Today in World War II History—Nov. 5, 1943

US Navy pilots Ens. Charles Miller, Lt. (jg) Henry Dearing, and Lt. (jg) Bus Alber, USS Saratoga, 5 Nov 1943; note F6F fighter (US National Archives)

75 Years Ago—Nov. 5, 1943: Capt. Clark Gable leaves England, having flown 5 missions with the US Eighth Air Force, with footage for his documentary, Combat America.

In the first US carrier strike on Japanese base of Rabaul, aircraft from USS Saratoga & USS Princeton cripple 7 cruisers and 2 destroyers.

Japanese destroyer Chikuma being bombed by an aircraft from USS Saratoga, 5 Nov 1943 (US National Archives)