July 1, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 1 JULY 1942

China: Four B-25s of the 11th BS (Medium) from Hengyang Airfield escorted by P-40s, bombed docks at Hankou. Bad weather handicapped the bombardiers and the effects of the raid were inconsequential.

Madagascar: Lt Gen Sir William Platt, CinC East African Command, takes responsibility for occupied portion of Madagascar.

ALASKA (11th AF): The XI Bomber Command (Provisional) comprising the 28th Composite Group and its assigned squadrons is activated, Colonel William O. Eareckson in command. A B-17 flies weather reconnaissance over Kiska and returns early due to bad weather.

WESTERN US DEFENSE (4th AF): 4th Bombardment Squadron, 7th Bombardment Squadron, 18th Bombardment Squadron and 391st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy) move from Davis-Monthan Field to Geiger Field and continue flying ASW patrols with B-24s.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (10th AF): Four B-25s from Hengyang escorted by P-40s bomb docks at Hankow, bad weather handicaps the bombardiers, and the effects of the raid are inconsequential.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th AF): B-26's bomb Salamaua. Other medium and heavy bomber strikes abort due to bad weather. B-17E 41-9014 pilot Captain Weldon H. Smith crashed killing three of the crew returning from a mission against Kendari Airfield.

U.S. Army: TULSA II, a modified version of TULSA I, is drawn up as planning for offensive continues. 2d Marines, reinf, 2d Mar Div departs California in five ships escorted by USS Wasp (CV-7).

U.S. Navy: Admiral Ghormley relinquished command of Army troops in the South Pacific area when Major General Millard F. Harmon, USA, became Commanding General, South Pacific Area, to head all Army forces in the Theater.

USS Sturgeon (SS-187) fires a spread of four torpedoes with two hitting and sinking Montevideo Maru about 65 miles west of Cape Bojeador on Luzon in the Philippines. The Montevideo Maru was not marked to indicate it was transporting 1,053 Allied prisoners who all perish as the ship sinks.