Air Operations, Bismarcks

V Bomber Command B-25s attack the Gasmata airfield onNew Britain.

Air Operations, Europe

• 21 Stirlings lay mines off La Pallice and in the Gironde River. There are no losses.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Allied air raids on towns in southern Italy and Sicily continue without respite.

Air Operations, New Guinea

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s and 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Madang airfield, Kaimana, Manokwari, Nabire, and Wewak.

Allied Preparations

The US Gen Raymond G. Wheeler is given the task of co-ordinating and speeding up the construction of a big airfield in Assam, India to support the Burma front and increase the Allies' capacity to send supplies to China.

Mediterranean

A violent bombardment heralds the Allies' operation, called Operation CORKSCREW, for the capture of the island of Pantelleria.

Major General Manton S. Eddy (left), commander of the 9th Infantry Division, and his assistant commander, Brigadier General Daniel A. Stroh, in Bizerte on May 9, 1943.

Maj-Gen Manton Eddy and Brig-Gen Daniel Stroh

North Africa

Fighting ends in northeast Tunisia at 11:00a.m. as the Germans accept unconditional surrender. 6 generals are among the prisoners. Meanwhile the Allies advance towards the Cape Bon peninsula. The British arrive near Hammam Lif, where they are fiercely engaged by the Germans.

The US II Corps receives the unconditional surrender of the enemy within its zone. Thousands of prisoners, including 6 generals, are taken. The 1st Armored Div drives to the coast on the left and makes contact with the British 7th Armored Div on the right.

The British 1st Army continues to meet resistance in the region south of the US II Corps zone. The IX Corps' 6th Armored Div is still held up at the Hamman Lif defile. The French XIX Corps battles the enemy in the Zaghouan area.

The unconditional surrender of all Axis troops in Tunisia takes at 11am on this day in 1943.

Unconditional Surrender in Tunisia

Occupied Holland

Following resistance to German occupation of the Netherlands, the Reich Commissioner Arthur Seyss-Inquart imposes martial law and an 8pm to 8am curfew along with other restrictive measures.

Secret War

Luftwaffe defectors land a Ju-88R night-fighter at Aberdeen. This aircraft is fitted with the new Liechtenstein BC radar set. The analysis of this new advanced equipment and other data about the organization and tactics of German night-fighters is vital to the Allies.