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06/01/43
NAAF
An attack by Wellingtons against Pantelleria during 30 May/1 Jun is
followed by NASAF P-38's and B-17's while NATAF P-40's attack gun
positions on the island during the day. NASAF P-40's strafe seaplane
base on Stagnone I. P-38's bomb railroad near Balestrate. P-38's,
B-26's, and B-25's, bomb Porto Torres harbor, Porto Ponte Romano, and
Olbia harbor.
06/01/43
Fourteenth AF
20 P-40's divebomb warehouses and railroad yards at Changanyi.
06/01/43
Fifth AF
B-25's hit Bogadjim and vicinity. B-24's bomb Lae A/F and nearby
area.
06/01/43
Eleventh AF
2 P-40's, 1 B-24 and 1 F-5A fly weather rcn and photo runs and 8
B-25's, 18 P-38's and 20 P-40's, fly 7 attack missions to Kiska. Tgts
include parked aircraft and installations, runway, gun positions,
radar, and tents on South Head, North Head, Gertrude Cove and Main
camp.
06/02/43
NAAF
During 1/2 Jun, Wellingtons of NASAF hit Pantelleria and drop
pamphlets on Naples. Ftrs and MBs hit the island during following
morning and afternoon. P-38's attack Milo A/F while P-40's strafe
T/Os in Sardinia.
06/02/43
Fourteenth AF
5 B-25's, escorted by 10 P-40's, bomb Pailochi A/F. 18 P-40's strafe
troop barges and launches at Itu and 6 long columns of troops E of
Changyang.
06/02/43
Fifth AF
B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs at Wewak, Boram, Dagua, and Rut. Isolated
shipping strikes result in little damage to vessels and barges.
06/02/43
Thirteenth AF
2 B-24's on armed rcn attack gun positions, cargo boats, and shipping
at Numa Numa and Tinputs.
06/03/43
NAAF
Ftrs, LBs, and MBs of NASAF and NATAF attack defended positions on
Pantelleria following a raid on town area and docks by Wellingtons
during 2/3 Jun.
06/03/43
Ninth AF
Col Charles D McAllister assumes cmd of IX FC, succeeding Gen
Strickland. At the same time McAllister assumes cmd of DATF.
06/03/43
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb supply dump area at Dobo. Other tgts attacked in NEI
suffer little damage.
06/03/43
Thirteenth AF
During 3/4 Jun, B-17's bomb Kahili A/F and Moliko R area. B-24's
attack small vessels at Tinputs and Teop, sinking 1 and firing the
other.
06/03/43
Eleventh AF
Weathered out from Kiska are 3 weather missions flown by 2 B-24's and
2 P-40's, as well as 2 attack missions by 2 HBs and 6 ftrs.
06/04/43
NAAF
During 3/4 Jun, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Syracuse, Catanzaro, and
Pantelleria, which is also hit on the following day by ftrs, LBs,
MBs, and HBs, of NASAF and NATAF.
06/04/43
Ninth AF
B-24's attack Grottaglie A/F, leaving hangars and other building in
flames. Gunners claim 3 ftrs shot down.
06/04/43
Fifth AF
B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs at Boram, Wewak, and Dagua. B-25's hit
Koepang and Lautem.
06/04/43
Eleventh AF
404th Bomb Sq begins to operate from Amchitka. 6 B-24's following a
Navy Ventura make a radar-bombing run over North Head. 14 P-40's and
P-38's bomb North Head, Main Camp and Little Kiska. 4 P-38's and 1
B-24 flying air cover over Attu make no enemy contact.
06/05/43
NAAF
During 4/5 Jun, Wellingtons hit docks and town area of Pantelleria.
The following day, B-25's and P-38's extend the attack on the island,
hitting mainly gun positions. B-17's hit harbor and shipping at La
Spezia. B-26's bomb Porto Ponte Romano while P-38's hit A/Fs of
Monserrato and Capoterra.
06/05/43
Ninth AF
During early morning, RAF HRs, under IX BC control, attack Catania
harbor.
06/05/43
Fourteenth AF
P-40's strafe troop columns near Peiyang and hit barge and boat NW of
Yoyang.
06/05/43
Eleventh AF
7 B-24's, 6 B-25's, and 6 P-40's fly weather rcn and radar-bombing
missions over Kiska, being handicapped by poor weather and mechanical
trouble.
