05/01/43
Eighth AF
56 HBs in 2 waves strike Saint-Nazaire U-boat base and shipyard.
05/01/43
NAAF
NASAF B-26's and P-38's fly uneventful shipping sweeps. NATAF ftrs
and LBs hit shipping in Gulf of Tunis and jetties at Sidi Daoud and
Kelibia, and attack position in NE Tunisian battle area as Allied
ground forces regroup for final Tunisian offensive.
05/01/43
Ninth AF
B-24's bomb harbor at Reggio di Calabria. P-40's bomb and strafe
shipping and shore installations on NE Tunisian coastline.
05/01/43
Fourteenth AF
Forward echelon of Fourteenth AF, under Col Clinton D Vincent and Lt
Col David L ('Tex') Hill, moves into E China along the
Hengyang-Kweilin line. This brings US aircraft within range of all
major Japanese-held bases from N China to Indochina and Thailand, and
makes shipping in China Sea more vulnerable to US air strikes.
05/01/43
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb landing strip at Nabire and hit vessel in Manokwari
harbor.
05/01/43
Eleventh AF
16 attack missions on Kiska and Attu are flown by 16 B-24's, 15
B-25's, 35 P-38's, 38 P-40's, and 4 F-5A's. Kiska tgts include Main
Camp, hangar, submarine base (where fire is started), runway, radar,
ship, North Head, AA guns and Gertrude Cove. Attu tgts include E
Attu, Holtz Bay and Chichagof Harbor installations.
05/01/43
ZI
I BC (inactivated on 15 Oct 42) is activated and assigned to Second
AF as a trg organization for bomb units.
05/02/43
NAAF
Bad weather restricts NASAF to rcn missions. NATAF ftrs hit tank and
troop concentrations near Massicault and Tebourba and fly battle area
rcn as US II Corps occupies Kef en Nsour while enemy withdraws toward
Bizerte.
05/02/43
Ninth AF
P-40's attack shipping off Tunisian coast.
05/02/43
Fourteenth AF
17 P-40's intercept 30-40 ftrs near Lingling and in a running battle
to just N of Changsha claim at least 7 Zeroes downed. 1 P-40 is shot
down.
05/02/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb Penfoei. Others unsuccessfully attack vessel off Toeal. A
single B-17 bombs dock area at Finschhafen.
05/02/43
Thirteenth AF
B-17's on harassing strikes hit Rekata Bay area and Munda A/F. P-38's
and P-39's join Navy aircraft in pounding runway area at Munda.
05/02/43
Eleventh AF
6 B-25's, 8 P-40's, and 8 P-38's fly bombing, photo and attack
missions to Kiska. Tgts include North Head, South Head and buildings
and AA gun batteries on Gertrude Cove.
05/03/43
Iceland
Gen Andrews, CG ETOUSA, is killed in aircraft crash while landing.
05/03/43
NAAF
NASAF B-25's bomb landing ground near Protville and B-17's hit
shipping at Bizerte. NATAF ftrs fly numerous rcn missions over battle
area as Mateur falls to US 1st Armd Div. Other ftrs escort NASAF
bmrs. FBs bomb Massicault area.
05/03/43
Ninth AF
P-40's fly FB missions against bridge, buildings, and docks in NE
Tunisia.
05/03/43
Fifth AF
B-25's strafe A/F at Gasmata. A B-17 strafes launches N of Lolobau I,
claiming 1 boat sunk.
05/03/43
Thirteenth AF
P-40's and P-38's join Navy dive bmrs and ftrs in attacks on
buildings and AA positions in Rekata Bay area.
05/03/43
Eleventh AF
7 B-24's, 11 B-25's, 20 P-38's, 27 P-40's and 2 F-5A's participate in
a weather rcn mission to Attu and in 9 attack missions to Kiska.
Kiska tgts include Main Camp, North Head, radar, and runway.
05/04/43
Eighth AF
65 HBs strike former Ford and General Motors plants at Antwerp. With
this mission, P-47's begin providing ftr escort up to 175 mi. More
than 30 B-17's and B-24's fly successful diversionary feint toward
French coast, arousing more than 100 German ftrs (about half of total
number in the region) and keeping many of them airborne long enough
to prevent their attacking main effort.
05/04/43
NAAF
Weather restricts NASAF operations to rcn and uneventful shipping
sweep, NATAF ftrs attack gun positions and vehicles near Zaghouan and
Massicault and at other points in surrounding areas. LBs and MBs hit
Zaghouan in spt of French adv."
05/04/43
Ninth AF
B-24's attack shipping at Reggio di Calabria and Taranto. B-25's hit
Zaghouan, including landing ground and road running to Bou Ficha.
P-40's fly sea patrol and escort, as well as FB missions in Zaghouan
area.
05/04/43
Fourteenth AF
18 B-24's bomb dock installations, coal yards, and oil storage area
at Samah on Hainan I. 9 B-25's pound docks at Haiphong. 19 P-40's
escort HBs and MBs to Hanoi and then proceed with MBs to Haiphong and
strafe the tgt area following the bombing strike.
05/04/43
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Babo and town area, harbor, and shipping at Wewak. Single
B-24's hit barges off N coast of New Britain.
05/04/43
Thirteenth AF
B-17's fly snooper strikes during 3/4 May against Vila A/F and Rekata
Bay area. P-40's join Navy aircraft in strike on Vangavanga.
