Sunday, 12 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Motor torpedo boat PT-35, undergoing repairs on the marine railway at the Cebu Shipyard and Engineering Works, is destroyed by crew as Japanese capture Cebu, 10°18'N, 123°54'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Delvalle, en route from New Orleans, Louisiana to Buenos Aires, Argentina, via St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-154 at 16°51'N, 72°25'W. One man from the 54 man crew drowns when the ship is abandoned; there are no casualties among the five passengers or the four man Armed Guard. Canadian armed merchant cruiser HMCS Prince Henry rescues some of the survivors, the rest reach Jacmel, Haiti, via motor launch.

            Panamanian motor tanker Stanvac Melbourne is torpedoed by German submarine U-203 about 15 miles off Frying Pan Shoals, 33°53'N, 77°29'W; Coast Guard cutter CG-186 rescues survivors, 41 merchant seamen and the 7 man Armed Guard.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Esso Boston, en route from Venezuela to Nova Scotia, is torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U-130 at 21°42'N, 60°00'W and abandoned. The Germans question the survivors, offer food and water and provide directions to nearest land (see 13 April).

            U.S. freighter Leslie is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-123 approximately three miles southeast of Hetzel Shoals Gas Buoy, 28°37'N, 80°25'W; 27 survivors from the 31 man crew, and one passenger, reach the coast of Florida just north of Cape Canaveral. U.S. tanker Esso Bayonne rescues one other surviving crewman; he goes ashore at Key West the next day.

            Coast Guard cutter Vigilant (WPC-154) runs aground during search for submarine off St. Lucie's Inlet, 27°03'N,80°05'W, but emerges from the incident with only minor damage.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES—General Arnold sends air plans for BOLERO to General Marshall in London. Plan calls for establishment of Eighth AF in UK.

FIFTH AF—Australia-based B‑25’s, staging through Mindanao, hit harbor and shipping at Cebu while B‑17’s carry out single-bomber strikes from Mindanao against Cebu harbor and Nichols Field.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—General Arnold, Chief AAF, sends General Marshall, attending BOLERO conference in London, air plan for BOLERO, calling for establishment of Eighth Air Force in England.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Since Japanese now control cross-island highway on Cebu, General Chynoweth retreats to mountains of N Cebu, where he organizes remnants of the garrison for guerrilla warfare. Japanese, employing guns on Bataan and Cavite, intensify artillery bombardment of Corregidor. Enemy aircraft continue to pound the island.

BURMA—Chinese 38th Division of 66th Army, previously earmarked for defense of Mandalay, begins movement to Irrawaddy front to assist Burma I Corps in holding line Minhla–Taungdwingyi. During night 12–13, Japanese occupy Migyaungye, exposing W flank of Burma Army.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 11 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Trout (SS-202) torpedoes Japanese fleet tanker Nisshin Maru west of Shionomisaki, Japan, 33°26'N,135°38'E.

            USAAF A-20s attack Japanese shipping off Lae, New Guinea, damaging cargo vessel Taijun Maru, 06°49'S,147°02'E. Taijun Maru, deemed irreparable, is later scuttled.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker Harry F. Sinclair, Jr., is torpedoed by German submarine U-203 seven miles south of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 34°25'N, 76°30'W. Intense fires, fed by the tanker's 66,000 barrels of gasoline, consume the amidships section of the vessel; 10 of the 36 man crew perish in the flames. British armed trawler HMS Hertfordshire rescues 24 survivors, destroyer Herbert (DD-160) two. British (ex-French) armed trawler HMS Senateur Duhamel tows Harry F. Sinclair, Jr. into Morehead City, North Carolina.

            British steamship Ulysses is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-160 at 34°23'N, 75°35'W; high speed transport Manley (APD-1) rescues all hands (195 crew, 95 passengers).

            British trawler HMS St. Cathan (one of the Royal Navy patrol vessels operating off the eastern seaboard) and Dutch freighter Hebe collide at 38°40'N, 73°00'W, both ships sink. District patrol vessel YP-22 rescues 7 survivors from St. Cathan and 31 from Hebe; yachts Azurlite (PY-22) and Beryl (PY-23) participate in rescue efforts and between them later transport the survivors (Hebe's entire 31 man crew and nine of the 39 man crew of St. Cathan) to Charleston, South Carolina.

            After a patrol plane sights lifeboat at 38°40'N, 73°00'W, Coast Guard patrol boat 455 proceeds from Cape May, New Jersey, to the reported position, and there rescues last nine survivors of U.S. steamship City of New York, sunk by U-160 off Cape Hatteras on 29 March, and transports them to Lewes, Delaware. All told, one Armed Guard sailor, 16 crewmen and seven passengers have perished in the loss of the ship.

            Second group of 13 survivors from U.S. tanker Eugene V.R. Thayer, shelled on 9 April by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi reach the Brazilian coast north of Aracati (see 13 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

VISAYAN ISLANDS—On Cebu, 3d Battalion of 83d Infantry fails to stop enemy at Cantabaco, and Japanese drive rapidly eastward from Toledo with little difficulty.

BURMA—Japanese open attacks against center of line Minhla–Taungdwingyi.

USSR—Germans vigorously oppose Soviet efforts to land additional forces on Crimean coast near Eupatolia. Stalemate continues on central front. On northern front, Germans continue to make slow progress toward encircled forces.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 10 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Pacific Fleet is reorganized into type commands: Battleships (Rear Admiral Walter S. Anderson); Aircraft Carriers (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.); Cruisers (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher); Destroyers (Rear Admiral Robert A. Theobald); Service Force (Vice Admiral William L. Calhoun); Amphibious Force (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown, Jr.); Submarine Force (Rear Admiral Thomas Withers); and Patrol Wings (Rear Admiral John S. McCain). Old titles Battle Force and Scouting Force are abolished.

