October 30th, 1943 (SATURDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM: In London, the Moscow Conference of Foreign Ministers ends after considering certain politico-military issues. Although a tripartite conference (American-British-Soviet), the Chinese representatives have participated in some phases. Conferees agree to demand “unconditional surrender” of Germany and establish a world organization for peace (the U.N.). Discussions lead to establishment later in London of European Advisory Commission to study and make recommendations on problems relating to termination of the war in Europe. The groundwork is laid for a conference of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin at Teheran, Iran. Other agreements include the decision that China should join the alliance as the fourth major power.
Frigate HMS Condamine laid down.
Frigates HMS Lochy, Rowley, Seychelles launched.
Minesweeper HMS Parkes launched.
Submarine HMS Thorough launched.
Destroyer HMS Tenacious commissioned.
Frigate HMS Byron commissioned.
FRANCE: Five USAAF Ninth Air Force B-26 Marauders bomb Maupertus Airfield, 6.9 miles (11 kilometers) east of Cherbourg.
GERMANY:
U-1406 laid down.
U-483 launched.
U.S.S.R.: Soviet units reach Genichesk. This cuts one of the German exit from the Crimea.
ITALY: Mondragone falls to units of the US 5th Army. This marks a penetration of the Barbara Line. The hilly terrain and tenacious defence slows the other units of the Army inland.
USAAF Twelfth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators bomb five targets: 26 hit a target of opportunity (TO) at Savona, 20 bomb the Genoa marshalling yard (M/Y), seven attack the Imperia M/Y, five hit a TO at Varazze and two bomb a TO at Port Maurizio. Weather reduces the efforts of Northwest African Tactical Air Force elements; Northwest Tactical Bomber Force B-25 Mitchells bomb Frosinone; fighter-bombers, mainly of the XII Air Support Command, hit bridges, junctions, shipping, marshalling yard, gun positions, and vehicles at several locations, including Giulianova, Ancona, Ortona, Sessa Aurunca, Mignano, and Cassino.
During the night of 30/31 October, 31 RAF bombers of No. 205 (Heavy Bomber) Group bomb the Grosseto marshalling yard.
CHINA: Seven USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells and 12 P-40s attack the motor pool and barracks at Shayang while nine P-38 Lightnings hit the Chiuchiang dock area and shoot down two interceptors.
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells strafe barges in Rein Bay on New Britain Island.
SOLOMON ISLANDS: USAAF Thirteenth Air Force aircraft attack targets on Bougainville. Sixteen B-24 Liberators bomb Kara Airfield and shortly afterwards it is hit by 68 SBD Dauntlesses and 27 TBF Avengers escorted by USN and AAF fighters; the airstrip and other targets at Kieta on the west coast are attacked by six B-25 Mitchells, 12 P-39 Airacobras and 20 USN aircraft; and the Tonolai harbor area off Kahilli in the southern part of Bougainville is hit by eight P-40s and 17 USN fighters. U.S. aircraft sink a Japanese transport near Kieta.
PACIFIC OCEAN: 1700 hours: USS Seahorse (SS-304) sinks a sampan at 30-48 N, 135-36 E. (Skip Guidry)
CANADA:
Minesweeper HMS Flying Fish (ex HMCS Tillsonburg) laid down Toronto, Ontario.
Frigate HMCS Longueuil launched Montreal, Province of Quebec.
Minesweepers HMCS Fort Frances and Kapuskasing launched Port Arthur, Ontario.
U.S.A.: "Pistol Packin' Mama" by Al Dexter and his Troopers reaches Number 1 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart in the U.S. This song, which debuted on the charts on 28 August 1943, was charted for 17 weeks, was Number 1 for 1 week and was ranked Number 11 for the year 1943.
Destroyer escorts USS Stockdale, Price, Henry R Kenyon launched.
Submarine USS Sea Cat laid down.
Minesweeper USS Reign laid down.
Destroyer USS Harry E Hubbard laid down.
Frigate USS Charlotte launched.
Destroyer USS Monssen launched.
Destroyer escorts USS Mosley, Bangust, Newell and Richey commissioned.
Destroyer USS Porterfield commissioned.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-415 shot down RAF Wellington aircraft (Sqn 612/C). No survivors from aircraft, the boat had to abort its patrol due to damages sustained.