March, 1943

No. 295 March 1, 1943

North Pacific.

1. On February 27th, during the afternoon, a force of heavy and medium bombers, with fighter escort, attacked Japanese positions at Kiska. Results were not observed. All U. S. planes returned.

2. On February 28th, during the afternoon, enemy positions at Kiska were again attacked by U. S. medium bombers. Hits were observed in the camp area. All U. S. planes returned.

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South Pacific (all dates are cast longitude).

3. On February 28th:

(a) A Hudson patrol bomber (Lockheed A-29) dropped bombs in the area at Munda, on New Georgia Island.

(b) A force of Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated PB4Y) and Avenger torpedo planes (Grumman TBF) attacked Japanese shipping off Buin and bombed the enemy airfields at Kahili and Ballale in the Shortland Island area. An enemy cargo ship was hit, blew up and sank. Large fires were started at Kahili and Ballale and an enemy plane was destroyed on the ground. One U. S. plane failed to return.

(c) Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas), with Lightning (Lockheed P-38) and Wildcat (Grumman F4F) escort, attacked and started fires at Vila, on Kolombangara Island. All U. S. planes returned.

No. 296 March 2, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are cast longitude).

1. On March 1st, Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas), with Wildcat (Grumman F4F) escort, bombed and started fires in the Japanese-held area at Munda on New Georgia Island. All U. S. planes returned.

No. 297 March 2, 1943

Pacific and Far East.

1. U. S. submarines have reported the following results of operations against the enemy in the waters of these areas:

(a) Three medium-sized cargo ships sunk.

(b) One medium-sized tanker sunk.

(d) One medium-sized transport damaged.

(e) One medium-sized tanker damaged.

2. These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Department communiqué.

No. 298 March 3, 1943

North Pacific.

1. During the month of February 1943, U. S. aircraft, operating under adverse weather conditions, executed 9 bombing attacks on Japanese

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positions at Kiska. During these raids, which have been previously announced, more than 1,000 bombs were dropped and 10 enemy planes were shot down. No U. S. planes were lost during these operations. South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. On March 2d, a Hudson patrol bomber (Lockheed A-29), while returning from a mission, dropped bombs on Japanese positions at Munda, on New Georgia Island.

No. 299 March 4, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 3d:

(a) Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated PB4Y) dropped bombs in the Japanese-held areas at Kahili, Buin, Ballale and Vila in the northwestern Solomons. Results were not observed. All U. S. planes returned.

(b) Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas), with Wildcat escort (Grumman F4F), attacked enemy positions and started a fire at Munda, on New Georgia Island. All U. S. planes returned.

No. 300

North Pacific.

1. On March 2d during the early morning, Warhawks (Curtiss P-40) attacked Japanese positions at Kiska. Hits were observed in the camp area.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 301, MARCH 6, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 5:

(a) U. S. aircraft bombed Japanese positions at Munda on the island of New Georgia and at Buin on the southeast coast of Bougainville Island.

(b) During the night of March 5‑6, a U. S. task force composed of light surface units bombarded Japanese installations at Vila and at Munda in the central Solomon Islands. Light Japanese surface forces attempted to drive off our bombardment group and two large enemy destroyers were sunk during the engagement. No U. S. vessels were lost.

2. The successful completion of the convoy mission of a U. S. task force in the South Pacific now makes possible the following announcement:

On February 17, a formation of seven Japanese torpedo planes located and launched an attack against the tack force. Five of the enemy planes were shot down and no damage to U. S. vessels was suffered.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 302, MARCH 7, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 5:

(a) U. S. aircraft bombed enemy installations at Viru Harbor on the southern coast of New Georgia Island.

(b) During the night of March 5‑6, Japanese planes raided U. S. positions on Tulagi Island, 20 miles north of Guadalcanal airfield. Two men were killed.

2. On March 6:

(a) During the early morning a large force of U. S. planes bombed and strafed Japanese positions at Munda on New Georgia Island. Results were not reported.

(b) During the morning, Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated) bombed and started fires in the enemy‑held areas at Kahili, Buin and Ballale in the Shortland Island area.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 303, MARCH 8, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 7, Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated PB4Y) attacked Japanese installations at Kahili and on Ballale Island in the Shortland Island area and bombed enemy positions at Vila on Kolombangara Island. An enemy cargo ship at Kieta on Bougainville Island was also attacked by a Liberator. Results of the above attacks were not observed.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 304, MARCH 9, 1943

North Pacific.

