# USAAF Chronology:

    COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES, OCTOBER 1943
    FTP SITES
      1. ftp.rutgers.edu in directory pub/wwii/usaf
      2. byrd.mu.wvnet.edu (129.71.32.152) in pub/history/military/airforce/
         wwii_chronology

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      A-36, North American Apache
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      Boomerang, Commonwealth Aircraft Corp (RAAF)
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      F-4, Lockheed Lightning
      F-5, Lockheed Lightning
      F-7, Consolidated Liberator
      F4U, Vought Corsair (USN)
      Hudson, Lockheed
      L-1, Stinson Vigilant
      L-4, Piper Cub/Grasshopper
      L-5, Stinson Sentinel
      O-47, North American
      O-52, Curtiss Owl
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-39, Bell Airacobra
      P-40, Curtiss
      P-47, Republic Thunderbolt
      P-51, North American Mustang
      Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
      Ventura, Lockheed
      Zeke, Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter

    FRIDAY, 1 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The detachment of the 15th
    Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 26th Antisubmarine Wing, operating from
    Batista Field, Cuba with B-24's, returns to its base at Jacksonville AAFld,
    Florida.

      CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 10th Bombardment Squadron (Medium),
    transfers from Edinburgh Field to Waller Field, Trinidad, British West
    Indies with B-25's; a detachment of the squadron is still operating from
    Port of Spain, Trinidad.
      During October, HQ 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Albrook
    Field to Howard Field, Canal Zone.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): During Oct, HQ 80th Fighter Group and it's
    88th Fighter Squadron transfer from Karachi to Nagaghuli and Mokelbari,
    India respectively with P-40's.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 21 B-24's, supported by 21 fighters, bomb a
    power plant, the warehouse and dock area at Haiphong, French Indochina.
    40-65 fighters intercept, shooting down 2 US aircraft; 30 fighters are
    claimed destroyed by the Fourteenth in the air battle.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): A report by the
    intelligence section of the Eighth Air Force shows that despite recent
    efforts of the Allies to destroy the German aircraft industry, fighter
    production has expanded greatly and enemy fighter strength on the Western
    Front has increased.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force): In the first half of October, HQ
    Ninth Air Force and HQ IX Bomber Command begin a movement to England from
    Egypt and Libya.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Bomber Command
    B-26's hit communications targets in the Capua, Grazzanise, Arce, and
    Mignano areas. B-24's, including heavy bombers on detached service from the
    Eighth Air Force, bomb Wiener-Neustadt, Austria; B-17's, sent against an
    airplane factory at Augsburg, Germany, fail to locate the target, and bomb
    several alternate targets and targets of opportunity in Austria, Italy, and
    off Corsica and Elba Island, Italy. In Italy, Northwest African Tactical
    Bomber Force (NATBF) and XII Air Support Command medium and light bombers,
    and fighter-bombers hit the Benevento town area and marshalling yard, the
    bridge at Capua, and motor transport, trains, and railroads mainly in the
    Isernia area and N to Avezzano. The British King's Dragoon Guards (with the
    US Fifth Army) occupy Naples. British  Eighth Army troops occupy Foggia
    airfields.
      HQ 57th Fighter Group and it's 66th Fighter Squadron transfer from Gioia
    Airfield to Foggia, Italy with P-40's.
      The 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), and 311th Bombardment Squadron
    (Dive), Twelfth Air Force, are disbanded at Nouvion, Algeria and Gela,
    Sicily respectively.
      A detachment of the 515th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 376th Bombardment
    Group (Heavy) based at Enfidaville, Tunisia with B-24's, begins operating
    from Bengasi, Libya.
      During October, HQ 63d Fighter Wing transfers from Rerhaia, Algeria to
    Bastia, Corsica;  HQ 68th Reconnaissance Group transfers from Berteaux,
    Algeria to Massicault, Tunisia; the 37th Troop Carrier Squadron, 316th
    Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Egypt to El Aouina, Tunisia with C-47's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 24 B-24's bomb a supply and bivouac area N of Vila airfield on
    Kolombangara Island. B-25's and P-38's join US Navy (USN) dive bombers in a
    strike on a barge depot at Kakasa on Choiseul Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): A-20's and Royal
    Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft bomb and strafe the Finschhafen, New
    Guinea area as the Australian 9 Division pours more troops into the assault
    on the town. B-25's strafe a power boat near Gasmata Island off New Britain
    Island.

    SATURDAY, 2 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 P-40's dive-bomb and strafe Yangtze River
    shipping in the Chiuchiang, China area. Strafing damages several small
    craft.
      HQ 51st Fighter Group transfers from Dinjan, India to Kunming, China and
    is reassigned from the Tenth to Fourteenth Air Force.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command
    Mission 106: 349 B-17's are dispatched to the industrial area of Emden,
    Germany; led by 2 B-17 pathfinders, 339 hit the target at 1557-1603 hours;
    they claim 15-6-12 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-17's are lost and 34 damaged;
    casualties are 2 WIA and 21 MIA. The B-17's are escorted by 227 P-47's who
    claim 5-3-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is damaged. In addition to the
    above, 21 B-24's are dispatched to Woensdrecht Airfield, The Netherlands;
    the target is obscured by clouds and the mission is aborted.
      VIII Air Support Command Mission 75: 72 B-26's are dispatched to the St
    Omer/Longuenesse Airfield in France; because of cloud cover, only 6 hit the
    target at 1715 hours; the remainder refrain from bombing because the target
    is in occupied territory; 12 B-26's are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and
    4 WIA.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 107: 2 B-17's join the Royal Air Force (RAF)
    in a night mission to Munich; no losses or casualties.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Brigadier General
    Gordon P Saville becomes Commanding General, XII Fighter Command. Weather
    curtails operations. In Italy, fighter-bombers of the XII Air Support Command
    attack motor transport, roads, and bridges during armed reconnaissance
    missions from the Volturno Valley N to Isernia and W to Benevento.
      The 64th and 65th Fighter Squadrons, 57th Fighter Group, transfer from
    Rocco Bernardo to Foggia, Italy with P-40's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 6 B-25's join
    USN dive bombers in attacking Hamberi Cove barge hideout near Vila on
    Kolombangara Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island, B-25's strafe villages in the Talasea area and barges off Gasmata
    Island; B-26's bomb Hoskins Airfield; and a B-24 bombs Cape Gloucester
    Airfield. Other B-24's bomb Amboina Island in the Moluccas Islands.
    Australian forces take the town and harbor of Finschhafen and prepare to take
    nearby commanding positions still held by the Japanese.
      The 6th Troop Carrier Squadron transfers from Port Moresby, New Guinea to
    Garbutt Field, Townsville, Queensland, Australia with C-47's.

    SUNDAY, 3 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 P-40's damage a 250-ft (76.2 m)
    vessel on the Yangtze River near Chiuchiang; 4 P-38's bomb Chiuchiang docks;
    6 B-24's damage a 100-ft (30.5 m) coastal freighter off Tonkon Point on
    Hainan Island.
      A detachment of the 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, based at
    Hengyang, China begins operating from Suichwan, China with P-40's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Air Support Command
    Missions 76, 77 and 78:
      1. 36 B-26's are dispatched to the Lille/Vendeveille Airfield in France
    but weather prevents their hitting the target.
      2. 131 of 144 B-26's dispatched to Amsterdam/Schiphol (71 aircraft),
    Woensdrecht (34 aircraft) and Haamstede (26 aircraft) Airfields in the
    Netherlands hit their targets at 1120-1136 hours; 47 B-26's are damaged.
      3. 72 B-26's are dispatched to Beauvais/Tille Airfield, France; 63 hit
    the target at 1724-1727 hours; 1 B-26 is lost and 27 damaged.
      Total casualties for all missions are 5 WIA.
      The 153d Liaison Squadron, 67th Observation Group, transfers from Keevil
    to Membury, England with A-20's and L-4's.
      The 328th, 329th, 330th and 409th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 93d
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease operating from Oudna, Tunisia and return
    to their base at Hardwick, England with B-24's.
      The 564th, 565th, 566th and 567th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 389th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease operating from Massicault, Tunisia and
    return to their base at Hethel, England with B-24's.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII
    Bomber Command B-26's, B-25's, and P-38's bomb railroad, highway, and
    pontoon bridges, an overpass, and road junction at Capua, Castel Volturno,
    Piana, Arce, Mignano, and Isernia; P-38's also hit shipping between Corsica
    and Italy. XII Bomber Command fighter-bombers hit motor transport in the
    battle area as US Fifth Army troops take Benevento.
      HQ 82d Fighter Group and it's 95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons
    transfer from Grombalia, Tunisia to San Pancrazio, Italy with P-38's.
      HQ 313th Troop Carrier Group and it's 29th Troop Carrier Squadron
    transfer from Sciacca to Trapani/Milo Airfield, Sicily with C-47's.
      HQ 321st Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 445th, 446th and 447th
    Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) transfer from Soliman, Tunisia to
    Grottaglie, Italy with B-25's.
      HQ 324th Fighter Group and it's 314th, 315th and 316th Fighter Squadrons
    transfer from El Haouaria to Menzel Heurr, Tunisia with P-40's. These units
    have been regrouping since Jul 43.
      Detachments of the 512th, 513th and 514th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy),
    376th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Enfidaville, Tunisia begin
    operating from Bengasi, Libya with B-24's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): P-39's strafe
    several barges W of Choiseul Island in the Solomon Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's continue
    to hit barges along the W coast of New Britain Island in the Bismarck
    Archipelago.
      The 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, ceases operating from
    Port Moresby and returns to it's base at Dobodura, New Guinea with P-38's.

