Friday, 22 May 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Mexico declares war on Germany, Italy, and Japan.

CARIBBEAN—Unarmed U.S. tanker William Boyce Thompson, en route to Curacao, N.W.I., is torpedoed by German submarine U-558 at 16°26'N, 76°55'W; there are no casualties among the 37 merchant seamen and two Navy signalmen, and the ship reaches port under her own power.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Blakely (DD-150), at 15°01'N, 57°38'W, rescues seven survivors from U.S. freighter Quaker City, sunk by German submarine U-156 on 18 May (see 24 and 26 May).

            Admiral William D. Leahy, USN (Retired), boards Swedish passenger liner Drottningholm at Lisbon, Portugal, for passage home to the United States. He will arrive in New York on 1 June.

PACIFIC—Submarine Tautog (SS-199) damages Japanese transport Sanko Maru southwest of Truk, 07°00'N, 151°00'E.

            Submarine Silversides (SS-236) damages Japanese transport Asahisan Maru at the mouth of Kii Suido, between Ichiyozaki and Shionomizaki, Honshu, 33°30'N, 135°27'N. Counterattack by Japanese aircraft (Maizuru Kokutai) is unsuccessful.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s pound airfield and shipping at Rabaul while B‑26’s hit airfield at Lae and attack shipping in the harbor.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—21st Troop Carrier Sq begins movement of some 300 troops and supplies to Wau to reinforce weak Australian group, called Kanga Force, defending Bulolo Valley. Kanga Force consists largely of troops of New Guinea Volunteer Reserve (NGVR).

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 21 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—North Pacific Force (Rear Admiral Robert A. Theobald) is established for operations in Alaskan sector.

            Destroyer Helm (DD-388) rescues four survivors from Neosho (AO-23) that had abandoned ship when the oiler was damaged on 7 May.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Plow City, en route from Trinidad to New York, mistakes lifeboat from British motorship Peisander (sunk by German submarine U-653 on 17 May) and flees, her smoke attracting the attention of U-588, which torpedoes and sinks Plow City at 39°08'N, 69°57'W. One crewman dies in the attack. U-588 briefly interrogates one crewman on board the submarine before returning him to his shipmates with rum and cigarettes; U-boat sailors also help the Americans right a capsized lifeboat (see 26 May).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s bomb aircraft at Lae.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Rear Admiral Robert A. Theobald, as commander of TF 8, becomes responsible for all forces, U.S. Army and naval and Canadian, in Alaska area.

GERMANY—Adolf Hitler decides to postpone projected conquest of Malta, Operation HERCULES, until Egypt is conquered.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 20 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Air Force, South Pacific Area (Rear Admiral John S. McCain) is established.

ATLANTIC—District patrol craft YP-387 is sunk in collision off the coast of Delaware, 39°00'N, 75°00'W.

GULF OF MEXICO—Unarmed U.S. tanker Halo is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-506 approximately 50 miles from Southwest Pass, 28°42'N, 90°08'W; 23 survivors from a merchant complement of 42 men initially survive the loss of the ship (see 25 and 27 May).

            U.S. freighter George Calvert is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-752 near the Yucatan Channel, 22°55'N,84°26'W; three Armed Guard sailors perish in the attack. Fifty-one merchant seamen and seven surviving Armed Guard sailors abandon ship in three boats, in which they reach the coast of Cuba, going ashore the following day.

            U.S. tanker Esso Dover rescues 20 merchant sailors and two Armed Guard sailors, survivors of freighter Ogontz, sunk by German submarine U-103 the previous day.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. freighter Clare is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-103 approximately 40 miles off the south coast of Cuba, 21°35'N, 84°43'W; the 33 man merchant complement and 7 man Armed Guard (all hands) survive, abandoning ship in one boat and three rafts. Later the same day, U-103 torpedoes and sinks U.S. freighter Elizabeth at 21°36'N,84°48'W; six of the 35 merchant seamen perish, the remainder, along with the 7 man Armed Guard, reach the coast of Cuba the following day.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s attack airfield and AA guns at Koepang on Timor Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Adm McCain, aboard USS Tangier at Noumea, assumes command as COMAIRSOPAC.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Reinforcements are being hastily moved to Midway and the Aleutians, since Japanese plan to invade the islands is by now known. In the Aleutians, work on secret air base on Umnak Island is being rushed to a conclusion. Rear Admiral John S. McCain takes command as COMAIRSOPAC.

BURMA—With conquest of Burma completed, Japanese (56th, 18th, 33d, and 55th Divisions of 15th Army) take up defensive positions.

INDIA—Burma I Corps is placed under command of 4 Corps as rear guard reaches India.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 19 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Light cruiser Nashville (CL-43) sails independently from Midway, bound for the western Aleutians.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-21 reconnoiters Suva Bay, Fiji.

INDIAN OCEAN—Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-30 reconnoiters Zanzibar and Dar-es-Salaam.

ATLANTIC—Armed Guard officer on board U.S. freighter Ironclad, at Hvalfjordur, Iceland, reports disturbance among the crew, occasioned by some of the merchant seamen breaking into a quantity of liquor consigned to Admiral William H. Standley, USN (Ret.), U.S. Ambassador to the USSR. Battleship Washington (BB-56) provides a guard of marines from her detachment to bring the rowdies under control. Consequently, Ironclad is withdrawn from the list of ships to comprise convoy PQ 16 so that the incident can be investigated.

            Last three survivors of unarmed U.S. fishing trawler Foam, attacked by German submarine U-432 on 17 May, are rescued by Canadian corvette HMCS Halifax.

            U.S. steamship Howard rescues the 29 survivors of U.S. tanker Mercury Sun, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-125 the previous day; she transfers one to a Coast Guard boat at the Tampa Sea Buoy for medical attention and transports the rest to Mobile, Alabama.

