July 1943

7/1/43 AAF
Memo by Gen Giles for Gen Arnold stresses great need for more ftr escort for strategic bombing missions. The present ratio of less than 1 ftr gp to 4 HB gps is held to be completely insufficient and a minimum ratio of 1 to 2 is suggested.

7/1/43 Eighth AF
Gen Frederick L Anderson Jr replaces Gen Longfellow as CG VIII BC.

7/1/43 NAAF
During 30 Jun/1 Jul Wellingtons bomb Cagliari barracks and railway station. NACAF flies patrol, rcn, and convoy protection.

7/1/43 Ninth AF
P-40’s, along with Twelfth AF ftrs, fly armed rcn of S Sicily and convoy patrol in Cap Bon area and off Kebili. RAF Halifaxes hit Catania railway yards.

7/1/43 Fifth AF
A-20’s bomb and strafe forces in Duali area as nearby Allied troops consolidate positions along S arm of Bitoi R. Other A-20’s strafe Lae area. B-25’s hit Kela Pt and Logui. B-17’s and B-24’s bomb A/Fs at Rabaul.

7/2/43 NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons hit Palermo and Cagliari during 1/2 Jul. NATAF B-25’s hit Castelvetrano during the day. NACAF aircraft attack 2 vessels off W coast of Italy and fly patrols, rcn, and convoy protection.

7/2/43 Ninth AF
44th, 93d, and 389th Bomb Gps, on loan from Eighth AF, begin operations (2 Jul-21 Aug) with Ninth AF. B-24’s bomb A/Fs at Lecce, Grottaglie, and San Pancrazio Salentino. B-25’s hit A/F and surrounding area at Sciacca. P-40’s, escorting bmrs to Sciacca, shoot down ftr and damage 1. 2 P-40’s are lost.

7/2/43 Fifth AF
B-25’s pound defenses in Kela Pt area and trail near Logui. A lone B-24 bombs Salamaua area. Allied invasion force (MacKechnie Force) holds firm beachhead on Nassau Bay and makes contact with Australian forces to the N. B-17’s and B-24’s again attack A/Fs in Rabaul.

7/2/43 Thirteenth AF
B-25’s and Navy F-4U’s bomb and strafe small vessel in Baeroko anchorage.

7/2/43 Eleventh AF
3 bmrs and 4 P-38’s fly 4 rcn missions over Kiska and Segula. 17 B-24’s and 16 B-25’s then attack Kiska in 5 missions, 2 of them radar-guided. Fires are started at several of the tgts, which include Gertrude Cove, the harbor, and buildings in Main Camp area. Intense AA fire damages 3 aircraft. 2 B25’s on a submarine attack hit Kiska seaplane ramp after making no contact with tgt. 2 P-40’s cover troops which make unopposed landing on Rat I.

7/3/43 Eighth AF
Gen Devers, CG ETOUSA, in report to Gen Arnold, praises proficiency of VIII BC bombardiers but stresses dire need for high-altitude gunnery trg.

7/3/43 NAAF
During 2/3 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons attack Olbia and Trapani. The following day, B-17’s and B-25’s hit Chilivani, Monserrato, and Alghero A/Fs. Ftrs hit radar station at Pula and Alghero, while B-26’s bomb Milis and Capotera A/Fs. NATAF LBs hit area around Marsala and A/Fs at Sciacca and Trapani.

7/3/43 Ninth AF
B-25’s hit A/F at Comiso. P-40’s fly escort over Sicily and over Pantelleria, claiming destruction of 1 ftr.

7/3/43 Tenth AF
B-25’s hit the oft bombed bridge at Myitnge, knocking the S end span into the river.

7/3/43 Fifth AF
B-24’s bomb A/Fs in Rabaul area and hit Kendari A/F. Koepang is attacked by 2 B-25’s. A lone B-17 bombs landing strip at Cape Gloucester.

7/3/43 Thirteenth AF
B-25’s bomb A/F and AA positions at Munda.

7/3/43 Eleventh AF
6 B-24’s bomb Main Camp and take photos of Segula.

7/4/43 Eighth AF
237 HBs strike in very effective attacks on aircraft factories at Le Mans and Nantes and also hit submarine yards at La Pallice. Bombing is extremely accurate.

7/4/43 NAAF
During 3/4 Jul, Wellingtons hit Trapani and Lido di Roma. Leaflets are dropped in Rome area. B-17’s and B-26’s hit Catania and Gerbini A/Fs. B-25’s bomb 2 satellite A/Fs near Gerbini. NATAF LBs and MBs hit A/F at Comiso, Trapani, Sciacca, and Castelvetrano.

7/4/43 Ninth AF
RAF Halifax aircraft bomb Catania, railroad yards during 3/4 Jul. B-25’s hit Comiso A/F. P-40’s escort bmrs and convoy and fly sea-search for missing pilot. Ftrs claim 3 Me-109’s shot down. 4 P-40’s are lost.

7/4/43 Tenth AF
HBs attack Shweli road bridge but fail to cause appreciable damage.

7/4/43 Thirteenth AF
B-17’s pound Bairoko.

7/5/43 NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb Villacidro A/F and Catania during 4/5 Jul. NASAF ftrs, MBs, and HBs hit main and satellite A/Fs at Gerbini and radar stations at Marsala and Licata. NATAF LBs and MBs hit Sciacca and A/Fs at Trapani, Comiso and Biscari. NACAF airplanes maintain sea patrol, rcn, and convoy escort.

7/5/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s attack harbor, harbor installations, railway yards, and oil storage at Messina. B-25’s hit Sciacca and Biscari A/Fs. P-40’s fly uneventful sea patrol. RAF HBs strike railroad yards at Catania.

7/5/43 USSR
German Army begins its ill-fated offensive toward Kursk.

7/5/43 Fifth AF
B-25’s bomb and strafe A/F at Salamaua, Komiatum Track, and HQ areas at Kela and Salamaua.

7/5/43 Thirteenth AF
9 B-24’s over Buin fail to find shipping and bomb Munda and Ballale I instead.

7/6/43 NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons hit Gerbini A/F and 2 satellites during 5/6 Jul. During predawn hours and throughout the day, LBs and MBs of NATAF bomb A/Fs at Biscari, Sciacca, Trapani, and Comiso. NASAF B17’s hit again hit Gerbini A/F and 3 satellite fields. B-25’s bomb Biscari A/F. NACAF maintains sea patrol and convoy protection.

7/6/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s strike satellite A/Fs at Gerbini. B-25’s hit A/F at Biscari and Gerbini. P-40’s escort bmrs, patrol, and carry out divebombing operations in Sicily.

7/6/43 Fourteenth AF
5 B-25’s and 8 P-40’s hit runway and revetment area at Pailochi A/F.

