Saturday, 18 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Searaven (SS-196) completes rescue of Australians from Japanese-occupied Timor, begun the previous evening.

            Japanese troops land at Panay, Visayan Islands.

            Halsey-Doolittle Raid: TF 16 (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.), formed around carriers Enterprise (CV-6) and Hornet (CV-8), approaches to within 650 miles of Japan. Discovery by Japanese guard boat No.23 Nitto Maru compels Vice Admiral Halsey to order Hornet to launch 16 USAAF B-25s (Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle) earlier than planned. B-25s bomb targets in Tokyo, Yokosuka, Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagoya; one B-25 bombs and damages carrier Ryuho (being converted from submarine depot ship Taigei) at Yokosuka. Of the 16 B-25s launched, 15 are lost in occupied China, where brutal reprisals by Japanese against Chinese populace (Chekiang province) ensue; one B-25lands intact at Vladivostok where it and its crew are interned by the Soviets. SBDs (VB 3, VB 6) and F4Fs (VF 6) from Enterprise, meanwhile, attack Japanese guard boats ("picket" boats) encountered near TF 16, damaging armed merchant cruiser Awata Maru and guard boats Chokyu Maru, No.1 Iwate Maru, No.2 Asami Maru, Kaijin Maru, No.3Chinyo Maru, Eikichi Maru, Kowa Maru, and No.26 Nanshin Maru. Guard boats No.23 Nitto Maru and Nagato Maru, also damaged by SBDs and F4Fs from Enterprise, are sunk by gunfire of light cruiser Nashville (CL-43) (see 19April). While the material damage inflicted by the bombers is small, the psychological effect of an air raid on the Japanese capital itself is great. Most importantly, the Halsey-Doolittle Raid ends all debate within the Japanese high command whether or not a thrust against the important U.S. advanced naval base at Midway should be attempted.

            Carrier Lexington (CV-2), in TF 11 (Rear Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch), ferries USMC F2As (VMF 211) to Palmyra Island.

            USAAF B-26s sink Japanese aircraft transport Komaki Maru in Rabaul harbor, 04°12'S, 152°10'E.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker Axtell J. Byles, in a coastal convoy, is torpedoed by German submarine U-136 off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 35°32'N, 75°19'W, but reaches Hampton Roads the next day; there are no injuries to any of the 39 man crew.

EUROPE—Change of government in Vichy France: Pierre Laval becomes Chief of Government, Minister of Interior, Foreign Affairs and Information.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—Doolittle raid on Japan. 16 B‑25’s launched from carrier Hornet carry out first AAF attack on Japanese mainland. 15 of the B‑25’s bomb in Japan, the principal targets being Tokyo, Kobe, Yokohoma, and Nagoya. Since the bombers had to be launched earlier than scheduled they are unable to reach planned bases in China and have to be crash-landed or abandoned, 15 in China and the other in the USSR.

FIFTH AF—Fifth AF units come under control of Allied AF (SWPA) which is created in Australia to control AAF, RAAF and Dutch elements. General MacArthur assumed command of allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA). All Fifth Air Force assets came under the control of SWPA.

US ARMY

PACIFIC—General MacArthur assumes supreme command of SWPA, USAFFE becoming inactive. General Sir Thomas Blarney, CinC Australian Military Forces, is to command Allied Land Forces; General Brett is to head Allied Air Forces; Admiral Leary, previously in command of ANZAC Force, is to command Allied Naval Forces. USAFIA, under General Barnes, has about the same supply and administrative functions. USAFIP, under General Wainwright, remains in the new command structure until its dissolution on 6 May.

VISAYAN ISLANDS—Japanese make another unopposed landing on Panay, at San Jose.

JAPAN—Tokyo undergoes its first air attack of the war. 16 B–25’s of 17th Bombardment Group, U.S. Eighth Air Force, led by Lt Col James H. Doolittle, take off from USS Hornet, standing with naval TF under Admiral Halsey some 800 miles from Tokyo, in morning and at 1215 begin strikes on Japanese homeland, hitting Tokyo, Kobe, Yokohama, and Nagoya with good effect. Search and fighter support are provided by planes of USS Enterprise. After the attack, all bombers head for China where they were to have come under control of General Stilwell, but because of poor weather conditions and the late hour, all crash-land or are abandoned by crews. One lands near Vladivostok and its crew is interned; 2 land in enemy territory and their crews are imprisoned, some of the flyers being executed on 15 October 1942. Admiral Halsey’s naval TF (the 2 carriers plus 4 cruisers, 8 DD’s, and 2 oilers) withdraw safely. This is the first occasion on which medium land bombers are moved by carriers and launched off enemy shores.

BURMA—In Yenangyaung area, Burma 1st Division drives to outskirts of Twingon; Chinese 38th Division clears portion of Pin Chaung. On Sittang front, Chinese 22d Division is relieved by Chinese 96th and withdraws N of Pyinmana. Chinese 200th Division is ordered to Meiktila but does not move. Chinese T-55th Division collapses under enemy attacks S of Loikaw, and communications between it and Chinese 6th Army cease. Road to Lashio is thus uncovered. Elements of 93d Division, which were to have assisted T-55th, do not reach the T-55th in time to be of help.

