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

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SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 70+ B-24's, B-25's, and B-17's, with cover of almost 100 fighters, blast airfields at Wewak, Boram, Dagua, and But. The midmorning attacks cause heavy destruction of Japanese airplanes on the ground, and US fighters and bombers claim 30+ enemy aircraft shot down. Lost are B-25D 41-30526 and B-25D 41-30117.

 

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BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Brigadier General Howard C Davidson becomes Commanding General Tenth Air Force.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, B-25's, operating in pairs and with fighter escort, hit barges at Timbala Bay on Vella Lavella, Kakasa radio station on Gill Island, and a beached vessel in Paraso Bay. From this date through 28 Aug, Japanese airplanes attack Allied forces in the Barakoma area of Vella Lavella , losing a considerable number of aircraft (claims total about 50) to Allied fighters and ground fire without doing any great damage to the Allies. HQ 5th Bombardment Group transfers from Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands to Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's attack Manokwari, sink a small craft near Babo, and bomb Larat and Saumlakki in the Tanimbar Islands. On Timor Island, B-25's hit Koepang, Fuiloro, and Lautem. HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura.

 

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CBI: Lieutenant General George E Stratemeyer assumes command of the US Army Air Forces, India-Burma Sector, China-Burma-India Theater which is activated at New Delhi, India. Components include the Tenth Air Force, CBI Air Service Command (Provisional), CBI Training Unit (Provisional) and several lesser units. Because of pressure from Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, Stratemeyer will only control the US Tenth Air Force in India and acts as an advisor to the Fourteenth Air Force in China which is commanded by Major General Claire L Chennault.

PACIFIC: The USN submarine USS Pompano departs Midway Island on her seventh war patrol. She is never heard from again.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): X Air Force Service Command (AFSC) personnel and organizations are absorbed by CBI ASC (Prov), see above. Brigadier General Robert C Oliver, Commanding General X AFSC, becomes Commanding General CBI ASC (Prov).

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-25's, with fighter escort, bomb Tien Ho Airfield at Canton; they claim 5 interceptors shot down. 15 P-40's intercept 21 fighters over Kweilin; 2 P-40's and 2 Zekes are shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): HQ XIII Bomber Command transfers from Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands to Guadalcanal Island in the Solomon Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 24 B-24's, escorted by 46 P-38's, hit Boram Airfield in the late morning; P-38's claim 19 fighters shot down. Force landed is B-24D "Joltin Janie II" 42-40233. A-20's bomb Lae and hit the Salamaua area where enemy forces have abandoned positions on Mount Tambu and Komiatum Ridge and are manning last-ditch defensive position at Salamaua. B-25's strafe barges near Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island. Lost is is P-38G 43-2201.

NEW GUINIE: This was part of phased brigade attacks ordered by Maj-Gen Savige (GOC 3 Aust Div) to break the Japanese defensive lines centered on Mt Tambu. Mt Tambu was an immensely strong natural fortress improved with fortifications up to 12 feet thick.
The sequence was as follows: US 162nd Infantry Regiment(-) captured Roosevelt Ridge on 13 August; 15th Aust militia Brigade attacked Bobdubi Ridge on 14 August; 17th Brigade AIF enveloped Mt Tambu on 16 August. The capture of Mt Tambu was achieved by two companies of 2/6 Bbn AIF infiltrating across Buirali gorge to seize a position behind Mt Tambu, astride the Japanese supply line. At the same time frontal pressure was maintained by 2/5 Bn AIF and I/162 US Inf Bn. Japanese counter attacks on the 2/6 Bn infiltration force were broken up by long range sustained MG fire from 42 Aust militia Bn. After three days, the Japanese I/66 Bn abandoned Mt Tambu on 19 August. Neighbouring defensive positions were also abandoned. The Japanese had been evicted from a strong defensive position at minimal cost.

 

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ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): During the Aleutian Campaign, 3 Jun 42 to 21 Aug 43, the Eleventh Air Force destroyed 69 aircraft, sank 21 and damaged 29 ships, and lost 29 of its own aircraft.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 B-24's, 7 B-25's, and 11 P-40's attack docks and the airfield at Hankow; a large force of fighters,
estimated at 50+, attacks the B-24 formation, shooting down 2 of the B-24's; gunners on the B-24's claim 40+ fighters shot down. In the Hengyang area, 19 P-40's battle 33 airplanes, shooting down 5 Zekes. S of Changsha, 9 P-38's clash with 12 Zekes, shooting down 3.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's and fighters strafe barges in Doveli Cove and Marquana and Paraso Bays in the Central Solomons.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's attack But Airfield and Dagua Airfield, with close escort by sixteen P-38s of the 80th FS. There were scattered clouds over the target and an overcast en route over the mountains. The formation was attacked by between 20 and 40 Ki-43 Oscars about 15 miles south of Dagua, eleven of which were claimed to have been shot down. Lost are P-38G piloted by Guttel, P-38 piloted by Feehan and P-38G piloted by Krisher also P-38F 42-12637 ditched, pilot DeGraffenreid survived. Japanese sources indicate 25 fighters intercepted from 13th Sentai (mostly flying Type 1 fighters at this time), 59th Sentai and 68th Sentai, and seven were lost (another source lists 6 pilots killed: 2 from 68th Sentai and three from 13th Sentai and one from 59th Sentai). Japanese claims 11 plus 4 uncertain.

