Pacific Wrecks 2021 Daily Updates
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- 12-31 December 31, 1942: Damaged P-38F Lightning 42-12652 pilot 2nd Lt. Kenneth Sparks in a collision with a Ki-43 Oscar over Lae.
- 12-30 December 30, 1942: Damaged landing G3M3 Nell 6346 was written off at Lae Airfield and later captured by the Allies.
- 12-29 December 29, 1942: Surviving Zero pilots from 252 Kokutai (252 Air Group) are evacuated from Munda Airfield to Rabaul.
- 12-28 December 28, 1942: Ditched G3M Nell pilot Lt(jg) Keizo Kondo off Munda Airfield shot down by P-39 "Diablo" pilot Rex Barber.
- 12-27 December 27, 1942: Future ace pilot 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong claims his first two aerial victories over Buna.
- 12-26 December 26, 1942: Lucky shot! CA-5 Wirraway A20-103 shoots down Ki-43-I Oscar pilot Yoshitake in air combat over Gona.
- 12-25 December 25, 1942: George Silk photographs Raphael Oimbari helping Private George "Dick" Whittington to hospital.
- 12-24 December 24, 1942: Emplaced 76.2mm Anti-Aircraft Gun disables M3 Stuart 2017 near Buna Airfield (Old Strip).
- 12-23 December 23, 1942: Force landed is F4F Wildcat 03534 pilot Captain David C. "Dave" Andre on a small island off New Georgia.
- 12-22 December 22, 1942: B-24D Liberators from 307th Bomb Group (307th BG) bomb Wake Island without loss.
- 12-21 December 21, 1942: The 70th Fighter Squadron (70th FS) based on Fiji with P-39 Airacobras begins operating from Guadalcanal.
- 12-20 December 20, 1942: Force landed is P-40F "Pee Wee" 41-14112 pilot 2nd Lt. C. B. Head, Jr. atop Mount Santop on Erromango.
- 12-19 December 19, 1942: Survivor Captain Edward V. "Eddie" Rickenbacker reports to U.S. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson.
- 12-18 December 18, 1942: Lost is B-24D "Texas Terror" 41-23825 pilot Captain James E. Gumaer onto Mt. Straloch on Hinchinbrook
Island.
- 12-17 December 17, 1942: The U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment soldiers attack The Triangle (Bloody Triangle).
- 12-16 December 16, 1942: Lost is SBD-3 Dauntless 03258 pilot 2nd Lt. Frank L. Christen on a dive bombing mission against Munda.
- 12-15 December 15, 1942: Crashed is Hudson A16-36 pilot S/Ldr William A. Pedrina air dropping supplies near Soputa.
- 12-14 December 14, 1942: Ditched is B-17F "The Stingaree No. 2" 41-24550 pilot 1st Lt. Ealon S. Hocutt into Bootless Bay.
- 12-13 December 13, 1942: Five Japanese destroyers at the mouth of the Mambare RIver on the north coast of New Guinea.
- 12-12 December 12, 1942: Died of wounds is 1st Lt. Hershel G. Horton near Huggins Road Block who keeps a diary until the end.
- 12-11 December 11, 1942: Qantas Lockheed Electra VH-AEC arrives at Port Moresby as part of a “Special Transport Flight".
- 12-10 December 10, 1942: Co-pilot Captain Carlyle Coleman aboard a B-17E 41-2433 over Kahili Airfield hit and killed instantly.
- 12-9 December 9, 1942: Force landed is B-24A Liberator 40-2367 pilot Captain Andrews / "Gona's Gone" Australian Army captures Gona.
- 12-8 December 8, 1942: Laid down is Katsuragi the third and final Unryū class aircraft carrier Kure Naval Arsenal at Kure.
- 12-7 December 7, 1942: LIFE Magazine features Major John L. Smith / 80th anniversary of December 7, 1941 attack Pearl Harbor and Oahu
- 12-6 December 6, 1942: U.S. planes spot Japanese construction equipment building Munda Airfield at Munda on New Georgia.
- 12-5 December 5, 1942: Lost is B-25C "The Happy Legend" 41-12907 pilot 1st
Lt. Wilson L. Pinkstaff crashed Myola near the Kokoda Gap.
- 12-4 December 4, 1942: Lost is P-38F "Synchronized Sal" 42-12646 pilot 2nd Lt. Charles Rowsey in an accidental collision at Peak Crossing.
- 12-3 December 3, 1942: Crashed is B-24D "Little Eva" 41-23762 pilot Lt. Norman R. Crosson near Moonlight
Creek three later rescued.
- 12-2 December 2, 1942: Force landed A-20A "Flying Lawnmower" 40-3151 pilot Lt. Edward Richardson force lands at 3 Mile Drome (Kila).
- 12-1 December 1, 1942: Crashed while landing SBD-3 Dauntless 06662 pilot Captain William F. Spang (KIA) landing at Henderson Field.
- December 2021
- 11-30 November 30, 1942: Support #GivingTuesday donate to Pacific Wrecks / U.S. Army Road Block (Huggins Road Block) in New Guinea.
- 11-29 November 29, 1942: Lost is P-40K Warhawk 42-10271 pilot Lt. Col Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner on a flight bound for Maxwell Field.
- 11-28 November 28, 1942: Lost is P-38E Lightning 41-2276 pilot 1st Lt. Kenneth Ambrose on a flight from Elmendorf to Washington State.
- 11-27 November 27, 1942: Renamed 30 Mile Drome becomes "Rogers Drome" northwest of Port Moresby.
- 11-26 November 26, 1942: Lost is DB-7 "Retribution" A28-22 pilot S/Ldr Kenneth R. McDonald (MIA) explodes over Buna.
- 11-25 November 25, 1942: The first C-47 Skytrain lands at Dobodura Airifeld (Horanda Airfield) to support the Allies on the north coast.
- 11-24 November 24, 1942: Lost is G4M1 Betty 5414 shot down by P-40E Kittyhawk A29-113 pilot Richard C. "Dick" Cresswell over Darwin.
- 11-23 November 23, 1942: Condemned is P-400 Airacobra BW174 assigned to 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) "The Flying Buzzsaws".
- 11-22 November 22, 1942: Damaged Beaufighter A19-36 pilot F/O Norman L. Parker by anti-aircraft fire over Lae Airfield but lands safely.
- 11-21 November 21, 1942: Aerial dual between B-17E "Miss Fit" 41-2433 versus H6K Mavis Tail 36 with both damaged but landing.
- 11-20 November 20, 1942: Crashed is F-4 Lighting A55-2 pilot Flt Lt Alan T. Cridland after an engine failure west of Livingston Field (34 Mile).
- 11-19 November 19, 1942: At 3:00am Japanese Submarine I-20 launches HA-37 Midget Submarine then scuttled off Cape Esperance.
- 11-18 November 18, 1942: Lost is AT-7 Navigator 41-21079 pilot 2nd Lt. William R. Gamber crashed above Mendel Glacier.
- 11-17 November 17, 1942: Force landed P-40E Warhawk 41-36166 pilot 1st Lt. William F. Haning near Hood Point and was rescued.
