September 1943 (1)

Minami-Torishima, Marcus Island

1 September – the Japanese positions on Marcus Island in the mid-Pacific received an early morning attack from US Navy dive-bombers.  The records report that 85% of the enemy’s military installations were destroyed, 2 airstrip severly damaged and 7 aircraft destroyed on the ground.  The US lost 2 fighters and one torpedo-bomber.

This is actually Nov. 24, 1950, but gives you an idea of Mac’s bird’s-eye view.

4-5 September – a part of the 9th Australian Division (veterans of the El Alannein W.Desert Campaign, ETO), and the 41st US Army Division landed just miles from Lae, in the Huon Peninsula, New Guinea.  The next day, MacArthur watched from his B-17 “Bataan” as the 503rd Parachute Regiment (Not yet a part of the 11th A/B Div.), dropped over Nadzab to take the airstrip.

The envelopment of the Huon Peninsula.

12-16 September – The Australian 3rd Division and 17th Brigade broke out of Wau, going toward Salamura and Nassau Bay.  Salamura fell on the 12th and Lae fell 4 days later.  This put an important port and airfield in Allied hands.  The New Guinea offensive was now split.  One followed the coastline and the other went inland on a northwest route toward Kaiapat.  This operation threatened to encircle the enemy on the Huon Peninsula.

13 September – a flight of B-24 Liberators and B-25 Mitchell bombers attacked Japanese shipping and ground installations at Paramushiru in the north Pacific.  Four enemy vessels were damaged, but 10 US aircraft were downed after being hit by 25 opposing airplanes.

Nadzab, September 1943

Chiang Kai-shek became Chairman and President of the Nationalist Government of China, but continued to show very little interest in fighting Japan.  His relationship with Gen. Stillwell became very tense as the Allied Chief of Staff in the CBI recommended that the Nationalists and Communists troops should join forces to combat the common enemy.

18-19 September – the US began to heighten their air campaign by bombing Tarawa, Makin and Apamama  Island groups in the northern Gilberts and Nauru Island.  Over 200 land and carrier-based aircraft participated.

Click on images to enlarge.

#######################################################################################################

Military Humor – 

“Damn fine road, men!”

 

 

##########################################################################################################

Farewell Salutes – 

Ralph Cano Jr. – NYC, NY; US Army, WWII, ETO

George Cockram – Box Hill, AUS; New Guinea Volunteer Rifles NG X426 ANGAU

William Dobell – AUS; RA Army # VX86577, V15014, 2/10 Commando Squad

Walter Heller Sr. Munhall, PA; US Army, WWII, Bronze Star

Jack McGrath – Aenod, MO; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Medical/11th Airborne

Betty Nixon – Sydney, AUS; Australian Army Nursing Service, WWII

Ed Oliver Sr. – Mobile, AL; US Navy, Korea

Francis Piper – Canberra, AUS; # NX126790, WWII, SW PTO

Milt Saunders – Rush City, MN; US Navy, WWII

Leo Turini – Clinton, MA; US Army Air Corps, WWII & Korea

##################################################################################