Friday, 31 July 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Grunion (SS-216) torpedoes Japanese transport Kashima Maru off Kiska, Aleutians, but is sunk by gunfire from her quarry, 10 miles north of Segula Island.

            PBYs attempt to bomb Japanese bases in Tulagi-Gavutu area is aborted because of bad weather.

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-751 lays mines off Charleston, South Carolina.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED KINGDOM—Units of Provisional Troop Carrier Command are organized in UK.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—The complete air echelon of 57th Fighter Group, commanded by Col Frank H Mears, has arrived in Palestine by this date; 12th Bomb Group commanded by Col Charles G Goodrich, is now arriving in Palestine. Thus USAMEAF has P‑40’s and B‑25’s to add to its B‑24’s and B‑17’s.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s hit Gona and a nearby transport which had been previously damaged, and bomb Kukum Beach and Lunga landing strip on N coast of Guadalcanal as US invasion forces leave Fiji Islands for the Solomons.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Col LaVerne G Saunders leads 9 B‑17’s of his 11th Bomb Group from Efate on strike against Guadalcanal, bombing landing strip and area about Lunga Pt. From this date until 7 Aug, the 11th Group flies 56 strike and 22 search sorties in support of the invasion of Guadalcanal.

SEVENTH AF—1 B‑17, from Midway, flies photo reconnaissance of Wake. The Heavy Bomber is intercepted by 6 fighters. In the ensuing fight US gunners claim 4 fighters destroyed.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 and 1 Light Bomber-30 fly weather and photo reconnaissance. Weather cancels combat mission to Kiska.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Admiral Turner’s Amphibious Force, covered by Admiral Noyes’ Air Support Force and Admiral McCain’s TF 63, begins voyage to the Solomons from Fiji Islands. B–17’s of TF 63, from New Hebrides bases, start 7 days of attacks on Guadalcanal and Tulagi in preparation for invasion.

NEW GUINEA—Additional elements (Company A of Australian 39th Battalion) of Maroubra Force reach Deniki.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 30 July 1942

US NAVY

            Women's Naval Reserve (WAVES) (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) is established (see 2 August).

PACIFIC—Submarine Grenadier (SS-210) torpedoes Japanese tanker San Clemente Maru off Truk, 07°02'N, 151°15'E.

GULF OF MEXICO—German submarine U-166 attacks convoy TAW 7 about 25 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, and sinks U.S. passenger ship Robert E. Lee, 28°40'N, 88°30'W. Submarine chasers PC-566 and SC-519, and civilian tug Underwriter rescue survivors; none of the six man Armed Guard are lost (see 1 August).

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Cranford is sunk by German submarine U-155 about 250 miles east-southeast of Barbados, 12°17'N,55°11'W. U-155 treats two injured American sailors and then provides the survivors with navigational information, matches, a line, and water. Running short of provisions, U-155 can spare none. Cranford's surviving complement (including 6 of 8 Armed Guard sailors) are eventually picked up later the same day by Spanish tanker Castillo Alemenara.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—During 30/31 Jul, B‑24’s bomb convoy in Pylos Bay claiming hits on 2 merchant ships. B‑17’s hit Tobruk harbor.

TENTH AF—The Japanese send about 120 airplanes against the base at Hengyang from which CATF is harassing the Yangtze Valley. The attacks last about 36 hrs. Fierce opposition by US P‑40’s prevents major damage to the base. 17 Japanese aircraft are shot down, 4 of them at night. 3 P‑40’s are lost.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s attack shipping in Solomon Sea E of Huon Gulf and S of New Britain.

SOUTH PACIFIC—B‑17’s of 11th Bomb Group begin arriving at Espiritu Santo where they are to constitute a reconnaissance and strike force over Guadalcanal-Tulagi-Gavutu area in preparation for amphibious assault by US Marines on Guadalcanal on 7 Aug.

ELEVENTH AF—1 LB-30, 3 B‑17’s and 3 B‑24’s fly photo reconnaissance and bombing missions to Tanaga and Kiska. Missions are unsuccessful due to weather.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Women’s Reserve is established by law in Navy and called WAVES from expression “Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service.”

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Admiral Turner issues Operation Plan No. A3–42 to Solomons Amphibious Force.

NEW GUINEA—Company C of Australian 39th Battalion completes march to Demki.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese invade Aru, Kei, and Tanimbar Islands.

EGYPT—General Auchinleck decides to remain on the defensive until reinforcements arrive.

USSR—German Army Group A establishes bridgehead across Manych River SW of Proletarskaya; Army Group B continues reduction of Kalach bridgehead across the Don W of Stalingrad. On central front, Soviet forces begin attacks in Rzhev area.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 29 July 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—PBYs (VP 23) bomb Japanese bases in Tulagi-Gavutu area.

