Saturday, 22 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—First USAAF planes (five P-400s from the 67th Fighter Squadron) arrive at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.

            Destroyer Blue (DD-387) is torpedoed by Japanese destroyer Kawakaze off Guadalcanal (see 23 August).

            Submarine Haddock (SS-231) torpedoes and sinks Japanese transport Tatsuho Maru off China coast, near Foochow,26°07'N, 121°29'E.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Ingraham (DD-444) is sunk in collision with oiler Chemung (AO-30) off Nova Scotia, 42°34'N, 60°05'W; Chemung is damaged; destroyer Buck (DD-420) is damaged in collision with British transport Awatea, 42°34'N,60°05'W.

CARIBBEAN—USAAF plane (45th Bombardment Squadron) sinks German submarine U-654 north of Panama, 12°00'N, 79°56'W.

            Second group of 23 survivors from U.S. freighter West Celina, torpedoed by German submarine U-162 on 18 and 19 August, reaches Manzanillo Bay, Venezuela.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑25’s hit tank and motor repair shop and storage dumps at Matruh. A B‑25 is mistakenly shot down by an RAF Beaufighter.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb airfields at Lae and Rabaul.

SOUTH PACIFIC—First AAF airplanes, 5 P‑400’s of 67th Fighter Squadron, arrive at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, joining Marine aircraft which arrived earlier. These P‑400’s, which operate under control of Marine Aircraft Wing One, prove no match for Japanese Zeros or bombers at high altitudes.

ELEVENTH AF—Photo reconnaissance mission over Kiska is aborted due to overcast.

US ARMY

BRAZIL—Angered by the recent sinking of 5 of her ships by enemy, Brazil declares war on Germany and Italy. United Nations shipping is thus able to make full use of the comparatively short S Atlantic route via Ascension Island.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—After consideration of the relative merits of Tanaga and Adak as an advanced air base from which to attack Kiska, Adak has been chosen. Directive for its occupation on 30 August is issued.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—On Guadalcanal, first U.S. Army planes, 5 P-400’s of 67th Fighter Sq, arrive for duty at Henderson Field, flying there from New Hebrides. Ships bringing supplies are thus afforded greater protection, but shipments remain small. CO and staff of 2d Marines arrive on Tulagi from New Hebrides.

NEW GUINEA—Maj General Cyril A. Clowes takes command of Milne Force, which by this time comprises 9,458 men (7,429 Australians, 1,365 Americans, 664 RAAF). The U.S. component consists largely of engineers and AA personnel. Japanese Maj General Tomitaro Horii leaves for the front to take personal charge of operations. His forces now total over 11,000 men.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Friday, 21 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Cuttlefish (SS-171) damages Japanese ammunition ship Nichiro Maru, 31°00'N, 130°00'E.

            Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese collier No.6 Shinsei Maru off Ponape Island, 06°45'N, 158°10'E.

            Motor vessel Lakatoi, commissioned at Nouméa, New Caledonia, on 15 August and manned by a crew made up of survivors of the sunken transport George F. Elliott (AP-13) sinks in storm at 18°55'S, 167°40'E.

CARIBBEAN—One group of 19 survivors from U.S. freighter West Celina, torpedoed by German submarine U-162 on 18 and 19 August, reaches Manzanillo Bay, Venezuela (see 22 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—At General Arnold’s request, General Eisenhower gives General Spaatz additional duties as Air Officer for ETOUSA and head of the air section of its staff, thus assuring active participation by Eighth AF in theater planning. 12 airplanes are dispatched to bomb shipyards at Rotterdam, but mission is aborted due to attack by 25 Me-109’s and FW-190’s. Lack of proper coordination with Spitfire escort is major factor in failure of mission.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s from 2 squadrons hit convoy SW of Crete, claiming 2 ships probably sunk. Fighters attack straggling B‑24 and force it to crash-land at sea.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 trying to fly reconnaissance over Kiska aborts due to weather.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—In predawn attack toward airfield, about 200 Japanese attempt to gain W bank of Ilu River; the few who succeed are killed or driven back by 2d Battalion of 1st Marines. Japanese remaining E of the Ilu are surrounded and destroyed in concerted attacks by 2d and 1st Battalions, 1st Marines. 1st Battalion crosses river upstream and attacks enemy from rear while 2d, with light tank platoon spearheading, attacks at river mouth. Japanese sustain almost 800 casualties;

15 of the enemy are captured; 35 marines are killed and 75 wounded. Lunga garrison, already strengthened by raiders and parachutists, is further increased by 2d Battalion of 5th Marines from Tulagi. Rations and aviation supplies in limited quantities are landed.

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—Operation Plan TULSA II-B is drawn up as planning for offensive continues.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese convoy reaches Basabua and lands reinforcements, completing quota for overland drive on Port Moresby. Australian 18th Brigade reaches Milne Bay, where it joins Australian 7th Brigade, CMF, which reached there in July.

USSR—Elements of German Army Group A, clearing E coast of Black Sea, overrun Krymskaya.

US MARINE CORPS

Marines turn back first major Japanese attack on Guadalcanal in Battle of the Tenaru.

Thursday, 20 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—First USMC planes arrive at Henderson Field: aircraft escort vessel Long Island (AVG-1) ferries 19 F4Fs (VMF 223) and 12 SBDs (VMSB 232) to Guadalcanal. Although Japanese flying boat from the Shortlands sights Long Island, screened by light cruiser Helena (CL-50) and destroyers Aylwin (DD-355) and Dale (DD-353), the U.S. ships prove to be out of range of enemy land-based air and retire from the area without incident.

