Wednesday, 26 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese land at Milne Bay, New Guinea; USAAF B-17s, B-25s, B-26s, P-40s, along with RAAF Hudsons, attack beaches and transports while Australian troops attack the invaders.

           SBDs (VS 71) from carrier Wasp (CV-7) damage Japanese submarine I-17, Solomons area, 09°25'S, 162°47'E.

           Japanese occupy Ocean Island.

           Submarine Haddock (SS-231) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Teishun Maru off China coast, about 100 miles north-northwest of Keelung, Formosa, 26°27'N, 121°23'E.

           Seaplane tender (destroyer) Williamson (AVD-2) is damaged by explosion of bombs jarred loose from PBY being towed by the ship.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

USSR—Russians make 7 counterattacks NW of Stalingrad.

TENTH AF—B‑25’s, which have moved temporarily from C China to Yunnani, bomb Lashio, an important rail center, highway junction, and air base. Covering P‑40’s strafe numerous targets of opportunity and shoot down at least 2 fighters.

FIFTH AF—P‑40’s, B‑25’s, B‑26’s, and B‑17’s, plus RAAF Hudsons, pound forces in Milne Bay. A large transport is damaged and most of the supplies on the beachheads E of Rabi are destroyed. P‑400’s strafe airfield at Buna.

ELEVENTH AF—Photo mission aborted over Atka due to weather.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, prepares for limited attack to eliminate resistance on W flank of Lunga perimeter.

NEW GUINEA—Planes from Milne Bay and Port Moresby attack Japanese in Milne Bay, destroying most of their supplies on shore and damaging large transport. After nightfall, enemy convoy bringing rest of 1,170-man force from New Ireland arrives safely in Milne Bay. Japanese make another night attack, 26–27, to W, forcing Australian militia back to Gama River line; at dawn of 27th Japanese retire once more to landing point. Meanwhile, Japanese forces in Isurava area renew overland drive on Port Moresby at dawn and force Australians (depleted 39th Battalion, 30th Brigade Hq, 2 companies of 53d Battalion) back steadily by overwhelming pressure. Japanese supply lines, which are becoming overextended, are frequently attacked by air.

INDIA—Training center for Chinese troops is activated at Ramgarh, Bihar Prov, with Col Frederick McCabe as commandant.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 25 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—USAAF B-17s sink Japanese destroyer Mutsuki off Santa Isabel, Solomons, as she stands by the sinking transport Kinryu Maru, damaged by planes from Enterprise (CV-6) north of Guadalcanal, 07°47'N, 160°13'E. USMC SBDs (VMSB 232) from Henderson Field damage light cruiser Jintsu and destroyer Uzuki off Guadalcanal.

                                                       Submarine Growler (SS-215) sinks Japanese gunboat Sen-Yo Maru 20 miles south of Takao, Formosa, 22°33'N,120°10'E, and survives several ensuing depth-chargings.

                                                       Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) sinks Japanese cargo ship Showa Maru off northeast coast of Borneo, 03°55'N,118°59'E.

                                                         Japanese occupy Nauru, Gilberts, and Goodenough Island, off southeast coast of New Guinea.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Units of Provisional Troop Carrier Command, organized in UK on 31 Jul pending arrival of VIII Troop Carrier Command, are transferred to VIII Ground Air Support Command after plans to organize VIII Troop Carrier Command have been abandoned.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑25’s bomb shipping and landing grounds. B‑24’s attack Corinth Canal.

FIFTH AF—Amphibious forces bound for Milne Bay from Buna are stranded on Goodenough Island when P‑40’s from Milne Bay destroy all of their beached barges. P‑40’s also attack a convoy proceeding from New Ireland toward Milne Bay but are hampered by bad weather and fail to halt landings at 3 points E of Rabi during 25/26 Aug. P‑400’s hit airfield and AA positions at Buna.

SOUTH PACIFIC—The invasion force sailing toward Guadalcanal (see 24 Aug) is hit hard by Marine dive bombers 125 mi from the island at 0835. B‑17’s from Espiritu Santo sink the destroyer Mutsuki as it is attempting to sink the damaged transport Kinyru Maru. By noon the force is heading N in retreat. The enemy has lost about 90 aircraft in the battle.

ELEVENTH AF—Photo reconnaissance airplane flies over Kiska, Attu, and Adak, then turns back because of mechanical failure.

