This day in the war in the Pacific 65 years ago.

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BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) B-25's score 2 direct hits on the bridge at Myitnge, Burma.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) Ten B-25's, escorted by 12 P-40's, support Chinese ground forces by bombing positions at Owchihkow, China.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-24's bomb the airfield on Ballale.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's bomb airfields at Rabaul on New Britain Island in predawn strikes and hit Kendari Airfield, Celebes in the evening. In New Guinea, a single B-25 attacks a power boat in Hanisch Harbor and strafes a beach near Finschhafen.

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SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) Search aircraft report nearly 250 Japanese airplanes at Rabaul on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago and other airfields jammed with aircraft. In air action in the Solomon Islands, about 120 Japanese aircraft converging on Allied vessels off Tulagi and Guadalcanal Islands in the Solomon Islands are met by more than 100 Allied fighters (USAAF, Royal New Zealand Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps). The skies over Savo and Tulagi, and Cape Esperance and Koli Point on Guadalcanal Island are filled with dogfights and flak from ship and ground guns. The battle results in the largest single-day Allied aerial victory of the Solomon Islands campaign; 79 airplanes are claimed shot down by Allied fighters, and AA claims 17 more; 6 Allied fighters are lost. The Japanese succeed in damaging 3 ships (2 of which have to be beached) and cause considerable destruction on Guadalcanal. Lost is B-24D 42-40250.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's bomb Koepang and Oeikoesi on Timor and, along with A-20's, hit barges and shore targets at several points along the coasts of NE New Guinea and New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago. On a single bomber photo recon over Buka and Bougainville is B-17E "Lucy" 41-2666 two crew members earned the medal of honor.

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) During the night of 17/18 Jun, 4 B-24's take off from Funafuti Atoll, Ellice Islands at 2-hour intervals to bomb Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. One aborts and another fails to find the target. The 2 heavy bombers bombing the target hit runways, silence an AA battery, and blow up an ammunition dump. The raid is a diversion in support of the first night photo-reconnaissance mission by the VII Bomber Command, during which 3 B-24's photograph Mille Atoll and nearby waters in the Marshall Islands.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) P-40's strafe a warehouse and train S of Chiuchiang and a train N of Nanchang, both in China. Road traffic E of Hanoi, French Indochina is also attacked.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's administer a thorough pounding to the Madang and Salamaua areas. B-24's bomb Sorong and Boela. A single B-24 bombs the airfield at Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island and, during the night of 17/18 Jun, a B-25 attacks power launches nearby, sinking 1 and badly damaging 2 more. The 433d Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group transfers with P-38's from Charters Towers, Australia to Amberley Field, Townsville, Australia.

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) The 58th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), Seventh Air Force begins a movement from Wheeler Field to Canton with A-24s.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield while B-25's hit Ballale and strafe barges in Wilson Strait.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's bomb and strafe power launches off Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island and Finschhafen, New Guinea, sinking 1 and damaging 2 near the Cape. A single B-17 bombs Unea Island, Bismarck Archipelago while an A-20 on armed reconnaissance during the night of 18/19 Jun bombs and strafes Salamaua, New Guinea and nearby coastal areas.

INDIA: General Auchinleck becomes Commander in Chief in India and General Wavell is the next Viceroy of India. These "promotions" are designed to move them to positions where Churchill feels safe. The other side of the appointments: Churchill had these fellows appointed less to "feel safe" than to use
their talents where they could, in his estimation, be best used. Churchill failed to appreciate Wavell's many qualities as an operational commander and had written the Great Auk off as an administratively
capable but operationally incapapble commander. In Churchill's view, both generals were also smeared with a propensity for ill-luck.

AUSTRALIA: Australian Prime Minister John Curtin announces that Australia is no longer in danger of invasion.

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) During the night of 18/19 Jun, 2 B-24's fly photo reconnaissance of Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands from Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) During the night of 18/19 Jun, B-24's bomb Nauru Island in the Gilbert Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17's and B-24's thoroughly pound Vunakanau Airfield. A-20's hit barges in Hanisch Harbor and a trail near the village of Tamigudu, both in New Guinea. Single B-24's bomb Finschhafen, New Guinea area and the airstrip at Rapopo.

PTO: In the Pacific, three U.S. submarines sink two Japanese army cargo ships, a freighter, a coastal minesweeper and a gunboat and damage another gunboat.

