August 25, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 25 AUGUST 1942

ALASKA (11th AF): A photo reconnaissance mission is flown over Kiska, Attu and Adak, then turns back because of mechanical failure.

USN: During the Battle of the Eastern Solomons U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps aircraft attack Japanese transports carrying reinforcements to Guadalcanal and force them to turn back. At 8:35am, the convoy is hit by dive bombers 125 miles away damaging Kinryu Maru. Meanwhile, USAAF B-17s from Espiritu Santo score a bomb hit that sinks Mutsuki. By noon, the remaining force withdraws northward. Lost is PBY-5 Catalina 04469 (MIA).

SWPA (5th AF): Japanese amphibious forces bound for Milne Bay from Buna is stranded on Goodenough when P-40E Kittyhawks from Milne Bay destroy their beached barges. P-40s also attack a convoy proceeding from New Ireland toward Milne Bay but are hampered by bad weather and fail to halt landings at three points east of Rabi during the night of 25/26 Aug. 3rd BG B-25 attempt to bomb Japanese shipping at Milne Bay, but fail to locate them due to bad weather. Lost is B-25C "Boomerang" 41-12499 (MIA). Also, P-400s hit the Buna Airfield and destroy on the ground four A6M3 Zeros and a G6M1 Betty. They also hit AA positions at Buna.