US MARINE CORPS

Doolittle raid strikes Tokyo, Yokosuka, Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagoya.

Friday, 17 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Searaven (SS-196) begins rescue of stranded Australian sailors, airmen, and soldiers from Japanese-occupied Timor, N.E.I.

EUROPE—Admiral Leahy's recall "for consultation" is announced.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

—

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Admiral William D. Leahy, U.S. Ambassador to France, is recalled to Washington for consultation.

BURMA—On Irrawaddy front, Japanese block road N and S of Pin Chaung near Yenangyaung. Chinese 38th Division leaves Kyaukpadaung at night to relieve isolated Burma 1st Division. To S, Indian 17th Division sends out strong columns from Natmauk and Taungdwingyi to ease pressure on Burma 1st Division, but Japanese are not diverted. On Sittang front, Chinese 22d Division, ordered to delay for 2 weeks in preparation for trapping enemy at Pyinmana, is in Lewe area, but because of reverses suffered by Burma I Corps, General Stilwell is forced to abandon plans for stand at Pyinmana. Japanese continue pressure against Chinese T-55th Division in Bawlake-Mawchi area.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Thursday, 16 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Tambor (SS-198) torpedoes and sinks Japanese stores ship Kitami Maru 50 miles southeast of Kavieng, New Ireland, 03°00'S, 152°00'E.

PACIFIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Alcoa Guide is shelled by German submarine U-123 (which expended her last torpedo on 12 April) at 35°34'N, 70°08'W; Alcoa Guide tries to ram the U-boat without success. U-123 pauses to allow the crew to abandon ship and then sinks the freighter with gunfire once the merchant sailors (two of whom die of wounds suffered in action) have gotten away safely (see 19 April and 18 May).

EUROPE—Admiral Leahy receives cable from Washington with information that his recall "for consultation" will be announced shortly after the formation of a new Vichy government (see 18 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—Heavy Bombers take off from Dum airfield near Calcutta to bomb Rangoon. 6 B‑17’s, guided by flares, bomb the target. Numerous searchlights make it impossible to estimate the bombing results.

US ARMY

VISAYAN ISLANDS—General Wainwright places General Sharp in command of Visayan garrisons and orders him to reorganize Visayan-Mindanao Force for stand on Mindanao. Cebu Island. is thus conceded to be lost. Japanese force of 4,160 invades Panay at dawn, most going ashore at Iloilo and the rest at Capiz. Landings are unopposed by Col Albert F. Christie’s Panay Force of about 7,000 which retires to mountains to wage guerrilla warfare.

MALTA—Awarded the George Cross in recognition of its heroism under attack.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Wednesday, 15 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine bases at Kodiak and Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and naval air station at Barbers Point, Oahu, T.H., are established.

            Last remaining motor torpedo boat in the Philippines, PT-41, her torpedoes expended and lacking gasoline to operate, is transferred to the Army to be moved overland to Lake Lanao. She is slated for service as a machine gun boat. The rapid Japanese advance across Mindanao, however, compels the Army to destroy PT-41 to prevent her capture.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Robin Hood, en route to Boston, Massachusetts from Trinidad, B.W.I., is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-575 about 300 miles off Nantucket, 38°39'N, 66°38'W; three merchant sailors perish in the torpedo explosion while 11 men go down with the ship (see 23 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—HQ of VIII Bomber Command established in Wycombe Abbey, in High Wycombe by General Eaker.

US ARMY

BURMA—Japanese continue to press northward and are bypassing Burma 1st Division.

UNITED KINGDOM—General Eaker establishes hq of U.S. Bomber Command at High Wycombe. U.S. Eighth Air Force, which was originally to have supported GYMNAST, is now committed to U.K. instead.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Tuesday, 14 April 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Roper (DD-147) sinks German submarine U-85 off Virginia capes, 35°55'N, 75°13'W.

            British freighter Empire Thrush is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-203 approximately eight miles north of Diamond Shoals, 35°12'N, 75°14'W. Antisubmarine vessel ("Q-ship") Asterion (AK-100), masquerading as freighter Evelyn (her original mercantile name), picks up entire crew (and the captain's dog). The rescued sailors are enjoined not to reveal the fact that they were rescued by a "Q-ship" and to keep secret Asterion's true identity.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Margaret is sunk by German submarine U-571 off the eastern seaboard while bound for New York from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Although the Germans see the crew lower a boat and put rafts over the side, none of the 29 sailors from Margaret's complement are ever seen again.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—British Government and CoS accept General Marshall’s BOLERO plan for Allied build-up in UK for attack on Germany.

US ARMY

UNITED KINGDOM—British Government and Chiefs of Staff accept BOLERO Plan, proposed by General Marshall, for build-up to attack Germany.

