Tuesday, 21 April 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Pipestone County, en route from Trinidad, B.W.I., to Boston, Massachusetts, is torpedoed by German submarine U-576 at 37°35'N, 66°20'W and abandoned by all hands (36 man merchant complement and the 9 man Armed Guard). U-576 provisions one of the sunken freighter's four lifeboats after questioning some of the survivors (see 22 April, and 7 and 8 May).

            Unarmed U.S. freighter San Jacinto, en route to San Juan, Puerto Rico, is torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U-201 at 31°10'N, 70°45'W, and abandoned before she sinks. Lost with the ship are five merchant sailors and nine passengers; 74 crewmen and 95 passengers survive (see 23 April).

EUROPE—Louise Leahy, wife of Admiral William D. Leahy, USN (Retired), Ambassador to France, dies of an embolism in Vichy. Her death, on the eve of their departure from Vichy, is a "crushing emotional shock" to the admiral, "beyond the understanding of anyone who has not had an identical experience."

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

BURMA—Japanese overtake Chinese 6th Army at Hopong. Chinese 49th Division is moving quickly W as ordered, and elements are committed in Mong Pawn-Loilem region.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 20 April 1942

US NAVY

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation CALENDAR: carrier Wasp (CV-7), as part of the effort to reinforce fighter defenses of the embattled British island of Malta, launches 47 RAF Spitfires. Within four days, however, heavy German bombing raids on the besieged isle’s airfields reduce the number of flyable Spitfires to six, necessitating a second ferry mission (see 9 May).

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter West Imboden, her presence advertised by an accidental fire in her stack, is torpedoed by German submarine U-752 about 200 miles off Nantucket lightship, 41°14'N, 65°54'W, and abandoned as she is being shelled by the U-boat. U-752 nears one of the lifeboats and asks about casualties. "That's good," one German officer responds when told that the American merchant sailors have come through unharmed.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—General Brett assumes command of Allied AF, which has units based in N and E Australia, with advanced facilities in the Port Moresby area.

US ARMY

VISAYAN ISLANDS—Japanese conquest of Visayan Islands. is virtually completed. Cebu and Panay are in enemy hands, although guerrillas continue to hold out in mountain areas. Small garrisons in hills of Negros, Samar, Leyte, and Bohol are too weak to interfere with enemy plans.

BURMA—Chinese 38th Division troops withdraw northward from Yenangyaung toward Gwegyo and cover retreat of Burma 1st Division toward Mt Popa area. In Sittang Valley, Chinese 5th Army troops fall back northward from Pyinmana. Japanese continue active in vicinity of Loikaw. Taunggyi-Meiktila road is left undefended as Chinese withdraw toward Hopong, closely followed by Japanese. 2 Battalions of Chinese 93d Division reach Loikaw area but return at once to Kengtung. Chinese 49th Division is ordered to move W.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 19 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese guard boat No.21 Nanshin Maru, damaged by Enterprise (CV-6) planes on 18 April, is scuttled by gunfire of light cruiser Kiso, 37°12'N, 151°15'E; guard boat No.1 Iwate Maru sinks as the result of damage inflicted by Enterprise planes on 18 April. Submarine I-74 rescues No.1 Iwate Maru's crew and ultimately transfers them to Kisoon 22 April.

CARIBBEAN—German submarine U-130 shells oil installations at Curacao, N.W.I.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Steel Maker is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-136 west of Bermuda, 33°05'N, 70°36'W, all hands save one (36 crewmen, the 9 man Armed Guard, and one passenger) survive. "I am sorry to have to sink you and do this to you," one German officer says apologetically after the enemy has questioned the survivors about the ship, its cargo, and destination, "but this is war." He promises to send Steel Maker's position to enable the Americans to be rescued (see 22, 29 April and 18 May).

            Destroyer Broome (DD-210) rescues 27 survivors from U.S. freighter Alcoa Guide, sunk by German submarine U-123on 16 April (see 18 May).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—General MacArthur appoints staff of GHQ SWPA. Among members are Maj General Richard K. Sutherland, Chief of Staff; General Richard Marshall, Deputy Chief of Staff; Col Charles P. Stivers, G–1; Col Charles A. Willoghby, G–2; Brigadier General Stephen J. Chamberlain, G–3; and Col Lester G–4.

