Tuesday, 11 August 1942

US NAVY

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation PEDESTAL: large British convoy (which includes in its composition U.S. freighters Almeria Lykes and Santa Elisa), bound for Malta, its presence determined by Axis aerial reconnaissance, comes under attack from Luftwaffe JU 88s and HE 111s (see 12-13 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Referring to TORCH, General Spaatz informs General Arnold that, in his opinion, UK remains the only base from which air supremacy over Germany can be established.

TENTH AF—P‑40’s hit airfields at Yoyang and Nanchang from which the enemy has been attacking Hengyang.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over W Semichi Islands and N Attu coast.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Admiral Leahy makes the first of many suggestions that Burma Road be reopened.

NEW GUINEA—U.S. Advanced Base in New Guinea, a logistical agency, is established by USASOS with HQ at Port Moresby, which is to become a large supply and communications center. Maroubra Force abandons Kokoda airfield, night 11–12, since it is untenable.

MEDITERRANEAN—Enemy U-boats heavily attack Malta-bound convoy and sink HMS Eagle (aircraft carrier).

MIDDLE EAST—Iran-Iraq Service Command is redesignated Persian Gulf Service Command (PGSC); remains directly under Hq USAFIME.

USSR—Threat to Stalingrad increases as German Army Group A eliminates Soviet bridgehead in Don bend near Kalach.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 10 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine S-44 (SS-155) sinks Japanese heavy cruiser Kako near Kavieng, 02°15'S, 152°15'E, as Kako retires from the Battle of Savo Island.

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation PEDESTAL: British convoy, WS 21S, formed around 13 transports and cargo ships (which include U.S. freighters Almeria Lykes and Santa Elisa) and one tanker transits Straits of Gibraltar, bound for Malta. Royal Navy cover and escort forces include a total of two battleships, four aircraft carriers, seven light cruisers and 25 destroyers (see 11-13 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—B‑25’s bomb Hankow. Afterwards the P‑40 escorts, led by Col Robert L Scott, strike ammo dumps and military warehouses at Sienning, causing heavy destruction of material which the Japanese have accumulated to use against Hengyang and other US bases in Central China.

ELEVENTH AF—5 B‑17’s and 3 B‑24’s bomb Kiska targets. Fighters and AA down 1 B‑24. Only its pilot is saved.

US ARMY

NEW IRELAND—U.S. submarine sinks Japanese cruiser Kako off the island.

NEW GUINEA—Maroubra Force counterattacks toward Kokoda with 3 companies One seizes Kokoda airfield, but the others are unable to advance.

EGYPT—General Alexander receives directive calling for destruction of Rommel’s army in Egypt and Libya.

USSR—Soviet resistance in foothills of Caucasus range is increasing, but forward elements of German Army Group A reach Pyatigorsk.

US MARINE CORPS

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A visit to the Oklahoma National Guard Museum

I recently attended a two week class for work in Oklahoma City, intending to visit the Oklahoma Railroad Museum on my enforced weekend away from home.  Poor planning on my part failed to notice that it was closed on Sunday prior to my making other Saturday plans.  This was serendipitous though, as across the street was the newly opened Oklahoma National Guard Museum.  Located on the northeast side of Oklahoma City, just off Interstate 35 on NE Grand Boulevard, its so new that the satellite view in Google Maps shows it as a vacant field with a bulldozer starting the grading.

 

Google Maps Satellite View captured 9 August 2026

Have no fear though, that is far from the well laid out modern structure that greeted me on my arrival.  I was so impressed with the “Gate Guards”, I failed to snap a photo of the building.  It can be partially seen in the background.  Lots of WWII flat car loads await.

 

M114 155mm Howitzer

F-86D Sabre Dog

No, the Saber Dog won’t make a flat car load, but I’m a pilot and the Sabreliners I flew had an F-86 wing with a biz jet fuselage.  Most of the rest of the photos will be of crawly things, suitable for rail transport. 