7/6/43 Fifth AF
B-25’s attack Penfoei A/F and hit Labu Lagoon area.

7/6/43 Thirteenth AF
B-17’s and B-24’s pound A/Fs at Kahili, on Ballale and on Buka Is. B-25’s hit beached destroyer at Bamberi.

7/6/43 Eleventh AF
2 B-24’s and 2 P-40’s on 3 weather rcn missions report Kiska overcast, and take photos of Segula. 6 B-24’s bomb Main Camp. 8 B-25’s abort a radar run over Kiska when 1 has engine trouble and the others fail to locate Ventura Pathfinder. They sight a submarine which crash-dives immediately.

7/7/43 Atlantic
German sub, U-951, is sunk in E Atlantic, 37-40N 15-30W, by aircraft of 1st Antisub Sq.

7/7/43 NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb Palermo and A/Fs at Villacidro, Milis, and Pabillonis during 6/7 Jul. During the day, B-17’s, B-25’s, and B-26’s bomb Gerbini satellite fields and Bo Rizzo A/F, as P-40’s fly diversionary sweep over W part of Sicily. NATAF LBs hit Sciacca during 6/7 Jul, and the following day bomb A/Fs at Trapani, Biscari, Comiso, Bo Rizzo, and Mazara del Vallo, and hit Sciacca, Marsala radar station, Caltanissetta, and Porto Empedocle.

7/7/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s hit A/Fs at Gerbini and rail line N of Brucoli. B-25’s bomb A/F and surrounding areas at Biscari and Comiso. P-40’s bomb and strafe A/F at Lucca.

7/7/43 Fourteenth AF
7 B-25’s and 22 P-40’s attack shipping at Canton. At least 2 interceptors are shot down.

7/7/43 Fifth AF
B-24’s and B-25’s, along with RAAF airplanes, operate in direct spt of Allied ground operations in Mubo area, dropping over 100 tons of bombs on numerous tgts as MacKechnie Force begins assault on Bitoi Ridge and Australian forces (2/6 Bn) capture Observation Hill, an important terrain feature W of Mubo.

7/7/43 Thirteenth AF
B-25’s and P-38’s attack Vila A/F. B-24’s bomb Kahili A/F.

7/7/43 ZI
AAF Trg Cmd is established to take over functions formerly assigned to the Technical Trg and Flying Trg Cmds.

7/8/43 Atlantic
German sub, U-232, is sunk off Portugal, 40-37N 13-41W, by aircraft of 2d Antisub Sq.

7/8/43 NAAF
NASAF Wellingtons bomb A/Fs at Comiso and Catania during 7/8 Jul. During the day, B-17’s, B-25’s, and B-26’s make several strikes against Gerbini and its satellite fields. P-38’s strafe radar installations in E part of Sicily. NATAF LBs hit Sciacca A/F while MBs hit A/Fs at Biscari and Comiso. A-36’s attack trucks, train, railroads, highways, sulphur plant, and a M/Y at several points in Sicily.

7/8/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s attack Catania railway station, telegraph and telephone buildings, and industrial area. B-25’s hit Biscari and Comiso A/Fs and nearby areas. P-40’s attack Biscari A/F, escort bmrs over Sicily, and carry out sea patrol.

7/8/43 Fourteenth AF
22 B-24’s, escorted by 13 P-40’s, attack shipping, docks, and cement works at Haiphong.

7/8/43 Fifth AF
B-25’s continue to pound enemy positions around Mubo and along coast of NE New Guinea, hitting Kela Pt and village, Malolo, Buigap Creek, and trails from Salamaua A/F and Kennedy’s Crossing to Logui.

7/8/43 Eleventh AF
9 B-25’s fly a special mission to Attu.

7/9/43 NAAF
During 8/9 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Catania, Gerbini, and Comiso A/Fs, and throughout the following day B-17’s, B-25’s, B-26’s, and ftrs attack other tgts in Sicily, including Sciacca and Biscari A/Fs, Gerbini satellite field, and Cape Passero I radar stations. NATAF planes hit Sciacca and Milo A/Fs during 8/9 Jul, and on 9 Jul hit Milo and Biscari A/Fs, Sciacca, Porto Empedocle HQ at Taormina, junction NE of Gela, Canicatti area, and T/Os.

7/9/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s bomb A/Fs at Maleme, Comiso, and Taormina. B-25’s hit Sciacca landing ground and Biscari A/F and dispersal areas. P-40’s escort bmrs over Castelvetrano and Milo A/Fs. This pre-invasion air bombardment of Sicily provides air superiority over the enemy. British and US airborne contingents are dropped on the island during 9/10 Jul to help facilitate amphibious assault of seaborne troops which are to land on morning of 10 Jul. This is first major airborne operation to be undertaken by Allies in World War II, and subsequently becomes subject of intensive study.

7/9/43 Tenth AF
B-25’s bomb railroad bridge on the Mu R between Ywataung and Monywa, scoring 2 direct hits and leaving the bridge temporarily unusable.

7/9/43 Fifth AF
B-25’s hit forces in vicinity of Old Bobdubi, Malolo, and Busama. B-25’s hit landing fields on Timor, Dili, and Cape Chater.

7/9/43 Thirteenth AF
During 8/9 Jul, B-24’s bomb Kahili A/F, Buin, and Poporang. B-25’s and several ftrs sent against forces near Vella Lavella I fail to locate tgt and strafe Buki and Ganongga and a destroyer beached on SE Kolombangara.

7/10/43 Eighth AF
70 HBs strike Caen/Carpiquet and Abbeville/Drucat A/Fs.

7/10/43 NAAF
During 9/10 Jul NASAF Wellingtons bomb Catania, Syracuse, Syracuse Isthmus, seaplane base and railroad station at Syracuse, and Caltagirone; NAAF TTC flies airborne operations to drop British and US paratroops on Sicily. US Seventh and British Eighth Armies make amphibious landings on S and SE coast of Sicily. NATAF A-36’s hit railroads, road junctions, trains, and vehicles while P-40’s fly cover for amphibious landings. NATAF LBs and MBs hit A/Fs at Sciacca, Canicatti, Ponte Olivo, and Trapani, and towns and surrounding areas of Caltagirone and Palazzolo. Throughout the day NASAF B-17’s and B-25’s bomb Milo and Sciacca A/Fs, Gerbini satellite fields, and towns of Palazzolo and Caltanissetta. P-38’s on sweep strafe radar installation.

7/10/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s attack M/Y at Catania and A/F at Vibo Valentia. B-25’s hit Palazzolo, Sciacca, Catania and Agrigento, Floridia, Giarratana, Biscari, Syracuse, and Piazza Armerina. Ftrs cover assault beach areas in Sicily.

