February 1943

Air Operations, Bismarcks

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack airfields at Rabaul.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack storage facilities near Rangoon.

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Air Operations, Solomons

XIII Bomber Command B-17s attack shipping in the Shortland Islands and around Bougainville.
At 1300 hours, 3 large US Navy landing craft and 2 destroyers sailing around Guadalcanal’s Cape Esperance after landing US Army ground troops behind Japanese lines are attacked by 14 D3A 'Val' Divisione bombers. The 'Vals' fatally damage 1 destroyer and near-miss the other. VMF-112 and VMO-251 F4Fs down 2 'Vals' and 18 of 30 A6M Zero escorts, 2 VMSB-131 SBD crews down 2 Zeros, and a 347th Fighter Group P-39 downs 1 Zero.
At 1820 hours, 17 Cactus Air Force SBDs and 7 TBFs, escorted by 17 F4Fs and an unknown number of 347th Fighter Group fighters, attack a force of as many as 20 Japanese destroyer-transports in New Georgia Sound near New Georgia. As it turns out, these ships are on their way to Guadalcanal to evacuate Japanese Navy ground troops. 1 destroyer is seriously damaged, and 3 SBDs are lost with their crews.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

XII Bomber Command B-17s attack the port and shipping at Tunis and shipping at La Goulette.
12th Air Force fighters provide direct support for Allied ground forces in the Sened-Maknassy area.
12th Air Force A-20s and P-40s bomb tanks and vehicles near Sidi Khalif.
P-40 pilots ot the 33rd Fighter Group's 59th Fighter Squadron attack a force of fighter-escorted Ju-87 dive-bombers between Gafsa and Maknassy about 0730 hours. During a brief fighte 4 Ju-87s and 1 FW-190 are downed and others are damaged.

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Allied Planning

Allied area commanders meet in New Delhi and decide to launch a major campaign to retake all of Burma beginning in November. The ultimate objective is to clear the way into China which will be used as a base for direct action against Japan.

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Burma

In the Arakan the 55th Indian Brigade, which has replaced the 47th, renew their attack on Donbaik but can make no progress. Japanese anti-tank guns knock out some tanks supporting the action.

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Eastern Front

The Russians follow up the offensive opened on January 12 by the Bryansk, Voronezh, southwestern and southern armies against Army Group B under Gen Maximilian von Weichs and the Don Army Group under Manstein. The Russian 3rd Armored Army captures Svatovo, southeast of Kharkov between Kupyansk and Starobelsk, cutting the railway joining this city with the Don basin.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

There is heavy fighting in the Tractor Factory as Gen Karl Strecker's XI Corps is pounded by the Don Front. Over 4,000 men are killed or wounded as the Red Army launches concentrated tank and infantry attacks, supported by massive artilleryy fire.

The main part of the Don Front is moving to the west to join the line fighting the Germans in the Ukraine. Voronezh Front begins its new attacks toward Kursk and Kharkov, 3rd Tank Army taking Svatovo as it crossed the Oskol near Valuyki. The tank army runs into elements of the II SS Panzer Corps north of Kupyansk and is involved in heavy fighting.

Southwest Front attacks with its 6th Army and 1st Guards Army. Gen Markian Popov crosses the Donets with his IV Guards Tank Corps and captures Kramatorsk, while X Tank Corps moves up to support. Elements of 1st Guards crosses the Northern Donets west of Krasny Liman, forcing the Germans back to Barvenkovo. Other units enter Lisichansk but are halted by the 19th Panzer Division.

GERMAN COMMAND

Hitler's headquarters issues the official communiqué on the defeat at Stalingrad:

'The Battle for Stalingrad has ended. True to its oath to its last breath, 6th Army, under the exemplary leadership of Field Marshal Paulus, has succumbed to the overwhelming strength of the enemy and to unfavorable circumstances. The enemy's two demands for capitulation are proudly rejected. The last battle was fought under a swastika flag from the highest ruin in Stalingrad.'

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Guadalcanal

The command of the western pursuit passes from Gen Alphonse DeCarre to Gen Edmund Sebree. The 1st Battalion, 147th Infantry, assisted by artillery and naval gunfire, again attempts unsuccessfully to cross the Bonegi River mouth to join forces with the 3rd Battalion on the west bank, but does force the enemy rear guards from the eastern bank. The destroyer and field artillery fire into the Bonegi River valley and patrols, finding that the enemy has withdrawn from the east bank, reach the river mouth by 1525, but the battalion does not cross. Using 6 tank landing craft the 2nd Battalion, 132nd Infantry, Americal Division, under Col Alexander M. George, makes an unopposed landing at Verahue, to the rear of the enemy in the Cape Esperance area. The intent of this force is to prevent further Japanese landings at Cape Esperance, Visale, and Kamimbo Bay and to press the enemy's rear. The Americans are aware of the Japanese naval activity but believe that it heralds a new offensive. During the night the Japanese begin the evacuation of their forces by sea from Cape Esperance. Instead, during the night the Japanese start to re-embark the remains of their 17th Army. 5,000 men are evacuated by a force of 20 destroyers, one of which is sunk by air attack. This action by the Japanese is part of Operation KE which will continue until February 7.

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Mediterranean

The British cruiser-minelayer Welshman is sunk by U-617 35 miles east-northeast of Tobruk with a loss of 150 Royal Navy officers and men. Only a few survivors are rescued by the the British destroyer escorts Belvoir and Tetcott.
U-118 lays a minefield in the Straits of Gibraltar. 4 ships will be sunk and 3 damaged as a result of this minefield.

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New Guinea

Small American detachments advance west along the north coast towards the mouth of the Kumusi River. Australian forces manage to hold off Japanese attempts to tak Wau airfield even though the Japanese advance comes within 1150ft of the airfield's center. The Japanese begin withdrawing from Wau.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

In British 1st Army's US II Corps area, Combat Command A, 1st Armored Division, continues its attack toward Faïd Pass after a very heavy artillery bombardment, but makes little progress. French units and Combat Command A then organize defense positions and remain in place to await reinforcements. The British 1st Army cancels the projected attack on Maknassy because of an enemy threat west of Kairouan. The II Corps, protecting the right flank of Allied forces, is to employ Combat Command C and Combat Command D, 1st Armored Division, as mobile reserve near Sbeïtla, although Combat Command D is to secure a more favorable position 3-4 miles east of Sened Station first. Brig-Gen Ray E. Porter is to command Combat Command D temporarily, relieving Col Robert V. Maraist. Combat Command D, reinforced by the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, 34th Division, attacks and captures Sened Station. Combat Command C, almost through Maizila Pass, north of Maknassy, withdraws to Sbeïtla and from there to Hadjeb el Aïoun.

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Pacific

After transporting the 2nd Battalion, 132nd Infantry to Guadalcanal, 3 LCTs, escorted by US destroyer Nicholas (DD-449) and Dehaven (DD-469), come under attack from Japanese planes 3 miles south of Savo Island. Dehaven is sunk by 3 bombs and Nicholas is damaged by near misses. LCT-63 and LCT-181 rescue 146 Dehaven sailors.
The US submarine Tarpon (SS-175) sinks the Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Fushimi Maru (10,935t) about 20 miles south of Omai Zaki, Japan.

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Air Operations, North Africa

Mid-Air Collision

A mid-air collision on February 1, 1943 between a B-17 and a German fighter over the Tunis dock area became the subject of one of the most famous photographs of World War II… An enemy fighter attacking a 97th Bomb Group formation went out of control, probably with a wounded pilot then continued its crashing descent into the rear of the fuselage of a Fortress named All American, piloted by Lt. Kendrick R. Bragg, of the 414th Bomb Squadron.

When it struck, the fighter broke apart, but left some pieces in the B-17. The left horizontal stabilizer of the Fortress and left elevator were completely torn away. The two right engines were out and one on the left had a serious oil pump leak. The vertical fin and the rudder had been damaged, the fuselage had been cut almost completely through connected only at two small parts of the frame and the radios, electrical and oxygen systems were damaged. There was also a hole in the top that was over 16 feet long and 4 feet wide at its widest and the split in the fuselage went all the way to the top gunner’s turret.

Although the tail actually bounced and swayed in the wind and twisted when the plane turned and all the control cables were severed , except one single elevator cable still worked, and the aircraft still flew-miraculously! The tail gunner was trapped because there was no floor connecting the tail to the rest of the plane. The waist and tail gunners used parts of the German fighter and their own parachute harnesses in an attempt to keep the tail from ripping off and the two sides of the fuselage from splitting apart.

When the bomb bay doors were opened, the wind turbulence was so great that it blew one of the waist gunners into the broken tail section. It took several minutes and four crew members to pass him ropes from parachutes and haul him back into the forward part of the plane. When they tried to do the same for the tail gunner, the tail began flapping so hard that it began to break off. The weight of the gunner was adding some stability to the tail section, so he went back to his position.

The turn back toward England had to be very slow to keep the tail from twisting off. They actually covered almost 70 miles to make the turn home. The bomber was so badly damaged that it was losing altitude and speed and was soon alone in the sky. For a brief time, two more Me109 German fighters attacked the All American. Despite the extensive damage, all of the machine gunners were able to respond to these attacks and soon drove off the fighters. The two waist gunners stood up with their heads sticking out through the hole in the top of the fuselage to aim and fire their machine guns. The tail gunner had to shoot in short bursts because the recoil was actually causing the plane to turn.

Allied P51 fighters intercepted the All American as it crossed over the Channel and took one of the pictures shown. They also radioed to the base describing the empennage was waving like a fish tail and that the plane would not make it and to send out boats to rescue the crew when they bailed out. The fighters stayed with the Fortress taking hand signals from Lt. Bragg and relaying them to the base. Lt. Bragg signaled that 5 parachutes and the spare had been “used” so five of the crew could not bail out. He made the decision that if they could not bail out safely, then he would stay with the plane and land it.

Two and a half hours after being hit, the aircraft made its final turn to line up with the runway while it was still over 40 miles away. It descended into an emergency landing and a normal roll-out on its landing gear.. When the ambulance pulled alongside, it was waved off because not a single member of the crew had been injured. No one could believe that the aircraft could still fly in such a condition. The Fortress sat placidly until the crew all exited through the door in the fuselage and the tail gunner had climbed down a ladder, at which time the entire rear section of the aircraft collapsed onto the ground. The rugged old bird had done its job.

Images from February 1, 1943

Russian T-34 Tanks in German Service

Soviet Soldiers Atop a German Tank

German Soldiers Passing through Stalingrad

Tuesday, February 2

Air Operations, Bismarcks

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack airfields in the Rabaul area.
90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Gasmata airfield on New Britain and shipping off New Britain.

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Air Operations, CBI

CHINA

In their first mission since mid-January, 23rd Fighter Group P-40s attack anti-aircraft emplacements and other targets at Kengtung.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

36 Venturas bomb railway targets at Abbeville and Bruges without a loss.

Evening Ops:

Cologne is attacked by 161 aircraft including 116 Lancasters, 35 Halifaxes, 8 Stirlings and 2 Mosquitos.
This is another experimental raid using 4-engine bombers and various forms of Pathfinder techniques. Markers are dropped by both the Oboe Mosquitos and the H₂S heavy marker aircraft. The results are disappointing as there is no clear concentration of the markers resulting in the bombing being widely scattered. An unfortunate incident in this raid is the loss of a Stirling equipped with the new H₂S device. The plane crashes in Holland and the set is recovered, damaged but able to be reassembled by German engineers at Telefunken. This would lead to the development of 'Naxos', a device that would enable German nightfighters to home in on bombers using H₂S.

3 Lancasters, 1 Halifax and 1 Stirling are lost.

Minor Ops:

13 Halifaxes from No. 6 Group are sent to lay mines in the Kattegat, but run in to bad weather and only 5 aircraft drop their mines. There is also 1 OTU sortie.

There are no losses.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Timika.
3d Light Bomb Group A-20s attack Japanese Army ground emplacements between Mubo and Komiatum.

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Air Operations, Solomons

XIII Bomber Command B-26s and 347th Fighter Group P-38s and P-39s attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia.
XIII Bomber Command B-17s attack shipping in the Shortland Islands area.
347th Fighter Group P-38s and P-40s down 4 A6M Zeros and 2 A6M2-N 'Rufe' fighter-bombers over the Shortland Islands and Buin between 1615 and 1630 hours.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

Separate formations of XII Bomber Command B-25s and B-26s mount a coordinated attack against the Sfax/El Maou Airdrome.
A-20s, escorted by P-39s and P-40s, attack an Axis munitions dump near the central battle area while other 12th Air Force fighters mount many attack in direct support of Allied ground forces.
In a morning action near Kairouan, 33rd Fighter Group P-40 pilots down 2 FW-190s and 1 Ju-87. In several other fighter actions throughout the day, however, 33rd Fighter Group loses 6 fighters shot down or missing and 2 others written off after crash-landings.
P-38 pilots of the 82nd Fighter Group's 96th Fighter Squadron intercept a mixed flight of Luftwaffe single- and multi-engine aircraft off Cape Bon and down 3 Bf-109s and 4 multi-engine aircraft.

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Battle of the Atlantic

U-456 attacks Convoy HX-224 in the North Atlantic and torpedoes the US freighter Jeremiah Van Renssalaer (7177t) losing 10 of the 28-man Armed Guard.

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Eastern Front

The last German troops in Stalingrad, the XI Corps, surrender. Of the approximately 280,000 Germans originally surrounded in the city, 91,000 including 24 generals are prisoners and about 40,000 have been evacuated, mostly seriously wounded. The Luftwaffe has lost 500 transport planes in the fruitless supply operation and other equipment losses have been huge. The Soviets later announce that they have removed 147,000 German and 47,000 Soviet corpses from the city for reburial. The prisoners are badly treated by the Russians, and only about 5,000 ever return to Germany, the last in 1955. On the Russian side much of the credit for the success of the operation in the city must go to Gen Vasily I. Chuikov for his forceful leadership and the tactics he has developed. Zhukov's has been the dominant influence over the wider strategic plans.

Kharkov, Rostov and Kursk are the next objectives that the Red Army plans to reach before the spring thaw holds up operations.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The remnants of the German XI Corps surrender at Stalingrad, bringing this titanic struggle to an end. During the Stalingrad battles the 6th Army has suffered 150,000 dead and another 90,000 taken prisoner, including 24 generals and 2,000 officers (only 6,000 will return home in the 1950s). The Luftwaffe has lost approximately 488 aircraft and 1,000 air crews during the Stalingrad airlift. Don Front's losses are 46,000 killed and missing and 123,000 wounded. To the west the Voronezh Front's 3rd Tank, 40th and 60th Armies force back German forces around Kupyansk. And the Southwestern Front unleashes its 1st Guards, 3rd Guards, 5th Tank and 6th Armies, supported by the 17th Air Army's 300 aircraft, against Army Group Don. The 3rd Guards Army crosses the Donets near Voroshilovgrad. Farther south, the German 17th Army (350,000 troops) is now isolated in the Kuban.[MORE]

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Germany, Production

Hitler orders Albert Speer, Minister of Armaments, and Heinz Guderian, Inspector General of Tank Forces, to improve the production and design of tanks.

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Guadalcanal

The 1st Battalion, 147th Infantry, succeeds in crossing the Bonegi River at its mouth by 1710 the 1st and 3rd Battalions make contact south of Tassafaronga Point. The river crossing has cost the 147th Infantry 2 men killed and 67 wounded. It is estimated that about 700-800 Japanese troops had occupied the positions east and west of the Bonegi. The Japanese have executed an orderly withdrawal but are forced to leave some equipment behind. Col Alexander George's force, the 2nd Battalion, 132nd Infantry, Americal Division, begins an advance northward along the coast. The main body moves along the beach, while G Company and 20 native scouts cover the high ground on the right flank. The coast between Verahue and Titi is passable for vehicles and trucks begin bringing up some of the supplies. By 1415 the main body has marched 3-1/2 miles to Titi.

A report comes in of 20 Japanese destroyers steaming down The Slot. Is it another attempt at reinforcement? These ships are actually the first evacuation ships. At 1700 the Cactus Air Force sends 24 bombers and 17 fighters to stop them. Yamamoto had given orders for force to be well-protected from the air. When the American planes come in for their attac they are jumped by 30 Zeros. One bomb hits the destroyer Makinami but she does not sink. The Zeros drive off the American planes before they can do more damage. The evacuation force continue on to Guadalcanal.

3 of the old 4-stack destroyers which have been converted into minelayers drop 300 mines off Cape Esperance. The Japanese force is headed for the mine field. Meanwhile PT boats launch an attack, but the Japanese ships defended themselves well. A concentrated effort by the Japanese ships sinks PT-111. Another boat, PT-48, takes so many hits the captain beaches her on Savo. PT-115 is also beached after an abortive attack. PT-37 is hit by shell that blows up the gas tank; there is only 1 survivor. PT-47 escapes into a squall near Savo. The PT boats are not only troubled by the destroyers, but by the air cover from Japanese fighers and bombers. PT-124 makes its attack and flees to safety, but the boat just following her, PT-123, is hit by a Japanese plane and is blown out of water. As the Japanese ships approach the shore, the destroyer Makigumo hits a mine which does serious damage. She is taken under tow by the Yugumo, but has to be abandoned later and is scuttled. By midnight the ships begin unloading.

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Mediterranean

The British submarine Turbulent sinks an Italian tanker Utilitas carrying 5,000 tons of fuel near Palermo and prevents important fuel supplies reaching the Italian naval squadron based on Sicily.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

In the British 1st Army's US II Corps area, 1st Armored Division headquarters opens at Sbeïtla. Combat Command D drives to a ridge east of Sened, where it digs in and repels a counterattack.

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Pacific

The Japanese destroyer Makigumo is damaged by a mine laid by US minelayers Tracy (DM-19), Montgomery (DM-17) and Preble (DM-20) off Cape Esperance the previous night. She is scuttled by the destroyer Yugumo.

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Images from February 2, 1943

Bombing at Abbeville

Stalingrad

First Vehicle into Tripoli

Wednesday, February 3

Air Operations, Bismarcks

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s and 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Cape Gloucester and Gasmata airfields on New Britain and harbor areas around Rabaul.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

60 Venturas are sent to bomb various targets in Belgium, Holland and France. Only 15 aircraft attack railway yards at Abbeville and the airfield at St Omer. 2 Venturas are lost.

Evening Ops:

263 aircraft are sent to Hamburg. Included in the total are 84 Halifaxes, 66 Stirlings, 62 Lancasters and 51 Wellingtons.
Icing conditions over the North Sea cause many aircraft to return early. The Pathfinders do not produce a concentrated nor sustained marking on H₂S and the bombing is scattered. The results in Hamburg are no better than the attack by a smaller force a few nights previous. Despite the weather, the German nightfighters give a good account of themselves.

16 planes are lost including 8 Stirlings, 4 Halifaxes, 3 Wellingtons and 1 Lancaster.

Minor Ops:

8 Wellingtons lay mines off Lorient and St Nazaire and there are 4 OTU sorties.

1 mine-laying Wellington is lost.

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Air Operations, Mediterranean

XII Bomber Command B-26s attack Axis ships at sea between Sicily and Tunisia.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack Wamar Island, and A-20s attack various targets between Mubo and Komiatum.

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Air Operations, Sicily

IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the harbors at Palermo and Messina.

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Air Operations, Solomons

US Navy and Marine Corps Cactus Air Force fighters and bombers, and 347th Fighter Group fighters, attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia. 4 VF-6 F4Fs down 1 G4M 'Betty' bomber at sea at 1216 hours. 4 other VF-6 F4Fs down another 'Betty' at sea at 1625 hours.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

15 XII Bomber Command B-26s attack Gabes Airdrome about 1100 hours. 82nd Fighter Group P-38 pilots, escorting the bombers, down 1 Ju-88, 1 Bf-109, and 2 twin-enging fighters.
XII Bomber Command B-25s attacking bridges north of Maknassy claim severe damage on one rail span.
XII Fighter Command A-20s attack tanks and motor vehicles in the northern ground-battle area and an artillery position and numerous trucks in the eastern Ousseltia Valley.

