July 21, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 21 JULY 1942

ALASKA (11th AF): Four B-24s fly search and bomb missions over Kiska but make no contact because of weather.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Air echelon of 98th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), begins operating from Plaine des Gaiacs and Espiritu Santo with B-17s (first photographic reconnaissance July 23, 1942 and first bombing mission is July 31, 1942); the ground echelon is enroute from Hawaii.

IJA: Operation "RI" at dawn, a Japanese invasion force arrives off the north coast of New Guinea and begins landing near Gona. The Japanese convoy includes light cruiser Tenryū, minelayer Tsugaru, destroyers Asanagi, Yuzuki and Uzuki and subchaser CH-32 escorting transports Ayatosan Maru, Kinryu Maru and Ryoyo Maru. This move forestalls Allied Operation Providence which was scheduled to secured the same general area. Japanese naval forces at Salamaua provide diversion by raiding Mubo and Komiatum.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th AF): Six B-26s from 22nd Bomb Group (22nd BG) piloted by Crosson, McClaran and Patterson from the 2nd Bomb Squadron (2nd BS) plus Michaelis, Hughes and Augustine from 408th Bomb Squadron (408th BS) locate and attack a Japanese convoy off Salamaua bound for Buna. The bombers scores a direct hit on Ayutosen Maru near the stern and two near misses, causing the transport to begin taking on water. Other bomb Kinryu Maru but fail to hit the ship. Anti-aircraft fire was intense but inaccurate. All six B-26 return undamaged.

U.S. Navy: Solomons Expeditionary Force (TF 61) is ordered to rendezvous southeast of Fiji on July 26, 1942. Allied planes sight and attack enemy convoy approaching New Guinea, despite poor visibility, which prevents Japanese naval planes at Lae from supporting.

The 1st Base Depot established an advanced echelon at Wellington.

IJN: Japanese submarine I-11 spots and torpedoes SS Coast Farmer off Jervis Bay at 35°23'S, 151°00'E. RAAF crash boat rescues the 40 survivors (who include the 7-man Armed Guard).