July 16, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 16 JULY 1942

China: Four B-25s of the 11th BS (Medium) from Kweilin (according to some sources Hengyang), with P-40 escort, attacked a storage area with docks and godowns at Hankow, starting a fire that was later reported to have burned for three days. The B-25s were led by General Haynes with wingmen Captain Sheldon, Captain Blair M. Sorenson and Lieutenant C. H. Hagan and landed at Hengyang during the return flight to refuel. The bombers were about half-gassed when an alert sounded the signal for all aircraft to take off and go to the dispersal field, Lingling about 100 miles south of Hengyang. One crew experienced unexpected difficulties on the way to Lingling. Some of the crew spent a cold, miserable night in the hut of a poor farmer. However, the other crew members were fortunate enough to land near the home of General Wong. Madame Wong had been saving several cans of good old USA canned beer for the first American flyer that she met. This, along with a few other luxuries was, to say the least, a pleasant surprise to be found in the heart of China where anything in a can is like a gift from heaven. All personnel arrived the next afternoon at a little town about 20 miles t rom Lingling but located fortunately on one of China’s few railroads. Here the whole population turned out to see, some of them for the first time, the “mai gwa fiji”, or American flyers. The populace really feted and entertained them in the best Chines style. At every opportunity the Americans were required to make a speech with the aid of an interpreter. That evening the crew boarded the train for Kweilin, the home base, and although not feeling very healthy arrived home glad to be alive. It was not until arriving at Kweilin that they knew that it was a P-40 piloted by an AVG which had blasted them from the sky. This was the first bomber lost since the CATF began operations in China. According to some sources this combat and loss took place on July 15, 1942. On 11 November, one of the B-25 crews (Pilot 1st Lieutenant Robert B. Klemann, Co-pilot 2nd Lieutenant John Tyson, Navigator 2nd Lieutenant Arvis R. Kirkland, Bombardier 2nd Lieutenant Charles H. Dearth, Engineer Staff Sergeant Noble Brown, Gunner Staff Sergeant Adam R. Williams) was decorated with the Silver Star for their part in this mission. The citation states: “On July 16, 1942, the above crew participated in a raid against the Japanese concession in Hankow, China. The actual bombing of Hankow was performed in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, but so precisely did every member of this crew perform his assignment and duties, that every bomb dropped was seen to land directly in the target area. This one mission was responsible for the destruction of large quantities of gasoline and other war supplies in addition to several hundred casualties, and further resulted in shattering the enemy's confidence in their protection against air raids, as evidenced by Chinese Intelligence Reports confirming the results of the raid. Such gallantry in action in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire while carrying out a successful attack in the area known to be defended by superior numbers of enemy fighters is characteristic of the finest traditions of the Army Air Forces.”

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th AF): B-17s of the 11th Bombardment Group (11th BG) begin departing Hickam Field for the South Pacific.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th AF): A single B-17 bombs Salamaua. Lost is B-17E 41-2421 pilot Major Clarence E. "Sandy" McPherson (KIA) crashed while landing at Horn Island Airfield.

U.S. Navy: Adm Ghormley issues Operation Plan No. 1-42, covering Task One of projected offensive. TF's 61 and 63 are formed. TF 61, under Vice Adm Frank J. Fletcher, is the Solomons Expeditionary Force, which includes Air Support Force under Rear Adm Leigh Noyes and Amphibious Force commanded by Rear Adm Richmond K. Turner. TF 63, under Adm McCain, consists of all Allied land-based aircraft in S Pacific.

Submarine Seadragon (SS-194), attacking Japanese convoy off coast of French Indochina, sinks merchant cargo ship Hakodate Maru north of Cape Varella, 12°55'N, 109°29'E.