M2A2 105mm Howitzer

 

Ma Duce, GMC CCKW 2.5 ton truck

 

The ubiquités M4 Sherman

 

M4 Halftrack with 81mm Mortar

 

37mm Anti-Tank Gun & Jeep

 

Interpretive Panel showing rail loading in automobile box car

Most exhibits are no touch, but fitting into the Ford GPW is encouraged.  The museum’s deputy director, Ted Hibbard, snapped this photo of me.  It’s a tall step from the ground and not much clearance on the steering wheel. 

 

Ford GPW “Jeep”

 

There’s lots of other displays, a DUCK, Command Car, Dodge 1.5 ton Truck, Korean War ambulance and more.  Uniforms and flight suits from various OK Guard veterans are accompanied with their personal stories.  One historical tidbit was learning that the Marine’s Navajo Code Talkers weren’t the first.  Turns out the OK Guard’s 142^nd Infantry, 36^th ID used Choctaw talkers in the First World War to secure comms from Germans tapping into their phone lines. 

Choctaw Code Talkers

All in all, an informative visit that yielded numerous detail photos for my open top cars carrying equipment to the San Francisco Port of Embarkation for shipment to the Army forces in the Pacific.

 

John Barry

Lovettsville, VA

9 August 2026

 

81 years to the day after the “We have more than one” strike that pushed Hirohito to surrender.

Sunday, 9 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Battle of Savo Island: Japanese force of seven cruisers and one destroyer (Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi) approaches west of Savo Island, Solomons, undetected. The defeat is one of the worst ever inflicted on the U.S. Navy. Allied ships depart Guadalcanal area. Japanese vessels temporarily control waters around Guadalcanal. Heavy cruiser Astoria (CA-34) is sunk by gunfire of Japanese heavy cruisers Chokai, Aoba, Kinugasa, and Kako. Quincy (CA-39) is sunk by gunfire of heavy cruisers Aoba, Kako, and Furutaka and light cruiser Tenryu and is torpedoed by light cruiser Yubari. Vincennes (CA-44) is sunk by gunfire and torpedo from heavy cruiser Chokai, and gunfire from Kako, Aoba, and Kinugasa, and light cruiser Yubari. The fourth Allied ship lost off Savo is Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra which, badly damaged by Japanese gunfire, is scuttled by destroyer Selfridge (DD-357).

            U.S. ships damaged are heavy cruiser Chicago (CA-29) by Kako; destroyer Ralph Talbot (DD-390) by Furutaka, Yubari, and Tenryu; and destroyer Patterson (DD-392) by Yubari and Tenryu. U.S. gunfire damages Chokai (from Quincy and Astoria); Kinugasa (by Vincennes); Aoba (by Quincy) and Tenryu (by Chicago and Patterson).

            Destroyer Jarvis (DD-393), damaged the previous day, is mistaken as an "Achilles-class cruiser" and attacked by Japanese land attack planes (Misawa Kokutai) and torpedoed 200 nautical miles southeast of Tulagi, 09°42'S,158°59'E. Jarvis puts up a stout fight, splashing two of the attacking planes; a third ditches due to battle damage. There are, however, no survivors from the destroyer, which is lost with all hands.

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-98 completes laying mines off mouth of St. Johns River, east of Jacksonville, Florida.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—P‑40’s of the 23d Group continue to support Chinese ground forces by harassing the Japanese at Linchwan. 4 B‑25’s and 3 P‑40’s from Kweilin-Hengyang area, staging through Nanning, bomb docks and warehouses at Haiphong, causing considerable damage and claiming a freighter sunk in the harbor; this is first CATF raid over Indochina.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb shipping and airfields at Rabaul and Gasmata while B‑26’s hit harbor area at Salamaua.

ELEVENTH AF—6 bombers fly armed reconnaissance over Kiska and Attu and hit Kiska.

