# USAAF Chronology:

                     COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES JULY 1943

    THURSDAY, 1 JULY 1943

    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
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      F-4, Lockheed Lightning
      F-5, Lockheed Lightning
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        During the month of July:
          The 21st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
    based on Umnak Island ceases operating from Amchitka Island, and
          The detachment of the 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group that
    has been operating from Amchitka Island with P-40's since May 43 returns to
    it's base on Shemya Island, and
          The 632d and 633d Bombardment Squadrons (Dive), 407th Bombardment
    Group (Dive) based at Drew Field, Tampa, Florida begin operating from
    Amchitka Island with A-36's.

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF ANTISUBMARINE COMMAND)
        During the month of July:
          a. The 3d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 25th Antisubmarine Wing,
    based at Ft. Dix Army Air Base, New Jersey with B-24's, ceases flying ASW
    missions.
          b. The 8th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 26th Antisubmarine Wing
    based at Miami Army Air Field, Florida begins operating with B-24's from
    Trinidad and other bases in the Caribbean.
          c. The 16th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 25th Antisubmarine Wing,
    based at Charleston Army Air Field, South Carolina with B-25's, ceases
    flying ASW missions.
          d. The 27th, 30th and 392d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 30th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy) based at March Field, California with B-24's,
    ceases flying ASW missions. The squadrons have been flying these missions
    since Jan 42.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        The 2d Troop Carrier Squadron, Assam Air Base Command, transfers with
    C-47's from Yangkai, China to Dinjan, India.
        During the month of July, the detachment of the 9th Photographic
    Squadron (Light), Tenth Air Force operating from Dinjan, India with F-
    4's and F-5's returns to its base at Pandaveswar, India.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      A memo by Major General Barney Mc Giles for General Henry H "Hap"
    Arnold, Commanding General, USAAF, stresses great need for more fighter
    escort for strategic bombing missions. The present ratio of less than 1
    fighter group to 4 heavy bomber groups is held to be completely
    insufficient and a minimum ratio of 1 to 2 is suggested.
      Brigadier General Frederick L Anderson Jr replaces Brigadier General
    Newton Longfellow as Commanding General VIII Bomber Command.
      HQ 14th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) transfers from Hethel, England to Camp
    Thomas, England.
      HQ 20th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) transfers from Camp Lynn, England to
    Cheddington, England.
      The 556th, 557th, 558th and 559th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 387th
    Bombardment Group (Medium) arrive at Chipping Ongar, England from the US
    with B-26's.
      During the month of July, HQ 99th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) arrives at
    Aldermaston, England from the US.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        P-40's, along with Twelfth Air Force fighters, fly armored
    reconnaissance of S Sicily and convoy patrol in the Cap Bon, Tunisia area
    and off Kebili, Tunisia. Royal Air Force (RAF) Halifaxes hit Catania,
    Sicily railway yards.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        During the night of 30 Jun/l Jul, Wellingtons bomb barracks and
    railway station at Cagliari, Sicily. Northwest African Coastal Air Force
    (NACAF) flies patrol, reconnaissance, and convoy protection.
        The 8th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group transfers
    with C-47's from Matemore, Algeria to El Djem, Tunisia.
        The 18th Troop Carrier Squadron, 64th Troop Carrier Group transfers
    with C-47's from Blida, Algeria to Kairouan, Tunisia.
        The 28th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group transfers
    with C-47's from Thiersville, Algeria to El Djem, Tunisia.
        The 312th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), 86th Bombardment Group (Dive)
    transfers with A-36's from Tafaraoui, Algeria to Korba, Tunisia.
        During the month of July:
          HQ 52d Troop Carrier Wing transfers from Oujda, French Morocco to
    Kairouan, Tunisia, and
          HQ 62d Troop Carrier Group transfers from Matemore, Algeria to
    Goubrine, Tunisia, and
          The 1st and 2d Antisubmarine Squadrons (Heavy), 480th
    Antisubmarine Group (Heavy), AAF Antisubmarine Command, based at Port
    Lyautey, French Morocco operate from Agadir, French Morocco with B-24s.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      During the month of July, the 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d
    Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers with B-25's from Guadalcanal
    Island, Solomon Islands to New Caledonia; the squadron continues to
    operate from Guadalcanal until Oct 43.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, A-20's bomb and strafe forces in the Duali area as
    nearby Allied troops consolidate positions along the S arm of the Bitoi
    River; other A-20's strafe the Lae area; and B-25's hit Kela Point and
    Logui. B-17's and B-24's bomb airfields at Rabaul on New Britain Island
    in the Bismarck Archipelago.
      The 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group transfers with P-38's
    from Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia to Amberley Field, Brisbane,
    Queensland, Australia. The squadron has yet to enter combat.

    FRIDAY, 2 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      F4U, Vought Corsair (USN)
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      P-51, North American Mustang
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        3 bombers and 4 P-38's fly 4 reconnaissance missions over Kiska and
    Segula Islands. 17 B-24's and 16 B-25's then attack Kiska Island in 5
    missions, 2 of them radar-guided. Fires are started at several of the
    targets, which include Gertrude Cove, the harbor, and buildings in the
    Main Camp area. Intense AA fire damages 3 aircraft. 2 B-25's on a
    submarine attack hit the Kiska seaplane ramp after making no contact
    with the target. 2 P-40's cover troops which make an unopposed landing
    on Rat Island.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        B-24's bomb airfields at Lecce, Grottaglie and San Pancrazio
    Salentino, Italy.  In Sicily, B-25's hit the airfield and surrounding area
    at Sciacca; P-40's, escorting bombers to Sciacca, shoot down a fighter and
    damage 1. 2 P-40's are lost.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons
    hit Palermo and Cagliari during the night of 1/2 Jul; and Northwest African
    Tactical Air Force (NATAF) B-25's hit Castelvetrano during the day.
    Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) aircraft attack 2 vessels off
    the W coast of Italy and fly patrols, reconnaissance, and convoy protection.
        The air echelon of the 111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 68th
    Reconnaissance Group transfers with P-51's from Bou Ficha, Tunisia to
    Korba, Tunisia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      B-25's and US Navy F4U's bomb and strafe a small vessel in the anchorage
    at Bairoko, New Georgia, Solomon Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, B-25's pound defenses in the Kela Point area and a
    trail near Logui while a lone B-24 bombs the Salamaua area. The Allied
    invasion force (the MacKechnie Force) holds firm a beachhead on Nassau Bay,
    and makes contact with Australian forces to the N. B-17's and B-24's again
    attack airfields at Rabaul on New Britain Island in the Bismrack
    Archipelago.

    SATURDAY, 3 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      P-40, Curtiss
      Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        6 B-24's bomb Main Camp on Kiska Island and take photos of Segula
    Island.

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF Antisubmarine Command)
        The 15th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 26th Antisubmarine Wing, based
    at Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Florida, ceases operating from Langley
    Field, Virginia and returns to Jacksonville with their B-24's

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        B-25's hit the oft-bombed bridge at Myitnge, Burma, knocking the S
    end span into the river.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      Lieutenant General Jacob L Devers, Commanding General European Theater
    of Operations, US Army (ETOUSA), in a report to General Henry H "Hap"
    Arnold, praises the proficiency of the VIII Bomber Command bombardiers
    but stresses a dire need for high-altitude gunnery training.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        B-25's hit airfield at Comiso, Sicily. P-40's fly escort over Sicily
    and over Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean, claiming destruction
    of 1 fighter.
        The 564th, 565th, 566th and 567th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy),
    389th Bombardment Group (Heavy) based at Hethel, England begin operating
    with B-24's from Bengasi, Libya.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        During the night of 2/3 Jul, Northwest African Strategic Air Force
    (NASAF) Wellingtons attack Olbia, Sardinia and Trapani, Sicily. The
    following day, B-17's and B-25's hit Chilivani, Italy, and the airfields
    at Monserrato and Alghero, Sardinia. In Sardinia, fighters hit radar
    stations at Pula and Alghero, while B-26's bomb the airfields at Milis
    and Capoterra. In Sicily, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
    A-20's hit the area around Marsala and airfields at Sciaccay and
    Trapani.
        The ground echelon of the 111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter),
    68th Reconnaissance Group transfers from Nouvion, Algeria to Tunis,
    Tunisia. The air echelon is at Korba, Tunisia.
        The 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group transfers with
    Spitfires transfers from Korba, Tunisia to Gozo Island, Malta.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, B-25's bomb the airfield and AA positions at
    Munda on New Georgia Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      B-24's bomb airfields in the Rabaul, New Britain Island area and hit
    Kendari Airfield on Celebes Island. Koepang on Timor Island is attacked
    by 2 B-25's. A lone B-17 bombs landing strip at Cape Gloucester on New
    Britain Island.

    SUNDAY, 4 JULY 1943 (INDEPENDENCE DAY)

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      Bf 109, Messerschmitt
      Halifax, Handley Page (RAF)
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        B-24's attack the Shweli, Burma road bridge but fail to cause
    appreciable damage.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 71: 192 B-17's are dispatched
    against aircraft factores at Le Mans and Nanes, France; 166 make a very
    effective attack; we claim 52-14-22 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 7 with 1
    damaged beyond repair and 53 others damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 9 WIA
    and 70 MIA. 83 other B-17's are dispatched against submarine yards at La
    Pallice, France; 71 hit the target between 1201 and 1204 local; we claim
    0-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; we lose 1 and 1 is damaged; casualties are 10
    MIA. Bombing is extremely accurate.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        Royal Air Force (RAF) Halifax aircraft bomb the Catania, Sicily.
    railroad yards during the night of 3/4 Jul. B-25's hit the airfield at
    Comiso, Sicily. P-40's escort bombers and convoy and fly sea-search for
    a missing pilot. Fighters claim 3 Bf 109's shot down. 4 P-40's are lost.
        The 86th and 87th Fighter Squadrons, 79th Fighter Group transfer
    with P-40's from Tunisia to Malta.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        During the night of 3/4 Jul, Wellingtons hit Trapani, Sicily and Lido
    di Roma, Italy. Leaflets are dropped in the Rome, Italy area. In Sicily,
    B-17's and B-26's hit the airfields at Catania and Gerbini; B-25's bomb 2
    satellite airfields near Gerbini; and Northwest African Tactical Air Force
    (NATAF) A-20 and medium bombers hit airfields at Comiso, Trapani, Sciacca,
    and Castelvetrano.
        The 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group transfers with P-38's
    from Telergma, Algeria to El Bathan, Tunisia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      B-17's pound Bairoko, New Georgia Island.