- 11-16 November 16, 1942: Crashed on take off B-24D "Bombs To Nip On" 41-23942 at Iron Range Airfield damaged parked planes.
- 11-15 November 15, 1942: Japanese transports including Kinugawa Maru, Yamazuki Maru and Yamaura Maru beach on Guadalcanal.
- 11-14 November 14, 1942: Lost is F4F Wildcat 03454 pilot Lt. Col. Harold W. Bauer (MIA) intercepted by Zeros off Guadalcanal.
- 11-13 November 13, 1942: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal first phase begins in Iron Bottom Sound off Guadalcanal.
- 11-12 November 12, 1942: G4M1 Betty damaged by AA crashed into USS San Francisco (CA-38) the killing 30 off Guadalcanal.
- 11-11 November 11, 1942: Honoring Veterans Day / B-26 Marauders bomb but miss Borneo Maru in Gertrude Cove off Kiska Island.
- 11-10 November 10, 1942: Lost is C-47 "Flying Dutchman" 41-18564 crashed Mt. Obree 7 die in the crash, 17 survive with only 6 rescued.
- 11-9 November 9, 1942: A single B-17 and four P-38s attack Holtz Bay on Attu Island claiming
eight A6M-2 Rufes floatplane fighters.
- 11-8 November 8, 1942: Light cruiser USS Juneau (CL-52) departs Nouméa Harbor as part of Task Force 67 (TF-67) for Guadalcanal.
- 11-7 November 7, 1942: At Pongani Airfield the first plane to land is C-47 "Swamp Rat" 41-38601 and unloads cargo despite mud.
- 11-6 November 6, 1942: Lost due to engine failure is P-40E "The Spoddessape" 41-25178 pilot 2nd Lt. Nelson Elmer Brownell (KIA).
- 11-5 November 5, 1942: Crashed is B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9012 at Mareeba Airfield and afterwards written off and scrapped.
- 11-4 November 4, 1942: Ditched is P-38F Lightning 42-12649 pilot 2nd Lt. Richard T. Cella on a ferry flight, plane found in 2004.
- 11-3 November 3, 1942: Sunk is Sagami Maru torpedoed by USS Seawolf SS-197 while achored inside Davao Gulf.
- 11-2 November 2, 1942: Force landed is B-26 Marauder 40-1493 pilot 1st Lt. Edward Gammon at 14 Mile Drome near Port Moresby.
- 11-1 November 1, 1942: Lost is B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2635 pilot 1st Lt John S. Hancock crashed inland from Milne Bay.
- November 2021
- 10-31 October 31, 1942: The 5th Marines and 2d Marines moving into attack positions along the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal.
- 10-30 October 30, 1942: Lost on a recon flight is B-25D "Lil De Icer" 41-29731 (MIA).
- 10-29 October 29, 1942: Ditched is B-17E "Clown House" 41-9235 pilot Major Allen Lindbergh crew rescued.
- 10-28 October 28, 1942: Officially condemned is P-38E Lightning 41-2027 and buried at Cold Bay Airfield.
- 10-27 October 27, 1942: Damaged USS Hornet (CV-8) sinks at 1:35am from battle damage and scuttling, found by RV Petrel in 2019.
- 10-26 October 26, 1942: Sunk is SS President Coolidge after accidentally hitting two U.S. sea mines in Segond Channel off Espiritu Santo.
- 10-25 October 25, 1942: The Battle of Santa Cruz Islands (Battle of the South Pacific) commences, the 4th carrier battle of the Pacific War.
- 10-24 October 24, 1942: Japanese offensive on Guadalcanal with tanks at Matanikau River and Sgt John Basilone valor at Bloody Ridge.
- 10-23 October 23, 1942: Bomber versus flying boat shootout: B-17E "Miss Fit" 41-2433 versus H6K Mavis over the Solomon Sea.
- 10-22 October 22, 1942: Lost on a training mission is Beaufort A9-26 (KIA) accidentally crashed into the shipwreck of City of Adelaide.
- 10-21 October 21, 1942: Ditched is B-17D Flying Fortress 40-3089 pilot Captain William Cherry with Captain Eddie Rickenbacker at sea.
- 10-20 October 20, 1942: C-in-C, South Pacific Admiral William F. Halsey orders a new bomber strip that becomes Carney
Field (Bomber 2).
- 10-19 October 19, 1942: Captured Japanese tanks Type 95 Ha Go (Milne Bay No. 1) and Type 95 Ha Go (Milne Bay No. 2) arrive in Australia.
- 10-18 October 18, 1942: B-25 Mitchells
hit the Wairopi Bridge at Wairopi spanning the Kumusi River in New Guinea.
- 10-17 October 17, 1942: Lost is A6M2 Zero pilot Harada damaged in a dogfight was F4F Wildcat and crash landed on Guadalcanal.
- 10-16 October 16, 1942: Lost is C-47 "Maxine" 41-18585 (KIA) droping cargo to the Australian Army on the Kokoda Trail.
- 10-15 October 15, 1942: Japanese transports Sasako Maru , Azumasan Maru and Kyūsyū Maru are bombed near Bunani on Guadalcanal.
- 10-14 October 14, 1942: Japanese battleships Kongō and Haruna fire 918 shells bombard Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.
- 10-13 October 13, 1942: Crashed is B-26B Marauder 41-17590 pilot 1st Lt. Otis when P-39D Airacobra 41-7043 accidentally collided off Fiji.
- 10-12 October 12, 1942: Sunk in the early morning is USS Duncan DD-485 from damage sustained during the Battle of Cape Esperance.
- 10-11 October 11, 1942: Overnight, the Battle of Cape Esperance (Second Battle of Savo Island) the begins off Guadalcanal.
- 10-10 October 10, 1942: The 9th Fighter Squadron "The Flying Knights" moves from Batchelor Field to 14 Mile Drome with P-40s.
- 10-9 October 9, 1942: Lost is R4D-1 01981 pilot Major Walter F. Kimball (KIA) crash into Ousassio Hill on New Caledonia.
- 10-8 October 8, 1942: Six Prisoners Of War (POWs) at Rabaul including Captain Harl Pease, Jr. are executed and remain listed as MIA.
- 10-7 October 7, 1942: A patrol of U.S. Marines from G-2-1 reach the Grassy Knoll (Mount Austen) on Guadalcanal.
- 10-6 October 6, 1942: C-47 Skytrains complete the air lift of Australian Army 18 Brigade to Wanigela Airfield in New Guinea.
- 10-5 October 5, 1942: Lost is B-25D "Battlin' Biffie" 41-29701 pilot 1st Lt. Terrence J. Carey (POW, executed) entire crew listed as MIA.
- 10-4 October 4, 1942: floatplane F1M2 Pete pilot Kiyomi deliberate rams B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9118 (MIA) off New Georgia.
- 10-3 October 3, 1942: U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) 339th Fighter Squadron (339th FS) "Sunsetters" is activated on New Caledonia.