06/06/43
NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons hit town and docks of Pantelleria during 5/6 Jun.
The following afternoon, Spitfires, P-40's, P-38's, B-26's, A-20's,
DB-7's, A-36's, and B-25's of NASAF and NATAF continue pounding the
island. Allied air bombardment increases and is concentrated on
coastal batteries and other gun emplacements as second phase of air
offensive against Pantelleria starts.
06/06/43
Ninth AF
B-24's strike harbor areas of Villa San Giovanni and Reggio di
Calabria, and ferry slips and railroad yards at Messina. Gunners
claim 8 ftrs destroyed. B-25's of 2 Gps hit Pantelleria.
06/06/43
Fourteenth AF
5 P-40's strafe trucks, barracks, and personnel at Tangyang; at least
15 trucks are burned and considerable damage is done to the barracks
area. 11 P-40's hit approaches to bridge at Puchi. 2 locomotives in
the area are destroyed. 10 other P-40's attack Shasi A/F and hit
river shipping in the general area. 7 B-25's bomb A/F at Pailochi.
06/06/43
Fifth AF
B-24's hit town of Koepang and A/F at Penfoei.
06/06/43
Thirteenth AF
P-38's, P-40's, and Navy and Marine ftrs and dive bmrs attack
shipping off Buin, scoring damaging hits on a destroyer and 2 smaller
vessels. 15 Japanese airplanes are claimed shot down. Other P-38's
and P-40's strafe Luti Bay area of Choiseul I.
06/07/43
Eighth AF
Eighth AF continues to be hit by requirements for N Africa as 389th
Bomb Gp, originally scheduled for UK, is diverted by WD to
Mediterranean.
06/07/43
NAAF
Following night raid by Wellingtons on Pantelleria, HBs, MBs, LBs,
and ftrs of NASAF and NATAF pound the island throughout the
afternoon.
06/07/43
Ninth AF
B-25's bomb gun emplacements at Pantelleria A/Fs.
06/07/43
Fifth AF
B-17's and B-24's attack Wewak, Lae, Madang, and Kesup, hitting town
areas and A/Fs, and strafe sampans on Sepik R.
06/07/43
Thirteenth AF
P-38's and P-40's along with RNZAF P-40's and Navy and Marine ftrs,
intercept large force of ftr-escorted dive bmrs on mission against
Allied shipping off Guadalcanal. Ftrs from the newly opened Russell
Is bases initiate the interception. A running fight develops and
extends down to Guadalcanal. More than 20 Japanese aircraft are
downed. 9 Allied ftrs are lost but all the pilots are recovered.
06/08/43
NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons pound town and docks on Pantelleria during 7/8 Jun.
Air offensive against the island increase during the following day as
ftrs, LBs, MBs, and HBs of NASAF and NATAF continue to bomb
throughout the day. Naval forces bombard harbor and shore batteries.
Surrender requests, dropped by airplane, bring no response. P-38's
attack barracks N of Segariu and A/F at Villacidro.
06/08/43
Ninth AF
RAF HBs bomb Mesina ferry terminal. B-25's of 2 gps hit Pantelleria,
directing major effort at gun emplacements.
06/08/43
Fourteenth AF
7 B-24's and 6 B-25's, with P-40 escorts, are dispatched to bomb
shipping and dock installations at Haiphong. Bad weather prevents
striking the primary tgts; alternates, including Hongay shipping,
rail yard, and power facilities, Gia Lam A/F and warehouses E of
Hanoi are bombed. P-40's bomb and strafe Japanese HQ at Tatung,
barracks E of Lamaing on the Salween R, and a camp N of Lungling.
06/08/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb Koepang and hit area SE of Dili. B-24's unsuccessfully
attack shipping at Waingapoe and off Wewak.
06/08/43
Thirteenth AF
B-24's on armed rcn bomb Kahili A/F and Ballale I.
06/08/43
Eleventh AF
A C-47 is the first AAF airplane to land at Attu, landing ftr crews
at Alexai Pt. All other flying canceled due to weather.
06/09/43
NAAF
Ftrs, MBs, and HBs of NASAF continue pounding of Pantelleria in
predawn hours and during the afternoon."
06/09/43
Ninth AF
B-24's bomb landing ground at Gerbini and A/F at Catania. B-25's hit
Pantelleria. Ftrs escort bmrs and fly patrols and ftr sweeps.
