Chronology of World War II

April 1943

Friday, April 2


Air Operations, Aleutians

18 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s and 6 B-25s, with 16 343rd Fighter Group P-38s and 24 P-40s attack Kiska in several waves. 4 B-24s attack the airfield on Attu.

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Air Operations, Bismarcks

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount individual attacks against the Cape Gloucester and Gasmata airfields on New Britain.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

8 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack rail facilities at Thazi.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:
  • The first sortie of the newly formed No 1409 (Meteorological) Flight, based at Oakington, by 1 Mosquito, crewed by Flight Lieutenant P Cunliffe-Lister and Sergeant I Doyle. The make a weather reconnaissance flight to Brittany in preparation for the Bomber Command raids to be carried out in the coming night. The Flight operates until the end of the war, flying 1,364 sorties and losing only 3 Mosquitos.
Evening Ops:
  • 55 aircraft are sent to St Nazaire and 47 to Lorient on the last raids on these French ports. Bomber Command is released from its obligation to bomb these 2 targets 3 days later.
    • 1 Lancaster is lost on the St Nazaire raid.
  • 33 aircraft lay mines off the southern part of the Biscay coast.
    • 1 Lancaster is lost.
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British India Ship Gogra Sunk by U-124


British India Ship <i>Gogra</i> Sunk by <i>U-124</i>

Air Operations, New Guinea

  • 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount individual attacks against Salamaua and a bridge near Finschhafen.
  • 3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s attack several targets.
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Air Operations, Pacific

US planes bomb Kiska and Attu.

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SS Katha Sunk by U-124


SS <i>Katha</i> Sunk by <i>U-124</i>

Air Operations, Sicily

2 IX Bomber Command B-24s conduct a special mission in which each attacks the ferry terminals at Messina and Villa San Giovanni.

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Air Operations, Solomons

XIII Fighter Command P-38s and P-40s attack a small ship in Kokolope Bay. The P-38s drop their auxiliary fuel tanks on the ship’s deck and strafe the vessel to set her aflame.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

  • NATBF A-20s and B-24s attack La Fauconnerie Airdrome.
  • USAAF fighter pilots down 4 Bf-109s in at least three separate actions during the day.
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Germany, Home Front

A decree issued by Göring makes air raid patrol duty compulsory for every able-bodied German.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

A stalemate develops with both sides battered and unable to dislodge the opposing forces.

In the US II Corps area, a virtual stalemate exists as the enemy checks the dogged efforts of the infantry of the 1st and 9th Divs to clear Gumtree and Gabès roads. The 1st Div clears the rest of Djebel el Mcheltat, but the 9th is unable to take Hill 772 on Djebel Berda. A gap exists between the 2 divisions. The diversionary action of Combat Command A, 1st Armored Div, in the Maknassy area is suspended.

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Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat Fighters on Guadalcanal


Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat Fighters on Guadalcanal

Pacific

The US submarine Tunny (SS-282) sinks the Japanese transport Toyo Maru west of Truk.

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[April 1st - April 3rd]