World War II in real time

Day 1423 of World War II, August 5th 1943

Eastern Front

Belgorod fell to General Konev's troops. The German 2.Panzerarmee suffered such severe losses that it was incorporated into the 9.Armee. Russia was celebrating the recapture of Orel, which had been in German hands since 1941. In Moscow a 120-gun salute was given at Midnight. The Russians, who fought hard all the way to the approaches to the city, expected a bloody street battle, but when their patrols moved cautiously in they found the suburbs deserted. The Germans, fearing being cut off, had fled. The fall of this German bastion removed the last threat to Moscow and opened the way for the next stage in the Russian advance. The tide of battle was now rolling towards Bryansk.

Photo: Troops of the 89th Belgorod-Kharkov Guards Rifle Division on the streets of recently recaptured Belgorod



Air War over Europe

5 Mosquitoes, out of 8 dispatched, bombed Duisburg and Dusseldorf without loss.

Allied invasion of Sicily

Operation 'Husky' Day 27: The race for Messina and victory in Sicily was reaching the final stage. The British have fought their way around Mount Etna on both sides with the Highlanders fighting hard for Biancavilla as the XIII Corps advanced to take Catania, Misterbianco and Paterno, and XXX Corps advances towards Adrano. The Germans were leaving strong rearguards as they retreated northwards to Messina. The British were aided by forward landings by airborne forces fighting to save bridges from demolition.

Photo: Two soldiers from the Black Watch pass by a burning German anti-aircraft half-track, 5 August 1943



Photo: Infantry scramble over rubble in a devastated street in Catania, 5 August 1943



The American Seventh Army used seaborne landings to bypass the Axis defenders along the north coast of the island. They opened an assault on the San Fratello ridge, and further inland gained positions overlooking Troina. The enemy withdrew from the town during the night.

In the air, USAAF Ninth Air Force B-25 Mitchells bombed the town, roads, and road junctions of Francavilla and shipping in the Straits of Messina. Northwest African Tactical Air Force fighters and light and medium bombers attack troops, roads, and gun positions at Adrano and Troina and surrounding areas in support of Allied ground forces, hit motor transport behind enemy lines in Sicily and on the toe of Italy, and sank or damaged over 20 small vessels and barges at Milazzo and in the Straits of Messina; and Northwest African Strategic Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses, operating in 2 forces, hit the docks and railroad yards at Messina. B-25s bombed a switching station at Guspini, Sardinia.

Battle of the Atlantic

Destroyer Black (DD-666) is damaged when accidentally rammed by ferryboat Staten (YFB-36) at New York Navy Yard.

Gunboat Plymouth (PG-57) is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-566, 120 miles southeast of Cape Henry, Virginia, 36°17'N, 74°29'W.

Battle of the Baltic Sea

The German submarine 'U-34' sinks at 2155 hours local at Memel after a collision with the German U-boat submarine tender 'Lech'. 39 of the 43 crewmen survived. MV 'Majakovski' (approx. 80 tons) was sunk by a mine laid on 31 July by 'U-212' SE of Koglujew in the Kara.

Swedish/German relations

In a move which betrayed Germany's weakened position, the Swedish government announced that it would no longer allow the Swedish railways to be used to transport German troops and war material to Norway. The Swedes were forced to concede transit rights to the Germans in 1940 when the Nazi armies were sweeping to victory over most of Europe. Stockholm newspapers said that the government acted because a virtual state of war exists in Norway, with British commandos mounting raids and uniformed Allied guerrillas active.

Ireland

A Fairey Barracuda II of RAF No. 810 Squadron flying from HMS 'Illustrious', landed on the beach at Falcarragh, County Donegal. Due to bad weather the aircraft did not fly out until August 8th. RAF No.810 Squadron were at this time sailing to the Mediterranean on HMS 'Illustrious'. Irish Army reports mentioned the aircraft being a Beaufort bomber but this was not operated by the RN at this time.

Pacific War

NEW GEORGIA

In the Solomon Islands, U.S. Army ground forces capture Munda Airfield on New Georgia Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): B-24's bomb the shore of Rekata Bay W of the Borokeiello Point area. B-25's and US Navy fighters strafe barges on the NE coast of Gizo. The principal objective of C Solomons campaign: Munda Airfield is taken by XIV Corps forces after 12 continuous days of fierce fighting in the jungle area. The 372d Bombardment Squadron, 307th BG (Heavy), based on Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands, begins operating from Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands with B-24's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on Saturday.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): 30+ B-25's pound barges near Madang and at Alexishafen. Lost is B-25D 41-30118 Also they hit the Nuru River bridge and towns of Bogadjim and Saidor; a single B-24 bombs Finschhafen while another hits Vitu Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm A Moore takes command of the newly formed Second Air Task Force based at the recently constructed advance airfield at Tsili Tsili, New Guinea; strikes from here will facilitate operations against Lae, New Guinea.

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Selfridge (DD-357) in the Solomon Islands, 5 August 1943. Note the floating drydock at left



PACIFIC

Submarine Pike (SS-173) sinks Japanese transport Shoju Maru west of Marcus Island, 24°30'N, 158°50'E.

Submarine Silversides (SS-236) damages Japanese minelayer Tsugaru north-northeast of Rabaul, 01°53'N, 153°52'E.

USAAF B-24 and USN/USMC F4Us sink Japanese fishing boat No.9 Kaiyo Maru off Kolombangara.

Day 1425 of World War II, August 7th 1943

Air War over Europe

4 Mosquitoes bombed Cologne and 1 bombed Dusseldorf without loss.

Allied invasion of Sicily

Operation 'Husky' Day 29: British forces made good progress on Sicily, capturing Adrana and advancing toward Bronte. U.S. forces improved their positions on the north coast in the San Fratello region against heavy resistance. During the night, a small amphibious force landed on the coast 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Sant' Agata di Militello, greatly aiding progress along the coast. Other forces began a drive on Randazzo.

