Thursday, 2 July 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Plunger (SS-179), attacking Japanese convoy off the mouth of the Yangtze, sinks army cargo ship No.3 Unyo Maru, 30°44'N, 123°09'E.

           Japanese guard boats No.1 Kaiyo Maru and No.2 Kaiyo Maru are wrecked (cause unknown) off Guadalcanal.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—CCS approve of Arnold-Portal-Towers agreement.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑17’s and B‑24’s bomb Tobruk harbor during 2/3 Jul.

TENTH AF—CATF B‑25’s and P‑40’s hit Hankow dock area for second consecutive day. This raid, more successful than the first, causes considerable damage. The Japanese retaliate during the night by attacking Hengyang but fail to hit the airfield.

ELEVENTH AF—7 B‑24’s and 1 B‑17 fly photo and bombing missions to Attu—which appears deserted—and to Kiska and Agattu. Near misses are scored on a transport and a destroyer at Agattu.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Joint Chiefs of Staff issue directive prescribing occupation of New Britain-New Ireland- New Guinea area. Offensive is to be conducted in 3 phases, during which the following are to be secured and occupied: (1) lower Solomons (Santa Cruz Islands., Tulagi, and adjacent positions) (Task One); (2) rest of Solomons and NE coast of New Guinea (Task Two); (3) Rabaul, New Britain, and adjacent positions in New Guinea-New Ireland area (Task Three). Target date is set as 1 August but subsequently postponed to 7 August. Navy is to command first phase and Army the second and third. Boundary between SWPA and S Pacific is to be altered to place lower Solomons within S Pacific zone.

AUSTRALIA—Australian 7th Brigade is directed to move to Milne Bay, New Guinea.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Chiang Kai-shek names General Stilwell CinC of Chinese Army in India, but Stilwell’s power over the troops is restricted.

MAYOTTE ISLAND—British and E African troops land on island, at N end of Mozambique Channel, and secure it for seaplane base.

EGYPT—British Eighth Army wrests initiative from Rommel as 13 Corps, on S flank, counterattacks northward in rear of enemy. With close air support, 13 Corps maintains pressure on enemy throughout month, gaining some ground and easing pressure against N and central sectors. Enemy makes repeated efforts to break through but is unable to do so; gradually extends positions S and E of 13 Corps to Qattara Depression.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 1 July 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Sturgeon (SS-187) sinks Japanese transport Montevideo Maru about 65 miles west of Cape Bojeador, Luzon, 18°37'N, 119°29'E. Unbeknownst to the submariners, Montevideo Maru is transporting 1,050 Allied POWs to Hainan Island. 

ATLANTIC—Convoy PQ 17 sails from Seidisfjord, Iceland, bound for North Russia. Among the ships in the close covering force that had departed Reykjavik, Iceland, the previous day are U.S. heavy cruisers Wichita (CA-45) and Tuscaloosa (CA-37) and destroyers Wainwright (DD-419) and Rowan (DD-405).

           U.S. freighter Warrior is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-126 just north of Trinidad, 10°54'N, 61°01'W; three of the 42 man crew and four of the 14 man Armed Guard are lost. Survivors are rescued and transported to Trinidad.

GULF OF MEXICO—U.S. freighter Edward Luckenbach blunders into U.S. minefield five miles off Smith Shoal, Florida, light, and strikes two mines, 24°56'N, 81°53'W; one of the 42 man merchant complement perishes in the incident. The ship sinks with the superstructure above water. The 41 merchant seamen and the 12 man Armed Guard reboard the ship the next day, when they are transported to Key West by patrol craft.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—The first B‑17 (assigned to 97th Bomb Group) of the BOLERO air movement via N Atlantic route lands at Prestwick.

MIDDLE EAST—British forces check Axis advance at El Alamein.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb harbor at Tobruk during 1/2 Jul.

TENTH AF—First combat mission of CATF takes place before the formal activation (4 Jul) of the unit. 4 B‑25’s from Hengyang, escorted by P‑40’s, bomb docks at Hankow. Bad weather handicaps the bombardiers, and the effects of the raid are inconsequential.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s bomb Salamaua. Other Medium Bomber and Heavy Bomber strikes abort due to bad weather.

ELEVENTH AF—The XI Provisional Bomber Command comprising the 28th Composite Group and its assigned squadrons is activated. Col William O Eareckson in command. A B‑17 flies weather reconnaissance over Kiska and lands early due to weather.

US ARMY

PACIFIC—TULSA II, a modified version of TULSA I, is drawn up as planning for offensive continues. 2d Marines, reinforced, 2d Marine Division, sails from California in 5 ships escorted by carrier Wasp.

MADAGASCAR—Lt General Sir William Platt, CinC East African Command, takes responsibility for occupied portion of Madagascar.

EGYPT—Enemy forces make their deepest penetration into Egypt with capture of fortified position of Deir el Shein, S of the El ‘Alamein fortress. Indian 18th Brigade Group, which has recently arrived from Iraq, is overrun in this action.

USSR—German Army Group South completes reduction of Sevastopol fortress in the Crimea and, to the N, continues toward the Don.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Tuesday, 30 June 1942

US NAVY

           Naval vessels on hand (all types of ships and craft)--5,612. Personnel: Navy--640,570; Marine Corps--143,528; Coast Guard--58,998. Total personnel--843,096.

PACIFIC—XPBS-1 transporting Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet, and his staff to San Francisco crashes upon landing off Alameda, California. Nimitz suffers scratches and abrasions in the mishap but remains topside on the wreckage to direct rescue operations, refusing to leave that post until the wrecked flying boat has been searched for survivors.