L2D Tabby is shot down over Bono Bay by 380th BG B-24 "Juarez Whistle".

B-17's bomb the Bogadjim area; and single B-24's hit the Salamaua area and targets of opportunity at Lahang. B-24's carry out a damaging strike against Pombelaa in the Celebes.

In Northeast New Guinea, Komiatum, 3.6 miles ESE of Salamaua, is captured by Australian troops. Meanwhile, B-25 Mitchells of the USAAF's 5th Air Force bomb But Airfield (But West) and Dagua Airfield (But East).

AUSTRALIA: Election returns in Australia show that Premier Curtin's Labor Party on top.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 P-40's bomb Japanese HQ and a supply dump at Tengchung, and strafe trucks and troops in the area; 2 others strafe road traffic between Tengchung and Lungling. The 12th Photographic Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force, transfers from Bishnupur, India to Kunming, China with F-5's. The flight which has been operating from Kweilin since Jul will remain there until Sep 43.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's and US Navy dive bombers, escorted by fighter aircraft, bomb barge centers on the W coast of Vella Lavella.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's strike Dili. In New Guinea, as a result of the air offensive against Wewak and satellite airfields, Japanese airpower on New Guinea is sufficiently neutralized for 4 Allied destroyers to proceed along the coast from Milne Bay to Finschhafen; after bombarding Finschhafen during the night of 22/23 August, the warships return to Milne Bay.

USN - Four Allied destroyers to proceed along the coast from Milne Bay to Finschhafen; after bombarding Finschhafen during the night of 22/23 Aug, then return to Milne Bay. Lost is TBF Avenger 06240.

 

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SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-24's and P-39's strafe targets of opportunity on Wagina Island in the Solomon Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's bomb the town and airfield of Kendari on Celebes Island. B-25's hit targets in the Aroe Islands. In New Guinea, B-26's pound Kela; and B-25's hit Marawasa, Finschhafen, and Lillum Saun. Lost is P-38G piloted by Mathers.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-25's fly low-level strike against Myitnge, Burma bridge, knocking out a center span and badly damaging 2 others.

NEW GUINIE: Tonight 4 US destroyers will bombard Finschhafen, New Guinea. They are supporting air ops against Wewak.
Amplifying the above:
The main 5 AF raids against Wewak were delivered on 17 and 18 August, so this shoot would have been too late to provide an effective diversion. Perhaps this bombardment was part of the deception plan designed to draw attention from the landing of 9th Division AIF at Lae on 4 Sep 43?

CHINA: In China, the Japanese bomb Chungking for the first time since 1941.

JAPAN: The Japanese General Staff decides to abandon the central Solomons and concentrate its forces in the northern islands of the archipelago, notably Bougainville.

PACIFIC: USN submarine USS Paddle sinks Italian merchant passenger/cargo ship SS Ada off Hamamatsu, Japan, in position 34.37N, 137.53E.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: USN submarine USS Grayling delivers supplies to Filipino guerrilla forces on Panay Island.

 

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USA: The USAAF's Antisubmarine Command is redesignated I Bomber Command and reassigned to the First Air Force after the USAAF and USN reach an agreement under which the USAAF withdraws from antisubmarine operations. The USN accepts responsibility for all ASW operations in the Atlantic and the USAAF will transfer all aircraft engaged in this activity to the USN.

CHINA: 7 B-24 Liberators and 6 B-25 Mitchells of the USAAF's Fourteenth Air Force, escorted by 22 P-40s and P-38 Lightnings, bomb airfields at Hankow and Wuchang; 4 B-24s are lost; 24 IJA interceptors are claimed shot down.

SOLOMONS:
- 25 Thirteenth Air Force B-24s, with fighter escort, bomb Papatura Fa Island and attack the eastern shore of Ringa Cove on New Georgia Island. P-39 Airacobras strafe barges at Kakasa on Choiseul Island.
- The New Georgia campaign ends as U.S. Army troops occupy Bairoko Harbor.

