Sunday, 28 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) is damaged by depth charges off central Honshu, 34°34'N, 140°13'E.

           Submarine Stingray (SS-186), attacking Japanese convoy, torpedoes and sinks gunboat Saikyo Maru about 190 miles north of Yap, Carolines, 12°41'N, 136°22'E; cargo ship Meiten Maru fires at Stingray's periscope without effect.

           PBYs (VP 14) bomb Japanese base at Tulagi.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Raphael Semmes is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-332 at 29°30'N, 64°30'W; 18 men from the 35 man crew, and one of the two passengers, perish. U-332 remains in the vicinity of the sinking, providing medical assistance and supplies to the survivors before departing (see 16 July).

           U.S. freighter Sam Houston is torpedoed, shelled and sunk by German submarine U-203 at 19°21'N, 62°22'W; three crewmen perish. U-203 briefly embarks the freighter's master for questioning but returns him to a lifeboat before departing (see 30 June).

           U.S. tanker William Rockefeller is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-701 approximately 16 miles northeast of Diamond Shoals, North Carolina, 35°07'N, 75°07'W; escorting Coast Guard cutter CG-470 (which attacks the U-boat without success) rescues all hands: 44 merchant seamen and the six man Armed Guard.

           U.S. freighter Sea Thrush, en route to Cape Town, South Africa, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-505 at 22°40'N, 61°26'W. All hands survive the loss of the ship: 42 man crew, 11 man Armed Guard and 14 passengers (see 30 June).

           U.S. freighter Ruth is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-153 about 100 miles north of Cape Maysi, Cuba,21°44'N, 74°05'W. U-153 rescues one survivor and places him on a raft with three of his shipmates; they are the only survivors from a crew of 34 men. There are no survivors from the four man Armed Guard unit (see 4 July).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS US ARMY—General Eisenhower assumes command of ETOUSA, succeeding General Chaney.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—General Brereton arrives at Cairo where USAFIME issues orders placing him in command of USAMEAF, which is activated immediately. USAMEAF is comprised of Halverson Det (HALPRO), Brereton’ det (9th Bomb Squadron and other personnel which Brereton brought from India), and Air Section of US Military North African Mission. Also activated is Air Service Command, USAMEAF, under General Adler. B‑24’s of HALPRO bomb harbor and shipping at Tobruk.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑17 weather aircraft flies over Kiska. Solid weather front cancels bombing. On this and the following day US advance reconnaissance parties land on Adak from submarines.

US ARMY

MIDDLE EAST—U.S. Army Middle East Air Force is established in Middle East under command of Lt General Lewis H. Brereton. It at first consists of Halverson Detachment (HALPRO) and 9 B–17’s.

EGYPT—Enemy overruns 29th Brigade of Indian 5th Division as it attempts to cover withdrawal of 10 Corps in Fuka area. 10 Corps retires southward to El ‘Alamein.

USSR—Germans launch main summer offensive. On N flank of Army Group South enemy pushes eastward toward the Don from Kursk. Battle for Sevastopol continues, with Soviet forces losing ground steadily.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 27 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) torpedoes and sinks Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Musashi Maru east of Nojimazaki, Japan, 34°38'N, 140°08'E.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Polybius is torpedoed by German submarine U-128 at 11°00'N, 57°30'W; ten crewmen perish. U-128's officers briefly question the survivors before the submarine departs. The 34 survivors are rescued over the next three days: by Dutch steamship Dracos on 28 June; an unidentified Allied ship on the 29th, and British steamship Clarona on the 30th.

           U.S. freighter Potlatch is torpedoed by German submarine U-153 at 19°20'N, 53°18'W; six crewmen perish. Of the 39 man crew, 33 survive, as do the 16 Armed Guard sailors. U-153 briefly questions the survivors and provides them with cigarettes before departing (see 29 July).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HALPRO—B‑24’s bomb harbor at Tobruk during 26/27 Jun in effort to disrupt movement of supplies.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s bomb Lae and Salamaua.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—By this date the 8 enemy agents that landed on Long Island and in Florida have been arrested. They have caused no damage. All are subsequently court martialed and six are executed.

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—General MacArthur completes plan, TULSA I, for offensive to secure New Britain-New Ireland- Admiralty Islands. area.

EGYPT—10 and 13 Corps of British Eighth Army are forced to withdraw eastward toward El ‘Alamein when enemy infiltrates between them and partially envelops former in Matruh area.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 26 June 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Naval Auxiliary Air Station (Lighter-than-Air), San Julian, Cuba, is established.