           Coastal minesweeper Hornbill (AMc-13) is sunk in collision with U.S. lumber schooner Esther Johnson in San Francisco Bay, California.

           District patrol craft YP-270 sinks after running aground at Boca Santo Domingo, while en route from San Diego, California, to the Panama Canal Zone, 25°30'N, 112°06'W.

           District patrol craft YP-128 sinks after running aground in heavy weather three miles northeast of Monterey, California.

           Submarine Plunger (SS-179) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship No.5 Unkai Maru off the China coast near approaches to Shanghai, 30°04'N, 122°54'E.

INDIAN OCEAN—U.S. freighter Express, en route from Bombay, India, to Cape Town, South Africa, is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-10 at 23°30'S, 37°30'E; one lifeboat is swamped when the ship is abandoned, and two Armed Guard sailors and 11 merchant seamen are lost (see 6 July).

ATLANTIC—PBM (VP 74) sinks German submarine U-158 in western Atlantic, 32°50'N, 67°28'W.

           U.S. steamship City of Birmingham, en route to Bermuda, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-202 about 250 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 35°04'N, 61°01'W; six of the 113 man crew and two of 263 passengers are lost in the sinking. Escorting high speed minesweeper Stansbury (DMS-8), after depth-charging U-202, rescues 107 merchant seamen (one of whom dies of his injuries), 261 passengers and the 5 man Armed Guard.

           Coastal minesweeper Courier (AMc-72) rescues 30 merchant seamen (four wounded men have perished in the lifeboats) and the nine man Armed Guard from U.S. freighter Sam Houston, sunk by German submarine U-203 on 28 June. One crewman dies of wounds subsequently. Courier transports the survivors to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

           Gunboat Surprise (PG-63) rescues survivors from U.S. freighter Sea Thrush, sunk by German submarine U-505 on 28 June. A second group of survivors reaches St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, on 3 July.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Joint Anglo-American control of Burtonwood air depot begins with view toward subsequent exclusive control by AAF. VIII AF Service Command is designated US agent at Burtonwood.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb Tobruk harbor during 29/30 Jun; first US combat casualties in ME are recorded as 1 B‑ 24 is lost. General Brereton moves his det from Egypt to Palestine, as Rommel advances toward the Suez Canal.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s attack Dili, Koepang and Kendari; B‑25’s and B‑26’s hit Lae in New Guinea.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑17 flies weather reconnaissance over Kiska.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Hq Company of U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area (USAFISPA) is organized at Fort Ord, California.

NEW GUINEA—Australian Kanga Force, guarding Bulolo Valley, conducts its first offensive action, a raid on Salamaua. This is followed a few days later by a raid on Lae.

EGYPT—Upon completing withdrawal to prepared positions at El ‘Alamein, British 30 Corps takes responsibility for N flank and 13 Corps for S flank. 10 Corps staff is withdrawn to command Delta Force, which is to defend Alexandria and the Nile Delta.

USSR—Germans broaden offensive toward the Don in Army Group South sector. While 2d Army and 4th Pz Army continue toward the river at Voronezh, 6th Army begins drive to E in region SE of Belgorod. In the Crimea, battle for Sevastopol is in its final stage. On N front, German Army Group North eliminates last of Soviet pocket W of Volkhov.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Monday, 29 June 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Thomas McKean, en route to Cape Town, South Africa, is torpedoed, shelled and sunk by German submarine U-505 at 22°00'N, 60°00'W. Three Armed Guard sailors are killed in the attack. U-505 provides medical attention to the wounded in the lifeboats before departing (see 4, 12 and 14 July).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

NORTH AFRICA—Rommel’s Afrika Korps takes Matruh.

EIGHTH AF—Capt Charles C Kegelman (CO 15th Bomb Squadron), flying on mission with 12 RAF Bostons against Hazebrouck marshalling yard, becomes first member of Eighth AF to drop bombs on enemy-occupied Europe. First pilot fatality of Eighth AF in ETO is suffered when 1st Lt Alfred W Giacomini of 31st Fighter Group crashes a Spitfire while landing at Atcham.

TENTH AF—Col Robert C Oliver assumes command of X Air Service Command.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s hit airfields at Rabaul and Lae during 28/29 Jun.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Admiral King proposes to Joint Chiefs of Staff that Admiral Ghormley command offensive to seize lower Solomons and that General MacArthur control moves against New Guinea and New Britain. This is a compromise on the question of whether the planned offensive in the Pacific shall be controlled by the Navy or by the Army.

NEW GUINEA—Company E of U.S. 46th Engineers arrives at Milne Bay to begin work on base.

CHINA—Chiang Kai-shek, meeting with General Stilwell, makes 3 demands “essential for the maintenance of the China Theater of War”: 3 U.S. divisions, 500-plane air force in China, monthly transportation by air of 5,000 tons of supplies into China.

EGYPT—Axis forces speed eastward to within 15 miles of El ‘Alamein despite action of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army.

US MARINE CORPS

—

 

Sunday, 28 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) is damaged by depth charges off central Honshu, 34°34'N, 140°13'E.

           Submarine Stingray (SS-186), attacking Japanese convoy, torpedoes and sinks gunboat Saikyo Maru about 190 miles north of Yap, Carolines, 12°41'N, 136°22'E; cargo ship Meiten Maru fires at Stingray's periscope without effect.

           PBYs (VP 14) bomb Japanese base at Tulagi.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Raphael Semmes is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-332 at 29°30'N, 64°30'W; 18 men from the 35 man crew, and one of the two passengers, perish. U-332 remains in the vicinity of the sinking, providing medical assistance and supplies to the survivors before departing (see 16 July).

