Wednesday, 26 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese land at Milne Bay, New Guinea; USAAF B-17s, B-25s, B-26s, P-40s, along with RAAF Hudsons, attack beaches and transports while Australian troops attack the invaders.

           SBDs (VS 71) from carrier Wasp (CV-7) damage Japanese submarine I-17, Solomons area, 09°25'S, 162°47'E.

           Japanese occupy Ocean Island.

           Submarine Haddock (SS-231) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Teishun Maru off China coast, about 100 miles north-northwest of Keelung, Formosa, 26°27'N, 121°23'E.

           Seaplane tender (destroyer) Williamson (AVD-2) is damaged by explosion of bombs jarred loose from PBY being towed by the ship.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

USSR—Russians make 7 counterattacks NW of Stalingrad.

TENTH AF—B‑25’s, which have moved temporarily from C China to Yunnani, bomb Lashio, an important rail center, highway junction, and air base. Covering P‑40’s strafe numerous targets of opportunity and shoot down at least 2 fighters.

FIFTH AF—P‑40’s, B‑25’s, B‑26’s, and B‑17’s, plus RAAF Hudsons, pound forces in Milne Bay. A large transport is damaged and most of the supplies on the beachheads E of Rabi are destroyed. P‑400’s strafe airfield at Buna.

ELEVENTH AF—Photo mission aborted over Atka due to weather.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, prepares for limited attack to eliminate resistance on W flank of Lunga perimeter.

NEW GUINEA—Planes from Milne Bay and Port Moresby attack Japanese in Milne Bay, destroying most of their supplies on shore and damaging large transport. After nightfall, enemy convoy bringing rest of 1,170-man force from New Ireland arrives safely in Milne Bay. Japanese make another night attack, 26–27, to W, forcing Australian militia back to Gama River line; at dawn of 27th Japanese retire once more to landing point. Meanwhile, Japanese forces in Isurava area renew overland drive on Port Moresby at dawn and force Australians (depleted 39th Battalion, 30th Brigade Hq, 2 companies of 53d Battalion) back steadily by overwhelming pressure. Japanese supply lines, which are becoming overextended, are frequently attacked by air.

INDIA—Training center for Chinese troops is activated at Ramgarh, Bihar Prov, with Col Frederick McCabe as commandant.

US MARINE CORPS

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