Photo: Men of the 9th Durham Light Infantry take cover on a street corner in Acireale, 8 August 1943



In the air, 150 USAAF Ninth Air Force B-25 Mitchells attacked Randazzo and 140+ P-40s attacked shipping at Messina and in the Straits, and shipping and shore-supply stores along the northeastern coast. Northwest African Tactical Bomber Force medium and light bombers pounded Randazzo, the enemy's key withdrawal point. Maletto was also bombed. P-40s and A-36 Apaches strafed and bombed small craft between Sicily and mainland Italy, motor transport near Randazzo, a warehouse north of Messina, dumps on the toe of Italy, and vehicles and communications targets in the Sant' Agata di Militello, Bronte, Cesaro, Tortorici, Castiglione di Sicilia and Riposto areas. Northwest African Strategic Air Force B-25s in 2 forces hit the landing ground at Crotone while B-26 Marauders bombed the railroad bridge at Marina di Cantanzaro and highway bridge over the Angitola River.

Battle of the Atlantic

Two German U-boats were sunk by US aircraft. 'U-117' was sunk west of the Azores, while supplying 'U-66', by depth charges and a Fido homing torpedo from five USN TBF Avengers of Composite Squadron One (VC-1) in the escort aircraft carrier USS 'Card' (CVE-11). All hands, 62 men, on the U-boat were lost.

Battle of the Mediterranean

In response to urgent political orders, 197 Lancasters of 1, 5 and 8 Groups were dispatched to attack Genoa, Milan and Turin. It is believed that every aircraft reached the target area. 195 crews returned and reported bombing. 2 aircraft were lost, one was LM339 from 61 Sqdn crewed by F/O E. Filmer, P/O H. Halkier, F/Sgt E.R. Smart, Sgt D. Brown, Sgt C.P. Southcott, Sgt D.W. Thirsk and Sgt F.E. West. Group Captain J.H. Searby of RAF No.83 Sqdn acted as Master Bomber for the bombing at Turin but with only limited success. This was a trial in preparation for the role he would play in the raid on Peenemunde later in the month. The only report available from Italy says that 20 people were killed and 79 were injured in Turin.

The 'Contractor' (Master Andrew Brims) in convoy GTX-5 was torpedoed and sunk by 'U-371' about 75 miles southwest of Sardinia. The master and three crew members were lost. 68 crew members and eleven gunners were picked up by HMS BYMS-2011 (J 811) (Lt L. Hutchinson), HMS BYMS-2014 (J 814) (SubLt R.R. Macintosh), HMS BYMS-2024 (J 824) (Skipper J. Hunt) and HMS BYMS-2209 (J 1009) (Lt J.G. Reeve) and landed at Malta.

'U-566' shot down two PV-1 Ventura aircraft from VB-128.

Battle of the Caribbean

'U-615' was attacked southeast of Curacao Island, Netherlands Antilles, on 6 August by a PBM-3S Mariner of Patrol Squadron Two Hundred Five (VP-205), based at NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The submarine was on the surface and returned fire shooting down the aircraft with the loss of all hands. A PBM-3C of VP-204, based at NS San Juan, Puerto Rico, then attacked causing moderate damage and forcing the submarine to dive. For the rest of the day and during the night, VP-204 flew continuous patrols over the area forcing the submarine to remain submerged. In the morning, 'U-615' surfaced and a VP-204 aircraft attacked but was shot down with the loss of all hands. A second PBM attacked and caused moderate damage to both the sub and the aircraft but the PBM remained in the area until a USN PV-1 Ventura of Bombing Squadron One Hundred Thirty (VB-130), based at Edinburgh Field, Trinidad, arrived and both aircraft conducted a coordinated bombing and strafing attack sinking the sub. 43 of the 47 crewman survived and were picked up by a US destroyer the next morning. This was possibly the longest ongoing combat between a U-boat and aircraft. 'U-615's' battle enabled many other U-boats in the Caribbean to surface and escape to the east. The aircraft were from the following squadrons; VP-204 (P-6 and P-8), VP-205 (P-2, P-11 and P-4) and VB-130 (Ventura B-5).

The 'Fernhill' (Master K.J. Neuberth Wie) was hit by one torpedo from 'U-757' about 300 miles west of Sierra Leone, while she was proceeding alone after her convoy OS-52 had been dispersed off Bathurst, Gambia. The ship sank within five minutes, killing the three men on watch below and one British gunner. The survivors abandoned ship in lifeboats and rafts and were picked up two days later by an American merchant and taken to Freetown. The third engineer Nils Bremer Johannesen was taken prisoner by the U-boat, this was not noticed by the other survivors.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

The 'Umvuma' (Master John Newby Gibson), dispersed from convoy DN-54, was torpedoed and sunk by 'U-181' southwest of Port Louis, Mauritius. 17 crew members, one gunner and four passengers were lost. The master, 72 crew members, eight gunners and eight passengers were picked up by the salvage tug 'Maurice' and landed at Port Louis.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Hoel (DD-533) underway in San Francisco Bay, California (USA), on 7 August 1943. The city of San Francisco and the Bay Bridge are in the background



Photo: Launch of the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Wadleigh (DD-689) at the Bath Iron Works shipyard, Bath, Maine (USA), on 7 August 1943



Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Hoel (DD-533) underway in San Francisco Bay, California (USA), on 7 August 1943



Pacific War

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 16 B-24's and 40+ B-25's, plus nearly 30 US Navy airplanes, pound the harbor and shore areas of Bairoko. The 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, transfers with C-47's from Tontouta, New Caledonia to Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): B-24's thoroughly pound the Salamaua area and also hit Kela Village. On Timor Island, B-25's hit Cape Chater Airfield and Lautem. Lost on a flight from Townsville to Brisbane is C-47 41-7733 with 27 crew and passengers died in this crash. Lost on a flight to Brisbane is C-47 41-7733.

PACIFIC

German auxiliary cruiser Michel (Schiffe 28) again sights transport Hermitage (AP-54) off Pitcairn Island, but, again, does not attack.

Photo: The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48) underway near Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, on 7 August 1943, en route to Pearl Harbor for battle damage repairs. She has been fitted with a short false bow as a temporary replacement for that lost in the Battle of Kolombangara, 13 July 1943



Photo: The U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Prince William (CVE-31) at sea, while transporting aircraft on 7 August 1943. She carries twelve Douglas SBD Dauntless, two Curtiss SOC Seagull, a Vought OS2U Kinflisher and two partially a dismantled planes, a Douglas R4D and a Grumman J2F Duck"

Day 1427 of World War II, August 9th 1943

Air War over Europe

The USAAF VIII Air Support Command Missions 16A and 16B. 72 B-26B Marauders were dispatched to the Ft Rouge Airfield at St Omer, France. Clouds prevented bombing and only 1 aircraft hit the target at 1904 hours.