           U.S. freighter Sam Houston is torpedoed, shelled and sunk by German submarine U-203 at 19°21'N, 62°22'W; three crewmen perish. U-203 briefly embarks the freighter's master for questioning but returns him to a lifeboat before departing (see 30 June).

           U.S. tanker William Rockefeller is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-701 approximately 16 miles northeast of Diamond Shoals, North Carolina, 35°07'N, 75°07'W; escorting Coast Guard cutter CG-470 (which attacks the U-boat without success) rescues all hands: 44 merchant seamen and the six man Armed Guard.

           U.S. freighter Sea Thrush, en route to Cape Town, South Africa, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-505 at 22°40'N, 61°26'W. All hands survive the loss of the ship: 42 man crew, 11 man Armed Guard and 14 passengers (see 30 June).

           U.S. freighter Ruth is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-153 about 100 miles north of Cape Maysi, Cuba,21°44'N, 74°05'W. U-153 rescues one survivor and places him on a raft with three of his shipmates; they are the only survivors from a crew of 34 men. There are no survivors from the four man Armed Guard unit (see 4 July).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS US ARMY—General Eisenhower assumes command of ETOUSA, succeeding General Chaney.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—General Brereton arrives at Cairo where USAFIME issues orders placing him in command of USAMEAF, which is activated immediately. USAMEAF is comprised of Halverson Det (HALPRO), Brereton’ det (9th Bomb Squadron and other personnel which Brereton brought from India), and Air Section of US Military North African Mission. Also activated is Air Service Command, USAMEAF, under General Adler. B‑24’s of HALPRO bomb harbor and shipping at Tobruk.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑17 weather aircraft flies over Kiska. Solid weather front cancels bombing. On this and the following day US advance reconnaissance parties land on Adak from submarines.

US ARMY

MIDDLE EAST—U.S. Army Middle East Air Force is established in Middle East under command of Lt General Lewis H. Brereton. It at first consists of Halverson Detachment (HALPRO) and 9 B–17’s.

EGYPT—Enemy overruns 29th Brigade of Indian 5th Division as it attempts to cover withdrawal of 10 Corps in Fuka area. 10 Corps retires southward to El ‘Alamein.

USSR—Germans launch main summer offensive. On N flank of Army Group South enemy pushes eastward toward the Don from Kursk. Battle for Sevastopol continues, with Soviet forces losing ground steadily.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Saturday, 27 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) torpedoes and sinks Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Musashi Maru east of Nojimazaki, Japan, 34°38'N, 140°08'E.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Polybius is torpedoed by German submarine U-128 at 11°00'N, 57°30'W; ten crewmen perish. U-128's officers briefly question the survivors before the submarine departs. The 34 survivors are rescued over the next three days: by Dutch steamship Dracos on 28 June; an unidentified Allied ship on the 29th, and British steamship Clarona on the 30th.

           U.S. freighter Potlatch is torpedoed by German submarine U-153 at 19°20'N, 53°18'W; six crewmen perish. Of the 39 man crew, 33 survive, as do the 16 Armed Guard sailors. U-153 briefly questions the survivors and provides them with cigarettes before departing (see 29 July).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HALPRO—B‑24’s bomb harbor at Tobruk during 26/27 Jun in effort to disrupt movement of supplies.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s bomb Lae and Salamaua.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—By this date the 8 enemy agents that landed on Long Island and in Florida have been arrested. They have caused no damage. All are subsequently court martialed and six are executed.

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—General MacArthur completes plan, TULSA I, for offensive to secure New Britain-New Ireland- Admiralty Islands. area.

EGYPT—10 and 13 Corps of British Eighth Army are forced to withdraw eastward toward El ‘Alamein when enemy infiltrates between them and partially envelops former in Matruh area.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Friday, 26 June 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Naval Auxiliary Air Station (Lighter-than-Air), San Julian, Cuba, is established.

           Germany announces unrestricted submarine warfare off U.S. Atlantic Coast.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Air echelons of 31st Fighter Group are established at Atcham and High Ercall by this date. These are first combat personnel of VIII Fighter Command to reach UK. 

HALPRO—B-24’s fly a diversion for RAF Albacore attack on 2 merchant vessels at Tobruk.

TENTH AF—General Naiden becomes CG Tenth AF, succeeding General Brereton who departs for ME with General Adler, CG X Air Service Command, and several other key subordinates. Aircraft and crews of 9th Bomb Squadron follow. This move leaves the Tenth AF almost a skeleton.

SEVENTH AF—3 LB-30’s bomb installations on Wake Island. The raid takes place during 26/27 Jun and is staged through Midway.

ELEVENTH AF—5 B‑24’s drop incendiaries and fire bombs on Kiska Harbor installations.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Elements of Maroubra Force (Company B of Australian 39th Battalion) are ordered to Kokoda.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—General Brereton leaves for Middle East and is succeeded as commander of U.S. Tenth Air Force by Brigadier General Earl L. Naiden.

EGYPT—Enemy armor breaches mine field of British Eighth Army S of Matruh.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Thursday, 25 June 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill conclude conference in Washington; decision is reached for combined U.S.-British research and development of the atomic bomb.

PACIFIC—Carrier Saratoga (CV-3) ferries 25 USAAF P-40s (73d Fighter Squadron) to Midway to provide fighter defense for the atoll, after the heavy losses suffered by VMF 221 during the Battle of Midway on 4 June. Saratoga also brings in 18 SBDs to bring VMSB 241 (also badly battered at Midway) up to strength.

           Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) torpedoes and sinks Japanese destroyer Yamakaze southeast of Yokosuka, Japan,34°34'N, 140°26'E.

