World War II in real time

Day 1394 of World War II, July 7th 1943

Eastern Front

Unternehmen 'Zitadel' Day 3: In the north, Model's forces concentrated their attacks in the area around Ponyri. 18th Panzer and 292nd Infantry Divisions hit the 307th Rifle division and were initially repulsed. A full day of heavy fighting in the village saw sections of the town change hands several times. By the end of the day, the town was split between the two combatants. Meanwhile, the 41.Panzerkorps struck toward Ol'Khovatka, an area surrounded by dominant high ground, only to be met by elements of the 2nd Tank Army.

Both sides suffered serious losses and neither gained their objectives in the stallmate. In the south, Army Detachment Kempf continued to make modest headway against the 7th Guard Army. Four additional infantry divisions were assigned to shore up the Soviet positions. On the other (western) flank, 48.Panzerkorps was attempting to move forward only to be confronted by large tank formations Vatutuin was hoping to attack with. A large salient had developed between 2.SS Panzerkorps right (east) and AG Kempf's left (west) flank. 3rd SS 'Totenkopf' was dispatched to guard that vulnerable position, leaving only the 1st 'Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler' and 2nd SS 'Das Reich' panzer Divisions for attacks. Because of the serious resistance on the road to Oboian, these formations redirected to the northeast and advanced, making modest progress, toward Prokorovka. Over the battlefield, the air battle became desperate. German forces were concentrating on their ground support efforts and the Red Air Force had recovered from their initial trouncing at the optining of the offensive to contest the Germans. The Soviet fighter sweeps took a serious toll on the bomb laden German planes. But the fighters of Luftflotte 6 claimed 74 victories and Ofw. Strassl of 8./JG 51 made 6 of these claims. Oblt. Paul-Heinrich Dahne of 2./JG 52 destroyed a Russian plane over the frontlines, giving I./JG 52 800 kills for the war and 6000 kills for the Geschwader.

Air War over Europe

4 Mosquitoes went to Cologne and 4 to Dusseldorf without loss.

Battle of the Atlantic

German submarine U-185 carries out two attacks on convoy BT 18 off the coast of Brazil, torpedoing U.S. freighter James Robertson and tanker William Boyce Thompson at 04°00'S, 36°00'W, in the first assault. James Robertson careens through the columns of the convoy, colliding in succession with U.S. freighter Alcoa Banner and Brazilian Cotazaloide before she is abandoned. Submarine chaser PC-575 rescues 21 men. William Boyce Thompson, which loses three men in the initial explosion (a fourth dies subsequently of his injuries), is abandoned, with the survivors being picked up by gunboat Surprise (PG-63) and a boat from the torpedoed James Robertson; a Brazilian ship subsequently rescues the latter as well as the remainder of that ship's survivors (but not before one Armed Guard sailor from James Robertson drowns) (see 9 July 1943). William Boyce Thompson is later scuttled with gunfire and depth charges by escorts. In the second attack on BT 18, U-185 torpedoes U.S. tanker S.B. Hunt and freighter Thomas Sinnickson at 03°51'S, 36°22'W. The former suffers no casualties to either the 37-man merchant complement or the 11-man Armed Guard, and ultimately makes port at Trinidad for temporary repairs; the latter loses one of the 27-man Armed Guard in the initial explosion but no casualties from its 43-man merchant complement, and remains afloat into the night while gunboat Surprise stands by and takes off 18 men.

USAAF B-24 sinks German submarine U-951 in eastern Atlantic, 37°40'N, 15°30'W.

North Africa

Photo: L.S.T.'s lined up and waiting for tanks to come aboard. Two days before invasion of Sicily. La Pecherie, French Naval Base. Tunisia, July 1943



United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS LeHardy (DE-20) underway off the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 7 July 1943



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

An IJN rescue force of two light cruisers, ten destroyers and an oiler, depart Paramushiru Island in the Kurile Islands at 1600 hours. This force is part of Phase II of the KE-GO Operation to evacuate Japanese personnel from Kiska Island, Aleutian Islands.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force) 7 B-25's and 22 P-40's attack shipping at Canton, China. At least 2 interceptors are shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) B-25's and P-38's attack Vila Airfield and B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield. Lost are B-24D "Scrap Iron" 42-40384 and Hudson NZ2033.

In aerial combat over Rendova Island in the Solomon Islands, USMC F4U pilots shoot down six of 12 "Betty" bombers and ten of 60 "Zero" fighters.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, B-24's and B-25's, along with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airplanes, operate in direct support of Allied ground operations in the Mubo area, dropping over 100 tons of bombs on numerous targets as the MacKechnie Force begins an assault on Bitoi Ridge and Australian forces (2/6 Battalion) capture Observation Hill, an important terrain feature W of Mubo.

Amplifying the above: Observation Hill was not captured until 12 July, however 7 July marks the opening of the battle by Australian and US troops of the 3rd Australian Division (GOC Maj-Gen Savige). Mubo lies on the southern approaches to Salamaua. It possesses an airstrip (vital in PNG). It also sits astride the only track for miles linking the coastal landing site of Nassau Bay with the inland Bulolo Valley.

The Japanese were in strength at Mubo. Deceptive patrols and small attacks prior to the battle by 15 Australian Brigade (militia and commandos) caused Col Araki to denude Mubo of troops, leaving it to be
defended only by II/66 Bn.

On 7 July, 17th Brigade AIF (2/5 Bn AIF, 2/6 Bn AIF and I/162 US Inf Bn, supported by 1st Aust Mtn Bty and 218 US Fd Arty Bn) launches a double-envelopment against Mubo. Over the next five days the US and Australians conduct numerous small attacks and fighting patrols in close contact with the enemy. On 12 July, with US infantry on the right flank threatening to cut off their withdrawal route, the Japanese abandon Mubo and withdraw to the Mount Tambu line. Observation Hill is occupied on 12 July. Mubo airstrip is ready for medevac by 14 July. Allied casualties are light.

PACIFIC

Motor torpedo boat PT-161, operating out of Rendova, is damaged by Japanese plane off Banieta Point.

Destroyer Waller (DD-466) fires upon and depth-charges unidentified Japanese submarine, 08°00'S, 158°05'E.

Submarine Permit (SS-178) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Showa Maru off Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan, 43°14'N, 139°53'E.

Submarine Peto (SS-265) damages Japanese oiler Shinkoku Maru, 00°35'N, 148°00'E.

Submarine Plunger (SS-179) damages Japanese merchant cargo ship Anzan Maru, 37°14'N, 132°57'E.

Day 1396 of World War II, July 9th 1943

Eastern Front

YouTube (Kursk, When Titans Clash)



Unternehmen 'Zitadel' Day 5: The Germans were becoming bogged down. Hitler's desperate attempt to change the course of the war by destroying the Soviet armies in the Kursk salient, was grinding to a halt as Soviet tanks, cunningly constructed defences, and swarms of Sturmoviks blunted the pincer attacks of General Hoth from the south and General Model from the north. Fighting at Kursk had taken on a significant and, for the Germans, a frustrating pattern.