GULF OF MEXICO—U.S. freighter Heredia is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-506 two miles south of the Ship Shoal Buoy, Louisiana, 27°32'N, 91°00'W; the rapidity with which the ship sinks gives the crew no time to launch boats. Of the 62men on board (48 man merchant crew, six man Armed Guard and eight passengers), 36 (30 crewmen, five Armed Guard sailors and one passenger) perish. Shrimp boats Papa Joe, Conquest, J. Edwin Treakle, and Shellwater rescue 23 survivors; a seaplane rescues three.

            U.S. freighter Ogontz is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-103 at 23°30'N, 86°37'W; 17 merchant seamen and two Armed Guard sailors perish in the attack, the majority of the casualties caused when a mast falls across a lifeboat when the ship is being abandoned. U-103 questions two survivors on board before returning them to their shipmates. The Germans provide medical assistance and cigarettes before leaving (see 20 May).

CARIBBEAN—Unarmed U.S. freighter Isabela is torpedoed, shelled and sunk by German submarine U-751 35 miles south of Navassa Island light, 17°50'N, 75°00'W; three crewmen perish. Survivors subsequently reach Cape Briton, Haiti, in two lifeboats.

            Latvian freighter Kegums rescues the 22 survivors of U.S. freighter William J. Salman, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-125 the previous day. She transports them to Key West, Florida.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Det, HQ Eighth AF, under General Eaker, assumes control of all AAF organizations in British Isles.

US ARMY

MIDDLE EAST—General Auchinleck issues instructions to Commander, British Tenth Army, on action to be taken should the enemy attack through Iran from the Caucasus.

UNITED KINGDOM—U.S. Eighth Air Force detachment HQ under General Eaker takes control of all U.S. Army air organizations in British Isles.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 18 May 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Office of Naval Inspector General (Rear Admiral Charles P. Snyder) is established.

ARCTIC—U.S. freighter Deer Lodge, anchored in Kola Inlet, is bombed by German planes, and damaged by near-misses. There are no casualties among the 34 man merchant complement or among the 11 man Armed Guard sailors, and the ship is moved to another anchorage.

ATLANTIC—Brazilian steamship Commandante Lyra is torpedoed by Italian submarine Barbarigo at 02°59'S, 34°10'W; light cruisers Milwaukee (CL-5) and Cincinnati (CL-4) rescue survivors. Small seaplane tender Thrush (AVP-3) tows the damaged ship to Fortaleza, Brazil, while PBYs (VP 83) provide cover.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Quaker City is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-156 approximately 300 miles east of Barbados, 15°47'N, 53°12'W; ten men perish (one man will subsequently die of wounds). The 30 survivors take to four lifeboats. U-156 surfaces and questions the survivors as to the name of the ship and her cargo and destination; the Germans then provide the Americans with directions to Barbados (see 22, 24 and 26 May).

            British steamship Hororata rescues raft with the last survivor from U.S. freighter Alcoa Guide, sunk by German submarine U-123 on 16 April. A total of six have perished from Alcoa Guide's 34 man complement.

            Rescue craft (not specified) recovers last survivor from torpedoed U.S. freighter Steel Maker, sunk by German submarine U-136 on 19 April. This man, the radio operator, had pooled the supplies from several rafts in his vicinity after the ship sank and "lived comfortably" until rescued.

            Lifeboat with 17 survivors of unarmed U.S. fishing trawler Foam, attacked by German submarine U-432 the previous day, reaches Sambro Light Ship, whence they are transported to Halifax by a Canadian patrol craft (see 19 May).

CARIBBEAN—Unarmed U.S. tanker Mercury Sun is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-125 at 20°02'N, 84°25'W, and abandoned; six merchant seamen perish in the attack (see 19 May).

            Unarmed U.S. freighter William J. Salman is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-125 at 20°08'N, 83°47'W, as the American ship proceeds to Antigua, B.W.I.; six men perish (see 19 May).

GULF OF MEXICO—U.S. tanker Benjamin Brewster rescues 19 survivors from U.S. tanker Gulfoil, sunk by U-506 on 16 May, and transports them to Galveston, Texas.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—US and Panama sign agreement concerning use of Panama defense areas by US forces.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb shipping in Koepang Bay.

SEVENTH AF—Seventh AF is placed on alert in anticipation of a possible attack on Midway. For next 10 days the old B‑18’s on hand are used on search to supplement the B‑17’s. VII Bomber Command receives influx of B‑17’s during this period, and the 72d Bomb Squadron is converted from B‑18’s to B‑17’s.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—U.S. Seventh Air Force is alerted for possible enemy attack on Midway or Hawaii.

BURMA—Chiang Kai-shek orders Chinese 5th Army, which now consists largely of Chinese 22d and 96th Divisions, to take up positions between Myitkyina and Fort Hertz. Chinese 22d Division survivors reach Ledo area in July and August. Chinese 96th eventually makes its way to China via Fort Hertz.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 17 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Grampus (SS-207) is damaged by gunfire of Japanese patrol craft off Truk, 08°02'N, 151°03'E.

            Submarine Silversides (SS-236) damages Japanese transport Tottori Maru and merchant cargo ship Thames Maru off Shionomisaki, southern Honshu, 33°28'N, 135°33'E.

            Submarine Skipjack (SS-184) sinks Japanese army transport Taizan Maru near the mouth of the Gulf of Siam,06°22'N, 108°36'E.

            Submarine Tautog (SS-199) torpedoes and sinks Japanese submarine I-28 north of Rabaul, 06°30'N, 152°00'E.

            Submarine Triton (SS-201) torpedoes and sinks Japanese submarine I-64 southeast of Kyushu, Japan, 29°25'N,134°06'E.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Hambleton (DD-455) is damaged in collision with destroyer Ellyson (DD-454) while in TF 36, en route to the United States from the Gold Coast of Africa.