            Survivors (47 in number, two merchant seamen having died during the 32 day ordeal in the 25-foot lifeboat) from U.S. freighter Potlatch, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-153 on 27 June, reach Great Inagua Island, Bahamas group; their search for water will take them thence to Little Inagua, and thence to Aklins Island. Ultimately picked up by steamship Vergermere, they reach Nassau on 1 August.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—A‑24’s, with P‑39 escort, and RAAF aircraft attack shipping off Gona, partially frustrating Japanese attempts to land more troops and supplies. Japanese recapture Kokoda, which they temporarily lost the previous day.

ELEVENTH AF—4 B‑24’s and 5 B‑17’s bomb vessels and installations in Kiska Harbor area with unobserved results due to clouds.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—General Harmon shifts USAFISPA CP from Suva, Fiji Islands., to Noumea, New Caledonia.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese recapture Kokoda, again forcing defenders back to Deniki. Lull ensues as Japanese consolidate and strengthen positions. Allied planes frustrate efforts of 2 enemy transports to unload troops and supplies on N coast. One returns to Rabaul without unloading. The other is disabled and subsequently sinks; troops embarked reach Giruwa by small craft.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—General Stilwell broadens plans for offensive with “Pacific Front” proposal calling for recapture of Burma by Allied forces from Yunnan and Manipur.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 28 July 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. fishing trawler Ebb is shelled and sunk by German submarine U-754 45 miles east of Cape Sable, Nova Scotia, 43°18'N, 63°50'W; five of the 17 man crew are killed, seven are wounded. British destroyer HMS Witherington rescues the 12 survivors.

            British merchantman Winchester Castle rescues the 40 survivors of U.S. freighter Honolulan, sunk by German submarine U-582 on 22 July.

ARCTIC—U.S. freighter Winston Salem, the last straggler from convoy PQ 17, arrives at the port of Molotovsk. PQ 17 has lost 24 ships in the course of its ordeal.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

USSR—Soviet High Command admits Rostov’s fall to the Germans.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑17’s hit Tobruk during 27/28 Jul, while B‑24’s attack convoy in Mediterranean, claiming hits on 2 merchant ships.

EIGHTH AF—HQ VIII Fighter Command opens at Bushey Hall following move from temporary HQ at High Wycombe. General Hunter, designated CG VIII Fighter Command on 14 May in US, assumes command in England. General Candee, CG VIII Ground Air Support Command, announces staff assignments and begins organization of his command in UK.

FIFTH AF—1 B‑26 bombs installations at Gona. General Kenney, commander-designate of Allied AF, arrives in Australia.

ELEVENTH AF—Air coverage survey for Army ground operations to Adak and Tanaga Islands is flown. Weather cancels bombing mission to Kiska.

US ARMY

PACIFIC—General Harmon arrives at New Caledonia. General Kenney, commander-designate of Allied Air Forces, arrives in Australia. Expeditionary Force (TF 61) begins rehearsal at Koro, Fiji Islands., for invasion of Solomons. Admiral Fletcher issues Operation Order No. 1-42 to TF 61.

JAPAN—Tokyo orders all-out offensive for E New Guinea, including amphibious assaults on Milne Bay and attack on Port Moresby by land and sea.

NEW GUINEA—Maroubra Force recaptures Kokoda in counterattack, but this position is in great danger as Japanese reinforcements move forward from beachhead.

CHINA—Japanese campaign in Chekiang Province, conducted in retaliation for Doolittle raid on Japan, ends.

 

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 27 July 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Army-Navy Petroleum Board is established.

PACIFIC—TF 8 approaches Kiska to bombard Japanese positions but limited surface visibility results in the operation being postponed. During the retirement, however, high speed minesweeper Lamberton (DMS-2) accidentally rams highspeed minesweeper Chandler (DMS-9). While investigating that collision, destroyer Monaghan (DD-354) and highspeed minesweeper Lamberton (DMS-12) collide; both of those ships suffer damage as well.

            Light cruiser Boise (CL-47) departs Pearl Harbor to proceed, via Midway, toward the Japanese home islands to emit enough radio traffic to create the impression of an approaching American task force, as well as to locate and destroy small patrol vessels operating off Honshu.

            USAAF B-26s damage Japanese transport Kotoku Maru off Buna, New Guinea (see 8 August).

            Submarine Spearfish (SS-190) damages Japanese submarine depot ship Rio de Janeiro Maru 95 miles east of Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, 11°28'N, 110°52'E.