    MONDAY, 5 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      P-40, Curtiss
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, B-24's attack the harbor, harbor installations, railway
    yards, and oil storage at Messina while B-25's hit the airfields at
    Sciacca and Biscari. P-40's fly uneventful sea patrol. Royal Air Force
    (RAF) heavy bombers strike railroad yards at Catania, Sicily.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb the
    airfields at Villacidro, Sardinia and Catania, Sicily during the night
    of 4/5 Jul. In Sicily, NASAF fighters, medium and heavy bombers hit main
    and satellite airfields at Gerbini and radar stations at Marsala and
    Licata; Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) light and medium
    bombers hit Sciacca and airfields at Trapani, Comiso and Biscari.
    Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) airplanes maintain sea
    patrol, reconnaissance, and convoy escort.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, 9 B-24's over Buin, Bougainville Island fail to
    find shipping and bomb Munda, New Georgia Island, and Ballale Island
    instead.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, B-25's bomb and strafe the airfield at Salamaua, Komiatum
    Track, and HQ areas at Kela and Salamaua.

    TUESDAY, 6 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      P-40, Curtiss
      PV, Lockheed Ventura (USN)
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        In the Aleutian Islands, 2 B-24's and 2 P-40's on 3 weather
    reconnaissance missions report Kiska Island overcast, and take photos of
    Segula Island. 6 B-24's bomb Main Camp on Kiska. 8 B-25's abort a radar
    run over Kiska Island when 1 has engine trouble and the others fail to
    locate a PV Pathfinder. They sight a submarine which crash-dives
    immediately.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        In China, 5 B-25's and 8 P-40's hit runway and revetment area at
    Pailochi Airfield.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      HQ 385th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 549th, 550th, and 551st
    Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) with B-17's arrive at Great Ashfield,
    England from the US joining the 548th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) which
    arrived on 29 Jun 43. The group will fly it's first combat mission on 17
    Jul 43.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, B-24's strike satellite airfields at Gerbini; B-25's hit
    the airfields at Biscari and Gerbini while P-4O's escort bombers, patrol,
    and carry out dive-bombing operations.
        The 85th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group transfers with P-40's
    from Tunisia to Malta.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons
    hit Gerbini Airfield and 2 satellites during the night of 5/6 Jul; during
    predawn hours and throughout the day, light and medium bombers of Northwest
    African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) bomb airfields at Biscari, Sciacca,
    Trapani, and Comiso; NASAF B-17's again hit Gerbini Airfield and 3
    satellite fields; B-25's bomb Biscari Airfield. Northwest African Coastal
    Air Force (NACAF) maintains sea patrol and convoy protection.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, B-17's and B-24's pound airfields at Kahili,
    on Bougainville Island, on Ballale Island and on Buka Island. B-25's hit
    a beached destroyer at Bamberi, New Georgia Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      B-25's attack the airfield at Penfoei on Timor Island and hit Labu
    Lagoon area in New Guinea.

    WEDNESDAY, 7 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ, USAAF)
        The Army Air Forces Training Command is established to take over the
    functions formerly assigned to the Technical Training and Flying Training
    Commands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        7 B-25's and 22 P-40's attack shipping at Canton, China. At least 2
    interceptors are shot down.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      HQ 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group arrives at Mount
    Farm, England from the US.
      HQ 352d Fighter Group and it's 328th, 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons
    with P-47D's arrive at Bodney, England from the US. The group will fly
    it's first combat mission on 9 Sep 43.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF Antisubmarine Command)
        The German sub, U-95l, is sunk in E Atlantic, 37-40N 15-30W, by
    a B-24 of the 1st Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy).

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, B-24's hit airfields at Gerbini and the rail line N of
    Brucoli; and B-25's bomb the airfield and surrounding areas at Biscari and
    Comiso. P-40's bomb and strafe Lucca Airfield, Italy.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb Palermo,
    Sicily and airfields at Villacidro, Milis, and Pabillonis, Sardinia during
    the night of 6/7 Jul. In Sicily during the day, B-17's, B-25's, and B-26's
    bomb Gerbini satellite fields and Bo Rizzo Airfield, as P-40's fly
    a diversionary sweep over the W part of Sicily; Northwest African Tactical
    Air Force (NATAF) A-20's hit Sciacca during the night of 6/7 Jul, and the
    following day bomb airfields at Trapani, Biscari, Comiso, Bo Rizzo, and
    Mazara del Vallo, and hit Sciacca, and Marsala radar stations,
    Caltanissetta and Porto Empedocle.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, B-25's and P-38's attack Vila Airfield on
    Kolombangara Island and B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, B-24's and B-25's, along with Royal Australian Air Force
    (RAAF) airplanes, operate in direct support of Allied ground operations in
    the Mubo area, dropping over 100 tons of bombs on numerous targets as
    the MacKechnie Force begins an assault on Bitoi Ridge and Australian forces
    (2/6 Battalion) capture Observation Hill, an important terrain feature W
    of Mubo.

    THURSDAY, 8 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-36, North American Apache
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      P-47, Republic Thunderbolt
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        9 B-25's fly a special mission to Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        22 B-24's, escorted by 13 P-40's, attack shipping, docks, and a cement
    works at Haiphong, French Indochina.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      HQ 479th Antisubmarine Group is activated at St Eval, England.  The group
    is assigned to the AAF Antisubmarine Command and controls all Antisubmarine
    Squadrons in England.
      The 354th, 357th and 358th Fighter Squadrons, 355th Fighter Group, arrive
    at Steeple Morden, England from the US with P-47D's. They will fly their
    first combat mission on 14 Sep 43.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE (AAF Antisubmarine Command)
        German sub, U-232, is sunk off Portugal, 40-37N 13-4lW, by a B-24 of
    the 2d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy).

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, B-24's attack the Catania railway station, telegraph and
    telephone buildings, and industrial area; B-25's hit the airfields at
    Biscari and Comiso and nearby areas; and P-40's attack Biscari Airfield,
    escort bombers over Sicily, and carry out sea patrol.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
         In Sicily, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons
    bomb airfields at Comiso and Catania during the night of 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 the E part
    of Sicily; Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) light bombers hit
    Sciacca Airfield while medium bombers hit airfields at Biscari and Comiso;
    A-36's attack trucks, a train, railroads, highways, a sulphur plant, and a
    marshalling yard at several points in Sicily.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, B-25's continue to pound enemy positions around Mubo and
    along the coast of NE New Guinea, hitting Kela Point and village, Malolo,
    Buigap Creek, and trails from Salamaua Airfield and Kennedy's Crossing to
    Logui.
      The 319th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 90th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
    transfers with B-24's from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia to Port
    Moresby, New Guinea.

    FRIDAY, 9 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      P-40, Curtiss
      P-47, Republic Thunderbolt
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF Antisubmarine Command)
        The 23d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 26th Antisubmarine Wing, based
    at Drew Field, Tampa, Florida begins operating from Langley Field, Hampton,
    Virginia with B-25's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        B-25's bomb the railroad bridge on the Mu River between Ywataung and
    Monywa, Burma scoring 2 direct hits and leaving the bridge temporarily
    unusable.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      HQ 56th Fighter Group and it's 63d Fighter Squadron with P-47D's transfer
    from Horsham St Faith, England to Halesworth, England.
      HQ 355th Fighter Group arrives at Steeple Morden, England from the US to
    join the three squadrons that arrived yesterday.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        B-24's bomb airfields at Maleme, Crete, and Comiso and Taormina, Sicily.
    In Sicily, B-25's hit Sciacca landing ground and Biscari Airfield and
    dispersal areas while P-40's escort bombers over Castelvetrano, and Milo
    Airfields. This pre-invasion air bombardment of Sicily provides air
    superiority over the enemy. British and US airborne contingents are dropped
    on the island during the night of 9/10 Jul to help facilitate the amphibious
    assault of seaborne troops which are to land tomorrow morning. This is the
    first major airborne operation to be undertaken by the Allies in World War
    II, and subsequently becomes the subject of intensive study.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily during the night of 8/9 Jul, Northwest African Strategic Air
    Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb the airfields at Catania, Gerbini, and
    Comiso, and throughout the following day B-17's, B-25's, B-26's, and
    fighters attack other targets, including Sciacca and Biscari Airfields,
    Gerbini satellite field, and Cape Passero Island radar stations; and
    Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) planes hit Sciacca and Milo
    Airfield during the night of 8/9 Jul, and on 9 Jul hit Milo and Biscari
    Airfields, Sciacca, Porto Empedocle, HQ at Taormina, a junction NE of Gela,
    the Canicatti area, and targets of opportunity.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands during the night of 8/9 Jul, B-24's bomb Kahili
    Airfield and Buin on Bougainville Island, and Poporang Island. B-25's and
    several fighters sent against forces near Vella Lavella Island, fail to
    locate the target and strafe Buki and Ganongga Islands, and a destroyer
    beached on SE Kolombangara Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, B-25's hit forces in the vicinity of Old Bobdubi, Malolo,
    and Busama. On Timor Island, B-25's hit landing fields, Dili, and Cape
    Chater.

    SATURDAY, 10 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-36, North American Apache
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-40, Boeing Flying Fortress
      P-40, Curtiss
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

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

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        9 B-24's bomb the dock area at Haiphong, French Indochina.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VII Bomber Command Mission Number 72: 121 B-17's and 5 YB-40's are
    dispatched to the Caen/Carpiquet Airfield and 64 B-17's are dispatched to
    the Abbevile/Drucat Airfield, both in France; 34 hit Caen at 0832 hours
    while 36 hit Abbeville at 0729-0735 hours; they claim 17-7-6 Luftwaffe
    aircraft; 1 B-17 is lost while 33 others are damaged; casualties are 1 WIA
    and 10 MIA. In a second raid, 101 B-17's are dispatched against Le Bourget
    Airfield, Paris but the mission is abandoned due to cloud cover.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, B-24's attack the marshalling yard at Catania and airfield at
    Vibo Valentia; and B-25's hit Palazzolo, Sciacca, Catania, Agrigento,
    Floridia, Giarratana, Biscari, Syracuse, and Piazza Armerina while fighters
    cover the assault beach areas.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily during the night of 9/10 Jul, Northwest African Strategic Air
    Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb Catania, Syracuse, the Syracuse Isthmus
    seaplane base and the railroad station at Syracuse, and Caltagirone; North-
    west African Air Force Troop Carrier Command flies airborne operations to
    drop British and US paratroops; the US Seventh and British Eighth Armies
    make amphibious landings on the S and SE coast of Sicily.  Northwest Afri-
    can Tactical Air Force (NATAF) A-36's hit railroads, road junctions,
    trains, and vehicles while P-40's fly cover for amphibious landinps. NATAF
    light and medium bombers hit airfields 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
    Airfields, Gerbini satellite fields, and towns of Palazzolo and
    Caltanissetta, Sicily. P-38's on sweep strafe radar installation.
        HQ 3d Air Defense Wing transfers from Tunisia to Licata, Sicily.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, B-24's pound Kahili Airfield on Bougainville
    Island. Seabees report a 3,300-ft (1,006 m) airstrip at Segi Point on New
    Georgia Island available for limited operations; this provides an emergency
    landing field only 40 mi (64 km) from Japanese facilities at Munda, New
    Georgia Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, B-25's pound Salamaua, Logui, and the SE bank of the
    Francisco River as Allied ground forces effect junction at Buigap Creek
    cutting communications between Salamaua and Mubo; a single B-24 bombs the
    village of Kela. B-24's bomb Boela on Ceram Island in the Moluccas Islands
    and Babo, New Guinea.