            U.S. freighter Challenger, en route to Trinidad for voyage repairs, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-155at 12°11'N, 61°18'W; five merchant seamen, two Armed Guard sailors, and one passenger perish. Yacht Turquoise (PY-19) rescues the 36 merchant seamen, nine Armed Guard sailors, and 11 passengers who survive the loss of the ship, and transports them to Trinidad.

            Unarmed U.S. fishing trawler Foam is shelled by German submarine U-432 approximately 85 miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, 43°20'N, 63°08'W; and abandoned by her 21 man crew (one of whom dies of wounds) (see 18 and 19May).

            Twenty three survivors of U.S. tanker Esso Houston, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-162 on 12 May1942 reach St. Vincent, British Windward Islands. One Armed Guard sailor perishes of wounds suffered in the attack five days previous; he is the only casualty.

CARIBBEAN—Norwegian motor vessel Somerville rescues 27 survivors (one of whom dies of his wounds after being picked up) from U.S. freighter Ruth Lykes, sunk by German submarine U-103 the previous day, and transports them to Key West, Florida.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Det, Eighth AF, with help of III Bomber Command staff, issues a directive defining its mission, which is the organization, training and supplying of units of ADVONs of Eighth AF to prepare for immediate operations upon arrival of tactical elements of the Eighth. 50 US intelligence officers arrive in UK for training by RAF Bomber Command.

US ARMY

USSR—Battle of Kharkov opens as Germans counterattack from Izyum area and in region E of Kharkov, bringing Soviet offensive to a halt.  

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 16 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Tautog (SS-199) torpedoes Japanese fleet tanker Goyo Maru west of Royalist Bank, Truk, 07°00'N,152°00'E. Tautog's first "fish" circles, forcing her to go deep at once.

ATLANTIC—Last three survivors from unarmed U.S. tanker T.C. McCobb, sunk by Italian submarine Pietro Calvi on 31 March, land at Surinam. Two of the three men, however, later die of exposure.

            Destroyer Tarbell (DD-142) rescues 23 survivors from U.S. freighter Lammont Du Pont, sunk by German submarine U-125 on 23 April. There had been originally 31 men on the raft spotted by the destroyer, but eight had perished between 23 April and 16 May.

            U.S. tanker Esso Augusta rescues the 27 merchant seaman and four Armed Guard sailors who have survived the loss of freighter Nicarao, sunk by German submarine U-751 the previous day.

GULF OF MEXICO—U.S. tanker Sun, en route to Beaumont, Texas, is torpedoed by German submarine U-506 at 28°41'N, 90°19'W, but escapes the U-boat to reach New Orleans, Louisiana, under her own power without further incident. Sun suffers no casualties among the 37 man merchant crew and 5 man Armed Guard. Later the same day, U-506 torpedoes and shells U.S. tanker William C. McTarnahan approximately 35 miles east of Ship Shoal Light, Louisiana, 28°52'N, 90°20'W, but retires without finishing off her quarry; 18 of the 38 man merchant crew perish in the attack. The 20 merchant seamen and all seven Armed Guard sailors survive to be rescued by shrimp boats Defender, Pioneer and Viscali (as well as a fourth unnamed craft). Coast Guard tug Tuckahoe (WYT-89), assisted by civilian tug Baranca tows the damaged tanker to Southwest Pass; she will subsequently return to service. Still later, U-506 torpedoes and sinks U.S. tanker Gulfoil approximately 75 miles southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi, 28°08'N, 89°46'W; the tanker sinks so rapidly that the crew have no time to launch boats. Of the 36 man merchant complement and 4 man Armed Guard, only 19 merchant seamen survive to reach two life rafts that float free when the ship sinks (see 18 May).

CARIBBEAN—Unarmed U.S. freighter Ruth Lykes is attacked by German submarine U-103 at 16°37'N, 82°27'W; after the U-boat scores a hit with a dud torpedo she surfaces to shell her quarry, killing five sailors. U-103 rescues one sailor and transfers him into a lifeboat; after which action Kapitanleutnant Werner Winter, the submarine's commanding officer, apologizes: "You can thank Mr. Roosevelt for this. I am sorry." The U-boat also gives the Americans bandages and cigarettes before departing (see 17 May).

            Dutch schooners India and Mississippi sight lifeboats of U.S. freighter Norlantic, sunk by German submarine U-69 on13 May. The latter tows the boats into Bonaire the following day (see 24 May).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—HQ completes its move from US to New Delhi. Heavy Bombers again strike airfield at Myitkyina, pounding runways and buildings. Subsequent reconnaissance indicates that the runways are unusable.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s, B‑26’s and B‑17’s hit airfield and storehouses at Lae and seaplane base at Deboyne Island.

US ARMY

INDIA—First detachment of SOS troops—393d QM Battalion (Port) and 159th Station Hospital—arrives at Karachi.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 15 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Tuna (SS-203) sinks Japanese transport Toyoharu Maru 65 miles off Sohuksando, Korea, 33°34'N,125°09'E.

ARCTIC—German planes bomb Allied shipping at Murmansk; U.S. freighter Yaka suffers a direct hit that causes extensive damage but no casualties to the 38 man merchant crew or the 11 man Armed Guard. The ship is beached to prevent loss.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Nicarao is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-751 north of San Salvador, Bahamas, 25°20'N,74°19'W; eight of the 35 man merchant crew perish as they abandon ship. The four man Armed Guard survives intact (see 16 May).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES—Interceptor and pursuit organizations of AAF are redesignated ‘fighter’.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Australian 14th Brigade Group and 700 attached Australian AA troops start to Port Moresby to bolster positions there.

INDIA—General Alexander moves HQ from Burma to Imphal area of India. General Stilwell arrives in India.

