1943 01/01 Fri. Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) evacuates 29 civilians from Teop Island, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessel sunk: Salvage vessel RESCUER (ARS-18), by grounding, Aleutian Islands area. 01/02 Sat. Japanese supply-carrying destroyers are bombed by Naval and Army aircraft west of Rendova, Solomon Islands, and attacked by motor torpedo boats off Cape Esperance, Solomon Islands. One enemy destroyer is damaged. Japanese submarine sunk: I-18, by submarine GRAYBACK (SS-208), Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 49' S., 157 d. 09' E. 01/05 Tue. Cruiser and destroyer group (Rear Adm. W. L. Ainsworth) heavily bombards airfield and enemy installations at Munda, Solomon Islands. 01/06 Wed. United States naval damaged: Light cruiser SAN JUAN (CL-54), by dive bomber, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 30' S., 166 d. 40' E. German submarine sunk: U-164, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-83) off Brazil, 01 d. 58' S., 39 d. 23' W. 01/10 Sun. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine ARGONAUT (APS-1), in attack on convoy southeast of New Britain. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer OKIKAZE, by submarine TRIGGER (SS-237), off Honshu, Japan, 35 d. 02' N., 140 d. 12 ' E. 01/11 Mon. Motor torpedo boats attack Japanese destroyers off Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; two enemy destroyers are damaged. United States naval vessel sunk: PT-112, by naval gunfire, Solomon Islands area, 09 d. 15' S., 159 d. 42' E. United States naval vessel lost: PT-43, damaged by naval gunfire, Solomon Islands area, 09 d. 15' S., 159 d. 42' E.; beached and abandoned. 01/12 Tue. Army forces occupy Amchitka, Aleutian Islands. United States naval vessels sunk: Destroyer WORDEN (DD-352), by grounding, Amchitka, Aleutian Islands. PT-28, by grounding, Dora Harbor, Alaska. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Patrol boat No. 1, by submarine GUARDFISH (SS-217), near New Ireland, 02 d. 51' S., 149 d. 43' E. 01/13 Wed. German submarine sunk: U-507, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-83), off Brazil, 01 d. 38' S., 39 d. 52' W. 01/14 Thu. Submarine GUDGEON (SS-211) lands personnel and equipment near Catmon Pt., Negros, P. I. 01/15 Fri. Aircraft from Henderson Field, Gudalcanal, attack 9 Japanese destroyers off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; 2 enemy destroyers are damaged. 01/17 Sun. United States Naval Base and Naval Air Station, Brisbane, Australia, are established. 01/19 Tue. Japanese land Wewak, New Guinea. 01/20 Wed. Destroyer escort BRENNAN (DE-13), is commissioned at Mare Island, Calif.; first ship of this type to be placed in commission. 01/21 Thu. United States Naval Base and Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Corrinto, Nicaragua, are established. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine chaser SC-709, by grounding, off Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. 01/23 Sat. Casablanca Conference, in session since 14 January, ends. President, British Prime Minister, and Combined Chiefs of Staff reach decisions on invasion of Sicily and cross-channel amphibious assault on Western Europe. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer HAKAZE, by submarine GUARDFISH (SS-217), near New Ireland, 02 d. 47' S., 156 d. 38' E. 01/24 Sun. Bombardment group of cruisers and destroyers (Rear Adm. W. L. Ainsworth) and carrier group (Rear Adm. D. C. Ramsey) bombard and bomb Vila-Stanmore area, Kolombangara, Solomon Islands. 01/26 Tue. Submarine WAHOO (SS-238) sinks entire group of 4 Japanese ships north of New Guinea; 2 freighters, 1 transport, and 1 tanker. 01/29 Fri. Battle of Rennell Island (29-30 January) commences as cruiser and destroyer task force (Rear Adm. R. C. Giffen), covering movement of troop transports to Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, is bombed near Rennell Island by Japanese aircraft. 01/30 Sat. Land and carrier-based naval aircraft engage Japanese aircraft attacking Rear Admiral Giffen's cruiser and destroyer force (Battle of Rennell Island, 29-30 January). Naval Station, Akutan Harbor, Fox Island, Alaska, is established. Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz succeedss Grand Admiral Erich Raeder as Commander of Chief of the German Navy. United States naval vessel sunk: Heavy cruiser CHICAGO (CA-29), by aircraft torpedo, Battle of Rennell Island, Solomon Islands area, 11 d. 25' S., 160 d. 56' E. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer LA VALLETTE (DD-448), by aircraft torpedo, Battle of Rennell Island, Solomon Islands area, 11 d. 25' S., 160 d. 56' E. 02/01 Mon. Japanese force of 20 destroyers en route to evacuate troops from Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, is attacked by aircraft from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, and motor torpedo boats. United States naval vessels sunk: Destroyer DE HAVEN (DD-469), by dive bombers, Solomon Islands area, 09 d. 09' S., 159 d. 52' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer MAKIGUMO, by mine, off Doma Reef, Solomon Islands area. 02/03 Wed. Command designated United States Naval Forces Northwest African Waters is established with headquarters at Algiers. (See 16 March 1943.) 02/04 Thu. Japanese cruiser and 22 destroyers en route to evacuate troops from Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, are attacked by aircraft from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal; 4 enemy destroyers are damaged. 02/06 Sat. North African Theater of Operations (Lt. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower) is established. 02/07 Sun. Japanese force of 18 destroyers en route to Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, to evacuate troops is attacked by aircraft from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal; 2 enemy destroyers are damaged. 02/08 Mon. Evacuation of over 11,000 Japanese troops from Guadalcanal , Solomon Islands, is completed. 02/09 Tue. Organized resistance on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, ends. [The bitter struggle to capture Guadalcanal and other islands in the southern Solomon Islands spanned 6 months and was the initial United States offensive move in the Pacific War. It was extremely costly in men, ships, and material, for both sides.] 02/10 Wed. German submarine sunk: U-519, by Army aircraft, northwest of Spain, 47 d. 05' N., 18 d. 34' w. 02/11 Thu. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-102, by naval aircraft from light cruiser HELENA (CL-50) and destroyer FLETCHER (DD-445), Coral Sea, 14 d. 15' S., 161 d. 59' E. 02/15 Mon. Joint air command designated Aircraft, Solomon Islands (Rear Adm. C. P. Mason) is established with headquarters at Guadalcanal. 02/16 Tue. Fleet Air Wing 16 is commissioned at Norfolk, Va. 02/17 Wed. Carrier LEXINGTON (CV-16) is commissioned at Quincy, Mass.; this vessel is named for carrier LEXINGTON (CV-2), sunk 8 May 1942 in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Moroccan Sea Frontier (Rear Adm. J. L. Hall) is established. 02/18 Thu. Two cruisers and four destroyers (Rear Adm. C. H. McMorris) bombard Japanese installations at Holtz Bay, and Chichagof Harbor, Attu, Aleutian Islands. 02/20 Sat. United States naval vessel sunk: Motor minesweeper YMS-133, foundered, Coos Bay, Oreg. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyer OSHIO, and patrol vessel, by submarine ALBACORE (SS-218), north of Manus, Admiralty Islands, 00 d. 50' S., 146 d. 06 ' E. 02/21 Sun. Marines and Army troops occupy Russell Islands, Solomon Islands. German submarine sunk: U-225, by Coast Guard cutter SPENCER (PG-36), North Atlantic area, 51 d. 25' N., 27 d. 28' W. 02/22 Mon. Battleship IOWA (BB-61) is commissioned at New York, N. Y. German submarine sunk: U-606, by Coast Guard cutter CAMPBELL (PG-32), and Polish destroyer BURZA, North Atlantic area, 47 d. 44' N., 33 d. 43' W. 02/24 Wed. Naval Air Facility, Amchitka, Alaska, is established. 03/01 Mon. Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Annette Island, Alaska, is established. 03/02 Tue. Battle of the Bismarck Sea (2-5 March) opens as United States Army and Australian aircraft bomb 8 Japanese transports escorted by 8 destroyers in Bismarck Sea en route to Lae, New Guinea. Aircraft and motor torpedo boast attacks continue until all transports and four destroyers are sunk. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine chaser SC-1024, by collision, off North Carolina. 03/03 Wed. Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle of the Bismarck Sea: Destroyers ASAHIO, ARASHIO, TOKITSUKAZE, and SHIRAYUKI, by United State Army and Australian aircraft. 