Unlike the previous two summers, the Russians did not collapse when subjected to the German armored onslaught. This summer the Germans were confronted by an enemy who contested every inch of ground and when forced to withdraw did so in good order to freshly prepared defenses. More worrisome, the Soviets had shown to be very aggressive in hammering the flanks of the German attacks. The confident, swaggering, facade of invincibility was beginning to show cracks as the battle dragged on. Vatutin was determined to stop the Germans. He ordered both the 5th Guards Tank and 5th Guard Armies to concentrate in the Prokorovka area and prepare for a coordinated attack against the Germans. He also heavily reinforced his right (west) facing the 48.Panzerkorps with fresh anti-tank brigades and infantry division. He also committed the fresh 69th Army in front of Kempf between the 7th and 6th Guards Armies.

The main effort for the day came from 48.Panzerkorps up the Oboian road. With all of the air support that could be mustered. The unit, spearheaded by the 'Großdeutschland' Panzerdivision pushed forward making good progress. That progress came to an abrupt end at Novoselovka when they ran into heavily reinforced 309th Rifle Division. Meanwhile, the 6th Tank Corp continued to attack the German flank. The Germans continued to drive forward. In the north, the attacks by 9.Armee were on the wane. Despite desperate attempts to crack the Russian, lines, no headway was made and losses were high. To the south, Army Detachment Kempf made little progress being faced by fresh reinforcements. 2.SS Panzerkorps made some progress on the road to Prokorovka, pushing the depleted formations of the 3rd Mechanized and 10th Tank Corps ahead of them while the battered 2nd Tank Corps harassed their flank.

YouTube (Troop Deployments for the Battle of Kursk)



Air War over Europe

218 Lancasters, 190 Halifaxes and 10 Mosquitoes attacked Gelsenkirchen, 7 Halifaxes and 5 Lancasters lost. This raid was not successful. TheOboe equipment failed to operate in 5 of the Mosquitoes and a 6th Mosquito dropped sky-markers in error 10 miles north of the target. Gelsenkerchen reported that its southern districts were bombed and assumed that the main raid was on the neighbouring towns of Bochum and Wattenscheid, also to the south, which received many more bombs than did Gelsenkirchen. G itself suffered 10 industrial firms hit, including the all important synthetic oil refinery at Scholven but damage in all places was only light. 41 people died in Gelsenkirchen.

A German air raid against England succeeds in hitting the movie theater in East Grinstead, killing 12 civilians.

HQ US 355th Fighter Group arrived at Steeple Morden, England from the US to join the three squadrons that arrived yesterday.

4 Mosquitoes went to Nordstern and 18 aircraft went minelaying in the Frisians and off Texel without loss.

Photo: Ten million square miles of sea. The vast extent of Coastal Command's theatre of operations is graphically displayed on this newly commissioned 20ft x 30ft map at Coastal Command Headquarters at Northwood, 9 July 1943. From the Arctic Circle to North Africa, from the coasts of occupied Europe to far out into the Atlantic, the Command's areas of responsibility had expanded to such an extent that the existing situation map had been rendered obsolete. Work on the new map was supervised by Coastal Command's Map Officer, Captain J. H. Adam, Royal Engineers



Allied invasion of Sicily

General Guzzoni was now in command on Sicily with the Italian 6th Army.

In Sicily during the night, Northwest African Strategic Air Force Wellingtons bombed the airfields at Catania, Gerbini, and Comiso and Northwest African Tactical Air Force planes hit Sciacca and Milo Airfields. During the day, Ninth Air Force B-24s bombed airfields at Maleme, Crete, and Comiso and Taormina while B-25 Mitchells hit Sciacca landing ground and Biscari Airfield and dispersal areas and P-40s escorted bombers over Castelvetrano, and Milo Airfields. Northwest African Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses, B-25s, B-26 Marauders, and fighters attacked other targets, including Sciacca and Biscari Airfields, Gerbini satellite field, and Cape Passero Island radar stations. This pre-invasion air bombardment of Sicily provided air superiority over the enemy.

2,590 Allied ships headed for Sicily to mount the first amphibious assault on Occupied Europe - Operation 'Husky' - while transport aircraft and gliders from North African bases inserted troops from the British 1st Airborne and US 82nd Airborne Divisions, beginning half an hour before midnight. The Allied forces for Operation 'Husky' were gathered around Malta. The invasion of Sicily would begin with airborne landings tonight. These would include the US 505th PIR landing at Gela.

Photo: 1st Border troops shortly before take-off on operation Ladbroke on the 9 July 1943



Photo: A jeep is loaded onto an American WACO CG-4A glider, 9 July 1943



Photo:  Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle Mark Is of No. 296 Squadron RAF, lined up at Goubrine II, Tunisia, while taking part in the airborne landings on Sicily. Photograph taken from under the wing of a Waco CG-4A glider



Battle of the Atlantic

'U-508' attacked Convoy ST-71 60 miles SW of Lagos in the Gulf of Benin and torpedoed the 'De La Salle' and 'Manchester Citizen'. The ships were sunk by coup de grâce at 0425 and 0452. The master, 129 crewmembers, 12 gunners and 97 passengers from the 'De La Salle' were picked up by corvette FS 'Commandant Detroyat' and the British SS 'Calabar' and landed at Lagos. Eight crewmembers and two passengers were lost. Twelve crewmembers, two gunners and 14 Krooboys from the 'Manchester Citizen' were lost. The master, 44 crewmembers, eight gunners and 23 Krooboys were picked up by 'Commandante Detroyat' and landed at Lagos.

'U-953' was attacked by an aircraft killing one and wounding two of its crew.

'U-642' shot down an RAF 210 Sqdn Catalina. The boat was attacked by the Catalina about 250 miles west of Lisbon. AA fire hit the port side of the aircraft during the attack run, damaging the wing, the engine and a fuel tank and wounding the nose gunner. Due to the damages, only the three depth charges on the starboard side were dropped but did not damage 'U-642', which crash-dived after the attack and did not observe how the burning Catalina ditched shortly afterwards. Two crewmen were lost in the crash and another died the next day from a heart attack. 7 survivors were picked up after 4 days by HMS 'Swale' and taken to Casablanca.

'U-435' was sunk west of Figueira, Portugal by four depth charges from an RAF 179 Sqn Wellington.

'U-590' was sunk near the Amazon Estuary by depth charges from a USN VP-94 Catalina aircraft.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

Royal Indian Navy RINS Bengal fails in attempt to tow damaged freighter Alcoa Prospector, torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-27 on 5 July 1943.

The unescorted 'Samuel Heintzelman' was torpedoed and sunk by 'U-511' in the Indian Ocean. The U-boat dived after firing torpedoes and not observed the results, but they heard underwater explosions and found no trace of the ship after surfacing, only debris floating in the water and lying on deck. All eight officers, 34 crewmen, 27 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 5in, one 3in and eight 20mm guns) and six passengers on board were lost. The 'Samuel Heintzelman' was reported missing after being seen the last time on 4 July and it was first believed that she had been sunk by a Japanese surface raider. On 30 September, wreckage of the ship was found off Minni Minni village, Maldive Islands and two empty lifeboats had been spotted the day before.


