July 2, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 2 JULY 1942

USA: Joint Directive for Offensive Operations in the Southwest Pacific Area Agreed on by the United States Chiefs of Staff was issued, setting the seizure of the New Britain-New Ireland-New Guinea area as the objective of these operations and breaking the goal down into three phases: Phase One, capture of Santa Cruz and Tulagi Islands along with positions on adjacent islands, to be commanded by Admiral Nimitz. Phase Two, seizure of other Solomon Islands and positions on New Guinea, to be commanded by General MacArthur; and Phase Three-capture of Rabaul and adjacent bases in New Britain and New Ireland, also to be under General MacArthur's command.

China: Chiang Kai-shek names Gen Stilwell CinC of Chinese Army in India, but Stilwell's power over the troops is restricted.

Indian Ocean: British and East African troops land on Mayotte Island at the nothern end of the Mozambique Channel, and secure it for a seaplane base.

ALASKA (11th AF): Seven B-24s and one B-17 fly photo and bombing missions to Attu, which appears deserted plus Kiska and Agattu; near misses are scored on a transport and a destroyer off Agattu.

WESTERN DEFENSE COMMAND (4th AF): 48th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Minter Field to NAS Alameda and continues flying anti-submarine patrols with A-29s and B-18s.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (10th AF): B-25s and P-40s hit the Hankow dock area for the second consecutive day. This raid, more successful than the first, causes considerable damage. The Japanese retaliate during the night by attacking Hengyang Airfield, but fail to hit their target.

U. S. Navy: Submarine USS Plunger (SS-179) attacking Japanese convoy off the mouth of the Yangtze River and sinks army cargo ship No. 3 Unyo Maru, 30°44'N, 123°09'E.

Japanese guardboats No.1 Kaiyo Maru and No.2 Kaiyo Maru are wrecked (cause unknown) off Guadalcanal.

USMC: The Intelligence Officer of the 1st Marine Division at Wellington left for Australia to gather data for the upcoming landings on Guadalcanal and Tulagi.

Australian Army: 7th Brig is directed to move to Milne Bay, New Guinea.