World War II in real time

Day 1512 of World War II, November 3rd 1943

Eastern Front

A massive Russian offensive from Dnieper bridgehead North of Kiev erupted.

Air War over Europe

The Largest Allied daylight air raid to date on Wilhelmshaven. USAAF VIII Bomber Command Mission 119. 539 of 566 B-17's and B-24's dispatched to the Wilhemshaven, Germany port area hit the target at 1307-1335 hours. They claim 21-3-24 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 B-17's are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair, and 47 damaged; casualties are 12 WIA and 70 MIA. The mission includes 11 Pathfinders, 9 using new H2X blind-bombing device (first time on a US mission) and 2 using H2S. This is the first Eighth Air Force blind-bombing mission in which the aiming point is completely destroyed and is also the Eighth's first 500-plane mission. 333 P-47's and 45 P-38's escort the bombers with the P-38's escorting the heavy bombers almost the entire trip and see their first real ETO combat, claiming 3-5-5 Luftwaffe aircraft.

During the night, RAF Bomber Command sends 589 aircraft, 344 Lancasters, 233 Halifaxes and 12 Mosquitos, to bomb Dusseldorf; 527 aircraft bomb the city with the loss of 15 aircraft. The main weight of the raid fell in the centre and south of the city with extensive damage both to housing and to industrial premises. Meanwhile, thirty eight Lancaster Mk. IIs make the first large-scale test of the G-H blind-bombing device and attempted to bomb the Mannesmann tubular-steel works on the northern outskirts of Düsseldorf while the main raid was taking place. Five had to return early and two more were lost; the equipment in 16 other aircraft failed to function leaving only 15 aircraft to bomb the factory on G-H. The device later became a most useful blind-bombing device when it was produced in sufficient numbers for a major part of Bomber Command to be fitted with it. In other raids, 58 Lancasters and Mosquitos carry out a diversionary raid on Cologne without loss; ten Oboe Mosquitos bomb a Krupps foundry at Rheinhausen and two Mosquitos bomb Dortmund. Four other aircraft hit targets of opportunity. Flt-Lt William Reid (1921-2001), RAFVR, piloted a Lancaster bomber on a raid on Düsseldorf. The plane was attacked by a German fighter over the Netherlands and badly damaged. Reid was wounded in the head, shoulders and hands. A second attack killed two of the crew, wounded Reid again, and knocked out the oxygen supply. He flew on to his target for 50 minutes, losing blood. His windshield was also shattered, and the bitter cold added to his troubles. He managed to fly home in a dizzy condition from bleeding. Two crew members assisted him on the flight home and the plane returned safely. (Victoria Cross)

Air Chief Marshal Arthur Harris proposed to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill that sustained aerial bombing of Berlin would cost 400-500 aircraft, and cost Germany the war. Churchill authorized commencing the Battle of Berlin.

The 612th and 613th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Deenethorpe, England from the U.S. with B-17's. They will fly their first mission on 26 Nov.

USAAF VIII Bomber Command Mission 120. During the night of 3/4 Nov, 2 B-17's drop 1.5+ million leaflets on Antwerp at 1915 hours and Rotterdam at 2008 hours.

Sixty five USAAF Ninth Air Force B-26 Marauders bomb Schiphol Airfield 7 miles (11 kilometers) west of Amsterdam. Seventy one USAAF Ninth Air Force B-26 Marauders bomb the airfield at Saint-Andre-de-L'Eure while 71 others attack Triqueville Airfield.

During the night, 22 RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines in the Frisian Islands. H2S blind-bombing equipment is used for the first time to assist the minelaying force and is an indication that a start had been made in equipping Main Force squadrons with H2S.

Italian Campaign

Fighting in Italy was heavy as the British 8th Army tangled with the German 16.PanzerGrenadier Division at San Salvo. The British 5th Corps forced Germans from Trigno, who withdrew to the Sangro River. US forces took Sessa Aurunca from the 16.Panzerdivision, which was transferred to the Eastern front. In the U.S. Fifth Army's VI Corps area, the 4th Ranger Battalion crosses the Volturno River in the 45th Infantry Division zone at 1800 hours local to block Highway 6 northwest of Mignano, but is stopped short of objective. The 45th Infantry Division continues crossing the Volturno River. The rest of the 180th Infantry Regiment, upon crossing southeast of Presenzano at 2000 hours, drives northwest toward Rocca Pipirozzi. After strong artillery preparation, the 34th Infantry Division begins to cross the Volturno River during the night.

The eight USAAF Twelfth Air Force B-25 Mitchell groups transferred to the Fifteenth Air Force on 1 November are transferred back to the Twelfth Air Force.

Northwest African Tactical Bomber Force aircraft hit a dump at Cupello, the railway station at Cesano, a road junction at Alfedena, the town areas of Ceprano and Palmoli, and numerous vehicles. USAAF XII Air Support Command and RAF Desert Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack gun positions at Cupello, landing grounds near Pescara and Ancona, the airfield at Cisterna di Latina, the Ceccano railroad yards, the town of Pozzilli, roads in the Venafro-Cassino area, and several bridges and junctions. Many of the days missions are flown in direct support of the British Eighth Army's advance.

Monks at Monte Cassino in Italy completed removing the archive and library. Most of the monks also left.

Battle of the Atlantic

'U-593' sank SS 'Mont Viso' in Convoy KMS-30.

Battle of the Mediterranean

USAAF Fifteenth Air Force P-38 Lightnings escort USAAF Twelfth Air Force B-25 Mitchells on a raid against Araxos Airfield, 1 mile (1,6 kilometers) south of Araxos. The target is well covered and several parked airplanes are destroyed.

'U-340' (Type VIIC) was sunk at 0430hrs near Tangier, by depth charges from the British sloop HMS 'Fleetwood', the destroyers 'Active' and 'Witherington' and by depth charges from a British Wellington aircraft (Sqdn. 179/R). 1 dead, 48 survivors.

United Kingdom

London says that Finland is an Axis power and the principle of unconditional surrender applies also to Finland.

Germany

Adolf Hitler issued Directive 51, in which he warned of an Allied landing in western Europe, by spring of 1944. He ordered the strengthening of the western defences near England and in Denmark, noting that an Allied landing would be more troublesome than Russian advances in the East.

Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 21 B-24's, supported by 30 fighters, pound Kowloon Docks in Hong Kong; 4 Japanese fighters are claimed shot down; 9 B-25's and 12 P-40's pound various targets in the Shihshow-Hwajung-Owchihkow area. 8 P-40's bomb runways and installations at Lashio, Burma.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 19 B-24's attack a convoy about 150 miles SE of Mussau in the Bismarck Archipelago; the B-24's claim hits on 3 vessels.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): B-25's hit barges between Alexishafen and Bogadjim. Several are hit by intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, B-25G 42-64850. In New Britain, B-24's fly light strikes against shipping (sinking 1 vessel) between Talasea and Cape Gloucester.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s bomb Boela on the northeast coast of Ceram Island, Netherlands East Indies.

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

The 3d Marine Division continues to improve beachhead positions on Bougainville. At 1800 hour local, the 3d Marine Regiment takes responsibility for the left flank and the 9th Marine Regiment for the right flank. A 3d Raider Battalion patrol moves to Torokina Island and makes a search for the Japanese, but finds none.

Photo: M3 75mm GMC in the surf on Bougainville, Solomon Islands. November 1943



GILBERT AND MARSHALL ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

The Northern Attack Force (Task Force 52) completes rehearsal for Operation GALVANIC (plans for operations to capture, occupy, defend and develop bases in the Gilbert Islands and Nauru).

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

The USN battleship USS Oklahoma (BB-37), sunk at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, is refloated. The ship enters dry dock on 28 December and is decommissioned on 1 September 1944. Oklahoma is stripped of guns and superstructure, and sold 5 December 1946 for scrap.

PACIFIC

U.S. Navy PB4Ys sink Japanese stores ship Minato Maru 19 miles off Ocean Island, 00°53'S, 169°35'E.

USAAF B-24s bomb Japanese light cruiser Naka (near-miss) and transport (ex-armed merchant cruiser) Kiyozumi Maru off central New Ireland, 02°00'S, 151°30'E; light cruiser Isuzu takes the damaged auxiliary in tow.

USAAF B-24s bomb Japanese ships en route to Rabaul, but score no damage upon their targets, transport (ex-armed merchant cruiser) Gokoku Maru and destroyer Urakaze.

Day 1514 of World War II, November 5th 1943

YouTube (Allies Launch new Phase in Pacific War)



Eastern Front

The attacks by the Steppe Front sweep west and south of Kiev. Meanwhile, South Front (Tolbukhin) closes on the lower Dniepr River. The Soviet advance cuts the Kiev-Zhitomir railroad and overrun the area between the lower Dniepr River and the Crimea. This gave credence to the threat to encircle Kiev.

Air War over Europe

Over 150 USAAF Ninth Air Force B-26 Marauders bomb construction works at Mimoyecques, France; poor visibility causes one group to bomb the area SW of the primary targets; bad weather causes numerous aborts.

During the night, the USAAF Eighth Air Force's. VIII Bomber Command flies Mission 122: five B-17 Flying Fortresses drop over one million leaflets over Paris, Amiens, Rouen and Caen at 1917-2005 hours.

During the night, 27 RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons dropped leaflets over France.

An Eighth Air Force training officer arrived to assist HQ US IX Fighter Command in setting up a comprehensive training system for fighter pilots. The training was based on the Eighth Air Force system; the Eighth Air Force and Royal Air Force (RAF) cooperated with the US Ninth in instituting this program.

During the night, RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos bomb six targets: ten hit the Vereinigte Stahl armaments factory at Bochum; five hit Hannover; four attack the Rheinmetall armaments factory at Dusseldorf; three bomb Hamburg; and one each hit the Hoesch Stahl steel plant at Dortmund and the city of Heligoland.

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 121. Two targets in Germany were hit with the loss of 8 B-17's and 3 B-24's. 323 of 374 B-17's and 9 of 11 B-17 pathfinders hit the marshalling yard and oil plants at Gelsenkirchen, Germany at 1313-1350 hours; they claimed 6-1-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 B-17's were lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 223 damaged. Casualties were 4 KIA, 35 WIA and 84 MIA. The B-17's were escorted by 47 P-38's and 336 P-47's; they claimed 18-6-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 P-47's were lost and 1 was damaged beyond repair; casualties were 4 MIA.

104 of 118 B-24's hit the marshaling yard at Munster at 1349-1358 hours; they claimed 21-3-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-24's were lost, 1 was damaged beyond repair and 43 damaged; casualties were 7 KIA, 22 WIA and 31 MIA.

Italian Campaign

The US 5th Army began attacks on the Reinhard Line. The British 76th Division assaulted Monte Camino and the Us 3rd Division attacked near Mignano. Hube's XIV Panzer Corps has much help from the terrain and worsening weather in their defence. The British 8th Army takes Palmoli and Torrebruna.

Photo: Sappers of 578 Field Company Royal Engineers attach explosives to the underside of a partly demolished bridge prior to constructing a new span, south of Isernia, 5 November 1943



Photo: Men of the 1st King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry climb a steep slope, 5 November 1943



A single bomb is dropped on the Vatican by an unknown plane. Many believe that this was a message from German Chancellor Adolf Hitler to Pope Pius XII to provide a reminder of how the mission of the popes so often comes into conflict with the earthly ambitions of nations and politics. After the war, investigators determined the attack was planned by Italian Fascist Robero Farinacci, in an attempt to discredit the Allies.

With the sun just rising over Torre Aningiatria, a port southeast of Naples, German bombers descended on Allied shipping. The port was of strategic importance because the Allies can unload the massive quantities of supplies they need to drive the Germans out of Italy. Canadian seaman, Somer James' ship offers choice prey. Loaded with ammunition, the 'Empire Lightning' was moored to a dock piled with high-octane fuel when the bombs began to find their targets. One struck the fuel, setting it ablaze and threatening both the 'Lightning' and other freighters moored fore and aft. The ship could be saved only be a careful combination of dropping some of its lines and doubling others, so it can be manoeuvred away from the fire. The captain called for volunteers. Amidst the pandemonium, only Mr. James, who was not yet 22, stepped up. He donned a heavy jacket and lifebelt and went on deck alone. With the captain shouting instructions down at him from the bridge, with fire raging alongside and with high explosives beneath his feet, he ran the length of the ship from one mooring point to another and did his best to handle the massive hemp lines alone. The entire operation lasted about three hours, but, in the end, he managed to get the ship out of harm's way, its sides scorched by fire. Yet, he didn't stop at that. Once the 'Lightening' was secured, he helped move a number of barges loaded with dangerous cargo that had also caught fire. The action later won him both the British Empire Medal and the Lloyd's Medal for Bravery, an unusual double honour. While 29 other Canadian merchant sailors won the BEM for bravery during the Second World War, and some won the Lloyd's medal, none received both awards for the same event.

