In Sicily. One third of the island in Allied hands along with
30,000 prisoners.
Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF). During
17-18
July 1943, Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons
bomb airfields at Montecorvino and Pomigliano, while Northwest
African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) light bombers bomb Catania
and carry out reconnaissance of extensive areas of Sicily.
During the day, Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
A-36 Apache dive bomber hit Santa Caterina, Adrano, Lercara, and Termini Imerese.
United States Seventh Army makes rapid progress against light
opposition. British Eighth Army continues advance, but 13
Corps continues to meet strong resistance near Catania.
Ninth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-25
Mitchell medium bombers bomb Randazzo and Catania.
Fourteenth Air Force. 7 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers bomb shipping at Haiphong and
Hongay.
Fifth Air Force. During 18-
19
July 1943, B-24 Liberator heavy bombers bomb harbour area
at Makassar. Several B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, a B-24
Liberator heavy bombers, and an A-20 Havoc light bombers bomb
and strafe Lokanu, Boisi, Tambu Peninsula, Dot Islands, Salamaua,
and Komiatum as United States forces secure South headland
of Tambu Bay for a supply base. Other B-25 Mitchell medium
bombers attack barges and shipping off New Britain, sinking
small cargo vessel off Cape Kwoi.
Thirteenth Air Force. 21 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers, more than 20 P-40 fighters and
P-38 Lightning fighters, and 140 plus Navy and Marine dive
bombers and fighters thoroughly blast the Kahili area. 15
of the heavy bombers concentrate on the airfield. Many antiaircraft
positions are attacked, as are revetments and runways. Hits
are claimed on 2 destroyers, and a light craft is sunk. The
allied air planes claim 21 fighters shot down. 9 United States
Navy aircraft are lost. A B-25 Mitchell medium bombers off
New Georgia strafes a motor launch.
Seventh Air Force. 6 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers, flying out of Funafuti, bomb
Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll. Japanese bombers raiding Canton
Island are forced to jettison bombs at sea because of intense
antiaircraft and fighters defence.
Eleventh Air Force. 2 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers and 6 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers
bomb Gertrude Cove and Main Camp at Kiska. 6 B-24 Liberator
heavy bombers bomb shipping targets between Paramushiru and
Shimushu and completed runway at Murakami Bay on Paramushiru,
which is also photographed. They observe fires among buildings
South and East of this runway. Some of observed aircraft take
to the air and vainly pursue the attackers.
Go To: 19th
July
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