US ARMY

SOLOMON ISLANDS—Amphibious and Air Support Forces of TF 61 retire, former with more than half the 60 days’ supplies and elements of landing force still embarked. Of the original landing force of over 19,000, almost 17,000 are now ashore. Guadalcanal beachhead is being consolidated and work is begun on uncompleted airstrip, where air warning system is established. During 8 and 9, 2d Marines completes northern attack with occupation of Mbangai, Makambo, and Kokomtambu islets.

NEW GUINEA—Maj General Sydney F. Rowell, CG Australian I Corps, is designated to command New Guinea Force.

USSR—Krasnodar and Maikop fall to German Army Group A.

US MARINE CORPS

Battle of Savo Island forces U. S. ships to retire from Guadalcanal area, leaving control of waters temporarily to Japanese.

Saturday, 8 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Marines wrest control of Tulagi, Gavutu, and Tanambogo, Solomons, from tenacious Japanese resistance. Unfinished airstrip on Guadalcanal is captured and named "Henderson Field" in honor of the late Major Lofton R. Henderson, USMC, who was killed while leading VMSB 241 in the gallant but unsuccessful attack on Japanese carrier Hiryu at Midway on 4 June 1942. Coastwatchers report incoming raid. During fierce Japanese aerial assault by land attack planes (4th and Misawa Kokutais) on invasion shipping: destroyer Jarvis (DD-393) and transport George F. Elliott (AP-13), 09°10'S, 160°10'E are torpedoed. The latter, also crashed by a Japanese plane, is later scuttled by destroyer Hull (DD-350). Another crashing bomber damages transport Barnett (AP-11), 09°13'S, 160°01'E.

            Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) sinks Japanese crab boat Bifuku Maru southeast of Shiriya Zaki, at northeast tip of Honshu. 41°14'N, 141°32'E.

            Submarine S-38 (SS-143), despite presence of escorting minesweeper W.21, sinks Japanese transport Meiyo Maru at southern entrance of St. George Channel, between New Britain and New Ireland, 04°52'S, 152°42'E.

            Submarine Silversides (SS-236), attacking Japanese convoy emerging from Kobe harbor, torpedoes and sinks merchant cargo ship Nikkei Maru in Kii Suido, near Ichiya Zaki, 33°33'N, 135°23'E.

            Destroyers Mustin (DD-413) and Morris (DD-417) are damaged in collision during night maneuvers in Hawaiian Operating Area.

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-98 mines waters off Jacksonville, Florida.

            U.S. freighter Kaimoku, en route to Liverpool in convoy SC 94, is torpedoed and sunk by shellfire of German submarine U-379 at 56°32'N, 32°15'W. Two of the 36 man crew die in the attack, as do two of the 14 man Armed Guard. Canadian corvette HMCS Battleford rescues survivors.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—B‑25’s hit Canton area, bombing Tien Ho airfield and other targets in the vicinity and claiming 2 interceptors shot down.

FIFTH AF—P‑400’s dive-bomb Kokoda and Yodda. B‑17’s, B‑25’s and B‑26’s bomb runways and targets of opportunity at Lae and Salamaua.

SOUTH PACIFIC—From this date through 23 Aug, B‑17’s fly search mission covering the lower Solomons in order to detect any attempt to make surprise attack on the forces consolidating the Guadalcanal beachhead.

ELEVENTH AF—1 LB-30, 3 B‑24’s, and 8 P‑38’s on photo and bombing missions over Kiska cannot attack but Navy Catalinas also operating over and off Kiska hit freighters and transport, claiming 1 transport sinking, and score many hits on North Head and Main Camp.