- 10-2 October 2, 1942: Lost is F4F-4 Wildcat 02110 pilot 2nd Lt. Charles W. Kendrick (KIA) in air combat over Guadalcanal.
- 10-1 October 1, 1942: A Japanese reconnaissance plane confirms that U.S. forces have occupied Adak Island.
- October 2021
- 9-30 September 30, 1942: U.S. aircraft attack targets along the Kokoda Trail including Kagi.
- 9-29 September 29, 1942: Lost is B-17E "Blue Goose" 41-2616 pilot 1st Lt. Frank T. "Fritz" Waskowitz MIA west of Bougainville.
- 9-28 September 28, 1942: Lost is Beaufort A9-89 pilot S/Ldr Clifford Sidney Bernard crashed near Kepple Point on New Guinea.
- 9-27 September 27, 1942: U.S. Coast Guardsmen Sig 1c Douglas A. Munro is killed off Point Cruz on Guadalcanal earns Medal of Honor.
- 9-26 September 26, 1942: Renamed USS Yorktown (CV-10) / NYT "A Personal Pilgrimage to a Downed Warplane in Papua New Guinea"
- 9-25 September 25, 1942: Crashed is Buffalo A51-5 (KIA) pilot Sgt James Austin near Derby in Western Australia.
- 9-24 September 24, 1942: Lost is B-17E "Bessie The Jap Basher" 41-2420 pilot 1st Lt Charles E. Norton ditched Domo Cove off Guadalcanal.
- 9-23 September 23, 1942: Paul Carpenter visits the crash site of B-25C Mitchell 41-12486 on Fishermans Island (Daugo).
- 9-22 September 22, 1942: After landing on the beach, B-17E "Frank Buck" 41-2659 pilot Lt. Raymond E. Holsey sucessfully departs.
- 9-21 September 21, 1942: First flight of XB-29 Superfortress 41-002 / Laid down is PT-168 Elco 80' Motor Torpedo Boat.
- 9-20 September 20, 1942: Ditched is SBD-3 Dauntless 03293 pilot Captain Rubin Iden and SBD-3 Dauntless 03294 2nd Lt. John W. Zuber.
- 9-19 September 19, 1942: B-17s attack
cargo vessels near Umboi Island (Rooke) between New Guinea and New Britain.
- 9-18 September 18, 1942: Three days earlier, B-17E "Frank Buck" 41-2659 pilot Lt. Raymond E. Holsey lands on the beach at Hood Point.
- 9-17 September 17, 1942: USMC P/Sgt Leon W. McStine was killed on Guadalcanal / Overnight at Rabaul harrasment raids Captain Ugaki.
- 9-16 September 16, 1942: Japanese troops reach Ioribaiwa their furthest advance on the Kokoda Trail.
- 9-15 September 15, 1942: Sunk is USS Wasp (CV-7) torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-19 south of San Cristobal Island.
- 9-14 September 14, 1942: The No. 3 Strip near Milne
Bay was renamed Turnbull Field in honor of RAAF Squadron Leader Peter Turnbull.
- 9-13 September 13, 1942: Crashed B-26 "Kansas Comet II" 40-1433 pilot Krell returning from a mission landing at Iron Range Airfield.
- 9-12 September 12, 1942: Japanese Army 35th Infantry Brigade led by General Kawaguchi begins probing Bloody Ridge (Edson's Ridge).
- 9-11 September 11, 1942: Sunk is Yayoi (Destroyer No. 23) by B-17 Flying Fortress east of Normanby Island.
- 9-10 September 10, 1942: Eleven G4M1 Bettys from Misawa Kokutai bomb Guadalcanal force landed is G4M1 Betty 1365 crew POW.
- 9-9 September 9, 1942: In the early morning, Japanese submarine I-25 launched her E14Y Glen floatplane to cause forest fires in Oregon.
- 9-8 September 8, 1942: Lost is B-17E "Stingaree" 41-9071 pilot Captain Robert H. Richards on a patrol over Solomon Sea and MIA.
- 9-7 September 7, 1942: A-20s and P-400s
strike Myola Lake and Efogi on the Kokoda Trail in the Owen Stanley Range of New Guinea.
- 9-6 September 6, 1942: Read New York Times "A Personal Pilgrimage to a Downed Warplane in Papua New Guinea" / Sunk is MV Anshun
- 9-5 September 5, 1942: 5th Bomber Command is assigned to Brigadier General Kenneth N.
Walker at Townsville.
- 9-4 September 4, 1942: Lost is B-25C "The Queen" 41-12472 pilot Captain Gustave M. Heiss MIA off Hood Point on southern New Guinea.
- 9-3 September 3, 1942: New boss! Major General George C. Kenney becomes Commanding Officer (C.O.) of the 5th Air Force in Brisbane.
- 9-2 September 2, 1942: Three dive bombers D3A1 Val 3110, D3A1 Val 3114 and D3A1 Val 3287 force land at Deba bordering Table Bay.
- 9-1 September 1, 1942: Crashed is P-400 Airacobra BX146 pilot 2nd Lt George T. Helveston bailed out and returnd to duty.
- September 2021
- 8-31 August 31, 1942: Lost is F4F Wildcat 02104 pilot 2nd Lt. Gordon E. Thompson (MIA) / Japanese attack No. 3 Strip near Milne
Bay.
- 8-30 August 30, 1942: Lost is USS Colhoun (APD-2) hit by Japanese dive bombers and sunk off Guadalcanal into Iron Bottom Sound.
- 8-29 August 29, 1942: Sunk is Japanese submarine RO-33 sunk by depth charges released from HMAS Arunta south off Port Moresby.
- 8-28 August 28, 1942: Bombed and strafed at Buna Airfield, the remaining D3A1 Vals / Type 99 dive bombers are withdraw.
- 8-27 August 27, 1942: Crashed P-40E Kittyhawk A29-92 pilot Turnbull (KIA) / Ditched A6M3 Zero pilot PO2c Enji Kakimoto (POW).
- 8-26 August 26, 1942: Lost is P-400 Airacobra BW112 pilot 2nd Lt. Gerald T. Rogers on a mission over Buna and ditched near Pongani.
- 8-25 August 25, 1942: During the night, three groups of Japanese Special Landing Force (SNLF) land at Milne Bay on New Guinea.
- 8-24 August 24, 1942: During the Battle of the Eastern Solomons damaged by bombs and a torpedo is light aircraft carrier Ryūjō that sinks.
- 8-23 August 23, 1942: Japanese G4M1 Bettys bomb Hughes Field (30 Mile) destroying CA-9 Wirraway A20-599 and Buffalo A51-6.
- 8-22 August 22, 1942: Damaged is USS Blue (DD-387) by a torpedo from Japanese destroyer Kawakaze while patrolling Iron Bottom Sound.
- 8-21 August 21, 1942: The Battle of the Tenaru (Ilu River/Alligator Creek) begins with the Japanese defeated by defending U.S. Marines.
- 8-20 August 20, 1942: Force landed is LB-30 “Yard Bird” AL515 at No. 1 Strip at Milne Bay and is later strafed by Zeros and destroyed.
