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

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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

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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

—

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

—

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

—

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

—

Friday, 12 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—USAAF B-17s and B-24s raid Kiska, damaging Japanese destroyer Hibiki.

            Submarine Plunger (SS-179) is damaged when emergency identification flare explodes as she makes signal to friendly aircraft; she suffers no serious injuries and remains on patrol.

            Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Burma Maru northwest of Pulo Wai, in the Gulf of Siam, 10°08'N, 102°34'E.

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-701 mines the waters off Cape Henry, Virginia.

GULF OF MEXICO—U.S. tanker Cities Service Toledo, bound for Portland, Maine, with a cargo of 84,000 barrels of crude oil, is torpedoed by German submarine U-158, 20 miles east of Trinity Shoals Gas Buoy, 29°02'N, 91°59'W, and explodes; 11 of the 36 man merchant complement perish in the inferno, as do four of the nine man Armed Guard. Norwegian tanker Belinda, U.S. tanker Gulf King, and steamship San Antonio rescue the 30 survivors from among the merchant seamen and bluejackets.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. steamship Sixaola is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-159 off the coast of Panama, 09°54'N,81°25'W. Of the 87 man crew, 29 perish in the attack. The 58 surviving crewmen, together with the 6 man Armed Guard and the 108 passengers, take to five boats and six rafts. U.S. steamship Carolinian rescues 32 survivors and transfers them to motor torpedo boat tender Niagara (PG-52); Niagara herself rescues 75 more. Army tug Shasta picks up 23 (see 16 June).

            Gunboat Erie (PG-50), at 10°12'N, 80°14'30"W, rescues master and 45 other survivors of British steamship Fort Good Hope, which had been sunk by German submarine U-159 at 10°19'N, 80°16'W. After salvaging the lifeboats, Erie joins with a patrol plane in prosecuting a submarine contact, ultimately dropping six charges with no result. Later, Erie transfers Fort Good Hope's survivors and their boats to submarine chaser PC-209.

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation HARPOON: convoy WS 19Z (Force X) transits the Straits of Gibraltar. The ships are soon detected by German reconnaissance aircraft. Escort (Acting Captain Cecil C. Hardy, RN) for the five freighters (two of the five, U.S. motorship Chant and Dutch Tanimbar have Navy Armed Guard crews on board) and one tanker is provided by antiaircraft cruiser HMS Cairo (flag), nine destroyers (eight British and one Polish), four minesweepers and six motor gunboats; a covering force (Force W), formed around British battleship HMS Malaya, aircraft carriers HMS Argus and HMS Eagle, light cruisers HMS Kenya (flagship for Vice Admiral Alban T.B. Curteis, RN), HMS Charbydis and HMS Liverpool, and eight British destroyers. A second convoy MW 11 (Operation VIGOROUS) sets out from Alexandria and Port Said, Egypt, and Haifa (see 13 June).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Another contingent of personnel for HQ and subordinate commands arrive in UK.

HALPRO—13 B‑24’s of det under command of Col Harry A Halverson en route from US to China take off during 11/12 Jun from Fayid to bomb oilfields at Ploesti. Only 12 attack at dawn. 4 of the 13 land at base in Iraq which was designated for recovery of the flight, 3 land at other Iraq fields, 2 land in Syria, and 4 are interned in Turkey. Though damage to target is negligible, the raid is significant because it is the first AAF—combat mission in EAME Theater in World War II, and the first strike at a target which later will be famous.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb building area and Vunakanau and Lakunai airfields at Rabaul.

ELEVENTH AF—6 B‑17’s and 1 B‑24 bomb shipping in Kiska Harbor. A cruiser is heavily damaged and one destroyer is seen burning.

US ARMY

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—GHQ authorizes construction of air bases at head of Milne Bay, New Guinea.

RUMANIA—U.S. air combat from Africa begins with attack on Ploesti oil fields at dawn. Heavy bomber TF (coded HALPRO), under Col Harry A. Halverson and temporarily based in Egypt, makes the attack. On return trip, several of the B–24’s are forced to land in Turkey and crews are interned.