VISAYAN ISLANDS—Japanese claim all of Cebu Island.

BURMA—113th Regiment, Chinese 38th Division, drives into Yenangyaung and finds Japanese firmly established there; clears 3 of 5 enemy strongpoints. Burma 1st Division continues efforts to advance in Twingon area until ordered to withdraw northward, then escapes with heavy losses in men and equipment. Threat to Burma Road is increased as Japanese columns converge a few miles S of Loikaw.

US MARINE CORPS

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Saturday, 11 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Trout (SS-202) torpedoes Japanese fleet tanker Nisshin Maru west of Shionomisaki, Japan, 33°26'N,135°38'E.

            USAAF A-20s attack Japanese shipping off Lae, New Guinea, damaging cargo vessel Taijun Maru, 06°49'S,147°02'E. Taijun Maru, deemed irreparable, is later scuttled.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker Harry F. Sinclair, Jr., is torpedoed by German submarine U-203 seven miles south of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 34°25'N, 76°30'W. Intense fires, fed by the tanker's 66,000 barrels of gasoline, consume the amidships section of the vessel; 10 of the 36 man crew perish in the flames. British armed trawler HMS Hertfordshire rescues 24 survivors, destroyer Herbert (DD-160) two. British (ex-French) armed trawler HMS Senateur Duhamel tows Harry F. Sinclair, Jr. into Morehead City, North Carolina.

            British steamship Ulysses is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-160 at 34°23'N, 75°35'W; high speed transport Manley (APD-1) rescues all hands (195 crew, 95 passengers).

            British trawler HMS St. Cathan (one of the Royal Navy patrol vessels operating off the eastern seaboard) and Dutch freighter Hebe collide at 38°40'N, 73°00'W, both ships sink. District patrol vessel YP-22 rescues 7 survivors from St. Cathan and 31 from Hebe; yachts Azurlite (PY-22) and Beryl (PY-23) participate in rescue efforts and between them later transport the survivors (Hebe's entire 31 man crew and nine of the 39 man crew of St. Cathan) to Charleston, South Carolina.

            After a patrol plane sights lifeboat at 38°40'N, 73°00'W, Coast Guard patrol boat 455 proceeds from Cape May, New Jersey, to the reported position, and there rescues last nine survivors of U.S. steamship City of New York, sunk by U-160 off Cape Hatteras on 29 March, and transports them to Lewes, Delaware. All told, one Armed Guard sailor, 16 crewmen and seven passengers have perished in the loss of the ship.

            Second group of 13 survivors from U.S. tanker Eugene V.R. Thayer, shelled on 9 April by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi reach the Brazilian coast north of Aracati (see 13 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

VISAYAN ISLANDS—On Cebu, 3d Battalion of 83d Infantry fails to stop enemy at Cantabaco, and Japanese drive rapidly eastward from Toledo with little difficulty.

BURMA—Japanese open attacks against center of line Minhla–Taungdwingyi.

USSR—Germans vigorously oppose Soviet efforts to land additional forces on Crimean coast near Eupatolia. Stalemate continues on central front. On northern front, Germans continue to make slow progress toward encircled forces.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 10 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Pacific Fleet is reorganized into type commands: Battleships (Rear Admiral Walter S. Anderson); Aircraft Carriers (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.); Cruisers (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher); Destroyers (Rear Admiral Robert A. Theobald); Service Force (Vice Admiral William L. Calhoun); Amphibious Force (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown, Jr.); Submarine Force (Rear Admiral Thomas Withers); and Patrol Wings (Rear Admiral John S. McCain). Old titles Battle Force and Scouting Force are abolished.

            Submarine Snapper (SS-185) evacuates military personnel from Corregidor.

            Minesweeper Finch (AM-9) is sunk by aerial bombs off Luzon, 14°22'N, 120°35'E.

            Crews of river gunboats Oahu (PR-6), Luzon (PR-7), and Mindanao (PR-8) are transferred ashore to man U.S. Army guns at Fort Hughes, Manila Bay.

