CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 21, DECEMBER 1, 1943

 

Preliminary reports of the Gilbert operations indicate that our landing forces suffered the following approximate casualties:

 

(a) At Tarawa—killed in action, 1026; wounded in action, 2557.

(b) At Makin—killed in action, 65 ; wounded in action, 121.

(c) At Abemama—killed in action, 1; wounded in action, 2.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 487, DECEMBER 2, 1943

Central Pacific (all dates are east longitude).

 

1. The USS Liscome Bay (an escort carrier) was sunk as the result of being torpedoed by a submarine on November 24, 1943, in the Gilbert Islands area. This is the only ship lost in the Gilbert Islands operation.

2. The next of kin of casualties aboard the Liscome Bay will be notified as soon as possible.

 

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N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 488, DECEMBER 2, 1943

 

1. The U. S. Submarine Wahoo is overdue and must be presumed to be lost.

2. The next of kin of personnel in the Wahoo have been so informed.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 181, DECEMBER 2, 1943

 

Our aircraft continue raid and search operations in the Marshalls.

On the morning of 30 November, (West Longitude Date), Seventh AAF Liberators which bombed the Taroa airdrome were intercepted by 35 Zeros. Seven or more Zeros were shot down, at least four others were damaged. All of our planes returned, but several were damaged. Two men were injured.

A Navy Liberator of Fleet Air Wing Two which was attacked by six Zeros near Mille on 30 November while on a search mission shot down one Zero, probably destroyed another and probably damaged two others.

On the evening of 29 November two of our destroyers in the Gilberts area repelled a prolonged attack by enemy torpedo planes. Three enemy planes were destroyed, two others were probably shot down. Neither destroyer was damaged.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 184, DECEMBER 5, 1943

 

Nine enemy planes bombed the Tarawa Airdrome on the night of Decem­ber 3 (West Longitude Date), causing minor damage. Three men were slightly wounded. On the morning of December 4 an enemy plane dropped four small bombs at Makin, causing no damage.

A Navy search Liberator, of Fleet Air Wing 2, was attacked near Mille on December 3 by seven Zeros. Our plane destroyed one Zero, damaged two others.

On December 2 a South Pacific search Liberator bombed installations on Kapingamarangi Island, starting several fires.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 186, DECEMBER 5, 1943

 

A force of Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Mille Atoll on December 4 (West Longitude Date). 50 tons of bombs were dropped, starting several fires and destroying one medium bomber on the ground. No enemy air interception was encountered. All of our planes returned, though five were slightly damaged by antiaircraft fire. Three men were slightly wounded.

Another group of Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force raided Nauru on December 4. An oil dump was set afire. There was no air interception, although three enemy planes departed the area as our planes arrived. All of our aircraft returned. One was slightly damaged by antiaircraft fire.

 

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N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 489, DECEMBER 6, 1943

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of eleven enemy vessels in operations against the enemy in waters of these areas, as follows:

 

Sunk:

1 large tanker

9 medium freighters

1 small freighter

 

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

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 22, DECEMBER 6, 1943

 

1. Strong carrier task forces attacked the Marshall Islands on December 4 (West Longitude Date).

2. Due to the necessity for radio silence, details are not yet available.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 23, DECEMBER 8, 1943

 

1. Our carrier task forces which attacked enemy installations on Kwajalein and Wotje Atolls on December 4, 1943, (West Longitude Date) destroyed 72 planes in the air, strafed and burned an undetermined number of medium bombers on the ground, and destroyed or damaged various ground installations on Kwajalein, Ebeye, Roi and Wotje Islands.

2. At Kwajalein they sank two light cruisers, one oiler and three cargo transports and damaged one troop transport and two cargo transports.

3. At Wotje one cargo transport was damaged.

4. Our forces, under command of Rear Admiral Charles A. Pownall, USN, successfully fought off vigorous prolonged aerial and torpedo and bombing attacks. Of one group of seven torpedo planes, six were destroyed by antiaircraft fire.

5. One of our ships suffered minor damage. Our aircraft losses were light.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 188, DECEMBER 8, 1943

 

1. The enemy continues nuisance air raids against our installations in the Gilberts. On the night of December 6 (West Longitude Date) a plane dropped four bombs at Makin, which landed harmlessly in the lagoon. On the night of December 5, enemy planes dropped eight bombs near Betio Island. Only one bomb landed near our installations, causing minor injuries to personnel.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 24, DECEMBER 9, 1943

 

1. Strong forces of the Pacific Fleet attacked Nauru Island with carrier aircraft and ship bombardment on December 8 (West Longitude Date)­Further details are not now available.