05/04/43
Eleventh AF
36th Bomb Sq begins to operate from Amchitka. 5 B-24's, 6 B-25's, 8
P-38's, 2 P-40's and 2 F-5A's take off on 2 Kiska and 1 Attu
missions. Missions to Kiska abort due to weather. At Attu tgts
include Chichagof Harbor, AA positions at Holtz Bay, and a
float-plane.
05/05/43
NAAF
NASAF B-17's bomb vessel off Capo San Vito, hit Tunis harbor, and
attack ships and docks at La Goulette. B-25's and B-26's bomb
shipping off Marettimo I and E of Cape Zebib, and hit landing ground
at Galaat el Andeless and near Protville. NATAF ftrs and bmrs fly 6
missions against strongholds on NE and E slopes of Djebel Bou Aoukaz
as British 5 Corps' 1st Div attacks and gains the position. Ftrs hit
shipping in Gulf of Tunis and attack landing grounds and
concentrations near Protville. Wellingtons bomb roads at Bir Meherga.
05/05/43
Ninth AF
P-40's strafe and bomb bridge, vessels, docks, warehouses, and other
buildings at Nabeul harbor."
05/05/43
Fifth AF
B-25's pound Toeal. A lone B-24 bombs A/Fs at Cape Gloucester and
Gasmata.
05/05/43
Thirteenth AF
P-38's and Navy F-4U's administer thorough strafing to Nyanga.
05/05/43
Eleventh AF
Weather rcn airplane over Attu observes float-plane burning on water.
14 B-24's, 17 B-25's, 16 P-38's, 32 P-40's, and 5 F-5A's fly 4 attack
missions to Attu and 6 (partly with RCAF pilots) to Kiska. Bombs are
dropped on Attu installations and ftrs strafe and set afire 1
seaplane and silence AA guns. Tgts include Main Camp, radar site,
North and South Head, runway, and Gertrude Cove installations.
05/06/43
NAAF
18 Army Gp opens final assault on Tunis and Bizerte before dawn.
Assault is supported by massed arty fire and the most intensive air
bombardment yet employed in N Africa. NATAF airplanes bomb El Aouina,
La Sebala, and Ariana A/Fs during 5/6 May. On 6th, ftrs, LBs, and MBs
fly over 1,400 sorties, attacking Protville and La Sebala A/Fs,
trucks on Massicault-Tunis road, Bordj Frendj, Djebel Achour, traffic
SW of Tunis, troops N of Massicault, Djedeida-Saint-Cyprien road,
road S of Djedeida, and numerous other points of strength in extreme
NE Tunisia. NASAF B-17's bomb Marsala and Trapani. B-25's and B-26's
bomb convoy SW of Marettimo I, 2 beached vessels at Cape Zebib, port
of Favignana, vessels W of Marettimo, and ships, lighthouse, and
parked aircraft near Capes Fortass, Zebib, Cap Serrat and at
Protville. Ftrs escort bombing missions.
05/06/43
Ninth AF
B-24's bomb Reggio di Calabria harbor, hitting several vessels and
shore installations. B-25's attack Furna and Massicault and
surrounding areas. P-40's hit shipping in Gulf of Tunis and vehicles
and buildings along coast."
05/06/43
Fifth AF
A-20's hit forces in Green's Hill area. Single B-24's hit Madang and
Finschhafen. B-25's pound Dili while B-24's hit Manokwari and Toeal.
05/06/43
Thirteenth AF
P-40's and Navy dive bmrs an(l ftrs hit Munda A/F. During the evening
B-24's carry out harassing strikes on Kahili A/F and on Fauro and
Ballale Is.
05/06/43
Eleventh AF
MBs, HBs, and P-38's drop over 52 tons of bombs on Attu tgts incl
Holtz Bay, Sarana Bay, and Chichagof Harbor area and nearby gun
positions. Kiska is also hit. Tgts include radar, gun positions and
Gertrude Cove and Main Camp areas. Returning P-38's also bomb and
strafe hut on Rat I. P-40's blast Kiska and Little Kiska.
05/07/43
ETO
Gen Devers is appointed cmdr of ETO.
05/07/43
NAAF
During 6/7 May, NASAF Wellingtons bomb docks and shipping at Trapani
as diversion for mine-laying mission off Malta. Next morning, P-40's
attack motor vessels, quay and dock area at Tunis harbor. NATAF ftrs,
LBs, and MBs hit El Aouina A/F and traffic on roads around Tunis,
especially Tunis-Bizerte road, as Allied forces of Gen Alexander's 18
Army Gp overrun both Tunis and Bizerte, splitting the enemy's forces.
05/07/43
Ninth AF
B-25's hit town of Kelibia. P-40's bomb and strafe shipping in Gulf
of Tunis, severely damaging 3 boats.
05/07/43
Fifth AF
B-17's and B-24's bomb A/F, supply dumps, and other tgts at Madang
while A-20's hit forces in Green's Hill area. B-25's pound Penfoei.
05/07/43
Eleventh AF
An attempted mission to Kiska by 6 P-40's aborts due to weather.
