Air Operations, Europe

RAF Bomber Command drops more than 15,000 tons of bombs, principally on targets in the Ruhr. Dusseldorf is the victim of one particularly heavy raid on June 11 and Oberhausen, Mulheim and Cologne are also strongly attacked. The US 8th Air Force drops 2,500 tons on Bremen, Keil, Wilhelmshaven and Cuxhaven. During the month the BBC issues several warnings to the population in France and the Low Countries to stay away from factories producing goods for Germany.

Throughout the month Russian bombers make frequent night raids on railway junctions, especially Smolensk, Orsha, Bryansk and Orel, and airfields behind the front.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

In the Mediterranean the main Allied bombing effort is directed early in the month against Pantelleria and Lampedusa. Later Sicilian and Sardinian targets are most common.

Battle of the Atlantic

The German U-boats operate principally in waters west of the Azores against US-Gibraltar convoys. The U-boats are now sailing in groups across the Bay of Biscay to improve their chances of beating off air attacks but this tactic is not successful and from the middle of the month they are ordered to submerge while on passage except when charging their batteries. 17 U-boats are sunk during the month but Allied losses to submarines are only 20 ships out of a total 28. (Allied Ships Lost to U-boats this month)

Air Operations, Aleutians

Guided for the first time by radar-equipped Patrol Wing 4 PVs, 8 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s, 18 343rd Fighter Group P-38s, and 20 P-40s attack Kiska through heavy weather. The attack is so successful that guidance of USAAF bombers by the radar-equipped PVs will become routine.

Air Operations, CBI

20 23Rd Fighter Group P-40 dive-bombers attack rail facilities and warehouses at Changanyi.

Air Operations, Europe

• 23 Wellingtons and 10 Stirlings lay mines in the Frisians, off Texel and off the Biscay ports.
• There are no losses.
• (when?)The RAF raid the Zeppelin factories at Friedrichshafen where German radar equipment is manufactured.

• NASAF P-40s strafe the seaplane base at Stagnone Island.
• P-38 fighter-bombers attack the rail line near Balestrate.

NASAF B-17s ant P-38s attack targets throughout the island. NATAF P-40s attack gun emplacements. The B-17s are the first heavy bombers to attack the island. Incessant aerial bombardment of the island is supplemented for the first time by what will be an ongoing naval bombarement.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

The round-the-clock Allied air offensive against Pantelleria continues.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-24s attack the airfield and town at Lae. B-25s attack Bogadjim.

Air Operations, Sardinia

NASAF B-25s, B-26s, and P-38s attack Olbia, Porto Ponte Romano, and the harbor at Porto Torres.

Battle of the Atlantic

• Surfaced U-boats begin crossing the Bay of Biscay in groups of 2-5 and attempt to fight off attacking planes with concentrated flak.
• Beaufighter 'B' of No 236 Squadron is on routine patrol when spotting the wake of a surfaced U-boat. The aircraft attacks immediately with rockets and sinks U-418

U-418

Churchill Addressing the Troops

Air Operations, CBI

• 5 11th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s, escorted by 10 P-40s, attack the airfield at Pailochi.
• 18 23rd Fighter Group P-40s attack troop barges at Itu and Japanese Army troop columns near Changyang.

Air Operations, Europe

The day brings some of the most violent air fighting yet seen in Russia. The Luftwaffe makes ferocious attacks on Kursk. The Russians claim 162 'kills' for a loss of 30. Major air battles also continue over the Kuban.

• 21 Wellingtons and 14 Stirlings lay mines off the Biscay ports without a loss.

NAAF fighters and medium bombers attack targets throughout the island all morning and into the afternoon.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s attack the airfields at Boram, But, Dagua, and Wewak, and conduct attacks on coastal shipping.

Air Operations, Sardinia

NAAF P-40s attack targets of opportunity throughout the island.

Air Operations, Sicily

NAAF P-38s attack the Trapani/Milo Airdrome.

Diplomatic Relations

Pope Pius appeals to the combatants to apply the 'laws of humanity' in air warfare. The British particularly are stung by the inference that its large-scale attacks against German population centers are immoral.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-202 surfaces to transmit her daily report which is picked up by escorting ships of convoy HX-241. The Britsh sloop, HMS Starling, runs down the bearing of the U-boat's transmission and delivers a series of depth-charge attacks. The damage submarine surfaces and is finished off with cannon fire and more depth charges.

U-202 Class Type VIIC CO Kapitänleutnant G&uunl;nther Poser Location North Atlantic Cause Depth charge/gunfire Casualties 18 Survivors 30

U-105 Class Type IXB CO Kapitänleutnant Jurgen Nissen Location Mid-Atlantic, off Dakar Cause Air attack Casualties 54 Survivors None

• U-105 is sunk by a French aircraft of No 141 Squadron operation from Dakar and escorting convoy SL-130.

Air Operations, Aleutians

Despite bad weather that grounds other missions, 2 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s and 6 343rd Fighter Group fighters attack Kiska.

Air Operations, Europe

The Russian air force makes a mass attack on the German base at Orel.

• 24 Wellingtons and 15 Stirlings lay mines off the Biscay ports and there are 16 OTU leaflet flights.
• 1 OTU Wellington is lost in the sea.

NAAF mounts an all-out effort against the island's defenses using medium bombers, light bombers and fighters.

Battle of the Atlantic

The waters off Halifax, Nova Scotia are mined by a German submarine. The field is discovered immediately, but only after the 2,000t Panamanian cargo ship Halma is sunk.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-24s attack a supply dump at Dobo.

Air Operations, Solomons

• During the evening, 307th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack 2 ships off southern Bougainville.
• During the night, XIII Bomber Command B-17s attack the Kahili airfield on Bougainville and targets along the Moliko River. B-24s attack targets in southern Bougainville.

Air Operations, Tunisia

1 FW-190 is downed by a 52nd Fighter Group Spitfire near Cap Bon.

China

The Japanese end their 'rice offensive' in the west of Hupeh province, in the Yichang area, and begin to withdraw. They have seized quantities of rice and captured many boats on the upper Yangtze.

Eastern Front

Bombing raids inflict considerable damage upon the German air bases at Orel.

France, Politics

In Algiers the Free French announce the formation of the Comité Français de Libération Nationale (CFLN), a provisional government of the French Empire under Gens de Gaulle and Giraud. Other members include Generals Catroux and Georges and MM Jean Monnet, René Massigli, Andre Philip and Gabriel Puaux.

Air Operations, Aleutians

Guided by a radar-equipped Patrol Wing 4 PV, 6 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack Kiska.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-25s attack Koepang and Lautem, Timor.

Air Operations, Europe

• There is a night raid on Gorki (Nishny Novgorod), a great tank manufacturing center on the Volga east of Moscow. This is the first in a series of strategic raids by the Luftwaffe on industrial centers along the Volga during June.
• B-24s bomb the Grossaglie airfield in southern Italy.

IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Crottaglie Airdrome.

The NAAF continues its all-out effort against the island's defenses using heavy bombers, medium bombers, light bombers, and fighters.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Wellington bombers make a night raid on the Milo airfield in Sicily.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s attack the airfields at Boram, Dagua, and Wewak.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The US submarine chaser PC-496 hits a mine and sinks in the Atlantic Ocean area.
• The British submarine is on patrol north of the Faroes when she is warned that a number of outbound submarines would be passing through her area. U-308 is sighted and after MkVIII torpedoes are fired, she is seen sinking.

U-308 Class Type VIIC CO Oberleutnant zur See Karl Muhkenfordt Location N Atlantic, NE of Faroe Islands Cause Submarine attack Casualties 44 Survivors None

U-594 Class Type VIIC CO Kapitänleutnant Friedrich Mumm Location Atlantic, S of Cape St Vincent Cause Air attack Casualties 50 Survivors None

• U-594 is attacked and sunk by Hudson 'F' of No 48 Squadron. In the first attack four rockets are fired but went over the submarine. The aircraft fired four more with at least one hitting the U-boat causing enough damage to sink her.