            Submarine Snapper (SS-185) evacuates military personnel from Corregidor.

            Minesweeper Finch (AM-9) is sunk by aerial bombs off Luzon, 14°22'N, 120°35'E.

            Crews of river gunboats Oahu (PR-6), Luzon (PR-7), and Mindanao (PR-8) are transferred ashore to man U.S. Army guns at Fort Hughes, Manila Bay.

            Japanese troops land on Cebu.

            Submarine Thresher (SS-200) torpedoes and sinks Japanese (ex-Portuguese) merchant cargo ship Maru six miles north of Oshima, near the entrance to Tokyo Bay, Honshu, Japan, 34°59'N, 139°29'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Gulfamerica, silhouetted by the lights of Jacksonville, Florida, is torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U-123 at 30°14'N, 81°18'W. Some of the tanker's crew perish in the torpedo explosion or gunfire when U-123 shells and machineguns the vessel; others drown as the ship is abandoned. Of the 41 man crew, 17 perish; 2 of the7 man Armed Guard die in the attack. District patrol vessel YP-32 aids in rescue of survivors. Gulfamerica capsizes and sinks on 16 April.

            Norwegian freighter Marpesia, off Surinam, rescues 19 survivors from U.S. tanker T.C. McCobb, sunk by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi on 31 March (see 16 May).

            Seaplane recovers 13 survivors from U.S. tanker Eugene V.R. Thayer, shelled on 9 April by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi (see 11 and 13 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

VISAYAN ISLANDS—Japanese invade Cebu Island., garrisoned by about 6,500 troops under command of Col Irwin C. Scudder. Bulk of enemy assault force goes ashore on E coast at Cebu City, the rest on W coast in vicinity of Toledo. Cebu MP Regiment at Cebu City and 3d Battalion of 82d Infantry (PA) at Toledo fight lively delaying actions before withdrawing inland from both towns under pressure. General Chynoweth, CG Visayan Force, whose HQ is on Cebu, sends 3d Battalion of 83d Infantry to defend Cantabaco, where cross island highway branches.

BURMA—Patrols of Burma I Corps find that Japanese are moving forward toward the Minhla- Taungdwingyi.

GERMANY—RAF Bomber Command drops first 2-ton bomb during attack on Essen, night 10–11.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 9 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Luzon Force (Major General Edward King, USA) on Bataan peninsula surrenders to Japanese. Gunboat Mindanao (PR-8) rescues soldiers attempting to escape from Bataan to Corregidor.

            U.S. Navy facilities at Mariveles are demolished to prevent enemy use: Navy forces scuttle submarine tender Canopus (AS-9), minesweeper Bittern (AM-36), tug Napa (AT-32), and drydock Dewey. Ferry launches San Felipe (YFB-12), Camia (YFB-683), and Dap Dap (YFB-684), and Canopus motor launches, evacuate men and equipment to Corregidor.

            Submarine Snapper (SS-185) delivers food to Corregidor.

            Motor torpedo boats PT-34 and PT-41 engage Japanese light cruiser Kuma and torpedo boat Kiji in a running fight off Cape Tanon, the southern tip of Cebu, P.I.; Kuma is hit by a dud torpedo and machine gun fire. Later that same day, PT-34 is bombed and strafed by floatplanes from Japanese seaplane carrier Sanuki Maru and beached off Cauit Island, P.I., 10°16'N, 123°52'E. A second bombing and strafing attack by Sanuki Maru's planes destroys PT-34, which suffers two dead and three wounded from her six man crew in the action.

INDIAN OCEAN—Japanese Operation C continues: carrier striking force (Vice Admiral Nagumo Chuichi) raids Trincomalee, Ceylon, which has been cleared of shipping in expectation of the attack. Notwithstanding the precautions taken by the British, Japanese carrier bombers attack the ships they find returning to Trincomalee. British carrier HMS Hermes is sunk, as is Australian destroyer HMAS Vampire, British corvette HMS Hollyhock, depot ship HMS Athelstane and RFA oiler British Sergeant.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Esparta, en route from Honduras to New York, is torpedoed by German submarine U-123about 14 miles south of Brunswick, Georgia, 30°46'N, 81°11'W; one man perishes out of the merchantman's 40 man crew.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Malchace is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-160 about 50 miles off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 34°28'N, 75°56'W; Mexican freighter Faja De Oro rescues the 28 survivors (one crewman drowns when Malchace is abandoned).

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Atlas is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-552 off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina,34°27'N, 76°16'W; two of the 34 man crew die attempting to escape the fires fed by the cargo of 84,239 barrels of gasoline. Coast Guard cutter CG 462 rescue the 32 men who survive the inferno. Later the same day, U-552 torpedoes tanker Tamaulipas at 34°25'N, 76°00'W; British trawler HMS Norwich City rescues the 35 survivors (two crewmen perish when the tanker is abandoned). Tamaulipas, gutted by fires, sinks the following morning.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Eugene V.R. Thayer, en route to Caripito, Venezuela from Buenos Aires, Argentina, is pursued and shelled by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi at 02°20'S, 39°30'W; 11 of the tanker's crew are killed in the engagement that ends when Eugene V.R. Thayer is abandoned (see 10, 11 and 13 April).

            Motor torpedo boat PT-59, on practice run in upper Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, accidentally torpedoes cargo ship Capella (AK-13); tugs are on the scene immediately and anchor the damaged auxiliary in shoal water. Eight crewmen are injured in the mishap.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—HQ echelon is located at Bolling Field to prepare Eighth AF for move overseas.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS—Japanese capture Bataan after 3 months. US-Philippine forces surrender unconditionally. Japanese artillery emplaced on Bataan opens fire on Corregidor in conjunction with air attacks.

