Chronology of World War II
Tuesday, June 1, 1943
In the United States... More than 500,000 coal miners go on strike after protracted wage negotiations break down. Most return to work by June 7th when talks resume.
Wednesday, June 2, 1943
On the Eastern Front... The Soviets conduct air raids on Kiev and Roslavl. The Luftwaffe bombs Kursk.
From the Vatican... The Pope appeals for "laws of humanity" in aerial bombing.
Thursday, June 3, 1943
In Algiers... Free French leader de Gaulle and General Giraud agree on the composition of a Committee of National Liberation under their joint presidency. The members are to include Massigli, Jean Monnet and Andre Philip.
In Occupied France... The Michelin tire works at Clermont-Ferrand are badly damaged in a sabotage operation conducted by local resistance workers and British SOC agents.
In the United States... The United Nations Food Conference in Hot Springs, Virginia, is concluded. A number of resolutions are produced calling for fairer distribution of resources in the postwar world.
Friday, June 4, 1943
In the Mediterranean... The Italian island of Pantelleria is heavily bombarded by air and sea.
Saturday, June 5, 1943
In the Mediterranean... The bombardment of the Italian island of Pantelleria continues.
Sunday, June 6, 1943
In the Mediterranean... The bombardment of the Italian island of Pantelleria continues.
Monday, June 7, 1943
In the Mediterranean... The bombardment of the Italian island of Pantelleria continues.
Tuesday, June 8, 1943
In Japan... The battleship Mitsu suffers an internal explosion and sinks in Hiroshima Bay.
In the Mediterranean... The bombardment of the Italian island of Pantelleria continues.
Wednesday, June 9, 1943
On the Eastern Front... A Soviet attack along the Mius River gains some ground. A German attack near Lisichansk is held.
In the Mediterranean... The bombardment of the Italian island of Pantelleria continues.
Friday, June 11, 1943
In the Mediterranean... The bombardment of the Italian island of Pantelleria continues. More than 5000 tons of bombs have been dropped on the island in the last month. Pantelleria's 11,000-strong Italian garrison surrenders without a fight on the approach of an Allied assault force. The damage done by the lengthy, intensive bombardment is less than has been expected.
Saturday, June 12, 1943
In the Solomon Islands... There is a major air battle near Guadalcanal. The attacking Japanese forces suffer heavy losses.
In North Africa... British King George VI arrives to visit the troops.
In the Mediterranean... The Italian-held island of Lampedusa surrenders to the Allies. It has been heavily bombarded.
Sunday, June 13, 1943
In the Mediterranean... The Italian-held island of Linosa surrenders to the Allies.
Monday, June 14, 1943
In the Mediterranean... The Italian-held island of Lampione surrenders to the Allies.
Tuesday, June 15, 1943
In Germany... The world's first jet bomber/reconnaissance aircraft -- the Arado Ar234 -- is flight-tested at Rheine, near Munster.
In the Indian Ocean... The disguised German raider Michel sinks a Norwegian ship west of Australia.
Wednesday, June 16, 1943
In the Solomon Islands... US fighters from Henderson Field claim to have shot down 93 Japanese aircraft from a force attacking shipping assembled for operations against New Georgia Island.
In the United States... Operation Husky. The first convoys bound for the invasion of Sicily leave port.
Thursday, June 17, 1943
In Britain... Operation Husky. The first units of the naval support for the invasion of Sicily set sail from the British Home Fleet base at Scapa Flow.
In the Indian Ocean... The disguised German raider Michel sinks a Norwegian ship west of Australia.
Friday, June 18, 1943
In London... The British government announces that General Wavell will succeed Lord Linlithgow as viceroy of India in October. General Auchinleck is appointed Commander in Chief in India. At the same time a new and separate East Asia Command is created. The promotions of Wavell and Auchinleck are generally perceived as a loss of confidence in these commanders by Prime Minister Churchill.
Saturday, June 19, 1943
In Berlin... Goebbels announces that Berlin is "free of Jews."
Sunday, June 20, 1943
In the Mediterranean... British King George VI visits Malta.
In New Guinea... US General Krueger establishes 6th Army headquarters at Milne Bay. There is an unsuccessful Japanese attack on the 17th Australian Brigade in the Mubo area.
Over Germany... RAF bombers attack Friedrichshaven during the night (June 20-21) and fly on to air bases in Africa as part of a "shuttle-service" attack.
Monday, June 21, 1943
In the Solomon Islands... On New Georgia, the 4th Marine Raider Battalion lands at Segi Point in the south. There is no Japanese garrison there.
Tuesday, June 22, 1943
In the Solomon Islands... On New Georgia, American reinforcements arrive without incident.
In Algiers... After several days of bargaining, the Committee of National Liberation decides the General Giraud will continue to command Free French forces in North Africa, but de Gaulle will be in command everywhere else. This is a victory of de Gualle and his supporters.
Wednesday, June 23, 1943
In New Guinea... American landings on Woodlark Island begin.
In Australia... In the House of Representatives a motion to censure the government is defeated by one vote. Prime Minister Curtin announces that he will advise the Governor General to dissolve Parliament.
Thursday, June 24, 1943
In New Guinea... American landings on Woodlark Island continue.
Friday, June 25, 1943
In Sicily... The Allies continue bombing the island, concentrating on Messina.
Saturday, June 26, 1943
In New Guinea... The Allied force at Morobe prepares for an amphibious move north along the coast.
Sunday, June 27, 1943
In the Solomon Islands.. On New Georgia, the marines are ferried farther up the coast from Segi Point to begin an overland advance on Viru Harbor.
Monday, June 28, 1943
In New Guinea... More American forces occupy Kiriwina and Woodlark islands. Construction of airfields begins.
Tuesday, June 29, 1943
In the Solomon Islands... A squadron of American cruisers and destroyers shells the Japanese base at Shortland while other vessels lay mines in the area. A US convoy heading for New Georgia is sighted by the Japanese but it is mistakenly believed to be carrying supplies to Guadalcanal.
Wednesday, June 30, 1943
In the Solomon Islands... American forces land on several islands of the New Georgia group. Rendova island is targeted, in particular. All the landings are successful. There is heavy Japanese resistance on Vangunu. The American forces engaged for these landings are principally the 43rd Division (General Hester) with naval support by Task Force 31 (Admiral Turner) and land-based aircraft commanded by Admiral Fitch.
In New Guinea... A mixed Australian and American unit known as McKechnie Force lands at Nassau Bay near Salamaua from Morobe. There is heavy Japanese resistance to the landing.
On the Eastern Front... There a numerous small-scale engagements along the entire front.
In Occupied Poland... The commander of the Polish Home Army, Grot-Rowecki, is arrested by the Germans in Warsaw.
Copyright © 2018 Ralph Zuljan