06/09/43
Fourteenth AF
6 P-40's damage railroad bridge at Puchi and strafe nearby railroad
yards.
06/09/43
Fifth AF
2 B-24's bomb town area of Manokwari and A/F at Nabire. A lone B-17
bombs Unea I.
06/09/43
Thirteenth AF
B-24's on rcn attack small vessel WNW of Cape Henpan. B-17's, P-40's,
and P-38's pound A/F at Munda and Vila.
06/10/43
Eighth AF
CCS issues directive through C/AS, RAF, marking official beginning of
CBO of USAAF and RAF against sources of German war power. RAF is to
bomb strategic city areas at night, and American force to hit precise
tgts by daylight. CCS sanctions Combined Operational Planning
Committee as the agency for coordinating the efforts of the CBO
forces.
06/10/43
NAAF
Following attacks during 9/10 Jun by FBs, NASAF and NATAF aircraft
(ftrs, LBs, MBs, and HBs) maintain all-day attack on Pantelleria.
Over 1,000 sorties are flown.
06/10/43
Ninth AF
B-25's, escorted by ftrs, bomb Pantelleria. The escorting ftrs
dive-bomb tgts on the island. Later, RAF HBs attack Reggio di
Calabria A/F.
06/10/43
Fourteenth AF
9 P-40's on armed rcn strafe 10 barges and a gunboat at Chienli; 1
barge is set aflame. 10 P-40's intercept about 25 airplanes over
Hengyang; 1 enemy bmr is shot down.
06/10/43
Fifth AF
More than 20 B-17's and B-24's pound A/Fs in the Rabaul area. A
single B-24 bombs town of Sorong and shipping at Kokas.
06/10/43
Thirteenth AF
P-38's and Navy ftrs claim 4 aircraft downed off N tip of Malaita I.
B-17's and B-24's pound A/F at Kahili twice during the day.
06/10/43
Eleventh AF
7 B-24's, 8 B-25's, 12 P-40's, and 2 F-5A's fly weather rcn, attack,
and photo missions to Kiska and Little Kiska. Tgts include gun
batteries, runway, North Head and Main Camp.
06/11/43
Eighth AF
168 aircraft of VIII BC hit Wilhelmshaven U-boat yards. Smaller raid
is made on port area of Cuxhaven. The raid on Wilhelmshaven
demonstrates difficulty of operating beyond range of ftr escort as
enemy ftr attacks prevent accurate bombing of the tgt.
06/11/43
NAAF
Attack during 10/11 Jun on Pantelleria by Wellingtons is followed by
morning and afternoon attacks by ftrs and bmrs of NAAF, in
conjunction with naval bombardment of the island."
06/11/43
Ninth AF
B-25's attack islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa. Ftrs escort the
MBs to Pantelleria and fly over during bomb runs. After British 1st
Div is landed unopposed, Pantelleria surrenders unconditionally.
06/11/43
Fourteenth AF
8 P-40's hit ramp on the Salween R, trucks at Mangshih, and
warehouses at Tungling.
06/11/43
Fifth AF
B-24's again bomb A/F in Rabaul and hit T/Os at Gasmata and along
shore of Keravia Bay. B-25's pound areas along Huon Gulf coast,
hitting Kela Pt, Salamaua, and bridge at Nuk Nuk. Koepang is
thoroughly blasted by B-24's while Penfoei and Dili A/Fs are hit by
light B-25 attacks. P-40's strafe sub off Cape Nelson.
06/11/43
Eleventh AF
7 B-24's, 8 B-25's, 10 P-40's, 4 P-38's, and 2 F-5A's fly weather,
photo, rcn, and attack missions to Kiska. Main tgts are Gertrude Cove
and Main Camp, South Head, North Head, runway, and offshore barges.
Ftr bombing and strafing, and subsequent bmr runs over emplacements,
are effectively coordinated."
06/12/43
NAAF
NASAF and NATAF ftrs, LBs, MBs, and HBs hit Lampedusa I. B-17's and
B-26's bomb Castelvetrano, Boccadifalco, and Milo A/Fs.
06/12/43
Ninth AF
B-25's, escorted by P-40's, attack Lampedusa I. The island surrenders
unconditionally, and Coldstream Gds go ashore and take charge.