 

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2. Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force, which raided the Taroa airdrome installations on the morning of December 7, were intercepted over Maloelap by eight enemy fighters. One fighter was shot down. Our planes suffered only slight damage. A Liberator of this force also bombed Mille during the same sortie.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 189, DECEMBER 9, 1943

 

Navy search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two made the following raids in the southern Marshalls on 8 December 1943 (West Longitude Date). A Ventura bomber strafed installations at Mille in the face of heavy automatic weapon fire without damage to our plane. Three Zeros attacked one of our Liberators near Mille, with no damage; another Liberator raided and strafed base facilities at Jaluit, sinking a patrol boat and probably sinking a medium freighter and two small vessels.

 

 

JOINT STATEMENT, DECEMBER 9, 1943

 

The following joint Anglo‑American statement on submarine and anti­submarine operations is issued under the authority of the President and the Prime Minister:

 

Anti U‑Boat operations in November have been notable, for the enemy has achieved little for the great effort he has exerted. The number of merchant vessels sunk by U‑Boats in November is less than in any other month since May, 1940.

By means of aircraft operating from Azores we have been able to improve protection to our convoys and to diminish area in which enemy U‑Boats were free from attack by our forces.

The enemy has used long range aircraft to assist in concentrating U‑Boats on our convoy routes but in spite of this our escort and counter­attack has been effective.

The caution of the enemy U‑Boats has lessened the number of op­portunities presented to our forces for striking at them. Nevertheless, the number of U‑Boats sunk in November has again exceeded the number of their victims.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 190, DECEMBER 10, 1943

 

1. Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force made late afternoon raids on enemy installations at Jaluit and Mille on December 8 (West Longitude Date). More than 40 tons of bombs were dropped in the target area at Jaluit. There was no enemy interception and none of our aircraft was damaged by antiaircraft fire. At Mille our planes were intercepted by 10 Zeros, two of which were probably shot down. Several of our planes received minor damage. One man was wounded.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 191

 

Liberator bombers of the Army 7th Air Force which dropped more than 15 tons of bombs on Mille on 9 December (West Longitude Date) were at­tacked by approximately 20 Zeros. Four Zeros were shot down, three were

 

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probably shot down, and one was damaged. We suffered only slight material damage with a few men wounded. Two Zeros dropped six aerial bombs at our planes without results.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 192, DECEMBER 12, 1943

 

Our battleships and carriers which bombarded Nauru Island on Decem­ber 8 (West Longitude Date) started large fires throughout the target area and destroyed nine planes on the ground and one in the air. We lost two aircraft. One of our destroyers received one hit from enemy shore batteries suffering minor damage. A Navy search Liberator of Fleet Air Wing Two strafed a medium cargo transport and its escorting patrol vessel near Jaluit on December 10.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 193, DECEMBER 12, 1943

 

Two Navy dive bombers collided on 7 December while engaged in training exercises near Keilii Point, Maui. Pilots of both planes parachuted safely, but their radiomen were killed.

A bomb from one of the two planes in collision fell and detonated among a force of Marines participating in field maneuvers nearby. Twenty Marines were killed and twenty‑nine were injured. A court of inquiry is investigating circumstances of the casualty.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 194, DECEMBER 14, 1943

 

Army heavy bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Imeiji Island, Jaluit Atoll, on December 12 (West Longitude Date), dropping ap­proximately 50 tons of bombs on shore installations and on a cargo transport in the lagoon.

Damage to our planes from antiaircraft fire was negligible. None of our personnel was wounded.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 195, DECEMBER 14, 1943

 

Army heavy bombers of the 7th Army Air Force raided enemy installa­tions on Wotje atoll on 13 December (West Longitude Date). One of our planes was damaged by antiaircraft fire. There were no personnel casualties.

Two Navy search Liberators of Fleet Air Wing Two made a low altitude attack on Jaluit at dusk on 12 December. One pilot was wounded and both planes suffered some damage from machine gun fire.

The enemy made small night raids at Tarawa on 11 and 12 December. There were no casualties nor damage to our installations.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 196, DECEMBER 16, 1943

 

Army heavy bombers of the Army 7th Air Force which bombed the enemy airdrome on Taroa Island on 14 December (West Longitude Date) started fires in the hangar area. They were intercepted by 15 fighters. One fighter was shot down, four were probably shot down and five were damaged.