           Submarine Grouper (SS-214) damages Japanese oiler No.3 Tonan Maru, 28°46'N, 136°36'E.

           PBYs (VP 71) bomb Japanese base at Tulagi; Rear Admiral John S. McCain (Commander, Aircraft, South Pacific Force) is present in one of the flying boats to observe operations.

EUROPE—U.S. Army establishes European Theater of Operations under Major General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—Arnold-Portal-Towers agreement concerning air forces for BOLERO is approved by JCS.

EIGHTH AF—HQ is established at Bushy Park, a London suburb.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s bomb Salamaua.

SEVENTH AF—General Lynd becomes CG VII Bomber Command.

ELEVENTH AF—A field order bases the 404th Bomb Squadron at Fairbanks, to operate out of Nome, to which 1 squadron of the 54th Fighter Group is also sent. Another squadron of the 54th (P‑39’s) is sent to Ft Richardson. 2 B‑17’s, 4 B‑24’s and 1 LB-30 fly bombing and weather missions over Kiska, bombing N side of the harbor.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Admiral King presents his views on projected offensive to General Marshall.

NEW GUINEA—General Basil M. Morris forms new unit, called Maroubra Force, to hold Kokoda Trail over Owen Stanley Range between Port Moresby and Buna. Maroubra Force consists of Australian 39th Battalion, less one company, of Australian 30th Brigade and a Papuan Battalion of 300. Allied garrison arrives at Milne Bay.

EGYPT-LIBYA—Axis forces continue rapidly toward Matruh despite air attacks. General Auchinleck takes personal command of British Eighth Army, relieving General Ritchie; after reviewing situation, decides to continue withdrawal from Matruh to El ‘Alamein.

US MARINE CORPS

President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill conclude conference in Washinton; decision reached for combined efforts to develop atomic bomb.

Wednesday, 24 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Three PBYs bring out remainder of submarine S-27 (SS-132)'s crew from Constantine Harbor.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed tug John R. Williams, bound for Cape May, New Jersey, is sunk by mine laid by German submarine U-373 on 11 June. Only four men from the 18 man crew survive the sinking at 38°45'N, 74°55'W; they are rescued by district patrol vessel YP-334 and taken to Lewes, Delaware.

           U.S. freighter Manuela is torpedoed by German submarine U-404 at 34°30'N, 75°40'W and abandoned. Three of the 36 man merchant complement perish in the attack. The survivors, 33 merchant seamen and the 6 man Armed Guard, are rescued by British armed trawler HMS Norwich City and Coast Guard cutter CG-483. Manuela sinks the following day while being towed to Morehead City, North Carolina.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS US ARMY—General Eisenhower arrives in UK.

HALPRO—B‑24’s bomb Bengasi harbor during 23/24 Jun.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s hit Vunakanau airfield. Bomb loads include several bundles of incendiaries which cause intense fires.

ELEVENTH AF—Weather cancels bombing. 1 B‑17 flies weather reconnaissance over Kiska. Fighters patrol airfields.

US ARMY

EGYPT-LIBYA—Rommel begins drive into Egypt, pushing rapidly NE and E against ineffective rear guard resistance to vicinity of Sidi Barrani. 10 Corps HQ, which has recently arrived in Egypt from Syria, takes command at Matruh, releasing 30 Corps, which moves E to El ‘Alamein to organize defenses.  10 and 13 Corps constitute mobile elements of British Eighth Army.

USSR—German Army Group South attains its objective in Izyum area, Oskol River line; continues to make progress in battle for Sevastopol.

UNITED KINGDOM—Maj General Dwight D. Eisenhower assumes command of ETOUSA.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Tuesday, 23 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—PBY on routine search spots submarine S-27 (SS-132) crew at Constantine Harbor; 15 men are transported out (see 24 June).

CARIBBEAN—Destroyer Biddle (DD-151), directed to the scene by PBYs, rescues the 36 survivors of U.S. tanker E.J. Sadler, sunk the day before by German submarine U-159.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—General Spaatz is informed that Operation ROUNDUP for invasion of European continent has been put off until Spring 43. This postponement is due to decision to mount Operation TORCH, which will necessitate diversion of large numbers of aircraft earlier slated for Eighth AF in UK.

ELEVENTH AF—Weather cancels bombing mission. A B‑17 flies reconnaissance mission over Kiska. A P‑40 on defensive patrol crashes at Elmendorf.

US ARMY

CHINA BURMA INDIA—General Brereton is ordered to Middle East with all available bombers because of crisis there. Flight of 24 B–17’s intended for China is diverted at Khartoum, Egypt, for the same reason.

MIDDLE EAST—U.S. Military Mission is redesignated Iran–Iraq Service Command under Hq, USAFIME, effective 24 June. Col Shingler, with HQ at Basra, heads the new command.

LIBYA—Enemy continues preparations for drive into Egypt; forward elements are engaged by 7th Armored Division of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, near Sollum.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Monday, 22 June 1942

US NAVY

CARIBBEAN—Unarmed U.S. tanker E.J. Sadler is shelled by German submarine U-159 about 175 miles south of the Windward Passage, 15°36'N, 67°52'W, and abandoned. After the 36 survivors take to their lifeboats, a boarding party from U-159 sinks the tanker with demolition charges (see 23 June).

GULF OF MEXICO—Unarmed U.S. tanker Rawleigh Warner is torpedoed by German submarine U-67 approximately 40 miles south of South Pass, Louisiana, 28°53'N, 89°15'W; ignition of the ship's cargo of 38,909 barrels of gasoline incinerates the ship and her crew. There are no survivors from the 33 merchant seamen who comprise her complement.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑17 weather reconnaissance aircraft flies over Kiska. Fighters fly Air Base patrols. Bombing mission is canceled due to weather.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Japanese submarine shells Fort Stevens military reservation in Oregon at mouth of Columbia River, doing no damage. The shelling is the first foreign attack on a continental military installation since the War of 1812 and the only one of World War II.