CANADA: The Quadrant Conference between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill and Canadian Prime Minister W.L. MacKenzie King in Quebec City, Quebec, ends.
Operation OVERLORD, the invasion of northwestern Europe, target date is 1 May 1944, and Operation POINTBLANK, the Combined Bomber Offensive to destroy economic and military power of Germany as a prelude to OVERLORD, shall constitute the primary effort against Germany.
Plans for the invasion of Italy are approved, but the forces to be employed are confined to those already allotted by TRIDENT, the U.S.-British conference held in Washington, D.C., USA, in May 1943.
Advances against Japan are to be made along both the Central Pacific and the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) route. Action in the Central Pacific is to begin with invasion of Gilberts and Marshalls Islands. In the SWPA, Rabaul on New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, will be neutralized but not captured; New Guinea will be neutralized as far west as Wewak; Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands and Kavieng on New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago, are to be secured as bases from which further advances can be supported.
A new Allied command, Southeast Asia Command (SEAC), is authorized to simplify command structure in Asia; British Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten is to be Supreme Commander and U.S. Lieutenant Gerneral Joseph Stilwell will be his deputy. The China Theater is not included in SEAC; as China is an area of U.S. strategic responsibility, General Stilwell is responsible to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai shek.
The North Burma offensive is scheduled to begin in February 1944.
President Roosevelt opposed recognition of a DeGaulle government, but Churchill recognizes French General Charles DeGaulle's National Committee as a wartime ally. Although there was growing unity on military strategy, there was also growing political disunity especially involving Italy.

EAST INDIES: Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells bomb Larat Island in the Tanimbar Islands of the Netherlands East Indies.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Australian 3 Division is replaced by the 5 Division during the final phases of operations against Salamaua. This attack is really a feint; the main objective is Lae and the main body of Australian forces are approaching it from the interior of the island. In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb Wewak and Salamaua. In Papua New Guinea, U.S. forces continue their operations to capture Dot Inlet located northwest of Morobe.

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS: The Japanese submarine HIJMS I-25 launches a "Glen" to reconnoiter Espiritu Santo Island.

 

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RN - Admiral Louis F Mountbatten is appointed Supreme Allied Commander, Southeast Asia.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25's, with fighter escort, bomb Kowloon Docks at Hong Kong.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 13 B-25's, along with 40+ US Navy dive bombers and an escort of
fighter aircraft, pound barge centers at Webster and Ringa Coves on New Georgia Island. 6 B-24's, along with 24 fighters, hit Kahili Airfield. Other P-40's strafe large motor vessels and a barge in the NW part of the Slot. The 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides Islands begins operating from Guadalcanal Island with B-24's; they will fly their first mission tomorrow.

NEW GEORGIA: Offensive operations end.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, almost 100 B-24's, B-25's, and B-17's carry out an hour-long strike against the Hansa Bay area, Nubia, and Awar, and nearby shipping; and small flights of B-24's attack Finschhafen and hit a transport off New Hanover Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. A-20's hit Gasmata; and B-25's bomb targets on Timor Island. HQ 433d Troop Carrier Group arrives at Port Moresby, New Guinea from the US. They will remain at this station until Oct 44.

 

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ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, the Eleventh Air Force's striking power shrinks rapidly as the the following squadrons are ordered to prepare for departure to the Zone of Interior (ZI): 21st Bombardment Squadron, 30th BG (Heavy), on Umnak Island with B-24's, 36th Bombardment Squadron, 28th Composite Group, on Amchitka Island with B-24's, 73d BS (Medium), 28th Composite Group, on Amchitka Island with B-25's, and 406th Bombardment Squadron, 41st BG (Medium), at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage, with B-25's.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 15 B-24's, with an escort of 17 fighters, bomb Kowloon Docks at Hong Kong; 5 Japanese interceptors are shot down. 5 B-25's, supported by 11 P-40's, bomb Tien Ho Airfield at Canton, China; in a battle with enemy interceptors 1 P-40 is lost; the B-25's and P-40's claim 5 Zekes downed. In China, the 449th Fighter Squadron is activated at Kunming and is assigned to the 51st Fighter Group. The squadron forms at Lingling and begins training with P-38's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, 11 B-25's and 50+ US Navy dive bombers, escorted by fighters, pound AA positions and barges at Ringa and Webster Coves on New Georgia Island and at Nusatuva Island; P-40's strafe 2 large motor boats and a 100-foot (30.5 m) steam vessel off Ganongga Island; 15 B-24's bomb Papatura Ite and supply areas on Papatura Fa Island; 15 B-24's, with fighter escort, bomb Kahili Airfield; and P-39's strafe buildings at Gizo and at Kolulavabae Inlet.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): Lost on a landing accident at 30-Mile Drome is B-25D "Butch" 41-30163.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 5 P-40's strafe a large truck convoy between Sintsiang and Yoyang, destroying 5 trucks and damaging 15 others; 1 P-40 is downed by ground fire; 6 other P-40's hit communication lines between Yoyang and Hankow; targets include 2 small steamboats, a gunboat, several railroad cars, and a water tower.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 10 B-24's Snoopers equipped with radar devices that permit blind bombing, begin operations from Carney Field, Guadalcanal Island. 12 B-25's, 8 P-40's, and 8 US Navy F4U's strafe barges and shoreline targets at Kakasa on Choiseul Island; and P-39's strafe barges and shore targets at Ringa Cove on New Georgia Island.
The U.S. 172d Infantry Regiment of the 43d Infantry Division lands on Arundel Island off the northwest tip of New Georgia Island. The regiment meets determined opposition by the Japanese.
Ten USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-24 Snoopers, i.e., B-24s Liberators equipped with radar devices that permit blind bombing, begin operations from Carney Field, Guadalcanal. Twelve B-25s, 8 P-40s, and 8 USMC F4U Corsairs strafe barges and shoreline targets at Kakasa on Choiseul Island; and P-39 Airacobras strafe barges and shore targets at Ringa Cove on New Georgia Island.
The USN's Fighting Squadron VF-33, equipped with F6F-3 Hellcats, lands on Guadalcanal for shore-based duty. These are the first F6Fs deployed to the war zone.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-26's attack bridges in the Bogadjim area; and A-20's strafe barges and troops along the Babui River in the Lae area. On Timor Island, B-25's bomb Dili and Cape Chater airstrip. The 67th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, arrives at Port Moresby, New Guinea from the US with C-47's.