The Headquarters of the Canadian Corps and the 5th Canadian Armoured Division arrived at Italy.

Battle of the Atlantic

German submarine 'U-848' is sunk about 253 nautical miles (469 kilometers) west-southwest of Ascension Island in the South Atlantic by depth charges from two USAAF B-25 Mitchells of the 1st Composite Squadron and three USN PB4Y-1 Liberators of a detachment of USN Patrol Squadron One Hundred Seven (VB-107), both units based on Ascension Island; all 63 crewmen are lost.

German occupied France

The Peugeot factory at Sochaux was sabotaged by the resistance. Judged by the British Ministry of Economic Warfare as the 3rd most important target in France, this factory made tank turrets. Industrial sabotage was being used with greater success than Allied bombing at the Peugeot plant which was producing war equipment on the Germans' orders. Following the RAF raid on 14 July, which proved to be as unsuccessful as it was bloody, Harry Ree, a member of Britain's clandestine Special Operations Executive, persuaded Armand Peugeot to sabotage the facilities of the plant with the help of his own engineers. The manufacturing of turrets for tanks has been interrupted indefinitely.

Germany

Adolf Hitler assigned Feldmarschall Erwin Rommel the task of inspecting the Atlantic Wall.

Pacific War

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO

USN F6F Hellcats from Barakoma Field on Vella Lavella Island, Solomon Islands, cover Task Force 38 which launches 22 SBDs, 23 TBFs and 52 F6Fs from the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga and small aircraft carrier USS Princeton to attack the ten Japanese cruisers and ten destroyers in the harbor at Rabaul, New Britain Island. The carrier-based aircraft severely damage four heavy cruisers, Atago, Takao, Maya, Chikuma, and Mogami, two light cruisers, Noshiro and Agano, and two destroyers, Fujinami and Amagiri, at a loss of one SBD, four TBFs and five F6Fs.

Photo: The Japanese heavy cruiser Chikuma photographed from a USS Saratoga (CV-3) Douglas SBD Dauntless gun camera, during the raid on Rabaul, 5 November 1943



Photo: Japanese warships attempt to get under way while under attack from US Navy aircraft, 5 November 1943



The Japanese lose one "Sally" bomber and 27 Zero and Tony fighters. As Japanese aircraft fly off to search for the aircraft carriers, over 90 USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s and fighters attack the wharf areas at Rabaul. Because of this attack, the Japanese Navy orders all surface warships at Rabaul to sail to Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands.

Photo: The result of phosphorus bombs and how they worked on a Mitsubishi G4M2 Betty and a Mitsubishi A6M3 Zeke on Lakunai Field during the attack at Rabaul



CHINA

Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell, commander of the U.S. China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, Commander of the Northern Area Combat Command (NCAC) in Burma and Deputy Commander in Chief of the South-East Asia Command (SEAC), submits a report to Chiang Kai-shek on SEAC planning and progress of preparations for an attack from Yunnan by the Chinese Yannan Force (Y-Force).

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): The 459th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, transfers from Karachi to Kurmitola, India with P-38's. They will fly their first mission on 14 Nov.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-26s and P-39s hit Bogadjim Road while B-25s attack positions northwest of Dumpu, and P-39s bomb and strafe the Madang area. P-47s over Wewak encounter a force of fighters and claim about 20 shot down.

The 67th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's. Lost on an armed reconnaissance mission is B-24D 42-40972.

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

In the zone of the 9th Marine Regiment on Bougainville Island, the Army's 3d Ranger Battalion repels an attack by the Japanese 23rd Regiment against a block on a local trail, called Mission Trail. Later the Rangers and the 3d Battalion of the 9th Marine Regiment drive up Mission Trail toward its junction with the Numa Numa Trail.

The Numa Numa and East-West Trails are the two main trails on Cape Torokina. There is not much of a Japanese movement on land to counter these landings because of the difficult terrain and because the Japanese feel these landings are a feint.

Six USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells hit a bivouac area at Kieta on the west coast of Bougainville Island and sink at least six barges between Kieta and Banin Harbor.

PACIFIC

Submarine Halibut (SS-232) damages Japanese carrier Junyo, Bungo Channel, 32°19'N, 132°58'E; heavy cruiser Tone tows the damaged ship to Kure.

USAAF B-24s sink Japanese fishing vessel No.1 Kanto Maru seven miles north of Kieta, 06°15'S, 155°25'E.

Day 1516 of World War II, November 7th 1943

Eastern Front

The Soviet advance reached Fastov, 40 miles west of Kiev, where the Germans had a quickly positioned defence line. The commander of the 44th Soviet Army was captured when he accidentally drove into the German frontline at Nikopol.

Air War over Europe

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 124. Three targets in Germany were hit without loss. Poor weather restricted operations. 53 of 59 B-17's bombed the Wesel industrial area at 1124-1125 hours; 4 B-17's were damaged; casualties were 1 KIA and 2 WIA. 60 B-17's were dispatched to the industrial area at Duren; 37 hit the primary target at 1114 hours and 20 hit Randerath, the secondary target, at 1114-1125 hours; 2 B-17's were damaged. 2 of 3 B-17 pathfinders escorted the B-17's dispatched to Duren but an Oboe PFF failure resulted in the bombs being widely scattered. The bombers were escorted by 283 P-47s; they claimed 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 P-47's were lost; casualties were 6 MIA. F/O Robert E. Sheehan, 63 FS/56th FG went MIA in his P-47D after mechanical failure near Doesburg. Lt. Edwin O. Carlson, 357 FS/ 355th FG, was killed in his P-47D "On the Ball" after he collided with Lt. James A. Westphal, 357 FS, near Montdidier. Lt. Westphal was made a POW. Also captured were Capt. Walter H. Kossack, 358 FS, who ran out of fuel and bellied in near the French coast and Lt. William E. Roach, 358 FS, who also ran out of fuel in his P-47D "Beetle" and landed at Caen. F/O Chester W. Watson, 358 FS ran out of fuel and bailed out over the English Channel and was killed.