           Germany announces unrestricted submarine warfare off U.S. Atlantic Coast.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Air echelons of 31st Fighter Group are established at Atcham and High Ercall by this date. These are first combat personnel of VIII Fighter Command to reach UK. 

HALPRO—B-24’s fly a diversion for RAF Albacore attack on 2 merchant vessels at Tobruk.

TENTH AF—General Naiden becomes CG Tenth AF, succeeding General Brereton who departs for ME with General Adler, CG X Air Service Command, and several other key subordinates. Aircraft and crews of 9th Bomb Squadron follow. This move leaves the Tenth AF almost a skeleton.

SEVENTH AF—3 LB-30’s bomb installations on Wake Island. The raid takes place during 26/27 Jun and is staged through Midway.

ELEVENTH AF—5 B‑24’s drop incendiaries and fire bombs on Kiska Harbor installations.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Elements of Maroubra Force (Company B of Australian 39th Battalion) are ordered to Kokoda.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—General Brereton leaves for Middle East and is succeeded as commander of U.S. Tenth Air Force by Brigadier General Earl L. Naiden.

EGYPT—Enemy armor breaches mine field of British Eighth Army S of Matruh.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 25 June 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill conclude conference in Washington; decision is reached for combined U.S.-British research and development of the atomic bomb.

PACIFIC—Carrier Saratoga (CV-3) ferries 25 USAAF P-40s (73d Fighter Squadron) to Midway to provide fighter defense for the atoll, after the heavy losses suffered by VMF 221 during the Battle of Midway on 4 June. Saratoga also brings in 18 SBDs to bring VMSB 241 (also badly battered at Midway) up to strength.

           Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) torpedoes and sinks Japanese destroyer Yamakaze southeast of Yokosuka, Japan,34°34'N, 140°26'E.

           Submarine Grouper (SS-214) damages Japanese oiler No.3 Tonan Maru, 28°46'N, 136°36'E.

           PBYs (VP 71) bomb Japanese base at Tulagi; Rear Admiral John S. McCain (Commander, Aircraft, South Pacific Force) is present in one of the flying boats to observe operations.

EUROPE—U.S. Army establishes European Theater of Operations under Major General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—Arnold-Portal-Towers agreement concerning air forces for BOLERO is approved by JCS.

EIGHTH AF—HQ is established at Bushy Park, a London suburb.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s bomb Salamaua.

SEVENTH AF—General Lynd becomes CG VII Bomber Command.

ELEVENTH AF—A field order bases the 404th Bomb Squadron at Fairbanks, to operate out of Nome, to which 1 squadron of the 54th Fighter Group is also sent. Another squadron of the 54th (P‑39’s) is sent to Ft Richardson. 2 B‑17’s, 4 B‑24’s and 1 LB-30 fly bombing and weather missions over Kiska, bombing N side of the harbor.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Admiral King presents his views on projected offensive to General Marshall.

NEW GUINEA—General Basil M. Morris forms new unit, called Maroubra Force, to hold Kokoda Trail over Owen Stanley Range between Port Moresby and Buna. Maroubra Force consists of Australian 39th Battalion, less one company, of Australian 30th Brigade and a Papuan Battalion of 300. Allied garrison arrives at Milne Bay.

EGYPT-LIBYA—Axis forces continue rapidly toward Matruh despite air attacks. General Auchinleck takes personal command of British Eighth Army, relieving General Ritchie; after reviewing situation, decides to continue withdrawal from Matruh to El ‘Alamein.

US MARINE CORPS

President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill conclude conference in Washinton; decision reached for combined efforts to develop atomic bomb.

Wednesday, 24 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Three PBYs bring out remainder of submarine S-27 (SS-132)'s crew from Constantine Harbor.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed tug John R. Williams, bound for Cape May, New Jersey, is sunk by mine laid by German submarine U-373 on 11 June. Only four men from the 18 man crew survive the sinking at 38°45'N, 74°55'W; they are rescued by district patrol vessel YP-334 and taken to Lewes, Delaware.

           U.S. freighter Manuela is torpedoed by German submarine U-404 at 34°30'N, 75°40'W and abandoned. Three of the 36 man merchant complement perish in the attack. The survivors, 33 merchant seamen and the 6 man Armed Guard, are rescued by British armed trawler HMS Norwich City and Coast Guard cutter CG-483. Manuela sinks the following day while being towed to Morehead City, North Carolina.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS US ARMY—General Eisenhower arrives in UK.

