Today in World War II History—Dec. 9, 1943

F4U-1A Corsair of Marine Squadron VMF-216 at Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, 10 Dec 1943 (US Marine Corps photo)

75 Years Ago—Dec. 9, 1943: In Italy, British Eighth Army secures Moro River beachhead near Ortona.

US airfield opens at Torokina on Bougainville in the Solomon Islands, only 220 miles from major Japanese base at Rabaul.