06/12/43
Fifth AF
B-24's hit runways at Nabire and Kaimana. A lone B-25 bombs and
strafes barges S of Langemak Bay."
06/12/43
Thirteenth AF
AAF ftrs, along with RNZAF, USN, and USMC ftrs, claim over 30
aircraft shot down during interception of enemy strike on
Guadalcanal. 6 Allied ftrs are lost.
06/13/43
Eighth AF
102 HBs hit Bremen U-boat yards while a smaller force strikes at Kiel
sub yards. Heaviest ftr attack to date against Eighth accounts for 26
HBs, mostly of force attacking Kiel.
06/13/43
NAAF
NATAF and NACAF carry out land and sea patrols and rcn flights. NW
African Photo Ren Wg covers areas of Sardinia, Sicily, and Italian
mainland.
06/13/43
Twelfth AF
Gen House becomes CG XII A Spt Cmd.
06/13/43
Ninth AF
US and RAF HBs attack Catania and Gerbini A/Fs, causing severe damage
to aircraft, runways, hangars, and other installations. HBs claim 5
ftrs. 2 B-24's are down at sea."
06/13/43
Tenth AF
9 B-25's attack Meza railway bridge on Mandalay Myitkyina line,
causing minor damage.
06/13/43
Fourteenth AF
11 B-25's supported by 14 P-40's, bomb hangars and depot area at
Nanchang A/F.
06/13/43
Fifth AF
B-17's and B-24's bomb A/Fs in Rabaul area and at Gasmata. B-25's hit
Dili and Koepang and bomb and strafe barges off Huon Peninsula, at
Jabob I, off Cape Gerhards, and S of Cape Cretin. Single B-24's bomb
Malahang A/F and attack freighter in Humboldt Bay.
06/13/43
Thirteenth AF
B-24's and B-17's again bomb Kahili A/F.
06/14/43
NAAF
During 13/14 Jun NASAF Wellingtons bomb Messina. Other NASAF and
NATAF airplanes continue patrols and rcn. NW African Photo Rcn Wg
maintains flights over Sardinia and Sicily."
06/14/43
Fourteenth AF
8 P-40's intercept about 8 bmrs and 20 ftrs 25 mi SW of Nanchang. The
P-40's claim 7 ftrs shot down."
06/14/43
Fifth AF
A single B-24 bombs Lakunai A/F at Rabaul
06/14/43
Thirteenth AF
18 B-25's, escorted by F-4U's, hit Vila A/F. 11 B-17's and B-24's
bomb Kahili A/F and hit nearby Shortland I.
06/14/43
Seventh AF
1 B-24 from Funafuti bombs runways at Tarawa.
06/15/43
Eighth AF
Additional modifications of YB-40 escort bmrs are completed in UK. It
is now hoped that these B-17's converted to heavily armored aircraft
with great firepower will solve the problem of long-range escort for
bmrs.
06/15/43
NAAF
During 14/15 Jun, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Milo, Sciacca,
Castelvetrano, and Boccadifalco A/Fs. B-17's, B-25's, B-26's, and
P-38's follow during morning hours with raids on same tgts and hit Bo
Rizzo A/F and radio stations near Marsala. Widespread photo rcn of
mainland Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia continues.
06/15/43
Twelfth AF
Col Harold A Barton takes cmd of XII AFSC.
06/15/43
Tenth AF
MBs score 2 direct hits on bridge at Myitnge.
06/15/43
Fourteenth AF
10 B-25's, escorted by 12 P-40's, spt Chinese ground forces by
bombing positions at Owchihkow."
06/15/43
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb A/Fs at Rabaul in predawn strikes and hit Kendari A/F in
the evening. A single B-25 attacks power boat in Hanisch Harbor and
strafes beach near Finschhafen."
06/15/43
Thirteenth AF
B-24's bomb Ballale I A/F.
06/16/43
NAAF
NW African Photo Rcn Wg continues coverage of areas of mainland
Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia.
06/16/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb Koepang and Oeikoesi and, along with A-20's, hit barges
and shore tgts at several points along coasts of NE New Guinea and
New Britain.
