Air War WW2 Portal 
9th Air Force Europe in March 1943
MONDAY, 1 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Italy, B-24s raid the harbor at Naples; 1 bombs Soverato while 2 others hit Staletti and Catanzaro as targets of opportunity. AA fire is accurate and several B-24s are hit over Naples and Palmi.
WEDNESDAY, 3 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Italy, B-24s dispatched against Naples fail to reach the primary target. Several bomb the secondary target, Messina, while 3 bomb bridges at Bianco and Siderno Marina.
In Tunisia, P-40s fly fighter-bomber missions along the Mareth Line as a probing attack against the British 51 Division positions near Mareth is driven back. The German Afrika Korps issues a plan for a counterattack from the Mareth Line.
The 83d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) with B-25s transfers from Castel Benito, Libya to El Assa, Libya.
The 343d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-24s transfers from Gamut, Libya to Lete, Libya.
THURSDAY, 4 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Tunisia, P-40s fly top cover missions as the British Eighth Army completes the concentration of troops and weapons in forward areas and awaits an attack which seems imminent in view of German troop movements in the mountains W of Medenine.
The 344th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-24s transfers from Kabrit, Egypt to Lete, Libya.
FRIDAY, 5 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Italy, RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber Command, bomb the harbor at Naples during the night of 4/5 March.
All operations by the IX Bomber Command are suspended for 7 days so the crews can rest.
The 66th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group with P-40s transfers from Libya to Tunisia.
SATURDAY, 6 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Tunisia, 35 planes strafe and bomb installations in the Mareth Line as Rommel's expected attack in Tunisia takes place and is defeated. Four thrusts toward Medenine are repulsed by the British, and the enemy retreats after nightfall, having lost about 50 tanks.
MONDAY, 8 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
The 314th Fighter Squadron, 324th Fighter Group with P-40s transfers from El Kabrit, Egypt to Libya and is attached to the 57th Fighter Group to gain experience.
The 434th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) with B-25's transfers from Castel Benito, Libya to El Assa, Libya.
TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
HQ 57th Fighter Group and it's 65th Fighter Squadron with P-40's transfer from Libya to Tunisia.
WEDNESDAY, 10 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Egypt, the flight echelon of the 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) begins arriving.
The 64th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group with P-40's transfers from Libya to Tunisia.
FRIDAY, 12 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
HQ 79th Fighter Group transfers from Libya to Tunisia.
SATURDAY, 13 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
Lieutenant General Lewis H. Brereton, Commanding General Ninth Air Force, directs that Headquarters Desert Air Task Force be redesignated Advance Headquarters, Ninth Air Force, and that the USAAF tactical units with the HQ be designated Desert Air Task Force (DATF).
In Italy, B-24s bomb Naples harbor through heavy clouds.
In Tunisia, 34 P-40s of the 57th Fighter Group fly top cover and fighter sweep, and engage about 25 Bf 109 fighters in combat; we claim 4 destroyed; we lose 4 including 3 pilots.
The 7th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, based at Nouvion, Algeria with C-47's, begins operating from bases in Egypt and Palestine.
The 85th, 86th and 87th Fighter Squadrons, 79th Fighter Group with P-40's transfer from Landing Ground 150, Libya to Causeway Landing Ground in Tunisia.
SUNDAY, 14 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Italy during the night of 13/14 Mar, RAF Liberators under the operational control of the IX Bomber Command hit the harbor at Naples.
In Tunisia during the day, fighters fly cover and sweep over the battle area. The 85th and 87th Fighter Squadrons of the 79th Fighter Group fly their first combat mission when 12 P-40's escort 11 B-25's on a mission against the Mareth Line.
MONDAY, 15 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Tunisia, B-25s, escorted by P-40's of 79th Fighter Group (the group's first operation in the theater), bomb Zarat. Fighters also fly strafing and bombing raids against ground targets.
The 81st and 82d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) with B-25's transfer from Berteaux, Algeria to Canrobert, Algeria.
These Ninth Air Force units are TDY to the Northwest African Air Force.
The 316th Fighter Squadron, 324th Fighter Group with P-40's transfers from El Kabrit, Egypt to Libya.
TUESDAY, 16 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Tunisia, P-40s fly fighter-bomber operations against enemy positions as British ground forces prepare to conduct limited attacks as a preliminary to the main assault against the Mareth Line.
WEDNESDAY, 17 MARCH 1943 (ST. PATRICK'S DAY)
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Tunisia, P-40s fly scramble and fighter-bomber operations as British ground forces continue local operations in preparation for the assault on the Mareth Line.