 

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Three of our planes were slightly damaged. Enemy bombers made nuisance raids at Tarawa on 12 and 13 December, and at Makin on 13 and 14 De­cember. No damage resulted from the Tarawa attacks. Four men were wounded at Makin by a bomb dropped in the raid on 13 December.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 197, DECEMBER 16, 1943

 

Heavy bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force struck Taroa and Wotje, in the Marshalls, on December 15 (West Longitude Date) dropping more than 40 tons of bombs, damaging installations on both islands.

At Taroa, where damage was inflicted on buildings and storage spaces our bombers were attacked by 30 enemy fighters. Two Zeros were shot down, eight were probably shot down, and eight others were damaged. One of our planes was lost and several others suffered damage. One crew member of another of our planes was killed.

At Wotje, where fires were observed as result of the bombings, none of our planes was damaged.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 490, DECEMBER 17, 1943

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of eight enemy vessels in operations against the enemy in waters of these areas, as follows

 

Sunk:

2 large transports

2 large tankers

3 medium freighters

1 small freighter

 

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

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 198, DECEMBER 17, 1943

 

Army Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force raided Wotje at dusk on December 15 (West Longitude Date) scoring numerous hits on airdrome installations.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 200, DECEMBER 18, 1943

 

The Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet, has received the following message from Sir Philip Mitchell, Governor of Fiji and British High Com­missioner for the Western Pacific:

 

"May I express to you the warmest congratulations and most sincere gratitude of myself and people of Fiji and High Commission territories and especially of the Gilbert Islands for brilliantly planned and heroically executed operation for capture of Gilbert Islands. After personal visit to Betio I can understand the grimness of the task, the masterly way your bold blow was struck and the incomparable courage of the men who struck it. We Join you in mourning for the brave men who died. We salute a great feat of arms."

 

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CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 202, DECEMBER 19, 1943

 

Army fighters and light bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force which attacked Mille during the morning of December 18 (West Longitude Date) destroyed six Zeroes on the ground and damaged three others.

Our planes encountered no air opposition. Two of our planes suffered minor damage from antiaircraft fire.

On December 16, Navy search Liberators of Fleet Air Wing Two strafed a small vessel southeast of Kwajalein and attacked a ship and shore installa­tions at Ebon Atoll. On December 17, a Navy Liberator while on a search mission bombed three small transports near Jaluit, two of which were pos­sibly sunk.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 203, DECEMBER 20, 1943

 

On the afternoon of December 18 (West Longitude Date) Army planes of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked airdrome installations at Mine Atoll and were intercepted by four Jap fighters. One Jap fighter was shot down, another was possibly destroyed. Several of our planes were damaged.

During the morning of December 19, Army fighters bombed and strafed Mille and destroyed one medium bomber and two Zeros on the ground. Eight Zeros attacked our formation. One was shot down. Heavy machine gun fire was encountered. We lost two planes. Army heavy bombers again raided Mille at noon on December 19, dropping about 30 tons of bombs. An intercept­ing fighter slightly damaged one of our aircraft.

During the night of December 18, a Catalina search plane of Fleet Wing Two bombed and set afire large transport at Kwajalein. Enemy planes dropped three bombs at Tarawa before dawn on December 18, causing no damage.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 204, DECEMBER 21, 1943

 

Army heavy bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, which attacked enemy installations on Maloelap Atoll on December 19 (West Longitude Date), were intercepted by 25 Japanese fighters. Seven of the enemy fighters were probably destroyed and five others were damaged. Two of our planes were damaged. Three men were wounded.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 205, DECEMBER 21, 1943

 

Heavy bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Taroa on De­cember 20 (West Longitude Date) with about 25 tons of bombs, causing many fires and explosions in hangar and storage areas. Our aircraft were attacked by 30 Zeros. Four enemy fighters were shot down; five others were probably destroyed. Three of our planes were shot down, others received minor damage from antiaircraft fire and intercepting fighters.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 207, DECEMBER 23, 1943

 

A force of Navy Hellcat fighters and Army and Navy Dauntless light bombers bombed and strafed enemy installations on Imieji Island, Jaluit Atoll, at noon on December 20 (West Longitude Date). A medium cargo ship and one small vessel in the lagoon were damaged. Heavy antiaircraft fire was encountered; we lost one plane.

