K  e  n  s  m  e  n   :   4  3  r  d    B  o  m  b    G  r  o  u  p    (H),    5  t  h    A  A  F
 Home > History > The 5th Air Force in WWII > January 1943



Friday, 1 January, 1943

B-24s and B-17s bomb the airfields at Rabaul, New Britain Island and Gasmata Island in the Bismarck Archipelago and Lae, New Guinea and attack shipping at Rabaul.

Saturday, 2 January, 1943

A-20s, B-24s, B-25s and B-26s hit the airfield and targets of opportunity at Lae, New Guinea and Gasmata Island, Bismarck Archipelago. On the ground, Buna Mission, New Guinea is finally overrun by Australian and US forces.

Sunday, 3 January, 1943

In New Guinea, P-40s strafe troops in the waters off Buna as US and Australian ground forces are mopping up in the nearby BUna Missions area.  B-26s, along with a single B-24, bomb Madang and an A-20 hits Salamaua. In the Bismarck Archipelago, a lone B-24 strafes the airfield on Gasmata Island.

Monday, 4 January, 1943

In New Guinea, B-26s pound the Sanananda Point area as preparations for an allied offensive in that sector get underway. A-20s and B-25s hit the airfield and AA positions and buildings at Lae. B-24s, on single-plane flights, bomb the Lae, New Guinea airfield and attack schooners off Gasmata Island and Cape Kwoi in the Bismarck Archipelago.

Tuesday, 5 January, 1943

In New Guinea, B-26s again pound the Sanananda Point area as Australian infantry and armored elements reach Soputa and US forces of the 128th Infantry Regiment start northwest along the coast toward Tarakena as preliminary moves to an all-out assault on Sanananda get under way. A-20s and B-25s hit the airfield at Lae. In the Bismarck Archipelago, six B-17s and six B-24s bomb the harbor, shipping and the airfield at Rabaul, New Britain Island. Two B-17s are lost, one taking Brigadier General Kenneth Walker, Commanding General V Bomber Command to his death.

Wednesday, 6 January, 1943

In New Guinea, B-26s pound the forces in the Sanananda Point area; and A-20s bomb Lae Airfield. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s, B-24s, B-26s and P-38s attack a convoy heading southwest off the coast of New Britain heading for Lae, New Guinea; a single B-24s bombs the airfield on Gasmata Island.

Thursday, 7 January, 1943

The Japanese convoy bound for Lae, New Guinea from New Britain is again attacked by heavy, medium and light bombers and fighters, along with Royal Australian Air Force planes, in the Solomon Sea off Finschhafen and during its progress off the south coast of the Huon Peninsula through Huon Gulf to Lae. Despite the heavy air resistance, the convoy reaches its destination. Fighters also attack Lae Airfield. Richard I. Bong shoots down two Oscars, his third and fourth victories.  His first two victories were a Val and a Zeke shot down on 27 December.

Friday, 8 January, 1943

In New Guinea, heavy, medium and light bombers, with fighter cover, join Royal Australian Air Force aircraft in continued pounding of the Japanese convoy as it unloads about 4,000 reinforcements at Lae. Enemy fighter cover and Allied aircraft continue fierce aerial combat. Richard I. Bong shoots down an Oscar, his 5th victory making him an Ace.

Saturday, 9 January, 1943

In New Guinea, US heavy, medium and light bombers and fighters, along with RAAF aircraft, continue to pound the convoy as it leaves Lae. Airfields, supply dumps and troop concentrations at Lae and at Salamaua are also hit. In four days of attacks on this convoy, two transport are sunk, several vessels are damaged and about 80 aircraft are destroyed.

Sunday, 10 January, 1943

Allied aircraft operating over the Solomon Sea south of New Britain Island continue to attack vessels of the Japanese convoy that departed Lae yesterday. In New Guinea, supply dumps and AA positions in the Lae area are also bombed. The 13th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), 3d Bombardment Group (Dive) with B-25s transfers from Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea.

Tuesday, 12 January, 1943

In New Guinea, B-24s, in single-plane actions, bomb the Finschhafen and Madang areas.

Wednesday, 13 January, 1943

In New Guinea, A-20s bomb and strafe the Sanananda Point area and forces along the Sanananda track. Heavy and medium bombers hit dock facilities at Lae and airfields at Lae and Salamaua

Thursday, 14 January, 1943

In New Guinea, A-20s strafe the Labu area and small boats in Sachsen Bay. B-25s bomb the fuel dump and other supplies along the beach in the vicinity of Voco Point near Lae. B-24s carry out single-plane attacks on Madang and Finschhafen, and also bomb Gasmata Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

Friday, 15 January, 1943

In New Guinea, A-20s strafe the Sanananda Point area as US troops envelop pockets along the Soputa-Sanananda road. B-25s bomb supply dumps at Lae; B-24s carry out single-plane attacks on bridge construction at Wewak. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-24s hit the airfield on Gasmata Island and carry out single-plane attacks on the runway at Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island.

Saturday, 16 January, 1943

In New Guinea, A-20s pound the Soputa-Sanananda trail, the Kurenada area, and the area south of the Kumusi River, after which US and Australian ground forces open an assault on Sanananda which falls tomorrow. B-25s again bomb supplies at Lae. B-24s carry out single-plane attacks on airfields at Gasmata Island, Bismarck Archipelago; the town of Finschhafen, New Guinea, and a cruiser East-Southeast of Cape Orford.

Sunday, 17 January, 1943

In New Guinea, A-20s strafe Mambare Delta and hit positions between  Bakumbari and Salamaua. B-25s again pound supply stroes at Lae. B-24s, operating individually, attack Finschhafen and Madang wharf areas, Malahang Airfield and a vessel southeast of Rambutyo Island. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb landing grounds and shipping in Rabaul, New Britain Island. B-24s, operating individually, attack the airfield on Gasmata Island.

