This day in the war in the Pacific 65 years ago.

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In China, 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 the approaches to a bridge at Puchi; 2 locomotives in the area are destroyed. 10 other P-40's attack Shasi Airfield and hit river shipping; in the general area. 7 B-25's bomb the airfield at Pailochi.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomon Islands, P-38's, P-40's, and Navy and Marine fighters and dive bombers 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 the Luti Bay area of Choiseul. HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Fiji to Guadalcanal.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) On Timor, B-24's hit the town of Koepang and the airfield at Penfoei.

ALASKA: In the Aleutian Islands, the Japanese submarine HIJMS I-24 reports that it is approaching Kiska to land supplies and evacuate personnel. The sub is never heard from again.

USA: Less than two weeks after the home front riots in Los Angeles, California - Detroit, Michigan exploded in violence fed by rumors and resentment of blacks working in defense plants. At the end of this forgotten chapter of American history, 25 blacks and nine whites lay dead. Detroit citizens of all races called the awful event "bloody week." While war raged abroad, war of a different kind raged at home.

 

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SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) P-38's and P-40's, along with Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-40's and Navy and Marine fighters, intercept a large force of fighter-escorted dive bombers on a mission against Allied shipping off Guadalcanal. Fighters from the newly-opened Banika Island bases initiate the interception. A running fight develops and extends down to Guadalcanal. More than 20 Japanese aircraft are downed; 9 Allied fighters are lost but all the pilots are recovered. Some of the Zeros were performing glide bombing attacks.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17's and B-24's attack Wewak, Lae, Madang, and Kesup hitting town areas and airfields, and strafe sampans on the Sepik River.

ALASKA: The USAAF's Alexi Point Airfield and Naval Air Facility Attu are established on Attu Island, Aleutian Islands, just seven days after the island was declared secured.

USA: The Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet established a project for airborne test, by Commander Fleet Air, West Coast, of high velocity, "forward shooting" rockets. These rockets, which had nearly double the velocity of those tested earlier at Dahlgren, had been developed by a rocket section, led by Dr. C. C. Lauritsen, at the California Institute of Technology under National Defense Research Committee auspices and with Navy support. This test project, which was established in part on the basis of reports of effectiveness in service of a similar British rocket, completed its first airborne firing from a TBF of a British rocket on 14 July and of the CalTech round on 20 August. The results of these tests were so favorable that operational squadrons in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets were equipped with forward firing rockets before the end of the year.

 

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ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) A C-47 is the first USAAF airplane to land on Attu, landing fighters crews at Alexai Point. All other flying is cancelled due to weather.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In French Indochina, 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 targets; alternates, including Hongay shipping, rail yard, and power facilities, Gia Lam Airfield, and warehouses E of Hanoi are bombed. P-40's bomb and strafe Japanese HQ at Tatung, China barracks E of Lamaing, Burma on the Salween River, and a camp N of Lungling, China.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-24's on armed reconnaissance bomb Kahili Airfield and Ballale.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's bomb Koepang and hit the area SE of Dili. B-24's unsuccessfully attack shipping at Waingapoe, in the Sunda Islands and off Wewak.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) 6 P-4O's damage a railroad bridge at Puchi, China and strafe nearby railroad yards.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomon Islands, B-24's on reconnaissance attack a small vessel WNW of Cape Henpan. B-17's, P-40's, and P-38's' pound the airfields at Munda and Vila.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, 2 B-24's bomb the town area of Manokwari and Nabire Airfield. A lone B-17 bombs Unea Island in the Bismarck Archipelago.

 

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AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, 7 B-24's, 8 B-25's, 12 P-40's, and 2 F-5A's fly weather reconnaissance, attack, and photo missions to Kiska Island and Little Kiska Island. Targets include gun batteries, runway, North Head and Main Camp.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In China, 9 P-40's on armed reconnaissance 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 bomber is shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomon Islands, P-38's and Navy fighters claim 4 aircraft downed off the N tip of Malaita Island. B-17's and B-24's pound the airfield at Kahili twice during the day.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) More than 20 B-17's and B-24's pound airfields in the Rabaul, New Britain Island area. A single B-24 bombs the town of Sorong and shipping at Kokas.

