December 6, 1941
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

Saturday, 6 December 1941

IJN: Japanese forces depart Palau bound for the invasion of the Philippines.

USAAF: On December 6, 1941 a formation of B-17 Flying Fortress bombers from 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (88th RS) and 38th Reconnaissance Squadron (38th RS) took off from Hamilton Field on an unarmed ferry flight bound for Hickam Field on Oahu. The B-17s had their .50 caliber machine guns installed but carried no ammunition. Flying overnight, the bombers are scheduled to arrive in the morning of December 7, 1941.

The 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (88th RS) formation includes: B-17E 41-2429 pilot Major Richard H. Carmichael (Crew No. 1), B-17E 41-2430 pilot 1st Lt Harold N. Chaffin (Crew No. 2), B-17E pilot 1st Lt Richard F. Ezzard (Crew No. 3) aborted in flight, B-17E pilot 1st Lt Frank W. Potter (Crew No. 4) aborted before take off, B-17E 41-2432 pilot 1st Lt Robert E. Thacker (Crew No. 5), B-17E 41-2416 pilot 1st Lt Frank P. Bostrom (Crew No. 6), B-17E 41-2433 pilot 1st Lt Harry N. Brandon (Crew No. 7) and B-17E 41-2434 pilot 1st Lt David G. Rawls (Crew No. 8).

The 38th Reconnaissance Squadron (38th RS) formation includes: B-17E 41-2413 pilot Maj Truman H. Landon (Crew No. 1), B-17E 41-2408 pilot 1st Lt Karl T. Barthelmess (Crew No. 2), B-17C 40-2074 pilot Capt Raymond T. Swenson (Crew No. 3), B-17C 40-2063 pilot 1st Lt Bruce G. Allen (Crew No. 4), B-17C 40-2054 pilot 1st Lt Earl J. Cooper (Crew No. 5), B-17 pilot 1st Lt Harold T. Hastings (Crew No. 6) delayed due to engine trouble and did not take off, B-17C 40-2049 pilot 1st Lt Robert H. Richards (Crew No. 7) and B-17 pilot 1st Lt Boris M. Zubko (Crew No. 8) delayed due to engine trouble and did not take off.

39th Pursuit Squadron moves to Baer Field in Indiana.

USN: USS President Taylor was requisitioned by the War Shipping Administration (WSA) and converted into a military transport for the U.S. Army operated by her civilian operator American President Lines.

Yacht Isabel (PY-10) is sighted by floatplane from Japanese seaplane carrier Kamikawa Maru at about 13°24'N, 112°21'E. Later in the day, Isabel receives orders to return to Manila.

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