05/08/43
NAAF
NASAF B-26's and P-40's attack small vessels off NE Tunisia. Weather
prevents success of other shipping sweeps, but P-38's bomb
Pantelleria A/F and B-25's hit road junction and railroad at Korba
and highway N of Beni Khalled. P-40's bomb docks near Thonara. NATAF
ftrs and LBs bomb landing ground on Pantelleria, shipping between
Tunisia and Sicily, convoys and road network near Soliman and
Hammamet, tanks near Protville, troops, emplacements, trucks, landing
grounds, and vessels on and near Cap Bon and in area S of Tunis. On
ground, Corps Franc D'Afrique makes official entry into Bizerte as
British 7th Armd Div pushes N from Tunis toward US II Corps zone. The
British 6th Armd and Indian 4th Inf Divs, pushing SE toward Hammamet,
are stopped at Hammam Lif as enemy strives to keep line of retreat to
Cap Bon peninsula open. 5 Corp 1st Div and 4th Indian Div push E with
French 19th Corps which meets firm resistance near Zaghouan.
05/08/43
Ninth AF
B-25's hit landing ground on Pantelleria. P-40's strafe and bomb
shipping in Cap Bon area and shipping and shore installations on Gulf
of Tunis. Ftrs claim 5 Me 109's destroyed.
05/08/43
Fourteenth AF
16 B-24's and 11 B-25's bomb Tien Ho A/F, shop and factory area, and
White Cloud A/F at Canton. The 24 escorting P-40's strafe tgt areas
following the bombing strikes. Considerable damage is done, including
the destruction of about 20 enemy aircraft.
05/08/43
Fifth AF
B-25's claim destruction of 2 cargo vessels at Madang. B-17's bomb
A/F at Rabaul, and single B-17's attack barges and small boats off N
coast of New Britain.
05/08/43
Thirteenth AF
P-40's join Navy aircraft in attack on destroyers in Blackett Strait.
Other P-40's and P-38's hit AA positions at Vila.
05/09/43
NAAF
During 8/9 May, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Villacidro, Elmas, and
Decimomannu A/Fs, and NATAF Bisleys, bomb troops and vehicle
concentrations in Hammamet-Nabeul-Menzel Bou Zelfa-Soliman-Tazorhrane
areas. During day, B-17's, with P-38 escort, bomb Palermo; B-26's
follow immediately with attack on same tgt. Ftrs fly sweeps over
battle area, provide cover for destroyers, strafe barges, bomb
buildings in battle area, strafe trucks between Hammamet and Soliman
and bomb landing ground near Menzel Temime. LBs and MBs also bomb
shipping, hit concentrations in battle area and in town of Soliman,
and bomb A/F on Pantelleria. US II Corps receives unconditional
surrender of enemy troops in its zone.
05/09/43
Ninth AF
B-24's attack harbor facilities at Messina, scoring hits on ferry
terminal, round house, 2 ferries, and a ship. B-25's hit landing
ground on Pantelleria. Over 300 P-40's fly escort and rcn missions,
and strafing and bombing raids on landing ground, vessels, vehicles,
bridges, and gun positions in areas of Zembra Is, Cap Bon, and
Pantelleria.
05/09/43
Fifth AF
B-24's and B-17's bomb Manokwari, Nabire, Kaimana, and Madang A/F,
and Wewak-But area. B-25's hit A/F at Gasmata.
05/10/43
NAAF
During 9/10 May, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Palermo and surrounding area.
B-17's follow up, shortly past noon, with raids on A/Fs at Milo and
Bo Rizzo. NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs attack Pantelleria harbor, Korba
bridge, Menzel Temime landing ground, Kelibia areas, and town of
Menzel Bou Zelfa. Numerous motor transport and troop concentrations
on Cap Bon peninsula are bombed and strafed as British 6th Armd Div
drives to Hammamet, cutting off the peninsula.
05/10/43
Ninth AF
B-25's bomb Pantelleria landing ground. P-40's bomb Pantelleria and
Cap Bon peninsula. Ftrs claim 4 airplanes destroyed.
05/10/43
Tenth AF
6 P-40's bomb and strafe Kwitu, leaving several areas burning
fiercely.
05/10/43
Fourteenth AF
8 P-40's fly offensive sweep against comm in Nam Dinh and Hanoi
areas. 4 locomotives and 3 riverboats are destroyed, a train carrying
troops and supplies is heavily damaged, and several trucks of troops
are destroyed.
05/10/43
Fifth AF
A-20's bomb and strafe Labu area while B-25's pound Cape Gloucester
A/F. B-17's and B-24's, operatingindividually, attack coastline tgts
in NE New Guinea, New Britain, and on Jamdena I.
05/10/43
Thirteenth AF
P-38's join Navy and Marine aircraft in strike against gun
emplacements, runway, and revetments at Munda A/F.
05/11/43
NAAF
NASAF B-17's, B-26's, and B-25's bomb Marsala, hitting warehouse,
docks, railroad yards, seaplane base, and city area. P-40's bomb and
strafe harbor at San Michele. NATAF ftrs and LBs attack vehicles, gun
positions and troop concentrations in Zaghouan-Sainte-Marie du Zit
area and on Cap Bon as British 4th Div completes uneventful sweep
around Cap Bon peninsula, revealing no important forces there.
Resistance in Zaghouan sector weakens.
05/11/43
Ninth AF
B-24's strike Catania harbor, severely damaging harbor area and
several ships. B-25's strike battle area in NE Tunisia. P-40's fly
escort and armed rcn, and carry out bombing and strafing missions in
Cap Bon area against motor transport, concentrations, roads, docks,
and AA batteries.
05/11/43
Tenth AF
6 B-24's pound Syriam, causing large fires in the town area.
05/11/43
Fifth AF
B-17's and B-24's hit A/F and general area at Rabaul. B-25's bomb
Penfoei and Dili.
05/11/43
Thirteenth AF
B-17's fly harassing strikes during 10/11 May against Kahili A/F and
against Shortland I.