United States

The US Navy orders a version of the Consolidated Catalina from the new New Orleans factory. This mark will have two 0.50-in nose guns, search radar in a radome above the cockpit and amphibious undercarriage. They will be designated PBY-6A and 900 were ordered.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

In the Aleutians, the USN destroyer Destroyer Aylwin (DD-355) bombards Japanese installations in the Gertrude Cove area of Kiska Island. The Japanese return fire but do not hit the ship. The IJN makes an unsuccessful attempt to evacuate personnel from Kiska. The two cruisers and eight destroyers retire towards the Kurile Islands.

Submarine Permit (SS-178), believing her quarry to be a Japanese trawler, shells Soviet oceanographic vessel Seiner No.20 27 miles off Kaiba To. Once the mistake is realized, Permit comes alongside the blazing vessel and rescues the survivors before the Russian craft sinks. The Soviet sailors are taken to Akutan, Alaska.

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force) B-25's bomb the railroad bridge on the Mu River between Ywataung and Monywa, Burma scoring 2 direct hits and leaving the bridge temporarily unusable.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomon Islands during the night of 8/9 Jul, B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield and Buin and Poporang. B-25's and several fighters sent against forces near Vella Lavella, fail to locate the target and strafe Buki and Ganongga Islands, and a destroyer beached on SE Kolombangara Island.

NEW GEORGIA CAMPAIGN

US forces on New Georgia are now advancing on Munda, in the Solomon Islands. In the Solomon Islands, four USN destroyers shell the area near Munda on New Georgia Island. Later in the day, 18 USMC SBD's bomb the same area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) B-25's hit forces in the vicinity of Old Bobdubi, Malolo, and Busama. Lost on a weather mission is B-25 piloted by Webster. On Timor, B-25's hit landing fields, Dili and Cape Chater.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED PHILIPPINES

Submarine Thresher (SS-200) lands men, stores, and ammunition on west coast of Negros Island.

Day 1398 of World War II, July 11th 1943

Eastern Front

Unternehmen 'Zitadel' Day 7: The fight at Kursk approached its climax as the Germans redoubled their efforts to break Vatutin's lines south of Kursk. 48.Panzerkorps on the left (west) probed the Russian infantry and antitank formations making limited progress. On the right (east), Army Detachment Kempf was able to concentrate its armor and make a 12-kilometer drive north toward Prokorovka and forcing the Russians to abandon several previously formidable positions.

Photo: Vehicles of II SS-Panzer Corps advancing toward Prokhorovka on 11 July 1943



Map: Drawn approximately to scale. Soviet and German units around Prokhorovka on the night of 11 July. All units are presented at only their divisional-level, except for Soviet tank corps



During the evening, SS General Paul Hausser readied his divisions for an assault on Prokorovka. 3rd SS 'Totenkopf' anchored the left flank of the corps while 1st SS 'Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler' was in the center, assembled west of the town between a rail line and the Psel. 2nd SS 'Das Reich' moved into its attack zone on the corps' right flank, which was several kilometers south of Tetrevino and southwest of Prokorovka. 3rd SS 'Totenkopf' had crossed the river on pontoon bridges and reached the bridgehead. Katukov launched continuous attacks on the Totenkopf units on the north bank of the river. In the center, 2.SS Panzerkorps advanced toward Prokorovka. The 1st 'Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler' SS Panzerdivision advanced up the road with 2nd SS 'Das Reich' Panzerdivision on its right. The Russians decided to deploy the rest of the 5th Guards Tank Army to destroy the SS armored divisions.

The advance came to a sudden stop as the 1st SS troopers ran into the elite and fresh 9th Airborne Division outside the town. The arrival of these Russian forces signaled the fact that the Russians were committing their armored reserves, and that from July 11 on the Germans would have to content with these. By July 11th, The 1st 'Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler' SS Panzerdivision was down to about 100 tanks, assault guns, and tank destroyers (not including observation tanks). The division reported that there were "heavy downpours which severely hampered combat operations" and that the roads were "in very poor shape". At the German positions at Orel, the Russians counterattacked at the German's weakest point, in front of 2.Panzerarmee between Kzyn and Bolchow, heading for Karatschew. To be able to cope with the new danger, Model (now in command of both 9.Armee and 2.Panzerarmee) desperately needed reinforcements to patch up holes in his defensive lines. The transfer of units from 'Großdeutschland' Panzerdivision allowed more or less to control that sector. To the east and northeast of Orel, the Russians made relatively slow progress, but nevertheless they pressed very hard.

Photo: Soviet troops of the Voronezh Front counterattacking behind T-34 tanks at Prokhorovka during the Battle of Kursk, July 12, 1943



Allied invasion of Sicily

Operation 'Husky' Day 2: As reinforcements came slowly ashore, the Axis forces in the American sector attempted to make a coordinated attack against the beaches. The Italian Livorno Division and the 'Herman Goering' (HG) Panzer Division managed to make a reasonably coordinated attack in the Gela area. This attack was initially met by the small bands of General Gavin's paratroops along the Biazza Ridge. Vastly outgunned and outnumbered, the American paratroops beat back the HG tankers. In the center, the HG Panzer Division column was making for Gela. This attack was met by naval gunfire. The destroyer 'Beatty' alone fired 800 rounds of high explosive into the advancing Germans. However, they continued on and were only stopped by the direct fire from the 1st Division's own artillery which was set up on the beaches south of Gela. On the left, Darby's Rangers were confronted with the Italian attack. This attack was broken up by fire from the cruiser 'Savannah' (ordered up by Patton himself). Upon leaving the rangers, Patton said, "...kill every one of those bastards."

Photo: USS Boise (CL-47) fires on enemy forces near Gela, Sicily, on 11 July 1943. Photographed by Sgt. Crosnon from USS LST-325. Note manned .50 caliber machine guns on several of the Army trucks embarked on the LST's deck, a precaution against German air attack, July 11, 1943



Photo: Infantry marching through the town of Noto, 11 July 1943



In the British sector, the only organized fighting force was a group of 15th Panzer Grenadiers (KG Schmalz). These few Germans had all they could handle in making a fighting withdraw in front of the British army. The British on the other hand were having a difficult time in dealing with all of the Italians surrendering to them and in securing Syracuse.

