Strong force of British Royal Air Force (RAF) bombers carried
out intensive raid on Berlin and surrounding areas for the
loss of one aircraft, Target indicator bombs are used for
the first time.
In Libya. It was announced that General Philippe Leclerc de
Hauteclocque Chad forces had made contact with the British
Eighth Army.
Russian Front. Soviet Headquarters announced the opening of
new offensive South of Voronezh town and rly. It was also
announced that the centre of Rossosh had been captured.
In Australasia. Five Japanese surface ships sunk or damaged
by Allied bombers at Rabaul.
The Iraq government announced itself to be at war with Germany,
Italy and Japan.
Twelfth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-26
Marauder medium bombers on shipping strike in Straits of Sicily
fail to find ships. A-20 Havoc light bombers on armed reconnaissance
return to base with bombs when no targets are sighted. Fighters
and F4U Corsair fighter fly reconnaissance and patrols. Spitfires
escort C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft on ferry runs.
Ninth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-24
Liberator heavy bombers hit Tripoli harbour and town area.
The British Royal Air Force (RAF) Liberators of 178 Bomber
Squadron bomb road junction and Benito Gate at Tripoli. P-40
fighters fly patrol, scramble, and fighter-bomber missions
as British Eighth Army, having passed through enemy's main
defences at Buerat, pushes toward Tripoli.
Tenth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) P-40
fighters intercept aircraft that attempt strike on Yunnani
and claim 7 Zeros shot down in the air battle. Anticipating
that the Japanese planes will land at Lashio airfield, Chennault
sends 6 medium bombers and 11 fighters to that field in hopes
of catching the enemy on the ground. Finding no aircraft there,
the medium bombers and fighters attack town of Lashio. This
is last raid by Chine Air Task Force (CATF) before fuel shortage
grounds the fighters for the remainder of the month and the
medium bombers for 33 days. India Air Task Force (IATF) B-25
Mitchell medium bombers hit Mandalay-Lashio and Sagaing-Ye-u
branch railroad lines with 3 strikes on 16 and 17 Jan, knocking
out 2 important rail hubs. 10 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers
bomb railroad yards at Maymyo.
Fifth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) A-20
Havoc light bombers pound Soputa Sanananda trail, Kurenada
area, and area South of Kumusi River, after which United States
and Australian ground forces open assault on Sanananda which
falls the next day. B-25 Mitchell medium bombers again bomb
supplies at Lae. B-24 Liberator heavy bombers carry out single-plane
attacks on airfields at Gasmata and town of Finschhafen, and
cruiser ESE of Cape Orford.
Thirteenth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-26 Marauder medium bombers from Espiritu Santo join P-39
fighters and P-38 Lightning fighters in Guadalcanal campaign,
pounding the Japanese at Tassafaronga. Munda area is also
bombed. B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers bomb Buin-Faisi
area, concentrating on Kahili airfield on Bougainville and
Ballale airfield on Shortland Island.
Eleventh Air Force. 6 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers off to hit Kiska return due to
weather. A B-24 Liberator heavy bombers flies negative reconnaissance
over Buldir, the Semichis, Attu, and Agattu.
M415
Minesweeper
Launched 16 January 1943
T29
Torpedo boat
Launched 16 January 1943
Go To: 17th
January
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
sources