 

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ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, 7 B-24's, 8 B-25's, 10 P-40's, 4 P-38's, and 2 F-5A's fly weather, photo, reconnaissance, and attack missions to Kiska Island. Main targets are Gertrude Cove and Main Camp, South Head, North Head, runway, and offshore barges. Fighter bombing and strafing, and subsequent bomber runs over emplacements, are effectively coordinated. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) Eight P-40's hit a camp on the Salween River, trucks at Mangshih, and warehouses at Tungling, China.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's again bomb the airfield at Rabaul and hit targets of opportunity at Gasmata and along the shore of Keravia Bay. In New Guinea, B-25's pound areas along Huon Gulf coast, hitting Kela Point, Salamaua and the bridge at Nuk Nuk. P-40's strafe a submarine off Cape Nelson. In Timor, Koepang is thoroughly blasted by B-24's while Penfoei and Dili airfields are hit by light B-25 attacks. The 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group transfers with P-38's from Charters Towers, Australia to Amberley Field, Townsville, Australia. Lost is B-24D "Care Less" 42-40500.

 

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AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) A detachment of the 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group based at Ft Glenn, Alaska begins operating from Attu Airfield with P-40's

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) USAAF fighters, along with Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), US Navy, and US Marine Corps fighters, claim over 30 aircraft shot down during the interception of an enemy strike on Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands. 8 Allied fighters are lost, including four F4Fs, one F4U and one RNZAF P-40 (pilot KIA). Two B-24s on reconnaissance over Buka shoot down a G4M1 Betty.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's hit runways at Nabire and Kaimana; a lone B-25 bombs and strafes barges S of Langemak Bay. Dick Bong gets his 11th kill when he downs an Oscar.

 

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BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, 9 B-25's attack the Meza railway bridge on the Mandalay- Myitkyina line, causing minor damage.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In China, 11 B-25's supported by 14 P-40's, bomb hangars and the depot area at Nanchang Airfield.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-24's and B-17's again bomb Kahili Airfield. The 371st and 372d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group transfers from Kahuku and Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii respectively to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands with B-24's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17's and B-24's bomb airfields in the Rabaul area and at Gasmata. Lost to J1N1 night fighter is B-17F "Georgia Peach" 41-24454. B-25's hit Dili and Koepang and bomb and strafe barges off the Huon Peninsula, at Jacob Island, off Cape Gerhards, and S of Cape Cretin, New Guinea. Single B-24's bomb Lahang Airfield and attack a freighter in Humboldt Bay, both in New Guinea.

 

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) One B-24 from Funafuti Atoll, Ellice Islands bombs the runways at Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) Eight P-40's intercept about 8 bombers and 20 fighters 25 mi (40 km) SW of Nanchang, China. The P-40's claim 7 fighters shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) 18 B-25's, escorted by F4U's, hit Vila Airfield. 11 B-17's and B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield and hit nearby Shortland.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) A single B-24 bombs Lakunai Airfield. Lost on a ferry flight is B-17C 'Pamela / Miss E.M.F." 40-2072 with 40 KIA, 1 survivor.

IJN - Shot down over Guadalcanal is G4M1 1570.

 

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BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) B-25's score 2 direct hits on the bridge at Myitnge, Burma.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) Ten B-25's, escorted by 12 P-40's, support Chinese ground forces by bombing positions at Owchihkow, China.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-24's bomb the airfield on Ballale.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's bomb airfields at Rabaul on New Britain Island in predawn strikes and hit Kendari Airfield, Celebes in the evening. In New Guinea, a single B-25 attacks a power boat in Hanisch Harbor and strafes a beach near Finschhafen.