LIBYA—British Eighth Army has completed most of its preparations for offensive, but Rommel’s forces are showing signs of forestalling it.

USSR—Germans announce capture of town and harbor of Kerch, in the Crimea. Red Army continues offensive toward Kharkov.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 14 May 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-213 mines the waters off St. John's, Newfoundland.

            Norwegian freighter Havprins rescues 18 survivors of U.S. tanker Esso Houston, sunk by German submarine U-162 on 12 May; Havprins will transfer these men to Latvian freighter Everagra for transportation to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands (see 17 May).

GULF OF MEXICO—Norwegian merchantman Norsol rescues two survivors from U.S. freighter David McKelvy, sunk the day before by German submarine U-506.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—General Eaker designated commander of Det HQ Eighth AF in addition to his duties as CG VIII Bomber Command. General Hunter assumes command of VIII Interceptor Command.

TENTH AF—Heavy Bombers pound Myitkyina for second time, scoring direct hits on runways and several buildings.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s, B‑26’s, and B‑25’s attack Rabaul and Lae.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Legislation establishing Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) is enacted.

AUSTRALIA—U.S. 32d Division arrives.

BURMA—British Imperial forces withdrawing from Burma reach Tamu, Assam.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 13 May 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Bureau of Navigation is renamed Bureau of Naval Personnel.

PACIFIC—Submarine Drum (SS-228) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Shonan Maru northeast of Mikimoto, Honshu, 34°00'N, 139°00'E.

            RAAF Hudsons bomb Japanese shipping off Ambon, N.E.I., sinking auxiliary Taifoku Maru and damaging gunboat Taiko Maru.

            Japanese merchant cargo vessel Nagasaki Maru is sunk by Japanese mine off Nagasaki, Japan.

ATLANTIC—French agree to immobilize aircraft carrier Béarn, light cruiser Emile Bertin, and training cruiser Jeanne D'Arc at Martinique, French West Indies.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Norlantic is shelled by German submarine U-69 while en route to Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, from Pensacola, Florida, 12°13'N, 66°30'W; U-69 continues to shell the freighter as the latter's crew abandon ship. U-69 then torpedoes Norlantic and sinks her. Six of the freighter's 29 man crew perish in the attack (two below in the engine room and four trying to launch boats under fire); one sailor will die of wounds (see 16 and 24 May, and 19 June)

GULF OF MEXICO—Unarmed U.S. tanker Gulfprince is attacked by German submarine U-506 approximately six miles south of the Ship Shoals (Louisiana) Sea Bouy, 28°32'N, 91°00'W, but Gulfprince is skillfully handled and evades the first two torpedoes. The second pair only strike a glancing blow and Gulfprince escapes to reach New Orleans without further incident. Later, U-506 torpedoes and sinks unarmed tanker Gulfpenn at 28°29'N, 89°12'W; 12 men die in the initial explosion or perish with the ship. Of the 26 survivors, one dies of his injuries. Coast Guard plane directs Honduran freighter Telde toward the position of the survivors, and the merchantman rescues them. Still later, U-506 torpedoes U.S. freighter David McKelvy approximately 35 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi, 28°30'N, 89°55'W; explosion ignites the ship's cargo of 81,000 barrels of crude oil and forces the crew to abandon ship. U-506 retires without expending further torpedoes, apparently thinking the freighter doomed. Coast Guard cutter Boutwell (WPC-130) rescues survivors (see 14 and 29 May).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Flying personnel of 15th Bomb Squadron, the first US bomb unit sent to UK, arrive at Newport, UK, without aircraft.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s and B‑26’s hit shipping and airfield at Rabaul.

US ARMY

FIJI ISLANDS—Americans relieve New Zealand forces of responsibility for Fiji Islands. and prepare to reinforce positions there.

AUSTRALIA—Rear echelon of U.S. 41st Division arrives.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 12 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine S-44 (SS-155) torpedoes and sinks Japanese repair ship Shoei Maru 15 miles southwest of Cape St. George, 05°06'S, 152°30'E, and survives counterattacks by her victim's escort. Shoei Maru had been en route to try and salvage the damaged minelayer Okinoshima. Attempt to save Okinoshima (damaged the previous day by submarine S-42), by transport Kinryu Maru and destroyer Mochizuki, fails, and the doomed minelayer sinks.

GULF OF MEXICO—Unarmed U.S. tanker Virginia is torpedoed by German submarine U-507 as the former lies-to approximately one and a half miles off Southwest Pass, Louisiana, 28°53'N, 89°29'W, awaiting the arrival of a pilot. The explosion of the second and third torpedoes ignites the tanker's cargo (150,000 barrels of gasoline), and the rapid spread of the fire prevents the crew from launching boats or rafts. Of Virginia's 41 man crew, 27 perish in the inferno. Motor torpedo boat PT-157 rescues the 14 survivors.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Esso Houston is torpedoed by German submarine U-162 approximately 150 miles east of Barbados,12°12'N, 57°24'W, and abandoned. After the U-boat has administered the coup de grace to the tanker, she surfaces nearby and her commanding officer offers assistance, helpfully informing the ship's master that one of the lifeboats is sinking. Survivors (38 man civilian complement and 4 man Armed Guard) congregate in two lifeboats (see 14 and 17May).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—39 officers and 348 enlisted men of HQ and the bomber, fighter, and service commands arrive at High Wycombe, UK, where VIII Interceptor Command sets up HQ.

TENTH AF—Heavy Bombers fly their first mission in direct defense of air cargo line to China when 4 B‑17’s from Dum Dum airfield heavily damage runways and set fire to several parked aircraft at Myitkyina. Myitkyina, which fell to the Japanese on 8 May, poses serious fighter threat to Allied base at Dinjan.

US ARMY

BURMA—Japanese force heading for Kengtung crosses the Salween.