            Small seaplane tender Mackinac (AVP-13) is damaged when mistakenly bombed by SBDs (VS 71) from carrier Wasp (CV-7) off Ndeni Island.

ATLANTIC—PBY-5A (VP 73) sinks German submarine U-464, North Atlantic Area, 61°25'N, 14°40'W.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Principle of coordinated day and night bombing receive its first formal definition in ‘Joint British/American Directive on Day Bomber Operations involving Fighter Cooperation.’ Emphasis is placed on achieving continuity in bombing offensive from UK. 11 Heavy Bombers attack Longeau marshalling yard at Amiens, a vital point in the traffic flow between France and Germany.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Kiska. Patrol is flown over Shumagin Island.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Twelfth AF is activated at Bolling Field.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Twelfth Air Force is activated at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C.

NEW HEBRIDES—Advanced supply depots are established at Noumea and Espiritu Santo.

GUADALCANAL—First planes (advance echelon of MAG 23, 1st Marine Air Wing) arrive for duty at Henderson Field. The group consists of VMF 223 (19 F4F–4’s) and VMSB 232 (12 SBD–3’s). Supply and evacuation between Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo is begun by MAG 25. 1st Marine Division units along Ilu River exchange fire with enemy moving up from E, beginning in evening.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese order amphibious assault on Milne Bay by about 1,500 men from Kavieng, New Ireland, and from Buna.

USSR—German Army Group B makes slow progress toward Stalingrad against stubborn resistance and gains foothold across the Don in Kletskaya area. In the Caucasus, Soviet rear guards continue strong delaying action.

US MARINE CORPS

First Marine fighter aircraft arrive on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.

Wednesday, 19 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—USAAF B-17s, flying from Espiritu Santo, bomb Japanese destroyers Kagero, Hagikaze and Maikaze off Guadalcanal, damaging Hagikaze off Tulagi.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-29 reconnoiters the Seychelles.

CARIBBEAN—German submarine U-162 continues stalking convoy TAW (S) attacked the previous day, and again torpedoes unarmed U.S. freighter West Celina, which is abandoned by the 39 man crew and the convoy commodore's staff of four men; the convoy commodore, however, is lost (see 21 and 22 August). German submarine U-564 attacks the convoy as well, torpedoing and sinking two British ships: tanker British Consul and freighter Empire Cloud. Escorting ships will, however, frustrate further attacks by the U-boats.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—22 B‑17’s drop 34 tons of bombs on Abbeville/Drucat airfield causing extensive damage. This mission is flown to occupy enemy fighters and prevent them from opposing an invasion by over 5,000 Allied troops, mostly Canadians, who raid Dieppe. 2d Lt Samuel F Junkin Jr of 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, flying a Spitfire in support of the amphibious raid on Dieppe, shoots down a German fighter. this being the first aerial victory won by an Eighth AF fighter pilot flying from the UK.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb shipping at Faisi on Shortland Island.

ELEVENTH AF—Mechanical failure prevents a B‑24 from flying reconnaissance over Tanaga.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—5th Marines, in limited offensive, clears coastal villages of Matanikau and Kokumbona, then returns to Lunga Pt. Companies L and B attack Matanikau from E and S. Company Island, moving forward by sea, clears Kakumbona. While patrolling to locate enemy radio station, Company A of 1st Marines encounters and virtually wipes out party of 34 Japanese— recently landed Army forces—near Taivu Pt.

NEW BRITAIN—Japanese reinforcements, about 1,500 in 4 transports screened by DD’s, leave Rabaul for Guadalcanal.

NEW GUINEA—Leading elements of Australian 7th Division (21st Brigade) arrive at Port Moresby, from which they start at once toward Isurava to bolster Maroubra Force.

EGYPT—General Alexander directs General Montgomery to hold current positions at El ‘Alamein while preparing for offensive.

FRANCE—Canadian (Canadian) and British troops, 5,000 strong, raid Dieppe for 9 hours, damaging military installations at great cost in casualties. 50 U.S. Rangers accompanied the expedition; of these, 6 were wounded and 7 were reported missing. Many German planes are destroyed by supporting Allied fighters.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Tuesday, 18 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese destroyers Kagero, Hakigaze, Maikaze, Urakaze, Isokaze and Hamikaze begin landing 916 troops of the Imperial Army's Ichiki Detachment on Guadalcanal.

CARIBBEAN—Convoy TAW 13, steaming south of Cuba, comes under attack from German submarine U-553, which torpedoes and sinks Swedish merchantman Blankaholm and British freighter Empire Bede; U-553 also torpedoes and sinks U.S. freighter John Hancock at 19°27'N, 76°48'W. All 38 merchant sailors and the 11 man Armed Guard survive the loss of the ship; the men are rescued by British corvette HMS Pimpernel.

            Convoy TAW (S), 15 ships escorted by gunboat Courage (PG-70), British corvette HMS Clarkia, two Coast Guard cutters and four submarine chasers, is attacked by German submarine U-162, which torpedoes unarmed U.S. freighter West Celina off Grenada, 11°45'N, 62°30'W (see 19 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

MIDDLE EAST—General Alexander assumes command of British imperial forces in ME.

TENTH AF—General Bissell becomes CG Tenth AF, relieving General Naiden who now devotes full time to command of India- China Ferry Command.

