July 11, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 11 JULY 1942

ALASKA (11th AF): Four B-24s taking off for weather, bombing and photo missions to Kiska are attack by seaplane fighters; no losses. A cruiser is bombed with unobserved results.

(5th AF): Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker and Brigadier General Ennis C. Whitehead arrive in Australia to join the 5th Air Force (5th AF). In New Guinea, Airacobras scramble against Japanese bombers. Lost to Japanese fighters is P-400 pilot Kirtland (MIA). Also force landed is P-400 BW117 (survived).

RAAF: PBY Catalina overflies the Buna Airfield and Dobodura area. Aboard were six officers including Lt. Col. Bernard L. Robinson, ranking U.S. Army engineering officer at Port Moresby, Lt. Col. Boyd D. Wagner, C.O., 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), Colonel Yoder and three Australian officers. Examining the terrain of the entire area, they determined that kunai plains area at Dobodura should developed instead of Buna Airfield.