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SprueStack Zero Hour: WW2 day by day

16 February 1943

What happened on this day in the Second World War, from 1939 to 1945, with a source for every entry.

About this page

Each day we list events from the Second World War that happened on that date, from 1939 to 1945. Every entry names its source and links to it, so you can read further. Entries are sourced and machine-screened before they go up, a subset is human-reviewed, and we add more over time.

8 of 9 sourced entries for this date, chosen by the editor.

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Entries

  1. Guadalcanal

    In preparation for invasion of Russell Is.-Operation CLEANSLATE-first echelon of 43d Div assault force (RCT’s 103 and 169) under 43d Div CG, Maj Gen John H. Hester, arrives at Guadalcanal.

    Source US Army CMH chronology (opens external site)

  2. SWPA

    U.S. Sixth Army is established in SWPA under command of Lt Gen Walter Krueger. Army consists of I Corps (Gen Eichelberger), 2d Engr Special Brig, and 503d Para Inf Regt; 1st Mar Div is attached.

    Source US Army CMH chronology (opens external site)

  5. Prime Minister of Vichy France Pierre Laval and Minister of Justice Joseph Barthélemy formally create the Service du travail obligatoire (STO)

    Source Wikipedia (opens external site)

  6. China-Burma-India Theater

    THOR mission records show at least 15 Allied sorties (2 recorded unit missions) in the China-Burma-India Theater on 1943-02-16, flown by USAAF 10th Air Force. Targets included BURMA.

    Source US Air Force THOR (opens external site)

    THOR is a secondary compilation with known gaps, not a complete record.

  7. Mediterranean Theater

    THOR mission records show at least 31 Allied sorties (11 recorded unit missions) in the Mediterranean Theater on 1943-02-16, flown by USAAF 12th Air Force, RAF. Targets included TUNISIA, CRETE.

    Source US Air Force THOR (opens external site)

    THOR is a secondary compilation with known gaps, not a complete record.

  8. Pacific Theater

    THOR mission records show at least 2 Allied sorties (3 recorded unit missions) in the Pacific Theater on 1943-02-16, flown by USAAF 7th Air Force, USAAF 5th Air Force. Targets included CAROLINE ISLANDS, NEW GUINEA.

    Source US Air Force THOR (opens external site)

    THOR is a secondary compilation with known gaps, not a complete record.

The full list for this date is being cleaned and will return soon.

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16 February in other years 19401941194219441945

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