The 78th FG flew US VIII Fighter Command's first group double escort mission with A and B fighter formations.

200+ B-26's dispatched to attack airfields at Montdidier and Meulan-Les Mureaux, France were forced to abort the mission because of bad weather. The B-26's were escorted by 54 P-38's and 49 P-47's of the Eighth Air Force; 2 P-38's were lost. Maj. John C. Wilkins, HQ Sqnd. 20th FG, took off late and was never seen again. Capt. Herbert W. Cumming, 79 FS, was hit by an Fw-190 and went down over the Channel.

6 Mosquitos to Essen, 35 aircraft minelaying off the French coast from Brest to southern Biscay, 7 OTU sorties. 1 Stirling minelayer lost.

Italian Campaign

The U.S. Fifth Army continues to battle the Germans in the mountains of the Winter Line but makes little headway. In the VI Corps sector, the 34th Infantry Division organizes Task Force A under Brigadier General Benjamin F. Caffey, consisting of the 135th Infantry Regiment and supporting units, for a drive on Montaquila.

Photo: A Sherman tank undergoing an engine change at a REME workshop, 7 November 1943



Photo: An M3 Stuart tank about to have an engine change at a REME workshop, 7 November 1943



Photo: A scout car crew of 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers, Indian Armoured Corps, chat with youngsters in San Felice, during the advance towards the River Sangro



NATBF bombers hit gun position along the British Eighth and US Fifth Army fronts, shipping at Ancona, Italy harbor, and the town of Ulcinj, Yugoslavia; Durazzo, Albania was bombed at night. XII Air Support Command and other fighters of the NATAF hit the harbor and shipping at Split and a train near Metkovic, Yugoslavia, and attacked bridges, road junctions, town area, and trucks in the Mignano-Cassino and Pontecorvo, Italy, areas.

Battle of the Atlantic

'U-123' was attacked by a Mosquito aircraft from the RAF No.618 Squadron suffering 1 man dead and 2 wounded.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Troop transport 'Santa Elena', struck by aerial torpedo while in convoy KMF 25A the previous afternoon, suffered further damage when accidentally rammed by damaged Dutch transport 'Marnix Van St. Aldegonde' (then under tow). The cumulative damage from the torpedo and the collision nullifies the efforts to tow the crippled 'Santa Elena' to port and she sinks that morning. Four of the 133-man merchant crew perish in the abandonment, but the 44-man Armed Guard survives intact.

United Kingdom

Photo: Three sailors view numerous destroyers of the escort group B7, which are moored alongside each other after returning home to Londonderry, Northern Ireland fom a patrol in the north Atlantic. Identifiable vessels include HMS Versatile, HMS Godvari, HMS Vanessa, HMS Vidette and HMS Rochester, 7 November 1943



Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25's pound Amoy harbor, claiming several boats sunk. 6 P-40's attack a bridge at Hsiangyangchiao, causing only minor damage.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomons, 8 B-25's bomb barge concentration and beach targets in Atsinima Bay. 21 B-24's pound the airfield on Buka.

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

On Bougainville Island, the American beachhead undergoes its first major counterattack. Japanese destroyers from Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, land 475 troops between the Laruma and Koromokina Rivers early in morning. The troops attack at once in the vicinity of Koromokina lagoon and are held off by the 3d Marine Regiment, although a small outpost is cut off and must be rescued by sea.

Map: Japanese Counter landing, 7 November 1943



SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): Aproximately 10 Japanese bombers and Ki-43 Oscar fighters of the 13th and 59th Sentai attack Nadzab. Intercepting were eight P-39Qs (40th FS) and eight P-47Ds (36th and 342nd FS). Lost were two bombers were lost including Ki-21 Sally 6323 and three Ki-43s.

25 B-24's, with an escort of 60+ P-38's, bomb Rapopo Airstrip; a large force of enemy fighters intercepts the formations and in the ensuing battle US airplanes claim 20+ fighters shot down and several more destroyed on the ground. 5 P-38's are lost: P-38H 42-66911 (pilot POW), P-38G 43-2199, P-38G 43-2386, P-38H 42-66669, P-38 of 475th FG.

9 B-25's bomb Wewak and 40+ others turn back when the fighter escort is intercepted by airplanes over Nadzab; enemy aircraft attack Nadzab and Bena Bena; 16 US aircraft are destroyed or damaged by the raids but 14 airplanes are claimed as shot down by US fighters. HQ 71st Reconnaissance Group arrives at Port Moresby from the U.S. The 529th BS (Heavy), transfers from Manbulloo to Long Strip with B-24's.

PACIFIC

USN aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga and small aircraft carrier USS Princeton of Task Force 38, are attacked by 100 Japanese aircraft, 240 nautical miles SE of Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, but they emerge unscathed.

Day 1518 of World War II, November 9th 1943

Eastern Front

West of Kiev the Soviet forces were advancing toward Zhitomir.

Air War over Europe

18 RAF Oboe Mosquitos bombed blast furnaces at Bochum and a steelworks at Duisburg. No aircraft were lost.

Italian Campaign

The British 8th Indian Division captured Castiglione.

In Italy, B-24s attacked the Villarperosa ball-bearing works at Turin and B-17s hit the Genoa-Ansaldo steel works. P-38's provided escort. The NATBF bombed Formia and Itri as a diversion to the naval bombardment of Formia and Gaeta. US XlI Air Support Command fighter-bombers attacked roads and bridges in the Mignano-Ceprano area while other NATAF fighter-bombers hit shipping in the harbor at Split, Yugoslavia and rail targets in the Rome-La Spezia area and vessels, radio stations, and gun emplacements off the coast of Albania.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Minneapolis (CA-36) underway on 9 November 1943. Note her unique camouflage scheme, with the cruiser painted to resemble a destroyer



Pacific War

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force): HQ 11th Bombardment Group transfers from Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii to Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's hit the airfield on Buka. B-25's bomb Kieta and 20+ B-24's pound Kara Airfield and Kahili Airfield. P-39's join USN aircraft in strikes on Kara Airfield and Ballale Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): 40+ B-25's and A-20's, escorted by P-38's of the 475th FG and P-47's, pound the airfield at Alexishafen, destroying at least 12 enemy airplanes; US fighters claim destruction of 10-15 interceptors in combat; other fighters claim 20+ aircraft shot down over Sek Harbor, the Markham River Valley, and Lae. Lost that mission are P-38H 42-66596 also two others had a mid-air collision and both pilots and planes were lost: P-38H 42-66546 and P-38H 42-66834.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

in the Bismarck Archipelago, B-25's bomb a fuel dump and shipping in the Rein Bay area, and P-40's bomb dumps on Gasmata. B-24's on patrol claim sinking of a destroyer near Kavieng.