- 8-19 August 19, 1942: U.S. Marines from L/3/5 atop Hill 73 on Guadalcanal are fired on with Sgt John H. Branic Killed In Action (KIA).
- 8-18 August 18, 1942: The "Makin Raid" on Makin causes havoc with the loss of 19 Marines including Sgt Clyde Thomason who earns MOH.
- 8-17 August 17, 1942: Air raid! Japanese bombing raid against Port Moresby destroys 7 and damages 25 planes at 7 Mile Drome.
- 8-16 August 16, 1942: USS Argonaut (SM-1) and USS Nautilus (SS-168) arrive off Makin aboard U.S. Marines ready for the "Makin Raid".
- 8-15 August 15, 1942: Solomon Scounts with Martin Clemens are photographed near Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.
- 8-14 August 14, 1942: Major Cameron "We have done our best" then withdraws from Deniki / Lost is B-17E "Chief Seattle" 41-2656 (MIA).
- 8-13 August 13, 1942: Crashed is F-4 Lightning 41-2125 pilot 1st Lt. Paul O. Staller (WIA, died) / Grounded is SS-144 off Rossel Island (Yela).
- 8-12 August 12, 1942: The 1st Marine Division "Goettge Patrol" led by Colonel Frank B. Goettge is ambushed and remain Missing In Action.
- 8-11 August 11, 1942: Lost is P-40E Kittyhawk A29-123 pilot F/O Mark E. Sheldon shot down in an interception over Milne Bay.
- 8-10 August 10, 1942: The Japanese 144th Infantry Regiment occupies Kokoda as defending Australians withdraws up the Kokoda Trail.
- 8-9 August 9, 1942: Heavily damged HMAS Canberra (D33) is scuttled by U.S. destroyers after the Battle of Savo Island.
- 8-8 August 8, 1942: The Battle of Savo Island (First Battle of Savo Island) begins with a cruisers engagement and Japanese victory.
- 8-7 August 7, 1942: 1st Marine Division (reinforced) begin amphibious landings at Tulagi, Gavutu and Guadalcanal in the Solomons.
- 8-6 August 6, 1942: Lost is PBY-5 Catalina 2389 (MIA) on a search mission and crashed in bad weather on Espiritu Santo.
- 8-5 August 5, 1942: Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) is B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24554.
- 8-4 August 4, 1942: Lost is B-17E 41-9218 pilot 1st Lt. Rush E. McDonald after damaged A6M2-N collided causing both to crash.
- 8-3 August 3, 1942: P-400 Airacobras strafe Oivi and Kokoda in New Guinea.
- 8-2 August 2, 1942: Accidentally damaged by a sea mine is USS Tucker (DD-374) and later jack-knifed and sunk two days later.
- 8-1 August 1, 1942: Delivered to the US Army Air Force (USAAF) is B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24548 later force landed in New Guinea.
- August 2021
- 7-31 July 31, 1942: Presumed lost is USS Grunion (SS-216) off Kiska Island likely by gun fire from Kano Maru the ship it targeted.
- 7-30 July 30, 1942: Damaged Kotoku Maru by bombs from B-17s then drifts and partially sinks off Salamaua with the shipwreck visible.
- 7-29 July 29, 1942: Seven A-24 Dive Bombers led by A-24 41-15797 pilot Major Floyd W. Rogers lost six planes attacking a convoy.
- 7-28 July 28, 1942: Commander-designate of Allied Air Forces in the South West Pacific Area is Major General George C. Kenney.
- 7-27 July 27, 1942: Nine B-17E Flying Fortresses bomb Buna on the north coast of New Guinea.
- 7-26 July 26, 1942: Lost is B-25C "Aurora" 41-12792 pilot Captain Frank P. Bender intercepted by A6M2 Zeros over New Guinea.
- 7-25 July 25, 1942: Submarine USS Grayback (SS-208) on her third patrol evades a patrol boat the resumes patrolling the Makassar Strait.
- 7-24 July 24, 1942: Delivered to the US Army Air Force (USAAF) is B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24520 later lost in New Guinea.
- 7-23 July 23, 1942: Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) led by Australian Army officers ambush the advancing Japanese Army near Awala.
- 7-22 July 22, 1942: B-26 Marauders and B-17 Flying Fortress bomb, damage and sink Ayatosan
Maru off Gona.
- 7-21 July 21, 1942: Japanese Operation "RI" led by Light Cruiser Tenryū escorts transports landing at Gona.
- 7-20 July 20, 1942: Lost is P-39D Airacobra 41-6783 pilot 2nd Lt Frank E. Angier bailed out over Cape Nelson.
- 7-19 July 19, 1942: Seaplane tender USS Casco (AVP-12) establish an advanced seaplane at Nazan Bay off Atka Island.
- 7-18 July 18, 1942: Japanese Yokohama Kōkūtai (Yokohama Air Group) base at Tulagi Seaplane Base patrols the Solomon Islands.
- 7-17 July 17, 1942: Lost is B-17E Flying Fortress 41-9126 pilot Major Jack S. Marks over Kiska Island shot down by A6M2-N Rufe.
- 7-16 July 16, 1942: Crashed while landing is B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2421 pilot Major Clarence E. McPherson at Horn Island Airfield.
- 7-15 July 15, 1942: Thomas Fisher
visits the 23rd Australian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery atop Tuaguba Hill (Ack Ack Hill) at Port Moresby.
- 7-14 July 14, 1942: In the predawn darkness B-17E 41-2655 and B-17E 41-2636 crash after take off from Horn Island Airfield.
- 7-13 July 13, 1942: Japanese Hama Construction Unit continues to work building Lunga Point Airfield on Guadalcanal.
- 7-12 July 12, 1942: Lost due to aerial collision are P-40E Warhawk 41-35943 (KIA) and P-40E "Tarheel" 41-5509 (survived).
- 7-11 July 11, 1942: At Port Moresby, Airacobras scramble to intercept a Japanese air raid lost is P-400 pilot Kirtland and P-400 BW117.
- 7-10 July 10, 1942: Kaiser Shipyard in Vancouver, Washington State laid down USS LST-454 and USS LST-456.
- 7-9 July 9, 1942: Mitsubishi at Nagoya No. 3 Works completes G4M1 Betty 1365 that later force lands on New Georgia and is salvaged.
- 7-8 July 8, 1942: A Japanese flying boat with staff officers performs an aerial survey of Kieta Airfield on eastern Bougainville.
- 7-7 July 7, 1942: USAAF Major General Millard F.
Harmon, is designated Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces in the South
Pacific.
- 7-6 July 6, 1942: Lost is P-400 Airacobra AP377 pilot 2nd Lt. Howard C. Welker (KIA) and Reverened James Benson buries his body.
- 7-5 July 5, 1942: Force landed is B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2417 northeast of the Mitchell River Mission on Cape York in Australia.
- 7-4 July 4, 1942: China Air Task Force (CATF) is activated under the command of Brigadier General Clare L. Chennault.
- 7-3 July 3, 1942: Mitsubishi completes A6M3 Model 32 Zero 3032 the 32nd Model 32 manufactured.
