June 19, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 19 JUNE 1942

China: In response to a Chinese request, two B-25s of the 11th BS (Medium) attacked, in support of Chinese ground forces at Linchuan, a Japanese held city under siege for some time. The Chinese commanding officer later reported that the raid broke the stalemate and the city was entered the following day.

11th Air Force: B-24s taking off to bomb Kiska aborts due to fog. One B-24 ditches into the sea with two crew members lost. A B-17 is dispatched to attack a reported submarine but makes no contact.

IJN: Hit agan, Nissan Maru is bombed and sinks in Kiska Harbor.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s pound shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul and Vunakanau Airfield.

U.S. Navy: Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley assumes command of South Pacific Area (SOPAC) and South Pacific Forces.

Commissioned is Gato-class submarine USS Amberjack (SS-219) in Groton, Connecticut.

Submarine USS S-27 (SS-132) runs aground off St. Makarius Point on Amchitka Island. All hands reach shore safely. Crew, provisions, clothing, guns, medical supplies are ferried ashore by rubber boat.

Japanese water carrier Wayo Maru is damaged by aircraft off Rabaul.

Auxiliary seaplane tender USS Ballard (AVD-10) directed by a PBY Catalina from VP-11 and rescues 35 Japanese (one of whom dies shortly after rescue) from Japanese carrier Hiryu scuttled June 5, 1942.