Air Operations, Bismarcks

One B-24 attacks Unea Island.

Air Operations, CBI

• 6 23rd Fighter Group P-40s strafe rail targets in and around Puchi.

Air Operations, Europe

Hundreds of Russian bombers make a mass night raid on the German positions at Yaroslavl.

• 8 OTU Wellingtons make leaflet flights to France.
• 1 Wellington crashes in England.

'Memphis Belle' Completes 25 Missions

9 June 1943: After completing 25 combat missions over Western Europe from its base at Air Force Station 121 (RAF Bassingbourne, Cambridgeshire, England), Memphis Belle, a US Army Air Forces Boeing B-17F-10-BO Flying Fortress, serial number 41-24485, assigned to the 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy), 324th Bomb Squadron (Heavy), was flown home by Captain Robert K. Morgan and Captain James A. Verinis. The daylight bombing campaign of Nazi-occupied Europe was very dangerous with high losses in both airmen and aircraft. For a bomber crew, 25 combat missions was a complete tour, and they were sent on to other assignments. Memphis Belle was only the second B-17 to survive 25 missions, so it was withdrawn from combat and sent back to the United States for a publicity tour.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Allied Headquarters North Africa state that bombardment of Pantelleria will continue as long as no reply is received to surrender demands. Allied Strategic and Tactical air forces redouble their bombing efforts.

Air Operations, New Guinea

2 V Bomber Command B-24s attack the airfield and town at Manokwari Airdrome and Nabire.

Air Operations, Solomons

13th Air Force B-17s, P-38s, and P-40s attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia and the Vila airfield on Kolombangara.

Eastern Front

There is a Soviet attack on the Mius River sector which gains some ground. The Germans are repulsed in a similar limited effort near Lisichansk.

There is renewed fighting at Lisichansk as 3rd Guards Army presses the junction of 1st Panzer Army and 6th Army.

Another heavy air raid, this time at Yaroslavl, inflicts further heavy losses upon the Germans.

Occupied Yugoslavia

Tito is wounded in a raid by the Luftwaffe.

Marshal Josip Broz 'Tito' reviewing the Partisan 1st Proletarian Brigade during World War II.

Tito Reviews Partisan Brigade