US ARMY

LABRADOR—U.S. detachment arrives.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—On Luzon, at 0330, emissaries of General King start to Japanese lines under white flag to arrange for surrender. General King surrenders Luzon Force unconditionally at 1230, and grim march of prisoners from Balanga to San Fernando follows. Fall of Bataan permits Japanese aircraft previously employed against it to devote their full attention to Corregidor. For the first time since end of March, enemy planes attack in force. Japanese artillery emplaced at Cabcaben, S Bataan, opens fire on Corregidor.

VISAYAN ISLANDS—Cebu Island garrison is alerted as enemy flotilla heading toward the island is spotted.

BURMA—Burma I Corps is now disposed to defend oil fields, on general line Minhla–Taung-dwingyi, a 40-mile front. Chinese are not in position to support corps because of a series of contradictory orders.

CEYLON—Trincomalee undergoes heavy air attack by Japanese planes from carriers. HMS Hermes (aircraft carrier) is sunk offshore.

USSR—Strong Soviet efforts to advance from Kerch area in the Crimea make little headway against stubborn enemy forces. Germans remain on the defensive on central front, containing most of Red Army thrusts; on northern front, make slow progress against firm opposition toward encircled forces in vicinity of Cholm and Staraya Russa.

US MARINE CORPS

End of American resistance on Bataan.

 

Wednesday, 8 April 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Hydrographic Office and Naval Observatory are transferred from the Bureau of Navigation to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

PACIFIC—Submarine Seadragon (SS-194) delivers food to Corregidor, and evacuates the final increment of naval radio and communications intelligence people.

ATLANTIC—Submarine Mackerel (SS-204) is attacked by USAAF plane six miles south of Watch Hill light, but is not damaged in the accidental encounter.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Bidwell, bound from Corpus Christi, Texas, to New York City, is torpedoed by German submarine U-160 about 30 miles east of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 34°25'N, 75°57'W, but manages to reach Hampton Roads under her own power. One man of her 33 man crew is lost in the attack.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Oklahoma, en route from Port Arthur, Texas, to Providence, Rhode Island, is torpedoed by German submarine U-123 about 12 miles off Brunswick, Georgia, 31°18'N, 80°59'W; U-123 then proceeds to attack unarmed U.S. tanker Esso Baton Rouge approximately 15 miles off St. Simons Island, Georgia, 31°13'N, 80°05'W, torpedoing that ship as well. U-123 returns and shells Oklahoma. Both tankers sink in shallow water, and survivors from both vessels (18 from the 37 man crew from Oklahoma and 36 of the 39 man crew from Esso Baton Rouge) meet and proceed together for Brunswick, which they reach with the help of a Coast Guard boat. Both ships are not lost to the war effort; they are refloated, repaired, and returned to service.

            Yacht Zircon (PY-16) rescues 16 survivors (including one Armed Guard sailor) from U.S. freighter Otho, sunk by German submarine U-754 on 3 April (see 25 April).

            Panamanian merchantman Santa Monica rescues survivors from unarmed U.S. tanker T.C. McCobb, sunk by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi on 31 March (see 10 April and 16 May).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—Harry Hopkins and General Marshall arrive in London for talks with British service and supply chiefs concerning integration of US and British manpower and war production for action in Europe. General Marshall urges an offensive in the west to relieve pressure upon Russia, and promises a constant flow of US troops, including many air units, to UK.

NINTH AF—V Air Support Command (activated 1 Sep 41) is redesignated Ninth AF. HQ is at New Orleans AAB.

US ARMY

LUZON—II Corps disintegrates completely under sustained enemy attacks from ground and air. Japanese soon discover gaps in Alangan River line— held by 31st Infantry (U.S.), 57th Infantry (PS), 26th Cavalry (PS), 803d Engineer Battalion (U.S.), 14th Engineer Battalion (PS), and Constabulary troops—and stream southward at will. In final effort to stem enemy advance, Provisional Coast Artillery Brigade (AA), serving as infantrymen, forms weak line just N of Cabcaben, but other units ordered to extend this line are unable to do so. General King decides to surrender Luzon Force; orders equipment destroyed during night 8–9. Of the 78,000 men of Luzon Force, about 2,000 succeed in escaping to Corregidor.

UNITED KINGDOM—General Marshall and Mr Harry Hopkins arrive in London for series of conferences with the British on BOLERO.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 7 April 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Wilkes (DD-441) is damaged when accidentally rammed by British tanker Davila, Boston, Massachusetts.

            Destroyer Sturtevant (DD-240), directed to the scene by a USN patrol plane, rescues the 39 survivors (including the entire 6 man Armed Guard detachment) of U.S. tanker Comol Rico, sunk by U-154 on 4 April.

            U.S. tanker Pan Rhode Island, off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, rescues 29 survivors of Norwegian freighter Lancing, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-552, and 20 men from British tanker British Splendour, sunk by the same U-boat the same day.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—War Department officially states that Eighth AF will be established in UK as intermediate command between USAFBI and the AF commands. General Marshall notifies General Chaney of this decision.

FIFTH AF—During 6/7 Apr the Japanese break the Philippine II Corps front on Bataan, thus necessitating immediate removal of all remaining fighters to Mindanao, where for the next 3 days they will fly reconnaissance, cover Heavy Bombers (sent to Mindanao from Australia) operating against concentrations at Legaspi, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao, and carry out a strafing attack against aircraft at Davao. After the Heavy Bombers return to Australia on 12 Apr, the fighters will continue to fly reconnaissance until Japanese forces envelop the troops on Mindanao on 1 May.

