Tuesday, 2 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TF 17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher) and TF 16 (Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance) rendezvous about 350 miles northeast of Midway; Rear Admiral Fletcher is officer in tactical command of a force that consists of three carriers, seven heavy cruisers, one light cruiser, 16 destroyers, and two oilers. After fueling, the task force will detach the oilers and prepare for battle. As part of the pre-battle disposition, 25 fleet submarines (Rear Admiral Robert H. English) are deployed around Midway.

INDIAN OCEAN—Japanese merchant cargo ship Kofuku Maru is sunk by mine off Rangoon, Burma.

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-404 sinks U.S. freighter West Notus (which she had shelled the day before) with explosive charge off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (see 3 and 4 June).

            U.S. freighter Domino is machine-gunned by unidentified submarine off Nuevitas, Cuba; the ship suffers no casualties.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter City of Alma is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-159 about 400 miles northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, 23°00'N, 62°30'W; district patrol craft YP-67 rescues the 10 survivors from the 36 man merchant complement.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. merchantman Thomas Nelson rescues nine survivors from U.S. freighter Alcoa Pilgrim, sunk by German submarine U-502 on 27 May.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb dock and military camp area at Rabaul.

SEVENTH AF—6 of 16 B‑17’s that have been on detached service at Midway return to Oahu.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Aircraft and crews of 97th Bomb Group, then in New England for movement to UK, are ordered to W coast as defensive measure again attack on US.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Naval TF’s of Adms Fletcher and Spruance rendezvous 350 miles NE of Midway. The combined force (3 carriers, 7 CA’s, 1 CL, 13 DD’s, and 25 submarines), under command of Admiral Fletcher, moves to point about 200 miles N of Midway. Reconnoitering from the Aleutians, PBY discovers 2 enemy carriers about 400 miles S of Kiska.

USSR—German 11th Army of Army Group South begins 5-day artillery preparation for assault on Sevastopol in the Crimea.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Monday, 1 June 1942

US NAVY

INDIAN OCEAN—Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-10 reconnoiters Diego Suarez.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter West Notus is shelled by German submarine U-404 off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 34°10'N,68°20'W; four of the 35 man merchant complement are killed in the attack. The 36 survivors (31 merchant seamen and the five man Armed Guard) are divided among two lifeboats (see 2, 3, and 4 June).

            U.S. freighter Illinois is torpedoed by German submarine U-172 at 24°00'N, 60°00'W; only six of the 38 man crew survives the loss of the ship (see 7 June).

            Norwegian merchantman Margrethe Bakke rescues the 25 survivors from U.S. freighter Alcoa Shipper, sunk by German submarine U-404 on 30 May.

GULF OF MEXICO—Unarmed U.S. freighter Hampton Roads is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-106 in the Yucatan Channel at 23°00'N, 85°42'W; five men perish. The 23 survivors are rescued by freighter Alcoa Pathfinder.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. freighter Knoxville City is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-158 south of the Yucatan Channel at21°15'N, 83°50'W; two men perish. The survivors (35 merchant seamen, 14 man Armed Guard and four passengers) abandon ship into two lifeboats (see 3 June).

            Destroyer Biddle (DD-151) rescues 15 survivors (including two Armed Guard sailors) of U.S. tanker New Jersey, sunk on 28 May by German submarine U-103.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—5 Heavy Bombers attack Rangoon dock and harbor area, claiming 1 tanker sunk and another left listing.

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

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Fear of attack on W coast causes suspension of movement of aircraft and crews from US to UK.

US ARMY

AUSTRALIA—Japanese midget submarines enter Sydney harbor and sink an Australian boat.