    MONDAY, 4 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 17 Japanese bombers and 25 Zekes attack
    Kweilin Airfield, China. The bombs, dropped from 20,000 feet (6,096 m),
    fail to hit the target. AAF fighters fail to make effective contact with
    the force.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command
    Mission 108: 4 targets in Germany and a diversion are flown. 12 B-17's and
    4 B-24's are lost.
      1. 104 B-17's are dispatched to the Wiesbaden industrial area; 15
    aircraft hit Wiesbaden and 77 hit the industrial area at Frankfurt at
    1059-1105 hours; they claim 19-3-15 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17's are lost
    and 45 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 8 WIA and 40 MIA.
      2. 37 of 51 B-17's dispatched to Frankfurt hit the target at 1110-1111
    hours; they claim 18-8-22 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17's are lost and 35
    damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 2 WIA and 30 MIA.
      3. 115 B-17's are dispatched to the Saarlautern industrial area; 67 hit
    Saarlautern and 38 hit St Dizier/Robinson Airfield in France at 1136-1148
    hours; they claim 37-7-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17's are lost, 4 are
    damaged beyond repair and 19 damaged; casualties are 6 WIA and 29 MIA.
      4. 47 of 53 B-17's dispatched hit Sarreguemnines and Saarbrucken
    marshalling yards at 1133-1139 hours; 2 B-17's are damaged; no casualties.
      5. 38 B-24's fly a diversion; they claim 13-6-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4
    B-24's are lost and 19 damaged; casualties are 11 WIA and 43 MIA.
      These missions are escorted by 223 P-47's; they claim 19-1-2 Luftwaffe
    aircraft; 1 P-47 is damaged beyond repair and 15 damaged; casualties are 1
    KIA.
      VIII Air Support Command Mission 79: 25 B-26's are dispatched to
    Beauvais/Nivilliers and Evreux/Fauville Airfield in France; they return to
    base without bombing.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 109: 4 B-17's drop 240,352 leaflets over
    Paris between 2257-2307 hours.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, 100+ XII
    Bomber Command B-17's bomb the Pisa marshalling yard and Bolzano bridges;
    B-25's and B-26's attack the airfield at Argos, road defiles at Terracina
    and Isernia, a highway overpass at Mignano, and shipping at Bastia; NATBF
    aircraft hit road and rail junctions on the main road N from Capua; XII Air
    Support Command fighter-bombers hit trains, roads, railroads, and vehicles
    near Isernia, Avezzano, Pescara, and Isolella. The Allies now have complete
    control of Corsica.
      The 5th Photographic Squadron (Light), Twelfth Air Force, based at La
    Marsa, Tunisia begins operating from Pontecagnano, Italy with F-5's.
      The 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, transfers from Crotone to
    Salsola, Italy with P-40's.
      The 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, based at Mateur, Tunisia
    sends a detachment to Gambut, Libya with P-38's.
      The 448th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 321st Bombardment Group
    (Medium), transfers from Soliman, Tunisia to Grottaglie, Italy with B-25's.
      "A" Flight of the 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photographic
    Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, based at La Marsa, Tunisia sends a
    detachment to Grottaglie, Italy with B-17's and F-5's. "B" and "C" Flights
    are still in the US.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 23 B-24's, covered by 16 P-38's and several USN F4U's, bomb
    Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island; 20-30 fighters intercept, and a
    running battle occurs between Bougainville and Vella Lavella Island; US
    fighters and bombers claim 9 fighters downed; no American losses are
    suffered. 4 P-39's and 4 F4U's sink 18 barges in a strike along the W coast
    of Choiseul Island. The P-39's are especially effective because of their
    nose cannon.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's bomb and
    strafe barges, small craft, and villages on Vitu Island in the Bismarck
    Archipelago.
      The 22d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
    Port Moresby, New Guinea to Garbutt Field, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
    with C-47's.

    TUESDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force: HQ 25th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers
    from Ft. Amsterdam, Curacao to Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, a few B-25's and P-40's attack a
    foundry at Shihhweiyao; damaging hits are scored on a barrack, on AA
    positions, blast furnaces, hoppers, and a steam plant. 10 USAAF fighters
    intercept a force of about 50 Zekes W of Kweilin, shoot down 1 enemy
    fighter; the enemy force turns back.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 356th Fighter Group
    transfers from Goxhill to Martlesham, England.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Lieutenant General
    James H Doolittle assumes command of the Twelfth Air Force during the
    absence of General Carl Spaatz. In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-17's hit the
    Bologna marshalling yard; B-25's and B-26's bomb the Formia road, a road
    loop N of Mignano, and Isernia chokepoint; NATBF, XII Air Support Command,
    and RAF Desert Air Force (DAF) aircraft bomb numerous targets in and N of
    the battle area, including heavy traffic in the Isernia area, gasoline dumps
    at Alfedena, trains at Termoli, and towns of Venafro and Isolella.
      The 15th Troop Carrier Squadron, 61st Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
    Licata to Sciacca, Sicily with C-47's.
      The 27th and 71st Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group, based at Mateur,
    Tunisia send detachments to Gambut, Libya with P-38's.
      The 85th and 86th Fighter Squadrons, 79th Fighter Group, transfer from
    Crotone to Salsola, Italy with P-40's.
      The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 68th Reconnaissance Group,
    transfers from Sele to Pomigliano, Italy with P-51's. A detachment of the
    squadron is operating from Capaccio, Italy.
      The 526th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 86th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers
    from Sele Airfield to Seretella Airfield, Italy with A-36's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
    B-25's carry out a coastal sweep W to Madang, bombing and strafing villages
    and barges; B-17's hit the Bogadjim Road and jetties at Erima; and B-24's
    bomb the Babo area.
      HQ 35th Fighter Group transfers from Tsili Tsili to Nadzab, New Guinea.
      The 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
    Port Moresby, New Guinea to Garbutt Field, Townsville, Queensland Australia
    with C-47's.

    WEDNESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 P-40's from Suichwan intercept
    an attacking force of 27 bombers and 21 Zekes; 1 bomber and 1 fighter are
    shot down, and the attackers retire in the direction of Canton without
    dropping their bombs.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII
    Bomber Command B-17's bomb the Mestre marshalling yard while B-26's hit a
    highway chokepoint at Isernia, the highway at Mignano, and road junction at
    Formia; P-38's strafe Araxos Airfield in Greece; NATBF planes on road-
    blocking missions hit targets at Teano, at Alfedena, between Cassino and
    Capua, and near Sessa Aurunca; XII Air Support Command P-40's and A-36's
    attack roads and vehicles N of the US Fifth Army battle zone and patrol the
    Naples area. The US Fifth Army reaches the S bank of the Volturno River;
    Capua falls to British units.
      HQ 61st Troop Carrier Group and it's 14th Troop Carrier Squadron transfer
    from Licata to Sciacca, Sicily with C-47's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 8 P-39's and 8 USN F4U's strafe barges off the W coast of Choiseul
    Island. 24 B-25's and 14 P-38's carry out a low-level strike against Kahili
    Airfield on Bougainville Island, damaging or destroying several parked
    aircraft.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In the Bismarck
    Archipelago, B-25's sweep along coastal areas of New Britain Island and
    through islands to the N and W, bombing and strafing targets of opportunity.

    THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS (First Air Force): The 14th Antisubmarine
    Squadron (Heavy), 25th Antisubmarine Wing, transfers from Otis Field,
    Massachusetts to Biggs Field, Texas and is transferred to the Second Air
    Force.

      CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 35th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 25th
    Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Zandery Field, Surinam to Vernam
    Field, Jamaica, British West Indies with B-25's. The detachment operating
    from Atkinson Field, British Guiana also transfers to Vernam Field.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25's attack a 2,500-ton freighter 100
    miles (160 km) S of Amoy, China scoring 3 direct hits; the vessel is left
    burning and listing. 9 B-24's and 22 fighters hit a cement plant at
    Haiphong, French Indochina causing heavy damage to the kiln building.
      The 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, transfers from Dinjan,
    India to Kunming, China with P-40's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 110.
    During the night of 7/8 Oct, 4 B-17's drop 240,352 leaflets over Paris at
    2257-2307 hours; no losses or casualties.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 434th Troop Carrier Group and
    it's 71st, 72d, 73d and 74th Troop Carrier Squadrons arrive at Fulbeck,
    England from the US with C-47's.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Bad weather
    cancels many operations. In Italy, NATBF medium and light bombers strike
    roads, railway, junction, and town areas in the Capua and Guglionesi
    regions. RAF DAF fighter-bombers hit trucks in the Termoli-Vasto areas.
      HQ 57th Bombardment Wing transfers from Lentini, Sicily to Naples, Italy.
      HQ 64th Fighter Wing transfers from Milazzo, Sicily to Frattamaggiore,
    Italy.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): The 72d
    Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on
    Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands with B-24's, begins operating
    from Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In the Bismarck
    Archipelago, a B-24 on patrol bombs Umboi Island, scoring damaging hits on
    several buildings.
      HQ 374th Troop Carrier Group transfers from Port Moresby, New Guinea to
    Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

    FRIDAY, 8 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 9 B-24's, supported by 20 P-40's, bomb Gia
    Lam Airfield in French Indochina. While on ferry mission over the Hump, 3
    B-24's bomb Tengchung, China scoring hits on warehouses, barracks, and a HQ
    area.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 111.
    4 locations in Germany are targetted. On this mission the Eighth Air Forces
    uses, for the first time, airborne transmitters (Carpet equipment) to jam
    German radar.  30 bombers and 3 fighters are lost.
      1. 105 of 118 B-17's dispatched to the shipyard at Breman hit the target
    at 1505-1513 hours; they claim 42-2-28 Luftwaffe aircraft; 9 B-17's are
    lost and 61 damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 18 WIA and 90 MIA.
      2. 53 of 56 B-17's dispatched to the industrial area at Breman hit the
    target at 1512-1513 hours; they claim 24-7-17 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17's
    are lost and 44 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 12 WIA and 41 MIA.
      3. 43 of 55 B-24's dispatched to the U-boat yards at Vegesack hit the
    target at 1622-1624 hours; they claim 17-1-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-24's
    are lost and 21 damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 5 WIA and 30 MIA.
      4. 156 of 170 B-17's dispatched to the city of Bremen hit the target and
    targets of opportunity at 1505-1527 hours; they claim 84-12-33 Luftwaffe
    aircraft; 14 B-17's are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 110 damaged;
    casualties are 21 WIA and 140 MIA.
      The B-17's are escorted by 274 P-47's; they claim 12-2-4 Luftwaffe
    aircraft; 3 P-47's are lost and 5 damaged; casualties are 2 WIA and 3 MIA.
      VIII Air Support Command Mission 80: 144 B-26's are dispatched to
    Lille/Vendeville and Chievres Airfields in France; the mission is abandoned
    due to thick haze and generally unsuitable weather; 4 B-26's are damaged.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 112: 2 B-17's drop 266,336 leaflets over
    Rennes at 0005-0011 hours, 9 Oct 43.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Greece, XII
    Bomber Command B-24's bomb Tatoi and Eleusis Airfields at Athens, airfields
    at Kastelli and Heraklion Airfields on Crete, and Maritsa Airfield on
    Rhodes; B-25's also hit Eleusis airfield; P-38's fly convoy cover, patrols,
    and sweeps over the Aegean Sea. Weather prevents the XII Air Support
    Command from operating. In Italy, the NATBF and RAF DAF hit a bridge at
    Minturno and a road junction and military concentration at Termoli.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's and
    P-40's sink a barge off the W coast of Choiseul Island in the Solomon
    Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): A single B-24 on
    armed reconnaissance bombs Cape Gloucester Airfield on New Britain Island
    in the Bismarck Archipelago.

    SATURDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 12 Kuril-based Japanese bombers attack Attu
    Island.

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The 25th Antisubmarine Squadron,
    26th Antisubmarine Wing, transfers from Jacksonville AAFld, Florida to
    Clovis AAF, New Mexico and is reassigned to the Second Air Force. The
    squadron will be disbanded on 28 Oct 43.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25's on a shipping sweep off the SE China
    coast in the Amoy-Quemoy area sink a 150-ft (45.7 m) tanker and damage a
    patrol vessel, and a freighter. 1 B-25 crashes into a hill and explodes. 10
    P-40's bomb fuel storage and barracks at Mangshih, China; 1 P-40 is downed
    by ground fire.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 113.
    2 targets in Germany and 2 in Poland are hit; 26 B-17's and 2 B-24's are
    lost.
      1. 106 of 115 B-17's hit the industrial area in Anklam, Germany at
    1142-1146 hours; they claim 65-19-47 Luftwaffe aircraft, 18 B-17's are
    lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 51 damaged; casualties are 25 WIA and 185
    MIA.
      2. 96 of 100 B-17's hit the industrial area in Marienburg, Germany at
    1253-1302 hours; they claim 9-2-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-17's are lost and
    13 damaged; casualties are 3 WIA and 21 MIA.
      3. 41 of 51 B-24's hit the U-boat yards at Danzig and the port area at
    Gdynia, Poland at 1305 hours; they claim 7-3-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 B-24's
    are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 19 damaged; casualties are 1 WIA
    and 21 MIA.
      4. 109 of 112 B-17's hit the port area at Gdynia, Poland at 1304-1324
    hours; they claim 41-5-10 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17's are lost, 1 damaged
    beyond repair and 62 damaged; casualties are 6 WIA and 60 MIA.
      VIII Air Support Command Mission 81: 66 of 72 B-26's bomb the Woensdrecht
    Airfield in the Netherlands at 1516-1526 hours; 26 B-26's are damaged. This
    is the final Eighth Air Force B-26 operation; the B-26's will be transfered
    to the Ninth Air Force.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command
    B-17's bomb airfields at Larissa, Athens and Salonika, Greece and Argos,
    Italy. B-24's hit Kastelli/Pediada Airfield on Crete. P-38's fly a sweep
    between the island of Corfu, Greece and Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia and escort
    shipping in the Karpathos Straits between Carpathos and Rhodes. In Italy, the
    XII Air Support Command does not operate, but the NATBF and RAF DAF hit
    traffic in the Termoli and Montenero areas, guns N of Capua, a HQ at Palata,
    and roads and railroads N of Naples.
      HQ 79th Fighter Group transfers from Crotone to Foggia, Italy.
      The 66th, 67th, 68th and 506th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 44th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease operating from Tunis, Tunisia and return
    to their base at Shipdham, England with B-24's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, B-25's and P-40's hit barges and concentrations on W Choiseul
    Island. P-39's and USN F4U's strafe buildings, a radar station, and gun
    positions at Poporang Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
    A-20's and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airplanes bomb and strafe
    defensive positions in the Sattelberg and Finschhafen areas. B-24's bomb
    Makassar on Celebes Island.
      The 2d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 22d Bombardment Group (Medium),
    transfers from Reid River, Australia to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-26's.
    They re-entered combat on 5 Oct after R&R in Australia since Jan 43.
      The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, transfers from
    Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea. The squadron is operating from Tsili
    Tsili, New Guinea with C-47's.

    SUNDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 7 B-24's pound the Meza railroad bridge in
    Burma, destroying the 3 spans on the E end and dropping the end of a central
    span into the river.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 20 B-24's and 18 P-40's pound docks at
    Haiphong, French Indochina. In China, 8 P-40's bomb a match factory and
    ammunition dump at Tengchung; 8 others hit a supply dump and targets of
    opportunity in the Lungling area.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 114.
    236 of 274 B-17's hit the railroads and waterways in and around Munster,
    Germany at 1503-1518 hours plus targets of opportunity at Coesfeld, Germany
    and Enschede Airfield in the Netherlands; they claim 183-21-51 Luftwaffe
    aircraft; 30 B-17's are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 102 damaged;
    casualties are 2 KIA, 18 WIA and 306 MIA. 39 B-24's fly a diversion without
    loss or casualties. The B-17's are escorted by 216 P-47's; they claim 19-0-0
    Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 is lost, 2 damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged;
    casualties are 1 MIA.
      The 360th Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, transfers from Goxhill
    to Martlesham, England with P-47's. The squadron will fly it's first mission
    on 15 Oct.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-17's bomb 2
    airfields at Athens, Greece while B-24's hit Maritsa Airfield on Rhodes and
    Calato and Heraklion Airfields on Crete. P-38's escort shipping off Rhodes,
    hit Antimachia Airfield in the Dodecanese Islands, and attack vessels in
    the harbors of Corfu, Greece and Kotor, Yugoslavia, and off Tivat, Yugoslavia
    and hit targets of opportunity in the Aegean Sea and along its E coastline.
    In Italy, the NATBF and RAF DAF concentrate on gun positions on both the US
    Fifth and British Eighth Army battlefronts; vehicles, railroads, and town
    areas also are hit; the attacks take place NE of Capua, at Guglionesi, at
    Cassino and Mondragone, between Rome and Terracina, and around the Termoli-
    Isernia-Pescara areas.
      HQ 82d Fighter Group and it's 95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadron transfer
    from San Pancrazio to Lecce, Italy with P-38's.
      A detachment of the 380th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment
    Group (Medium), based at Menzel Temime, Tunisia with B-25's begins operating
    from Oudna, Tunisia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 24 B-24's, 50+ P-38's, P-40's, and P-39's, and 50+ USN fighters and
    dive bombers pound Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island and surrounding
    areas, hitting runways, a fuel dump, supply area, buildings, and Malabita
    Hill gun positions. US airplanes claim 15 interceptors shot down.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
    A-20's, along with RAAF airplanes, again pound the Sattelberg area. During
    the night of 10/11 Oct, B-25's hit Saumlakki on Tanimbar Island in the
    Moluccas Islands.
      HQ 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group arrives at Sydney, New South
    Wales, Australia from the US.
      The ground echelon of the 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 4th Photographic
    Group (Reconnaissance), arrives at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from
    the US. The squadron is attached to the 6th Photographic Reconnaissance
    Group and will be reassigned to the 6th on 5 Dec 43. The air echelon, with
    B-24's and F-7's, will remain in the US until 26 Jan 44.
      The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
    Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's.