7/10/43 Fourteenth AF
9 B-24’s bomb dock area at Haiphong.

7/10/43 Fifth AF
B-25’s pound Salamaua, Logui, and SE bank of Francisco R as Allied ground forces effect junction at Buigap Creek cutting comm between Salamaua and Mubo. A single B-24 bombs village of Kela. B24’s bomb Boela and Babo.

7/10/43 Thirteenth AF
B-24’s pound Kahili A/F. Seabees report 3,300-ft airstrip at Segi Pt available for limited operations. This provides an emergency landing field only 40 mi from Japanese facilities at Munda.

7/10/43 Eleventh AF
The Eleventh attacks the Japanese Home Islands for the first time as 8 B-25’s raid Paramushiru, scoring hits on the S part of Shimushu I, Paramushiru Strait, and northern Paramushiru, in dead reckoning runs when solid cloud cover prevents maximum altitude attack. No AA fire encountered, no enemy aircraft sighted. The B-25’s stage through Attu on returning to Adak. 6 B-24’s, originally slated to accompany the B-25’s to Paramushiru, and 5 other B-25’s are on short notice dispatched to attack a convoy off Attu. They claim 2 medium freighters sunk in deck-level strikes.

7/11/43 NAAF
NASAF planes hit Milo and Sciacca A/Fs during 10/11 Jul and numerous tac tgts during the day, including town areas, vehicle convoys, bridges, trains and roads. NASAF B-17’s bomb Catania M/Y while B-26’s hit Milo A/F and Gerbini satellite A/Fs. B-25’s and P-38’s hit Sciacca A/F and town of Caltanissetta. Throughout the day NASAF ftrs attack truck convoys on Sicilian highways, and hit gun positions and T/Os.

7/11/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s hit A/Fs at Vibo Valentia and Reggio di Calabria. B-25’s hit A/Fs at Trapani, Milo and Bo Rizzo, and areas between Sciacca and Enna. P-40’s escort bmrs and provide beach cover as invasion forces push inland in Sicily. US Seventh Army’s II Corps is hit by counterattack, mainly in Gela region. Attack is repelled, but airdrop of contingent of 82d Airborne Div troops results in heavy casualties.

7/11/43 Tenth AF
A few HBs hit port of Haiphong.

7/11/43 Fourteenth AF
3 B-24’s bomb Haiphong harbor area, 3 bomb shipping in Campha Port area, and 8 pound positions and barracks area at Kunlong. P-40’s strafe traffic between Lao Kay and Cha Pa and hit oil storage area SW of Lao Kay.

7/11/43 Fifth AF
A-20’s and B-25’s blast positions in battle zone from Nassau Bay inland to Mubo area, hitting trail between Logui and Kennedy’s Crossing, Bobdubi and Bobdubi Ridge areas, Salamaua, Kela Pt, and villages scattered through the area. Other B-25’s bomb Penfoei. B-17’s and B-24’s pound A/Fs in Rabaul area.

7/11/43 Thirteenth AF
B-24’s and B-17’s attack Kahili A/F, hitting revetments E and W of the strip.

7/11/43 Seventh AF
3 B-24’s from Funa futi fly photo rcn mission to Little Makin; 2 of the HBs bomb the island.

7/11/43 Eleventh AF
5 B-24’s take off to attack Paramushiru and fly shipping search but are turned back by bad weather. A shipping search by 5 B-25’s finds nothing. 6 B-25’s and 6 B-24’s in 3 missions (one by radar) attack North Head and Main Camp on Kiska with unobserved results. 4 P-40’s fly rcn over Kiska sighting new excavations near Sredni Pt, strafe tent near Haycock Rock, and also fly over Segula I.

7/12/43 Atlantic
1st Antisub Sq sinks U-506 near Portugal, 42-30N 16-30W.

7/12/43 NAAF
During 11/12 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons pound Trapani, Marsala, and Mazara del Vallo, and Montecorvino-Rovella A/F, and NAAF TCC drops paratroops in front of forward lines in battle area during 11/12 Jul. More than 20 C-47’s fail to return from mission. During following day, B-17’s hit Messina railroad bridges. MBs and LBs hit Gerbini satellite field, Agrigento, Canicatti, and Milo A/F. Ftrs hit trucks, trains, troops, tanks, and other T/Os during sweeps over Sicily. NATAF ftrs and LBs hit Milo A/F, Sicilian beaches, Termini harbor and town, Ninfa rail junction, several trains, numerous vehicles, and comm tgts throughout Sicily. NACAF aircraft fly convoy escort and carry out shipping strikes in Tyrrhenian Sea and W of Corsica and Sardinia.

7/12/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s attack harbor, ferry slip, and M/Y at Reggio di-Calabria, and ferry slip and railroad yards at Villa San Giovanni. B-25’s hit Bo Rizzo A/F while P-40’s patrol over Licata area. With bridgeheads firmly established in Sicily by end of day, British and US troops make contact at Ragusa. RAF HBs bomb Reggio di Calabria A/F.

7/12/43 Fourteenth AF
7 B-24’s attack docks and shipping at Campha Port, shipping at Ha Long Bay, and railroad yards, power plant, and warehouses at Hongay. The HBs claim critical damage to 2 freighters. P-40’s strafe trucks S of Ha Giang.

7/12/43 Fifth AF
13 B-24’s bomb A/Fs and town area in Rabaul and vicinity. 2 B-25’s hit Lingat A/F and Selaroe I villages. A lone B-17 bombs Garove.

7/12/43 Thirteenth AF
10 B-25’s attack Vila A/F, which is hit later in the day by B-24’s on armed rcn. 17 B-24’s pound A/F on Ballale I. Several ftrs join Navy dive bmrs in strikes on AA and bivouacs in Munda area.

7/13/43 NAAF
During 12/13 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons hit Caltanissetta, Gerbini A/F, and Enna. During day, B-17’s, B25’s, B-26’s, and ftrs attack Enna, Milo A/F, Carcitella landing ground, Randazzo, and T/Os in Sicily. NATAF aircraft hit truck convoys, trains, railway stations, troops, and numerous T/Os over wide areas in Sicily. NACAF continues sea patrols, rcn, and convoy protection and attacks ship convoy NE of Palermo. British effort to break out onto Catania Plain by establishing bridgehead over Simeto R near Lentini is firmly opposed.

7/13/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s strike A/Fs at Crotone and Vibo Valentia. B-25’s attack Leonforte road and harbor on Termini. P-40’s patrol Licata area.

7/13/43 Tenth AF
16 B-25’s lay mines in Irrawaddy R.

7/13/43 Fifth AF
B-17’s and B-24’s, operating individually, bomb A/F, town area, harbor and other tgts in Lae area. B25’s blast positions in Salamaua area, along road between Kela and MacDonald’s Junctions. Ground forces clear Mubo area and Lababia Ridge of enemy.

