Today in World War II History—Nov. 1, 1943

LCVP landing craft circling off Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands before landing, 1 Nov 1943 (US Marine Corps photo)

75 Years Ago—Nov. 1, 1943: US Marines land on Bougainville in the Solomons at Empress Augusta Bay.

US Twelfth Air Force in the Mediterranean divides into Twelfth AF (tactical, under Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz) and the newly activated Fifteenth AF (strategic, under Maj. Gen. James Doolittle).

US War Ration Book Four becomes valid, designed to streamline the system and eventually reduce to one book lasting two years.