 

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SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon Islands, B-25's, P-40's, and US Navy F4U's bomb and strafe barges, buildings, and personnel in the Sigolehe Island-Barora Ite Island area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 26 B-25's bomb and strafe dumps and shipping in the Hansa Bay area, sinking a small freighter, a power launch, and 8 barges and luggers. Lost is B-25D "Reluctant Dragon" 41-30345; and 20 B-17's and A-20's bomb jetties at Lae and Voco Point and hit barges in Samoa Harbor between Lae and Salamaua. P-47 Thunderbolt force lands at Redscar Beach.

ELLICE ISLANDS: Elements of two USN Seabee battalions and the 7th Marine Defense Battalion land on Nonomea Island, only 400-miles from the Japanese-held Gilbert Islands. Work immediately begins on an airfield.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 9 B-25's, with fighter escort, bomb the airfield at Chingmen, China.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 35 B-24's, escorted by 44 P-38's, strike airfields at Wewak and Boram; and 48 B-25's and 2 B-17's bomb and strafe Alexishafen and Bogadjim areas. A-20's hit dumps at Gasmata. B-24's bomb Babo, New Guinea and Adodo in the Moluccas Islands.

 

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ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The 73d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 28th Composite Group, based on Amchitka Island with B-25's, begins a movement back to the US.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 13 B-25's, some with P-40 support, attack Owchihkow and Shihshow, blasting fuel stores and several buildings; the P-40's strafe gun positions outside Shihshow; 10 P-38's and P-40's on armored reconnaissance from Sinti to Yoyang to Sienning, strafe and bomb several targets of opportunity; 3 locomotives are exploded and another damaged, a water tank is knocked down, and several railroad stations are heavily damaged. 4 other P-40's attack a convoy E of Hong Kong; 1 freighter is hit amidships, causing heavy damage; 2 other vessels are also effectively damaged.

In the Solomon Islands, 24 US Thirteenth Air Force B-24s, along with 20 P-40s and P-39 Airacobras and 20+ USMC F4U Corsairs, pound Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island. Allied airplanes claim more than 30 Japanese shot down; 6 US aircraft are lost.
On New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, US Fifth Air Force B-26s bomb Cape Gloucester Airfield while B-25s sweep along the northwest coast, bombing and strafing barges and enemy-occupied villages.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's pound Dagua, But, and Tadji; and A-20's hit barges on the Bubui River. Lost is P-38H 42-66502. On New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, B-26's bomb Cape Gloucester Airfield while B-25's sweep along the NW coast, bombing and strafing barges and enemy-occupied villages. The 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, transfers from Dobodura to Tsili Tsili, New Guinea with P-40's.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 7 B-24's bomb Gia Lam Airfield; and 22 P-40's and 2 P-38's bomb a dike near Co Bi barracks. 6 B-25's hit Ichang Airfield, China while 3 others attack an oil storage area to the E; P-40's also hit the oil stores. 3 P-40's claim heavy damage to a freighter off Stonecutter's Island near Hong Kong. In China, 4 P-38's dive-bomb Yoyang railroad yards and Sinti warehouses; a P-38 is shot down by ground fire.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: Seven USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb
Gia Lam Airfield and 22 P-40s and two P-38 Lightnings bomb a dike near Co Bi barracks.