06/16/43
Thirteenth AF
Gen Jamison becomes CG XIII BC. Search aircraft report nearly 250
Japanese airplanes at Rabaul and other A/Fs jammed with aircraft. In
air action in the Solomons, about 120 Japanese aircraft converging on
Allied vessels off Tulagi and Guadalcanal are met by more than 100
Allied ftrs (Thirteenth AF, RNZAF, USN, and USMC). The skies over
Savo I, Tulagi, Cape Esperance, and Koli Pt are filled with dogfights
and flak from ship and ground guns. The battle results in the largest
single-day Allied aerial victory of the Solomons campaign. 79
airplanes are claimed shot down by Allied ftrs, and AA claims 17
more. 6 Allied ftrs are lost. The Japanese succeed in damaging 3
ships (2 of which have to be beached) and cause considerable
destruction on Guadalcanal.
06/17/43
NAAF
During 16/17 Jun, Wellingtons bomb docks and M/Y at Naples.
06/17/43
Ninth AF
B-24's attack A/Fs at Biscari and Comiso.
06/17/43
Fourteenth AF
P-40's strafe warehouse and train S of Chiuchiang and a train N of
Nanchang. Road traffic E of Hanoi is also attacked.
06/17/43
Fifth AF
B-25's administer thorough pounding to Madang and Salamaua areas.
B-24's bomb Sorong and Boela. A single B-24 bombs Cape Gloucester A/F
and during 17/18 Jun a B-25 attacks power launches nearby, sinking 1
and badly damaging 2 more.
06/17/43
Seventh AF
During 17/18 Jun, 4 B-24's take off from Funafuti at 2hr intervals to
bomb Tarawa. 1 aborts and another fails to find tgt. The 2 HBs
bombing the tgt hit runways, silence an AA battery, and blow up an
ammo dump. The raid is a diversion in spt of the first night
photo-rcn mission by VII BC, during which 3 B-24's photograph Mille
Atoll and nearby waters in the Marshalls.
06/18/43
NAAF
B-17's strike Messina ferry slip and railroad yards while P-38's bomb
Milo A/F. B-26's and B-25's, with P-38 escort, hit docks and shipping
at Olbia and shipping at Golfo Aranci. NATAF and NACAF airplanes
maintain patrol and rcn flights. NAAF aircraft claim over 40 aircraft
destroyed.
06/18/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb and strafe power launches off Cape Gloucester and
Finschhafen, sinking 1 and damaging 2 near the Cape. A single B-17
bombs Unea I while an A-20 on armed rcn during 18/19 Jun bombs and
strafes Salamaua and nearby coastal areas.
06/18/43
Thirteenth AF
B-24's bomb Kahili A/F while B-25's hit Ballale I and strafe barges
in Wilson Strait.
06/19/43
NAAF
During 18/19 Jun, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Syracuse. NATAF, NACAF, and
NW African Photo Rcn Wg airplanes maintain patrols and rcn over areas
of N Africa the Mediterranean, Sicily, Sardinia and mainland Italy.
06/19/43
Ninth AF
B-24's attack ferry and railroad yards at Villa San Giovanni, ferries
in Straits of Messina, and harbor of Reggio di Calabria.
06/19/43
Fifth AF
B-17's and B-24's thoroughly pound Vunakanau A/F. A-20's hit barges
in Hanisch Harbor and trail near village of Tamigudu. Single B-24's
bomb Finschhafen area and Rapopo airstrip.
06/19/43
Thirteenth AF
During 18/19 Jun, B-24's bomb Nauru.
06/19/43
Seventh AF
During 18/19 Jun, 2 B-24's fly photo rcn of Jaluit from Funafuti.
06/20/43
NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb Messina during 19/20 Jun. The following
morning B-26's bomb Milo, Castelvetrano and Bo Rizzo A/Fs. NATAF and
NACAF maintain patrols, rcn, and convoy escort while NW African Photo
Rcn Wg continues coverage of areas in Sicily and mainland Italy.
06/20/43
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb airstrip at Rapopo, and A/Fs at Keravat and Rabaul, and
also hit Rabaul town area. A-20's pound Lae A/F. 2 B-25's and an A-20
hit Finschhafen and barges and shoreline tgts along coast of New
Britain.
06/20/43
Thirteenth AF
P-40's join Marine and Navy airplanes in strike against Vila A/F.
Hits are scored on runway and dump area. B-24's blast A/F and other
tgts at Kahili and also bomb Kieta.
06/20/43
Seventh AF
During 19/20 Jun, 3 B-24's from Funafuti fly photo rcn of Jaluit.
