The Japanese submarine I-177 torpedoed the Yugoslav merchant ship RECINA, 19 miles off Cape Howe. Nine survivors were picked up by HMAS MORESBY, (survey ship).
The minesweeper HMAS PIRIE, (LCDR C. F. Mills, RAN), was escorting the supply ship HANYANG into Oro Bay, New Guinea, when they were damaged in savage air attacks by 12 Japanese aircraft. PIRIE managed to shoot down one of the attacking aircraft, but she was struck by one bomb which passed through the bridge, killing the Gunnery Officer (LEUT J. W. Ellershaw, RANVR), before hitting the upper deck and exploding, where it killed six of PIRIE’s gun crew. PIRIE was also strafed by cannon fire, and four personnel were wounded. HANYANG was also hit by one bomb, and three of her crew were killed.