EAST INDIES: In the air in the Netherlands East Indies, (1) USN PBY Catalinas sink small Japanese cargo vessels off Ceram; (2) RAAF Mitchells sink a small Japanese cargo vessel off north coast of Alor Island; and (3) U.S. aircraft sink a guardboat off Halmahera Island.

NOTRTH PACIFIC: The USN's Task Force 15, consisting of the aircraft carriers USS Essex with Carrier Air Group Nine (CVG-9), USS Independence with Light Carrier Air Group Twenty Two, and USS Yorktown with CVG-5 with a battleship, 2 light cruisers and 11 destroyers, attack Marcus Island located about 725 miles NW of Wake Island. A total of 275 sorties are flown against the Japanese and several IJN "Bettys" are destroyed and ground facilities are heavily damaged.
This strike marks the combat debut of the Grumman F6F Hellcat. The fighting squadrons on all three aircraft carriers are equipped with F6F-3s, (VF-5) in USS Yorktown, VF-9 in USS Essex and detachments of VF-6 and VF-22 in USS Independence. The Hellcats destroy four aircraft on the ground and later in the day, an F6F pilot shoots down a Japanese aircraft.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): P-40's, in a running battle over Vella Lavella, claim 5 Japanese airplanes shot down; other P-40's strafe barges in Timbala Bay on Vella Lavella Island. 22 B-25's and 50 US Navy airplanes bomb gun positions and the radio station at Vila.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO (Fifth Air Force): Bombers fly scattered strikes against shipping and shore targets in the Saint George Channel and in the Netherlands East Indies. Lost is B-24D "Little Beaver" 42-40984.

 

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ALASKA: 2 P-40's attempting to intercept Japanese aircraft reported near Attu abort because of weather.

CORAL SEA: In the Coral Sea, USN destroyer USS Wadsworth picks up an underwater sound contact and drops seven patterns of depth charges sinking Japanese submarine HIJMS I-20 about 148 nautical miles NNE of Port Vila, Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands, in position 15.38S, 166.57E.

CENTRAL PACIFIC:
BAKER ISLAND: The US Army's 804th Engineer Aviation Battalion lands on Baker Island, about half way between Australia and the Territory of Hawaii, to build an advance airfield to support the upcoming invasions in the Gilbert Islands. The landing is supported by the USN's Task Force 11 (Rear Admiral Willis A. Lee, Jr.), formed around small aircraft carriers USS Princeton and Belleau Wood. The dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 1) in this operation pioneers the use of this type of ship in amphibious operations. Also involved are the PBY-5A Catalinas of USN VP-33 based on Canton Island. The squadron conducted day searches toward the Gilberts covering the occupation of Baker Island.
From this date through 14 Sep, 8 B-24's conduct daily sea-search operations from Canton in the Phoenix Islands.

INDIA: 10th AF: A detachment of the 9th Photographic Squadron, Tenth Air Force, based at Pandaveswar, India begins operating from Dinjan, India with F-4's and F-5's. The 459th Fighter Squadron is activated at Karachi, India and assigned to the 80th Fighter Group. The squadron begins training with P-38's.

BURMA: USAAF Tenth Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb rail facilities at Mandalay.

CHINA:7 B-25's, supported by 8 P-40's, attack a Japanese destroyer at Shihhweiyao; no hits are scored on the ship but considerable damage is done to the surrounding dock area; 6 P-40's sink a small tanker down river from Ichang, damage 2 large boats between Ocheng and Shihhweiyao, and strafe cavalry troops at Ocheng; 3 other P-40's heavily damage a small ship at Swatow harbor and strafe the nearby airfield; 3 P-38's and a P-40 dive-bomb and strafe barracks at Yangsin, demolishing 3 buildings; and 2 nearby locomotives are also destroyed. The fighter-bombers then heavily damage a small steamer at Wuchang, sink 1 tug and damage another at Kutang, and blast a train and an AA position S of Puchi. During Sep 43, HQ 23d Fighter Group transfers from Kunming to Kweilin, China. During Sep 43, detachments of the 449th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group based at Lingling, China operate from Hengyang and Kweilin, China with P-38's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): 70+ B-24's and B-25's hit the Alexishafen / Madang area, dropping 201 tons of bombs (heaviest by Fifth Air Force to date). Other B-25's hit Iboki Plantation in the Bismarck Archipelago, barges on the Bubui River in New Guinea, the Rein Bay on New Britain area and several villages in New Britain. B-17's bomb Labu , New Guinea. B-26's attack Cape Gloucester area on New Britain . B-24's and B-25's strike targets in the Lesser Sunda . The 68th and 69th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 433d Troop Carrier Group, arrive at Port Moresby from the US with C-47's. The 432d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, ceases operating from Port Moresby and returns to it's base at Dobodura with P-38's.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Vella Lavella Island, a battalion of the U.S. 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, driving on the Kokolope Bay, reaches the Orete Cove area, about 14 miles (23 kilometers) northeast of Barakoma.