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Battle of the Atlantic

Flying in support of convoy HX-224 Fortress 'N' of No 220 Squadron sights U-265 through a gap in the clouds at a distance of about four miles. The aircraft drops 7 depth charges from 50 feet. Turning to make a second run the submarine had disappeared and all that remained was a spreading oil slick.

U-265

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Oberleutnant zur See Leonhard Aufhammer
Location	N Atlantic, SW of Iceland
Cause	Air attack
Casualties	45
Survivors	None

U-223 attacks the Greenland-bound supply convoy SG-19 escorted by Coast Guard cutters Tampa (WPG-48), Escanaba (WPG-77) and Comanche (WPG-76), and sinks the War Department-chartered transport Dorchester about 150 miles west of Cape Farewell, Greenland. 675 men are lost on the Dorchester, including 15 of the 24 Armed Guard sailors. 4 Army chaplains, representing 4 different faiths, bravely gave up their lifebelts to soldiers who had not; all 4 went down with the ship. (See below)
U-255 attacks Convoy RA-52 600 miles northeast of Iceland, torpedoing the US freighter Greylock (7460t). There are no casualties and the British escort trawler Lady Madeleine rescues all hands.

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Burma

In the Arakan area the 123rd Indian Brigade attacks Rathedaung but is easily repulsed by the Japanese. The latest British offensive in the Arakan around Donbaik and Rathedaung ends without success, as the Japanese hold on to the extremely strong defensive positions in the area.

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Eastern Front

The Russians capture Kuschevskaya on the Soskya River 50 miles south of Rostov. In the drive to Kharkov Kupyansk, on the Oskol River, is taken. 3 Hungarian generals are captured at Voronezh.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The 40th Army joins the Voronezh Front offensive and advances up to 15 miles. Kupyansk falls to the 3rd Tank Army as the Germans retreat toward the Donets. Elements of the 3rd Tank push toward Pechengi. Farther south, units of the 3rd Guards Army enter Voroshilovgrad but are embroiled in heavy fighting as Group Fretter-Pico fights for every street. Fierce battles also rage at Slavyansk as XL Panzer Corps attacks 1st Guards Tank Army. Forces of Group Popov close upon Kramatorsk.

GERMANY: HOME FRONT

The defeat at Stalingrad is announced to the German people over national radio and three days' of mourning are declared.

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Germany, Home Front

Berlin acknowledges the end of the fighting at Stalingrad, saying that 'the sacrifices of the Army, bulwark of a historical European mission, were not in vain.' German radio announces that all theaters, cinemas, etc., will be closed for 3 days of national mourning begin on February 4.

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Guadalcanal

As dawn approaches the Japanese ships headed back up the slot. The are soon met by covering aircraft who were able to protect the retiring ships. The force reaches Shortland with their 5,000 evacuees the next day.

The 147th Infantry establishes a line extending south from Tassafaronga Point and patrols to the Umasani River, about 2,300 yards west of the Tassafaronga. The 2nd Battalion, 132nd Infantry, patrols northward toward Cape Esperance as far as Kamimbo Bay.

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New Guinea

Australian troops with strong artillery support drive off the Japanese in the Wau sector in the direction of Mubo.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

In the British 1st Army's US II Corps area, Combat Command D, 1st Armored Division, continues its attack toward Maknassy until directed to withdraw. It disengages and withdraws through Gafsa toward Bou Chebka, where it passes into corps reserve. Combat Command B arrives at Maktar and is held in British 1st Army reserve. The rest of the 1st Armored Division defends the region from Fondouk Gap to Maizila Pass, Combat Command C covering the northern sector from a point north of Djebel Trozza to the vicinity of Sidi Bou Zid and Combat Command A covering the area to the south as far as Djebel Meloussi. The 81st Reconnaissance Battalion is held in 1st Armored Division reserve at Sbeïtla.

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Battle of the Atlantic


Painting Showing Coast Guard Rescue

Through heroic efforts, the US Coast Guard rescued 230 survivors from the USAT Dorchester when it sank on February 3, 1943. This painting shows crewmen from the Coast Guard cutter Escanaba pulling men to safety. On June 13, 1943, the Escanaba itself was lost when it exploded and sank in the North Atlantic, cause unknown. (Courtesy of the United States Coast Guard)

Clark V. Poling, who grew up in Deering, is one of the men whose names are engraved on the New Hampshire Marine Memorial at Hampton Beach. A minister in the Reformed Church in America, he enlisted in the US Army as a chaplain in early 1942. Soon after completing training he was assigned to the USAT (United States Army Transport) Dorchester, along with fellow chaplains Methodist Minister George L. Fox, Reform-Rabbi Dr. Alexander D. Goode and Roman Catholic priest Reverend John P. Washington.

The Dorchester was built in 1926 as a civilian cruise ship. It was commissioned by the US Army in February 1942 and converted into a troop transport vessel. The ship departed from New York City on January 23, 1943, carrying 904 people (including its Merchant Marine captain and crew). The majority on board were army troops, but there was also a unit of Navy Armed Guards and a few civilian passengers. The Dorchester joined freighters SS Lutz and SS Biscaya, and Coast Guard cutters Tampa, Escanaba and Comanche, at St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Their destination was the Army Command Base at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland.

On the evening of February 2, 1943, the convoy was about 150 miles from Greenland. The sea was calm, the weather clear, and the air temperature was 36 degrees. The ships’ crews were put on high alert when the Coast Guard picked up a German submarine on sonar.

The soldiers on the Dorchester were ordered to sleep fully clothed, including wearing their life jackets. It is unlikely that many complied because their sleeping quarters were so stuffy.

At 12:55am on February 3 the Dorchester was hit by a torpedo launched from German submarine U-223. It exploded well below the waterline, near the engine room. The ship’s lights went out immediately, and radio contact was cut off. The night was pitch black with no moon, and there were no flares or rockets to provide light until the Coast Guard cutters arrived. Men panicked in the total darkness, and many were trapped on the lower decks. Several lifeboats were smashed in the explosion. The ship listed sharply to starboard, preventing some lifeboats from being deployed, and others capsized due to overloading. There weren’t enough life rafts to go around.

The Dorchester sank, bow first, in about 25 minutes. Of the 904 men aboard, only 230 survived. Many of the men who perished succumbed to hypothermia within minutes in the 34 degree water.

The four chaplains went down with the ship. They gave their lives so that others would have a chance to live. Within the next several months, their dramatic story became widely known. As told in the New York Times on December 3, 1944, the chaplains 'made their way on deck and began circulating among the troops, encouraging them, praying with them and assisting them into lifeboats and life-jackets…Dorchester survivors credit the chaplains with the saving of many lives by their success in persuading confused men to overcome their fear and not plunge overboard…Many of the survivors recalled seeing the chaplains on the forward deck distributing lifebelts from a box. When the box was empty each chaplain removed his own priceless lifejacket and gave it to another man…The ship was sinking by the bow when the men in the water and in lifeboats saw the chaplains link arms and raise their voices in prayer. They were still on the deck together, praying, when the stricken ship made her final plunge.”

On December 19, 1944, the 'Four Chaplains' were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross. Brig-Gen William R. Arnold, chief of chaplains, honored them with these words: 'The extraordinary heroism and devotion of these men of God has been an unwavering beacon for the thousands of chaplains of the armed forces.' In 1960, Congress authorized that they be honored with the unique 'Four Chaplains’ Medal.'

There are many lasting tributes to the selfless actions of the 'Four Chaplains' including chapels, monuments, charitable foundations and programs promoting inter-religious dialogue. Also, the names of First Lieutenants Poling, Fox, Goode and Washington are inscribed on the American Battle Monument Commission’s East Coast Memorial in New York City.


US postage stamp issued in 1948 to commemorate the 'Four Chaplains'

Thursday, February 4

Air Operations, Aleutians

3 28th Composite Bomb Group B-17s, 3 B-24s, 3 B-25s, 4 343rd Fighter Group P-38s, and 8t P-40s attack the Kiska submarine base, a cargo ship, and the main encampment, and the P-40s strafe ground targets. Definite signs of a new Japanese Navy fighter strip are discovered.
5 Japanese Navy bombers attack Amchitka.

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Air Operations, Bismarcks

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s and 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the airfields at Cape Gloucester, Gasmata, and Rabaul, and a ship at sea off Arawe, New Britain.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

7 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s and 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the bridge at Myitnge. 3 B-25s attack rail shops at Myitnge.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

188 aircraft are ordered to Turin including 77 Lancasters, 55 Halifaxes, 50 Stirlings and 6 Wellingtons.
156 of these planes reach the target. Huge fires are started in and around the city and the nearby naval base of La Spezia. Elsewhere in Italy, 4 Pathfinder Lancasters are sent to an Italian port to try out a new type of 'proximity fuzed' 4,000lb bomb which explodes between 200 and 600ft above the ground to widen the effects of the resulting blast. 3 aircraft drop their bombs successfully, but this type of weapon does not seem to have come into general use.

3 Lancasters on the Turin raid are lost.

In another major effort, 128 aircraft including 103 Wellingtons, 16 Halifaxes and 9 Lancasters attack Lorient.
This raid is an all incendiary attack without Pathfinders. The bombing is concentrated and large areas of fire are started.

1 Wellington is lost.

Minor Ops:

2 Mosquitos bomb Bochum and Ruhrort and 1 Wellington lays mines off Lorient.
British and US bombers launch Operation GONDOLA with a series of raids aimed at destroying U-boats in the Bay of Biscay. Bombers use immensely powerful searchlights to illuminate submarines during attacks.

US 8th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:

67 VIII Bomber Command B-17s and 21 B-24s are sent to Hamm, Germany, but extreme cold forces the B-24s to abort over the North Sea, and cloudiness over the primary target causes 39 of the B-17s to opt for attacking industrial targets of opportunity around Emden.
The 44th Heavy Bomb Group attacks an Axis shipping convoy in encounters in the North Sea.

In attacks by Luftwaffe fighters against the B-17s, 5 B-17s are reported missing, including 1 that is seen to collide with an FW-190. 17 B-17 crewmen are wounded, 50 are missing in action.

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Air Operations, Far East

RAF Liberators bomb the Rangoon docks.

[

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s attack Japanese Army ground troops at Komiatum, Mubo, Wau, and Zaka, as well as the harbor and anti-aircraft emplacements at Lae, and the Lae airfield.
V Bomber Command heavy bombers attack small boats at Lorengau on Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands.

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Air Operations, Pacific

US aircraft attack a large force of Japanese destroyers around Guadalcanal. 1 Japanese destroyer is sunk and 4 others badly damaged. In aerial combat during the incident, the US loses 4 torpedo planes, 4 fighters and 2 bombers, while 22 Japanese aircraft are shot down.

[

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Air Operations, Solomons

4 VF-6 F4Fs down 1 G4M 'Betty' bomber at sea at 1211 hours.
US Navy land-based bombers, along with 1 XIII Bomber Command B-17, attack the Kahili airfield on Bougainville and other US Navy land-based bombers attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia.
1 Japanese light cruiser and 22 destroyer-transports on their way to evacuate Japanese Army ground troops from Guadalcanal are attacked by 12 Cactus Air Force SBDs and 13 TBFs, escorted by 28 fighters. 1 destroyer is seriously damaged and 3 are lightly damaged by bombs.

1 TBF, 1 SBD, and 1 F4F are lost.

In a second attack, 12 SBDs, escorted by 10 F4Fs and 4 P-40s, damage 2 destroyers.

1 SBD, 1 P-40, and 2 F4Fs are lost.

VGS-11 F4Fs down 7 A6M Zeros and a VGS-11 TBF downs 1 A6M Zero off New Georgia at 1530 hours.
347th Fighter Group P-39s down 2 A6M Zeros near Kolombangara at 1610 hours.
VF-72 F4Fs down 7 A6M Zeros off New Georgia at 1630 hours and 347th Fighter Group P-40s pilots down 3 A6M Zeros near New Georgia at 1730 hours.
Throughout the day, 10 Cactus Air Force aircraft are lost, mostly to anti-aircraft fire from the Japanese destroyer-transports.
During the night 5 Cactus Air Force SBDs attack the Japanese destroyer-transports in flare light provided by a VP-12 PBY.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

In the morning, 18 XII Bomber Command B-17s attack Gabes Airdrome and a landing ground west of town.
In the afternoon, 24 B-17s attack Gabes Airdrome again. Escorting P-38 pilots down 1 Bf-109 and 1 FW-190.

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Allied Command

Eisenhower is given command of all Allied forces in North Africa.

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Allied Planning

A conference of army chiefs in New Delhi, attended by Field-Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell, Field-Marshal Sir John Dill and Gen Joseph Stilwell, with the Generals Henry H. Arnold and Brehon B. Somervell, comes to an end. Decisions are taken to reoccupy Burma and then to attack the Japanese forces in China. The plan is to be submitted to Chiang Kai-shek.

[

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Battle of the Atlantic

Over the next 6 days the convoy SC-118 is attacked by 20 U-boats during this time and loses 20 of its 63 ships. There are 10 escorts at first, 12 later, and they sink 3 submarines and badly damage 2 more.
In Operation GONDOLA the first in a lengthy series of RAF and USAAF operations against U-boats in the Bay of Biscay begins. In this operation which continues until June 12 U-boats will be sunk. 'Leigh Lights', immensely powerful searchlights, are used with great success.
U-187 makes a sighting report of convoy SC-118 at noon. The transmission is brief, but it is picked up by a couple of the convoy's escorts. The destroyers Vimy and Beverley are sent to the area. Vimy makes four attacks with depth charges after which the submarine surfaces. Both destroyers open fire and U-187 sinks by the stern.

U-187

Class	Type IXC/40
CO	Kapitänleutnant Ralph Münnich
Location	N Atlantic
Cause	Depth charge/gunfire
Casualties	9
Survivors	45

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Eastern Front

The Russian advance continues on all fronts. Shcigny, 40 miles east of Kursk, is taken as is Kanevskaya, only 30 miles from the Sea of Azov to the east of Tikhorestsk. Assault troops are landed in a combined operation on the Black Sea coast in the Novorossiysk area, where they are engaged in hard fighting with units from Kleist's Army Group A. These units are now completely isolated within a fortified line, the 'blue line', in the area between Novorossiysk and Krasnodar, between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The German 17th Army is now cut off in the Kuban and must be supplied by sea from the Crimea.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The Soviet 3rd Tank Army reaches the Donets but is then halted by the newly arrived SS Leibstandarte Division. At Slavyansk, XL Panzer Corps fights to hold its poisition. In the Caucasus, the 17th Army contains Soviet amphibious landings at Novorossisk and Ozerreyka Bay. Since January 1, the Southern Front has lost 54,000 killed and missing and 47,000 wounded, the Trans-Caucasian front 12,000 killed and missing and 30,000 wounded, and the North Caucasus Front 3,000 killed and missing and 7,000 wounded.[MORE]

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Germany, Home Front

3 days of 'national mourning' begin to commemorate the 'Stalingrad Disaster'. All theaters, cinemas, night clubs and other nonessential businesses are closed.

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Guadalcanal

The 147th Infantry advances about 1,000 yards westward to a line about 1,000 yards southeast of the Umasani against light opposition. The concentration of the 2nd Battalion, 132nd Infantry, with its artillery, transport and supplies at Titi is completed. The Japanese withdraw additional forces by sea from Cape Esperance under cover of darkness. A squadron of 1 cruiser and 22 destroyers, the usual 'Tokyo Night Express', led by Adm Tomiji Koyanagi manages to evacuate 5,000 more Japanese troops from the island. 4 ships are damaged by air attacks.

Another Japanese evacuation force, 1 cruiser and 20 destroyers, come in with sufficient air cover. 65 American planes attack but the Japanese planes defend the force well. All the destroyers get through, but there is some damage to the Shiranuhi and the Maikaze. The PT boats do not come out as they had been badly mauled 2 nights previous. Night fighting is still not an American strong point and harrassment by Japanese planes over Henderson Field keeps the Cactus Air Force down.

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New Guinea

The Japanese continue to retreat in the Wau area, harassed all the time by Allied aircraft. The first Allied sections to reach Mubo are decimated by the Japanese.

[

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North Africa

In Convoy 'Pamphlet' 30,000 battle-weary Australian troops leave Suez for home aboard the Queen Mary and 4 other liners.

The Headquarters for the North African Theater of Operations (NATOUSA) is established as a separate command under Gen Eisenhower at Algiers. The ETO boundary is changed to give Spain, Italy and several of the Mediterranean islands to this command. Lt-Gen Frank M. Andrews becomes head of ETOUSA.

TUNISIA

The British 8th Army has completed the conquest of Tripolitania and crosses into Tunisia, where Rommel is hastily preparing for a stand at the Mareth Line. Enemy rear guards are imposing maximum delay as the British approach Mareth.

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Soviet Union, Armed Forces

Stalin orders the creation of a communist-led Polish Army to be a counterweight to the Western Allied-sponsored Polish Army that is being formed in Iran. Both units are being staffed by Poles who were former prisoners of the Soviets. Because of the lace of Polish cadres left in the USSR, many of the commanders and specialists in Stalin's Polish Army will be Russian. The first unit to see combat will be the 1st Tadeusz Kosciuszko Infantry Division, commanded by Gen Berling.

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Images from February 4, 1943

Churchill's Visit to Tripoli

41st Division Troops

Gen Sir Alan Brooke and Gen Sir Alexander

Churchill Greets 51st Division Officer

Friday, February 5

Air Operations, Bismarcks

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack airfields in the Rabaul area airfields. 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against Rabaul and the Gasmata airfield on New Britain.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

6 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the rail station at Rangoon. 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the bridge at Myitnge. 51st Fighter Group P-40s attack a rail line near Meza and destroy a train.

CHINA

23rd Fighter Group P-40s attack targets of opportunity around Kengtung.

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Air Operations, East Indies

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack port facilities and shipping at Amboina Island.

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Air Operations, English Channel

6 4th Fighter Group Spitfires strafe and damage 2 German Navy corvettes and a merchantman.

1 Spitfire is lost to flak; the pilot is declared missing

Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

19 Stirlings of No. 3 Group are sent to lay mines in the Frisians.

2 Stirlings are lost.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack Dobo. A-20s attack Gona, Mubo, Sappa, and Zaka. 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against shipping off the Papua coast.

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Air Operations, Pacific

US bombers make a heavy incendiary raid on the Rabaul airfields.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

Bad weather cancels bombing missions, but some fighter units are able to support Allied ground units.

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Battle of the Atlantic

In order to protect Convoy SC-118, US destroyers Babbitt (DD-128) and Schenck (DD-159), and Coast Guard cutter Ingham (WPG-35) arrive to reinforce the harried escorts. U-413 sinks the US freighter West Portal (5376t), a straggler from SC-118, in the North Atlantic with the loss of all hands.

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Eastern Front

Units of the Russian 13th Army and 3rd Tank Army take Stary Oskol on the Oskol River southeast of Voronezh and northwest of Kharkov. After a converging maneuver, Izyum, southeast of Kharkov, also falls to the Russians. In the Caucasus they make several landings successfully at Myoshako, but are driven off at Anopa.

The second Russian landing operation near Novorossisk begins. Over the next 4 days 17,000 troops will be put ashore.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

Stary Oskol falls to the 38th Army as the 40th Army crosses the northern Donets and cuts the Belgorod to Kursk road. Units of the 40th Army isolated Korocha. Elements of the 69th and 3rd Tank Armies attack the SS Panzer Corps, while other units of the 3rd Tank Army attempt to cross the Donets but are held back by the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Division.

