In Sicily. Island completely conquered after 38 day campaign.
Messina captured by United States. Gun duel began across Messina
Straits.
In the Mediterranean. Istres and Salon airfields near Marseilles
raided by B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers first time targets
in France attacked from Mediterranean bases.
In Australasia. Wewak (New Guinea) airfields bombed 120 enemy
planes destroyed.
It was revealed that His Majesty the King in HMS Duke of York
led the Home Fleet to battle practice in the North Sea during
a 4 day visit.
Eighth Air Force. On first anniversary of United States heavy
bomber operations from United Kingdom, 315 B-17 Flying Fortress
heavy bombers launch two pronged attack into Germany, marking
deepest penetration of German territory to date. The critical
targets are the
Messerschmitt
complex at Regensburg and the anti friction bearing factories
at Schwein-furt. The bombers unload a 724 ton bomb load, causing
extensive damage. Every important building in the complex
at Regensburg is damaged, and there are 80 HE hits on the
2 main bearing plants at Schweinfurt. 60 United States aircraft
are lost in fierce air battle that extends to the targets
and continues after the bombing. 4th Bomber Wing, after bombing
Regensburg, continues to bases in North Africa. During 17-
18
August 1943. The British Royal Air Force (RAF) begins CROSSBOW,
massive attacks on German
V-weapon
sites. About 670 aircraft drop 2,000 tons of bombs on
Peenemunde.
Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF). Sicily campaign ends
with official entry of United States Seventh Army's 3d Division
into Messina at 1000. British force from Ali arrives shortly
there after. Fall of Sicily paves way for it stepped up air
offensive against Italy. About 180 Northwest African Strategic
Air Force (NASAF) B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers attack
Istres-IoTube and Salon-de-Provence airfields. Around 100
medium bombers attack command targets on North part of Italian
toe, hitting Battipaglia and Castrovillari with damaging effect;
escorting P-38 Lightning fighters strafe vehicles in the area.
Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters and
light bombers pound shipping in Straits of Messina and Gulf
of Gioia, hit rail centre at Lamezia, and harass enemy movement
on the Italian toe.
Ninth Air Force. More than 200 United States Army Air Force
(USAAF) P-40 fighters hit shipping at Messina, at Palmi, and
in Gulf of Gioia.
Fourteenth Air Force. 23 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers, operating in 3 waves, bomb barracks
at Cau Lo. 4 P-40 fighters bomb town of Mangshih.
Fifth Air Force. Approximately 50 United States Army Air Force
(USAAF) B-24 Liberator heavy bombers and B-17 Flying Fortress
heavy bombers make predawn attack on Wewak and satellite airfields
at Boram, Dogaw, and But, and also hit Tadji and Madang. During
midmorning, 30 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, with over 80
P-38 Lightning fighters covering, carry out the day's second
bombing and strafing strike on Boram, Wewak, and Dagaw. This
begins campaign to neutralise Japanese airfields in preparation
for offensive against Lae. A-20 Havoc light bombers again
hit enemy forces in Salamaua area. B-24 Liberator heavy bombers
bomb oil facilities at Balikpapan.
Eleventh Air Force. 1 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bomber flies over Kiska watching friendly
forces land on shore of East Kiska Lake.
Go To: 18th
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
sources