03/05 Fri. Escort carrier BOGUE (CVE-9) commences escort of convoy duty; this is the first time an escort carrier is assigned anti- submarine operations as primary duty. Submarine TAMBOR (SS-198) lands personnel, ammunition, and currency at Pagadian Bay, Mindanao, P. I. 03/06 Sat. Three cruisers and seven destroyers (Read Adm. A. S. Merrill) bombard Vila and Munda, Solomon Islands; two Japanese destroyers are engaged and sunk. Submarine TAUTOG (SS-199) lays mines off southeast coast of Borneo. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyers MINEGUMO and MURASAME, by naval gunfire and torpedoes, Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 05' S., 157 d. 15' E. 03/08 Mon. German submarine sunk: U-156, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-53), West Indies area, 12 d. 38' N., 54 d. 39' W. 03/09 Tue. Naval aircraft bomb Japanese installations at Munda, Solomon Islands. Bombing of this area becomes a regular occurrence. 03/12 Fri. German submarine sunk: U-130, by destroyer CHAMPLIN (DD-601), North Atlantic area, 37 d. 10' N., 40 d.21' W. 03/14 Sun. Fleet Operational Training Command, Atlantic Fleet (Rear Adm. D. B. Beary) is established. 03/15 Mon. Commander in Chief United States Fleet (Adm. E. J. King) establishes numbered fleet system; all fleets in the Pacific to have odd numbers and those in the Atlantic even numbers. Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, French Frigate Shoals, T. H., is established. 03/16 Tue. Vice Adm. H. K. Hewitt becomes Commander Naval Forces Northwest African Waters. (See 3 February 1943.) 03/17 Wed. United States naval vessels sunk: PT-67 andPY-119, by fire, eastern New Guinea area, 09 d. 02' S., 149 d. 20' E. 03/22 Mon. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine GRAMPUS (SS-207) and AMBERJACK (SS-219), Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. German submarine sunk: U-524, by Army aircraft, north of Canary Islands, 30 d. 15' N., 18 d. 13' W. 03/23 Tue. United States Naval Station and Naval Air Facility are established at Arzeu, Algeria. United States Advanced Amphibious Training Bases are established at Port Lyautey, Morocco, and at Nemours, Tenes, Beni Saf, and Mostagenem in Algeria. 03/25 Thu. Naval and Army aircraft bomb Nauru Island, South Pacific. 03/26 Fri. Battle of the Komandorski Islands is fought between a task group comprising 2 cruisers and 4 destroyers (Rear Adm. C. H. McMorris) and a Japanese force of 4 cruisers and 4 destroyers escorting reinforcements to Attu, Aleutian Islands. In this day light action 1 United States cruiser and 1 destroyer are damaged. One enemy cruiser is damaged. Japanese reinforcements fail to reach Attu. United States Naval Operating Facility, Belem, Brazil, is established. United States naval vessel damaged, Battle of Komandorski Islands: Heavy cruiser SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25), by naval gunfire, 52 d. 47 N., 172 d. 45' e. Destroyer BAILEY (DD-492), by naval gunfire, 53 d. 20' N., 168 d. 36' E. 03/27 Sat. United States Naval Air Facility, Natal, Brazil, and Naval Operating Facilities at Victoria, Florianopolis, Fortaleza, Maceio, Recife, Rio Grande do Sul, Santos, and Sa~o Luiz, Brazil, are established. United States Coast Guard vessel sunk: Cutter No, 85006, by explosion, off Long Island, N. Y. 03/29 Mon. Submarine GATO (Ss-212) evacuates certain military and civilian personnel from Teop Island, Solomon Islands. 04/01 Thu. United States Naval Operating Facility, Grondal, Greenland, is established. Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md., is established. 04/03 Sat. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Submarine chaser No. 13, by submarine PICKEREL (SS-177), off Japan, 43 d. 03' N., 141 d. 58' E. 04/05 Mon. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-34, by destroyer O'BANNON (DD-450), Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 15' S., 158 d. 58' E. 04/07 Wed. Submarine TROUT (SS-202) lays mines near Sarawak, Borneo. Japanese aircraft make heavy strike against United States naval vessels near Tulagi, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessel sunk, Tulagi, Solomon Islands: Destroyer AARON WARD (DD-483) and oiler KANAWHA (AO-1), by horizontal bombers. United States naval vessel damaged, Tulagi, Solomon Islands: Cargo ship ADHARA (AK-71) and oiler TAPPAHANNOCK (AO-43), by dive bombers. 04/09 Fri. Rank of Commodore, United States Navy, is reestablished. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer ISONAMI, by submarine TAUTOG, (SS-199), off Celebes, 05 d. 26' S., 123 d. 04' E. 04/10 Sat. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine TRITON (SS-201), Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. 04/15 Thu. Carrier YORKTOWN (CV-10) is commissioned at Newport News, Va.; this vessel is named fro carrier YORKTOWN (CV-5), sunk 7 June, 1942, after the Battle of Midway. Italian submarine sunk: Archimede, by naval land-based aircraft, (VP-83), off coast of Brazil, 03 d. 23' S., 30 d. 28' W. 04/17 Sat. German submarine sunk: U-175, by Coast Guard cutter SPENCER (PG-36), North Atlantic area, 48 d. 50' N., 21 d. 21' W. 04/18 Sun. Admiral Yamamoto, Commander in Chief Japanese Combined Fleet, is killed when his aircraft if shot down by Army aircraft. 04/19 Mon. Submarine SCORPION (SS-278) lays mines off Kashima Nada, Japan. 04/20 Tue. Submarine RUNNER (SS-275) lays mines near Hong Kong. 04/21 Wed. Submarine STINGRAY (SS-186) lays mines near Wenchow, China. 04/22 Thu. Japanese aircraft bomb airfield at Funafuti, Ellice Islands. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine GRENADIER (SS-210), by enemy air attack and scuttling, Straits of Malacca. 04/23 Fri. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Patrol boat NO. 39, by submarine SEAWOLF (SS-197), off Formosa, 23 d. 45' N., 122 d. 45' E. 04/26 Mon. Task group of 3 cruiser and 6 destroyers (Rear Adm. C. H. McMorris) bombards Japanese installations at Attu, Aleutian Islands. United States Naval Station, Mers el Kebir, Morocco, is established. 04/27 Tue. German submarine sunk: U-174, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-125), North Atlantic area, 43 d. 35' N., 56 d. 18' W. 04/29 Thu. Submarine GATO (SS-212) lands coast watchers at Teop Island, Solomon Islands, and evacuates missionaries. 04/30 Fri. Submarine GUDGEON (SS-211) lands personnel and equipment on Panay, P. I. Submarine SNOOK (ss-279) lays mines off Saddle Island, China. United States Atlantic Fleet turns over responsibility for convoys between Halifax and United Kingdom to British and Canadian naval forces. 05/02 Sun. United States Coast Guard vessel sunk: Cutter 58012, by explosion, off Manomet Point, Mass. 05/07 Fri. Minelayers lay minefield across Blackett Strait, Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands. 05/08 Sat. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyers KUROSHIRO, OYASHIO, and KAGERO, by mines and aircraft, Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands. 05/10 Mon. United States naval vessels damaged: Destroyer MACDONOUGH (DD-351) and light minelayer SICARD (DM-21), by collision, Aleutian Islands area, 54 d. 34' N., 173 d. 58' E. 05/11 Tue. Army troops land on Attu, Aleutian Islands; landing is covered by naval forces under Rear Adm. T. C. Kinkaid and Rear Adm. F. W. Rockwell. 05/12 Wed. Submarine STEELHEAD (SS-280) lays mines off Erimo Saki, Japan. President, British Prime Minister, and the Combined Chiefs of Staff open meeting in Washington, D. C. United States Advanced Amphibious Training Base, Bizerte, Tunisia, is established. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine PICKEREL (SS-177), Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. 05/13 Thu. Cruisers and destroyers (Rear Adm. W. L. Ainsworth) bombard Munda and Vila, Solomon Islands, while minelayers lay mines across northwestern approaches to Kula Gulf. Enemy resistance in North Africa ends. United States naval vessels damaged: Light cruiser NASHVILLE (CL-43), by accidental explosion, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 28' S., 158 d. 49' E. Destroyer NICHOLAS (DD-449), by accidental explosion, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 30' S., 158 d. 01' E. Italian submarine sunk: MOCENIGO, by Army aircraft, at Cagliari, Sardinia. 