- 7-2 July 2, 1942: Australian war correspondent Damien Parer photographs B-25C Mitchell 41-12470 at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby
- 7-1 July 1, 1942: At 3:36am USS Sturgeon (SS-187) torpedoes and sinks Montevideo Maru unaware of 1,054 Allied POWs are aboard.
- July 2021
- 6-30 June 30, 1942: Mitsubishi completes A6M3 3030, the 30th Model 32 built.
- 6-29 June 29, 1942: The 35th Fighter Squadron (35th FS) withdraws from Port Moresby to Woodstock Airfield in Queensland, Australia
- 6-28 June 28, 1942: Australian Army 2/5th Independent Company commandos depart for a raid against Salamaua.
- 6-27 June 27, 1942: Damaged is PBY Catalina A24-17 mistakenly intercepted by F4F Wildcat that mistook the roundel as Japanese.
- 6-26 June 26, 1942: Lost is Beaufort A9-52 pilot S/Ldr Charles W, L. Sage crashed near Tapini crash found 1986 and remains recovered.
- 6-25 June 25, 1942: P-40E Warhawks from 73rd Fighter Squadron (73rd FS) launch from USS Saratoga (CV-3) then land at Midway Airfield.
- 6-24 June 24, 1942: B-17s including B-17E 41-2649 bomb Vunakanau
Airfield releasing bundles of incendiaries
that cause fires.
- 6-23 June 23, 1942: B-26 Marauders from the 42nd BG, 69th BS arrive at Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield on New Caledonia.
- 6-22 June 22, 1942: Transport Montevideo Maru embarks 1,053 personnel including 845 Australian POWs and 208 civilians at Rabaul.
- 6-21 June 21, 1942: In the evening, Japanese submarine I-25 fires seventeen shells at Fort Stevens in northwest Oregon.
- 6-20 June 20, 1942: Launched is PT-109 later assigned to Lt(jg) John F. Kennedy and sunk August 2, 1943.
- 6-19 June 19, 1942: B-17s, B-24s and a single LB-30 bomb and sink Nissan Maru into Kiska Harbor off Kiska Island.
- 6-18 June 18, 1942: G4M1 Bettys bomb and sink MV Macdhui in Fairfax Harbor off Port Moresby.
- 6-17 June 17, 1942: P-400 Airacobra pilot 2nd Lt. Charles P. Sullivan claims a Betty over Port Moresby, his first aerial victory.
- 6-16 June 16, 1942: Lost is P-39F Airacobra 41-7204 pilot 2nd Lt. Harvey E. Rehrer who bails out and later returns to duty.
- 6-15 June 15, 1942: Seaplane tender Kamikawa Maru enters Kiska Harbor to deliver seaplanes for Kiska Harbor Seaplane Base.
- 6-14 June 14, 1942: The first echelon of 1st Marine Division arrives in Wellington in New Zealand.
- 6-13 June 13, 1942: Undamaged USS Enterprise (CV-6) returns to Pearl Harbor after the Battle of Midway and begins an overhaul.
- 6-12 June 12, 1942: Resuming her first war patrol, USS Grouper (SS-214) departs Midway Atoll after action during the Battle of Midway.
- 6-11 June 11, 1942: Lost is B-24D 41-1088 pilot Captain Jack F. Todd hit by anti-aircraft fire over Kiska Island is recorded in photos/film.
- 6-10 June 10, 1942: 2nd Lt Harold L. Massie pilot B-26 "Imogene VII" 40-1474 returns to his crew finding NGVR Pvt John Leslie Stokie.
- 6-9 June 9, 1942: Lyndon B. Johnson aboard B-26 40-1488 aboard aborts before reaching the target but LBJ earns the Silver Star.
- 6-8 June 8, 1942: Flying an armed reconnaissance an LB-30 spots Japanese ships off Kiska Island in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska
- 6-7 June 7, 1942: Heavily damaged USS Yorktown (CV-5) finally capsized and sinks at 7:01am after the Battle of Midway.
- 6-6 June 6, 1942: Torpedoed and sunk is USS Hammann (DD-412) within four minutes while aiding USS Yorktown (CV-5).
- 6-5 June 5, 1942: The Battle of Midway continues with
the Japanese fleet retiring westward with four aircraft carriers damaged or sunk.
- 6-4 June 4, 1942: Crashed is A6M2 Zero 4593 on Akutan Island in Alaska. The Battle of Midway starts with Japanese strikes on Midway Atoll.
- 6-3 June 3, 1942: Japanese carrier planes from Ryūjō and Junyō strike Dutch Harbor in a diversionary raid before the Battle of Midway.
- 6-2 June 2, 1942: Divers locate Type A Midget Submarine (M22) sunk in Sydney Harbor with the engine still running and propeller turning
- 6-1 June 1, 1942: After the Sydney Harbor attack HA-24 Type A Midget Submarine (M24) is sunk and discovered by SCUBA divers in 2006.
- June 2021
- 5-31 May 31, 1942: Three Type A Midget Submarines attack Sydney Harbor only one manages to fire its torpedoes and all three are lost.
- 5-30 May 30, 1942: A pair of Type A Midget Submarines from I-16 and I-20 attack Diego-Suarez Bay (Antsiranana Bay) on Madagascar.
- 5-29 May 29, 1942: Doolittle Crew #8 from B-25B Mitchell 40-2242 interred in the Soviet Union reach Persia (Iran) and return to Allied control.
- 5-28 May 28, 1942: U.S. forces arrive on Espiritu
Santo and develop the island into a major base area in the South Pacific.
- 5-27 May 27, 1942: Lost is P-39F Airacobra 41-7153 pilot 2nd Lt. Alva G. Hawkins shot down by A6M2 Zeros.
- 5-26 May 26, 1942: Prisoner Of War (POW) Sgt David Stuart Brown is executed at Matupi Island and his body placed into a mass grave.
- 5-25 May 25, 1942: Eight B-25 from the 3rd Bomb Group strike Lae Airfield. Lost is B-25C "The Cajun" 41-12441 pilot Major Lowery.
- 5-24 May 24, 1942: Three A-24 dive bombers fly to Aiyary Airfield to rescue the crew of B-25C Mitchell 41-12478 and two crash landing.
- 5-23 May 23, 1942: Lost is B-25C Mitchell 41-12491 pilot 1st Lt. Wesley E. Dickinson bailed out near Fufuda and was aided to rescue.
- 5-22 May 22, 1942: Lost is LB-30 Liberator AL602 pilot Robert N. Maupin crashed landing at Kodiak Airfield in Alaska.
- 5-21 May 21, 1942: Flown across the Pacific, B-17E 41-2662 arrives at Charleville Airfield in Queensland in Australia.
- 5-20 May 20, 1942: Off South Africa, Japanese submarine I-10 catapults her E14Y1 Glen on a reconassiance mission over Durban.
- 5-19 May 19, 1942: At the White House, U. S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt bestows the Medal of Honor to General James H. Doolittle.