06/21/43
NAAF
Wellingtons bomb Naples during 20/21 Jun. The following day, B-17's
hit Naples railroad yards, Salerno M/Y and trestle, Battipaglia M/Y,
and Cancello Arnone air depot. Ftrs fly patrol, rcn, and convoy
escort.
06/21/43
Ninth AF
B-24's attack ferry terminal and surrounding areas at Villa San
Giovanni, and harbor area and railroad yards at Reggio di Calabria.
RAF HBs follow up with raids on same tgts.
06/21/43
Fourteenth AF
7 B-25's, with escort of 8 P-40's, bomb village of Shihshow. 8 other
B-25's, supported by 9 P-40's, are dispatched to attack Japanese-held
village of Hwajung but mistakenly bomb friendly village of Nanhsien,
killing over 50 Chinese.
06/21/43
Fifth AF
In predawn strike B-25's bomb Koepang. A-20's bomb and strafe A/Fs at
Lae and Malahang while B-25's blast A/F and general area at Salamaua.
A single B-24 bombs MacDonald's Junction and strafes T/Os along coast
S of Buka.
06/21/43
Seventh AF
1 HB carries out armed photo rcn over Nonouti, Beru, and Nukunau Is.
06/21/43
Eleventh AF
A ftr strip is completed at Shemya. All missions are canceled due to
weather for tenth straight day.
06/22/43
Eighth AF
In first large-scale daylight raid on Ruhr, 182 HBs hit chemical
works and synthetic rubber plant at Huls in main attack. This plant,
representing a large percentage of the country's producing capacity,
is severely damaged. 11 YB-40's accompany the Huls raid; 1 is lost.
Other HBs bomb former Ford and General Motors plants at Antwerp.
06/22/43
NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb Salerno during 21/22 Jun. NACAF Beaufighters
sink small vessel off E Sardinia.
06/22/43
Ninth AF
P-40's patrol over Pantelleria; no encounters with enemy.
06/22/43
Tenth AF
HBs join MBs in pounding Ywataung M/Y. Monywa is also thoroughly
bombed.
06/22/43
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Taberfane area.
06/22/43
Seventh AF
3 B-24's from Canton I fly photo rcn of Beru, Nukunau, Tabiteuea,
Onotoa, Tarawa, and Arorae. 1 of the HBs strafes Arorae.
06/22/43
Eleventh AF
A P-40 sights a submarine 5 mi E of Zeto Pt. A B-24 then searches the
area but makes no contact.
06/23/43
NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb town of Olbia and lay mines in the harbor
during 22/23 Jun. Photo rcn airplanes continue missions, flying over
areas of mainland Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and S coast of
France.
06/23/43
Ninth AF
RAF B-24's, under IX BC, hit Comiso A/F. Ftrs patrol over Pantelleria
without incident.
06/23/43
Fifth AF
17 B-24's bomb shipping, dock area, factory and residential areas of
Makassar. 2 light cruisers are damaged and many buildings along
Juliana Quay and in town area are damaged or demolished. A single
B-24 or armed rcn bombs Lae A/F."
06/23/43
Thirteenth AF
B-25's and Navy ftrs and dive bmrs hit Buki village.
06/24/43
NAAF
During 23/24 Jun, Wellingtons strike Catania M/Y and industrial area.
The following day, B-26's and B-25's bomb Chilivani rail junction,
Alghero-Fertilia and Venafiorita A/Fs, and Golfo Aranci shipping and
shore installations and other tgts in Sardinia. P-40's sweep S
Sardinia, strafing and destroying trucks near La Maddalena, 2 small
vessels in Gulf of Cagliari and off Capo Spartivento, and aircraft at
Capoterra landing ground.
06/24/43
Ninth AF
B-24's strike Sedhes A/F near Salonika.
06/24/43
Tenth AF
B-25's attack road bridge at Shweli. Damage to tgt is slight.
06/24/43
Fifth AF
B-25's strafe and considerably damage Salamaua A/F and bomb villages
in the area, demolishing 2 villages."
06/24/43
Seventh AF
3 HBs from Funafuti fly visual rcn of Nonouti, Tabiteuea, Onotoa,
Tamana I, Arorae, and Abemama. 2 other HBs fly sea-search mission
from Canton I.
