Today in World War II History—August 5, 1943

Frances Green, Margaret (Peg) Kirchner, Ann Waldner and Blanche Osborn leaving their B-17, “Pistol Packin’ Mama,” at the four-engine school at Lockbourne AAF, Ohio, during WASP ferry training (US Air Force photo)

80 Years Ago—Aug. 5, 1943: British Eighth Army takes Catania, Sicily.

US Army secures Munda Field on New Georgia, to become a major airfield in the South Pacific, putting all the Solomon Islands in range of fighters.

US establishes WASP (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots) by combining Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron and Women’s Flying Training Detachment, under Miss Jacqueline Cochran.

Munda Airfield, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, WWII (US Army Center of Military History)

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