            Japanese troops land on Cebu.

            Submarine Thresher (SS-200) torpedoes and sinks Japanese (ex-Portuguese) merchant cargo ship Maru six miles north of Oshima, near the entrance to Tokyo Bay, Honshu, Japan, 34°59'N, 139°29'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Gulfamerica, silhouetted by the lights of Jacksonville, Florida, is torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U-123 at 30°14'N, 81°18'W. Some of the tanker's crew perish in the torpedo explosion or gunfire when U-123 shells and machineguns the vessel; others drown as the ship is abandoned. Of the 41 man crew, 17 perish; 2 of the7 man Armed Guard die in the attack. District patrol vessel YP-32 aids in rescue of survivors. Gulfamerica capsizes and sinks on 16 April.

            Norwegian freighter Marpesia, off Surinam, rescues 19 survivors from U.S. tanker T.C. McCobb, sunk by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi on 31 March (see 16 May).

            Seaplane recovers 13 survivors from U.S. tanker Eugene V.R. Thayer, shelled on 9 April by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi (see 11 and 13 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

VISAYAN ISLANDS—Japanese invade Cebu Island., garrisoned by about 6,500 troops under command of Col Irwin C. Scudder. Bulk of enemy assault force goes ashore on E coast at Cebu City, the rest on W coast in vicinity of Toledo. Cebu MP Regiment at Cebu City and 3d Battalion of 82d Infantry (PA) at Toledo fight lively delaying actions before withdrawing inland from both towns under pressure. General Chynoweth, CG Visayan Force, whose HQ is on Cebu, sends 3d Battalion of 83d Infantry to defend Cantabaco, where cross island highway branches.

BURMA—Patrols of Burma I Corps find that Japanese are moving forward toward the Minhla- Taungdwingyi.

GERMANY—RAF Bomber Command drops first 2-ton bomb during attack on Essen, night 10–11.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 9 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Luzon Force (Major General Edward King, USA) on Bataan peninsula surrenders to Japanese. Gunboat Mindanao (PR-8) rescues soldiers attempting to escape from Bataan to Corregidor.

            U.S. Navy facilities at Mariveles are demolished to prevent enemy use: Navy forces scuttle submarine tender Canopus (AS-9), minesweeper Bittern (AM-36), tug Napa (AT-32), and drydock Dewey. Ferry launches San Felipe (YFB-12), Camia (YFB-683), and Dap Dap (YFB-684), and Canopus motor launches, evacuate men and equipment to Corregidor.

            Submarine Snapper (SS-185) delivers food to Corregidor.

            Motor torpedo boats PT-34 and PT-41 engage Japanese light cruiser Kuma and torpedo boat Kiji in a running fight off Cape Tanon, the southern tip of Cebu, P.I.; Kuma is hit by a dud torpedo and machine gun fire. Later that same day, PT-34 is bombed and strafed by floatplanes from Japanese seaplane carrier Sanuki Maru and beached off Cauit Island, P.I., 10°16'N, 123°52'E. A second bombing and strafing attack by Sanuki Maru's planes destroys PT-34, which suffers two dead and three wounded from her six man crew in the action.

INDIAN OCEAN—Japanese Operation C continues: carrier striking force (Vice Admiral Nagumo Chuichi) raids Trincomalee, Ceylon, which has been cleared of shipping in expectation of the attack. Notwithstanding the precautions taken by the British, Japanese carrier bombers attack the ships they find returning to Trincomalee. British carrier HMS Hermes is sunk, as is Australian destroyer HMAS Vampire, British corvette HMS Hollyhock, depot ship HMS Athelstane and RFA oiler British Sergeant.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Esparta, en route from Honduras to New York, is torpedoed by German submarine U-123about 14 miles south of Brunswick, Georgia, 30°46'N, 81°11'W; one man perishes out of the merchantman's 40 man crew.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Malchace is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-160 about 50 miles off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 34°28'N, 75°56'W; Mexican freighter Faja De Oro rescues the 28 survivors (one crewman drowns when Malchace is abandoned).