US ARMY

LUZON—Japanese, attacking again in II Corps area with air and artillery support, force entire corps MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE back to Mamala River line; this line, too, becomes untenable, and Americans and Filipinos withdraw under cover of darkness, 7–8, to Alangan River. 26th Cavalry (PS), released to II Corps from I Corps reserve, establishes holding position while line is formed along the Mamala. Meanwhile, attempts by Philippine Division units to form continuous line prove futile. Philippine Constabulary regiments defending beaches are ordered into battle line. I Corps is directed to withdraw southward to Binuangan River line.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 6 April 1942

US NAVY

INDIAN OCEAN—Japanese Operation C continues: Second Expeditionary Fleet, Malay Force (Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo) raids Allied shipping off the east coast of India. Japanese Northern Group (Rear Admiral Kurita Takeo) attacks Allied convoy; unarmed U.S. freighter Exmoor is sunk by gunfire of heavy cruisers Kumano and Suzuya, and destroyer Shirakumo, 19°53'N, 86°30'E (there are no casualties among the 37 man crew), as are British merchantmen Silksworth, Autolycus, Malda and Shinkuang. Southern Group (Captain Sakiyama Shakao), consisting of heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma and destroyer Amagiri, sink British merchantmen Dardanus, Gandara and Indora. Central Group, formed around carrier Ryujo, heavy cruiser Chokai, light cruiser Yura, and destroyers Yugiri and Asagiri, attacks shipping in a third area. After planes from carrier Ryujo attack unarmed U.S. freighter Bienville, heavy cruiser Chokai shells and sinks the American merchantman at 17°50'N, 84°50'E; Japanese gunfire renders all lifeboats useless and kills 19 of the 41 man crew. Five more crewmen die later of wounds suffered in the attack. Lost with the ship is its cargo of 500 monkeys (which are most likely earmarked for infantile paralysis research in the United States). Floatplanes from Chokai bomb unarmed U.S. freighter Selma City (17°40'N, 83°20'E) and British freighter Ganges, sinking both. Two men wounded by bomb fragments constitute the only casualties on board Selma City; her29 man crew reaches Vizagapatam later the same day by boat. Yura and Yugiri, meanwhile, sink Dutch motorships Banjoewangi and Batavia, and British steamer Taksang. Planes from Ryujo bomb and sink British steamer Sinkiang, and Dutch motorship Van der Capellen (the latter sinks on 8 April) and, at Vizagapatam, bomb and damage British motorship Anglo Canadian.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Washingtonian, en route from Suez to Ceylon, is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarineI-5 at 07°25'N, 73°05'E; all hands (39 man crew and two passengers) survive the attack and reach the Maldive Islands in less than a day's rowing.

PACIFIC—Advance elements of the U.S. Army 41st Division reach Melbourne, Australia.

            River gunboats Mindanao (PR-8) and Oahu (PR-6) engage Japanese landing barges, claiming the destruction of at least four, in a night surface action in Manila Bay. Mindanao is damaged by return fire.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Sturtevant (DD-240), directed to the scene by a patrolling USAAF plane, rescues 31 merchant seamen and the 7 man Armed Guard from sunken U.S. tanker Catahoula, sunk by U-154 on 5 April.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Bidwell, bound from Corpus Christi, Texas, to New York City, is torpedoed by German submarine U-160 about 30 miles east of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 34°25'N, 75°57'W, but manages to reach Hampton Roads under her own power. One man of her 33 man crew is lost in the torpedoing.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—10 DC‑3’s of Pan American Airways begin hauling 30,000 gals of fuel and 500 gals of lubricants from Calcutta to the airstrip at Asansol, completing the mission on the following day. This fuel, subsequently transferred via Dinjan to China, is for use by Lt Col James H Doolittle’s Tokyo raiders, already at sea aboard the carrier Hornet.

US ARMY

LUZON—II Corps counterattacks N toward reserve line in Sector D but meets enemy attack head on and falls back. On corps E flank, U.S. 31st Infantry and 21st Division (PA), directed to drive N in region E of Mt Samat, are unable to reach line of departure.

            In center, Philippine 33d Infantry, followed by 42d and 43d, endeavors to drive N between Catmon and W slopes of Mt Samat, but 33d is surrounded and presumed lost and units to rear are routed. Hq of Sector D and W flank troops are thus separated from rest of II Corps. On W, Philippine 41st Infantry, followed by 45th, makes limited progress, but 45th is unable to overtake 41st and 41st becomes isolated. U.S. 31st Infantry and Battalion of 57th Infantry (PS) are assigned to Sector C, where line is withdrawn to San Vicente River. Japanese receive effective air and artillery support throughout day.

ADMIRALTY ISLANDS—Small Japanese naval force from Truk lands at Lorengau.

AUSTRALIA—Main body (Hq, 163d Regiment, 167th FA Battalion, and other units) of U.S. 41st Division reaches Melbourne.

BURMA—Japanese land reinforcements at Rangoon. Chiang Kai-shek, visiting Maymyo, urges that Taungdwingyi be held and agrees to provide Chinese division to assist Burma I Corps. Chinese 200th and 96th Divisions are in position to defend Pyinmana.

MIDDLE EAST—U.S. War Department decides that no fixed installations are to be established in Iranian Mission territory.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 5 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese naval forces occupy Lorengau, Manus Island, Admiralty Islands, without opposition.

INDIAN OCEAN—In Operation C, Japanese carrier striking force (Vice Admiral Nagumo Chuichi) raids Colombo, Ceylon. After reconnaissance floatplane from heavy cruiser Tone finds British heavy cruisers HMS Cornwall and HMS Dorsetshire, carrier bombers from Akagi, Hiryu and Soryu sink both ships. Japanese Second Expeditionary Fleet, Malay Force (Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo) is divided into three groups to disrupt Allied shipping in the Bay of Bengal (see 6 April).