HALPRO—B‑24’s bomb Bengasi harbor during 23/24 Jun.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s hit Vunakanau airfield. Bomb loads include several bundles of incendiaries which cause intense fires.

ELEVENTH AF—Weather cancels bombing. 1 B‑17 flies weather reconnaissance over Kiska. Fighters patrol airfields.

US ARMY

EGYPT-LIBYA—Rommel begins drive into Egypt, pushing rapidly NE and E against ineffective rear guard resistance to vicinity of Sidi Barrani. 10 Corps HQ, which has recently arrived in Egypt from Syria, takes command at Matruh, releasing 30 Corps, which moves E to El ‘Alamein to organize defenses.  10 and 13 Corps constitute mobile elements of British Eighth Army.

USSR—German Army Group South attains its objective in Izyum area, Oskol River line; continues to make progress in battle for Sevastopol.

UNITED KINGDOM—Maj General Dwight D. Eisenhower assumes command of ETOUSA.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 23 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—PBY on routine search spots submarine S-27 (SS-132) crew at Constantine Harbor; 15 men are transported out (see 24 June).

CARIBBEAN—Destroyer Biddle (DD-151), directed to the scene by PBYs, rescues the 36 survivors of U.S. tanker E.J. Sadler, sunk the day before by German submarine U-159.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—General Spaatz is informed that Operation ROUNDUP for invasion of European continent has been put off until Spring 43. This postponement is due to decision to mount Operation TORCH, which will necessitate diversion of large numbers of aircraft earlier slated for Eighth AF in UK.

ELEVENTH AF—Weather cancels bombing mission. A B‑17 flies reconnaissance mission over Kiska. A P‑40 on defensive patrol crashes at Elmendorf.

US ARMY

CHINA BURMA INDIA—General Brereton is ordered to Middle East with all available bombers because of crisis there. Flight of 24 B–17’s intended for China is diverted at Khartoum, Egypt, for the same reason.

MIDDLE EAST—U.S. Military Mission is redesignated Iran–Iraq Service Command under Hq, USAFIME, effective 24 June. Col Shingler, with HQ at Basra, heads the new command.

LIBYA—Enemy continues preparations for drive into Egypt; forward elements are engaged by 7th Armored Division of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, near Sollum.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 22 June 1942

US NAVY

CARIBBEAN—Unarmed U.S. tanker E.J. Sadler is shelled by German submarine U-159 about 175 miles south of the Windward Passage, 15°36'N, 67°52'W, and abandoned. After the 36 survivors take to their lifeboats, a boarding party from U-159 sinks the tanker with demolition charges (see 23 June).

GULF OF MEXICO—Unarmed U.S. tanker Rawleigh Warner is torpedoed by German submarine U-67 approximately 40 miles south of South Pass, Louisiana, 28°53'N, 89°15'W; ignition of the ship's cargo of 38,909 barrels of gasoline incinerates the ship and her crew. There are no survivors from the 33 merchant seamen who comprise her complement.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑17 weather reconnaissance aircraft flies over Kiska. Fighters fly Air Base patrols. Bombing mission is canceled due to weather.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Japanese submarine shells Fort Stevens military reservation in Oregon at mouth of Columbia River, doing no damage. The shelling is the first foreign attack on a continental military installation since the War of 1812 and the only one of World War II.

War Department orders all units and individuals under General Stilwell’s command assigned under a permanent change of station to American Army Forces in “India, China, and Burma” rather than to Army Group, Washington, D.C. This is the first step in the evolution of a U.S. theater of operations on the Asiatic mainland.

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—Maj General Robert L. Eichelberger is named commander of U.S. I Corps, replacing Maj General Charles F. Thompson. I Corps eventually comes under operational command of General Blarney, Commander Allied Land Forces. General MacArthur authorizes small airfield at Merauke, on S coast of Dutch New Guinea, to protect Port Moresby from the W. Initial force to garrison Milne Bay, New Guinea (2 companies and a machine gun platoon on loan from Australian 14th Brigade at Port Moresby, sails from Port Moresby.

INDIA—First CO of US Army Forces CBI (USAFCBI) SOS Base Section 2 assumes his duties at Calcutta.

EGYPT-LIBYA—British Eighth Army begins withdrawal to Matruh without interference as enemy reorganizes. Small enemy force moves into Bardia. General Auchinleck visits Eighth Army HQ,

USSR—German Army Group South begins limited attack in Izyum area to improve positions E of the Donets; continues battle for Sevastopol. Fall of the last of the northern coastal forts at Sevastopol is announced.

US MARINE CORPS

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