Sunday, 5 April 1942

US NAVY

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

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

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

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

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

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

CEYLON—Japanese carrier-based planes attack Colombo.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese occupy Manus lsland, Admiralties.

 

Saturday, 4 April 1942

US NAVY

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

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

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

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

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

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

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

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

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 3 April 1942

US NAVY

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

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

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

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

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

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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

US ARMY

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

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

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

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 2 April 1942

US NAVY

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

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

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

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

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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

US ARMY

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

BURMA—Burma I Corps withdraws from Prome.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 1 April 1942

US NAVY

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

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

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

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

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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

US ARMY

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

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

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

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

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

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese occupy Buka Island, Solomons.

Tuesday, 31 March 1942

US NAVY

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

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

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

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

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

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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

US ARMY

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

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 30 March 1942

US NAVY

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

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

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

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

            Japanese forces occupy Christmas Island.

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

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

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

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

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

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

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

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

US MARINE CORPS

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