1943
The USS Helena was one of three cruisers and four destroyers facing ten Japanese destroyers in the Kula Gulf on New Georgia. Helena opened the battle with a barrage so intense that the Japanese claimed she was armed with 6-inch machine guns. But the flash from her rapid fire made her an easy target for the destroyers, and within 10 minutes she had been struck by three torpedoes. She jackknifed and sank. 2 Japanese destroyers were also sunk in the battle. The Helena subsequently became the first ship honored with a Navy Unit Citation.
[USS Helena] [Helena hit a Kula]
1943
The Battle of Kursk continues. In the north the German 9th Army has advanced about 6 miles into the first Soviet defensive line. In the south, the forces of Army Group South have penetrated 10 miles into the Soviet defenses. There is heavy rainfall on the southern battlefield.
[Russian soldiers during the battle of Kursk]