Algeria

Gen de Gaulle and Gen Giraud both broadcast to the French people from Algiers.

Air Operations, Aleutians

Guided by a radar-equipped Patrol Wing 4 PV, 7 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s, 6 B-25s, and 6 343rd Fighter Group P-40s attack Kiska despite bad weather.

Air Operations, CBI

• 234d Fighter Group P-40s strafe troop barges near Peiyang and attack boats and barges near Yoyang.

Air Operations, Europe

• 12 aircraft lay mines in the Frisians and there are 5 OTU sorties to Vichy-controlled areas of France. There are no losses.

NASAF B-17s attack the harbor at La Spezia.

NASAF B-25s and P-38s attack gun emplacements and other positions.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

1st Fighter Group P-38s down 2 Bf-109s near Cape St. Elia.

Air Operations, New Guinea

The 345th Medium Bomb Group, in B-25s, arrives at Port Moresby from the United States for service with the V Bomber Command.

Air Operations, Sardinia

• NASAF B-26s attack Porto Ponte Romano.
• P-38s attack Capoterra and Monserrato Airdromes.

Air Operations, Sicily

IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the harbor at Catania.

Air Operations, Solomons

• 32 AirSols fighters mount a sweep of the Kahili–Buin area five minutes before 12 AirSols TBFs and 15 SBDs, escorted by 21 USMC F4Us, attack Japanese Navy ships off Buin. This is the first attack conducted by AirSols light bombers in the northern Solomon Islands. 2 TBFs and 2 SBDs are lost.
• During several engagements through the morning and noon hours, 18th Fighter Group P-40s down 2 A6M Zeros over the Kahili airfield on Bougainville. 2 US Navy F4Fs down 1 A6M Zero over the Shortland Islands at noon. VMF-112 F4Us down 3 A6M Zeros and 3 float biplanes near the Shortland Islands at about 1030 hours. VMF-124 F4Us down 2 A6M Zeros and 2 float biplanes over the Shortlands and southern Bougainville at 1220 hours.

Air Operations, CBI

• 7 11th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s attack the airfield at Pailochi Airfield.
• 5 23rd Fighter Group P-40s strafe military targets at Tangyang.
• 11 P-40s attack a bridge at Puchi.
• 10 P-40s attack the airfield at Shasi and nearby river traffic.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-24s attack the Penfoei airfield at Timor and Koepang.

Air Operations, Europe

IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the harbors at Reggio di Calabria and Villa San Giovanni.

At the official commencement of Operation CORKSCREW, air attack by NAAF medium and light bombers and fighters are intensified, with special attention being paid to the destruction of shore batteries. Operating from its base at Korba, Tunisia, the 27th Fighter Group makes its combat debut on a mission against Pantelleria with the new A-36 Apache dive-bombers. During two separate fighter actions, 52nd and 325th Fighter Groups down 7 Bf-109s.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

The Allied bombers press home their attacks on Pantelleria hitting shore defenses and gun emplacements.

Air Operations, Sicily

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

Air Operations, Solomons

AirSols P-38s and P-40s strafe coastal targets on Choiseul.

Air Operations, Europe

NASAF and NATAF bombers and fighters and IX Bomber Command B-25s attack the entire island through the afternoon. P-40s of the 57th and 79th Fighter Groups down 2 Bf-109s and 2 Mc-202s in two separate afternoon fighter actions.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s attack the airfields and towns at Lae, Madang, Kesup, and Wewak.

Air Operations, Pacific

• In a major air action around the Russell Islands, US fighter aircraft shoot down 19 Japanese fighters out of a total of 40 attackers.
• The Japanese attack Guadalcanal and lose 23 aircraft for only 9 US aircraft destroyed.

Air Operations, Solomons

• A VF-11 F4F shoots down an A6M Zero near New Georgia at about 1030 hours.
• Russell Islands-based fighters intercept a formation of 10 B5N 'Kate' bombers and 102 A6M Zeros on its way to attack Allied facilities and shipping at Guadalcanal. In a general engagement that draws in AirSols fighters (including RNZAF Kittyhawks) from Guadalcanal, 18th Fighter Group P-40s and 347th Fighter Group P-38s down 11 Zeros, VMF-112 F4Us down 8 A6Ms, a VF-11 F4F downs 1 Zero, and 15 RNZAF Squadron Kittyhawks down 4 Zeros, all over the Russell Islands between 1115 and noon. 4 F4Us and 1 P-38 are also downed, and 2 more are lost in operational accidents, but only one USAAF pilot is lost.

Air Operations, Tunisia

2 52nd Fighter Group Spitfires down 1 Bf-109 near Cap Bon.

Air Operations, CBI

• 23rd Fighter Group P-40s strafe a Japanese Army barracks near Lamaing.

• 23rd Fighter Group P-40s attack a Japanese Army camp near Lungling and a headquarters at Tatung.

• At the opening of a regional anti-shipping campaign, 7 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s and 6 11th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s, escorted by 23Rd Fighter Group P-40s, sent to attack the port of Haiphong divert in the face of bad weather to Hongay, where they attack rail, power, and port facilities. Also attacked are the Gia Lam airfield at Hanoi and warehouses near Hanoi.

Air Operations, East Indies

• V Bomber Command B-25s attack Koepang, Timor, and targets near Dili, Timor.
• B-24s attack shipping near Waingapoe, Sumatra.

Air Operations, Europe

A total of 8 Axis fighters are downed by USAAF fighters during the course of three separate aerial engagements over or near the island.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-24s attack shipping near Wewak.

Air Operations, Sardinia

NAAF P-38s attack the Italian Army barracks at Segariu and the Villacidro Airdrome.

Air Operations, Solomons

XIII Bomber Command B-24s on armed-reconnaissance missions attack the airfield at Ballale and the Kahili airfield on Bougainville.

Aleutians

The Japanese Supreme Command orders the evacuation of Kiska Island. The island is being shelled every day by American destroyers which prevent the arrival of any supplies except those that can be brought in by submarine.

Eastern Front

As the build-up in and around ghe Kursk salient continues, the Soviet 1st, 2nd and 15th Air Armies begin a series of raids against German airfields around the salient, destroying some 220 aircraft on the ground.

Japan, Planning

The Japanese high command gives orders that Kiska, one of the Aleutian Islands, be evacuated. A US blockade of the island, plus the fall of Attu and the strategic irrelevance of the Aleutians, leads the Japanese to abandon this northern Pacific outpost.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

One B-24 attacks Unea Island.

Air Operations, CBI

• 6 23rd Fighter Group P-40s strafe rail targets in and around Puchi.

Air Operations, Europe

Hundreds of Russian bombers make a mass night raid on the German positions at Yaroslavl.

• 8 OTU Wellingtons make leaflet flights to France.
• 1 Wellington crashes in England.

• NASAF, NATAF, and IX Bomber Command bombers and fighters, and Allied naval forces bombard the entire island throughout the day.
• USAAF fighters down 13 Axis fighters over or near the island in three separate aerial actions.
• During the night, NAAF fighter-bombers attack the island.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Allied Headquarters North Africa state that bombardment of Pantelleria will continue as long as no reply is received to surrender demands. Allied Strategic and Tactical air forces redouble their bombing efforts.

Air Operations, New Guinea

2 V Bomber Command B-24s attack the airfield and town at Manokwari Airfield and Nabire.

Air Operations, Sicily

IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the Catania and Gerbini Airdromes.

Air Operations, Solomons

13th Air Force B-17s, P-38s, and P-40s attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia and the Vila airfield on Kolombangara.

Air Operations, Aleutians

A total of 7 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s, 8 B-25s, 12 343rd Fighter Group P-40s, and 2 F-5s attack Kiska and Little Kiska throughout the day.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

More than 20 V Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s attack the airfields in the Rabaul area.