1. On March 7, U. S. heavy and medium bombers attacked Japanese positions at Kiska. Antiaircraft fire was encountered but no enemy planes intercepted. All U. S. planes returned.

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. During the night of March 7‑8, Liberator heavy bombers carried out minor bombing attacks on Japanese installations at Kahili and Ballale in the Shortland Island area, and at Vila and Rekata Bay in the central Solomons. Results were not observed. All U. S. planes returned.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 305, MARCH 10, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. During the night of March 7‑8, a Japanese plane dropped bombs on U. S. positions on Guadalcanal Island. No casualties resulted.

2. On March 9:

(a) During the morning, Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated) dropped bombs in the enemy areas at Kahili and Ballale in the Shortland Island area and at Munda and Vila in the central Solomons. Results were not observed. All U. S. planes returned.

(b) Later in the morning, a large force of Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas) and Avenger torpedo bombers (Grumman TBF), with Wildcat escort (Grumman F4F), attacked the airfield at Munda on New Georgia Island. Hits on supply dumps and antiaircraft positions started large fires. All U. S. planes returned.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 306, MARCH 11, 1943

North Pacific

1. On March 9, a force of Mitchell medium bombers (North American B‑25) and Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated B‑24), with Lightning escort (Lockheed P‑38), bombed Japanese positions at Kiska. Hits were observed in the camp area. Antiaircraft lire was encountered but all U. S. planes returned.

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. On March 10:

(a) During the early morning, Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated PB4Y) carried out minor bombing attacks on Japanese positions at Kahili, on Bougainville Island, and at Munda and Vila in the central Solomons. Results were not observed.

(b) Later in the morning a large force of Avenger torpedo bombers (Grumman TBF), Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas SBD) and Wildcat fighters (Grumman F4F) attacked Vila, on the southern coast of Kolombangara Island. Several large fires were started.

(c) During the afternoon, U. S. aircraft intercepted 10 enemy dive bombers, with an escort of 12 Zeros, northwest of Guadalcanal. One enemy bomber and three Zeros were shot down.

(d) No U. S. planes were lost during these actions.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 307, MARCH 12, 1943

North. Pacific.

1. On March 10:

(a) During the morning, U. S. aircraft attacked Japanese positions at Kiska and scored bomb hits in the target area.

(b) Later in the morning, a force of Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated B‑24), Mitchell medium bombers (North American B‑26) and Lightning fighters (Lockheed P‑38) again attacked enemy installations at Kiska. Antiaircraft batteries were bombed and strafed at low level and hits were scored. Three buildings in the camp area were damaged by heavy bomb hits. Antiaircraft fire was encountered but all U. S. planes returned.

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. On March 11, during the early morning, Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated PB4Y) carried out minor bombing attacks on Japanese positions at Kahili and Ballale in the Shortland Island area and at Vila in the central Solomons. Results were not observed. All U. S. planes returned.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 308, MARCH 13, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. During the night of March 11‑12, two Japanese planes dropped bombs on U. S. positions on Guadalcanal Island. No casualties or damage resulted.

2. On March 12:

(a) During the early morning, Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated B‑24) carried out minor bombing attacks on Japanese positions at Ballale, in the Shortland Island area, and at Vila and Munda in the New Georgia Group.

(b) During the night of March 12‑13, a force of Avenger torpedo bombers (Grumman TBF) attacked Japanese positions at Munda on New Georgia Island. Fires were started in the enemy area.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 309, MARCH 14, 1943

North Pacific.

1. During the afternoons of March 12 and 13, Warhawk fighters (Curtiss P‑40) bombed and strafed Japanese positions at Kiska.

South. Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. During the night of March 12‑13, Liberator heavy bombers carried out minor bombing attacks against Japanese positions at Kahili and Ballale in the Shortland Island area, and at Vila and Munda in the central Solomons. Hits in the enemy area at Ballale started a large fire.

3. During the morning of March 13, Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas) with Wildcat escort (Grumman F4F) attacked Japanese positions at Vila on Kolombangara Island. Bomb hits caused heavy explosions and smoke in the target area.

