In Sicily. It was announced that occupation of Fiumefreddo,
Piedimonte and Mazzara. United States troops reached Oliveri.
Russian Front. In Bryansk area Russians captured Karachev.
In Australasia. Vella Lavella (Solomons), captured.
Milan bombed in longest duration raid over 100 4,000 pounders
dropped. Mosquitoes raided Berlin.
Mr. Churchill returned to Quebec from visit to President Roosevelt.
Eighth Air Force. Over 300 heavy bombers are dispatched to
bomb German Air Force airfields in France and the Netherlands.
The majority concentrates on Vlissingen airfield and on airfields
at Lille and Merville. Medium bombers attack Saint-Omer and
Fort Rouge airfield and the Mn at Abbeville.
Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF). Northwest African Strategic
Air Force (NASAF) B-25 Mitchell medium bombers and B-26 Marauder
medium bombers bomb Sibari railroad junction and marshalling
yard, and P-38 Lightning fighters hit trains, troops, radar,
and Staletti railroad tracks and tunnel. P-40 fighters attack
bivouac area near Monserrato. During 15-
16
August 1943, United States Seventh Army troops land on Sicilian
North coast North West of Barcellona to block enemy withdrawal.
3d Infantry Division heads along North coast to Spadafora.
British Eighth Army troops complete drive around Mount Etna
as Randazzo-Linguaglossa road is closed. Linguaglossa and
Taormina are taken.
Ninth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-25
Mitchell medium bombers hit shipping along beaches of Sant'
Agata di Militello. Over 180 P-40 fighters attack shipping
at Messina and in the Straits of Messina. Enemy forces withdrawing
to mainland Italy are pounded severely by constant air attacks.
Fifth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) heavy
bombers again hit Salamaua area. 12 Japanese bombers, escorted
by more than 20 fighters, attack Tsili Tsili airfield for
first time. Intercepting P-39 fighters claim 14 aeroplanes
downed. 3 P-39 fighters are lost.
Thirteenth Air Force. Commander Aircraft (COMAIR), New Georgia
command post, recently opened at Munda Point by General Mulcahy,
United States Marine Corps (USMC), conducts its first full
day of operations. Fighters are sent to cover amphibious landings
at Vella Lavella Island where elements of 25th Infantry Division,
and supporting units, go ashore in Barakoma area and establish
beachhead. Allied aeroplanes knock down about 25 Japanese
aircraft (7 by Army Air Force fighters) attacking the landings.
Corsairs also claim 10 Japanese shot down over Kahili. B-25
Mitchell medium bombers bomb Papatura Fa and Ighiti Islands
in Rekata Bay area.
Eleventh Air Force. United States and Canadian troops invade
Kiska and discover that the Japanese, under the cover of fog,
evacuated their garrison. A P-38 Lightning fighters bombs
and strafes Sniper Hill.
Go To: 16th
August
Articles:
The Second Great War.
Edited by Sir John Hamilton
The War Illustrated.
Edited by Sir John Hamilton
2194 Days Of War.
ISBN-10: 086136614X
For a complete list of
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