Photo: Finschhafen, New Guinea. 9 November 1943. A Matilda tank of 4th Australian Armoured Brigade ploughing ahead towards the battle area in an effort to drive the Japanese out of strongposts held near the Finschhafen area. The tank, named Clincher, has a logo on the front of a crocodile under a palm tree over a boomerang. Other unit identification markings have been whited out by the censor



SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

The beginning of three days of bloody fighting on Bougainville as Japanese attempt to stop the American advance into the interior of the island.

NEW HEBRIDES

Photo: Fifteen U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger in flight over Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, on 9 November 1943. A single Douglas SBD Dauntless is visible in the background



PACIFIC

Submarine Rasher (SS-269) unsuccessfully attacks Balikpapan-bound Japanese fleet oiler Toa Maru, 00°34'N, 118°59'E.

Submarine Sargo (SS-188) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Taga Maru, 21°40'N, 131°12'E.

Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) unsuccessfully attacks Japanese cargo vessel Hokuriku Maru, 20°38'N, 118°33'E.

Day 1520 of World War II, November 11th 1943

Eastern Front

In their advance on Zhitomir, Soviet forces crossed the Teterev River and captured Radomyshl.

Air War over Europe

29 RAF Mosquitos went to Berlin, Hannover and the Ruhr, 45 aircraft minelaying from Brest to the Frisian Islands, 6 OTU sorties. 1 Halifax and 1 Wellington lost from the minelaying force.

Italian Campaign

Montgomery's forces occupy Casalanguida in their advance on the Sangro River.

Battle of the Atlantic

The unescorted 'Pompoon' (Master Edward Condell) was hit by one torpedo from 'U-516' about 75 miles north of Cartegnea, Colombia. The torpedo struck amidships on the port side and broke the ship in two. Both ends sank with the midship part sinking first on both ends. The 23 crew members and four armed guards on board had no time to launch a lifeboat. Five survivors managed to rescue themselves on a raft that had floated free, but one of them died the next day and was buried at sea. In the afternoon of 3 December, the four survivors (a messman and three armed guards) were picked up by a Panamanian ship and were taken to Cristobal where they were hospitalized in serious condition.

In another attack on the French transport system, 124 Halifaxes and 10 Lancasters of RAF 4,6 and No 8 Groups bombed marshalling yards at Cannes and railway installations on the main coastal line to Italy. 4 Halifaxes were lost. The night was clear and the Pathfinders marked the target from 5,000ft but the railway yards were not hit at all and the railway workshops suffered only blast damage. No 617 Squadron resumed operations after its period of high-level training with the new 'Stabilizing Automatic Bomb Sight'. 10 Lancasters each dropped one 12,000lb bomb on the railway viaduct at Anthéor but no hits were recorded.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Destroyer HMS 'Rockwood' was hit by an Hs.293 glider bomb and had to be towed to Alexandria where she arrived on 19th November, but was not repaired.

Convoy 'Untrue': A Ju 88 of 1(F)/33 made contact with a convoy, KMS-31, codenamed 'UNTRUE', 45 miles west of Alboran Island, reporting on the convoy's composition and the weather in the area. Two more Ju 88s shadowed the ships throughout the day. At 16:46 hours, the convoy was reported to consist of 15 merchant vessels and 4 destroyer escorts. Defense of 'UNTRUE' was by pairs of P-39s patrolling about 3 miles outside the convoy while a single Walrus provided close anti-sub cover. By the time of the German attack there were 15 aircraft distributed a various heights and in various positions up to 15 miles north of the convoy.

Luftwaffe attacks commenced at 18:20 hours and the ships' flak opened fire. The first German wave consisted of 10 to 12 Do 217s from II./KG 100 at 3,000 feet. The first of the Dorniers ran in from dead ahead, into the setting sun and launched its Hs 293s. Explosions were seen 500 yds ahead of the leading escort but no ships were hit. The next 9 Do 217s approached from the west on the starborad quarters by ketten. Two of the II./KG 100 aircraft turned back early and there were at least 2 casualties. 20 minutes later, 12 to 15 He 111s from III./KG 26 approached from landward in a single formation at 300 feet. Flares were dropped and the Heinkels spread out over the convoy prior to to dropping their torpedoes in 2 attacks. One He 111 banking steeply to port after releasing its 'fish' was destroyed by AA fire from 2 ships. The Ju 88s of I./KG 26 also took part.

The 'Indian Prince' was torpedoed and sank undertow 5 hours later. 'Birchbank' was hit and blew up and the Belgium oiler 'Carlier' went missing, presumed to have blown up. A French oiler, 'Nivose' was hit but continued in the convoy and the SS 'Takliwa' had also been damaged but was able to continue. The Flower Class corvette, HMS 'Oxlip' reportedly had her steering gear damaged but this was repaired and she continued.

The Luftwaffe's losses from this operation were 6 He 111H-11s of III./KG 26 and 2 Ju 88A-4s from I./KG 26. A Beaufighter intercepted 2 Do 217s an the return flight, reporting 2 cannon strikes on the wing of the first. It attacked the second bomber with its .303 guns before losing it in a cloud. Two aircraft were claimed shot down by the convoy and a dinghy was reported by German aircraft.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Ingersoll (DD-652) at sea on 11 November 1943, with the Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet, Admiral Royal Eason Ingersoll, on board



Pacific War

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force): Japanese aircraft bomb Nanumea hitting the airfield and destroying or damaging several airplanes, including 1 B-24. The 26th and 98th Bombardment Squadrons, 11th BG (Heavy), transfer from Wheeler Field and Mokuleia, Territory of Hawaii respectively to Nukufetau in the Ellice with B-24's. They will fly their first combat mission on 14 Nov. The 431st Bombardment Squadron, 11th BG, transfers from Hickam Field to Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice . They will fly their first mission on 13 Nov.

