August 19, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST 1942

ALASKA (11th AF): B-24 scheduled to perform a reconnaissance over Tanaga suffers mechanical failtures and is unable to perform the mission.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s bomb shipping off Faisi.

B-17s from Espiritu Santo bomb Japanese destroyers Kagero, Hagikaze and Maikaze off Tulagi and score a bomb hit on Hagikaze.

IJA: By 1:00am the destroyers Arashi, Hagikaze, Tanikaze and Hamakaze finish the landing of the the first echeon of Japanese Army, 28th Infantry Regiment "Ichiki Force" at Taivu Point on eastern Guadalcanal. Meanwhile, roughly 1,500 Japanese reinforcements embarked on four transports escorted by destoyers depart Rabaul bound for Guadalcanal.

USMC: 5th Marines, in limited offensive, clears coastal villages of Matanikau and Kokumbona, then returns to Lunga Point. Company L and Company B attack Matanikau from the east and south. Company I, moving forward by sea, clears Kakumbona. While patrolling to locate enemy radio station, Company A of 1st Marines encounters and virtually wipes out party of 34 Japanese recently landed near Taivu. Marines from L/3/5 were spotted atop Hill 73 on Guadalcanal are fired on by the Japanese using mortars and small arms. Lost was Sgt John Harold Branic (KIA) who was buried on the hilltop in a field burial. Afterwards, L/3/5 attacked the Japanese at Matanikau and during the attack, 1st Lt. George H. Mead Jr. (KIA) was killed intercepting Japanese trying to outflank the patrol.

Australian Army: Leading elements of Aus 7th Div (21st Brig) arrive at Port Moresby and depart via the Kokoda Trail toward Isurava to bolster the Maroubra Force.