US ARMY

BATTLE OF EASTERN SOLOMONS—U.S. carrier forces are unable to locate enemy fleet units, but U.S. Marine and Army land-based bombers attack Japanese transport force continuing toward Guadalcanal and cause it to delay landings and retire northward. Enemy transport and DD are sunk and cruiser is damaged.

NEW GUINEA—Enemy amphibious force bound for Milne Bay from Buna is stranded on Goodenough Island., D’Entrecasteaux Islands., when P–40’s from Milne Bay destroy all 7 of their beached barges. Aircraft from Australia and Milne Bay attack enemy convoy proceeding from New Ireland toward Milne Bay but are hampered by weather conditions and fail to stop it. After shelling beaches, Japanese begin landing, night 25–26, at 3 points E of Rabi, their intended landing site, and push W at once. Elements of Australian 61st Militia Battalion stationed at K. B. Mission, E of Rabi and in path of Japanese advance, engage enemy who retires at dawn of 26th to landing point. Other elements of 61st Battalion are moving from Ahioma to head of Milne Bay at Gili Gili by sea and lose to the enemy 1 of 2 ketches loaded with troops.

MIDDLE EAST—Col Shingler is directed by General Maxwell to take responsibility for construction, maintenance, supply, and administration of installations in new PGSC area, which comprises Iraq, Iran, and parts of Saudi Arabia bordering on Persian Gulf.

US MARINE CORPS

Naval Battle of Eastern Solomons.

Monday, 24 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Battle of the Eastern Solomons occurs as TF 61 (Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher), supported by USMC and USAAF planes from Henderson Field, turns back major Japanese attempt to recapture Guadalcanal and Tulagi. Carrier Enterprise (CV-6) is damaged by dive bomber (08°38'S, 163°30'E) and destroyer Grayson (DD-435) is damaged by strafing and near-miss, but SBDs and TBFs (VB 3, VS 3, VT 8) from Saratoga (CV-3) sink carrier Ryujo (06°10'S, 160°50'E) and damage seaplane carrier Chitose. SBD (VMSB 232) damages light cruiser Jintsu north of Malaita Island, Solomons.

            Submarine Saury (SS-189) torpedoes Japanese army transport Otowasan Maru west of Luzon, 14°15'N, 120°19'E.

            Submarine Guardfish (SS-217) torpedoes and sinks Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Seikai Maru off entrance to Sendai harbor, on northeast coast of Honshu, 38°12'N, 141°30'E.

            Japanese transport Cuba Maru, stranded south of Sakhalin Island, Kurils, sinks, 48°00'N, 142°30'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—12 Heavy Bombers hit the shipyard of Ateliers et Chantiers Maritime de la Seine at Le Trait. General Spaatz reports RAF attitude towards US daylight precision bombing seems to be changing from one of skepticism to one of tentative approval.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s attack Tobruk harbor.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s hit town of Gasmata and airfields at Rabaul. Japanese amphibious forces leave Buna in barges and New Ireland in transports, heading for Milne Bay. Barges are detected by Australian coast-watcher during the afternoon.

SOUTH PACIFIC—In the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, 7 B‑17’s and USN dive and torpedo-bombers from the Enterprise and Saratoga attack a TF covering a transport formation heading for Guadalcanal; Navy airplanes sink the carrier Ryujo. During the night 4 warships shell the airstrip on Guadalcanal.

ELEVENTH AF—404th Bomb Squadron begins to operate from Umnak. Photo reconnaissance sortie is canceled due to overcast.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—XII Fighter Command is assigned to Twelfth AF.

US ARMY

BATTLE OF EASTERN SOLOMONS—American naval TF’s, centering about CV’s Enterprise and Saratoga, intercept Japanese fleet units (3 carriers, 8 BB’s, 4 CA’s, 2 CL’s .and 21 DD’s, plus the 4 transports with reinforcements for Guadalcanal) well E of Guadalcanal. Major air battle ensues (U.S. carrier planes being assisted by a few land-based planes), and Japanese sustain heavy losses before retiring northward. Japanese carrier Ryuju, 1 CL, and 1 DD are sunk, and other vessels are damaged. Japanese lose 90 planes; Americans, 20 planes.

GUADALCANAL—Henderson Field is subjected to almost daily air attacks and Lunga perimeter is bombarded from sea at frequent intervals. Marine fighters intercepting enemy aircraft over Henderson Field shoot down 21 for loss of 3. 11 dive bombers from the Enterprise land on the field and remain for 3 months.