Air Operations, CBI

• 9 23rd Fighter Group P-40s strafe barges and a gunboat at Chienli.
• 10 23rd Fighter Group P-40s intercept an estimated 25 Japanese bombers over Hengyang. 1 bomber is downed and several are damaged.

Air Operations, Europe

700 Russian bombers raid the airfields west of Kursk. 19 planes are lost.

• 5 Whitleys and 1 Wellington from OTUs make leaflet flights over France.
• 1 Whitley is lost.

More than 1,000 combat sorties are mounted throughout the day by NAAF bombers and fighters. IX Bomber Command B-25s and fighter-bombers mount additional attacks.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

In the course of at least two large running figher battles, 31st Fighter Group Spitfires and 79th and 325th Fighter Group P-40s down a total of 34 Axis fighters from over Pantelleria to within 5 miles of Sicily.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• 1 V Bomber Command B-24 attacks shipping at Kokas and the town area at Sorong.
• A 35th Fighter Group P-38 downs a Japanese twin-engine bomber over Bena Bena at 1015 hours.

Air Operations, Solomons

• XIII Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s attack the Kahili airfield on Bougainville twice during the day.
• G4M 'Bettys' attack a large Allied convoy off Malaita. An 18th Fighter Group P-38 downs 1 'Betty' and VMF-124 F4Us down 2 'Bettys', all over Malaita Island at 1148 hours.
• During the night 18 G4M 'Bettys' attack the Allied convoy on its way to Guadalcanal, but no hits are scored, thanks to skillful ship handling.

Battle of the Atlantic

The US tanker Esso Gettysburg, en route from Port Arthur, Texas to Philadelphia, is torpedoed and sunk by U-66. The attack created intense fires preventing the launching of lifeboats. Only 8 of the 45-man crew and 7 of the 27-man Armed Guard survive.

Eastern Front

Dornier Do 17Z-2

Air Operations, Aleutians

7 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s, 8 B-25s, 4 343ed Fighter Group P-38s, 10 P-40s, and 2 F-5s reconnoiter and attack Kiska.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

V Bomber Command B-24s attack airfields in the Rabaul area and targets of opportunity around Gasmata and Keravia Bay.

Air Operations, CBI

• 8 23rd Fighter Group P-40s attack motor vehicles at Mangshih, military camps on the Salween River, and warehouses at Tungling.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-24s attack Koepang, Timor and B-25s attack the Dili and Penfoei airfields on Timor.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack coastal targets at Huon Gulf and P-40s attack a Japanesesubmarine off Cape Nelson.

Air Operations, Europe

Fortresses of the American 8th Air Force, unescorted, attack Wilhelmshaven in the evening, damaging shipyards where U-boats are built. It does become clear though that, without adequate fighter protection, precision bombing is prevented by enemy interceptor aircraft.

• 783 aircraft are sent to Düsseldorf. In this total are 326 Lancasters, 202 Halifaxes, 143 Wellingtons, 99 Stirlings and 13 Mosquitos.

• The Pathfinder marking is progressing well until an Oboe Mosquito inadvertently releases a load of target indicators 14 miles northeast of the target area. This causes part of the Main Force to release its bombs in open country. The main bombing, however, does cause extensive damage to the center of the city where 130 acres are claimed to have been destroyed. 1,292 people are killed. This proves to be the most damaging raid of the war for Düsseldorf.
• 14 Lancasters, 12 Halifaxes, 10 Wellingtons and 2 Stirlings are lost. 5 of the aircraft are claimed shot down by 'ace' Maj Werner Streib, flying the first purpose-built German night fighter, the He-219.
• In a smaller effort, 29 Lancasters, 22 Halifaxes and 21 Stirlings attack Münster.
• All the aircraft are provided by No. 8 Group and is really a mass H₂S trial. 33 aircraft carry markers or flares with the remaining planes acting as the bomb force although some of the marking planes also drop bombs. The marking and bombing are very accurate and the whole raid lasts about 10 minutes. Photo reconnaissance shows that heavy damage is done to railway installations in Münster as well as to housing areas.
• 2 Halifaxes, 2 Lancasters and 1 Stirling are lost.

• In VIII Bomber Command's largest heavy-bomber attack to day, 248 B-17s on their way to attack the U-boat yards at Wilhelmshaven are force to disperse by heavy clouds. The target are is also blanketed by the Germans with smoke. As a result, only 218 B-17s manage to drop more than 426 tons of bombs over a wide are of Wilhelmshaven and several scattered targets of opportunity.
• 8 B-17s are lost, 62 damaged; 3 crewmen killed, 20 wounded, 80 missing
US 9th AIR FORCE
LAMPEDUSA:


IX Bomber Command B-25s and fighters and Royal Navy warships open an intense bombardment that continues through the night of June 11.

USAAF
PANTELLERIA:


As the landing on Pantelleria begin, a large formation of bomb-equipped Luftwaffe FW-190s and Bf-109s attempt to attack Royal Navy ships. The attack is turned back by 57th Fighter Group P-40s.

As the first British troops are going ashore, at 0735 hours, the Italian commander issues a proclamation calling for unconditional surrender. For the first time in history, the aerial bombardment campaign is given full credit for a victory over a lang objective. Since May 5 and the landings, the island has been subjected to 5,285 combat sorties dispensing 6,200 tons of bombs.

Despite the surrender, Axis fighter continue to attack Allied aircraft and ships in the area. In the course of two morning attacks, aircraft of the 52nd and 57th Fighter Groups down 8 Luftwaffe fighters. About 1300 hours, 81st Fighter Group P-39 dive-bombers down 3 FW-190s. Also, about 1540 hours, 3 31st Fighter Group Spitfires down 6 Luftwaffe fighters.

[ | ]


---

Battle of the Atlantic

U-417 is heading out into the Atlantic when she is spotted by Fortress 'R' of No 206 Squadron. The U-boat opens up a heavy and accurate fire on the aircraft as it comes in scoring several hits. The Fortress drops four depth charges and obtain a perfect straddle. The U-boat is completely enveloped by the explosions and sinks with her bows rising to the vertical. The aircraft was so badly damage it had to ditch in the sea. The crew are rescued in their rubber dinghy three days later.

U-417

Class	Type VIID
CO	Oberleutnant zur See Wolfgang Schreinere
Location	Atlantic, NW of Faroe Islands
Cause	Air attack
Casualties	46
Survivors	None

[ | ]


---

Diplomatic Relations

• The US and Britain recognize the new provisional government in Argentina.
• The French Committee of National Liberation is given official recognition by Uruguay, the first nation to do so.
• Saudi Arabia rejects the idea of a Jewish state.
[ | ]

---

Air Operations, Europe

• 503 aircraft are sent to Bochum. Included in the total are 323 Lancasters, 167 Halifaxes and 11 Mosquitos.
• The raid takes place over a completely cloud-covered target, but accurate Oboe skymarking enable the Main Force to cause severe damage in the center of the city.
• 14 Lancasters and 10 Halifaxes are lost.

• 34 Wellingtons lay mines in the Frisians, off Lorient and St Nazaire.
• There are no losses.
• There is a heavy night raid on Plymouth. It will be repeated on August 11 and November 15.

While on fighter sweeps involving 140 4th, 56th, and 78th Fighter Group P-47s, a 56th Fighter Group P-47 downs an FW-190 over Ypres.

Following the start of scheduled day-long attacks by NAAF and 9th Air Force fighters and bombers, the Italian garrison surrenders to avoid further bombardment, and a British Army infantry company is landed to take possession of the island.

52nd Fighter Group Spitfires down 3 FW-190s during a morning action over the island.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Allied bombing continues without respite hitting Catania and Palermo, Sicily, causing many casualties and serious damage.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-24s attack Kaimana and Nabire and 1 B-25 attacks barges in Langemak Bay.
• 49th Fighter Group P-38s down 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Bena Bena at 0930 hours.