FIFTH AF—For second consecutive day a single B‑17 attacks Kavieng bombs fall in airfield dispersal area.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑24 takes oblique of Amchitka and Tanaga. Heavy fog over Kiska and Attu preclude armed reconnaissance.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Large Japanese detachment, embarked on 3 escorted transports, reaches Basabua undetected and goes ashore. General Rowell assumes command of New Guinea Force, replacing General Morris.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Maj General Clayton L. Bissell is given command of U.S. Tenth Air Force.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Monday, 17 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Companies "A" and "B," 2d Marine Raider Battalion (Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson, USMC), transported in submarines Nautilus (SS-168) and Argonaut (SS-166), raid Makin Island in the Gilberts; Nautilus's gunfire supports marines ashore. The relative ease with which the assault is carried out, however, inspires the Japanese to bolster defenses in the region.

            Submarine Gudgeon (SS-211) damages Japanese oilers Shinkoku Maru and Nichiei Maru northwest of Truk, 07°43'N,151°13'W.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Louisiana is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-108 approximately 200 miles from Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana, 07°24'N, 52°33'W; although U-108 sees three men escape from the burning ship, they are never found. There are no survivors from the 41 merchant sailors and the 8 man Armed Guard.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—12 B‑17’s of 97th Bomb Group, escorted by Spitfires, launch first AAF Heavy Bomber attack from UK against W Europe. Target is Rouen-Sotteville marshalling yard. Sgt Kent River West shoots down German fighter, thus becoming the first Eighth AF gunner to receive credit for a combat kill. VIII Ground Air Support Command opens its HQ at Membury.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—HQ USAMEAF announces designation of General Strickland as CG IX Fighter Command. B‑25’s of 81st Bomb Squadron hit stores, depot and tank repair shops at Matruh. This marks debut of the MPs of the 12th Bomb Group in ME.

FIFTH AF—A single B‑17 bomb’s Kavieng.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Buldir, Kiska and Amchitka Islands despite heavy rain.

US ARMY

GILBERT ISLANDS—Lt Col Evans F. Carlson’s 2d Marine Raider Battalion, consisting of 221 marines, moves by 2 submarines to Makin and begins 2-day raid on Butaritari Island., during which scattered enemy forces are engaged and radio station is destroyed. Enemy planes attack the Raiders on both days. 30 marines are lost in the action.

GUADALCANAL—Admiral Ghormley shifts responsibility for establishing line of communications to Guadalcanal from TF 63 to Admiral Turner’s TF 62. Henderson Field becomes operational. Japanese land reinforcements near Taivu Pt and in Kokumbona area, night 17–18.

USSR—German Army Group A establishes bridgeheads across Kuban River.

FRANCE—U.S. Eighth Air Force conducts first attack against Europe. Sq of B–24’s, escorted by RAF Spitfires, bombs rail center at Rouen.

US MARINE CORPS

2d Raider Bn lands from submarines at Makin Island. Raid is completed following day.

Sunday, 16 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine S-39 (SS-144), irreparably damaged by striking reef off Rossel Island, on 14 August, is abandoned.

            Airship L 8 (ZP-32) is damaged upon return from patrol off California coast, landing at Dale City, California. The airship, however is unmanned; the fate of its two man crew remains a mystery.

ATLANTIC—Surviving 38 merchant seamen and the 13 man Armed Guard of U.S. freighter Cripple Creek, sunk by German submarine U-171 on 13 August, are rescued by British armed trawler HMS St. Wistan and transported to Sierra Leone.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—Personnel strength is greatly increased and supply and maintenance prospects are much improved by arrival of ground echelons of 57th Fighter, 12th and 98th Bomb, and 323d Service Groups.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑24 aborts photo reconnaissance flight over Adak because of mechanical failure.

US ARMY

EGYPT—Enemy installations on Egyptian front are bombed for first time by U.S. medium bombers in support of British Eighth Army.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Saturday, 15 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Washington, is established.

            Marine Aircraft Wings, Pacific (Major General Ross E. Rowell, USMC) is established at San Diego, California.

CARIBBEAN—Patrol Wing 11 (Commander Stanley J. Michael) is established at San Juan, Puerto Rico, for operations in Caribbean Sea Frontier.

            Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Jamaica, British West Indies, is established.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Balladier, in convoy SC 95, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-705 (one of 13 boats deployed to intercept Allied transatlantic convoys) approximately 550 miles southeast of Iceland at 55°00'N, 25°00'W; eleven of the 34 man crew and two of the 11 man Armed Guard die in the attack. Merchantman Norluna rescues survivors.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb Tobruk harbor during 14/15 Aug.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s attack shipping off Gona.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑24 trying to fly photo reconnaissance over Tanaga and Adak aborts over Kiska due to weather.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—AAF Foreign Service Concentration Command is redesignated I Concentration Command.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Marine rations are cut. First destroyer-transports arrive with supplies and aviation ground crews.

MIDDLE EAST—General Alexander takes command of MEF from General Auchinleck.

EGYPT—General Montgomery is rapidly reorganizing and strengthening British Eighth Army, for which 10 Corps is to serve as reserve. Considering ‘Alam el Halfa ridge, far in rear of El ‘Alamein Line, of vital importance, 44th Division and 10th Armored Division (—9th Brigade) are ordered to this area from Delta region, where they have been training. 132d Brigade of 44th Division is attached to New Zealand 2d Division.