NEW GUINEA—General Horii orders general offensive. Japanese amphibious forces leave for Milne Bay, those from New Ireland in a transports and the force from Buna in 7 large landing barges. Barges are detected by coastwatcher in afternoon.

US MARINE CORPS

Naval Battle of Eastern Solomons.

Sunday, 23 August 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa (CA-37), escorted by destroyers Rodman (DD-456) and Emmons (DD-457) and British destroyer HMS Onslaught, arrives at Murmansk, Russia, and disembarks men and unloads equipment from two RAF Bomber Command squadrons that have been transferred to North Russia. The ships depart the following day to return to the British fleet base at Scapa Flow, Orkneys.

PACIFIC—Japanese light cruiser Yubari, accompanied by four destroyers and supporting ships, shells Nauru Island, Gilberts, in preparation for landings there.

            Destroyer Blue (DD-387), damaged on 22 August, is scuttled by her crew, 09°17'S, 160°02'E.

            Submarine Skipjack damages Japanese oiler Hayatomo southwest of Ambon, N.E.I., 03°52'N, 127°54'E.

            PBY (VP 23) attacks (in daylight!) Japanese heavy cruiser Furutaka, Solomons.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

SIXTH AF—German sub, U-654, is sunk off Panama, 12-00N 79-56W, by aircraft of 45th Bomb Squadron.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—XII AFSC is activated at MacDill Field, under Maj John L Cheesebrough.

FIFTH AF—A lone B‑17 bombs Buka Island.

ELEVENTH AF—Fog cancels photo mission.

US ARMY

USSR—German Army Group B presses in steadily on Stalingrad, spearhead reaching the Volga; Army Group A gains additional ground along E coast of Black Sea and captures Elbrus.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 22 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—First USAAF planes (five P-400s from the 67th Fighter Squadron) arrive at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.

            Destroyer Blue (DD-387) is torpedoed by Japanese destroyer Kawakaze off Guadalcanal (see 23 August).

            Submarine Haddock (SS-231) torpedoes and sinks Japanese transport Tatsuho Maru off China coast, near Foochow,26°07'N, 121°29'E.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Ingraham (DD-444) is sunk in collision with oiler Chemung (AO-30) off Nova Scotia, 42°34'N, 60°05'W; Chemung is damaged; destroyer Buck (DD-420) is damaged in collision with British transport Awatea, 42°34'N,60°05'W.

CARIBBEAN—USAAF plane (45th Bombardment Squadron) sinks German submarine U-654 north of Panama, 12°00'N, 79°56'W.

            Second group of 23 survivors from U.S. freighter West Celina, torpedoed by German submarine U-162 on 18 and 19 August, reaches Manzanillo Bay, Venezuela.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑25’s hit tank and motor repair shop and storage dumps at Matruh. A B‑25 is mistakenly shot down by an RAF Beaufighter.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb airfields at Lae and Rabaul.

SOUTH PACIFIC—First AAF airplanes, 5 P‑400’s of 67th Fighter Squadron, arrive at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, joining Marine aircraft which arrived earlier. These P‑400’s, which operate under control of Marine Aircraft Wing One, prove no match for Japanese Zeros or bombers at high altitudes.

ELEVENTH AF—Photo reconnaissance mission over Kiska is aborted due to overcast.

US ARMY

BRAZIL—Angered by the recent sinking of 5 of her ships by enemy, Brazil declares war on Germany and Italy. United Nations shipping is thus able to make full use of the comparatively short S Atlantic route via Ascension Island.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—After consideration of the relative merits of Tanaga and Adak as an advanced air base from which to attack Kiska, Adak has been chosen. Directive for its occupation on 30 August is issued.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—On Guadalcanal, first U.S. Army planes, 5 P-400’s of 67th Fighter Sq, arrive for duty at Henderson Field, flying there from New Hebrides. Ships bringing supplies are thus afforded greater protection, but shipments remain small. CO and staff of 2d Marines arrive on Tulagi from New Hebrides.

NEW GUINEA—Maj General Cyril A. Clowes takes command of Milne Force, which by this time comprises 9,458 men (7,429 Australians, 1,365 Americans, 664 RAAF). The U.S. component consists largely of engineers and AA personnel. Japanese Maj General Tomitaro Horii leaves for the front to take personal charge of operations. His forces now total over 11,000 men.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 21 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Cuttlefish (SS-171) damages Japanese ammunition ship Nichiro Maru, 31°00'N, 130°00'E.

            Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese collier No.6 Shinsei Maru off Ponape Island, 06°45'N, 158°10'E.

            Motor vessel Lakatoi, commissioned at Nouméa, New Caledonia, on 15 August and manned by a crew made up of survivors of the sunken transport George F. Elliott (AP-13) sinks in storm at 18°55'S, 167°40'E.

CARIBBEAN—One group of 19 survivors from U.S. freighter West Celina, torpedoed by German submarine U-162 on 18 and 19 August, reaches Manzanillo Bay, Venezuela (see 22 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—At General Arnold’s request, General Eisenhower gives General Spaatz additional duties as Air Officer for ETOUSA and head of the air section of its staff, thus assuring active participation by Eighth AF in theater planning. 12 airplanes are dispatched to bomb shipyards at Rotterdam, but mission is aborted due to attack by 25 Me-109’s and FW-190’s. Lack of proper coordination with Spitfire escort is major factor in failure of mission.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s from 2 squadrons hit convoy SW of Crete, claiming 2 ships probably sunk. Fighters attack straggling B‑24 and force it to crash-land at sea.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 trying to fly reconnaissance over Kiska aborts due to weather.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—In predawn attack toward airfield, about 200 Japanese attempt to gain W bank of Ilu River; the few who succeed are killed or driven back by 2d Battalion of 1st Marines. Japanese remaining E of the Ilu are surrounded and destroyed in concerted attacks by 2d and 1st Battalions, 1st Marines. 1st Battalion crosses river upstream and attacks enemy from rear while 2d, with light tank platoon spearheading, attacks at river mouth. Japanese sustain almost 800 casualties;

15 of the enemy are captured; 35 marines are killed and 75 wounded. Lunga garrison, already strengthened by raiders and parachutists, is further increased by 2d Battalion of 5th Marines from Tulagi. Rations and aviation supplies in limited quantities are landed.

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—Operation Plan TULSA II-B is drawn up as planning for offensive continues.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese convoy reaches Basabua and lands reinforcements, completing quota for overland drive on Port Moresby. Australian 18th Brigade reaches Milne Bay, where it joins Australian 7th Brigade, CMF, which reached there in July.

USSR—Elements of German Army Group A, clearing E coast of Black Sea, overrun Krymskaya.

US MARINE CORPS

Marines turn back first major Japanese attack on Guadalcanal in Battle of the Tenaru.

Thursday, 20 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—First USMC planes arrive at Henderson Field: aircraft escort vessel Long Island (AVG-1) ferries 19 F4Fs (VMF 223) and 12 SBDs (VMSB 232) to Guadalcanal. Although Japanese flying boat from the Shortlands sights Long Island, screened by light cruiser Helena (CL-50) and destroyers Aylwin (DD-355) and Dale (DD-353), the U.S. ships prove to be out of range of enemy land-based air and retire from the area without incident.

            Small seaplane tender Mackinac (AVP-13) is damaged when mistakenly bombed by SBDs (VS 71) from carrier Wasp (CV-7) off Ndeni Island.

ATLANTIC—PBY-5A (VP 73) sinks German submarine U-464, North Atlantic Area, 61°25'N, 14°40'W.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Principle of coordinated day and night bombing receive its first formal definition in ‘Joint British/American Directive on Day Bomber Operations involving Fighter Cooperation.’ Emphasis is placed on achieving continuity in bombing offensive from UK. 11 Heavy Bombers attack Longeau marshalling yard at Amiens, a vital point in the traffic flow between France and Germany.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Kiska. Patrol is flown over Shumagin Island.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Twelfth AF is activated at Bolling Field.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Twelfth Air Force is activated at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C.

NEW HEBRIDES—Advanced supply depots are established at Noumea and Espiritu Santo.

GUADALCANAL—First planes (advance echelon of MAG 23, 1st Marine Air Wing) arrive for duty at Henderson Field. The group consists of VMF 223 (19 F4F–4’s) and VMSB 232 (12 SBD–3’s). Supply and evacuation between Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo is begun by MAG 25. 1st Marine Division units along Ilu River exchange fire with enemy moving up from E, beginning in evening.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese order amphibious assault on Milne Bay by about 1,500 men from Kavieng, New Ireland, and from Buna.

USSR—German Army Group B makes slow progress toward Stalingrad against stubborn resistance and gains foothold across the Don in Kletskaya area. In the Caucasus, Soviet rear guards continue strong delaying action.

US MARINE CORPS

First Marine fighter aircraft arrive on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.