 

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CHINA-BURMA-INDIA CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 10 B-25's and 5 P-40's bomb Hong Kong hit- ting the Kowloon area and attack shipping off Stonecutter's and in the Lai Chi Kok area.

CHINA: CHINA: Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell, commander of the U.S. China-Burma-India Theater, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, commander of the Northern Area Combat Command and deputy commander of the South-East Asia Command, issues "A Program for China," in which he recommends that 60 Chinese Nationalist divisions be reformed.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, Australian troops encounter strong resistance around the town of Finschhafen while the 2/2nd Independent Company ambushes the Japanese near Kesawai in the Ramu River Valley inflicting heavy casualties.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-25's and 60+ US Navy aircraft pound Vila, hitting AA and artillery positions and the area E of Ringa Cove on New Georgia. 18 B-24's, 20+ P-40's and P-39's, and 60+ USN planes attack Kahili; shore installations, the airfield, and bridges N of the strip are hit.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): B-25's, with P-38 escort, attack shipping at Wewak Harbor, claiming 1 vessel sunk and 2 left aflame; 10 enemy interceptors are claimed destroyed; barrage balloons offer some protection to the enemy ships. This is first AAF observation of Japanese use of such balloons in the Southwest Pacific Area. Lost are B-25D 41-30319, B-25D 41-30225, B-25D 41-30247, B-25D 41-30255. On a bombing mission by 12 B-17s against Cape Glouchester Airfield, lost are B-17E "Craps For The Japs" 41-2653, P-38G "Dumbo!" 42-12847, L-4 piloted by Hayer, P-38H 42-66538.

 

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CHINA-BURMA-INDIA CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 11 P-40's and 2 P-38's blast the barracks area at Pho Lu, French Indochina. HQ 68th Fighter Wing and 69th Bombardment Wing are activated at Kunming, China. Neither unit will be manned until Dec 1943.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): 20+ B-24's, 14 P-40's, and 30+ USN airplanes attack Kahili Airfield. Vila Airfield is bombed by 5 B-24's and 10 USN aircraft. P-40's strafe a wharf at Webster Cove on New Georgia.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Three USN vessels sink three Japanese vessels:
(1) The destroyer USS Ellet sinks Japanese submarine HIJMS I-25, about 173 nautical miles NW of Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands, in position 13.10S, 165.27E;
(2) The submarine USS Pollack sinks a transport about 124 nautical miles S of Tokyo, Japan, in position 33.65533;38'N, 140.65533;07'E;
(3) submarine USS Pompano sinks a merchant cargo ship about 391 nautical miles NE of Tokyo, Japan, in position 41.00N, 144.34E.

EAST INDIES: The USAAF Fifth Air Force flies light raids against targets on Ceram Island in the Moluccas Islands and Timor Island in the Sunda Islands, both in the Netherlands East Indies.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, RAAF Catalinas bomb Gasmata Airfield and USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s and B-24s bomb the Cape Gloucester area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): Heavy and medium bombers blast gun emplacements and terrace defenses in the Lae, New Guinea area. Other heavy bombers hit the Cape Gloucester area on New Britain . Light raids are flown against targets on Ceram in the Moluccas and Timor in the Sunda .

 

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AMERICAN ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): HQ XI Bomber Command transfers from Amchitka to Adak in the Aleutians.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Seventh Air Force): The 19th Fighter Squadron, 318th FG, transfers from Kipapa Field to Stanley Field, Territory of Hawaii with P-40's.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 10 B-25's and 11 P-40's pound Tien Ho airfield at Canton, China; 3 of 15 intercepting Zekes are shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon , 23 B-25's hit the Dulo Cove area on New Georgia; 9 B-24's, 15 AAF fighters, and 20+ USN fighters hit the airfield on Ballale.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): The Allied offensive against Lae begins as forces land at Hopoi and the mouth of the Buso River; B-24's support the landings by pounding Lae air- field, B-25's hit the Hopoi area and bomb the airfield at Cape Gloucester on New Britain; A-20's and RAAF planes hit the airfield on Gasmata; supporting P-38's intercept 100+ enemy fighters and bombers, which are airborne despite the attacks on airfields, and claim 20 shot down. Lost was Beaufort A9-204, P-38H 42-66748