- 5-18 May 18, 1942: Lost over Port Moresby is G4M1 Betty pilot Oyama and P-39F Airacobra 41-7191 pilot 2nd Lt. Charles H. Chapman, Jr.
- 5-17 May 17, 1942: Damaged strafing are A6M2 Zero 645 pilot PO2c Tsutomou Ito (captured) and A6M2 Zero pilot Yamaguchi (MIA).
- 5-16 May 16, 1942: Lost B-25C Mitchell 41-12478 pilot 2nd Lt. John D. Feltham force lands at Aiyary Airfield in New Guinea.
- 5-15 May 15, 1942: Crashed is B-26 "Lil Deicer" 40-1390 pilot Lt. Robert "Bud" M. Rye after take off from Reid River Airfield in Queensland.
- 5-14 May 14, 1942: Damaged B-25C Mitchell 41-12497 pilot 2nd Lt John E. Hesselbarth over Lae force lands at 3 Mile Drome (Kila).
- 5-13 May 13, 1942: Shot down is P-39D Airacobra 41-6945 pilot 2nd Lt. Hervey Carpenter damaged by A6M2 Zeros over Port Moresby.
- 5-12 May 12, 1942: Lost is P-39D Airacobra 41-6802 pilot 2nd Lt. Robert M. Wilde (KIA) shot down by Zeros near Port Moresby.
- 5-11 May 11, 1942: Damaged USS Neosho (AO-23) is scuttled after being bombed during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
- 5-10 May 10, 1942: Lost is B-26 Marauder 40-1402 pilot Captain Richard “Roy” R. Royall, Jr. attacking seaplanes at Deboyne Lagoon.
- 5-9 May 9, 1942: Force landed is P-39D Airacobra 41-6800 pilot 2nd Lt. Don McGee onto Fishermans Island (Daugo) off Port Moresby.
- 5-8 May 8, 1942: During the Battle of the Coral Sea Japanese planes damage USS Lexington (CV-2) that explodes and is later scuttled.
- 5-7 May 7, 1942: "Scratch one flat top!" Battle of the Coral Sea USN carrier planes sink aircraft carrier Shōhō with bombs and torpedoes.
- 5-6 May 6, 1942: The end General Jonathan M. Wainwright surrenders Corregidor and all U.S. forces in the Philippines.
- 5-5 May 5, 1942: At 11:30pm the Japanese Army soldiers begin landing on the north shore of Corregidor Island.
- 5-4 May 4, 1942: USN carrier aircraft strike Japanese warships and transports in Tulagi Harbor and damage Kikuzuki that later sinks.
- 5-3 May 3, 1942: Operation MO begins with Japanese forces enter Tulagi Harbor in the Florida Islands without opposition.
- 5-2 May 2, 1942: In the early morning, RAAF personnel and commandos on Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo began to demolish facilities.
- 5-1 May 1, 1942: Airacobras force land on Cape York Peninsula: P-39D 41-6951, P-39F 41-7215, P-39F 41-7216 and P-39F pilot Love (KIA)
- May 2021
- 4-30 April 30, 1942: Eleven P-39 Airacobras from the 8th Pursuit Group (8th PG) led by Lt. Col. Boyd D. Wagner strike Lae Airfield.
- 4-29 April 29, 1942: At Batchelor Field a P-40 crashed kills Brigadier General Harold H. George and two others standing nearby.
- 4-28 April 28, 1942: Lost is P-40E Kittyhawk A29-8 piloted by S/L John F. Jackson crashed Mount Lawes near Port Moresby.
- 4-27 April 27, 1942: Anchors away! USS Yorktown (CV-5) departs Tongatabu Harbor on bound for the Coral Sea with Task Force 11 (TF 11).
- 4-26 April 26, 1942: Japanese Type 96 / G3M Nells bomb 3 Mile Drome (Kila) with approximately 90 bombs exploding near dispersal area.
- 4-25 April 25, 1942: Lest We Forget ANZAC Day 2021 / Lost is B-17E 41-2505 (MIA) crashed Mount Obree in the Owen Stanley Range.
- 4-24 April 24, 1942: Lost is B-17E 41-2641 unexpectedly bursts into flames ten minutes after strafing at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby.
- 4-23 April 23, 1942: Returning from a Jomard Passage reconnaissance Japanese submarine RO-33 returns to Rabaul.
- 4-22 April 22, 1942: Lost is P-39D 41-7104 on a training flight crashed Viti Levu Island in Fiji, the crash site was found in the 1990s.
- 4-21 April 21, 1942: Lost is B-25C 41-12486 (KIA) crashed Mount Bartle Frere returning from a search mission in heavy cloud.
- 4-20 April 20, 1942: In Australia, Lt. General George H. Brett assumes command of Allied Air Headquarters, SWPA
- 4-19 April 19, 1942: The crew of B-26 40-1418 travel aboard three outrigger canoes to Tufi arriving the next morning.
- 4-18 April 18, 1942: "Doolittle Raid" B-25B Mitchells launch from USS Hornet (CV-8) led by Colonel
James H. Doolittle bomb Japan.
- 4-17 April 17, 1942: Lost are P-40E Kittyhawk A29-7 (KIA) and P-40E Kittyhawk A29-12 (WIA) / TBM Avenger 91188 ditched off Patrick AFB
- 4-16 April 16, 1942: A direct hit from Japanese artillery disables the No. 2 gun and commander's station of Battery Grubbs on Corregidor.
- 4-15 April 15, 1942: Former U.S. Navy (USN) PT-41 is destroyed
on Mindanao / 370th Bombardment Squadron activated Geiger Field.
- 4-14 April 14, 1942: Filipino guerrillas led by Lt. Severino Antiporda attack and captured the Japanese garrison in Tayug.
- 4-13 April 13, 1942: Second day of Royce Mission hit targets and destroyed while parked is B-17E "San Antonio Rose II" 41-2447.
- 4-12 April 12, 1942: First day of Royce Mission B-25C Mitchells and B-17E Flying Fortresses hit targets in the Philippines.
- 4-11 April 11, 1942: Lost is P-40E A29-38 pilot Sgt David S. Brown captured / A-24 41-15773 pilot 2nd Lt. Gus Kitchens crashed Lae.
- 4-10 April 10, 1942: Shot down is P-40E Kittyhawk A29-24 pilot S/L John F. Jackson bails out and later returns to Port Moresby.
- 4-9 April 9, 1942: Major General King surrenders at Limay / D3A Vals sink HMS Hermes and HMAS Vampire (D68) off Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
- 4-8 April 8, 1942: In the evening, U.S. Army Major General Edward P. King decides to surrender Bataan to save his men.
- 4-7 April 7, 1942: Lost is A-24 41-15798 pilot 2nd Lt. Henry G. Swartz (MIA) dive bombing Lae.
- 4-6 April 6, 1942: Pan American Airways DC-3s begin hauling fuel and lubricants from Calcutta to Asansol bound for China.
- 4-5 April 5, 1942: "Operation C" Japanese carrier planes strike Colombo on Ceylon (Sri Lanka) / Crashed is B-17E 41-2443 on Oahu.
