North Africa. It was announced that the number of Afrika Corps
prisoners taken between
5
to 18 May 1943 had exceeded 200,000.
Eighth Air Force. Combined Bomber Offensive (Plan) for round-the-clock
bombing of the enemy from United Kingdom by The British Royal
Air Force (RAF) and Eighth Air Force is approved by Combined
Chiefs of Staff. Eighth Air Force now has authorisation to
proceed with daylight strategic bombing within the type of
combined offensive it has long wished to initiate. Combined
Bomber Offensive (Plan) lists the destruction of Luftwaffe
fighters as the immediate priority objective. Primary objectives
in order are Kriegsmarine U-boat yards and bases, the Luftwaffe
aircraft industry, ball bearings, and oil (the last being
contingent upon attacks from the Mediterranean against Ploesti).
Secondary objectives in order of priority are synthetic rubber
and tires, and military motor transport vehicles.
Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF). General Williams takes
command of Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF) Troop Carrier
Command (Provisional). During
17-18
May 1943, Wellingtons bomb Alghero-Sassari area. During day
Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF) begins strong air offensive
against Pantelleria in conjunction with naval blockade. Over
80 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers and B-26 Marauder medium bombers,
escorted by P-38 Lightning fighters, blast the island, hitting
Porto di Pantelleria and Marghana airfield. B-17 Flying Fortress
heavy bombers, with fighters escort, bomb Trapani.
Fifth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) heavy
bombers, operating individually, hit Gasmata and Rabaul airfields
twice and Cape Gloucester, Arawe, and Lorengau once.
Eleventh Air Force. 6 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers, weathered out of Attu, bomb
Gertrude Cove area leaving large fires. 4 P-40 fighters reconnoitre
Kiska and strafe barges. 1 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers flies
photo reconnaissance over Kiska.
M263
Minesweeper
Commissioned 18 May 1943
M345
Minesweeper
Sunk 18 May 1943
Go To: 19th
May
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