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, USN Task Force 76 (Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey) lands the Australian 9th Division, Australian Imperial Force (AIF), on Huon Peninsula at Hopoi and the mouth of the Buso River near Lae, in Operation POSTERN. This landing is the largest in the Pacific to this date. It forms part of the largest triphibious operation ever carried out in the Pacific but has received very little recognition. 9th Australian Division landed at Red Beach east of Lae as part of a I Australian Corps operation to envelop and destroy the Japanese 51st Division. 9 Division is the "right pincer".
The holding force is constituted by 3rd Australian Division at Salamaua and the left pincer by 7th Australian Division AIF air landing at Nadzab tomorrow. This plan is conceived by General Sir Thomas Blamey, Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces Southwest Pacific and Commander-in- Chief Australian Military Force.
The initial landing is by two brigades, HQ and support elements of 9 Division, carried in vessels of the USN 7th Amphibious Force. 532nd EBSR (US) also took part in the landing. The balance of the division came in the second wave two days later. Blamey had insisted on landing the entire 9th Division instead of the single brigade envisioned by GHQ planners. Events on shore later would vindicate his judgment. Although there is negligible resistance on shore, Japanese aircraft scored hits on LST's in the initial landing and in the follow-on force. 2/4th Commando Squadron loses about a quarter of its strength to a bomb hit while an infantry battalion lost its commanding officer and other personnel. There is no Allied Combat Air Patrol (CAP). After securing the beachhead, 9 Division began its advance westward along the coast towards Lae. Somewhere ahead is a lot of enemy.
At 0705 hours local, six Zekes and three Bettys attack the Allied naval craft landing troops at Lae and sink the infantry landing craft LCI-339 and damage the USN destroyer USS Conyngham and tank landing ships USS LST-471 and USS LST-473. At 0800 hours local, nine USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24 Liberators support the landings by bombing Lae Airfield; at 0900 hours, 24 B-24s attack gun emplacements and other targets at Malahang Airdrome at Lae. At about 1400 hours, 40 P-38s and P-47s intercept about 100 Japanese naval aircraft over the departing invasion force; a "Val" dive bomber hits an LST and score near misses on two USN destroyers while a "Betty" bomber scores a torpedo hit on an LST killing 51 and wounding 30.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarines sink two Japanese vessels:
(1) USS Albacore sinks a gunboat about 133 nautical miles SW of Ponape, Caroline Islands in position 05.25N, 156.37E;
(2) USS Tarpon sinks a guardboat about 887 nautical miles E of Tokyo, Japan, in position 35.56N, 157.59E.
In the South China Sea, USN submarine USS Sunfish sinks a Japanese army cargo ship about 40 nautical miles SW of Tainan, Formosa in position 22.06N, 119.50E.

 

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CHINA-BURMA-INDIA CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 15 fighter-bombers pound the marshalling yard SE of Lao Kay, French Indochina; 16 others hit barracks in the city.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The USN submarine USS Swordfish sinks a Japanese army transport north of New Guinea.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 82 C-47'S drop paratroops at Nadzab (first such landings in the Southwest Pacific Area) following bombardment of the drop zone by 52 medium bombers and pounding of Lae Airfield by 24 heavy bombers; a smoke screen is laid over the landing area by A-20's; Nadzab Airfield is quickly put into operational condition and will subsequently become a major Allied airbase.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea at 1022 hours local, 82 USAAF Fifth Air Force C-47s, escorted by 146 P-38 Lightnings and P-47s, drop paratroops of the U.S. 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment and 31-men of the Australian 2/4th Field Regiment equipped with "short" 25 pounder (87.6 mm) howitzers at Nadzab Airfield (first such landings in the Southwest Pacific Area) just west of Lae.
The drop follows the bombardment of the drop zone by 52 USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells and numerous fighter-bombers, the laying of a smoke screen over the landing area by A-20 Havocs and the bombing of Lae Airfield by 24 B-24 Liberators. Nadzab Airfield is quickly overrun and by 1840 hours, the site of the dirt strip has been cleared so that an Australian infantry division can be flown in. After landing, the paratroops link up with the Australian forces in the Bulolo Valley.
This is the "left pincer" of Australian General Thomas Blamey's Operation Postern. Today we would call it a "Point of Entry" operation. The immediate object is to secure the Nadzab airstrip, potentially the largest in New Guinea. A further objective is to outflank the strategically vital town of Lae. This is the first time Australian soldiers have parachuted into action. I believe it is also the first time that any force in the world has parachuted into action with artillery. The overland force did not come from Tsili Tsili but via the Bulolo Valley.
It consisted of an engineer company and a pioneer battalion from Australian 7th Division Australian Imperial Force (AIF). They have floated their heavy equipment and plant down the Markham River on rafts the day before, then "laid up" in thick cover until the drop started. The U.S. paratroopers and Australian gunners secured the airstrip while the engineers and pioneers set about clearing and preparing it for the fly-in of the rest of Australian 7th Division.
The paratrooper drop is very well organised by the USAAF Fifth Air Force - it is no easy task to plan and execute the drop of a complete regiment plus artillery. It is supported by copious fighter cover and smoke screens dropped by bombers. Fifth Air Force also dropped dummy parachutists in other areas to confuse the Japanese. No Japanese resistance is encountered (at this stage), tribute to General Blamey's skill in convincing the Japanese that the true objective of the campaign is Salamaua, located 43 miles (68 kilometers) to the southeast. As a point of interest for those who like big guns: the "short" 25 pounder (87.6 mm) is developed at the Australian Army School of Ordnance in Victoria. Its ballistics are worse than a conventional 25 pounder (not surprising) but it packed a bigger punch than a U.S. 75 mm pack howitzer. The short 25 pounder could be broken down into sections for transport by aircraft. This is done at Buna and at Wau where the gunners assembled their guns under fire on the airstrip. Now at Nadzab, Australian gunners have shown that it could be successfully dropped by parachute as well.
The Australian 24th Brigade lands at Lae at 2300 hours local.