BURMA

In the British Fourteenth Army's IV Corps area, the Japanese seize Haka.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-24's bomb the Burma Road about 375 miles (600 km) W of Tungling, producing a landslide and badly damaging the road; 6 P-40's S of Yoyang knock out a gun emplacement and hit a radio station, barracks, and hostels in the area; 8 more P-40's, on armed reconnaissance in the Li-Chou-Ching-Shih area, strafe a pontoon bridge and troops, and sink a river steamer, a motorboat, and several small supply boats.

Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek replies to U.S. Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell's memo of 5 November at a conference of Chinese National Military Council at Chungking. While agreeing to a British and Chinese attack on Burma, he wants to hold the Chinese back until the British are attacking Kalewa. Replacements and supplies for the Y-Force are to be provided.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): A few B-25's and USN F4U's strafe barges and shore installations in Matchin Bay on Bougainville.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO

Before dawn, 23 USAAF 5th AF B-24s bomb Lakunai airfield near Rabaul on New Britain Island.

During the morning, 239 aircraft from Task Force 38 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) and Task Group 50.3 (Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery), attack Japanese ships at Rabaul while U.S. Marine Corps F4Us provide a combat air patrol (CAP) over the ships.

TF 38 is built around the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga with Carrier Air Group 12 and small aircraft carrier USS Princeton with Light Carrier Air Group 23.

TG 50.3 is built around aircraft carriers USS Bunker Hill with Carrier Air Group 17 and USS Essex with Carrier Air Group 9 and the small aircraft carrier USS Independence with Light Carrier Air Group 22.

The carrier based aircraft sink destroyer Suzunami and damage light cruisers Yubari and Agano, and destroyers Naganami, Urakaze, and Wakatsuki.

As the carrier aircraft depart, 42 USAAF 13th AF B-24s join USAAF Fifth Air Force and RAAF aircraft in an attack on shipping in Rabaul harbor. This is the Thirteenth Air Force's first strike on Rabaul.

Escorting fighters claim 17 Japanese fighters shot down while the bombers claim five. At 1315 hours, the Japanese send Betty bombers, 14 Kate torpedo bombers, 27 Val dive bombers escorted by 67 Zero fighters to attack the USN ships. USN fighters attack and the best estimate is that they shoot down two "Bettys," 14 "Kates," 17 "Vals" and eight "Zekes;" eleven U.S. aircraft are lost and the aircraft carrier USS Essex is slightly damaged.

Aboard the USS Bunker Hill: "The Japanese showed me what war was all about. They followed our planes back from the strike on Rabaul and things sure were lively for awhile. Fighting Squadron Seventeen with their F4U Corsairs flew out from some island and gave us coverage while we landed our air strike. They left to go home and ran into a flight of Japanese planes trying for our task force. Things got wild for half an hour or so. We got a few fighters in the air. They didn't hit any of our ships and we shot down a lot of their planes. The SB2C Helldiver entered combat for the first time also."

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): B-24's bomb Lakunai Airfield. P-39's strafe Bogadjim and B-25's hit the Madang.

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

The battle between the US Marines and the Japanese 23rd Regiment on Bougainville ends with the Japanese pushed back. Additional elements of the 21st Marine Regiment arrive. Marines now hold the junction of the Mission and Numa Numa Trails, having killed an estimated 550 Japanese during their drive up Mission Trail. In order to secure airfield site, Gen Geiger orders 3d Marine Division to drive east and the Army 37th Infantry Division west.

PACIFIC

Submarine Capelin (SS-289) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Kunitama Maru northwest of Ambon, 03°08'S, 127°30'E.

Submarine Drum (SS-228) engages Japanese Truk-to-Rabaul convoy, unsuccessfully attacking submarine depot ship Hie Maru, 00°19'N, 149°40'E (see 17 November 1943). Later that day, a USAAF B-24 bombs the same convoy, damaging Hie Maru. Despite those attacks, the enemy ships reach Rabaul the following day.

Submarine Sargo (SS-188) sinks Japanese transport Kosei Maru east of the Nansei Shoto, 27°40'N, 130°24'E.

U.S. freighter Cape San Juan, bound for Townsville, Australia, is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-21 at 28°08'S, 178°06'W; 16 of the 1,348 embarked troop passengers are killed in the initial explosion and a further 114 drown during the abandonment. Liberty ship Edwin T. Meredith begins picking up survivors, joined later by Allied planes, destroyer McCalla (DD-488), destroyer escort Dempsey (DE-26) and motor minesweeper YMS-241. Edwin T. Meredith attempts to scuttle Cape San Juan with gunfire but the ship will remain afloat for another two days.

Day 1523 of World War II, November 13th 1943

Eastern Front

Having captured Zhitomir, the Soviets began moving north toward Korosten.

Air War over Europe

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 130: 79 of 159 B-17s, 61 of 109 B-24s and 3 of 4 B-17 PFF aircraft hit the port area at Bremen and targets of opportunity in the Kiel-Flensburg area. 100+ aircraft aborted the mission due to weather. Twenty-four B-24s were sent to Bremen with the 576th leading and escorted by 45 P-38s. Fifteen reached the target with 8 having to abort due to mechanical difficulties and 1 because of weather prior to target. Results were not observed. Enemy defenses again were quite heavy and Group losses high. Some 50-75 single and twin-engine fighters pressed home attacks and anti-aircraft fire was some of heaviest and accurate seen on these early missions. The Group lost 4 aircraft; one due to enemy fighters and 3 to flak. An additional 6 B-24s were damaged. Group gunners claimed 7 enemy aircraft, but the unit suffered an additional 43 casualties, 40 crew-members MIA and 3 injured.

Photo: Boeing B-17F radar bombing through clouds over Bremen, Germany, on Nov. 13, 1943



9 RAF Mosquitos attacked Berlin, 8 Oboe Mosquitos were sent to blast furnaces at Bochum. No losses.

HQ 354th Fighter Group and it's 353d, 355th and 356th Fighter Squadrons transferred from Greenham Common to Boxted, England with P-51's. They will fly their first mission on 1 Dec.