06/24/43
Eleventh AF
16 bmrs fly 2 weather, an armed rcn, and 2 attack missions hitting
barges near Vega Pt Main Camp area, and North Head.
06/25/43
Eighth AF
167 HBs make scattered attacks on T/Os in NW Germany when primary
tgts at Bremen and Hamburg are obscured by clouds. Of 7 YB-40 escort
bmrs dispatched only 4 are able to accompany formations to tgt area.
06/25/43
NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb docks and M/Y at Olbia during 24/25 Jun. On
following day B-17's drop over 300 tons of bombs on Messina bombing
M/Y, W and N part of town warehouse area and part of commercial quay.
06/25/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb and strafe several occupied villages in Sepu area.
06/25/43
Thirteenth AF
During 24/25 Jun B-24's attack Kahili area and hit A/F on Buka I.
During the following day B-25's, escorted by P-40's, hit runway at
Vila, A/F.
06/25/43
Eleventh AF
2 photo and weather rcn missions by 2 B-24's and 6 attack missions by
25 B-25's, 12 B-24's, and 2 P-38's hit Kiska. Tgts include gun
revetments at Gertrude Cove and AA batteries.
06/26/43
Eighth AF
93d bomb Gp leaves UK for N African duty as demands for planned heavy
bombardment in that area (invasion of Sicily and raid on Ploesti)
make further inroads on strength of the Eighth. AM Leigh-Mallory is
given responsibility for drafting air plans for invasion of
Continent. His dep is Gen Hansell. 39 HBs hit Triqueville A/F.
Smaller group strikes aircraft industry at Villacoublay. 5 YB-40
escort bmrs take off to accompany HBs but none are able to complete
the attack.
06/26/43
NAAF
Wellingtons bomb Bari oil refinery during 25/26 Jun. 33d Ftr Gp
(P-40) becomes first Gp established on Pantelleria.
06/26/43
Ninth AF
During 25,/26 Jun RAF HBs, under IX BC control, bomb Messina.
06/26/43
Fifth AF
During predawn and early morning hrs B-24's and B-17's bomb A/F and
harbor at Rabaul and town of Lae. During midday B-25's hit Lae A/F
and town of Salamaua. In early evening B-25's bomb Penfoei.
06/26/43
Thirteenth AF
During 25/26 Jun, B-24's pound Ballale I A/F and bomb
Poporang-Buin-Faisi area. P-38's strafe Rekata Bay area.
06/26/43
Eleventh AF
16 bmrs and 28 ftrs fly 7 attack, weather rcn and photo missions to
Kiska and Little Kiska, starting fires. Intense machinegun fire
damages 4 P-38's.
06/27/43
Eighth AF
44th Bomb Gp leaves for duty in N Africa as Eighth continues to send
combat units to the Mediterranean campaign.
06/27/43
NAAF
During 26,/27 Jun, Wellingtons bomb Naples M/Y and port area.
06/27/43
Ninth AF
Beginning this date, 201 st Bomb Wg (Prov)--93d, 44th, and 389th bomb
Gps--of Eighth AF is attached to Ninth AF for operations. B-24's hit
A/Fs at Kalamaki and Eleusis, damaging buildings, runways, and parked
airplanes. HBs claim 7 ftrs shot down.
06/27/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb and strafe occupied areas at Dumpu, Kaigulin, and Kaiapit
while A-20's strafe barges and shore installations at Labu Lagoon.
B-24's hit Taka, Saumlakki, Boeroe I, and Malo I.
06/27/43
Thirteenth AF
B-24's bomb Kahili A/F and hit Ballale I. A single HB on armed rcn
bombs Munda A/F.
06/27/43
Eleventh AF
8 B-24's make a radar run over Kiska but return with their bombs due
to weather. Later, 5 B-24's and 7 B-25's bomb Kiska Main Camp area
and vicinity N of Salmon Lagoon. 14 B--25's bomb Gertrude Cove, camp
areas, and North Head, while 7 others abort due to weather. 2 P-40's
fly rcn over Segula I but overcast prevents observations.
06/28/43
Eighth AF
158 HBs bomb locks and submarine pens at Saint-Nazaire.
Beaumont-le-Roger is hit by smaller attack."