05/11/43
Eleventh AF
The following missions spt US forces landing on Attu: 1 air-ground
liaison sortie by 1 B-24; and B-24 supply sortie dropping supplies to
ground forces, and 5 attack missions, flown by 11 B-24's and 12
B-25's. First attack mission cannot find tgt and instrument-bombs
tgts which include runway, radar, submarine base, and camp area.
Because of poor visibility next 2 missions hit Kiska, where runway
and Main Camp are attacked. 2 B-24's then bomb Chichagof Harbor area
through fog while another drops leaflets on Attu.
05/12/43
International
Churchill, Roosevelt, and CCS in Washington discuss strategy in light
of events in USSR, Tunisia and Aleutians. Other topics are setting
date for invasion of W Europe, war plans for ETO and MTO, knocking
Italy out of the war, and C Pacific offensive against Japan.
05/12/43
NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb docks at Marsala during 11/12 May. Some bombs
fall on Mazara del Vallo and Trapani. During day, NATAF ftrs, LBs,
and MBs fly sweeps and tac rcn over battle area and hit positions S
of Bou Ficha which form last link between enemy forces and the sea.
By night enemy resistance in S is almost ended. Enemy troops,
including Gen von Arnim, CinC, Army Gp Africa, are surrendering en
masse.
05/12/43
Twelfth AF
Gen Cannon takes cmd of XII A Spt Cmd.
05/12/43
Ninth AF
B-25's bomb tgts in battle area in NE Tunisia.
05/12/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb A/F and surrounding area at Finschhafen. B-24's hit
Saumlakki, and single HBs hit Salamaua and Gasmata.
05/12/43
Thirteenth AF
During 11/12 May, B-17's fly snooper strikes against Kahili A/F.
During early morning hrs P-40's and Navy aircraft hit AA positions,
runway, and revetments there."
05/12/43
Eleventh AF
A P-39 rcn sortie over Kiska and Rat Is encounters poor weather and
turns back. At Attu, air-ground liaison B-24 watches US forces land
on beach 'Red' while another B-24 drops supplies. 7 attack missions
flown by 10 B-24's, 12 B-25's, and 24 P-38's bomb and strafe assigned
Attu tgts. 4 barges are set afire in W arm of Holtz Bay.
05/13/43
Eighth AF
119 HBs attack Meaulte industrial areas and Saint-Omer/Longuenesse
A/F. The major effort is directed at Avions Potez aircraft factory at
Meaulte. Four additional B-17 gps (94th, 95th, 96th, and 351st)
become available for combat operations on 13-14 May.
05/13/43
NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb area of railroad station, M/Y and docks in
Naples during 12/13 May. The following day, B-17's, B-25's and B-26's
from 7 bomb gps, escorted by ftrs from 4 ftrs gps, bomb Cagliari,
hitting shipping, dock area, M/Y, oil dump, chemical plant, and city
area. Tunisian campaign ends with surrender of Marshal Messe, cmdr of
Axis forces in Africa.
05/13/43
Ninth AF
B-25's bomb Augusta. RAF Liberators, under IX BC, attack Messina
ferry terminal.
05/13/43
Fifth AF
B-17's bomb A/Fs at Rabaul, Wewak, and Boram. B-25's blast A /F, town
area, and T.'Os at Gasmata while A-20's hit Cape Gloucester A/F and
area. Single B-24's and B-17's attack various shoreline and offshore
tgts, including landing strips, buildings, gun positions, barges, and
vessels, on NE New Guinea coast, New Britain, and in Admiralty Is.
05/13/43
Thirteenth AF
During 12/13 May 2 B-24's on snooper missions bomb Kahili and Ballale
A/Fs. They are followed shortly by 6 B-17's which pound the same
tgts. During day, 34 P-38's, P-39's, and P-40's, along with 62 Navy
and Marine ftrs and 6 RNZAF P-40's, intercept 20-plus airplanes over
Russell Is-Tulagi area. Allied pilots claim 16 aircraft shot down (1
by AAF ftrs). During early evening, 5 B-17's again hit Kahili and
Ballale A/Fs.
05/13/43
Eleventh AF
Bad weather keeps air-ground liaison B-24 from observing or hearing
friendly ground forces on Attu and returns to base. Air-ground spt
mission of 6 B-24's is diverted from Attu to Kiska. 2 of the bmrs
don't get the message, proceed to Attu, and bomb Chichagof Harbor and
Holtz Bay. The other 4 bomb Main Camp area. 8 P-40's dispatched to
Kiska in 2 waves cannot see tgt and instead bomb Little Kiska
installations.
05/14/43
Eighth AF
Maximum force is put in air as part of combined offensive against
Wehrmacht. 198 HBs of VIII BC plus a small group of MBs launch
simultaneous attacks on 4 tgts. The principal attack is against
submarine yards and naval installations at Kiel with other objectives
being Courtrai A/F, former Ford and General Motors plants at Antwerp,
and the Velsen power station at Ijmuiden. This is first time more
than 200 US bmrs are dispatched. The attack at Ijmuiden is made at
low level by 11 B-26's of 322d Bomb Gp, first US MB gp to become
operational in UK. No MBs are lost during attack though 1 MB crashes
while landing on return to base."
05/14/43
NAAF
During 13/14 May, Wellingtons hit Cagliari. During day, P-38's bomb
tunnel, barracks, A/F, industry, power station, and town areas at
Sassari, Alghero, Porto Torres, and Abbasanta. B-25's and P-38
escorts bomb dock and town area of Olbia, claiming destruction of 3
vessels. B-26's hit Porto Ponte Romano while B-17's bomb
Civitavecchia.
