Air Operations, CBI

• 8 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a bridge at Myitnge.
• 14 51st Fighter Group P-40s attack a motorpool at Hpunkizup and bridges at Kadrangyang and near Myitkyina.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack Langgoer.

Air Operations, Solomons

XIII Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s mount small harrassment strikes against airfields on Ballale, Bougainville, and Kolombangara.

19th Bomb Group B-17

'The Old Man', one of the 19th Bomb Group B-17’s. During a photo recon mission over Gasmata, New Britain in March of 1943, this Fort was intercepted by thirteen Japanese Zero fighters. The A6M’s made repeated runs on the bomber, wounding both pilots, the top turret gunner, the navigator and bombardier. The top turret gunner, who had washed out of flight school back in the states, ended up landing the B-17 with the help of one of the pilots back at Dobodura. When the forward hatch was opened, blood poured out onto the ground. Miraculously, everyone lived. "The Old Man" was repaired and later became General Ennis Whitehead’s personal aircraft.

Burma

The 55th Indian Bde which has relieved the 123rd Indian Bde is attacked by the Japanese just north of Rathedaung in the Arakan and is forced to fall back. This new Japanese offensive is led by Gen Koka with units of 55th and 33rd Divs being involved. With the aid of reinforcements the 55th Indian Bde manages to fight clear of encirclement and to withdraw to Buthidaung, but that leaves the eastern flank of the troops west of the Mayu exposed.

Eastern Front

The Northwest Front offensive toward Staraya Russa is abandoned after the failure to break through the German lines south of Lake Ilmen.

The XLVIII and SS Panzer Corps begin their move north toward Belgorod.

Germany, Home Front

Berlin admits that, as a result of recent RAF raids, over 20,000 are homeless in Munich, and over 100,000 in Essen, Duisburg, Bottrop and Stuttgart.

North Africa

Patton's II Corps goes on the offensive and makes good progress despite heavy rains.

Two tanks 'Tiger' (Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf.E) 243 and 241 of the 2nd Company of the 501st Heavy Tank Battalion Wehrmacht (s.Pz.Abt.501) on the march on the road to Tunisia.

German 'Tigers' on the Road to Tunisia

The US II Corps opens its offensive as planned after artillery and air preparation with the 1st Div attacking for the first time as a division. Employing the 16th and 18th Regimental Combat Teams, reinforced by a battalion of the 26th Regimental Combat Team, the 1st Div moves into Gafsa, which the Germans have evacuated, and organizes it for defense. A hamlet southeast of Gafsa is also occupied. The 1st Armored Div, defending the left flank, is hampered by heavy rains but Combat Command A moves into Zannouch, between Gafsa and Sened, without opposition.

The the British 1st Army's V Corps area, the 46th Div withdraws under pressure from Tamera.

The British 8th Army continues local operations in preparation for its assault on the Mareth Line.