LIBYA—Indecisive tank battles occur in vicinity of El Adem and Knightsbridge.

US MARINE CORPS

—

 

Thursday, 11 June 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-87 mines the waters off Boston; U-373 the waters off Delaware Bay (see 24 June).

            Unarmed U.S. tanker F.W. Abrams, en route to New York from Aruba, blunders into minefield off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and fouls two mines, at 34°55'N, 75°50'W. Her 36 man crew abandons ship and reaches shore near Morehead City, North Carolina. Salvage tug Relief attempts salvage (see 15 June).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ELEVENTH AF—The Eleventh strikes at Kiska for the first time. 5 B‑24’s and 5 B‑17’s from Cold Bay load bombs at Umnak and hit Kiska harbor installations and shipping targets. Low-altitude runs score near misses on 2 cruisers and a destroyer. AA downs a B‑24. The other B‑24’s are pursued by 4 fighters back to Umnak where US fighters drive them off. Navy airplanes discover Japanese landing at Attu.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Aircraft and crews of 97th Bomb Group, deployed temporarily to W coast, are ordered back to New England for movement to UK.

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS—U.S. and Great Britain make simultaneous announcements of mutual-aid agreement with Soviet Union. The agreement permits USSR to repay lend-lease debts in kind rather than in cash.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—Upon discovering enemy on Kiska, Allied aircraft begin series of long-range, small-scale attacks on the island, striking as often as the difficult weather conditions permit, in an effort to weaken enemy by attrition. Attu is beyond range of aircraft.

CHINA—Advance Section 3, under SOS, is activated in China.

LIBYA—Exploiting capture of Bir Hacheim, Axis forces surge northward toward El Adem, which protects south approach to Tobruk.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 10 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Carrier Saratoga (CV-3) in TF 11 (Rear Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch) makes rendezvous with TF 16 and transfers planes to bring carriers Enterprise (CV-6) and Hornet (CV-8) up to strength.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Hagan, en route to Havana, Cuba, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-157 at 22°00'N,77°30'W. Six of the 35 man merchant complement perish in the attack, but all nine Armed Guard sailors survive. The survivors reach the Cuban coast by lifeboat the following day.

CARIBBEAN—Unarmed U.S. freighter American, en route to New Orleans, Louisiana, is torpedoed by German submarine U-157 at 17°58'N, 84°28'W. Three of the 41 man crew perish in the initial explosion. Steamship Kent rescues the 38 survivors, one of whom dies of his wounds, and transports them to Cristobal, C.Z.

            British motor vessel Ardenvour is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-68; among the souls on board are the13 merchant seamen and four Armed Guard sailors who have already survived the loss of their ship, U.S. freighter Velma Lykes on 4 June. They survive the loss of a second ship less than a week after the first.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Main part of ground echelon, including ground echelons of 97th Bomb, 1st and 31st Fighter, 60th Transport, and 5th Air Depot Groups, and service units arrive in UK aboard Queen Elizabeth.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb aircraft and buildings at Rabaul.

ELEVENTH AF—Local patrol is flown at Umnak.

US ARMY

CHINA—Chinese withdraw from Chuhsien, Chekiang Province, after 4 days of hard fighting.

LIBYA—General Ritchie orders evacuation of the isolated Bir Hacheim position and Free French 1st Brigade, assisted by 7th Armored Division, withdraws during night 10–11.

USSR—German Army Group South continues assault on Sevastopol in the Crimea, making slow progress against Red Army strongpoints; opens limited offensive NE of Kharkov to improve positions.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 9 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Trout (SS-202) picks up two survivors from sunken Japanese heavy cruiser Mikuma.

            Naval Operating Base, Kodiak, Alaska, is established.

            Lieutenant Commander Lyndon B. Johnson, USNR, in the South Pacific theater on a congressional inspection tour, accompanies USAAF bombing mission, scheduled to attack Japanese installations at Lae, New Guinea. Johnson is to go along as a passenger in a B-26 (19th Squadron, 22d Bomb Group). Engine trouble, however, compels the pilot of Johnson's Marauder ("Heckling Hare") to abort the mission; the plane never sees combat. Inexplicably, however, Johnson receives Silver Star for "gallantry." He goes on to become the 36th President of the United States.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. freighter Merrimack is sunk by German submarine U-107 about 60 miles north of Cozumel Island, off the Honduran coast, 19°47'N, 85°55'W. Of the 51 men on board at the time of the attack (9 of whom comprise the Armed Guard), only 10 (including one Navy man) survive (see 15 June).

