14 Mar 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • The advance echelon of US Marine Aircraft Group 21 arrived at Banika Island, Russell Islands, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Banika, Russell Islands | CPC]
21 Jul 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • US Marine Corps squadron VMF-214 arrived at Banika Island, Russell Islands. ww2dbase [Banika, Russell Islands | CPC]
16 Sep 1943

British Western Pacific Territories
  • Gregory Boyington led 24 Corsair fighters of US Marine Corps squadron VMF-214 from Banika, Russell Islands to join 80 other aircraft of other squadrons to attack Ballale fighter base southeast of Bougainville island. 40 A6M fighters rose to defend the base. The Americans were credited with 17 Japanese aircraft shot down and 9 probables (VMF-214 alone was awarded 11 (5 of which were Boyington's) and 8, respectively), but lost pilot Bob Ewing in the action. Post-war Japanese records would reveal that only 6 aircraft were shot down in battle that day, with a further 1 aircraft written off due to heavy damage. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Banika, Russell Islands | CPC]



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