War Department orders all units and individuals under General Stilwell’s command assigned under a permanent change of station to American Army Forces in “India, China, and Burma” rather than to Army Group, Washington, D.C. This is the first step in the evolution of a U.S. theater of operations on the Asiatic mainland.

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—Maj General Robert L. Eichelberger is named commander of U.S. I Corps, replacing Maj General Charles F. Thompson. I Corps eventually comes under operational command of General Blarney, Commander Allied Land Forces. General MacArthur authorizes small airfield at Merauke, on S coast of Dutch New Guinea, to protect Port Moresby from the W. Initial force to garrison Milne Bay, New Guinea (2 companies and a machine gun platoon on loan from Australian 14th Brigade at Port Moresby, sails from Port Moresby.

INDIA—First CO of US Army Forces CBI (USAFCBI) SOS Base Section 2 assumes his duties at Calcutta.

EGYPT-LIBYA—British Eighth Army begins withdrawal to Matruh without interference as enemy reorganizes. Small enemy force moves into Bardia. General Auchinleck visits Eighth Army HQ,

USSR—German Army Group South begins limited attack in Izyum area to improve positions E of the Donets; continues battle for Sevastopol. Fall of the last of the northern coastal forts at Sevastopol is announced.

US MARINE CORPS

—

 

Sunday, 21 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—PBY (VP 24) recovers two man crew from Enterprise (CV-6) TBD (VT 6) 360 miles north of Midway. Their plane had to land in the water on 4 June; these are the last survivors of the Battle of Midway to be recovered.

           Submarine S-44 (SS-155) sinks Japanese gunboat Keijo Maru 12 miles west of Gavutu, Solomons, 09°00'S, 160°00'E.

           Japanese submarine I-25 shells Fort Stevens, Oregon.

NORTH RUSSIA—U.S. freighter Alcoa Cadet is mined in Kola Inlet, Murmansk, USSR, and breaks in two. Ships in the vicinity rescue the survivors (33 merchant seamen and 10 passengers).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—Arnold-Portal-Towers agreement is signed. It deals with US air commitments and provides for strong air force for BOLERO.

HALPRO—9 B‑24’s bomb Bengasi harbor after RAF Wellingtons light the target with flares and incendiaries.

ELEVENTH AF—WD authorizes XI AF Service Command—hitherto Provisional Service Command— which is activated at Elmendorf. It is charged with maintaining and supplying all of the Eleventh’s bases. Weather cancels all missions except an armed weather sortie over Kiska. Fighters fly local patrols.

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS—Arnold-Portal- Towers agreement, stemming from London conference of 26 May and subsequent discussions in Washington, is signed. This agreement, which concerns U.S. air commitments and provides strong air force for BOLERO, is approved by U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff on 25 June and by Combined Chiefs of Staff on a July.

LIBYA—Tobruk falls to enemy. General Ritchie decides to withdraw to Matruh, Egypt, and orders 13 Corps to delay enemy while 30 Corps begins organization of the Matruh position.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Saturday, 20 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese submarine I-26 shells Estevan Point, Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

           Submarine S-27 (SS-132) crew reach deserted village at Constantine Harbor and inhabit it until rescue comes (see 23 June).

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter West Ira is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-128 about 120 miles southeast of Barbados,12°04'N, 57°35'W; one man of West Ira's merchant complement of 48 is killed, there are no casualties among the 10 man Armed Guard. Survivors are for the most part rescued between three and five days later; the last survivor comes ashore on 1 July at Barbados.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—General Chaney, CG ETOUSA, is recalled from UK and will be replaced by General Eisenhower.

EIGHTH AF—General Marshall’s letter of instruction to General Eisenhower reveals plan to integrate all US air units in UK into Eighth AF. Broad objective of AAF in ETO is to attain ‘air supremacy over Western Continental Europe’ in preparation for future invasion of the Continent.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb runway at Lae.

SEVENTH AF—General Hale becomes CG Seventh AF, and Col Albert Hegenberger becomes temporary CO VII Bomber Command.

ELEVENTH AF—1 LB-30, 1 B‑17 and 7 B‑24’s take off on a search and bombing mission over Kiska. 3 aircraft abort mission due to weather, 3 bomb through overcast with unobserved results, and 3 others search in vain for B‑24 lost on the preceding day.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill, in a closed session in Washington, decide upon a northwest African campaign.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Maj General Willis H. Hale becomes commander of U.S. Seventh Air Force, although Navy has operational control of the force.

LIBYA—Axis forces, with strong artillery and close air support, open assault on Tobruk and penetrate deeply into the fortress, destroying tanks and artillery of British garrison. General Klopper receives permission to break out but is unable to do so since his transport is cut off in harbor area. 30 Corps sends 7th Armored Division to relief of Tobruk garrison, but it fails to arrive in time to assist.

USSR—Germans reach N shore of Sevastopol harbor and continue assault on last coastal fort in N fortifications.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Friday, 19 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley assumes command of South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force with headquarters at Auckland, New Zealand.

           Submarine S-27 (SS-132) runs aground off St. Makarius Point, Amchitka, Aleutians; all hands reach safety ashore. Crew, provisions, clothing, guns, medical supplies are ferried ashore by rubber boat (see 20 June).

           Japanese water carrier Wayo Maru is damaged by aircraft (nationality unspecified), Rabaul.

