Twisting and turning in a desperate effort to escape,
a Japanese destroyer is hit by bombs in
the Bismarck Sea

March 2-5
Sea War, Pacific
At the Battle of the Bismarck Sea eight Japanese transports and eight destroyers are attacked while sailing from Rabaul to Lae in New Guinea. US and Australian aircraft and torpedo-boats sink all the transports and four destroyers. The Allies lose six aircraft; the Japanese 25. This is the last Japanese attempt to reinforce their presence in New Guinea.

March 5
Air War, Germany
The British launch a four-month offensive against the Ruhr industrial area. A force of 367 bombers strikes the Krupp Works at Essen in the first attack; 14 aircraft are lost.

March 6-9
Africa, Tunisia
The Germans attempt to disrupt General Bernard Montgomery's preparations for a final offensive at Medenine, south of the Mareth Line. They attack across a broad Front but fail to concentrate and are decisively thrown back. Field Marshal Rommel, whose morale and health are both deteriorating, leaves North Africa.

German troops and armor await orders to advance against Kharkov in February 1943

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