USAAF Combat Operations 1941

USAAF Worldwide Operations Chronology

COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES

NOVEMBER 1943

AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
A-20, Douglas Havoc
A-36, North American Apache
B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
B-18, Douglas Bolo
B-24, Consolidated Liberator
B-25, North American Mitchell
B-26, Martin Marauder
Baltimore, Martin (RAF)
Beaufighter, Bristol
C-47, Douglas Skytrain
C-53, Douglas Skytrooper
F-4, Lockheed Lightning
F-5, Lockheed Lightning
F-7, Consolidated Liberator
F-9, Boeing Flying Fortress
F4U, Vought Corsair (USN)
L-4, Piper Cub/Grasshopper
L-5, Stinson Sentinel
P-38, Lockheed Lightning
P-39, Bell Airacobra
P-40, Curtiss
P-47, Republic Thunderbolt
P-51, North American Mustang
P-70, Douglas
Ventura, Lockheed
Zeke, Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter

MONDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE (First Air Force): During early Nov, HQ 479th
Antisubmarine Group and it's 4th, 6th, 19th and 22d Antisubmarine Squadrons
(Heavy) transfer from Dunkeswell to Podington, England.
During early Nov, HQ 480th Antisubmarine Group begins a movement from Port
Lyautey, French Morocco to the U.S.

CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): HQ 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy) is
inactivated at Howard Field, Canal Zone.
HQ 16th, 32d and 37th Fighter Groups are inactivated at Albrook Field,
France Field, and Howard Field Canal Zone repectively.
Zone.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): During Nov, a detachment of the 71st Liaison
Squadron, US Army Forces, CBI, based at Ledo, India is sent to Kunming, China
with L-4's and L-5's.
During Nov, the detachment of the 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th
Fighter-Bomber Group, at Kurmitola, India with A-36's returns to it's base at
Dinjan, India

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25's and 9 P-40's bomb the Yoyang, China
railroad yards.
During Nov, the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group transfers from
Kweilin to Hengyang, China with P-40's.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): A progress report, assessing
results of the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO), estimates that 19 important
German towns and cities have been virtually destroyed, 19 severely damaged and
9 more effectively damaged. A joint report of the British Ministry of Economic
Warfare and Air Ministry lntelligence Branch claims that 10 percent of the
total war potential of Germany has been destroyed.
HQ 92d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) is activated at Polebrook, England.
HQ 93d Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) is activated at Horsham St. Faith,
England.
HQ 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Deenethorpe,England from the
U.S.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): The Ninth Air Force comes under
operational control of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force (AEAF) which is
activated on this date to provide the tactical air force for the invasion of W
Europe (Operation OVERLORD).

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The Fifteenth Air Force is
activated, with HQ at Tunis, Tunisia and Lieutenant General James H. Doolittle
as Commanding General. The following Twelfth Air Force units are transferred
to the new Fifteenth Air Force:

B-17 Units
----------
5th Bombardment Wing at Depienne, Tunisa
2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) [20th, 49th, 96th and 429th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Massicault, Tunisia
97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) [340th, 341st, 342d and 414th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Depienne, Tunisia
99th Bombardment Group (Heavy) [346th, 347th, 348th and 416th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Oudna, Tunisia
301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) [32d, 352d, 353d and 419th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Oudna, Tunisia

B-24 Units
----------
98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) [343d, 344th, 345th and 415th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Hergla, Tunisia
376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) [512th, 513th, 514th and 515th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Enfidaville, Tunisia

B-25 Units (Groups transferred to Twelfth Air Force on 3 Nov 43)
----------
47th Bombardment Wing (Medium) at Hammamet, Tunisia
310th Bombardment Group (Medium) [379th, 380th, 381st and 428th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium)] at Menzel Temime, Tunisia
321st Bombardment Group (Medium) [445th, 446th, 447th and 448th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium)] at Grottaglie, Italy

B-26 Units (all transferred back to Twelfth Air Force at end of year)
----------
42d Bombardment Wing (Medium) at Ariana, Tunisia
17th Bombardment Group (Medium) [34th, 37th, 95th and 432d Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium)] at Djedeida, Tunisia
319th Bombardment Group (Medium) [437th, 438th, 439th and 440th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium)] in Sardinia
320th Bombardment Group (Medium) [441st, 442d, 443d and 444th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium)] in Sardinia

P-38 Units
----------
1st Fighter Group [27th, 71st and 94th Fighter Squadrons] in Sardinia
14th Fighter Group [37th, 48th and 49th Fighter Squadrons] at Ste-Marie-du-
Zit, Tunisia
82d Fighter Group [95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons] at Lecce, Italy

P-47 Unit
---------
325th Fighter Group [317th, 318th and 319th Fighter Squadrons] at Mateur,
Tunisia

Other aircraft
--------------
68th Reconnaissance Group at Massicault, Tunisia
16th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bomber) at Foch Field, Tunisia with B-17
111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) at Pomigliano, Italy with A-36
and F-6
122d Liaison Squadron at Berteaux, Algeria with B-17
154th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) at Nouvion, Algeria with P-51

In Italy, B-l7's bomb the town and harbor of La Spezia and a railroad bridge
at Vezzano; B-25's hit marshalling yards at Rimini and Ancona. Fighters fly
escort.
During the month of Nov 43, HQ 68th Reconnaissance Group transfers from
Massicault, Tunisia to Manduria, Italy.
HQ 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 437th, 438th, 439th and 440th
Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) transfer from Djedeida, Tunisia to Decimomannu,
Sardinia with B-26's.
HQ 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from El Bathan, Tunisia to
Sardinia.
The 27th and 94th Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group, transfer from
Mateur, Tunisia to Djedeida, Tunisia with P-38's.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): With the activation of the
Fifteenth AF on this date, the units of the XII Bomber Command transfer to the
new air force. Northwest African Tactical Bomber Force (NATBF) aircraft bomb
shipping in harbors of Ancona, Italy and Split, Yugoslavia, hit a tunnel mouth
near Antrodoco, Italy, and attack scattered gun positions and motor transport
on both the US Fifth and British Eighth Army fronts. The XII Air Support
Command hits numerous bridges and junctions and the town of Pontecorvo, Italy.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) Desert Air Force (DAF) hits inland roads and
vehicles in advance of the battleline, shipping at Split, Yugoslavia and the
town of Carpinone, Italy.
During Nov, the 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photographic
Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, transfers from La Marsa, Tunisia to
Grottaglie, Italy with B-17, B-25 and F-5.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, US Marines land on Bougainville Island. This operation is aimed at
eliminating the last Japanese strongholds SE of Rabaul. Allied fighters
covering the operations shoot down 20+ Japanese aircraft. Naval gunfire
accounts for several more. On Bougainville, 21 B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield and
Kara Airfield is attacked by 19 B-24's, 30+ P-40's and P-39's, and 70+ US Navy
(USN) fighters and dive bombers. P-38's on sweep over waters NW of the Solomons
claim 7 Zekes shot down. B-25's strafe barges and wharf area at Faisi Island.
During the night of 1/2 Nov, 2 radar snooper B-24's attack a convoy W of Cape
Saint George on New Ireland Island in the Bismarck Archipelago.
The 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
Espiritu Santo Island in the New Hebrides to Henderson Field, on Guadalcanal
Island in the Solomon Islands with C-47's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In the Celebes
Islands, 11 B-24's bomb Maniang Island and nearby Pombelaa. A lone B-24 scores
hit on ship off Kavieng, New Ireland Island in the Bismrack Archipelago.

TUESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 1943

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 B-25's and 12 P-40's pound docks and
warehouses at Shasi, China.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): The 406th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), Eighth Air Force, transfers from the U.S. to Alconbury, England
without personnel or equipment. The squadron will be equipped with B-24's and
begin CARPETBAGGER operations (dropping supplies to partisans) on 5 Jan 44.
The 700th, 701st, 702d and 703d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 445th
Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Tibenham, England from the U.S. with
B-24's. They will fly their first mission on 13 Dec.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-17's and B-24's bomb the
aircraft factory and surrounding industrial complex at Wiener-Neustadt,
Austria; the bombers claim 50+ attacking fighters destroyed. In Italy, B-25's
bomb the Ancona marshalling yard; B-26's bomb the harbor at Civitavecchia and
miss a railroad bridge near Amelia; P-38's escort the heavy bombers and the
B-26's.
The 379th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
based at Menzel Temime, Tunisia begins operating from Ed Adem, Libya with
B-25's.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, NATBF light and medium
bombers hit gun positions and an ammunition dump on the British Eighth Army
front, railroad facilities at Aquila, and the coast road at Terracina; at
night, light bombers hit Penna Point and Zara, Yugoslavia; XII Air Support
Command and RAF DAF fighters and fighter-bombers attack gun positions and
ammunition dumps along the British Eighth Army front, hit gun positions S of
Isernia, bomb Fondi, and attack several bridges and junctions in advance of
the US Fifth Army front; numerous trucks and a train also are strafed.
HQ 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 434th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) transfer from Gerbini, Sicily to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 20 B-24's bomb
Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island.
The 13th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
Tontouta, New Caledonia to Espirtu Santo, New Hebrides Islands with C-47's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In direct support
of Allied landings on Bougainville Island in the Solomon Islands, 75 B-25's,
with an escort of 70 P-38's, attack Rabaul airfields and harbor on New Britain
Island; 3 destroyers and 8 merchant vessels are sunk or left sinking; the
B-25's and P-38's claim 12 aircraft destroyed on the ground and 68 shot down;
AA and air opposition is the strongest thus far encountered by the Fifth Air
Force; 21 US airplanes are lost. In New Guinea, P-39's pound a road in the
Bogadjim area and A-20's bomb and strafe communication routes near
Fortification Point.
The 418th Night Fighter Squadron, AAF School of Applied Tactics, arrives at
Milne Bay, New Guinea from the U.S. with P-38's and P-70's.

WEDNESDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 1943

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 21 B-24's, supported by 30 fighters,
pound Kowloon Docks in Hong Kong; 4 Japanese fighters are claimed shot down;
9 B-25's and 12 P-40's pound various targets in the Shihshow-Hwajung-Owchihkow
area. 8 P-40's bomb runways and installations at Lashio, Burma.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 119.
539 of 566 B-17's and B-24's dispatched to the Wilhemshaven, Germany port area
hit the target at 1307-1335 hours. They claim 21-3-24 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7
B-17's are lost, 2 damaged beyond repair, and 47 damaged; casualties are 12
WIA and 70 MIA. The mission includes 11 Pathfinders, 9 using new H2X
blind-bombing device (first time on a US mission) and 2 using H2S. This is the
first Eighth Air Force blind-bombing mission in which the aiming point is
completely destroyed and is also the Eighth's first 500-plane mission. 333
P-47's and 45 P-38's escort the bombers with the P-38's escorting the heavy
bombers almost the entire trip and see their first real ETO combat, claiming
3-5-5 Luftwaffe aircraft.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 120. During the night of 3/4 Nov, 2 B-17's drop
1.5+ million leaflets on Antwerp at 1915 hours and Rotterdam at 2008 hours.
The 612th and 613th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 401st Bombardment Group
(Heavy), arrive at Deenethorpe, England from the U.S. with B-17's. They will
fly their first mission on 26 Nov.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 71 B-26's bomb the airfield at
Saint-Andre-de-L'Eure, France; 71 attack Triqueville Airfield, France; and 65
bomb Schiphol Airfield in the Netherlands.
HQ 435th Troop Carrier Group and it's 76th and 77th Troop Carrier Squadrons
arrive at Langer, England from the U.S. with C-47's and C-53's.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The 2 B-25 groups [310th and
321st Bombardment Group (Medium)] of the Fifteenth Air Force are transferred
back to the Twelfth Air Force.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Fifteenth Air Force P-38's escort
B-25's on a raid against Araxos Airfield, Greece. The target is well covered
and several parked airplanes are destroyed. In Italy, the NATBF hits a dump
at Cupello, the railway station at Cesano, a road junction at Alfedena, the
town areas of Ceprano and Palmoli, and numerous vehicles; XII Air Support
Command and RAF DAF fighters and fighter-bombers attack gun positions at
Cupello, landing grounds near Pescara and Ancona, the airfield at Cisterna di
Latina, the Ceccano railroad yards, the town of Pozzilli, roads in the
Venafro-Cassino area, and several bridges and junctions. Many of the day's
missions are flown in direct support of the British Eighth Army's advance.
The 82d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Gerbini, Sicily to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 19 B-24's attack a
convoy about 150 miles (240 km) SE of Mussau Island in the Bismarck
Archipelago; the B-24's claim hits on 3 vessels.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
B-25's hit barges between Alexishafen and Bogadjim. In New Britain, B-24's fly
light strikes against shipping (sinking 1 vessel) between Talasea and Cape
Gloucester, and bomb Boela on Ceram Island in the Moluccas Islands.

THURSDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 1993

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): The Chinese-American Composite Wing enters
combat on this date. It's B-25's hit Amoy and Swatom, China successfully
bombing and strafing ground troops, supply facilities, and shipping; the
B-25's claim 4 cargo ships badly damaged and possibly sunk.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): HQ 445th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
arrives at Tibenham, England from the U.S.
HQ 446th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 704th, 705th, 706th and 707th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Flixton, England with B-24's. They
will fly their first mission on 16 Dec.
The 27th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Photographic
Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, arrives at Mount Farm, England from the U.S.
with F-5's.
The 614th and 615th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 401st Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy), arrive at Deenethorpe, England from the U.S. with B-17's.
They will fly their first mission on 26 Nov.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ Ninth Air Force issues a letter
ordering a small detachment of HQ, the IX Air Force Engineer Section, to
assume the functions of a command under Colonel Karl B Schilling, thus
beginning the creation of IX Engineer Command.
HQ 354th Fighter Group and it's 353d and 355th Fighter Squadron arrive at
Greenham Common, England from the U.S. with P-51's. They will fly their first
mission on 1 Dec. The is the first fighter group assigned to the Ninth Air
Force.
The 75th and 78th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 435th Troop Carrier Group, arrive
at Langer, England from the U.S. with C-47's and C-53's.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-17's bomb railroads
between Montalto di Castro and Orbetello, between Orbetello and Talamone, and
between San Vincenzo and Cecina; bomb-carrying P-38's, escorted by others, hit
a tunnel N of Terni and strafe Montalto di Castro.
HQ 325th Fighter Group and it's 317th, 318th and 319th Fighter Squadron
transfer from Mateur to Soliman, Tunisia with P-47's.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Brigadier General Donald A Davison
takes command of the XII Air Force Engineer Command (Provisional), following
the command's assignment to the Twelfth Air Force on 1 Nov. In Italy, XII Air
Support Command and RAF fighters and fighter-bombers hit trucks and trains in
the Sora-Avezzano area, the airfields of Furbara and Tarquinia, and small
vessels off Pescara, Italy and Solta, Yugoslavia.
The 522d and 524th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons, 27th Fighter-Bomber Group,
transfer from Capaccio to Paestum and Guado Airfield, Italy respectively with
A-36's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, 23 B-24's strike the airfield on Buka Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): P-40's bomb
Palmalmal Plantation, New Guinea. B-24's on armed reconnaissance claim 1
vessel sunk N of New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago.

FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ZONE OF INTERIOR: The 19th Photographic Charting Squadron, 1st Photographic
Charting Group, based at Bradley Field, Connecticut, sends a detachment to
Mexico City, Mexico with F-9's to photo-map Mexico.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 459th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter
Group, transfers from Karachi to Kurmitola, India with P-38's. They will fly
their first mission on 14 Nov.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS: B-25's of the 1st Composite Squadron and USN
land-based aircraft based on Ascension Island sink U-848 in the S Atlantic at
10-09S 18-00W.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 121.
Two targets in Germany are hit with the loss of 8 B-17's and 3 B-24's.
1. 323 of 374 B-17's and 9 of 11 B-17 pathfinders hit the marshalling yard
and oil plants at Gelsenkirchen, Germany at 1313-1350 hours; they claim 6-1-4
Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 B-17's are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 223
damaged. Casualties are 4 KIA, 35 WIA and 84 MIA. The B-17's are escorted by
47 P-38's and 336 P-47's; they claim 18-6-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 P-47's are
lost and 1 is damaged beyond repair; casualties are 4 MIA.
2. 104 of 118 B-24's hit the marshaling yard at Munster at 1349-1358 hours;
they claim 21-3-7 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-24's are lost, 1 is damaged beyond
repair and 43 damaged; casualties are 7 KIA, 22 WIA and 31 MIA.
3. VIII Bomber Command Mission 122: 5 B-17's drop 1,004,000 leaflets over
Paris, Amiens, Rouen and Caen at 1917-2005 hours; no losses or casualties.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): An Eighth Air Force training officer
arrives to assist HQ IX Fighter Command in setting up a comprehensive training
system for fighter pilots. The training is based on the Eighth Air Force
system; the Eighth Air Force and Royal Air Force (RAF) cooperate with the
Ninth in instituting this program. 150+ B-26's bomb construction works at
Mimoyecques, France; poor visibility causes one group to bomb the area SW of
the primary targets; bad weather causes numerous aborts.
The 356th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, arrives at Greenham Common,
England from the U.S. with P-51's. The squadron will fly it's first mission on
1 Dec.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): 3 B-24's on a low-level raid
bomb the Falconara-Marittima railroad and highway bridges in Italy.
The 432d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Djedeida, Tunisia to Villacidro, Sardinia with B-26's.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Air Support Command B-25's,
escorted by Fifteenth Air Force P-38's, hit the Berat-Kucove Airfield in
Albania. In Italy, the NATBF bombs roads E of Atina and N of Rome, and hits
vehicles moving S from Pescara; XII Air Support Command and RAF DAF fighters
and fighter-bombers attack motor transport N of Vasto, bridges and roads W of
Isernia, Cassino, and Atena Lucana, the town of Castrocielo, and vessels off
Split, Yugoslavia.
HQ 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Djedeida, Tunisia to
Sardinia.
HQ 350th Fighter Group transfers from Rerhaiak Algeria to Sardinia.
The 81st and 83d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group
(Medium), transfer from Gerbini, Sicily to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.
The 415th Night Fighter Squadron, XII Air Support Command, transfers from
Cassibile to Cantania, Sicily with Beaufighters.
The 523d Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 27th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers from
Capaccio to Gaudo Airfield, Italy with A-36's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, 6 B-25's hit a bivouac area at Kieta on Bougainville Island and sink
at least 6 barges between Kieta and Banin Harbor. Allied fighters from the
Munda, New Georgia area cover a carrier strike which causes considerable damage
to shipping in the harbor at Rabaul, New Britain Island in the Bismarck
Archipelago.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 90+ B-24's and
fighters attack the wharf areas of Rabaul on New Britain Island while Japanese
airplanes from surrounding airfields search for the carrier force that hit
Rabaul earlier in the day. In New Guinea, B-26's and P-39's hit Bogadjim Road,
B-25's pound positions NW of Dumpu, and P-39's bomb and strafe the Madang
area; P-47's over Wewak encounter a force of fighters and claim about 20 shot
down.
The 67th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's.

SATURDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS (First Air Force): The ground echelon of the 23d
Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), I Bomber Command, at Smoky Hill AAFld, Kansas
is disbanded. The air echelon is at Edinburgh Field, Trinidad with a detachment
at Zandery Field, Surinam with B-25's.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): Advanced HQ,
Seventh Air Force, is set up on Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands to
provide a HQ closer to targets in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. VII Air
Force Service Command and VII Bomber Command also establish forward echelons
at Funafuti. Landing fields are being built on Baker Island; and Nukufetau and
Nanumea Islands in the Ellice Islands, to be used, along with existing fields
at Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands and Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice
Islands as operational bases for attacks on Tarawa Atoll and Makin Island in
the Gilbert Islands; Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands; Maloelap and Jaluit
Atolls in the Marshall Islands and Nauru Island. These operations will mark the
assumption of the offensive by the Seventh Air Force and will play a
conspicuous role in the invasion and occupation of the Gilbert and Marshall
Islands.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 2 B-24's lay mines in the Rangoon
River during the night of 6/7 Nov.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 123. 2
B-17's drop 440,000 leaflets over Paris at 0241-0250 hours.
The 36th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), Eighth Air Force, arrives at
Alconbury, England from the U.S. The squadron will begin flying CARPETBAGGER
missions in Dec 43.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ IX Bomber Command arrives at Marks
Hall, England from Bengasi, Libya.
HQ 315th Troop Carrier Group and it's 34th Troop Carrier Squadron transfer
from Aldermaston to Welford, England. The 34th is operating from Blida,
Algeria with C-47's.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, 4 B-17's attack the
Fiora River bridge, 3 attack a bridge N of Orbetello, and 11 P-38's attack a
bridge S of Orvieto. P-38's escorted by others, hit approaches to a bridge
near Monte Molino, and the escorting fighters afterwards strafe Tarquinia
Airfield, a train N of Civitavecchia, and vehicles between Montefiascone and
Vetralla.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Air Support Command
fighter-bombers strike gun positions, bridges, and roads around Mignano,
vehicles N of Cassino, and a train N of Aquino airfield. Other Northwest
African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters attack numerous road and rail
transport targets through-out Italy N of the battleline and in Yugoslavia.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, 9 B-25's with USN fighter support hit the airfield and harbor of
Buka Island. On Bougainville Island, 1 B-25 bombs Kieta and attacks Tinputs
Harbor; 7 barges and small vessels are claimed sunk; 24 B-25's with fighter
support follow USN dive bombers and fighters in an attack on Kara Airfield;
and 17 B-24's bomb Bonis Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): P-40's hit Gasmata
Island off the south coast of New Britain Island. In New Guinea, enemy
airplanes attack Nadzab, Dumpu, and Finschhafen but cause no major damage.
The 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) and 82d Reconnaissance
Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group, arrive at Milne Bay, New Guinea
from the U.S. with B-25's and P-39's respectively. The squadrons will fly their
first missions on 28 Jan 44 and 27 Nov respectively.

SUNDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 1943

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25's pound Amoy harbor, claiming
several boats sunk. 6 P-40's attack a bridge at Hsiangyangchiao, causing only
minor damage.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 124.
Three targets in Germany are hit without loss. Poor weather restricts
operations.
1. 53 of 59 B-17's bomb the Wesel industrial area at 1124-1125 hours; 4
B-17's are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA and 2 WIA.
2. 60 B-17's are dispatched to the industrial area at Duren; 37 hit the
primary target at 1114 hours and 20 hit Randerath, the secondary target, at
1114-1125 hours; 2 B-17's are damaged.
3. 2 of 3 B-17 pathfinders escort the B-17's dispatched to Duren but an Oboe
PFF failure resulted in the bombs being widely scattered.
The bombers are escorted by 283 P-47's; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft;
6 P-47's are lost; casualties are 6 MIA.
HQ 20th Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) transfers from Hethel to Hardwick,
England.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 200+ B-26's dispatched to attack
airfields at Montdidier and Meulan-Les Mureaux, France are forced to abort the
mission because of bad weather. The B-26's are escorted by 54 P-38's and 49
P-47's of the Eighth Air Force; 2 P-38's are lost.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather cancels heavy bomber
operations.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): NATBF bombers hit gun position along
the British Eighth and US Fifth Army fronts, shipping at Ancona, Italy harbor,
and the town of Ulcinj, Yugoslavia; Durazzo, Albania is bombed at night. XII
Air Support Command and other fighters of the NATAF hit the harbor and
shipping at Split and a train near Metkovic, Yugoslavia, and attack bridges,
road junctions, town area, and trucks in the Mignano-Cassino and Pontecorvo,
Italy. areas.
The 10th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, transfer from
Gela to Gerbini, Sicily with C-47's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, 8 B-25's bomb barge concentration and beach targets in Atsinima Bay.
21 B-24's pound the airfield on Buka Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): On New Britain
Island, 25 B-24's, with an escort of 60+ P-38's, bomb Rapopo airstrip; a large
force of enemy fighters intercepts the formations and in the ensuing battle 5
P-38's are lost; US airplanes claim 20+ fighters shot down and several more
destroyed on the ground. In New Guinea, 9 B-25's bomb Wewak and 40+ others
turn back when the fighter escort is intercepted by airplanes over Nadzab;
enemy aircraft attack Nadzab and Bena Bena; 16 US aircraft are destroyed or
damaged by the raids but 14 airplanes are shot down by US fighters.
HQ 71st Reconnaissance Group arrives at Port Moresby, New Guinea from the
U.S.
The 529th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 380th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Manbulloo to Long Strip, Australia with B-24's.

MONDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): The 73d Fighter
Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, transfers from Mokuleia Field to Bellows Field,
Territory of Hawaii with P-47's.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 B-24's lay mines in the Rangoon
River during the night of 8/9 Nov.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25's bomb the Kiungshan
airfield, scoring direct hits on 2 hangars; 6 P-40's attack Hsiangyangchiao
bridge, causing little damage.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 125: 2
B-17's drop 312,000 leaflets over Paris at 0038-0042 hours.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, 81 B-17's bomb the
Turin ball bearing works, marshalling yard, and nearby motor and aircraft
engine works; P-38's provide escort as far N as Imperia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather cancels all XII Air Support
Command missions except fighter patrols. In Italy, NATBF bombers and RAF DAF
fighters fly only 6 missions, hitting gun positions along the battleline,
vehicles W of the Sangro River, and trains at Civitanova and Pescara.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
Island in the Solomon Islands, 22 B-24's bomb Bonis airfield; 6 B-25's hit
targets of opportunity at the month of the Laruma River and NW of Torokina
while 6 others bomb Kieta.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's on armed
reconnaissance bomb Garove Island in the Bismarck Archipelago and hit Kaimana,
New Guinea.

TUESDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): HQ 11th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) transfers from Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii to Funafuti
Atoll in the Ellice Islands.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-24's attack the
Villarperosa ball-bearing works at Turin and B-17's hit the Genoa-Ansaldo
steel works. P-38's provide escort.
The 441st, 442d, 443d and 444th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 320th
Bombardment Group (Medium), transfer from El Bathan, Tunisia to Decimomannu,
Sardinia with B-26's.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, the NATBF bombs Formia
and Itri as a diversion to the naval bombardment of Formia and Gaeta. XlI Air
Support Command fighter-bombers attack roads and bridges in the Mignano-Ceprano
area while other NATAF fighter-bombers hit shipping in the harbor at Split,
Yugoslavia and rail targets in the Rome-La Spezia area and vessels, radio
stations, and gun emplacements off the coast of Albania.
The 12th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
Gela to Gerbini, Sicly with C-47's. The squadron has been operating from
Comiso since 22 Oct.
The 379th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Menzel Temime, Tunisia to Philippeville, Algeria with B-25's.
The squadron is operating from El Adem, Libya.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, B-25's hit the airfield on Buka Island. On Bougainville Island,
B-25's bomb Kieta and 20+ B-24's pound Kara and Kahili airfields. P-39's join
USN aircraft in strikes on Kara airfield and the airfield on Ballale Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,40+
B-25's and A-20's, escorted by P-38's and P-47's, pound the airfield at
Alexishafen, destroying at least 12 enemy airplanes; US fighters claim
destruction of 10-15 interceptors in combat; other fighters claim 20+ aircraft
shot down over Sek Harbor, the Markham River Valley, and Lae. On New Britain
Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, B-25's bomb a fuel dump and shipping in
the Rein Bay area, and P-40's bomb dumps on Gasmata Island. B-24's on patrol
claim sinking of a destroyer near Kavieng, New Ireland Island.

WEDNESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): The 27th
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from
Mokuleia Field, Territory of Hawaii to Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands
with B-24's. They will fly their first mission on 14 Nov.
The 392d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
transfers from Barking Sands, Territory of Hawaii to Canton Island in the
Phoenix Islands with B-24's. They will fly their first mission on 22 Nov.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, fighters on armed reconnaissance
sink 3 large motor boats in the Yoyang-Sinti area and damage or sink 15
sampans and a barge in the Hwajung-Shasi vicinity.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 126: 5
B-17's drop 1 million leaflets over Paris, Rennes, Le Mans and Rouen, France
at 2020-2051 hours.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Around 60 B-26's bomb Chievres
airfield, Belgium. In France, bad weather causes the force sent to bomb
Lille/Vendeville airfield to abandon their mission, though a few bombers
manage to bomb other targets in the area; a force of 72 B-26's dispatched to
attack Montdidier airfield suffers numerous aborts due to weather; 6 bombers
manage to bomb the airfield believed to be the secondary target of
Amiens/Glisy.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-24's bomb the
Villarperosa ball-bearing works at Turin, and B-17's pound a bridge and
marshalling yards at Bolzano. P-38's escort the B-24's all the way and
accompany the B-17's almost to the target.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): NATBF bombers hit shipping at Split,
Yugoslavia and Durazzo, Albania. In Italy, XII Air Support Command and RAF
fighter-bombers hit Rocca and nearby gun positions, and trains and troops S of
Rome; fighters strafe trucks and trains in the Rome-La Spezia and the
Piombino-Leghorn areas.
HQ 310th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 380th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) transfer from Menzel Temime, Tunisia to Philippeville, Algeria with
B-25's. A detachment of the 380th is operating from Oudna, Tunisia.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, 20+ B-25's carry out strikes on Kara airfield on Bougainville Island
and the airfield on Ballale Island and attack shipping between Suhane Island
and Tarlena.
The 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from New Caledonia Island to the Russell Islands with B-25's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's bomb Lakunai
airfield on New Britain Island, hit a new landing ground on Duke of York
Island east of Rabaul, and bomb Soerabaja, Java. B-25's thoroughly pound
Alexishafen airfield on New Guinea.

THURSDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): Japanese aircraft
bomb Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands, hitting the airfield and destroying
or damaging several airplanes, including 1 B-24.
The 26th and 98th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), transfer from Wheeler Field and Mokuleia, Territory of Hawaii
respectively to Nukufetau Island in the Ellice Islands with B-24's. They will
fly their first combat mission on 14 Nov.
The 431st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii to Funafuti Atoll in the
Ellice Islands. They will fly their first mission on 13 Nov.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 B-24's bomb the Burma Road about
375 miles (600 km) W of Tungling, producing a landslide and badly damaging the
road; 6 P-40's S of Yoyang knock out a gun emplacement and hit a radio
station, barracks, and hostels in the area; 8 more P-40's, on armed
reconnaissance in the Li-Chou-Ching-Shih area, strafe a pontoon bridge and
troops, and sink a river steamer, a motorboat, and several small supply boats.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS (First Air Force): The 479th Antisubmarine Group
and it's 4th, 6th, 19th and 22d Antisubmarine Squadrons (Heavy) are disbanded
at Podington, England.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 127:
Two areas in Germany are targetted.
1. 57 of 167 B-17's hit the marshalling yard at Munster at 1408 hours; 1
B-17 hits Cleve; the rest abort the mission because of bad weather that
hinders assembly; they claim 10-0-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17's are lost and
27 damaged; casualties are 4 WIA and 40 MIA.
2. 180 B-17's, including 5 PFF aircraft, dispatched to Wesel, abort the
mission over the English Channel due to assembly difficulties and the presence
of heavy frontal cloud; 1 B-17 is damaged; no casualties.
The two missions above are escorted to 59 P-38's and 342 P-47's; the P-47's
claim 8-1-2 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2 P-47's are lost and 1 is damaged; casualties
are 2 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 128: 1 PFF B-17 is dispatched to Emmerich,
Germany but hits Rees at 2057 hours in an Oboe test.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 129: 1 PFF B-17 hits Emmerich at 2115 in an Oboe
test.
The 406th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 1st Bombardment Division, transfers
to Alconbury, England with B-24's. The squadron will begin flying CARPETBAGGER
missions on 5 Jan 44.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 157 B-26's bomb military
installations and targets of opportunity in the Cherbourg, France area,
mainly at Martinvast.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In France, 28 B-24's attack the
Annecy ball bearing plant and the viaduct at Antheor.
HQ 47th Bombardment Wing (Medium) transfers from Hammamet, Tunisia to
Manduria, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, US and RAF light bombers
and fighter-bombers, in support of the US Fifth and British Eighth Armies,
hit troop and gun concentrations and communications in the Rocca and Palena
areas; other NATAF aircraft bomb the town of Rocca, Bussi sul Tirino explosive
works near Popoli, and docks at Civitavecchia, and strafe strongpoints at
Roccaraso and Atessa; fighters hit motor transport in the coastal area
between the Sangro and Pescara Rivers.
The 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 63d Fighter Wing, transfers from Rerhaia,
Algeria to Elmas, Sardinia with Beaufighters.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, a few B-25's and USN F4U's strafe barges and shore installations in
Matchin Bay on Bougainville Island. B-24's join Fifth Air Force, USN carrier
aircraft, and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airplanes in attack on
shipping in Rabaul harbor on New Britain Island; this is the Thirteenth's
first strike on Rabaul. Escorting fighters claim 17 Japanese fighters shot
down while the bombers claim 5.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's bomb Lakunai
airfield on New Britain Island. In New Guinea, P-39's strafe Bogadjim and
B-25's hit the Madang area.

FRIDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): HQ 30th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) and it's 38th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) transfer from Hickam
Field and Kahuku, Territory of Hawaii respectively to Nanumea Island in the
Ellice Islands with B-24's. The 38th will fly it's first mission on 16 Nov.
The air echelon of the 26th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), based on Nukufetau Island in the Ellice Islands begins
operating from Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands with B-24's. The squadron
will fly it's first mission on 14 Nov.
The 819th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Barking Sands to Wheeler Field, Territory of Hawaii with
B-24's. The 819th supplies the group with replacement crews and aircraft.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 2 B-24's mine the Rangoon River
during the night of 12/13 Nov.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 10 B-25's and 24 P-40's attack
Yoyang, hitting the warehouse area, railroad yards, and AA positions; 5 B-25's
bomb the Yangchi Kang waterfront area and attack waterfront targets at Puchi;
6 B-25's and 12 fighters hit targets at Yoyang; 15 P-40's and a B-25 on armed
reconnaissance hit several targets of opportunity in the Lungling area and
between Yang-Chia-Kang and Sichai.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ Ninth Air Force issues Tables of
Organization for the IX Fighter Command, authorizing 2 air support divisions,
5 fighter wings, 1 reconnaissance group, 21 fighter groups, and 65 fighter
squadrons. 3 combat wings are activated for the IX Bomber Command: the 97th
Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) at Marks Hall which will control light bomber
groups; the 98th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium), formerly the 3d Bombardment
Wing, at Earls Colne; and the 99th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium), formerly
the 44th Bombardment Wing (Heavy), at Great Dunmow.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-26's attack railroad
bridges and tracks in the Montalto di Castro and Orbetello areas, but heavy
cloud cover prevents effective hits on the targets. P-38's fly an air-sea
rescue patrol off the mouth of the Semeni River in Albania.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, NATBF light bombers hit
guns, troops, and railway facilities near Palena, the town of Atina, and the
road at Acquafondata. Medium bombers hit the Berat/Kucove airfield and an oil
refinery in Albania after failing to locate targets near Athens, Greece. In
Italy during the night of 12/13 Nov, light bombers attack the Arezzo
marshalling yard and Perugia airfield; fighter-bombers of the XII Air Support
Command and RAF DAF continue to provide close support to the US Fifth and
British Eighth Armies, blasting gun positions and motor transport, and also
attacking targets (aircraft, guns, rail yards, bridge, and trains) around
Bracciano Lake, Orbetello, Rieti, Sant'Elia Fiumerapido, Opuzen, Ancona, and
Iesi.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
Island in the Solomon Islands, 18 B-25's bomb Tarlena; 6 others bomb the
Matchin Bay area; and 8 P-38's strafe Bonis airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
B-25's and B-26's bomb villages between Finschhafen and Saidor. B-24's attack
targets on Java and on Amboina Island in the Moluccas Islands. On this date,
following a series of damaging allied strikes, the Japanese remove their
carrier aircraft from Rabaul, New Britain Island, which afterwards ceases to
be a serious threat to Allied forces.

SATURDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ZONE OF INTERIOR: HQ AAF issues an order redesignating Reconnaissance
Squadrons as Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): The air attack for
Operation GALVANIC (the assault on the Gilbert Islands) begins. 18 B-24's from
Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands bomb Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands;
1 B-24 is lost.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, a single B-24 mines the Rangoon
River during the night of 13/14 Nov.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 130: 79
of 159 B-17's, 61 of 109 B-24's and 3 of 4 B-17 PFF aircraft hit the port area
at Bremen and targets of opportunity in the Kiel-Flensburg area at 1120-1145
hours; 100+ aircraft abort the mission due to weather; they claim 20-14-13
Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17's and 13 B-24's are lost; 3 B-17's and 3 B-24's are
damaged beyond repair and 12 B-17's and 10 B-24's are damaged; casualties are
21 KIA, 26 WIA and 162 MIA. The bombers are escorted by 45 P-38's (all the way
to the target) and 345 P-47's; they claim 10-3-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 P-38's
and 3 P-47's are lost; 2 P-38's are damaged beyond repair; 5 P-38's and 2
P-47's are damaged; casualties are 9 MIA.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 354th Fighter Group and it's 353d,
355th and 356th Fighter Squadrons transfer from Greenham Common to Boxted,
England with P-51's. They will fly their first mission on 1 Dec.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Weather limits operations to
air-sea rescue patrols which are hampered by overcast.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, NATBF light bombers hit
Palena and Atina and later bomb Civitavecchia harbor and a road W of
Terracina; XII Air Support Command fighter-bombers, along with RAF DAF
airplanes, bomb Giulianova harbor and shipping, roads leading to the battle
zone, and landing grounds of Aquino, Frosinone, and Marcigliana; fighters hit
train and trucks in the Pescara-Rieti area.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, 17 B-24's pound AA positions, dispersal areas, and runway at Bonis
airfield on Bougainville Island. 6 B-25's carry out a low-level raid on the
airfield on Buka Island. Night fighters harass the Shortland Island and Kahili
and Bonis airfields on Bougainville, claiming 4 grounded airplanes destroyed
at the latter.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
nearly 120 B-24's and B-25's pound Alexishafen, and P-40's strafe the area.
Other B-24's hit Gasmata Island off New Britain Island and Kaukenau and
Timoeka, New Guinea. B-25's and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Beaufighters
claim the sinking of a small freighter off Tanimbar Island in the Moluccas
Islands.

SUNDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 9 B-24's from
Nukufetau Island in the Ellice Islands bomb Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert
Islands; 9 from Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands hit Mille Atoll in the
Caroline Islands.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): NATBF) B-25's, escorted by
Fifteenth Air Force P-38's, bomb the Sofia, Bulgaria marshalling yard; the
P-38's claim 5 enemy aircraft destroyed. In Italy, XII Air Support Command
operations are curtailed by weather, and only battle area patrols are flown;
RAF DAF fighter-bombers hit trains on the E coast of Italy near Avezzano,
along the Dalmatian coast SE of Metkovic, Yugoslavia, and at Sarajevo,
Yugoslavia; fighters strafe the airfields at Furbara and Tarquinia, Italy.
The 428th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
ceases operating from Oudna and returns to it's base at Menzel Temime, Tunisia
with B-25's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, P-70 night fighters hit the Shortland Island-Faisi Island area,
claiming a seaplane and 2 barges destroyed.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's attack a
supply and bivouac area W of Sio, New Guinea.

MONDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 20+ B-24's from
Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands and Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands
bomb Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands, Mille Atoll in the Caroline
Islands, and Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 20 B-24's are dispatched against the
Hong Kong-Kowloon area. Bad weather prevents 15 bombers from bombing the
targets; 5 bomb the docks at Kowloon.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-24's bomb Eleusis airfield in
Greece; P-38's provide escort.
HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Ariana, Tunisia to Elmas,
Sardinia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): XII Air Support Command B-25's bomb
Kalamaki airfield in Greece, and its fighters patrol the battle area. Other
NATAF fighters hit road traffic S of Ancona, Italy.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, 20 B-24's strike the airfield on Buka Island. On Bougainville Island,
18 B-24's bomb Kahili; fighter patrols destroy or damage several barges along
the coast and destroy 2 fuel dumps at Tonolai.
The 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases
operating from Guadalcanal Island and returns to it's base at Espiritu Santo
Island, New Hebrides Islands with B-24's.
The 106th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), III Reconnaissance Command,
arrives on Guadalcanal Island from the US with B-25's. The squadron will be
reassigned to the Thirteenth Air Force on 19 Nov and will fly it's first
mission on 30 Jan 44.
The 419th Night Fighter Squadron, XIII Fighter Command, arrives on
Guadalcanal Island from the US with P-38's and P-70's. The squadron will fly
it's first mission on 10 Dec.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 30+
B-24's pound Alexishafen; 88 B-25's heading for Wewak and Boram with an escort
of 16 P-40's are intercepted by Japanese fighters that are escorting bombers
attacking Gusap; the resulting battle causes the B-25's to abort the attack;
the US airplanes claim 20 of the enemy shot down; 2 P-40's are lost; P-47's
claim 5 more aircraft destroyed over Wewak.
The 68th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group transfers from
Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's.

TUESDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): B-24's from Nanumea
and Nukufetau Islands in the Ellice Islands bomb Jaluit and Maloelap Atolls in
the Marshall Islands. Single aircraft hit Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall
Islands and Little Makin Island and Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 B-24's, 2 B-25's, and 4 P-40's
attack the docks at Kowloon; 2 B-25's damage 2 freighters near Nampang and
Saint John Island, 2 more score hits on a tanker off the China coast S of
Swatow, and 2 others bomb barracks and a warehouse on Nampang Island; 6 P-40's
on armed reconnaissance in the Yen Bay-Dong Cuong area of French Indochina
strafe railroad stations and barracks; 1 B-25 and 12 P-40's hit a cavalry
unit, barge, houses, and numerous sampans at Shihmen; the Li-Chou area also
is attacked.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY AIR FORCE: Air Marshal Sir Tafford L Leigh-Mallory,
RAF, is named Air Commander-in-Chief, Allied Expeditionary Air Force (AEAF).
Brigadier General William O Butler, USAAF, is named Deputy Commanding General.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 131.
Two targets in Norway are hit with the loss of 2 bombers.
1. 130 of 189 B-17's hit the industrial area at Knaben at 1133-1238 hours;
they claim 2-0-4 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 B-17 is lost and 7 damaged; casualties
are 1 WIA and 10 MIA.
2. 147 of 160 B-17's hit the industrial area at Rjukan at 1143-1145 hours; 1
B-17 is lost and 1 damaged beyond repair; casualties are 2 KIA and 10 MIA.
3. 29 of 39 B-24's hit the industrial area at Rjukan at 1204-1212 hours; no
losses or casualties.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In France, B-17's bomb the
Istres-Le-Tube airfield, and B-26's hit Salon-de-Provence airfield. P-38's
escort the B-26's and also a NATAF B-25 attack on the airfield at Eleusis,
Greece.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-25's bomb the airfields at
Sibenik, Yugoslavia and Eleusis, Greece; the latter mission is escorted by
Fifteenth Air Force P-38's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands during the night of 15/16 Nov P-70's harass Kahili airfield on
Bougainville Island. In the daylight, 20 B-25's and 4 B-24's pound the
airfield on Buka Island, 20+ other B-25's fly sweeps over areas of the
Bougainville coastline, Buka Passage, and Sohano Island; supply dumps and
barges are hit; 30+ P-40's and P-39's also carry out sweeps over the area,
hitting gun positions and other targets in the Buka Passage, several targets
of opportunity along the E coast, Kieta harbor, Tonolai harbor, and Ballale
Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
B-25's hit installations near Finschhafen and bomb and strafe a coastal track
west of Reiss Point; P-39's, with P-40's covering, strafe barges from Saidor
to Madang. P-38'a battle a large force of fighters over Wewak, destroying 6; 2
P-38's are lost.
The 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, transfers from Dobodura to
Gusap, New Guinea with P-40's and P-47's.

WEDNESDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 20+ B-24's from
Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands and Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands
bomb Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands, Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall
Islands, and Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 8 P-40's strafe the airfield and
barracks at Kengtung, 4 others hit construction equipment at Dong Cuong
Airfield in French Indochina and 8 attack Pingkai and targets of opportunity
between Pingkai and Tahsai on the Salween River.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

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

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-17's hit the airfield at
Eleusis, Greece, destroying several parked airplanes and scoring many hits
on hangars, other buildings, and runways; P-38's escort the B-17's as well
as NATAF B-25's attacking the airfield at Kalamaki, Greece.
HQ 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Enfidaville, Tunisia to
San Pancrazio, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-25's bomb the airfield at
Kalamaki, Greece. In Italy, fighters hit trucks N of Ancona at Macerata.
The 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, transfers from Salsola to
Madna Airfield, Italy with P-40's.
The 381st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
ceases operating from Oudna, Tunisia and returns to it's base at Menzel
Temime, Tunisia with B-25's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, 30+ B-25's hit the airfield on Buka Island and surrounding areas
during the night of 16/17 Nov; 2 squadrons of B-24's follow with a daylight
strike on the same target; 8 other B-24's bomb Buka and Bonis on Bougainville
Island at various times during the night of 16/17 Nov; during the afternoon
3 B-25's hit Kieta on Bougainville.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's bomb
Soerabaja and Tjepoe, Java and Denpasar in the Sunda Islands during the night
of 17/18 Nov, and B-25's bomb a freighter off Tanimbar Island in the Moluccas
Islands. In New Guinea during the day, 58 B-24's are dispatched to support an
attack by the Australian 9 Division on Sattelberg, but because of bad weather
only 3 B-24's [along with 12 RAAF aircraft] get through to the target; P-47's
strafe Japanese shipping between Saidor and Finschhafen.

THURSDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 19 B-24's from
Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands bomb Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands;
2 others hit Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 P-40's strafe troops and horses
and sink a troop barge at Shihmen; 4 others, in support of Chinese forces,
strafe the Tahsai ferry.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 132.
82 of 102 B-24's hit the Oslo/Kjeller Airfield in Norway; they claim 10-7-5
Luftwaffe aircraft; 9 B-24's are lost, 3 are damaged beyond repair and 10
damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 9 WIA and 91 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 133: 5 B-17's drop 980,000 leaflets over
Paris, Orleans, Chartres, Rennes and Le Mans, France between 2015 and 2041
hours; no losses or casualties.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): Aircraft of the IX Troop Carrier
Command carry paratroops of the US 1O1st Airborne Division in a rehearsal of
cross-channel operations. This is the first of an extended series of training
exercises to be conducted prior to the Normandy invasion.
HQ 50th Troop Carrier Wing transfers from Cottesmore to Bottesford, England.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-17's, with P-38 escort, pound
the airfield at Eleusis, Greece. P-38's also escort an NATAF attack on the
same target and escort a supply dropping mission to Yugoslavia.
HQ 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 343d, 344th, 345th and 415th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) transfer from Hergla, Tunisia to Brindisi,
Italy with B-24's.
The 514th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Enfidaville, Tunisia to San Pancrazio, Italy with B-24's.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Medium and light bombers of the XII
Air Support Command and RAF attack the airfield at Larissa, Greece, a
billeting area at Rivisondoli, Italy and road, railway and town area W of
San Vito Chietino and at Lanciano, Italy. In Yugoslavia, fighter-bombers hit
a ship in the Krka River, trains at Knin marshalling yard and between Knin
and Kosovo, the landing ground at Sinj, harbor and vessels at Sibenik, and
defended points and gun positions along the battleline in Italy.
HQ 33d Fighter Group transfers from Paestum to Santa Maria, Italy.
The 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group, based at La Marsa, Tunisia with F-5's, begins operating
from Foggia, Italy.
The 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, transfers from Rerhaia,
Algeria to Sardinia with P-39's.
The 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, transfers from Djidjelli
to Rerhaia, Algeria with P-39's.
The 381st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Menzel Temime, Tunisia to Philippeville, Algeria with B-25's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, 4 squadrons of B-24's pound the airfields on Buka Island and at
Kara, Bougainville Island; 3 B-25's strafe Greenwich Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
30+ B-25's and B-26's hit enemy positions in the Sattelberg area; B-24's
carry out a light raid on Fak Fak; and P-40's bomb Iworep.

FRIDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 31 B-24's from
Ellice Island bases hit Makin Island and Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, B-25's on shipping sweeps in the S
China Sea strafe 2 vessels off Hong Kong, score damaging hits on 2 vessels at
Kiungshan, damage a freighter off Tsao Tao Island, and leave a gunboat and
freighter sinking E of Swatow; warehouses and wharves at Swatow also are hit.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 134:
127 of 161 B-17's and 3 of 6 B-17 PFF aircraft are dispatched to Gelsenkirchen, Germany but the malfunction of blind-bombing equipment and the weather causes
the force to attack targets of opportunity on the German-Dutch border at
1241-1251 hours; 1 B-17 crashes after takeoff; the crew of 10 are KIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 135: 6 B-17's drop 2.316 million leaflets on
Amiens and Reims, France; Brussels and Ghent, Belgium; and Amsterdam and The
Hague, The Netherlands at 1915-2011 hours; no losses.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): 100+ B-26's dispatched to attack
airfields in France abort the mission when bad weather prevents rendezvous
with the fighter escorts.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Weather causes the recall of all
aircraft dispatched.
The 512th, 513th and 515th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 376th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), transfer from Enfidaville, Tunisia to San Pancrazio, Italy
with B-24's.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Air Support Command
A-36's and P-40's bomb a bridge E of Cassino and the bridge and village of
Pontecorvo, and, along with RAF DAF fighter-bombers, hit strongpoints around
the village of Barrea while supporting ground forces. Fighters (mostly RAF DAF)
also strafe trucks and trains around Rieti, Italy and Metkovic, Yugoslavia.
HQ 79th Fighter Group and it's 85th and 86th Fighter Squadrons transfer from
Foggia to Madna Airfield, Italy with P-40's.
HQ 86th Fighter-Bomber Group and it's 525th Fighter-Bomber Squadron transfer
from Serretella Airfield to Pomigliano, Italy with A-36's.
HQ 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 486th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) transfer from San Pancrazio to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.
The 380th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
based at Philippeville, Algeria, ceases operating from Oudna, Tunisia with
B-25's and returns to base.
The 428th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Menzel Temime, Tunisia to Philippeville, Algeria with B-25's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, 10 B-25's bomb the Matchin Bay area on Bougainville Island and the
airfield on Ballale Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
nearly 30 B-25's and B-26's bomb positions in the Sattelberg area; A-20's hit
the Finschhafen area. B-25's attack Kentengi Anchorage in the Bismarck
Archipelago.
HQ 58th Fighter Group arrives at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from
the US.
The 25th Liaison Squadron, Fifth Air Force, arrives at Sydney, New South
Wales, Australia from the US with L-5's.
The 25th and 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons, 6th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group, arrive at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the
US with F-5's.

SATURDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ZONE OF INTERIOR (Second Air Force): HQ XX Bomber Command is activated at
Smoky Hill AAFld, Kansas.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25's hit warehouses and barracks
on Nampang Island; weather prevents completion of several other scheduled
missions.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Weather cancels all bomber
operations. Operations are restricted to weather reconnaissance from
Decimomannu, Sardinia to Cape Linaro, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, XII Air Support Command
and RAF DAF fighters carry out uneventful armed reconnaissance; the NATBF
hits the Porto Civitanova railway junction, Pedaso, Giulianova, and Loreto.
HQ 321st Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 445th and 448th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium) transfer from Grottaglie to Amendola, Italy with B-25's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
Island in the Solomon Islands, 45 B-25's, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)
Ventura's and P-38's attack Bonis airfield; a few other B-25's strafe coastal
villages in the Empress Augusta Bay region.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 50
B-25's and B-26's pound Japanese positions in the Sattelberg area and sink or
damage at least 10 luggers in Hansa Bay; A-20's hit the Lae area. 50 B-24's
bomb Gasmata Island off the S coast of New Britain Island.
HQ 49th Fighter Group transfers from Dobodura to Gusap, New Guinea.

SUNDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): Following the 20
Nov amphibious landings on Tarawa Atoll and Makin Island in the Gilbert
Islands, the Seventh Air Force resumes operations against the Marshall
Islands, in support of the base-development phase of Operation GALVANIC
(the assault on the Gilbert Islands) and in preparation for invasion of the
Marshall Islands [Operation FLINTLOCK (operations against Kwajalein and
Majuro Atolls) and Operation CATCHPOLE (operations against Eniwetok and
Ujelang Atolls)]. B-24's from Funafuti Atoll and Nanumea Island in the Ellice
Islands bomb Nauru Island in the Gilbert Islands.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 29 P-40's strafe 100+ sampans and
small boats on Tungting Lake in the Li-Chou-Changte-Ansiang area; 12 P-40's
attack 5 vessels, 20 houses, and 100 men at Shihmen and between Shihmen and
Li-Chou; 8 others hit troops and small river boats near Tsowshih; 12 P-40's
and 4 B-25's pound the town of Tzeli; 4 other B-25's on shipping sweeps over
the S China Sea damage a freighter and blast buildings at Taiping-hsu airfield.
The 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, transfers from Hengyang to
Kweilin, China with P-40's; a detachment of the squadron is operating from
Suichwan.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-26's bomb the harbor
at Civitavecchia, a bridge at Fano, and marshalling yard at Chiusi; P-38's
provide escort to the latter target.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, NATBF B-25's bomb gun
emplacements at Gaeta; US and RAF fighter-bombers of the RAF DAF hit
strongpoints in the Santa Maria Imbaro and Poggiofiorito areas; fighters carry
out patrols and reconnaissance along the battleline along the Corigliano and
Sangro Rivers.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, Brigadier General Nathan F Twining, USAAF, Commander Air Solomons
(COMAIRSOLS), is succeeded by Major General Ralph J Mitchell, USMC. A few
B-25's on a shipping search strafe Kieta on Bougainville Island

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's bomb Gasmata
Island off New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. In New Guinea,
A-20's again hit the Finschhafen area; B-25's and B-24's hit shipping and
other targets on Aroe Island and off Manokwari.
HQ 58th Fighter Group transfers from Sydney, New South Wales to Brisbane,
Queensland, Australia. The group's 69th and 311th Fighter Squadrons arrive
at Brisbane from the US with P-47's. They will fly their first mission on 17
and 2 Feb 44 respectively.

MONDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 11 B-24's from
Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands bomb Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands.
The B-24's claim 2 interceptors shot down.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 P-40's strafe river traffic from
Hofuh to Changte, and 16 attack numerous small troop boats on Tungting Lake,
W of Changteh.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS: President Franklin D Roosevelt, Prime
Minister Winston S Churchill and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek confer in
Cairo, Egypt. Talks last until 26 Nov and concern Operation OVERLORD (the
overall plan for the invasion of W Europe), the possibility of expanding
operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, and future operations
against Japan. It is decided to make an amphibious landing and offensive in
Burma (Operation CHAMPION) and to base B-29's in the China-Burma-India
Theater (Operation TWILIGHT).
The 90th Photographic Wing (Reconnaissance) is activated at La Marsa,
Tunisia. The group will provide photographic reconnaissance for both the
Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Forces until the wing's groups were reassigned on
1 Oct 44.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-26's, escorted by
P-38's, hit the railroad center at Foligno, scoring numerous hits; others
attack a bridge at Ciciana.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, 100+ XII Air Support
Command P-40's, B-25's, and RAF Baltimores, attack strongpoints in the
Lanciano-Fossacesia area, concentrating on gun positions; P-40's also hit
roads and railways at Fabriano, the towns of Viticuso and Vallerotonda, and
as far N as Urbino; A-36's hit chemical works, harbor and railroad yards at
Civitavecchia and bomb the village of San Vittore del Lazio.
The 99th Fighter Squadron, XII Air Support Command, transfers from Foggia
to Madna, Italy with P-40's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
Island in the Solomon Islands, P-40's in a battle with 30-40 fighters over
Empress Augusta Bay, claim 5 fighters shot down; P-38's strafe barges and
shore targets at Chabai. 20+ B-25's, along with 5 RNZAF Ventura's, 8 P-38's
and 8 USN F4U's, attack the airfield on Buka Island scoring hits on the
airstrip and taxiways.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 22 B-25's and
A-20's attack villages around Sattelberg, New Guinea. 100+ B-25's and B-24's
bomb Gasmata Island south of New Britain Island and Cape Gloucester on New
Britain Island. B-24's on armed reconnaissance score hits on freighter near
Kavieng, New Ireland Island and a tanker and barge in the Bismarck Sea.
The 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) and 82d Reconnaissance
Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group, transfer from Milne Bay to
Dobodura, New Guinea with B-25's and P-39's respectfully. They will fly
their first mission on 28 Jan 44 and 27 Nov 43 respectively.
The 418th Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command, transfers from Milne
Bay to Dobodura, New Guinea with P-38's and P-70's.

TUESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 12th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 25th
Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Dakota Field, Aruba, Netherlands
West Indies to Coolidge Field, Antigua, British West Indies, with B-18's and
B-25's.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 6 B-24's from
Nukufetau Island in the Ellice Islands bomb Emidj and Jabor Islands, Jaluit
Atoll, in the Marshall Islands.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 13 B-25's, 24 P-40's, and 7 P-51's
pound the Yoyang railroad yards and warehouse area; 8 other P-40's, on armed
reconnaissance over the Hanshow area, strafe barges, boats, supplies, and
cavalry forces.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 83 B-26's bomb
Berck-sur-Mer and Saint-Omer/Longuenesse airfields.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): Weather limits operations to
fighter patrols of the battle area.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): Major General
Hubert R Harmon, USAAF, assumes duties as Deputy Commander for Air in the
South Pacific Area (SOPAC).
Colonel Earl W Barnes assumes command of the XIII Fighter Command. On
Bougainville Island in the Solomon Islands, Chabai is attacked by 23 B-25's, 6
RNZAF Venturas, and 24 USN F4U's; 2 B-24's bomb the same targets later in the
day; 19 B-24's hit Bonis airfield and Buka airfield on Buka Island; 4 B-25's
on a shipping sweep bomb and strafe villages along the coast between Mabiri
and Luluai.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's and A-20's
hit villages around Finschhafen, New Guinea. B-24's attack a convoy near
Halmahera Island in the Moluccas Islands and sink 1 vessel.
Two new units arrive at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from the US:
1. The 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 4th Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance), with F-7's. They will fly their first mission on 5 Apr 44.
2. The 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, arrives with P-47's.
They will fly their first mission on 24 Feb 44.

THURSDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24's out of
Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands bomb Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall
Islands, scoring hits on the landing ground and a cargo vessel.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 5 B-25's and 16 P-40's bomb Hanshow
and strafe 15-20 small boats N of the city; 2 other B-25's attack the harbor
and town of Amoy; 2 direct hits are scored on a docked freighter. .