            British destroyer HMS Churchill scuttles damaged U.S. tanker Franklin K. Lane, torpedoed by German submarine U-502 the previous day, as a menace to navigation.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Second contingent of personnel for HQ Eighth AF and subordinate commands, including main body of VIII AF Service Command, arrives in UK.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s, B‑25’s, and B‑26’s attack Lae and Salamaua.

SEVENTH AF—General Davidson, CG VII Fighter Command, also becomes CG Seventh AF following loss of General Tinker (see 7 Jun 42).

ELEVENTH AF—Patrols are flown but encounter no aircraft.

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS—U.S. and Great Britain agree to pool food and production resources.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Japanese conquest of the Philippines is completed, although small, isolated detachments continue to hold out. Combined U.S. and Filipino force of 140,000 is now eliminated as a fighting force. USFIP ceases to exist.

LIBYA—Free French continue to hold out at Bir Hacheim against furious ground and air attacks. Efforts to relieve them are unsuccessful.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 8 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Tug Vireo (AT-144) is damaged by grounding, Midway.

            British armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara embarks survivors from damaged U.S. freighter George Cylmer; attempts to scuttle the freighter prove futile and Alcantara must leave on 12 June with the American ship still stubbornly afloat.

ATLANTIC—Brazilian tanker Santa Maria rescues the two sailors from U.S. tanker M.F. Elliott that had been held briefly as prisoners of war when their ship had been sunk by German submarine U-502 on 3 June.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. tanker Franklin K. Lane, en route to Aruba, N.W.I., in convoy TA 5, is torpedoed by German submarine U-502 approximately 35 miles northeast of Cape Blanco, 11°22'N, 69°38'W. Four crewmen perish in the attack; 31 merchant seamen and the six man Armed Guard survive to be rescued by British destroyer HMS Churchill [ex-U.S. destroyer Herndon (DD-198)] (see 9 June).

            Coast Guard cutter Nemesis (WPC-111) rescues the 27 survivors of U.S. freighter Suwied, sunk by German submarine U-107 on 7 June.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS US ARMY—ETO established by presidential directive. General Chaney is designated commander of all US forces of ETOUSA.

ELEVENTH AF—1 LB-30 flies armed patrol over Kiska and Umnak and discovers Japanese naval units in Kiska Harbor.

US ARMY

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—As a result of the successful Midway action, General MacArthur proposes to General Marshall that a limited offensive to regain positions in Bismarck Archipelago be undertaken.

NEW GUINEA—Small party of Americans and Australians flies from Port Moresby to reconnoiter Milne Bay area for air base site. Such a base would strengthen defenses of Port Moresby.

LIBYA—Indecisive fighting continues in vicinity of Knightsbridge and Bir Hacheim. Free French, stubbornly defending Bir Hacheim, are forced to yield some ground; their supply situation is critical.

UNITED KINGDOM—European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army (ETOUSA) is established under command of General Chaney, superseding U.S. Army Forces in British Isles (USAFBI).

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 7 June 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Command of naval forces is reallocated: Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, Sea Frontiers, and Special Task Forces are placed directly under Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations; Naval Local Defense Forces, Naval Transportation Service, Special Duty Ships, and Naval District Craft are made responsible to Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

PACIFIC—Submarine tender Fulton (AS-11), sent out from Pearl Harbor for the purpose, takes on board 2,015 Yorktown (CV-5) survivors at sea; light minelayer Breese (DM-18) embarks 84; destroyer Allen (DD-66) 94.

            Carrier Yorktown (CV-5) sinks as the result of heavy damage incurred on 4 and 6 June, 30°36'N, 176°34'W.

            Submarine Grouper (SS-214) is bombed (but not damaged) by USAAF B-17s.