Photo: Prisoners of war marching along the beach to awaiting ships, watched by Naval Commandos, one of whom is armed with a Tommy gun at dawn of the opening day of the invasion of Sicily. A landing craft infantry (large) (LCI (L) 124) and two landing craft tanks LCT 382



Photo: U.S. Navy LCVPs from USS Joseph T. Dickman (APA-13) landing vehicles through the surf at Gela, Sicily, on 10-12 July 1943. The truck in the center appears to have stalled



Photo: Soldiers loading bags and other items from a DUKW to USS LCI(L)-196, in the Scoglitti area. USS LCI(L)-196), a 246-ton landing craft, infantry, was built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company and commissioned in February 1943



Photo: Liberty ship Robert Rowan (K-40) explodes after being hit by a German Ju 88 bomber off of Gela, Sicily (Italy), on (11 July 1943) - Robert Rowan arrived at Gela 11 July 1943 with a cargo of ammunition and 334 soldiers of the 18th Infantry. She also carried 14 U.S. Navy personnel, 32 U.S. Navy armed guards, and 41 crewmen. Just before 14:00 hrs German Junkers Ju 88 bombers appeared overhead and attacked the ships in the bay. During the attack the Rowan was hit by three 500 kg bombs. One bomb passed through the ship, but the other two exploded in the holds. Because of the nature of the cargo the ship was abandoned without any attempt to put the fire out. All 421 men on board safely evacuated the ship and were picked up by PT boats and transferred to nearby destroyers. Within twenty minutes the fire reached her munitions with a tremendous explosion tearing the ship in half. The burning ship came to rest on an even keel and burned for two days. The destroyer USS McLanahan (DD-615) tried to sink the ship because the fires lit up the area during the night, but this failed as the water was too shallow



Photo: a closer photo taken of U.S. Liberty ship Robert Rowan exploding after being hit by German dive bombers off Gela, Sicily, July 11, 1943



In the air, Ninth Air Force B-24s hit airfields at Vibo Valentia, Sicily and Reggio di Calabria, Italy and B-25s hit airfields at Trapani, Milo and Bo Rizzo, and areas between Sciacca and Enna, Sicily. P-40s escorted bombers and provided beach cover as invasion forces pushed inland. During the night, NASAF planes hit Milo and Sciacca Airfields and numerous tactical targets during the day, including town areas, vehicle convoys, bridges, trains and roads; NASAF B-17 Flying Fortresses bombed the Catania marshalling yard while B-26 Marauders hit Milo Airfield and Gerbini satellite airfields; and B-25s and P-38 Lightnings hit Sciacca Airfield and the town of Caltanissetta.

Battle of the Atlantic

Destroyers HMCS 'Iroquois', HMS 'Douglas' along with frigates HMCS 'Moyala' and 'Swale' were escorting the troopships 'Duchess of York', 'California' and 'Port Fairy' from Plymouth to Freetown, South Africa when they were attacked by 3 German Focke Wulf 200 'Kondor' high-altitude bombers at about 2100 hrs 200 miles off of Vigo, Spain. The German bombing accuracy was excellent and both 'California' and
'Duchess of York' were hit and burned furiously. The consorts evacuated both ships and the 2 damaged liners were sunk by gunfire and the convoy continued on to an unscheduled stop at Casablanca. Twenty-seven lives were lost in this incident. 680 survivors were rescued from 'Duchess of York' by 'Iroquois'. '

Battle of the Mediterranean

German air attacks against invasion shipping off Sicily continue. U.S. freighter Joseph G. Cannon is struck by a bomb and sinks in shallow water; she suffers no casualties to the 40-man merchant complement or the 25-man Armed Guard, although a number of British soldiers on board perish when the bomb hits the ship.

Panama

Photo: The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) transiting the Panama Canal, bound for the Pacific combat zone, circa 11 July 1943. Note the Grumman TBF-1 Avenger and Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless aircraft on deck. The SBDs carry markings of Bombing Squadron 4 (VB-4). Also note the camouflage screens alongside the canal lock



United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Reid (DD-369) off the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 11 July 1943. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 27 May to 16 July 1943. On this date she was on trails



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

(Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, 5 B-24's take off to attack Paramushiru Island in the Kurile Islands and fly a shipping search but are turned back by bad weather. A shipping search by 5 B-25's finds nothing. 6 B-25's and 6 B-24's in 3 missions (one by radar) attack North Head and Main Camp on Kiska Island sighting new excavations near Sredni Point, strafe a tent near Haycock Rock, and also fly over Segula Island.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force) 3 B-24's from Funafuti Island in the Ellice Islands fly a photo reconnaissance mission to Makin; 2 of the B-24's bomb the island.

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force) A few B-24's hit the port of Haiphong, French Indochina.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force) In French Indochina, 3 B-24's bomb the Haiphong harbor area, 3 bomb shipping in the Campha Port area, and 8 pound positions and barracks area at Kunlong, China; and P-40's strafe traffic between Lao Kay and Cha Pa, and hit oil storage area SW of Lao Kay.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) B-24's and B-17's attack Kahili Airfield, hitting revetments E and W of the strip. In the Solomon Islands during the day, USAAF and USMC pilots shoot down eleven Zero's and a Betty bomber.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) A-20's and B-25's blast positions in the battle zone from Nassau Bay inland to the Mubo area, hitting the trail ketween Logui and Kennedy's Crossing, the Bobdubi and Bobdubi Ridge areas, Salamaua, Kela Point and villages scattered through the area. Other B-25's bomb Penfoei on Timor. B-17's and B-24's pound airfields in the Rabaul area. B-17F "Black Jack" 41-24521 ditches near Boga Boga. Lost is P-38G piloted by Neater.

The 19th Bombardment Squadron, 22d BG (Medium) transfers with B-26's from Woodstock to Dobodura. The 19th, which has been in combat in the SWPA since Apr 42, was pulled out of combat in Jan 43 for R&R. The squadron will fly it's first combat mission on this tour on 27 Jul 43.

PACIFIC

Destroyer Monaghan (DD-354) bombards Japanese positions at Gertrude Cove, Kiska Island, Aleutians.

Submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) sinks Japanese guardboat No.8 Takatori Maru between Okino Daito Jima and Kazan Retto, 24°00'N, 135°25'E.

Submarine Gurnard (SS-254) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking army cargo ship Taiko Maru about 375 miles northeast of Palau, 13°08'N, 132°00'E.

PBYs attack Japanese guardboats off Kamchatka, sinking Seiun Maru and damaging Koshin Maru.

USAAF B-24s damage Vichy French customs vessel Albert Sarraut and Japanese cargo vessel No. 3 Kiri Maru 45 miles east of Haiphong, French Indochina.

Day 1400 of World War II, July 13th 1943

YouTube (Prokhorovka: An Avalanche of Armor)



Eastern Front

Unternehmen 'Zitadel' Day 9: German offensive operations at Kursk come to an end as one last attempt was made to break the Soviet lines on the southern face of the bulge. It failed. The fighting continued around Prochorovka for several more days. 2nd SS 'Das Reich' continued to push slowly eastward in the area south of the town. Hitler decided to cancel Unternehmen 'Zitadel'. Manstein argued that he should be allowed to finish off the two Soviet tank armies. He had unused reserves, consisting of three experienced panzer divisions of XXIV Panzer Corps, in position for quick commitment. That corps could have been used to attack the Fifth Guards Tank Army in its flank, to break out from the Psel bridgehead or to cross the Psel east of Prochorovka.

All of the available Soviet armor in the south was committed and could not be withdrawn without causing a collapse of the Soviet defenses. Manstein correctly realized that he had the opportunity to destroy the Soviet operational and strategic armor in the Prochorovka area. Hitler suspended operations and the vaunted Wehrmacht would never attempt a major strategic offensive on the Russian front again. 4.Panzerarmee reported that the 2.SS Panzerkorps had 163 operational tanks, a net loss of only 48 tanks. The new tanks had turned out a very disappointing show with most of the Mk V Panthers breaking down on the first day due to problems with the complex electrical cooling systems (from a total of 200 only forty were in running order at the end of the first day). The Elefant tanks although a formidable machine with their 88mm gun had also proved a disappointment with Russian infantry simply attacking the 73 ton monsters with satchel charges and Molotov cocktails when they were separated from the infantry with relative ease due to the absence of a hull machine gun as a secondary defenses. Although German losses were quite high, Russian losses were higher with the 6th Guards Army (which had borne the brunt of the assault) suffering very high losses and by the 11th July the battle hung in the balance. Meanwhile, the Soviet offensive opposite Orel, north of Kursk continued to make good progress against dogged German resistance.