US ARMY

ALLIED COMMAND—President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill agree on General Eisenhower, CG ETO, as commander of TORCH.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—Japanese planes continue to attack Allied shipping, destroying USS George F. Elliott (AP) and damaging USS Jarvis (DD). Jarvis heads for Noumea but is never heard from again. Abandoning thrust toward Mt Austen on Guadalcanal, 1st Marine Division advances W in 2 columns. 1st Battalion of 5th Marines crosses Lunga River and secures coastal village of Kukum. To S, 1st Battalion of 1st Marines takes airfield and reaches E bank of Lunga River. Both Kukum and the airfield are found to have been hastily evacuated. On Tulagi, 1st Raider Battalion and 5th Marines finish clearing the island by 1500. On Gavutu-Tanambogo, 1st Parachute Battalion, assisted by 3d Battalion of 2d Marines from division reserve, completes capture of Gavutu-Tanambogo.

BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND—During night 8–9, Japanese naval force of cruisers and DD’s attacks Allied warships off Savo Island. and inflicts heavy damage before retiring to Rabaul. As a result of the action, HMAS Canberra and USS Astoria, Quincy, and Vincennes are lost and other vessels are damaged.

EGYPT—General Alexander flies to Cairo, where he learns that he is to relieve General Auchinleck as CinC MEF. Lt General W. H. E. Gott, CG of British 13 Corps, who was to have been given command of British Eighth Army, is killed in airplane accident.

USSR—Surovikino, W of Stalingrad, falls to German Army Group B.

US MARINE CORPS

1st MarDiv wins control of Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo and captures airfield on Guadalcanal.

Friday, 7 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Operation WATCHTOWER: 1st Marine Division (Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC) lands on Florida, Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, and Guadalcanal, in the first American land offensive of the war. Amphibious Force, South Pacific (Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner) lands the leathernecks under cover of naval surface and air forces (Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher). Landings are supported by carrier and shore-based aircraft (Rear Admiral Leigh Noyes and Rear Admiral John S. McCain). Overall commander is Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, Commander South Pacific Force; officer in tactical command is Vice Admiral Fletcher. During Japanese air attacks on the transport force and its escorts off Guadalcanal, destroyer Mugford (DD-389) is damaged by carrier[dive] bomber (2nd Kokutai), 09°00'S, 160°00'E. Following shore bombardment operations in Tulagi Bay, light cruiser San Juan (CL-54) is damaged by explosion in one of her forward 5-inch gun mounts.

            TG 8.6 (Rear Admiral William W. Smith) bombards Kiska, Aleutians.

            Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Shofuku Maru off Wotje, Marshalls, 09°25'N, 170°11'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—Col Harry A Halverson relinquishes command of Hal Bomb Squadron, to be succeeded by Lt Col George F McGuire.

FIFTH AF—13 B‑17’s of 19th Bomb Group, led by Lt Col Richard H Carmichael, hit Vunakanau airfield in coordination with Marine landings on Guadalcanal. B‑26’s attack Lae, and a B‑17 and a B‑25 each attack a submarine in Gulf of Papua.

SOUTH PACIFIC—First Marine Division invades Guadalcanal.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑24’s dispatched to bomb Kiska return with their bombs due to solid overcast. 4 more B‑24’s also depart for Kiska. 1 turns back with mechanical trouble, the others abort mission over target due to undercast. 1 B‑24, 4 P‑38’s and an LB-30 fly 2 air coverage missions at Nazan Bay for Navy tenders.