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) During the night of 19/20 Jun, 3 B-24's from Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice Islands fly photo reconnaissance of Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) P-40's join Marine and Navy airplanes in a strike against Vila Airfield. Hits are scored on the runway and dump area. B-24's blast the airfield and other targets at Kahili, and also bomb Kieta.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's bomb airstrip at Rapopo, and airfields at Keravat, and also hit Rabaul town area. A-20's pound the airfield at Lae, New Guinea. 2 B-25's and an A-20 hit Finschhafen and barges and shoreline targets along the coast of New Britain.

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AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands a fighters strip is completed at Shemya. All missions are cancelled due to weather for the tenth straight day.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) One B-24 carries out armed photo reconnaissance over Nonouti Island, Beru Island, and Nukunau Island in the Gilbert Islands.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force) In China, 7 B-25's, with escort of 8 P-40's, bomb the village of Shihshow. 8 other B-25's, supported by 9 P-40's, are dispatched to attack the Japanese-held village of Hwajung but mistakenly bomb the friendly village of Nanhsien, killing over 50 Chinese. The 11th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers with B-25's from Kunming, China to Kweilin, China. The squadron has detachments operating from Hengyang, Suichwan, Nanning and Lingling between Jun 43 and Jun 44.

USN - F4U piloted by Smith ditched off Midway.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In a predawn strike B-25's bomb Koepang on Timor Island. A-20's bomb and strafe airfields at Lae and Lahang while B-25's blast the airfield and general area at Salamaua. A single B-24 bombs MacDonald's Junction, New Guinea and strafes targets of opportunity along the coast S of Buka. Lost is B-25C "Geronimo" 41-12980.

NEW GEORGIA: The US 4th Marine Raider Btn lands at Segi Point on the southern end of New Georgia, British Solomon Islands.

ALASKA: A fighter strip is completed at Shemya in the Aleutian Islands. All missions are cancelled due to weather for tenth straight day.

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AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, a P-40 sights a submarine 5 mi (8 km) E of Zeto Point. A B-24 then searches the area but makes no contact.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) 3 B-24's from Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands fly photo reconnaissance of Beru Island, Nukunau Island, Tabiteuea Island, Onotoa Island, Tarawa Atoll, and Arorae Island in the Gilbert Islands. 1 of the heavy bombers strafes Arorae.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force) Heavy bombers join B-25's in pounding the Ywataung, Burma marshalling yard. Monywa, Burma is also thoroughly bombed.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24's bomb the Taberfane, New Guinea area.

USMC - Ditched into the lagoon at Midway is F4U Corsair 02326.

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SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) B-25's and Navy fighters and dive bombers hit Buki village on Buki Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) 17 B-24's bomb shipping, dock area, factory and residential areas of Makassar, Celebes Island. 2 light cruisers are damaged and many buildings along Juliana Quay and in the town area are damaged or demolished. A single B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs the airfield at Lae, New Guinea. HQ 348th Fighter Group and it's 340th, 341st and 342d Fighter Squadrons arrive at Port Moresby, New Guinea from the US with P-47's.

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ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, 2 photo and weather reconnaissance missions by 2 B-24's and 6 attack missions by 25 B-25's, 12 B-24's, and 2 P-38's hit Kiska Island. Targets include gun revetments at Gertrude Cove and AA batteries. The 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group transfers with P-40's from Ft Glenn to Shemya. The squadron also has detachments operating from Amchitka and Attu Airfield.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) In the Solomon Islands during the night of 24/25 Jun, B-24's attack the Kahili area and hit the airfield on Buka Island. During the following day B-25's, escorted by P-40's, hit the runway at Vila Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-25's bomb and strafe several occupied villages in the Sepu, New Guinea area.

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ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force) In the Aleutian Islands, 16 bombers and 28 fighters fly 7 attack, weather reconnaissance and photo missions to Kiska and Little Kiska Islands, starting fires. Intense machinegun fire damages 4 P-38's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) During the night of 25/26 Jun, B-24's pound the airfield on Ballale and bomb the Poporang-Buin-Faisi area. P-38's strafe the Rekata Bay area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) During the predawn and early morning hours, B-24's and B-17's bomb the airfield and harbor at Rabaul and the town of Lae. Lost to J1N1 night fighter over Rabaul are: B-17E "Naughty But Nice" 41-2430 and B-17F "Taxpayers Pride" 41-24448.

During the midday, B-25's hit the airfield at Lae and the town of Salamaua. In the early evening B-25's bomb Penfoei, Timor Island.