Air War over Europe

374 RAF aircraft - 214 Halifaxes, 76 Wellingtons, 55 Stirlings, 18 Lancasters, 11 Mosquitos were ordered to Aachen. A strong tail wind brought the first waves of the Main Force into the target area before Zero Hour with the result that, when the first Pathfinder markers were released, an unusually large number of aircraft bombed in the first minutes of the raid. The visibility was good and large areas of Aachen appeared to burst into flame at once. In a report from Aachen, 'A Terrorangriff [Terrorattack] of the most severe scale was delivered.' 20 aircraft - 15 Halifaxes, 2 Lancasters, 2 Wellingtons, 1 Stirling - were lost. 2,927 individual buildings were destroyed. These contained 16,828 flats/apartments and there was the familiar list of public and cultural buildings hit. Among those classed as severely damaged were the cathedral, the Rathaus, the town theatre, the police headquarters, the local prison, the main post office, two infantry barracks and an army food depot and 8 large industrial premises including an aero-engine factory, a rubber factory, a tyre factory and a wagon works. 294 people were killed and 745 injured and 28,500 people appear to have fled the town and were still absent when new ration cards were issued nearly 7 weeks later. The Fw 190s of 1./SAGr 128 and 8./JG 2 were scrambled from their bases near Brest and soon they came across the British bombers. This was 1./SAGr 128's most successful day, as the Fw 190 pilots shot down 5 of the bombers. Oblt. Heinz Wurm made his first claim at 06:27 hours followed 3 minutes later by 8./JG 2's Ofw. Freidrich May for his 26th victory. Minutes later, bombers were claimed by Uffz. Schuler and Gefr. Hess from 8./JG 2 and Ofw. Hans Gryz and Ofw. Freidrich Jost of 1./SAGr 128 followed by Oblt. Wurm, who downed his 3d bomber of the morning. W/Cdr J. D. Nettleton VC was flying a Lancaster I with RAF No. 44 Sqdrn on this raid. The Augsburg Raid veteran was believed to have been shot down by a night-fighter off the Brest peninsula but possibly by the Fw 190s.

2 Oboe Mosquitoes carried out a diversion for the Aachen raid by dropping target indicators over Cologne.

3 German aircraft were brought down during a night attack on Hull. A Dornier Do 217K crashed in flames into the sea after an attack by a Beaufighter of RAF No. 604 Squadron (15 miles E of Spurn Head). Two of the crew were listed as missing and two were taken prisoner. Next was a Dornier Do 217M also shot down into the sea off Spurn Head by a Beaufighter of RAF No. 604 Squadron, all of the crew were listed as missing, but the body of one of them was later, on the 26th, recovered from the sea and buried at Grimsby. The 3d was a Dornier Do 217E shot down by AA fire - it crashed at Long Riston, near Hull. The crew were all killed. A new German aircraft preceded the raid on Hull, it closely resembled the RAF's Mosquito and was called the Hornisse (Hornet) it was the Messerschmitt 410. Operating at altitudes between 10,000 and 20,000' enemy aircraft were attempting to bomb nearby nightfighter airfields but met with little success. However in the actual raid on Hull, fifty fires were started and twenty-six people were killed. F/L Bunting of RAF No. 85 Sqdrn, flying a Mosquito, shot down a Me 410 from V./KG 2. It was the first Me 410 to be destroyed over Britain.

Photo: A badly damaged North American Mustang Mark I (AM104, 'L') of No. 268 Squadron RAF, on the ground at Odiham, Hampshire (UK), after returning from a sortie over the Rouen area, France. The pilot, Flying Officer A.R. Hill of Norwich, was met by heavy anti-aircraft fire while attacking barges on a canal. Despite losing the rudder controls and the hydraulic system, Hill brought the aircraft back for a successful landing, 13 July 1943



Allied invasion of Sicily

Operation 'Husky' Day 4: British forces continued to advance in Sicily capturing Autusta and Raqusa. The 'Herman Goring' Division was beginning to shift position to face the advancing British 51st Infantry Division, 23rd Armored Brigade and Canadian 1st Infantry Division (Harpoon Force) near Vizzini, while the British 8th Corps opened attacks toward Catania and Lentini. The leading troops were held up by an enemy rearguard at Lentini. To speed up the advance, landings were made to capture the bridges to the north of the town. No 3 Commando landed at Agnone and prevented the destruction of the Ponte del Malati while the 1st Parachute Brigade and 151 Brigade captured the Primasole Bridge over the Simeto giving the British forces a route to the plain of Catania. These gains were made at considerable cost because of resistance from the Hermann Goring Division. Firmly established on the slopes of Mount Etna the Germans held up the British advance. The plain with the Gerbini airfields was in dispute for almost three weeks.

Photo: Troops of The Loyal Edmonton Regiment entered Modica marching in a relaxed manner, but rifles are close to hand and bayonets are fixed, ready for sudden action



Augusta, Sicily was captured by the British 5th Division.

Photo: A Sherman tank passing through Villasmundo, 13 July 1943



The Allied landings on Sicily forced all the Luftwaffe units except II./JG 51 to move to make-shift airfields in northeastern Sicily. Constant Allied bombings on the remaining airfields turned them into crater-filled fields and rendered them useless for the German fighters and bombers.

In the air during the night, Northwest African Strategic Air Force Wellingtons hit Caltanissetta, Gerbini Airfield, and Enna. During the day, B-17 Flying Fortresses, B-25 Mitchells, B-26 Marauders, and fighters attacked Enna, Milo Airfield, Carcitella landing ground, Randazzo, and targets of opportunity while Ninth Air Force B-24s hit the airfield at Vibo Valentia. Northwest African Tactical Air Force aircraft hit truck convoys, trains, railway stations, troops, and numerous targets of opportunity over wide areas in Sicily. Ninth Air Force B-25s attacked the Leonforte road and harbor at Termini while P-40s patrol the Licata area. Because of the coastal terrain at Sicily, it was possible for enemy planes to sneak in over the surrounding hills and attack before anyone knew they were coming. In such an attack, two Stuka dive-bombers hit the Avola anchorage before the alarm could be given. The 'Will Rogers', which had just arrived, got in a few bursts of 20-millimeter fire, as did some other ships, but the planes were gone within a minute. One plane put two bombs into a hold full of ammunition on the 'Timothy Pickering', a US Liberty ship which had arrived with the 'Will Rogers' and still had most of her troops aboard. The 'Pickering' vanished in a mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke and fire that towered a thousand feet into the air. Some of the burning wreckage hit a nearby tanker, which also blew up, and bits of that ship killed several men on the 'O. Henry'. Of 192 men aboard the 'Pickering', the only survivors were 23 men blown overboard in the initial explosion.