           Seaplane tender (destroyer) Ballard (AVD-10), directed to the scene by a PBY (VP 11), rescues 35 survivors (one of whom dies shortly after rescue) from Japanese carrier Hiryu that had been scuttled by destroyers Kazegumo and Yugumo on 5 June. They had been members of the engineering department, left below for dead in the abandonment of the ship.

ATLANTIC—District patrol craft YP-389 is sunk by German submarine U-701 five to six miles northeast of Buoy No.4, Cape Hatteras mine area, North Carolina.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. schooner Cheerio is shelled by German submarine U-161 approximately eight miles southeast of Mona Island, Puerto Rico, 18°02'N, 67°40'W; patrol plane interrupts U-161's attack but not in time to prevent the U-boat from inflicting irreparable damage. All hands (nine men) survive the attack; Coast Guard cutter CG-459 rescues them with the help of a second patrol plane that arrives on the scene.

           Tug Crusader Kingston rescues the last three survivors from a raft from U.S. freighter Norlantic, sunk by German submarine U-69 on 13 May.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY FORCES IN MIDDLE EAST—General Maxwell, formerly head of US Military North African Mission, assumes command of USAFIME.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s pound shipping and Vunakanau airfield at Rabaul.

ELEVENTH AF—B‑24’s taking off to bomb Kiska abort due to fog. 1 of them and 2 of its crew are lost when forced to land in the water. A B‑17 is dispatched to attack a reported submarine but makes no contact.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Admiral Ghormley takes command of South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force.

MIDDLE EAST—USAFIME is activated by order of General Maxwell, with HQ in Cairo, Egypt, replacing U.S. North African Military Mission.

US MARINE CORPS

Vice Admiral Ghormley assumes command of South Pacific Area and South Pacific Forces.

Thursday, 18 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—USAAF B-17s, B-24s, and an LB-30 (11th Air Force) bomb Japanese shipping in Kiska harbor, sinking fleet tanker Nissan Maru, 51°58'N, 177°40'E.

           Japanese cargo ship Tairyu Maru is stranded and wrecked off Gyoji Island, Korea, 34°33'N, 125°53'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Seattle Spirit is torpedoed by German submarine U-124 at 50°23'N, 42°25'W; four merchant seamen perish in the attack. Survivors (33 merchant sailors, the 11 man Armed Guard and seven passengers) are rescued by steamship Perth and Canadian corvette HMCS Agassiz. Agassiz scuttles the irreparably damaged merchantman with gunfire.

           Cuban boats rescue survivors of U.S. freighter Millinocket, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-129 the previous day.

           Naval Air Facility, La Fe, Cuba, is established.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—Churchill arrives in Washington for series of conferences (until 25 Jun) with Roosevelt. Subjects discussed include war production, shipping, help for China, diversion of Germany from Eastern Front, and atomic research.

EIGHTH AF—HQ opens in London with General Spaatz commanding. Air Ministry publishes tentative list of 87 airfields to be made ready for Eighth AF.

ELEVENTH AF—1 LB-30, 3 B‑17’s and 4 B‑24’s make a precision high-altitude attack on Kiska Harbor. A transport is left burning and sinking, another is mauled, and 2 scout planes are possibly shot down. 1 B‑24 crashes at sea; part of its crew is saved.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Prime Minister Churchill arrives for series of Anglo-American conferences with President Roosevelt in Washington.

LIBYA—Axis forces drive to Gambut. This is a blow to the Tobruk garrison, since air support from forward landing grounds in Gambut area is now denied the garrison.

USSR—Germans report reduction, after 12 days of hard fighting, of northern part of Sevastopol fortifications except for one coastal fort.

UNITED KINGDOM—General Spaatz, in London, takes command of U.S. Eighth Air Force.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 17 June 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-202 puts four agents ashore on Ponte Vedra Beach, south of Jacksonville, Florida; fishermen discover the landing. Subsequently, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents capture the Germans.

           U.S. freighter Columbian is attacked by what she believes is a German submarine at 07°18'N, 41°03'W; although the ship is damaged by shell fragments and machine gun fire, Armed Guard gunfire drives off her attacker without further incident. Columbian suffers no casualties among her 42 man merchant complement or 17 man Armed Guard.

           U.S. freighter Millinocket is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-129 off the north coast of Cuba,23°12'N, 79°58'W; nine of 29 merchant seamen perish, as do 2 of the 6 man Armed Guard. U-129's captain briefly questions the survivors and then provides the Americans with a first aid kit for the wounded (see 18 June).

           U.S. collier Santore, in convoy KS 511, strikes mine laid by German submarine U-701 off Virginia Beach, Virginia, 36°52'N, 75°51'W; three merchant seaman are lost. Survivors (34 merchant sailors and the 9 man Armed Guard) are rescued by the Coast Guard.

CARIBBEAN—Survivors (37 merchant seamen and 13 Armed Guard sailors) from U.S. freighter West Hardaway, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-502 on 15 June, reach Margarita Island, Venezuela.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HALPRO—The det is ordered to vicinity of Cairo to report to General Russell L Maxwell, designated CG USAFIME.

SEVENTH AF—P‑40’s of 73d Fighter Squadron aboard the Saratoga are flown off the carrier at Midway to replace Navy airplanes lost in the Battle of Midway. The P‑40’s begin dawn and dusk patrols which continue until the P‑40’s are relieved on 23 Jun 43.

ELEVENTH AF—A Kiska Harbor bombing mission is canceled due to weather as is patrolling mission by Heavy Bombers.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—German submarine lands 4 enemy agents on Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

MIDDLE EAST—Maj General Russell L. Maxwell accepts appointment as head of USAFIME.