 

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SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) Search aircraft report nearly 250 Japanese airplanes at Rabaul on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago and other airfields jammed with aircraft. In air action in the Solomon Islands, about 120 Japanese aircraft converging on Allied vessels off Tulagi and Guadalcanal Islands in the Solomon Islands are met by more than 100 Allied fighters (USAAF, Royal New Zealand Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps). The skies over Savo and Tulagi, and Cape Esperance and Koli Point on Guadalcanal Island are filled with dogfights and flak from ship and ground guns. The battle results in the largest single-day Allied aerial victory of the Solomon Islands campaign; 79 airplanes are claimed shot down by Allied fighters, and AA claims 17 more; 6 Allied fighters are lost. The Japanese succeed in damaging 3 ships (2 of which have to be beached) and cause considerable destruction on Guadalcanal. Lost is B-24D 42-40250.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's bomb Koepang and Oeikoesi on Timor and, along with A-20's, hit barges and shore targets at several points along the coasts of NE New Guinea and New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. On a single bomber photo recon over Buka and Bougainville is B-17E "Lucy" 41-2666 two crew members earned the medal of honor.

 

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) During the night of 17/18 Jun, 4 B-24's take off from Funafuti Atoll, Ellice Islands at 2-hour intervals to bomb Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. One aborts and another fails to find the target. The 2 heavy bombers bombing the target hit runways, silence an AA battery, and blow up an ammunition dump. The raid is a diversion in support of the first night photo-reconnaissance mission by the VII Bomber Command, during which 3 B-24's photograph Mille Atoll and nearby waters in the Marshall Islands.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) P-40's strafe a warehouse and train S of Chiuchiang and a train N of Nanchang, both in China. Road traffic E of Hanoi, French Indochina is also attacked.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's administer a thorough pounding to the Madang and Salamaua areas. B-24's bomb Sorong and Boela. A single B-24 bombs the airfield at Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island and, during the night of 17/18 Jun, a B-25 attacks power launches nearby, sinking 1 and badly damaging 2 more. The 433d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group transfers with P-38's from Charters Towers, Australia to Amberley Field, Townsville, Australia.

 

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) The 58th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), Seventh Air Force begins a movement from Wheeler Field to Canton with A-24s.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield while B-25's hit Ballale and strafe barges in Wilson Strait.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's bomb and strafe power launches off Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island and Finschhafen, New Guinea, sinking 1 and damaging 2 near the Cape. A single B-17 bombs Unea Island, Bismarck Archipelago while an A-20 on armed reconnaissance during the night of 18/19 Jun bombs and strafes Salamaua, New Guinea and nearby coastal areas.

INDIA: General Auchinleck becomes Commander in Chief in India and General Wavell is the next Viceroy of India. These "promotions" are designed to move them to positions where Churchill feels safe. The other side of the appointments: Churchill had these fellows appointed less to "feel safe" than to use
their talents where they could, in his estimation, be best used. Churchill failed to appreciate Wavell's many qualities as an operational commander and had written the Great Auk off as an administratively
capable but operationally incapapble commander. In Churchill's view, both generals were also smeared with a propensity for ill-luck.

AUSTRALIA: Australian Prime Minister John Curtin announces that Australia is no longer in danger of invasion.

 

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) During the night of 18/19 Jun, 2 B-24's fly photo reconnaissance of Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands from Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) During the night of 18/19 Jun, B-24's bomb Nauru Island in the Gilbert Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17's and B-24's thoroughly pound Vunakanau Airfield. A-20's hit barges in Hanisch Harbor and a trail near the village of Tamigudu, both in New Guinea. Single B-24's bomb Finschhafen, New Guinea area and the airstrip at Rapopo.

PTO: In the Pacific, three U.S. submarines sink two Japanese army cargo ships, a freighter, a coastal minesweeper and a gunboat and damage another gunboat.

 

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) During the night of 19/20 Jun, 3 B-24's from Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands fly photo reconnaissance of Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) P-40's join Marine and Navy airplanes in a strike against Vila Airfield. Hits are scored on the runway and dump area. B-24's blast the airfield and other targets at Kahili, and also bomb Kieta.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's bomb airstrip at Rapopo, and airfields at Keravat, and also hit Rabaul town area. A-20's pound the airfield at Lae, New Guinea. 2 B-25's and an A-20 hit Finschhafen and barges and shoreline targets along the coast of New Britain.

