Today in World War II History—November 11, 1943
Saturday, November 11, 2023 by Sarah Sundin

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, 1943-45 (US Navy photo)
80 Years Ago—Nov. 11, 1943: US Navy carrier aircraft & land-based aircraft, plus bombers of the US Fifth & Thirteenth Air Forces and the Royal Australian Air Force (total of over 300 aircraft), make a major raid on the Japanese base at Rabaul, destroying 55 aircraft.
In Rabaul raid, US Navy Curtiss SB2C Helldiver makes its combat debut.
US Eighth Air Force activates “Carpetbagger” squadrons to deliver supplies to resistance members in Nazi-occupied Europe.