FRIDAY, 1 MAY 1942
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): X Air Service Command is activated under
command of Brigadier General Elmer E Adler.
AUSTRALIA - P-39 Airacobras on a ferry flight from Townsville via Cooktown to Port Moresby. They ran into a heavy storm near Horn Island and force landed. Lost are P-39D 41-6951 (survived), P-39F 41-7215 (survived), P-39F 41-7216 (survived) and P-39 piloted by Love (KIA).
SATURDAY, 2 MAY 1942
Australia (5th Air Force): 8th Photographic Squadron, 5th Air Force transfers
from Brisbane to Garbutt Field with F-4's. Lost is B-26 40-1426 (two KIA, remainder survived).
RAAF: Lost over Port Moresby is P-40E A29-48 (KIA).
IJN: Japanese forces land on Florida
Island. Over Port Moresby, lost is A6M2 Zero piloted by Kawanishi (KIA).
SATURDAY, 3 MAY 1942
5th AF - P-39s intercept Japanese aicraft over Port Moresby. Lost is P-39D 41-6909 (KIA).
IJN: As part of "Operation MO" Okinoshima (flagship of Rear Admiral Shima), Kikuzuki, Yuzuki, Azumasan Maru, minelayer Koei Maru, subchasers Toshi Maru No. 3 and Tama Maru No. 8, special duty minesweepers WA-1 and WA-2, Hagoromo Maru, Noshiro Maru No. 2 and Tama Maru arrives in Tulagi Harbor and unloads without opposition occupying Tulagi Island.
MONDAY, 4 MAY 1942
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): HQ 35th Pursuit Group (Interc.eptor) is transferred
without personnel and equipment from New Delhi to Sydney.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-26's bomb Vunakanau Airfield. P-39's
and B-17's hit Lae Airfiield. HQ 27th Bombardment Group and 16th, 17th and 91st Bombardment
Squadrons transfer without personnel and equipment from Batchelor Field and Charters Towers
to Hunter Field, Savannah, Georgia. The units will be remanned and equipped
and fight in the Mediterranean. Lost on a mission against Lae were P-39D 41-6956 (MIA) P-39D 41-6825 (MIA) and P-39D 41-6971 (MIA), P-39F 41-7145 (MIA). Lost over the Brown River area is P-39F 41-7207 (MIA). Also lost is F-4 Lightning 41-2126 (MIA).
USN: Battle of the Coral Sea: Task Force 17 (Rear Admiral F. J. Fletcher) carrier aircraft from USS Yorktown CV-5 attack Japanese transports in Tulagi Harbor, sinking Kikuzuki and damaging several others. Meanwhile, Task Force 11 (TF-11) under the command of Rear Admiral A. W. Fitch with USS
Lexington is south of the Louisiade Archipelago.
IJN: Damaged and beached is Kikuzuki.
RAAF: Lost on a reconnaissance mission is PBY Catalina A24-18 (POW, executed) off southern Bougainville.
TUESDAY, 5 MAY 1942
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (10th Air Force): On a raid against Mingaladon Airfield during the night of 4/5 May, four B-17's bomb a hangar and parked aircraft;
the crews claim 40 aircraft destroyed but searchlights make accurate observation
impossible.
(5th Air Force): 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), transfers from Cloncurry to Longreach with B-17's; a detachment
is operating from Perth.
USN: Battle of the Coral Sea: The American carrier force is stationed
in the probable track of the enemy transports, they moved northward in search of
the enemy covering force.
WEDNESDAY, 6 MAY 1942
Philippines - U. S. forces on Corregidor surrenders. All US organized resistance to the Japanese
in the Philippines ends. This brings the total area of lands occupied by the
Japanese Empire to 20 million square miles of land and ocean.
CBI (10th Air Force): Mingaladon Airfield is hit for the second consecutive
night; 3 B-17's score direct hits on fuel dumps at the field.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's unsuccessfully attack shipping
in Bougainville and Solomons. The air and ground echelons of the following
AAF units are killed or captured; the units are carried as active units without
personnel until 2 Apr 46: 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 2d Observation Squadron
(Medium) 3d, 17th, 20th, 21st and 34th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor) 14th
Bombardment Squadron Most of the ground echelon of the following units
were killed or captured: V Bomber Command 5th Interceptor Command (Provisional)
19th Bombardment Group 27th Bombardment Group 16th, 17th and
91st Bombardment Squadrons 28th, 30th and 93d Bombardment Squadrons.