THURSDAY, 18 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Italy, B-24's, escorted by P-40's, bomb the harbor at Naples.
FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
Colonel Uzal G. Ent assumes command of the IX Bomber Command, replacing Colonel Hugo P Rush. Ent AFB, Colorado was named for Col. Ent.
SATURDAY, 20 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Tunisia, B-25's bomb the Mareth area. AA is intense and all medium bombers suffer hits. P-40's escort bombers and carry out fighter-bomber and top cover operations as British ground troops open the assault on positions with infantry and artillery. The British 30 Corps gains a bridgehead across the Oued Zigzaou.
SUNDAY, 21 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Italy during the night of 20/21 March, B-24's attack the harbor and surrounding area of Naples, hitting a vessel, the city area, and in the vicinity of the railroad yards.
In Tunisia, B-25's bomb targets, including a highway, in the Gabes area. They are escorted by almost 100 P-40's.
MONDAY, 22 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Italy during the night of 21/22 Mar, RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber Command, bomb Naples.
In Tunisia, B-25's hit the Gabes area, bombing a road junction, motor transport, and troop concentrations. P-40's fly 5 escort missions during the day. British ground forces, after expanding the Oued Zigzaou bridgehead during 21/22 Mar, are severely handicapped by heavy rain. The enemy counter-attacks and forces 50 Division to give ground.
TUESDAY, 23 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Italy, B-24's bomb Messina, concentrating on the ferry slip.
In Tunisia, B-25's hit the Mareth area. P-40's fly fighter-bomber operations and bomber escort over the battle area as the British 50 Division withdraws from the Oued Zigzaou bridgehead under cover of artillery fire.
WEDNESDAY, 24 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Italy, B-24's attack the ferry installations at Messina. Direct hits are scored in the target area and adjacent railroad yards and naval oil and storage tanks are set afire. Just before midnight, RAF Liberators, under operational control of the IX Bomber Command, blast the docks at Messina.
In Tunisia, B-25's hit Zarat. P-40's fly an escort, armed reconnaissance, and strafing mission.
The British Eighth Army prepares to assault the west flank of the Mareth Line.
THURSDAY, 25 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Tunisia, B-25's, in the early daylight hours, bomb installations in the Mareth area. P-40's attack motor transport, tanks, and communications targets in the battle area. During the night of 25/26 Mar heavy, medium and light bombers blast forces gathering in the El Hamma area.
FRIDAY, 26 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Tunisia, B-25's attack the Mareth area, dropping over 28.5 tons of bombs during 2 strikes. P-40's fly fighter-bomber and strafing missions, destroying or damaging over 50 military transport vehicles, tanks, and gun emplacements. Intense ground fire downs several US fighters. Following the aerial bombardment, Allied ground forces renew their assault on the Mareth Line.
SUNDAY, 28 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Tunisia, P-40's launch a fighter-bomber attack against El Hamma, which the enemy has held as an escape corridor through which troops have been withdrawing during the night of 27/28 Mar.
MONDAY, 29 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Tunisia, B-25's attack Sfax and El Maou area, scoring hits on several parked aircraft. P-40's fly escort and fighter-bomber missions as British ground forces pursue the enemy north through Gabes. The British Eighth Army completes the occupation of the Mareth Line.
HQ 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 486th, 487th, 488th and 489th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) with B-25's arrive at El Kabrit, Egypt from the U.S. The group will fly it's first mission on 6 Apr.
The 315th Fighter Squadron, 324th Fighter Group with P-40's arrives at El Kabrit, Egypt from the U.S.
TUESDAY, 30 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Italy, 3 B-24's sent to bomb the Messina ferry slip are unable to rendezvous because of bad weather; 1 B-24 bombs the Crotone chemical factory, hitting the center of the factory area, warehouses, and rail facilities. RAF Liberators sent against the same target return without bombing.
In Tunisia, B-25's hit the landing ground at Sfax, scoring direct hits on 4 aircraft. P-40's fly escort missions. British ground forces make contact with the enemy's new line along Oued el Akarit.
WEDNESDAY, 31 MARCH 1943
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Ninth Air Force)
In Tunisia, B-25's bomb Sfax Airfield; bombs explode among 6 parked airplanes. P-40's escort bombers and fly fighter-bomber operations, during which motor transport along the highway north of Gabes is hit.
The 9th Fighter Wing is inactivated at El Kabrit, Egypt.
Source:
COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
1955-59
used sources by McKillop:
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
