North Africa. The British Eighth Army advancing from Wadi
Akarit made contact.
Adolf
Hitler and Benito Mussolini began four-day conference
at Fuehrer's Headquarters Bolivia at war with Axis nations.
Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF). Northwest African Strategic
Air Force (NASAF) Wellingtons attack Tunis and Jabal al Jallud
marshalling yard. Weather cancels all other Northwest African
Strategic Air Force (NASAF) missions except for 2 reconnaissance
sorties. All available aeroplanes of XII A Support Command
and Western Desert Air Force (WDAF) hit ground forces which
are retreating in all sectors. Fighters fly sweeps over Medjez
el Bab (claiming 3 fighters downed), scramble mission North
West of Oued Zarga (5 fighters are claimed destroyed), and
over 100 other sorties (no encounters). Highway and motor
transport are bombed between Sfax and Sousse. Light bombers,
medium bombers, and fighter-bombers attack concentrations
North of Oued el Akarit line. United States II Corps makes
contact with British Eighth Army on Gabes-Gafsa road.
Ninth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-24
Liberator heavy bombers attack Palermo harbour. B-25 Mitchell
medium bombers bomb retreating columns which are being pursued
North of Oued el Akarit by British Eighth Army's 30 and 10
Corps. Fighters carry out bombing and strafing operations
in battle area.
Tenth Air Force. 2 United States Army Air Force (USAAF) medium
bombers temporarily knock out bridge on Ye-u railroad branch,
crossing the Mu River between Ywataung and Monywa. 18 B-25
Mitchell medium bombers, in 2 forces, bomb Ywataung marshalling
yard. P-40 fighters support ground forces North of Shingbwiyang.
6 B-24 Liberator heavy bombers bomb Japanese Headquarters
at Toungoo.
Fifth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) B-25
Mitchell medium bombers hit areas along Northeast coast of
New Guinea from Mur to Singor. B-24 Liberator heavy bombers
bomb landing ground at Babo and town area of Fak. Single heavy
bombers attack shipping and coastal targets at Lae, Salamaua,
Finschhafen, Wewak, Cape Gloucester, and off Lorengau and
Kavieng.
Thirteenth Air Force. A large force of Japanese dive bombers
and fighters is reported by coast watchers to be moving down
the 'Slot.' In its path are a convoy off East coast of Guadalcanal,
shipping at Koli Point, and a Task Force at Tulagi. Every
operable fighters (76) on Guadalcanal is sent up, and the
bombers are moved to South West tip of the island for safety.
The air battle takes place off the Russells, near Tulagi,
and over the convoy. Army Air Force P-38 Lightning fighters
and P-39 fighters and Marine and Navy Corsairs and Wildcats
claim 39 aircraft shot down, 13 by Army Air Force fighters.
Allied losses total 7 fighters.
Eleventh Air Force. The reconnaissance aeroplane aborts shortly
after take off due to weather.
M416
Minesweeper
Commissioned 7 April 1943
R202
R-boat
Launched 7 April 1943
Go To: 8th
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
sources