USSR—While Germans continue Crimean offensive toward Kerch, Red Army opens 2-pronged attack toward Kharkov, thrusting SW across upper Donets on N and northward from Izyum salient on S. Attack at first goes well.

UNITED KINGDOM—First large detachment of U.S. Eighth Air Force arrives.

US MARINE CORPS

Last U. S. troops in Philippines surrender on Mindanao.

Monday, 11 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—In the wake of the Battle of the Coral Sea, oiler Neosho (AO-23), damaged and adrift since 7 May and deemed beyond salvage, is scuttled by torpedoes and gunfire of destroyer Henley (DD-391), which rescues survivors from Neosho and Sims (DD-409). Among those men is the injured Chief Water tender Oscar V. Peterson, who dies of his wounds.

            Submarine S-42 (SS-153) torpedoes Japanese minelayer Okinoshima west of Buka Island, Solomons, 05°06'S,153°48'E (see 12 May).

            Japanese merchant cargo ship Oridono Maru is sunk by Japanese mine near Surabaya, Java, 07°00'S, 112°40'E.

GULF OF MEXICO—U.S. motor tanker Aurora, torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U-506 the previous day, is brought to Southwest Pass, Louisiana, under tow of Coast Guard tug Tuckahoe (WYT-89). Civilian tug Robert W. Wilmot aids Tuckahoe but Aurora drifts onto a shoal at the entrance of the Pass. Subsequently, however, Aurora is salvaged and returns to service as Jamestown.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—The transport Andes docks in UK, carrying about 1,800 personnel for various Eighth AF units. This is first large shipment of AAF troops to UK.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s attack shipping at Kessa in N Solomons while B‑26’s hit seaplane base at Deboyne Island.

US ARMY

CHINA—In retaliation for the Doolittle raid, Japanese launch strong drive in Chekiang Province.

MEDITERRANEAN—3 of 4 British DD’s attempting to halt enemy convoy are lost to Axis aircraft.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 10 May 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Carrier Ranger (CV-4) in TF 36 launches 68 USAAF P-40 fighters off Accra, Gold Coast of Africa. She had transported them from Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

GULF OF MEXICO—U.S. motor tanker Aurora is torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U-506 approximately 40 miles off Southwest Pass, Louisiana, 28°35'N, 90°00'W, and abandoned. Coastal yacht Onyx (PYc-5) and district patrol craftYP-157 rescue the 38 merchant seamen (one of whom dies later of wounds) and the 12 man Armed Guard. Coast Guard tug Tuckahoe (WYT-89) arrives on the scene to tow the damaged ship, and upon her arrival provides a fire and rescue party with hoses and extinguishers. Onyx and YP-157 convoy Tuckahoe and Aurora toward Southwest Pass (see 11 May).

PACIFIC—Submarine Silversides (SS-236) engages Japanese guard boat No.5 Ebisu Maru in a surface gunnery action 540 miles north of Marcus Island, 33°14'N, 150°58'E, and sets her afire. As Silversides closes in to finish off her quarry, however, machine gun fire from No.5 Ebisu Maru (which reaches port in a heavily damaged condition) kills one submariner.

            Survivors (39 man crew and six of the 11 man Armed Guard) of U.S. freighter John Adams, torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-21 on 5 May, are rescued. One boat with survivors is recovered at sea; two boats reach Nouméa, New Caledonia.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s bomb seaplane base at Deboyne Island.

US ARMY

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—General Sharp directs Visayan-Mindanao Force to surrender. These, as well as small forces holding out on Luzon and Palawan, are reluctant to yield but do so gradually during period 10 May–9 June.

BURMA—Japanese attack British covering force at Shwegyin.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 9 May 1942

US NAVY

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation BOWERY: in the second attempt to bolster fighter strength on besieged Malta, carrier Wasp (CV-7) launches 47 RAF Spitfires; British carrier HMS Eagle accompanies Wasp and launches 17 additional Spitfires. The success of the American carrier's second ferry mission prompts Prime Minister Churchill to observe: "Who said a Wasp couldn't sting twice?" Unlike the first ferry operation, the Spitfires are speedily serviced and readied for action, and take a heavy toll of Axis bombers on this day and the next. "Daylight raiding," Malta's war diary notes laconically, “was brought to an abrupt end."

ATLANTIC—Coast Guard cutter Icarus (WPC-110) sinks German submarine U-352 off Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 34°12'N,76°35'W.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—During 8/9 May, 6 B‑17’s bomb Mingaladon and attack the docks at Rangoon.

FIFTH AF—8 B‑26’s and a single B‑17 attack shipping and seaplanes at Deboyne Island.

US ARMY

MINDANAO—Japanese take Dalirig and rout defenders. Although forces defending Puntian sector are still intact, their position is untenable and Mindanao campaign is virtually over.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese Imperial General Headquarters orders invasion of Port Moresby suspended temporarily.

TONGA ISLANDS—U.S. troop detachment arrives at Tongatabu.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS—U.S. troops arrive on the Galápagos Islands., off W coast of South America.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 8 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Battle of the Coral Sea concludes as carrier Lexington (CV-2) SBD (VS 2) sights Japanese Carrier Strike Force (Vice Admiral Takagi Takeo) formed around carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku. As VB 5 pilots leave the ready room on board Yorktown (CV-5), Lieutenant John J. Powers exhorts his shipmates to "Remember the folks back home are counting on us. I am going to get a hit if I have to lay it [his bomb] on their flight deck." SBDs from Lexington and Yorktown (CV-5) damage Shokaku and force her retirement; Lieutenant Powers scores a direct hit on Shokaku, pressing home his attack to a perilously low altitude of 200 feet; he is last seen attempting, unsuccessfully, to recover from his dive. For his heroism on this day (as well as on the previous day and on 4 May), Powers is awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

            Zuikaku's air group suffers heavy losses. Damage to Shokaku, as well as to Zuikaku's air group, prevents the use of those two carriers for several months, thus making them unavailable for immediate operations.