Balakleya and Izyum falls to the Soviet 6th Army. The 6th continues between Balakleya and Izyum bu the Germans fight a bitter delaying action to evade encirclement. Heavy fighting rages at Lisichansk where the 1st Guards Army continues to attack. At Kramatorsk the Soviets move the III Tank Corps up to support elements of Group Popov.

In the Kuban, Soviet troops capture Yeysk on the Azov coast, severing land communications between 17th Army and Army Group Don. Soviet assault landings at Myoshako and Anapa are successfully beaten off by 17th Army but only after protracted fighting.

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Guadalcanal

The Japanese ships leave carrying 4,000 more evacuees. Taking different route this time the Cactus Air Force search does not find them.

The 147th Infantry activity is limited to patrolling and reconnoitering to the Umasani River. No organized enemy forces are found east of the Umasani River. The 2nd Battalion, 132nd Infantry, patrols northward from Titi.

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Italy, Politics

Mussolini dismisses Count Ciano from the Foreign Ministry and takes over responsibility for it himself. It now gives him, as Rome announced, 'the entire burden for the conduct of political and military operations in the delicate phase of the conflict.'

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Mediterranean

The British naval trawler Stronsay sinks on a mine in the Western Mediterranean. There are no casualties.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

In the British 1st Army area, the 2nd Battalion of the 16th Regimental Combat Team, French XIX Corps, joins the US 1st Division, to which it reverts from attachment to the 36th Brigade, British 78th Division.

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Saturday, February 6

Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the bridge at Myitnge and 16 51st Fighter Group P-40s destroy 20 Japanese Army trucks bearing bridging equipment.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

52 Wellingtons and 20 Halifaxes lay mines between St Nazaire and Texel. 2 Mosquitos are sent to Düsseldorf and there are 3 OTU sorties.

3 minelaying Wellingtons are lost.

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Air Operations, Mediterranean

Axis aircraft from Sardinia's Elmas Airdrome, outside Cagliari, inflict heavy damage upon several ships in an unescorted Allied convoy caught between Oran and Algiers.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack the airfield at Lae.
A-20s attack Japanese Army ground forces at 4 locations.
1 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24 attacks shipping off Finschhafen and landing barges nearby.
At least 48 Japanese bombers and fighters based on New Britain and Kavieng attack the airfield at Wau in two waves. V Fighter Command fighters who happen to be escorting C-47s to Wau down 1 Ki-27 'Nate' fighter, 2 Ki-48 'Lily' bombers, and 16 A6M Zeros at 1045 hours. In another action over Wau, 5 Zeros and 1 Ki-43 'Oscar' figher are shot down at 1240 hours.

There are no US losses.

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Air Operations, Pacific

Air superiority by the Allies is demonstrated as 26 of 70 Japanese planes are shot down over Wau by 37 Allied fighters.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

Bombing operations are again halted due to bad weather, but several P-39 and P-40 units are able to mount recon and strafing missions, and some Spitfires are used to escort transport and evacuation flights.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

In the British 1st Army area, the US 34th Division, less the 168th Regimental Combat Team, is attached to the French XIX Corps.

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United States, Command

Europe and North Africa are separated in the US command structure. Gen Frank M. Andrews is appointed to the new European Theater Command and Gen Eisenhower remains in charge in North Africa.

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Eastern Front

In the Caucasus the Russians reach Bataysk south of Rostov and capture Yeysk on the Sea of Azov. These moves cut the last links Kleist's remaining troops in the Kuban had with the rest of the German army. These troops are now concentrated in the triangle Yeysk-Novorossiysk-Krasnodar. At the mouth of the Don a Russian advance column is already only five miles from Rostov. The Kharkov 'hedgehog' of Weichs' Army Group B, holds firm, but is already by-passed by the Russians both north and south. Lisichansk on the Donets also falls and the Russians cross the river farther upstream at Izyum and reach Barvenkovo. Manstein flies to see Hitler, who eventually agrees to allow a retreat behind the Mius River.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

As the Soviet 3rd Tank Army continues to be contained on the Donets by the Waffen-SS, the XL Panzer Corps retreats across the river, allowing the 1st Guards Army to recapture Lisichansk. The panzer corps continues to defend Slavyansk.[MORE]

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Guadalcanal

The 161st Infantry, 25th Division, commanded by Col James L. Dalton, II, passes through the 147th Infantry about 1000 to continue the pursuit of the enemy. Preceded by patrols, the 3rd Battalion moves along the beach and the 2nd Battalion to the south, both reaching the Umasani River by 2020. Patrols cross the river. There is only one skirmish during the day when a patrol from L Company runs into a small Japanese force in a bivouac area on a ridge just west of the river. 7 of the enemy are killed and the patrol withdraws without loss. The 147th Infanry, which moves to the rear, is brought to full strength with the arrival of its 2nd Battalion from the Fiji Islands. Meanwhile the Japanese await a new 'Tokyo Night Express' convoy to complete the re-embarkation of the forces.

Yamamoto launches a final rescue mission. Weather hampers the American air strikes although they do damage the destroyers Isokaze and Kamakaze, it does not keep them from completing their mission. During the night 18 destroyers pick up the last 1,800 men on Guadalcanal and 2 other destroyers pick up survivors who have moved to the Russell Islands.

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Mediterranean

The Canadian corvette Louisburg is sunk by Italian aircraft off Oran with the loss of 42 on board. 50 survivors are rescued by the British destroyer Lookout.

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New Guinea

Japanese aircraft raid Wau airfield, but they come too late, for the airborne Australian reinforcements arrived some time before. Anti-aircraft batteries and fighters shoot down 24 of the raiders.

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Images from February 6, 1943

Members of the Waffen SS Division Adolf Hitler

Members of the <i>Waffen SS Division Adolf Hitler</i>

German Soldiers on the Eastern Front

Sunday, February 7

Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

323 aircraft are sent to Lorient in a well-executed raid. Included in the total are 100 Wellingtons, 81 Halifaxes, 80 Lancasters and 62 Stirlings.

3 Lancasters, 2 Halifaxes and 2 Wellingtons are lost.

Minor Ops:

2 Mosquitos bomb Essen and Hamborn without a loss.

US 9th AIR FORCE
ITALY:

IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Naples and score hits on several vessels.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

1 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24 attacks Babo and Dobo and another B-24 attacks Kaukenau and Timika.

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Air Operations, Sardinia

In retaliation for the February 6 attack by Axis aircraft on an Allied convoy, XII Bomber Command send 32 B-17s and 19 B-26s against Elmas Airdrome. The attack takes place about 1500 hours. Bombs are also dropped on the seaplane base at Cagliari. Bomber crews claim 25 Axi aircraft destroyed on the ground and numerous fires started, bomber gunners claim 5 Bf-109s, downed in the air, and 82nd Fighter Group P-38 escort pilots down 2 Bf-109s.

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Air Operations, Solomons

15 Cactus Air Force SBDs and several fighters mount an evening attack against Japanese destroyer-transports in New Georgia in very bad weather. VGS-11 F4Fs down 3 A6M Zeros.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

XII Fighter Command A-20s and fighters mount numerous recon missions over eastern Tunisia, and some fighters strafe artillery batteries in the Gafsa-Maknassy area.

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Battle of the Atlantic

6 ships of the strongly escorted convoy SC-118 are sunk by U-402. The US tanker Robert E. Hopkins (6625t) is sunk 650 miles west of Northern Ireland losing 1 member of her Armed Guard. Survivors are rescued by the British corvette Mignonette. Next to be sunk this day by U-402 is the US passenger ship Henry R. Mallory (6063t). 49 of the 77-man crew die in the attack, as do 15 of the 34 Armed Guard sailors and 208 of the 283 embarked passengers. Coast Guard cutters Bibb (WPG-31) and Ingham (WPG-35) rescue 227 men, 5 of who will die from their injuries.
U-160 torpedoes and sinks the US freighter Roger B. Taney (7191t), en route to Bahia, Brazil. 3 of her 47-man crew die in the attack.
U-609 is shadowing convoy SC-118 when she is attacked by the French corvette Lobelia.

U-609

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Kapitänleutnant Klaus Rudloff
Location	N Atlantic, W of Bloody Foreland
Cause	Depth charge
Casualties	46
Survivors	None

Fortress 'J' of No 220 Squadron is flying in support of convoy SC-118 when she sights U-624 about 9 miles away. Using cloud cover to move into attack position, the aircraft dropped 7 depth charges from 50ft. After the depth charge boil had subsided an oil slick was observed on the surface along with wooden wreckage.

U-624

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Kapitänleutnant Ulrich Graf von Soden-Frauenhofen
Location	N Atlantic, W of Rockall
Cause	Air attack
Casualties	45
Survivors	None

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Diplomatic Relations

Chiang Kai-shek in a message to Pres Roosevelt, agrees to the employment of his forces in the campaign for the re-conquest of Burma, but asks for a big increase in American aid.

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Eastern Front

Not even the heroic defense put up by both Manstein and Weichs can stop the Russian thrust. The Russians take Azov at the mouth of the Don and move closer to Rostov. In the Ukraine they also capture Kramatorsk just south of Slavyansk and north of Donetsk and cut the main road linking Dursk and Orel.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The Germans pull out of Korocha after a fierce battle with 40th Army. Other units of the army enter the outskirts of Belgorod, forcing the Grossdeutschland Division back east of the city. The Germans have to punch their way out of the town in a day of bloody action. Elements of the 3rd Tank Army punch their way across the Donets at Andreyevka while Kramatorsk, south of Slavyansk, falls to 1st Guards Army. The 44th Army of South Front takes Azov on the Don River.

In the Kuban the 17th Army launches a fierce counterattack in an effort to destroy the Soviet bridgehead at Novorossiysk. Despite ferocious fighting the 47th Army can not be dislodged.

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Guadalcanal

The 161st Infantry, 25th Division, crosses the Umasani River and advances northwestward to Bunina Point. Patrols reach the Tambalego River, 1,200 yards further. Moving forward from Titi in a column of companies at 0730, the 2nd Battalion, 132nd Infantry, Americal Division, Col Alexander George is wounded in the leg ant Lt-Col George F. Ferry, commanding the 2nd Battalion, 132nd, assumes command while Maj H. W. Butler takes over the 2nd Battalion. The battalion advances to Marovovo and bivouacs there for the night.

During the night Japanese destroyers make a final run down the Slot to Cape Esperance to evacuate troops. Aircraft from Henderson Field attack and damage 2 of the 18 destroyers making up the new 'Tokyo Night Express', in which the rest of the Japanese contingent is leaving the island after 6 months of bitter struggle.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

In the British 1st Army area, the 1st Ranger Battalion arrives at Gafsa by air and is attached to the US II Corps. The 168th Regimental Combat Team, less the 1st Battalion, 34th Division, is attached to the 1st Armored Division.

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Images from February 7, 1943

Lancasters of No 83 Squadron at Rest

A Pilot Before the Raid

A Lancaster of No 83 Squadron

North Caucasian Front Liberates the City of Azov

Monday, February 8

Air Operations, Aleutians

5 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s and 7 B-25s attack Kiska.

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Air Operations, Bismarcks

1 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24 attacks the Gasmata airfield on New Britain.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

18 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the marshalling yard and railroad station at Rangoon. 3 B-24s attack the Mingaladon airfield at Rangoon.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

6 Lancasters lay mines in Baltic areas without a loss.

US 9th AIR FORCE
ITALY:

IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the ferry terminal at Messina.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack Dobo and A-20s attack Japanese Army ground troops around Mubo.

[

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Air Operations, Solomons

Cactus Air Force bombers and fighters attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

42 XII Bomber Command B-17s attack the port facilities at Sousse. During the return flight, a 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilot downs an FW-190 at 1158 hours.
XII Bomber Command B-25s and B-26s attack the marshalling yard and airdrome at Gabes during the afternoon. 82nd Fighter Group P-38 pilots, escorting the B-26s, down 8 Bf-109s over the target and during the withdrawal between 1235 and 1315 hours.
Two 12th Air Force A-20 formations mount separate attacks on Axis vehicles and troop concentrations east of Faid, and escorting fighters strafe troop positions in the Sened-Maknassy area and the Axis landing ground at Kebili.

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Battle of the Atlantic

U-571 sinks the British anti-submarine trawler Bredon off the coast of Morocco with the loss of 43 of her crew.

[

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Diplomatic Relations

Finland, through the US, offers to negotiate and to end its war with Russia. Contacts continues through April when they foundered on details of an armistice.

[

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Burma

The first Chindit, named after Chinthe (a figure in Hindu mythology half-lion and half-eagle seen guarding Buddhist temples), raid begins. This force of about 3,000 men, more properly called 77th Indian Brigade made up of British, Indian and Ghurka troops, is led by Maj-Gen Orde Charles Wingate and its task is to penetrate behind enemy lines, causing damage and disruption. Above all the expedition is designed to demonstrate that the British and Indians can take on the Japanese in the jungle. The expedition begins at Imphal and sets out toward Tamu. The brigade is sub-divided into two groups, a southern group which has to cross the Chindwin River first in order to distract Japanese attention from the second, northern, group, commanded by Wingate himself. The object of this special unit is to carry out guerilla activities behind the enemy lines, making surprise attacks and damaging the communications system as much as possible. The Chindits' first objective is the railway, vital to the enemy, that links Mandalay with Myitkyina. It could be called an extended, large-scale patrol action, for once they have crossed the Irrawaddy the Chindits find themselves in increasing difficulties with Japanese forces and are ordered to return to India.

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Eastern Front

The Russian armored armies, which for some time have had part of the German 2nd Army trapped in a pocket, spread out westwards and take Kursk, one of the strongpoints of the German winter line which they have held since November 11, 1941. This loss still further endangers the whole German position in South Russia.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

During the night of February 7-8 the 40th Army attacks Belgorod, fighting their way through the city. The Germans draw back to Tomarovka and bring the Grossdeutschland Division back across the Donets to cover the approaches to Kharkov. Kursk falls to the 60th Army while the 3rd Tank Army pushes south of Kharkov, threatening the German positions on the Donets. The 6th Army takes Andreyevka but then encounters stiff resistance from elements of SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler on the road to Zmiyev. Shakhty falls to the 5th Shock Army in the Donbas.

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Germany, Home Front

Himmler orders special precautions to be taken at concentration camps, to prevent mass escapes in the event of air raids. Each camp is to be sub-divided into blocks, each containing 4,000 prisoners, which are to be surrounded by minefields, electrically charged barbed wire, searchlights and dogs trained to kill on sight.

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Guadalcanal

The 161st Infantry, 25th Division, overcomes a light delaying opposition at the Tambalego and proceeds to Doma Cove. Pushing northward from Marovovo, the 2nd Battalion, 132nd Infantry, Americal Division, reaches Kamimbo Bay. Japanese rearguards still contrive to slow down the American advance towards Tenaro and Cape Esperance. The rearguards are evacuated bringing to a total of 10,652 men removed from the island during the past week, a remarkable feat in view of the American air and naval presence in the area.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

In the British 1st Army's US II Corps area, the enemy orders an attack against the Gafsa area with the primary purpose of destroying Allied forces. The 26th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Division, less the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, is released by Combat Command A, 1st Armored Division, back to corps and moves from Sidi Bou Zid to Féreiana.

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Pacific

The US submarine Tunny (SS-282) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Kusuyama Maru (5306t) off the southwest coast of Formosa about 55 miles west of Takao.
The Japanese cargo ship Shotoku Maru (1146t) is sunk in a storm near Honomizaki, Honshu.

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Images from February 8, 1943

A Chindit Column Crosses a River in Burma

Tuesday, February 9

Air Operations, Crete

IX Bomber Command B-25s attack several Axis airdromes.

[

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Air Operations, East Indies

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Kendari airfield on Celebes Island.

[

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

21 Wellingtons lay mines between Brest and Texel. 2 Mosquitos are sent to Essen and Ruhrort.

[

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Air Operations, New Guinea

3d Light Bomb Group A-20s attack Malahang.

[

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Air Operations, Solomons

Cactus Air Force bombers and fighters attack the Munda Point on New Georgia.
Late in the day, XIII Bomber Command B-26s escorted by XIII Fighter Command P-38s and P-39s, attack the Vila airfield on Kolombangara.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

During the afternoon, XII Bomber Command bombers attack Kairouan Airdrome.
12th Air Force fighters strafe German Army machine-gun emplacements and trucks in and around Faid Pass, Axis-occupied buildings near Mezzouna, and trucks near Station de Sened.

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Diplomatic Relations

In a letter to Stalin, Churchill, with characteristic optimism, forsees the end of the campaign in Africa by April, the conquest ot the Italian peninsula by July and the landing in France not later that August (1943, that is).

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Eastern Front

The Russians take Belgorod, north of Kharkov on the railway line to Kursk, and the small town of Shebekino to the southeast.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

Units of the 40th Army capture Belgorod as 69th Army takes Volchansk and Shebekino. The advance of the 3rd Tank Army south of Kharkov is interrupted as the Germans move elements of the SS Panzer Corps to block its path.

The North Caucasus Front mounts its Krasnodar Offensive Operation with some 390,000 men. Its intention is to break down the 17th Army defenses around the town and puth the Germans back into the Taman peninsula.

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Guadalcanal

The 2nd Battalion, 161st Infantry, which has been traveling over the uphill north coast flank on scanty rations, goes into regimental reserve. The 1st Battalion passes through the 3rd Battalion at Doma Cove and takes over the assault followed closely by the 3rd Battalion and the Antitank Company. By afternoon, the 1st Battalion has covered 5 miles, crosses the Tenamba River and enters village of Tenaro.

Col George F. Ferry's force starts around Cape Esperance toward the same objective, the village of Tenaro, a point selected by Lt-Col Paul A. Gavan for forces to meet. Advancing in column of companies they meet some fire from Japanese machine guns and mortars but do not halt. Moving beyond the range of 75mm pack howitzers they use their mortars for support. Between 1600 and 1700 the 2nd Battalion, 132nd Infantry, marches into Tenaro meeting the 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry, an event that marks the end of organized fighting on Guadalcanal. Only scattered stragglers from Japanese 17th Army remain on the island. At 1630 Gen Patch sends a message to Adm Halsey announcing the 'total and complete defeat of Japanese forces on Guadalcanal.'

While the Americans can feel justly elated over the end of Japanese resistance on Guadalcanal, about 13,000 of the enemy have been allowed to evacuate. The western pursuit was executed too slowly to achieve its purpose, the complete destruction of the enemy. On January 15 Hyakutake had received the evacuation order from Gen Hitoshi Imamura. The 17th Army began evacuating the night of January 22. Rescuing destroyers ran down the Slot to Esperance 3 times to evacuate troops: the nights of February 1, 4, and 7th. The Japanese were evacuated to Buin and Rabaul.

The cost of the Guadalcanal fighting: More than 60,000 Army and Marine Corps ground forces deployed; 1st Marine Division: 774 killed, 1962 wounded; the Americal Division 334 killed, 850 wounded; 2nd Marine Division, 268 killed, 932 wounded; 25th Division, 216 killed, 439 wounded. More than 36,000 Japanese from the 17th Army and the Special Naval Landing Forces fought on Guadalcanal. 14,800 were killed or missing, 9,000 died of disease and about 1,000 taken prisoner.

In the campaign the Japanese have lost about 10,000 killed to the Americans' 1,600. The losses in ships and planes have been about equal but in effect this favors the Americans. Strategically it has been a major Japanese defeat, but only a fraction of the Japanese army has been involved, and, judging by their resistance, the next American campaigns will be very hard indeed. The Americans are now masters of what is for practical purposes a huge, unsinkable aircraft carrier for the protection of Australia, the re-capture of the Solomons and the following thrust north across the Pacific. Well satisfied, Gen Patch is at last able to send the following message to Adm Halsey: "Total and complete defeat of Japanese forces on Guadalcanal effected 16:25 today... Am happy to report this kind of compliance with your orders... 'Tokyo Express' no longers has terminus on Guadalcanal." The sufferings have been tremendous but they have brought a priceless reward.