04/14 Fri. German submarine sunk: U-657, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84), North Atlantic area, 60 d. 10' N., 31 d. 52' W. 05/15 Sat. United States Naval Advanced Base and Naval Air Facility, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands, are established. Naval Air Station, Adak, Aleutian Islands, is established. German submarine sunk: U-176, by naval land-based aircraft (VS-62), and Cuban submarine chaser 13, off Cuba, 23 d. 21' N., 80 d. 18' W. 05/16 Sun. German submarine sunk: U-182, by destroyer MACKENZIE (DD-614), west of Madeira Islands, 33 d. 55' N., 20 d. 35' W. 05/17 Mon. German submarine sunk: U-128, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-74) and destroyers MOFFETT (DD-362) and JOUETT (DD-396), off Brazil, 10 d. 00' S., 35 d. 35' w. 05/20 Thu. Tenth Fleet, with headquarters in Washington, D. C., is established under Commander in Chief United States Fleet (Adm. E. J. King) to control United States antisubmarine operations in the Atlantic. 05/21 Fri. Italian submarine sunk: GORGO, by destroyer NIELDS (DD-616), off Algeria, 36 d. 01' N., 00 d. 34' W. 05/22 Sat. United States Advanced Amphibious Training Base, Tunis, Tunisia, is established. German submarine sunk: U-569, by aircraft (VC-9) from escort carrier BOGUE (CVE-9), North Atlantic area, 50 d. 40' N., 35 d. 21' W. 05/23 Sun. Battleship NEW JERSEY (BB-62), is commissioned at Philadelphia, Pa. United States naval vessels sunk: PT-boat tender NIAGARA (AGP-1), by horizontal bomber, Solomon Islands area, 11 d. 00' S., 163 d. 00' E. PT-165 and PT-173, by submarine torpedoes, off New Caledonia, 23 d. 45' S., 166 d. 30' E. 05/25 Tue. Carrier BUNKER HILL (CV-17) is commissioned at Quincy, Mass. German submarine sunk: U-467, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84), 62 d. 25' N., 14 d. 52' W. 05/26 Wed. Submarine TROUT (SS-202) lands personnel, currency, and equipment on Basilan Island, P. I. 05/27 Thu. Naval Station, Coco Solo, Canal Zone, is established. 05/29 Sat. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-107, by submarine chaser SC-669, off New Hebrides Islands, 15 d. 35' S., 167 d. 17' E. 05/30 Sun. Organized Japanese resistance ends on Attu, Aleutian Islands. 05/31 Mon. Submarine STEELHEAD (SS-280) lays mines off Erimo Saki, Japan. 06/02 Wed. German submarine sunk: U-521, by submarine chaser PC-565, off Virginia, 37 d. 43' N., 73 d. 16' W. 06/04 Fri. Submarine SILVERSIDES (SS-236) lays mines in Steffan Strait between New Hanover and New Ireland. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine chaser PC-496, by mine, 37 d. 23' N., 09 d. 52' W. 06/05 Sat. German submarine sunk: U-217, by aircraft (VC-9) from escort carrier BOGUE (CVE-9), mid-Atlantic area, 30 d. 18' N., 42 d. 50' W. 06/08 Tue. Naval Air Facility, Attu, Aleutian Islands, is established. 06/10 Thu. Japanese submarine sunk: I-9, by submarine chaser PC-487, Aleutian Islands area, 53 d. 16' N., 174 d. 24' E. 06/11 Fri. United States vessel lost: PT-22, by storm, Adak are, Aleutian Islands; beached and abandoned. 06/12 Fri. Submarine TROUT (SS-202) lands personnel and supplies on Mindanao, P. I. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine R-12, cause unknown, off Key West, Fla. German submarine sunk: U-118, by aircraft (VC-9) from escort carrier BOGUE (CVE-9), mid-Atlantic area, 30 d. 49' N., 33 d. 49' W. 06/13 Sun. United States Coast Guard vessel sunk: Cutter ESCANABA (PG-77), by German submarine torpedo, off Ivigtut, Greenland, 60 d. 50' N., 52 d. 00' W. Japanese submarine sunk: I-31, by destroyer FRAZIER (DD-607), Aleutian Islands area, 52 d. 08' N., 177 d. 38' E. 06/16 Wed. Japanese aircraft attack ships at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; large number of enemy aircraft are shot down. United States naval vessels damaged: LST 340, by dive bombers, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 09 d. 26' s., 160 d. 05' E. Cargo ship CELENO (AK-76), by dive bombers, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 09 d. 24' s., 160 d. 02' E. 06/17 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine chaser SC-740, by grounding, 15 d.32' S., 147 d. 06 E. United States naval vessels damaged: LST 6 and LST 326, by collision, North African area, 37 d. 18' N., 09 d. 51' E. 06/20 Sun. German submarine sunk: U-388, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84), North Atlantic area, 57 d. 36' N., 31 d. 20' w. 06/21 Mon. Marines and Army troops land at Segi Point, New Georgia, Solomon Islands. 06/22 Tue. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine chase SC-751, by grounding, 21 d. 56' S., 113 d. 53' E. United States naval vessels damaged: LST 33 and LST 387, by submarine torpedoes, North Africa area, 36 d. 59' N., 04 d. 02' E. Japanese submarine sunk: I-7, by destroyer MONAGHAN (DD-354), Aleutian Islands area, 51 d. 49' N., 177 d. 20' E. 06/23 Wed. United States naval vessels sunk: Cargo ships ALUDRA (AK-72) and DEIMOS (AK-78), by submarine torpedoes, Solomon Islands area, 11 d. 26' S., 162 d. 01' E. 06/24 Thu. United States naval vessels damaged: Tug YT-211, by storm, North African area, 33 d. 38' N., 07 d. 32' W. German submarine sunk: U-200, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-84), North Atlantic area, 59 d. 00' N., 26 d. 18' W. 06/27 Sun. United States naval vessel sunk: Salvage vessel REDWING (ARS-4), by underwater explosion, North African area, 37 d. 19' N., 09 d. 55' E. 06/29 Tue. Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Shemya, Alaska, is established. 06/30 Wed. Beginning shortly before midnight on 29 June, 4 cruisers and 4 destroyers (Rear Adm. A. S. Merrill) bombard Vila-Stanmore on Kolombangara and Buin-Shortland, Bougainville, Solomon Islands; mines are laid of Shortland Harbor, Bougainville. Third Fleet Amphibious Force (Rear Adm. R. K. Turner) supported by land-based aircraft (Vice Adm. A. W. Fitch) lands Marines and Army troops on Rendova and other islands in the New Georgia area, Solomon Islands. Naval vessels on hand (all types).....18,493 Personnel: Navy................1,741,750 Marine Corps..........310,994 Coast Guard...........154,976 Total personnel.....2,207,720 United States naval vessel sunk: Attack transport MCCAWLEY (APA-4), damaged by enemy submarine torpedo and sunk by United States motor torpedo boat, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, 08 d. 25' S., 157 d. 28' W. United States Coast Guard vessel sunk: Cutter NO. 83421, by collision, en route to Miami, Fla. United States naval vessels damaged: High speed minesweeper ZANE (DMS-14), by grounding, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 30' S., 157 d. 25' E. Submarine chaser SC-1330, by collision with Coast Guard cutter, en route to Miami, Fla. 07/01 Thu. Submarine GAR (SS-206) lands certain personnel on south coast of Timor, Netherlands East Indies. United States Operating Base, Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, is established. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-101, by destroyer RADFORD (DD-446), Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 39' S., 157 d. 35' E. 07/02 Fri. Japanese cruiser, destroyers, and aircraft attack Rendova, Solomon Islands United States naval vessels lost: PT-153 and PT-158, by grounding, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 20' S., 157 d. 15' E., beach and abandoned. 07/04 Sun. United States naval vessels damaged: Destroyer WILKES (DD-441), by grounding, North Africa area, 37 d. 18' N., 09 d. 51' E. 07/05 Mon. Cruisers and destroyers (Rear Adm. W. L. Ainsworth) bombard Vila, Kolombangara, and Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia, Solomon Islands. Marines and Army troops land at Rice Anchorage, New Georgia, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer STRONG (DD-467), by submarine torpedo, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 05' S., 157 d. 15' E. 07/06 Tue. Battle of Kula Gulf is fought in the darkness as a task group consisting of 3 cruisers and 4 destroyers (Rear Adm. W. L. Ainsworth) engages 10 Japanese destroyers carrying troops and supplies to Kolombangara, Solomon Islands. One United States light cruiser and two Japanese destroyers are sunk. Cruiser and destroyer task group (Rear Adm. R. C. Giffen) bombards Kiska, Aleutian Islands. United States naval vessel sunk: Light cruiser HELENA (CL-50), by destroyer torpedoes, Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands, 07 d. 46' S., 157 d. 11' E. