August 22, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 22 AUGUST 1942

Brazil: Angered by the recent sinking of 5 Brazillian ships by the Axis, Brazil declares war on Germany and Italy. Allied shipping is thus able to make full use of the comparatively short south Atlantic route via Ascension Island.

ALASKA (11th AF): A photo reconnaissance mission over Kiska is aborted due to overcast. After consideration of the relative merits of Tanaga and Adak as an advanced airfield from which to attack Kiska and Attu, Adak is chosen. A directive for the occupation of Adak is issued August 30, 1942.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): The first U.S. Army Air Force aircraft, five P-400s of the 67th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, based on New Caledonia arrive at Henderson Field, joining U. S, Marine Corps (USMC) aircraft which arrived earlier. These P-400s operate under control of Marine Aircraft Wing One (MAW-1) but will prove to be no match for Japanese Zeros or high altitude bombers and will instead be used for ground attack and low level sweeps.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s bomb Lae Airfield and Lakunai Airfield.

Buna: A total of 11,430 Japanese personnel are at Buna. Japanese Maj Gen Tomitaro Horii leaves for the front to take personal charge of operations.

IJN: A6M3 Zeros from Tainan Kokutai (Tainan Air Group) led by Lt. Jôji Yamashita fly seven sorties over Rabi (Milne Bay) and seven cover sorties over friendly positions at Basabua. A6M3 Zeros of the 2nd Kokutai led by Lt. Yoshiô Kurakane made seven sorties over Rabi (Milne Bay) and five sorties over Basabua.

On Guadalcanal, five P-400 Airacobras from 67th Fighter Squadron arrive at Henderson Field while the rest of the squadron remains on New Caledonia. The squadron's P-400s and P-39s operate under control of Marine Aircraft Wing One (MAW-1) but will prove to be no match for Japanese Zeros or high altitude bombers and will instead be used for ground attack and low level sweeps.

USMC: During the Battle of the Tenaru (Ilu River/Alligator Creek) at daybreak, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment crossed the Ilu River and enveloped the remaing Japanese while a tank. The battle results in Marine victory and Japanese defeat at Tenaru (Ilu, Alligator Creek) in the first major battle of the Guadalcanal campaign. CO and staff of 2d Marines from New Hebrides arrive on Tulagi.

The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is commissioned at Ewa Field as the 4th Marine Base Defense Air Wing and charged with providing air defense for bases, search and patrol, air-sea rescue, and shipping escorts off Hawaii.

USN: USS Blue (DD-387) is damaged by a torpedo from Japanese destroyer Kawakaze while patrolling Iron Bottom Sound. The explosion damaging her engines, shafts and steering and killed nine and wounded twenty-one. Afterwards, several unsuccessful attempts were made to tow the damaged destroyer to Tulagi.

USS Haddock (SS-231) torpedoes and sinks Japanese transport Tatsuho Maru near Foochow in China at roughly Lat 26°07'N, Long 121°29'E.

Australian Army: Maj Gen Cyril A. Clowes takes command of Milne Force, which by this time comprises 9,458 men including 7,429 Australians, 1,365 Americans, 664 RAAF. The U.S. component consists largely of engineers and AA personnel.