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Catahoula, about 100 miles into her voyage from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, to Wilmington, Delaware, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-154 at 19°16'N, 68°12'W; two merchant sailors perish in the explosion of the torpedo and five drown when the ship is abandoned (see 6 April).

            Coast Guard cutter Dione (WPC-107) proceeds to the scene of the torpedoing of unarmed U.S. tanker Byron D. Benson, attacked by German submarine U-552 the previous evening; high speed minesweeper Hamilton (DMS-18) does likewise, and during the search for the submarine, rescues 27 survivors; British trawler HMS Norwich City picks up one man. Byron D. Benson sinks two days later.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

LUZON—After air and artillery preparation, Japanese resume offensive in the II Corps area, concentrating on 21st Division, which yields Mt Samat and is left virtually ineffective as a fighting force. Corps prepares to counterattack on 6th with all available forces. Japanese invasion force of 4,852 troops sails from Lingayen Gulf toward Cebu, in the Visayan Islands.

CEYLON—Japanese carrier-based planes attack Colombo.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese occupy Manus lsland, Admiralties.

 

Saturday, 4 April 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Comol Rico is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-154 about 225 miles north of Puerto Rico,20°46'N, 66°46'W; three merchant sailors perish in the explosion of the torpedo (see 7 April).

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Byron D. Benson is torpedoed by German submarine U-552 approximately eight miles off Currituck Inlet, North Carolina, 36°08'N, 75°32'W; fires, fed by the ship's cargo of 91,500 barrels of crude oil, consume nine of the 37 man crew. Antisubmarine vessel ["Q ship"] Asterion (AK-100), nearby, reports the attack (see 5 April).

            Russian patrol boat rescues 11 men in lifeboat from U.S. freighter Effingham, sunk by German submarine U-435 on 30 March; four of those rescued later die of exposure. All told, 11 of the 34 man merchant crew perish, as does one of the 9 man Armed Guard.

            British escort vessel HMS Copinsay attempts to tow the damaged U.S. freighter West Irmo, torpedoed the previous day by German submarine U-505, but the merchantman proves beyond saving. Copinsay hastens West Irmo's end with a depth charge.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese attack is again preceded by demoralizing artillery bombardment in conjunction with air attacks. MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE of Sector D collapses as 41st Division withdraws again and 21st Division is forced from MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE to reserve line in front of Mt Samat. After nightfall, Japanese regroup for assault on Mt Samat. Sector C has to refuse its left flank because of enemy breakthrough. Luzon Force sends 2 regiments of Philippine Div—31st (U.S.) and 45th (PS)—to support II Corps.

INDIAN OCEAN—Japanese naval force in Indian Ocean sinks British cruisers Dorsetshire and Cornwall near Colombo, Ceylon.

MIDDLE EAST—Col Don G. Shingler is notified that he is to head U.S. Iranian Mission, replacing General Wheeler. Iranian projects now have top priority, and construction project at Umm Qasr, Iraq, is suspended.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 3 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Admiral Chester W. Nimitz is named Commander in Chief Pacific Ocean Areas (CINCPOA); his command encompasses the North, Central, and South Pacific. He retains his position as Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC).

            Light minelayers Pruitt (DM-22), Preble (DM-20), Sicard (DM-21), and Tracy (DM-19) mine French Frigate Shoals, Hawaiian Group, to prevent Japanese submarines from using the area as a refueling point for flying boat raids on Oahu.

INDIAN OCEAN—U.S. freighter Exhibitor is bombed and damaged by Japanese reconnaissance flying boat near Calcutta, India, while proceeding to Colombo, Ceylon. The ship's gunfire drives off the enemy plane as it makes a second pass; only four of the men on board (43 man merchant complement and 9 man Armed Guard) are injured in the attack.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Otho, en route to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from Takoradi, Gold Coast, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-754 about 200 miles east of Cape Henry, Virginia, 36°25'N, 71°57'W; survivors abandon ship in a raft and three boats (see 8 and 25 April).

            U.S. freighter West Irmo, en route to Takoradi, Gold Coast, from Marshall, Liberia, is torpedoed by German submarine U-505 at 02°10'N, 05°50'W, and abandoned. Ten longshoremen are lost in the explosion while the remainder of the ship's complement, 36 merchant seamen, the 8 man Armed Guard and 55 longshoremen, are rescued by British escort vessel HMS Copinsay (see 4 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—6 Heavy Bombers from Asansol bomb warehouses and docks at Rangoon, starting 3 large fires. 1 B‑17 fails to return.

US ARMY

LUZON—Japanese open all-out offensive against Bataan line, which is by now understrength, undernourished, poorly clothed and equipped, and battle weary. After air and artillery bombardment, lasting from 1000 until 1500, Japanese move forward, making main effort against Sector D, the W flank of II Corps, where 41st and 21st Divisions (PA) are thinly spread and dazed as result of preliminary bombardment. 41st, on W, gives way and is rendered virtually ineffective as a fighting force, although regiment on extreme W succeeds in withdrawing in an orderly fashion. Battalion on W flank of 21st Division is forced to pull back. Effort to re-establish line of 41st Division after dark is partially successful. The only corps reserve unit, 33d Infantry (PA), less 1st Battalion, is released to Sector D as is Provisional Tank Group (—) of Luzon Force reserve. In I Corps sector to W, Japanese succeed in reaching MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE on E flank but are unable to pierce it.