            At the same time, Japanese carrier bombers and attack planes attack TF 17. The comparatively few fighters on hand compels the continuation of the use of SBDs as anti-torpedo plane patrol. Lieutenant William E. Hall, USNR (VS 2), whose performance of duty the previous day had elicited favorable notice, distinguishes himself in attacking the Japanese planes pressing home their assault on carrier Lexington. Although Hall is badly wounded, he brings his damaged SBD back to his ship having participated in the destruction of at least three carrier attack planes, bravery and skill rewarded with the Medal of Honor. Japanese planes, however, manage to get through and damage carriers Lexington (bombs and torpedoes) and Yorktown (bombs) (14°35'S, 155°15'E). On board Yorktown, Lieutenant Milton E. Ricketts, in charge of an engineering repair party, is mortally wounded when a bomb passes through and explodes just beneath his compartment, killing, stunning or wounding all of his men. Ricketts, despite his wounds, opens the valve on a nearby fire plug, partially leads out the hose, and directs water into the burning compartment before he drops dead. For his extraordinary heroism, he is awarded the Medal of Honor (posthumously). Lexington is further damaged when gasoline vapors are ignited, triggering massive explosions that lead to her abandonment. She is then scuttled by destroyer Phelps (DD-360), 15°12'S, 155°27'E.

            The Battle of the Coral Sea is the first engagement in modern naval history in which opposing warships do not exchange a shot; all damage is inflicted by carrier aircraft. In halting the Japanese push southward and blunting the seaborne thrust toward Port Moresby, Coral Sea is a strategic U.S. victory.

            Light cruiser Nashville (CL-43) is damaged when she runs aground at Midway Island; she must return to Pearl Harbor for repairs. Her raiding cruise to Kamchatka is postponed.

            Submarine Grenadier (SS-210) attacks Japanese convoy about 120 miles southwest of Kyushu and torpedoes and sinks army transport Taiyo Maru, 30°40'N, 127°54'E; Grenadier survives persistent attacks by enemy antisubmarine forces the following day. Taiyo Maru carries to their deaths many technical experts bound for the East Indies to work on resuming oil production.

            Submarine Porpoise (SS-172) is damaged by depth charges off Ceram, Moluccas, 03°50'N, 129°57'E, but remains on patrol.

            Submarine Skipjack (SS-184) attacks Japanese convoy about 125 miles east of Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, and torpedoes and sinks army cargo ship Bujun Maru, 12°18'N, 111°13'E.

GULF OF ADEN—Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-30 reconnoiters Djibouti.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Ohioan is torpedoed by German submarine U-564 four and a half miles off the coast of Florida, 26°31'N, 79°58'W, and sinks so quickly that no lifeboats can be launched. Coast Guard craft rescue the 22survivors from the 37 man crew.

            U.S. freighter Greylock is torpedoed by German submarine U-588 off Halifax, Nova Scotia, 44°14'N, 63°33'W; there are, however, no casualties among the 41 man merchant crew or the 11 man Armed Guard and the ship reaches Halifax unaided.

            Fishing boats Irene and May rescue last boatload of survivors from U.S. freighter Pipestone County, sunk by German submarine U-576 on 21 April. All hands (36 man merchant complement and 9 man Armed Guard) have come through the ordeal unhurt.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—Main action of Battle of the Coral Sea occurs as Allied and Japanese carrier forces clash. Allied bombers join Navy airplanes in attacking enemy’s main support force which has swept around S of San Cristobal. The carrier Shokaku is severely damaged by aircraft from carriers Lexington and Yorktown. The Lexington is damaged so severely that it later is sunk by US naval fire. The Yorktown also suffers damage from aircraft. Both sides lose heavily in aircraft, US losses totaling 66 and the Japanese considerably more. The Allies turn back the sea assault against Port Moresby, a key base in New Guinea and of great importance to the security of Australia. The battle is the first major naval engagement in history in which the opposing warships do not exchange a shot. The Coral Sea battle marks the end of the period in which the Allied forces in SWPA are only on the defensive and paves the way for offensive operations. The reconnaissance work of the AAF proves of greater importance than its bombardment operations, which have no real effects on the battle. Lack of Navy-AAF coordination is apparent from the Coral Sea action, and this eventually leads to better interservice communication.

US ARMY

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—General MacArthur recommends that an offensive be undertaken against Japanese but desires naval, air, and ground forces strengthened first.

BATTLE OF CORAL SEA—Main action occurs as Admiral Fletcher’s naval force encounters enemy force of 2 carriers, 4 CA’s, and several DD’s, main support force of a Port Moresby invasion group. In the first major naval engagement conducted entirely by carrier aircraft, Japanese carrier Shokaku is badly damaged. Both the Yorktown and the Lexington are damaged; Lexington is abandoned and sunk after the action. Both sides lose heavily in aircraft, but U.S. loss of 66 planes is considerably less than that of enemy. As a result of Battle of Coral Sea, Japanese are turned back from Port Moresby, key point in New Guinea and of vital importance to security of Australia. Coral Sea battle also marks the end of Allied defensive and paves way for a defensive offensive period.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—General Wainwright dispatches messages to key officers in the Philippines, urging them to surrender their forces. On Mindanao, Japanese renew attack in evening and continue it throughout night 8–9. Defeated 62d Infantry is pursued toward Dalirig.

BURMA—Japanese occupy Myitkyina.

USSR—Germans begin series of limited offensives to straighten lines in preparation for main summer offensive toward oil fields of the Caucasus.

11th Army of Army Group South leads off in the Crimea, pushing toward Kerch.

US MARINE CORPS

Battle of the Coral Sea ends.