    MONDAY, 11 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): HQ 311th Fighter-Bomber Group transfers
    from Nawadih to Dinjan, India.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-24's bomb the town areas of Tengchung,
    China, and Sadon and Myitkyina, Burma.
      The 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, transfers from Kunming to
    Kweilin, China with P-40's.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command
    B-25's bomb Garitsa Airfield, Greece and P-38's hit a vessel in the Corfu
    harbor on Corfu Island. In Italy, XII Air Support Command and NATBF operations
    are cancelled or aborted due to weather, but RAF DAF fighters hit trains,
    trucks, and gun positions near Montesilvano and Vasto.
      The 381st and 428th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 310th Bombardment
    Group (Medium), based at Menzel Temime, Tunisia with B-25's begin operating
    from Oudna, Tunisia.
      Detachments of the 512th, 513th and 514th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy),
    376th Bombardment Group (Heavy), which have been operating from Bengasi,
    Libya with B-24's, return to their base at Enfidaville, Tunisia.
      The 527th and 528th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons, 86th Fighter-Bomber Group,
    transfer from Sele Airfield to Serretella Airfield, Italy with A-36's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 22 B-24's join 30+ USN dive bombers in pounding Kahili Airfield on
    Bougainville Island and the nearby area. Hits are scored on the airstrip, fuel
    dumps, supply areas, gun positions, bridges between Rangu and Jakohina, barges
    at the mouth of the Uguima River, and several other targets. The B-24's and the
    USN and AAF fighters covering the attack claim 12 Japanese airplanes downed.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
    B-24's attack the towns of Manokwari, Bira, and Fak Fak and score hits on a
    small vessel at Fak Fak. During the night of 11/12 Oct, B-25's bomb Cape
    Chater Airfield and Lautem on Timor Island.

    TUESDAY, 12 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The detachments of the 10th and 35th
    Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 25th Bombardment Group (Medium), that have
    been operating from Port of Spain, Trinidad with B-25's since Aug 43 return
    to their base at Edinburgh Field, Trinidad and Vernam Field, Jamaica
    respectively.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 B-24's bomb the warehouse area and
    railroad yards at Myitkyina, Burma.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 359th Fighter Squadron,
    356th Fighter Group, transfers from Goxhill to Martlesham, England with
    P-47's. The squadron will fly it's first combat mission on 15 Oct.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command
    operations are canceled by weather. In Italy, the XII Air Support Command and
    other Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) elements (NATBF and RAF DAF)
    operate on a reduced scale, hitting road junctions at Vasto and Fossacesia,
    Aquino Airfield, motor transport on the Itri-Pico road and on a road N of Rome
    in the Bolsena and Capranica areas, roads near Tarquinia, rail facilities at
    Cisterna di Latina, trains between Pescara and Benedello, and guns and troops
    near Cercemaggiore.
      HQ 81st Fighter Group and it's 91st Fighter Squadron transfer from Sidi
    Ahmed, Tunisia to Castelvetrano, Sicily with P-39's.
      HQ 86th Fighter-Bomber Group and it's 526th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, transfer
    from Sele Airfield to Serretella Airfield, Italy with A-36's.
      The 86th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light),
    transfers from Grottaglie to Vincenzo Airfield, Italy with A-20's.
      The detachment of the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, that has been
    operating from Gambut, Libya with P-38's since 4 Oct, returns to it's base at
    Mateur, Tunisia.
      The detachment of the 515th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 376th Bombardment
    Group (Heavy), at Bengasi, Libya with B-24's since 1 Oct, returns to it's
    base at Enfidaville, Tunisia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 2 B-25's skip-bomb 2 small vessels in Matchin Bay on Bougainville
    Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): The Allied Air
    Force begins a major air offensive against Rabaul on New Britain Island in
    the Bismarck Archipelago with the aim of isolating and neutralizing it.
    Almost 350 B-24's, B-25's, P-38's, and RAAF airplanes pound the town, harbor,
    and airfields in the area; 50+ Japanese aircraft are destroyed, 3 ships are
    sunk and several damaged, and several small harbor craft are sunk. B-25's fly
    small strikes against targets on Timor Island and other areas of the
    Netherlands East Indies.

    WEDNESDAY, 13 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 11 P-40's unsuccessfully intercept 8
    Japanese medium bombers attacking Massacre Bay and the nearby airfield on
    Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Japanese fighters appear in strength over
    Sumprabum, Burma to attack over-the-Hump flights. The enemy evades US
    patrols and shoots down 3 transports. A fighter-bomber offensive against
    airfields in Burma from which fighters might operate against Hump
    transports opens with an attack by P-40's on Myitkyina.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 3 B-25's on a sea sweep off SE China hit
    shipping in Amoy harbor, claiming 1 freighter sunk and another damaged.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Italy declares war
    on Germany.
      In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-25's and B-26's bomb the town of Alife, a
    road junction at Sessa Aurunca, and airfield at Tirana; XII Air Support
    Command, supplemented by RAF DAF fighters, supports the US Fifth Army, which
    begins an assault crossing of the Volturno River on a 40-mile (64 km) front
    during the night of 12/13 Oct. Fighters and fighter-bombers hit troop and
    tank concentrations, trains, trucks, and communications the lines in the
    forward areas, especially around Ortona, Giulianova, and Campobasso. NATBF
    light bombers join in the attacks, hitting road junctions in the Vairano,
    Carinola, Dragoni, Vasto, Terracina, and Minturno areas.
      The 12th Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance and
    Mapping Group, transfers from Ariana to La Marsa, Tunisia with F-4's and F-5's.
      The detachment of the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, operating
    from Gambut, Libya with P-38's since 5 Oct, returns to it's base at Mateur,
    Tunisia.
      The 92d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, transfers from Sidi Ahmed,
    Tunisia to Castelvetrano, Sicily with P-39's.
      The 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, transfers from Montecorvino
    to Pomigliano, Italy with Spitfires.
      The 379th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
    based at Menzel Temime, Tunisia with B-25's, begins operating from Oudna,
    Tunisia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, a detachment of the 17th Photographic Squadron (Light), 4th
    Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, based on Guadalcanal Island
    with F-5's, begins operating from Munda, New Georgia Island. The air echelons
    of "C" and "D" Flights are still in the US.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, 100+ B-24's and B-25's are sent against
    Rabaul; bad weather forces the bombers to turn back, but 40+ B-24's hit
    targets including Hoskins, Lindenhafen, Cape Gloucester and Gasmata Island
    off the south coast of New Britain Island.

