May 3, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 3 MAY 1942

5th AF: P-39s intercept Japanese aicraft over Port Moresby. Lost is P-39D 41-6909 pilot 2nd Lt. Joseph S. Lovett, Jr. (KIA).

IJN: As part of "Operation MO" Okinoshima flagship of Rear Admiral Shima, Kikuzuki, Yuzuki, Azumasan Maru, minelayer Koei Maru, subchasers Toshi Maru No. 3 and Tama Maru No. 8, special duty minesweepers WA-1 and WA-2, Hagoromo Maru, Noshiro Maru No. 2 and Tama Maru enter Tulagi Harbor and lands roughly 400 Japanese primarily the 3rd Kure Special Naval Landing Force (3rd Kure SNLF) without opposition they occupy Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo. Until early afternoon, carrier aircraft from Shōhō cover the landings and six seaplanes land in Tulagi Harbor to begin operations.

USN: In the morning Task Force 11 (TF 11) and Task Force 17 (TF 17) were roughly 100 miles apart being refueled. Shortly before midnight, Fletcher received word from RAAF aircraft that Japanese transports had entered Tulagi Harbor and were disembarking troops and occupying Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo. To attack this force, Yorktown set course northward steaming at 27 knots.

IJA: Japanese amphibious force from Panay goes ashore on Mindanao about 0100 at Cagayan and Tagoloan R mouth, in Macajalar Bay, and presses S along Sayre Highway. Troops of Cagayan defense sector (PA 102d Div, formed from 61st and 81st FA and 103d Inf) oppose landing but are unable to halt enemy. In a desperate effort to hold Sayre Highway, reserves--2.95-inch gun detachment and 62d and 93d Regts (PA)--are committed, but these, too, fall back under pressure. During night 3-4, Gen Sharp orders general withdrawal. Meanwhile, other Japanese forces gain control of road to N shore, routing 73d Inf, which withdraws into hills N of Lake Lanao. Still other enemy forces arrive at Kabacan after Digos force has made good its escape, but are halted there. Preinvasion air and arty bombardment of Corregidor continues without let up. U.S. submarine succeeds in withdrawing 25 persons from the island.

IJN: A small Japanese force lands on Tulagi and establishes Tulagi Seaplane Base. Learning of this, Rear Adm Frank J. Fletcher, commanding naval force cruising the Coral Sea, heads for Tulagi in USS Yorktown.