    SUNDAY, 11 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        In the Aleutian Islands, 5 B-24's take off to attack Paramushiru
    Island in the Kurile Islands and fly a 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 Island sighting new excavations near Sredni Point,
    strafe a tent near Haycock Rock, and also fly over Segula Island.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force)
      3 B-24's from Funafuti Island in the Ellice Islands fly a photo
    reconnaissance mission to Little Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands; 2
    of the B-24's bomb the island.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        A few B-24's hit the port of Haiphong, French Indochina.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        In French Indochina, 3 B-24's bomb the Haiphong harbor area, 3 bomb
    shipping in the Campha Port area, and 8 pound positions and barracks area
    at Kunlong, China; and P-40's strafe traffic between Lao Kay and Cha Pa,
    and hit oil storage area SW of Lao Kay.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        B-24's hit airfields at Vibo Valentia, Sicily and Reggio di Calabria,
    Italy. In Sicily, B-25's hit airfields at Trapani, Milo and Bo Rizzo, and
    areas between Sciacca and Enna. P-40's escort bombers and provide beach
    cover as invasion forces push inland in Sicily.
        On the ground in Sicily, the US Seventh Army's II Corps is hit by a
    counterattack, mainly in the Gela region. The attack is repelled, but an
    airdrop of a contingent of 82d Airborne Division troops results in heavy
    casualties.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) planes hit
    Milo and Sciacca Airfields during the night of 10/11 Jul and numerous
    tactical targets during the day, including town areas, vehicle convoys,
    bridges, trains and roads; NASAF B-17's bomb the Catania marshalling yard
    while B-26's hit Milo Airfield and Gerbini satellite airfields; and
    B-25's and P-38's hit Sciacca Airfield and the town of Caltanissetta.
    Throughout the day NASAF fighters attack truck convoys on Sicilian
    highways, and hit gun positions and targets of opportunity.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, B-24's and B-17's attack Kahili Airfield on
    Bougainville Island, hitting revetments E and W of the strip.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, A-20's and B-25's blast positions in the battle zone
    from Nassau Bay inland to the Mubo area, hitting the trail ketween Logui
    and Kennedy's Crossing, the Bobdubi and Bobdubi Ridge areas, Salamaua,
    Kela Point and villages scattered through the area. Other B-25's bomb
    Penfoei on Timor Island. B-17's and B-24's pound airfields in the Rabaul
    area on New Britain Island.
      The 19th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 22d Bombardment Group (Medium)
    transfers with B-26's from Woodstock, Queensland, Australia to Dobodura,
    New Guinea. The 19th, which has been in combat in the SWPA since Apr 42,
    was pulled out of combat in Jan 43 for R&R. The squadron will fly it's
    first combat mission on this tour on 27 Jul 43.

    MONDAY, 12 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      F-4, Lockheed Lightning
      F-5, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        In French Indochina, 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 B-24's claim critical damage to 2 freighters;
    and P-40's strafe trucks S of Ha Giang.
        The flight of the 9th Photographic Squadron (Light), Tenth Air Force
    operating from Kunming, China and it's detachment operating from Kweilin,
    China with F-4's return to their base at Pandaveswar, India.
        The 21st Photographic Squadron (Light), 5th Photographic
    Reconnaissance and Mapping Group dispatches a flight with F-5's from
    Bishnupur, India to Kunming and Kweilin, China.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF Antisubmarine Command)
        A B-24 of the lst Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy) sinks U-506 near
    Portugal at 42-30N 16-30W.

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Italy, B-24's attack the harbor, ferry slip, and marshalling yard
    at Reggio di Calabria, and the ferry slip and railroad yards at Villa San
    Giovanni. In Sicily, B-25's hit Bo Rizzo Airfield while P-40's patrol
    over the Licata area. On the ground in Sicily, with bridgeheads firmly
    established by the end of day, British and US troops make contact at
    Ragusa. Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers bomb Reggio di Calabria
    Airfield, Italy.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily during the night of 11/12 Jul, Northwest African Strategic
    Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons pound Trapani, Marsala, Mazara del Vallo,
    and Montecorvino-Rovello Airfield and Northwest African Air Force Troop
    Carrier Command drops paratroops in front of the forward lines in the
    battle area; more than 20 C-47's fail to return from mission; during the
    following day, B-17's hit Messina railroad bridges, medium and light
    bombers hit Gerbini satellite field, Agrigento, Canicatti, and Milo
    Airfield. Fighters hit trucks, trains, troops, tanks, and other targets
    of opportunity during sweeps over Sicily. Northwest African Tactical Air
    Force (NATAF) fighters and light bombers hit Milo Airfield, Sicilian
    beaches, Termini harbor and town, Ninfa rail junction, several trains,
    numerous vehicles, and communications targets throughout Sicily.
    Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) aircraft fly convoy escort
    and carry out shipping strikes in Tyrrhenian Sea and W of Corsica and
    Sardinia.
        HQ XII Air Support Command transfers from Tunisia to Sicily.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, 10 B-25's attack Vila Airfield on Kolombangara
    Island, which is hit later in the day by B-24's on armored
    reconnaissance. 17 B-24's pound the airfield on Ballale Island. Several
    fighters join US Navy dive bombers in strikes on AA and bivouacs in the
    Munda area on New Georgia Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      13 B-24's bomb airfields and the town area in Rabaul, New Britain
    Island and vicinity. In the Moluccas Islands, 2 B-25's hit Lingat Air-
    field and Selaroe Island villages. A lone B-17 bombs Garove Island in the
    Bismarck Archipelago.

    TUESDAY, 13 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      F-5, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        16 B-25's lay mines in the Irrawaddy River, Burma.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        B-24's strike airfields at Crotone, Italy and Vibo Valentia, Sicily.
    In Sicily, B-25's attack the Leonforte road and harbor at Termini; and
    P-40's patrol the Licata area.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily during the night of 12/13 Jul, Northwest African Strategic
    Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons hit Caltanissetta, Gerbini Airfield, and
    Enna. During the day, B-17's, B-25's, B-26's, and fighters attack Enna,
    Milo Airfield, Carcitella landing ground, Randazzo, and targets of
    opportunity. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) aircraft hit
    truck convoys, trains, railway stations, troops, and numerous targets of
    opportunity over wide areas in Sicily. Northwest African Coastal Air
    Force (NACAF) continues sea patrols, reconnaissance, and convoy protec-
    tion and attack ship convoy NE of Palermo, Sicily.
        On the ground in Sicily, the British effort to break out onto Catania
    Plain by establishing bridgehead over Simeto River near Lentini is firmly
    opposed.
        HQ 31st Fighter Group and it's 309th Fighter Squadron transfer with
    Spitfires from Gozo Island, Malta to Ponte Olivo, Sicily.
        The air echelon of the 23d Photographic Squadron (Light), 5th Photo-
    grahic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group arrives at La Marsa, Tunisia from
    the US with F-5's. The ground echelon is still at Colorado Springs,
    Colorado and will not leave the US until 8 Aug; they will arrive at La
    Marsa on 8 Sep.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, B-17's and B-24's, operating individually, bomb the
    airfield, town area, harbor, and other targets in the Lae area; B-25's
    blast positions in the Salamaua area, along the road between Kela and
    MacDonald's Junction, and hit AA guns at Salamaua and MacDonald's Junc-
    tion; and ground forces clear the Mubo area and Lababia Ridge of the
    enemy.
      HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group arrives at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    from the US.

    WEDNESDAY, 14 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      B-40, Boeing Flying Fortress
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      F-5, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      P-51, North American Mustang
      Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 73: Three targets are struck in
    France, i.e.:
        1. 111 B-17's and 5 YB-40's are dispatched against the aircraft works
    at Villacoublay, France; 101 hit the target at 0811-0815 hours; they
    claim 15-7-16 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17's are lost and 67 damaged;
    casualties are 1 KIA, 3 WIA and 21 MIA.
        2. 64 B-17's are dispatched against Amiens/Glisy Airfield; 53 hit the
    target at 0742 hours; they claim 9-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is
    lost, 3 are damaged beyond repair and 34 are damaged; casualties are 6
    KIA, 3 WIA and 10 MIA.
        3. 84 B-17's are dispatched against LeBourget Airfield, Paris; 52 hit
    the target at 0750-0820 hours; they claim 41-27-32 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4
    B-17's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 50 damaged; casualties
    are 16 WIA and 41 MIA.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, B-24's and Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers hit rail-
    road, marshalling yard, harbor, and oil storage facilities at Messina;
    B-25's hit the Enna and Palermo areas; and P-40's patrol Licata and
    attack the Lentini area.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily during the night of 13/14 Jul, Northwest African Strategic
    Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb Palermo and Messina, and C-47's drop
    paratroops in advance of Allied troops to secure a bridge at Primosole.
    Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) aircraft hit ammo dumps,
    trains, rail junctions, bridges, vehicle convoys, and other targets of
    opportunity in the Sicilian countryside, and bomb several town areas
    including Enna and Palermo during several raids throughout the night of
    13/14 Jul and the following day. During the day, B-17's, B-26's, B-25's,
    and fighters hit Naples, Italy and Messina, Enna, Marsala, and Randazzo,
    and numerous targets of opportunity in Sicily. Northwest African Coastal
    Air Force (NACAF) continues sea patrols, reconnaissance, and convoy
    protection.
        On the ground in Sicily, British forces attempting to establish a
    bridgehead at the Primosole bridge on the Simeto River near Lentini
    continue to face strong opposition.
        The detachment of the 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photo-
    graphic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, operating from Le Kroub,
    Algeria with B-17's and F-5's returns to it's base at La Marsa, Tunisia.
        The air echelon of the 111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 68th
    Reconnaissance Group, transfers from Korba, Tunisia to Ponte Olivo,
    Sicily with P-51's. The ground echelon will remain at Tunis, Tunisia
    until Friday.
        The 307th and 308th Fighter Squadrons, 31st Fighter Group, transfer
    with Spitfires from Gozo Island, Malta to Ponte Olivo, Sicily.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, B-25's and P-40's strike small craft in Hunda
    Cove and Beagle Channel off New Georgia Island; 2 barges and a small
    vessel are claimed destroyed. B-24's and B-17's pound airfields on
    Ballale Island and Buka Island, and at Kahili on Bougainville Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, A-20's bomb and strafe the Orodubi area; and a single
    B-17 hits Lae. B-24's bomb Koepang on Timor Island.