IJN: Battle of the Coral Sea: ten Japanese ships including the Kamikawa Maru, a destroyer, cruiser and transports enter Deboyne Lagoon and occupy Nivani Island in the Deboyne Island Group. They establish Deboyne Seaplane Base as a forward operating area.
RAAF: Lost is Catalina A24-20 (POW / MIA)
THURSDAY, 7 MAY 1942
USN: Battle of the Coral Sea: Japanese aircraft locate and attack USS Simms (DD-409) and USS Neosho (AO-23). The battle approaches its climax as Allied naval forces intercept Japanese naval
forces near Misima. US Navy dive bombers located and sink light carrier Shoho covering a convoy. Ditched is SBD Dauntless piloted by Quigley (crew rescued May 26, 1942). Lost is F4F Wildcat 2531 (MIA)
IJN: Sunk is Shoho. Lost is A6M2 Zero ditched off Nivani and G4M1 Betty 2271 ditched at Deboyne while B5N2 Kate EI-306 and B5N2 Kate EI-302 ditched at Indispensible Reef.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17s participate in the Battle of the Coral Sea but their
effect is limited; several bombers attack Allied warships in the "ANZAC squadron" accidentally. Lost is B-17E 41-2631 (crew survived) and B-17E 41-2652 (crew survived).
FRIDAY, 8 MAY 1942
USN: Battle of the Coral Sea: The first naval engagement
of history fought without opposing ships making contact. Carrier aircraft from USS Lexington CV-2 and USS Yorktown CV-5 severely damaged Shōkaku. During the morning, USS Lexington CV-2 is damaged and later scuttled. USS Yorktown CV-5 also suffers damage from aircraft. A total of 66 US aircraft are lost including SBD "CLAG" 4679 (MIA) and SBD 4597 (MIA). As a result of the battle, the Japanese were unable to land at Port Moresby, a key base in New
Guinea and of great importance to the security of Australia. The battle is the
first major naval engagement in history in which the opposing warships do not
exchange a shot. The Battle of the Coral Sea was the first naval engagement
of history fought without opposing ships making contact. It also marks the end of the period in which the
Allied forces were on the defensive and paves the way for offensive
operations.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): Allied bombers join USN aircraft in attacking the enemy's main support force
south of San Cristobal. During the battle the reconnaissance work of the AAF proves of greater importance
than bombing missions which have no real effects on the battle. Lack
of USN-AAF coordination was apparent during the Battle of the Coral
Sea and this eventually
leads to better interservice communication. Lost is B-25C 41-12486 (force landed, crew rescued) and P-39F Airacobra 41-7188 (ditched, pilot rescued).
IJN: Damaged is Shōkaku. Lost is D3A1 Val 3381 (crew rescued).
SATURDAY, 9 MAY 1942
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): During the night of 8/9 May, six
B-17's bomb Mingaladon and attack the docks at Rangoon.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): 8 B-26's and a single B-17 attack shipping
and seaplanes at Deboyne. 8th Bombardment Squadron, 3d
Bombardment Group, transfers from Port Moresby to Charters
Towers with A-20's; combat operations continue.
IJN: Tainan Kokutai Zeros strafe 7 Mile Drome. Damaged by friendly anti-aircraft fire is P-39D 41-161?? pilot McGee force landed on Fishermans Island.
SUNDAY, 10 MAY 1942
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's attack Kessa in the North Solomon
while 3rd BG B-25s from the 3rd BG and B-26's from the 22nd BG hit the seaplane base at Deboyne. Lost are B-26 40-1402 (MIA) and B-25C "El Diablo" 41-12511 (crew survived).
U. S. Army - The last U.S. Army forces in the Philippines officially surrender.
(USN) USS Ranger on a transatlantic ferry trip, reached a position off the
African Gold Coast and launched 60 P-40 Warhawks of the Army Air Force to Accra,
from which point they were flown in a series of hops to Karachi, India, for
operations with the 10th AAF. This was the first of four ferry trips made by
the Ranger to deliver AAF fighters across the Atlantic, the subsequent
launches being accomplished on 19 July 1942, 19 January 1943, and 24 February
1943.