BURMA—Burma I Corps continues northward withdrawal from Allanmyo area although not under enemy pressure. In Sittang Valley, General Stilwell begins deploying Chinese for stand at Pyinmana. Chinese 22d Division is to fall back gradually on Pyinmana, where Chinese 96th Division is to take over.

MIDDLE EAST—India is removed from U.S. Iranian Mission’s sphere of responsibility, but Karachi remains base for the 2 U.S. Middle East missions. General Wheeler is relieved as chief of Iranian Mission.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 2 April 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker Liebre is shelled by German submarine U-123 at 34°11'N, 76°08'W, and abandoned. Arrival of British motor torpedo boat MTB 332, however, compels U-123 to withdraw before she can finish the work of destroying Liebre. Of the 34 man crew, 26 reboard the ship, which is towed by salvage tug Resolute and British trawler HMS St. Zeno to Morehead City, North Carolina.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter David H. Atwater is shelled by German submarine U-552 east of Chincoteague Inlet, Virginia,37°37'N, 75°10'W; destroyers Noa (DD-343) and Herbert (DD-160) are sent to the scene, but arrive too late to be of assistance. The sudden and savage nature of U-552's attack leaves David H. Atwater's crew little or no time to take to lifeboats. Of the 25 man complement, only three survive to be rescued by Coast Guard cutter Legare (WPC-144) and taken to Chincoteague Island Coast Guard station.

            British minesweeper HMS Harrier rescues 17 men in lifeboat from U.S. freighter Effingham, sunk by German submarine U-435 on 30 March 1942; six of those rescued later die of exposure (see 4 April).

            Despite the efforts of a salvage crew, U.S. tanker Tiger, torpedoed by German submarine U-754 on 31 March and taken in tow the previous day, sinks short of her destination, Norfolk, Virginia.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—General Brereton, CG, leads 3 Heavy Bombers on raid on shipping in Andaman Islands during 2/3 Apr. The Heavy Bombers claim hits on a cruiser and a transport. 2 Heavy Bombers are damaged by AA and fighters, but all return to base. Earlier in the evening, a mission scheduled against Rangoon area is aborted when 1 Heavy Bomber crashes on takeoff and the other has mechanical trouble.

US ARMY

INDIA—U.S. Tenth Air Force f lies its first combat mission, attacking shipping off Andaman Islands.; subsequently concentrates on enemy positions in Burma.

BURMA—Burma I Corps withdraws from Prome.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 1 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Naval Air Transport Service Squadron (VR) 2 is established at Alameda, California, for operations in the Pacific. Japanese occupy Buka Island, Solomons.

            Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) torpedoes Japanese light cruiser Naka off Christmas Island, 10°00'S, 105°00'E.

            British submarine HMS Truant sinks Japanese merchant cargo ships Yae Maru and Shunsei Maru in Malacca Strait, 80 miles west-northwest of Penang, Malaya, 05°42'N, 98°57'E.

ATLANTIC—District patrol vessel YP-52 rescues 42 survivors of U.S. tanker Tiger, torpedoed by German submarine U-754 late the previous day. Coast Guard cutter Jackson (WPC-142) and Merritt, Chapman, and Scott salvage tug Relief take the damaged ship in tow (see 2 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Air Corps Proving Ground becomes Proving Ground Command, with main base at Eglin Field.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Pacific War Council holds its first meeting at Washington, D.C.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese from Netherlands East Indies land at a number of points on Dutch New Guinea coast, from Sorong on NW tip to Hollandia, during period 1–20 April; landings are virtually unopposed.

BURMA—CinC India, visiting front, agrees to immediate withdrawal of Burma I Corps to Allanmyo area, N of Prome. Japanese continue to press in on Prome.

IRAQ—Dock construction project at Umm Qasr is begun after cargo of City of Dalhart is unloaded.

USSR—Stalemate exists along entire line. Germans of Army Group North are largely concerned during the month with extricating II Corps of Sixteenth Army from pocket SE of Staraya Russa.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese occupy Buka Island, Solomons.

Tuesday, 31 March 1942

US NAVY

INDIAN OCEAN—Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) is damaged by depth charges off Christmas Island, 10°26'S, 105°41'E.

CARIBBEAN—Commander of Allied Forces Aruba and Curacao, Netherlands West Indies, is established (Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf).

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tug Menominee and the barges that she is towing--Allegheny, Barnegat, and Ontario--are shelled by German submarine U-754 about 50 miles off the mouth of Chesapeake Bay at 37°34'N, 75°25'W. U-754 sinks Menominee and barges Allegheny and Barnegat; Ontario, with its dunnage cargo, remains afloat and provides a life preserver for the three men who had been on board each barge. Of Menominee's crew of 18 men, however, only two survive the U-boat's gunfire. Coast Guard lifeboat from the Metomkin Inlet station rescues the men from the barges while tanker Northern Sun rescues the tug crew's survivors. Later the same day, U-754 torpedoes unarmed U.S. tanker Tiger as the American vessel, en route to Norfolk, waits to embark a pilot. One crewman dies in the initial explosion; the surviving 36 men of the ship's complement, in addition to a six man Navy gun crew riding the ship as passengers, abandon the ship (see 1 and 2 April).

            Unarmed U.S. tanker T.C. McCobb, en route to Caripito, Venezuela from Buenos Aires, Argentina, is shelled, torpedoed, and sunk by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi at 07°10'N, 45°20'W; one crewman drowns and one is killed by shellfire (see 8 and 10 April and 16 May).