- 4-4 April 4, 1942: Shot down is G4M1 Betty T-361 pilot PO1c Matsuda over the Cox Peninsula near Darwin by P-40E 41-5647 pilot Landers.
- 4-3 April 3, 1942: P-39 Airacobras from the 39th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) "Cobra In The Clouds" move to Williamstown Airfield.
- 4-2 April 2, 1942: Aerial collision SBD Dauntless 2136 and SBD Dauntless 2165 lost off Oahu with the pilots rescued passengers missing.
- 4-1 April 1, 1942: Crew of B-17E 41-2446 aboard MV Matoma arrive Port Moresby / General Douglas MacArthur earns the Medal of Honor.
- April 2021
- 3-31 March 31, 1942: Lost is G3M2 Nell pilot Harada on a solo suicide bombing mission and explodes over Port Moresby.
- 3-30 March 30, 1942: Japanese warships enter Shortland Harbor and Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) occupy the Shortland Islands.
- 3-29 March 29, 1942: The ground echelon of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) arrives at Port Vila Airfield on Efate.
- 3-28 March 28, 1942: Ocean liner RMS Queen Mary enters Sydney Harbor but is large to dock and personnel board a ferry to reach shore.
- 3-27 March 27, 1942: Shot down by P-40E Kittyhawk pilot John Piper is G4M1 Betty pilot Itsuda (KIA) crashed inland from Rigo.
- 3-26 March 26, 1942: Small ship MS Van Heemskerk is chartered by the U.S. Army forces in Australia as a transport.
- 3-25 March 25, 1942: Raised from Pearl Harbor, battleship USS California (BB-44) is refloated and enters dry dock.
- 3-24 March 24, 1942: Lost over Chang Mai are P-40B Warhawk P-8115 pilot McGarry (POW) and P-40B Warhawk P-8196 pilot Newkirk (KIA)
- 3-23 March 23, 1942: Japanese Army 18th Division lands at Port Blair on South Andaman Island and occupied the city without resistance.
- 3-22 March 22, 1942: Kittyhawks from RAAF No. 75 Squadron strike Lae Airfield lost is P-40E A29-16 and P-40E A29-6.
- 3-21 March 21, 1942: The first four Kittyhawks from RAAF No. 75 Squadron land at 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby.
- 3-20 March 20, 1942: At Terowie railroad station in South Australia, General Douglas MacArthur remarks "I came through and I shall return".
- 3-19 March 19, 1942: Air raid! Port Moresby Air Raid March 19, 1942 (Raid #14) eight G3M2 Nells bomb Tuaguba Hill Gun Battery
- 3-18 March 18, 1942: A6M2 Zeros from 4th Kokutai (4th Air Group) strafe MV Canberra off Torres Strait in Australia
- 3-17 March 17, 1942: The 9th Pursuit Squadron "The "Flying Knights" with P-40 Warhawks arrive at Batchelor Field near Darwin.
- 3-16 March 16, 1942: Evacuation of General MacArthur, his family and senior staff on B-17E 41-2408, B-17E 41-2429 and B-17E 41-2447.
- 3-15 March 15, 1942: Disassembled at San Francisco is A-20A Havoc 40-082 then loaded as cargo aboard a ship bound for Australia.
- 3-14 March 14, 1942: Over Horn Island with jammed guns P-40E "Poopy" pilot 2nd Lt. A. T. House spontaneously rams A6M2 Zero pilot Oishi.
- 3-13 March 13, 1942: During the night, Japanese submarine I-25 launches E14Y "Glen" floatplane piloted by W/O Fujita Nobuo
- 3-12 March 12, 1942: Aircraft and personnel arrive at Karachi Airfield in Pakistan | American personnel arrive in New Caledonia.
- 3-11 March 11, 1942: Ordered by U.S. President F. D. Roosevelt to evacuate General Douglas MacArthur departs Corregidor aboard PT-41.
- 3-10 March 10, 1942: U.S. Navy carrier aircraft strike Japaneses ships off Lae and Salamaua sinking Tenyo Maru and Yokohama Maru.
- 3-9 March 9, 1942: Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Lt. General Hein ter Poorten announces the surrender of Allied forces on Java.
- 3-8 March 8, 1942: Japanese forces capture Yogyakarta Airfield (Djogjakarta) on Java including B-17E 41-2471 repaired and test flown.
- 3-7 March 7, 1942: The British Army withdraws from Rangoon (Yangoon) in southern Burma (Myanmar).
- 3-6 March 6, 1942: The 8th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) arrives in Brisbane equipped with P-39 Airacobras.
- 3-5 March 5, 1942: Crew of Do 24K-1 X-36 burn their flying boat fifty miles south of Broome fearing Japanese air raids or invasion.
- 3-4 March 4, 1942: Operation K: H8K1 Emily Tail Y-71 bombs Mount Tantalus on Oahu shattering windows but no other damage.
- 3-3 March 3, 1942: A6M2 Zeros from 3rd Kōkūtai attack Broome destroying flying boats in Roebuck Bay and aircraft at Broome Airfield.
- 3-2 March 2, 1942: Sunk is HMS Stronghold (H50) by gunfire from heavy cruiser Maya and sunk in the Indian Ocean.
- 3-1 March 1, 1942: Japanese forces land on Java after American, British, Dutch and Australian (ABDA) defeat in the Battle of the Java Sea.
- March 2021
- 2-28 February 28, 1942: A6M2 Zeros at Napa Napa destroying Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Catalina A24-3 and Catalina A24-6.
- 2-27 February 27, 1942: Sunk is USS Langley AV-3 and in the afternoon begins the first phase of the Battle of the Java Sea.
- 2-26 February 26, 1942: Lost is C-53 41-20066 force landed near Truscott / Crashed is DC-3 "Emoe" PH-AFZ on Sumatra
- 2-25 February 25, 1942: American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) "Eastern Striking Force" including HMS Encounter departs Batavia.
- 2-24 February 24, 1942: First Wake Island Raid: USS Enterprise (CV-6) carrier aircraft strike Wake and Marcus.
- 2-23 February 23, 1942: Lost is B-17E 41-2446 (aka "Swamp Ghost") pilot Captain Frederick C. Eaton, Jr. force lands in Agaiambo Swamp.
- 2-22 February 22, 1942: After dark at Garbutt
Field while taxiing B-17E 41-2434 collides with B-17E 41-2416 damaging both bombers.
- 2-21 February 21, 1942: Seaplane tender USS Curtiss (AV-4) and Patrol Squadron 14 arrives Nouméa on New Caledonia.
- 2-20 February 20, 1942: U.S. bombers and fighters strike the Japanese landing force off Bail are intercepted crashed is P-40E "Colleen".
- 2-19 February 19, 1942: Japanese carrier aircraft strike Darwin and Darwin Harbor. Crashed is A6M2 Zero 5349 pilot Toyoshima POW.
- 2-18 February 18, 1942: Artwork "Singosari Savior" by Paul Eckley depicts P-40E Warhawk pilot 2nd Lt. Adkins at Singosari Airfield.