Monday, 18 January, 1943

In New Guinea, B-25s bomb a motor pool and supply dumps at Lae. B-24s, operating individually, bomb Madang and Malahang Airfields and attack a cargo ship southeast of Rambutyo Island.

Tuesday, 19 January, 1943

In New Guinea, A-20s strafe troops in the Kurenada area; B-25s hit barracks area and supply dumps at Toeal and pound supply dumps at Lae.  Heavy bombers carry out individual attacks on various targets at Lae, Madang, Cape Hollman, Cape Saint George, Finschhafen in New Guinea and  Gasmata Island in the Bismarck Archipelago.

Wednesday, 20 January, 1943

In New Guinea, B-25s bomb supply dumps at Lae and targets on Aroe Island;  B-24s, operating singly, attack Madang and Finschhafen.   In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-24s, operating singly, attack Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island and Gasmata Island. The 64th and 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group(Heavy) with B-17s transfers from Mareeba, Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea.

Thursday, 21 January, 1943

In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb the airfield and shipping in Rabaul, New Britain Island. In northeastern New Guinea, B-25s hit supply dumps and airfields.  In Dutch New Guinea, a single B-24 attacks a cruiser at Amboinea harbor on Ambon Island. The 403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-17s and B-24s transfers from Milne Bay, New Guinea to Mareeba, Queensland,  Australia. The squadron will begin transitioning from B-17s to B-24s.

Friday, 22 January, 1943

In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-24s bomb Simpson Harbor and shipping and searchlights at Rabaul, New Britain Island. In the Dutch East Indies, B-24s attack a vessel off Amoina, Ambon Island. In New Guinea, B-25s bomb the Lae Terrace area. A-20s strafe small boats in Baden Bay and at Woiba Island. On this date the Papua Campaign ends with the collapse of organized resistance on the Sanananda front. The 39th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317th Transport Group with C-47s arrives at Garbutt, Queensland, Australia from the US.

Saturday, 23 January, 1943

In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s attack the airfields at Rabaul, New Britain Island and shipping off Cape Gazelle. B-24s, operating individually, attack transports north of Rabaul and at Simpson Harbor, Rabaul. In New Guinea, B-25s pound supply dumps in the terrace area of Lae.  B-24s, operating individually, hit Madang and Finschhafen. HQ 317th Troop Carrier Group and its subordinate 40th, 41st and 46th Troop  Carrier Squadrons with C-47s arrive at Garbutt Field, Queensland, Australia from the US. The 63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-17s transfers from Mareeba, Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea.

Sunday, 24 January, 1943

In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb the airfield, harbor and shipping at Rabaul, New Britain Island. Single B-24s attack runways at Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island and Gasmata Island. In New Guinea, B-25s hit supply dumps in the terrace area of Lae. In Portuguese Timor, B-24s bomb Dili. The 22d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group with C-47s transfers from Garbutt Field, Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea.

Monday, 25 January, 1943

In New Guinea, A-20s strafe areas in northeastern Papua where there appears to be some enemy movement. B-25s blast supply dumps and AA and machinegun positions around Lae. Single B-24s attack a beached ship at Finschhafen. In the Bismarck Archipelago, single B-24s attack runways on Gasmata Island and at Cape Gloucester.

Tuesday, 26 January, 1943

In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb shipping and the Rapopo airstrip in the Rabaul, New Britain area. B-24s carry out individual attacks on the runways at Cape Gloucester, New Britain and Gasmata Island. In New Guinea, A-20s and B-25s pound the Lae area, concentrating on supply storage dumps. B-24s carry out individual attacks on Finschhafen.

Wednesday, 27 January, 1943

In New Guinea, A-20s hit huts and AA positions at Garrison Hill while B-25s pound the supply storage and runway at Malahang. Individual B-24s bomb Finschhafen town and the runway on the tip of the Huon Peninsula. In the Bismarck Archipelago, individual B-24s bomb the airfield on Gasmata Island.

Thursday, 28 January, 1943

In New Guinea, A-20s bomb the area from Garrison Hill to the Komiatum Track and B-17s hit the Wewak area. B-24s carry out individual attacks at Salamaua. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-24s carry out individual attacks on a cargo vessel in Open Bay and a nearby village in New Britain Island. In the Dutch East Indies, B-24s in individual attacks bomb a transport off Amboina, Ambon Island. HQ 3d Bombardment Group (Dive) and its 8th Bombardment Squadron (Dive)  with A-20s and 90th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) with B-25s transfer from Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea.

Friday, 29 January, 1943

In New Guinea, B-25s pound the area around Mubo, concentrating on positions on Garrison and Mat Mat Hill. In the Bismarck Archipelago, single B-24s bomb runways at Cape Gloucester, New Britain and Gasmata Island.

Saturday, 30 January, 1943

In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s bomb shipping and wharf facilities at Rabaul, New Britain Island. B-24s, operating individually, bomb the runway at Gasmata Island and attack a transport vessel in Open Bay. In New Guinea, A-20s strafe and bomb Lae and the area around Mubo in the vicinity of Garrison Hill and along the Komiatum Track.

Sunday, 31 January, 1943

In New Guinea, A-20s continue to pound positions between Mubo and Komiatum. A lone B-17 bombs the runway at Wewak. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-17s pound airfields, shipping and the town area at Rabaul, New Britain Island while a single B-24 bombs the runway at Cape Gloucester. In the ocean areas, B-24s unsuccessfully attack isolated vessels over widespread areas in the Banda Sea and Solomon Sea.