USN: Inshore Patrol Squadron VS-4-D14 arrived in the Tonga with the
base construction and garrison convoy and set up facilities to conduct antisubmarine
patrols from Nukualofa Harbor on Tongatabu.
MONDAY, 11 MAY 1942
11--The President ordered that an Air Medal be established for award to any
person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army, Navy, Marine
Corps, or Coast Guard after 8 September 1939, distinguishes or has distinguished
himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
USN - Scuttled is USS Neosho (AO-23) after the Battle of the Coral Sea.
TUESDAY, 12 MAY 1942
Philippines - Last U.S. troops in Philippines surrender on Mindanao
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): B-17's fly their first mission in direct
defense of the air cargo line to China when 4 B-17's from Dum Dum Airfield heavily damage the runways and set fire to several parked aircraft at Myitkyina Airfield, which fell to the Japanese on 8 May, poses a serious
fighter threat Dinjan.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's and B-26's hit shipping in Simpson Harbor and the
Lakunai Airfield. 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), transfers from Cloncurry to Longreach with B-17's.
WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 1942
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's and B-26's hit shipping
Simpson Harbor and the Lakunai Airfield. 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy),
19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Cloncurry to Longreach with B-17's.
IJN: A6M2 piloted by Honda shot down over Port Moresby.
THURSDAY, 14 MAY 1942
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): B-17's pound
Myitkyina Airfield for the second time, scoring direct hits on runways and several
buildings.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's, B-26's and B-25's attack Rabaul and Lae. Force landed returning from the mission is B-25C Mitchell Serial Number 41-12497. Over Port Moresby, P-39 Airacobra piloted by Brown collided with A6M2 piloted by Oshima causing it to crash.
IJN: A6M2 piloted by Oshima (KIA) crashed near Port Moresby.
FRIDAY, 15 MAY 1942
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-25's, B-26's and
and B-17's hit the airfield and storehouses at Lae and Deboyne Seaplane Base. 64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment
Group (Heavy), transfers from Sidney to Daly Waters, Australia with B-17's. Lost on a passenger flight is B-26 "Lil Deicer " 40-1390.
USN - The design of the National Star Insignia was revised by eliminating the
red disc in the center of the star, and use of horizontal red and white rudder
striping was discontinued.
SATURDAY, 16 MAY 1942
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): HQ 10th Air
Force completes its move from the US to New Delhi. B-17's again strike
at Myitkyina Airfield, pounding runways and buildings. Subsequent
reconnaissance indicates that the runways are unusable.
SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (SOPAC, 7th Air Force): 68th Fighter Squadron, 58th
Fighter Group, transfers from Amberly Field to Tongatabu with P-40's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-26's and and
B-17's hit Lae Airfield and storehouses at Lae. 3rd BG B-25s fly two sorties against Lae. The morning strike took off at 6:00am armed with twleve 100 lbs bombs. Led by led by Cpt. H. F. Lowery. Over Salamaua bad weather was encountered and the first flight split off in search of enemy shipping. Lt. Feltham assumed the lead and by following the coastline from Salamaua to Lae succeeded in wading the worst of bad tropical thunderstorms. Breaking out of a storm the flight spotted Lae five miles ahead, just as Zeros took off to intercept them head on. The bombing run was made at 800' against anti-aircraft positions and supply dumps at Lae. After the attack the formation was scattered and returned individually. In an afternoon sortie, the B-25s return to bomb Lae Airfield again from 2,400', lost on the return flight is B-25C 41-12478 force landing at Aiyary Airstrip. Also bombers hit Deboyne Seaplane Base. 64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment
Group (Heavy), transfers from Sidney to Daly Waters, Australia with B-17's.
SUNDAY, 17 MAY 1942
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): The 7th Air Force is placed on alert
in anticipation of a possible attack on Midway. For the next 10 days
the old B-18's on hand are used on sea searches to supplement the B-17's. VII
Bomber Command receives an influx of B-17's during this period, and the 72d
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), is converted from
B-18's to B-17's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's bomb shipping in Koepang Bay, HQ 19th Bombardment Group and 93d Bombardment Squadron
transfers from Garbutt Field to Longreach with B-17's. Detachment
of 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases
operating from Perth and returns to Longreach with B-17's.