Italian Campaign

While the British 8th Army continued its advance, capturing Atessa; General Clark advised Alexander that the US 5th Army's attacks should be halted.

Photo: Close-up of mortar gun. South of Garigliano, Italy. 13 November, 1943



Weather limited air operations to air-sea rescue patrols which were hampered by overcast. In Italy, NATBF light bombers hit Palena and Atina and later bombed Civitavecchia harbor and a road W of Terracina; US XII Air Support Command fighter-bombers, along with RAF DAF airplanes, bombed Giulianova harbor and shipping, roads leading to the battle zone, and landing grounds of Aquino, Frosinone, and Marcigliana; fighters hit train and trucks in the Pescara-Rieti area.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Destroyer HMS 'Dulverton' was in the Aegean north of Rhodes looking for landing forces when she was hit by an Hs293 glider bomb and sank within two hours. There were 109 survivors.

United States

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs a bill into law extending the term of President Manuel Quezon of the Philippines ". . . until the expulsion of the Japanese from the Philippines."

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Foreman (DE-633) during her shakedown cruise, 13 November 1943



Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, a single B-24 mines the Rangoon River during the night of 13/14 Nov.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomons, 17 B-24's pound AA positions, dispersal areas, and runway at Bonis airfield on Bougainville . 6 B-25's carry out a low-level raid on the airfield on Buka. Night fighters harass the Shortland and Kahili Airfield and Bonis Airfield, claiming 4 grounded airplanes destroyed at the latter.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, nearly 120 B-24's and B-25's pound Alexishafen, and P-40's strafe the area. Other B-24's hit Gasmata and Kaukenau and Timoeka.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED EAST INDIES

In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s and RAAF Beaufighters claim the sinking of a small freighter off Tanimbar Island in the Moluccas Islands.

ELLICE ISLAND: Japanese bombers bomb Funafuti Airfield in Funafuti Atoll destroying two aircraft on the ground.

GILBERT ISLANDS

Eighteen USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators, staging through Funafuti and Nanomea airdromes in the Ellice Islands, attack Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, with fifty five 500-pound general purpose bombs and 126 twenty-pound fragmentation bombs. One B-24 is lost to antiaircraft fire. Fires are started and they could be seen up to 60 nautical miles away. This is the first attack in preparation for the upcoming invasion.

USN land-based aircraft of Task Force 57 begin daily bombings of Japanese positions in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. TF 57 consists of six USN land-based units: two bombing squadrons with PB4Y-1s, two patrol squadrons with PBYs, one bombing squadron with PV-1 Venturas and one photographic squadron with PB4Y-1s.

INDIA

Colonel Francis G. Brink is given responsibility for training of the GALAHAD forces, (American long range penetration group), a task previously held by Lieutenant Colonel Charles N. Hunter. On 1 January 1944, the GALAHAD Force is activated as the 5307th Composite Regiment (Provisional).

MARSHALL ISLANDS

USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb Mili Aerodrome in Mili Atoll while USN PB4Y-1s fly photographic reconnaissance missions over Wotje and Maloelap Atolls.

NEAR PANANG, MALAYA

The Japanese submarine I-34 is on a "Yanagi" mission to German-occupied France, the third Japanese Navy submarine to undertake such a mission. The Japanese code name for I-34 is "Momi" (Fir); the Germans code name her the "U-Tanne".

Radio traffic between Tokyo and Berlin concerning the I-34's mission is transmitted in diplomatic code, but is intercepted and deciphered by Allied code-breakers. I-34 is carrying a cargo of raw rubber bales, tungsten, tin, quinine, medicinal opium and samples of Japanese weapons. Also aboard are Rear Admiral Hideo Kojima and two Mitsubishi engineers. Alerted by an "Ultra" special intelligence signal, the British submarine HMS/M Taurus (P339) sights I-34 running on the surface at 14 knots.

At 0730, six torpedoes are fired at the Japanese sub and one hits the starboard side just below her conning tower. She sinks at 100 feet about 16 nautical miles WSW of Penang, Malaya, in position 05.17N, 100.05E. Twenty crewmen in an after section survive the attack and manage to escape through a deck hatch. Of these, 13 are picked up by a native junk and arrive at Penang that evening, but 84 crewmembers are lost. The I-34 is the first Japanese submarine sunk by a British submarine.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

USN submarine USS Narwhal lands men and supplies at Paluan Bay on Mindoro Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

At 0430 hours local, Marine Night Fighter Squadron Five Hundred Thirty One scores its first victory when the crew of PV-1 number 54 shoots down a Betty bomber about 50 nautical miles SW of Torokina Point on Bougainville Island. The standard procedure for intercepts is that the pilot has to fly within 150 to 700 feet to visually identify the unknown aircraft ("bogey") before opening fire; this prevents the accidental shooting down of a
friendly aircraft with a malfunctioning IFF system. This Marine Squadron was commissioned 16 November1942 and is the first Marine night fighter squadron in action.

During the night of 13/14 November, USAAF Thirteenth Air Force P-70 crews begin heckling missions against Bonis Airfield in northern Bougainville and Kahili Airfield in southern Bougainville. Targets in the Shortland Islands are also attacked.

Marine Major General Roy Geiger becomes responsible to Admiral William F. Halsey, Commander South Pacific and Commander Third Fleet, as Vice Admiral Theodore Wilkinson, Commander of the 3rd Amphibious Force, relinquishes command. The 21st Marine Regiment begins an attack for the junction of the Numa Numa Trail with the East-West Trail to ensure the safety of airfield site.

The 129th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division arrives on Bougainville. During a heavy air attack the light cruiser USS Denver is hit by an aerial torpedo which knocks out all power and communications and kills 20 of her crew. The ship has to be towed away for repairs.

PACIFIC

Carrier and land-based aircraft begin daily bombings of Japanese positions in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands.

Japanese aircraft attack TF 39 (Rear Admiral Aaron S. Merrill) off Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, Solomons; light cruiser Denver (CL-58) is damaged by aerial torpedo, 06°45'S, 154°15'E.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies at Paluan Bay, Mindoro, P.I.