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyer NIIZUKI, by naval gunfire, Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands area. Destroyer NAGATSUKI, grounded and abandoned, Kula Gulf, Solomon Islands area. 07/07 Wed. German submarine sunk: U-951, by Army aircraft, eastern Atlantic, 37 d. 40' N., 15 d. 30' W. 07/08 Thu. Naval aircraft bomb Vila, Kolombangara, Solomon Islands. German submarine sunk: U-232, by Army aircraft, off Portugal, 40 d. 37' N., 13 d. 41' W. 07/09 Fri. Destroyers bombard Munda, New Georgia, Solomon Islands. Submarine THRESHER (SS-200) lands personnel, stores, and ammunition on west coast of Negros, P. I. German submarine sunk: U-590, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-94), mouth of Amazon River, Brazil, 03 d. 22' N., 48 d. 38' W. 07/10 Sat. Allies invade Sicily. Troops land under cover of naval gunfire and aircraft. The overall commander is Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA; naval commander is Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunningham, RN. Western Naval Task Force (Vice Adm. H. K. Hewitt, USN) lands the United States Seventh Army (Lieutenant Gen. G. S. Patton, USA), and Eastern Naval Task Force (Vice Adm. Sir Bertram Ramsay, RN) lands British Eighth Army (British Gen. Sir B. L. Montgomery). Naval gunfire continues to support the forces ashore throughout the Sicilian campaign. United States naval vessels sunk, Sicily landings: Destroyer MADDOX (DD-622), by dive bomber, 36 d. 52' N., 13 d. 56' E. LST 313, by horizontal bomber, 37 d. 01 N., 13 d. 55' E. Minesweeper SENTINEL (AM-113), by dive bomber, 37 d. 06' N., 13 d. 55' E. United States naval vessels damaged, Sicily landings: Destroyer ROE (DD-418) and SWANSON (DD-443), by collision, 37 d. 03' N., 13 d. 36' E. Attack transport WILLIAM P. BIDDLE (APA-8), and LST-382 by collision, 36 d.41' N., 14 d. 23' E. LST 345 and submarine chaser PC-621, by collision, 37 d. 02 N., 14 d. 15' E. 07/11 Sun. United States cruiser and destroyer gunfire stops German tank attack on landing beaches near Gela, Sicily. United States naval vessels lost: LST 158, damaged by horizontal bomber, Licata, Sicily, beached and abandoned, 37 d. 05' N., 13 d. 55' E. United States naval vessels damaged, Sicily landings: Attack transport BARNETT (APA-5), and transport ORIZABA (AP-24), by horizontal bombers, and transport MONROVIA, (AP-54), by dive bomber, 37 d. 02' N., 14 d. 15' E. 07/12 Mon. Cruisers and destroyers (Rear Adm. A. S. Merrill) bombard Munda, New Georgia, Solomon Islands. German submarine sunk: U-506, by Army aircraft, near Portugal, 42 d. 30' N., 16 d. 30' W. Japanese submarine sunk: I-25, by destroyer TAYLOR (DD-468), Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 00' S., 157 d. 19' E. 07/13 Tue. Battle of Kolombangara is fought in the darkness off Kolombangara, Solomon Islands, as a task force, consisting of 3 cruisers and 10 destroyers (Rear Adm. W. L. Ainsworth), engages 1 Japanese cruiser and 5 destroyers escorting destroyer transports. One United States destroyer is sunk; two United States cruisers, one New Zealand cruiser and two United States destroyers are damaged. One Japanese cruiser is sunk. United States Naval Advanced Base, Gela, Sicily, is established. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer GWIN (DD-433), damaged by destroyer torpedo, Battle of Kolombangara, Solomon Islands, and scuttled by United States forces, 07 d. 41' S., 157 d. 27' E. United States naval vessels damaged, Battle of Kolombangara, Solomon Islands: Light cruiser HONOLULU (CL-48), by destroyer torpedo, 07 d. 31' S., 157 d. 19' E. Light cruiser ST LOUIS (CL-49), by destroyer torpedo, 07 d. 37' S., 157 d. 16' E. Destroyers WOODWORTH (DD-460), and BUCHANAN (DD-484), by collision, 07 d. 40' S., 157, 14' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Light cruiser JINTSU, by cruiser gunfire and destroyer torpedo, Battle of Kolombangara, Solomon Islands, 07 d. 38' S., 157 d. 06' E. German submarine sunk: U-487, by aircraft (VC-13) from escort carrier CORE (CVE-13), North Atlantic area, 27 d. 15' N., 34 d. 18' W. 07/14 Wed. Destroyers bombard Kiska, Aleutian Islands; bombardment is repeated on 125 July. Naval Operating Base, Adak, Aleutian Islands, is established. United States naval vessel damaged: Light cruiser BROOKLYN (CL-40), by mine, Sicilian area, 36 d. 57' N., 14 d. 06' E. German submarine sunk: U-160, by aircraft (VC-29) from escort carrier SANTEE (CVE-29), south of Azores Islands, 33 d. 45' N., 27 d. 13' W. 07/15 Thu. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) shells enemy airfield on Matsuwa Island, Kurile Islands United States naval vessel damaged: Minesweeper STAFF (AM-114), by mine, Sicilian area, 37 d. 17' N., 13 d. 30' E. German submarine sunk: U-159, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-32), Caribbean area, 15 d. 58' N., 73 d. 44' W. German submarine sunk: U-509, by aircraft (VC-29) from escort carrier SANTEE (CVE-29), south of Azores Islands, 34 d. 02' N., 26 d. 02' W. 07/16 Fri. German submarine sunk: U-67, by aircraft (VC-13) from escort carrier CORE (CVE-13), mid-Atlantic area, 30 d. 05' N., 44 d. 17' W. 07/17 Sat. Naval and Army aircraft attack Japanese shipping at Buin, Bougainville, Solomon Islands; one enemy destroyer sunk. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer HATSUYUKI, by naval land-based aircraft, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. 07/18 Sun. Naval and Army aircraft attack Buin-Kahile area, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Naval airship K-74 is shot down by a German submarine in the Florida Straits; this is the only naval airship lost to enemy action. United States naval vessel sunk: LST 342, by submarine torpedo, Solomon Islands area, 09 d. 03' S., 158 d. 11' E. United States naval vessel damaged: Submarine chaser PC-562, by mine, Sicilian area, 37 d. 10' N., 12 d. 35' E. 07/19 Mon. German submarine sunk: U-513, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-74), off Brazil, 27 d. 17' S., 47 d. 32' W. 07/20 Tue. Land-based aircraft attack Japanese ships south of Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands; two enemy destroyers are sunk. United States naval vessels sunk: Submarine RUNNER (SS-275), Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. PT-166, by strafing, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 15' S., 156 d. 53' E. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyers KIYONAMI and YUGURE, by Naval and Army aircraft, off Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands. German submarine sunk: U-588, by Army aircraft, Bay of Biscay, 45 d. 10' N., 09 d. 42' W. 07/21 Wed. German submarine sunk: U-662, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-94), mouth of Amazon River, Brazil, 03 d. 36' N., 48 d. 46' W. 07/22 Thu. Naval task force consisting of 2 battleships, 5 cruisers, and 9 destroyers (Rear Adm. R. C. Giffen and Read Adm. R. M. Griffin) bombard Kiska area, Aleutian Islands. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Seaplane tender NISSHIN, by naval land-based aircraft, off New Georgia, Solomon Islands, 06 d. 33' S., 156 d. 10' E. 07/23 Fri. Patrol Squadron 63, the first United States naval aircraft squadron to operate from the United Kingdom, arrives in South Wales for antisubmarine patrol duty in the Bay of Biscay. German submarines sunk: U-527, by aircraft (VC-9) from escort carrier BOGUE (CVE-9), south of Azores Islands, 35 d. 25' N., 27 d. 56' W. U-613, by destroyer BADGER (DD-126), south of Azores Islands, 35 d. 32' N., 28 d. 36' W. U-598, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-107), off Brazil, 04 d. 05' S., 33 d' 23' W. 07/24 Sat. German submarine sunk: U-622, by Army aircraft, off Norway, 63 d. 27' N., 10 d. 23' E. 07/25 Sun. Destroyers and aircraft strike enemy positions at Munda, Solomon Islands. 07/26 Mon. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer MAYRANT (DD-402), by horizontal bomber, Palermo Sicily, 38 d. 16' N., 13 d. 20' E. German submarine sunk: U-759, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-32), Caribbean area, 18 d. 06' N., 75 d. 00' W. 07/27 Tue. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Submarine I-24, by submarine SCAMP (SS-277), off Admiralty Islands, 02 d. 50' S., 149 d. 01' E. Minelayer HIRASHIMA, by submarine SAWFISH (SS-276), off Kyushu, Japan, 32 d. 32 ' N., 127 d. 41' E. 07/28 Wed. Japanese complete evacuation of Kiska, Aleutian Islands, without detection by United States forces. (See 15 August 1943.) United States Naval Operating Base, Palermo Sicily, is established. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyers ARIAKE and MIKAZUKI, by Army bombers, New Britain area. German submarines sunk: U-359, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-32), West Indies area, 15 d. 57' N., 68 d. 30' W. U-404, by United States Army and British aircraft, Bay of Biscay, 45 d. 53' N., 09 d. 23' W. 07/29 Thu. United States Advanced Amphibious Training Base, Appledore, England, is established. 