March 27, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

FRIDAY, 27 MARCH 1942

Burma: Chinese 200th Div continues to resist enemy onslaughts against Toungoo. On Irrawaddy front, Japanese are massing forces S of Prome. RAF planes withdraw from Akyab to India as result of heavy enemy bombing of Akyab. Gen Alexander, at request of General Joseph Stilwell, agrees to attack on the Irrawaddy front. Rcn elements of Burma I Corps clash with enemy at Paungde, SE of Prome.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Melbourne to Cloncurry with B-17's; ground echelon is on Bataan and Mindanao.

IJN: Four G4M1 Bettys led by WO Kameichi Hasegawa from 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group) escorted by A6M2 Zeros from 4th Kōkūtai (4th Air Group) bomb 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Over the target, intercepted by RAAF P-40E Kittyhawks from No. 75 Sqadron. During the dog fight, P-40E Kittyhawk pilot Piper shot down G4M1 Betty pilot Itsuda (KIA) that crashed inland from Rigo.

RAAF: Four P-40E Kittyhawks from No. 75 Sqadron took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby intercept an incoming Japanese air raid and intercept in pairs. Lost is P-40E A29-19 pilot P/O Ronald Kevin Critchley O'Connor (MIA). P-40E Kittyhawk pilot Piper shot down G4M1 Betty pilot Itsuda (KIA) crashed inland from Rigo.

U.S. Army: Japanese, moving into position for all-out offensive against Bataan, feint against I Corps and push in OPL of Sector D on II Corps front. Increasingly heavy air and arty bombardment of Bataan is lowering efficiency of defense force as well as destroying badly needed matériel. Efforts to run the blockade and supply the garrison with necessary items have virtually failed, and supply situation is growing steadily worse.

U.S. Navy: USS Gudgeon (SS-211) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Nissho Maru southeast of Kumun Island, 33°50'N, 127°33'E.

Japanese collier Yubari Maru is sunk by Dutch planes off Koepang, Timor.

Japanese transport/cargo ship Kitano Maru is accidentally sunk by Japanese mine off Mabilao, Lingayen Gulf, 16°10'N, 120°24'E.

USMC: The forward echelon of Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212) arrived on Efate to help build a an airfield for Marine planes.