Air Operations, Pacific

The US kill-to-loss ration widens, as 31 Japanese bombers are downed for a loss of only 6 US fighters.

Air Operations, Sicily

NASAF B-26s attack the Bocca di Falco, Castel Vetrano, and Trapani/Milo Airdromes.

Air Operations, Solomons

An estimated 50 A6M Zeros attacking Allied facilities and shipping at Guadalcanal are thwarted by 91 AirSols fighters. XIII Fighter Command fighters down 8 Zeros over or near the Russell Islands at 1030 hours, VF-11 F4Fs down 14 Zeros over the Russell Islands at 1025 hours, and VMF-121 F4Fs down 6 Zeros between the Russell Islands and Guadalcanal at 1100 hours. 6 AirSols fighters are lost with 2 of their pilots.

Atlantic

The US submarine R-12 sinks off Key West due to unknown causes.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

V Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s attack airfields in the Rabaul area and Gasmata.

Air Operations, Europe

• 60 B-17 bombers of the US 8th Air Force attack the submarine shipyards at Kiel. The Luftwaffe put up their stiffest opposition yet and during the aerial battle that follows at least 22 American aircraft are brought down. Another attack on Bremen by 102 B-17s is only lightly opposed.

• There is a night raid on Grimsby. Many 'Butterfly' anti-personnel bombs and incendiaries are dropped. 74 people are killed and 130 injured.

• 13 Mosquitos are sent to attack cities in Germany

  6 to Berlin, 4 to Düsseldorf and 3 to Cologne. All the targets are covered in cloud and only estimated postions are bombed. 18 Wellingtons and 12 Stirlings are sent to lay mines off the Biscay ports and there are 8 OTU sorties.

• 1 mine-laying Wellington is lost.

140 VIII Fighter Command short-range P-47s are sent on sweeps over France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Luftwaffe engage the 56th Fighter Group formation over northern France which results in the downing of 3 FW-190s.

• Although the main daylight bombing attack atainst Bremen by 122 1st Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s is lightly opposed by Luftwaffe fighters, 22 of the 72 4th Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s dispatched on a diversionary strike against Kiel are downed and 24 are damaged. As a result of the mission's high losses, ranking proponents of the daylight bombing strategy are given more than ample justification for reassessing the need for changing strategies to favor long-range fighter escorts.
• 1st Heavy Bomb Wing losses: 4 B-17s lost, 31 damaged; 8 crewmen wounded, 32 missing; 4th Heavy Bomb Wing crew: 3 killed, 20 wounded, 213 missing

Air Operations, CBI

• 9 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a railway bridge at Meza.

• 11 11th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s and 14 23Rd Fighter Group P-40s attack the airfield at Nanchang.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-25s attack Dili and Koepang, Timor.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

350th Fighter Group P-39 dive-bombers down 2 FW-190s over Pantelleria during the afternoon.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack barges along coastal areas and B-24s mount individual attacks against the Malahang airfield at Lae and a freighter in Humboldt Bay.

Air Operations, Sicily

24 376th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Gerbini Airdrome, and 22 98th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s join RAF bombers for an attack against the Catania Airdrome.

Air Operations, Solomons

XIII Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s attack the Kahili airfield on Bougainville.

Air Operations, Europe

• 197 Lancasters and 6 Mosquitos are sent to Oberhausen.

• The target area is cloud-covered but the Oboe skymarking is accurate.
• 17 Lancasters are lost.

• 2 Mosquitos are sent to Cologne and 29 aircraft lay mines off Brittany and in the Gironde River.
• 1 mine-laying Stirling is lost.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

1 V Bomber Command B-24 attacks the Lakunai airfield at Rabaul.

Air Operations, CBI

P-40s of the 23rd Fighter Group’s 74th Fighter Squadron intercept 8 Japanese bombers and 20 fighters near Nanchang at 1255 hours. 7 Japanese fighters are downed.

Air Operations, Gilberts

1 VII Bomber Command B-24 based at Funafuti attacks the Betio airfield on Tarawa.

Air Operations, Solomons

• 11 XIII Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s attack the Kahili airfield on Bougainville and targets in the Shortland Islands.
• 18 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s make their unit’s combat debut with an attack against the Vila airfield on Kolombangara.

Atlantic

RAF Coastal Command and attached Allied squadrons begin systematic daily patrols in the Bay of Biscay to counter new U-boat tactics. The actions are dubbed Operations MUSKETRY and SEASLUG.

Axis Diplomacy

Tojo confers in Tokyo with Subhas Chandra Bose. The pro-Axis Indian leader had fled India in 1941 while awaiting trial and worked his way to Germany. He arrives in Tokyo after an 18-week trip from Kiel on German and Japanese submarines. Tojo encourages Bose to form a provisional government which can take control of Indian territory which the Japanese plan to occupy.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-334 is located by the frigates Pelican and Jed, which are part of the 1st Support Group supporting convoy ONS-10, and is depth-charged to destruction.

U-334 Class Type VIIC CO Oberleutnant zur See Heinz Erich Location Atlantic, W of Butt of Lewis Cause Depth charge Casualties 47 Survivors None

U-564 Class Type VIIC CO Oberleutnant zur See Hans Fiedler Location Bay of Biscay Cause Air attack Casualties 28 Survivors 18

• After being damaged in air attack the previous day, U-564 is being escorted back to Bordeaux by U-185. They are spotted by Whitley 'G' og No 10 OTU who attacks with depth charges, one exploding directly under U-564 causing her bow to lift out of the water before sinking by the stern.

Britain, Preparations

The RAF forms the Second Tactical Air Force.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

V Bomber Command B-24s mount a dawn attack against the airfields in the Rabaul area.

Air Operations, CBI

• 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a bridge at Myitnge.

• 10 11th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s, escorted by 12 23rd Fighter Group P-40s, support Chinese Army ground troops by attacking Japanese Army ground troops near Owchihkow.

Air Operations, East Indies

380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s mount an evening attack against Kendari airfield on Celebes.

Air Operations, Europe

• 6 Mosquitos carry out a nuisance raid on Berlin without a loss.

Air Operations, New Guinea

1 V Bomber Command B-25 attacks a motor launch and strafes a beach.

Air Operations, Sicily

During the morning, NAAF B-17s, B-25s, B-26s, and P-38s attack the Bocca di Falco, Bo Rizzo, Castelvetrano, Sciacca, and Trapani/Milo Airdromes, as well as several radio stations near Marsala. 1st and 82nd Fighter Group P-28s and 325th Fighter Group P-40s down 3 Italian and 2 Luftwaffe fighters over the airdromes or near the coast between 0610 and 1020 hours.

Air Operations, Solomons

XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack the airfield at Ballale.

Diplomatic Relations

Turkey reconfirms its policy of strict neutrality. It reaffirms both its friendship with the Soviet Union and the German-Turkish 1941 treaty of amity.

Air Operations, Europe

• 202 Lancasters and 10 Halifaxes of Nos. 1, 5 and 8 Groups are sent to Cologne.
• The marking for this raid is done by 16 heavy bombers of the Pathfinders fitted with H₂. The target is covered in cloud and some of the Pathfinder aircraft have trouble with their H₂ sets. The skymarking is late and sparse. As a result, the bombing of the Main Force is scattered.
• 14 Lancasters are lost.

• 3 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin and there are 4 OTU sorties.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s attack barges and shore targets along the New Britain coast.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-25s attack Koepang and Oeikoesi, Timor.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Naples is hit in a night attack by the RAF.

Air Operations, New Guinea

3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s attack shore emplacements and barges along the northeast coast.