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Mediterranean

The first of 7 troop convoys leave southern Italy with powerful reinforcements for Axis forces in Tunisia. These will continue until March 22. Malta-based RAF aircraft sink 10 of the ships. Specially laid minefields and British submarines also score numerous successes. 3 submarines will be lost.
The British corvette Erica sinks on a mine off Benghazi with the loss of some of her seamen. All the officers and 71 seamen are rescued by the anti-submarine whaler Southern Maid.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

Kesselring, Rommel and von Arnim modify their attack plan because the Americans are withdrawing from Gafsa. Von Arnim is to attack Sidi Bou Zid followed up later with an attack in the Gafsa area by forces under Rommel.

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Pacific

The US submarine Tarpon (SS-175) sinks the Japanese transport Tatsuta Maru (16,974t) 42 miles east of Mikura Jima.

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Images from February 9, 1943

HMS Anson in the Arctic Ocean

Wednesday, February 10

Air Operations, Aleutians

2 28th Composite Bomb Group B-17s, 4 B-24s, 8 B-25s, and 8 343d Fighter Group P-38s attack Kiska.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

8 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack rail targets at Maymyo.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

12 Venturas bomb the Caen railway yards. There is a fierce fight between escorting Spitfires and defending German fighters.

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Air Operations, Mediterranean

XII Bomber Command B-25s conducting anti-shipping sweeps between Sicily and Tunisia claim 1 ferry sunk and 1 badly damaged near Cap Bon.

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Air Operations, Solomons

Cactus Air Force aircraft and 347th Fighter Group P-38s attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia.
A 347th Fighter Group P-38 downs a G4M 'Betty' bomber near Choiseul at 0700 hours.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

XII Air Support Command P-39s and Spitfires strafe numerous German Army ground emplacements and motor vehicles in a large area centered on Station de Sened.

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Battle of the Atlantic

A B-24 Liberator ('T' of the 2nd Squadron, 480th Group USAAF attached to RAF Coastal Command) sinks U-519 off the Azores in the first success for the new aerial offensive against U-boats in this area. U-boats returning to their bases on the French Atlantic coast are being increasingly menaced by aircraft which are having more effect than the regular bombing of the U-boat pens at Lorient and St-Nazaire.

U-519

Class	Type IXC
CO	Kapitänleutnant Günther Eppen
Location	Atlantic, SW of Ireland
Cause	Air attack
Casualties	50
Survivors	None

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Eastern Front

North of Rostov Russian forces reach the Rostov-Novocherkassk railway line. Further north, two armored columns which have been converging on Kharkov capture Volchansk and Chuguyev only 20 miles east of Kharkov.

The Soviet 40th and 69th Armies begin their assault on Kharkov, with some units of the 40th moving toward Oboyan, Grayvoron and Bogodukhov. The SS Leibstandarte Division finally has to yield before the Donets and falls back, allowing the 3rd Tank Army to re-capture Chuguyev and Merefa. Farther south, the XLVIII Panzer Corps fights a rearguard action as it falls back to Stalino. In the Caucasus the North Caucasus Front's Krasnodar Offensive Operation, involving 390,000 troops, is threatening the southern flank of the 17th Army.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The 40th and 69th Armies throw themselves into a direct assault upon Kharkov, becoming embroiled in the German outer defenses. Elements of the 40th Army attempt to envelop Kharkov from the west, while other units of the army push toward Oboyan, Grayvoron and Bogodukhov. The Germans are forced back upon Borisovka, Zolochev and Olshany.

Units of the Soviet 6th Army reach the river opposite Zmiyev. Heavy fighting ensues as the Germans attempt to prevent their crossing but some succeed in crossing ant Andreyevka. Exploiting the 6th Army success, 3rd Tank Army begins an assault crossing of the Donets near Chuguyev. Pechenegi and Chuguyev falls as the SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler is force back. Other units of the 3rd Tank Army seize Merefa. German defenses at Rogan prove too strong for the moment.

The XLVIII Panzer Corps also comes under fierce attack as it withdraws from the Donets to the area north of Stalino.

In the Kuban the Soviet advance along the Black Sea coast succeeds in linking upo with those assault force already at Novorossiysk, threatening the southern flank of the German 17th Army.

SOVIET COMMAND

The Stavka renames 21st Army the 6th Guards Army. Many of the armies that fought at Stalingrad are renamed in the early part of 1943. Chuikov's 62nd Army becomes 8th Guards.

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German Raiders

RAF 'Whirlibombers' hit the German disguised raider Coronel as she attempts to break out into the Atlantic. The Coronel puts into Boulogne.

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India, Politics

Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian leader, begins a 21-day hunger strike in prison at Poona, having been interned by the British along with all other members of the All-India Congress Party. This action puts considerable pressure on British policy in India, especially as Indian troops are dying for the Allied cause in places such as Burma and North Africa.

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New Guinea

While other forces are assembled for a big new offensive aimed at the complete expulsion of the Japanese from the island, small American units reach the mouth of the Kumusi River and establish a fortified position there.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

In the British 1st Army area, the US II Corps assigns the 1st Armored Division responsibility for containing Axis forces at Faïd.

In the British 8th Army area, heavy rainfall delays operations against Ben Gardane, the main outpost of the enemy's Mareth positions.

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Norwegian Sea

The Norwegian submarine Urred disappears off Bodo.

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Pacific

The US submarine Pickerel (SS-177) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Amari Maru (2184t) off Sanriku, Honshu.
The Japanese submarine I-21 torpedoes the US freighter Starr King (7176t) en route from Sydney, Australia to New Caledonia. There are no losses in the attack and survivors are rescued by the Australian destroyer Warramunga. The Starr King sinks later this night.

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Images from February 10, 1943

Damage in Reading

Maori Battalion at Tripoli

Thursday, February 11

Air Operations, Bismarcks

1 43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17 attacks Rabaul before dawn.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

19 Bostons attempt to attack railway targets over a wide area. 8 aircraft bomb various locations.

1 Boston is lost.

Evening Ops:

177 aircraft are sent to Wilhelmshaven including 129 Lancasters, 40 Halifaxes and 8 Stirlings.
The Pathfinders find the target area completely covered by cloud and use their least reliable method of marking, skymarking by parachute flares using H₂S. The marking turns out to be very accurate and the main bombing force concentration is very effective. Some of the bombs hit a naval ammunition depot at Mariensel south of Wilhelmshaven. The resulting explosions devastates an area of about 120 acres and causes widespread damage in the naval dockyard and in the town. This raid represents the first blind-bombing success for the H2S radar device.

3 Lancasters are lost.

Minor Ops:

2 Mosquitos are sent to Bochum and Hamborn, 36 aircraft lay mines from La Pallice to the Frisians and there are 5 OTU sorties.

There are no losses.

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Air Operations, Solomons

XIII Bomber Command B-26s and XIII Fighter Command P-38s and P-39s attack the Munda Point airfield on New Gergia and the Vila airfield on Kolombangara.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

Fighter-escorted 12th Air Force A-20s attack ground targets around Station de Sened.

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Eastern Front

Lozovaya, a major railway junction south of Kharkov, falls to Vatutin's troops from the Southwest Front.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

Fighting at Kharkov intensifies as 69th Army pushes deeper into the city. Gen Paul Hausser's II Panzer Corps puts up fierce resistance to the attacks but slowly falls back toward the city center. The SS Panzer Corps counterattacks and throws the 3rd Tank Army out of Novaya Vadolaga. A renewed 3rd Tank Army attack at Rogan stalls in the face of fierce German resistance. Lozovaya falls to 1st Guards Army. Elements of the army push on to take Grishino and Krasnoarmieskoye, Group Popov (Gen Markian) taking advantage of this to attack the left wing of XL Panzer Corps. In order to counter this threat the Germans move units west from Artemovsk to retake Krasnoarmieskoye.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

In the British 1st Army area, the 135th Regimental Combat Team, US 34th Division, French XIX Corps, begins the relief of the French in the Pichon-Maison des Eaux region. In the Djebel Rihana area, the 2nd Battalion of the 26th Regimental Combat Team is relieved by the 2nd Battalion of the 16th Regimental Combat Team and becomes the reserve for the US 1st Division. Gen Fredendall, commander of the US II Corps, issues a directive for the defense of the Faïd position.

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Pacific

The Japanese submarine I-18 is sunk by naval aircraft from the light cruiser Helena (CL-50) and the destroyer Fletcher (DD-445) in the Coral Sea.

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Images from February 11, 1943

Mariensiel Ammunition Depot, Wilhelmshaven

A Closer View of the Devastation at Mariensiel

Damage at Newbury, Berkshire

Tiger '231' of chwere Panzer-Abteilung 503

Tiger '231' of <i>chwere Panzer-Abteilung</i> 503

Using War Ration Book

Friday, February 12

Air Operations, Bismarcks

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against the harbor and airfields at Rabaul, the Gloucester airfield on New Britain, a sawmill at Ubili, and shipping in the Solomon Sea.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

7 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s employing 2,000-pound bombs for the first time in the CBI Theater attack the bridge at Myitnge.
12 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack a marshalling yard and railroad station at Rangoon.
12 P-40s attack a barracks at Lonkin.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

16 Mosquitos attack targets in eastern Belgium and over the German border without a loss.

Minor Ops:

2 Mosquitos bomb Düsseldorf and Rheinhausen, 38 aircraft lay mines off Heligoland and in the Frisians and there are 5 OTU sorties. There are no losses.

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Air Operations, Solomons

Cactus Air Force and 13th Air Force bombers and fighters attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia and anti-aircraft emplacements.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

Bad weather again grounds all 12th Air Force bombers, but fighter-escorted A-20s attack Axis gun emplacements west of Station de Sened.

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Battle of the Atlantic

Hudson 'F' of No 48 squadron sights a fully surfaced U-boat at 1402 and dives to attack dead astern from 40 ft. One depth charge explodes directly along the conning tower while two more explode ahead of the U-boat. U-442 sinks amid the depth charge boil.

U-442

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Kapitänleutnant Joachim Hesse
Location	Atlantic, W of Cape St Vincent
Cause	Air attack
Casualties	48
Survivors	None

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Eastern Front

The Soviet progress is still rapid. In the Caucasus the Trans-Caucasus Front takes Krasnodar (Kuban), one of the three points of the triangle held by the remains of Kleist's Army Group A in the Kuban. North and west of the Don Shakhty, Kommunarsk and Krasnoarmeskoye are all captured.

The escape route for the Germans from Rostov is narrowed as the Russians cut the main rail line at Krasnoarmeisk. Red Army units threaten with encirclement the German troops defending Kharkov.

CENTRAL SECTOR

The Bryansk Front assiste the offensive in the Ukraine by committing its 13th and 48th Armies against the 2nd Panzer in front of Orel

SOUTHERN SECTOR

As the Soviet 40th Army advances north of Kharkov, around the city the 3rd Tank Army is engaged in bitter battles with the SS Leibstandarte Division. Vatutin is determined to push his 1st Guards, 3rd Guards, 5th Tank and 6th Armies further into the Ukraine to seize Stalino and Zaporozhye. In the Kuban the German 17th Army is pushed out of Krasnodar.[MORE]

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New Guinea

The Allies initiate the Elkton Plan (Operation ELKTON), the campaign to eject Japanese forces from New Guinea, New Britain and the Solomon Islands and isolate the Japanese base at Rabaul. In response to Allied victories in Papua and Guadalcanal, the Japanese begin pouring reinforcements into New Guinea, including the 18th Army under Lt-Gen Adachi Hatazo and the 4th Air Army.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

The British 8th Army spreads out into Tunisia heading for Ben Gardane and Medenine.

The British 1st Army, which has been strengthened by the arrival of the 46th Division during the first week of February, receives orders for reorganization. Shifts are scheduled to begin of the 15th.

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Pacific

The US submarine Grampus (SS-207) sails from Brisbane, Australia for her sixth war patrol. She is never heard from again. It is speculated that she may have been lost in night action with Japanese destroyers preceding the Battle of Blackett Strait on March 5.

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Secret War

The 'Rotterdam Radar', as it was known, or a 10cm H₂S radar, falls into German hands after being taken from a crashed British Stirling bomber near Rotterdam in Holland.

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Southwest Pacific

Allied headquarters issues directives for the 'capture and occupation of the area New Britain-New Guinea-New Ireland'. Code-name for the operation is ELKTON.

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Saturday, February 13

Air Operations, Aleutians

28th Composite Bomb Group heavy and medium bombers attack Kiska, where 54th Fighter Squadron P-38s down 3 A6M2-N 'Rufe' fighter-bombers between 1150 hours and noon.

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Air Operations, Bismarcks

1 43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17 attacks Rabaul.
1 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24 attacks the sawmill at Ubili.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

In 5 different raids 34 Venturas are sent to the Ijmuiden steelworks and the ships at Boulogne and 22 Bostons are sent to the lock gates at St Malo. 41 planes bomb successfully.

There are no losses.

Evening Ops:

466 aircraft including 164 Lancasters, 140 Wellingtons, 96 Halifaxes and 66 Stirlings carry out the heaviest raid on Lorient during the war.
The ordinary squadrons of Bomber Command drop 1,000 tons of bombs for the first time on the already battered town. The raid is carried out in clear visibility and considerable additional damage is caused.

3 Wellingtons, 2 Lancasters, 1 Halifax and 1 Stirling are lost.

Evening Ops:

2 Mosquitos are sent to Duisburg and Essen, and there are 17 OTU sorties.

There are no losses.

US 9th AIR FORCE
ITALY:

Despite storms in the area, IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Crotone Airdrome and various targets around the Naples area.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

7 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Rangoon.
9 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a marshalling yard at Paukkan and the rail line between Sagaing and Shwebo.
P-40s attack a Japanese Army headquarters and barracks buildings at Lonkin.

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Air Operations, Mediterranean

1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down 3 Ju-52s 50 miles north of Bizerte at 1500 hours.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack Lae, and A-20s attack Japanese Army ground forces at Mubo.

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Battle of the Atlantic

Catalina 'J' of No 202 Squadron flying in support of convoy KMS-6 makes three attacks on U-boats on the surface. The first attack occurs at 2240, but the submarine dives before the attack could be made. An hour later another U-boat is spotted and 5 depth charges are dropped but all appear to have overshot the submarine. At 0105 a third U-boat is sighted on the surface and the aircraft dropped its last 2 depth charges. No results of this attack are visible. Subsequent analysis shows the U-381 was the victim of the first attack, damaged but survived. The second victim was U-620 which was sunk.

U-620

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Oberleutnant zur See Heinz Stein
Location	Atlantic, NW of Lisbon
Cause	Air attack
Casualties	46
Survivors	None

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Eastern Front

The Soviets capture Novocherkassk. Russian control es established over the entire rail line between Rostov and Voronezh.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

North of Kharkov the 40th Army presses the Germans hard, Dergachi being taken in heavy fighting. Borisovka also falls. Other elements of 40th Army closes upon Grayvoron and Bogodukhov and enters the northern suburbs of Kharkov.

Heavy fighting also rages in the eastern suburbs as 3rd Tank Army pushes the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler back to the city limits. Gen Hubert Lanz is personallay order by Hitler to hold on to Kharkov at all costs in addition to securing a line from Poltava to Dnepropetrovsk with his very limite forces. The fact that the group is already heavily committed to the fighting at Kharkov means Lanz is unable to fulfil either task.

The XL Panzer Corps abandons its counterattack near Slavyansk and moves toward Kramatorsk. Group Hollidt (Gen Karl-Adolf) loses Novocherkessk to the South Front.

Army Group B is officially disbanded and Army Group South comes into being once more. Army Group A retains control of 17th Army in the Kuban but is in effect redundant, taking no part in the battles to the north.

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Air Operations, Solomons

6 307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s make their unit’s combat debut when they join 9 VB-101 PB4Ys, 11 347th Fighter Group P-40s, and 4 339th Fighter Squadron P-38s, escorted by 4 P-38s and 7 P-40s, in an attack against Buin and shipping in the Shortland Islands. The P-38s and P-40s down 6 A6M Zeros over Bougainville at 1245 hours, but 3 B-24s, 4 P-38s, and 2 P-40s are lost.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

XII Bomber Command B-26s attack the Tunis/El Aiouna Airdrome and, during the return, escorting fighters strafe German Army tanks near Station de Sened and motor vehicles near Faid.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

The Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Force visits the US II Corps area to review the dispositions of the forces, since an enemy attack is imminent. Axis commanders meet to review the attack plans.

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Images from February 13, 1943

A Ventura over Ijmuiden

Marine Fighter Squadron 124

Marine Corps Women’s Reserve

Sunday, February 14

Air Operations, Aleutians

7 A6M2-N 'Rufe' fighter-bombers attack the anchorage at Amchitka.

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Air Operations, Bismarcks

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against the sawmill at Ubili.
During the night 32 43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s and 4 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Rabaul, Kokopo, and ships at sea off Kokopo.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

10 Mosquitos are sent to attack the Tours railway yards. 6 planes bomb successfully.

There are no losses.

Evening Ops:

243 aircraft are sent to Colgone. Included in the total are 90 Halifaxes, 85 Wellingtons and 68 Stirlings.
The Pathfinder marking is again based on skymarkers dropped by H₂S. The marking is of only limited success. 218 planes claim to have hit the target area, but reports from the ground indicate that about 50 loads hit the city, mostly in the western districts. 2 industrial sites, 2 agricutural sites and 97 home are destroyed. 76 people are killed and 135 are injured.

3 Halifaxes, 3 Wellingtons and 3 Stirlings are lost.

142 Lancasters of Nos. 1, 5 and 8 Groups attack Milan.
The bombing is concentrated in good visibiltiy. Fires can be seen from 100 miles away on the return flight. There are no reports from the ground as to the extent of the damage.

2 Lancasters are lost.

An unusual story is available, however, about a Lancaster of 101 Squadron, which was attacked by an Italian CR42 fighter just after bombing the target. The Lancaster was set on fire and the two gunners were both seriously injured, although they claimed to have shot down the fighter. The pilot, Sgt I. H. Hazard, had to dive 8,000ft to put out the fire and 1 member of the crew mistook instructions and baled out. The remainder of the crew completed the extinguishing of the fire, tended the wounded and eventually reached England. The only officer in the crew, Pilot Officer F. W. Gates the wireless operator, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and Sgt Hazard and the other members of the crew who helped to bring the Lancaster home all received Conspicuous Gallantry Medals, an unusually high number of awards of this decoration. Sgt Hazard died with his flight engineer and navigator when their Lancaster crashed in a flying accident in Yorkshire less than a month after the Milan incident, and Pilot Officer Gates died when the Lancaster in which he was flying, with another crew, crashed when returning from Dortmund on May 5, 1943; the two air gunners in the crew appear to have survived the war.

Evening Ops:

4 Lancasters bomb La Spezia docks without a loss.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the bridge at Myitnge.
14 51st Fighter Group P-40 fighter-bombers attack the town and barracks at Maingkwan.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack the airfield at Lae.
90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against Madang.

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Air Operations, Solomons

9 VB-101 PB4Ys, escorted by 12 AirSoPac F4Us and 10 339th Fighter Squadron P-38s, are aggressively engaged by more than 50 Japanese Navy fighters while attacking the Kahili airfield on Bougainvillee. The Marine Corps escorts down 3 A6M Zeros, and 347th Fighter Group P-38s down 3 A6M Zeros over the Shortland Islands at 1148 hours. However, 2 PB4Ys, 2 F4Us, and 4 P-38s are lost.
V Bomber Command heavy bombers attack Watom Island.
Cactus Air Force bombers and fighters attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia, anti-aircraft emplacements, and other targets in the Munda area, as well as a small ship near Kahili.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

12th Air Force fighters strafe ground targets in a large area centered on Station de Sened and attack tanks and trucks near Sidi Saad.
12th Air Force A-20s bomb tanks in Faid Pass, the town of Maknassy, and the rail yard at Station de Sened.

