March 26, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 26 MARCH 1942

Burma: Continuing pressure against Chinese in Toungoo, Japanese seize the town as far as RR line. Ch 22d Div, which has previously been ordered to Pyinmana-Yedashe area, N of Toungoo, to counterattack in support of Ch 200th Div, arrives in position but fails to take the offensive.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Three B-17's from 40th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy) evacuate Philippines President Manual L. Quezon and his family to Australia. B-26 Marauders including B-26 "Martin's Miscarriage" 40-1411, B-26 "Yeah!" 40-1421 and B-26 "Dixie" 40-1496 are ferried across the Pacific and arrive at Amberly Field near Brisbane.

U.S. Army: MS Van Heemskerk is chartered as a small ship under the chief quartermaster, U.S. Army forces in Australia (USAFIA), crewed by the KPM Dutch.

U.S. Navy: Admiral Ernest J. King relieves Admiral Harold R. Stark as Chief of Naval Operations and thus becomes Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations; Vice Admiral Frederick J. Horne (Vice Chief of Naval Operations) and Vice Admiral Russell Willson (COMINCH Chief of Staff) are his principal assistants.

IJN: Japanese carrier force leaves Kendari bound for the Indian Ocean.

RAAF: Force landed is Hudson A16-139 with one crew member injured.