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Atlas is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-552 off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina,34°27'N, 76°16'W; two of the 34 man crew die attempting to escape the fires fed by the cargo of 84,239 barrels of gasoline. Coast Guard cutter CG 462 rescue the 32 men who survive the inferno. Later the same day, U-552 torpedoes tanker Tamaulipas at 34°25'N, 76°00'W; British trawler HMS Norwich City rescues the 35 survivors (two crewmen perish when the tanker is abandoned). Tamaulipas, gutted by fires, sinks the following morning.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Eugene V.R. Thayer, en route to Caripito, Venezuela from Buenos Aires, Argentina, is pursued and shelled by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi at 02°20'S, 39°30'W; 11 of the tanker's crew are killed in the engagement that ends when Eugene V.R. Thayer is abandoned (see 10, 11 and 13 April).

            Motor torpedo boat PT-59, on practice run in upper Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, accidentally torpedoes cargo ship Capella (AK-13); tugs are on the scene immediately and anchor the damaged auxiliary in shoal water. Eight crewmen are injured in the mishap.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—HQ echelon is located at Bolling Field to prepare Eighth AF for move overseas.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS—Japanese capture Bataan after 3 months. US-Philippine forces surrender unconditionally. Japanese artillery emplaced on Bataan opens fire on Corregidor in conjunction with air attacks.

US ARMY

LABRADOR—U.S. detachment arrives.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—On Luzon, at 0330, emissaries of General King start to Japanese lines under white flag to arrange for surrender. General King surrenders Luzon Force unconditionally at 1230, and grim march of prisoners from Balanga to San Fernando follows. Fall of Bataan permits Japanese aircraft previously employed against it to devote their full attention to Corregidor. For the first time since end of March, enemy planes attack in force. Japanese artillery emplaced at Cabcaben, S Bataan, opens fire on Corregidor.

VISAYAN ISLANDS—Cebu Island garrison is alerted as enemy flotilla heading toward the island is spotted.

BURMA—Burma I Corps is now disposed to defend oil fields, on general line Minhla–Taung-dwingyi, a 40-mile front. Chinese are not in position to support corps because of a series of contradictory orders.

CEYLON—Trincomalee undergoes heavy air attack by Japanese planes from carriers. HMS Hermes (aircraft carrier) is sunk offshore.

USSR—Strong Soviet efforts to advance from Kerch area in the Crimea make little headway against stubborn enemy forces. Germans remain on the defensive on central front, containing most of Red Army thrusts; on northern front, make slow progress against firm opposition toward encircled forces in vicinity of Cholm and Staraya Russa.

US MARINE CORPS

End of American resistance on Bataan.

 

Wednesday, 8 April 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Hydrographic Office and Naval Observatory are transferred from the Bureau of Navigation to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

PACIFIC—Submarine Seadragon (SS-194) delivers food to Corregidor, and evacuates the final increment of naval radio and communications intelligence people.

ATLANTIC—Submarine Mackerel (SS-204) is attacked by USAAF plane six miles south of Watch Hill light, but is not damaged in the accidental encounter.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Bidwell, bound from Corpus Christi, Texas, to New York City, is torpedoed by German submarine U-160 about 30 miles east of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 34°25'N, 75°57'W, but manages to reach Hampton Roads under her own power. One man of her 33 man crew is lost in the attack.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Oklahoma, en route from Port Arthur, Texas, to Providence, Rhode Island, is torpedoed by German submarine U-123 about 12 miles off Brunswick, Georgia, 31°18'N, 80°59'W; U-123 then proceeds to attack unarmed U.S. tanker Esso Baton Rouge approximately 15 miles off St. Simons Island, Georgia, 31°13'N, 80°05'W, torpedoing that ship as well. U-123 returns and shells Oklahoma. Both tankers sink in shallow water, and survivors from both vessels (18 from the 37 man crew from Oklahoma and 36 of the 39 man crew from Esso Baton Rouge) meet and proceed together for Brunswick, which they reach with the help of a Coast Guard boat. Both ships are not lost to the war effort; they are refloated, repaired, and returned to service.

            Yacht Zircon (PY-16) rescues 16 survivors (including one Armed Guard sailor) from U.S. freighter Otho, sunk by German submarine U-754 on 3 April (see 25 April).