    THURSDAY, 15 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      L-4, Piper Cub
      L-5, Stinson Sentinel
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-39, Bell Airacobra
      P-40, Curtiss
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)
      Zeke, Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        In the Aleutian Islands, 1 B-24 and 2 P-39's fly reconnaissance over
    Kiska and Segula Islands. 9 B-24's and 14 B-25's bomb Kiska Island
    targets including AA batteries at North Head, Jeff Cove and Gertrude
    Cove. Fires are started. 1 bomber turns back with 3 engines and jettisons
    bombs, another crashes on return. AA fire damages a B-25.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        The 71st Liaison Squadron is activated at Ondal, India, assigned to
    the Tenth Air Force. The squadron will be equipped with L-4's and L-5's
    and enter combat in Oct 43.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        B-24's strike main airfield and 2 satellite fields at Foggia, Italy.
    In Sicily, B-25's bomb Palermo, Cape Gallo, Salina Island, and Cape
    Zifferano; and P-40's patrol over the Licata area.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        During the night of 14/16 Jul, Wellingtons of the Northwest African
    Strategic Air Force (NASAF) hit airfields and docks at Naples, Italy
    while Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) light and medium
    bombers bomb Palermo, Sicily and fly armored reconnaissance, attacking
    roads and convoys, over extensive areas of Sicily. During the day, NASAF
    medium bombers bomb Vibo Valentia, Sicily, while heavy bombers hit Villa
    San Giovanni, Italy. NASAF fighters fly numerous strafing and bombing
    missions against trains, road junctions, radar installations, truck
    convoys, railway stations, and targets of opportunity throughout Sicily.
    Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) airplanes fly sea patrols,
    reconnaissance, convoy escort, and hit shipping off the W coast of
    Corsica and E coast of Sardinia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, B-25's, P-40's, and P-38's strafe 2 barges NE
    of Ganongga Island, leaving them sinking. A large enemy force, estimated
    at 27 bombers and 40-50 Zekes, is intercepted over Vella Lavella Island
    by USAAF and other Allied fighters, which claim 15 bombers and 30 Zekes
    destroyed, against 3 losses.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, A-20's hit positions along the Orodubi-Komiatum Track.

    FRIDAY, 16 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      Beaufighter, Bristol
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VIII Air Support Command Mission Number 1: 16 B-26B's are dispatched
    against the marshalling yard at Abbeville, France; 14 hit the target at
    2000 hours; 10 aircraft are damaged; casualties are 2 WIA. With this mis-
    sion, the VIII Air Support Command begins combat operations, having
    acquired the 322d, 323d, 386th, and 387th Bombardment Groups (Medium).

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        B-24's attack Bari Airfield, Italy; enemy fighters attack persistently
    and 3 B-24's are shot down; they claim 11 fighters destroyed in combat.
    B-25's bomb Randazzo and Valguarnera, Sicily. Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy
    bombers hit Reggio di Calabria Airfield, Italy.
        HQ 79th Fighter Group transfers from Tunisia to Sicily.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        During the night of 15/16 Jul, Northwest African Strategic Air Force
    (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb the dock, marshalling yards, and airfields at
    Vibo Valentia, Sicily and Crotone, Reggio di Calabria, and Villa San
    Giovanni, Italy, while Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) light
    and medium bombers carry out numerous missions against Randazzo, Sicily
    and roads in Sicily. During the day NATAF fighters, light and medium
    bombers bomb Valguarnera, Sicily and targets of opportunity in north
    central Sicily.
        On the ground in Sicily, British troops establish a bridgehead across
    the Simeto River.
        The ground echelon of the 111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter),
    68th Reconnaissance Group, transfers from Tunis, Tunisia to Ponte Olivo,
    Sicily joining the air echelon which arrived on Tuesday.
        The air echelon of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 2d Air Defense
    Wing, which has been training in England with Beaufighters, joins the
    ground echelon at Rerhaia, Algeria. The squadron will enter combat on 24
    Jul.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands 30+ B-24's and B-17's pound Kahili Airfield
    on Bougainville Island. In the Buin, Bougainville Island-Faisi Island
    area, 7 B-24's join 70+ US Navy dive bombers and 100+ USAAF, Royal
    New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), US Navy, and US Marine Corps fighters in
    an attack on shipping. Allied airplanes claim 40+ aircraft destroyed
    or damaged; 7 vessels, including a destroyer, are sunk.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      A single B-24 bombs forces at MacDonald's Junction, New Guinea. Royal
    Australian Air Force (RAAF) airplanes hit positions to the SW.

    SATURDAY, 17 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-18, Douglas Bolo.
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      B-40, Boeing Flying Fortress
      L-4, Piper Cub
      L-5, Stinson Sentinel
      P-39, Bell Airacobra
      P-40, Curtiss
      Zeke, Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF Antisubmarine Command)
        The 7th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 26th Antisubmarine Wing, based
    at Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Florida with B-18's but operating from
    Edinburgh Field, Trinidad, ceases flying ASW missions.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        The 71st Liaison Squadron, Tenth Air Force, transfers from Ondal,
    India to Ramgarh, India and begins training with L-4's and L-5's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 74: The two primary targets are the
    rail industry at Hannover, Germany and the aviation industry at Hamburg,
    Germany. Both missions are recalled due to weather but the bombers hit
    three targets, i.e.:
        1. 205 B-17's and 2 YB-40's are dispatched against Hannover; 33 hit
    targets of opportunity; they claim 32-7-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is
    lost, 2 are damaged beyond repair and 50 are damaged; casualties are 1
    KIA, 9 WIA and 3 MIA.
        2. 125 B-17's are dispatched against Hamburg; 1 hits a convoy and 21
    attempt to bomb the Fokker plant at Amsterdam, The Netherlands which is
    obscured by clouds; the target is missed and 150 civilians are killed;
    they claim 28-9-33 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is lost, 1 is damaged
    beyond repair and 41 are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 3 WIA and 14 MIA.
      VIII Air Support Command Mission Nubmer 2: B-26's fly a diversion to
    the Cayeux, France area.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        About 80 B-24's bomb the Naples, Italy marshalling yard in face of
    fierce fighter opposition; 1 B-24 is shot down and several are damaged;
    they claim 23 fighters destroyed in combat. In Sicily, B-25's hit Catania
    and the rail yards and roads at Paterno; and P-40's fly escort to Gela
    and Comiso. Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers hit Reggio di Calabria,
    Italy.
        The 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, transfers with P-40's
    from Malta to Sicily.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily during the night of 16/17 Jul and the following day North-
    west African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters, light and medium
    bombers, hit Catania, Paterno, the Riposto railroad station, and targets
    of opportunity (vehicles, tanks, trains, guns). During the day, 200+
    B-25's, B-26's, and B-17's bomb Naples, Italy, concentrating on the
    marshalling yard.
        On the ground in Sicily, the US 45th and 1st Infantry Divisions cross
    the Salso River S and E of Caltanissetta. The British 30 Corps expands
    the Simeto River bridgehead and drives toward Catania in the coastal
    sector while 51 Division crosses the Simeto River and reaches to within
    10 miles (16 km) of Paterno.
        HQ 350th Fighter Group and it's 345th Fighter Squadron transfer with
    P-39's from Maison Blance, Algeria to Rerhaia, Algeria.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, 7 B-24's and 70+ US Navy and Marine Corps
    airplanes, escorted by 100+ USAAF and Allied fighters, attack shipping
    off Buin, Bougainville Island. The B-24's claim hits on 2 cargo vessels,
    and the dive bombers 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 40+ Zekes and at least 4 float planes shot down;
    5 Allied airplanes are lost.
      The 75th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium),
    which has been operating from New Caledonia Island with B-25's, returns
    to it's base on Guadalcanal Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      During the night of 17/l8 Jul, B-25's bomb Lautem on Timor Island while
    B-24's bomb Adaoet Island in the Moluccas Islands. In New Guinea during
    the day, B-25's pound the airfield, Army HQ and defensive positions, and
    the general area in and around Salamaua as Allied forces from the Nassau
    Bay-Mubo area begin a drive on Salamaua; the drive is a secondary effort
    designed to divert enemy attention from a subsequent Allied campaign to
    secure the Markham River Valley and Huon Peninsula and thus gain control
    of Vitiaz Strait and Dampier Strait.