Air Operations, Solomons

• An estimated 24 D3A 'Val' dive bombers and 70 A6M Zeros attack a US Navy fleet assembling at Guadalcanal to undertake an invasion of the central Solomon Islands at and around New Georgia (Operation TOENAILS).
• 104 AirSols fighters, including New Zealand Kittyhawks, and ship- and shore-based anti-aircraft guns down nearly 100 Japanese Navy aircraft against a loss of 6 Allied fighters. XIII Fighter Command fighters down 15 D3A 'Vals' and 26 Zeros, VF-11 F4Fs down 15 'Vals' and 16 Zeros, and USMC fighters down 1 'Val' and 2 Zeros, all between 1345 and 1420 hours. 6 AirSols fighters and 5 pilots are also lost.
• 3 vessels are hit by bombs and 2 of them have to be beached. Losses afloat are 25 killed, 22 missing, and 29 wounded.

Canada, Home Front

Madame Chiang Kai-shek addresses Parliament.

Eastern Front

Guderian reports to Hitler that the new Panther tanks are encountering teething problems. Hitler maintains that the Panther is vital to the success of CITADEL and presses them into service regardless, despite Guderian's arguments to the contrary.

Japan, Home Front

Tojo tells the Japanese Diet that the war situation has reached a critical stage.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

One V Bomber Command B-24 attacks the Cape Gloucester airfield on New Britain.

Air Operations, CBI

• 23rd Fighter Group P-40s strafe warehouses and a train near Chiochiang and a train near Nanchang.

• 23rd Fighter Group P-40s strafe road traffic near Hanoi.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-24s attack Boela in the Molucca Islands.

Air Operations, Europe

• 4 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin and 3 to Cologne and the Ruhr without a loss.

Air Operations, Gilberts

During the night, 4 VII Bomber Command B-24s based at Funafuti mount individual attacks against targets in Tarawa Atoll at two-hour intervals. These attacks are a diversion for a photo-reconnaissance mission by Funafuti-based B-24s to Mille Atoll and other areas of the Marshall Islands.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-24s attack Sorong and B-25s attack Madang and Salamaua.

Air Operations, Sicily

IX Bomber Command B-24s attack the airdromes at Biscari and Comiso, putting the latter out of commission.

Air Operations, Solomons

A VF-26 F4F downs a G4M 'Betty' bomber near over a US Navy convoy near San Cristobal Island at 1100 hours.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

V Bomber Command B-25s attack motor launches off Cape Gloucester.

Air Operations, Central Pacific

During the night, B-24s of the XIII Bomber Command’s 307th Heavy Bomb Group attack Nauru Island, a 2,700-mile round trip.

Air Operations, Marshalls

During the night, VII Bomber Command B-24s based at Funafuti reconnoiter and photograph Jaluit Atoll.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

• The British and Americans step up their air attacks on Messina in preparation for Operation HUSKY, the invasion of Sicily.
• NASAF B-25s, B-26s, and P-38s attack Axis ships at sea in the Golfo Aranci.
• P-38s of the 82nd Fighter Group's 96th Fighter Squadron down 16 Italian Air Force fighters and 1 FW-190 over the Golfo Aranci about 1000 hours.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack motor launches off Finschhafen.

Air Operations, Sardinia

NASAF B-25s, B-26s, and P-38s attack port facilities and shipping at Olbia. 2 Bf-109s and 1 Fi-156 observation plane are downed by 1st and 325th Fighter Group P-38s during the morning.

Air Operations, Sicily

• Allied fighters and bombers based in North Africa open a systematic air campaign supporting in advance the upcoming invasion of the first Allied land objective in western Europe. Initial focus is placed on targets around the Straits of Messina, over which the island's large garrison is most likely to be reinforced.
• NAAf B-17s attack the ferry terminal and rail yards at Messina, and P-38 fighter-bombers attack the Trapani/Milo Airdrome.

Air Operations, Solomons

• XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Kahili airfield on Bougainville.
• 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Ballale and barges in Wilson Strait.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

V Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s attack the Vunakanau airfield at Rabaul while other B-24s mount individual attacks against the Rapopo airfield at Rabaul.

Air Operations, Europe

• 290 aircraft, including 181 Halifaxes, 107 Stirlings and 2 Lancasters, are sent to bomb the Schneider armaments factory and the Breuil steelworks at Le Creusot.
• The plan calls for the Pathfinders to drop only flares and the Main Force would identify their targets by the light of these flares. The Main Force is to make 2 runs over the target dropping a short stick of bombs between 5,000 and 10,000 feet on each run. At this stage of the war, the bomber crews are used to bombing target indicators and many have difficulty identifying their targets. Lingering smoke from the large number of flares used is blamed for most of the difficulty. Bombing photographs show that all crews drop their bombs within 3 miles of the target, but only about one fifth actually hit the factories. Many bombs fall on nearby residential properties. There are no details from the ground as to the extent of the casualties.
• 2 Halifaxes are lost.
• 26 of the H₂S-equipped Pathfinders are to fly on to drop flares over the electrical transformer station at Montchanin. By the light of these flares 26 more Lancasters from No. 8 Group are to attack this second target. Most of the crews, however, mistake a small metal factory for the transformer station and bomb it instead. A few crews do correctly identify the station, but there are no direct hits.

• 6 Mosquitos are sent to Colgone, Duisburg and Düsseldorf, and 12 Lancasters of No. 3 Group lay mines in the Gironde River.
• 1 Lancaster is lost.

IX Bomber Command B-24s attack ferries in the Straits of Messina, the harbor at Reggio di Calabria, and the rail yards and ferry terminal at Villa San Giovanni.

Air Operations, Marshalls

During the night, VII Bomber Command B-24s based at Funafuti reconnoiter and photograph Jaluit Atoll.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• 3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s attack a village and heavily damage a trail.
• B-24s mount individual attacks against Finschhafen.

Air Operations, Tunisia

A P-39 from NACAF's 350th Fighter Group downs a Ju-88 just off the coast at 0745 hours.

Atlantic

The Italian submarine Barbarigo is sunk in the Bay of Biscay.

Britain, Home Front

In Horse Racing, Dorothy Paget's 'Straight Deal' wins the Derby.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

V Bomber Command B-24s attack Rabaul and the Rapopo and Keravat airfields at Rabaul. B-25s and A-20s attack coastal targets and barges around New Britain.

Air Operations, Europe

• 60 Lancasters are sent to bomb the Zeppelin works at Friedrichshafen on the shores of Lake Constance.
• This factory makes Würzburg radar sets which are an important part of the German-fighter interception boxes through which Bomber Command has to fly every time they attack a target in Germany. This is a special raid with interesting and novel tactics. Like the recent Dams Raid, this attack is to be 'controlled' by the pilot of one of the Lancasters. This feature will become known as 'the Master Bomber' technique. The plan is formulated by No 5 Group which provides the Master Bomber 'Group Captain L. C. Slee' and nearly all of the aircraft involved; the Pathfinders send 4 Lancasters of 97 Squadron. Group Captain Slee's aircraft develops engine trouble and he hands over to his deputy, Wing Commander G. L. Gomm of 467 Squadron. The attack, like the recent raid on Le Creusot, is intended to be carried out from 5,000 to 10,000ft in bright moonlight, but the flak and searchlight defences are very active and Wing Commander Gomm orders the bombing force to climb a further 5,000 ft. Unfortunately the wind at the new height is stronger than anticipated and this causes difficulties.
• The bombing is in 2 parts. The first bombs are aimed at target indicators dropped by one of the Pathfinder aircraft. The second phase is a 'time-and-distance' bombing run from a point on the shores of the lake to the estimated position of the factory. This is a technique which No 5 Group was developing. Photographic reconnaissance shows that nearly 10 per cent of the bombs hit the small factory and that there is heavy damage there. Nearby factories are also hit. The bomber force confuses the German night fighters waiting for the return over France by flying on in the first shuttle raid to North Africa.
• There are no losses.