07/30 Fri. German submarine lays mines of entrance to Chesapeake Bay. German submarines sunk: U-591, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-127), off Brazil, 08 d. 36' S., 34 d. 34' W. U-43, by aircraft (VC-29) from escort carrier SANTEE (CVE-29), mid-Atlantic area, 34 d. 57' N, 35 d. 11' W. U-375, by submarine chaser PC-624, off Tunisia, 36 d. 40' N., 12 d. 28' E. 07/31 Sat. Submarine GUARDFISH (SS-217) lands survey party on west coast of Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Submarine GRAYLING (S-209) lands supplies and equipment at Pucio Pt., Panay, P. I. German submarine sunk: U-199, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-74) and Brazilian aircraft, off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 23 d. 54' S., 42 d. 54' W. 08/01 Sun. Motor torpedo boats attack Japanese destroyers near Rendova, Solomon Islands. Submarine MINGO (SS-261), bombards Sorol Island, Caroline Islands. Army aircraft initiate daily bombings of Kiska, Aleutian Islands. Naval Station, Roosevelt Roads, P. R., is established. United States naval vessels sunk: PT-117, by dive bomber, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 24' S., 157 d. 19' E.; beached and abandoned. PT-164, by horizontal bomber, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 25' S., 157 d. 20' E. United States naval vessel damaged: Minesweeper SKILL (AM-115), by horizontal bomber, Sicilian area. 08/02 Mon. Naval task groups consisting of 2 battleships, 5 cruisers, and 9 destroyers (Rear Adm. H. F. Kingman and Rear Adm. W. D. Baker) bombard Kiska, Aleutian Islands. Kiska is bombarded 10 times between this date and 15 August. United States naval vessel sunk: PT-109, by collision with enemy ship, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 03' S., 156 d. 58' E. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Torpedo boats Nos. 112 and 113, by Army aircraft, near Lae, New Guinea. German submarine sunk: U-706, by Army aircraft, eastern Atlantic, 46 d. 15' N., 10 d. 25' W. 08/03 Tue. German submarine sunk: U-572, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-205), north of Dutch Guiana, 11 d. 33' N., 54 d. 05' W. Italian submarine sunk: ARGENTO, by destroyer BUCK (DD-420), off Tunisia, 36 d. 52' N., 12 d. 08' E. 08/04 Wed. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer SHUBRICK (DD-639), by dive bomber, Sicilian area, 38 d. 06' N., 13 d. 20' E. 08/05 Thu. Munda, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, falls to Army forces. United States naval vessel sunk: Gunboat PLYMOUTH (PG-57), by submarine torpedo, 36 d. 17' N., 74 d. 29' W. 08/06 Fri. Battle of Vella Gulf is joined shortly before midnight and continues through the opening minutes of 7 August. Four Japanese destroyers attempting to bring troops and supplies to Kolombangara, Solomon Islands, are attacked by six destroyers (Comdr. F. Moosbrugger) in Vella Gulf. Three Japanese destroyers are sunk and one damaged. United States force suffers no damage. United States naval vessel damaged: LST 3, by horizontal bomber, Sicilian area, 38 d. 01' N., 14 d. 20' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer KAWAKAZE, by destroyer torpedoes, Battle of Vella Gulf, off Kolombangara, Solomon Islands, 07 d. 50' s., 156 d. 47' E. German submarine sunk: U-615, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-130, VP-204, VP-205) and Army aircraft, Caribbean area, 12 d. 38' N., 64 d. 15' W. 08/07 Sat. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyer HAGIKAZE and ARASHI, by destroyer torpedoes, Battle of Vella Gulf, off Kolombangara, Solomon Islands, 07 d. 50' S., 156 d. 47' E. German submarine sunk: U-117, by aircraft (VC-1) from escort carrier CARD (CVE-11), North Atlantic area, 39 d. 32' N., 38 d. 21' W. 08/08 Sun. United States naval vessel lost: PT-113, by grounding, eastern New Guinea area, 09 d. 12' S.,146 d. 29' E.; beached and abandoned. 08/09 Mon. German submarine sunk: U-664, by aircraft (VC-1) from escort carrier CARD (CVE-11), North Atlantic area, 40 d. 12' N., 37 d. 29' W. 08/10 Tue. United States naval vessel lost: LST 318, damaged by dive bomber on 9 August, Sicilian area, 38 d. 04' N., 14 d. 30 E.; beached and abandoned. United States naval vessel damaged: Salvage vessel BRANT (ARS-32), accidentally by United States naval gunfire, Sicilian area, 36 d. 49' N., 13 d. 27' E. 08/11 Wed. German submarines sunk: U-525, by aircraft (VC-1) from escort carrier CARD (CVE-11), North Atlantic area, 41 d. 29' N., 38 d. 55' W. U-604, damaged by naval land-based aircraft (VB-129 and VP-107) and destroyer MOFFETT (DD-362), South Atlantic area, 05 d. 00' S., 20 d. 00' W.; scuttled. 08/12 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine chaser SC-526, by grounding, Sicilian area, 38 d. 01' N., 13 d. 27' E. 08/13 Fri. Japanese aircraft attack shipping at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessel sunk: Attack transport JOHN PENN (APA-23), by aircraft, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 09 d. 23' S., 160 d. 30' E. 08/14 Sat. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Auxiliary submarine chaser No. 109, by submarine FINBACK (SS-230), east coast of Celebes, 03 d. 01' S., 125 d. 50' E. 08/15 Sun. Third Amphibious Force (Rear Adm. T. S. Wilkinson) lands Naval, Marine, and Army personnel at Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands. This landing by-passes enemy position on Kolombangara, Solomon Islands. Naval task force under Commander North Pacific Force (Vice Adm. T. C. Kinkaid) lands United States Army and Canadian troops at Kiska, Aleutian Islands. Kiska is found to have been evacuated by the Japanese. (See 28 July 1943.) 08/16 Mon. Carrier INTREPID (CV-11), is commissioned at Newport News, Va. 08/17 Tue. Army troops enter Messina terminating the campaign in Sicily. Lipari and Stromboli Islands, north of Sicily, surrender to United States destroyer and PT boats Portugal agrees to grant bases in the Azores to Great Britain. United States naval vessels damaged: Destroyers WALLER (DD-466) and PHILIP (DD-498), by collision, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 11' S., 156 d. 43' E. 08/18 Wed. United States cruiser and destroyer force shells Gioia Taura and Palmi on Italian mainland. Task group composed of 4 destroyers (Capt. T. J. Ryan) engages 4 Japanese destroyers escorting landing barges north of Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands. United States Advanced Amphibious Training Base, St. Mawes, Cornwall, England, is established. United States naval vessel sunk: LST 396, by accidental explosion, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 18' S., 156 d. 55' E. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer ABNER READ (DD-526), by mine, Aleutian area, 52 d. 01' N., 177 d. 26' E. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Auxiliary submarine chasers Nos. 5 and 12, by surface craft, Vella Lavella Island, Solomon Islands area. 08/19 Thu. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Submarine I-17, by naval land-based aircraft (VS-57), and New Zealand naval vessel, off eastern Australia, 23 d. 26' S., 166 d. 50' E. 08/20 Fri. United States Naval Base, Rosneath, Scotland, is reestablished. 08/23 Mon. Submarine GRAYLING (SS-209) delivers supplies to Panay, P. I. United States naval vessels sunk: Submarine chasers SC-694 and SC-696, by dive bombers, Sicilian area, 38 d. 08' N., 13 d. 22' E. Coastal minesweeper CROW (AMc-20), by erratic running United States aircraft torpedo, Puget Sound, Wash. 08/24 Tue. New Georgia, Solomon Islands, campaign ends as Army troops occupy Bairoko Harbor. Quebec Conference, attended by the President, British and Chinese representatives, ends; conference has been in session since 17 August. German submarines sunk: U-84, by aircraft (VC-13) from escort carrier CORE (CVE-13), mid-Atlantic area, 27 d. 09' N., 37 d. 03' W. U-185, by aircraft (VC-13) from escort carrier CORE (CVE-13), mid-Atlantic area, 27 d. 00' N., 37 d. 06' W. 08/25 Wed. United States naval vessels damaged: Light minelayers MONTGOMERY (DM-17) and PREBLE (DM-20), by collision, Solomon Islands area, 09 d. 01' S., 159 d. 50' E. Japanese naval submarine sunk: I-178, by destroyer PATTERSON (DD-392), South Pacific area, 12 d. 57' S., 164 d. 23' E. 08/27 Fri. Marines and Seabees occupy Nukufetau, Ellice Islands. Army troops are landed on Arundel Island, Solomon Islands. German submarine sunk: U-847, by aircraft (VC-1) from escort carrier CARD (CVE-11), mid-Atlantic area, 28 d. 19' N., 37 d. 59' W. 08/28 Sat. Marines occupy Nanumea, Ellice Islands. 08/31 Tue. Carrier task force (Rear Adm. C. A. Pownall) bombs Marcus Island. 09/01 Wed. Army troops land on Baker Island supported by naval task force (Rear Adm. W. A. Lee). Navy assumes full responsibility for airborne anti-submarine operations by United States forces in Atlantic. Naval Air Station, Kahului, Maui, T. H., is established. 09/02 Thu. Submarine BOWFIN (SS-287) delivers supplies and evacuates certain personnel from Binuni Pt., Mindanao, P. I. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Frigate MUTSURE, by submarine SNAPPER (SS-185) Caroline Islands area, 08 d. 40' N., 151 d. 31' E. 09/03 Fri. British troops, with naval and air support, land on the Italian mainland. Allies sign armistice with Italy. Japanese submarine sunk: I-168, by destroyer ELLET (DD-398), South Pacific area, 13 d. 10' S., 165 d. 28' E. 09/04 Sat. United States naval force (Rear Adm. D. E. Barbey) lands Australian troops on Huon Peninsula, near Lae, New Guinea. United States naval vessels damaged: Destroyer CONYNGHAM (DD-371) by dive bomber, eastern New Guinea, 07 d. 28' S., 147 d.44' E. LST 471 and LST 473, by torpedo and dive bombers, eastern New Guinea area, 07 d. 45' s., 148 d. 01' E. 09/07 Tue. Japanese aircraft bomb Nanumea, Ellice Islands. United States naval vessels sunk: PT-118 and PT-172, damaged by grounding, Solomon Islands area, 07 d. 34' S., 165 d. 35' E.; sunk by United States forces. 09/08 Wed. Four United States destroyers bombard Lae, New Guinea. 09/09 Thu. Italian mainland is invaded in force. Under protection of the Western Naval Task Force (Vice Adm. H. K. Hewitt, USN), the Allied Fifth Army (Lt. Gen. M. W. Clark, USA) lands on the assault beaches in the Gulf of Salerno. United States naval vessel sunk: Tug NAUSET (AT-89), by dive bomber, Italian landings, 40 d. 38' N., 14 d. 38' E. United States naval vessels damaged, Italian landings: LST 336, LST 375, and LST 385, by coastal defense batteries, and LST 386, by mine, 40 d. 40' N., 14 d. 44' E. LST 389, by coastal defense batteries, 40 d. 22' N., 14 d. 59' E. Japanese submarine sunk: I-182, by submarine TROUT (SS-202), Philippine Islands areas, 10 d. 33' N., 125 d. 31' E. 09/11 Sat. Italian Fleet surrenders to the Allies. German submarine lays mines off Charleston, S. C. United States naval vessels sunk: Destroyer ROWAN (SS-405), by torpedo from surface craft, Italian area, 40 d. 07' N., 14 d. 18' E. Tug NAVAJO (AT-64), by explosion, east of the New Hebrides Islands. United States naval vessels damaged, Italian landings: Light cruiser PHILADELPHIA (CL-41), by radio controlled bomb, 40 d. 24' N., 14 d. 51' E. Light cruiser SAVANNAH (CL-42), by radio controlled bomb, 40 d. 21' N., 14 d. 55' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Minesweeper No. 16, by aircraft, Southwest Pacific area. 09/12 Sun. United States naval vessel damaged: LST 455, by dive bomber, eastern New Guinea area, 08 d. 59' S., 149 d. 10' E. 09/13 Mon. United States naval vessel damaged: Submarine chaser SC-666, by collision, Italian landings, 40 d. 40' N., 14 d. 44' E. 09/15 Wed. Fleet Air Wing 17 is commissioned in Brisbane, Australia, for operations in southwestern Pacific area. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-103, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-23) and destroyer SAUFLEY (DD-465), Solomon Islands area, 10 d. 57' S., 163 d. 56' E. 09/17 Fri. United States naval vessel sunk: PT-136, damaged by grounding, eastern New Guinea area, 05 d. 55' S., 148 dl 01' E.; sunk by United States forces. 09/18 Sat. Carrier aircraft (Rear Adm. C. A. Pownall) bomb Tarawa, Makin, and Abemama, Gilbert Islands. 09/19 Sun. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine CISCO (SS-290) departs Port Darwin, Australia, to patrol South China Sea and is never heard from again. 09/22 Wed. United States naval force of destroyers and landing craft (Rear Adm. D. E. Barbey) puts Australian troops ashore at Finschhafen, New Guinea. 09/25 Sat. United States naval vessel sunk: Minesweeper SKILL (AM-115), by submarine torpedo, Italian area, 40 d. 20' N., 14 d. 36' E. United States naval vessel damaged: LST 167, by dive bomber, Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands, 07 d. 45' S., 156 d. 30' E. 09/26 Sun. United States Naval Operating Facility, Natal, Brazil, is established. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Motor torpedo boat KASASAGI, by submarine BLUEFISH (SS-222), Netherlands East Indies area, 05 d. 50' S., 121 d. 57' E. 09/27 Mon. German submarine sunk: U-161, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-74), off Brazil, 12 d. 30' S., 35 d. 35' W. 09/28 Tue. Submarine GROUPER (SS-214) lands personnel and supplies on south coast of New Britain. United States naval vessel damaged: Salvage vessel BRANT (ARS-32), by collision, Italian area, 40 d. 30' N., 14 d. 40' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Minelayer BOKO, by aircraft, off New Britain. 09/29 Wed. United States naval vessels damaged: Destroyers PATTERSON (DD-392) and MCCALLA (DD-488), by collision, Solomon Islands area, 07 d. 36' S., 157 d. 12' E. 09/30 Thu. Submarine BOWFIN (Ss-287) delivers supplies and evacuates certain personnel from vicinity of Siquijor Island, P. I. United States naval vessels sunk: Submarine GRAYLING (SS-209), Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. PT-68, damaged by grounding, eastern New Guinea area, 05 d. 56' S., 147 d. 18' E.; sunk by United States forces. PT-219, foundered, Attu, Aleutian Islands, sometime during September. United States Coast Guard vessel sunk: Cutter WILCOX (YP-333), by foundering, off Cape Hatteras, N. C. United States naval vessels damaged: LST 334, by dive bombers, Solomon Islands area, 07 d. 43' S., 156 d. 40' E. PT-126, accidentally by United States naval gunfire, Solomon Islands area, 07 d. 50' s., 157 d. 05' E. 10/01 Fri. United States Naval Air Facility, Recife, Brazil, is established. United States naval forces under Commander Naval Forces Europe (Adm. H. R. Stark) are designated the Twelfth Fleet. United States naval vessels damaged: Destroyer SAUFLEY (DD-465), by horizontal bomber, Solomon Islands area, 07 d. 42' S., 160 d. 14' E. LST 448, by horizontal bomber, Solomon Islands area, 07 d. 45' S., 156 d. 30' E. Japanese submarine sunk: I-20, by destroyer EATON (DD-510), Solomon Islands area, 07 d. 40' S., 157 d. 10' E. 10/02 Sat. Submarine KINGFISH (SS-234) lays mines of southern Celebes, Netherlands East Indies. United States naval vessel damaged: LST 203, by grounding, near Nanumea, Ellice Islands. 10/03 Sun. Japanese complete evacuation of Kolombangara, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer HENLEY (DD-391), by submarine torpedo, eastern New Guinea area, 07 d. 40' S., 148 d. 06' E. 10/04 Mon. Aircraft from carrier RANGER (CV-4) attack enemy shipping along the coast of Norway. German submarines sunk: U-336, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-128), North Atlantic area, 60 d. 40' N., 26 d. 30' W. U-422, by aircraft (VC-9) from escort carrier CARD (CVE-11), north of Azores Islands, 43 d. 18' N., 28 d. 58' W. U-460, by aircraft (VC-9) from escort carrier CARD (CVE-11), north of Azores Islands, 43 d. 13' N., 28 d. 58' W. 10/05 Tue. Task force including 6 carriers, 7 cruisers and 24 destroyers (Rear Adm. A. E. Montgomery) bombs and bombards Wake Island; attack is repeated on 6 October. United States naval vessel sunk: LST 448, from damage received on 1 October, Solomon Islands area, 08 d. 03' S., 156 d. 43' E. 10/06 Wed. Battle of Vella Lavella take place at night when 3 destroyers (Capt. F. R. Walker) intercept and attack 9 Japanese destroyers evacuating troops from Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands. Submarine KINGFISH (SS-234) lands personnel and supplies on northeast coast of Borneo. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer CHEVALIER (DD-451), damaged by destroyer torpedo, Battle of Vella Lavella, 07 d. 30' S., 156 d. 14' E.; sunk by United States forces. United States naval vessels damaged, Battle of Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands: Destroyer O'BANNON (DD-450), by collision with destroyer CHEVALIER (DD-451), 07 d. 30' S., 156 d. 15' Destroyer SELFRIDGE (DD-357), by destroyer torpedo, 07 d. 27' S., 156 d. 13' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer YUGUMO, by destroyer torpedo, Battle of Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands. 10/07 Thu. Japanese complete evacuation of Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine S-44, by Japanese surface craft, Kurile Islands area. 10/08 Fri. United States Air Facility, Dakar, French West Africa, is established. 10/09 Sat. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer BUCK (DD-420), by submarine torpedo, Italian area, 39 d. 48' N., 14 d. 36' E. 10/10 Sun. German submarine lays mines off Atlantic entrance to Panama Canal. 10/11 Mon. United States Advanced Amphibious Training Base, Falmouth, Cornwall, England, is established. 10/13 Wed. Italy declares war on Germany. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer BRISTOL (DD-453), by submarine torpedo, Mediterranean area, 37 d. 19' N., 06 d. 19' E. German submarine sunk: U-402,by aircraft (VC-9) from escort carrier CARD (CVE-11), North Atlantic area, 48 d. 56' N., 29 d. 41' W. 10/14 Thu. United States Naval Air Facility, Igarape Assu, Brazil, is established. United States Coast Guard vessel lost: Cutter DOW (YP-353), grounded, off Mayaguez, P. R., and abandoned. 