It is now part of the Oregon National Guard. "Mackechnie Force" initially referred to the balance of 162nd Regiment (II and III battalions plus attached AAA units and arty). Taylor's I battalion was detached as part of 17 Bde AIF (u/c Brigadier Moten) but was later restored to Mackechnie Force. Mackechnie Force was briefly referred to as "Coane Force" when commanded by Brigadier Ralph Coane but reverted to its former name on Col Mackechnie's return on 13 Aug 43.

Simultaneous landings took place on 30 June 1943 on the Trobriand Islands (Kiriwina and Woodlark) by RCTs from US 6th Army, however both islands were already occupied by Australian forces (a radar station, infantry and native forces). Unfortunately, neither the US landing forces nor the incumbent Australians were advised of the other's presence! Fortunately, good luck and common sense on both sides prevented any "blue on blue" incidents.

Photo: An LST brings the 9th Defense Battalion to Rendova Island, set up its artillery and antiaircraft guns to support the assault where the unit helped overcome Japanese resistance and then on heavily defended neighboring island of New Georgia



Map: Operation Chronicle, 30 June 1943

Day 1389 of World War II, July 2nd 1943

YouTube (Tougher than Guadalcanal: New Georgia)



Air War over Europe

The US 8th Air Force was ready to start operating over 1000 heavy bombers from English air fields for the first time in the war.

3 Mosquitoes went to Cologne and 2 to Duisburg. 32 aircraft went minelaying in the Frisians and off Brittany ports without loss.

Battle of the Atlantic

The unescorted 'Empire Kohinoor' was torpedoed and sunk by 'U-618' about 250 miles SW of Freetown. Six crewmembers were lost. The master, 72 crewmembers and eight gunners were rescued. The first boat was rescued by destroyer HMS 'Wolverine' and landed at Takoradi. The second boat was rescued by the British merchantman 'Gascony' and the third landed at Lumley Beach, Sierra Leone on 7 July.

At 0008 hours, the unescorted 'Bloody Marsh' was on her maiden voyage, when the ship´s torpedo indicator sounded after detecting the approach of a torpedo from 'U-66'. The master ordered a course change to hard left, but 30 seconds later the torpedo struck the port side at the engine room, destroying the room completely, flooding the compartment and killing one officer and two men on watch below. The hull was ruptured on the port side from midship to the engine room. As the tanker settled slowly by the stern, gradually losing headway, the after gun crew reported a conning tower but could not open fire because the explosion had jammed the gun. The forward gun did not get into action because it could not be brought to bear. Most of the ten officers, 40 men and 27 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 5in, one 3in and eight 20mm guns) left the ship in four lifeboats and three rafts, with the exception of the armed guard commander and three of his men. 20 minutes after the attack, a second torpedo struck the port side amidships, broke the ship in two and immediately sank the tanker about 75 miles east of Savannah, Georgia. The four armed guards jumped overboard as the water reached the after gun platform. At 06.00 hours, a Navy blimp sighted the survivors and signaled that help was on the way. USS SC-1048 picked them up at 0900 and landed them at Charleston, South Carolina.

'U-543' (Type IXC/40) was sunk in the mid-Atlantic SW of Tenerife by depth charges and a homing torpedo from an Avenger aircraft (VC-58) of the US escort carrier USS 'Wake Island'.

Battle of the Mediterranean

The US 15th Air Force launched a series of heavy raids against airfield in southern Italy in preparation for the invasion of Sicily. US 9th Air Force dispatched B-24 Liberators to bomb airfields at Lecce, Grottaglie and San Pancrazio Salentino. Jafu Sud-Italien responded by sending fighters from 10./JG 3 and II./JG 27 to intercept. Engaging the bombers near Lecce, several Experten added to their scores. From 10./JG 3, Lt. Otto Wessling destroyed 2 Liberators to bring his score to 64, Oblt. Franz Daspelgruber gained his 46th kill and getting their first kills were Uffz. Hans-Ulrich Jung and Lt. Hans Zwick. Another B-24 was destroyed by Fw. Uwe Krais for his 15th. Hptm. Ernst Boerngen of 5./JG 27 reached a score of 25 after bringing down 2 Liberators while single victories were credited to Lt. Karl-Heinz Kapp of Stab II./JG 27, Fw. Heinrich Steis and Lt. Josef Torfer from 4./JG 27, Lt. Willy Kienrsch of 6./JG 27 and Uffz. Karl Kampe of 5./JG 27. Despite all this claiming, only 4 bombers were lost.

