April 20, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 20 APRIL 1942

(SWPA, 5th Air Force): Lt. General George H. Brett assumes command of Allied Air Headquarters, SWPA at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne with units in northern and eastern Australia, with advanced echelon at Port Moresby in New Guinea. 39th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 35th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfers from Williamstown to Woodstock with P-39's; first mission is 2 Jun. Ground echelon of 70th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Ballarat to Amberley. The air echelon is still in the US with B-26's.

At Laverton Field, damaged P-40E Warhawk 41-25119 intended for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is returned and assigned to the 49th Fighter Group (49th FG).

At the Martin factory in Baltimore, B-26B "Liberty Bell" 41-17584 was paid for by citizens of Philadelphia as part of a war drive and at the factory nicknamed "Liberty Bell".