7/14/43 Eighth AF
101 HBs attack aircraft works at Villacoublay. Le Bourget and Amiens A/Fs are also hit by sizable forces.

7/14/43 NAAF
During 13/14 Jul NASAF Wellingtons bomb Palermo and Messina, and C-47’s drop paratroops in adv of Allied troops to secure bridge at Primosole. NATAF aircraft hit ammo dumps, trains, rail junctions, bridges, vehicle convoys, and other T/Os in the Sicilian countryside, and bomb several town areas including Enna and Palermo during several raids throughout 13/14 Jul and the following day. During the day, B-17’s, B-26’s, and B-25’s, and ftrs hit Naples, Messina, Enna, Marsala, and Randazzo, and numerous T/Os throughout Sicily. NACAF continues sea patrols, rcn, and convoy protection. British forces attempting to establish bridgehead at Primosole bridge on Simeto R near Lentini continue to face strong opposition.

7/14/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s and RAF HBs hit railroad, M/Y, harbor, and oil storage at Messina. B-25’s hit Enna and Palermo areas. P-40’s patrol Licata and attack Lentini area.

7/14/43 Fifth AF
A-20’s bomb and strafe Orodubi area. A single B-17 hits Lae. B-24’s bomb Koepang.

7/14/43 Thirteenth AF
B-25’s and P-40’s strike small craft in Huna Cove and Beagle Channel off New Georgia. 2 barges and a small vessel are claimed destroyed. B-24’s and B-17’s pound A/Fs at Ballale and Buka Is and at Kahili.

7/15/43 NAAF
During 14/15 Jul, Wellingtons of NASAF hit A/Fs and docks at Naples while NATAF LBs and MBs bomb Palermo and fly armed rcn, attacking roads and convoys, over extensive areas of Sicily. During the day, NASAF MBs bomb Vibo Valentia, while HBs hit Villa San Giovanni. NASAF ftrs fly numerous strafing and bombing missions against trains, road junctions, radar installations, truck convoys, railway stations, and T/Os throughout Sicily. NACAF airplanes fly sea patrols, rcn, convoy escort, and hit shipping off W. coast of Corsica and E coast of Saldinia.

7/15/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s strike main A/F and 2 satellite fields at Foggia. B-25’s bomb Palermo, Cape Gallo, Salina I, and Cape Zafferano. P-40’s patrol over Licata area.

7/15/43 Fifth AF
A-20’s hit positions along Orodubi-Komiatum Track.

7/15/43 Thirteenth AF
B-25’s, P-40’s, and P-38’s strafe 2 barges NE of Ganongga, leaving them sinking. A large enemy force, estimated at 27 bmrs and 40-50 Zeros, is intercepted over Vella Lavella by AAF and other Allied ftrs, which claim 15 bmrs and 30 Zeros destroyed, against 3 losses.

7/15/43 Eleventh AF
1 B-24 and 2 P-39’s fly rcn over Kiska and Segula I. 9 B-24’s and 14 R-25’s bomb Kiska tgts including AA batteries at North Head, Jeff Cove and Gertrude Cove. Fires are started. 1 bmr turns back with 3 engines and jettisons bombs, another crashes on return. AA fire damages a B-25.

7/16/43 Eighth AF
14 B-26’s attack M/Y at Abbeville. With this mission, VIII A Spt Cmd begins combat operations, having acquired the 322d, 323d, 386th, and 387th Bomb Gps.

7/16/43 NAAF
During 15/16 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons bomb dock, M/Ys, and A/Fs at Vibo Valentia, Crotone, Reggio di Calabria, and Villa San Giovanni, while NATAF LBs and MBs carry out numerous missions against Randazzo and roads in Sicily. During day NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs bomb Valguarnera and T/Os in NC Sicily. British troops establish bridgehead across the Simeto.

7/16/43 Ninth AF
B-24’s attack Bari A/F. Enemy ftrs attack persistently, and 3 B-24’s are shot down. HBs claim 11 ftrs destroyed in combat. B-25’s bomb Randazzo and Valguarnera. RAF HBs hit Reggio di Calabria A/F.

7/16/43 Fifth AF
A single B-24 bombs forces at MacDonald’s Junction. RAAF airplanes hit positions to the SW.

7/16/43 Thirteenth AF
More than 30 B-24’s and B-17’s pound Kahili A/F. In Buin-Faisi area, 7 B-24’s join 70 plus Navy dive bmrs and more than 100 AAF, RNZAF, Navy, and Marine ftrs in attack on shipping. Allied airplanes claim more than 40 aircraft destroyed or damaged. 7 vessels, including a destroyer, are sunk.

7/17/43 Eighth AF
21 HBs hit aircraft factory at Amsterdam in main attack. Other planes bomb industrial tgts in NW Germany.

7/17/43 NAAF
During 16/17 Jul and following day NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs, hit Catania, Paterno, Riposto railroad station, and T/Os (vehicles, tanks, trains, guns) throughout Sicily. During day, over 200 B-25’s, B-26’s, and B-17’s bomb Naples, concentrating on M/Y. US 45th and 1st Inf Divs cross Salso R S and E of Caltanissetta. British 30 Corps expands Simeto R bridgehead and drives toward Catania in coastal sector while 51st Div crosses Simeto and reaches to within 10 mi of Paterno.

7/17/43 Ninth AF
About 80 B-24’s bomb Naples M/Y in face of fierce ftr opposition. 1 B-24 is shot down and several are damaged. The HBs claim 23 ftrs destroyed in combat. B-25’s hit Catania and rail yards and roads at Paterno. P-40’s fly escort to Gela and Comiso. RAF HBs hit Reggio di-Calabria.

7/17/43 Fifth AF
During 17/18 Jul, B-25’s bomb Lautem while B-24’s bomb Adaoet I. During day, B-25’s pound A/F, Army HQ and defensive positions, and general area in and around Salamaua as Allied forces from Nassau Bay-Mubo area begin drive on Salamaua. The drive is a secondary effort designed to divert enemy attention from subsequent Allied campaign to secure Markham R Valley and Huon Peninsula and thus gain control of Vitiaz and Dampier Straits.

7/17/43 Thirteenth AF
7 B-24’s and more than 70 Navy and Marine airplanes, escorted by more than 100 Thirteenth AF and Allied ftrs, attack shipping off Buin. The HBs claim hits on 2 cargo vessels, and the dive bmrs claim serious damage of 3 destroyers, a patrol ship, an oiler, a merchant ship, and the 2 cargo vessels. In the air battle, Allied aircraft claim more than 40 Zeros and at least 4 float planes shot down. 5 Allied airplanes are lost.