286 Lancasters and 171 Halifaxes attacked Mannheim. 6 Halifaxes and 3 Lancasters were lost, including Lancaster W4236 QR-K of 61 Sqdn with part of the crew, Sgt N.T. Holmes, Sgt J. Kendall and Sgt G. Spriggs. The target area was mainly cloud covered and the Pathfinder plan did not work well. The resulting bombing appeared to be scattered. Mannheim, whose wartime officials must have produced some of the best air raid reports in Germany, sent 37 typed pages of details which showed that this raid caused considerably damage in and around the city. 1,316 buildings were classed as "totally destroyed" or "seriously damaged". 42 industrial concerns, some of them being quite large ones, suffered loss of production. The compensation claims for 9 of the factories totalled 43,815,000 Reichsmarks(£4,381,500). 269 people were killed and 1,210 were injured. There were 1,528 fires: 133 large, 417 medium-sized and 978 small fires. 8 ralway engines, 146 passenger carriages and 40 goods wagons were damaged. 144 farm animals were killed: 96 pigs, 18 goats, 15 cows, 12 horses, 2 oxen and a calf. It is a measure of the increased striking power of Bomber Command that all of the damage and casualties quoted above was caused by a medium-sized raid which is described in the Bomber Command Record Book as a 'scattered attack'.

6 Mosquitoes went to Duisburg and 10 Stirlings minelaying in the Frisians without loss.

Allied invasion of Sicily

On the ground in Sicily, US troops reached Torrenuovo, and, to the south, drove the enemy back to the Simeto River between Cesaro and Randazzo.

Photo: Universal carriers of 2nd Wiltshire Regiment pass through Pedara, 9 August 1943



Photo: A Sherman tank passes through Trescatagni, 9 August 1943



In Sicily, B-25s hit Divieto and a nearby tunnel W of Spadafora San Martino, and attacked special points in the battle area of NE Sicily. P-40s hit shipping at Messina, Milazzo, and Palmi. NASAF B-17s bombed crossroads north of Messina, Sicily. NATAF bombers hit the Gesso road junction; fighters concentrated on highways and junctions and also hit all sidings and gun positions in areas around Linguaglossa, Floresta, Falcone, Patti, Orlando, Novara di Sicilia, and Milazzo.

Battle of the Atlantic

The German submarine 'U-664' was sunk 570 miles (917 km) west of the Azores, by depth charges from 2 USN TBF Avengers of Composite Squadron One (VC-1) in the escort aircraft carrier USS 'Card' (CVE-11). 44 of the 51 crewman on the U-boat survived.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Submarine HMS 'Simoom' attacked Italian cruiser 'Giuseppe Garibaldi' off La Spezia. The torpedoes missed the cruiser but hit and sank the destroyer 'Vincenzo Gioberti'.

In Italy, B-25s hit Cantanzaro and Soverato River bridges, B-26s attacked Angitola River bridges, P-40s swept over S Sardinia, and P-38s hit a lighthouse and other targets of opportunity in southern Italy.

Tank landing ships LST-318 is damaged by dive bomber off Sicily, 38°04'N, 14°30'E.

United Kingdom/Hungary relations

In secret negotiations between Hungry and Britain, it was agreed that RAF and American bombers flying on missions originating from Italy would not be fired on while over flying Hungry. In return, the British agreed that the Allies would not bomb Hungarian cities.

Germany

Some 20 high-ranking individuals banded together to form a group dedicated to the overthrow of National Socialism in Germany. Calling themselves the Kreisau Circle, after the Kreisau estate belonging to a leading member, Count Helmuth James von Moltke, they have drawn up a list of principles for post-Nazi reform. Among the points in this draft document are:

"1. Justice, which has been trampled on, must be restored ...
2. Freedom of belief and freedom of conscience will be guaranteed ...
3. Destruction of totalitarian direction of conscience and acknowledgement of the inviolability of human dignity as the foundation for an order of peace and justice ...
4. The basic unit for peaceful co-existence is the family...
5. work must be so designed that it arouses the desire for personal responsibility rather than stultifying it..."

German occupied Denmark

Eric Scavenius, the Prime Minister of Denmark, refused to accept German demands that alleged saboteurs should be sent to Germany for trial.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

(Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, 1 B-24 flies photo reconnaissance over various Kiska Island sites

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 10 B-25's, with fighter cover, bomb Vila. Shortly thereafter 22 B-24's strike the same target.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): B-17's, B-24's, and B-25's bomb Salamaua, Lae, Nuk Nuk, Samoa Harbor at the mouth of the Francisco River, a barge near Reiss Point, and bridges on the Bogadjim-Ramu road. Barges and machine gun positons along Borgen Bay on New Britain Island, installations at Unea in the Bismarck Archipelago, and targets of opportunity at Alilit in the Moluccas Islands are bombed. Amboina Island, in the Moluccas Islands is thoroughly pounded.

PACIFIC

Submarine Sculpin (SS-191) sinks Japanese merchant passenger/cargo ship Sekko Maru, 24°55'N, 122°00'E.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Esutoru Maru is damaged by mine laid by submarine Scorpion (SS-278) on 19 April 1943, 36°05'N, 140°45'E.

Day 1429 of World War II, August 11th 1943

Eastern Front

Konev’s forces cut the main rail line leading into German held Kharkov. 30 miles west of Kharkov the Red Army cut the Poltava--Kharkov railroad.

Air War over Europe

8 Mosquitoes went to Cologne and Duisburg. 23 Wellingtons minelaying off Brest, Lorient and St Nazaire. 1 Wellington lost.

Allied invasion of Sicily

Operation 'Husky' Day 33: Last night another landing on Sicily, east of Cape Orlando, at Brolo was made by US forces. The Germans fell back quickly. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighter-bombers supported the US Seventh Army's landing east of Orlando, Sicily by attacking troop concentrations, gun positions, and communications lines leading to the area. On the ground in Sicily, US Seventh Army forces took Naso and pressed closer to Randazzo. Medium bombers supported the British Eighth Army by raiding the Fiumefreddo and Randazzo areas.

