September 6, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1942

ALASKA (11th Air Force): A B-24 flying patrol and armed reconnaissance over Tanaga, sinks a mine layer and strafes a tender as well as nearby tents and buildings.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): P-400s, A-20s, and B-17s strafe and bomb positions, troops, and shipping at Myola, Mubo, Kokoda, Myola Lake, Eora Creek and Milne Bay. Lost is P-400 Airacobra AP-359. B-17s from 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG) took off on a mission to bomb Japanese shipping but were given the wrong coordinates and experienced bad weather.

Australian Army: Australian troops in the Owen Stanley Range fall back to the vicinity of the Efogi Spur beyond Gap Mountain, where defensive positions are already established. Meanwhile, Australian ground forces continue to clear the enemy from the Milne Bay area while Japanese continue evacuation. Sunk by Japanese bombardment is MV Anshun into shallow water off Gili Gili dock in Milne Bay.

IJN: Twelve G4M1 Bettys from Kisarazu Kokutai plus nine G4M1 Bettys from Misawa Kokutai and six G4M1 Bettys from Chitose Kokutai took off from Rabaul escorted by 30 A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai, 2nd Kokutai and 6th Kokutai on a mission against Rabi (Milne Bay). Despite bad weather, they bombed through dense clouds without seeing the target and departed without enemy fighter opposition.