7/18/43 NAAF
During 17/18 Jul NASAF Wellingtons bomb A/Fs at Montecorvino and Pomigliano, while NATAF LBs bomb Catania and carry out rcn of extensive areas of Sicily. During the day, NATAF A-36’s hit Santa Caterina, Adrano, Lercara, and Termini Imerese. US Seventh Army makes rapid progress against light opposition. British Eighth Army continues adv, but 13 Corps continues to meet strong resistance near Catania.

7/18/43 Ninth AF
B-25’s bomb Randazzo and Catania.

7/18/43 Fourteenth AF
7 B-24’s bomb shipping at Haiphong and Hongay.

7/18/43 Fifth AF
During 18/19 Jul, B-24’s bomb harbor area at Makassar. Several B-25’s, a B-24, and an A-20 bomb and strafe Lokanu, Boisi, Tambu Peninsula, Dot Is, Salamaua, and Komiatum as US forces secure S headland of Tambu Bay for a supply base. Other B-25’s attack barges and shipping off New Britain, sinking small cargo vessel off Cape Kwoi.

7/18/43 Thirteenth AF
21 B-24’s, more than 20 P-40’s and P-38’s, and 140 plus Navy and Marine dive bmrs and ftrs thoroughly blast the Kahili area. 15 of the HBs concentrate on the A/F. Many AA positions are attacked, as are revetments and runways. Hits are claimed on 2 destroyers, and a light craft is sunk. The allied air planes claim 21 ftrs shot down. 9 US Navy aircraft are lost. A B-25 off New Georgia strafes a motor launch.

7/18/43 Seventh AF
6 B-24’s, flying out of Funafuti, bomb Betio I, Tarawa Atoll. Japanese bmrs raiding Canton I are forced to jettison bombs at sea because of intense AA and ftr def.

7/18/43 Eleventh AF
2 B-24’s and 6 B-25’s bomb Gertrude Cove and Main Camp at Kiska. 6 B-24’s bomb shipping tgts between Paramushiru and Shimushu and completed runway at Murakami Bay on Paramushiru, which is also photographed. They observe fires among buildings S and E of this runway. Some of observed aircraft take to the air and vainly pursue the attackers.

7/19/43 NAAF
During 18/19 Jul, Wellingtons drop over 800,000 leaflets on Rome. NATAF LBs attack Catania. During the following day, about 150 NASAF B-17’s bomb Rome railroad yards; B-25’s and B-26’s hit nearby Ciampino A/F. P-40’s bomb rail facilities in Alcamo area. NATAF A-36’s attack trains and motor transport in W Sicily. US Seventh Army continues to push N and NW while British Eighth Army’s 13 Corps still faces firm resistance near Catania.

7/19/43 Ninth AF
Over 100 B-24’s attack Littoria M/Ys and nearby A/F. On return flight railroads at Orlando and Anzio are bombed. B-25’s hit Catania and Randazzo. P-40’s escort DC-3’s.

7/19/43 Tenth AF
B-25’s damage approaches to Shweli road bridge.

7/19/43 Fourteenth AF
4 B-24’s attack cement works at Haiphong.

7/19/43 Fifth AF
A B-25 bombs bridge over mouth of Francisco R. A B-17 hits Finschhafen A/F. RAAF Bostons attack gun position at Komiatum and military camp at Erskine Creek.

7/19/43 Thirteenth AF
B-17’s bomb Kahili A/F. B-17’s and B-25’s hit Ballale I A/F. B-25’s in spt of ground forces hit positions at Bairoko battle area where enemy resistance is fierce.

7/20/43 Bay of Biscay
19th Antisub Sq sinks U-588, 45-10N 09-42W.

7/20/43 NAAF
During 19/20 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Aquino and Capodichino A/Fs while NATAF MBs and LBs attack vehicles, roads, and town areas around and in Randazzo, Santo Stefano di Camastra, Orlando, and Nicosia in Sicily. During day, NASAF FBs attack T/Os in W Sicily while NASAF MBs strike Montecorvino A/F. US Seventh Army and British Eighth Army continue to push NW and N. 82d Airborne Div (US) takes Sciacca and Menfi. 3d Inf Div (US) clears Santo Stefano Quisquina and heights N of Mussomeli. 2d Armd Div, with British units, takes Enna and drives on to Villapriolo. Canadian 1st Inf Div pushes to Leonforte area. British 51st Div attacks German A/F near Sferro. 13 Corps is halted by strong opposition on Catania Plain.

7/20/43 Ninth AF
B-25’s attack Randazzo and Taormina. RAF HBs hit Vibo Valentia A/F.

7/20/43 Tenth AF
HBs attack Mandalay.

7/20/43 Fourteenth AF
4 P-40’s bomb warehouse area at Tengchung. 6 others strafe river traffic and railroad T/Os at Sinti, Changanyi, Tingszekiao, Kaiyu, and near Puchi.

7/20/43 Fifth AF
As US ground forces begin struggle for heights commanding Tambu Bay and Dot Inlet, A-20’s and B25’s pound Madang A/F and area, Komiatum, Logui, areas along Gum R and S of Gogol R, Gori R bridge area, and Bogadjim. B-25’s bomb Lautem, Dili, and Cape Chater A/F. A single B-24 bombs Arawe.

7/20/43 Thirteenth AF
18 B-24’s bomb A/Fs at Kahili and on Ballale I. Ftrs strafe barges in Pakoi Bay.

7/21/43 NAAF
During 20/21 Jul, Wellingtons of NASAF hit Crotone A/F and Naples M/Y; NATAF LBs hit motor transport convoys in Randazzo area. During day, NASAF B-17’s bomb A/F at Grosseto. Rangers seize Castelvetrano and airport. 82d Airborne Div takes San Margherita and 3d Inf Div takes Corleone. 45th Inf Div, pushing NW, takes Valledolmo. 1st Inf Div clears Alimena. In British 30 Corps area, Canadian 1st Inf Div takes Leonforte.

7/21/43 Ninth AF
About 20 B-25’s bomb Randazzo. P-40’s escort C-47’s to Licata and return.

7/21/43 Fifth AF
More than 50 B-25’s again thoroughly pound Madang area. Other B-25’s hit junction of Gori and Ioworo Rivers and village of Bogadjim. B-26’s bomb barges and jetties W of Voco Pt. Single B-24’s bomb Finschhafen A/F and town of Rabaul.

7/21/43 Thirteenth AF
In a series of sorties in spt of ground forces, 22 B-25’s, more than 50 AAF and Navy ftrs, and more than 170 Navy dive bmrs blast positions in Bairoko area. 135 tons of bombs are dropped.

7/21/43 Eleventh AF
9 B-24’s bomb Kiska tgts, including runway, North Head, and Main Camp area where fires are observed. Poor weather cancels other scheduled missions.