German forces began a six-day evacuation of Sicily. Over the next six days and seven nights, the Germans evacuated 39,569 troops, 47 tanks, 94 heavy guns, 9,605 vehicles and 2,000+ tons of ammunition to Italy from Messina. In addition, 60,000 Italian troops were evacuated.

In Sicily, 90+ B-25s bombed a bridge, roads, railway, and the city area in and about Randazzo. About 170 P-40s hit Randazzo, shipping at Milazzo and Messina, roads and trains near Messina, and troop movements and evacuations in NE Sicily.

Battle of the Atlantic

Three German submarines were sunk. 'U-468' was sunk near Bathurst, Gambia, by depth charges from an RAF Liberator Mk V of No 200 Squadron based at Yundum, Gambia. The Liberator was shot down by the U-boat crew. 7 of the 51 U-boat crewmen survived. F/O Lloyd Alan Trigg (b.1914), RNZAF, attacked this U-boat while on patrol. The U-boat fought back with its anti-aircraft guns, inflicting fatal damage on the aircraft. He died when his bomber was shot down by blistering anti-aircraft fire, but the U-boat sank soon after. (Victoria Cross).

'U-525' was sunk about 376 miles (605 km) west-southwest of the Azores, by depth charges and aerial torpedoes from a TBF Avenger and an F4F Wildcat of Composite Squadron One (VC-1) in the US escort aircraft carrier USS 'Card' (CVE-11). All hands on the U-boat, 54-men, were lost.

'U-604' was scuttled by her crew in the South Atlantic. The U-boat had been severely damaged by 4 Mark 47 depth charges from a USN PV-1 Ventura of Bombing Squadron One Hundred Twenty Nine (VB-129) based at NAF Ipitanga, Bahia, Brazil on 30 July. The crew of the PV-1 had spotted the U-boat on the surface and after attacking, the U-boat had submerged, resurfaced and submerged again. On 3 August, 'U-604' was again attacked by PB4Y-1 Liberators of Patrol Squadron One Hundred Seven (VP-107) based at NAF Natal, Brazil and the destroyer USS 'Moffett' (DD-362). The U-boat was so damaged that her crew scuttled her and they were taken aboard 'U-172' and 'U-185' for the voyage home. During the rescue 'U-172' was attacked by an American Liberator aircraft from Squadron VB-107, one man from its crew was killed [Maschinenobergefreiter Fritz Schiemann]. 31 of the 45-man crew survived.

'U-64' was scuttled in the South Atlantic, after being badly damaged by depth charges from 2 American aircraft, a Ventura (VB-129) and a Liberator (VB-107). 14 dead and 31 survivors.

Battle of the Mediterranean

In Italy, the Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) again hit communications targets on the toe of Italy; B-17s hit the marshalling yard at Terni, B-25s bombed the Angitola River bridges and B-26s and P-38s attacked a bridge at Cantanzaro.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

(Eleventh Air Force): In B-24's, B-25's, A-24s, and P-38's pound Kiska Island targets in 11 attack missions; later, 10 reconnaissance, strafing and photo missions to Kiska are flown by 3 P-38's, 26 P-40's, 4 F-5A's and 1 B-24. 9 B-24's from Attu Airfield drop bombs and incendiaries on Paramushiru, including Kashiwabara Airfield and Shimushu where the Kataoka naval base and staging area are hit. 40 enemy aircraft challenge the attackers, which score 4 confirmed kills, 1 probable, and 4 possibles.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): The 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, transfers from Lingling to Hengyang, China with P-40's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 5 B-24's hit a supply area on the E side of Suavanau Point, Santa Isabel Island and on Papatura Fa Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): B-24 on armored reconnaissance sinks an enemy freighter NW of Kavieng on New Ireland Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. The Second Air Task Force completes a movement to Tsili Tsili Airfield, New Guinea

PACIFIC

Submarine Finback (SS-230) damages Japanese auxiliary vessel Tatsumiya Maru, bound for Singapore, at 05°30'S, 120°48'E, and endures counterattack by escorting auxiliary submarine chaser Toseki Maru.

U.S. freighter Matthew Lyon is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-11 as the ship proceeds toward Espiritu Santo, 13°42'S, 165°59'E, but reaches her destination under her own power. Of the 59 men on board, 41 merchant sailors and an 18-man Armed Guard, only one is injured in the attack.

USAAF B-24 attacks Japanese convoy, bombing minesweeper W.22, 01°20'S, 148°55'E.

Day 1431 of World War II, August 13th 1943

YouTube (Manstein Goes Great War Style)



Eastern Front

The Soviet Army captured Bolshaya and Danilovka in their advance. A new offensive began in the Smolensk area and Spas-Demensk, west of Kirov fell.

Air War over Europe

61 B-24s hit the Messerschmitt works at Wiener Neustadt in the first Ninth Air Force raid on Austria. Almost no defending fighters intercepted the formation. Unknown to the Allies at the time, the factory was manufacturing rocket components.

Allied invasion of Sicily

Operation 'Husky' Day 35: On the ground in Sicily, the US Seventh Army entered Randazzo without opposition. Coastal forces continued east toward Patti. NASAF B-17s bombed a marshalling yard at Lorenzi, and B-25s and B-26s hit a marshalling yard at Littoria; other B-25s hit a vessel off Pizzo. P-40s flew a sweep over Sardinia, strafing small boats, a power station, and railroad junction. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) light and medium bombers bombed Piedimonte, Italy, Falcone, Sicily, and bridges north of Scaletta, Sicily. A-36s and fighters hit targets in NE Sicily, the Straits of Messina and on the toe of Italy, including Gioia Tauro, Italy and in Sicily, the Barcellona road junction E of Randazzo, the marshalling yard and trucks at Spadafora, trucks between Taormina and Baracca, and barges, ferries, and small vessels in the Strait of Messina.

80+ B-25s hit Piedimonte, Italy, Falcone, Sicily, and shipping at Messina, Sicily. 200+ P-40s attacked shipping and bridges along the SW Italian coast and hit shipping in the Straits of Messina.