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Burma

The Chindits cross the Chindwin in 2 groups at Auktaung and Tonhe. Wingate is leading the larger northern group.

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Eastern Front

The Russians capture Rostov, the main outlet for the Germans retreating from the Caucasus, and the great industrial city of Voroshilovgrad and among other less important gains they take Drasny Sulin, north of Shakhty. Rostov has been a vital position for the Germans through which they have been able to evacuate part of Army Group A from the Caucasus. Army Group A has to withdraw to the Taman Peninsula between the Sea of Azov and the Black sea. The 1st Panzer is the only force to get through to the north before Rostov fell. The Red Army is now moving towards Stalino. The Germans undertake a re-grouping of their forces: the remains of the Don Army Group and Army Group B are combined to form or actually to re-form Army Group South under the command of Manstein. The 2nd Army, or that part of it not cut off in the pocket northwest of Voronezh, is transferred to Army Group Center. Berlin admits the evacuation of Rostov and Voroshilovgrad according to plan.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

With the Soviet 3rd Tank and 40th Armies south and southwest of Kharkov, the German Grossdeutschland, SS Das Reich, SS Leibstandarte, 168th and 320th Infantry Divisions are in danger of being encircled. The 4th Panzer Army redeployes to the Dnepropetrovsk area as the Soviet 3rd Guards Army takes Voroshilovgrad and the 2nd Guards and 28th Armies retake Rostov.[MORE]

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North Africa

TUNISIA

The Battle of Kasserine Pass begins and will last for about 12 days. The Axis forces begin a major attack on the US II Corps positions west of Faid. The attacking troops are mostly from 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions from Gen Jürgen von Arnim's 5th Panzer Army. Gen Heinz Ziegler is in direct command. This attack is only begun after considerable high-level debate. Rommel is still holding command of what is now known as 1st Italian Army and he and von Arnim have both produced plans of attack. Rommel urges an aggressive attack toward Tebessa but von Arnim's more limited plan is the one adopted at this stage. Gen Kenneth Anderson, commanding the Allied army, has at his disposal the British V Corps in the north, the French XIX Corps in the center and the American II Corps in the south. Rommel launches a surprise counter-offensive called Operation FRÜHLINGSWIND (SPRING WIND). Panzers supported by Stukas throw the inexperienced Americans into confusion. The Germans reach Kasserine Pass by February 20, but are soon forced back. In the attack the inexperienced American forces around Sidi Bou Zid are given a vicious lesson.

In the British 1st Army's US II Corps area, the enemy begins a strong westward push at dawn with tanks and infantry supported by artillery and bombers. Combat Command A, 1st Armored Division, is forced to fall back toward Sbeïtla from positions east of Sidi Bou Zid. Elements of Combat Command A and the attached 168th Infantry are isolated on Djebel Lessouda, northeast of Sidi Bou Zid, and on Djebel Ksaïra and Garet Hadid in a region southeast of Sidi Bou Zid. To assist Combat Command A, which has suffered heavy tank losses, Combat Command C, reinforced by the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Armored Regiment of Combat Command B, is released from corps reserve for a counterattack on Sidi Bou Zid on the 15th. Because of the loss of Sidi Bou Zid on the northern flank of the corps, French and US forces, which include the 3rd Battalion of the 26th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Division, and the 1st Ranger Battalion, withdraw from Gafsa to Fériana during the night.

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Pacific

The US submarine Amberjack (SS-219) is probably sunk by Japanese naval aircraft, the torpedo boat Hiyodori and the submarine chaser CH-18 off Cape St George, New Britain.
The US submarine Trout (SS-202) sinks the Japanese gunboat Hirotama Maru (1911t) at the south entrance to Makassar Strait.

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Images from February 14, 1943

US Bombs Airfield at Tunis

US Soldiers on the March

US Anti-Tank Gun Crew

Monday, February 15

Air Operations, Aleutians

6 A6M2-N 'Rufe' figher bombers attack the runway of the airfield at Amchitka.

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Air Operations, Bismarcks

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack Rabaul, shipping in the harbor, and the Rapopo airfield at Rabaul.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the bridge at Myitnge.

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Air Operations, East Indies

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack shipping and the town area at Amboina Island.
V Bomber Command B-25s attack Dili and the Dili airfield on Timor.

[

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack supply dumps at Malahang.
90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against Finschhafen and a ship in Stettin Bay.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

23 Bostons attack Dunkirk harbor claiming hits on ships. 12 Mosquitos bomb the railway workshops at Tours.

There are no losses.

Evening Ops:

6 Oboe Mosquitos bomb Essen, Rheinhausen ahd the German night-fighter airfiels at St Trond. A map from Essen shows the bombs dropped there hit the southern part of the Krupps factory. 4 Stirlings lay mines in the Gironde River and 2 OTU Wellingtons drop leaflets over France.

There are no losses.

US 8th AIR FORCE
FRANCE:

21 B-24s from the 44th Heavy Bomb Group and 1 squadron of the 93rd Heavy Bomb Group attack the port of Dunkirk with 62 tons of bombs.

Luftwaffe fighters and flak down 2 B-24s, damage 8; 1 crewman killed, 24 missing

US 9th AIR FORCE
ITALY:

IX Bomber Command B-24s claim two direct hits on Axis ships in an attack on Naples harbor.

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Air Operations, Sicily

19 XII Bomber Command B-17s attack shipping and port facilities at Palermo.

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Air Operations, Solomons

13th Air Force B-26s, P-39s, and P-40s attack the Vila airfield on Kolombangara.
307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the airfield on Ballale and the Kahili airfield on Bougainville. 2 of the B-24s are brought down by heavy, effective anti-aircraft fire.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

XII Bomber Command B-25s and B-26s attack Kairouan Airdrome about 1450 hours. 82nd Fighter Group P-38 pilots down 3 Luftwaffe fighters.
The 350th Fighter Group's 346th Fighter Squadron, in P-39s, enters combat and scores its first aerial victories, 2 Bf-109s, over Thelepte Airdrom in the morning.
31st Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down 4 Luftwaffe fighter in two separate engagements.

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Battle of the Atlantic

U-225 is sunk by Liberator 'S' of No 120 Squadron RAF during operations in support of convoy SC-119. The U-boat is spotted on the surface and attacked with 6 depth charges while diving. Oil and wreckages was soon seen on the surface.

U-225

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Oberleutnant zur See Wolfgang Leimkuhler
Location	North Atlantic
Cause	Air attack
Casualties	46
Survivors	None

U-529 may have been sunk on this date, but the evidence id inconclusive. It is assumed the the U-boat's fate was from either a drifting mine or mechanical failure.

U-529

Class	Type IXC/40
CO	Kapitänleutnant Georg Fraatz
Location	N Atlantic, E of Newfoundland
Cause	Unknown
Casualties	48
Survivors	None

The US tanker Atlantic Sun (11,355t), straggling from Convoy ON0165, is torpedoed and sunk by U-607 150 miles off Cape Race losing all hands except one sailor rescued by U-607. 45 crewmen and 19 Armed Guard sailors are lost in the attack.

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Eastern Front

Contrary to Hitler's orders to stand and fight, the II SS Panzer Corps withdraws from Kharkov.

NORTHERN SECTOR

German forces begin to withdraw their 11 infantry division of the II and X Corps from the Demyansk pocket. Hitler had sanctioned the withdrawal earlier in the year but added the clause that it must not be completed until the end of March. During this time 16th Army makes extensive preparations to deny the Soviets the use of the captured territory. Mines and booby traps are planted in abundance, making the Soviet advance difficult and costly. As the first units pull back 11th, 34th and 53rd Armies of the Northwest Front and 1st Shock Army of the Kalinin Front attack but are unable to break the German line. The Northwest Front begins the Demyansk Offensive Operation with 327,600 men.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The battle for Kharkov reaches its peak. With Soviet attacks threatening his rear, Gen Paul Hausser again requests permission to evacuate. Having no immediate reply he begins to pull his force back at 1300 hours, only to receive a 'hold at all costs; order at 1630. Disobeying Hitler's and Gen Hubert Lanz's direct orders, Hausser continues to withdraw the SS Panzer Corps. With the SS in retreat Lanz has no option but to order the rest of his Army Detachment to evacuate, thus saving his men from certain destruction at the hands of the Soviets.

The XL Panzer Corps is instructed to abandon Slavyansk and redeploys to Krasnoarmieskoye.

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Vichy France

Vichy France begins drafting laborers for work duties.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

Rommel joins in the Axis attack, sending a detachment of 15th Panzer and some Italian armor against the southern section of the line at Gafsa which is taken. Most of Rommel's forces have had to be left in the Mareth line where the last of his rearguard is now arriving from Libya. An American counterattack by the US 1st Armored Division in the Sidi Bou Zid sector is repulsed, but during the night the Americans manage to withdraw from Djebel Lessouda unharmed.

In the British 1st Army area, Gen K. A. N. Anderson orders the forces holding the high ground west of Faïd withdrawn and Kasserine Pass organized for defense. In the US II Corps area, Headquarters, Services of Supply, North African Theater of Operations, USA, is established under Brig-Gen Thomas B. Larkin. Combat Command C. 1st Armored Division, counterattacks in the Sidi Bou Zid area in an effort to relieve the encircled forces on the hills, but is unable to accomplish its mission and falls back with heavy tank losses. Most of the US force on Djebel Lessouda succeeds in escaping during the night. While action at Sidi Bou Zid is in progress, Gen Anderson directs Gen Lloyd Fredendall to withdraw all forces, after the isolated troops have been extricated, to positions defending Sbeïtla, Kasserine and Fériana. Axis forces, moving cautiously against Gafsa, discover that it has been evacuated. The French XIX Corps is quietly and gradually moving its right flank forces back to Sbiba.

In the British 8th Army area, improving weather conditions permit the resumption of operations toward the Mareth Line.

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Pacific

The US submarine Gato (SS-212) sinks the Japanese stores ship Suruga Maru (991t) in Bougainville Strait.
The US submarine Pickerel (SS-177) attacks a Japanese convoy sinking the cargo vessel Tateyama Maru (1990t) of the east coast of Honshu.

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Images from February 15, 1943

Low-Level Attack Example

Fires Burning in the Roundhouse at Tours

A Convoy To Russia

Convoy-Escorting Destroyer

Tuesday, February 16

Air Operations, Bismarcks

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack Ubili.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

18 51st Fighter Group P-40s attack 2 towns in Burma.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

377 aircraft are sent again to Lorient. In this total are 131 Lancasters, 103 Halifaxes, 99 Wellingtons and 44 Stirlings.
363 planes drop mainly incendiaries in almost clear visibility. This is the 8th raid in this area in response to direct instructions from the Air Ministry against Lorient. There are few available records from Lorient, but it is known that the town is almost completely destroyed and deserted.

1 Lancaster is lost.

Minor Ops:

32 aircraft lay mines off Brest and St Nazaire and there are 4 OTU sorties.

There are no losses.

US 8th AIR FORCE
FRANCE:

Following the collision and loss of 2 B-24s and 20 crewmen over the English Channel, 59 VIII Bomber Command B-17s and 6 B-24s attack the St.-Nazaire port facilities with 160 tons of bombs just before 1100 hous. Bomber gunner claim 20 Luftwaffe fighters downed with another 12 probables.

6 B-17s are lost, 28 B-17s and 2 B-24s are damaged; 1 crewman killed, 7 wounded, 80 missing

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s the Malahang airfield at Lae and strafe targets of opportunity around Salamaua.

Air Operations, Tunisia

12th Air Force A-20s attack German Army gun positions near Sidi bou Zid in support of Allied ground forces, and many USAAF fighters attack German Army troop concentrations and vehicles around Gafsa.

Aleutian Islands

Japanese aircraft attack Amchitka Island, where the Americans have built a runway for their fighters.

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Eastern Front

After fierce fighting for several days, the Russian 40th and 3rd Tank Armies enter the suburbs of Kharkov when Gen Paul Hausser's II SS Panzer Corps are forced to withdraw despite an order from Hitler to hold on. The Germans fall back towards Poltava. Hitler equates the loss of Kharkov to Stalingrad and vows to retake Russia's 4th largest city. The Russians have now advanced 375 miles west of Stalingrad.

CENTRAL SECTOR

Army Group Center informs OKH that it is unable to coordinate its actions with those of Army Group South and will therefore only be content with securing the positions of the 2nd Army.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

Kharkov falls after a night of fierce fighting with the retreating SS Panzer Corps. The Soviet 69th Army's XV Tank Corps and 160th Rifle Division, 40th Army's 160th and 183rd Rifle Divisions, V Tank Corps and units of the 3rd Tank Army have taken possession of the center of Kharkov. The 3rd Tank Army links up with the 40th Army in Dzerzhinsky Square then pushes south to attack the Germans west of Lyubotin. The 40th and 69th Armies begin a hurried redeployment northwest of Kharkov.

Hitler unfairly dismisses Gen Hubert Lanz, replacing him with Gen Werner Kempf. Group Lanz, renamed Army Detachment Kempf, holds under its command SS Panzer Corps and Corps Raus (Gen Erhard). Zmiyef falls to the Soviet 6th Army.

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Germany, Home Front

The Munich Students' 'Revolt'. Gauleiter Paul Geisler of Bavaria harangues assembled university students and taunts them with insults and obscenities. The meeting ends in pandemonium as the students overpower SS guards and police and take to the streets. There is widespread outbreaks of sabotage, etc. in Munich and sympathetic student demonstrations occur in Vienna, Mannheim, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and the Ruhr.

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Guadalcanal

In preparation for the invasion of the Russell Islands, Operation CLEANSLATE, the first echelon of the 43rd Division assault force, the 103rd and 169th Regimental Combat Teams, under the command of Maj-Gen John H. Hester, CG of the 43rd Division, arrives at Guadalcanal.

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Indian Ocean

The US freighter Deer Lodge (6187t) is torpedoed by U-516 about 60 miles east of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The 45 survivors abandon the ship in 3 lifeboats.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

Axis forces push on towards Fériana and Sbeïtla, southwest and northeast of Kasserine. Some of Montgomery's forward units capture Medinine on the approaches to the Mareth line where Rommel is established. The 'Mareth Line' was built by the French between 1934 and 1939, stretching from Djebel Dahar to the sea near Mareth itself, as a defense against a possible Italian attack from Tripolitania. The Mareth defensive line, the 'Desert Maginot' as it is rather pretentiously called, actually consists only of a few dozen pillboxes in the coastal area and some strong fortified positions in the mountainous zone.

The British 1st Army releases Combat Command B, US 1st Armored Division, to the US II Corps. The 18th Regimental Combat Team, US 1st Division, is released to the British V Corps for movement to Sbiba, where positions are being strengthened. In the US II Corps area, the Axis forces, anticipating the evacuation of Sbeïtla, which the 1st Armored Division is too weak to hold as a result of heavy losses at Sidi Bou Zid, begins a drive on the town late in the day. Despite the opposition of a screening force from the 1st Armored Division between Sidi Bou Zid and Sbeïtla, the Axis forces arrive at the outskirts of the latter and is briskly engaged by Combat Command A and Combat Command B, which has arrived from Maktar, as the withdrawal of the Americans toward Western Dorsal begins. Because of the unexpected sharp resistance, the enemy breaks off the attack for the night. The isolated Americans on Djebel Ksaïra and Garet Hadid, under attack throughout the day, make an unsuccessful attempt to withdraw during the night and are virtually wiped out. From Gafsa, the Germans advance 25 miles northwestward toward Fériana and southwestward through Metlaoui to Tozeur.

In the British 8th Army area, the 7th Armored Division drives into Ben Gardane, the Mareth Line outpost.

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Pacific

The US submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) sinks the Japanese stores ship Hyuga Maru (994t) 24 miles off Pagan, Marianas.

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Southwest Pacific

On the initiative of the Commander-in-Chief of the Southwest Pacific Area, the US 6th Army is created under the command of Lt-Gen Walter Krueger. It consistes of the I Corps under Gen Eichelberger, the 2nd Special Engineers Brigade and the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. Attached to this formation of the army is the 1st Division of the US Marines.

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Images from February 16, 1943

Germans Burning a House Near Kharkov

A Stumgeschütz III Self-Propelled Gun

A <i>Stumgeschütz III</i> Self-Propelled Gun

Wednesday, February 17

Air Operations, Bismarcks

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against the Gasmata airfield on New Britain, Pondo Harbor, and the sawmill at Ubili.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

12 Venturas are sent to bomb Dunkirk, but they do not reach the target. 6 Wellingtons are sent on a cloud-cover raid to Emden where 3 planes drop their bombs.

There are no losses.

Minor Ops:

2 Mosquitos are sent to Bochum and Hamborn and 12 Stirlings lay mines in southern Biscay.

There are no losses.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against Babo.

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Air Operations, Sardinia

More than 40 XII Bomber Command B-27s attack Elmas Airdrome. B-25s and B-26s attack Villacidro and Decimomannu Airdromes. 2 Italian Air Force planes are downed by escorting P-38 pilots of the 1st and 82nd Fighter Groups.

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Air Operations, Solomons

AirSols fighters and bombers attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia.
307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against Nusave Island, the airfield on Ballale, and the Kahili airfield on Bougainville.
At 1943, 12 G4M 'Betty' bombers based on Bougainville attack a US Navy convoy near San Cristobal. 5 of the 'Bettys' are brought down by anti-aircraft fire.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

12th Air Force A-20s and fighters mount numerous attacks in direct support of Allied ground force in the Sbeitla-Kasserine-Feriana area.

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Atlantic

15 Germant MTBs lay mines off Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

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Battle of the Atlantic

During the night the German E-boat, S-71, is rammed and sunk by the British destroyer Garth.
U-201 is operating against convoy ONS-165 when she is detected by the British destroyer HMS Fame. The destroyer attacks with depth charges and sinks the U-boat.

U-201

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Oberleutnant zur See Günther Rosenberg
Location	Atlantic, NE of Newfoundland
Cause	Depth charge
Casualties	49
Survivors	None

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Burma

The 47th and 55th Indian Brigades on the Arakan front attacks Japanese positions at Donbaik, but without success.

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Eastern Front

Hitler flies to Manstein's HQ at Zaporozhye. He stays until February 19 and is eventually persuaded to agree to Manstein's plans for a counterattack.

The inexorable Russian advance continues. The Red Army captures Slavyansk, north of Kramatorsk. The OKW can now foresee the collapse of the whole southern front and issues directives for the launching of a vigorous counter-offensive.[MORE]

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Mediterranean

U-205 is sunk by the British destroyer HMS Paladin assisted by Bisley aircraft from the South African Air Force. The U-boat sinks as Paladin is readying a boarding party for her.

U-205

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Oberleutnant zur See Friedrich Burgel
Location	Mediterranean, NW of Derna
Cause	Depth charge/gunfire
Casualties	8
Survivors	42

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North Africa

TUNISIA

Both von Arnim's and Rommel's attacks are making good progress. The northern wing is now approaching Sbeitla, having virtually destroyed two-thirds of US 1st Armored Division including 2 tank battalions. Rommel to the south enters Fériana. The limited attack that von Arnim envisaged has certainly come off; he diverts 10th Panzer Division toward Foundouk, which has in fact been abandoned, instead of pressing on vigorously toward Sbeitla. Having observed the weak American command and the understandable inexperience of the American troops, Rommel wants to be more ambitious. He puts his plans to the Italian and German High Command, who fail to make a quick decision.