US ARMY

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—Kiska undergoes its first bombardment by surface forces. TF of cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral W. W. Smith, part of Admiral Theobald’s North Pacific Force (TF 8), bombards shore installations with unobserved results. This action had been planned for 2d July but was postponed because of weather conditions.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—After preparatory bombardment of landing areas, U.S. 1st Marine Division (—7th Marines), reinforced, invades S Solomons with close air and naval support. Unloading operations are delayed by enemy air attacks during which USS Mugford (DD) is damaged. At 0910, 5th Marines (—2d Battalion) lands unopposed on N coast (Beach Red) of Guadalcanal about 6,000 yards E of Lunga Pt and establishes beachhead between Tenaru and Tenavatu Rivers. 1st Marines and supporting weapons follow 5th Marines ashore. 1st Battalion of 5th Marines drives W along coast toward Lunga River; 1st Marines pushes SW toward Mt Austen. Advance halts for night after each of the assault forces has gained about a mile, 1st Battalion of 5th Marines reaching mouth of Ilu River. At 0740, 1st Battalion of 2d Marines begins landing on S coast of Florida Island., Company B near Haleta and rest at Halavo. The Battalion meets no opposition and is later withdrawn. At 0800, 1st Raider Battalion, followed by 2d Battalion of 5th Marines, lands on S coast (Beach Blue) of Tulagi without opposition. Marines clear NW end of island without difficulty, but Raiders meet bitter opposition from enemy in caves and dugouts on SE end in afternoon and are forced to halt some 1,000 yards from SE tip. Company G of 5th Marines helps hold this perimeter against enemy attacks. At noon, 1st Parachute Battalion invades twin islets of Gavutu and Tanambogo, which are joined by causeway, E of Tulagi; clears most of the islets despite enemy fire. From Florida Island., Company B of 2d Marines makes unsuccessful attempt to land on N coast.

NEW GUINEA—Activity is confined to patrol clashes. By this time all 5 rifle companies of Australian 39th Battalion are at the front and Maroubra Force contains 480 men. Because of Solomons offensive, Japanese recall convoy heading for Buna from Rabaul.

EGYPT—Prime Minister Churchill visits British Eighth Army front.

US MARINE CORPS

1st Marine Division lands on Florida, Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, and Guadalcanal in Southern Solomons to launch first U. S. offensive of the war.

Thursday, 6 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Tautog (SS-199) sinks Japanese army transport Ohio Maru in South China Sea about 250 miles east-northeast of Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, 13°51'N, 113°15'E.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. schooner Wawaloam, en route to St. John's, Newfoundland, is sunk by shellfire of German submarineU-86 at 39°18'N, 55°44'W, but suffers no casualties to the six man crew and the sole passenger (see 12 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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

TENTH AF—B‑25’s bomb Tien Ho airfield, causing heavy damage to the runways and destroying several parked airplanes.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s and B‑26’s pound airfields at Lae and Salamaua.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑24’s, 2 B‑17’s, and 10 P‑38s. provide air coverage for Navy tenders to Nazan Bay. Photo reconnaissance is flown over Attu.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Allied invasion force continues toward Solomons undetected.

NEW GUINEA—New Guinea Force takes command of all Australian and U.S. forces in Australian New Guinea (Papua and NE New Guinea).

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Dr. Currie leaves China for Washington to present General Stilwell’s “Pacific Front” plan and Chiang Kai-shek’s modified demands to President Roosevelt and Combined Chiefs of Staff.

USSR—On Novorossisk-Stalingrad Railroad, Germans claim capture of Tikhoretsk and Russians admit loss of Kotelnikov: German Army Group A overruns Armavir, on Kuban River. Soviet resistance to Army Group B in Don bend near Stalingrad is growing weaker.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 5 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Light cruiser Boise (CL-47), in the course of her deception mission, launches two SOCs to search the area. Despite repeated efforts to do so, however, the planes do not find the ship upon their return. Radio silence is broken, thus compromising the operation, and the ship returns to Pearl Harbor, but the Japanese believe that a major U.S. task force is close to the homeland.

            Submarine Greenling (SS-213), attacking Japanese shipping about 150 miles north-northwest of Truk, sinks transport Brazil Maru, 09°50'N, 150°38'E, and merchant passenger-cargo ship Palau Maru, 09°04'N, 150°54'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—VIII Fighter Command dispatches its first mission—11 aircraft of 31st Fighter Group on a practice run over France.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—General Brereton, in his first strategic estimate of the Middle Eastern war, indicates that the 3 major objectives for the Allied AFs are to assist in the destruction of Rommel’s Afrika Korps by support to ground troops, secure sea and air comm on and over the Mediterranean, and carry out a sustained air offensive against Italy and against oil installations at Ploesti and in the Caucasus, if the latter should fall under Axis control.