• 4 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin, 1 Mosquito to Düsseldorf, 15 aircraft lay mines off La Pallice and in the Gironde River and there are 3 OTU sorties.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s attack Finschhafen while other A-20s attack Lae.

Air Operations, Sicily

• NASAF B-26s attack the Bo Rizzo, Castelvetrano, and Trapani/Milo Airdromes.
• P-38 escorts of the 1st and 14th Fighter Groups down 15 Bf-109s during an engagement over Sicily between 0830 and 0855 hours.

Air Operations, Solomons

• XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack the Kahili airfield on Bougainville and nearby targets, and Kieta.
• AirSols light bombers and fighters attack the Vila airfield on Kolombangara.

Atlantic

The first of 5 troop convoys leaves the Clyde for Operation HUSKY.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British naval anti-submarine 'Support' and 'Escort' groups supplement the Allied air offensive against U-boats in the Bay of Biscay.
• The German submarine U-388 is sunk by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84) in the North Atlantic area.

U-97

Air Operations, CBI

• 7 11th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s, escorted by 8 23Rd Fighter Group P-40s, attack an Japanese Army-held village in support of Chinese Army ground troops. 8 other B-25s, escorted by 9 P-40s, sent to attack another Japanese-held village accidentally bomb the wrong town and kill 50 Chinese Army soldiers.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-25s mount a pre-dawn attack against Koepang, Timor.

Air Operations, Europe

• 705 aircraft are sent to Krefeld. Included in the total are 262 Lancasters, 209 Halifaxes, 117 Stirlings, 105 Wellingtons and 12 Mosquitos.
• This raid is carried out before the moon period is over and heavy casualty number is caused by night fighters. The raid takes place in good visibility and the Pathfinders produce an almost perfect marking effort. The ground markers dropped by the Oboe Mosquitos are well backed up by the Pathfinder heavies. 619 aircraft bomb these markers with more than three quarters of them achieving bombing photographs within 3 miles of the center of the target. A larger area of fire is created and it rages out of control for several hours. There is heavy damage and a death total fo about 5,000.
• 17 Halifaxes, 9 Lancasters, 9 Wellingtons and 9 Stirlings are lost.

• 1 Mosquito is sent to Hamborn and there are 15 OTU sorties without a loss.

• NASAF B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Battipaglia, an air depot at Cancello Arnone, rail yards at Naples, and marshalling yards and a railway trestle at Salerno.
• IX Bomber Command B-24s attack port facilities and rail yards at Reggio di Calabria, and the ferry terminal at Villa San Giovanni.

Air Operations, Gilberts

A VII Bomber Command B-24s reconnoiters several islands.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-25s attack the airfield at Lae Airfield and nearby areas.
• 3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s attack Lae and Malahang.
• 8th Fighter Group P-38s down 13 Japanese fighters over Lae and Salamaua between 1100 and 1120 hours.

Air Operations, Solomons

A V Bomber Command B-24 attacks targets of opportunity on Buka Island. A VF-11 F4F downs a G4M 'Betty' bomber near San Cristobal Island at 1600 hours.

Britain, Policy

The BBC warns Belgians to stay away from industrial plants working for Germany.

Eastern Front

Hitler sets July 3 as the date Operation CITADEL is to begin but soon re-schedules this to July 5.

Air Operations, CBI

• 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s and 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Monywa and the marshalling yard at Ywataung.

Air Operations, Europe

• In their first big daylight raid bombers of the US 8th Air Force make a successful attack on a synthetic rubber factory at Hüls, in the Ruhr, putting in temporarily out of action.

• Mülheim is the target of 557 aircraft including 242 Lancasters, 155 Halifaxes, 93 Stirlings, 55 Wellingtons and 12 Mosquitos.
• The Pathfinders have to mark through a thin layer of stratus cloud but reports indicate accurate initial marking. In the later stages of the raid, the Pathfinder markers and bombing move slightly into the northern part of the town. This has the effect of cutting all communication with the neighboring town of Oberhausen with which Mülheim is linked for air raid purposes. The post-war British Bombing Survey Unit estimated that this single raid on Mülheim destroyed 64 percent of the town.

• 4 Mosquitos each to Berlin and Cologne, and there are 26 OTU sorties.
• 1 OTU Wellington is lost.

• 39 B-17s of the 381st and 384th Heavy Bomb Groups, in their combat debuts as part of the 1st Heavy Bomb Wing, attack industrial targets around Antwerp with more than 95 tons of bombs.
• • 4 B-17s are lost, 18 damaged; 1 crewman is killed, 3 wounded, 40 missing
• 4th Fighter Group P-47s escort the B-17s part of way home from the target, but make no contact with Luftwaffe fighters.

• 183 of the 224 1st and 4th Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s dispatched and 11 YB-40s attack a synthetic rubber plant at Huls with 422 tons of bombs. Results of this first large-scale strategic mission against an industrial target in the Ruhr region of Germany are considered particularly good, but losses are high.
• 15 B-17s and 1 YB-40 are lost, 75 B-17s damaged; 2 crewmen killed, 16 wounded, 151 missing
• A diversionary mission by the 100th Heavy Bomb Group, making its combat debut, fails to confuse the German defenses on account of a late start.

Between 0915 and 0925 hours, P-47s of the 4th and 78th Fighter Groups down 7 Luftwaffe fighters over Walcheren Island without any loss.

Air Operations, Gilberts

3 VII Bomber Command B-24s reconnoiter several islands and atolls.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-24s attack Taberfane.

Air Operations, Sardinia

NACAF Beaufighters claim a small vessel sunk off the coast.

Air Operations, Europe

The Luftwaffe makes the first of 4 night raids on Hull during 1943. 2 of the raids will be totally unsuccessful.

• 52 Lancasters that had bombed Friedrichshafen 3 nights previous fly from North Africa, bomb La Spezia and then return to England without a loss.
• Bomber Command claims damage to an armaments store and an oil depot in La Spezia.

• 3 Mosquitos each to Colgone and Duisburg and 30 aircraft lay mines off Brittany and the Biscay ports with no losses.

• While being prepared for the day's missiong, a 381st Heavy Bomb Group B-17 blows up, killing 22 USAAF personnel and 1 British civilian and damaging another B-17.
• After 180 VIII Bomber Command B-17s are sent on two separate missions against targets in France, all are recalled due to bad weather.

Air Operations, East Indies

17 380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based in Australia attack 2 Japanese light cruisers, port facilities, a factory, and the town area at Makassar, Celebes.

Air Operations, New Guinea

1 V Bomber Command B-24 on an armed-reconnaissance mission attacks the Malahang airfield at Lae.

Air Operations, Solomons

42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s and AirSols fighters and SBDs attack Buka.

Australia, Politics

In the House of Representatives a censure motion on the government is beaten by one vote. Prime Minister Curtin announces that he will advise the Governor General to dissolve Parliament.

Air Operations, Aleutians

Following nearly two weeks of impassable weather, 16 28th Composite Bomb Group bombers mount armed-reconnaissance flights to Kiska, where 2 bombers attack ground targets.

Air Operations, CBI

• 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack a bridge at Shweli.

Air Operations, Europe

• 9th Air Force Liberators bomb Sedes airfield in Greece and drop pamphlets addressed to the local population.

• 630 aircraft are sent to Wuppertal. Included in the total are 251 Lancasters, 171 Halifaxes, 101 Wellingtons, 98 Stirlings and 9 Mosquitos.
• This attack is aimed at the Elberfeld half of the city since the Barmen half had received extensive damage in an attack at the end of may. The Pathfinder marking is accurate and the Main Force bombing begins well but creepback becomes more pronounced the usual. 30 planes hit targets in the more western part of the Ruhr, Wuppertal being in the eastern part. Regardless, extensive damage is caused in the Elberfeld part. Estimates say as much as 94 percent of the Elberfeld part of Wuppertal is destroyed in this attack.

