World War II Day by Day: December 1943

Allied successes in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, together with hard-won British and Chinese advances in Burma, forced the Japanese onto the defensive in the Pacific and Far East. Allied forces also triumphed in North Africa and went on to invade Italy, triggering the fall of Mussolini, while in the Soviet Union the clash of armor at Kursk resulted in a key German defeat.

9-26 December

Pacific, Solomons

US advances on Bougainville ensure that air bases can now be opened and missions launched.

20 December

Pacific, Papua New Guinea

Australian troops in typical jungle terrain near Lae, Papua New Guines, during the offensive against the Japanese
Australian troops in typical jungle terrain near Lae, Papua New Guines, during the offensive against the Japanese

The Allies achieve supremacy on the Huon Peninsula, although Japanese resistance persists.

24-29 December

Politics, Allies

The commanders for the liberation of Europe are announced: General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander; Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, Deputy Supreme Commander; General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean; Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief; Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh Mallory, Allied Air Commander-in-Chief; and General Sir Bernard Montgomery, Commander-in-Chief of British Armies.

25 December

Pacific, Solomons

Allied forces land on New Britain and begin advancing to isolate the base of Rabaul from the west.

26 December

Sea War, Arctic

The British batleship HMS Duke of York, photographed after participating in the sinking of the Scharnhorst
The British batleship HMS Duke of York, photographed after participating in the sinking of the Scharnhorst

At the Battle of the North Cape, the German battleship Scharnhorst is sunk duWring an ill-planned operation against convoys JW-55B and RA-55A, which are escorted by the British Home Fleet’s battle squadron. The battleship first has its radar and fire control damaged. A running battle follows until the Scharnhorst begins to lose speed and is finally sunk by torpedo strikes. Only 36 of Scharnhorst’s 1800-strong crew survive.