LIBYA—Continuing attack on Sidi Muftah, enemy wipes out 150th Brigade of 50th Division and much of 1st Army Tank Brigade assisting it. Lull ensues as British Eighth Army prepares for general counterattack and enemy strengthens his salient.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Sunday, 31 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese midget submarines from submarines I-22, I-24, and I-27 penetrate the defenses of Sydney, Australia. Their torpedoes near-miss U.S. heavy cruiser Chicago (CA-29) but sink RAN accommodation ship Kuttabul and damage Dutch submarine K IX beyond economical repair. Three Japanese midget submarines are lost in the attack.

            Submarine Pollack (SS-180) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No.5 Shunsei Maru off Murotosan, 31°38'N,133°45'E.

INDIAN OCEAN—Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-10 reconnoiters Diego Suarez.

CARIBBEAN—Submarine Grunion (SS-216) rescues survivors of U.S. Army-chartered freighter Jack, sunk by German submarine U-155 about 100 miles southwest of Port Saluit, Haiti, 17°36'N, 74°42'W. Three of the 9 man Armed Guard are lost.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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

SEVENTH AF—B‑17’s on detached service at Midway begin search operations.

ELEVENTH AF—54th Fighter Squadron (P‑38’s) arrives at Elmendorf.

US ARMY

LIBYA—Axis forces begin assault on Sidi Muftah, detached strongpoint of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, and are engaged by 150th Brigade of 50th Division, to whom armored assistance is rushed. Later, 13 Corps begins preliminary phase of general counterattack but makes little headway.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Saturday, 30 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TF 17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher), formed around carrier Yorktown (CV-5), departs Pearl Harbor to join TF 16 northeast of Midway.

            Submarine Pompano (SS-181) sinks Japanese army transport Atsuta Maru in East China Sea east of Okinawa,26°07'N, 129°06'E, and survives counterattack by her victim's escort.

INDIAN OCEAN—Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-10 reconnoiters Diego Suarez.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Alcoa Shipper, en route to New York from Trinidad, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-404 at 37°49'N, 65°15'W; three men die in the initial explosion. The rapidity with which the ship sinks prevents the crew from launching boats, and four men are lost with the ship. U-404 provides the 25 survivors with rum, cigarettes and (for one ill-clad sailor) a pair of dungarees (see 1 June).

GULF OF MEXICO—Thirty-five survivors of U.S. freighter Alcoa Carrier, sunk by German submarine U-103 on 25 May, are rescued by Cuban gunboat and Navy patrol plane.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—During conferences with Air Chief Marshal Portal, General Arnold presents ‘Programme of Arrival of US Army Air Forces in the United Kingdom’ providing for 66 combat groups, exclusive of observation squadrons, by Mar 43.

TENTH AF—Myitkyina is again hit by Heavy Bombers. Again no activity is observed and the attacks are discontinued.

SEVENTH AF—Seventh AF begins flying B‑17’s from Oahu to Midway in face of expected attack on that island.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Admiral Fletcher’s Yorktown force sails for Midway from Pearl Harbor. Japanese TF (2 transports, 2 carriers, 2 CA’s, 3 DD’s) leaves Japan for Aleutians, where it is to create a diversion for the invasion of Midway and land small forces on W Aleutians. Initial detachment of U.S. troops arrives at New Zealand.

INDIA—Chinese 113th Regiment, rear guard covering withdrawal of 38th Division and 5th Army from Burma, crosses the Chindwin.

LIBYA—Axis forces, in effort to consolidate bridgehead at gaps in mine fields, move W under attack by British Eighth Army and RAF. General Ritchie decides to counterattack on night of 31st, but accedes to request of corps commander to postpone attack 24 hours. 1st Armored Brigade, which has recently arrived in Libya, is used to bring other units up to strength.

GERMANY—RAF opens air offensive against Germany with attack of unprecedented scale against Cologne, night 30–31. Over 1,000 planes participate; more than 2,000 tons of bombs are dropped.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Friday, 29 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Seaplane tender (destroyer) Thornton (AVD-11) arrives at French Frigate Shoals, T.H., to relieve light minelayer Preble (DM-20) on patrol station there. Japanese submarine I-123 arrives the same day to find the Americans already there.