LIBYA—Enemy gains control of coastal road to Bardia, completing isolation of Tobruk.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 16 June 1942

US NAVY

CARIBBEAN—Submarine chaser PC-460 rescues 42 survivors from U.S. steamship Sixaola, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-159 off the coast of Panama on 12 June.

           Gunboat Erie (PG-50) and destroyer Tattnall (DD-125), south of St. Andrews Island, rescue survivors of U.S. bulk carrier Lebore, which had been sunk by German submarine U-172 on 14 June. Among those rescued are the 8 Armed Guard sailors from Lebore, and the 49 survivors of the Dutch steamship Crijnssen, which Lebore had rescued on 11 June when U-504 had sunk the Netherlands-flag ship at 18°14'N, 85°11'W.

           Provision storeship Pastores (AF-16) rescues 36 survivors of U.S. freighter Arkansan, sunk by German submarine U-126 the day before.

           U.S. freighter Kahuku, torpedoed by U-126, sinks; six of her 36 man crew as well as three of her 10 man Armed Guard perish in the attack. Lost as well are nine passengers: six of the 46 survivors from U.S. freighter Scottsburg, sunk by U-161 on 15 June and three of the 17 survivors of Panamanian-flag steamer Cold Harbor, sunk by U-502 the same day. Coastal yacht Opal (PYc-8) and district patrol vessel YP-63 rescue the 91 survivors from the three ships.

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation HARPOON: of the six ships in convoy WS 12Z, only two reach Malta; two escorting destroyers are lost, while a light cruiser, three destroyers and a minesweeper suffer varying degrees of damage.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s, B‑25’s, and B‑17’s pound Lae and Salamaua, hitting runways and buildings and starting several fires.

US ARMY

LIBYA—General Auchinleck authorizes General Ritchie to organize the garrison of Tobruk as he wishes. 4 infantry brigades with supporting artillery and tanks are disposed within Tobruk. Rest of British Eighth Army is to act as mobile columns outside the fortress. General Klopper is authorized to withdraw the garrison if necessary. Acroma garrison holds out against enemy tank attacks. Other enemy tank columns drive on Sidi Rezegh and feint toward El Adem. El Adem garrison withdraws after nightfall.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 15 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) sinks Japanese gunboat Nampo Maru off Corregidor, 14°00'N, 120°00'E.

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation HARPOON: convoy WS 19Z (Force X) is attacked by Italian light cruisers Eugenio di Savoia and Raimondo Montecuccoli and five destroyers. In this surface action, British destroyer HMS Bedouin is sunk and HMS Partridge damaged, but the screen for WS 19Z proves impenetrable and the Italians retire. At the same time, however, German JU 87s dive-bomb the convoy, damaging tanker Kentucky (she is later scuttled). U.S. freighter Chant suffers two direct hits, catches fire, and is abandoned, 36°25'N, 11°40'E; Ensign Regis J. Schaefer, USNR, Armed Guard officer, remains on board to supervise the abandonment of the ship, and is among the last men over the side. British minesweeper HMS Rye rescues Chant's survivors: 49 of the 52 man merchant complement, 10 of 11 Armed Guards, and 25 British Navy and Army sailors and soldiers embarked to man the antiaircraft battery. In related operations this day, a mixed formation of seven USAAF B-24s (Halverson Detachment) and 2 RAF Liberators, together with RAF Beauforts, attack Italian fleet; one USAAF B-24 scores a hit on Italian battleship Littorio (see 16 June).

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Borie (DD-215) rescues nine survivors (including the sole Armed Guard sailor to emerge from the ordeal) from U.S. freighter Merrimack at 20°48'N, 85°30'W, that had been sunk on 9 June by U-107. Earlier that same day, merchant ship Argentina had rescued the only other man to survive Merrimack's loss.

           Salvage tug Relief finds tanker F.W. Abrams, mined off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on 11 June, beyond salvage. The wreck is scuttled with demolition charges.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. freighter Tillie Lykes is torpedoed (most likely) by German submarine U-502 approximately 150 miles east-southeast of Punta Herrero, Mexico, 19°00'N, 85°00'W; there are no survivors from the 29 man merchant crew and four man Armed Guard.

           Gunboat Erie (PG-50), off St. Andrews Island, rescues master and 22 survivors of U.S. bulk carrier Lebore, which had been sunk by German submarine U-172 the day before. Erie embarks the merchant sailors at 12°39'N, 81°20'W, and then sinks their lifeboat with gunfire as a menace to navigation.

           U.S. freighter Kahuku rescues 46 survivors (35 merchant seamen and the 11 man Armed Guard) from freighter Scottsburg, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-161 the day before, and 17 from Panamanian steamer Cold Harbor, torpedoed and sunk by U-502 the day before. Later that same day, however, Kahuku is torpedoed by U-126 at 11°54'N, 63°07'W (see 16 June).

           U.S. freighter West Hardaway is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-502 northwest of Trinidad,11°50'N, 62°15'W, and is abandoned by all hands without loss (see 17 June).

           U.S. tanker Robert C. Tuttle, in convoy KN 109, strikes mine laid by German submarine U-701 off Virginia Beach, Virginia, 36°51'20"N, 75°51'15"W; one merchant seaman is blown overboard and lost. Survivors (40 man merchant complement, a 6 man Armed Guard and a Navy signalman) take to lifeboats which are taken in tow by submarine chaser PC-474. U.S. tanker Esso Augusta, also in convoy KN 109, strikes mine laid by German submarine U-701, a half mile south of the Chesapeake Bay entrance lighted whistle buoy, 36°52'N,75°51'30"W; she suffers no casualties among the 44 man merchant complement or the 13 man Armed Guard. Esso Augusta ultimately returns to service.

