May 18, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 18 MAY 1942

CARIBBEAN: The United States and Panama sign an agreement concerning the use and defense of the Panama Canal and Canal Zone (C.Z.).

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): The 7th Air Force is placed on alert in anticipation of a possible attack against Midway. For the next ten days the old B-18's on hand are used on sea searches to supplement the B-17's. VII Bomber Command receives an influx of B-17's during this period, and the 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) converts from B-18's to B-17's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): Headquarters Squadron (HQ), 19th Bombardment Group and 93d Bombardment Squadron transfers from Garbutt Field to Longreach with B-17's. Detachment of 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases operating from Perth and returns to Longreach with B-17's. B-17's bomb shipping in Koepang Bay. Lost is P-39 pilot Plain (KIA, BR) crashed into the sea off Townsville. Lost are G4M1 Betty pilot Oyama (KIA), G4M1 Betty pilot Inoue (force landed) and P-39F 41-7191 pilot 2nd Lt. Charles H. Chapman, Jr. (MIA).

References
Port Moresby Air Raid - May 18, 1942