            Japanese Kiska Occupation Force (Captain Ono Takeji) occupies Kiska, Aleutians, without opposition.

            U.S. freighter Coast Trader is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-26 about 35 miles southwest of Cape Flattery, Washington, 48°19'N, 125°40'W. Coast Guard plane (V-206) guides Canadian corvette HMCS Edmundston to the scene; Edmundston and fishing boat Virginia I rescue survivors, who include the 37 man crew and 19 man Armed Guard. One crewman dies of exposure before the survivors can be picked up.

            Damaged U.S. freighter George Cylmer, torpedoed the day before, is reboarded by her crew (see 8 June).  

ATLANTIC—Small seaplane tender Gannet (AVP-8) is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-652 off Bermuda, 35°50'N,65°38'W.

            U.S. tanker Esso Montpelier rescues the six survivors from freighter Illinois, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-172 on 1 June.

CARIBBEAN—Unarmed U.S. freighter Edith is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-159, 14°33'N, 74°35'W. Two crewmen perish in the attack, the remainder (29 men) gather on board one lifeboat and two rafts. U-159 conducts a brief interrogation of the survivors, provide them with directions to the nearest land, and gather floating supplies before departing. Within a week's time, Edith's survivors reach Black River, Jamaica.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Suwied is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-107 southeast of the Yucatan Channel,20°00'N, 84°48'W; 26 of the 32 man crew, and the ship's one passenger, survive the sinking (see 8 June).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

SEVENTH AF—General Tinker, CG, is lost during 6/7 Jun while leading flight of LB-30’s from Midway for predawn attack on Wake Island.

ELEVENTH AF—Japanese troops invade Attu. More troops are put ashore on Kiska. An enemy airplane is sighted over Cold Bay but cannot be intercepted.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Brigadier General Howard C. Davison replaces Maj General Clarence L. Tinker, who was lost in Battle of Midway, as commander of Seventh Air Force.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—Japanese invade western Aleutians, landing some 1,800 men on Attu and Kiska.

CHINA—Continuing drive in Chekiang Province, Japanese seize Chuhsien airfield and attack city itself.

USSR—After 5 days of heavy air and artillery preparation, German Army Group South renews ground assault to clear the Crimea in preparation for main offensive on the rich Caucasus, moving against Sevastopol fortress. Local actions to improve positions in other sectors continue.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 6 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Battle of Midway concludes as planes from carriers Enterprise (CV-6) and Hornet (CV-8) attack retiring Japanese force. SBDs bomb and sink heavy cruiser Mikuma (30°00'N, 173°00'E); near-misses damage destroyers Asashio and Arashio. At Admiral Spruance's expressed orders (because of the destruction of three torpedo squadrons on 4 June), TBDs (VT 6) that accompany the strike do not attack because of the antiaircraft fire from the Japanese ships. After recovering planes, TF 16 changes course to eastward to refuel and breaks contact with the enemy.

            Meanwhile, Japanese submarine I-168 interrupts salvage operations on Yorktown (CV-5), which is under tow of the tug (ex-minesweeper) Vireo (AT-144) and screened by destroyers, torpedoing Yorktown and torpedoing and sinking destroyer Hammann (DD-412) while she lies alongside the carrier (30°36'N, 176°34'W). Screening destroyers depth-charge I-168, but the Japanese boat, although damaged, escapes destruction.

            The Battle of Midway, one of the most decisive battles in naval history, marks the turning point of the Pacific War. In the wake of the battle, efforts to locate downed aviators persist over the ensuing days.

            U.S. freighter George Cylmer, disabled by a broken main shaft and drifting, is torpedoed by German motor torpedo boat Esan, launched from auxiliary cruiser Michel (Schiffe 28) at 14°28'S, 18°37'W; one crewman perishes below. George Cylmer is abandoned (see 7 and 8 June).

INDIAN OCEAN—U.S. freighter Melvin H. Baker is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-10 approximately 45 miles off the coast of Mozambique, 21°44'S, 36°38'W; all hands abandon ship. British steamship Twickenham rescues the 48 men: 34merchant seamen, 6 man Armed Guard, and the eight passengers (six of whom had been survivors of U.S. freighter Bienville, sunk on 6 April).

