Air Operations, Aleutians

In 134 combat sorties arriving between 0855 and 1846, 22 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s, 48 B-25s, 16 A-24s, 40 343rd Fighter Group P-38s, and 8 P-40s attack Kiska with a record 152 tons of bombs.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

V Bomber Command B-25s attack targets along New Britain’s Itni River and B-24s mount individual attacks against the Cape Gloucester airfield on New Britain.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-25s attack Selaroe Island in the Moluccas.

Air Operations, Europe

• 5 Mosquitos bomb the estimated positions of cloud-covered Cologne and Duisburg.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Naples is attacked by US planes. The harbor and factories are the targets. The Cathedral and the Royal Palace are also hit. 150 people are killed and 228 injured. This raid is denounced in Rome as 'the most barbarous and merciless of the 96 raids on the city'.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-24s mount individual attacks along the Francisco River.

Air Operations, Solomons

• AirSols light bombers and 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack targets between Gurasai and Kindu.
• VMF-124 F4Us down 2 F1M reconnaissance float planes over the Shortland Islands during a morning mission.
• P-40s from the 18th Fighter Group’s 44th and 70th Fighter squadrons down 8 A6M Zeros over Munda and VMF-214 F4Us down 3 more Zeros between Rendova and Munda at 1030 hours.

Aleutians

The pre-invasion softening-up reaches its peak - at least 152 tons of bombs are dropped during the day on the deserted island of Kiska.

Eastern Front

The Soviets enter Orel where bitter street fighting takes place. To the south of the Kursk salient [MORE]

Pacific

The US Navy rescues Lt John F. Kennedy and 10 other surviving crew members from PT-109. 2 crew members die when rammed by the Amagiri, and the survivors spend the next three days swimming among minor islands off the Solomons attempting to attract help. Two natives with a canoe take a coconut shell, inscribed with a plea for help, to US naval forces on Rendova, who send a PT boat to rescue the crew.

American Soldier Patrolling around Troina, 4 – 5 August 1943

Sicily

The British 5th Div attacks Catania. The 50th Div is ordered to be ready for a move towards Catania. The Americans are still battling to take Troina. The 9th Div, whose units are concentrated at Nicosia, is attached to the American II Corps.

A British Sherman Tank Advancing near Catania, Sicily, 4 August 1943

Solomons

The Americans complete the capture of Munda and its airfield.