Japanese ships attacked in futile attempt to run U.S. blockade.

Japanese ships attacked in futile attempt to run U.S. blockade. Three Japanese cargo ships are attacked at low level by strafing 13th U.S. Army Air Force B-24 Liberators over the Makasser Straits between Borneo and Celebes. An estimated 200,000 Japanese troops were stranded in the Netherlands East Indies, cut off from supplies and reinforcement by the 13th's bombers and fighters operating from bases in the Philippines. The U.S. sea and air blockade, cutting off the southern regions of Japan's stolen empire from the enemy homeland, was causing the enemy to draw upon stockpiles for supplies, with decreasing possibilities for replenishments.