Sunday, 14 June 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—First echelon of 1st Marine Division (Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift) arrives at Wellington, New Zealand.

            Japanese cargo ship Taizan Maru is stranded and sinks off southwest coast of Korea, 35°00'N, 125°00'E.

CARIBBEAN—U.S. bulk carrier Lebore is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-172 about 200 miles north of Cristobal, Canal Zone, 12°53'N, 80°40'W (see 15-16 June).

            U.S. freighter Scottsburg is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-161 at 11°51'N, 62°56'W; five men are killed in the attack (see 15-16 June).

            Colombian schooners Envoy and Zamora rescue the 53 survivors from U.S. freighter Solon Thurman, sunk by German submarine U-159 on 13 June. One crewman, however, drowns when he falls overboard from schooner Envoy.

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation HARPOON continues as Force X is attacked by Italian planes; Dutch motor vessel Tanimbar is torpedoed by an SM 79 and sunk, but not before the Armed Guard gunners display "great courage and skill” and splash one of the attackers; British light cruiser HMS Liverpool is also torpedoed by another SM 79, and is towed to Gibraltar (see 15 June).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES—Aircraft program for AAF in UK is revised downward from 3,649 to 3,266, and date of anticipated final strength is advanced 1 month to 1 Apr 43.

ELEVENTH AF—4 B‑17’s and 3 B‑24’s bomb shipping in Kiska Harbor from an altitude of 700 ft, lowest altitude yet. 2 cruisers are hit and one scout seaplane is downed. 2 B‑17’s are heavily damaged but return to base. Japanese bomb Nazan Bay, Atka.

US ARMY

NEW ZEALAND—First echelon of U.S. 1st Marine Division (5th Marines) arrives.

LIBYA—General Ritchie orders withdrawal of forward divisions (South African 1st and British 50th) of 13 Corps, since tank losses in El Adem area have left them precariously situated. South African 1st Division withdraws safely to Egyptian frontier, using coastal route. 50th Division retires SE through enemy territory. Enemy turns his attention to Acroma but can make little headway against firm opposition, although favored by superior tank strength.

US MARINE CORPS

First echelon of 1st Marine Division arrives at Wellington, New Zealand,