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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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