           Unarmed U.S. freighter Arkansan is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-126 west of Grenada,12°07'N, 62°51'W; four of the ship's 40 man complement are lost (see 16 June).

           U.S. tanker Cherokee, in convoy XB 25, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-87 approximately 59 miles east of Boston, Massachusetts, 42°11'N, 69°25'W; 65 of the 103 man crew, as well as one of the 11 man Armed Guard and 20 of 46 passengers perish in the attack. Freighter Norlago rescues 44 survivors; Coast Guard cutter Escanaba (WPG-77) 39 more.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—General Spaatz, CG, arrives in UK. VIII Bomber Command takes significant step toward development of organization for control of combat operations by establishing 1st Bomb Wing, Provisional, at Brampton Grange.

HALPRO—7 B‑24’s, along with 2 RAF B‑24’s and RAF torpedo-carrying Beauforts, attack Italian fleet E of Malta. The B‑24’s bomb and damage a battleship and a cruiser, while the Beauforts sink a cruiser.

ELEVENTH AF—A bombing mission to Kiska by 3 B‑17’s and 2 B‑24’s is aborted due to weather.

US ARMY

LIBYA—29th Brigade of Indian 5th Division (30 Corps) withstands 3 tank-supported attacks on El Adem with assistance of aircraft. Maj General Klopper, CG of South African 2d Division, is named commander of Tobruk fortress and instructed to defend it at all costs.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 14 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—First echelon of 1st Marine Division (Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift) arrives at Wellington, New Zealand.

            Japanese cargo ship Taizan Maru is stranded and sinks off southwest coast of Korea, 35°00'N, 125°00'E.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. bulk carrier Lebore is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-172 about 200 miles north of Cristobal, Canal Zone, 12°53'N, 80°40'W (see 15-16 June).

            U.S. freighter Scottsburg is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-161 at 11°51'N, 62°56'W; five men are killed in the attack (see 15-16 June).

            Colombian schooners Envoy and Zamora rescue the 53 survivors from U.S. freighter Solon Thurman, sunk by German submarine U-159 on 13 June. One crewman, however, drowns when he falls overboard from schooner Envoy.

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation HARPOON continues as Force X is attacked by Italian planes; Dutch motor vessel Tanimbar is torpedoed by an SM 79 and sunk, but not before the Armed Guard gunners display "great courage and skill” and splash one of the attackers; British light cruiser HMS Liverpool is also torpedoed by another SM 79, and is towed to Gibraltar (see 15 June).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES—Aircraft program for AAF in UK is revised downward from 3,649 to 3,266, and date of anticipated final strength is advanced 1 month to 1 Apr 43.

ELEVENTH AF—4 B‑17’s and 3 B‑24’s bomb shipping in Kiska Harbor from an altitude of 700 ft, lowest altitude yet. 2 cruisers are hit and one scout seaplane is downed. 2 B‑17’s are heavily damaged but return to base. Japanese bomb Nazan Bay, Atka.

US ARMY

NEW ZEALAND—First echelon of U.S. 1st Marine Division (5th Marines) arrives.

LIBYA—General Ritchie orders withdrawal of forward divisions (South African 1st and British 50th) of 13 Corps, since tank losses in El Adem area have left them precariously situated. South African 1st Division withdraws safely to Egyptian frontier, using coastal route. 50th Division retires SE through enemy territory. Enemy turns his attention to Acroma but can make little headway against firm opposition, although favored by superior tank strength.

US MARINE CORPS

First echelon of 1st Marine Division arrives at Wellington, New Zealand,

 

Saturday, 13 June 1942

US NAVY

ARCTIC—U.S. freighter Yaka is damaged by near-misses when German aircraft bomb Allied shipping at Murmansk, USSR. There are no casualties among the 38 merchant seamen or 11 man Armed Guard.

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation HARPOON: convoy WS 19Z (Force X) stands toward Malta, detected by Axis reconnaissance aircraft. Italian torpedo bombers flying from Sardinia fail to make contact, however, and Italian fleet units that sortie from Cagliari put into Palermo, Sicily, when their presence is reported by British submarines (see 14June).

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-584 puts four agents ashore at Amagansett, Long Island, New York. Coast Guard beach patrolman, however, detects the landing and FBI men capture the agents.

            Coast Guard cutter Thetis (WPC-115) sinks German submarine U-157 north of Cuba, 24°13'N, 82°03'W.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. freighter Solon Thurman is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-159 off the Panama Canal Zone,10°45'N, 80°24'W. The 44 merchant seamen and 9 Armed Guards all abandon ship; U-159's officers query the survivors and offer them aid before departing (see 14 June).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s hit airfield at Rabaul.

ELEVENTH AF—An Light Bomber-30 flies weather mission and for the third straight day Kiska Harbor shipping is bombed by 5 B‑ 17’s and 3 B‑24’s. 2 Heavy Bombers turn back. The others bomb partially cloud-obscured targets. No effect observed.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—General Marshall orders establishment of a U.S. Middle East organization, U.S. Army Forces in the Middle East (USAFIME), in order to unify Middle East missions. Iraq and Iran are to come within its geographical sphere. German submarine lands 4 enemy agents on beach at Amagansett, Long Island.

LIBYA—Axis armor decisively defeats armor of British Eighth Army, forcing British from escarpment between El Adem and Knightsbridge. British tank strength is dangerously depleted, and 13 Corps supply line is consequently in danger. Knightsbridge garrison (201st Guards Brigade) is ordered to withdraw to Acroma.

US MARINE CORPS

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