Air Operations, BismarcksNearly 80 43rd, 90th, and 380th Heavy Bomb group B-17s and B-24s are sent to hit Rabaul, but abort in the face of bad weather. 54 38th and 345th Medium Bomb group B-25s, however, proceed at lower altitude and are able to attack the Tobera and Rapopo airfields at Rabaul and shipping from very low level. An estimated 70 Japanese airplanes are destroyed on the ground, and 2 ships are claimed as sunk. 2 B-25s and 1 crew are lost. Also, 7 of the heavy bombers are able to attack Cape Gloucester, 13 are able to attack Cape Hoskins, and 6 attack Sio (New Guinea). [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, EuropeRAF BOMBER COMMANDEvening Ops:
ITALY:
XII Bomber Command B-25s attack marshalling yards at Skoplje, and escorting P-38s attack locomotives and motor vehicles. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, New GuineaV Bomber Command B-25s attack roads around Bogadjim. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, Solomons
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Axis DiplomacyHitler confers with 2 Bulgarian Regents. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Battle of the AtlanticThe US freighter Delisle, in Convoy WB-65, hits a mine laid by U-220 about 15 miles out of St. John's, Newfoundland, as she is rescuing survivors of the British freighter Penolver. There are no casuaties among the 32-man crew, the 7-man Armed Guard and 3 sailors from Penolver. The British trawler Miscou rescues the survivors. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Diplomatic RelationsA conference of the Allied powers takes place in Moscow, attended by Cordell Hull representing US President Roosevelt, British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden and Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov. The governments of the US, USSR, China and Britain make a number of declarations, including the early establishment of an international organization to maintain peace and security (the United Nations). Regarding German atrocities, the conference resolves: 'Those responsible... will be sent back to the countries in which their abominable deed were done in order that they may be judged and punished according to the laws of these liberated countries.' Britain and the US assure the USSr that a second front will be created by the following spring. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Eastern FrontThe fighting for Melitopol continues. The Soviets have now penetrated to the center of the town. SOUTHERN SECTORIn Melitopol the 28th Army has penetrated to the city center, the 6th Army beginning to cave in under the repeated Soviet assaults. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ItalyThe US 3rd and 34th Divs reach Dragoni. After taking Roccaromana they prepare for the decisive attack to capture Dragoni and the bridges over the Volturno beyond it. Gioia is also taken. Montgomery's 8th Army launches a fresh offensive and pushes towards the Trigno River. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Occupied ItalyThe first trainloads of Jews leave Rome for the Auschwitz concentration camp despite many citizens handing over gold to save them. [![]() ![]() ![]() Pacific
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() SolomonsThere is a heavy air attack on the Japanese air base at Buin on Bougainville. They also resume their attacks on Rabaul with considerable effect. Gen Haruyoshi Hyakutake, in command of the Japanese 17th Army, deploys his forces, about 33,000 men, for the defense of Bougainville. 25,000 are concentrated south of the island, near Buin and Kahili airfields, 5,000 on the north coast, aboutn 3,000 on the east coast where the mouths of several rivers might serve as possible landing sites. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Scenes from October 18, 1943
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[October 17th - October 19th] |