Battle of the Atlantic

'U-487' was sunk in the central Atlantic by five Avenger and Wildcat aircraft of the American escort carrier USS 'Core' . 31 dead and 33 survivors. One Wildcat was shot down in the action. The milk cow was attacked by carrier aircraft (VC-13 USN) from USS 'Core' southwest of the Azores after a planned refueling was reported by ULTRA. An Avenger/Wildcat team, piloted by Lt R.P. Williams and Lt(jg) E.H. Steiger, completely surprised 'U-487' as some crewmen were seen sun-bathing on deck and no AA fire was experienced during the first attack run. Four depth charges straddled the boat, which stopped in a large oil patch. The Wildcat attempted a second strafing run, but was hit by AA fire and crashed off the port bow, killing the pilot. Two other Wildcats, piloted by LtCdr C.W. Brewer and Lt J.R. Brownstein, arrived at the scene and their strafing attacks made it possible for a second Avenger (Lt(jg) J.F. Schoby) to place four depth charges direct on target. Its explosions lifted 'U-487' out of the water, broke her back and caused it to sink within a few seconds. 33 survivors were later rescued by USS 'Barker'.

'U-607' was sunk in the Bay of Biscay NW of Cape Ortegal, Spain, by depth charges from an RAF 228 Sqn Sunderland.

Brazilian destroyer Maranhao rescues survivors of U.S. freighter African Star, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-172 off the coast of Brazil the previous day.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

Second group of survivors of freighter Sebastian Cermeno, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-511 on 27 June 1943, reaches Durban, South Africa.

RAF Catalina rescues one group of survivors from U.S. freighter Alice F. Palmer, torpedoed, shelled and sunk by German submarine U-177 on 10 July 1943, 60 miles southeast of Madagascar.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-22) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California (USA), on 13 July 1943. Her hull number was changed to CVL-22 two days later



Photo: USS Independence (CVL-22) bow view off Mare Island,13 July 1943



Pacific War

NEW GEORGIA CAMPAIGN- BATTLE OF KOLOMBANGARA

USN Task Group 36.1 under Rear Admiral Walden L. Ainsworth engages IJN forces under Rear Admiral Izaki Shunji during the Battle of Kolombangara. The Allied forces consist of the light cruisers HMNZS Leander, USS Honolulu and USS St. Louis and ten destroyers; the Japanese force consists of the light cruiser Jintsu and five destroyers.

The battle began at 0110 hours local when the Allied ships opened fire; Jintsu is sunk by gunfire and torpedoes and the destroyer Yukikaze is damaged. But four Japanese destroyers, waiting for the Allied ships to turn, launch 31 torpedoes at the formation. USS Honolulu, USS St. Louis and the destroyer USS Gwin, maneuvering to bring their main batteries to bear on the enemy, turn right into the path of the deadly "long lance" torpedoes. USS Honolulu is struck by a torpedo on the starboard side at 0211 hours causing hull damage; USS St. Louis took a torpedo which hit well forward and twisted her bow, but caused no serious casualties; and USS Gwin received a torpedo hit amidships in her engine room. USS Gwin is scuttled by another destroyer; 61 men perish on the ship.

Photo: The light cruisers USS St. Louis (CL-49) and HMNZS Leander (75) firing during the Battle of Kolombangara, 13 July 1943. This is probably the battle's initial engagement, in which the Japanese light cruiser Jintsu was sunk by gunfire and torpedo hits and Leander was heavily damaged by a Japanese torpedo



Photo: Battle of Kolombangara, 13 July 1943. A Japanese submarine tries to attack The U.S. Navy light cruisers USS Honolulu (CL-48) and USS St. Louis (CL-49), six hours out of Guadalcanal off San Christobal Islands in the Solomon Islands while a destroyer is putting out pattern of depth charges



Interesting note to this action: It should also be noted that light cruiser HMNZS Leander was torpedoed and seriously damaged. Her Commander (second-in-command) was Commander Stephen W. Roskill RN, who later wrote the official history of the Royal Navy in the war, "The War at Sea."

In the first mission of its kind in the South Pacific theater, 12 USMC SBD Dauntlesses attack Japanese positions within 1,000 yards (914 m) of U.S. Army infantry positions on New Georgia Island.

NEW GEORGIA CAMPAIGN

Admiral Halsey directs General Harmon to take command of New Georgia operation, which is falling behind schedule. 169th Inf of 43d Div, with air and arty support, drives salient into enemy positions E of Munda with capture by 3d Bn of hill commanding Munda Trail. Inability of 1st and 2d Bns to advance, however, leaves 3d Bn in exposed position. 172d Inf reaches coast at Laiana.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Mubo area is cleared of enemy. Australian 3d Div, assisted by fire of Americans, finishes clearing Lababia Ridge.

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force) 16 B-25's lay mines in the Irrawaddy River, Burma.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, B-17's and B-24's, operating individually, bomb the airfield, town area, harbor, and other targets in the Lae area; B-25's blast positions in the Salamaua area, along the road between Kela and MacDonald's Junction, and hit AA guns at Salamaua and MacDonald's Junction; and ground forces clear the Mubo area and Lababia Ridge of the enemy. HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group arrives at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from the US.

Day 1402 of World War II, July 15th 1943

Eastern Front

Heavy fighting continued on the Russian front as the Soviet Central Front (General Rokossovsky) joins in the offensive toward Orel, attacking from his positions north of Kursk. To the south 4.Panzerarmee relinquished all the ground it captured during the recent offensive and returned to their start line from two weeks ago.

Air War over Europe

Another Me 410 from V./KG 2 was shot down by a Mosquito XII from RAF No. 85 Sqdrn flying a night interception patrol.

165 Halifaxes went to attack the Peugeot motor factory in the Montbeliard suburb of the French town of Sochaux, near the Swiss border, 5 aircraft were lost. The outcome of this raid illustrates again the difficulties of hitting relatively small targets in the occupied countries and the danger to surrounding civilians. The night was clear, the target was only lightly defended and the attack altitude was 6,000 to 10,000 feet but the centre of the group of markers dropped by the Pathfinder crews of 35 Squadron was 700 yards beyond the factory. The local report said that approximately 30 bombs fell in the factory but 600 fell in the town. 123 civilians were killed and 336 injured. The factory was classed as 5% damaged and the production was normal immediately after the raid.

6 Mosquitoes flew on a nuisance raid to Munich, only 2 aircraft reached the target but no aircraft were lost.

Allied invasion of Sicily

Operation 'Husky' Day 6: In Sicily, Patton's 7th Army, was relegated to a minor roll of protecting Montgomery's left flank. Stung by the Alexander's decision to give Bradley's 2nd Corps front to Montgomery, Patton decided to drive west to Polermo with half his army while 2nd Corps was stuck advancing north through the trackless mountains.

In Sicily during the night NATAF light and medium bombers bombed Palermo, and flew armored reconnaissance, attacking roads and convoys, over extensive areas of Sicily. During the day, Ninth Air Force B-25s bombed Palermo, Cape Gallo, Salina Island, and Cape Zifferano; and P-40s patrolled over the Licata area while NASAF medium bombers bombed Vibo Valentia, and fighters flew numerous strafing and bombing missions against trains, road junctions, radar installations, truck convoys, railway stations, and targets of opportunity throughout Sicily. Northwest African Coastal Air Force airplanes flew sea patrols, reconnaissance, convoy escort, and hit shipping off the west coast of Corsica and east coast of Sardinia.