 

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AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands a fighters strip is completed at Shemya. All missions are cancelled due to weather for the tenth straight day.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) One B-24 carries out armed photo reconnaissance over Nonouti Island, Beru Island, and Nukunau Island in the Gilbert Islands.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In China, 7 B-25's, with escort of 8 P-40's, bomb the village of Shihshow. 8 other B-25's, supported by 9 P-40's, are dispatched to attack the Japanese-held village of Hwajung but mistakenly bomb the friendly village of Nanhsien, killing over 50 Chinese. The 11th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers with B-25's from Kunming, China to Kweilin, China. The squadron has detachments operating from Hengyang, Suichwan, Nanning and Lingling between Jun 43 and Jun 44.

USN - F4U piloted by Smith ditched off Midway.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In a predawn strike B-25's bomb Koepang on Timor Island. A-20's bomb and strafe airfields at Lae and Lahang while B-25's blast the airfield and general area at Salamaua. A single B-24 bombs MacDonald's Junction, New Guinea and strafes targets of opportunity along the coast S of Buka. Lost is B-25C "Geronimo" 41-12980.

NEW GEORGIA: The US 4th Marine Raider Btn lands at Segi Point on the southern end of New Georgia, British Solomon Islands.

ALASKA: A fighter strip is completed at Shemya in the Aleutian Islands. All missions are cancelled due to weather for tenth straight day.

 

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AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, a P-40 sights a submarine 5 mi (8 km) E of Zeto Point. A B-24 then searches the area but makes no contact.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) 3 B-24's from Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands fly photo reconnaissance of Beru Island, Nukunau Island, Tabiteuea Island, Onotoa Island, Tarawa Atoll, and Arorae Island in the Gilbert Islands. 1 of the heavy bombers strafes Arorae.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) Heavy bombers join B-25's in pounding the Ywataung, Burma marshalling yard. Monywa, Burma is also thoroughly bombed.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's bomb the Taberfane, New Guinea area.

USMC - Ditched into the lagoon at Midway is F4U Corsair 02326.

 

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SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-25's and Navy fighters and dive bombers hit Buki village on Buki Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) 17 B-24's bomb shipping, dock area, factory and residential areas of Makassar, Celebes Island. 2 light cruisers are damaged and many buildings along Juliana Quay and in the town area are damaged or demolished. A single B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs the airfield at Lae, New Guinea. HQ 348th Fighter Group and it's 340th, 341st and 342d Fighter Squadrons arrive at Port Moresby, New Guinea from the US with P-47's.

 

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ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, 2 photo and weather reconnaissance 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 Island. Targets include gun revetments at Gertrude Cove and AA batteries. The 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group transfers with P-40's from Ft Glenn to Shemya. The squadron also has detachments operating from Amchitka and Attu Airfield.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomon Islands during the night of 24/25 Jun, B-24's attack the Kahili area and hit the airfield on Buka Island. During the following day B-25's, escorted by P-40's, hit the runway at Vila Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's bomb and strafe several occupied villages in the Sepu, New Guinea area.

 

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ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, 16 bombers and 28 fighters fly 7 attack, weather reconnaissance and photo missions to Kiska and Little Kiska Islands, starting fires. Intense machinegun fire damages 4 P-38's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) During the night of 25/26 Jun, B-24's pound the airfield on Ballale and bomb the Poporang-Buin-Faisi area. P-38's strafe the Rekata Bay area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) During the predawn and early morning hours, B-24's and B-17's bomb the airfield and harbor at Rabaul and the town of Lae. Lost to J1N1 night fighter over Rabaul are: B-17E "Naughty But Nice" 41-2430 and B-17F "Taxpayers Pride" 41-24448.

During the midday, B-25's hit the airfield at Lae and the town of Salamaua. In the early evening B-25's bomb Penfoei, Timor Island.