USSR—Germans report capture of Georgievsk.

US MARINE CORPS

Marine Aircraft Wings, Pacific, established at San Diego, California, under Major General Ross E. Rowell

Friday, 14 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine S-39 (SS-144) is damaged when she strikes submerged reef off Rossel Island, Louisiade Archipelago.

            Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) sinks Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Hachigen Maru (ex-British Wenchow) in Sibitu Passage, 05°07'N, 119°37'E.

EUROPE—Lieutenant General Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA, Commanding General, European Theater of Operations, is appointed Commander in Chief of Allied Expeditionary Forces; Admiral Sir Andrew B. Cunningham, RN, is appointed Allied Naval Commander.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter California is torpedoed, shelled and sunk by Italian submarine Reginaldo Giuliani at 09°24'N,33°02'W; all hands (38 men) abandon the sinking ship under fire (see 4, 5 and 14 September).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ICELAND—2d Lt Joseph D Shaffer (33d Fighter Squadron) and 2d Lt Elza E Shahan (27th Fighter Squadron) jointly shoot down FW- 200 off coast of Iceland. This is first aerial victory of AAF in ETO.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Directive is sent to General Eisenhower as CinC TORCH.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Thursday, 13 August 1942

US NAVY

GULF OF MEXICO—U.S. tanker R.M. Parker, Jr., en route to Port Arthur, Texas, is torpedoed, shelled, and sunk by German submarine U-171 at 28°37'N, 90°48'W. There are no casualties, and Coast Guard auxiliary cutter Pioneer rescues all 37 merchant seamen and the seven man Armed Guard.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Cripple Creek is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-171 at 04°55'N, 18°30'W; one crewman is killed. The survivors take to three lifeboats (see 16 August).

            U.S. freighter Delmundo, in convoy TAW 12, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-600 in the Windward passage, 19°55'N, 73°49'W; five of the 41 man crew perish, as do three of the eight passengers. The survivors, including the 9 man Armed Guard, are rescued by British destroyer HMS Churchill [ex-U.S. destroyer Herndon (DD-198)].

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation PEDESTAL: German and Italian motor torpedo boats attack Malta-bound convoy before dawn; German S30 and S 36, and Italian MAS 554 and MAS 557 torpedo and sink British merchantman Wairangi and damage Rochester Castle (which will eventually reach Malta although she is damaged further by Luftwaffe JU 87s and JU 88s). U.S. freighter Almeria Lykes is torpedoed and is abandoned, 36°40'N, 11°35'E. The ship remains afloat, but is sunk by scuttling charge after daybreak. British destroyer HMS Somali rescues all hands: 51 merchant seamen, 15 man Armed Guard, and 39 passengers. Freighter Santa Elisa is torpedoed in the same attack, approximately 20 miles southeast of Cape Bon, 36°48'N, 11°23'E, and is abandoned when her cargo of aviation gasoline catches fire. Four of the 33 embarked army passengers are killed, but the 56 man merchant complement and the 11 man Armed Guard suffer no fatalities. British destroyer HMS Penn rescues the survivors and transports them to Malta; three Armed Guard sailors will be hospitalized there for burns suffered in the attack that leads to the ship's abandonment. Santa Elisa is finished off by bombs later that day. Three surviving British transports and the one tanker will reach Malta later this day; a fourth transport will reach the island on 14 August.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—Convoy, headed toward Basabua near Gona, with 3,000 construction troops, is attacked first by B‑17’s 76 mi NE of Gona, followed by B‑26’s 20-25 mi N of Gona, and another B‑17 attack as the convoy approaches landing position. Japanese ground forces attack at Deniki, driving Allied forces back about 5 mi and firmly securing Buna-Kokoda trail.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Kiska.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Japanese convoy, with 3,000 construction troops embarked, reaches Basabua, a short distance from Gona. Japanese attack Maroubra Force at Deniki in strength, forcing it back beyond Isurava, 5 miles from Deniki. After this victory, which firmly secures Buna-Kokoda track, enemy pauses to consolidate.

JAPAN—Imperial General Headquarters orders 17th Army at Rabaul to take responsibility for ground operations on Guadalcanal.

MIDDLE EAST—Col Shingler becomes CO of Persian Gulf Service Command.

EGYPT—General Montgomery takes command of British Eighth Army.

USSR—Germans claim capture of Elista, in Kalmyk district S of Stalingrad.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Wednesday, 12 August 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Light cruiser Cleveland (CL-55), on her shakedown cruise in Chesapeake Bay, tests the newly developed proximity fuzed antiaircraft projectiles for the first time under simulated combat conditions; she destroys all three target drones with four proximity bursts.

            Seven survivors of U.S. schooner Wawaloam, sunk by German submarine U-86 on 6 August, are rescued by steamship Irish Rose, which transfers them subsequently to British corvette HMS Campanula.

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation PEDESTAL: attacks by German and Italian aircraft continue on large British convoy (which includes within its composition U.S. freighters Almeria Lykes and Santa Elisa), bound for Malta (see 13 August).

PACIFIC—Submarine Pickerel (SS-177) is damaged by depth charges off the Marianas, 16°19'S, 145°23'E, but remains on patrol.

            USAAF B-17s damage Japanese oiler Matsumoto Maru.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—Churchill and British COS, along with Harriman of US, arrive in Moscow for conference with Stalin. Stalin is told about plan for TORCH. Talks, which end on 16 Aug, also include discussion of Second Front in Europe.

