February 28, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 1942

USA: War Department directive gives Gen Wheeler mission of expediting flow of supplies and equipment to Gen Stilwell in China.

Burma: British Imperial forces fall back on Pegu from Payagyi and Waw in anticipation of general withdrawal.

NEI: After severe air attacks on air and naval installations, Japanese 16th Army invades Java during night and into the next morning on the north coast and making main effort near Batavia. Allied planes attack enemy shipping before and during landing. Adm Doorman's naval force, split into small groups, heads toward Soenda Strait in effort to escape from Java Sea. Meanwhile, MS Sea Witch reaches Tjilatjap safely, but her cargo of 27 crated P-40E Warhawks are destroyed to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

5th AF: B-17D 40-3061 is destroyed at Singosari Airfield to avoid capture by the Japanese.

Qantas: Lost is S23 "Circle" Tail G-AETZ on a flight from Tjilatjap bound for Broome.

IJN: Japanese planes locate eight fleeing Allied warships in the Java Sea.

ABDA: Japanese planes locate eight fleeing Allied warships in the Java Sea. The Second Battle of the Java Sea (Battle of Bawean Island) the second phase of the Battle of Java Sea, begins Japanese heavy cruiser Haguro torpedoes and sinks light cruiser Hr. Ms. De Ruyter flagship of Admiral Doorman while Nachi torpedoes and sinks light cruiser Hr. Ms. Java. The remnants of the Allied force flee to Surabaya, sheltering briefly there before trying to escape to Australia. Afterwards, submarine USS S-37 (SS-142) locates a life boat from the sunken Hr. Ms. De Ruyter and recovers two U.S. Navy sailors who had been serving in a liaison capacity in the Dutch ship. Before continuing on patrol, the submarine provide the Dutch seamen with rations. At 2:35am a group of 54 survivors, USS S-38 (SS-143) rescues survivors from sunken HMS Electra.

Shortly before midnight, the Battle of Sunda Strait begins as heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) and light cruiser HMAS Perth under Captain Hector M. L. Waller, RAN attempt to withdraw from Java and accidentally encounter Japanese transport force and escorting warships under Rear Admiral Takagi Takeo in Banten Bay on Java and engage in a battle that spans into March 1, 1942.

During the night, the Japanese 16th Army begin landing on north coast of Java near Batavia.

British freighter City of Manchester, that had just been torpedoed, shelled and sunk by Japanese submarine I-153 at 08°16'S, 108°52'E. Afterwards, minesweeper Whippoorwill (AM-35), while searching for survivors of sunken seaplane tender Langley (AV-3) south of Tjilatjap, rescues some of her crew. Gunboat Tulsa (PG-22) in the same vicinity also rescues some injured British merchant.

IJN: G4M1 Bettys from the 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group) took off on a bombing mission against Port Moresby. Escorting were six A6M2 Zeros led by Harutoshi Okamoto from the 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group) took off from Lakunai Airfield to escort the Bettys over Port Moresby. Over the target, the Bettys bomb 7 Mile Drome and anti-aircraft gun positions releasing 130 bombs that damages houses in hown and wound ten on the ground, one seriously. Without any aerial opposition, the Zeros testing their guns on the Moresby Wreck (SS Pruth) and fly at almost sea level to strafe PBY Catalinas moored off Napa Napa sinking Catalina A24-3 and Catalina A24-6 and George Nancarrow, electrician, was killed.  Barney Ross, fitter, was creased by a bullet.  The RAAF had established a 7.7mm Lewis machine gun dug into a nearby hilltop to cover over the slipway, manned by the orderly room staff. During the air raid, the gun was manned by Jim Preston that fired at the strafing Zeros and protected Catalina A24-2 under repair on the slipway. Gunfire damaged A6M2 Zero pilot Nagatoma and bailed out before it crashed into Bootless Bay. Pilot Katsuro Nagatomo becomes the first Japanese Prisoner Of War (POW) captured in Australian Territory of Papua.

U.S. Army: MS Sea Witch arrives Tjilatjap and unloads 27 crated P-40E Warhawks then embarks 40 soldiers and departs for Australia.