4. No U. S. planes were lost in any of the above actions.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 310, MARCH 15, 1943

North Pacific.

1. During the evening of March 13, Army Warhawks (Curtiss P‑40) and Lightnings (Lockheed P‑38) strafed Japanese installations at Kiska and damaged several grounded planes.

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. On March 13:

(a) Army Lightnings strafed and destroyed a small Japanese vessel near Rendova Island in the New Georgia Group.

(b) Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated) carried out minor at tacks on Japanese positions in the Shortland Island area and at Munda and Vila in the central Solomons. All U. S. planes returned.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 311, MARCH 16, 1943

1. A conference of American, British and Canadian officers has recently been held in Washington under the chairmanship of Admiral Ernest J. King. Commander‑in‑Chief, United States Fleet, at which the anti‑U‑boat warfare was discussed.

2. This conference was one of a series of Allied conferences which have been and will continue to be held in order that all phases of the anti‑U‑boat campaign can be kept constantly under review, that information and views can be exchanged, and that anti‑U‑boat measures can be adjusted to best advantage.

3. Complete agreement was reached on the policy to be pursued in the protection of Allied shipping in the Atlantic and in the best methods of employing the Allied escort vessels, antisubmarine craft and aircraft in defeating the U‑boat menace.

4. In addition to the U. S. Naval officers concerned, the following officers headed the various Allied missions who attended the conference:

Name Representing

Vice Admiral Sir Henry R. Moore, Admiralty

K.C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O.

Air Vice Marshal A. Durston, C.B., A.F.C. Coastal Command, Royal Air Force

Rear Admiral V. G. Brodeur Royal Canadian Navy

Air Vice Marshal N. R. Anderson Royal Canadian Air Force

There were also present:

Major General C. P. Gross United States Army

Brigadier General W. T. Larson United States Army Air Force

Mr. J. E. Cushing War Shipping Administration

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 312, MARCH 16, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. During the evening of March 15, Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas), with Wildcat escort (Grumman F4F), bombed Japanese positions at Vila and Munda in the central Solomons. Results were not reported. All U. S. planes returned.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 313, MARCH 16, 1943

Pacific and Far East.

1. U. S. submarines have reported the following results of operations against the enemy in the waters of these areas:

(a) One destroyer sunk.

(b) One large cargo vessel sunk.

(d) One medium‑sized cargo vessel sunk.

(e) One medium‑sized cargo vessel damaged.

(f) One medium‑sized tanker damaged.

(g) One small cargo vessel damaged.

2. These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Department Communiqué.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 314, MARCH 17, 1943

North Pacific.

1. On March 15, heavy and medium Army bombers, with Lightning (Lockheed P‑38) and Warhawk (Curtiss P‑40) support, carried out six heavy bombing attacks on Japanese installations at Kiska. Results were not reported.

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. During the night of March 15‑16, light naval surface forces bombarded Japanese positions at Vila on the southeast coast of Kolombangara Island. Good results were reported and no casualties were suffered by our forces.

3. On March 16: .

(a) During the early morning Army Flying Fortresses (Boeing B‑17) harassed enemy positions at Kahili and Buka in the Bougainville area and at Munda on New Georgia Island.

(b) Later in the morning Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas), with Wildcat escort (Grumman F4F), attacked enemy positions at Vila. Results were not reported.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 315, MARCH 17, 1943

North Atlantic.

1. During the latter part of February, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Campbell, while operating as a convoy escort in the North Atlantic, encountered and sank a German submarine. The Campbell sighted the submarine on the surface and a collision course was set to ram her. The Campbell bore down on the submarine and opened fire with her deck guns.

2. The submarine was hit a glancing blow by the Campbell and drifted clear of the cutter following the collision. Several rounds were fired into the submarine at point blank range and the submarine settled slowly by the stern and sank. The collision tore the side plating of the Campbell and she was left partially flooded and without power of electricity.

3. In order to lighten the Campbell as much as possible a number of her crew were transferred to the Polish destroyer Burza which had been standing by to assist. The crew members from the Campbell were provided quarters aboard the Burza until landed at an Atlantic port.

4. The Campbell has since been towed to an Atlantic port for repairs.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 316, MARCH 18, 1943

North Pacific.

