Air Operations, Europe

• 18 Lancasters of No. 5 Group raid 2 transformer stations in northern Italy. 7 planes bomb the Cislago station accurately but the other station is not located and the planes bomb an alternate target.
• 1 Lancaster is lost.
• 6 Mosquitos are sent to Munich and 7 OTU Wellingtons make leaflet flights over France.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, New Guinea

1 V Bomber Command B-24 attacks Japanese Army ground troops at MacDonald’s Junction.

Air Operations, Pacific

• 100 Avengers and Dauntlesses bomb the Munda airfield.
• The Japanese make a night raid on Guadalcanal.

Air Operations, Solomons

• US Marine Corps TBF light bombers attack Japanese Army ground positions on New Georgia, but 3 US Army soldiers are killed and 10 are wounded by a misdropped bomb.
• During the night, 31 XIII Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s attack the Kahili airfield on Bougainville with 40 tons of fragmentation bomb clusters.

Battle of the Atlantic

Aircraft (VC-13) from the US escort carrier Core (CVE-13) sink the German submarine U-67 in the mid-Atlantic area.

Diplomatic Relations

Roosevelt and Churchill issue a special joint statement calling for an Italian surrender and suggest to the Italian people that they get rid of Mussolini, 'If you continue to tolerate the Fascist regime, which serves the evil power of the Nazis, you must suffer the consequences of your choice. . . . We are determined to destroy the false leaders and their doctrines which have brought Italy to her present position.' They conclude that Italians will have to decide whether to 'die for Mussolini and Hitler--or live for Italy and for civilization.' In Italy some of the Fascist politicians are beginning to plot to accomplish exactly what is proposed, getting rid of Mussolini.

The 1st WAAC Separate Battalion arrived in England commanded by Colonel Mary A. Hallaren. The 555 enlisted women and 19 officers arrived 16 July 1943.

WAACs Arrive in England

Eastern Front

In the Kursk salient sector the Germans withdraw as they try to hold the powerful Russian thrust. Hitler justifies the abandonment of Operation CITADEL by the possible need to send substantial forces to deal with the situation in Italy. In the Kuban the Russians are preparing an offensive to liquidate the enemy bridgehead between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Two destroyed 'Ferdinands' from Headquarters Company of 654th Battalion. Station area Ponyri, 15-16 July 1943. Left staff 'Ferdinand' II-03. The tank was burned Molotovs, after a shell hit her in chassis.

Two destroyed 'Ferdinands'

In the Orel salient the 9th Army comes under heavy attack by the West, Bryansk and Central Fronts but prevent any penetration of the line.

Kurile Islands

A US submarine shells Matsuwa Island. The group of islands is already within range of American bomber based in the Aleutians.

Mediterranean

• The carrier Indomitable is hit by Italian torpedo planes.
• The Italian submarine Dandolo torpedoes the cruiser Cleopatra.
• There are night engagements off Sicily between German and British MTBs with the Italian cruiser Scipione Africano. 5 German boats are damaged and MTB-305 is sunk.

Native tailors in the street of Maadi village make minor alterations to the uniforms of New Zealanders from the nearby camp, 16 July 1943

Native tailors in the street

New Guinea

The Battle of Mount Tambu begins and will continue until August 19 as the Australians, advancing from Wau, capture a Japanese stronghold near Salamaua.

Sicily

The American 3rd Div attacks Agrigento and Porto Empedocle while the 2nd Arm Div is sent against Palermo. The Canadian 1st Div takes Caltagirone and advances on Piazza Armerina against strong resistance led by units of the German 15th Pzr Div.

South of Catania, where the British divisions are operating, men of the Durham brigade supported by artillery and armored cars try to capture Ponte Primasole on the Simeto River and establish a bridgehead on the opposite bank. The operation is defeated by the quick reaction of the German parachute battalion defending the bridge, but during the night units of the brigade succeed in crossing the stream. At dawn a certain number of tanks and anti-tank guns are also able to cross the bridge as the Germans retire.

Solomons

In New Georgia the US 172nd Inf Regt gradually extends the Laiana beachhead; the 169th takes a hit but is still exposed to strong Japanese pressure.

Trobriand Islands

The airfield constructed on Woodlark Island becomes operational.