06/28/43
NAAF
During 27/28 Jun NASAF Wellingtons bomb Messina M/Ys and Villa San
Giovanni. The following day, B-17's hit Leghorn, B-25's hit A/Fs near
Olbia and Alghero, B-26's attack Milis landing ground, and ftrs hit
Decimomannu A/F.
06/28/43
Seventh AF
Bombing mission against Nauru from Funafuti is hampered by engine
trouble and bad weather. 1 B-24 had crashed at Palmyra the previous
day while en route from Hawaiian Is to staging base at Funafuti. Of
the 18 arriving at the forward base, 2 are released from duty because
of engine trouble, 2 crash on takeoff, and 8 are grounded after
second crash. 6 HBs are airborne for the mission, 2 abort, 2 fail to
find Nauru because of heavy front, and 2 drop bombs on the island,
with unobserved results.
06/28/43
Eleventh AF
6 B-25's bomb Gertrude Cove, Little Kiska and southern Main Camp area
through holes in overcast. Mission is partly ineffective because of
faulty bomb-release mechanisms.
06/29/43
Eighth AF
76 HBs attack aero-engine works at Le Mans. Heavy cloud over tgt
prevents attack by most of the 232 planes dispatched. No planes are
lost. Both of the 2 YB-40's dispatched as escorts are forced to
abort. The lack of success of the YB-40's in this and previous
missions in Jun 43 convinces Gen Eaker, CG, that if the escort bmr is
to succeed it must be able to carry bombs and must be endowed with
the same flight performance as the B-17.
06/29/43
NAAF
Wellingtons during 28/29 Jun raid ferry slips and M/Y at Messina.
Photo rcn airplanes cover areas in N and S Italy, E Sicily, Sardinia
Corsica, and S France.
06/29/43
Ninth AF
RAF HBs hit Reggio di Calabria A/F. P-40's patrol sea off Cap Bon
area; no incidents.
06/29/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb and strafe strong points along Bitoi R and A-20's pound
supply dump on S side of Nassau Bay in preparation for allied
amphibious landings which are to begin during 29/30 Jun. A lone B-24
bombs building area W of Parsee Pt near Salamaua. Other B-24's bomb
Nabire.
06/30/43
Eighth AF
VIII FC becomes independent of RAF operational control. All ftr gps
are placed under control of 65th Ftr Wg.
06/30/43
NAAF
During 29/30 Jun over 60 Wellingtons hit area NW of Cape San Marco
and M/Y and surrounding area at Messina. The following day, B-17's
bomb Palermo and Boccadifalco A/F, B-25's hit Sciacca A/F and B-26's
strike Bo Rizzo A/F. NACAF airplanes sink 2 schooners off S and E
Sardinia and damage vessel off W coast of Italy.
06/30/43
Ninth AF
P-40's fly escort for a sea rescue airplane 35 mi N of Cap Bon.
06/30/43
Fifth AF
Allied amphibious forces begin landings, unopposed, at Nassau Bay
during 29/30 Jun. Forces push N and S toward Bitoi R and Tabali
Creek, respectively. Troops make contact with enemy forces in Cape
Dinga area S of Nassau Bay. Australians open assault on Bobdubi Ridge
and maintain pressure on enemy in Mubo area. B-25's pound Bobdubi
Ridge in spt of the assault and hit forces at Logui and Salamaua.
B-25's also bomb A/F at Cape Chater. B-24's and B-17's bomb Rabaul
A/F. 1 HB scores hit on cargo vessel off Cape Gloucester.
06/30/43
Thirteenth AF
Invasion of New Georgia begins with amphibious landings by Army and
Marine forces on nearby Rendova I. Subsidiary landings take place at
other points in the New Georgia area. Thirteenth AF and other allied
ftrs cover the landings. At 1100 30-plus Zeros attack the beachhead;
Allied ftrs intercept, claiming 16 shot down. At 1500 a large force
of ftrs, dive bmrs, and torpedo-carrying bmrs attack the vessels of
the TF which is handling the landings. F-4U's, F-4F's and AA down all
the torpedo-carrying bmrs as they attack vessels. However, a torpedo
strikes the flagship McCawley amidship, severely damaging the vessel
(later mistakenly sunk by US PT boats). Early in the evening about 30
more Japanese aircraft return to the assault area. Allied ftrs claim
18 of these shot down. B-25's and Navy dive bmrs bomb Munda A/F. B-24
strike on Kahili aborts because of bad weather.
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