AUSTRALIA—Government approves directive of 30 March to General MacArthur as Supreme Commander, SWPA. This is the last of the nations concerned to do so.

BURMA—Yenangyaung oil fields are ordered destroyed, night 14–15; this is accomplished during next 48 hours. Japanese are moving around Chinese T-55th Division in Mawchi-Loikaw area.

FRANCE—Pierre Laval is restored to power by Marshal Henri-Philippe Pétain.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Monday, 13 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Grayling (SS-209) torpedoes and sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Ryujin Maru off southwest tip of Shikoku, Japan, 31°51'N, 132°50'E. Destroyer Minazuki drives off Grayling with depth charges.

            Japanese transport No.3 Hino Maru is damaged by aircraft (nationality unspecified) off Koepang, Timor.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker Esso Boston, torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U-130 the previous day, sinks; the entire 37 man crew is rescued by destroyer Biddle (DD-151) and taken to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

            Abandoned U.S. tanker Eugene V.R. Thayer, shelled on 9 April by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi, sinks off coast of Brazil.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—Australia-based B‑25’s hit targets in the  Philippine Islands for second consecutive day. Staging through Valencia the B‑25’s take off just after midnight during 12/13 Apr and bomb Cebu shipping and installations at Davao. Later in the day the Medium Bombers again attack Davao, bombing the dock area.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Adm Ghormley is assigned as COMSOPAC. He is to command all Allied base and local def forces (land, sea, and air) in the South Pacific islands, with the exception of NZ land defenses.

US ARMY

SOUTH PACIFIC—Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley is designated Commander, South Pacific Area (COMSOPAC) and S Pac Forces.

BURMA—Gap develops in Burma I Corps line, and Japanese are moving N through it toward oil fields. Burma 1st Division, under pressure S of Magwe, is reinforced by 7th Armored Brigade (less 7th Hussars). General Stilwell’s orders designed to avert threat to Lashio—93d Division (less regiment) is directed to move to Taunggyi; 49th Division plus regiment of 93d is to continue to guard Thailand border; T-55th Division is to remain in Mawchi-Loikaw area—are delivered to Chinese 6th Army. Chinese 66th Army, less 38th Division, is to concentrate below Mandalay.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Sunday, 12 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Motor torpedo boat PT-35, undergoing repairs on the marine railway at the Cebu Shipyard and Engineering Works, is destroyed by crew as Japanese capture Cebu, 10°18'N, 123°54'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Delvalle, en route from New Orleans, Louisiana to Buenos Aires, Argentina, via St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-154 at 16°51'N, 72°25'W. One man from the 54 man crew drowns when the ship is abandoned; there are no casualties among the five passengers or the four man Armed Guard. Canadian armed merchant cruiser HMCS Prince Henry rescues some of the survivors, the rest reach Jacmel, Haiti, via motor launch.

            Panamanian motor tanker Stanvac Melbourne is torpedoed by German submarine U-203 about 15 miles off Frying Pan Shoals, 33°53'N, 77°29'W; Coast Guard cutter CG-186 rescues survivors, 41 merchant seamen and the 7 man Armed Guard.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Esso Boston, en route from Venezuela to Nova Scotia, is torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U-130 at 21°42'N, 60°00'W and abandoned. The Germans question the survivors, offer food and water and provide directions to nearest land (see 13 April).

            U.S. freighter Leslie is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-123 approximately three miles southeast of Hetzel Shoals Gas Buoy, 28°37'N, 80°25'W; 27 survivors from the 31 man crew, and one passenger, reach the coast of Florida just north of Cape Canaveral. U.S. tanker Esso Bayonne rescues one other surviving crewman; he goes ashore at Key West the next day.

            Coast Guard cutter Vigilant (WPC-154) runs aground during search for submarine off St. Lucie's Inlet, 27°03'N,80°05'W, but emerges from the incident with only minor damage.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES—General Arnold sends air plans for BOLERO to General Marshall in London. Plan calls for establishment of Eighth AF in UK.

FIFTH AF—Australia-based B‑25’s, staging through Mindanao, hit harbor and shipping at Cebu while B‑17’s carry out single-bomber strikes from Mindanao against Cebu harbor and Nichols Field.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—General Arnold, Chief AAF, sends General Marshall, attending BOLERO conference in London, air plan for BOLERO, calling for establishment of Eighth Air Force in England.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Since Japanese now control cross-island highway on Cebu, General Chynoweth retreats to mountains of N Cebu, where he organizes remnants of the garrison for guerrilla warfare. Japanese, employing guns on Bataan and Cavite, intensify artillery bombardment of Corregidor. Enemy aircraft continue to pound the island.

BURMA—Chinese 38th Division of 66th Army, previously earmarked for defense of Mandalay, begins movement to Irrawaddy front to assist Burma I Corps in holding line Minhla–Taungdwingyi. During night 12–13, Japanese occupy Migyaungye, exposing W flank of Burma Army.

US MARINE CORPS

—