Tuesday, 5 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese troops (61st Infantry Regiment, and supporting units) land on Corregidor, initially opposed by the 1^st Battalion, 4th Marines. Submarine rescue vessel Pigeon (ASR-6) is bombed and sunk, 14°23'N, 120°36'E; tug Genesee (AT-55) and harbor tug Vaga (YT-116) are scuttled off Corregidor, 14°25'N, 120°30'E.

            Japanese Imperial General Staff orders the Combined Fleet to assist in Army operations against Midway and the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.

            U.S. freighter John Adams is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-21 85 miles from Amadee lighthouse, Nouméa, New Caledonia, 23°11'S, 165°08'E; five of the 11 man Armed Guard drown when the ship is abandoned (see 9 May).

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Afoundria is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-108 about eight miles north of LeMale Light, Haiti, 20°00'N, 73°30'W. There are no casualties among the 38 man crew and eight passengers (see 6 May).

            U.S. tanker Java Arrow is torpedoed by German submarine U-333 at 27°30'N, 80°08'W, and abandoned, with the 39 survivors of the 41 man merchant complement, together with the six man Armed Guard, taking to two lifeboats. Submarine chaser PC-483 and a Coast Guard boat rescue the men. The ship is later reboarded and believed reparable. Subsequently, civilian tugs Ontario and Bafshe tow Java Arrow to Port Everglades, Florida.

            Twelve survivors of U.S. freighter Eastern Sword, torpedoed by German submarine U-162 the previous day, reach Georgetown, British Guiana (see 6 May).

            Navy PBYs rescue the ten survivors of U.S. tanker Joseph M. Cudahy, attacked by German submarine U-507 the day before (see 6 May).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—General Spaatz assumes command at Bolling Field.

TENTH AF—On a raid against Mingaladon airfield during 4/5 May, 4 B‑17’s bomb a hangar and parked aircraft. The crews claim 40 airplanes destroyed but searchlights make accurate observation impossible.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Lt General Carl Spaatz is appointed commander of Eighth Air Force, replacing General Duncan.

CORAL SEA—Yorktown rejoins Lexington and the combined naval force (the 2 carriers plus 7 CA’s, 1 CL, 13 DD’s, an oiler, and a seaplane tender) moves NW searching for enemy.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—After final day of intense bombardment, Japanese invade Corregidor, landing at North Pt during night 5–6. On Mindanao, Filipinos continue to organize defense line.

JAPAN—Imperial General Headquarters directs Combined Fleet to assist Army invasion of Midway and the Aleutians.

BURMA—General Stilwell, withdrawing toward Myitkyina, learns at Indaw that railway is blocked and enemy are in Bhamo, so decides to take his party W instead to India.

US MARINE CORPS

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