RAAF - Two Beaufighters attack Cape Glouscester Strip. Lost is Beaufighter A19-33. That morning, Boston of 22 Squadron attack Gasmata being repaired. 10 Beauforts of 100 Squadron attack Gasmata Airfield. Three are shot down: Beaufort A9-374, Beaufort A9-183 and Beaufort 186. One crashes at its home base, and another Beaufort A9-362 crashes at Vivigani. They were escorted by 8 P-40s of 76 Squadron.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Arundel Island, the U.S. 172d Infantry Regiment unsuccessfully attacks Japanese positions about 600 yards (549 meters) southeast of the base of Bomboe Peninsula.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 fighter-bombers attack wharves, vessels, and destroy a small factory building in the Yoyang-Shihhweiyao area; 5 others hit trucks, trains, gun emplacements, and railway facilities in areas around Sintsiang and Puchi.
Lieutenant General Joseph Stillwell, Chief of Staff to Chiang Kai-Shek, proposes that Chines divisions under Chiang Kai-shek, both Nationalist and Communist, be employed in China.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Arundel Island, a battalion of the 172d Infantry Regiment secures Grant Island and the western half of Bomboe Peninsula.
USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells and P-39 Airacobras hit enemy positions at Kakasa on Choiseul Island; B-24 Liberators bomb gun positions at Vila on Kolombangara Island; and P-39s join U.S. USMC and USN aircraft in a strike on suspected radar site on Morgusaia Island. During the day, seven IJN Zekes are shot down by F4U and TBF crews, a USN F6F Hellcat and a P-39 pilot.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, heavy bombers pound Lae Airfield and surrounding area, and medium bombers bomb and strafe enemy defenses in Lahang and vicinity, as Allied ground forces push toward Lae; US fighters claim 8 enemy aircraft downed over Lae. B-25's fly a sweep against barges along the coast of New Britain in the Bismarck Archipelago

EAST INDIES: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells bomb targets on Timor Island in the Sunda Islands.

NEW GUINEA: Two brigades of the Australian 9th Division meet strong Japanese resistance at the Bunga River in their advance on Lae, Northeast New Guinea. The 24th Brigade lands to support them. As soon as the Japanese at Lae became aware of the 9th Division Australian Imperial Force landing on 4 September, they had dispatched a reinforced company force as a "forlorn hope" to delay it. The balance of the Japanese forces east of Lae tried to form a stable defensive line on the Busu River.
The Japanese "forlorn hope" did very well:
In a vicious slugging fight in the Singaua Plantation they imposed eight hours delay on the Australians - about as much as a company could hope to achieve against the advance guard of a division. By the time they returned to the Busu River the Japanese have lost about two thirds of their strength.
Also on this day, Lieutenant-General Nakano Hidemitsu recognized the trap that has been sprung: He ordered the 51st Japanese Division to abandon Salamaua and fall back on Lae, to defend it against 9th Division AIF to the east and 7th Division AIF to the west.
In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack Malahang Airfield, located 2 miles east of Lae and the surrounding area, and B-25s and B-26s bomb and strafe enemy defenses in Malahang and vicinity, as Allied ground forces push toward Lae; C-47s transport The 871st Airborne Engineer Battalion to Nadzab to improve the airstrip and fly Australian reinforcements into Nadzab during the afternoon. U.S. fighters claim eight Japanese aircraft downed over Lae.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarine USS Halibut hits Japanese heavy cruiser HIJMS Nachi with one dud torpedo about 84 nautical miles ESE of Aomori, Honshu, Japan, in position 40.07N, 142.20E.
In the southwest Pacific, Australian Beauforts sink a small Japanese cargo vessel about 56 nautical miles ESE of Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismark Archipelago, in position 04.39S, 152.59'E.