North Africa. United States of America troops occupied El
Guettar in South Tunisia.
Russian Front. Heavy fighting continued on the northern Donetz.
It was announced that Admiral
Karl
Dönitz, Commander-In-Chief Kriegsmarine, had held
three day conference with Italian naval chief Admiral Arturo
Riccardi.
Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF). one Northwest African
Air Forces (NAAF) Troop Carrier Command (Provisional), consisting
of 51st Troop Carrier Wing and its subordinate units which
are transferred from XII Air Force Services Command, is activated.
Colonel Ray A Dunn is acting Commanding Officer. Landing grounds
are nonoperational due to continued bad weather. Northwest
African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) and Northwest African
Tactical Air Force (NATAF) cancel missions. Northwest African
Coastal Air Force (NACAF) aeroplanes fly routine patrols.
Ninth Air Force. Colonel Uzal G Ent assumes command of IX
Bomber Command, replacing Colonel Hugo P Rush.
Tenth Air Force. 8 United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-25
Mitchell medium bombers pound bridge at Myitnge, rendering
it unserviceable. A single P-40 uses a 1,000 lb bomb against
bridge near Mogaung in a test to see if the fighters can carry
such 'blockbusters' and deliver them effectively. Despite
negligible damage suffered by the target, both the carrying
and releasing of the bomb are considered successful. 12 B-25
Mitchell medium bombers, with P-40 escort, bomb rail and
river terminal at Lao Kay and afterwards strafe the area,
causing widespread destruction.
Fourteenth Air Force. 12 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, with escort of 6 P-40 fighters,
bomb power plant and railroad yards at Lao Kay. The P-40 fighters
strafe the target area and a barracks a few miles down the
Red River.
Fifth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) A-20
Havoc light bombers pound forces in Mubo area while B-25 Mitchell
medium bombers bomb submarine and barges in Lae harbour. B-24
Liberator heavy bombers hit Amboina. Single B-17 Flying Fortress
heavy bombers strike Arawe, Gasmata, Cape Gloucester, barges
off Cape Gauffre and cargo boat at Lorengau.
Thirteenth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers and B-24 Liberator heavy
bombers on armed reconnaissance bomb Kahili and Ballale airfields.
Eleventh Air Force. XI Bomber Command, constituted on
4
March 1943, is activated at Adak. All missions cancelled
due to weather except local fighters patrols.
R122
R-boat
Launched 19 March 1943
Go To: 20th
March
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
