May 12, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 12 MAY 1942

Philippines: The last U.S. troops in Philippines surrender on Mindanao.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): B-17's fly their first mission in direct defense of the air cargo line to China when 4 B-17's from Dum Dum Airfield heavily damage the runways and set fire to several parked aircraft at Myitkyina Airfield, which fell to the Japanese on 8 May, poses a serious fighter threat Dinjan.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's and B-26's hit shipping in Simpson Harbor and the Lakunai Airfield. 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Cloncurry to Longreach with B-17's. Lost is P-39D Airacobra 41-6802 pilot 2nd Lt. Robert M. Wilde (KIA).

IJN: At 7:43am eleven A6M2 Zeros strafe 12 Mile Drome (Bomana) and machine gun positions in area. They cause no damage or casualties. They are intercepted by thirteen P-39 Airacobras that claim two two Zeros shot down down.