            Panamanian merchantman Santa Monica rescues survivors from unarmed U.S. tanker T.C. McCobb, sunk by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi on 31 March (see 10 April and 16 May).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—Harry Hopkins and General Marshall arrive in London for talks with British service and supply chiefs concerning integration of US and British manpower and war production for action in Europe. General Marshall urges an offensive in the west to relieve pressure upon Russia, and promises a constant flow of US troops, including many air units, to UK.

NINTH AF—V Air Support Command (activated 1 Sep 41) is redesignated Ninth AF. HQ is at New Orleans AAB.

US ARMY

LUZON—II Corps disintegrates completely under sustained enemy attacks from ground and air. Japanese soon discover gaps in Alangan River line— held by 31st Infantry (U.S.), 57th Infantry (PS), 26th Cavalry (PS), 803d Engineer Battalion (U.S.), 14th Engineer Battalion (PS), and Constabulary troops—and stream southward at will. In final effort to stem enemy advance, Provisional Coast Artillery Brigade (AA), serving as infantrymen, forms weak line just N of Cabcaben, but other units ordered to extend this line are unable to do so. General King decides to surrender Luzon Force; orders equipment destroyed during night 8–9. Of the 78,000 men of Luzon Force, about 2,000 succeed in escaping to Corregidor.

UNITED KINGDOM—General Marshall and Mr Harry Hopkins arrive in London for series of conferences with the British on BOLERO.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 7 April 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Wilkes (DD-441) is damaged when accidentally rammed by British tanker Davila, Boston, Massachusetts.

            Destroyer Sturtevant (DD-240), directed to the scene by a USN patrol plane, rescues the 39 survivors (including the entire 6 man Armed Guard detachment) of U.S. tanker Comol Rico, sunk by U-154 on 4 April.

            U.S. tanker Pan Rhode Island, off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, rescues 29 survivors of Norwegian freighter Lancing, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-552, and 20 men from British tanker British Splendour, sunk by the same U-boat the same day.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—War Department officially states that Eighth AF will be established in UK as intermediate command between USAFBI and the AF commands. General Marshall notifies General Chaney of this decision.

FIFTH AF—During 6/7 Apr the Japanese break the Philippine II Corps front on Bataan, thus necessitating immediate removal of all remaining fighters to Mindanao, where for the next 3 days they will fly reconnaissance, cover Heavy Bombers (sent to Mindanao from Australia) operating against concentrations at Legaspi, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao, and carry out a strafing attack against aircraft at Davao. After the Heavy Bombers return to Australia on 12 Apr, the fighters will continue to fly reconnaissance until Japanese forces envelop the troops on Mindanao on 1 May.

US ARMY

LUZON—Japanese, attacking again in II Corps area with air and artillery support, force entire corps MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE back to Mamala River line; this line, too, becomes untenable, and Americans and Filipinos withdraw under cover of darkness, 7–8, to Alangan River. 26th Cavalry (PS), released to II Corps from I Corps reserve, establishes holding position while line is formed along the Mamala. Meanwhile, attempts by Philippine Division units to form continuous line prove futile. Philippine Constabulary regiments defending beaches are ordered into battle line. I Corps is directed to withdraw southward to Binuangan River line.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 6 April 1942