MONDAY, 18 MAY 1942
CARIBBEAN: The US and Panama sign an agreement concerning the use of Panama
defense areas by US forces.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): HQ 19th Bombardment Group and 93d Bombardment Squadron transfers
from Garbutt Field to Longreach with B-17's. Detachment of 28th Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases operating from Perth
and returns to Longreach with B-17's. B-17's bomb shipping in Koepang
Bay. Lost at Townsville is P-39 piloted by Plain (KIA, BR). Port Moresby Air Raid - May 18, 1942. Lost are G4M1 Betty piloted by Oyama (KIA), G4M1 Betty piloted by Inoue (force landed) and P-39F 41-7191 (pilot MIA).
TUESDAY, 19 MAY 1942
CARIBBEAN (6th Air Force): 31st Fighter Squadron, 37th Fighter Group, transfers
from Chorrera to Albrook Field with P-39's and P-40's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's attack Koepang Airfield and AA guns at the airfield.
President Roosevelt presents the medal of honor to General James H. Doolittle
for his role leading the April 18, 1942 bombing mission against Japan.
Doolittle viewed the raid as a failure because all the B-25s were lost and the raid failed to cause any serious damage.
WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY 1942
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): 11th Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Karachi from
the US with B-17's; first mission is 3 Jun.
SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (SOPAC, 7th Air Force): Admiral John S McCain, in
Seaplane Tender USS TANGIER (AV-8) at Noumea, New Caledonia , assumes
command as Commander Aircraft South Pacific Forces (COMAIRSOPAC). Ground echelon
of 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers
from Amberley Field to New Caledonia; air echelon is at Hickam
Field, with B-26's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's attack Koepang Airfield and AA guns at the airfield.
USN: Rear Admiral J. S. McCain reported for duty as Commander Aircraft, South
Pacific, a new command established to direct the operations of tender and shore-based
aviation in the South Pacific area.
IJN: I-10 catapults her Yokosuka E14Y1 Glen floatplane on a mission to reconnoiter Durban.
THURSDAY, 21 MAY 1942
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-26's bomb aircraft at Lae Airfield.
FRIDAY, 22 MAY 1942
(11th Air Force) Crashed is LB-30 Liberator AL-602.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): 19th Fighter
Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, transfers from Bellows Field to Kualoa Field with
P-40's; air echelon of 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment
Group (Medium), arrives at Hickam Field with B-26's; ground echelon is on New
Caledonia and 73d Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, transfers from Wheeler Field to Bellows Field with P-40's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's pound Lakunai Airfield while B-26s from the 22nd Bomb Group and B-25s from the from the 3rd Bomb Group hit Lae Airfield and attack shipping in the harbor. Lost are B-25C 41-12981 (MIA) and B-25D "Torrid Tessie The Terror" 41-29692 (KIA, BR).
SATURDAY, 23 MAY 1942
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy),
5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Hickam Field to Kipapa Field with B-17's and B-18's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): Five B-25's of the 3rd BG strike Lae Airfield and buildings at Lae. Lost are B-25C
41-12491 (survived, 4 MIA) and B-25C 41-12462 (5 MIA, 1 POW).
SUNDAY, 24 MAY 1942
USN - Carriers Hornet and Enterprise move towards Pearl
Harbor, where they will quickly be refitted and sent to Midway. The Japanese
prepairing to attack Midway mistakenly
believe these carriers are in the Solomons.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): Lost on a rescue mission to Aiyary Airstrip are: and A-24 41-15820. Three B-26 Marauders attack Vunakanau Airfield. Ditched is B-26 "Imogene VII" 40-1474.
RAAF: On a submarined search, two collided mid-air Hudson A16-191 and Hudson A16-194 over Giru, Queensland.