ATLANTIC—Panamanian tanker Stanvac Calcutta battles German auxiliary cruiser Stier (Schiffe 23) about 500 miles off the coast of Brazil. Two of the nine man Armed Guard are wounded by shrapnel during the action; Stier rescues the survivors, ultimately transferring 26 merchant seamen and 9 Armed Guard sailors to Japanese custody. One man is sent to prison camp in Germany.

CARIBBEAN—British motor vessel Ardenvour rescues 17 survivors (13 merchant seamen and four Armed Guard sailors) from U.S. freighter Velma Lykes, sunk by German submarine U-158 on 4 June (see 10 June).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

SEVENTH AF—B‑17’s maintain search out of Midway. 6 of the Heavy Bombers mistakenly attack US submarine, which later reports no damage. More B‑17’s arrive on Midway from Oahu.

ELEVENTH AF—Various bomber search-attack missions are flown in an attempt to contact the fleet reported near Seguam Island. No contact is made due to weather. 8 P‑38’s en route from Cold Bay to Umnak mistakenly attack a USSR freighter. Japanese begin to land on Kiska.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Aircraft and pilots of 1st Pursuit Group at Morris Field return to Dow Field, following defeat of Japanese fleet in Battle of Midway.

US ARMY

MIDWAY—USS Yorktown, still under tow, is hit by torpedoes from Japanese submarine as is USS Hammann (DD), which is alongside; both vessels sink. Despite these U.S. losses, Battle of Midway is a severe setback to the Japanese and costs them the initiative.

LIBYA—Heavy, indecisive fighting occurs as enemy begins concentrating armor in Knightsbridge area, threatening Tobruk, and at the same time intensifies action against the Bir Hacheim strongpoint.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese are decisively defeated in main Battle of Midway.

Thursday, 4 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Battle of Midway opens as PBYs attack Occupation Force northwest of Midway; one PBY (VP 24) torpedoes fleet tanker Akebono Maru.

            Carrier bombers and attack planes, supported by fighters, from Japanese carriers Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu bomb Midway Island installations. Although defending USMC F2As and F4Fs (VMF 221) suffer disastrous losses, damage to facilities on Midway is comparatively slight. Motor torpedo boat PT-25 is damaged by strafing, Midway lagoon.

            Japanese carrier fighters and antiaircraft fire annihilates the USMC SBDs and SB2Us (VMSB 241), Navy TBFs (VT 8 detachment), and USAAF torpedo-carrying B-26s sent out to attack the Japanese carriers. USAAF B-17s likewise bomb the Japanese carrier force without success.

            TBDs (VT 8, VT 6, VT 3) from American carrier striking force (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, officer in tactical command) from Hornet (CV-8), Enterprise (CV-6), and Yorktown (CV-5) attack the enemy carriers. Although mauled by the defending combat air patrol (only VT 3 has fighter cover) and antiaircraft fire, they draw off the former and leave the skies open for SBDs from Enterprise and Yorktown. SBDs from Enterprise (VB 6, VS 6) bomb and sink carrier Kaga (30°20'N, 179°17'W) and bomb Akagi (Vice Admiral Nagumo's flagship); SBDs from Yorktown (VB 3) bomb and sink carrier Soryu (30°38'N, 179°13'W). Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) torpedoes carrier Kaga but her "fish” do not explode. The one carrier that escapes destruction that morning, Hiryu, launches dive bombers that bomb and temporarily disable Yorktown, forcing Rear Admiral Fletcher to transfer his flag to heavy cruiser Astoria (CA-34) and turn over tactical command to Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance. Before SBDs from Enterprise (VS 6, joined by VB 3 which is unable to operate from the immobilized Yorktown) can inflict mortal damage upon Hiryu, though, the Japanese carrier launches torpedo planes that stop Yorktown a second time and force her abandonment. Ultimately, destruction of his carrier force compels Admiral Yamamoto to abandon Midway invasion plans, and the Japanese Fleet retires westward. Japanese destroyers rescue U.S. naval aviators: Arashi picks up a TBD pilot (VT 3); Makigumo picks up an SBD crew (VS 6). After interrogation, all three Americans are subsequently murdered. One TBD pilot (VT 8), however, escapes detection and recovery by the enemy. He is rescued subsequently by a PBY.