7/22/43 Eighth AF
Results of first phase of CBO are good according to a report of Joint Intelligence Committee (British). The report maintains CBO has caused Germany to adopt a defensive air strategy resulting in more than half its ftr strength being employed on Western Front at expense of Eastern and Mediterranean Fronts as well as causing considerable damage to transportation, synthetic rubber industry, and the fuel, iron, and coal industries of the Ruhr.

7/22/43 NAAF
During 21/22 Jul, NASAF Wellingtons bomb Capodichino A/F and Salerno M/Y. NATAF LBs hit Randazzo, railroad at Falcone, and road W of Marina. During day, over 100 B-17’s bomb Battipaglia M/Y and Foggia. B-26’s hit Salerno bridge and M/Y. Ftrs fly sweep over Maddalena I, strafing factories, trucks, and small vessels. NATAF LBs bomb Adrano, Paterno, Troina, and Misterbianco. US Seventh Army troops take Palermo. 1st Inf Div continues N, taking Bompietro.

7/22/43 Ninth AF
P-40’s escort C-47’s to Ponte Olivo.

7/22/43 Fifth AF
More than 50 B-24’s, B-25’s, and B-26’s blast troops, AA guns, defensive positions, and T/Os in battle zones at Komiatum, on Komiatum Ridge, at Kela Mt, at Salamaua, and along trails near Komiatum and Salamaua. B-24’s bomb oil refinery, docks, and railroad yards at Soerabaja. B-25’s hit T/Os on Selaroe.

7/22/43 Thirteenth AF
More than 20 B-17’s and B-24’s, 40-plus Navy dive bmrs, and more than 100 Allied ftr aircraft attack shipping in area off Buin. A sea-plane carrier is sunk, and damaging hits are claimed on several other vessels.

7/22/43 Eleventh AF
26 B-25’s, 17 B-24’s, 13 P-40’s, and 20 P-38’s hit North Head, Main Camp, and the submarine base at Kiska, as well as coastal defenses and AA guns at both Kiska and Little Kiska, starting numerous fires. Intense and heavy AA fire downs one B-25 (crew saved) and damages 18 aircraft of which another B-25 crashes at base. 1 B-25 photographs S and W Kiska shores. 1 B-24 flies radar rcn over Kiska.

7/23/43 NAAF
NASAF B-17’s, B-25’s, and B-26’s bomb Leverano, Crotone and Aquino A/F. NATAF MBs and ftrs bomb and strafe Misterbianco, transport in Nicosia-Troina-Randazzo areas, and bridges and landing craft in coastal area around Santo Stefano di Camastra and Orlando. IJS Seventh Army mops up in W Sicily. British Eighth Army’s 30 Corps meets firm opposition as it moves E from Leonforte.

7/23/43 Ninth AF
P-40’s escort C-47’s to Licata. RAF HBs hit Reggio di Calabria A/F.

7/23/43 Fifth AF
B-25’s, B-26’s, B-24’s, and B-17’s again pound tgts in coastal NE New Guinea, hitting Malolo, Asini, Busama, Voco Pt, and Salamaua, blasting barges from Hanisch Harbor to Wald Bay and Cape Busching, and thoroughly bombing Bogadjim.

7/23/43 Thirteenth AF
B-25’s and P-40’s, along with Navy dive bmrs, pound Rekata Bay area.

7/24/43 Eighth AF
167 HBs execute very successful attack on nitrate works at Heroya. This is Eighth’s first mission to Norway and its longest (1,900 mi round trip) to date. Work at the plant is disrupted for 3 1/2, months, and unfinished aluminum and magnesium plants are damaged and subsequently abandoned by the Germans. Naval installations at Trondheim also are hit. Crews successfully experiment with new assembly procedure for occasions when bad weather conditions prevent ascent in formation. Aircraft take off individually on instruments, proceed to designated splasher beacon for group formation, and then along line of 3 splasher beacons for force assembly. The method works well and makes possible many future missions which might otherwise have been abandoned.

7/24/43 NAAF
NASAF B-17’s and B-25’s bomb Bologna railroad yards. B-26’s hit Paola railroad yards. NATAF FBs hit barges, warships, and docks in Messina-Milazzo area and transport NE of Mount Etna. US Seventh Army continues to mop up W part of Sicily. Further E, 45th Inf Div takes Cefalu and Castelbuono while 1st Inf Div seizes Gangi and heads toward Nicosia.

7/24/43 Ninth AF
P-40’s fly armed rcn and FB missions over Adrano and Milazzo areas. Attacks are concentrated against motor transport tgts.

7/24/43 Fifth AF
B-25’s bomb Lautem, Fuiloro, Koepang, Tenau, and A/F and surrounding areas at Lae, and attack barges in Wapelik and Cape Busching areas and villages on Itni R.

7/24/43 Thirteenth AF
48 ftrs join Navy and Marine dive bmrs in spt of ground forces in Bairoko area. Later in the day gun positions at Bibolo Hill near Munda are hit, along with other tgts.

7/24/43 Seventh AF
8 B-24’s from Midway attack Wake, bombing oil storage, barracks, and a gun emplacement. 2030 Zeros attack the formation. 9 ftrs are claimed destroyed. 1 HB is lost in collision with falling Japanese ftr.

7/24/43 Eleventh AF
62 P-40’s fly 9 missions to Kiska (2 of them with RCAF pilots) bombing runway and scoring many hits. An AA battery takes a direct hit and explodes. AA guns are strafed on North Head and Little Kiska. Intense AA fire downs 1 P-40.

7/25/43 Eighth AF
218 HBs bomb tgts in Germany, with shipyard at Hamburg and U-boat base at Kiel as major tgts. 19 HBs are lost, mostly to effective formation attacks by German ftrs. This raid on Hamburg is part of 6 CBO missions against that port city and follows a raid of the previous night during which nearly 750 RAF HBs did tremendous damage to the tgt. Bergen, one of the scheduled tgts, is completely obscured by clouds and no bombing attempt is made there because of the policy of no indiscriminate bombing over enemy-occupied countries. 13 B-26’s hit coke ovens at Ghent.

7/25/43 NAAF
NATAF, MBs, LBs, and ftrs during night and day raids, attack shipping and docks at Milazzo and in Santo Stefano di Camastra-Orlando area, and hit roads and motor transport, bridges and armor concentration in Orlando-Adrano-Troina-Nicosia areas. US Seventh Army makes slow progress along N coastal road, while British Eighth Army’s 30 Corps takes part in hard fighting in Agira area.

7/25/43 Ninth AF
B-25’s bomb docks and shipping at Milazzo. Almost 100 P-40’s strafe and bomb Milazzo, Taormina, and Catania harbor. Other P-40’s escort C-47’s.