Photo: Canadian built Chevrolet CGT artillery tractors and 25pdrs of 51st Highland Division are cheered by crowds as they enter Militello, 15 July 1943



Photo: A Sherman tank and infantry advance through the town of Carlentini, 15 July 1943



Battle of the Atlantic

The SS 'Twickenham' was damaged by 'U-135'. 'U-135' was then sunk in the Atlantic, by sloop HMS 'Rochester' and corvettes HMS 'Mignonette' and 'Balsam' and a USN VP-92 Catalina.

Two German submarines were sunk by US Navy aircraft. - 'U-759' was sunk in the Caribbean Sea, south of Haiti, by depth charges from a PBM-3C Mariner of Patrol Squadron Thirty Two (VP-32) based at NAS Guantanamo, Cuba. 'U-509' was sunk in the mid-Atlantic north-west of Madeira, Portugal, by aerial (Fido) torpedoes from a TBF Avenger of Composite Squadron Twenty Nine (VC-29) in the escort aircraft carrier USS 'Santee' (CVE-29).

The unescorted 'Harmonic' was torpedoed by 'U-172' 620 miles east of Rio de Janeiro. The vessel was sunk by a coup de grâce at 2116. One crewmember was lost. The master, 38 crewmembers and six gunners were picked up on 22 July by the Portuguese merchantman 'Inhambane' and landed at Bahia, Brazil two days later.

The unescorted 'Empire Lake' was torpedoed and sunk by 'U-181' about 240 miles east of Madagascar. The master, 24 crewmembers and six gunners were lost. Five crewmembers and two gunners landed at Farafangana, Madagascar.

Photo: Depth Charge Transfer at Sea. 15 July 1943, on Board the Oiler Ss Luminetta, Off Greenock, depth charges being transferred to the RENONCULE, Free French Corvette. This method has proved very successful with ships in convoy



Battle of the Mediterranean

During the night, Wellingtons of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) hit airfields and docks at Naples; during the day NASAF heavy bombers hit Villa San Giovanni and USAAF Ninth Air Force B-24s struck the main airfield and two satellite fields at Foggia.

The Italian (transport) submarine 'Remo' was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Taranto by submarine HMS 'United'.

RAF No. 617 Squadron carried out its first operation since the Dams Raid in May. It had been decided to keep the squadron in being and to use it for independent precision raids on small targets. It remained in 5 Group and most of its replacement crews came from the squadrons of that group. The targets on this night were two electrical transformer stations in Northern Italy - one near Bologna and the other near Genoa. The intention was to disrupt the supply of electricity to the railways carrying German troops and supplies to the battle front in Sicily. 12 Lancasters of 617 Squadron were joined by 12 further 5 Group Lancasters for these attacks which were not successful. No flares or markers were carried and the targets were partially hidden by mist. After bombing the Lancasters flew on to North Africa. 2 Lancasters of the supporting force were lost.

Minesweeper Staff (AM-114) is damaged by mine off Port Empedocle, Sicily, 37°17'N, 13°30'E; sistership Skill (AM-115) enters the minefield and tows Staff to safety.

Battle of the Caribbean

PBM (VP 32) damage sinks German submarine U-159 in Caribbean area, 15°58'N, 73°44'W.

Aircraft (VC 29) from escort carrier Santee (CVE-29) sink German submarine U-509 south of Azores, 34°02'N, 26°02'W.

United States

The USN establishes new designations for aircraft carriers. The 10,000 ton class aircraft carriers built on light cruiser hulls, formerly designated aircraft carriers (CVs), are redesignated light aircraft carriers (CVLs); auxiliary aircraft carriers (ACVs), classified as auxiliary vessels, are redesignated escort aircraft carriers (CVEs) in the combatant category; and a new category, Aircraft Carriers, Large (CVB) is established for the Midway Class carriers.

Photo: The new U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVL-22) in San Francisco Bay (USA) on 15 July 1943. Note that she still carries Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers. Before entering combat the air group would only consist of Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters and TBF Avenger torpedo bombers



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

(Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, 1 B-24 and 2 P-39's fly reconnaissance over Kiska and Segula Islands. 9 B-24's and 14 B-25's bomb Kiska Island targets including AA batteries at North Head, Jeff Cove and Gertrude Cove. Fires are started. 1 bomber turns back with 3 engines and jettisons bombs, another crashes on return. AA fire damages a B-25.

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force) The 71st Liaison Squadron is activated at Ondal, India, assigned to the Tenth Air Force. The squadron will be equipped with L-4's and L-5's and enter combat in Oct 43.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomon Islands, B-25's, P-40's, and P-38's strafe 2 barges NE of Ganongga Island, leaving them sinking. A large enemy force, estimated at 27 bombers and 40-50 Zekes, is intercepted over Vella Lavella Island by USAAF and other Allied fighters, which claim 15 bombers and 30 Zekes destroyed, against 3 losses.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, A-20's hit positions along the Orodubi-Komiatum Track.

NEW GEORGIA CAMPAIGN

US General Griswold replaces General Hester on New Georgia, in the Solomon Islands.

40 Japanese aircraft are lost in a battle of Rendova in the Solomon Islands while the US forces lose only 3.

Amplifying the above: In the last Japanese attempt to mount an air attack against Allied forces in the central Solomon Islands, the IJN dispatches an estimated 27 Bettys and 40-50 Zero's fighters to attack shipping and ground targets between 1430 and 1530 hours; they are met over Rendova Island by USAAF P-40s, USMC Corsairs and USN Wildcats. The U.S. forces shoot down 15 "Bettys" and 30 "Zekes" with the loss of just three U.S. aircraft.

PACIFIC

Photo: The U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Nassau (ACV-16) underway on 2 July 1943. On 15 July 1943, she was redesignated CVE-16

Day 1404 of World War II, July 17th 1943

Eastern Front

On the night of July 17-18, the 2.SS Panzerkorps withdrew from its positions around Prochorovka to the partly prepared Hagen line at the base of the salient. Thus, the battle for Prochorovka ended, not because of German tank losses (Hausser had over 200 operational tanks on July 17) but because Hitler lacked the will to continue the offensive. South of Kursk, the German remnants of the 4.Panzerarmee continued their fighting withdraw. The Soviet Southwest Front (commanded by General Malinovsky) joined the attacks hitting German positions around Voroshilovgrad. To the north, Central Front's attacks toward Orel were temporarily checked as German tanks counterattacked the spearheads.

Air War over Europe

B-17s of the VIII Bomber Command flew Mission Number 74. The two primary targets were the rail industry at Hannover, Germany and the aviation industry at Hamburg, Germany. 205 B-17s and 2 YB-40s were dispatched against Hannover and 125 B-17s were dispatched against Hamburg. Both missions were recalled due to weather but the bombers hit three targets; 33 hit targets of opportunity, 1 hit a convoy and 21 attempt to bomb the Fokker plant at Amsterdam, The Netherlands which was obscured by clouds. The target was missed and 150 civilians were killed. 2 B-17s were lost. B-26Bs of the VIII Air Support Command flew Mission Number 2, a diversion to the Cayeux, France area.