 

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A group of Liberators from the Seventh Army Air Force and Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Kwajalein and Roi Islands, Kwajalein Atoll, on the afternoon of December 21. Our planes were intercepted by nine Japanese fighters, but sustained no damage. More than 20 enemy ships were seen in the lagoon.

On the early morning of December 20, two enemy planes dropped bombs on Tarawa from high altitude. One of our planes on the ground was slightly damaged.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 491, DECEMBER 24, 1943

 

1. The U. S. Submarine Grayling is overdue and must be presumed to be lost.

2. The next of kin of personnel in the Grayling have been so informed.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 209, DECEMBER 24, 1943

 

Heavy bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Kwajalein Island on the morning of December 23 (West Longitude Date). Island Installa­tions were damaged and two cargo vessels anchored offshore were bombed. No enemy fighters were encountered. Anti‑aircraft fire did not damage our aircraft. On the afternoon of December 21 Army light bombers escorted by Army and Navy fighters struck shipping and shore installations at Mille. Several enemy fighters were encountered, one of which was shot down, an­other possibly destroyed and a third damaged. Three of our planes were slightly damaged. On the morning of December 23, Seventh Army Air Force fighters and light bombers attacked Mille. Five Zeros attacked our aircraft. Two were shot down. All of our planes returned.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 210, DECEMBER 25, 1943

 

Navy medium bombers of Fleet Air Wing Two made a low altitude attack on Nauru at dusk on Christmas Eve (East Longitude Date) setting Installa­tions on fire. One of our planes is missing.

Army Liberators of the Seventh AAF bombed Wotje on the evening of December 22 (West Longitude Date). Our planes were attacked by 35 enemy fighters, three of which were destroyed, one was probably shot down and six were damaged. Our casualties were one killed and two wounded.

Enemy bombers made five raids on Tarawa during the night of December 22 and 23, causing minor damage.

Enemy light bombers made three nuisance raids at Makin, two at night one during the day, wounding eight men. Two enemy planes were shot down by an intercepting Army fighter.

On the morning of December 24, 15 enemy fighters dropped bombs from high altitude on Makin, causing no damage.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 211, DECEMBER 26, 1943

 

Army heavy bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Wotje on December 24 (West Longitude Date). Several fires started.

Army light bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force, escorted by Army Airacobras, raided Mille on December 25. Two of our bombers were slightly damaged.

 

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A Navy search Liberator of Fleet Air Wing Two made a low altitude attack on two small transports near Kwajalein on December 24, probably sinking one transport. Another Navy Liberator, while on a search mission near Taroa on December 24, beat off twelve intercepting Zeros, without re­ceiving damage.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 492, DECEMBER 28, 1943

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of twelve enemy vessels in operations against the enemy in waters of these areas, as follows

 

Sunk:

1 destroyer.

2 large tankers.

1 large freighter.

2 medium transports.

6 medium freighters.

 

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

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 213, DECEMBER 28, 1943

 

Army Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force which dropped more than 50 tons of bombs on Wotje on December 26 (West Longitude Date) were attacked by six Zeros. One Zero was destroyed. We lost two planes.

A low altitude attack was made against Jaluit and shipping there on December 26 by Ventura bombers and Hellcat fighters of Fleet Air Wing Two. All of our planes returned.

 

 

CINCPAC RELEASE NO. 214, DECEMBER 29, 1943

 

Navy medium bombers of Fleet Air Wing Two which raided Nauru on the morning of December 29 (West Longitude Date) destroyed an ammunition dump and started several fires. Several of our planes suffered minor damage. One Navy Liberator while on a search mission in the Marshalls on December 27 damaged a tanker.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 215, DECEMBER 30, 1943

 

Army heavy bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Maloelap on December 28 (West Longitude Date). Our planes encountered heavy op­position by Zeros. Two Zeros were destroyed, 10 were probably destroyed. Two of our planes were shot down.

Army light bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force escorted by Army Airacobras made low altitude attacks on Mille on December 28. Several of our planes received minor damage. Navy search Liberators of Fleet Air Wing Two were intercepted near Kwajalein on December 28 by 10 enemy fighters. Three planes were destroyed. We lost one plane.

Enemy bombers made high altitude evening nuisance raids at Tarawa on December 27 and again on December 28, causing no damage.

 

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