Fifth Air Force. 82 United States Army Air Force (USAAF) C-47
Skytrain transport aircraft drop paratroops at Nadzab airfield
(first such landings in Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA)) following
bombardment of drop zone by 52 medium bombers and pounding
of Lae airfield by 24 heavy bombers. Smoke screen is laid
over landing area by A-20 Havoc light bombers. Nadzab airfield
is quickly put into operational condition and will subsequently
become a major Allied airbase.
Eighth Air Force. Eighth sets new record in number of heavy
bombers dispatched. 69 of the 407 dispatched are to fly diversionary
sweep over North Sea and the rest are to bomb aircraft and
bearing factories in and around Stuttgart. Bad weather frustrates
original target plans but 262 heavy bombers bomb targets in
Germany and France. Strong fighters opposition is encountered
and 45 heavy bombers are lost. Over 120 medium bombers strike
marshalling yards at Rouen, Serqueux, and Amiens. 2 groups
of medium bombers sent to bomb at Ghent are recalled when
bad weather prevents fighters escort from taking off.
Twelfth Air Force. XII Bomber Command United States Army Air
Force (USAAF) B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers hit Capodichino
airfield, Villa Literno marshalling yard, Gaeta harbour, and
Minturno railroad facilities. Weather prevents B-17 Flying
Fortress heavy bombers attack on Pomigliano airfield. B-25
Mitchell medium bombers and B-26 Marauder medium bombers hit
Capua airfield and landing grounds at Grazzanise. P-40 fighters
hit landing ground at Pabillonis. United States and The British
Royal Air Force (RAF) planes of Northwest African Tactical
Air Force (NATAF) operate on reduced scale, flying patrols
and hitting railroads and targets on Italian toe.
Fourteenth Air Force. 6 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
fighter-bombers attack wharves, vessels, and destroy small
factory building in Yoyang-Shihhweiyao area. 5 others hit
trucks, trains, gun emplacements, and railway facilities in
areas around Sintsiang and Puchi.
Fifth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) heavy
bombers pound Lae airfield and surrounding area, and medium
bombers bomb and strafe enemy defences in Malahang and vicinity,
as Allied ground forces push toward Lae. United States fighters
claim 8 enemy aircraft downed over Lae. B-25 Mitchell medium
bombers fly sweep against barges along coast of New Britain
and bomb targets on Timor.
Thirteenth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-25 Mitchell medium bombers and P-39 fighters hit enemy positions
at Kakasa. B-24 Liberator heavy bombers blast gun positions
at Vila. P-39 fighters join Navy aircraft in strike on suspected
radar site at Morgusaia Island. 5 Zeros are claimed shot down.
2 P-39 fighters are lost.
R94
R-boat
Sunk 6 September 1943
Go To: 7th
September
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