TENTH AF—Japanese aircraft again attack US airfield at Kweilin. Notified well in adv by the Chinese warning net (previously set up under General Chennault while he was head of AVG), P‑40’s meet the Japanese over the target, shooting down 2, and another is downed by ground fire.

US ARMY

USSR—German Army Group A establishes bridgehead across the Kuban in Armavir- Nevinnomyssk area, threatening Maikop oil fields; claims capture of Kropotkin. Red Army units continue to fight losing battle inside Don bend near Stalingrad.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Tuesday, 4 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Destroyer Tucker (DD-374), uninformed of its presence, is sunk in U.S. minefield laid the previous day by Gamble (DM-15), Breese (DM-18), and Tracy (DM-19), in Segond Channel, Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. Chartered transport President Coolidge is also lost as the result of striking a mine in the same field.

            Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Fukuyama Maru, 40°26'N, 141°50'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s strike convoy in Mediterranean during 4/5 Aug, claiming hits on 2 merchant ships.

TENTH AF—P‑40’s sweep Japanese HQ at Linchwan and bomb HQ buildings and barracks and strafe transports.

ELEVENTH AF—1 LB-30 flies a photo mission and 2 B‑17’s and 3 B‑24’s covered by 8 P‑38’s escort Navy tenders to Nazan Bay. 2 4-engine seaplane bombers and a possible third are downed near Atka by 2 of the P‑38’s, in their first aerial combat in any theater. Weather cancels bombing mission to Kiska.

US ARMY

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—General Kenney assumes command of Allied Air Forces, succeeding General Brett.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Monday, 3 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Light minelayers Gamble (DM-15), Breese (DM-18) and Tracy (DM-19) lay minefield off western entrance of Segond Channel, Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides.

            Submarine Gudgeon (SS-211) sinks Japanese transport Naniwa Maru, 07°37'N, 150°11'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—P‑40’s strafe Oivi and Kokoda.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑17’s, 2 B‑24’s, and 1 LB-30 fly bombing and photo reconnaissance mission to Tanaga and Kanaga and also bomb Kiska. 4 of the aircraft have mechanical trouble but all return.

US ARMY

USSR—German Army Group A continues rapidly southward into Kuban area, where it is attempting to establish bridgehead, and overruns Voroshilovsk. Soviet forces continue to resist Army Group B in Don bend opposite Stalingrad and to attack Germans in Rzhev sector.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Sunday, 2 August 1942

US NAVY

Lieutenant Commander Mildred H. McAfee, who received the first WAVES commission, becomes the first WAVES commandant.

PACIFIC—Dutch submarine O 23 sinks Japanese army cargo ship Zenyo Maru off Penang, Malaya, 05°36'N, 99°53'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—1 B‑17 flies unsuccessful strike against cargo vessel 5 mi S of Salamaua while another bombs Gona.

US ARMY

—

US MARINE CORPS

—

Saturday, 1 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, Commander South Pacific Force, establishes his headquarters afloat on board auxiliary Argonne (AG-31) at Nouméa, New Caledonia.

            Submarine Narwhal (SS-167), attacking Japanese shipping south of Shiraya Zaki, off northeast tip of Honshu, sinks merchant cargo ship Meiwa Maru, 41°12'N, 141°36'E, and oiler Koan Maru, 41°03'N, 141°28'E.

PACIFIC—Naval Base, Galapagos Islands; Naval Station, Taboga Island, Canal Zone; Naval Auxiliary Air Facility and Motor Torpedo Boat Base, Salinas, Ecuador, are established.

