SEAC:
Large land based air battle rages over Moulmein as Allied bombers work over the IJN transport TF. It evidently is transporting troops into Burma as almost 1000 men were killed in the attack.
Advance elements of several Chinese divisions enter Pagan.
NEW GIUNEA:
With the 4th USMC Raiders marching NW of Finshafen to cut off the defenders, the 37th US Army Division and 198th USA RCT enter the town and launch an all-out shock attack under the Bombardment of several hundred bombers and 7 BBs.
AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 08/16/43
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Sub attack at 44,60
Japanese Ships
AK Shinki Maru, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
Allied Ships
SS Grunion
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Day Air attack on Finschafen , at 55,87
Allied aircraft
Liberator VI x 14
PB4Y Liberator x 12
B-24D Liberator x 24
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
37 casualties reported
Port hits 7
Port supply hits 5
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Day Air attack on Rabaul , at 61,88
Allied aircraft
A-20G Havoc x 12
Allied aircraft losses
A-20G Havoc: 1 destroyed
Port fuel hits 1
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Day Air attack on 15th Naval Guard Unit, at 55,87
Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 3
B-17E Fortress x 9
PB4Y Liberator x 44
B-24D Liberator x 14
No Allied losses
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Day Air attack on 16th Naval Guard Unit, at 55,91
Allied aircraft
SBD Dauntless x 76
P-40N Warhawk x 3
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
213 casualties reported
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Day Air attack on 38th Division, at 31,31
Allied aircraft
Vengeance I x 31
Liberator VI x 30
Beaufighter VIC x 24
Beaufort V-IX x 13
P-40N Warhawk x 46
B-25J Mitchell x 57
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
214 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
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Day Air attack on 38th Division, at 31,31
Allied aircraft
Blenheim IV x 21
Liberator VI x 42
Beaufighter VIC x 24
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
97 casualties reported
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Day Air attack on 27th Special Base Force, at 55,87
Allied aircraft
Beaufort V-IX x 9
B-17E Fortress x 28
PB4Y Liberator x 95
B-24D Liberator x 46
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
629 casualties reported
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Day Air attack on Finschafen , at 55,87
Allied aircraft
F4U-1 Corsair x 10
Boomerang II x 2
P-38G Lightning x 2
A-20G Havoc x 62
B-25J Mitchell x 62
B-17E Fortress x 35
No Allied losses
Japanese ground losses:
44 casualties reported
Port hits 3
Port fuel hits 1
Port supply hits 8
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Day Air attack on Rabaul
P-38G Lightning x 23
B-25J Mitchell x 12
No Allied losses
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Day Air attack on Shortlands , at 63,93
Allied aircraft
B-17E Fortress x 92
Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 5 damaged
Japanese ground losses:
88 casualties reported
Port hits 10
Port fuel hits 2
Port supply hits 3
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Day Air attack on TF, near Moulmein at 29,35
Japanese aircraft
A6M3a Zero x 12
Ki-43-IIa Oscar x 3
Allied aircraft
Beaufighter VIC x 28
Beaufighter Mk 21 x 39
P-40B Tomahawk x 35
P-40N Warhawk x 15
B-25J Mitchell x 36
Japanese aircraft losses
A6M3a Zero: 5 destroyed, 2 damaged
Ki-43-IIa Oscar: 2 destroyed
Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 5 destroyed, 3 damaged
P-40N Warhawk: 1 destroyed
Japanese Ships
AK Atago Maru, Bomb hits 7, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Wa 4, Bomb hits 3, on fire, heavy damage
AK Asakasan Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire
AP Urato Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Singapore Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Asakaze Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Canberra Maru, Bomb hits 1
AK Seitai Maru, Bomb hits 4, on fire, heavy damage
AK Akagane Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
MSW Choun Maru #8, Bomb hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
AP Hofuku Maru, Bomb hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
AP Taganoura Maru, Bomb hits 5, on fire, heavy damage
AK Arimasan Maru
Japanese ground losses:
959 casualties reported
Guns lost 17
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Ground combat at 37,30
Allied Shock attack
Attacking force 17203 troops, 83 guns, 4 vehicles
Defending force 2715 troops, 12 guns, 0 vehicles
Allied assault odds: 2 to 1
Japanese ground losses:
71 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
Allied ground losses:
83 casualties reported
Guns lost 2
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Ground combat at Finschafen
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 13137 troops, 142 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 1080 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
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Ground combat at Dobodura
Allied Bombardment attack
Attacking force 16142 troops, 183 guns, 0 vehicles
Defending force 3390 troops, 0 guns, 0 vehicles
Japanese ground losses:
14 casualties reported
