March 27, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 27 MARCH 1942

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Melbourne to Cloncurry with B-17's; ground echelon is on Bataan and Mindanao.

RAAF: Four P-40E Kittyhawks from No. 75 Sqadron took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby intercept an incoming Japanese air raid and intercept in pairs. Lost is P-40E A29-19 pilot P/O Ronald Kevin Critchley O'Connor, (MIA). P-40E Kittyhawk pilot Piper shot down G4M1 Betty pilot Itsuda (KIA) crashed inland from Rigo.

IJN: Four G4M1 Bettys led by WO Kameichi Hasegawa from 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group) escorted by A6M2 Zeros from 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group) bomb 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Over the target, intercepted by RAAF P-40E Kittyhawks from No. 75 Sqadron. P-40E Kittyhawk pilot Piper shot down G4M1 Betty pilot Itsuda (KIA) crashed inland from Rigo.

USMC: The forward echelon of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) arrived on Efate to help construct an airfield for Marine planes.