Thursday, 7 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Battle of the Coral Sea resumes as Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher's Allied force turns north to engage Japanese Carrier Strike Force (Vice Admiral Takagi Takeo).

            Support Group (Rear Admiral John G. Crace, RN) detached to intercept Port Moresby Invasion Force (Rear Admiral Abe Koso) is attacked by Japanese land attack planes carrying torpedoes (4th Kokutai) or bombs (Genzan Kokutai); destroyer Farragut (DD-348) is damaged by friendly fire while engaged in repelling air attack. Later, mistaken for Japanese Port Moresby Invasion Force, Crace's ships are bombed by USAAF B-26s that straddle Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (flagship) and near-miss heavy cruiser Chicago (CA-29) and destroyer Perkins (DD-377).

            SBDs and TBDs (VB 2, VB 5, VS 2, VS 5, VT 2, VT 5) from Yorktown (CV-5) and Lexington (CV-2) attack Japanese Close Support Force (Rear Admiral Goto Aritomo) and sink small carrier Shoho in Coral Sea, off Misima Island,10°29'S, 152°55'E. During the action off Misima, Lieutenant John J. Powers (VB 5) and Lieutenant (j.g.) William E. Hall, USNR (VS 2) exhibit skill and determination in pressing home their attacks (see 8 May). That night, Lieutenant Powers (VB 5's gunnery officer) lectures his squadron on point of aim and diving technique. He advocates a low-level release point to ensure accuracy, a philosophy he had demonstrated in the attack on Shoho (see 8 May).

            Mistaken at the outset for a carrier and a cruiser, oiler Neosho (AO-23) and destroyer Sims (DD-409) are attacked by Japanese planes, although the enemy recognizes the mistake in time to avoid expending torpedoes; Neosho is damaged by bombs and crashing dive bomber, 15°35'S, 155°36'E, and Sims is sunk, 15°10'S, 158°05'E. On board the damaged oiler, Chief Water tender Oscar V. Peterson, although badly wounded, risks his life by closing bulkhead stop valves, receiving severe burns that result in his death. For his extraordinary heroism and distinguished gallantry at the cost of his life, Peterson is awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

            Japanese attempt to find U.S. force in waning daylight runs afoul of bad weather.

            Japanese occupy Hollandia, New Guinea.

INDIAN OCEAN—Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-30 reconnoiters Aden.

ATLANTIC—Coast Guard cutter Calypso (WPC-104) rescues one boatload of survivors from sunken U.S. freighter Pipestone County, sunk by German submarine U-576 on 21 April (see 8 May).

CARIBBEAN—British merchantman Fort Qu'Appelle rescues all 22 survivors of U.S. freighter Green Island, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-125 the previous day.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—Battle of the Coral Sea, which began on 4 May, approaches its climax as Allied naval forces intercept Japanese naval forces near Misima Island. Navy dive bombers sink the carrier Shoho. Allied forces lose an oiler and a destroyer. Allied AF bombers join the battle but their effect is limited. Several bombers attack Allied vessels by mistake.

US ARMY

CORAL SEA—Japanese carrier planes discover and sink DD Sims and tanker Neosho. Aircraft from Lexington and Yorktown encounter Japanese carrier Shoho off Misima Island. and sink it as well as an escorting CL.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—From Manila, General Wainwright broadcasts terms of surrender to forces still holding out in the Philippines. On Mindanao, Japanese break off ground action but continue to employ air and artillery.

MALTA—Spitfire reinforcements are being flown in from carriers Wasp and Eagle.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 6 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Corregidor and Manila Bay forts surrender to the Japanese. To deny the enemy use of river gunboats Oahu (PR-6)and Luzon (PR-7) and minesweeper Quail (AM-15), the ships are scuttled off Corregidor, 14°23'N, 120°35'E. Lost to Japanese occupation of the Philippines are district patrol craft YP-97; ash lighters YA-52, YA-59, and YA-65; miscellaneous district auxiliaries YAG-2, YAG-3, and YAG-4; open lighters YC-178, YC-181, YC-537, YC-643, YC-644, YC-646, YC-647, YC-648, YC-649, YC-652, YC-653, YC-654, YC-669, YC-683, YC-714, YC-715, and YC-716; floating derricks YD-19, YD-47, YD-56, and YD-60; covered lighters YF-177, YF-178, YF-179, YF-180, YF-181, YF-212, YF-223, YF-224, YF-230, and YF-317; ferry launches San Felipe (YFB-12), Rosal (YFB-682), Camia (YFB-683), Dap Dap (YFB-684), Rivera (YFB-685), Magdalena (YFB-687) and Yacal (YFB-688); dredge YM-4; fuel oil barge YO-64; pile driver YP-D 22; salvage pontoons YSP-41, YSP-42, YSP-43, YSP-44, YSP-45, YSP-46, YSP-47,YSP-48, YSP-49, and YSP-50; sludge removal barge YSR-2; harbor tugs Banaag (YT-104), Iona (YT-107), and Mercedes (YT-108); and water barge YW-54.

            Fitted out with weapons, ammunition, provisions and clothing scrounged from abandoned Navy-commandeered tug Ranger, commanding officer, one other officer, and 16 men in 36-foot motor launch from Quail (AM-15) escape Manila Bay.

            Submarine Skipjack (SS-184) sinks Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Kanan Maru about 26 miles northeast of Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, 12°33'N, 109°30'E.

            Submarine Triton (SS-201), attacking Japanese convoy north-northeast of Keelung, Formosa, sinks cargo ship Taiei Maru, 28°42'N, 123°50'E, and transport/cargo ship Taigen Maru, 28°19'N, 123°28'E.

            Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Nawiliwili, Kauai, T.H., is established.

ATLANTIC—Auxiliary Semmes (AG-24) is damaged when she accidentally rams and sinks British (ex-French) armed trawler HMS Senateur Duhamel off Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 34°32.7'N, 75°35.6'W.

