August 24, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY 24 AUGUST 1942

ALASKA (11th AF): 404th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 28th Composite Group begins to operate from Umnak with B-24s. A photo reconnaissance sortie is cancelled due to overcast.

U.S. Navy: During the Battle of the Eastern Solomons Task Force 61 (TF 61) under Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher supported by USMC and USAAF planes from Henderson Field and seven B-17 Flying Fortresses turns back major Japanese attempt to recapture Guadalcanal and Tulagi. Lost are TBF Avenger 00418 pilot Mach. Harry L. Corl (MIA), TBF Avenger pilot Taurman (rescued), TBF Avenger pilot Fayle (rescued). USS Enterprise (CV-6) is damaged by dive bomber at Lat 08°38'S Long 163°30'E and destroyer USS Grayson (DD-435) is damaged by strafing and near-miss, but SBDs and TBFs (VB 3, VS 3, VT 8) from USS Saratoga (CV-3) sink Japanese light aircraft carrier Ryujo at Lat 06°10'S, Long 160°50'E and damage seaplane carrier Chitose.

Submarine Saury (SS-189) torpedoes Japanese army transport Otowasan Maru west of Luzon, 14°15'N, 120°19'E.

Submarine Guardfish (SS-217) torpedoes and sinks Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Seikai Maru off entrance to Sendai Harbor, on northeast coast of Honshu, 38°12'N, 141°30'E.

Japanese transport Cuba Maru, stranded south of Sakhalin Island, Kurils, sinks, 48°00'N, 142°30'E.

USMC: During the Battle of the Eastern Solomons ten F4F Wildcats from Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) and Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223) took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal to intercept Japanese carrier planes from Ryujo attacking Henderson Field. Lost are F4F 02095 pilot 2nd Lt. Elwood R. Bailey (MIA) and F4F 02084 pilot 2nd Lt. Lawrence C. Taylor (MIA) and F4F Wildcat 5158. SBD-3 Dauntless from VMSB-232 damages light cruiser Jintsu north of Malaita Island.

IJN: Ryujo launches aircraft against against Guadalcanal. Six Zeros from Ryujo escort Vals. In the ensuing fight over Guadalcanal, the Japanese lost four D3A Vals and three Zeros. In the meantime, Ryujo, left with only seven fighters to protect itself, was sunk in an attack by 30 SBDs and six TBF Avenger from USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Saratoga (CV-3). The surviving planes from Ryujo are diverted to Rabaul. Lost is D3A pilot Hikiune. The USS Enterprise (CV-6) was hit by carrier-based bombers that scre three direct hits and four near misses and the damaged carrier is forced to withdraw. During the night four Japanese warships shell Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.

Meanwhile, fourteen G4M1 Bettys including seven from Kisarazu Kokutai and seven from 4th Kokutai take off from Rabaul on a bombing mission against Milne Bay. On the ground destroyed is LB-30 Liberator AL-818 that force landed two days earlier. Eight D3A2 Val from the 2nd Ku Bomber Buntaï led by Lt Fumitô Inoue land at Buna Airfield.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s hit Gasmata and airfields at Rabaul. Japanese amphibious forces leave Buna in barges and New Ireland in transports, heading for Milne Bay; the barges are detected by an Australian coastwatcher during the afternoon.

IJA: Gen Horii orders general offensive. Japanese amphibious forces leave for Milne Bay, those from New Ireland in two transports and the force from Buna in seven landing barges. The barges are detected by coastwatcher in afternoon.