Thursday, July 23, 2026

Friday, 24 July 1942

US NAVY

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

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

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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

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

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

US ARMY

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

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

USSR—Rostov falls to German Army Group A.

US MARINE CORPS

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