Battle of the Mediterranean

German planes attack convoy MKS 21 off the coast of Algeria, strafing and holing U.S. freighters Jonathan Elmer, 36°07'N, 03°07'E, and Anne Bradstreet, 36°19'N, 02°18'E; one man is wounded on board the latter. Freighter Francis W. Pettygrove is torpedoed at 36°08'N, 02°14'E; partially abandoned, the survivors that clear the ship are taken on board British minesweeper HMS Hythe. The rest of the crew and Armed Guard remain on board to prepare the ship for tow.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Fletcher (DD-445) at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA), 13 August 1943. USS Hazelwood (DD-531) is in the background. Note anchor chain, winch and the U.S. Navy Jack at Fletcher's bow; also crewmen on the foredeck smoking cigarettes and clowning for the benefit of the photographer. Circles mark recent alterations, among them the addition of 40mm twin mounts on each side of the forward and midships superstructure



Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Chauncey (DD-667) underway in New York Harbor (USA) on 13 August 1943. Note the Statue of Liberty in the background



Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Hazelwood (DD-531) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 13 August 1943



United Kingdom

Photo: HM King George VI making a tour of inspection on board HMS Malaya during a visit to the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow,13 August 1943. He is just about to pass a 20 mm Oerlikon anti aircraft gun manned by Royal Marines. In the background can be seen one of Malaya's twin 4 inch anti-aircraft guns, a crane and the former aircraft hangar now used for stowage and flexible use



Pacific War

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

USS John Penn (APA-51) had just finished unloading a cargo of 155-mm. ammunition off Lunga Point, Guadalcanal. At 2120 she came under attack by enemy torpedo planes. Three minutes later, when the transport took one of the planes under fire, it burst into flames and crashed into her mainmast. About that same instant a torpedo hit from another plane hit the ship. Although vigorous efforts were made to save her, John Penn went down stern first at 2150.

PACIFIC

Japanese bomber and torpedo planes raid shipping at Guadalcanal, sinking attack transport John Penn (APA-23), 09°23'S, 160°30'E.

Motor torpedo boat PT-181, operating out of Rendova, is damaged by near-miss of Japanese bomb off Hunda Cove.

Submarine Paddle (SS-263) damages Japanese transport Hidaka Maru, 34°42'N, 136°13'E.

Submarine Sunfish (SS-281) sinks Japanese gunboat Edo Maru 180 miles from Chichi Jima, 24°04'N, 142°21'E.

U.S. freighter M.H. De Young is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-19 as the ship proceeds toward Espiritu Santo, 21°50'S, 175°10'E, but though damaged remains afloat due to barge pontoons stowed in each hold. The 25-man Armed Guard remains on board along with the master and two merchant marine officers while the crew and passengers remain nearby (see 14 August 1943).

U.S. aircraft sink Japanese guardboat No.15 Dai Nippon Maru in Bismarck Archipelago.

Day 1432 of World War II, August 15th 1943

Eastern Front

Popov’s Bryansk Front captured Karachev in heavy fighting.

Air War over Europe

Ninety-one German bombers hit Portsmouth.

The US VIII Air Support Command flew Missions 19A, 19B and 20 against targets in France and the Netherlands. 31 B-26B Marauders bombed Ft Rouge Airfield at St Omer France at 0959 hours. 36 B-26Bs were dispatched against Woensdrecht Airfield, The Netherlands. They turned back at the Dutch coast aborting the mission. 19 B-26Bs attacked the marshalling yard at Abbeville, France at 1933 hours.

The VIII Bomber Command flew Mission 82 against Luftwaffe airfields in France and the Netherlands. 147 B-17 Flying Fortresses attacked Vlissingen Airfield in the Netherlands and Amiens and Poix Airfield in France at 1926-1931 hours. 143 B-17s bombed Merville, Lille/Vendeville and Vitry en Artois Airfields in France at 1925-1933 hours; 2 B-17s were lost.

Jagdgruppe Sud was officially renamed JG 50 and thrown into the latest Allied daylight attack - the attack on airfields in France.

An RAF Halifax crashes on a secret mission to supply the Maquis, killing crew and civilians and damaging property.

8 Mosquitoes went to Berlin and 63 aircraft minelaying in the Frisians and off Texel and off all the main Brittany and Biscay ports. 2 Wellingtons and 1 Stirling were lost.

A Wellington X belonging to PAF (RAF) 300 Sqdn Bomber Command was engaged in a mine-laying operation off the Frisian Islands. Four minutes before reaching the target area the starboard engine caught fire. The operation was however continued, but 20 minutes later the bomber was attacked by a German night fighter and crashed into the North Sea off Borkum. Pilot F/S M. Rech and W/Op-Air Gnr. F/S C. Poddany survived and managed to get into the aircrafts dinghy in which they drifted for eight days before being sighted and rescued by the German Kriegsmarine to become POW. Two Wellington bombers were lost on this night and Lt. Heinz Grimm of 12./NJG 1 claimed two Wellingtons off Vlieland at 00:07 and 00:36 hours.

Combat occurred over the Brest peninsula in the afternoon as Allied fighters swept the area. 'Circus 51' was flown by bomb carrying Whirlwinds of RAF No. 263 Sqdrn, escorted by various fighter units. The Whirlwinds were tasked with bombing Guipavas airfield. RAF No. 193 and 266 Sqdrns were to operate as a free-lance escort but the Whirlwinds were recalled due to bad weather. Not knowing the mission was scrubbed, No. 193 and No. 266 Sqdrns continued on to the Brest peninsula. Over the area, No. 266 Sqdrn spotted enemy aircraft approaching and 6 Typhoons turned to engage. No. 193 had turned to head home when it found No. 266 tangling with Fw 190s.

On the night of the 15th, two rangers from RCAF No. 410 Sqdn went out from Castle Camps (used as an advanced base for night Operations) on the Squadron’s first operation with bombs; their target was St.Dizier aerodrome. Lawrence and Wilmer dropped their two 250-lb bombs on the runway and, on the return flight, attacked a train near Paris. Cannon and machine-gun strikes were seen, followed by a vivid blue flash. The second crew, P/O R.D. Shultz and F/O V.A. Williams, did not reach St. Dizier, but had an exciting sortie nonetheless. First three locomotives and three freight cars were damaged between Clermont and Poix and a bridge was bombed; then, 20 miles off Beachy Head on the way home, they met another aircraft and closed to investigate. It proved to be a Do.217 whose under gunner opened accurate fire on the Mosquito. Schultz engaged in a long chase while the enemy pilot tried to shake off pursuit. His second burst hit around the Dornier's cockpit where fires broke out and burning debris fell away. Three, perhaps four, of the crew were seen to bale out. Then, as the Dornier turned toward the French coast in a shallow controlled dive, Schultz fired again. The starboard wing and engine broke away and, completely enveloped in flames, the bomber hit the sea where it continued to burn brightly. After taking some cine camera films of the scene and reporting the position of the crew, Schultz headed for home. En route he flew over an Air/Sea Rescue launch already on its way to the crash.