- 2-17 February 17, 1942: A6M2 Model 21 Zeros took off from Shōhō land at Lakunai Airfield and are assigned to 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group).
- 2-16 February 16, 1942: Lost Martin B-10 M-531 pilot Postma damaged over Bangka Island and crashed on southern Sumatra.
- 2-15 February 15, 1942: The British Army on Singapore surrenders to the Imperial Japanese Army at Ford Factory.
- 2-14 February 14, 1942: at 6:20pm USS President Taylor ran aground west of Canton Island and efforts to tow or salvage failed.
- 2-13 February 13, 1942: Sunk is MV Derrymore hit by torpedoes fired by Japanese submarine I-55 off Batavia (Jakarta) survivors rescued.
- 2-12 February 12, 1942: Armed flyingboat Short S.23 "Centaurus A18-10 was assigned to No. 33 Squadron at Townsville.
- 2-11 February 11, 1942: Lost are Hudson A16-91 and Hudson A16-126 bomb then are shot down by A6M4 Claudes over Gasmata.
- 2-10 February 10, 1942: Civilian DH.83 Fox Moth "Irene" VH-UUS departs New Guinea for Australia where it serves in Qantas and RAAF.
- 2-9 February 9, 1942: Lost is P-40E Warhawk pilot 2nd Lt. Stone and Ki-27 Nate pilot Kurosawa over the Bataan Peninsula.
- 2-8 February 8, 1942: At 8:30pm the Japanese 25th Army under General Yamashita 5th Division and 18th Division land on Singapore Island.
- 2-7 February 7, 1942: Do 24K-1 X-1, Do 24K-1 X-24 and Do 24K-1 X-36 fly reconnaissance from Lake Grati near Soerabaja in Java.
- 2-6 February 6, 1942: Guinea Airways Ford 5-AT-C Trimotor VH-UBI and Ford 4-AT-E Trimotor VH-UDY enter service with the RAAF.
- 2-5 February 5, 1942: Landed is PBY-5 Catalina 2309 pilot Lt(jg) Richard Bull north of Ambon Island with three missing
- 2-4 February 4, 1942: Captured, stripped of possessions and Australian Army soldiers from "Lark Force" are massacred at Tol and Waitavalo
- 2-3 February 3, 1942: Five Catalinas bomb shipping in Simpson Harbor off Rabaul / Lost is B-17C 40-2062 pilot Cox crashed Java
- 2-2 February 2, 1942: U.S. Army Air Force Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. earns his wings and is commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant.
- 2-1 February 1, 1942: Lost over the target TBD-1 Devastator 1515 and TBD-1 Devastator 0298 ditch into Jaluit Lagoon.
- February 2021
- 1-31 January 31, 1942: Under repair at Bremerton Navy Yard in Bremerton is USS Saratoga (CV-3) to fix torpedo damage.
- 1-30 January 30, 1942: Guinea Airways Junkers G 31 Trimotor VH-UOW is impressed into service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
- 1-29 January 29, 1942: War correspondent George A. Weller Chicago Daily News Foreign Service departs Singapore for Java.
- 1-28 January 28, 1942: During taking off B-17D Flying Fortress 40-3067 had the left engines fail and crashed at Batchelor Field near Darwin.
- 1-27 January 27, 1942: Allied personnel are withdrawn from Tebrau Airfield on the southern tip of the Malayan Peninsula to Singapore.
- 1-26 January 26, 1942: Open fire! Battery Geary mortars on Corregidor commence fire on the Japanese positions on Bataan Peninsula.
- 1-25 January 25, 1942: The administration orders missionaries to evacuate but many stay including those at Gona Mission Station.
- 1-24 January 24, 1942: First U.S. Navy (USN) surface action since the Spanish-American War is the Battle of Balikpapan.
- 1-23 January 23, 1942: After midnight
the Japanese Army 144th Infantry Regiment "South Seas Detachment" occupies Rabaul.
- 1-22 January 22, 1942: Damaged during take off is B-17E 41-2419 at Palembang I Airfield on Sumatra then written off and abandoned
- 1-21 January 21, 1942: At Bulolo Airfield strafing Zeros destroy G 31 "Pat" VH-URQ, G 31 "Paul" VH-UOU and G 31 "Peter" VH-UOV.
- 1-20 January 20, 1942: Lost is B5N1 Kate pilot Sugihara hit by anti-aircraft fire over Rabaul crashed Mount Kombiu (Mother).
- 1-19 January 19, 1942: Japanese forces occupy Sandakan on northeast Borneo and rename it Elopura "Beautiful City".
- 1-18 January 18, 1942: During the night, PT-31 ran aground in Subic Bay and and PT-34 fires two torpedoes at a ship defective torpedoes
- 1-17 January 17, 1942: In Sunda Strait destroyer HMS Jupiter (F85) uses depth charges and gunfire to sink Japanese submarine I-60
- 1-16 January 16, 1942: Ditched is TBD Devastator 0335 pilot ACMM Harold F. Dixon and crew survive 34 days at sea in a life raft.
- 1-15 January 15, 1942: Crashed is PBY Catalina A24-11 (MIA) during take off from Kavieng Harbor.
- 1-14 January 14, 1942: Japanese warships and aircraft carriers assemble at Truk including Akagi ahead of Operation R in the South Pacific.
- 1-13 January 13, 1942: Assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 4 (MTBS-4) is PT-68 at the Training Center at Melville, Rhode Island.
- 1-12 January 12, 1942: Denied! Charles Lindbergh is refused to be recommissioned due to his vocal pre-war isolationist views.
- 1-11 January 11, 1942: Japan declares war on the Netherlands to coincide with landings at Tarakan, Borneo and Celebes (Sulawesi).
- 1-10 January 10, 1942: For eight hours General Douglas MacArthur makes his only visit to inspect forces on the Bataan Peninsula.
- 1-9 January 9, 1942: Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant is Richard I. Bong who later becomes America's highest scoring ace of World War II.
- 1-8 January 8, 1942: Commissioned is HMAS Whyalla (J153) Bathurst class corvette in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
- 1-7 January 7, 1942: A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai (Tainan Air Group) arrive at Zettle Airfield on Jolo Island in the Philippines.
- 1-6 January 6, 1942: Japanese flying boats bomb Vunakanau Airfield on the ground is RAAF No. 24 Squadron Wirraways and Hudsons.
- 1-5 January 5, 1942: Zeros strafe Mariveles Seaplane Base sinking five U.S. Navy seaplanes from Patrol Wing 10 (Pat Wing 10).
- 1-4 January 4, 1942: Japanese forces occupy Manila with thousands of civilian prisoners detained at Santo Thomas University.
- 1-3 January 3, 1942: Creation of ABDA: American, British, Dutch, and Australia unified command in the South West Pacific.
- 1-2 January 2, 1942: The Japanese Army occupies Manila and Cavite. "Manila, Cavite lost; MacArthur fights on, holding Corregidor."
- 1-1 January 1, 1942: South Luzon Force withdraws across the Pampanga River at Calumpit and demolishes both bridges.
- January 2021
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