05/14/43
Ninth AF
P-40's fly sea patrol and escort for bmrs.
05/14/43
Fifth AF
B-25's administer thorough pounding to A/F and surrounding area at
Gasmata while B-24's and B-17's pound Rabaul A/F. Other B-25's bomb
Penfoei A/F and Dili area. Single HBs hit various tgts in NE New
Guinea, New Britain and NEI.
05/14/43
Thirteenth AF
Single B-24's fly early evening snooper strikes against A/Fs at
Kahili, Ballale, and Munda. During 14/15 May, B-17's on snooper
mission bomb Kahili.
05/14/43
Eleventh AF
Poor weather curtails bombings. Air-ground liaison B-24 flies rcn and
photo rcn over Attu throughout the day. 1 B-24 carrying supplies for
ground forces hits mountain side 10 mi W of dropping zone. 6 B-24's
and 5 B-24's fly ground spt bombing missions over Attu. 2 P-40's bomb
Kiska through overcast."
05/15/43
Eighth AF
135 bmrs attack various tgts as well as A/F and naval installations
on Helgoland; U-boat yard, M/Y and A/F at Emden; naval base and
submarine construction works at Wilhelmshaven; and air facilities at
Caen and Poix.
05/15/43
NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb Palermo during 14/15 May. NACAF maintains sea
patrol and rcn over large area of Mediterranean from W coast of Italy
over Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia, and as far N as Marseille.
05/15/43
Ninth AF
P-40's fly sea patrol.
05/15/43
Fourteenth AF
25-35 Japanese bmrs and 30-40 ftrs attack Kunming. Nearly all of the
bombs fall in the W and SW of the A/F, causing little damage. 28
P-40's intercept, claiming 13 ftrs and 2 bmrs shot down.
05/15/43
Fifth AF
B-25's pound A/Fs at Lae and Gasmata. A-20's strafe airplanes and
buildings at Lae. B-24's bomb A/F at Rabaul and hit Nabire. Single
HBs hit Gasmata, Cape Gloucester, and barges SW of Ubili.
05/15/43
Seventh AF
7 B-24's from Midway bomb Wake. 4 others abort and 7 others fail to
find tgt. 22 ftrs intercept the formation. The B-24's claim 4 shot
down. 1 HB is lost.
05/15/43
Eleventh AF
Weather again curtails operations. Air-ground liaison B-24 observes
and directs air operations at Attu throughout the day as visibility
permits and directs supply drop for ground forces by another B-24 in
2 air-ground spt missions. 6 B-24's bomb Holtz Bay and Chichagof
Harbor; 6 P-38's strafe AA installations in Holtz Bay area.
05/16/43
NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb Trapani during 15/16 May. NATAF and NACAF
planes fly sea patrol, rcn, and convoy escort.
05/16/43
Ninth AF
P-40's escort shipping off Mediterranean coast.
05/16/43
RAF
Lancasters breach Mohne and Edersee dams, flooding large portions of
Ruhr Valley.
05/16/43
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb Kendari A/F area. Single HBs attack coastal or offshore
tgts in NE New Guinea, New Britain, and New Ireland.
05/16/43
Eleventh AF
Air-ground liaison B-24 bombs Chichagof Harbor with unobserved
results. Another B-24 drops supplies to ground forces on Attu. 8
B-24's, 12 B-25's, and 12 P-38's fly ground spt missions to Attu.
Because of weather, only the P-38's get through and strafe AA guns,
installations and barges, scoring several hits. The bmrs are directed
to bomb Kiska. 2 P-40's fly rcn mission over Kiska.
05/17/43
Eighth AF
118 HBs hit port area and U-boat base at Lorient while a smaller
force strikes the docks and sub pens at Bordeaux. 10 of 11 B-26's of
322d Bomb Gp are lost when sent on low-level mission to bomb power
stations at Haarlem and Ijmuiden. This mission prompts Eighth AF to
abandon low-level MB attacks.
05/17/43
NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb Lido di Roma seaplane base and drop leaflets
over Rome.
05/17/43
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb Gasmata, Dili, Penfoei, and Barique. Single HBs hit Lae,
Finschhafen, Gasmata, and Cape Gloucester.
05/17/43
Thirteenth AF
P-39's and Navy airplanes bomb and strafe bivouac and AA positions in
Rekata Bay area.
05/17/43
Eleventh AF
Two attempted ground spt missions to Attu by 1 B-24, 5 B-25's, and 6
P-38's are recalled due to weather.
05/18/43
Eighth AF
CBO plan for round-the-clock bombing of the enemy from UK by RAF and
Eighth AF is approved by CCS. Eighth AF now has authorization to
proceed with daylight strategic bombing within the type of combined
offensive it has long wished to initiate. CBO plan lists the
destruction of German ftrs as the immediate priority objective.
Primary objectives in order are German submarine yards and bases, the
German aircraft industry, ball bearings, and oil (the last being
contingent upon attacks from the Mediterranean against Ploesti).
Secondary objectives in order of priority are synthetic rubber and
tires, and military motor transport vehicles."
05/18/43
NAAF
Gen Williams takes cmd of NAAF TCC (Prov). During 17/18 May,
Wellingtons bomb Alghero-Sassari area. During day NAAF begins strong
air offensive against Pantelleria in conjunction with naval blockade.