S/Ldr A. S. McIntyre was shot down and killed. F/Sgt Derek Erasmus, a Rhodesian and McIntyre's Number Two, attacked the Fw 190 and shot it down. He then attacked a number of German aircraft and claimed one damaged. He returned to base alone and belly-landed his damaged Typhoon at Portreath. Three other No. 266 pilots closed formation and headed for home at low altitude. Crossing the French coast they found aircraft approaching from the rear. The 3 Typhoons turned to engage but in doing so, F/O F. B. Biddulph stalled and crashed into the sea. The remaining two Typhoons then engaged the German aircraft and became separated. F/L Wright damaged one German fighter. P/O Haworth's two starboard cannon had jammed and 2 Fw 190s continually attacked him. He eventually managed to escape the German and return home.

Allied invasion of Sicily

Operation 'Husky' Day 37: On Sicily, Patton attempted for a third time to trap German forces facing him with an amphibious “end run”. This time, the Germans had already withdrawn before the sea borne force could land. US Seventh Army troops landed on the Sicilian north coast northwest of Barcellona during the night of 15/16 August to block the enemy withdrawal. The US 3d Infantry Division headed along the north coast to Spadafora. Meanwhile, British forces occupied Taormina. British Eighth Army troops completed a drive around Mount Etna as the Randazzo-Linguaglossa road was closed. Linguaglossa was taken.

In Sicily, B-25s hit shipping along the beaches of Sant' Agata di Militello; 180+ P-40s attacked shipping at Messina and in the Straits of Messina. Enemy forces withdrawing to mainland Italy were pounded severely by constant air attacks. German AA along the Straits around Messina damaged 28 of 96 Allied bombers trying to stop the evacuation.

Battle of the Mediterranean

In Italy, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-25s and B-26s bombed Sibari railroad junction and marshalling yard, and P-38s hit trains, troops, radar, and Staletti railroad tracks and tunnel. P-40s attacked a bivouac area near Monserrato, Sardinia.

199 Lancasters continued the offensive against Milan, claiming particularly concentrated bombing. 7 aircraft were lost, mostly to German fighters which were awaiting the bombers' return over France. Lancaster ED 722 of 61 Sqdn was lost, crew lost were P/O J.H. Miller, P/O W. Richards, F/Sgt E.H. Gunders, Sgt E.A. Hall and Sgt J.R. Harrison. Also, W5002 with crew F/O T. Downing, P/O C. Larnach, F/Sgt J.E. Walden, Sgt K. Brentnall, Sgt J. Griffin and Sgt G.A. Angwin. And DV186 with F/O F. Clough, P/O R. Steer, F/Sgt J.D. Pigeau, Sgt A. Hulmes, Sgt P. Salmond, Sgt R.A. Scott and Sgt H.F. Webster.

Italy

Italian officials meet with Allied representatives in Spain, offering to defect to the Allies as soon as the invasion of the mainland occurs. They must have forgotten their promise to Ribbentrop on the 6th.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer escort and USS Greiner (DE-37) during an inclining trial conducted at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Washington (USA), on 15 August 1943



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

(Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, 2 B-24's fly a special radar ferret and reconnaissance mission; 1 B-25, 8 B-24's, and 10 P-38's then fly 2 attack missions to Kiska Island, bombing with unobserved results.

Naval task force under Commander North Pacific Force (Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid) lands U.S. Army and Canadian troops at Kiska, Aleutians (troops landing are the US Army's 17th, 53d and 184th Infantry Regiments, 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment and the 1st Special Service Force. Also landing is the Royal Canadian Army's 13 Infantry Brigade Group). They find Kiska had been evacuated by the Japanese on 28 July 1943. Only casualties in the operation occur because of accidents or friendly fire incidents.

Map: The Allied invasion of Kiska, August 15, 1943



Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Bancroft (DD-598) underway as part of the screen off Kiska, Alaska (USA), during the landings on 15 August 1943. The attack transport USS Harris (APA-2) is visible in the background



Photo: Allied Landing on Kiska Island, August 15, 1943. Landing craft, carrying American and Canadian invasion troops, move in toward Kiska’s rocky north shoreline, as U.S. Navy transports wait offshore (foreground)



Photo: Allied Landing on Kiska Island, August 15, 1943. First photographs, landing operations, Kiska, August 15, 1943. This remarkable photograph was taken by a US Navy Vega PV-1 “Ventura”, a patrol bomber operating as part of the air cover for the task force. United States and Canadian troops swarming ashore from landing barges on a stretch of beach along the northwest coast of Kiska. The man can be seen moving up the hillside like ants. At this time, they did not know whether the Japanese were “playing possum” or not. The barges are the familiar LCTs, LCMs, and LCPs, which were also used in the Attu and Sicily Campaigns



Photo: Allied Landing on Kiska Island, August 15, 1943. Coordinating the job on the Kiska beach. Each member of the landing party with his specified job to do, the problem of occupying Kiska goes forward. Men in foreground (before megaphone) direct landing operations in this sector. Directly in front of them others load 105mm ammunition on tractor-trailer. This was the first day of the invasion, but Americans and Canadians had already extended a long earthen ramp into the water to help the leaders avoid underwater rocks



Photo: Kiska Landing, August 15, 1943. Soldiers getting off their landing craft onto the rocky shores of Kiska Island, Alaska, on invasion day, assisted by U.S. Navy Seabees



SOUTH PACIFIC

(Thirteenth Air Force) 9 B-17's bomb the Rekata Bay area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC

(Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, 50+ B-24's, B-17's, and B-25's pound the Salamaua area battle zone; with close air and artillery support, US forces push to the crest of Roosevelt Ridge; the enemy retains several ridges along Dot Inlet; and A-20's strafe barges near Finschhafen. On New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, B-25's hit barges at Talasea and Rein Bay, and other B-25's bomb Koepang on Timor Island. HQ 475th Fighter Group and it's 431st, 432d and 433d Fighter Squadrons transfer from Amberley Field to Dobodura, New Guinea with P-38's. The 431st and 432d are operating from Port Moresby, the 431st until Oct 43 and the 432d until Sep 43; the 433d will fly it's first mission tomorrow.

