The British Royal Air Force (RAF) fighters and bombers raided
airfields at St. Omer and steelworks near Caen.
North Africa. The British Eighth Army launched an attack north
of Gabes against Wadi Akarit. Heavy air raid on Sfax.
In the Mediterranean. Heavy attack on shipping and Sicilian
straits and docks at Trapani. Naples and Messina raided by
night.
In Burma. Allied troops withdrew from positions at Donbaik
to meet outflanking move by the Japanese forces.
Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF). During
5-6
April 1943, Wellingtons bomb dock and shipping at Tunis. During
day, B-25 Mitchell medium bombers and P-38 Lightning fighters
attack shipping in Straits of Sicily. 2 forces of B-17 Flying
Fortress heavy bombers bomb convoy further West, near Zembra
Island, and hit convoy off Bizerte. Other B-17 Flying Fortress
heavy bombers bomb docks and ships at Trapani. B-25 Mitchell
medium bombers and A-20 Havoc light bombers attack landing
grounds and airfields at Enfidaville, La Fauconnerie, and
El Djem. La Fauconnerie bears brunt of attacks and is well
covered. Fighters escort the bombing raids, fly reconnaissance
missions, and attack scattered enemy movement.
Ninth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-25
Mitchell medium bombers fly 2 missions against concentrations
in Oued el Akarit region, scoring hits on buildings, tanks,
and numerous vehicles. B-24 Liberator heavy bombers hit ferry
and slips at Messina harbour. The British Royal Air Force
(RAF) heavy bombers, under IX Bomber Command control, bomb
Naples area and rail facilities in Messina. P-40 fighters
fly escort, fighters sweep, and strafing operations, attacking
guns, vehicles, and personnel as British Eighth Army begins
assault on Oued el Akarit from which enemy begins withdrawing
during the night.
Tenth Air Force. 6 United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-24
Liberator heavy bombers attack Pazundaung bridge, damaging
South approach.
Fifth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-25
Mitchell medium bombers bomb town area and antiaircraft positions
at Salamaua. Single B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers bomb
Gasmata and Finschhafen while another strafes Cape Gloucester.
Thirteenth Air Force. Colonel James M Fitzmaurice becomes
Commanding Officer XIII Bomber Command.
Go To: 7th
April
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
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