            British submarine HMS Trusty sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Toyohashi Maru in Strait of Malacca, 07°14'N,98°06'E.

ATLANTIC—Swiss steamship Saentis rescues 18 survivors from U.S. freighter West Notus, attacked by German submarine U-404on 1 June.

            Destroyer Tarbell (DD-142) rescues 30 survivors of U.S. tanker M.F. Elliott, sunk by German submarine U-502 on 3June (see 8 June).

CARIBBEAN—U.S. freighter Velma Lykes is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-158 south of the Yucatan Channel,21°21'N, 86°36'W; the rapidity with which the ship sinks prevents lifeboats from being launched. Of the ship's 28 man merchant complement, 15 perish; the four man Armed Guard survives intact (see 6 and 10 June).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES—Schedule, with tables of composition and strength, indicating total of 3,649 airplanes, is set up for AAF-in UK.

TENTH AF—2 Heavy Bombers bomb Rangoon, but are attacked by 10 fighters. 1 Heavy Bomber is shot down and the other badly damaged. This raid ends 2 months of harassing strikes against Rangoon; soon all Heavy Bombers are grounded by monsoon.

SEVENTH AF—Battle of Midway. 4 B‑26’s, in conjunction with Navy torpedo bombers, attack carrier; 2 of the Medium Bombers are shot down. In further morning action 14 B‑17’s attack a TF approaching Midway at a distance of 145 mi; they claim several hits on carriers and 2 Zeros shot down. In late afternoon 2 B‑17’s attack carrier force at 31-40N 179-10W, claiming hits on a battleship and a carrier and 3 airplanes shot down. 4 other B‑17’s claim a hit on heavy cruiser 185 mi from Midway. 6 B‑17’s, en route to Midway from Hawaii, bomb ships 170 miles from Midway, claiming hits on a burning carrier, the Hiryu, hit earlier in the battle, and a destroyer, which is claimed sunk.

ELEVENTH AF—A carrier-borne force strikes again as 11 bombers, 10 fighters, and 8 torpedo bombers attack Dutch Harbor in several waves. 2 P‑40’s intercept 4 bombers just before noon over Umnak Pass and shoot down 3. During the afternoon P‑40’s intercept 9 fighters. A dogfight claims one enemy aircraft and one P‑40, the Eleventh’s first combat casualty. AA fire claims another Japanese bomber. During the afternoon 2 B‑17’s and 5 B‑26’s attack the carrier force, and 3 more B‑26’s strike the cruiser Takao. No hits are scored. 1 B‑24 and 1 B‑25 fail to return.

US ARMY

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—Japanese planes from carriers again attack Dutch Harbor, Unalaska Island., damaging fuel installations and a station ship. Attempts of PBY’s, B–17’s, and B–26’s to locate and attack the carriers are largely ineffective because of poor visibility, and Japanese retire southward with light losses confined to aircraft. Subsequent efforts to find the enemy TF are futile.

MIDWAY—Japanese are decisively defeated in main Battle of Midway. Enemy carrier planes (about 80 bombers and 50 fighters) strike in force, damaging installations but leaving runways intact. Midway-based planes oppose the attack and take heavy toll of enemy planes, then, together with aircraft from the 3 U.S. carriers in the vicinity, attack enemy shipping. Japanese carriers Kaga, Akagi, and Soryu are hit. Kaga sinks at once; the damaged Soryu later; Japanese scuttle the Akagi. Japanese carrier Hiryu scores damaging hits on USS Yorktown, which is abandoned and taken under tow. The Hiryu is in turn badly damaged by planes from Enterprise and Hornet and is scuttled at dawn of 5th. Plane losses are heavy on both sides.

LIBYA—British Eighth Army opens counterattack with infantry after nightfall in effort to reduce enemy salient in center of line.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese are decisively defeated in main Battle of Midway.