NEW GEORGIA CAMPAIGN - BATTLE OF VELLA LAVELLA (LAND)

Third Amphibious Force (Rear Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson) lands Navy, Marine, and Army personnel at Vella Lavella, Solomons, thus by-passing enemy positions on Kolombangara, Solomons.

Map: Map of the land battle on Vella Lavella, 1943



Photo: Three of the U.S. Navy Destroyer Squadron 21's ships underway in the Solomon Islands, 15 August 1943. The ships are (from front to rear): USS O'Bannon (DD-450), USS Chevalier (DD-451) and USS Taylor (DD-468). Photographed from USS Nicholas (DD-449), while the ships were enroute to the landings at Vella Lavella, which took place on the same day



PACIFIC

Submarine Wahoo (SS-238) damages Japanese fleet tanker Terukawa Maru, 43°15'N, 140°03'E, and merchant fishery mother ship Ryokai Maru, 43°12'N, 140°00'E.

Day 1434 of World War II, August 17th 1943

Air War over Europe

The Regensberg/Schweinfurt Raid: On the one year anniversary of its first mission, the US VIII Bomber Command launched its most complex mission of the war. In an effort to destroy the production facilities of German fighters, over 350 bombers (formed into 2 divisions, the 1st and 3d BD) took to the skies in a dual effort to bomb both a Messerschmitt plant in Regensberg and the ball bearing plant at Schweinfurt. 376 B-17s were to make the initial penetration as one force then split with 230 B-17s attacking Schweinfurt and returning to England. The remaining 146 B-17s would attack Regensberg and then continue to Allied bases in Algeria. Timing was critical in an effort to divide the defending Luftwaffe forces. But events went badly from the beginning.

While the Regensberg bound 3d BD was taking off, the Schweinfurt bound 1st BD was grounded by fog and unable to take-off for 3 hours. This meant that the forces would be attacking separately and German fighters, rather than being divided, could concentrate on each force, sequentially. Shortly after 10:00 hours the 3d BD crossed the Dutch coast and met the first of 3 Luftwaffe groups with about 60 fighters. The Fw 190s of II./JG 1 and JG 26 were the first to make contact and Major Borris, Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 26 destroyed the first bomber after a frontal attack. After this first encounter, 4 B-17s had been shot down and 2 more bombers fell to flak. Crossing into German airspace, the Luftwaffe waited until the escorts turned back and continued the attack.

Over Wiesbaden, Major Graf's JG 50 sent 25 Bf 109s along with scores of Fw 190s and Bf 109s, some flown by instructors from training units in the area. Head-on attacks followed by attacks from the rear hit the 100th BG very hard. Oblt. Grislawski of 1./JG 50 downed 2 B-17s for his first victories in the west. More Gruppen of German fighters joined in the attack, including Bf 110s from II./NJG 1 and after 90 minutes, 14 B-17s were shot down. But the bombers reached their target and dropped accurately. The bomber formation continued on to Algeria loosing 7 more planes for a total of 24 bombers lost from a force of 146. Luftwaffe fighters landed and refueled and the OKL ordered more fighter Gruppen from the north and other areas to contact the Regensberg force on its return flight. But instead this mass of German fighters met the 1st BD on its way to Schweinfurt. Not waiting until the escorts left, the first fighters into the battle were from JG 11.

Over 300 re-armed and refueled fighters from JG 1, JG 2, JG 11, JG 26, ZG 26 and 1./NJG 1 - twice as many fighters as those who flew against the morning bomber formations - met the Americans. Passing over Eupen, the worst fighter attacks occurred and 15 B-17s were lost. The air was full of blazing planes, cannon fire and rockets as the B-17s fought their way through, their formidable half-inch machine guns covering each other, closing up the formation as stricken aircraft staggered and fell out of position. The bombers suffered heavy casualties. The bombers made it to the target, released their bombs then turned for home, back through the cauldron of German fighters. Reaching Eupen, the first escorting P-47s arrived and tore into the German fighters. Fw 190s from II./JG 26 met the Thunderbolts of the US 56th FG and clashed over Lutych. Major Wilhelm-Ferdinand 'Wutz' Galland (55 kills), Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 26 was shot down and killed in a crash near Maastricht. Two more B-17s were shot down. III./JG 3 led by Hptm. Walther Dahl were in their first action since the Eastern Front and was attacked by Spitfires from RAf No. 222 Sqdrn., who had their best day since 1940. Five Bf 109s from JG 3 were shot down including Ritterkreuztrager Lt. Hans Schleef, who survived. Oblt. Dahl had to crash-land near Capperath. III./JG 1 claimed 12 bombers at a loss of 5 Bf 109s. The final loss to the American bombers was devastating. 60 B-17s were shot down and another 168 severely damaged. Most heavily hit were groups the 91st BG which lost 10 planes and the 381st BG which lost 11.

Photo: Boeing B-17F formation over Schweinfurt, Germany, on Aug. 17, 1943



Although the Allies claimed 288 German fighters destroyed, the Luftwaffe suffered 27 fighters lost. Heavy damage was caused at several of the Allied targets It took approximately 4 weeks to repair the damage at the Messerschmitt plant at Regensberg. Production of the Me 262 had to be relocated to Oberammergau near the Bavarian Alps. Delivering the temperamental Jumo 004 turbojets was even more troublesome.

The Peenemunde Raid: The RAF sent 324 Lancasters, 218 Halifaxes and 54 Stirlings to attack Peenemunde, the German research establishment on the Baltic coast where V-2 rockets were being built and tested, during the night. This was the first raid in which 6(Canadian)Group operated Lancaster aircraft. 426 Squadron dispatched 9 Mark11 Lancasters, losing 2 aircraft including that of the squadron commander, Wing Commander L. Crooks, D.S.O, D.F.C., an Englishman who was killed. The raid was carried out in moonlight to increase the chances of success. There were several novel features. It was the only occasion in the second half of the war when the whole of Bomber Command attempted a precision raid by night on such a small target.