10/15 Fri. United States Advanced Amphibious Training Base, Fowey, Cornwall, England, is established. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine POMPANO (SS-181), Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. 10/16 Sat. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Auxiliary submarine chaser No. 31, by Army aircraft, off New Britain 10/17 Sun. German raider sunk: Schiff No. 28 (MICHEL), by submarine TARPON (SS-175), off Chichi Jima, Bonin Islands. 10/19 Tue. Moscow Conference, attended by the Secretary of State and British and Russian foreign ministers, convenes and continues until the end of October. 10/20 Wed. German submarine sunk: U-378, by aircraft (VC-13) from escort carrier CORE (CVE-13), North Atlantic area, 47 d. 40' N., 28 d. 27' W. 10/24 Sun. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine DORADO (SS-248), Atlantic Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer MOCHIZUKI, by naval land-based aircraft, east of New Britain. 10/27 Wed. Troops land on Mono and Stirling Islands in the Treasury Island Group, Solomon Islands; pre-invasion bombardment and covering for the landings are provided by United States naval vessels and aircraft. United States naval vessels damaged: Destroyer CONY (DD-508), by horizontal bomber, off Treasury Islands, 07 d. 23' S., 155 d. 27 ' E. LST 399 and LST 485, by coastal mortar, Solomon Islands area, 07 d. 25' S., 155 d. 34' E. 10/28 Thu. German submarine sunk: U-220, by aircraft (VC-1) from escort carrier BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-21), North Atlantic area, 48 d. 53' N., 33 d. 30' W. 10/31 Sun. German submarine sunk: U-584, by aircraft (VC-9) from escort carrier CARD (CVE-11), North Atlantic area, 49 d. 14' N., 31 d. 55' W. 11/01 Mon. Amphibious force (Rear Adm. T. S. Wilkinson) lands First Marine Amphibious Corps (Lt. Gen. A. A. Vandegrift) at Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands; assault is covered by aircraft and destroyer gunfire. Cruiser and destroyer force (Rear Adm. A. S. Merrill) and carrier task force (Rear Adm. F. C. Sherman) shell and bomb Japanese airfields and installations in Buka-Bonis area, Solomon Islands. Rear Admiral Merrill's force later bombards enemy airfields on Shortland Island, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer FULLAM (DD-474), by grounding, Solomon Islands area, 06 d. 25' S., 154 d. 53' E. German submarine sunk: U-405, by destroyer BORIE (DD-215), North Atlantic area, 49 d. 00' N., 31 d. 14' W. 11/02 Tue. Battle of Empress Augusta Bay is fought during darkness as task force comprising 4 light cruisers and 8 destroyers (rear Adm. A. S. Merrill) intercepts Japanese force of 2 heavy and 2 light cruisers and 6 destroyers steaming to attack transports at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Two United States light cruisers and three destroyers are damaged. One Japanese light cruiser and one destroyer are sunk; two enemy heavy cruisers and two destroyers are damaged. Japanese force is turned back. Carrier task force (rear Adm. F. C. Sherman) attacks enemy airfields in Buka area, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer BORIE (DD-215), by intentional ramming and gunfire in encounter with U-405 on 1 November, eastern Atlantic area, 50 d. 12' N., 30 d.48' W. United States naval vessels damaged, Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, Solomon Islands: Light cruiser MONTPELIER (CL-57), by dive bomber. Light cruiser DNEVER (CL-58), by naval gunfire. Destroyer FOOTE (DD-511), by torpedo from surface craft. Destroyer SPENCE (DD-512), by naval gunfire and collision with destroyer THATCHER (DD-514). Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, Solomon Islands: Light cruiser SENDAI, by surface craft. Destroyer HATSUKAZE, by surface craft. 11/04 Thu. Japanese na val vessels sunk: Auxiliary submarine chaser No. 30, by submarine TAUTOG (SS-199), off Palau Islands, 07 d. 34' N., 134 d. 00' E. Surveying ship TSUKUSHI, by mine, off New Ireland. 11/05 Fri. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. F. C. Sherman) bomb Japanese warships at Rabaul, New Britain. United States naval vessel damaged: PT-167, by aircraft torpedo, Solomon Islands area, 06 d. 46' S., 154 d. 46' E. German submarine sunk: U-848, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-107) and Army aircraft, South Atlantic area, 10 d. 09' S., 18 d. 00' W. 11/06 Sat. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer BEATTY (DD-640), by aircraft torpedo, off Northwest Africa, 37 d. 10' N., 06 d. 00' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Submarine chaser No. 11, by aircraft, Solomon Islands area. 11/07 Sun. Japanese troops, transported by destroyers, land near Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. 11/08 Mon. United States Advanced Amphibious Training Base, Plymouth, England, is established. United Sta tes naval vessels damaged, Cape Torokina, Solomon Islands.: Light crui ser BIRMINGHAM (CL-62), by dive bombers, 06 d. 00' S., 154 d. 00' E. Attack transports FULLER (APA-7) and PRESIDENT JACKSON (APA-18), by dive bombers, 06 d. 15' S., 155 d. 05' E. 11/09 Tue. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine WAHOO (SS-238), Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. 11/10 Wed. German submar ine sunk: U-966, by United States naval land-based aircraft (VB-103 and VB-110) and Czechoslovakian aircraft, off northwest Spain, 44 d. 00' N., 08 d. 30' W. 11/11 Thu. Aircraft from 2 carrier task groups (Rear Adm. F. C. Sherman and Rear Adm. A. E. Montgomery) which include 5 carriers, attack enemy ships at Rabaul, New Britain. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer SUZUNAMI, by carrier-based aircraft, Rabaul, New Britain. 11/12 Fri. German submarine sunk: U-508, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-103), Bay of Biscay, 46 d. 00' n., 07 d. 30' W. 11/13 Sat. Carrier and land-based aircraft begin daily bombings of Japanese positions in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) lands personnel and supplies at Paluan Bay, Mindoro, P. I. Cruiser and destroyer task force (Rear Adm. A. S. Merrill) is attacked by Japanese aircraft off Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessel damaged: Light cruiser DENVER (CL-58), by aircraft torpedo, off Bougainville, Solomon Islands, 06 d. 45' S., 154 d. 15' E. 11/15 Mon. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) lands supplies at Nasipit, Mindanao, P. I., and evacuates certain personnel. United States Advanced Naval Base and Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Funafuti, Ellice Island, are established. 11/16 Tue. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Minelayer UKISHIMA, by submarine torpedo, off Japan. 11/17 Wed. Destroyers bombard Japanese airfield at Buka, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Japanese aircraft attack convoy carrying Marine reinforcements to Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessels sunk: High speed transport MCKEAN (APD-5), by aircraft torpedo, off Bougainville, Solomon Islands, 06 d. 31 S., 154 d. 52' E. Submarine CAPELIN (SS-289) departs Darwin, Australia for Molucca and Celebes Seas and is never heard from again. 11/18 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk: PT-311, by mine, off Corsica, 40 d. 41' N., 09 d. 37' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Old destroyer SANAE, by submarine BLUEFISH (SS-222), Celebes Sea, 04 d. 52' N., 122 d. 07' E. 11/19 Fri. United States naval vessels sunk: Submarine SCULPIN (SS-191), by destroyer gunfire, Central Pacific area. PT-147, damaged by grounding, eastern New Guinea area, 05 d. 55' S., 147 d. 20' E.; sunk by United States forces. Submarine chaser SC-1067, foundered, off Attu, Aleutian Islands. United States naval vessel damaged: Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168), accidentally by United States naval gunfire, Gilbert Islands area, 01 d. 05' N., 173 d. 03' E. 11/20 Sat. Naval, Marine, and Army force land on Tarawa and Makin, Gilbert Islands. The operation is under the overall command of Commander Central Pacific Force (Vice Adm. R. A. Spruance). Bitter resistance is encountered on Tarawa. [The Gilbert Islands are in east longitude, but since west longitude dates are used in most of the operational reports, they have likewise been used in these entries concerning the Gilbert Islands.] United States naval vessels damaged, Gilbert Islands: Battleship MISSISSIPPI (BB-41), by accidental explosion, 03 d. 10' N., 172 d. 58' E. Light carrier INDEPENDENCE (CVL-22), by aircraft torpedo, 01 d. 30' N., 172 d. 40' E. Destroyer RINGGOLD (DD-500), by coastal batteries on Tarawa, O1 d. 24' N., 172 d. 58' E. Destroyer DASHIELL (DD-659), by grounding, 01 d. 00' N., 173 d. 00' E. 11/21 Sun. Marine reconnaissance company lands on Abemama, Gilbert Islands, from submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168). 