MONDAY, 25 MAY 1942
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (11th Air Force): 11th Fighter Squadron,
28th Composite Group, based at Elmendorf Field with P-40's sends a detachment to Cold Bay.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): Four B-17's bomb Rangoon during the
night of 24/25 May.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's bomb Vunakanau
Airfield. Eight B-25s from the 3rd Bomb Group attack Lae Airfield. Lost are B-25C
41-12441 (MIA), B-25C 41-12448 (MIA), B-25C 41-12450 (MIA), B-25C 41-12466 (MIA) and B-25C 41-12498 (MIA). Force landed near Port Moresby is B-25C "Irene" 41-12442 (repaired). At Aiyary Airfield the surviving A-24 41-15822 crashed on take off. Also C-39 38-505 crashed on take off.
IJN: Lost is A6M2 Zero piloted by Watanabe (MIA) intercepting B-25s off Salamaua.
TUESDAY, 26 MAY 1942
JAPAN - Citing Japanese victories in the Coral Sea and other battles, Radio
Tokyo announces that "America and Britain... have now been exterminated..
the British and American fleets cannot appear on the oceans."
ALASKA (11th Air Force): 11th Fighter Squadron, 28th Composite Group, based
at Elmendorf Field sends a detachment to Umnak with P-40's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): Lost is P-39F 41-7221 (MIA).
WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 1942
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): 11th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), transfers from Karachi to Allahabad with B-17's.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-17's bomb Rabaul. 8th FG P-39s intercept Japanese fighters attacking Port Moresby. Lost is P-39F 41-7153 (MIA) and P-39F 41-7162 (pilot returned to duty).
USN - The transfer of Patrol Wing 4 from Seattle to the North Pacific began
with the arrival of the Commander at Kodiak.
JAPAN - Japanese Midway invasion
force depart Saipan and Guam.
THURSDAY, 28 MAY 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): A B-17 flies the first armed reconnaissance from the
secretly constructed airfield at Unmak, but
finds no sign of the enemy. XI Fighter Command elements are not deployed at
Unmak (P-40's and P-38's), Cold Bay (P-40's), Kodiak (P-39's), and Elmendorf
Field [P-38's and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Kittyhawks].
USA - Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson warns Americans along the
west coast to expect a Japanese attack as retaliation for the April 18, 1942 "Dollittle Raid"
against Japan.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): B-26's attack Lae Airfield. Shot down by A6M2 Zeros is B-26 40-1467 (MIA). Meanwhile, Airacobras from the 36th FS and fourteen Airacobras of the 35th FS took off from 7-Mile Drome at 0750 to intercept 20 A6M Zeros over Port Moresby. Three aircraft were lost, but all pilots returned to duty: P-39D 41-6970, P-39F 41-7190, P-39F piloted by Andres. The 36th FS claims 3 Zeros (Connell, Egan, Erickson), in fact the Japanese lost none.
New Hebridies - U.S. forces arrive at Espiritu
Santo.
FRIDAY, 29 MAY 1942
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): Four B-17's bomb Myitkyina Airfield from high-altitude. No activity is seen.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): 19th Transport Squadron, 7th Air Force,
transfers from Hickam Field to John Rodgers Airport with
C-33's and C-53's.
(5th AF) Seventeen Airacobras intercept a formation of eighteen A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai southeast of Port Moresby in the vicinity of Hood Bay at 9:50am. Lost is P-39F 41-7116 (pilot survived). The US claimed three but were later credited with four.
IJN:
Eighteen A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai are intercepted by Airacobras southeast of Port Moresby in the vicinity of Hood Bay at 9:50am. Lost is A6M2 Zero piloted by Komori, that crashed near Iwaia at 10:00am. The pilot was trailed, fired three shots then killed resisting arrest. Pilot was carrying a map showing operations of planes from an island in Truk.
SATURDAY, 30 MAY 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): 77th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 28th Composite
Group, based at Elmendorf Field, begins operating
from Umnak with B-26's.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (10th Air Force): B-17s bomb Myitkyina Airfield. Again no activity is observed and the attacks are discontinued.
HQ 7th Bombardment Group transfers from Karachi to Dum Dum.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): 7th Air Force begins flying B-17's
from the Territory of Hawaii to Midway in the face of an expected attack
on that . 394th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Hickam Field to Bellows Field with B-17's.
SUNDAY, 31 MAY 1942