US NAVY

INDIAN OCEAN—Japanese Operation C continues: Second Expeditionary Fleet, Malay Force (Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo) raids Allied shipping off the east coast of India. Japanese Northern Group (Rear Admiral Kurita Takeo) attacks Allied convoy; unarmed U.S. freighter Exmoor is sunk by gunfire of heavy cruisers Kumano and Suzuya, and destroyer Shirakumo, 19°53'N, 86°30'E (there are no casualties among the 37 man crew), as are British merchantmen Silksworth, Autolycus, Malda and Shinkuang. Southern Group (Captain Sakiyama Shakao), consisting of heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma and destroyer Amagiri, sink British merchantmen Dardanus, Gandara and Indora. Central Group, formed around carrier Ryujo, heavy cruiser Chokai, light cruiser Yura, and destroyers Yugiri and Asagiri, attacks shipping in a third area. After planes from carrier Ryujo attack unarmed U.S. freighter Bienville, heavy cruiser Chokai shells and sinks the American merchantman at 17°50'N, 84°50'E; Japanese gunfire renders all lifeboats useless and kills 19 of the 41 man crew. Five more crewmen die later of wounds suffered in the attack. Lost with the ship is its cargo of 500 monkeys (which are most likely earmarked for infantile paralysis research in the United States). Floatplanes from Chokai bomb unarmed U.S. freighter Selma City (17°40'N, 83°20'E) and British freighter Ganges, sinking both. Two men wounded by bomb fragments constitute the only casualties on board Selma City; her29 man crew reaches Vizagapatam later the same day by boat. Yura and Yugiri, meanwhile, sink Dutch motorships Banjoewangi and Batavia, and British steamer Taksang. Planes from Ryujo bomb and sink British steamer Sinkiang, and Dutch motorship Van der Capellen (the latter sinks on 8 April) and, at Vizagapatam, bomb and damage British motorship Anglo Canadian.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Washingtonian, en route from Suez to Ceylon, is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarineI-5 at 07°25'N, 73°05'E; all hands (39 man crew and two passengers) survive the attack and reach the Maldive Islands in less than a day's rowing.

PACIFIC—Advance elements of the U.S. Army 41st Division reach Melbourne, Australia.

            River gunboats Mindanao (PR-8) and Oahu (PR-6) engage Japanese landing barges, claiming the destruction of at least four, in a night surface action in Manila Bay. Mindanao is damaged by return fire.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Sturtevant (DD-240), directed to the scene by a patrolling USAAF plane, rescues 31 merchant seamen and the 7 man Armed Guard from sunken U.S. tanker Catahoula, sunk by U-154 on 5 April.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Bidwell, bound from Corpus Christi, Texas, to New York City, is torpedoed by German submarine U-160 about 30 miles east of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 34°25'N, 75°57'W, but manages to reach Hampton Roads under her own power. One man of her 33 man crew is lost in the torpedoing.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—10 DC‑3’s of Pan American Airways begin hauling 30,000 gals of fuel and 500 gals of lubricants from Calcutta to the airstrip at Asansol, completing the mission on the following day. This fuel, subsequently transferred via Dinjan to China, is for use by Lt Col James H Doolittle’s Tokyo raiders, already at sea aboard the carrier Hornet.

US ARMY

LUZON—II Corps counterattacks N toward reserve line in Sector D but meets enemy attack head on and falls back. On corps E flank, U.S. 31st Infantry and 21st Division (PA), directed to drive N in region E of Mt Samat, are unable to reach line of departure.

            In center, Philippine 33d Infantry, followed by 42d and 43d, endeavors to drive N between Catmon and W slopes of Mt Samat, but 33d is surrounded and presumed lost and units to rear are routed. Hq of Sector D and W flank troops are thus separated from rest of II Corps. On W, Philippine 41st Infantry, followed by 45th, makes limited progress, but 45th is unable to overtake 41st and 41st becomes isolated. U.S. 31st Infantry and Battalion of 57th Infantry (PS) are assigned to Sector C, where line is withdrawn to San Vicente River. Japanese receive effective air and artillery support throughout day.

ADMIRALTY ISLANDS—Small Japanese naval force from Truk lands at Lorengau.

AUSTRALIA—Main body (Hq, 163d Regiment, 167th FA Battalion, and other units) of U.S. 41st Division reaches Melbourne.

BURMA—Japanese land reinforcements at Rangoon. Chiang Kai-shek, visiting Maymyo, urges that Taungdwingyi be held and agrees to provide Chinese division to assist Burma I Corps. Chinese 200th and 96th Divisions are in position to defend Pyinmana.

MIDDLE EAST—U.S. War Department decides that no fixed installations are to be established in Iranian Mission territory.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 5 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese naval forces occupy Lorengau, Manus Island, Admiralty Islands, without opposition.