    SUNDAY, 18 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      A-36, North American Apache
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        In the Aleutian Islands, 2 B-24's and 6 B-25's bomb Gertrude Cove and
    Main Camp on Kiska Island. 6 B-24's bomb shipping targets between Paramu-
    shiru Island and Shimushu Island in the Kurile Islands and completed
    runway at Murakami Bay on Paramushiru Island, which is also photographed.
    They observe fires among buildings S and E of this runway. Some of the
    observed aircraft take to the air and vainly pursue the attackers.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force)
      6 B-24's, flying out of Funafuti Island in the Ellice Islands, bomb
    Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.  Japanese bombers
    raiding Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands are forced to jettison their
    bombs at sea because of intense AA and fighter defense.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        7 B-24's bomb shipping at Haiphong and Hongay, French Indochina.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        B-25's bomb Randazzo and Catania, Sicily.
        The 85th and 86th Fighter Squadrons, 79th Fighter Group, transfer
    with P-40's from Malta to Sicily.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        During the night of 17/18 Jul, Northwest African Strategic Air Force
    (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb airfields at Montecorvino, Sicily and Pomiglian-
    o, Italy, while Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) light
    bombers bomb Catania, Sicily and carry out reconnaissance of extensive
    areas of Sicily. During the day, NATAF A-36's hit Santa Caterina, Adrano,
    Lercara, and Termini Imerese, Sicily.
        On the ground in Sicily, the US Seventh Army makes rapid progress
    against light opposition. The British Eighth Army continues their advance,
    but 13 Corps continues to meet strong resistance near Catania.
        HQ 27th Bombardment Group (Ligth) and it's 16th, 17th and 91st
    Bombardment Squadrons (Light) transfer with A-36's from Korba, Tunisia to
    Sicily. The 27th will be redesignated the 27th Fighter-Bomber Group on 23
    Aug 43; the 16, 17th and 91st will be redesignated the 522d, 523d and
    524th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons respectively.
        HQ 33d Fighter Group transfers from Pantelleria Island in the Medi-
    terranean to Licata, Sicily.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, 21 B-24's, 20+ P-40's and P-38's, and 140+ US
    Navy and Marine Corps dive bombers and fighters thoroughly blast the
    Kahili area on Bougainville Island; 15 B-24's concentrate on the air-
    field; many AA positions are attacked, as are revetments and runways.
    Hits are claimed on 2 destroyers, and a light craft is sunk. The Allied
    airplanes claim 21 fighters shot down; 9 US US Navy aircraft are lost. A
    B-25 off New Georgia Island strafes a motor launch.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      During the night of 18/19 Jul, B-24's bomb the harbor area at Makassar
    on Celebes Island. In New Guinea, several B-25's, a B-24, and an A-20 bomb
    and strafe Lokanu, Boisi, Tambu Peninsula, Dot Island, Salamaua, and
    Komiatum as US forces secure the S headland of Tambu Bay for a supply
    base. Other B-25's attack barges and shipping off New Britain Island in
    the Bismarck Archipelago sinking a small cargo vessel off Cape Kwoi.

    MONDAY, 19 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-24, Douglas Dauntless
      A-36, North American Apache
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      Boston, Douglas (RAAF)
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      P-40, Curtiss
      P-51, North American Mustang
      Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        The 633d, 634th and 635th Bombardment Squadrons (Dive), 407th
    Bombardment Group (Dive), based at Drew Field, Tampa, Florida begin
    operating from Amchitka Island in the Aleutian Islands with A-24's. The
    squadron will fly combat missions 4-13 Aug.

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF Antisubmarine Command)
        The 14th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 25th Antisubmarine Wing, based
    at Camp Edward Army Air Field, Falmouth, Massachusetts, begins operating
    from Langley Field, Hampton, Virginia with B-24's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        B-25's damage the approaches to the Shweli, Burma road bridge.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        4 B-24's attack cement works at Haiphong, French Indochina.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        100+ B-24's attack the Littoria, Italy marshalling yards and nearby
    airfield. On the return flight railroads at Orlando, Sicily and Anzio,
    Italy are bombed. B-25's hit Catania and Randazzo, Sicily. P-40's escort
    C-47's.
        The 64th, 65th and 66th Fighter Squadrons, 57th Fighter Group,
    transfer with P-40's from Malta to Sicily.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        During the night of 18/19 Jul, Wellingtons drop over 800,000 leaflets
    on Rome, Italy. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) light
    bombers attack Catania, Sicily. During the following day, about 150
    Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-17's bomb the Rome, Italy
    railroad yards; B-25's and B-26's hit nearby Ciampino Airfield, Italy;
    P-40's bomb rail facilities in the Alcamo, Sicily area; and NATAF A-36's
    attack trains and motor transport in W Sicily.
        On the ground in Sicily, the US Seventh Army continues to push N and
    NW while the British Eighth Army's 13 Corps still faces firm resistance
    near Catania.
        The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 68th Reconnaissance
    Group, transfers with P-51's from Ponte Olivo, Sicily to Gela, Sicily.
        The 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, transfers with
    Spitfires from Ponte Olivo, Sicily to Agrigento, Sicily.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, B-17's bomb Kahili Airfield on Bougainville
    Island. B-17's and B-25's hit the airfield on Ballale Island. B-25's in
    support of ground forces hit positions in the Bairoko battle area on New
    Georgia Island where enemy resistance is fierce.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, a B-25 bombs a bridge over the mouth of the Francisco
    River; a B-17 hits Finschhafen Airfield; and Royal Australian Air Force
    (RAAF) Bostons attack a gun position at Komiatum and a military camp at
    Erskine Creek.

    TUESDAY, 20 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      A-36, North American Apache
      B-18, Douglas Bolo
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      F-4, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF ANTISUBMARINE COMMAND)
        The air echelon of the 7th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 26th
    Antisubmarine Wing, which has been operating from Edinburgh Field,
    Trinidad with B-18's since Apr 43, returns to it's base at Jacksonville
    Municipal Airport, Florida.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        B-24's attack Mandalay, Burma.
        The 491st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group
    (Medium), based at Chakulia, India sends a detachment of ground personnel
    to Gaya, India.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        In China, 4 P-40's bomb a warehouse area at Tengchung; 6 others strafe
    river traffic and railroad targets of opportunity at Sinti, Changanyi,
    Tingszekiao, Kaiyu, and near Puchi.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF Antisubmarine Command)
        In the Bay of Biscay, a B-24 of the 19th Antisubmarine Squadron
    (Heavy) sinks U-588 at 45-10N 09-42W.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, B-25's attack Randazzo and Taormina; and Royal Air Force
    (RAF) heavy bombers hit Vibo Valentia Airfield.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        During the night of 19/20 Jul, Northwest African Strategic Air Force
    (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb Aquino, Sicily and Capodichino, Italy Airfields
    while Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) medium and light
    bombers attack vehicles, roads, and town areas around and in Randazzo,
    Santo Stefano di Camastra, Orlando, and Nicosia, Sicily. During the day,
    NASAF fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in W Sicily while
    NASAF medium bombers strike Montecorvino Airfield.
        On the ground in Sicily, the US Seventh Army and British Eighth Army
    continue to push NW and N. The US 82d Airborne Division takes Sciacca and
    Menfi; the US 9d Infantry Division clears Santo Stefano Quisquina and the
    heights N of Mussomeli; the US 2d Armored Division, with British units,
    takes Enna and drives on to Villapriolo. The Canadian 1 Division pushes
    to the Leonforte area; the British 51 Division attacks the German air-
    field near Sferro; 13 Corps is halted by strong opposition on the
    Catania Plain.
        HQ 86th Fighter Group transfers from Korba, Tunisia to Gela, Sicily.
        The 12th Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance
    and Mapping Group, based at Ariana, Tunisia begins operating from Gela
    and Ponte Olivo, Sicily with F-4's.
        The 309th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), 86th Bombardment Group (Dive)
    transfers with A-36's from Tafaraoui, Algeria to Gela, Sicily. The 310th
    and 312th Bombardment Squadrons (Dive) of the same group transfer from
    Korba, Tunisia to Gela with A-36's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, 18 B-24's bomb airfields at Kahili on Bougain-
    ville Island and on Ballale Island. Fighters strafe barges in Pakoi Bay,
    New Georgia Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea US ground forces begin the struggle for the heights
    commanding Tambu Bay and Dot Inlet; A-20's and B-25's pound Madang
    Airfield and area, the Komiatum, Logui, areas along the Gum River and S
    of the Gogol River, the Gori River bridge area, and Bogadjim. On Timor
    Island, B-25's bomb Lautem, Dili, and Cape Chater Airfield. A single B-24
    bombs Arawe on New Britain Island.

    WEDNESDAY, 21 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      P-40, Curtiss
      Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        In the Aleutian Islands, 9 B-24's bomb Kiska Island targets, includ-
    ing the runway, North Head, and Main Camp area where fires are observed.
    Poor weather cancels other scheduled missions.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, about 20 B-25's bomb Randazzo and P-40's escort C-47's to
    Licata and return.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        During the night of 20/21 Jul, Wellingtons of the Northwest African
    Strategic Air Force (NASAF) hit Crotone Airfield and the Naples marshal-
    ling yard in Italy; Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) light
    bombers hit motor transport convoys in the Randazzo, Sicily area. During
    the day, NASAF B-17's bomb Grosseto Airfield, Italy.
        On the ground in Sicily, US Rangers seize Castelvetrano and the
    airport; the US 82d Airborne Division takes San Margherita and the US 3d
    Infantry Division takes Corleone; the US 45th Infantry Division, pushing
    NW, takes Valledolmo; and the US lst Infantry Division clears Alimena.
    In the British 30 Corps area, the Canadian l Division takes Leonforte.
        HQ 31st Fighter Group transfers from Ponte Olivo, Sicily to
    Agrigento, Sicily.
        HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and it's 84th Bombardment Squadron
    (Light) transfer with A-20's from Soliman, Tunisia to Malta. The 307th
    and 309th Fighter Squadrons, 31st Fighter Group, transfer with Spitfires
    from Ponte Olivo, Sicily to Agrigento, Sicily.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands in a series of sorties in support of ground
    forces, 22 B-25's, 50+ USAAF and US Navy fighters, and 170+ US Navy dive
    bombers blast positions in the Bairoko area on New Georgia Island; 135
    tons of bombs are dropped.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, 50+  B-25's again thoroughly pound the Madang area;
    other B-25's hit the junction of the Gori and Ioworo Rivers and the
    village of Bogadjim; and B-26's bomb barges and jetties W of Voco Point.
    Single B-24's bomb Finschhafen Airfield, New Guinea and the town of
    Rabaul on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago.
      The 66th Troop Carrier Squadron, Fifth Air Force, arrives at Port
    Moresby, New Guinea from the US with C-47's. The squadron will begin
    aerial transportation in the theater on 27 Jul.

