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.
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