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 136:
7 B-17's dropped 2.4 million leaflets over Lille, France; and Brussels,
Antwerp, Charleroi/Gosselies and Ghent, Belgium between 2026-2111 hours. No
losses or casualties.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ 100th Fighter Wing is activated
at Boxted, England.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-17's, with P-38 escorts,
strike the submarine base at Toulon, France and the marshalling yard at
Sofia, Bulgaria.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, NATBF bombers, along
with RAF DAF fighter-bombers, in close support of the British Eighth Army,
hit gun positions and defended points in the Fossacesia area; XII Air Support
Command A-36's, in support of the US Fifth Army, hit roads NW of battleline,
and bomb the harbor at Civitavecchia.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
Island in the Solomon Islands, 25 B-24's bomb Chabai and Buka Island; 20
B-25's hit the airfield at Kahili and 6 others bomb and strafe a possible radio
station at Mutupina Point; fighter patrols strafe Gazelle and Queen Carola
Harbors, sinking a barge and damaging a schooner.
The 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
based on Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands with B-24's, begins
operating from Guadalcanal Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): Colonel Neel E
Kearby becomes Commanding Officer of the V Fighter Command. In New Guinea, 30+
B-25's, B-26's, and A-20's bomb village of Kalasa; 15 A-20's and B-25's, with
P-38's escorting, hit stores and supplies in the Finschhafen area. 20+ B-24's,
supported by P-38's, bomb Gasmata Island off New Britain Island in the
Bismarck Archipelago. 18 B-25's hit shipping at Halmahera Island in the
Moluccas Islands.
The 25th Liaison Squadron, V Bomber Command, transfers from Sydney, New
South Wales to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia with L-5's. They will fly
their first combat mission in Feb 44.

THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 1943

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In a raid on Rangoon, Burma, B-24's of the
308th Bombardment Group (Heavy), borrowed from the Fourteenth Air Force, are
unable to bomb because of bad weather, but B-25's, covered by P-51's, manage
to hit Mingaladon airfield, damaging the field and claiming 2 airplanes
destroyed. Japanese fighters intercept and in the ensuing battle the B-25's
and P-51's claim 2 shot down; 2 P-51's are lost.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 B-25's and 16 P-38's and P-51's
attack the airfield at Shinchiku, hitting a parking area, hangars, barracks,
and other buildings. 32 enemy aircraft are claimed destroyed in the air and
on the ground; 16 P-40's on armed reconnaissance over the Hanshow-Chanpte
area sink 2 60-ft (18.3 m) boats and 15 sampans and strafe many small supply
and troop carrying boats.
The 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, transfers from Hengyang to
Chengkung, China with P-40's. A detachment begins operating from Tsuyung,
China.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS:

AEAF: Air Chief Marshall Sir Trafford L Leigh-Mallory activates HQ Allied
Expeditionary Air Force (AEAF). The RAF's Second Tactical Air Force, and-on
15 Dec-the US Ninth Air Force (operationally) are included under AEAF.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): In France, bombing by P-47's is
inaugurated by the VIII Fighter Command in an attack on Saint-Omer airfield by
the 56th and 353d Fighter Groups; two other fighter groups, the 55th (P-38's)
and 352d (P-47's), carry out offensive sweeps in the Lille area; the fighters,
including 2 escorting groups, fly over 330 offensive sorties. The 401st
Bombardment Group (Heavy) reaches operational status, making 22 heavy bomber
groups now operational in the Eighth Air Force.
The 712th and 713th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 448th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), arrive at Seething, England from the US with B-24's. They
will fly their first mission on 22 Dec.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS (First Air Force): The 2d Antisubmarine Squadron
(Heavy), 480th Antisubmarine Group, begins a movement from Port Lyautey,
French Morocco to the US with B-24's.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): Bad weather causes a recall of
B-24's dispatched to the air depot at Klagenfurt, Austria. P-38's on supply
and air-sea rescue escort duty also abort due to rain storms.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, light and medium bombers
of the XII Air Support Command, along with Allied airplanes, bomb gun
positions and defended points in the Lanciano-Fossacesia area; medium bombers
also hit Sarajevo and Travnik, Yugoslavia and Ancona, Italy; US and RAF
fighters attack vehicles, gun positions, and strongpoints in the Casoli-
Castelfrentano-Lanciano-Fossacesia area.
The 447th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 321st Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Grottaglie to Amendola, Italy with B-25's.
The 488th and 489th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group
(Medium), transfer from San Pancrazio to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
P-39's strafe Bogadjim Road; Sattelberg falls to the Australian 9 Division.
The 25th and 26th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons, 6th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group, transfer from Sydney, New South Wales to Brisbane,
Queensland, Australia with F-5's. They will fly their first mission on 5 Feb
and 10 Feb 44 respectively.

FRIDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 1943

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 5 B-25's and 16 fighters attack
Kiangling airfield; 2 other B-25's damage freighter in Honghai Bay; 12 P-40's
attack numerous boats in the Changte-Tehshan area. 8 other P-40's hit railroad
yards at Cam Duong, French Indochina.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 138:
Bremen, Germany and Paris, France are targetted.
1. 350 of 390 B-17's, 77 of 101 B-24's and 13 of 14 B-17 PFF aircraft
attack the port area of Bremen at 1145-1228 hours; they claim 16-3-10
Luftwaffe aircraft; 22 B-17's and 3 B-24's are lost; 3 B-17's and 1 B-24 are
damaged beyond repair and 139 B-17's, 19 B-24's and 7 PFF B-17's are
damaged; casualties are 10 KIA, 35 WIA and 215 MIA.
2. 128 B-17's are dispatched to Paris but they abort the mission on arrival
over the target because of complete cloud cover which totally obscures the
objective; they claim 8-2-3 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 B-17's are lost and 18
damaged; casualties are 3 WIA and 40 MIA.
These missions are escorted by 28 P-38's and 353 P-47's; they claim
36-3-9 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 P-47's are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 7
damaged; casualties are 4 MIA.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, almost 140 B-26's attack
Cambrai/Epinoy and Roye/Amy airfields and military construction in the town
of Audinghen.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-17's of the 2d and
99th Bombardment Groups (Heavy) hit the viaduct at Recco; 301st Bombardment
Group (Heavy) B-17's bomb Rimini marshalling yard and bridge; 17th Bombardment
Group (Medium) B-26'a bomb Cassino while B-24's of the 376th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) attack bridges in the Fano, Cesano, Senigallia, and Falconara
areas, scoring hits or near misses at Fano, Falconara and Senigallia.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, B-25's and A-20's along
with RAF light bombers, attack the marshalling yard and harbor at Ancona,
defended positions near Fossacesia, Lanciano, and Castelfrentano; US and RAF
fighter-bombers hit these same positions and also attack troop concentration
near Palombaro and N of Casoli.
The detachment of the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d
Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), at Ajaccio/Campo del Oro, Corsica with
F-4's and F-5's, returns to it's base at La Marsa, Tunisia.
The 379th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group
(Medium), based at Philippeville, Libya ceases operating from El Adem,
Libya and starts operating from Gambit, Libya with B-25's.
The 487th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from San Pancrazio to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, Buka and Bonis airfields on Bougainville Island are hit by 40+
B-24's, 30+ B-25's, and 30+ fighter aircraft. A few RNZAF Venturas attack
Green Island, causing heavy damage in the bivouac and supply area and sinking
a barge. A single B-25 bombs the airfield on Ballale Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
almost 40 medium bombers hit barge hideouts near Sio; P-40's and P-47's
strafe villages and targets of opportunity around Alexishafen, Madang, and
Nubia; P-39's attack a force of about 40 Japanese fighters and bombers in
the Finschhafen area, claiming 4 shot down. B-24's bomb Gasmata Island off
the coast of New Britain Island and score hits on a cruiser near Ubili, New
Britain Island.

SATURDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 1943

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ZONE OF INTERIOR (Second Air Force): Brigadier General Kenneth B Wolfe
becomes Commanding General XX Bomber Command.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 8 B-24's from
Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands and Nukufetau Island in the Ellice
Islands bomb Mille Atoll in the Caroline Islands.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-24's, with P-38 escort, and B-25's, covered
by P-51's, strike Insein, Burma; Japanese interceptors attack fiercely,
shooting down 6 fighters and 3 B-24's; US airplanes claim 19 Japanese fighters
downed.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25's on sea sweeps attack docks
and warehouses at the port of Swatow and hit a convoy of 9 vessels heading S
toward Amoy; the B-25's claim 1 destroyer sunk and a destroyer and freighter
damaged by direct hits.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS (First Air Force): The 1st Antisubmarine Squadron
(Heavy), 480th Antisubmarine Group, begins a movement from Port Lyautey,
French Morocco to the US with B-24's.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-17's, with P-38
escort, bomb the marshalling yard and bridges at Rimini; other B-17's hit
bridges and the marshalling yard at Grizzana and a bridge approach on the Reno
River 25 miles (40 km) SW of Bologna.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the day and night,
Twelfth Air Force fighters, light and medium bombers and aircraft of the
associated RAF units of the NATAF attack enemy positions, gun emplacements,
roads, vehicles, railroad facilities, and targets of opportunity in the
Lanciano-Fossacesia-Castelfrentano-Casoli area. B-25's also bomb Porto
Civitanova, Italy and Sibenik, Yugoslavia.
The 5th Photographic Squadron (Light), Twelfth Air Force, transfers from
La Marsa, Tunisia to Pomigliano, Italy with F-5's. The 5th has been
operating from Pomigliano since 14 Oct.
The 446th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 321st Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Grottaglie to Amendola, Italy with B-25's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
Island in the Solomon Islands, 5 B-25's, with fighter escort, bomb Queen
Carola Harbor; 19 B-24's bomb Bonis airfield; a few B-25's and RNZAF Venturas
attack the areas at the mouth of the Mobiai River and Mutupina Point. 20+
B-24's, with fighter support, attack the airfield on Buka Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
medium bombers blast the airfield at Boram and the town and harbor at Wewak,
claiming 15 airplanes and 12 barges destroyed; medium bombers also bomb the
town of Finschhafen.
HQ 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group transfers from Sydney, New South
Wales to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

SUNDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 11 B-24's from
Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands hit Nauru Island.
The 45th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, transfers from Baker
Island to Nanumea Island in the Ellice Islands with P-40N's.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, B-24's heavily damage the
Botataung docks at Rangoon; the B-24's claim 4 interceptors shot down; B-25's
pound Sagaing.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 8 P-40's bomb and strafe the
barracks area and village on the W bank of the Salween River near Litsaoho;
8 P-40's drop ammunition to besieged Chinese troops at Changte. In French
Indochina, 6 P-40's strafe the town area and airfield at Luang Prabang and
hit the radio building, barracks, and tower at Tran Ninh.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): The 153d Liaison Squadron, 67th
Tactical Reconnaissance Group, transfers from Membury to Keevil, England
with A-20's and L-4's.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS: The Tehran Conference begins and lasts
until 30 Nov. President Franklin D Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston S
Churchill, and Marshall Josef V Stalin discuss further action against Germany.
Operations OVERLORD (the overall plan for the invasion of W Europe) and ANVIL
(the plan for the invasion of S France) are given priority over all other
operations. Stalin agrees to commit Soviet forces against Japan after
Germany's defeat.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): B-26's are recalled over S
France due to bad weather; the medium bombers and their fighter escort claim
5 fighters destroyed in combat over the French coast; B-25's, with fighter
escort, bomb the railroad viaduct at Dogna, Italy.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Yugoslavia, B-25's bomb
warehouses, docks, marshalling yards, barracks, shipping, and other targets
at Sibenik, Zara, and Dubrovnik; RAF DAF fighters strafe trains between
Dubrovnik and Metkovic. In Italy, Twelfth Air Force fighters hit vehicles and
troops in the battle area; Allied fighter-bombers bomb and strafe buildings,
trucks, and roads in the Lanciano-Fossacesia-Caoli areas.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
Island in the Solomon Islands, 6 B-25's bomb and strafe the Mutupina Point
area; fighters strafe Tinputs Harbor, barges at Tonolai, and targets of
opportunity along the W coast.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea,
nearly 50 B-24's bomb airfields at Wewak and Boram, and 40+ B-25's, B-26's,
and A-20's hit villages on the Huon Peninsula and tracks in the Finschhafen
area.

MONDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 1943

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25's hit the airfield, town
area, and warehouse section at Swatow, 2 bomb the power station and nearby
targets of opportunity at Amoy, and 2 attack barges in nearby coastal areas;
24 P-40's drop food and ammunition to Chinese troops at Changte, strafe a
camp in the Hsutu Lake area, damage a vessel in Tien-hsin Lake and attack
numerous small craft in channels between Hsutu and Tungting Lakes and between
Tsowshih and Hofuh.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 140.
154 of 360 B-17's hit the port of Bremen, Germany and targets of opportunity
in the area at 1429-1450 hours; unfavorable cloud conditions and malfunction
of blindbombing equipment cause 200+ B-17's to abort; they claim 15-11-10
Luftwaffe aircraft; 13 B-17's are lost, 3 damaged beyond repair and 43
damaged; casualties are 2 KIA, 13 WIA and 131 MIA. The B-17's are escorted
by 38 P-38's and 314 P-47's; they claim 15-4-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 7 P-38's
and 9 P-47's are lost; 1 P-47 is damage beyond repair and another damaged;
casualties are 1 WIA and 16 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 141: 8 B-17's drop 1.6 million leaflets over
Paris, Reims, Le Mans, Orleans, Chartres, Amiens and Rouen, France; no
casualties.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 142: 1 B-17 drops two 2,000 pound (907 kg)
bombs and 1 photoflash on Emmerich, Germany at 2108 hours; no casualties.
HQ 358th Fighter Group transfers from Goxhill to Leiston, England.
HQ 447th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Rattlesden, England from
the US.
The 714th and 715th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 448th Bombardment Group
(Heavy) arrive at Seething, England from the US with B-24's. They will fly
their first mission on 22 Dec.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): In France, 53 B-26's bomb Chievres
airfield; 71 B-26's sent to bomb Cambrai/Epinoy airfield abort the mission due
to bad weather.
HQ 70th Fighter Wing arrives at Greenham Common, England from the US.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, 70 B-26's bomb the
airfield and marshalling yards at Grosseto; B-24's, with P-38 escort, bomb
the Furbara area; many other medium and heavy bombers are prevented from
bombing targets by bad weather.
The 27th, 71st and 94th Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group, transfer from
Djedeida, Tunisia to Monserrato, Sardinia with P-38's.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): B-25's bomb Sarajevo, Yugoslavia
and road and rail bridges at Giulianova, Italy. US, South African Air Force
(SAAF), and RAF light bombers hit enemy strongpoints at San Vito Chietino and
the Castelfrentano-Lanciano-Fossacesia areas; Allied fighter-bombers bomb
enemy forward positions around Fossacesia and Lanciano of Italy.
The 37th Troop Carrier Squadron, 316th Troop Carrier Group, transfers
from El Aouina, Tunisia to Borizzo, Sicily with C-47's.
The 415th Night Fighter Squadron, XII Air Support Command, based at
Catania, Sicily with Beaufighters, sends a detachment to Montecorvino,
Italy.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville
Island in the Solomon Islands, 18 B-25's, with fighter cover, attack Tinputs
Harbor and targets of opportunity in the area from Numa Numa to Kieta; 21
B-24's pound Kieta; P-39's join USN dive bombers in a strike on the Mosigetta
warehouse area while a fighter patrol attacks Gazelle Harbor and gun
positions S of Torokina Plantation.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 35 B-25's and
B-26's bomb Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island; 6 B-24's bomb a barracks at
Manokwari, New Guinea.

TUESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 1943

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): 10 B-24's from
Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands strike Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall
Islands; 20 others, sent against the same target from Nanumea Island in the
Ellice Islands, run into bad weather; 2 attack a cargo ship (and other
vessels near Maloelap Atoll, the remaining 18 return to base without attacking.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER OF OPERATIONS

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 6 P-40's bomb a fuel and ammunition
dump at Luchiangpa; 8 others strafe several boats on a lake SE of Ansiang;
supplies are dropped to Chinese troops in Changte.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Eighth Air Force): VIII Bomber Command Mission 143.
349 B-17's, 29 B-24's and 3 PFF B-17's are dispatched to the industrial area
at Solingen, Germany; 270 B-17's, the B-24's and 2 PFF B-17's abort the
mission due to cloud formations which cause assembly difficulties and require
flying at altitudes not feasible for the B-24's; 79 B-17's and 1 PFF B-17 use
blind-bombing equipment to hit Solingen plus 1 aircraft drops on
Wermelskirchen; they claim 1-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17's are lost; 3
are damaged beyond repair and 9 damaged; casualties are 11 KIA, 20 WIA and
23 MIA. This mission is escorted by 20 P-38's and 327 P-47's; they claim
0-2-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-38 and 5 P-47's are lost and 1 each damaged;
casualties are 6 MIA.
VIII Bomber Command Mission 144: 6 B-17's drop 1.4075 million leaflets on
Paris, Rouen and Tours, France; and Krefeld and Opladen, Germany during the
evening; no casualties.
HQ 357th Fighter Group arrives at Raydon, England from the US.
HQ 361st Fighter Group and it's 374th, 375th and 376th Fighter Squadrons
arrive at Bottisham, England from the US with P-47's. They will fly their
first mission on 22 Jan 44.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force): HQ IX Fighter Command arrives at
Middle Wallop, England from Libya.
HQ 362d Fighter Group and it's 377th, 378th and 379th Fighter Squadrons
arrive at Wormingford, England from the US with P-47's. They will fly their
first mission on 8 Feb 44.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): In Italy, B-26's attack the
Monte Molino railroad bridge, Montalto di Castro, and areas around Bastia
and Torgiano; accuracy is severely hampered by overcast; B-24's, with P-38
escort, bomb Fiume through the overcast.

TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, A-20's, operating in
conjunction with light bombers of the SAAF and RAF attack ground installations
and defended areas around Lanciano, Fossacesia, Orsogna, Castelfrentano, and
Guardiagrele; fighter-bombers, [US, RAAF, SAAF and RAF] hit pre-arranged
targets in the battle area, and by hitting targets of opportunity on roads
between Lanciano to Mozzagrogna aid in defeating a counterattack against
the US 34th Infantry Division on Monte Pantano.
The 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group, transfers from La Marsa, Tunisia to Foggia, Italy
with F-5's. The squadron has been operating from Foggia since 18 Nov.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon
Islands, 17 B-25's bomb Malai on Shortland Island. Fighter aircraft (AAF and
USN) attack barges and AA guns at Tonolai on Bougainville Island, the SE
coast of Ballale Island, the NW tip of Choiseul Island, Amun above Cape
Moltke, Numa Numa, and Chabai on Bougainville; also on Bougainville, other
fighters cover dive bombers attacking the Jakohina Mission area, gun positions
at Kangu and Malabita Hill, and in the Mosigetta area; a few RNZAF Venturas
hit the Mawareka area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's bomb Cape
Gloucester airfield on New Britain Island. In New Guinea, B-25's bomb and
strafe villages along coast from Borgen Bay to Riebeck Bay; B-24's hit
Alexishafen; B-25's and A-20's attack Kalasa and hit trucks in the Waroe area.
The 386th, 388th and 389th Bombardment Squadrons (Dive), 312th Bombardment
Group (Dive), arrives at Port Moresby, New Guinea from the US with P-40's.
They will be redesignated Bombardment Group/Squadrons (Light) on 6 Dec; fly
their first mission on 14 Jan 44; and convert to A-20G and H aircraft in
Feb 44.

• With grateful thanks for the scholarship of Kit Carter, Robert Mueller and Jack McKillop •
• Thanks also to Charles McGrew •

You can show you value this content by offering your dedicated research team a coffee!

You can lay a wreath on this page to show your respect in an everlasting way.

Add us to your address book. Click here

Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them. Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Top