14 August 1943
Italy
Rome is declared an "open city" meaning that it will not be defended
Royal Navy bombards Scalea, Italy
Diplomacy
Quebec Conference begins
Far East
Bell P-39s Airacobras of the 35th Fighter Group move onto the exposed airfield at Wau, defending the base against Japanese attacks.
US troops make second landing on Baanga Island, New Georgia, after a small attack on 12 August has been repulsed. A week-long battle for the island begins.
Reinforcements join the advance part on Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands
Related Books
Bell P-39 Airacobra, Robert F. Dorr with Jerry C. Scutts (Crowood Aviation). A detailed looked at the development and service history of this controversial American fighter aircraft. The P-39 had a poor reputation amongst British and American pilots, and Dorr examines the reasons why, as well as looking at why the same aircraft was so much more popular in Soviet Service. Scutts provides a chapter on the P-63 Kingcobra, and the book also covers the numerous Bell fighter projects that failed to enter production.
How to cite this article: Rickard, J (28 December 2007), 14 August 1943, http://www.historyofwar.org/secondworldwar/date/1943_08_14.html