Over 80 B-25's and B-26's, escorted by P-38's, blast the island,
hitting Porto di Pantelleria and Marghana A/F. B-17's, with ftr
escort, bomb Trapani.
05/18/43
Fifth AF
HBs, operating individually, hit Gasmata and Rabaul A/Fs twice and
Cape Gloucester, Arawe, and Lorengau once.
05/18/43
Eleventh AF
6 B-24's, weathered out of Attu, bomb Gertrude Cove area leaving
large fires. 4 P-40's reconnoiter Kiska and strafe barges. 1 B-25
flies photo rcn over Kiska.
05/19/43
Eighth AF
102 HBs hit U-boat yards at Kiel. A smaller force bombs naval yards
at Flensburg.
05/19/43
NAAF
B-25's hit Milis and Villacidro A/Fs while B-26's bomb Monserrato and
Elmas A/Fs, outskirts of Quarto Sant'Elena, and Cagliari harbor.
B-17's bomb Milo A/F at Trapani."
05/19/43
Ninth AF
After 2 days of sand storms, Ninth AF aircraft are again airborne.
P-40's fly escort for ships in area E of Kelibia off Cap Bon
peninsula.
05/19/43
Fifth AF
B-24's hit Penfoei and A/F at Gasmata. B-25's attack Salamaua area
and T/Os off NE coast of Huon Peninsula. Single HBs hit Gasmata twice
during the day.
05/19/43
Eleventh AF
6 B-24's and 11 B-25's fly 3 air-ground spt missions to Attu, bombing
Sarana Valley. 4 P-40's fly 2 rcn missions to Kiska.
05/20/43
Ninth AF
P-40's escort ships and fly sea patrol off Cap Bon and Kelibia area.
05/20/43
NAAF
During 19/20 May, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Villacidro and Decimomannu
A/Fs. During day, P-38's bomb docks on Gulf of Aranci, railroad
bridge NE of Perfugas, Milis A/F, Macomer rail junction, and T/Os at
Sassari, Bonnanaro, Chilivani, and Bonorva. Other P-38's and P-40's
strafe and bomb Pantelleria. B-25's bomb Villacidro, Alghero, and
Decimomannu A/Fs while B-17's strike Grosseto A/F.
05/20/43
Fifth AF
A/F and surrounding area at Gasmata are hit by A-20's during 20/21
May and by B-17's during day. B-17's and B-24's bomb Vunakanau A/F.
B-25's sink several barges offshore between Madang and Cape Cretin.
05/20/43
Thirteenth AF
During 20/21 May, HBs on snooper missions bomb Kahili area and
Ballale I.
05/20/43
Eleventh AF
All air-ground spt missions to Attu are canceled due to weather. 20
P-40's bomb Main Camp and submarine area at Kiska, and strafe barges
in the harbor. The remaining Japanese on Attu are concentrated in the
Chichagof Harbor area.
05/21/43
Eighth AF
123 bmrs of VIII BC hit German U-boat yards. Main effort is directed
at Wilhelmshaven while smaller number of planes strike at Emden. At
Wilhelmshaven German ftrs are reported firing rockets.
05/21/43
NAAF
During 20/21 May, Wellingtons hit Villacidro and Decimomannu A/Fs and
T/Os on Sardinia. During day, B-25's and B-26's bomb the same A/Fs.
P-40's attack gun positions and T/Os on Pantelleria, and B-17's hit
hangars, repair shops, dispersal points, and a gun battery at
Castelvetrano.
05/21/43
Ninth AF
During 20/21 May, RAF Liberators, under IX BC, bomb Messina and
Reggio di Calabria. During day, B-24's hit Villa San Giovanni and
Reggio di Calabria; gunners claim 4 ftrs destroyed. P-40's fly sea
patrol off NE Tunisian coast.
05/21/43
Fifth AF
B-17's bomb A/Fs in Rabaul area while B-24's hit A/F at Gasmata.
Nabire A/F is hit by B-24's while B-25's blast AA positions, supply
dumps, and town area at Saumlakki.
05/21/43
Eleventh AF
Of 10 B-24's, 12 B-25's, and 24 P-38's dispatched to Attu only 3
missions, totalling 6 P-38's and 1 B-24, are able to bomb and strafe
troops and installations. 4 other missions, after vainly waiting for
a break in the overcast over Attu, bomb Kiska submarine base through
overcast.
05/22/43
NAAF
As diversion for convoy passing off Sicily during 21/22 May, NASAF
Wellingtons fly intrusion mission over Sicily, dropping bombs on
Castelvetrano, Sciacca, Milo, and Bo Rizzo A/Fs. NATAF ftrs fly
convoy escort.
05/22/43
Ninth AF
P-40's fly sea patrol off NE Tunisia.
05/22/43
Fifth AF
B-24's bomb town of Kaimana and strafe power launches at Koer I.
05/22/43
Eleventh AF
Bad weather forces cancellation of all missions. 15 enemy bmrs make a
torpedo attack on cruiser Charleston and destroyer Phelps patrolling
Attu. The ships suffer only negligible damage.
05/23/43
NAAF
Col John W Monahan takes cmd of NATC. NASAF B-25's and B-26's bomb
docks and A/F of Pantelleria and P-40's attack gun positions on the
island. P-38's attack zinc works at Iglesias and Carloforte harbor.
05/23/43
Ninth AF
P-40's fly convoy escort off Tunisia.
05/23/43
Fifth AF
B-24's and B-17's hit harbor and A/F at Kavieng, A/F at Gasmata, and
village of Ubili.
