February 13, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
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THURSDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 1942

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Eleven B-17s (three from the 19th BG and eight from the 19th BG) on a bombing mission against Japanese shipping off Makassar. This was the largest formation by Java based B-17s to date. Inbound to the target, B-17E 41-2466 aborted the mission due to engine trouble. The rest of the formation bombed through clouds, reporting: "Bombs were dropped on lights off shore - results undetermined." but claimed one ship hit. Meanwhile, B-17E "Topper" 41-2481 arrives at Bandoeng Airfield on Java.

RAN: MV Derrymore is sunk by Japanese submarine I-55 roughly 50 miles northwest of Batavia on Java.