1. On March 16, U. S. Army aircraft carried out the following attacks on Japanese installations and aircraft at Kiska:

(a) During the morning, Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated B‑24) and Mitchell medium bombers (North American B‑25) supported by Lightning fighters (Lockheed P‑38) bombed the main camp area and the submarine base. Hits were observed in both target areas.

(b) During the early afternoon, eight Lightnings engaged eight enemy planes in the vicinity of Kiska. Two of the enemy planes were shot down and an additional two were probably destroyed.

(c) Later in the afternoon, Liberators, Mitchells, and Lightnings again attacked the enemy submarine base and other installations. A large fire was started in the camp area.

(d) Still later in the afternoon, a group of Mitchells again attacked and scored bomb hits on the submarine base.

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. During the night of March 16‑17, Liberator heavy bombers carried out minor attacks on Japanese positions at Munda and Vila in the central Solomons and at Kahili and Ballale in the Shortland Island area. Results were not observed.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 317, MARCH 19, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 18:

(a) U. S. Army Flying Fortresses (Boeing B‑17) carried out minor attacks against Japanese positions at Kahili and Ballale in the Shortland Island area and at Vila in the central Solomons. Results were not observed.

(b) In the afternoon, a force of Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas), escorted by Wildcat fighters (Grumman F4F), bombed Vila in the central Solomons and started a fire.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 318, MARCH 20, 1943

North Pacific.

1. On March 18, Kiska was attacked twice by Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) and Mitchell (North American B‑25) bombers with Lightnings (Lockheed P‑38) as escorts. Results were not observed. All U. S. planes returned.

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. A force of Wildcat fighters (Grumman F4F) strafed Japanese positions on Munda, New Georgia. All planes returned.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 319, MARCH 21, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 19:

Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas) and Wildcat fighters (Grumman F4F) attacked Vila in the Central Solomons. Fires were started.

2. On March 20:

(a) Dauntless dive bombers and Wildcat fighters again attacked Vila.

(b) Dauntless dive bombers and Wildcat fighters attacked Munda on New Georgia Island. A fire was started.

(c) On the evening of March 20 Flying Fortresses (Boeing B‑17) and Liberators (Consolidated) attacked Japanese positions on Kahili in the Shortland Island area.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 320, MARCH 22, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 21:

(a) During the afternoon, Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas), supported by Wildcat fighters (Grumman F4F), attacked Munda, on New Georgia Island, and Vila, in the Central Solomons. A supply area and an enemy gun position were hit.

(b) During the evening, a force of Army Flying Fortresses (Boeing B‑17) and Liberators (Consolidated B‑24) attacked Japanese positions at Kahili, in the Shortland Island area.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 321, MARCH 23, 1943

North Pacific.

1. On March 21, two groups of Army Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated B‑24) and Mitchell medium bombers (North American B‑25) with fighter escort attacked Japanese positions at Kiska. Except for one large fire, results were not observed.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 322, MARCH 24, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 23:

(a) A force of Army fighters (Lockheed P‑38) strafed the enemy seaplane base at Rekata Bay in the Central Solomons. Results were not reported. All U. S. planes returned.

(b) During the night of March 23‑24, a small number of Japanese planes attacked the airfield on Guadalcanal Island. There was some material damage but there were no casualties to personnel.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 323, MARCH 25, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 24:

(a) During the evening, Army Flying Fortresses (Boeing B‑17) and Navy Avenger torpedo bombers (Grumman TBF) attacked Japanese positions at Kahili in the Shortland Island area. A fire was started.

(b) A small enemy ship in the Shortland Island area was bombed with unobserved results.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 324, MARCH 26, 1943

North Pacific.

1. On March 24:

(a) During the afternoon and evening, Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) and Mitchell (North American B‑25) bombers, escorted by fighters, carried out four attacks against Japanese positions at Kiska. Hits were scored in the target area.

(b) All U. S. planes returned.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 325, MARCH 27, 1943

North Pacific.

1. On March 25:

(a) Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) and Mitchell (North American B‑25) bombers, escorted by Lightning fighters (Lockheed P‑38), carried out three attacks against Japanese positions at Kiska. Bombs were dropped on the runway, hangar and camp area. Low flying fighters strafed Japanese personnel.

(b) A U. S. search plane bombed Abraham Harbor on the southwest coast of Attu Island.

