Air Operations, Bismarcks

V Fighter Command P-40s attack dumps at Gasmata, and patrolling V Bomber Command B-24s sink a Japanese destroyer near Kavieng, but the scheduled 5th Air Force mission to Rabaul is canceled because of bad weather over the target.

Air Operations, Europe

• 18 Oboe Mosquitos attack blast furnaces at Bochum and a steelworks at Duisburg.
• There are no losses.

• NATAF fighters strafe gun emplacements, ships, and radio stations along the Albanian coast.

• NATAF aircraft attack Formia and Itri as a diversion for a bombardment of Formia and Gaeta by Allied naval forces.
• NATAF aircraft also attack road, rail, and tactical targets.

• NATAF fighter-bombers attack shipping in Split harbor.

• B-17s attack the Genoa-Ansaldo steel works.
• 20 B-24s miss the target entirely when they attack Turin's Villaperosa ball-bearing plant at 1230 hours.
• 1 FW-190 is downed over Turin at 1220 hours by an 82ns Fighter Group P-38 escort.

Air Operations, New Guinea

More than 40 V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s attack the airfield at Alexishafen. V Fighter Command P-38s, P-39s, and P-40s down 15 Japanese fighters in a series of engagements over Alexishafen, Lae, and Nadzab between 1015 and 1120 hours.

Air Operations, Solomons

• More than 20 AirSols B-24s attack the Kahili and Kara airfields on Bougainville.
• 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Kieta and the airfield at Buka.
• AirSols light bombers and fighters attack the airfield at Ballale and the Kara airfield on Bougainville.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-707 is stalking Convoy MKS-29A when she is attacked and sun by Fortress 'J' of No 220 Squadron RAF flying from the Azores.

U-707

Bougainville

Upon moving inland from the beach the marines discover that western Bougainville Island is covered by swamps. Any high ground is of important military value, as are trails that allow easy movement. Control of the trails becomes a key task for both the marines and the Japanese.

The Marine Raiders attack to cleat Japanese away from Piva Trail and run immediately into an advancing Japanese force preparing to attack. The Japanese attack is thrown back and the Raiders advance to the important junction of Numa Numa and Piva Trails.

The 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, takes control of the left half of the perimeter.

Diplomatic Relations

44 Allied and Associated States establish the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.

Eastern Front

The Soviet forces have overcome the Germans resistance west of Kiev around Fastov, and are now advancing toward Zhitomir.

The XIII and VIII Corps break as the 3rd Guards Tank Army pushes toward Zhitomir.

France, Politics

Gens Giraud, Georges and three others resign from the Committee of National Liberation as it is reorganized under the leadership of Gen de Gaulle. Giraud remains as Commander-in-Chief for the moment.

Italy

Castiglione falls to the 8th Indian Div from 8th Army.

Lebanon

Lebanon proclaims the end of the mandate with France. There are disorders in Beirut.

Pacific

• The US submarine Wahoo (SS-238) is reported as presumed lost in the Pacific Ocean area.
• The US submarine Sargo (SS-188) sinks the Japanese army cargo ship Taga Maru (2868t) in the Philippine Sea.

Solomons

As 2 American regiments advance inland on Bougainville to extend their bridgehead they meet up with the main body of the Japansese 23rd Regt on the jungle tracks and a vicious battle develops that will continue over the next 3 days. The second wave of the landings begins with the arrival of most of the 37th Inf Div.

Scenes from November 9, 1943

Marines During Piva Road-Block Action

Raider Battalion Machine Gun Crew

Tanks in Training

Matilda Heading Towards Battle Area