In the British 1st Army area, the French XIX Corps withdraws to the west to conform with the withdrawal of the US II Corps. The 18th Regimental Combat Team, US 1st Division, is attached to the British 6th Armored Division at Sbiba. The US II Corps falls back to Western Dorsal and stations troops to defend the passes at Sbiba, Kasserine, Dernaïa, and El Ma El Abiod. Defensive positions are being organized. Combat Command B covers the withdrawal of the 1st Armored Division from Sbeïtla. The Germans enter Fériana and overcome rear-guard opposition and take the Thélepte air base. The 3rd Battalion of the 39th Regimental Combat Team, 9th Division, which has moved forward from Souk Ahras, Algeria, comes under corps command.

The British 8th Army, attacking with the 51st Division and the 7th Armored Division, captures Médenine and its airfields.

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Images from February 17, 1943

US Navy subchaser USS Kerrville

Hitler Visits Army Group South's HQ

Ready for a Strike on Rabaul

Thursday, February 18

Air Operatons, Aleutians

P-40s from the 7th Air Force’s 18th Fighter Squadron, on loan to the 11th Air Force, down 2 A6M2-N 'Rufe' fighter-bombers over Amchitka at 1900 hours.

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Air Operatons, Bismarcks

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against Japanese shipping off New Britain.

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Air Operatons, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-25s attack shipping off Dili, Timor.

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Air Operatons, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

26 Mosquitos attack the Tours railway yards. 12 Venturas are sent to Dunkirk, but again do not reach the target.

1 Mosquito is lost.

Evening Ops:

195 aircraft including 127 Lancasters, 59 Halifaxes and 9 Stirlings are sent on an unsuccessful raid to Wilhelmshaven.

4 Lancasters are lost.

89 aircraft lay mines in a widespread operation from St Nazaire to the Frisians. 2 Halifaxes are lost. 9 OTU aircraft make leaflet flights.

1 Wellington is lost.

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Air Operatons, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack targets around Barar.
90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane missions against Madang and the airfield at Finschhafen.

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Air Operations, Sardinia

USAAF and RAF heavy and medium bombers attack Elmas Airdrome, the Cagliari seaplane base, and Villacidro Airdrome. Poor visibility obscure the results.

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Air Operatons, Solomons

307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia.
11th Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack Kahili and shipping near Kahili.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

XII Bomber Command bombers are grounded by bad weather, but 12th Air Force fighters are able to support the British 1st Army in the Sbeitla-Kasserine-Feriana region.

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Aleutians

A US Task Group under Rear-Adm Charles H. McMorris with 2 cruisers and 4 destroyers shells Japanese positions on Attu Island.

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Battle of the Atlantic

Convoy ON-166 is intercepted by U-boats in the North Atlantic. Over the next week 15 of the Allied ships will be sunk.

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Burma

The 77th Indian Brigade, the 'Chindits', crosses the Chindwin but without encountering the Japanese and cut the railway line between Mandalay and Myitkyina.

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Eastern Front

German units of the German 16th Army begin pulling back along the northern Russian front. Soviet tanks are 36 miles east of Zaporozhye.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The 3rd Tank Army, now down to 110 tanks moves forward around Kharkov, attacking the Grossdeutschland Division at Lyubotin and capturing Merefa after a ferocious battle. It then begins to push toward Valki.

The XL Panzer Corps counterattacks south of Slavyansk and breaks into Krasnoarmieskoye. Fierce fighting throughout the day sees the 1st Guards Army halt the Germans in the town center. Meanwhile, the 1st Guards Army takes Pavlograd and Novomosskovsk but at Sinelnikovo is repulsed. The South Front continues its heavy attacks against Group Hollidt but is unable to break through the strengthening German line.

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Germany, Home Front

Hans and Sophie Scholl, leaders of the Munich Students' Revolt and authors of anti-Nazi 'White Rose Letters', are tried by People's Court. They will be executed February 23.

In a histrionic speech at the Berlin Sportpalast Goebbels calls upon the German people to wage 'Total War'.
Propaganda Minister Goebbels delivers a speech in Berlin's Sports Palace in front of a carefully selected audience, which is broadcast to the nation. He rails against the 'storm from the Steppes' which relegates 'all former dangers facing the West to the shadow'. Behind the onrushing Soviet Divisions, Goebbels foresees 'the Jewish liquidation commandos' whom international Jewry are using to plunge the world into chaos. To thunderous applause he announces the implementation of total war: 'Do you want total war? Do you want it, if necessary, more total and more radical than we could even imagine today? Afterward Goebbels writes in his diary: 'This hour of idiocy! If I had said to the people, jump out the fourth floor of Columbushaus, they would have done that too.'

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Guadalcanal

Still more forces are brought into the island in readiness for the invasion of the Russell Islands. A group of American officers sent to reconnoitre the Russells returns with the information that they have already been evacuated by the Japanese.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

Von Arnim's Germans enter Sbeitla, already abandoned by the Allies, and make for Kasserine. The debate over what to attempt next continues in the Axis camp.

In the British 1st Army area, the US II Corps continues the organization of defenses at passes through Western Dorsal as German action subsides to reconnaissances. The Germans stage a demonstration at the eastern exit of Kasserine Pass in the evening, alerting the provisional US defense force which consists of the 19th Combat Engineer Regiment and elements of the 26th Infantry, 1st Division. During the night, the commander of the 26th Infantry assumes responsibility for defense of the pass, relieving the commander of the 19th Combat Engineers. As a precautionary measure, the 26th Armored Brigade, British 6th Armored Division, is sent to Thala, coming under corps control.

The British 8th Army, continuing toward the Mareth Line, takes Foum Tatahouine.

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Southwest Pacific

A new American Army becomes operational, the 6th, led by Gen Krueger.

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United States, Home Front

A B-29 Superfortress 4-engined bomber catches fire during a test flight and crashes into a Seattle factory. 31 people are killed including 'Eddie' Allen, Boeing's chief test pilot.
Madame Chiang Kai-shek addresses a joint meeting of Congress.

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Images from February 18, 1943

Low-Level Attack on Tours

Nieuw Amsterdam Entering Fremantle Harbor

<i>Nieuw Amsterdam</i> Entering Fremantle Harbor

Munich Students' Revolt Leaders

Madame Chiang Kai-shek Addresses Congress

Friday, February 19

Air Operations, Bismarcks

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against shipping at Gasmata and off Cape Gloucester.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

51st Fighter Group P-40 fighter-bombers attack a Japanese Army headquarters at Hpunkizup and rail lines near Meza.
5 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the rail terminal at Sagaing.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

12 Venturas attack German naval torpedo workshops at Den Helder without a loss.

Evening Ops:

338 aircraft are sent to Wllhelmshave. Included in the total are 120 Wellingtons, 110 Halifaxes, 56 Stirlings and 52 Lancasters.
Inaccurate Pathfinder marking causes this raid to be a failure. The main force drops its bombs north of the port. After the raid it is found that the Pathfinders had been issues out of date maps that did not show recent town development.

5 Stirlings, 4 Lancasters and 3 Wellingtons are lost.

Minor Ops:

2 Mosquitos bomb Dortmund and Essen without a loss.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command A-20s attack Japanese Army ground troops at Angari and Butibum.
90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane attacks against shipping off Salamaua.

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Air Operations, Solomons

V Bomber Command B-17s attack the airfield on Ballale Airdrome, the Kahili airfield on Bougainville, the seaplane base at Faisi, and shipping in the Buin area.
During the night AirSols bombers and fighters attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia and nearby targets.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Gabes through heavy clouds.

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Battle of the Atlantic

U-268 is sunk by Wellington 'B' of No 172 Squadron. The aircraft picked up the U-boat on radar at a range of about 4 miles. Closing in on the distance the aircraft spotted the U-boat on the surface. Four depth charges are dropped around the submarine with three exploding around the submarine. The U-boat appeared to stop and then sink.

U-268

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Oberleutnant zur See Ernst Heydemann
Location	Atlantic, Bay of Biscay
Cause	Air attack
Casualties	45
Survivors	None

The US submarine Blackfish (SS-221) torpedoes and sinks the German patrol craft VP-408, but is damaged by depth charges from 2 converted trawlers and is forced to terminate her patrol.

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Eastern Front

Russian armies advance south and southwest of Kharkov. Oboyan is capture by the Russians and the road and railway between Kharkov and Kursk have now been entirely cleared of the enemy. German Army Group South opens a counteroffensive toward Kharkov and Belgorod.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The tank spearhead of the Soviet 6th Army advances to only 30 miles from Manstein's HQ at Zaporozhye, which Hitler is visiting, but then runs out of fuel and is knocked out by a German counterattack. The Führer flies back to Germany, giving his field marshal a free hand to launch his counteroffensive.

Knowing that the Soviets are at the end of their supply lines, he has waited for the right moment to strike. Army Detachment Hollidt (Gen Karl-Adolf) is on the Mius, the 1st Panzer (III, XXX and XL Panzer Corps) is south of Krasnoarmieskoye, the 4th Panzer (XLVIII Panzer and XVII Corps) is at Zaporozhye, and the SS Panzer Corps (Leibstandarte, Das Reich and Totenkopf Divisions) is near Krasnograd. Manstein unleashes his attack, with the SS Corps shattering the flank of the 6th Army at Zmiyef, and XL Panzer Corps also hits the Soviet 6th Army.[MORE]

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Mediterranean

Wellington 'S' of No 38 Squadron RAF is covering a British convoy off the Libyan coast when U-562 is spotted directly below the aircraft. The aircraft attacked, but was not successful. The destroyers Isis and Hursley, convoy escorts, are called in and they destroy the U-boat in a series of depth-charge attacks.

U-562

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Kaptitänleutnant Horst Hamm
Location	Mediterranean, NE of Benghazi
Cause	Depth charge
Casualties	49
Survivors	None

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North Africa

TUNISIA

The next phase of the Axis attack begins. It is to be more ambitious than the first, but on the orders of the Italian High Command it is to be directed toward Le Kef, as the Allies in fact expect and occupied by the British 6th Armored Division, and not Tebessa, as Rommel wishes. There are two wings to the assault. One, involving units of 15th Panzer, goes in from Kasserine toward Thala, and the other by 21st Panzer is already beyond Sbeitla aiming north for Sbiba. Rommel has managed to have von Arnim ordered to put 10th Pzr under his command, but von Arnim does not release the whole Division and keeps the Tiger battalion especially. The Allies have prepared to meet attacks in both passes, and as a result resistance is fairly strong.

Gen Alexander, upon visiting the front, finds the situation so serious he takes command of the 18th Army Group at once, a day ahead of schedule. The 18th Army Group conprises the British 1st and 8th Armies, the French XIX Corps, and the US II Corps. The British 1st Army retains command of the French and US corps. Upon taking command, Gen Alexander orders the British, US and French forces to organize under separate commands and their respective commanders at once. The front is held by static troops while armored and mobile forces are withdrawn as a reserve striking force. Plans are made to regain the initiative.

The French XIX Corps contains a German tank-infantry attack on Sbiba Pass, where a strong defense force, consisting of the US 34th Division, the 18th Regimental Combat Team of the US 1st Division, and French units, is stationed. In the US II Corps area, the enemy opens an attack on Kasserine Pass with tanks and infantry, supported by artillery, and succeeds in gaining positions within it but cannot drive the defenders out. Some reinforcements are sent forward to bolster the Allied positions. Combat Command B, 1st Armored Division, is alerted for possible commitment.

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Pacific

The Japanese destroyer Oshio is sunk by the American submarine Albacore (SS-218) near Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands.
The US heavy cruiser Indianapolis (CA-35) and destroyers Coghlan (DD-606) and Gillespie (DD-609) intercept the Japanese cargo ship Aragane Maru (3121t) bound for the Aleutians and engage her northwest of Attu, Aleutians.
The US submarine Gato (SS-212) torpedoes the Japanese ammunition ship Hibari Maru (6550t) off eastern Bougainville.
The US submarine Grampus (SS-207) torpedoes the Japanese transport/aircraft ferry Keiyo Maru (6442t).

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Solomons

American reinforcements are being landed on Guadalcanal in preparation for the next move on the Russell Islands which are now reported abandoned by the Japanese.

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Images from February 19, 1943

Soldiers of the 1st SS Panzer Division

Soldiers of the 1st <i>SS Panzer</i> Division

Projectile Infantry Anti-Tank (PIAT)

German Troops On The Move In Tunisia

A German Armored Column, Tunisia, 1943

Saturday, February 20

Air Operations, Aleutians

5 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s, 7 B-25s, and 8 343d Fighter Group P-38s attack Kiska.

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Air Operations, Bismarcks

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack the Gasmata airfield on New Britain.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

13 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Gokteik viaduct.
16 51st Fighter Group P-40s attack a factory, rail targets, and oil storage at Sahmaw.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

20 Wellingtons lay mines in the Frisians.

1 Wellington is lost.

US 9th AIR FORCE
ITALY:

IX Bomber Command attack Amantea, Crotone, Naples, Nicotera, Palmi, and Rosarno.

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Air Operations, Gilberts

3 7th Air Force B-24s based at Canton Island photograph Abaiang, Makin, and Tarawa atolls, and 1 B-24 attacks shipping at Tarawa Atoll.

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Air Operations, Solomons

V Bomber Command B-17s, XIII Bomber Command B-17s, and VB-101 PB4Ys attack Ballale and the Kahili airfield on Bougainville.
307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Vila airfield on Kolombangara.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

12th Air Force P-39s strafe German Army trucks and armored vehicles around Kasserine Pass as powerful German Army ground units break through the Allied front line and proceed toward Thala and Tebessa.

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Britain, Home Front

The 25th anniversary of the creation of the Red Army is celebrated throughout Britain and the Empire by demonstrations, public meetings and military parades during the weekend. George VI sends a personal message to Pres Mikhail Kalinin. A Sword of Honor is to be presented to the city of Stalingrad.

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Eastern Front

In the region south and southwest of Kharkov the Russians capture Pavlograd and are involved in fierce fighting at Krasnograd. They continue to close in on Orel from the east, south and southwest repulsing fierce German counterattacks led by Manstein's Panzers. They fail to realize that, although they are making rapid progress toward the Dniepr, they are in fact driving in to a salient which is strongly held on both flanks.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

West of Kharkov the 40th Army reaches a line Krasnopolye-Akhtyka as Corps Raus (Gen Erhard) continues to fall back.

Manstein's carefully prepared counterattack grows in ferocity as II SS Panzer Corps slices through the flank of the 6th Army, which also comes under ferocious Luftwaffe attack at Pavlograd. South of Krasnograd, the SS Panzer Corps links up with elements of the XLVIII Panzer Corps attacking from Kovomosskovsk. This precipitates a Soviet withdrawal across the Samara but some units are isolated west of Novomosskovsk.

The XL Panzer Corps attacks Group Popov (Gen Markian). Popov's understrength tank corps attempst to hold off the German tide but to no avail. Under intense pressure, he requests permission to withdraw but is ordered by Gen Nikolai Vatutin to continues his attack. Group Hollidt (Gen Karl-Adolf) is again heavily attacked along the Mius position.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

The Axis forces are re-grouped and Gen Giovanni Messe takes command of the Italian 1st Army. The Axis armored army under Rommel ceases to exist though Rommel stays in command in Africa for a few weeks more. The German attacks on Sbiba are held by the defending British and American units of which the most prominent is a British Guards Brigade. The attack through Kasserine Pass is held at first, but later the detachment of 15th Panzer is joined by units from 10th Panzer and the assault goes home. The US II Corps falls back to avoid being totally routed. Later in the day the Germans drive to within 10 miles of Thala despite the resistance of the British 26th Armored Brigade which has come up.

In eastern Tunisia the 8th Army captures Medenine.

The Allied command in the theater is reorganized and Gen Alexander is appointed to lead the newly constituted 18th Army Group.

Axis forces are being reorganized. Gen Messe assumes command of the Italian 1st Army as Rommel's German-Italian Panzer Army ceases to exist. Rommel will remain in Tunisia for a few weeks longer.

In the British 1st Army area, the French XIX Corps repels another enemy attack against Sbiba, after which the enemy in the area shifts from the offensive to aggressive defensive. The US 1st Division moves to Bou Chebka and reverts to the US II Corps. In the US II Corps area, the Germans break through Kasserine Pass and thrust northward toward Thala and westward toward Tébessa. The British 26th Brigade of the 6th Armored Division, under Brig C. G. G. Nicholson, is given the responsibility, under II Corps control, for co-ordinating operations to check the enemy and restore lost positions. Nicholson's force is to operate northeast of the Hatab River before Thala. Combat Command B, 1st Armored Division, under the command of Nicholson, and other troops operating south of the Hatab are to defend the passes in Djebel el Hamra before Tébessa. Preparations are made for a counterattack on the 21st.

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Pacific

The US submarine Halibut (SS-232) torpedoes and sinks the Japanese transport Shinkoku Maru (3991t) about 450 miles north of Ponape, Carolines.

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Images from February 20, 1943

Bomb Damage in Fraserburgh

Knocked-out Column of M3 75-mm GMCs

T105-mm Howitzer of the 33rd Field Arty Bn

Sunday, February 21

Air Operations, East Indies

90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack port facilities and shipping at Amboina Island.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

143 aircraft including 130 Lancasters, 7 Stirlings and 6 Halifaxes are sent to Bremen.
129 planes bomb through the clouds, but no photographs are taken because of the clouds. Results are unknown.

There are no losses.

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Air Operations, Mediterranean

During the afternoon, 82nd Fighter Group P-38 pilots down 9 Luftwaffe multi-engine aircrafte between Sicily and Bizerte.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command A-20s attack Japanese Army-occupied villages.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

NASAF (Northwest African Strategic Air Forcce) B-25s attack the rail yards at Gafsa.
Because of rain and fog, only 2 P-39s attack German Army ground forces.

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Battle of the Atlantic

Over the next 5 days the Convoy ON-166 is attacked and loses 14 ships of 85,000 tons. On this day U-92 torpedoes the British steamer Empore Trader (9990t) which will be scuttled later by the Canadian corvette Dauphin. The US Coast Guard cutter Campbell (WPG-32), British corvette Dianthus and Canadian corvette Dauphin, with help from flying boats, temporarily drive off U-332, U-454 and U-753 threatening the Convoy.
The US freighter Rosario (4659t), steaming in Convoy ON-167, is torpedoed and sunk by U-664. 30 of the 44-man crew and 3 of the 17 Armed Guard sailors are lost in the attack. The survivors are picked up by the British ship Rathlin.

Liberator 'T' of No 120 Squadron RAF is patrolling over convoy ON-166 when U-623 is sighted nine miles from the aircraft. The aircraft released six depth charges from 50 ft. They all explode alongside the conning tower eventually sinking the U-boat.

U-623

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Oberleutnant Hermann Schroeder
Location	North Atlantic
Cause	Air attack
Casualties	46
Survivors	None

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Burma

British Commandos raid Akyab and withdraw after attacking Japanese positions.

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Eastern Front

Manstein's Army Group South launches a counteroffensive against the left flank of the Russian Southwest Army Front under Gen Nikolai Vatutin and against the Voronezh Front under Gen Filipp I. Golikov. The German XXX Corps advances towards Krasnoarmeyskoye from the area of Stalino. The 1st Panzer Army, with the XL and III Panzer Corps, make for Andreyevka and Izyum; the 4th Panzer Army, with the XLVIII and LVII Panzer Corps, attacks towards Pavlograd and Lozovaya. From the north the II SS Panzer Corps and the Kempf (Gen Werner) Operational Group converge on Pavlograd, while the Raus Panzer Corps advances from Poltava eastwards and northeastwards, towards Kharkov and Belgorod.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

Despite the German offensive, the Soviets are still pushing west: the 3rd Tank Army enters Lyubotin, and the 6th Army reaches Sinelnikovo. But Manstein's forces are also making gains, with the 4th Panzer Army advancing on Pavlograd, XXX Corps attacking Krasnoarmieskoye, the 1st Panzer Army advancing toward Izyum, and the SS Panzer Corps and Corps Raus (Gen Erhard) advancing from the north. Suddenly, Soviet forces south of Kharkov are in danger of being encircled. The Luftwaffe flies 1,145 sorties in support of Manstein's forces.[MORE]

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North Africa

TUNISIA

Rommel is at the front urging 10th Panzer on in its advance toward Thala, about 40 miles northwest of Tebéssa, but the British armor holds out well during the day despite inferior tanks and by the evening the front is still three miles south of the town. A detachment of 15th Panzer is sent on a diversionary move toward Tehessa, but it too is held by units of US 1st Armored Division. The Sbiba attack achieves nothing.

