In Sicily. Milazzo, Messina, Paterno, and Randazzo bombed.
Allies opened general offensive along whole line.
In the Mediterranean. Cotrone in Italy heavily bombarded by
Royal Navy British warships. Naples bombed.
Russian Front. Soviet troops continued advance on Orel.
Ploesti, Romanian oil centre, raided in daylight by more than
175 United States Army Air Force (USAAF) Liberators based
on Middle East, nearly 300 tons of bombs dropped.
It was announced M. Feodor Gusef to succeed Ivan Mikhailovich
Maisky as Soviet Ambassador to Britain. General Henri Giraud
became Commander-In-Chief of united French armies, General
Charles de Gaulle chairman of National Committee for political
purposes.
Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF). During
31
July 1943 1 August 1943 Northwest African Strategic Air
Force (NASAF) Wellingtons drop leaflets on Rome and Naples,
and bomb Randazzo and Adrano. During following day, United
States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers
bomb Capodichino airfields, and B-25 Mitchell medium bombers
hit Milazzo. Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF)
light bombers and medium bombers hit Paterno, Randazzo, Adrano,
Bronte, Santa Maria di Licondia, and motor transport in Orlando
area. Northwest African Coastal Air Force (NACAF) Beaufighters
score hits on shipping between Sardinia and Italy. United
States ground forces advance East along coast of Sicily, approach
Troina further inland, and begin movement to flank defences.
British, to South penetrate into Regalbuto.
Ninth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) 177
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers, of IX Bomber Command including
heavy bombers on loan from Eighth Air Force are dispatched
to bomb oil refineries at Ploesti and nearby Campina. The
operation (TIDALWAVE) is costly, 54 planes and 532 airmen
being lost, but damage to the targets is severe. More than
230 P-40 fighters, largest Ninth Air Force total to date,
attack Adrano, area near Randazzo, Messina, Milazzo, Taormina,
and shipping in Straits of Messina.
Tenth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) 8 B-25
Mitchell medium bombers hit East approach of the road bridge
at Shweli, damaging cable anchorages and pylons but leaving
bridge usable.
Fifth Air Force. A lone United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-24 Liberator heavy bomber bombs airfields at Lae.
Thirteenth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
P-40 fighters and Navy aircraft again hit Munda, bombing antiaircraft
positions, ammunition dumps, and other targets. 21 B-24 Liberator
heavy bombers, 16 P-38 Lightning fighters, and P-40 fighters,
and 30 plus Navy aeroplanes pound Kahili airfields, other
P-40 fighters and 80 Navy aircraft hit shipping in nearby
waters.
Eleventh Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) 7
B-24 Liberator heavy bombers bomb Kiska Main Camp area through
overcast.
Go To: 2nd
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
