Duds

SUN 17 JAN 1943
Pacific
Naval Base and Naval Air Station, Brisbane, Australia, are established. The Brisbane base will eventually become the largest Navy facility in Australia. It will not be disestablished until 14 January 1946.

Section B of Japanese Solomons reinforcement convoy sails from Truk, bound for the Shortlands.

Submarine Finback (SS-230) damages Japanese merchant cargo ship Yachiyo Maru off Tanega Shima, 30°33'N, 132°25'E.

Submarine Searaven (SS-196) torpedoes Japanese ship Gokoku Maru just off Palau, but the "fish" that hits proves a dud, 07°52'N, 134°02'E.

Submarine Whale (SS-239) damages Japanese troopship Heiyo Maru northeast of Truk, 10°13'N, 151°25'E.

SOC (VCS Detachment RINGBOLT) on night patrol locates Japanese submarine by lightning flash and attacks her, but the bomb fails to detonate.