Saturday, April 18, 2026

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

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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