Significant Threat Reduced

SAT 2 JAN 1943
Pacific
SBDs and F4Fs and USAAF B-17s, B-26s, and P-38s bomb ten Japanese supply-carrying destroyers (Rear Admiral Koyonagi Tomiji) west of Rendova, Solomons; SBDs damage destroyer Sukukaze. Eleven motor torpedo boats attack the force off Cape Esperance without success.

U.S. Army I Corps (Lieutenant General Robert Eichelberger) captures Buna, New Guinea, significantly reducing the threat to Port Moresby.

Submarine Argonaut (SS-166) sinks Japanese guardboat Ebon Maru, Bismarck Sea, 04°30'S, 151°30'E.

Submarine Spearfish (SS-190) damages Japanese army cargo ship Akagisan Maru off New Ireland, Bismarck Archipelago, 03°30'S, 151°30'E.