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CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, moves from Karachi, India to Kunming, China with P-40s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): 22nd BG B-26s bomb Lae and Salamaua.

ALASKA: On Kiska Island in the Aluetian Islands, eight 11th Air Force B-24s make a radar run but return with their bombs due to weather. Later, 5 B-24s and 7 B-25s bomb the Main Camp area and vicinity north of Salmon Lagoon. Fourteen B-25s bomb Gertrude Cove, camp areas, and North Head, while seven others abort due to weather. Two P-40s fly reconnaissance over Segula Island but overcast prevents observations. Three USN PV-1s also bomb Gertrude Cove.
The Japanese issue an order for Phase II of the KE Operation, the evacuation of Kiska. The evacuation is to be accomplished in one mission by cruisers and destroyers screened by submarines.

NEW GEORGIA: In preparation for Operation TOENAILS, the invasion of New Georgia Island in the Solomon Islands on 30 June, the USN's Task Force 36 arrives in the area. TF 36 consists of two aircraft carriers, USS Saratoga and HMS Victorious. Carrier Air Group Three is in USS Saratoga however, VF-5 is
transferred to HMS Victorious while the RN's No. 832 Squadron is transferred to USS Saratoga. This exchange put four squadrons of Wildcat fighters on the RN ship. US Marines leapfrog up the coast via a short sea lift before beginning an overland advance against Viru Harbor, New Georgia in the Solomon Islands. These Marines landed on New Georgia on June 21.

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ALASKA (11th Air Force): A B-17 weather aircraft flies over Kiska . A solid weather front cancels bombing. On this and the following day US advanced reconnaissance parties land on Adak from submarines. In the Aleutians, six Eleventh Air Force B-25s bomb Gertrude Cove and the southern Main Camp area on Kiska Island and Little Kiska Island through holes in the overcast. The mission is partly ineffective because of faulty bomb-release mechanisms.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): 11th Bombardment Squadron, 7th BG, based at Kunming, China, sends a detachment to operate from Dinjan, India with B-25s.

USA: The national insignia applied to U.S. military aircraft is changed. White rectangles are added on the left and right sides of the blue circular field to form a horizontal bar with a red border stripe around the entire design. This replaces the white star in blue circle insignia.

NEW GUINEA - Four Australian platoons land and attack Japanese position at Salamaua, killing about 100 enemy troops, bringing back three trucks and a portable bridge. Allied morale is boosted, but the attack fails to gain any signifigant ground from the Japanese.

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CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): Colonel Robert C Oliver assumes command of the X Air Service Command. 9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (attached to USAMEAF) departs India for Palestine with B-17s. Ground echelon leaves from Lahabad, India and air echelon leaves from Baumrauli, India.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s hit Lakunai Airfield and Lae Airfield during the night of 28/29 Jun. 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Port Moresby to Woodstock with P-39s.

NEW GEORGIA: US cruisers and destroyers bombard positions at the Japanese naval base at Shortland in the Northern Solomon Islands.
Amplifying the above:
In the Solomon Islands during the night of 29/30 June, four cruisers and four destroyers of the USN's Task Unit 36.2.1 bombards the Vila-Stanmore area on Kolombangara Island and the Buin-Shortland area on Bougainville Island. At the same time, three light minelayers of Task Unit 36.2.2 sow mines off Shortland Harbor on Bougainville and between Alu and Munda Islands. One of the minelayers also mines an area off New Georgia Island.

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NEW GUINEA: US forces landed on Woodlark Island in the SW Pacific.

ALASKA: In the Aleutians, the weather finally breaks after two weeks of adverse conditions. Sixteen Eleventh Air Force bombers fly armed reconnaissance over Kiska while two bombers attack ground targets. The USN also dispatches three flights of PV-1 Venturas to bomb the island.

JAPAN: Tokyo: Subhas Chandra Bose broadcasts an appeal for Indians to rise up against the British.

AUSTRALIA: Canberra: The Australian Federal parliament is to be dissolved and a general election will take place in August. The decision to go to the people follows a no-confidence motion in the House of Representatives which was defeated by one vote yesterday. Having denounced the government for failing to reach a national agreement, the opposition now faces the task of defeating the government that will stand on its record in a national crisis. Before deciding on the election John Curtin, the prime minister, has said that the defensive phase of the war was over, and that Australia "could be held as a base from which to launch both limited and major offensives."