During the night a fierce fight develops in the British position before Thala in which both sides lose heavily. Also during the night an American arty regt under Gen S. LeRoy Irwin arrives in support after an 800-mile march from Oran accomplished in four days. At dawn this new support and a small counterattack by the British convince Rommel that the Allied reserves are arriving too quickly, and in the afternoon he pulls back. Rommel's attack has come very close to a major success, and it is interesting to speculate what might have been achieved if his own, less expected, plan had been chosen. The German troops have been astonished at the lavish scale of equipment of the American units they have overrun. Although the inexperience of the Americans has been very obvious, it is clear that they are learning very quickly, and already their artillery is formidably well organized.

One factor in the battle which is to recur in other campaigns is the difference in the Allied performance from February 22 onward when the weather improves for flying. The British system for controlling air support has been well worked out and is adopted by the Americans from now on - another example of the American's ability to learn quickly from experience.

On the Axis side the operation has been hampered by divided command and the desert veterans of 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions have proved less able than usual in the unfamiliar mountain terrain. Rommel is certainly worn out and perhaps they are too.

Gen Alexander orders Gen Montgomery to apply pressure to the enemy's southern flank as a Divisionersion for the British 1st Army.

In the British 8th Army area, Gen Montgomery, who is now planning for an assault on the Mareth Line, is not yet ready for large-scale operations but decides to risk sending small forces forward along the coast and to move a French force under Gen Leclerc, called L Force, which has recently joined the British 8th Army and driven from Nalut to Ksar Rhilane, northward from Ksar Rhilane.

In the British 1st Army area, the French XIX Corps halts a probing thrus toward Sbiba with assistance from newly arrived Churchill tanks. In the US II Corps area, strong enemy forces continue their attack from Kasserine Pass toward Thala and are barely contained short of this objective after hard fighting. Nicholson's force defending Thala is augmented by the 2nd Hamshires and 2 field artillery battalions of the US 9th Division, which just arrived from western Algeria after a 4-day forced march. A limited enemy thrust toward Tébessa is contained by Combat Command B, 1st Armored Division, reinforced by elements of the 16th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Division.

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Pacific

The US submarine Thresher (SS-200) attacks a Japanese convoy northeast of Soembawa, N. E. I., damaging the Japanese army cargo ship Kuwayama Maru (5724t). The Japanese ship sinks the next day due to the damage received from Thresher.
The Dutch submarine O-24 sinks the Japanese coaster Bandai Maru (165t) off Salang Island, Malaya.

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Solomons

In Operation CLEANSLATE troops from Gen John H. Hester's 43rd Division occupy Banika and Pavuvu in the Russell Islands without resistance from the Japanese. By the end of the month there are 9,000 American troops on these islands. These moves are designed to cut off the Japanese naval and air base at Rabaul, New Britain, in a wider pincer operation called Operation CARTWHEEL. Operation CLEANSLATE is also the first element in Gen MacArthur and Adm Nimitz's plan to re-conquer the Pacific by working up from the south and east through Japanese-held territory in a systematic island-hopping strategy.

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Images from February 21, 1943

American Merchant Ship Rosario

Monday, February 22

Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

During the night, while 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s and RAF Liberators conduct a diversionary attack against the city of Rangoon and the Mingaladon airfield, 10 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s sow mines in the Gulf of Martaban approaches to Rangoon.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s and 1 43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17 attack Lae.
A-20s attack Japanese Army-occupied villages.
1 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24 attacks the Lorengau airfield at Manus in the Admiralty Islands.

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Air Operations, Solomons

AirSols bombers and fighters attack Rekata Bay and landing barges.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

XII Bomber Command B-17s attack German Army units inside Kasserine Pass, 12th Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a bridge near the pass, and escorting P-38s strafe troops.
XII Bomber Command B-25s attack the Gafsa rail yards.
47th Light Bomb Group A-20s mount 11 separate low-altitude missions throughout the day the help stem the advance of German armored columns from around Kasserine Pass toward Tebessa and Thala.

1 A-20 is lost in a crash-landing after attacked by 3 Bf-109s.

154th Observation Squadron P-39s destroy 3 German tanks and 10 trucks during recon missions during the day.

1 P-39 is lost to ground fire

In the only air-to-air engagment during the day, pilots of the 31st and 82nd Fighter Groups down 2 Luftwaffe bombers in separate afternoon confrontations.

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Atlantic

The Canadian corvette Weyburn sinks on a mine 4 mile west of Cape Spartel, Morocco with the loss of 9 of her crew. Upon sinking some of her depth charges explode damaging the British destroyer Wivern which had pulled alongside to help. Wivern picks up 27 survivors from Weyburn. The British sloop Black Swan picks up 41 survivors from Weyburn and 15 wounded from Wivern and takes Wivern in tow.

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Battle of the Atlantic

The US Navy reveals that 850 Americans were killed or missing when U-boats sank 2 passenger-cargo ships.
U-92 torpedoes the Norwegian motor tanker Nielson Alonso (9348t) which is also attacked by U-753. The ship is eventually scuttled by the Polish destroyer Burza. U-606 torpedoes the US freighters Chattanooga City (5687t) and Expositor (4959t) and the British steamer Empire Redshank (6615t). The Canadian corvette Trillium rescues all hands from Chattanooga City as well as 34 of the 41-man crew and the entire 21-man Armed Guard from Expositor. Trillium then scuttles Empire Redshank. The success of the German submarine U-606 is brief as she is sunk by the Coast Guard cutter Campbell (PG-32) and the Polish destroyer Burza in the North Atlantic area.

U-606

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Oberleutnant Hans Dohler
Location	North Atlantic
Cause	Depth charge
Casualties	36
Survivors	12

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Burma

Numbers 3, 7 and 8 Columns of the Northern Group of Chindits advancing toward Naungkan raid a Japanese camp at Sinlamataung.

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Eastern Front

Manstein's counter-offensive continues. However, in the salient the Russians continue to press forward, one unit even coming within 12 miles of Manstein's headquarters before running out of fuel. All the Russian units have advanced so quickly that they are very short of both fuel and ammunition. By brilliant handling of his reserves, Manstein has assembled considerable forces for the attack despite being outnumbered by about 7 to 1. 1st and 4th Panzer Armies are to attack northward from a line to the west of Krasnoarmeskoye, and Group Kempf (Gen Werner), including principally II SS Panzer Corps, is to drive south from Krasnodar.

In the center the Russians open a new offensive in the Orel-Bryansk area and increase their pressure on Rzhev.

Régiment Normandie, an anti-Vichy French fighter group, goes into action for the first time on the Russian front. This unit was formed in Syria in 1942, flew fighters with remarkable success, downing 117 German planes to 25 losses by the end of the year.

CENTRAL SECTOR

The Soviets begin a new offensive in the Rzhev sector as Army Group Center prepare to evacuate the salient that juts forward on the road to Moscow. An attack by the 13th and 48th Armies against the Bryansk and Orel sectors make slow but steady progress in the face of fierce resistance by the German 2nd Army.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

Units of the 69th Army force a crossing of the Vorskla River some 25 miles north of Poltava, despite fierce resitance by Corps Raus (Gen Erhard). To strengthen this sector the Germans begin to feed a newly arrive infantry Division into the line south of Kotelva. Continues attacks by 40th Army capture Akhtyrka and Lebedin. The Grossdeutschland Division begins to abandon Lyubotin, falling back as the 3rd Tank Army takes control of the town. Rifle and cavalry units of the 3rd Tank push south of Kharkov but are held up by the SS Panzer Corps ad Novaya Vodolaga. Other elements of the corps drive the Soviets back upon Pavlograd. This flurry of blows smash the right wing and center of the Soviet 6th Army. Despite obviously dangerous position, the army is ordered to force its mobile group forward. Duly attacking in force, the 6th plunges deeper into Manstein's trap.

Group Popov (Gen Markian) staggers under the blows of the XL Panzer Corps. The Germans push through the broken Soviet group while other elements of the corps swing west to hit them again. Some of Popov's (Gen Markian) units fall back south of Barvenkovo. The Germans also begin to hit the Soviet units at Krasnoarmieskoye.

The XLVIII Panzer Corps advances rapidly in the direction of Barvenkovo while the LVIII Panzer and SS Panzer Corps move toward Pavlograd. The 4th and 1st Panzer Armies push into the rear of the Soviet armies still advancing toward the Dniepr, the 1st Panzer advancing upon Izyum. As the German attack penetrates deeper into the wings of the Soviet salient, leading elements of the Southwest Front are just 12 miles from Zaporozhe only to run short of fuel and are destroyed. The Stavka is slowly becoming aware of the German threat, but its forces are so over extended and weakened by the recent fighting that they are powerless to ward off the German blows.

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Germany, Home Front

The execution of Hans and Sophie Scholl of the White Rose resistance takes place in Munich. They were found guilty of distributing traitorous literature and beheaded.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

Rommel breaks off the attacks on Sbiba by the 21st Panzer and Thala by the 10th Panzer when reinforcements sent by Gen Alexander begin to arrive from the British 6th Armored Division. The Germans fall back to the Kasserine Pass.

In the British 1st Army's US II Corps area, the Germans continue their offensive until afternoon, when Rommel abandons the effort to drive through to Le Kef and orders a withdrawal. The attack is broken off and the enemy starts back toward Kasserine Pass, leaving many mines behind. The 1st Armored Division assumes command of Nicholson's force and of its own Combat Command B.

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Images from February 22, 1943

A Visit to Washington's Tomb

A Formation of Boston IIIs

A Captured German SdKfz 7

Tuesday, February 23

Air Operations, Bismarcks

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack the town and port area at Rabaul.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

8 51st Fighter Group P-40s disable the rail bridge at Myitkyina, but 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s are unable to hit the bridge at Myitnge.

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Air Operations, Mediterranean

NASAF B-25s attack Axis shipping at sea north Cap Bon and claim 1 ship sunk.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s again attack Japanese Army-occupied villages.

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Air Operations, Sicily

IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the ferry installation at Messina.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

NASAF (Northtwest African Strategic Air Force) B-17s attack Kairouan.
NASAF B-17s, B-25s, B-26s, and NATAF (Northwest African Tactical Air Force) A-20s and fighters attack German Army units retreating from Kassserine Pass.
IX Bomber Command B-25s attack Aram, a position along the German Army's new Mareth Line, in southern Tunisia.
NAAF (Northwest African Air Force) fighter pilots down 2 Axis aircraft during the day.

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Battle of the Atlantic

Over the next 2 days the U-boat group Rochen ('Castles') torpedo 7 tankers from Convoy UC-1. Acoustic homing torpedoes are used.
U-522 is attacked by ex-US Coast Guard cutter Totland escorting convoy UC-1

U-522

Class	Type IXC
CO	Kapitänleutnant Herbert Schneider
Location	Atlantic, SW of Madeira
Cause	Depth charge
Casualties	51
Survivors	None

In the continuing battle of Convoy ON-166 against the U-boats, U-186 torpedoes and sinks the US freighter Hastings (5401t) ant the British motor tanker Eulima (6207t). The Canadian corvette Chilliwack rescues 33 survivors of the 41-man crew and all 20 Armed Guard sailors from Hastings. U-707 torpedoes and sinks the straggling US freighter Jonathan Sturges (7176t). Survivors take to the lifeboats.
In another convoy against U-boat battle, Convoy UC-1 bound for Curacao, N. W. I. is attacked by several U-boats. U-382 torpedoes the Dutch motor tanker Murena (8252t). U-202 torpedoes the British tankers Empire Norsemen (9811t) and British Fortitude (8482t) and the US tanker Esso Baton Rouge (7989t). The British sloop Totland rescues the survivors of Esso Baton Rouge, 24 of the 25 Armed Guard sailors and 41 of the 43-man crew.

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Eastern Front

The Russians capture Sumy in the Ukraine and Lebedin northeast of Kharkov, but farther south the German counteroffensive is beginning to make real progress, especially with the attack toward Barvenkovo by XLVIII Panzer Corps. Heavy fighting for Orel takes place in violent snow storms. Further south, however, the German counteroffensive makes progress, while in the Caucasus units of Army Group A under Kleist hold a small bridgehead near Novorossiysk and contain the pressure of the Russian Black Sea Army Group and the northern group of the Trans-Caucasus Front.

NORTHERN SECTOR

Bitter fighting erupts at the base of the Demyansk salient as the Soviet 27th Army tries to isolated the 16th Army. However, the Germans have considerably strengthened this area and are able to hold off the Soviet assaults. The evacuation of the salient is almost complete by this time and have largely proceeded according to plan, the bulk of the X and II Corps having escaped the pocket.

CENTRAL SECTOR

There is heavy fighting around Rzhev and Orel as the Soviets press home their attacks against Army Group Center. Here also the Germans are preparing to withdraw from their long held salient.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

In an effort to halt the German advance the Stavka begin to pile forces up before them. A rifle, cavalry and tank corps have dug in to try and halt SS Panzer Corps. However, SS forces unleash a fierce attack, drive to within 12 miles of Lozovaya, and close upon Pavlograd. In conjunction with this attack the XLVIII Panzer Corps moves from the southeast, advancing from Chaplino to link up with other forces pushing north toward Boguslav. Elements of XLVIII Panzer Corps cross the Samara.

With his 6th Army in tatters, Gen Nikolai Vatutin orders a flanking rifle corps from the 1st Guards Army to move to the aid of the 6th Army. In addition, 69th and 3rd Tank Armies are ordered to turn south from Bogodukhov to support the 6th.

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Soviet Union, Home Front

Stalin issues an Order of the Day to the Red Army on its 25th Anniversary: 'For 20 months the Red Army has been waging an heroic struggle without parallel in history against the German Fascist hordes. It has become the terror of the Fascist armies.'

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Mediterranean

U-443 is initially detected by shore radar at Algiers on February 20. Three destroyers, Bicester, Lamerton and Wheatland, are sent to investigate. The hunt lasted three days before the U-boat is depth-charged to destruction.

U-443

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Oberleutnant zur See Konstantin von Puttkamer
Location	Mediterranean, NW of Algiers
Cause	Depth charge
Casualties	48
Survivors	None

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North Africa

TUNISIA

Rommel assumes command of the German Army Group, Africa, as Axis forces continue their reorganization.

Gen Alexander informs Gen Montgomery that the situation at Kasserine has improved and orders him not to take any undue risks.

In the British 1st Army's US II Corps area, the final enemy forces withdraw into Kasserine Pass during the morning, followed unaggressively by Allied forces. Axis and Allied planes are active during the day.

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Images from February 23, 1943

An AEC Matador Tows a 4.5-in Field Gun

Wednesday, February 24

Air Operations, Bismarcks

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack the town and port area of Rabaul.
90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane antishipping attacks.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

51st Fighter Group P-40s destroy a span of the rail bridge at Pinbaw.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s attack Japanese Army-occupied villages.
B-25s attack Lae and the Malahang airfield at Lae/Malahang Airdrome.
90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount single-plane antishipping attacks.

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Air Operations, Solomons

307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Faisi and Kahili.

[

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Air Operations, Tunisia

NASAF B-17s attack Kairouan Airdrome.
NASAF B-25s attack and sink several Axis supply barges at sea near Cap Bon.
NASAF B17s and B-26s attack the town of Kasserine and German Army troop and motor coluns in and around the Kasserine Pass.
NASAF B-25s attack road traffic on the highway near Sbeitla.
NATAF A-20s and fighters attack German Army motor vehicles in a wide area around Sbeitla and the Kasserine Pass.
52nd Fighter Group Spitfire pilots down 3 Bf-109s during a running noontime engagement near Tunis.

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Atlantic

The British submarine Vandal is lost in an accident in the Firth of Clyde with the loss of her entire crew of 37.

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Axis Diplomacy

Ribbentrop meets with Mussolini in Rome.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

115 aircraft of Nos. 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Wilhelmshaven. Included in the total are 71 Wellingtons, 27 Halifaxes, 9 Stirlings and 8 Lancasters.
Reports from the ground call this raid a small one with little damage. There is no mention of casualties.

There are no losses.

Minor Ops:

4 Mosquitos bomb Brauweiler and Düsseldorf without a loss.


B-24 Attack on Gotha, Germany

On February 24, 1943, three squadrons of B-24 Liberators—goliath, four-engine, 56,000-pound bombers—streaked toward Germany to strike Hitler’s vaunted Luftwaffe at its heart, targeting a key production facility in the town of Gotha, Germany. Just a month earlier, B-24s had participated in the first attack on German soil, bombing a submarine yard in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, but what awaited the Liberators over Gotha would be the ultimate test of the bomber’s abilities. Eighty minutes into their flight, German fighters swooped in, taking their toll on the B-24 squadrons. Then came a firestorm of anti-aircraft cannon shells, rockets, and air-burst bombs, turning the skies into a hellish expanse of bullets, smoke, and flak. Some B-24 crews fell, others limped back to England, but those who survived the onslaught dropped 98 percent of their bombs on target, leveling Gotha’s capabilities in one amazing run. Considered one of the best examples of precision bombing of the war, the raid on Gotha devastated German aircraft production and established the B-24 as one of the Allies’ most trusted bombers.

US 9th AIR FORCE
ITALY:

During the night, IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Naples harbor and Crotone.

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Baltic Sea

U-649 sinks following a collision with U-232.

U-649

Class	Type VIIC
CO	Oberleutnant zur Zee Horst Hepp
Location	Baltic
Cause	Collision
Casualties	35
Survivors	11

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\

Eastern Front

Violent armored engagements continue in the sector of the German Army Group South and in the Orel area, defended by von Kluge's Army Group Center. Gen Josef 'Sepp' Dietrich's 6th SS Army counter-attacks south of Rzhev. The Russians are badly mauled and withdraw along a broad front during the next 2 weeks.

CENTRAL SECTOR

The 13th and 48th Armies of the Bryansk Front have pushed the 2nd Army back 18 miles on the road to Orel in 3 days of bloody fighting, but German resistance is stiffening all the time.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The SS Panzer Corps pushes on to Pavlograd, capturing the town after a brisk battle. The Soviet corps commits to stopping the SS begins to retreat, abandoning their equipment as they flee. The XLVIII Panzer Corps continues to develop its attack, pushing east of Boguslav. Strong Soviet forces along the Samara River hold up other elements of the corps. Realizing the dire straits that the 6th Army is in, Vatutin orders the already defeated force onto the defensive.

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Germany, Home Front

A declaration by the Führer is read on the radio: 'We shall break and smash the might of the Jewish world coalition, and mankind struggling for its freedom will win the final victory in this struggle.' Following the Stalingrad collapse, German propaganda against the Bolshevik and Jewish menace has been at fever pitch, urging the Germans to renewed efforts and preparing them for greater hardships.

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Mediterranean

The US freighter Nathanael Greene (7176t), en route to join the Algiers-bound Convoy MKS-8, is first torpedoed by U-565 about 40 miles northeast of Oran and then is hit with an aerial torpedo during an air attack, forcing her abondonment. 4 crewmen are lost in the attack. Survivors are rescued by the British minesweeper Brixham.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

Rommel is appointed to command Army Group Afrika which is to include von Arnim's 5th Panzer Army and the 1st Italian Army of Gen Messe. This is a remarkable choice because, although a single commander is clearly required, Kesselring for one has certainly detected Rommel's tiredness.

