Xmas Eve Afloat During War

FRI 24 DEC 1943
Pacific
Task force of three cruisers and four destroyers (Rear Admiral Aaron S. Merrill) bombards Buka-Bonis area, Solomons.

Allied aircraft sinks Japanese auxiliary minelayer Koa Maru, Marcus Bay, New Britain.

Destroyer escort Griswold (DE-7) sinks Japanese submarine I-39 off Koli Point, Guadalcanal, 09°23'S, 160°09'E.

Submarine Gurnard (SS-254) sinks Japanese transport Seizan Maru 27 nautical miles east of Miki cape, 33°57'N, 136°19'E, and auxiliary minesweeper Naruo Maru, 34°17'N, 136°55'E.

Submarine Raton (SS-270) torpedoes Japanese transport Heiwa Maru in Kaoe Bay, Halmahera, 02°57'N, 127°32'E; Heiwa Maru is intentionally run aground in shallow water to prevent her sinking.

USAAF B-24 aircraft damage Japanese cargo ship Kensho Maru, Kwajalein.

Atlantic
Advanced Amphibious Base, Dartmouth, England, is established.

Escort carrier Card (CVE-11)'s screen continues to battle concentration of U-boats. Destroyer Schenck (DD-159) sinks German submarine U-645, North Atlantic, 45°20'N, 21°40'W; but Leary (DD-158) is torpedoed and sunk by U-275 and U-382, 585 miles west-northwest of Cape Finisterre, Spain, 45°00'N, 22°00'W.