August 30, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 30 AUGUST 1942

China: For the first time by eight B-25s led by Colonel Haynes from 11th BS (Medium) strike Myitkyina, the northernmost Japanese supply depot at Myitkyina and Myitkyina Airfield in Burma, from which fighters could hit Dinjan, India, the terminus of the Assam-Burma Ferry. The history of 11th BS reports five B-25s took off from Kunming for an attack against Myitkyina and Myitkyina Airfield plus other installations. This target was the northernmost depot of Burma, supplying the Japanese troops operating in that part of Burma and basing aircraft used for attacks either on Yunnan Province, China, or Assam, India. This meant also that it could be used as a base for operations against the U. S. Ferry route from India to China. The first flight scored hits on the runways of the airfield, while the second flight laid its string directly across barracks, after which the formation reformed and continued to Dinjan, India, where bombs were loaded.

ALASKA (11th AF): U.S. troops land in Kuluk Bay on Adak without opposition amidst a terrific storm and they start building Adak Airfield. Five B-24s photograph Kiska but do not bomb due to overcast, and then fly patrol and photo reconnaissance over Amchitka and Tanaga. P-38s fly patrol between Great Sitkin and Little Tanaga. Seaplane Tender Teal provides forward air cover. The occupation puts North Pacific forces within 250 miles of occupied Kiska and in a position to maintain a close watch over enemy shipping lanes to that and to Attu. The seaplane tender USS Casco (AVP-12) conducting support operations from Nazan Bay off Atka was damaged by a torpedo fired by a submarine and temporarily beached.

POA (7th AF): 6th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group moves from Wheeler Field to Kahuku with P-40s.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s attack shipping in Saint Georges Channel.

IJN: During the night, 5th Kure Special Navy Landing Force (5th Kure SNLF) advancing from the east and attack No. 3 Strip at Milne Bay but suffer heavy losses from the strong Allied defenses. Meanwhile, additional Japanese land at Milne Bay.

USN: Task Grouo 8.8 (TG 8.8) lands U. S. Army occupation forces on Adak without opposition amidst a terrific storm.

USS Colhoun (APD-2) is sunk by D3A Val dive bombers into Iron Bottom Sound off Lunga Point on Guadalcanal.

USMC: Rear echelon of Marine Air Group 23 (MAG-23) including 12 x SBD-3 Dauntless dive bombers from VMSB-231 and 18 x F4F Wildcats from VMF-221 arrives at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.

IJN: At night, Japanese attack No. 3 Strip at Milne Bay but are repulsed and retreat on August 31, 1942 at dawn leaving many dead.

During the night, eight destroyers land more than 6,000 Japanese soldiers of the "Kawaguchi Force" in the Tasimboko area of Guadalcanal.

IJA: Japanese continues to gain ground on the Kokoda Trail over the Owen Stanley Range towards on Port Moresby.

During the night, eight destroyers land more than 6,000 Japanese of the "Kawaguchi Force" in the Tasimboko area of Guadalcanal to the west of Lunga Point near Kokumbona in an attempt to strike then will advance eastward to attack the U.S. perimeter.