    THURSDAY, 14 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25's attack shipping in the
    Amoy area, damaging 2 freighters, and also bomb Amoy Airfield.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 115:
    229 of 291 B-17's hit the city area and ball bearing plants at Schweinfurt,
    Germany in 2 group; the first group bombs at 1439-1445 hours, the second
    group at 1451-1457 hours; they claim 186-27-89 Luftwaffe aircraft; 60 B-17's
    are lost, 7 damaged beyond repair and 138 damaged; casualties are 5 KIA, 40
    WIA and 594 MIA. The attack, which causes great damage and interference with
    production, results in German reorganization of the bearing industry. Fierce
    opposition of great numbers of fighters, many of them firing rockets,
    accounts for the 60 US aircraft shot down. As a result of these heavy losses,
    daylight bombing against strategic targets deep in Germany is discontinued
    for a short period.
      Only 29 of 60 B-24's are able to form up in poor weather; they abandoned
    their planned mission and fly a diversion towards Emden, Germany.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII
    Bomber Command B-25's hit Argos Airfield and B-17's bomb the Terni
    marshalling yard. Other B-17's and B-24's attack a bridge at Giulianova,
    the town area of Piano-Vomano and railroad and highway bridges N of Pescara
    and along the E coast of Italy. Weather hinders tactical aircraft operations,
    but the XII Air Support Command and RAF DAF hit trains and vehicles and fly
    patrols from N of the Volturno River to Formia and N of Pescara.
      HQ 31st Fighter Group and it's 308th and 309th Fighter Squadrons transfer
    from Montecorvino to Pomigliano, Italy with Spitfires.
      The 5th Photographic Squadron (Light), Twelfth Air Force, based at La
    Marsa, Tunisia with F-5's transfers operations from Pontecagnano to
    Pomigliano, Italy.
      The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 68th Reconnaissance Group,
    ceases operating from Capaccio and returns to it's base at Pomigliano,
    Italy with P-51's.
      The 525th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 86th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers
    from Sele Airfield to Serretella Airfield, Italy with A-36's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, a single B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs 4 barges W of Taiof
    Island, leaving 1 sinking.
      The 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    ceases operating from Guadalcanal Island and returns to it's base on
    Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands with B-24's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 60+ medium
    bombers pound Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island and Alexishafen, New
    Guinea. 3 others fly harassing strikes against Dili and Lautem on Timor
    Island.

    FRIDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The 25th and 26th Antisubmarine
    Wings are disbanded at New York, New York and Miami, Florida.
      The ground echelon of the 23d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), I Bomber
    Command, transfers from Drew Field, Tampa, Florida to Smoky Hill AAFld,
    Kansas where they will be disbanded on 6 Nov 43. The air echelon is based
    at Edinburgh Field, Trinidad with B-25's with a detachment operating from
    Zandery Field, Surinam.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 89th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter
    Group, transfers from Karachi to Gushkara, India with P-40's. A detachment
    will operate from Sadiya, India during Oct.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS: HQ U.S. Army Air Forces in United Kingdom
    (USAAFUK) is activated to exercise supervision over and provide coordination
    between the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in the UK. Lieutenant General Ira C
    Eaker is appointed Commanding General in addition to his duties as Commanding
    General Eighth Air Force.

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 55th Fighter Group (38th,
    338th and 343d Fighter Squadrons), a much needed P-38 group group, becomes
    operational in the UK.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-25's of the XII
    Bomber Command hit airfields at Salonika and Megalo Mikra, Greece. In Italy,
    XII Air Support Command and other elements of NATAF hit roads, railroads,
    bridges, junctions, railway facilities, town areas, and motor transport at or
    near Piedimonte, Vairano, Termoli, Petacciato, Sparanise, and Civitanova, and
    hit gun positions and communications in the general battle area N of the
    Volturno River.
      HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and it's 84th and 85th Bombardment
    Squadron (Light) transfer from Gorttaglie to Vincenzo Airfield, Italy with
    A-20's.
      HQ 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 489th Bombardment Squadron
    (Medium) transfer from Catania, Sicily to San Pancrazio, Italy with B-25's.
      The detachment of the 71st Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, operating
    from Gambut, Libya with P-38's returns to it's base at Mateur, Tunisia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 21 B-24's, 12 P-38's, and 17 USN F4U's pound Kahili Airfield supply
    and personnel areas on Bougainville Island. 6 Zekes are claimed shot down.
    During the late evening B-25's bomb the airfield on Buka Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
    50+ P-38's and P-40's intercept around 100 Japanese aircraft attacking
    Allied shipping in Oro Bay; the US fighters claim 40+ shot down; 4 other
    P-40's, encountering 20+ Japanese airplanes E of Finschhafen, claim 5
    destroyed; and 70+ medium bombers hit positions and villages from Sio to
    Saidor. 6 B-24's bomb Boela on Ceram Island in the Moluccas Islands.
      HQ 22d Bombardment Group and it's 33d and 408th Bombardment Squadrons
    (Medium) transfer from Australia to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-25's; the
    22d and 33d transfer from Woodstock, Australia and the 408th from Reid River,
    Australia.

    SATURDAY, 16 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS: The Joint Chiefs of Staff send a proposed
    directive to General Dwight D Eisenhower, submitted by General Henry H
    "Hap" Arnold on 9 Oct, for the establishment of a new Air Force (the
    Fifteenth) in Italy to be used when needed as part of the Combined Bomber
    Offensive (CBO) against strategic targets in Germany.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): HQ 41st
    Bombardment Group (Medium) arrives at Hickam Field, Oahu, Territory of
    Hawaii from the US.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Fighter patrols are increased from 4 to 8
    aircraft with little effect on enemy marauders over the Hump. 3 A-36's fail
    to return from a mission over Sumprabum, Burma.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In the United Kingdom, HQ Ninth
    Air Force is established at Sunninghill as a tactical Air Force with
    Lieutenant General Lewis H Brereton as Commanding General. The 3d Bombardment
    Wing at Marks Hall is transferred from the VIII Air Support Command, Eighth Air
    Force to the IX Bomber Command commanded by Major General Frederick L Anderson.
    (HQ IX Bomber Command will not be established in England until Nov 43.)  The
    four B-26 groups transferred are:
      322d Bombardment Group (Medium) [449th, 450th, 451st and 452d Bombardment
           Squadrons (Medium)]
      323d Bombardment Group (Medium) [453d, 454th, 455th and 456th Bombardment
           Squadrons (Medium)]
      387th Bombardment Group (Medium) [556th, 557th, 558th and 559th Bombardment
           Squadrons (Medium)]
      388th Bombardment Group (Medium) [560th, 561st, 562d and 563d Bombardment
           Squadrons (Medium)]
    The IX Troop Carrier Command is activated at Cottesmore with Brigadier General
    Benjamin F Giles as Commanding General; the 315th Troop Carrier Group (34th and
    43d Troop Carrier Squadrons with C-47's) is transferred from from the Eighth
    Air Force; and the 434th Troop Carrier Group and it's 71st, 72d, 73d and 74th
    Troop Carrier Squadrons that arrived on 9 Oct are also assigned. The IX Air
    Service Command is re-formed under Major General Henry J Miller.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): P-38's bomb a vessel
    in Leukas Channel off the W coast of Greece. In Italy, XII Bomber Command
    B-25's bomb the marshalling yard and rail lines, railroad tunnel, highway
    underpass, warehouses, industrial buildings, and gas works in or near Bologna;
    XII Air Support Command and other NATAF elements provide close support to the
    US Fifth and British Eighth Armies; fighters and light and medium bombers hit
    communications centers of Venafro, Vairano, Sparanise, Latina, Alife, and the
    town of Pietravairano; roads, railroads, and junctions in the areas SE of Rome
    to the bomb line, between Vasto and Pescara, and at Mondragone; gun positions,
    trucks, and military concentrations near Vinchiaturo, Boiano, and Termoli;
    landing ground of Cisterna di Latina; and several other targets in the area
    between Rome and Ancona.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 8 B-24's bomb Kara Airfield on Bougainville Island. 6 B-25's hit
    the airfield on Ballale Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
    60+ B-25's attack the Alexishafen area, hit coastal targets between Reiss
    Point and Sio, and bomb the airfield at Wewak. A-20's bomb and strafe Gasmata
    Island off New Britain Island. A lone B-24 destroys a patrol craft between
    Hoskins and Rabaul on New Britain Island.

    SUNDAY, 17 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The 15th Antisubmarine Squadron
    (Heavy), Second Air Force, is transferred from Jacksonville AAFld, Florida
    to Wendover Field, Utah where it will be disbanded on 2 Nov 43.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Heavy and medium bombers bomb Naba, Burma.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 7 B-24's bomb Htawgaw, Burma.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 50th Troop Carrier Wing arrives
    at Cottesmore, England from the US.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather prevents
    operations by the XII Bomber Command. US and RAF units of NATAF operate at a
    reduced pace. In Italy, light and medium bombers hit the towns of Teano and
    Alife and motor transport at Benedello, Penna, and Pedesso; fighter-bombers
    bomb and strafe troops, trucks, guns, train stations, and a bridge near
    Vinchiaturo, Benedello, Teramo, and Sparanise; other fighters strafe
    locomotives S of Ancona.
      The 97th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light),
    transfers from Grottaglie to Vincenzo Airfield, Italy with A-20's.
      The 99th Fighter Squadron, XII Air Support Command, transfers from
    Barcellona, Sicily to Foggia, Italy with P-40's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 18
    A-20's and B-25's bomb and strafe Sattelberg and 7 B-25's hit Wewak and Boram
    Airfield with a low-level attack during which 15 aircraft are destroyed on the
    ground and 4 claimed shot down. 4 P-39's intercept 18 airplanes attacking
    Finschhafen, claiming 6 shot down. 40+ fighters intercept a large group of
    enemy aircraft attempting to attack Oro Bay; US fighters claim 24 shot down. 6
    B-24's bomb Ternate Island in the Moluccas, a 2,200-mile (3,520 km) round trip.

    MONDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The 406th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), Fourth
    Air Force, departs Elmendorf Field, Anchorage for the US. The squadron will
    transition from B-25's to B-24's and arrive in England on 2 Nov 43.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th
    Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers from Nawadih to Dinjan, India with A-36's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th
    Fighter Group, arrives at East Wretham, England from the US with P-47's. The
    squadron will fly it's first mission on 13 Dec 43.

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 228 B-26's dispatched to bomb 4
    airfields in France are recalled before attacking because of unfavorable
    weather. Major General Elwood R "Pete" Quesada becomes Commanding General
    of the IX Fighter Command.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command
    B-25's bomb the marshalling yard at Skoplje, Yugoslavia; P-38's follow with
    a strafing mission, damaging or destroying several locomotives and vehicles.
    In Italy, XII Air Support Command A-36's hit the Venafro railroad yards, and
    other fighter-bombers hit gun positions, troops, and railway stations in or
    near Boiano, Petacciato, and Vairano. Fighters strafe airfields around Rome and
    also hit Viterbo, Grosseto, and the seaplane base at Bracciano, and attack
    trains on the Rome-Orte and Rome-Naples, Italy lines. NATBF light bombers bomb
    the road and railway near Cassino, the town of Carpinone, the road junction
    at Castiglione della Valle, and roads, bridges, and motor transport near
    Minturno and Chieti.
      HQ 316th Troop Carrier Group transfers from Mazzara to Borizzo, Sicily.
      The 4th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
    Gela to Catania, Sicily with C-47's.
      The 12th Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance
    and Mapping Group, based at La Marsa, Tunisia with F-4's and F-5's, sends a
    detachment to operate from Ajaccio/Camp del Oro, Corsica.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 28 B-24's and 40+ USN dive bombers, with cover of 50+ fighters, hit
    the airfield on Ballale Island. 14 P-39's join 20+ US Navy aircraft in a strike
    on Kakasa village and a tent area on Choiseul Island.
      The 70th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, transfers from Guadalcanal
    Island to New Georgia Island with P-39's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, nearly 80 B-24's and fighters sent against
    Rabaul on New Britain Island are forced to abort by bad weather; however, 50+
    B-25's slip beneath low clouds and pound the town, airfields, and shipping
    from treetop and mast-height level; the B-25's sink 2 vessels and claim 70+
    planes destroyed on the ground and in the air; 13 of the B-24's bomb Cape
    Hoskins; 7 others bomb Cape Gloucester and hit Sio, New Guinea. B-25's bomb
    and strafe a road at Bogadjim, New Guinea.

    TUESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 1st Troop Carrier Squadron, Tenth Air
    Force, transfers from New Delhi to Sookerating, India with C-47's.
      The 529th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers
    from Nawadih to Dinjan, India with A-36's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 359th Fighter Group and it's
    369th Fighter Squadron arrives at East Wretham, England from the US with
    P-47's. The group will fly it's first mission on 13 Dec 43.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, during a
    low-level raid, XII Bomber Command B-24's bomb bridges at Porto Civitanova,
    S of Porto Sant' Elpidio, N of Pedaso, and N of Cupra Marittima; fighters,
    fighter-bombers, and light bombers of the XII Air Support Command, NATBF, and
    RAF DAF attack the town of Boiano, gun positions and troop concentrations on
    the outskirts of town, and an ammunition dump and railroad tunnel nearby,
    Viterbo and Tarquinia landing fields, the towns of Cassino and Anzio, the
    railroad N of Pesaro and near Pineto, trains near Barisciano, troops near
    Mintumo, and vehicles at several points.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, Kara and Kahili Airfields on Bougainville Island are hit by
    B-24's, Venturas, P-38's, P-40's, and USN fighters and dive bombers.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Guinea,
    A-20's and RAAF airplanes hit Sattelberg and surrounding areas and bomb Gasmata
    Island off New Britain Island; enemy air raid against Finschhafen causes no
    effective damage. B-25's and RAAF Hudsons bomb Fuiloro on Timor Island.

    WEDNESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): HQ 30th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 27th, 38th and 392d Bombardment Squadrons
    (Heavy) arrive at Hickam Field, Moluleia Field, Kahuku and Barking Sands,
    Territory of Hawaii respectively from the US with B-24's.
      The 396th and 820th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group
    (Medium) arrive at Hickam Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii from the US with
    B-25's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The bridge at Meza, Burma, being repaired
    after being damaged severely on 10 Oct, is attacked and damaged by B-25's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 116.
    The industrial area at Duren, Germany is the primary target. 97 of 170 B-17's
    hit the primary target at 1413-1416 bombing from 30,000-feet (48,000 m)
    because the cloud tops were at 29,500-feet (47,200 m); the 1st Bombardment
    Division uses Oboe PFF for the first time but the equipment fails and 60
    aircraft return to base without bombing; 42 of the 1st Bombardment Division's
    aircraft hit Woensdrecht Airfield in the Netherlands as a target of
    opportunity; and 70 B-24's fly a diversion; the totals are 4-1-1 Luftwaffe
    aircraft claimed; 9 B-17's lost, 1 damaged beyond repair and 10 damaged;
    casualties are 4 KIA (including 3 gunners who died from oxygen system failure),
    2 WIA and 85 MIA.
      VIII Bomber Command Mission 117: During the night of 20/21 Oct, 5 B-17's
    drop 876,960 leaflets over Roen and Paris at 2211-2217 hours.
      HQ 358th Fighter Group and it's 365th, 366th and 367th Fighter Squadrons
    arrive at Goxhill, England from the US.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII
    Bomber Command B-17's, B-26's, B-25's and P-38's bomb the Rome-Casale landing
    ground, Marcigliana and Cerveteri Airfields, railroad bridges at Montalto di
    Castro, Grosseto, and 13 miles (21 km) SE of Orvieto, and the marshalling
    yard at Nish, Yugoslavia obstructing the Belgrade-Sofia line; the XII Air
    Support Command, NATBF, and other aircraft of the NATAF devote most of their
    efforts to bombing gun positions, trucks, and rail and road communications S
    of Vasto, at Mignano, N of Cassino, in Cassino and Chieti, at Castropignano,
    Carpinone, Arce, Tratella, and at various other points along highways and
    railroads. Fighter-bombers also hit shipping along Dalmatian coast of
    Yugoslavia, claiming 2 vessels sunk.
      HQ 62d Fighter Wing transfers from Palermo, Sicily to Naples, Italy.
      The 527th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 86th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers
    from Serretella Airfield to Pomigliano, Italy with A-36's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, Kakasa on Choiseul Island is attacked 3 times by Venturas, P-40's,
    and USN fighters and dive bombers. 24 P-40's and nearly 50 USN F4U's sweep
    Kahili on Bougainville Island; one force of F4U's encounters fighters,
    claiming 3 destroyed.
      The 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium),
    ceases operating form Guadalcanal Island with B-25's and returns to it's
    base on New Caledonia Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
    B-25's bomb and strafe the Bogadjim area; B-24's hit 2 freighters near
    Manokwari and bomb the Manokwari area; and an attack on Finschhafen by 30
    Japanese aircraft causes minor damage. A-20's hit Gasmata Island off New
    Britain Island.

    THURSDAY, 21 OCTOBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): The 72d Fighter
    Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, transfers from Hilo Field to Wheeler Field,
    Territory of Hawaii with P-39's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th
    Fighter-Bomber Group, based at Dinjan, India with A-36's sends a detachment
    to operate from Kurmitola, India.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24's bomb Nawlang, Burma; the barracks
    area is blasted by at least 3 direct hits. 6 P-40's pound the barracks area
    at Kunlong, China.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Bad weather causes 72 B-26's sent
    to bomb Evreux/Fauville Airfield in France to abort the mission.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Colonel Arthur
    Thomas takes command of the XII Air Force Service Command. In Italy, XII
    Bomber Command B-17's hit a railroad viaduct at Terni and rail and road
    bridges in Albania. B-24's hit Orvieto railroad bridge; B-26's and B-25's
    bomb bridges at Montalto di Castro and NW of Acquapendente and the railroad
    at Orbetello; P-38's bomb a radar station at Pellegrino and the marshalling
    yard at Skoplje, Yugoslavia; RAF and US NATAF light and medium bombers
    concentrate on Cassino, hitting the town, a bivouac area nearby, and railroad
    to the S; vessels along Dalmatian coast of Yugoslavia are also attacked; XII
    Air Support Command fighters and fighter-bombers patrol the Naples area and
    attack numerous roads, railroads, bridges, junctions, trucks, gun emplacements,
    and other targets in the battle area.
      The 93d Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, transfers from Sidi Ahmed,
    Tunisia to Castelvetrano, Sicily with P-39's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 12 B-25's, with an escort of 36 fighters, attack Kara Airfield on
    Bougainville Island. The runway and several buildings suffer direct hits.
      The 23d Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based
    on Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands with B-24's begins operating
    from Guadalcanal Island.
      The 75th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium),
    transfers from Guadalcanal Island to the Russell Islands with B-25's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
    50+ B-24's bomb positions at Sattelberg; 19 B-25's follow with a low-level
    strike: other B-25's carry out a sweep along the Bogadjim road. In the
    Bismarck Archipelago, P-40's bomb Gasmata Island off New Britain Island and
    attack 2 light cruisers off New Ireland Island, damaging 1 of them.

    FRIDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): The 819th
    Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at
    Barking Sands, Territory of Hawaii with B-24's. The squadron, the ex-3d
    Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), will fly sea searches and supply the 30th
    Group with replacement crews and planes until May 44.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, a B-25 strike against a railroad
    bridge on the Ye-u branch line over the Mu River between Ywataung and Monywa
    fails to damage the structure. This raid marks the final assault of the year
    on this bridge.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): About 60 B-26's bomb Evreux/Fauville
    Airfield in France; 140+ others abort missions against other airfields because
    of bad weather.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The Combined
    Chiefs of Staff (CCS) approve the plan, submitted by General Henry H "Hap"
    Arnold and the US Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), to create a new Air Force
    (the Fifteenth) in Italy from part of the Twelfth Air Force to be used in
    strategic bombing against Germany as well as in support of ground operations.
      In Italy, XII Bomber Command B-26's bomb railroad bridges N and SE of
    Omvieto; B-25's hit a railroad bridge S of Grosseto and Eleusis Airfield,
    Greece; The XII Air Support Command, along with other elements of the NATAF,
    hit town areas, highways, vehicles, gun positions, railroad communications,
    strongpoints, and targets of opportunity at or near San Salvo Teano, Venafro,
    Cantalupo el Sannio, Isernia, Cassino, Montenero, and Boiano. Aquino
    Airfield is also bombed.
      The 12th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, based at Gela,
    Sicily, begins operating from Comiso, Sicily with C-47's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island and the surrounding areas
    are pounded by 22 B-24's, 30+ P-39's and P-40's and about 160 USN fighters
    and dive bombers. 18 B-24's and USN airplanes hit targets in the Choiseul
    Island area. Other USN aircraft hit Kara Airfield on Bougainville Island. A
    single B-24 claims hits on a carrier NW of Buka Island.
      HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 390th Bombardment Squadron
    (Medium) transfer from Guadalcanal Island to the Russell Islands with B-25's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
    20+ B-25's carry out a low-level attack on the Wewak area, sinking 2 small
    freighters, and strafing barges and airplanes; Madang is strafed by 4 P-39's
    and 2 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boomerangs. 50+ P-40's hit Gasmata
    Island off New Britain Island. 11 B-24's bomb Pombelaa nickel mines on
    Celebes Island.

    SATURDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1943

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): AAF fighters
    shoot down a Japanese flying boat 70 miles (112 km) S of Baker Island in
    the Pacific Ocean.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-25's bomb the Meza, Burma railroad bridge,
    which is still being repaired following the damaging raid of 10 Oct; damage
    is done to the approaches.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII
    Bomber Command B-26's bomb railroad and road bridges at Marsicano and
    Montalto di Castro; P-38's hit the airfield at Tirana; B-25's hit a bridge
    in Albania; the XII Air Support Command, RAF Desert Air Force (DAF), and
    NATBF attack troop concentrations in the Spinete area, and town areas,
    vehicles, trains, railroads, highways, bridges, and gun positions at or near
    Gaeta, Pescara, Vasto, Isolella, Sulmona, Isernia, Vairano, and Ancona.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 11 B-24's and 16 P-38's hit Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island
    and 36 P-40's and P-39's join 60+ US Navy dive bombers and fighters in a
    strike on Kara Airfield on Bougainville; both Kahili and Kara are attacked
    again later in the day, the former by 6 B-24's and 16 USN fighters and the
    latter by 35 AAF fighters and 42 USN dive bombers. 6 B-24's bomb Kakasa on
    Choiseul Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 40+ B-24's
    escorted by P-38's, bomb Rapopo airstrip on New Britain Island, destroying
    about 20 airplanes on the ground; 20 enemy interceptors are claimed shot
    down. 9 B-25's hit the Bogadjim area in New Guinea.

    SUNDAY, 24 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 14 B-24's and 13 P-40's pound a barracks
    area at Co Bi, French Indochina. 8 B-24's bomb Htawgaw, Burma while on a
    ferry flight over the Hump.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 200 B-26's bomb airfields at
    Montdidier, Beauvais/Nivillers, and Saint-Andre-de-L'Eure, France.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command
    B-24's of the 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) hit Wiener-Neustadt, Austria;
    the 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) fails to complete the mission because
    of clouds. In Italy, medium bombers hit Tirana Airfield, a railroad bridge
    N of Orvieto, and a viaduct at Terni; the XII Air Support Command, NATBF,
    and RAF DAF attack communications and shipping targets, hitting vessels,
    vehicles, trains, roads, bridges, and the town areas in and around Formia,
    Sora, Chieti, Minturno, Sessa Aurunca, Popoli, Terracina, between Ancona-
    Pedaso, Frosolone (just before it is taken by allied ground forces), and
    along the Dalmatian coast of Yugoslavia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, 36 B-25's, along with 24 Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)
    P-40's and 4 USN F4U's, in 1 force, and 20 AAF fighter and 70+ USN fighters
    and dive bombers in another force, pound Kahili Airfield on Bougainville
    Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
    Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, at least 45 bombers are destroyed on
    the ground at Vunakanau, Rapopo, and Tobera airstrips during attacks by 50+
    B-25's; the B-25's and 50+ escorting P-38's claim 40+ Japanese airplanes
    shot down. On New Guinea, A-20's hit enemy positions in the Lae area and
    B-24's carry out a light attack on Manokwari.

    MONDAY, 25 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In French Indochina, 6 P-40's strafe shipping
    at Haiphong, claiming 3 small boats sunk and damaging 6 larger boats; 2
    B-25's and 4 P-40's attack shipping in the Gulf of Tonkin, claiming a 150-ft
    (45.7 m) tanker sunk and 200-ft (61 m) freighter damaged.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII
    Bomber Command P-39's strafe and bomb the landing ground at Podgorica; XII
    Air Support Command, NATBF and RAF DAF concentrate on blocking roads and
    destroying bridges; town areas, vehicles, radio stations, trains, and vessels
    are also attacked; targets attacked are in or near Frosinone, Formia, Gaeta,
    Cetraro, along the Sangro River, Kuna, along the Dalmatian coast of
    Yugoslavia, W of Lagosta Island and S of Rome; Tarquinia Airfield is also
    bombed.
      HQ 324th Fighter Group and it's 314th Fighter Squadron transfer from
    Menzel Heurr, Tunisia to Cercola, Italy with P-40's. The squadron, which
    has been out of combat since 21 Jul, will fly it's first mission on 30 Oct.
      The 36th Troop Carrier Squadron, 316th Troop Carrier Group, transfers
    from Mazara to Castelvetrano, Sicily with C-47's.
      The 64th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, transfers from Foggia to
    Amendola, Italy with P-40's.
      The 486th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group (Medium),
    transfers from Catania, Sicily to San Pancrazio, Italy with B-25's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): The 372d
    Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on
    Espirtu Santo Island in the New Hebrides Islands, begins operating from
    Guadalcanal Island with B-24's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 60+ B-24's bomb
    the Rabaul area on New Britain Island, destroying 20+ airplanes on the
    ground. Of the 60-70 fighters which intercept, the B-24's claim 30+ shot
    down. In New Guinea, A-20's hit positions near Lae and B-24's carry out a
    light strike against Manokwari.

    MONDAY, 26 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 71st Liaison Squadron, US Army Forces,
    CBI, transfers from Ramgarh to Ledo, India with L-4's and L-5's.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 13 B-24's and 15 P-40's pound railroad
    yards at Haiphong, French Indochina. In China, 2 B-25's attack several
    vessels at Kiungshan, claiming 4 sunk or badly damaged; later 6 more B-25's
    hit shipping nearby, claiming 1 freighter sunk; the airfield at Kiungshan
    is strafed by 1 of the B-25's.
      The 21st Photographic Squadron (Light), Fourteenth Air Force, based at
    Kunming, China with F-4's and F-5's, sends a fight to operate from
    Suichwan, China.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Greece, B-25's
    and P-38's of the XII Bomber Command attack the airfields of Salonika/Sedhes
    and Megalo Mikra. In Italy, XII Air Support Command and RAF DAF fighters and
    fighter-bombers attack gun emplacements and road junctions in the battle
    area along the E coast and in the center of Italy, also destroying many
    vehicles and parked aircraft in the Ancona area, where railroad facilities
    are also hit; a schooner at Porto Civitanova is left smoking; medium bombers
    of the NATBF bomb Terracina and an ammunition dump.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island is hit twice during the day
    by B-24's, B-25's, P-38's, P-40's, P-39's, and USN fighters and dive bombers.
    The airfield on Buka Island is strafed by P-38's and then bombed and strafed
    by B-25's and P-38's. P-39's and P-40's join USN fighters and dive bombers in
    a strike on Kara Airfield on Bougainville.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's fly a
    small raid against Pombelaa on Celebes Island; fighters shoot down 2 B-24's;
    US gunners claim 11 aircraft downed. B-25's hit targets in Tanimbar Island
    in the Moluccas Islands.

    WEDNESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 4th Reconnaissance Squadron (Special),
    Antilles Air Command, transfers from Losey Field to Borinquen Field, Puerto
    Rico with L-1's, O-47's, O-52's and P-39's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24's bomb the city of Tungling, China
    and claim 8 intercepting Zekes shot down.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Austria, 150+
    B-17's and B-24's bomb Wiener-Neustadt and railroad tracks and installations
    and bridges at Friedberg and Ebenfurth. Weather severely curtails NATBF
    missions and XII Air Support Command operations in support of ground forces.
    Fighter-bombers attack Gaeta, Italy and bomb small vessels on the Dalmatian
    coast at Opuzen, Yugoslavia.
      HQ 57th Fighter Group and it's 65th and 66th Fighter Squadrons transfer
    from Foggia to Amendola, Italy with P-40's.
      The 315th and 316th Fighter Squadrons, 324th Fighter Group, transfer from
    Menzel Heurr, Tunisia to Cercola, Italy with P-40's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, B-24's pound Kahili and Kara airfields on Bougainville Island;
    P-40's over Kahili claim 3 Zekes shot down. P-38's, P-40's, and P-39's, plus
    some RNZAF P-40's and P-39's, cover the landing by New Zealand troops on
    Stirling and Mono Islands. The fighters claim destruction of 12 Japanese
    dive bombers attacking the landing force and afterwards claim 3 fighters
    shot down.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
    P-40's and P-39's intercept an escorted Japanese bomber force dropping
    supplies over the Sattelberg area; the US fighters claim 12 airplanes downed.
    A-20's hit harbor and supply dump area at Gasmata Island off New Britain
    Island.

    THURSDAY, 28 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR: The AAF School of Applied Tactics at Orlando AAB,
    Florida is redesignated the AAF Tactical Center.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 B-24's bomb Mangshih; 6 P-40's
    strafe a warehouse and revetments at Yoyang Airfield; 3 B-25's and 7 P-38's
    hit a barracks at Ft Bayard; and 2 B-25's on a shipping sweep over the S
    China Sea damage 2 freighters near Saint John Island and sink a junk W of
    Kwangchow Wan.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather prevents
    most Twelfth Air Force operations planned for the day. No missions are
    flown by the XII Bomber Command. In Italy, XII Air Support Command A-36's
    hit several highways and bridges in advance of the battleline and attack
    gun positions in the Vairano area and transportation targets in the Rome
    area.
      The 28th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
    Gela to Gerbini, Sicily with C-47's.
      The 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, transfers from Rerhaia,
    Algeria to Sardinia with P-39's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, P-40's and P-39's join USN fighters and dive bombers in attacks on
    Kara Airfield on Bougainville Island and the airfield on Ballale Island.
    Almost 200 aircraft are involved in the 2 strikes. Kara airfield is also
    pounded by 19 B-24's.
      The 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, based on Woodlark Island
    with P-39's, begins operating form New Georgia Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): P-40's hit
    Gasmata Island off New Britain Island. P-47's attack barges at Talasea on
    New Britain Island and strafe surrounding area. In New Guinea, P-47's also
    strafe the area from Sio to Fortification Point.

    FRIDAY, 29 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 14 B-24's and 16 P-40's pound the smelter
    area at Quang Yen, French Indochina. In China, 2 B-25's bomb the
    administration building and runway at Ft Bayard airfield; 9 P-40's on
    offensive reconnaissance in the Chiuchiang area strafe a 200-ft (320 m)
    steamer and attack a train, destroying the locomotive.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, 100+ XII
    Bomber Command B-17's, escorted by P-38's, bomb the Genoa marshalling yard
    and also hit the Sampierdarena marshalling yard, San Giorgio instrument
    factory, and ordnance, electric, and fitting plants and bridges at Genoa-
    Ansaldo; the XII Air Support Command, NATBF, and RAF DAF are forced by bad
    weather to abandon several missions in support of ground forces. Troops and
    gun positions are attacked on 2 occasions and several bridges are hit;
    Giulianova harbor and shipping are successfully attacked.
      HQ 57th Bombardment Wing transfers from Naples to Foggia, Italy.
      HQ 60th Troop Carrier Group and it's 11th Troop Carrier Squadron transfer
    from Gela to Gerbini, Sicily with C-47's.
      The 487th and 488th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 340th Bombardment
    Group (Medium), transfer from Catania, Sicily to San Pancrazio, Italy with
    B-25's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
    Islands, B-25's and B-24's, along with 40+ USN aircraft, bomb the airfield
    on Buka Island and Bonis Airfield on Bougainville Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 37 B-24's,
    escorted by 53 P-38's, pound Rabaul area on New Britain Island, claiming 45
    airplanes destroyed on the ground and in the air. 17 B-25's hit the Madang,
    New Guinea area. P-47's attack shipping in Hansa Bay, New Guinea area and
    strafe the Cape Gloucester area on New Britain Island. B-25's sink a vessel
    off Tanimbar Island in the Moluccas Islands while B-24's bomb Selaroe
    airstrip on Tanimbar and attack the Waroe Bay area of New Guinea.
      The 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, transfers from Tsili Tsili
    to Gusap, New Guinea with P-47's.
      The 63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy)
    transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-24's.

    SATURDAY, 30 OCTOBER 1943

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): The ground echelons of the 6th
    and 22d Antisubmarine Squadrons (Heavy), 479th Antisubmarine Group, are
    disbanded at Salk Lake City AAB, Utah. The air echelons are at Dunkeswell,
    England with B-24's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 B-25's and 12 P-40's pound the
    motor pool and barracks at Shayang; 9 P-38's hit the Chiuchiang dock area;
    2 interceptors are shot down.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 5 B-26's bomb Cherbourg/Maupertus
    Airfield in France.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII
    Bomber Command B-24's bomb the Genoa marshalling yard and nearby
    Sampierdarena and Genoa-Ansaldo steel works; B-17's bomb Savona and Varazze,
    Porto Maurizio, and the Imperia marshalling yard; weather reduces the efforts
    of NATAF elements; NATBF B-25's bomb Frosinone; fighter-bombers, mainly of
    the XII Air Support Command, hit bridges, junctions, shipping, marshalling
    yard, gun positions, and vehicles at several locations, including Giulianova,
    Ancona, Ortona, Sessa Aurunca, Mignano, and Cassino.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
    Island in the Solomon Islands, Kara Airfield is bombed by 16 B-24's and
    shortly afterwards is hit by 90+ USN dive bombers escorted by USN and AAF
    fighters; the airstrip and other targets at Kieta are attacked by 6 B-25's,
    12 P-39's and USN aircraft; and the Tonolai harbor area is hit by 8 P-40's
    and 17 USN planes.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's strafe
    barges in Rein Bay on New Britain Island.

    SUNDAY, 31 OCTOBER 1943

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, in an attempt to knock out the
    Japanese base from which fighters are attacking ferrying operations, P-40's
    carrying 1000-pound (454 kg) bombs fly 4 strikes against Myitkyina; following
    the bomb runs, the fighters strafe AA positions; the attacks cause
    considerable damage to the base; B-25's attack the Meza railroad bridge,
    scoring hits on the approaches but missing the structure; the bridge remains
    unusable due to damage caused by the 10 Oct strike.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Bomber Command
    B-17's bomb Antheor viaduct in France. In Italy, B-26's hit Anzio; B-25's
    attack docks and shipping at Civitavecchia; P-38's strafe and bomb Tirana
    airfield; weather cancels all NATAF attacks except for 11 P-40's which bomb
    and strafe a tanker off Split, Yugoslavia, leaving it burning. XII Air
    Support Command fighters fly an uneventful naval escort.
      HQ 1st Fighter Group and it's 71st Fighter Squadron transfer from Mateur
    to Djedeida, Tunisia with P-38's.
      The 379th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
    ceases operating from Oudna and returns to it's base at Menzel Temime,
    Tunisia with B-25's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 20+ B-25's,
    with fighter support, bomb Kara Airfield on Bougainville Island in the
    Solomon Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): P-40's sink a
    barge off the New Britain Island coast.
      The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, ceases operating
    from Tsili Tsili and returns to it's base at Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's.

    SOURCES:
    AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
      Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
    COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
      History, Headquarters USAF 1982
    THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
      Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
    THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2

    Jack McKillop
    USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
    1955-59