INDIAN OCEAN—In Operation C, Japanese carrier striking force (Vice Admiral Nagumo Chuichi) raids Colombo, Ceylon. After reconnaissance floatplane from heavy cruiser Tone finds British heavy cruisers HMS Cornwall and HMS Dorsetshire, carrier bombers from Akagi, Hiryu and Soryu sink both ships. Japanese Second Expeditionary Fleet, Malay Force (Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo) is divided into three groups to disrupt Allied shipping in the Bay of Bengal (see 6 April).

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Catahoula, about 100 miles into her voyage from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, to Wilmington, Delaware, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-154 at 19°16'N, 68°12'W; two merchant sailors perish in the explosion of the torpedo and five drown when the ship is abandoned (see 6 April).

            Coast Guard cutter Dione (WPC-107) proceeds to the scene of the torpedoing of unarmed U.S. tanker Byron D. Benson, attacked by German submarine U-552 the previous evening; high speed minesweeper Hamilton (DMS-18) does likewise, and during the search for the submarine, rescues 27 survivors; British trawler HMS Norwich City picks up one man. Byron D. Benson sinks two days later.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

LUZON—After air and artillery preparation, Japanese resume offensive in the II Corps area, concentrating on 21st Division, which yields Mt Samat and is left virtually ineffective as a fighting force. Corps prepares to counterattack on 6th with all available forces. Japanese invasion force of 4,852 troops sails from Lingayen Gulf toward Cebu, in the Visayan Islands.

CEYLON—Japanese carrier-based planes attack Colombo.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese occupy Manus lsland, Admiralties.

 

Saturday, 4 April 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Comol Rico is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-154 about 225 miles north of Puerto Rico,20°46'N, 66°46'W; three merchant sailors perish in the explosion of the torpedo (see 7 April).

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Byron D. Benson is torpedoed by German submarine U-552 approximately eight miles off Currituck Inlet, North Carolina, 36°08'N, 75°32'W; fires, fed by the ship's cargo of 91,500 barrels of crude oil, consume nine of the 37 man crew. Antisubmarine vessel ["Q ship"] Asterion (AK-100), nearby, reports the attack (see 5 April).

            Russian patrol boat rescues 11 men in lifeboat from U.S. freighter Effingham, sunk by German submarine U-435 on 30 March; four of those rescued later die of exposure. All told, 11 of the 34 man merchant crew perish, as does one of the 9 man Armed Guard.

            British escort vessel HMS Copinsay attempts to tow the damaged U.S. freighter West Irmo, torpedoed the previous day by German submarine U-505, but the merchantman proves beyond saving. Copinsay hastens West Irmo's end with a depth charge.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese attack is again preceded by demoralizing artillery bombardment in conjunction with air attacks. MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE of Sector D collapses as 41st Division withdraws again and 21st Division is forced from MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE to reserve line in front of Mt Samat. After nightfall, Japanese regroup for assault on Mt Samat. Sector C has to refuse its left flank because of enemy breakthrough. Luzon Force sends 2 regiments of Philippine Div—31st (U.S.) and 45th (PS)—to support II Corps.

INDIAN OCEAN—Japanese naval force in Indian Ocean sinks British cruisers Dorsetshire and Cornwall near Colombo, Ceylon.

MIDDLE EAST—Col Don G. Shingler is notified that he is to head U.S. Iranian Mission, replacing General Wheeler. Iranian projects now have top priority, and construction project at Umm Qasr, Iraq, is suspended.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 3 April 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Admiral Chester W. Nimitz is named Commander in Chief Pacific Ocean Areas (CINCPOA); his command encompasses the North, Central, and South Pacific. He retains his position as Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC).

            Light minelayers Pruitt (DM-22), Preble (DM-20), Sicard (DM-21), and Tracy (DM-19) mine French Frigate Shoals, Hawaiian Group, to prevent Japanese submarines from using the area as a refueling point for flying boat raids on Oahu.

INDIAN OCEAN—U.S. freighter Exhibitor is bombed and damaged by Japanese reconnaissance flying boat near Calcutta, India, while proceeding to Colombo, Ceylon. The ship's gunfire drives off the enemy plane as it makes a second pass; only four of the men on board (43 man merchant complement and 9 man Armed Guard) are injured in the attack.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Otho, en route to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from Takoradi, Gold Coast, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-754 about 200 miles east of Cape Henry, Virginia, 36°25'N, 71°57'W; survivors abandon ship in a raft and three boats (see 8 and 25 April).