            Destroyer Roper (DD-147) and tug Acushnet (AT-63) rescue 124 survivors (including a newborn infant) of U.S. steamship City of New York, sunk by U-160 off Cape Hatteras on 29 March (see 12 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES—General Spaatz suggests that the now ‘task-less Eighth’ be made nucleus for AAFIB

US ARMY

BURMA—Chinese 200th Division makes contact with Chinese 22d Division N of Toungoo and withdraws N of Pyinmana as reserve. With loss of Toungoo, road to Mawchi is left undefended and Japanese, during next few days, overrun small Chinese garrison at Mawchi; continue E, forcing elements of Chinese T-55th Division back to Bawlake

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 30 March 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Pacific War Council representing United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, and China is established in Washington, D.C., to plan war policy.

PACIFIC—Joint Chiefs of Staff order Pacific Ocean divided into two commands: Pacific Ocean Areas (Admiral Chester W. Nimitz) and Southwest Pacific Area (Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthur).

            Submarine Tambor (SS-198) damages Japanese transport Tatsuho Maru off Brown Atoll, 13°00'N, 157°30'E.

            Destroyer Phelps (DD-360), undergoing repairs in drydock at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, is damaged when a railroad crane falls into the drydock.

            Japanese forces occupy Christmas Island.

            Submarine Sturgeon (SS-187) sinks Japanese transport Choko Maru off Makassar City, Celebes, N.E.I., 05°39'S, 119°00'E.

ATLANTIC—Debris sighted by plane at 34°52'N, 69°58'W includes five empty life rafts; no survivors are sighted in the area of the last reported position of antisubmarine vessel Atik (AK-101), sunk on 26 March by German submarine U-123.

            PBY search of area in which U.S. steamship City of New York is torpedoed proves negative (see 31 March and 11April).

NORTH RUSSIA—U.S. freighter Effingham, straggling 90 miles astern of Murmansk-bound convoy PQ 13, is torpedoed and set afire by German submarine U-435 at 70°28'N, 35°44'E. The ship explodes and sinks; two men drown during the abandonment (see 2 and 4 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Directives are drafted for General Mac- Arthur as Supreme Commander, SWPA, and for Rear Admiral Nimitz as CINCPOA, for submission to Allied governments concerned. SWPA is to include Australia, Philippines, New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Solomons, and most of Netherlands East Indies. As Supreme Commander of SWPA, General MacArthur is to maintain positions in Philippines and bases in Australia; guard approaches to SWPA; halt enemy’s advance on Australia; protect communications within theater; support POA forces; and be prepared to take the offensive. POA comprises N, Central, and S Pacific, all under over-all command of Admiral Nimitz, and the first two under his direct command. As CINCPOA, Admiral Nimitz is to maintain communications between U.S. and SWPA; support operations in SWPA; and be prepared to take offensive action. In addition to SWPA and POA, Pacific Theater is to include Southeast Pacific Area— ocean stretches W of Central and South America. Pacific War Council is established in Washington. Inter-American Defense Board holds its first meeting in Washington.

BURMA—Chinese 200th Division withdraws from Toungoo under pressure. On Irrawaddy front, Burma I Corps TF falls back to Prome from Paungde area, leaving vehicles behind at Shwedaung. During night 30–31, Japanese attack Indian 63d Brigade at Prome and soon breach defenses, exposing right flank of Indian 17th Division.

ASCENSION ISLAND—First detachment of U.S. forces arrives to build airstrip on this small island, which lies about midway between South America and Africa.

US MARINE CORPS

Pacific Ocean divided into Pacific Ocean Areas under Adm Nimitz, and Southwest Pacific Area under Gen MacArthur.

Sunday, 29 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Fourth Defense Battalion, USMC, and VMF 212 arrive at Efate, New Hebrides.

ATLANTIC—U.S. steamship City of New York is torpedoed by German submarine U-160 about 40 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 35°16'N, 74°25'W. Before the ship is torpedoed a second time, the Armed Guard, who man their gun stations promptly, manages to get 12 rounds off at the U-boat's periscope. A second torpedo sinks the ship, with the Armed Guard leaving only when the bridge is awash (see 30-31 March and 11 April).

            U.S. tanker Paulsboro is damaged in heavy seas off Overfalls Lightship; tug Allegheny (AT-19) is sent to her assistance.

            U.S. freighter Excelsior suffers engine breakdown off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina; tug Kewaydin (AT-24) is sent to tow the ship to Norfolk.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

BURMA—Going on the offensive to relieve pressure on Chinese at Toungoo and restore communications, TF of Burma I Corps attacks and clears Paungde, but its situation becomes precarious as Japanese establish themselves a few miles N at Padigon and on E bank of the Irrawaddy at Shwedaung.

US MARINE CORPS

Marines arrive at Efate, New Hebrides.

 

Saturday, 28 March 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Attack on St. Nazaire concludes with HMS Campbelltown successfully ramming the caisson in the drydock area.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Units of I Bomber Command engaged in antisub operations are placed under operational control of Commander, Eastern Sea Frontier.

US ARMY

LUZON—Japanese, moving into position for all out offensive against Bataan, feint against I Corps and push in OPL of Sector D on II Corps front. Increasingly heavy air and artillery bombardment of Bataan is lowering efficiency of defense force as well as destroying badly needed materiel. Efforts to run the blockade and supply the garrison with necessary items have virtually failed, and supply situation is growing steadily worse.

BURMA—General Alexander, at request of General Stilwell, agrees to attack on Irrawaddy front. Reconnaissance elements of Burma I Corps clash with enemy at Paungde, SE of Prome.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 27 March 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Commander TF 39 (Rear Admiral John W. Wilcox), taking an unaccompanied walk on deck of his flagship, battleship Washington (BB 56), is washed overboard and disappears in a heavy sea. Rear Admiral Robert C. Giffen becomes taskforce commander upon Wilcox's death.