• 4 Mosquitos are sent to Duisburg, 4 Stirlings lay mines in the Gironde River and there are 7 OTU sorties.
• There are no losses.

Of 128 P-47 sorties launched over northern Europe, 1 78th Fighter Group P-47 downs and FW-190 near Ostend at 0910.

49 IX Bomber Command B-24s attack Salonika/Sedhes Airdrome.

Air Operations, Gilberts

3 VII Bomber Command B-24s stationed at Funafuti and 2 from Canton Island reconnoiter several atolls and islands.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

An Me-210 is downed at sea at 1910 hours by an 81st Fighter Group P-39 on convoy-escort duty.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s strafe the airfield at Salamaua and several nearby villages.

Air Operations, Sardinia

• NASAF B-25s and B-26s attack the Alghero/Fertila and Venafiorita Airdromes, the rail junction at Chilivani, Axis ships at sea off the coast, and various targets of opportunity.
• While conducting aggressive sweeps over southern Sardinia, NAAF P-40s attack motor vehicles ner La Maddalena, sink 2 small vessels off the coast and strafe Axis aircraft on the ground at Capoterra Airdrome.
• While escorting the morning bombing attacks or conducting sweeps, 14th Fighter Group P-38s down 7 Bf-109s over Alghero Airdrome, 325th Fighter Group P-40s down 5 Bf-109s over the Gulf of Palmas, and 1st Fighter Group P-38s down 8 Bf-109s over Chilivani.

Air Operations, Solomons

During the night, XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack the airfield at Buka and targets around Kahili.

Battle of the Atlantic

• Working in the Bay of Biscay, the British sloop HMS Starling obtains an asdic contact which is determined to be a submarine. The ship drops a pattern of ten charges set to varying depths. Starling for a second pass when the U-boat, U-119, surfaces and begins using her guns. Starling heads towart the U-boat intent on ramming but a swell carried her onto U-119's casing and rode over her. The U-boat is finished off by a final attack by the sloop HMS Woodpecker.

U-119 Class Type XB CO Kapitänleutnant Horst-J. von Kamecke Location Atlantic, NW of Cape Ortegal Cause Ramming/gunfire Casualties 57 Survivors None

U-194 Class Type IXC/40 CO KorvettenKapitän Hermann Hesse Location Atlantic, S of Iceland Cause Air attack Casualties 54 Survivors None

• U-194 is heading out into the Atlantic when she comes within the area covered by the air patrols for convoy ONS-11. Catilina 'G' of USN Squadron VP-84 makes two attacks with depth charges, the second of which appears to have damaged the U-boat enough to cause it to sink.

Air Operations, Aleutians

12 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s, 25 B-25s, and 2 343rd Fighter Group P-38s mount a total of 6 separate attacks against Kiska.

Air Operations, Europe

Photo of Lead Crew of the 427th BS

• 473 aircraft are set to Gelsenkirchen. In this total are 214 Lancasters, 134 Halifaxes, 73 Stirlings, 40 Wellingtons and 12 Mosquitos.
• This is the first raid on this target since 1941 when it was one of Bomber Command's regular 'oil targets'. The raid is not a success. The target is covered in cloud and the Oboe Mosquitos fail to produce regular and accurate marking since 5 of the 12 Oboe aircraft find their equipment not working correctly.
• 13 Lancasters, 7 Halifaxes, 6 Stirlings and 4 Wellingtons are lost.

• 33 aircraft are sent to lay mines in the Frisians and off the French ports.
• 1 Lancaster is lost.

• Due to extremely poor visibility over much of northwestern Europe, 149 1st Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s attack targets of opportunity and targets of last resort, including a convoy at sea.
• 15 B-17s are lost, 39 damaged; 3 crewmen killed, 11 wounded, 142 missing
• Also hampered by poor visibility, 18 of the 78 4th Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s dispatched attack a convoy off Juist Island.
• 3 B-17s are lost, 22 damaged; 3 crewmen wounded, 29 missing

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Allied bombing continues in preparation for the invasion of the island of Sicily. 300 tons of bombs are dropped on Messina, an important transportation and communication center.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack Japanese Army ground positions around Sepu.

Air Operations, Sicily

In their heaviest single raid of the month, NAAF B-17s attack Messina with 300 tons of bombs.

Air Operations, Solomons

• 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s escorted by P-40s attack the Vila airfield on Kolombangara.
• During the night, XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack the airfield at Ballale and nearby targets.

Air Operations, Aleutians

16 28th Composite Group bombers and 28 343rd Fighter Group fighters mount 7 separate attacks against Kiska and Little Kiska. 4 P-38s are damaged by ground fire.

Air Operations, Algeria

A 350th Fighter Group P-39 downs a Ju-88 near Algiers at 1530 hours.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

V Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s mount pre-dawn and early-morning attacks against the harbor and airfields at Rabaul.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-25s attack Penfoei, Timor, in the early evening.

Air Operations, Europe

• 4 Mosquitos are sent to Hamburg, 3 to Duisburg, 16 Wellingtons lay mines off Lorient and Brest and there are 14 OTU sorties.
• 1 mine-laying Wellington is lost.

• Of 123 1st Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s and 5 YB-40s sent on a late-afternoon mission against Villacoublay Airdrome, a total of only 17 B-17s attack an aircraft-industry plant at Villacoublay or Poissy Airdrome. 39 of the 42 B-17s sent by the 305th and 306th Heavy Bomb Groups attack their primary, Tricqueville Airdrome.

• All 81 4th Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s sent to attack Le Mans Airdrome abort before reaching the target.
• 5 B-17s are lost, 14 damaged; 1 crewman is killed, 3 wounded, 51 missing
• Between 1850 and 1915 hours, while escorting withdrawing heavy bombers, 4th and 56th Fighter Group P-47s are engaged over Dieppe by FW-190s and Bf-109s. 4 victories are confirmed.
• 4 P-47s are lost along with their pilots

Air Operations, Mediterranean

A Spitfire with the 52nd Fighter Group downs 1 FW-190 and damages another north of Pantelleria at 1700 hours.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s mount pre-dawn and early-morning attacks against Lae. Later, V Bomber Command B-25s attack the airfield at Lae and Salamaua.

Air Operations, Solomons

XIII Fighter Command P-38s strafe Rekata Bay.

Eastern Front

As another month ebbs away in relative inactivity the offensive has still not begun. Hoth, commmanding 4th Panzer Army, observes that the chance of success decreases with every passing day.

Air Operations, Aleutians

• 8 radar-guided 28th Composite Group B-24s sent to attack Kiska abort in the face of bad weather.
• Later, a total of 19 B-24s (of 26 dispatched) and 7 B-25s are able to mount 2 attacks against Kiska.

Air Operations, Europe

• 15 Lancaster and 15 Stirlings lay mines in the Frisians, off La Pallice and in the Gironde River and there are 4 OTU sorties.
• 1 mine-laying Lancaster is lost.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-24s attack various targets in the Molucca Islands.

Air Operations, New Guinea

• V Bomber Command B-25s attack Dumpu, Kaiapit, and Kaigulin.
• 3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s attack barges and facilities at Labu Lagoon.

Indian Ocean

The US freighter Sebastian Cermeno, en route from Mombasa, Kenya to Bahia, Brazil, is torpedoed and sunk by U-511. From the 42-man crew, 27-man Armed Guard and 5 passengers, 5 die from wounds or exposure in the lifeboats from their ordeal for some lasting until July 27.

Air Operations, Aleutians

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

Air Operations, Algeria

A 350th Fighter Group P-39 downs a Ju-99 near Algiers at 1930 hours.