    THURSDAY, 22 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      Wellington, Vickers (RAF)

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        In the Aleutian Islands, 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 Island,
    as well as coastal defenses and AA guns at both Kiska and Little Kiska
    Islands, 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 the S and W Kiska Island shores. 1 B-24 flies
    radar reconnaissance over Kiska Island.
        The 77th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 28th Composite Group, based
    on Adak Island begins operating from Attu Island with B-25's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      The results of the first phase of the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO)
    are good according to a report of the British Joint Intelligence Commit-
    tee. The report maintains the CBO has caused Germany to adopt a defensive
    air strategy resulting in more than half its fighter strength being
    employed on the Western Front at the expense of the Eastern and Mediter-
    ranean Fronts as well as causing considerable damage to transportation,
    the synthetic rubber industry, and the fuel, iron, and coal industries of
    the Ruhr.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        P-40's escort C-47's to Ponte Olivo, Sicily.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        During the night of 21/22 Jul, Northwest African Strategic Air Force
    (NASAF) Wellingtons bomb Capodichino Airfield and Salerno marshalling
    yard in Italy. In Sicily, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
    light bombers hit Randazzo, the railroad at Falcone, and the road W of
    Marina. In Italy during the day, 100+ B-17's bomb the Battipaglia mar-
    shalling yard and Foggia; B-26's hit a Salerno bridge and marshalling
    yard; and fighters fly a sweep over Maddalena Island, strafing factories,
    trucks, and small vessels. In Sicily, NATAF light bombers bomb Adrano,
    Paterno, Troina, and Misterbianco.
        On the ground in Sicily, US Seventh Army troops take Palermo; and the
    1st Infantry Division continues N, taking Bompietro.
        The 85th and 86th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment
    Group (Light), transfer from Soliman, Tunisia to Malta with A-20's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, 20+ B-17's and B-24's, 40+ US Navy dive bomb-
    ers, and 100+ Allied fighter aircraft attack shipping in the area off
    Buin, Bougainville Island. A sea-plane carrier is sunk, and damaging
    hits are claimed on several other vessels.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, 50+ B-24's, B-25's, and B-26's blast troops, AA guns,
    defensive positions, and targets of opportunity in the battle zones at
    Komiatum, on Komiatum Ridge, at Kela Mountain, at Salamaua, and along
    trails near Komiatum and Salamaua. B-24's bomb an oil refinery, docks,
    and railroad yards at Soerabaja, Java. B-25's hit targets of opportunity
    on Selaroe Island in the Moloccas Islands.

    FRIDAY, 23 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      Beaufighter, Bristol
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      P-39, Bell Airacobra
      P-40, Curtiss

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF Antisubmarine Command)
        The 23d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 26th Antisubmarine Wing, which
    has been operating from Langley Field, Hampton, Virginia with B-25's,
    returns to it's base at Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Florida.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        P-40's escort C-47's to Licata, Sicily. Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy
    bombers hit Reggio di Calabria, Italy Airfield.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-17's, B-25's, and
    B-26's bomb Leverano and Crotone, Italy, and Aquino Airfield, Sicily. In
    Sicily, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) medium bombers and
    fighters bomb and strafe Misterbianco, transport in the Nicosia-Troina-
    Randazzo areas, and bridges and landing craft in the coastal area around
    Santo Stefano di Camastra and Orlando.
        On the ground in Sicily, the US Seventh Army mops up in W Sicily. The
    British Eighth Army's 30 Corps meets firm opposition as it moves E from
    Leonforte.
        HQ XII Bomber Command transfers from Constantine, Algeria to Tunis,
    Tunisia.
        The 97th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light)
    transfers with A-20's from Soliman, Tunisia to Malta.
        A detachment of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 2d Air Defense
    Wing, based at Rerhaia, Algeria begins operating from Protville, Tunisia
    with Beaufighters. The squadron will fly it's first combat mission
    tomorrow.
        A detachment of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 1st Air Defense
    Wing, based at Monastir, Tunisia begins operating from Protville, Tunisia
    with Beaufighters.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, B-25's and P-40's, along with US Navy dive
    bombers, pound the Rekata Bay area on Santa Isabel Island. The 67th
    Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, transfers with P-39's from New
    Caledonia Island to Woodlark Island off the SE coast of New Guinea.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, B-25's, B-26's, B-24's, and B-17's again pound targets
    in coastal NE New Guinea, hitting Malolo, Asini, Busama, Voco Point, and
    Salamaua, blasting barges from Hanisch Harbor to Wald Bay and Cape
    Busching, and thoroughly bomb Bogadjim.

    SATURDAY, 24 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      B-40, Boeing Flying Fortress
      P-40, Curtiss

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        In the Aleutian Islands, 62 P-40's fly 9 missions to Kiska Island [2
    of them with Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots] bombing the runway
    and scoring many hits. An AA battery takes a direct hit and explodes. AA
    guns are strafed on North Head and Little Kiska Island. Intense AA fire
    downs 1 P-40.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force)
      8 B-24's from Midway Island attack Wake Island, bombing oil storage,
    barracks, and a gun emplacement. 20-30 Zekes attack the formation; 9
    fighters are claimed destroyed; 1 B-24 is lost in a collision with a
    falling Japanese fighter.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 75: Three targets in Norway are
    attacked. This is Eighth's first mission to Norway and its longest (1,900
    miles or 3,040 km round trip) to date.
        1. 179 B-17's and 1 YB-40 are dispatched against the nitrate works at
    Heroya, Norway; 167 aircraft hit the target at 1317-1414 hours; they
    claim 9-2-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is lost and 53 are damaged;
    casualties are 3 WIA and 10 MIA. Work at the plant is disrupted for 3.5
    months, and unfinished aluminum and magnesium plants are damaged and
    subsequently abandoned by the Germans.
        2. 45 B-17's are dispatched against the port area at Trondheim; 41
    hit the target; they claim 4-2-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is damaged
    beyond repair and 9 are damaged; casualties are 3 WIA.
        3. 84 B-17's are dispatched against the port area at Bergen; they
    find 10/10 cloud cover and return to base with their bombs.
      Crews successfully experiment with a new assembly procedure for occasions
    when bad weather conditions prevent ascent in formation. Aircraft take
    off individually on instruments, proceed to a 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.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, P-40's fly armored reconnaissance and fighter-bomber
    missions over the Adrano and Milazzo areas. The attacks are concentrated
    against motor transport targets.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Italy, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-17's and
    B-25's bomb the railroad yards at Bologna and B-26's hit the railroad
    yards at Paola. In Sicily, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
    fighter-bombers hit barges, warships, and docks in the Messina-Milazzo
    area and transport NE of Mount Etna.
        On the ground in Sicily, the US Seventh Army continues to mop up the
    W part of Sicily. Further E, the US 45th Infantry Division takes Cefalu
    and Castelbuono while the US 1st Infantry Division seizes Gangi and heads
    toward Nicosia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      On New Georgia Island in the Solomon Islands, 48 fighters join US Navy
    and Marine dive bombers in support of ground forces in the Bairoko area.
    Later in the day gun positions at Bibolo Hill near Munda are hit, along
    with other targets.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      B-25's bomb Lautem, Fuiloro, Koepang, and Tenau on Timor Island, the
    airfield and surrounding areas at Lae, New Guinea, and attack barges in
    the Wapelik and Cape Busching area of New Britain Island and villages on
    the Itni River on New Britain.

    SUNDAY, 25 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-39, Bell Airacobra
      P-40, Curtiss
      SBD, Douglas Dauntless (USN)
      TBF, Grumman Avenger (USN)
      Zeke, Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        In the Aleutian Islands, 40 P-40's fly 7 attack missions [2 by Royal
    Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots] against Kiska Island, bombing and
    strafing North Head AA batteries, the runway, Main Camp, and Little Kiska
    Island.
        HQ 343d Fighter Group transfers from Adak Island to Amchitka Island.
        The 406th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group
    (Medium), based at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage, Territory of Alaska begins
    operating from Adak Island with B-25's.

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF ANTISUBMARINE COMMAND)
        The 15th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 26th Antisubmarine Wing,
    based at Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Florida begins operating from
    Batista Field, Cuba with B-24's.

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

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        9 B-25's, escorted by 17 P-40's and P-38's, bomb Hankow Airfield,
    China.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 76: Three locations in Germany are
    targetted; 19 heavy bombers are lost, mostly to effective formation
    attacks by German fighters. The raid on Hamburg is part of 6 Combined
    Bomber Offensive (CBO) missions against that port city and follows a raid
    of the previous night during which nearly 750 Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy
    bombers did tremendous damage to the target. The three targets are:
        1. 123 B-17's are dispatched against the diesel engine works at
    Hamburg but due to cloud cover, 100 hit the shipyard at 1630-1645 hours;
    they claim 38-6-27 Luftwaffe aircraft; 15 B-17's are lost and 67 damaged;
    casualties are 1 KIA, 5 WIA and 150 MIA.
        2. 59 B-17's are dispatched against the Kiel Shipyard but return
    because of cloud cover.
        3. 141 B-17's are dispatched against the aviation industry at Warnem-
    unde; 118 hit the Kiel Shipyard at 1630-1700 hours; they claim 6-0-0
    Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 50
    are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 3 WIA and 40 MIA.
      VIII Air Support Command Mission Number 3: 18 B-26B's are dispatched
    against the coke ovens at Ghent, Belgium; 13 hit the target at 1458
    hours; 6 aircraft are damaged.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ITALY
        King Victor Emmanuel III announces the fall of the Benito Mussolini
    government. Marshall Pietro Badoglio becomes premier and takes command of
    the Italian army.

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, 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.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF), medium and
    light bombers, and fighters during night and day raids, attack shipping
    and docks at Milazzo and in the Santo Stefano di Camastra-Orlando area,
    and hit roads and motor transport, bridges and armor concentration in the
    Orlando-Adrano-Troina-Nicosia areas.
       On the ground in Sicily, the US Seventh Army makes slow progress along
    the N coastal road, while the British Eighth Army's 30 Corps takes part
    in hard fighting in the Agira area.
        HQ 1st Air Defense Wing transfers from Sousse, Tunisia to Palermo,
    Sicily. This unit will be redesignated the 62d Fighter Wing on 7 Aug 43.
        HQ 14th Fighter Group transfers from El Bathan, Tunisia to Ste-Marie-
    du-Zit, Tunisia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, Lieutenant General Nathan F Twining, USAAF,
    becomes Commander Air Solomons (COMAIRSOLS). Fighter Command and Bomber
    Command, Solomons, are taken over by Brigadier General Dean C Strother
    USAAF, and Colonel William A Matheny, USAAF, respectively; Strother
    retains his position as Commanding General XIII Fighter Command.
      The Japanese try to hit US forces on Rendova Island but Allied fighters
    shoot down several Zekes (8 claimed) and force the enemy bombers to drop
    their bombs indiscriminately. On New Georgia Island, the final push on
    the Japanese base at Munda opens with a bombardment by 7 destroyers and
    the heaviest air attack in the South Pacific (SOPAC) Theater to date;
    170+ B-24's, B-25's, B-17's, TBF's, and SBD's, covered by 70+ fighters,
    pound the target thoroughly, dropping more than 145 tons of bombs in
    little more than a half hour; later in the afternoon 10 more B-24's, with
    fighter cover, bomb Bibolo Hill, and SBD's and TBF's dive-bomb gun
    positions; and later in the day, gun positions NE of Kindu Village are
    hit. The 43d and 37th Infantry Divisions open the ground assault against
    the firmly entrenched enemy.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      Single B-24's attack a large transport vessel WNW of Buka Passage in
    the Solomon Islands and bomb Lingat and Adaoet Islands in the Moluccas
    Islands, and the area near Finschhafen, New Guinea.