7/25/43 Italy
King Victor Emmanuel III announces fall of Mussolini government. Marshall Badoglio becomes premier and takes cmd of Italian army.

7/25/43 Fourteenth AF
9 B-25’s, escorted by 17 P-40’s and P-38’s, bomb Hankow A/F.

7/25/43 Fifth AF
Single B-24’s attack large transport vessel WNW of Buka Passage and bomb Lingat, Adaoet, and area near Finschhafen.

7/25/43 Thirteenth AF
Gen Twining becomes COMAIRSOLS. FC and BC, Solomons, are taken over by Gen Strother and Col William A Matheny, respectively; Strother retains his position as CG XIII FC. The Japanese try to hit US forces on Rendova I but Allied ftrs shoot down several Zeros (8 claimed) and force the enemy bmrs to drop their bombs indiscriminately. Final push on Japanese base at Munda opens with bombardment by 7 destroyers and the heaviest air attack in SOPAC to date. 170-plus B-24’s, B-25’s, B17’s, TBF’s, and SBD’s, covered by more than 70 ftrs, pound the tgt thoroughly, dropping more than 145 tons of bombs in little more than a half hr. Later in the afternoon 10 more B-24’s, with ftr cover, bomb Bibolo Hill, and SBD’s and TBF’s dive-bomb gun positions. Later in the day, gun positions NE of Kindu Village are hit. 43d and 37th Divs open ground assault against firmly entrenched enemy.

7/25/43 Eleventh AF
343d Ftr Gp moves from Adak to Amchitka. 40 P-40’s fly 7 attack missions (2 by RCAF pilots) bombing and strafing North Head AA batteries, runway, Main Camp, and Little Kiska.

7/26/43 Eighth AF
92 HBs bomb rubber factories at Hannover as main objective. 54 attack shipbuilding yards at Hamburg. Results are good but costly. 24 aircraft are lost, mostly to enemy ftrs. 15 B-26’s bomb Saint Omer/Longuenesse A/F.

7/26/43 NAAF
During 25/26 Jul, NATAF MBs attack Milazzo, Adrano, and Paterno. Throughout day LBs hit Regalbuto at intervals, and FBs harass shipping, rail, and road movements. NASAF B-26’s bomb Marina di Paola M/Y.

7/26/43 Ninth AF
B-25’s bomb Milazzo, Paterno, and Adrano. P-40’s strafe and bomb Catania and shipping at Riposto harbor.

7/26/43 Fourteenth AF
5 B-25’s, escorted by 12 ftrs, bomb Hankow A/F. An estimated 30-50 ftrs intercept the force. The MBs and ftrs claim 14 airplanes shot down and 17 probably destroyed. 1 P-40 is lost.

7/26/43 Fifth AF
More than 40 B-24’s and B-17’s bomb Salamaua, Malolo Mission, Komiatum, Komiatum Ridge, and Lae A/F.

7/26/43 Thirteenth AF
B-24’s, P-38’s, P-40’s, and Navy aircraft hit bivouac area and runway at Kahili. B-25’s, P-40’s, and USN ftrs over S Kolombangara hit E shore of Webster Cove and bivouac area and buildings on Simbo I.

7/26/43 Seventh AF
Last mission against Wake from Midway is flown. 8 B-24’s bomb tgts including oil storage area. 20plus ftrs (including an aircraft identified as a possible FW-190) intercept the formation. HBs claim 11 of the ftrs shot down.

7/26/43 Eleventh AF
3 bmrs and 5 ftrs fly 5 armed rcn missions to Kiska. 32 B-24’s, 38 P-40’s, and 24 P-38’s fly 13 attack raids, bombing and scoring hits on numerous Kiska and Little Kiska tgts, including North Head, Main Camp, runway, Gertrude Cove, AA batteries, and on suspected submarine in Kiska harbor. A submarine is sighted near Rat I. AA fire claims 1 P-40 (pilot rescued), and damages 3 others. 1 B-25 and 15 P-38’s fly 2 air cover missions to Kiska for the Navy. Over 104 tons of bombs are dropped on Kiska this day, highest one-day bomb load so far dropped by the Eleventh.

7/27/43 Eighth AF
17 B-26’s raid A/F at Triqueville.

7/27/43 NAAF
NASAF B-17’s hit A/F at Capua and railroad at Lioni. B-25’s and B-26’s bomb Scalea landing Fround. NATAF ftrs and LBs continue bombing and strafing of ports, shipping, bridges, landing grounds, and motor transport in Sicily as US Seventh Army reaches Tusa and San Maulo and pushes toward Nicosia.

7/27/43 Ninth AF
P-40’s attack tac tgts in battle area in NE Sicily, and others hit shipping at Catania.

7/27/43 Fourteenth AF
10 B-24’s attack shipping in Samah Bay area, claiming severe damage to 2 vessels. 2530 ftrs intercept the HBs. 13 ftrs are claimed shot down. No B-24’s are lost. 6 B-25’s, supported by 14 ftrs, attack T/Os on Stonecutter’s I in Hong Kong area after failing to locate a reported freighter in the area.

7/27/43 Fifth AF
35 B-25’s and 18 B-24’s pound Salamaua area in one of the largest single-strike attacks of SWPA. A/F and supply storage at Salamaua, town of Kela and nearby hilltop positions, and defensive positions between road and beach at Logui are hit. 5 other B-25’s hit barges between Pommern Bay and Finschhafen, and 6 B-26’s bomb barge concentration and supply area at Voco Pt. A lone B-24 on armed rcn bombs T/Os on Mundua and Unea Is.

7/27/43 Thirteenth AF
Gen Owens becomes CG, Thirteenth AF. B-17’s bomb A/Fs at Kahili and Ballale I. 8 P-38’s and 70 plus Navy and Marine aircraft again attack Munda area, hitting positions on Bibolo Hill and tgts at Gurasai, Munda Pt, and Munda A/F.

7/27/43 Eleventh AF
12 bmrs and 20 ftrs take off on 5 attack missions to Kiska. Several of the ftrs jettison bombs. The other aircraft hit Main Camp, North Head and Little Kiska.

7/28/43 Bay of Biscay
German sub, U-404, is sunk by aircraft of 4th Antisub Sq and RAF 224 Sq, at 45-53N 09-23W.

7/28/43 Eighth AF
Over 300 HRs are dispatched in 2 forces to bomb German tgts. Bad weather prevents majority from completing mission, but 49 bomb aircraft works at Kassel and 28 attack major FW-190 factory at Oschersleben, marking deepest US bmr penetration into Germany to date. Raid achieves good results. However, 22 HBs are lost as ftrs score first effective results with rockets. 105 P-47’s, equipped with jettisonable belly tanks for first time on mission, escort the B-17’s into Germany; other P-47’s, going more than 30 mi deeper into Germany than they have penetrated before, meet the returning bmrs. They surprise about 60 German ftrs and destroy 9 of them; one P-47 is lost. 17 B-26’s hit
Zeebrugge coke ovens. MB mission to bomb Triqueville A/F aborts because of failure to meet ftr escort in bad weather.