GULF OF MEXICO—Coast Guard J4F bombs and sinks German submarine U-166, 28°31'N, 90°45'W.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—General Eaker describes the mission of VIII Bomber Command as the destruction of carefully chosen strategic targets in Europe.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—During 1/2 Aug, B‑24’s hit convoy in Mediterranean, scoring 3 direct hits on a large merchant ship which last aircraft reports sinking. 1 B‑24 is lost in crash-landing at base.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s attack installations at Gona and shipping 75 mi E of Salamaua in Huon Gulf.

ELEVENTH AF—Weather and photo reconnaissance is flown by 1 B‑24 and 1 LB-30 over Korovin Bay and North Cape.

US ARMY

CHINA—Chiang Kai-shek formally approves General Stilwell’s proposal of 18 July for offensive and modifies the 3 demands of 29 June.

EGYPT—Activity on both sides is confined to patrolling, artillery exchanges, and preparations for renewing offensive.

USSR—German Army Group A, to which 1st Pz Army reverts, is fanning out S of Rostov and has cut Novorossisk–Stalingrad Railroad with capture of rail junction of Salsk; forward elements reach Kuban River. Heavy fighting continues in Don bend opposite Stalingrad as German Army Group B continues efforts to isolate Soviet forces. Red Army continues local attacks in Rzhev sector.

US MARINE CORPS

—

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

—

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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Friday, 24 July 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) sinks Japanese guard boat No.83 Shinsei Maru, Utasutsu Bay, Hokkaido, 44°53'N,147°09'E, and merchant cargo ships Nissho Maru off Etorofu, 45°09'N, 147°31'E, and Kofuji Maru off Oito, 45°14'N,147°31'E.

ARCTIC—Survivors of U.S. freighter Carlton (sunk by U-88 on 5 July) reach North Cape, Norway, where they become POWs. During the ordeal in the lifeboat, one man dies shortly before they make landfall.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—JCS issue statement that Heavy Bomber and Medium Bomber groups will be shifted from BOLERO assignments to Africa for TORCH. BOLERO resources are further depleted by decision to send 15 combat groups to Pacific theater.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—During 23/24 Jul, B‑17’s attack Tobruk harbor. B‑24’s hit harbor at Bengasi. A B‑24 crashes on return to base, killing 1 crew member.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s, A‑24’s, and fighters continue to pound AA positions and enemy troops at Gona as Japanese continue to push inland toward Kokoda.

US ARMY

FIJI ISLANDS—431st Squadron of 11th Heavy Bombardment Group arrives.

NEW GUINEA—Lt Col William T. Owen, CO Australian 39th Battalion, flies to Kokoda, which is in imminent danger. Outnumbered Maroubra Force, fighting delaying action as it falls back toward Kokoda, crosses Kumusi River and destroys Wairopi bridge across it.

USSR—Rostov falls to German Army Group A.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 23 July 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Onondaga, bound for Havana, Cuba, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-129 five miles north of Cayo Guillermo, 22°40'N, 78°40'W. Nineteen of the 33 man crew die in the attack, as does the sole passenger, the former master of U.S. freighter Thomas McKean (sunk by German submarine U-505 on 29 June).Cuban fishing boat Laventina rescues the 14 survivors.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—98th Bomb Group is assigned to USAMEAF.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s, B‑26’s, A‑24’s, and fighters pound shipping, landing barges, storage dumps, AA positions, and troop concentrations at Buna and Gona as the enemy pushes inland along Kokoda trail. Fighters also hit harbor at Salamaua.

SOUTH PACIFIC—11th Bomb Group B‑17’s in New Caledonia begin photo reconnaissance of Guadalcanal-Tulagi-Gavutu area.

SEVENTH AF—3 B‑17’s, staging through Canton Island, carry out photo reconnaissance of Makin.

US ARMY

NEW CALEDONIA—42d Squadron of 11th Heavy Bombardment Group arrives.

NEW GUINEA—Continuing along Kokoda Trail, Japanese clash with Australian Maroubra Force near Awala, forcing Australians back toward Wairopi.

US MARINE CORPS

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