In Sicily, Ninth Air Force B-25 Mitchells hit the airfield and surrounding area at Sciacca. P-40s, escorting the bombers to Sciacca, shot down a fighter and damaged one. The fighters of 5./JG 77 engaged the escorting Kittyhawks in the morning near Sciacca. Two P-40s were lost. Claiming credit for destroying the P-40s were Lt. Egon Graf von Beissel for his 2d kill and gaining first kills were Uffz. Friedrich Walter and Uffz. Schubert. At about the same time, Lt. Armin Kohler shot down a B-25 for his 23d kill.

Northwest African Strategic Air Force Wellingtons hit Palermo and Cagliari during the night and Northwest African Tactical Air Force B-25s hit Castelvetrano during the day.

Battle of the Baltic Sea

Submarine "Sch-422" of the Polar Fleet and White Sea Flotilla was mined and then finished by surface ASW ships, close to Maakur lighthouse, in Varde area.

United States 

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Martin (DE-30) at her outfitting berth at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Cailfornia (USA), on 2 July 1943. USS Stadtfeld (DE-29) is forward of Martin



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

(Eleventh Air Force) 3 bombers and 4 P-38's fly 4 reconnaissance missions over Kiska and Segula Islands. 17 B-24's and 16 B-25's then attack Kiska Island in 5 missions, 2 of them radar-guided. Fires are started at several of the targets, which include Gertrude Cove, the harbor, and buildings in the Main Camp area. Intense AA fire damages 3 aircraft. 2 B-25's on a submarine attack hit the Kiska seaplane ramp after making no contact with the target. 2 P-40's cover troops which make an unopposed landing on Rat Island.

NEW GEORGIA CAMPAIGN

The Japanese forces on Rendova Island in the Solomon Islands hold on in the face of the US buildup on the island. A IJN naval force bombarded US positions during the night.

Photo: The Japanese struck back hard at the New Georgia invasion force with bombers and fighters. Allied combat air patrols shot down many of the enemy, but some got through to damage Marine positions on Rendova. This area became known as "Suicide Point" after fuel and explosives dumps were hit during the 2 July 1943 raid



(Thirteenth Air Force) B-25's and US Navy F4U's bomb and strafe a small vessel in the anchorage at Bairoko, sinking the Kashi Maru.

Amplifying the above: Over Rendova Island, an estimated 18 IJN "Betty" bombers escorted by estimated 20 IJN "Zeke" fighters attack at 1330 hours local. It is an opportune time because Allied fighter cover had been withdrawn due to impending adverse weather. The bombing kills 59 men on the ground.

During the night of 2/3 July, the IJN cruiser Yubari and nine destroyers bombard the beachhead. The IJN ships are engaged by three USN motor torpedo boats but the PTs do not score any hits.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, B-25's pound defenses in the Kela Point area and a trail near Logui while a lone B-24 bombs the Salamaua area. The Allied invasion force (the MacKechnie Force) holds firm a beachhead on Nassau Bay, and makes contact with Australian forces to the N. B-17's and B-24's again attack airfields at Rabaul.

In New Guinea, ten Japanese bombers make unopposed bombing and strafing runs against the Allied invasion beaches on Nassau Bay.

PACIFIC

Motor torpedo boats PT-153 and PT-158, damaged by grounding, Solomons, 08°20'S, 157°15'E, are beached and abandoned.

Submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) sinks Japanese merchant troopship Canton Maru off China coast, about 80 miles northeast of Amoy, 25°07'N, 119°18'E.

Submarine S-35 (SS-140) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship (crab-catcher) No.7 Banshu Maru off the west coast of the Kamchatka peninsula, Aleutians, 52°30'N, 156°12'E.

Submarine Trout (SS-202) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Isuzu Maru off north coast of Marinduque Island, P.I., 13°36'N, 121°49'E.

HAWAII

Photo: U.S. Navy Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat fighters from Fighting Squadron VF-10 Grim Reapers taxiing forward on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6), during training exercises, 2 July 1943. Another F6F is in flight overhead, with its landing gear and tail hook extended