7/28/43 NAAF
NASAF ftrs sweep over S Sardinia. NATAF LBs hit Regalbuto, Milazzo, and Centuripe. A-36’s and P40’s hit heavy traffic on Troina Randazzo road, bridges and roads N and W of Cesaro, landing ground at Falcone, and buildings near Randazzo. US Seventh Army takes Nicosia and pushes toward Santo Stefano di Camastra. British Eighth Army takes Agira. Allied cargo vessels begin arriving at Palermo, and Gen Alexander, 15 Army Gp CG, moves his HQ to Sicily.

7/28/43 Ninth AF
Almost 100 P-40’s hit shipping at Catania and Santa Teresa, fly patrol over Straits of Messina and bomb encampments.

7/28/43 Fourteenth AF
6 B-25’s, with escort of 9 P-40’s, bomb Taikoo Docks at Hong Kong.

7/28/43 Fifth AF
B-25’s attack barges and fuel dump between Cape Raoult and Rein Bay, and hit A/F at Cape Gloucester and 2 destroyers offshore. Single B-24’s bomb Unea I and unsuccessfully attack shipping in Saint George Channel. B-24’s bomb Manokwari, Larat, and Boela. B-25’s hit town of Lautem and A/F at Cape Chater.

7/28/43 Thirteenth AF
B-25’s and Navy aircraft hit gun positions and other tgts at Webster Cove.

7/29/43 Eighth AF
91 HBs bomb U-boat yards at Kiel, and 81 attack Heinkel aircraft factory at Warnemunde. MBs hit Saint-Omer/Ft Rouge A/F. Mission to Schiphol A/F aborts due to navigational error.

7/29/43 NAAF
NASAF B-26’s hit Aquino A/F. B-17’s bomb Viterbo A/F. NATAF ftrs and LBs hit Regalbuto, Milazzo, shipping off Messina, and gun positions and motor transport in NE Sicily. US Seventh Army almost completes mopup of W Sicily, approaches Santo Stefano Quisquina, advances on Mistretta, and takes 3 islands off Trapani. British Eighth Army opens assault during 29/30 Jul along axis of Catenanuova-Adrano.

7/29/43 Ninth AF
Over 200 P-40’s, to date the largest number of ftrs operating in 1 day during Sicilian campaign, attack Messina Riposto, shipping at Catania, Santa Teresa di Riva, Taormina, Milazzo, and in Straits of Messina.

7/29/43 Tenth AF
2 flights of B-25’s blast the previously bombed Mu R bridge between Ywataung and Monywa. The bridge is hit heavily with 1 span left submerged in the river.

7/29/43 Fourteenth AF
18 B-24’s, with ftr escort, bomb shipping and dockyard installations at Hong Kong. Kowloon and Taikoo Docks and the old Royal Navy yards are hit. 4 P-40’s attack Japanese force of 23 bmrs and 30 ftrs attacking Hengyang. 1 Japanese ftr is downed.

7/29/43 Fifth AF
B-17’s, B-24’s, and B-25’s bomb Kela Pt and village, and Salamaua town and peninsula area. B-25’s, B-26’s, and a B-24 attack Army HQ, barges, and villages in Natamo vicinity, shipping off Cape Gloucester, and barges off Cape Dampier, in Borgen Bay, and along coast from Ring Ring Plantation to Roebuck Pt. P-40’s strafe T/Os.

7/29/43 Eleventh AF
1 B-17 scouts Kiska and bombs Main Camp area.

7/30/43 Eighth AF
134 HBs bomb aircraft works and M/Y at Kassel. P-47’s with auxiliary tanks surprise attacking German ftrs over Bocholt as enemy is not yet accustomed to ftr escort penetration beyond coastal fringe. Small number of MBs hit A/F at Woensdrecht. Bad weather causes multiple aborts on this mission and abandonment of attack on Courtrai A/F.

7/30/43 NAAF
NASAF B-17’s bomb Grottaglie A/F. B-25’s hit A/F at Pratica di Mare. NATAF A-20’s bomb Milazzo and hit gun positions N and E of Centuripe. Ftrs hit shipping off Milazzo. Enemy evacuates Santo Stefano Quisquina, with rear Fuard action. British take Catenanuova and push on to NE.

7/30/43 Ninth AF
Over 100 P-40’s attack shipping at Milazzo, Messina, and Riposto, and hit tgts in battle area.

7/30/43 Fourteenth AF
15 P-40’s over Hengyang area make contact with 39 Japanese ftrs and 24 bmrs. In the ensuing battle, 3 bmrs and 2 ftrs are downed; 2 P-40’s are lost.

7/30/43 Fifth AF
B-24’s bomb Salamaua and Kela. B-25’s hit barges off Huon Peninsula and villages in Finschhafen area. A-20’s destroy several barges at Hanisch Harbor and Langemak Bay. Single B-24’s bomb Cape Gloucester and Unea I.

7/30/43 Thirteenth AF
9 B-24’s, with escort of 16 P-38’s and P-40’s and 40 plus Navy F-4U’s, pound Ballale I A/F.

7/31/43 Eighth AF
MBs under heavy ftr escort carry out raids on A/Fs at Merville, Abbeville, Poix, Saint-Omer and Triqueville. Lille and Amiens are bombed by RAF bmrs, also ftr escorted, in conjunction with US raids.

7/31/43 NAAF
NASAF B-26’s bomb Adrano. NATAF ftrs, LBs, and MBs hit Paterno, Santa Maria di Licondia, and Centuripe, general area around Paterno, and vessels in Milazzo Orlando area. US ground forces in Sicily prepare to attack E along coast, and further inland press toward Troina. British, to the S, are fiercely opposed W of Regalbuto.

7/31/43 Ninth AF
P-40’s fly escort missions and hit shipping in Milazzo area.

7/31/43 Tenth AF
9 B-24’s mine Rangoon R during 31 Jul/1 Aug.

7/31/43 Fifth AF
B-25’s hit Finschhafen area and barges at Hanisch Harbor and Mange. B-25’s and A-20’s blast several barges in Cape Gloucester area. B-24’s bomb Waingapoe.

7/31/43 Thirteenth AF
17 P-40’s and P-39’s join 90-plus Navy and Marine aircraft in pounding guns and defensive positions on Bibolo Hill as Allied ground forces close in on Munda A/F. B-17’s, B-25’s, P-40’s, and Navy aircraft attack Vila A/F.

July 1943

More Info

DONATE

VOLUNTEERING