05/23/43
Thirteenth AF
5 B-24's bomb A/Fs at Kahili and Ballale I during 23/24 May. 10
B-17's, attempting follow-up strike, abort because of bad weather.
While other aircraft are successfully laying mines in N Solomons in
Buin area, 19 B-17's and B-24's, in diversionary raid, bomb
Buin-Kahili-Tonolai shoreline area.
05/23/43
Seventh AF
A flight of P-40's on patrol from Kauai bomb submarine from 1,500 ft,
after which oil slick and debris are seen.
05/23/43
Eleventh AF
6 B-24's and 12 B-25's fly 3 air-ground spt missions to Attu. Due to
bad weather they are routed to Kiska. Weather there is also poor and
only 1 B-25 bombs Main Camp area. Next, 3 B-24's and 18 P-38's fly 3
air cover missions to Attu. The last of these missions is notified by
a PBY that 16 bmrs are W of Attu. 5 of the P-38's then intercept the
bmrs over Attu, which jettison their bombs and close formation. The
P-38's score 5 kills and 7 probables. 2 P-38's are lost.
05/24/43
NAAF
During 23/24 May, NASAF Wellingtons bomb harbor and A/F at
Pantelleria. During day, NASAF and NATAF ftrs follow with more
attacks on the A/F. P-40's, P-38's, B-25's, B-26's, and B-17's, bomb
tgts on Sardinia, including Carloforte harbor, factories, hangars,
and oil dump at Alghero and seaplane base at Porto Conte, railroad
bridge at Arbatax, area near Macomer, town of Iglesias, harbor at La
Maddalena I, harbor, warehouses, and dump at Terranova, and A/F at
Olbia.
05/24/43
Twelfth AF
Col Lawrence P Hickey assumes cmd of XII A Spt Cmd.
05/24/43
Ninth AF
B-24's hit Villa San Giovanni ferry slip and railroad yards, and
ferry terminal and nearby tanker at Reggio di Calabria.
05/24/43
Fifth AF
B-24's pound Lakunai A/F at Rabaul while B-25's hit runway at
Gasmata. Other B-25's bomb Penfoei.
05/24/43
Eleventh AF
2 of 3 air-ground spt missions to Attu, together 6 B-24's, 11 B-25's,
and 1 F-5A, bomb Attu. Third mission is canceled, except for 2 B-25's
which do not hear canceling order. 3 B-24's and 14 P-38's fly 3 more
air cover missions over Attu but make no contacts.
05/25/43
NAAF
During 24/25 May, Wellingtons bomb docks and M/Y at Olbia. NASAF
ftrs, MBs, and HBs bomb Portoscuso, Terranova, tunnel near Macomer,
Porto Empedocle, Boccadifalco A/F, Licata harbor, Milo A/F, Messina,
and Pantelleria. NATAF P-40's and B-25's hit A/F, shipping, and
military concentrations at Pantelleria.
05/25/43
Ninth AF
B-24's attack Messina ferry docks and railroad yards.
05/25/43
Fifth AF
Single HBs bomb coastal A/Fs and villages, hitting Madang, Kakakog,
Simbang, and Cape Gloucester, and attacking barges off Gavuvu.
05/25/43
Eleventh AF
12 B-25's and 15 B-24's fly air-ground spt and 4 B-24's and 20 P-38's
fly air cover all over Attu. 18 P-40's fly 1 rcn and 2 attack
missions to Kiska and Little Kiska.
05/26/43
NAAF
NASAF MBs and HBs hit A/Fs at Ponte Olivo, Biscari, and Comiso.
P-40's attack gun emplacements, trucks, and troops on SE coast of
Pantelleria. P-38's hit Porto Ponte Romano shipping, Tirso power dam,
Golfo Aranci harbor, and Villacidro A/F. NATAF P-40's bomb
Pantelleria.
05/26/43
Fifth AF
3 B-24's and B-25's bomb Madang town area and A/F.
05/26/43
Seventh AF
3 B-24's from Canton I fly rcn-bombing mission over Abemama. Bombs
are dropped on barracks area.
05/26/43
Eleventh AF
8 B-24's and 11 B-25's, flying air-ground spt, bomb enemy positions.
2 B-24's and 12 P-38's fly air cover sorties and also patrol and
strafe Attu. Kiska is covered by 3 F-5A's photo sorties and 3 attack
missions, flown by 9 B-25's and 16 P-40's. Tgts include gun
emplacements on North Head and E end of runway.
05/27/43
Eighth AF
11 bmrs raid docks and submarine pens at Saint-Nazaire.
05/27/43
NAAF
P-40's bomb harbor defenses on Pantelleria. B-25's and B-26's hit
Villacidro and Decimomannu A/Fs. NATAF P-40's attack tgts on S coast
of Pantelleria.
05/27/43
Fifth AF
B-24's and B-25's pound Lae town area and A/F. Other B-25's hit enemy
forces at Labu and Jacobsens Plantation. Finschhafen, Saidor,
Kakakog, and Langgoer are hit by single-plane strikes.
05/27/43
Eleventh AF
Attu is covered by 1 B-25 flying ground spt, bombing and strafing
troops and dropping photos taken on previous day to friendly forces,
and by 1 B-24 and 6 P-38's flying air cover. 6 P-40's fly attack and
rcn missions to Kiska, concentrating on Little Kiska and on the Main
Camp area.