            Net tender Mulberry (YN-22) rescues all 46 survivors from U.S. freighter Afoundria, sunk by German submarine U-108 on 5 May.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Halsey is torpedoed by German submarine U-333, northeast of Jupiter Inlet, Florida, 27°14'N,80°03'W, and abandoned by all hands (32 men). The ship explodes and breaks in two. Submarine chaser PC-451 proceeds to the survivors' assistance but breaks off her efforts to conduct an unsuccessful pursuit of U-333. Local fishing boats ultimately tow Halsey's two lifeboats to the Gilbert Bar Lifeboat Station.

            Fishing boat Ocean Star rescues last survivor of U.S. freighter Eastern Sword, torpedoed by German submarine U-162 on 4 May.

            Steamship San Blas rescues 23 survivors of U.S. tanker Norlindo, sunk by German submarine U-507 on 4 May.

            Yacht Coral (PY-15) shells and scuttles fire-gutted U.S. tanker Joseph M. Cudahy, attacked by German submarine U-507 on 5 May, as a menace to navigation.

GULF OF MEXICO—Unarmed U.S. freighter Alcoa Puritan is shelled by German submarine U-507 at 28°40'N, 88°22'W, and abandoned by all hands (47 man crew and 7 passengers). After the U-boat delivers the coup de grace to Alcoa Puritan with a torpedo, the submarine comes to within 100 yards of the survivors. "Sorry we can't help you," an officer shouts through a megaphone, "hope you get ashore." Coast Guard cutter Boutwell (WPC-130) rescues Alcoa Puritan’s survivors later the same day.

CARIBBEAN—Unarmed U.S. freighter Green Island is torpedoed by German submarine U-125, while en route from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Aruba, N.W.I., 18°25'N, 81°30'W, and abandoned by her 22 man crew. Although her men reboard her later in the day, Green Island is beyond salvage and sinks (see 7 May).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS—Corregidor surrenders. All US organized resistance to Japanese in  Philippine Islands ends.

TENTH AF—Mingaladon airfield is hit for second consecutive night. 3 B‑17’s score direct hits on fuel dump at the field.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s unsuccessfully attack shipping in Bougainville area.

US ARMY

CORAL SEA—Continuing search for enemy vessels, Admiral Fletcher’s TF moves toward Louisiade Archipelago, leaving DD Sims and tanker Neosho behind at fueling point.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—General Wainwright surrenders all forces in the Philippines to Japanese unconditionally. Surrender negotiations are begun at 1030 and continued until midnight, when surrender document is signed. On Corregidor, Japanese seize Malinta Tunnel and land additional troops. Garrison of 11,000 surrenders. On Mindanao, Japanese resume attack, moving into Tankulan and pushing on toward Dalirig, which comes under artillery fire.

BURMA—Chinese 200th Division plus elements of T-55th, still at Taunggyi, are ordered to Myitkyina and eventually make their way to China.

LIBERIA—Initial detachment of U.S. forces arrives in Liberia.

MADAGASCAR—British hold northern ports of Diego Suarez and Antsirene.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese capture Corregidor.

Tuesday, 5 May 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese troops (61st Infantry Regiment, and supporting units) land on Corregidor, initially opposed by the 1^st Battalion, 4th Marines. Submarine rescue vessel Pigeon (ASR-6) is bombed and sunk, 14°23'N, 120°36'E; tug Genesee (AT-55) and harbor tug Vaga (YT-116) are scuttled off Corregidor, 14°25'N, 120°30'E.

            Japanese Imperial General Staff orders the Combined Fleet to assist in Army operations against Midway and the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.

            U.S. freighter John Adams is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-21 85 miles from Amadee lighthouse, Nouméa, New Caledonia, 23°11'S, 165°08'E; five of the 11 man Armed Guard drown when the ship is abandoned (see 9 May).

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Afoundria is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-108 about eight miles north of LeMale Light, Haiti, 20°00'N, 73°30'W. There are no casualties among the 38 man crew and eight passengers (see 6 May).

            U.S. tanker Java Arrow is torpedoed by German submarine U-333 at 27°30'N, 80°08'W, and abandoned, with the 39 survivors of the 41 man merchant complement, together with the six man Armed Guard, taking to two lifeboats. Submarine chaser PC-483 and a Coast Guard boat rescue the men. The ship is later reboarded and believed reparable. Subsequently, civilian tugs Ontario and Bafshe tow Java Arrow to Port Everglades, Florida.

            Twelve survivors of U.S. freighter Eastern Sword, torpedoed by German submarine U-162 the previous day, reach Georgetown, British Guiana (see 6 May).

            Navy PBYs rescue the ten survivors of U.S. tanker Joseph M. Cudahy, attacked by German submarine U-507 the day before (see 6 May).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—General Spaatz assumes command at Bolling Field.

TENTH AF—On a raid against Mingaladon airfield during 4/5 May, 4 B‑17’s bomb a hangar and parked aircraft. The crews claim 40 airplanes destroyed but searchlights make accurate observation impossible.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Lt General Carl Spaatz is appointed commander of Eighth Air Force, replacing General Duncan.

CORAL SEA—Yorktown rejoins Lexington and the combined naval force (the 2 carriers plus 7 CA’s, 1 CL, 13 DD’s, an oiler, and a seaplane tender) moves NW searching for enemy.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—After final day of intense bombardment, Japanese invade Corregidor, landing at North Pt during night 5–6. On Mindanao, Filipinos continue to organize defense line.

JAPAN—Imperial General Headquarters directs Combined Fleet to assist Army invasion of Midway and the Aleutians.

BURMA—General Stilwell, withdrawing toward Myitkyina, learns at Indaw that railway is blocked and enemy are in Bhamo, so decides to take his party W instead to India.

US MARINE CORPS

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