Allied planes harry German forces withdrawing through Kasserine Pass. The Italian rearguards are destroyed with many being captured. The Germans pull back skillfully to the Eastern Dorsale, leaving behind booby traps.

In the British 1st Army's US II Corps area, Combat Command B, 1st Armored Division, and the 26th Armored Brigade, British 6th Armored Division, continue to follow the withdrawing enemy. The 1st Armored Division prepares to attack to recover Kasserine Pass. The attached 16th Infantry, 1st Division, is to lead off on the 25th. The 26th Regimental Combat Team, less the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, reverting to 1st Division Command, moves to El Ma el Abiod to defend the pass.

In the British 8th Army area, Gen Montgomery orders the 7th Armored and 51st Infantry Divisions to maintain pressure on the enemy along the coast and on the Gabès road, respectively.

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Images from North Africa February 24, 1943

British Shermans Advance to Kasserine

Grenadier Guards Advance near Kasserine

A Knocked-out German PzKpfw III Tank

A Knocked-out German <i>PzKpfw III</i> Tank

A Sapper Lifts a Mine

Crew of a Half-track Waiting for Orders

M-4 Sherman of 13th Armored Regiment

Thursday, February 25

Air Operations, Aleutians

11th Air Force fighters and bombers attack Kiska.

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Air Operations, Bismarcks

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s and 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Gasmata airfield on New Britain and Rabaul-area shipping, airfields, and port facilities.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

51st Fighter Group P-40s Divisione-bomb a bridge near Myitkyina, destroying one span with 1,000-pound bombs. 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s are unable to hit the bridge at Myitnge.

INDIA

More than 40 Japanese Army bombers attempt to attack Chabua Airdrome, but 51st Fighter Group P-40s down 6 Ki-21 'Sally' bombers and 6 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over the Digboi and Bhamo areas at about 0730 hours.

[

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Air Operations, Europe

The RAF begins a new, 'round-the-clock' air offensive over Europe. Soon the Allies Divisionide their tasks: the British carry out night raids while the Americans undertake daylight raids. Nuremberg, in Bavaria, is heavily bombed at night.

BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:

Nuremberg is raided by 337 aircraft including 169 Lancasters, 104 Halifaxes and 64 Stirlings.
Weather conditions are poor and the Pathfinders are late in their markings. More that 300 buildings are damaged, however, including a historic military chapel which is burned out.

6 Lancasters, 2 Halifaxes and 1 Stirling are lost.

Minor Ops:

6 Mosquitos are sent to the Ruhr where 13 people are killed in Cologne. Also, 54 aircraft lay mines off Brittany and in the Frisians and there are 20 OTU sorties.

There are no losses.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command A-20s attack Japanese ground troops.

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Air Operations, Solomons

AirSols fighters sweep the Kahili area.
During the night AirSols bombers and fighters attack the Vila airfield on Kolombangara.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

NASAF B-17s attack Tunis/El Aouina Airdrome.
NATAF A-20s and fighters attack German Army road traffic in the Thala-Kasserine-Sbeitla region and along the Gafsa-Feriana road.
IX Bomber Command B-25s attack German Army motor traffic along the roads around Arram.

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Allied Planning

The Southwest Pacific and South Pacific headquarters draft the plans for Operation RENO, the advance to the Philippines.

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Battle of the Atlantic

The 5-day battle of Convoy ON-166 ends with the sinking of the British steamer Manchester Merchant (7264t) by U-628. 15 out of 49 ships have been sunk. U-606 is lost.

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Eastern Front

The Soviet attack in the Caucasus continues and east of Krasnodar Mingrelsk is captured.

CENTRAL SECTOR

Central Front joins the attack tward Orel in an effort to smash through the German front line before the onset of the spring thaw. The Stavka intends to turn the southern flank of Army Group Center and prevent it from giving any support to Army Group South. The 2nd Tank and 65th Armies attack, with support from II Guards Cavalry Corps.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

Gen Filipp Golikov moves an additional tank corps from 40th Army over to assist the 69th Army in the capture of Poltava. The 38th Army lags well behind the 40th Army's right wing, which is ordered to capture Sumy. Valki and Novaya Vodolaga falls to the 3rd Tank Army.

The SS Panzer Corps attacks in force from Pavlograd. As the Soviet forces flee across the steppe, fierce German fire inflicts heavy losses. The XLVIII Panzer Corps also moves north, encountering strong resistance at Bogdanovka. However, the Barvenkovo-Lozovaya railway line is severed. On the approaches to Barvenkov XL Panzer Corps encounters heavy fighting, elements of Group Popov attempting to hold the German attack.

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New Zealand, Home Front

Japanese PoWs stage a mass break-out attempt. 48 Japanese and 1 guard are killed.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

The battle of Kasserine ends with the city's occupation by the units of the US II Corps. But the Axis attack has caused 10,000 casualties among the allies, more than half of them American, against 2,000 Axis dead.

In the British 1st Army area, the US II Corps, hampered only by mines and booby traps, recovers Kasserine Pass. The 9th Division is concentrating in the Tébessa area under corps command.

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Friday, February 26

Air Operations, Bismarcks

V Bomber Command heavy bombers attack the Gasmata airfield on New Britain and shipping off New Britain.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

60 Venturas are sent to Dunkirk where 33 planes drop their bombs. There are no losses. 20 Mosquitos are sent to attack a naval stores depot at Rennes, France. 17 aircraft bomb and ammo dump is seen exploding.

3 Mosquitos are lost including 2 that collide.

Evening Ops:

Cologne is the target of 427 aircraft including 145 Lancasters, 126 Wellingtons, 106 Halifaxes, 46 Stirlings and 4 Mosquitos.
Most of the bombs fall to the southwest of the city.

4 Wellingtons, 3 Lancasters, 2 Halifaxes and 1 Stirling are lost.

Minor Ops:

2 Mosquitos are sent to Aachen, 21 aircraft lay mines in the Frisians and there are 4 OTU sorties.

There are no losses.

US 8th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:

59 VIII Bomber Command B-17s and 6 B-24s attack the Wilhelmshaven submarine yard about 1125 hours with 164 tons of bombs after their primary target, Bremen, is obsured by clouds. Bomber gunners claim 21 Luftwaffe fighter downed along with 9 probables.

7 bombers are lost on the missions, 1 B-24 is lost crash-landing in the UK; 14 crewmen are injured, 73 are missing

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

51st Fighter Group P-40s destroy part of a bridge near Pinbaw.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack the airfield at Wewak Airdrome and shipping off Wewak.
1 B-17 attacks Lae and Salamaua and V Bomber Command A-20s attack Japanese Army-occupied villages.

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Air Operations, Sardinia

19 XII Bomber Command B-17s attack the docks and rail lines at Cagliari.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

32 NASAF B-17s attack the port facilities and shipping at Bizerte, and escorting 1st Fighter Group P-38 pilots down 4 Bf-109s over Bizerte at 1215 hours.
IX Fighter Command P-40s attack German Army positions alont the Mareth Line. 1 Bf-109 is downed in southern Tunisia by a 57th Fighter Group P-40 pilot at 1545 hours.
During the night IX Bomber Command B-25s attempt to damage the road system around Arram.

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Burma

The 'nuisance raids' of the Chindits, under Gen Wingate, continue. Ships of the Indian navy sink a lighter loaded with Japanese soldiers and damage another north of the mouth of the Ramree River.

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Eastern Front

NORTHERN SECTOR

There is heavy fighting on the Lovat as the 1st Shock Army tries to close off the much reduced German Demyansk salient.

CENTRAL SECTOR

Central Front, newly committed to this sector, throws its 65th and 2nd Tank Armies into an attack toward Bryansk but is held up by the German 2nd Army.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

Heavy fightin erupts at Lozovaya as SS Totenkopf and SS Das Reich attack the town. The 6th Panzer advances east to cut off the Soviet line of retreat. At Barvenkovo the XL Panzer Corps fights its way into the city despite ferocious resistance.

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English Channel

German MTBs attack a convoy in Lyme Bay off southern England.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

In Operation OCHSENKOPF (OXHEAD) units from 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions under von Arnim's command attack the British positions at Medjez el Bab in an attempt to encircle them. Progress by the Germans is made around El Aroussa. Beja and Medjez el Bab are also threatened. This comes to nothing but prevents Rommel from concentrating as quickly as he wishes for an attack on 8th Army before the Mareth line. At this stage Montgomery only has 2 Divisions forward because his supply organization has not yet been completed. Montgomery knows that he is vulnerable and has only advanced so far as a Divisionersionary move to help with the Kasserine operations.

In the British 1st Army's V Corps area, the German 5th Panzer Army, under von Arnim, opens an offensive on a broad front, threatening Bédja and Medjez el Bab. On the northern flank, the attacks west of Jefna are contained. The British outpost at Sidi Nsir, on the road from Mateur to Bédja, is overwhelmed after a vigorous battle that gains time for the 46th Division to concentrate for the defense of the pass to Bédja. The attack on Medjez itself is repulsed, but in the region to the south the Germans make a deep penetration that is contained north of El Aroussa. The 38th Brigade contains the attack north of Bou Arada, but is in an exposed position because of the enemy's success to the north. Gen K. A. N. Anderson, in order to strengthen the defenses in the Goubellat-Bou Arada region, forms a provisional Division called Y, from the 38th Brigade and the 1st Parachute Brigade. In the US II Corps area, the 16th Regimental Combat Team reverts to the 1st Division, which assumes responsibility for Kasserine Pass and for maintaining contact with the 34th Division, which comes under II Corps command. The 1st Armored Division is assembling as a reserve south of Tébessa.

In the British 8th Army area, Gen Montgomery sets March 20 as D-Day for the attack on the Mareth Line, Operation PUGILIST. He expects to have sufficient troops and supplies in a forward area by March 4. Because of enemy movements, Gen Alexander warns Gen Montgomery that the enemy will attack as soon as possible.

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Pacific

The Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Kyo Maru No. 3 hits a mine and sinks off Rangoon, Burma.

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Images from February 26, 1943

A Mosquito over Rennes

Searching for Mines

Saturday, February 27

Air Operations, Aleutians

6 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s, 6 B-25s, and 4 343rd Fighter Group P-38s attack Kiska.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

24 51st Fighter Group P-40s attack warehouses, fuel and ammunition dumps in Waingmaw.

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Air Operations, Europe

It is announced by Bomber Command that Allied air forces have made 2,000 sorties in the last 48 hours.

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

24 Venturas attack shipping at Dunkirk without a loss.

Evening Ops:

91 aircraft lay mines in the Frisians and of Texel.

1 Halifax is lost.

6 Mosquitos are sent to the Ruhr and there are 2 OTU sorties.

US 8th AIR FORCE
FRANCE:

60 VII Bomber Command heavy bombers attack the Brest U-boat base with 155 tons of bombs.

2 B-24s are damaged

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Air Operations, New Guinea

43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack the airfield at Finschhafen, and B-25s attack villages occupied by the Japanese Army.

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Air Operations, Sardinia

NASAF B-17s attack Cagliari and ships at sea north of Cape d'Orlando.

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Air Operations, Solomons

AirSols aircraft attack small craft off Vella Lavella.
347th Fighter Group P-40s down 1 A6M2-N 'Rufe' fighter-bomber and 1 F1M 'Pete' reconnaissance plane in separate engagements during the day.
A VMSB-144 radioman-gunner downs an A6M Zero over Kolombangara Island during the afternoon.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

NATAF fighters attack German Army forces mounting an unsuccessful ground attack near Medjez el-Bab.
IX Fighter Command P-40s strafe German Army positions along the Mareth Line.

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Battle of the Atlantic

S-65, S-68, S-81 and S-85 of the German 5th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla attack Convoy WP-300 in Lyme Bay. The British steamer Modavia (4858t) and the British trawlers Harstad and Lord Hailsham are sunk. 18 are lost on the Lord Hailsham.

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Eastern Front

The Donetz Basin continues to see some of the fiercest fighting of the war. The counterattacks by the Germans of Army Group South under Manstein win a major success with the recapture of Lozovaya. The Germans are also threatening Kramatorsk. Manstein's forces attacking from the south are now on a line from Lozovaya to Kramatorsk. The object of Manstein's counteroffensive is to improve as much as possible the lines held by the Wehrmacht on the Donetz before the spring thaw.

The recapture Pavlograd southwest of Kharkov near the Dniepr River.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

After heavy fighting Lozovaya falls to the SS Panzer Corps. The XLVIII Panzer Corps is now attacking alongside the SS but has suffered heavy losses during the recent fighting.

SOVIET COMMAND

The Stavka orders the 1st Guards and 6th Armies back behind the Donets in the face of heavy German attacks. The 3rd Tank Army is ordered south to strike the Germans between Krasnograd and Lozovaya.

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New Guinea

As part of the arrangements for the relief and reinforcement of the Allied forces in preparation for the final attack to drive the Japanese out of the island, the American 162nd Regiment of the 41st Division arrives at Milne Bay.

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Mediterranean

The British submarine Tigris is sunk by the German anti-submarine vessel UJ-2210 south of Naples with the loss of her entire crew of 63.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

In the Battle of Hunt's Gap, which will last until March 2, Kampfgruppe Lang ('Battlegroup') containing Tiger tanks and Panzergrenadiers attempts to drive west through the Sidi Nsir valley but is defeated by a lone British infantry brigade.

In the British 1st Army's V Corps area, hard fighting continues around Bédja, but the enemy is unable to advance. In the US II Corps area, the 9th Division relieves the 1st Division at El Ma el Abiod and Dernaia Pass, northwest of Fériana, and the 1st Division assembles east of Tébessa.

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Images from February 27, 1943

Parked G4M1 'Betty' Bombers Being Strafed

Captured German Soldiers

Sunday, February 28

Air Operations, Aleutians

6 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s and 6 B-25s attack Kiska.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA

341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a rail junction at Thazi.
51st Fighter Group P-40s attack Nsopzup and knock out a bridge at Kazu.

CHINA

6 11th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s attack stores at Mangshih.

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Air Operations, Europe

BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:

10 Mosquitos hit targets in Holland without a loss.

Evening Ops:

427 aircraft are sent to St Nazaire, the second target on the list of French U-boat base ports after Lorient. Included in the total are 152 Lancasters, 119 Wellingtons, 100 Halifaxes and 62 Stirlings.
This initial raid causes widespread destruction. It is reported that many of the bombs fall into the port area and about 60 percent of the town is destroyed. 29 people are killed and 12 are injured. It is presumed that most of the local population had already left the town.

2 Lancasters, 2 Wellingtons and 1 Stirling are lost.

Minor Ops:

3 Mosquitos are sent to the Ruhr, 5 Wellingtons lay mines off St Nazaire and there are 2 OTU sorties.

There are no losses.

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Air Operations, New Guinea

1 43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17 attacks the airfield at Lae.

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Air Operations, Solomons

VB-101 PB4Ys and 347th Fighter Group P-38s attack the Vila airfield on Kolombangara.
307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Kahili airfield on Bougainville and Ballale Island.

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Air Operations, Tunisia

NATAF fighters and fighter-bombers attack German Army tanks, troops, and motor vehicles in the battle areas southwest of Mateur, at Sidi Nasr, near Bedja, and around Goubellat.

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Burma

Completion of a new Burma Road allows Chinese forces in northern Burma to receive supplies by land rather than by laborious air drops and landings, the Japanese having originally cut the road in early 1942. The road runs 300 miles from Ledo to southern China, and was constructed by US Army engineers with more than 14,000 indigenous laborers.

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Eastern Front

The struggle rages in the Orel-Bryansk area, and further south German armor re-takes Kramatorsk. The beginnings of the spring thaw hold up Russian operations against Kleist's bridgehead in the Kuban and on the line of the Mius River north of Taganrog.

On the Soviet western front Timoshenko's armies are heavily engaged in the Demyansk sector.

NORTHERN SECTOR

The last German units leave the Demyansk salient; it has cost the Soviet Northwestern Front 10,016 killed and 23,647 wounded to establish a line on the Lovat.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The Soviet 40th Army is across the Psel River but is unable to take Sumy due to enemy resistance. As the XLVIII Panzer Corps reaches the Donets west of Izyum, the Soviets retreat from Barvenkovo to Izyum to avoid being cut off.[MORE]

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Germany, Command

Gen Heinz Guderian is appointed Inspector-General of Armored Troops. He will be responsible directly to Hitler and with wide-ranging powers to re-equip, re-train, and re-vitalize the decimated Panzer force and 'make that arm of the Service into a decisive weapon for winning the war'.

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Mediterranean

The US freighter Daniel Carroll (7176t), in Convoy TE-16, is torpedoed by U-371 off the coast of Algeria. She is towed to Algiers by a British tug. She suffers no casualties.

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North Africa

TUNISIA

German forces are contained. Their counteroffensive was costly to the inexperienced American troops of the II Corps who suffer about 6,500 casualties. Total Allied casualties in the Kasserine fighting were 10,000 to 2,000 for the Axis troops.

In the British 1st Army area, the V Corps continues to contain enemy attemps to advance on Bédja. In the US II Corps area, the enemy has now retired to Eastern Dorsal, abandoning Sbeïtla and Fériana. The II Corps patrols actively.

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Norway, Resistance

The Norsk Hydro power station near Ryukan is badly damaged by a sabotage team of 9 Norwegian soldiers led by Lt Haugen who have been parachuted in from Britain. They blow up 286 heavy water cells thereby depriving the Nazis of raw materials for atomic weapon research. Piping and tubes used in the production of 'heavy water' are also destroyed. This plant is known to be being used by the Germans to produce 'heavy water', vital in atomic research. Germany's heavy water program is delayed for only 4 months, however, as German and Norwegian engineers return the facility to full production in June. Haugen escapes to Sweden.

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Chronology of World War II

February 1943

Air Operations, Europe

Battle of the Atlantic

Monday, February 1

Air Operations, Bismarcks

Air Operations, CBI

Air Operations, Solomons

Air Operations, Tunisia

Allied Planning

Burma

Eastern Front

Guadalcanal

Mediterranean

New Guinea

North Africa

Pacific

Air Operations, North Africa

Mid-Air Collision

Images from February 1, 1943

Russian T-34 Tanks in German Service

Soviet Soldiers Atop a German Tank

German Soldiers Passing through Stalingrad

Tuesday, February 2

Air Operations, Bismarcks

Air Operations, CBI

Air Operations, Europe

Air Operations, New Guinea

Air Operations, Solomons

Air Operations, Tunisia

Battle of the Atlantic

Eastern Front

Germany, Production

Guadalcanal

Mediterranean

North Africa

Pacific

Images from February 2, 1943

Bombing at Abbeville

Stalingrad

First Vehicle into Tripoli

Wednesday, February 3

Air Operations, Bismarcks

Air Operations, Europe

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Air Operations, New Guinea

Air Operations, Sicily

Air Operations, Solomons

Air Operations, Tunisia

Battle of the Atlantic

U-265

Burma

Eastern Front

Germany, Home Front

Guadalcanal

New Guinea

North Africa

Battle of the Atlantic

Painting Showing Coast Guard Rescue

US postage stamp issued in 1948 to commemorate the 'Four Chaplains'

Thursday, February 4

Air Operations, Aleutians

Air Operations, Bismarcks

Air Operations, CBI

Air Operations, Europe

Air Operations, Far East

Air Operations, New Guinea

Air Operations, Pacific

Air Operations, Solomons

Air Operations, Tunisia

Allied Command

Allied Planning

Battle of the Atlantic

U-187

Eastern Front

Germany, Home Front

Guadalcanal

New Guinea

North Africa

Soviet Union, Armed Forces