EIGHTH AF—31st Fighter Group at Westhampnett is declared fully operational and ready for combat operations under RAF—control until it gains enough experience to be able to fight as a group. This is first US fighter unit in UK to reach this operational status.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb shipping at Rabaul, scoring damaging hits on 3 vessels.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Amlia and Atka.

US ARMY

NEW HEBRIDES—Elements of original Guadalcanal invasion force (1,390 of 2d Marines) debark at Espiritu Santo.

GUADALCANAL—TF 63, under Admiral McCain, is given responsibility for getting aviation supplies, ammunition, and ground crews from Espiritu Santo to Guadalcanal. First U.S. plane, a PBY, lands on airfield, called Henderson Field after Midway hero Maj Lofton Henderson. Patrol led by 1st Marine Division Intelligence Officer embarks at Kukum to make contact with enemy in Matanikau area; upon landing, night 12–13, is wiped out, except for 3 persons, by enemy.

EGYPT—Lt General Sir Bernard L. Montgomery, who is to head British Eighth Army, arrives from U.K.

USSR—Prime Minister Churchill arrives in Moscow where, during a 4-day visit, he discusses the subject of a second front in Europe with Marshal Joseph Stalin. On central front, local Soviet attacks against Rzhev reach their climax without achieving a decisive victory. Elements of German Army Group A, driving toward the Kuban in region E of Sea of Azov, reach Slavyansk.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Tuesday, 11 August 1942

US NAVY

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation PEDESTAL: large British convoy (which includes in its composition U.S. freighters Almeria Lykes and Santa Elisa), bound for Malta, its presence determined by Axis aerial reconnaissance, comes under attack from Luftwaffe JU 88s and HE 111s (see 12-13 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Referring to TORCH, General Spaatz informs General Arnold that, in his opinion, UK remains the only base from which air supremacy over Germany can be established.

TENTH AF—P‑40’s hit airfields at Yoyang and Nanchang from which the enemy has been attacking Hengyang.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over W Semichi Islands and N Attu coast.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Admiral Leahy makes the first of many suggestions that Burma Road be reopened.

NEW GUINEA—U.S. Advanced Base in New Guinea, a logistical agency, is established by USASOS with HQ at Port Moresby, which is to become a large supply and communications center. Maroubra Force abandons Kokoda airfield, night 11–12, since it is untenable.

MEDITERRANEAN—Enemy U-boats heavily attack Malta-bound convoy and sink HMS Eagle (aircraft carrier).

MIDDLE EAST—Iran-Iraq Service Command is redesignated Persian Gulf Service Command (PGSC); remains directly under Hq USAFIME.

USSR—Threat to Stalingrad increases as German Army Group A eliminates Soviet bridgehead in Don bend near Kalach.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Monday, 10 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine S-44 (SS-155) sinks Japanese heavy cruiser Kako near Kavieng, 02°15'S, 152°15'E, as Kako retires from the Battle of Savo Island.

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation PEDESTAL: British convoy, WS 21S, formed around 13 transports and cargo ships (which include U.S. freighters Almeria Lykes and Santa Elisa) and one tanker transits Straits of Gibraltar, bound for Malta. Royal Navy cover and escort forces include a total of two battleships, four aircraft carriers, seven light cruisers and 25 destroyers (see 11-13 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—B‑25’s bomb Hankow. Afterwards the P‑40 escorts, led by Col Robert L Scott, strike ammo dumps and military warehouses at Sienning, causing heavy destruction of material which the Japanese have accumulated to use against Hengyang and other US bases in Central China.

ELEVENTH AF—5 B‑17’s and 3 B‑24’s bomb Kiska targets. Fighters and AA down 1 B‑24. Only its pilot is saved.

US ARMY

NEW IRELAND—U.S. submarine sinks Japanese cruiser Kako off the island.

NEW GUINEA—Maroubra Force counterattacks toward Kokoda with 3 companies One seizes Kokoda airfield, but the others are unable to advance.

EGYPT—General Alexander receives directive calling for destruction of Rommel’s army in Egypt and Libya.

USSR—Soviet resistance in foothills of Caucasus range is increasing, but forward elements of German Army Group A reach Pyatigorsk.

US MARINE CORPS

—

A visit to the Oklahoma National Guard Museum

I recently attended a two week class for work in Oklahoma City, intending to visit the Oklahoma Railroad Museum on my enforced weekend away from home.  Poor planning on my part failed to notice that it was closed on Sunday prior to my making other Saturday plans.  This was serendipitous though, as across the street was the newly opened Oklahoma National Guard Museum.  Located on the northeast side of Oklahoma City, just off Interstate 35 on NE Grand Boulevard, its so new that the satellite view in Google Maps shows it as a vacant field with a bulldozer starting the grading.

 

Google Maps Satellite View captured 9 August 2026

Have no fear though, that is far from the well laid out modern structure that greeted me on my arrival.  I was so impressed with the “Gate Guards”, I failed to snap a photo of the building.  It can be partially seen in the background.  Lots of WWII flat car loads await.

 

M114 155mm Howitzer

F-86D Sabre Dog

No, the Saber Dog won’t make a flat car load, but I’m a pilot and the Sabreliners I flew had an F-86 wing with a biz jet fuselage.  Most of the rest of the photos will be of crawly things, suitable for rail transport. 

