March 14, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 14 MARCH 1942

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): HQ 51st Pursuit Group (Interceptor) arrives at Karachi from the US. 9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Karachi from Australia with B-17's; first mission is 2 Apr.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): 13th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Melbourne to Laverton with B-17's. Air echelon of 14th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases operating from Melbourne, Australia with B-17's; men and equipment are transferred to other units; the ground echelon is at Bugo, Mindanano and fights as infantry; the unit is carried as an active unit but is not manned or equipped after the surrender of the Philippiness in May 42. Detachment of the 22d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group, ceases operating from Townsville and returns to base at Melbourne with B-17's. 40th Reconnaissance Squadron is formed at Townsville with LB-30's and assigned to 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy); first mission is today; squadron is redesignated 435th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 22 Apr. Air echelon of 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases operating from Townsville with B-17's and begins moving to Karachi; squadron is redesignated 436th Bombardment Squadron on 22 Apr; first mission in CBI is 4 Jun. Crashed is B-17D "The Gazelle" 40-3079 (one killed).

Four P-40 Warhawks from the 49th Fighter Group (49th FG) led by Captain Morrissey scramble from Horn Island Airfield to intercept A6M2 Zeros escorting G4M1 Bettys bombing Horn Island. During the dog fight, a Zero opens fire on Captain Morrissey. Coming to his rescue, P-40E "Poopy" pilot Lt. A. T. House finds his machine guns are inoperative and spontaneously decides to ram the enemy fighter. On impact, A6M2 pilot Oishi explodes and spiraled into the ocean. Although Lt. House's plane was damaged, he managed to land at Horn Island Airfield after three landing attempts. Lost after the dog fight, P-40E pilot Sanford ditched and was later rescued.

IJN: At 11:25am A6M2 Zeros escort G4M1 Bettys bombing Horn Island. Over the target, the formation is intercepted by 49th Fighter Group (49th FG) P-40 Warhawks. Lost is A6M2 pilot Oishi that was deliberately rammed by P-40E "Poopy" pilot 2nd Lt. A. T. House who manages to land safely at Horn Island Airfield.