"Ineffective Counterattack"

THU 9 MAR 1944
Pacific
In the South China Sea, submarine Lapon (SS-260), continuing her pursuit of Japanese convoy engaged the previous day, sinks merchant cargo ships Toyokuni Maru, 19°21'N, 116°09'E, and Nicherei Maru (the ship that was towing her) 19°21'N, 116°09'E (see 8 March). Gunboat Peking Maru carries out ineffective counterattack against Lapon.

PBYs bomb Japanese shipping off Hollandia, sinking the previously damaged Hasshu Maru and small cargo ships Yashima Maru and No.12 Genei Maru, and damaging Tenryu Maru.

USAAF B-25s bomb Japanese installations and dock area, Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, sinking small cargo vessels Mankei Maru and Kinka Maru.

USAAF B-24 sinks small Japanese cargo vessel No.1 Kissho Maru off Greenwich Island.

Atlantic
Naval Air Facility (Lighter than Air), Santa Cruz, Brazil, is established.

Destroyer escort Leopold (DE-319) is torpedoed by German submarine U-255, 650 miles west of Scotland.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Edison (DD-439) sinks German submarine U-450 off Anzio, 41°11'N, 12°27'E.

U.S. freighter Clark Mills is damaged by mine off North African coast, 37°18'N, 10°13'E; beached off Bizerte, the ship is later written off as a total loss. There are no casualties to either the merchant crew, passengers, or the 42-man Armed Guard.