            Seaplane tender (destroyer) Ballard (AVD-10) arrives at Midway along with the eleven motor torpedo boats from Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron One (Lieutenant Clinton McKellar Jr.); the latter are assigned to local defense forces of Midway (Captain Cyril T. Simard).

            PBYs (VP 71) and RAAF Catalinas bomb Japanese base at Tulagi, Solomons.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-21 reconnoiters Sydney, Australia (see 31 May).

            Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Tatsufuku Maru at the southwestern entrance to Balabac Strait, 07°33'N, 116°18'E.

CARIBBEAN—Destroyer Tattnall (DD-125) rescues 26 survivors (including three Armed Guard sailors) of U.S. tanker New Jersey, sunk on 28 May 1942 by German submarine U-103 (see 1 June 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—Molotov, who has been in London since 20 May for talks with Churchill, flies to Washington for conference with Roosevelt and US JCS. These talks, which end 2 Jun, deal mainly with the signing of a 20- yr Anglo-Soviet treaty for collaboration, shipments of material to USSR, and a second front in 1942.

TENTH AF—4 Heavy Bombers hit Myitkyina airfield in high-altitude strike. No activity is seen.

US ARMY

LIBYA—Upon breaching mine fields in center of British Eighth Army’s position, enemy starts passing vehicles through gaps despite British fire. Rommel’s main armored forces, temporarily on the defensive until a supply route can be opened to them, fall back southward under attack by armor of 30 Corps.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Thursday, 28 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese First Fleet, Main Body (Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku in battleship Yamato) allocated to the Midway operation sorties from home waters. The Second Fleet, Escort Force (Rear Admiral Tanaka Raizo), whose composition includes15 transports, sails from Saipan; Second Fleet, Occupation Support force (Rear Admiral Kurita Takeo) sorties from Guam.

            U.S. troops (500 men drawn from the garrison at Efate) arrive at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.

            TF 16 (Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance), formed around carriers Enterprise (CV-6) and Hornet (CV-8), departs Pearl Harbor to take up position northeast of Midway.

            Submarine Salmon (SS-182) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Ganges Maru in the South China Sea about 250miles south-southeast of Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, 09°00'N, 111°00'E.

            Submarine Seal (SS-183) damages Japanese army cargo ship Tatsufuku Maru at western entrance to Balabac Strait,07°27'N, 116°17'E.

NORTH RUSSIA—In the aftermath of German air attacks on convoy PQ 16, U.S. freighter City of Joliet, damaged by near-misses the previous day, is abandoned in Barents Sea, 73°41'N, 21°58'E. All hands (including the 11 man Armed Guard detachment) reach safety on board British tug HMS St. Elstan and Free French corvette Roselys.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. tanker New Jersey is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-103 about 90 miles southwest of Grand Cayman Island, 18°32'N, 82°28'W. There are no casualties among the 36 merchant seamen and five Armed Guard sailors, and all hands abandon ship in two lifeboats (see 29 May and 1 June).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s attack airfield at Lae.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑17 flies the first armed reconnaissance mission from the secretly constructed airfield at Umnak over the Aleutian Chain, but finds no sign of the enemy. XI Fighter Command elements are now deployed at Umnak (P‑40’s, P‑38’s), Cold Bay (P‑40’s), Kodiak (P‑39’s), and Ft Richardson (P‑38’s, RCAF Kittyhawks).

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—2 fighter squadrons (58th and 59th) of 33d Fighter Group begin deployment from E coast for defense of W coast. Some Heavy Bomber units in W are redeployed for better defense against Japanese Navy.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Main body of Japanese naval force under command of Admiral Isoroko Yamamoto leaves Japan for Midway. From Pearl Harbor, Admiral Spruance’s naval force also heads for Midway. U.S. troop detachment (500 from the Efate garrison) arrives at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, where bomber strip is to be built to support invasion of the Solomons.