Air Operations, Europe

• Cologne is the target of 608 aircraft - 267 Lancaters, 169 Halifaxes, 85 Wellingtons, 75 Stirlings and 12 Mosquitos.
• The weather forecast for the target area is not promising, probably covered in cloud. The Pathfinders have to prepare for all possibilities. They do find the target area covered in cloud and use the less reliable skymarking system. 6 of the 7 Oboe Mosquitos that reach the target deploy their markers although late. Despite this, the Main Force delivers its most powerful blow in the Battle of the Ruhr. Berlin describes this raid as 'a terror raid'. This raid completes 6 months of intense bombing activity. Great damage has been done to the German urban landscape, but the armaments industry has not suffered as much as might have been expected. Ammunition and aircraft production remain remarkably high.
• 10 Halifaxes, 8 Lancasters, 5 Stirlings and 2 Wellingtons are lost.

• 4 Mosquitos are sent to Hamburg and 6 Stirlings lay mines in the Gironde River without a loss.

• Of 185 1st and 4th Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s and 6 YB-40s dispatched, 158 B-17s attack port facilities at St.-Nazaire between 1655 and 1713 hours with 300 tons of bombs.
• 8 B-17s are lost, 57 damaged; 3 crewmen killed, 14 wounded, 50 missing
• 43 1st Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s attack the Beaumont-le-Roger Airdrome with 103 tons of bombs at 1736 hours.
• 130 4th, 56th, and 78th Fighter Group P-47s escort the 1st Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s partway to St.-Nazaire, but they are not challenged.

24 98th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Athens/Eleusis Airdrome, and 22 376th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s the Athens/Kalamaki Airdrome.

Air Operations, Gilberts

In its first combat mission since returning to VII Bomber Command control in March and transitioning from B-17s to B-24s, only 2 of 18 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s that were to have been sent from their base at Funafuti Airfield against Tarawa Atoll actually attack the target. 2 B-24s are withheld due to engine problems, 2 crash on takeoff, 8t are grounded because the runway is blocked by the crashed aircraft, 2 abort, and 2 fail to locate Tarawa.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Allied bombers maintain their intensive raids as Leghorn and Messina are heavily bombed. The US 12th Air Force bombs Livorno.

Air Operations, Europe

• 16 Wellingtons lay mines of Lorient and St Nazaire.
• 1 Wellington is lost.

• All 146 1st Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s and 2 YB-40s sent to attack Villacoublay and Tricqueville Airdromes return to England with their bombloads after finging solid cloud cover over both targets.
• 14 B-17s are damaged by Luftwaffe fighers
• 86 4th Heavy Bomb Wing B-17s attack the marshalling yards and an aircraft industry factory at Le Mans with 181 tons of bombs about 2000 hours. During the bomber withdrawal, a 78th Fighter Group P-47 donws 2 Bf-109s near Gournay.
• There are no losses

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-24s attack Nabire. B-25s attack Japanese Army ground positions along the Bitoi River. A-20s attack supply dumps around Nassau Bay and 1 B-24 attacks a building near Salamaua.

Air Operations, Solomons

During the night, US Navy warships bombard the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia, the Vila airfield on Kolombangara, and Japanese bases in the Shortland Islands.

Mediterranean

During the month of June the Greek submarine Katsonis torpedoes 3 ships in the Aegean.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

8 V Bomber Command B-17s and 3 B-24s attack the Vunakanau airfield at Rabaul in support of US Army landings in the Trobriand Islands. 1 heavy bomber attacks a cargo ship off Cape Gloucester.

Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command B-25s attack the the Cape Chater airfield on Timor.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

B-17s raid Palermo.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s support Australian Army ground troops in the Nassau Bay beachhead and attack Logui and Salamaua. Making its combat debut on this mission is the 345th Medium Bomb Group.

Air Operations, Pacific

The Japanese bomb Darwin again.

Air Operations, Sicily

• NASAF B-17s attack the Bocca di Falco Airdrome and the city of Palermo.
• NASAF B-25s attack the Sciacca Airdrome.
• NASAF B-26s attack the Bo Rizzo Airdrome.
• 82nd Fighter Group P-38s down 3 Luftwaffe fighters over the Sciacca Airdrome at 1130 hours.

Air Operations, Solomons

• The main body of the US 43rd Infantry Division opens the central Solomons invasion with a main landing at Rendova Island and several subsidiary landings at outlying areas of New Georgia and several nearby islands. Several of the sites attacked on D-day are to be utilized for advance airstrips.
• AirSols fighters maintain a dawn-to-dusk umbrella over the invasion area with at least 32 Allied fighters being airborne at all times.
• 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s and AirSols SBDs attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia, but scheduled attacks by V Bomber Command B-24s against Japanese Navy airfields on Bougainville are thwarted by bad weather (as they will be for most of July).
• 16 A6M Zeros attempt to sweep Allied fighters from the sky over the invasion fleet at about 1100 hours, but VMF-121 F4Us down 15 of the Zeros over and around Rendova.
• VF-21 F4Fs down a G4M 'Betty' bomber at 1035 hours and 2 A6M Zeros at 1110 hours.
• At 1530 hours, 24 G4M 'Betty' torpedo bombers escorted by 25 A6M Zeros, attack the US invasion fleet as it retires for the day toward Guadalcanal. All available AirSols fighters are called to intercept the strike. In the ensuing melee, VMF-121, VMF-122, VMF-213, and VMF-221 F4Us and VF-11 F4Fs claim far more G4M 'Bettys' and A6M Zeros than are actually in the area at the time. 1 'Betty' bomber inflicts serious damage on the US Navy flagship with a torpedo.

• A VMF-122 F4U downs a G4M 'Betty' bomber over Rendova at noon. VT-11 TBF crews down a D3A 'Val' dive bomber and an A6M Zero over the invasion area at an unspecified time. 1 VMSB-132 SBD downs a Zero over the Vila airfield on Kolombangara, also at an unspecified time.
• A flight of 30 A6M Zeros, A6M2-Ns 'Rufe' fighter-bombers, and E8N 'Dave' seaplanes attempt to attack the invasion force at 1730 hours. 12th Fighter Squadron P-38s and 44th Fighter Squadron P-40s down 11 'Daves' around Rendova between 1730 and 1745 hours, and VMF-213 F4Us down 9 'Daves' between Rendova and Vella Lavella at 1800 hours.
• 14 Allied fighters are lost with 7 of their pilots.

Atlantic

• The battleships Alabama (BB-60) and South Dakota (BB-57) arrive in Scapa Flow.
• The Free French take over the Vichy warships at Martinique.
• The US Coast Guard cutter No.83421, en route to Miami, Florida, is sunk in a collision with submarine chaser SC-1330.

Caribbean

Vichy's high commissioner in the French West Indies, Adm Georges Robert, in Martinique, asks the US to send a 'plenipotentiary to fix the terms for a change of French authority . . . to avoid bloodshed.' Robert had previously kept the island and other French possessions in the Caribbean loyal to Pétain. Fighting does break out, however, between military units, some of which are insisting on aligning the islands with de Gaulle.

Eastern Front

There are numerous small-scale engagements in many locations all along the front. The armies are becoming more active again as the ground hardens and the winter's losses are being made good as far as is possible.

The Ostheer has 3,100,000 men under arms, of whom approximately 1,200,000 are combat troops. The armies in the line also have 2,270 panzers, of which 500 are obsolete models, nearly 1,000 assault guns and 2,500 aircraft. Around Kursk the Germans deply 10,000 artillery pieces and 2,400 tanks.

The Germans commit the 328th Infantry Division to the combat line, bringing their strength up to 16 panzer, 14 motorized and 147 infantry divisions.

The Soviets have 6,422,000 men mobilized, of whom around half are combat soldiers equipped with 103,000 artillery pieces, nearly 10,000 tanks and tank destroyers and over 8,300 aircraft. In the Kursk salient there are 1,300,000 men and 3,500 tanks.

The Red Army and Navy have lost 191,904 killed and missing in action and 490,637 wounded during the second quarter of 1943.