World Aviation in 1943 - Part 1

Part 2

5 January
United States Army Air Force (USAAF) North West African Air Forces are activated under the command of Major General Carl Spaatz.

14-23 January
The Casablanca Conference in Morocco. Churchill, Roosevelt and their Chiefs of Staff reach an important decision to step up round-the-clock bombing of targets in Germany and also to begin an invasion of Sicily, the 'soft underbelly' of Europe. A cross-Channel invasion is deferred until 1944.

27 January
The first United States Army Air Force (USAAF) heavy bomber attack on Germany. Boeing B17 Flying Fortresses of the 1st Bombardment Wing, 8th USAAF, attack Emden and Wilhelmhaven

13 February
Marine Fighter Squadron 124 makes the first operational use of the Vought F4U Corsair aircraft during an escort mission of Navy Consolidated PB4Y Liberators attacking Bougainville.

15 February
Major General Iran C. Eaker is appointed as Commanding General of the 8th United States Army Air Force (USAAF) in the United Kingdom, in succession to Major General Carl Spaatz.

2-4 March
The Battle of the Bismarck Sea: a major attempt by the Japanese to re-enforce Lae is foiled by United States Southwest Pacific Air Forces. 40,000 tons of Japanese shipping is sunk and almost 60 aircraft are destroyed.

10 March
The 14th United States Army Air Force (USAAF) is activated with Major General Clair Chennault in command.

16 March
On Eastern Front, the first operational trails of an anti tank version of the Junkers Ju87G take place. The aircraft is fitted with two 37mm Flak guns.

18 April
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is killed when his Mitsubishi G4M 'Betty' is shot down over Bougainville. The attack is made by Lockheed P-38 Lightnings of 339th Fighter Squadron flying 885 kilometres (550 miles) from their bases.

13 May
Axis troops in North Africa surrender.

June
The Messerschmitt Me262 is ordered into production.

11 June
The Italian garrison on the island of Pantellaria surrenders after an intensive air bombardment by allied aircraft. This is the first time that a large defended area has been conquered by air power alone.

9-10 July
Following a month of air bombardment on Sicily, Sardinia and Italy an Anglo-American force invades Sicily. The amphibious landings are preceded with an assault by paratroopers and a large number of cargo carrying gliders (sailplanes). This operation is not a resounding success, with 69 gliders of the 137 released, coming down in the sea. A further 56 land at various points on the Sicilian coast and only twelve alight on their intended targets. The paratroop drop is also dispersed and is far less effective than had been intended.

18 July
The United States Navy (USN) airship K74 is shot down off the Florida coast by a German submarine. This is the only United States airship to be destroyed by enemy action during the Second World War.

25 July
Benito Mussolini is overthrow and King Victor Emmanuel takes over command of the Italian Armed Forces.

1 August
A female Russian fighter pilot, Junior Lieutenant Lydia Litvak of the 73rd Guards Fighter Air Regiment, is killed in action.

Part 2