July 4, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 4 JULY 1942

China: In the early morning, Ki-27 from 62nd Sentai escorted by Ki-27s from 54th Sentai and 10th I F Chutai fly a mission over Hengyang Airfield and Lingling Airfield. A third raid was reported at first light and AVG fighters scrambled at 06:00. The 2nd Squadron were patrolling at 18,000 feet when the spotted Ki-27s bellow and dived to attack. Vice-Squadron Leader Edward Rector claimed one and one probable while Squadron Leader James Howard claimed one Ki-27. Flight Leader Charles Sawyer (of the 1st AVG Squadron) claimed one Ki-27 and one more as a damaged and Van Shapard (one of the newly attached flight instructors) claimed one Ki-27. Squadron Leader Robert Neale and another pilot had been stationed at Lingling overnight, and they flew up to Hengyang to lend a hand. Arriving over the airfield at 13,000 feet, they saw a dozen enemy fighters above them. In the ensuing combat Neale claimed two Ki-27s as probables. The 54th Sentai took part in this raid on Hengyang with 12 Ki-27s and lost 1st Lieutenant Keiji Fujino (Class 54) and Sergeant Yoshio Yamada (NCO84). The unit took part in three combats over Hengyang and Nanchang on 22 June, 3 and 4 July, claiming three P-40s destroyed and two probables while losing five aircraft (three pilots killed) in these raids. Five B-25s of the 11th BS (Medium), with fighter escorts strike Tien Ho Airfield damaging buildings, runways and parked aircraft.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (10th AF): The China Air Task Force (CATF) is activated under command of Brigadier General Clare L. Chennault. This new command is the successor to the American Volunteer Group (AVG) which claimed 300 victories at a cost of less than 50 aircraft and only 9 pilots and is inducted into the 10th Air Force (10th AF) as its contract with China terminates. Only 5 pilots and a few ground personnel of the AVG choose to join the USAAF, although 20 other pilots agree to stay until replacements arrive in Kunming. Combat elements of CATF are: 1. HQ, 23d Fighter Group at Kunming with Colonel Robert L Scott, Jr in command and 74th Fighter Squadron and 76th Fighter Squadron at Kunming with P-40s and 75th Fighter Squadron at Hengyang with P-40s; all units were activated today. 2. 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group attached to 23d Fighter Group, at Kunming with P-40s. 3. 11th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), at Kunming and a detachment at Kweilin, Hengyang and Nanning with B-25s; Colonel Caleb V Haynes is in command. In air action in China, 5 B-25s, with fighter escort, heavily damage buildings, runways and parked aircraft at Tien Ho Airfield. P-40s over Kweilin intercept a formation of fighter-bombers, claiming 13 destroyed; the Japanese fail to bomb the target.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th AF): B-17s, B-26s and B-25s bomb Lae Airfield and Salamaua Airfield. 19th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 22d Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Townsville to Woodstock with B-26s. Lost during an interception over Port Moresby are P-39F 41-7148 pilot 2nd Lt James R. Foster (survived) and P-400 AP 378 pilot 2nd Lt. Frank E. Angier (survived) and P-400 BX180 pilot 2nd Lt. William R. Marlott (survived).

IJN: Japanese planes including A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) fly a mission over Port Moresby and engage intercepting Airacobras, shooting down three.

U.S. Navy: Submarine Triton (SS-201) torpedoes Japanese destroyer Nenohi off Cape Sabak, off southeast tip of Agattu, Aleutians, 52°15'N, 173°51'E.