For the first time there was a Master Bomber controlling a full scale Bomber Command raid. Group Captain J.H. Searby of 83 Squadron, 8 Group, carried out this task. There were three aiming points - the scientists' and workers' living quarters, the rocket factory and the experimental station - and the Pathfinders employed a special plan with crews designated as 'shifters' who attempted to move the marking from one part of the target to another as the raid progressed. Crews of 5 Group, bombing in the last wave of the attack, had practiced the 'time and distance' bombing method as an alternative method for their part in the raid. The Pathfinders found Peenemunde without difficulty in the moonlight and the Master Bomber controlled the raid successfully throughout. As a diversion, 20 Mosquitoes were sent over Berlin, dropping massive amounts of flares as if Berlin was the target. 148 twin-engined nightfighters and 55 single-engined fighters - the first night with the 'Wilde Sau' up in full strength - were dispatched. Searching the skies over Berlin, they found nothing except to be fired on by the city's flak batteries. Unfortunately, the initial marking and bombing fell on a labour camp for forced workers which was situated 1 1/2 miles south of the first aiming point but the Master Bomber and the Pathfinders quickly brought the bombing back to the main targets which were all bombed successfully. 560 aircraft dropped nearly 1,800 tons of bombs. 85% of this tonnage was high explosive. After the first bombs fell on Peenemunde, the fighters raced to intercept the bombers. Pouncing on the final wave of British bombers, several pilots increased their scores. Lt. Dieter Musset of 5./NJG 1 destroyed 4 bombers out of a group of 8. Major Ehle of II./NJG 1 claimed 2 bombers. Along with the 'Wilde Sau' tactic, the 'Zahme Sau' tactic was also used for the first time. Another innovation used for the first time against the British bombers was the 'Schrage Musik' gun installation. Mounted on Bf 110s from II./NJG 5, 2 MK-108 cannon fired obliquely upward from behind the cockpit and were used to good effect.

Two of these aircraft found the bomber stream flying home from Peenemunde and are believed to have shot down 6 of the bombers lost on the raid. Uffz. Holker of 5./NJG 5 brought down 2 bombers using this arrangement. In total the RAF lost 40 bombers with another 32 damaged. Most of the casualties were suffered by the aircraft of the last wave, which included 61 Sqdn, when the German night fighters arrived in force. The groups involved were 5 Group which lost 17 of its 109 aircraft on the raid (14.5%) and the Canadian 6 Group which lost 12 out of 57 aircraft (19.7%). This raid set back the V-2 experimental programme by at least 2 months and reduced the scale of the eventual rocket attacks. Approximately 180 Germans were killed at Peenemunde, nearly all in the workers' housing estate and 500-600 foreigners, mostly Polish, were killed in the workers' camp where there were only flimsy wooden barracks and no proper air raid shelters. The losses were considered an acceptable cost for the successful attack on this important target on a moonlit night. Although the grounds of the rocket center were damaged, neither the vital testing blocks nor the construction drawings were destroyed. But the attack did cause a delay in another Luftwaffe project.

A group of 30 pilots were due to arrive there to begin training to fly the Me 163. Erprobungskommando 16 (EK 16), an operational training unit commanded by Major Spate was formed in July 1943 and had 8 Me 163s to work up. The unit had to move to Bad Zwischenahn before the pilots arrived as a result of the bombing.

Allied invasion of Sicily

Operation 'Husky' Day 39: Patton’s 7th Army marched into Messina, followed closely by Montgomery’s 8th Army, thus completing the conquest of Sicily for the Allies. During the 39-day campaign, the Axis forces suffered 167,000 casualties (37,000 German, 130,000 Italian). Allied losses were 25,000. Most deemed this a great Allied victory, but in retrospective, it was a bitter one in that, had the Allied planning been more bold, they easily could have destroyed all of the forces on the island rather than allowing so many to escape. The Germans left in an orderly evacuation. The booty of captured weapons, fuel and ammunition was huge; but nothing could compensate for the sight of the civilian population emerging from cellars and other hiding places to see their beloved Messina almost flattened by not only Allied bombs and artillery but also, now, shells from the Italian mainland. The fall of Sicily paved the way for the stepped-up air offensive against Italy.

Battle of the Atlantic

Portugal agrees to grant bases in the Azores to Great Britain.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Commander Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 15 (Lieutenant E.A. Dubose, USNR), after unopposed landings from motor torpedo boats PT-215, PT-216 and PT-217 on islands of Lipari and Stromboli, accepts the unconditional surrender of the Lipari Islands (Alicudi, Filicudi, Vulcano, Stromboli, Salina and Lipari). Destroyer Trippe (DD-403) covers the operation.

Infantry landing craft LCI-1 is sunk by aircraft off Bizerte, Tunisia.

United States

Photo: Launching of Launching of LST-42, 17 August 1943, at Dravo Corp., Neville Island, PA., at Dravo Corp., Neville Island, PA



Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): Bombers hit and claim 2 small vessels sunk about 130 miles (208 km) S of Rangoon, Burma. The 89th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, transfers from Karachi to Gushkara, India with P-40's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on 8 Sep 43.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 4 P-40's bomb town of Tengchung, China.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 9 US Thirteenth Air Force B-24s bomb Papatura Fa Island while 12 B-25 Mitchells, 5 B-17s, and 30+ USMC aircraft attack Vila Airfield on Kolombangara Island. On New Georgia Island, Munda airfield is bombarded by IJN artillery on Baanga Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): Oil tanks at Balikpapan, Borneo are hit by 2 B-24's. In New Guinea, 5 B-25's bomb Larat; 15 P-38's and 32 P-47's intercept 25 fighters preparing to attack transport vessels near Tsili Tsili; the strike is completely thwarted and 12 fighters shot down. This marks first the combat use of the P-47 in this theater.

ALASKA

(Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, a B-24 reconnais- sance flight reconnoiters North Head, Main Camp, and northern Kiska Island, and observes friendly forces' unopposed advance into Main Camp.

PACIFIC

Destroyers Waller (DD-466) and Philip (DD-498) are damaged by collision off Barakoma, Solomons, 08°11'S, 156°43'E, while defending convoy against Japanese air attack.

USAAF B-24s damage Japanese cargo vessel Amagisan Maru off Balikpapan.