    MONDAY, 26 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      B-40, Boeing Flying Fortress
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      Fw 190, Focke Wulf (Luftwaffe)
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-39, Bell Airacobra

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        In the Aleutian Islands, 3 bombers and 5 fighters fly 5 armored
    reconnaissance missions to Kiska Island. 32 B-24's, 38 P-4O's, and 24
    P-38's fly 13 attack raids, bombing and scoring hits on numerous Kiska
    Island and Little Kiska Island targets, including North Head, Main Camp,
    the runway, Gertrude Cove, AA batteries, and on a suspected submarine in
    Kiska Island harbor. A submarine is sighted near Rat Island. 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 Island for the US Navy. Over 1O4 tons
    of bombs are dropped on Kiska Island this day, highest one-day bomb load
    so far dropped by the Eleventh Air Force.

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force)
      The last mission against Wake Island from Midway Island is flown. 8
    B-24's bomb targets including oil storage area. 20+ fighters (including
    an aircraft identified as a possible Fw 190) intercept the formation. The
    B-24's claim 11 of the fighters shot down.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        5 B-25's, escorted by 12 fighters, bomb Hankow Airfield, China. An
    estimated 30-50 fighters intercept the force; the B-25's and fighters
    claim 14 airplanes shot down and 17 probably destroyed; 1 P-40 is lost.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 77: Two targets in Germany and a
    convoy are hit, i.e.:
        1. 119 B-17's and 2 YB-40's are dispatched against rubber factories
    at Hannover; 96 hit the target at 1200-1243 hours; they claim 40-9-28
    Luftwaffe aircraft; 16 B-17's are lost; casualties are 4 KIA, 22 WIA and
    126 MIA.
        2. 49 of 61 B-17's dispatched against Hannover hit a convoy and other
    targets of opportunity; they claim 15-1-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17's
    are lost; casualties are 1 KIA, 3 WIA and 51 MIA.
        3. 54 of 121 B-17's dispatched against Hannover hit the U-boat yards
    at Hamburg at 1159-1200 hours; they claim 5-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2
    B-17's are lost; casualties are 1 KIA, 3 WIA and 20 MIA.
      A total of 3 B-17's are damaged beyond repair and 86 are damaged on
    this mission. Mission results are good but costly; 24 aircraft are lost,
    mostly to enemy fighters.
      VIII Air Support Command Mission Number 4: 18 B-26B's are dispatched
    against the Saint-Omer/Longuenesse Airfield in France; 15 hit the target
    at 1112 hours; 4 aircraft are damaged.
      HQ 41st Bombardment Wing (Heavy) arrives at Brampton Grange, England
    from the US. This unit will be redesignated 41st Combat Bombardment Wing
    (Heavy) on 13 Sep 43.
      HQ 390th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 568th, 569th, 570th and
    571st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Framlingham, England from
    the US with B-17's. The group will fly it's first mission on 12 Aug and
    remain at this station until Aug 45.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily,  B-25's bomb Milazzo, Paterno, and Adrano; and P-40's
    strafe and bomb Catania and shipping at Riposto harbor.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily during the night of 25/26 Jul, Northwest African Tactical
    Air Force (NATAF) medium bombers attack Milazzo, Adrano, and Paterno;
    throughout the day light bombers hit Regalbuto at intervals, and fighter-
    bombers harrass shipping, rail, and road movements. Northwest African
    Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-26's bomb the Marina di Paola, Italy
    marshalling yard.
        HQ 64th Troop Carrier Group and it's 16th, 17th, 18th and 35th Troop
    Carrier Squadrons transfer from Kairouan, Tunisia to El Djem, Tunisia
    with C-47's.
        The 7th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, transfers
    from El Djem, Tunisia to Gourbrine, Tunisia with C-47's.
        The 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, transfers from El
    Bathan, Tunisia to Ste-Marie-du-Zit, Tunisia with P-38's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, B-24's, P-38's, P-40's, and Navy aircraft hit a
    bivouac area and the runway at Kahili on Bougainville Island. B-25's,
    P-40's, and US Navy fighters over S Kolombangara Island hit the E shore
    of Webster Cove and bivouac area and buildings on Simbo Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea 40+ B-24's and B-17's bomb Salamaua, Malolo Mission,
    Komiatum, Komiatum Ridge, and Lae Airfield.
      The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, Fifth Air Force, arrives at Port
    Moresby, New Guinea from the US with C-47's. The squadron flies it's
    first mission upon arrival.

    TUESDAY, 27 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        In the Aleutian Islands, 12 bombers and 20 fighters take off on 5
    attack missions to Kiska Island. Several of the fighters jettison bombs.
    The other aircraft hit Main Camp, North Head and Little Kiska Island.
        The 21st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
    transfers from Umnak Island to Shemya, Island. The air echelon is operat-
    ing from Amchitka Island.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        10 B-24's attack shipping in the Samah Bay area of Hainan Island,
    claiming severe damage to 2 vessels; 25-30 fighters intercept the B-24's.
    13 fighters are claimed shot down; no B-24's are lost. 6 B-25's, support-
    ed by 14 fighters, attack targets of opportunity on Stonecutter's Island,
    in the Hong Kong area after failing to locate a reported freighter in the
    area.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VIII Air Support Command Mission Number 5: 18 B-26B's are dispatched
    against Tricqueville Airfield, France; 17 hit the target at 1825 hours.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        P-40's attack tactical targets in battle area in NE Sicily, and
    others hit shipping at Catania, Sicily.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-17's hit the airfield at
    Capua and the railroad at Lioni, Italy. B-25's and B-26's bomb the landing
    ground at Scalea, Sicily. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
    fighters and light bombers continue bombing and strafing of ports, shipping,
    bridges, landing grounds, and motor transport in Sicily as the US Seventh
    Army reaches Tusa and San Mauro and pushes toward Nicosia.
        The 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, transfers from
    Agrigento, Sicily to Palermo, Sicily with Spitfires.
        The 309th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 86th Bombardment Group
    (Light), transfers from Gela, Sicily to Barcelona, Sicily. This squadron
    will be redesignated the 525th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 23 Aug 43.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, Brigadier General Ray L Owens becomes Command-
    ing General, Thirteenth Air Force. B-17's bomb airfields at Kahili on
    Bougainville Island and Ballale Island. 8 P-38's and 70+ US Navy and
    Marine Corps aircraft again attack the Munda area on New Georgia Island,
    hitting positions on Bibolo Hill and targets at Gurasai, Munda Point, and
    Munda Airfield.
      The 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
    based on Espitu Santo in the Hebrides Islands begins operating with B-24's
    from Funafuti Island in the Ellice Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, 35 B-25's and 18 B-24's pound the Salamaua area in one
    of the largest single-strike attacks of Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA).
    Airfield and supply storage at Salamaua, the town of Kela and nearby
    hilltop positions, and defensive positions between the road and beach at
    Logui are hit; 5 other B-25's hit barges between Pommern Bay and Finschh-
    afen, and the concentration and supply area at Voco Point; a lone B-24 on
    armored reconnaissance bombs targets of opportunity on Mundua and Unea
    Islands.

    WEDNESDAY, 28 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-36, North American Apache
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      C-47, Douglas Skytrain
      Fw 190, Focke Wulf (Luftwaffe)
      Liberator, Consolidated (RAF)
      P-39, Bell Airacobra
      P-40, Curtiss
      P-47, Republic Thunderbolt

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force)
      The 333d Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, transfers from Hilo,
    Hawaii to Bellows Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii with P-39's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        6 B-25's, with escort of 9 P-40's, bomb Taikoo Docks at Hong Kong.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)

      ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (AAF Antisubmarine Command)
        In the Bay of Biscay, German submarine, U-404, is sunk by a B-24 of
    the 4th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy) and a Royal Air Force (RAF) Libera-
    tor of No. 224 Squadron, at 45-53N 09-23W.

      STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
        VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 78: The aviation industry in
    Germany is targetted but bad weather hampers the raids. The targets are:
          1. 182 B-17's are dispatched against the Fieseler Works at Kassel,
    Germany; 58 hit the target at 1027-1054 hours; they claim 27-15-22
    Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 B-17's are lost, 4 are damaged beyond repair and 54
    damaged; casualties are 15 WIA and 71 MIA.
          2. 120 B-17's are dispatched to the Fw 190 plant at Oschersleben,
    Germany; 37 hit the target; they claim 56-19-41 Luftwaffe aircraft; 15 B-
    17's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond repair and 64 damaged; casualties are
    11 WIA and 134 MIA.
      This is the deepest US bomber penetration into Germany to date. The
    raid achieves good results however, 22 B-17's are lost as fighters score
    first effective results with rockets. 105 P-47's, equipped with jettison-
    able belly tanks for the first time on a mission, escort the B-17's into
    Germany; other P-47's, going more than 30 miles (48 km) deeper into
    Germany than they have penetrated before, meet the returning bombers.
    They surprise about 60 German fighters and destroy 9 of them; 1 P-47 is
    lost.
        VIII Air Support Command Mission Numbers 6 and 7: The primary targets
    are in Belgium and France, i.e.:
          1. 18 B-26B's are dispatched against the coke ovens at Zeebrugge,
    Belgium; 17 hit the target at 1105 hours; 3 B-26's are damaged.
          2. 18 B-26B's are dispatched against Tricqueville Airfield, France
    but the mission is recalled when the accompanying fighters do not join
    up.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, almost 100 P-40's hit shipping at Catania and Santa Teresa
    di Riva, fly patrol over the Straits of Messina, and bomb encampments.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
         Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) fighters sweep over S
    Sardinia. In Sicily, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) light
    bombers hit Regalbuto, Milazzo, and Centuripe; A-36's and P-40's hit
    heavy traffic on the Troina-Randazzo road, bridges and roads N and W of
    Cesaro, the landing ground at Falcone, and buildings near Randazzo.
         On the ground in Sicily, the US Seventh Army takes Nicosia and
    pushes toward Santo Stefano di Camastra. The British Eighth Army takes
    Agira. Allied cargo vessels begin arriving at Palermo, and Lieutenant
    General Harold R Alexander, 15 Army Group Commanding General, moves his
    HQ to Sicily.
        HQ 320th Bombardment Group and it's 443d Bombardment Squadron (Medi-
    um) transfer from Massicault, Tunisia to El Bathan, Tunisia with
    B-26's.
        The 8th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, transfers
    from El Djem, Tunisia to Gourbrine, Tunisia with C-47's.
        The 99th Fighter Squadron, XII Air Support Command, transfers from
    Fardjouna, Tunisia to Licata, Sicily with P-40's.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, B-25's and US Navy aircraft hit gun positions
    and other targets at Webster Cove on New Georgia Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      On New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, B-25's attack barges
    and fuel dump between Cape Raoult and Rein Bay and hit the airfield at
    Cape Gloucester and 2 destroyers offshore; single B-24's bomb Unea
    Island and unsuccessfully attack shipping in Saint George Channel between
    New Ireland and New Britain Islands. In New Guinea, B-24's bomb Manokwari
    and Larat and Boela on Ceram Island in the Moluccas Islands. On Timor
    Island, B-25's hit the town of Lautem and the airfield at Cape Chater.