            Destroyer Greer (DD-145) proceeds to position indicated by Army plane and rescues five survivors from Panamanian freighter Equipoise, sunk the previous day by U-160; later, Greer picks up an additional eight survivors from the sunken Panamanian merchantman.

EUROPE—British raiding force begins attack on port facilities in German-held St. Nazaire, France; destroyer HMS Campbelltown (former U.S. destroyer Buchanan [DD 132]), reconfigured to resemble a German torpedo boat, is to ram the caisson of the only drydock on the French coast capable of handling the battleship Tirpitz.

PACIFIC—Submarine Gudgeon (SS-211) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Nissho Maru southeast of Kumun Island, 33°50'N,127°33'E.

            Japanese collier Yubari Maru is sunk by Dutch planes off Koepang, Timor.

            Japanese transport/cargo ship Kitano Maru is sunk by Japanese mine off Mabilao, Lingayen Gulf, 16°10'N, 120°24'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

UNITED STATES—War Plans Division issues “Plan for Operations in Northwest Europe,” calling for small scale operation in autumn 1942 (SLEDGEHAMMER) as an emergency measure if Soviet forces show signs of collapsing or main Anglo-American invasion (ROUNDUP) in spring 1943 If SLEDGEHAMMER is not required. Build-up plan for the invasion is coded BOLERO.

BURMA—Chinese 200th Division continues to resist enemy onslaughts against Toungoo. On Irrawaddy front, Japanese are massing forces S of Prome. RAF planes withdraw from Akyab to India as result of heavy enemy bombing of Akyab.

FRANCE—British conduct combined operations against harbor installations at St. Nazaire, night 27–28. HMS Campbeltown (DD) rams main lock gate and lands troops who carry out demolitions.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 26 March 1942

US NAVY

UNITED STATES—Admiral Ernest J. King relieves Admiral Harold R. Stark as Chief of Naval Operations and thus becomes Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations; Vice Admiral Frederick J. Horne (Vice Chief of Naval Operations) and Vice Admiral Russell Willson (COMINCH Chief of Staff) are his principal assistants.

ATLANTIC—TF 39 (Rear Admiral John W. Wilcox), including battleship Washington (BB 56), carrier Wasp (CV-7), heavy cruisers Wichita (CA-45) and Tuscaloosa (CA-37), and eight destroyers, sails from Portland, Maine, for Scapa Flow, to reinforce the British Home Fleet (see 27 March).

            Commander Eastern Sea Frontier is given operational control of certain USAAF units for antisubmarine patrol duty in the Atlantic. Unity of command over Navy and USAAF units operating over water to protect shipping and conduct antisubmarine warfare is thus vested in the Navy.

            Antisubmarine vessel Atik (AK-101) is torpedoed and sunk with all hands by German submarine U-123 in the North Atlantic, 36°00'N, 70°00'W, after the "Q-ship's" gunfire damages the U-boat in a spirited encounter. Atik is the only U.S. Navy warship disguised as a merchantman that is lost to enemy action during World War II. Sistership Asterion (AK-100) will conduct a fruitless search for survivors (see 30 March).

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Dixie Arrow, bound for Paulsboro, New Jersey, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-71 about 12 miles off the Diamond Shoals Lighted Buoy, off the coast of North Carolina, 34°59'N, 75°33'W. The ship breaks in half and sinks. Destroyer Tarbell (DD-142), directed to the scene by a Coast Guard plane, rescues 22survivors; 11 merchant sailors either drown or burn to death, however, as the torpedo explosions set the ship's cargo of 86,136 barrels of crude oil afire.

            Panamanian freighter Equipoise is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-160 at 36°36'N, 74°45'W (see 27March).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—3 B‑17’s of 435th Reconnaissance Squadron, 19th Bomb Group, evacuate Philippine President Quezon and his family to Australia.

US ARMY

CELEBES—Japanese carrier force leaves Kendari for Indian Ocean.

BURMA—Continuing pressure against Chinese in Toungoo, Japanese seize the town as far as Railroad line. Chinese 22d Division, which has previously been ordered to Pyinmana-Yedashe area, N of Toungoo, to counterattack in support of Chinese 200th Division, arrives in position but fails to take the offensive.

US MARINE CORPS

Admiral King relieves Admiral Stark as Chief of Naval Operations.

Wednesday, 25 March 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Dutch tanker Ocana is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-552 at 42°36'N, 64°25'W; destroyer Mayo (DD-422) rescues four survivors.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Maj Cecil P Lessig becomes first Eighth AF pilot to fly a mission over France in World War II. Flying a Spitfire with RAF 64 Squadron, Lessig participates in a 36-aircraft fighter sweep that is recalled when 50 fighters challenge them.

US ARMY

SOCIETY ISLANDS—162d Infantry, U.S. 41st Division, arrives at Bora Bora.

BURMA—Chinese 200th Division is virtually besieged in Toungoo. Elements of T-55th Division arrive N of the town but do not attack. Burma I Corps is ordered to concentrate in Prome-Allanmyo area.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 24 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese naval planes (12th Kokutai) begin daily bombings of Corregidor.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Pacific Theater is established as an area of U.S. responsibility by Combined Chiefs of Staff.

LUZON—Japanese begin intense air and artillery bombardment of Bataan. Luzon-based Japanese Army and Navy planes begin thorough bombardment of Corregidor, continuing through end of March. During this period night air attacks are conducted for the first time.

BURMA—In surprise attack on Kyungon airfield, N of Toungoo, Japanese rout defenders (troops of Chinese 200th Division and rear elements of Burma 1st Division) and cut rail line and road, thus partially surrounding Toungoo. Chinese fall back on Toungoo, while Burmese succeed in withdrawing to Irrawaddy front.

US MARINE CORPS

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