April 11, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 11 APRIL 1942

Burma: Japanese open attacks against center of line Minhla-Taungdwingyi.

RAAF: P-40 Kittyhawks conduct a fighter sweep over Lae, Lost is P-40E Kittyhawk A29-38 pilot Sgt David Stuart (POW, executed) force landed at Salamaua.

5th AF: B-26 from 22nd BG bomb Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul. Returning, lost is B-26 40-1418 pilot 2nd Lt Louis "Tad" W. Ford force lands near the north coast of New Guinea. The crew will return to their squadron 48 days later. A-24 Dive Bombers bomb Lae, lost is A-24 41-15773 (KIA).

IJN: Taijun Maru is damaged off Lae in Huon Gulf at roughly Lat 06°49'S, 147°02' and deemed irreparable, is later scuttled.

U.S. Army: On Cebu, 3d Bn of 83d Inf fails to stop enemy at Cantabaco, and Japanese drive rapidly eastward from Toledo with little difficulty.

U.S. Navy: USS Crown Point (CV‑27) later renamed USS Langley (CVL-27) is laid down by New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey.

Submarine Trout (SS-202) torpedoes Japanese fleet tanker Nisshin Maru west of Shionomisaki, Japan, 33°26'N, 135°38'E.

USAAF A-20s attack Japanese shipping off Lae, New Guinea, damaging cargo vessel Taijun Maru, 06°49'S, 147°02'E. Taijun Maru, deemed irreparable, is later scuttled.