05/28/43
NAAF
During 27/28 May, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Villacidro, Decimomannu, and
Elmas A/Fs. During day, P-40's hit Pantelleria, B-17's bomb oil
refinery, M/Y, harbor, and shipbuilding yards at Leghorn, while MBs
attack A/Fs of Sciacca, Castelvetrano, Milo, and Bo Rizzo. NATAF
A-20's bomb Pantelleria.
05/28/43
Ninth AF
During 27/28 May, RAF Liberators, under IX BC, bomb Augusta. During
day, B-24's of 2 gps hit Foggia A/F and surrounding area.
05/28/43
Fourteenth AF
16 P-40's, operating in 2 forces, dive-bomb railroad yards at Yoyang.
Tracks, warehouses, and the roundhouse are damaged.
05/28/43
Fifth AF
B-17's and B-24's attack Wewak, Dagua, and Boram A/Fs and bomb
Wewak-Dagua coast road.
05/28/43
Thirteenth AF
P-38's and P-40's, along with naval aircraft, attempt strike on
Kolombangara area and Munda but are hampered by bad weather. Some of
the dive bmrs (TBF's) manage to bomb runway and revetment area at
Munda.
05/28/43
Seventh AF
3 B-24's from Canton I fly rcn-bombing mission over Abemama 1,
dropping 6 500-lb bombs.
05/29/43
Eighth AF
147 HBs hit submarine pens and locks at Saint-Nazaire. Smaller
strikes are made at Rennes naval depot and U-boat yards at La
Pallice. 7 YB-40's, heavily armored B-17's with increased firepower
for escorting bmrs, fly their first mission (to Saint-Nazaire).
YB-40's show inability to keep up with B-17's and need for
modification of waist and tail gun feeds and ammunition supplies.
05/29/43
NAAF
During 28/29 May, NASAF Wellingtons bomb town areas, docks, and A/F
at Castelevtrano, Bo Rizzo, Trapani, and Marsala. During day, NASAF
P-38's bomb Porto Ponte Romano. P-40's, P-38's, and B-26's of NASAF
and NATAF attack gun positions, radar station, and town area on
Pantelleria.
05/29/43
Fourteenth AF
9 B-24's bomb Ichang. 4 P-40's hit T/Os in Tengchung and Lungling
areas.
05/29/43
Fifth AF
B-17's bomb Madang and Alexishafen. HBs and MBs, operating
individually or in flights of 2 bmrs, attack town, A/Fs, shipping,
docks, and other tgts at various places, including Dili, Penfoei,
Damar I, Soemba, Soembawa, Babo, Nabire, Saidor, Finschhafen, Manam
I, and Cape Gloucester.
05/29/43
Eleventh AF
No missions flown. All of Attu is secure after 19 days of fighting.
US ground forces land on Shemya."
05/30/43
NAAF
During 29/30 May, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Pantelleria. The following
morning MBs and ftrs also hit the island. P-38's bomb Chilivani
railway station and M/Y, hit port and railroad at Aranci, and strafe
T/Os in Sardinia. B-17's bomb Pomigliano aircraft factory and landing
ground and Capodichino A/F and M/Y. NATAF ftrs hit Pantelleria.
05/30/43
Ninth AF
B-24's hit Foggia, A/F, damaging buildings and hangars, and
destroying several aircraft. B-25's attack concentrations on NE slope
of Pantelleria.
05/30/43
Fourteenth AF
7 B-24's bomb arty positions S of Ichang. 4 P-40's bomb and strafe
Tengchung and T/Os along Burma Road and at Lamaing; 8 others on
offensive sweep strafe several T/Os in Ichang area; 11 others hit
riverboats at Shasi and trains NE of Yoyang.
05/30/43
Fifth AF
B-17's bomb Wewak, Boram, and Madang. B-24's hit Kendari area.
05/30/43
Eleventh AF
8 P-40's fly 4 rcn missions to Kiska. 3 air-ground spt missions to
Attu by 7 B-24's and 12 B-25's drop no bombs there and instead bomb
Kiska installations. 2 B-24's and 12 P-38's fly air cover missions
over Attu and patrol area. 3 F-5A's fly photo rcn and 8 P-40's attack
and strafe tents and troops and blast runway at Kiska.
05/31/43
NAAF
NASAF B-17's bomb A/F and M/Y at Foggia. MBs and ftrs hit defended
positions on Pantelleria. P-38's bomb Cagliari, factory at Guspini,
and power station at Santa Caterina. NATAF P-40's hit Pantelleria.
05/31/43
Ninth AF
RAF HBs, including Liberators of 178 Bomb Sq under IX BC control,
bomb oil stores, harbor and seaplane base at Augusta.
05/31/43
Fourteenth AF
9 B-24's, escorted by US and Chinese P-40's, bomb Ichang A/F. The HBs
and ftrs shoot down 5 ftrs of an intercepting group of about 20. 1
Chinese P-40 is lost. 6 P-40's on armed rcn over Siaokan area blast a
train and strafe troop concentration.
05/31/43
Fifth AF
B-24's pound Lae A/F and town area."
05/31/43
Thirteenth AF
3 B-24's on armed rcn over S Bougainville bomb Numa area and Tinputs.
Small coastal vessel at Tinputs is set afire.
05/31/43
Eleventh AF
5 F-5A's fly separate photo missions. 6 B-24's, 10 B-25's, 37 P-40's
and 8 P-38's fly attack missions to Kiska. Their tgts include
Gertrude Cove, AA installation trenches, North Head runway, and a
vessel.
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