M2A2 105mm Howitzer

 

Ma Duce, GMC CCKW 2.5 ton truck

 

The ubiquités M4 Sherman

 

M4 Halftrack with 81mm Mortar

 

37mm Anti-Tank Gun & Jeep

 

Interpretive Panel showing rail loading in automobile box car

Most exhibits are no touch, but fitting into the Ford GPW is encouraged.  The museum’s deputy director, Ted Hibbard, snapped this photo of me.  It’s a tall step from the ground and not much clearance on the steering wheel. 

 

Ford GPW “Jeep”

 

There’s lots of other displays, a DUCK, Command Car, Dodge 1.5 ton Truck, Korean War ambulance and more.  Uniforms and flight suits from various OK Guard veterans are accompanied with their personal stories.  One historical tidbit was learning that the Marine’s Navajo Code Talkers weren’t the first.  Turns out the OK Guard’s 142^nd Infantry, 36^th ID used Choctaw talkers in the First World War to secure comms from Germans tapping into their phone lines. 

Choctaw Code Talkers

All in all, an informative visit that yielded numerous detail photos for my open top cars carrying equipment to the San Francisco Port of Embarkation for shipment to the Army forces in the Pacific.

 

John Barry

Lovettsville, VA

9 August 2026

 

81 years to the day after the “We have more than one” strike that pushed Hirohito to surrender.

Sunday, 9 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Battle of Savo Island: Japanese force of seven cruisers and one destroyer (Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi) approaches west of Savo Island, Solomons, undetected. The defeat is one of the worst ever inflicted on the U.S. Navy. Allied ships depart Guadalcanal area. Japanese vessels temporarily control waters around Guadalcanal. Heavy cruiser Astoria (CA-34) is sunk by gunfire of Japanese heavy cruisers Chokai, Aoba, Kinugasa, and Kako. Quincy (CA-39) is sunk by gunfire of heavy cruisers Aoba, Kako, and Furutaka and light cruiser Tenryu and is torpedoed by light cruiser Yubari. Vincennes (CA-44) is sunk by gunfire and torpedo from heavy cruiser Chokai, and gunfire from Kako, Aoba, and Kinugasa, and light cruiser Yubari. The fourth Allied ship lost off Savo is Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra which, badly damaged by Japanese gunfire, is scuttled by destroyer Selfridge (DD-357).

            U.S. ships damaged are heavy cruiser Chicago (CA-29) by Kako; destroyer Ralph Talbot (DD-390) by Furutaka, Yubari, and Tenryu; and destroyer Patterson (DD-392) by Yubari and Tenryu. U.S. gunfire damages Chokai (from Quincy and Astoria); Kinugasa (by Vincennes); Aoba (by Quincy) and Tenryu (by Chicago and Patterson).

            Destroyer Jarvis (DD-393), damaged the previous day, is mistaken as an "Achilles-class cruiser" and attacked by Japanese land attack planes (Misawa Kokutai) and torpedoed 200 nautical miles southeast of Tulagi, 09°42'S,158°59'E. Jarvis puts up a stout fight, splashing two of the attacking planes; a third ditches due to battle damage. There are, however, no survivors from the destroyer, which is lost with all hands.

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-98 completes laying mines off mouth of St. Johns River, east of Jacksonville, Florida.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—P‑40’s of the 23d Group continue to support Chinese ground forces by harassing the Japanese at Linchwan. 4 B‑25’s and 3 P‑40’s from Kweilin-Hengyang area, staging through Nanning, bomb docks and warehouses at Haiphong, causing considerable damage and claiming a freighter sunk in the harbor; this is first CATF raid over Indochina.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb shipping and airfields at Rabaul and Gasmata while B‑26’s hit harbor area at Salamaua.

ELEVENTH AF—6 bombers fly armed reconnaissance over Kiska and Attu and hit Kiska.

US ARMY

SOLOMON ISLANDS—Amphibious and Air Support Forces of TF 61 retire, former with more than half the 60 days’ supplies and elements of landing force still embarked. Of the original landing force of over 19,000, almost 17,000 are now ashore. Guadalcanal beachhead is being consolidated and work is begun on uncompleted airstrip, where air warning system is established. During 8 and 9, 2d Marines completes northern attack with occupation of Mbangai, Makambo, and Kokomtambu islets.

NEW GUINEA—Maj General Sydney F. Rowell, CG Australian I Corps, is designated to command New Guinea Force.

USSR—Krasnodar and Maikop fall to German Army Group A.

US MARINE CORPS

Battle of Savo Island forces U. S. ships to retire from Guadalcanal area, leaving control of waters temporarily to Japanese.

Saturday, 8 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Marines wrest control of Tulagi, Gavutu, and Tanambogo, Solomons, from tenacious Japanese resistance. Unfinished airstrip on Guadalcanal is captured and named "Henderson Field" in honor of the late Major Lofton R. Henderson, USMC, who was killed while leading VMSB 241 in the gallant but unsuccessful attack on Japanese carrier Hiryu at Midway on 4 June 1942. Coastwatchers report incoming raid. During fierce Japanese aerial assault by land attack planes (4th and Misawa Kokutais) on invasion shipping: destroyer Jarvis (DD-393) and transport George F. Elliott (AP-13), 09°10'S, 160°10'E are torpedoed. The latter, also crashed by a Japanese plane, is later scuttled by destroyer Hull (DD-350). Another crashing bomber damages transport Barnett (AP-11), 09°13'S, 160°01'E.

            Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) sinks Japanese crab boat Bifuku Maru southeast of Shiriya Zaki, at northeast tip of Honshu. 41°14'N, 141°32'E.

            Submarine S-38 (SS-143), despite presence of escorting minesweeper W.21, sinks Japanese transport Meiyo Maru at southern entrance of St. George Channel, between New Britain and New Ireland, 04°52'S, 152°42'E.

            Submarine Silversides (SS-236), attacking Japanese convoy emerging from Kobe harbor, torpedoes and sinks merchant cargo ship Nikkei Maru in Kii Suido, near Ichiya Zaki, 33°33'N, 135°23'E.

            Destroyers Mustin (DD-413) and Morris (DD-417) are damaged in collision during night maneuvers in Hawaiian Operating Area.

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-98 mines waters off Jacksonville, Florida.

            U.S. freighter Kaimoku, en route to Liverpool in convoy SC 94, is torpedoed and sunk by shellfire of German submarine U-379 at 56°32'N, 32°15'W. Two of the 36 man crew die in the attack, as do two of the 14 man Armed Guard. Canadian corvette HMCS Battleford rescues survivors.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—B‑25’s hit Canton area, bombing Tien Ho airfield and other targets in the vicinity and claiming 2 interceptors shot down.

FIFTH AF—P‑400’s dive-bomb Kokoda and Yodda. B‑17’s, B‑25’s and B‑26’s bomb runways and targets of opportunity at Lae and Salamaua.

SOUTH PACIFIC—From this date through 23 Aug, B‑17’s fly search mission covering the lower Solomons in order to detect any attempt to make surprise attack on the forces consolidating the Guadalcanal beachhead.

ELEVENTH AF—1 LB-30, 3 B‑24’s, and 8 P‑38’s on photo and bombing missions over Kiska cannot attack but Navy Catalinas also operating over and off Kiska hit freighters and transport, claiming 1 transport sinking, and score many hits on North Head and Main Camp.

US ARMY

ALLIED COMMAND—President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill agree on General Eisenhower, CG ETO, as commander of TORCH.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—Japanese planes continue to attack Allied shipping, destroying USS George F. Elliott (AP) and damaging USS Jarvis (DD). Jarvis heads for Noumea but is never heard from again. Abandoning thrust toward Mt Austen on Guadalcanal, 1st Marine Division advances W in 2 columns. 1st Battalion of 5th Marines crosses Lunga River and secures coastal village of Kukum. To S, 1st Battalion of 1st Marines takes airfield and reaches E bank of Lunga River. Both Kukum and the airfield are found to have been hastily evacuated. On Tulagi, 1st Raider Battalion and 5th Marines finish clearing the island by 1500. On Gavutu-Tanambogo, 1st Parachute Battalion, assisted by 3d Battalion of 2d Marines from division reserve, completes capture of Gavutu-Tanambogo.

BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND—During night 8–9, Japanese naval force of cruisers and DD’s attacks Allied warships off Savo Island. and inflicts heavy damage before retiring to Rabaul. As a result of the action, HMAS Canberra and USS Astoria, Quincy, and Vincennes are lost and other vessels are damaged.

EGYPT—General Alexander flies to Cairo, where he learns that he is to relieve General Auchinleck as CinC MEF. Lt General W. H. E. Gott, CG of British 13 Corps, who was to have been given command of British Eighth Army, is killed in airplane accident.

USSR—Surovikino, W of Stalingrad, falls to German Army Group B.

US MARINE CORPS

1st MarDiv wins control of Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo and captures airfield on Guadalcanal.

Friday, 7 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Operation WATCHTOWER: 1st Marine Division (Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC) lands on Florida, Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, and Guadalcanal, in the first American land offensive of the war. Amphibious Force, South Pacific (Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner) lands the leathernecks under cover of naval surface and air forces (Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher). Landings are supported by carrier and shore-based aircraft (Rear Admiral Leigh Noyes and Rear Admiral John S. McCain). Overall commander is Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, Commander South Pacific Force; officer in tactical command is Vice Admiral Fletcher. During Japanese air attacks on the transport force and its escorts off Guadalcanal, destroyer Mugford (DD-389) is damaged by carrier[dive] bomber (2nd Kokutai), 09°00'S, 160°00'E. Following shore bombardment operations in Tulagi Bay, light cruiser San Juan (CL-54) is damaged by explosion in one of her forward 5-inch gun mounts.

            TG 8.6 (Rear Admiral William W. Smith) bombards Kiska, Aleutians.

            Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Shofuku Maru off Wotje, Marshalls, 09°25'N, 170°11'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—Col Harry A Halverson relinquishes command of Hal Bomb Squadron, to be succeeded by Lt Col George F McGuire.

FIFTH AF—13 B‑17’s of 19th Bomb Group, led by Lt Col Richard H Carmichael, hit Vunakanau airfield in coordination with Marine landings on Guadalcanal. B‑26’s attack Lae, and a B‑17 and a B‑25 each attack a submarine in Gulf of Papua.

SOUTH PACIFIC—First Marine Division invades Guadalcanal.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑24’s dispatched to bomb Kiska return with their bombs due to solid overcast. 4 more B‑24’s also depart for Kiska. 1 turns back with mechanical trouble, the others abort mission over target due to undercast. 1 B‑24, 4 P‑38’s and an LB-30 fly 2 air coverage missions at Nazan Bay for Navy tenders.