            Dutch submarine O-23 damages Japanese coaster No.2 Shofuku Maru south of Penang, Malaya, 05°07'N, 98°50'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Stella Lykes is torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U-582 off the west coast of Africa at 06°46'N, 24°55'W, and abandoned with no casualties. U-582 takes two POWs, provides the Americans with cigarettes and medical supplies, and then scuttles her quarry with demolition charges before departing (see 6 August).

GULF OF MEXICO—German submarine U-166 completes mining the waters off the Mississippi River Passes.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—HQ VIII Bomber Command issues order establishing 1st Bomb Wing at Brampton Grange (replacing 1st Bomb Wing, Provisional, established there on 15 Jun) and 2d Bomb Wing at Old Catton. 1st Wing is commanded by Col Claude E Duncan, 2d Wing by Col Newton Longfellow. US aircraft of 97th Bomb Group and 1st Fighter Group land at Prestwick, thus completing first series of flights in BOLERO, air movement across N Atlantic ferry route. 97th Bomb Group becomes first US Heavy Bomber group complete with air and ground echelons in UK. General Eaker and officers of RAF Fighter Command agree to use Spitfire IX’s as high fighter cover for B‑17’s of VIII Bomber Command until VIII Fighter Command is ready for escort duty. This also will provide test of Spitfire IX’s against FW-190’s at high altitude.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s and A‑24’s hit Gona and targets along Buna trail.

SOUTH PACIFIC—General Millard Harmon arrives at Noumea to assume command of USAFISPA with responsibility for training all army (air and ground) personnel. Air units in the theater are under operational control of COMAIRSOPAC.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—S Pacific commanders of island bases are informed by COMSOPAC that General Harmon will be responsible for training Army ground and air personnel. TF 61 sails to Koro, Fiji Islands, to rehearse for invasion of Solomons.

NEW GUINEA—Australian Oivi force, having broken through enemy during night 26–27, joins elements of Maroubra Force at Deniki. New Guinea Force, upon learning of evacuation of Kokoda, recalls 2 air transports bound for Kokoda with reinforcements and supplies.

EGYPT—30 Corps, British Eighth Army, continues attack but is unable to make progress. 13 Corps, in support of 30, feints and patrols.

USSR—German Army Group B continues to clear Don bend near Stalingrad. 6th Army begins battle to reduce Soviet bridgehead across the Don at Kalach, W of Stalingrad.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 26 July 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Destroyer Worden (DD-352) and oiler Platte (AO-24) rescue survivors of Dutch motorship Tjinegara, which had been sunk by Japanese submarine I-169 about 75 miles southeast of Nouméa, New Caledonia, 23°10'S, 165°00'E, on 25 July.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Lt Col Albert P Clark, Executive Officer of 31st Fighter Group, is shot down while flying an RAF fighter on a sweep over France, thus becoming the first Eighth AF fighter pilot to be shot down in ETO. He survives and is taken prisoner by the Germans.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—During 25/26 Jul, B‑17’s and B‑24’s bomb harbor at Tobruk.

FIFTH AF—A B‑25 strike against Gasmata is repulsed by fighter interception. B‑26’s attack destroyer off Gona but fail to score hits. Australian troops flown into Kokoda fail to halt Japanese advance and Kokoda is evacuated.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—General Harmon takes tactical command of all U.S. Army forces in S Pacific and establishes provisional CP at Suva, Fiji Islands. Solomons Expeditionary Force (TF 61), except for party bringing 3d Defense Battalion across the Pacific, assembles SE of Fiji Islands.

NEW GUINEA—New Guinea Force flies 30 men from Company D, Australian 39th Battalion, to Kokoda; 15 of these are sent forward to Oivi. After Japanese surround Oivi position, small defense force at Kokoda (platoon of Company B and 15 men of Company D) abandons it for prepared positions at Deniki.

EGYPT—30 Corps, British Eighth Army, launches attack on N flank after nightfall.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 25 July 1942

US NAVY

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US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—Reinforcements begin arriving from US as air echelon of 344th Squadron of 98th Bomb Group reaches Palestine.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s, and P‑39’s pound barges and concentrations at Gona and troops on the Gona and Kokoda trails. Japanese forces push to Oivi, within 6 mi of Kokoda.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Daily search missions over S Solomons are begun from New Caledonia.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Combined Chiefs of Staff agree upon command setup for TORCH, as GYMNAST is renamed.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Admiral McCain issues orders for Solomons offensive to TF 63. 26th Squadron of 11th Heavy Bombardment Group arrives at Efate, New Hebrides.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese cross Kumusi River over improvised bridge and outflank Maroubra Force, which falls back to Oivi, 6 miles from Kokoda.

USSR—Germans claim capture of Novocherkassk, NE of Rostov.

US MARINE CORPS

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