March 24, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 24 MARCH 1942

Washington D.C.: The Pacific Theater is established as an area of U.S. responsibility by Combined Chiefs of Staff.

American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers": Early in the morning five of the AVG 1st Squadron P-40s flew from Kunming to Namsang, close to Heho in Central Burma, where they were to be joined by four of the 2nd Squadron aircraft from Loiwing. On arrival however, no sign of the latter aircraft were to be seen, so the 1st Squadron flew on to their target alone. This was Chiengmai airfield in Thailand, where an estimated 50 aircraft were seen on the ground. Squadron Leader Bob Neale ordered an attack and the P-40s dived through heavy AA fire, made several passes and claimed 13 aircraft destroyed, all of which were identified as bombers. Neale, Charlie Bond, Greg Boyington, Bill McGarry and Bill Bartling were credited with two apiece; Neale and Bond shared another, as did Boyington and Bartling.

Four P-40s from 2nd Squadron arrived at the rendezvous late, heading first to Chiang Mai's satellite airfields, where nothing was to be seen, but they did strafe two armoured cars whilst on their way to Chiang Mai Airfield. It seems that at least one of these pilots, Vice-Squadron Leader Ed Rector, arrived while the 1st Squadron were still there, as he shared in the destruction of one aircraft with McGarry and claimed two more alone, bringing the total claims to 15. As the 2nd Squadron aircraft swept over Chiang Mai Airfield, lost is P-40B Warhawk P-8196 pilot John Van Kuren "Scarsdale" Newkirk (KIA) was seen to take a direct hit and crash in flames. Also hit is P-40B Warhawk P-8115 pilot William "Mac" McGarry (POW, survived) that trailed smoke and bailed out 55 miles from the border and remained at large for 28 days, before being captured by Thai police. The AVG had lost two of its leading pilots. The attack had been about as successful as estimated, although their victims had not been bombers, but Ki-43 Oscars from 64th Sentai. Three of these went up in flames and at least ten others were damaged beyond repair.

Burma: In surprise attack on Kyungon Airfield, N of Toungoo, Japanese rout defenders (troops of Ch 200th Div and rear elements of Burma 1st Div) and cut rail line and road, thus partially surrounding Toungoo. Chinese fall back on Toungoo, while Burmese succeed in withdrawing to Irrawaddy front.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): 23d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Hickam Field to Mokuleia Field with B-17's and continues flying patrols.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Air echelon of 91st Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group ceases operating from Brisbane and begins moving to Charters Towers with A-24s. The ground echelon remains on Bataan.

IJA/IJN: Japanese begin intense air and arty bombardment of Bataan. Luzon-based Japanese Army and Navy planes from 12th Kokutai (12th Air Group) begin thorough bombardment of Corregidor, continuing through end of March. During this period, night air attacks are conducted for the first time.