Allied invasion of Sicily

Operation 'Husky' Day 8: On Sicily, American forces capture Agrigento and Porto Empedocle. On the ground in Sicily, the US 45th and 1st Infantry Divisions crossed the Salso River south and east of Caltanissetta. The British 30 Corps expanded the Simeto River bridgehead and drove toward Catania in the coastal sector while 51 Division crossed the Simeto River and reached to within 10 miles (16 km) of Paterno. While the rough terrain and determined German resistance were slowing progress by both armies, a serious rift between the two generals was causing concern in the Allied camp. The fiery Patton had agreed only reluctantly that his army should act as a "shield" to Montgomery, who had planned a fast thrust along the east coast. When the Eighth Army found itself stalled as it neared Catania, a sudden switch of plans by Montgomery - aiming to attack on the west side of Mount Etna - found his men fighting in the same area as the Americans at Vizzini. It was then that Patton blew up. He flew to protest to General Sir Harold Alexander, the commander-in-chief. The urbane "Alex" was startled at Patton's fury - and gave the American his head.

Battle of the Atlantic

The unescorted 'City of Canton' was torpedoed and sunk by 'U-178' NE of Beira. Eight crewmembers were lost. The second officer was taken prisoner by 'U-178'. The master and 74 crewmembers were picked up by the Free French cruiser 'Suffren' and landed at Durban. 19 crewmembers were picked up by the Portuguese merchantman 'Luabo' and landed at Mozambique.

Battle of the Mediterranean

In the air during the night and the following day Northwest African Tactical Air Force fighters, light and medium bombers, hit Catania, Paterno, the Riposto railroad station, and targets of opportunity (vehicles, tanks, trains, guns). Also during the day, Ninth Air Force B-25 Mitchells hit Catania and the rail yards and roads at Paterno and P-40s flew escort to Gela and Comiso. The Naples marshalling yard was hit by about 80 USAAF Ninth Air Force B-24s and about 200+ Northwest African Air Force B-25s, B-26s, and B-17s. The B-24s faced fierce fighter opposition and a B-24 was shot down; B-24 gunners claimed 23 fighters destroyed. RAF heavy bombers also hit Reggio di Calabria.

A German Counterinsurgency action took place in the town of Trilofo on the outskirts of Katerini, Greece. Commandant Benjamin Locher of the GeheimFeldPolizei (Secret Field Police) has everyone gathered in the square and has captured Costas Papazoglou who was caught with papers in his home connecting him to ELAS (the resistance) the Germans break both of his arms until they hang limp at his sides, they beat him as well but he refuses to speak. They announce that he will be hung but then the mans father steps forward and volunteers to trade his life for his sons life. Locher brushes the father aside. They tie a noose and bring a chair, they stand Costas on the chair and bring his two brothers Mihalis and Yiannoulis, age 17 and 22, the latter of which has a pregnant wife present, and tells them to kick the chair from under their brother and that their lives will be spared if they do this. Both brothers start to cry and refuse to do it. Finally one of the soldiers kicks the chair and the man hangs. Then the Germans take the two brothers and a group of 11 others and line them up to be shot, the father is now begging that just one of his sons be freed and that he be shot instead. He falls to Lochers feet begging to exchange his life for just one of his two sons. At the same time the condemned were begging to know why they were being shot, begging to be interrogated instead. It was all to no avail as the 13 young men were executed in the village square of Trilofo.

Sweden

The Swedish government decided to stop transporting German war material to Norway, effective August 15. Transport of troops would cease on August 20.

United Kingdom

The first aircraft landed on runway cleared of fog by ‘FIDO’, Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation. Before the introduction of FIDO, fog had been responsible for losses of a number of aircraft returning from operations. FIDO simply burnt the fog of the airstrip to allow the aircraft to land, and whilst it did use a lot of fuel, it did allow aircraft to touch down, saving other precious resources in the production of replacement aircraft and the training of aircrew.

Spain

Spain's Francisco Franco decided to bring his soldiers home from fighting on the Russian front.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy attack transport USS Ormsby (APA-49) mooring at San Francisco, California (USA), on 17 July 1943. Note the barrels on the mooring line between the ship and the covered barge



Photo: The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Cowpens (CVL-25) underway in the Atlantic Ocean on 17 July 1943. Cowpens had been redesignated "CVL-25" from "CV-25" two days before



Photo: The U.S. Navy light aircraft carrier USS Cowpens (CVL-25) underway at sea on 17 July 1943. Note that she still carries Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless dive bombers as part of her air group. Before entering combat, only Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat fighters and Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bombers, both with folding wings, equipped the air groups of the light carriers



Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force) The 71st Liaison Squadron, Tenth Air Force, transfers from Ondal, India to Ramgarh, India and begins training with L-4's and L-5's.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

(USN) Five PB4Ys that took off from Guadalcanal on a predawn attack on Kahilli. Two from VB-102 and three from VB-101 dropped cluster bombs from 12,000' over Kahilli. On the return leg, two from VB-102 were jumped by a J1N1 Irving night fighter, likely from 251st Kokutai (from Ballale?). One fighter was seen to crash and burn. PB4Y-1 31952 was observed to going down. Lost on Espiritu Santo is TBF 6240.

(Thirteenth Air Force) 7 B-24's and 70+ US Navy and Marine Corps airplanes, escorted by 100+ USAAF and Allied fighters, attack shipping off Buin. The B-24's claim hits on 2 cargo vessels, and the dive bombers claim serious damage of 3 destroyers, a patrol ship, an oiler, a merchant ship, and the 2 cargo vessels. In the air battle, Allied aircraft claim 40+ Zekes and at least 4 float planes shot down; 5 Allied airplanes are lost. Sunk is Hatsuyuki.

Amplifying the above: In the Northern Solomons during the morning, seven USAAF B-24s, 36 USMC and USN SBD Devastators and 35 USN TBF's escorted by 114 Allied fighter (RNZAF P-40s, USAAF P-38's and USMC F4U's) attack Japanese shipping at Buin, Bougainville. The Allies sink a destroyer and damage three other vessels. There is heavy fighter opposition and 49 Japanese aircraft are shot down; the Allies lose one F4U, two P-38s, an SBD and a TBF.

The 75th Bombardment Squadron, 42d BG , which has been operating from New Caledonia Island with B-25's, returns to it's base on Guadalcanal Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force) During the night of 17/l8 July, B-25's bomb Lautem on Timor while B-24's bomb Adaoet Island in the Moluccas Islands. In New Guinea during the day, B-25's pound the airfield, Army HQ and defensive positions, and the general area in and around Salamaua as Allied forces from the Nassau Bay-Mubo area begin a drive on Salamaua; the drive is a secondary effort designed to divert enemy attention from a subsequent Allied campaign to secure the Markham River Valley and Huon Peninsula and thus gain control of Vitiaz Strait and Dampier Strait.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Units of the Australian 3rd and US 41st Divisions move toward Salamaua, New Guinea.