70 Years Ago Today: Sunday, June 6, 1943 London: In a speech, ironically delivered a year to the day prior to the Allied invasion of Normandy, General Charles de Gaulle insists that France does not want assistance in throwing off the Nazi yoke, claiming, "We intend to win our liberty ourselves." Eastern Mediterranean: Desert Air Task Force B-24s strike the harbor areas of Villa San Giovanni and Reggio di Calabria, and ferry slips and railroad yards at Messina in Italy. Meanwhile, B-25s hit Pantelleria Island. Western Mediterranean: Northwest African Air Force Spitfires, P-40s, P-38s, B-26s, A-20s, A-36s and B-25s continue pounding Pantelleria Island , which was bombed the night before. The Allied air bombardment increases and is concentrated on coastal batteries and other gun emplacements as the second phase of air offensive against Pantelleria Island starts. During the night, RAF Wellingtons bomb Pantelleria Island. China – Burma – India Theater (China): 14th Air Force sends five P-40s to strafe trucks, barracks and personnel at Tangyang, while 11 other P-40s hit the approaches to a bridge at Puchia and 10 more P-40s attack Shasi Airfield and hit river shipping in the general area. Meanwhile, seven B-25s bomb the airfield at Pailochi. South Pacific Area: 13th Air Force P-38s, P-40s alomg with Navy and Marine fighters and dive bombers attack shipping off Buin in the Solomon Islands, damaging a destroyer and two smaller vessels, with 15 Japanese airplanes shot down. In other action, P-38s and P-40s strafe the Luti Bay area of Choiseul Island, New Guinea. Southwest Pacific Theater: 5th Air Force B-24s hit the town of Koepang and the airfield at Penfoei on Timor.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:38:40 +0000
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