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. On March 26:

(a) During the morning Liberator bombers attacked Japanese Installations on Nauru Island. Hits were scored on the wharf, runway, officers' quarters and barracks area. Four fires were started and several Japanese planes were damaged.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 326, MARCH 28, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 25:

(a) In the afternoon a force of Wildcat (Grumman F4F) fighters strafed a Japanese barge in Roviana Lagoon, Munda, on New Georgia Island.

(b) On the night of March 25‑26, Canton Island in the Phoenix Island group was bombed by two Japanese planes. Light damage was inflicted.

(c) Additional reports reveal that on the night of March 25‑26, U. S. planes carried out two bombing attacks against Japanese positions on Nauru Island, instead of one attack as previously reported in Navy Department Communiqué No. 325. In the first of these attacks, Navy Catalina patrol bombers (Consolidated PBY) started fires. In the second attack (previously reported) Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated) scored hits on enemy installations.

2. On March 27:

(a) On the early morning of March 27, a total of seven Japanese planes made five attempts to bomb Guadalcanal Island. In two of these attacks bombs were dropped, killing one, injuring 13 others, and causing slight material damage.

(b) Avenger (Grumman) bombers, escorted by Airacobra (Bell P‑39) and Wildcat fighters, attacked Japanese positions at Vila, in the Central Solomons. Six fires were started.

(c) In the early afternoon, Avenger bombers, escorted by Wildcat fighters, attacked Munda on New Georgia Island. A supply dump was blown up and a fire started.

(d) On the same afternoon, Dauntless (Douglas) dive bombers, escorted by Wildcat fighters, bombed and strafed Japanese positions in Ugali, on the northeast coast of Rendova Island in the New Georgia group. One building was destroyed and another was set on fire.

North Pacific.

3. On March 26, a force of Army Mitchell (North American B‑25) medium bombers attacked Japanese positions at Kiska. Hits were scored on a hangar and in the camp area.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 327, MARCH 28, 1943

North Pacific.

1. On March 26, a detachment of our light forces patrolling to the westward of Attu Island, the westernmost end of the Aleutians, made contact with a Japanese force composed of two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, four destroyers and two cargo ships. The enemy force was headed eastward toward the Aleutians.

2. Gunfire at long range was exchanged. When the engagement was broken oft, the Japanese forces were observed heading westward.

3. Announcement of further details will be made when such information will not be of value to the enemy.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 328, MARCH 29, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 28:

(a) During the morning, Army Flying Fortresses (Boeing B‑17) attacked Japanese positions at Buin and Kahili in the Shortland Island area. Hits were scored on revetments and a runway.

(b) All U. S. planes returned.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 329, MARCH 30, 1943

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

1. On March 29:

(a) During the morning, a group of Lightning (Lockheed P‑38) and Corsair (Vought F4U) fighters attacked the Japanese seaplane base at Faisi in the Shortland Island area. Five to seven Japanese planes were set on fire.

(b) Following the attack on Faisi, this same group of fighters carried out a low level strafing attack on a Japanese destroyer off Alu Island (southeast of Shortland Island). The attack was carried out at such low altitude that three feet of the wing of one plane was sheared off by the destroyer's mast. The destroyer was left burning.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 330, MARCH 31, 1943

North Pacific.

1. On March 29:

(a) A force of Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) and Mitchell (North American B‑25) bombers, escorted by Lightning (Lockheed P‑38) fighters, attacked Japanese positions at Kiska. The runway, camp area and gun installations were bombed and strafed. All U. S. planes returned.

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. On March 30:

(a) In the early morning, Flying Fortresses (Boeing B‑17) attacked Japanese positions at Vila in the Central Solomons and at Kahili in the Shortland Island area. All U. S. planes returned.

South Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

2. During the night of March 3d-4th, two Japanese planes dropped bombs on U. S. positions on Guadalcanal Island. No casualties resulted and no damage to installations was suffered.

3. On March 4th:

(a) During the morning, Dauntless dive bombers (Douglas), with Wildcat escort (Grumman F4F), bombed enemy positions at Munda and started four fires. Antiaircraft fire was encountered. All U. S. planes returned.

(b) During the morning, Liberator heavy bombers (Consolidated B-24) bombed Japanese installations at Buin, at Kahili and on Ballale Island in the Shortland Island area. Antiaircraft fire was encountered and results could not be observed. All U. S. planes returned.

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