September 8, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1942

ALASKA (11th Air Force): A single B-24 and single B-26 fly photo reconnaissance over Agattu, Attu, and Kiska; the detachment of the 42d Fighter Squadron, 54th Fighter Group, operating from Kodiak with P-39s begins a movement to Adak.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): P-400s bomb and strafe the Efogi area where Australian forces are hard pressed by the Japanese. B-17s and RAAF Hudsons attack cruisers and a destroyer north of the D'Entrecasteaux Island Group.

SOUTH PACIFIC: Lost on a mission over the Solomon Sea is B-17E "Stingaree" 41-9071 (MIA).

IJN: Nine G4M1 of Misawa Kokutai escorted by nine A6M2 Zeros from the 6th Kokutai from Rabaul bomb Rabi (Milne Bay). A6M3 Zeros from Buna Airfield made 12 sorties over Milne Bay to cover the withdrawal of Japanese Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) Marines. In the afternoon the remaining A6M2 Zeros from the 2nd Kokutai withdraw from Buna Airfield.