CHINA—Chinese withdraw from Kinhwa, Chekiang Province, under pressure.

BURMA—Japanese seize Kengtung.

LIBYA—British Eighth Army defeats enemy efforts to break out to coast in rear of Gazala positions in order to gain supply line to forces NE of Bir Hacheim.

USSR—Battle of Kharkov ends as Germans complete reduction of Red Army salient W of the Donets in Kharkov area.

US MARINE CORPS

U. S. forces arrive at Espiritu Sante, New Hebrides.

Wednesday, 27 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese forces begin heading for Midway. Chief among them is First Mobile Force, Carrier Strike Force (Vice Admiral Nagumo Chuichi), which departs home waters on this date.

            Japanese submarine I-19 prepares to launch her small reconnaissance seaplane off the northern side of Bogoslof Island, Aleutians, but sights what she identifies as a U.S. destroyer and submerges hurriedly, irreparably damaging the aircraft.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-25 reconnoiters Kodiak, Alaska.

            Marines and Seabees occupy Wallis Island, South Pacific Ocean.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer tender Prairie (AD-15) and gunboat Spry (PG-64) are damaged by fire, Argentia, Newfoundland.

ARCTIC—German planes attack convoy PQ 16. U.S. freighter Alamar is bombed and sunk approximately 100 miles southeast of Bear Island. British corvette HMS Starwort, tug HMS St. Elstan and submarine HMS Trident rescue all hands (36 merchant seamen and nine Armed Guard sailors); Trident torpedoes and scuttles the irreparably damaged freighter as a hazard to navigation. U.S. freighter Mormacsul is sunk by a direct hit and three near-misses; three of the ship's crew perish in the attack. The survivors (36 merchant seamen and the 9 man Armed Guard) abandon ship and are rescued by HMS Starwort and a British tug. U.S. freighter Alcoa Banner is damaged by near-misses 200 miles southwest of Bear Island; there are no casualties to the 44 man merchant complement or the two Armed Guard sailors. U.S. freighter City of Joliet is damaged by near-misses; her pumps fight a losing battle against inrushing water but there are no casualties among the 37 merchant seamen or the 11 man Armed Guard (see 28 May 1942).

GULF OF MEXICO—British tanker Orina rescues two survivors from U.S. tanker Halo, sunk by German submarine U-506 on 20 May1942.

CARIBBEAN—Unarmed U.S. freighter Alcoa Pilgrim, en route to Mobile, Alabama, from Trinidad, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-502 at 16°28'N, 67°37'W. The rapidity with which the ship sinks prevents the crew from launching boats, and 31 men of the 40 man complement are lost with the ship (see 2 June).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb base at Rabaul.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—54th Fighter Group begins deployment from Louisiana to strengthen defense of W coast.

US ARMY

HAWAII—Admiral Fletcher’s naval force, based on carrier Yorktown, arrives at Pearl Harbor from S Pacific.

MIDWAY—Japanese Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo’s Carrier Striking Force leaves Japan for Midway. Enemy transports depart from Saipan and covering cruisers and DD’s from Guam for same objective.

NEW CALEDONIA—Americal Division, its name a contraction of words “America” and “New Caledonia,” is activated under General Patch.

INDIA—USAFCBI SOS Base Section Island is activated at Karachi; Base Section 2 (Calcutta) is authorized.

LIBYA—Axis forces open offensive against Gazala- Bir Hacheim line of British Eighth Army at dawn, making main effort on S and staging demonstration on N. In 30 Corps sector, FF 1st Brigade Group holds detached strongpoint at Bir Hacheim against attack. German armored columns disposed SE of this village sweep northward toward El Adem and Acroma and are opposed by Indian 3d Motor Brigade, a few miles E of Bir Hacheim, and 7th and 1st Armored Divisions to N.

US MARINE CORPS

—