8 December 1943
Philippines and Philippine Sea
An enemy ASW task force got to work on the minefield we started near Legaspi.
A bit east of Leyte Gulf, the S-42 torpedoed an oiler (10,000 tons) in a large replenishment group--the same task force responsible for sinking the Dorado. Intel believes it sank the next day, I'm not so sure.
Burma
A P-47 squadron had been sweeping the enemy force at Chiang Mai but with that force gone the sweep assigment reverted to AI control and they got sent all over the place; 3 P-47s went to Pisanouke, facing 32 enemy George fighters. They were able to escape without taking losses.
Bombing targets:
Moulmein (ground forces): 0 casualties; 1 Blenheim VD lost to AA fire
near Rangoon (ground forces): 15 vehicles lost
China
Bombing targets:
Sinyang (ground forces): 20 casualties
Anking (ground forces): 6 casualties
Kiukiang (ground forces): 18 casualties
DEI
Bombing targets:
Kendari (airbase): 7 hits
Koepang (ground forces): 0 casualties
Makassar (ground forces): 11 B-26 Mauraders attempted intercept by 5 George fighters--intercept failed, likely due to fighters at 40k feet vs bombers down at 20k.
Ambon (airbase and ground forces): 4 hits, 6 casualties
ground combat:
Ambon: Japanese bombardment attack--5 Allied casualties
Truk
Bombing (ground forces and port): 20 casualties
Avengers reported 2 more hits on IJN subs.
Reinforcements
DD Dortch arrives at Balboa
DE Harmon arrives at Eastern USA
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