August 8, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 8 AUGUST 1942

China: Five B-25s of the 11th BS (Medium) bomb Tien Ho Airfield near Canton and other targets (including the Naval Headquarters) in the Canton area claiming direct hits on their targets. Edward M. Cooning, turret gunner on the crew comprised of pilot 1st Lieutenant C. D. Jantzen, Co-pilot 2nd Lieutenant S. E. Sewell, Navigator 2nd Lieutenant A. R. Kirkland, Bombardier 2nd Lieutenant S. C. Dennis, Engineer Sergeant E. M. Cooning and Radio Operator Private L. N. Howell, claimed a probable ”Zero” over Canton. Escorting P-40s from the 76th FS claimed two Japanese fighters shot down. The Canton area offered many good military targets only an hour and a half flying time from 11th BS’s base and was situated so close to the enemy’s front lines that they seldom had any warning. These targets were well protected by anti-aircraft besides large concentrations of aircraft at the Tien Ho and satellite airports, which sometimes attempted interception.

ALASKA (11th AF): 1 LB-30, 3 B-24s and 8 P-38s on photo and bombing missions over Kiska cannot attack but Navy PBYs also operating off Kiska hit freighters and a transport, claiming 1 transport sinking, and score many hits on North Head and Main Camp.

CBI (CATF): B-25s hit the Canton area, bombing Tien Ho Airfield and other targets in the vicinity and claiming two interceptors shot down.

Guadalcanal: B-17s fly search missions covering the lower Solomon in order to detect any attempt to make a surprise attack on U.S. forces on Guadalcanal.

SWPA (5th AF): P-400s dive-bomb Kokoda and Yodda; B-17s, B-25s and B-26s bomb Lae Airfield and targets of opportunity at Lae and Salamaua.

RAAF: Lost is Short S23 "Calypso" A18-11 after landing in rough seas while attempting to rescue survivors of MV Mamutu.

USMC: On Guadalcanal, the 1st Marine Division advances westward in two columns abandoning their advance towards Mount Austen. 1st Bn of 5th Marines and Company A, 1st Tank Battalion crosses Lunga River and secures Kukum. The 1st Battalion and the tanks met the first scattered Japanese resistance on the island. To the south, 1st Bn of 1st Marines takes Lunga Point Airfield (renamed Henderson Field) and reaches the Lunga River. Repairs begin on Lunga Point Airfield (renamed Henderson Field). Coastwatchers report an incoming Japanese air raid.

On Tulagi, the 1st Raider Bn and 5th Marines finish clearing the island by 1500. Elements of the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines moved to the southeast to assist the 1st Raider Battalion in the sweep of the island, resulting in the end of organized oppositionå.

On Gavutu, 1st Para Bn, assisted by 3d Bn of 2d Marines from div reserve, completes capture of Gavutu. The 3d Battalion, 2d Marines (rein), joined later by two tanks from Company C, 2d Tank Battalion, landed on Gavutu to reinforce the 1st Parachute Battalion.

IJN: Just before noon, twenty-three G4M1 Bettys from 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group) and Misawa Kōkūtai (Misawa Air Group) attack from minimum altitude with eight shot down by anti-aircracft fire and interepted by F4F WIldcats only a few managed to release their torpedoes. In total, seventeen were shot down including G4M1 Betty pilot Sasaki that crashed into USS George F. Elliott (AP-13) that caught fire and later scuttled by destroyer USS Hull (DD-350). A torpedo hits and damages USS Jarvis (DD-393) mistakenly identifed by the Japanese as a "Achilles-class cruiser". Another bomber crashes into and damages transport USS Barnett (AP-11) at roughly 09°13'S, 160°01'E.

U.S. Navy: Admiral Ghormley, ComSoPac, approved a request by the Commander, Task Force 61 to withdraw his carrier force from the Guadalcanal area until sufficient land-based aircraft and fuel were available.

Submarine USS Narwhal (SS-167) sinks Japanese crab boat Bifuku Maru southeast of Shiriya Zaki at northeast tip of Honshu. 41°14'N, 141°32'E.

Submarine USS S-38 (SS-143) despite presence of escorting minesweeper W.21, sinks Japanese transport Meiyo Maru at southern entrance of St. George Channel, between New Britain and New Ireland at Lat 04°52'S Long 152°42'E.

Submarine USS Silversides (SS-236) attacking Japanese convoy emerging from Kobe Harbor, torpedoes and sinks merchant cargo ship Nikkei Maru in Kii Suido near Ichiya Zaki at roughly Lat 33°33'N Long 135°23'E.

Destroyers USS Mustin (DD-413) and USS Morris (DD-417) are damaged in collision during night maneuvers in Hawaiian Operating Area.