Submarine Scorpion (SS-278) damages Japanese oiler Shiretoko northwest of the Marianas, 18°22'N, 142°50'E.

Submarine Trigger (SS-237) sinks Japanese transport Nachizan Maru in East China Sea, 32°55'N, 124°57'E; although damaged by depth charges, she remains on patrol.

Day 1525 of World War II, November 15th 1943

Eastern Front

German forces counterattacking against the Steppe Front recaptured Zhitomir. The attack was now being executed by the elite 48.Panzerkorps (7 divisions in all).

Italian Campaign

The US 5th Army stopped their attacks by order of General Alexander. The German defensive positions were not giving way. The guns were silent along the entire Italian line. The invading armies were exhausted. The plight of the defenders was no better. Both the British and Americans have given their all in the Fifth Army sector. On 5 November the British 56th Infantry Division attacked Monte Camino, a barren 3,000-foot mountain which the Germans had covered with mines and booby-traps. At the half-way point, they faced a series of brutal counter-attacks by the 15.Panzergrenadier Division but held on. They were finally forced to retire through sheer exhaustion. The US VI Corps suffered days of attacking elusive German defenders. It was only then that General Mark Clark gave the order to withdraw.

Map: Summary of U.S. Fifth Army Operations, Italy 12 October to 15 November 1943



SS men rounded up nearly 2,000 Italian workers in the industrial suburbs of Milan and held them as hostages against further sabotage. Even so, explosions continued to rock this northern city and other forms of sabotage have become widespread. Milan's population has already been fined £1 million; more communal punishments have been threatened. Resistance continues to grow against the German occupiers and Fascist collaborators. Six Fascists were killed in ambushes in the Florence district. It was inevitable that Italy's Jewish population should bear the brunt of Nazi fury. At least 7,500 Jews were being rounded up in Rome and herded in trains bound for German death camps. Hundreds more were being sheltered from the Gestapo in Rome's labyrinth of catacombs where Christians once sheltered from persecution.

'U-565' fired a spread of three torpedoes at the convoy TE-16 and heard one hit after 2 minutes 2 seconds, but could not observe the result due to the escorts. At 11.12 hours, the U-boat fired a coup de grâce at a damaged tanker and observed a hit in the stern, but the HMS 'Seminole' remained afloat, was salvaged and repaired.

The HMS 'Quail' (G 45) struck a mine laid on 11 November by 'U-453' off Bari. She was towed into the harbour of Bari but the damage was too extensive to warrant repairs.

Battle of the Mediterranean

B-24's bombed Eleusis airfield in Greece while B-25s attacked the Kalamaki airfield at Athens. P-38s provideed escort. The P-38s from the 82d FG fought off attacks by Bf 109G-6 fighters of IV./JG 27, damaging 6 in addition to downing a Fw 190 and a Ju 87. Bf 109s from IV./JG 27 made claims of 4 P-38s and then 2 hours later of another 10 Lightnings although only 2 P-38s were lost. Lt. James McClure of the 71st FS/ 1st FG was killed. Hptm. Joachim Kirschner of Stab IV./JG 27 claimed to have shot down 3 P-38s during the day plus a B-25 south of Lebadeia. Fw. Heinz Bartels claimed 4 P-38s bringing his score to 70 kills.

German occupied France

The British Special Operations Executive landed six agents in France and took 12, including Francois Mitterrand, back to Britain.

United Kingdom

Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory is made C-in-C of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force.

Pacific War

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force): 20+ B-24's from Canton in the Phoenix and Nanumea bomb Jaluit, Mille, and Makin.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20 B-24's are dispatched against the Hong Kong-Kowloon area. Bad weather prevents 15 bombers from bombing the targets; 5 bomb the docks at Kowloon.

BURMA

On the north Burma front, the Chinese 38th Infantry Division is moving reinforcements forward for the 112th Regiment. The 114th Regiment arrives at the front and is followed in early December by the 113th.
In the 11th Army Group's Fourteenth Army sector, the Japanese take Fort White in IV Corps area, having forced the British to abandon it.

Four A-36's attack an enemy camp at Noye Bun, hitting numerous buildings in the target area with good results. In W Burma, 8, A-36's, 1 B25, and 4 P-51's bomb and strafe Kamaing, starting several fires, while 4 A-36s carry out a similar attack on the Shaduzup-Maingkwan and Kamaing-Hanywet roads; several buildings, hashas, and a jetty hit. Farther S, 6 B-25's and 8 P-51's attack RR bridges N of Shwebo, scoring hits and near misses.
RAF fighters attack enemy oil 'field installations at Nyaunghla, starting fires, and then shoot up 26 river craft on the lower Irrawaddy River. Other aircraft. damage communications in Akyab area and enemy positions in Kalefmyo 'sector.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 20 B-24's strike Buka Airfield. 18 B-24's bomb Kahili; fighter patrols destroy or damage several barges along the coast and destroy 2 fuel dumps at Tonolai. The 72d Bombardment Squadron, 5th BG (Heavy), ceases operating from Guadalcanal and returns to it's base at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides with B-24's. The 106th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), III Reconnaissance Command, arrives on Guadalcanal from the US with B 25's. The squadron will be reassigned to the Thirteenth Air Force on 19 Nov and will fly it's first mission on 30 Jan 44. The 419th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, arrives on Guadalcanal from the US with P-38's and P-70's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on 10 Dec.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): 30+ B-24's pound Alexishafen; 88 B-25's heading for Wewak and Boram with an escort of 16 P-40's are intercepted by Japanese fighters that are escorting bombers attacking Gusap; the resulting battle causes the B-25's to abort the attack; the US airplanes claim 20 of the enemy shot down; 2 P-40's are lost; P-47's claim 5 more aircraft destroyed over Wewak. The 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group transfers from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's.

NEW IRELAND

PBYs on night patrol damage large AK in St. George's Channel and leave it beached: also damage 6,000-ton AK in convoy NE of Rabaul with 2 direct hits.

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

On Bougainville, the beachhead perimeter is expanded to the inland defense line Dog.

PACIFIC

U.S. Advanced Naval Base and Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Funafuti, Ellice Islands, are established.

Submarine Crevalle (SS-291) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Kyokko Maru off San Antonio, Zambales province, 14°53'N, 119°56'E.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands supplies at Nasipit, Mindanao, and evacuates people.