    THURSDAY, 29 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      B-40, Boeing Flying Fortress
      Beaufighter, Bristol
      P-40, Curtiss

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force)
        In the Aleutian Islands, 1 B-17 scouts Kiska Island and bombs the
    Main Camp area.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        In Burma, 2 flights of B-25's blast the previously bombed Mu River
    bridge between Ywataung and Monywa. The bridge is hit heavily with 1 span
    left submerged in the river.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        18 B-24's, with fighter escort, bomb shipping and dockyard installa-
    tions at Hong Kong. Kowloon and Taikoo Docks and the old Royal Navy yards
    are hit. 4 P-40's attack a Japanese force of 23 bombers and 30 fighters
    attacking Hengyang, China; 1 Japanese fighter is downed.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 79: 2 locations in Germany are the
    targets for this mission:
        1. 167 B-17's and a YB-40 are dispatched to the shipyards at Kiel;
    91 hit the shipyard at 0901 hours and 48 hit targets of opportunity; they
    claim 48-6-33 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17's are lost, 2 are damaged beyond
    repair and 62 are damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 8 WIA and 61 MIA.
        2. 81 B-17's are dispatched to the Heinkel Works at Warnemunde; 54 hit
    the target at 0922-0924 hours; they claim 0-2-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4
    B-17's are lost and 7 damaged; casualties are 40 MIA.
      VIII Air Support Command Missions 8 and 9: 2 airfields are the target:
        1. 18 B-26B's are dispatched against Schipol Airfield at Amsterdam,
    The Netherlands; the mission is aborted due to a navigational error.
        2. 21 B-26B's are dispatched against Ft. Rouge Airfield, France; 19
    hit the target at 1828 hours; 8 B-26's are damaged.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, 200+ P-40's, to date the largest number of fighters
    operating in 1 day during the Sicilian campaign, attack Messina Riposto,
    shipping at Catania, Santa Teresa di Riva, Taormina, Milazzo, and in the
    Straits of Messina.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-26's hit Aquino Air-
    field, Sicily. B-17's bomb Viterbo Airfield, Italy. In Sicily, Northwest
    African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters and light bombers hit Regalbuto,
    Milazzo, shipping off Messina, and gun positions and motor transport in NE
    Sicily.
        On the ground in Sicily, the US Seventh Army almost completes the mopup
    of W Sicily, approaches Santo Stefano Quisquina, advances on Mistretta, and
    takes 3 islands off Trapani. The British Eighth Army opens an assault during
    the night of 29/30 Jul along an axis of Catenanuova-Adrano.
        The detachment of the 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 2d Air Defense
    Wing, operating from Protville, Tunisia with Beaufighters returns to it's
    base at Rerhaia, Algeria.
        The 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 1st Air Defense Wing, transfers from
    Monastir, Tunisia to La Sebala, Tunisia with Beaufighters. The detachment
    at Protville, Tunisia also transfers.
        The 441st, 442d and 444th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 320th
    Bombardment Group (Medium), transfer from Massicault, Tunisia to El
    Bathan, Tunisia with B-26's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, B-17's, B-24's, and B-25's bomb Kela Point and village,
    and Salamaua town and peninsula area. On New Britain Island in the Bis-
    marck Archipelago, B-25's, B-26's, and a B-24 attack Army HQ, barges, and
    villages in the Natamo vicinity, shipping off Cape Gloucester, Borgen Bay,
    along the coast from Ring Ring Plantation to Roebuck Point and barges off
    Cape Dampier, New Guinea. P-40's strafe targets of opportunity.

    FRIDAY, 30 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      F4U, Vought Corsair (USN)
      P-38, Lockheed Lightning
      P-40, Curtiss
      P-47, Republic Thunderbolt

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        15 P-40's over the Hengyang, China area make contact with 39 Japanese
    fighters and 24 bombers. In the ensuing battle, 3 bombers and 2 fighters
    are downed; 2 P-40's are lost.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VIII Bomber Command Mission Number 80: The aviation industry at Kassel,
    Germany is targetted for today:
        1. 119 B-17's are dispatched to the Bettenhausen Fieseler Works; 94
    hit the target at 0910-0917 hours; they claim 40-7-29 Luftwaffe aircraft;
    6 B-17's are lost, 5 are damaged beyond repair and 64 are damaged;
    casualties are 11 KIA, 10 WIA and 52 MIA.
        2. 67 B-17's are dispatched to the Waldau Fieseler Works; 40 hit the
    target at 0925-0928 hours; they claim 8-6-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 6 B-17's
    are lost and 18 are damaged; casualties are 1 WIA and 45 MIA.
      107 P-47's with auxiliary tanks escort these raids and they surprise the
    attacking Luftwaffe fighters over Bocholt, Germany as the enemy is not yet
    accustomed to fighter escort penetration beyond the coastal fringe. They
    claim 25-4-8 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 P-47's are lost and 1 is damaged beyond
    repair; casualties are 6 MIA.
      VIII Air Support Command Mission Numbers 10A and 10B: 2 airfields are
    targetted:
        1. 24 B-26B's are dispatched to the Woensdrecht Airfield, The Nether-
    lands; 11 hit the target at 0657 hours; 1 B-26 is lost, 1 is damaged
    beyond repair and 5 are damaged; casualties are 7 WIA and 6 MIA.
        2. 24 B-26B's are dispatched to the Courtrai/Wevelghem Airfield,
    France but the mission is recalled because the escorting fighters are fog
    bound on the ground.
      In the 2 B-26 missions, the B-26 crews claim 6-5-1 Luftwaffe aircraft.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        In Sicily, 100+ P-40's attack shipping at Milazzo, Messina, and
    Riposto, and hit targets in the battle area.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Italy, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-17's bomb
    Grottaglie Airfield and B-25's hit the airfield at Pratica di Mare. In
    Sicily, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) A-20's bomb Milazzo
    and hit gun positions N and E of Centuripe and fighters hit shipping off
    Milazzo.
        On the ground in Sicily, the enemy evacuates Santo Stefano Quisquina,
    with a rear guard action. The British take Catenanuova and push on to the
    NE.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      In the Solomon Islands, 9 B-24's, with an escort of 16 P-38's and P-40's
    and 40+ US Navy F4U's, pound the airfield on Ballale Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, B-24's bomb Salamaua and Kela; B-25's hit barges off Huon
    Peninsula and villages in the Finschhafen area; and A-20's destroy several
    barges at Hanisch Harbor and Langemak Bay. Single B-24's bomb Cape Glouce-
    ster on New Britain Island and Unea Island.

    COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES

    SATURDAY, 31 JULY 1943

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
      A-20, Douglas Havoc
      B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
      B-24, Consolidated Liberator
      B-25, North American Mitchell
      B-26, Martin Marauder
      P-39, Bell Airacobra
      P-40, Curtiss

    CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force)
      The 78th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, transfers from Barking
    Sands, Oahu to Haleiwa Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii with P-40's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force)
        9 B-24's mine the Rangoon River in Burma during the night of 31 Jul/1
    Aug.

      CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force)
        HQ 402d Bombardment Group (Medium) is disbanded at Kunming, China.
    This group, which had been activated in China on 19 May 43, never had any
    squadrons assigned nor was it fully manned.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force)
      VIII Air Support Command Missions Number 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D: The
    targets are 4 airfields in France:
        1. 21 B-26B's are dispatched against Merville Airfield; 20 hit the
    target at 1120 hours; 2 B-26's are damaged.
        2. 21 B-26B's are dispatched against Poix/Nord Airfield; 19 hit the
    target at 1122 hours; 1 B-26 is lost and 5 ared damaged; casualties are 7
    MIA.
        3. 21 B-26B's are dispatched against Abbeville/Drucat Airfield and all
    hit the target at 1617 hours.
        4;. 21 B-26B's are dispatched against Tricqueville Airfield; 18 hit
    the target at 1623 ours; they claim 0-1-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-26's are
    damaged.
      Lille and Amiens, France are bombed by Royal Air Force (RAF) bombers,
    also fighter-escorted, in conjunction with US raids.
      HQ 392d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 576th Bombardment Squadron
    (Heavy) arrive at Wendling, England from the US with B-24's. They will
    fly their first combat mission on 6 Sep 43 and remain at this station
    until Jun 45.

    MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
        P-40's fly escort missions and hit shipping in the Milazzo, Sicily
    area.

      WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force)
        In Sicily, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) B-26's bomb
    Adrano; Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters, light and
    medium bombers hit Paterno, Santa Maria di Licondia and Centuripe, the
    general area around Paterno, and vessels in the Milazzo-Orlando area.
        On the ground in Sicily, US ground forces prepare to attack E along
    the coast, and further inland press toward Troina. The British, to the
    S, are fiercely opposed W of Regalbuto.
        HQ 42d Bombardment Wing (Medium) is transferred without personnel and
    equipment from the US to North Africa. Groups will be assigned in Aug 43.
        HQ 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 20th Bombarmdent Squadron
    (Heavy) transfer with B-17's from Ain M'lila, Algeria to Massicault,
    Tunisia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force)
      On New Georgia Island in the Solomon Islands, 17 P-40's and P-39's join
    90+ US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft in pounding guns and defensive
    positions on Bibolo Hill as Allied ground forces close in on airfield at
    Munda. B-17's, B-25's, P-40's, and US Navy aircraft attack the airfield
    at Vila on Kolombangara Island.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force)
      In New Guinea, B-25's hit the Finschhafen area and barges at Hanisch
    Harbor and Mange. B-25's and A-20's blast several barges in the Cape
    Gloucester area of New Britain Island. B-24's bomb Waingapoe on Sumba
    Island in the Sunda Islands.
      HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group transfers from Brisbane, Queensland,
    Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea.

    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