Air Operations, Aleutians

11th Air Force operations against Attu are canceled because of bad weather, but 20 343rd Fighter Group P-40s attack Kiska.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

• 43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s and 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Vunakanau airfield at Rabaul.
• During the night, 3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s attack the Gasmata airfield on New Britain and nearby targets.

Air Operations, CBI

• 10th Air Force bombers and fighter-bombers complete their three-day pre-monsoon effort against Japanese lines of communication in western Burma. During the effort, a total of 130 effective combat sorties delivered 340 tons of bombs against rail yards at Prome, oil installations at four locations, and various other targets.

Air Operations, Europe

• 2 Mosquitos bomb a locomotive shed at Tergnier without a loss.

• 3 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin, 23 aircraft lay mines in the southern Biscay, and there are 5 OTU sorties.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Warhawks destroy 7 giant Me-323s near Decimomannu airfield, Sardinia.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack barges between Madang and Cape Cretin.

Air Operations, Solomons

During the night, XIII Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s mount light harrassing attacks against the airfield at Ballale Airdrome and the Kahili area to mask a mine-sowing operation off Buin by AirSols TBFs.

Aleutians

Fighting continues on Attu in the Clevesy Pass area where the Japanese hold the high ground and have to be prised out of every position. Men trained in desert warfare have to turn themselves into mountaineers to get behind the enemy. After hard fighting the attackers succeed in advancing into the Sarana Valley. Some progress is also made in the northern part of the island.

Supplies Piled on the Beach at Attu, Aleutian Islands, 20 May 1943.

Battle of the Atlantic

The US 10th Fleet is formed to control US antisubmarine operations in the Atlantic.

Burma

It is officially announced that the three-month commando operations carried out by the Chindits commanded by Gen Orde Wingate have ended. In their guerilla actions behind the enemy lines the Chindits have lost a lot of their effectives.

China

The Chinese counterattack in the Middle Yangtze front.

Tunis, Tunisia - French soldiers marching in the Allied Victory Parade along Avenue Gambetta. American soldiers standing at parade rest, 20 May 1943.

Victory Parade in Tunis