A heavy bombing raid was carried out on the Ruhr and surrounding
areas during the night by the British Royal Air Force (RAF)
bombers.
In Libya. Fighting French flying column captured El Gatrun
in the Fezzan.
Twelfth Air Force. Allied Air Force General Order makes Twelfth
Air Force responsible for air support of United States land
forces in North Africa, and Eastern Air Command responsible
for support of British First Army. However, units are to be
placed under operational control of the other as the situation
might dictate. B-26 Marauder medium bombers bomb airfields
and barracks at Gabes while A-20 Havoc light bombers attack
troop concentrations at Kairouan. Fighters escort both raids.
Fighters carry out several reconnaissance missions and escort
transports of 51st troop carrier Wing on routine missions.
Ninth Air Force. B-24 Liberator heavy bombers hit shipping
in harbour at Palermo. Several other heavy bombers abort because
of bad weather. 1 B-24 Liberator heavy bombers on special
mission bombs Maiouli Quay at Piraeus.
Tenth Air Force. United States Army Air Force (USAAF) P-40
fighters blast fuel storage at Mangshih. Chine Air Task Force
(CATF) aircraft begin a series of raids, lasting through
10
January 1943, during which they destroy trucks along Burma
Road, barges on the Irrawaddy River, and stores in the Bhamo
area.
Fifth Air Force. Japanese convoy bound for Lae from New Britain
is again attacked by heavy bombers, medium bombers, Light
bombers, and fighters (along with Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) planes) in Solomon Sea off Finschhafen and during its
progress off South coast of Huon Peninsula through Huon Gulf
to Lae. Despite the heavy air resistance the convoy reaches
its destination. Fighters also hit airfields at Lae.
Eleventh Air Force. 6 United States Army Air Force (USAAF)
B-25 Mitchell medium bombers and 12 P-38 Lightning fighters
dispatched to Kiska turn back due to cloud cover. 6 B-24 Liberator
heavy bombers circle over Kiska for 2 hours until 4 can bomb
the submarine base. Antiaircraft fire damages 3 of the attackers.
Negative reconnaissance is flown over Amchitka, Kiska, Agattu,
and Attu. Photos taken reveal use of smoke pots by the defenders
and also suggest construction of a fighters strip along the
ridge South of Salmon Lagoon.
Go To: 8th
January
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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