            U.S. freighter West Irmo, en route to Takoradi, Gold Coast, from Marshall, Liberia, is torpedoed by German submarine U-505 at 02°10'N, 05°50'W, and abandoned. Ten longshoremen are lost in the explosion while the remainder of the ship's complement, 36 merchant seamen, the 8 man Armed Guard and 55 longshoremen, are rescued by British escort vessel HMS Copinsay (see 4 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—6 Heavy Bombers from Asansol bomb warehouses and docks at Rangoon, starting 3 large fires. 1 B‑17 fails to return.

US ARMY

LUZON—Japanese open all-out offensive against Bataan line, which is by now understrength, undernourished, poorly clothed and equipped, and battle weary. After air and artillery bombardment, lasting from 1000 until 1500, Japanese move forward, making main effort against Sector D, the W flank of II Corps, where 41st and 21st Divisions (PA) are thinly spread and dazed as result of preliminary bombardment. 41st, on W, gives way and is rendered virtually ineffective as a fighting force, although regiment on extreme W succeeds in withdrawing in an orderly fashion. Battalion on W flank of 21st Division is forced to pull back. Effort to re-establish line of 41st Division after dark is partially successful. The only corps reserve unit, 33d Infantry (PA), less 1st Battalion, is released to Sector D as is Provisional Tank Group (—) of Luzon Force reserve. In I Corps sector to W, Japanese succeed in reaching MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE on E flank but are unable to pierce it.

BURMA—Burma I Corps continues northward withdrawal from Allanmyo area although not under enemy pressure. In Sittang Valley, General Stilwell begins deploying Chinese for stand at Pyinmana. Chinese 22d Division is to fall back gradually on Pyinmana, where Chinese 96th Division is to take over.

MIDDLE EAST—India is removed from U.S. Iranian Mission’s sphere of responsibility, but Karachi remains base for the 2 U.S. Middle East missions. General Wheeler is relieved as chief of Iranian Mission.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 2 April 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker Liebre is shelled by German submarine U-123 at 34°11'N, 76°08'W, and abandoned. Arrival of British motor torpedo boat MTB 332, however, compels U-123 to withdraw before she can finish the work of destroying Liebre. Of the 34 man crew, 26 reboard the ship, which is towed by salvage tug Resolute and British trawler HMS St. Zeno to Morehead City, North Carolina.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter David H. Atwater is shelled by German submarine U-552 east of Chincoteague Inlet, Virginia,37°37'N, 75°10'W; destroyers Noa (DD-343) and Herbert (DD-160) are sent to the scene, but arrive too late to be of assistance. The sudden and savage nature of U-552's attack leaves David H. Atwater's crew little or no time to take to lifeboats. Of the 25 man complement, only three survive to be rescued by Coast Guard cutter Legare (WPC-144) and taken to Chincoteague Island Coast Guard station.

            British minesweeper HMS Harrier rescues 17 men in lifeboat from U.S. freighter Effingham, sunk by German submarine U-435 on 30 March 1942; six of those rescued later die of exposure (see 4 April).

            Despite the efforts of a salvage crew, U.S. tanker Tiger, torpedoed by German submarine U-754 on 31 March and taken in tow the previous day, sinks short of her destination, Norfolk, Virginia.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—General Brereton, CG, leads 3 Heavy Bombers on raid on shipping in Andaman Islands during 2/3 Apr. The Heavy Bombers claim hits on a cruiser and a transport. 2 Heavy Bombers are damaged by AA and fighters, but all return to base. Earlier in the evening, a mission scheduled against Rangoon area is aborted when 1 Heavy Bomber crashes on takeoff and the other has mechanical trouble.

US ARMY

INDIA—U.S. Tenth Air Force f lies its first combat mission, attacking shipping off Andaman Islands.; subsequently concentrates on enemy positions in Burma.

BURMA—Burma I Corps withdraws from Prome.

US MARINE CORPS

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