US ARMY

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—Kiska undergoes its first bombardment by surface forces. TF of cruisers and destroyers under Rear Admiral W. W. Smith, part of Admiral Theobald’s North Pacific Force (TF 8), bombards shore installations with unobserved results. This action had been planned for 2d July but was postponed because of weather conditions.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—After preparatory bombardment of landing areas, U.S. 1st Marine Division (—7th Marines), reinforced, invades S Solomons with close air and naval support. Unloading operations are delayed by enemy air attacks during which USS Mugford (DD) is damaged. At 0910, 5th Marines (—2d Battalion) lands unopposed on N coast (Beach Red) of Guadalcanal about 6,000 yards E of Lunga Pt and establishes beachhead between Tenaru and Tenavatu Rivers. 1st Marines and supporting weapons follow 5th Marines ashore. 1st Battalion of 5th Marines drives W along coast toward Lunga River; 1st Marines pushes SW toward Mt Austen. Advance halts for night after each of the assault forces has gained about a mile, 1st Battalion of 5th Marines reaching mouth of Ilu River. At 0740, 1st Battalion of 2d Marines begins landing on S coast of Florida Island., Company B near Haleta and rest at Halavo. The Battalion meets no opposition and is later withdrawn. At 0800, 1st Raider Battalion, followed by 2d Battalion of 5th Marines, lands on S coast (Beach Blue) of Tulagi without opposition. Marines clear NW end of island without difficulty, but Raiders meet bitter opposition from enemy in caves and dugouts on SE end in afternoon and are forced to halt some 1,000 yards from SE tip. Company G of 5th Marines helps hold this perimeter against enemy attacks. At noon, 1st Parachute Battalion invades twin islets of Gavutu and Tanambogo, which are joined by causeway, E of Tulagi; clears most of the islets despite enemy fire. From Florida Island., Company B of 2d Marines makes unsuccessful attempt to land on N coast.

NEW GUINEA—Activity is confined to patrol clashes. By this time all 5 rifle companies of Australian 39th Battalion are at the front and Maroubra Force contains 480 men. Because of Solomons offensive, Japanese recall convoy heading for Buna from Rabaul.

EGYPT—Prime Minister Churchill visits British Eighth Army front.

US MARINE CORPS

1st Marine Division lands on Florida, Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, and Guadalcanal in Southern Solomons to launch first U. S. offensive of the war.

Thursday, 6 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Tautog (SS-199) sinks Japanese army transport Ohio Maru in South China Sea about 250 miles east-northeast of Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, 13°51'N, 113°15'E.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. schooner Wawaloam, en route to St. John's, Newfoundland, is sunk by shellfire of German submarineU-86 at 39°18'N, 55°44'W, but suffers no casualties to the six man crew and the sole passenger (see 12 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s hit harbor at Tobruk.

TENTH AF—B‑25’s bomb Tien Ho airfield, causing heavy damage to the runways and destroying several parked airplanes.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s and B‑26’s pound airfields at Lae and Salamaua.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑24’s, 2 B‑17’s, and 10 P‑38s. provide air coverage for Navy tenders to Nazan Bay. Photo reconnaissance is flown over Attu.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Allied invasion force continues toward Solomons undetected.

NEW GUINEA—New Guinea Force takes command of all Australian and U.S. forces in Australian New Guinea (Papua and NE New Guinea).

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Dr. Currie leaves China for Washington to present General Stilwell’s “Pacific Front” plan and Chiang Kai-shek’s modified demands to President Roosevelt and Combined Chiefs of Staff.

USSR—On Novorossisk-Stalingrad Railroad, Germans claim capture of Tikhoretsk and Russians admit loss of Kotelnikov: German Army Group A overruns Armavir, on Kuban River. Soviet resistance to Army Group B in Don bend near Stalingrad is growing weaker.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 5 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Light cruiser Boise (CL-47), in the course of her deception mission, launches two SOCs to search the area. Despite repeated efforts to do so, however, the planes do not find the ship upon their return. Radio silence is broken, thus compromising the operation, and the ship returns to Pearl Harbor, but the Japanese believe that a major U.S. task force is close to the homeland.

            Submarine Greenling (SS-213), attacking Japanese shipping about 150 miles north-northwest of Truk, sinks transport Brazil Maru, 09°50'N, 150°38'E, and merchant passenger-cargo ship Palau Maru, 09°04'N, 150°54'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—VIII Fighter Command dispatches its first mission—11 aircraft of 31st Fighter Group on a practice run over France.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—General Brereton, in his first strategic estimate of the Middle Eastern war, indicates that the 3 major objectives for the Allied AFs are to assist in the destruction of Rommel’s Afrika Korps by support to ground troops, secure sea and air comm on and over the Mediterranean, and carry out a sustained air offensive against Italy and against oil installations at Ploesti and in the Caucasus, if the latter should fall under Axis control.

TENTH AF—Japanese aircraft again attack US airfield at Kweilin. Notified well in adv by the Chinese warning net (previously set up under General Chennault while he was head of AVG), P‑40’s meet the Japanese over the target, shooting down 2, and another is downed by ground fire.

US ARMY

USSR—German Army Group A establishes bridgehead across the Kuban in Armavir- Nevinnomyssk area, threatening Maikop oil fields; claims capture of Kropotkin. Red Army units continue to fight losing battle inside Don bend near Stalingrad.

US MARINE CORPS

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