11/22 Mon. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer FRAZIER (DD-607), by intentional ramming of Japanese submarine I-35, Gilbert Islands area, 01 d. 25' N., 174 d. 40' E. Japanese submarine sunk: I-35, by destroyers MEADE (DD-602), and FRAZIER (DD-607), Gilbert Islands area, 01 d. 22' N., 172 d. 47' E. 11/23 Tue. Betio, Tarawa Atoll, and Makin in the Gilbert Islands, are declared secured. Cruiser and destroyer force (Rear Adm. A. S. Merrill) bombards Buka-Bonis area, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessel sunk: PT-322, by grounding, eastern New Guinea area, 06 d. 09' S., 147 d. 36' E.; sunk by United States forces. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Frigate WAKAMIYA, by submarine GUDGEON (SS-211), East China Sea, 28 d. 49' N., 122 d. 11' E. 11/24 Wed. Carrier WASP (CV-18) is commissioned at Quincy, Mass.; this vessel is named for carrier WASP (CV-7) sunk 15 September 1942 near Espirtu Santo, New Hebrides. United States naval vessel sunk: Escort carrier LISCOMBE BAY (CVE-56), by submarine torpedo, Gilbert Islands area, 02 d. 58' N., 172 d. 26' E. 11/25 Thu. Battle of Cape St. George is fought during the early hours as squadron of 5 destroyers (Capt. A. A. Burke) intercepts 5 Japanese destroyers off Cape St. George, New Ireland. Three enemy destroyers are sunk and one damaged. United States ships suffer no damage. Carrier-based aircraft bomb Kavieng, New Ireland. United States Advanced Amphibious Base, Salcombe, Devonshire, England, is established. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyers ONAMI, MAKINAMI, and YUGIRI, by destroyer torpedoes and gunfire, Battle of Cape St. George, New Ireland. Submarine I-19, by destroyer RADFORD (DD-446), north of Gilbert Islands, 03 d. 10' N., 171 d. 55' E 11/26 Fri. United States Naval Air Facilities are established at Amapa, Aratu, and Belem, Brazil; United States Naval Air Facilities (Lighter than Air) are established at Fernando Noronha, Fortaleza, and Ipitanga, Brazil. First Cairo Conference attended by the President, British Prime Minister, and Chinese Generalissimo, in session since 22 November, is ended. 11/29 Mon. Carrier HORNET (CV-12), is commissioned at Newport News, Va.; this vessel is named for carrier HORNET (CV-8) sunk 27 October 1942 after Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer PERKINS (DD-377), by collision with Australian troop ship, eastern New Guinea area, 09 d. 39' S., 150 d. 04' E. German submarine sunk: U-86, by aircraft (VC-19) from escort carrier BOGUE (CVE-9), east of Azores Islands, 39 d. 33' N., 19 d. 01' W. 11/30 Tue. Destroyers bombard enemy positions on Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. 12/01 Wed. Naval Air Ferry Command is established. Teheran Conference attended by the President, British Prime Minister, and Russian representatives ends; conference has been in session since 28 November. 12/02 Thu. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167), lands ammunition and stores, and evacuates certain personnel from Mindanao, P. I. United States naval vessel damaged: Gasoline tanker AROOSTOOK (AOG-14), by horizontal bomber, Italian area, 41 d. 06' N., 16 d. 52' E. 12/03 Fri. United States Naval Air Facility, Sao Luiz, Brazil, is established. 12/04 Sat. Aircraft from task force which includes six carriers (Rear Adm. C. A. Pownall) bomb Kwajalein and Wotje Atolls, Marshall Islands. United States naval vessels damaged, Marshall Islands: Carrier LEXINGTON (CV-16), by aircraft torpedo, 13 d. 30' N., 171 d. 25' E. Light cruiser MOBILE (CL-63), by accidental explosion, 12 d. 47' N., 170 d. 57' E. Destroyer TAYLOR (DD-468), accidentally by United States naval gunfire, 10 d. 00' N., 170 d. 00' E. 12/05 Sun. Destroyers bombard Choiseul Bay area, Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands. 12/06 Mon. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA, is named commander of Allied Expeditionary Force for invasion of Europe. 12/08 Wed. Task group including carriers, battleships, and destroyers (Rear Adm. W. A. Lee) bombs Nauru Island. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer BOYD (DD-544), by coastal defense batteries, Nauru Island. 12/10 Fri. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer SIGOURNEY (DD-643), by grounding, Solomon Islands area, 06 d. 21' S., 155 d. 10' E. 12/12 Sun. German submari ne sunk: U-172, by aircraft (VC-19) from escort carrier BOGUE (CVE-9), and destroyers BADGER (DD-126), DUPONT (DD-152), CLEMSON (DD-186), and INGRAHAM (DD-694), mid-Atlantic area, 26 d. 19' N., 29 d. 58' W. 12/13 Mon. Submarine POMPON (SS-267) lays mines southwest of Cochin China. German submarine sunk: U-593, by United States destroyer WAINWRIGHT (DD-419) and British surface craft, Mediterranean area, 37 d. 38' N., 05 d. 58' E. 12/14 Tue. United States Naval Air Facility, Maceio, Brazil, is established. United States naval vessel sunk: PT-239, by accidental fire, Solomon Islands area, 07 d. 42' S., 156 D. 47 E. 12/15 Wed. Army troops are landed on Arawe Peninsula, New Britain. United States Naval Operating Base, Treasury Islands, Solomon Islands, is established. 12/16 Thu. Japanese submarine sunk: I-179, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-52), off New Britain, 04 d. 28' S., 147 d. 22' E. German submarine sunk: U-73, by destroyers TRIPPE (DD-403) and WOOLSEY (DD-437), off Oran, 36 d. 07' N., 00 d. 50' W. 12/17 Fri. United States naval vessel sunk: Coastal transport APc-21, by dive bomber, off New Britain, 06 d. 15' S., 149 d. 01' E. United States naval vessel damaged: Motor minesweeper YMS-50, by horizontal bomber, off New Britain, 06 d. 12' S., 149 d. 03' E. 12/18 Sat. Submarine CABRILLA (SS-288) lays mines off Cambodia, Indochina. 12/19 Sun. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer NAMUKAZE, by submarine GRAYBACK (SS-208), off the Ryukyu Islands, 26 d. 29' N., 128 d. 26' E. 12/20 Mon. Destroyers bombard Japanese positions on northeastern coast of Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Naval Air Training command is established at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer FUYO, by submarine PUFFER (SS-268), Philippine Islands area, 14 d. 44' N., 119 d. 55' E. German submarine sunk: U-850, by aircraft (VC-19), from escort carrier BOGUE (CVE-9), mid-Atlantic area, 32 d. 54' N., 37 d. 01' W. 12/21 Tue. Naval aircraft from Attu, Aleutian Islands, bomb Paramushiro- Shimushu area, Kurile Islands. United States Coast Guard vessel lost: Coastal transport APc-2, by dive bomber, off New Britain, 06 d. 12' S., 149 d. 03' E. 12/23 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine CORVINA (SS-226), Pacific Ocean are, reported as presumed lost. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Submarine I-39, by destroyer escort GRISWOLD (DE-7), Solomon Islands area, 09 d. 23' S., 160 d. 09' E. Gunboat NANYO, by aircraft (location unknown.) 12/24 Fri. Task force of 3 cruisers and four destroyers (Rear Adm. A. S. Merrill) bombard Buka-Bunis area, Solomon Islands. United States Advanced Amphibious Base, Dartmouth, England, is established. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer LEARY (DD-158), by submarine torpedo, North Atlantic area, 45 d. 00' N., 22 d. 00' W. German submarine sunk: U-645, by destroyer SCHENCK (DD-159), North Atlantic area, 45 d. 20' N., 21 d. 40' W. 12/25 Sat. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. F. C. Sherman) bomb Kavieng, New Ireland. 12/26 Sun. 1st Marine Division (Maj. Gen. W. H. Rupertus) is landed at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, by Seventh Amphibious Force (Rear Adm. D. E. Barbey) after heavy pre-invasion bombardment and bombing by ship gunfire and aircraft. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer BROWNSON (DD-518), by dive bomber, Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 05 d. 20' S., 148 d. 25' E. United States naval vessels damaged, Cape Gloucester, New Britain: Destroyers LAMSON (DD-367), SHAW (DD-373), and MUGFORD (DD-389), by dive bombers. LST 66, by horizontal bomber. 12/27 Mon. Two cruisers and four destroyers (Rear Adm. w. L. Ainsworth) bombard Kieta area, Bougainville, Solomon Islands. United States naval vessel damaged: Coastal transport APc-15, by dive bomber, off New Britain, 06 d. 12' S., 149 d. 03' E. 12/28 Tue. Amphibious Training Base, Kamaole, Maui, T. H., is established. 12/31 Fri. Naval aircraft from Attu, Aleutian Islands, bomb Paramushiro- Shimushu area, Kurile Islands.