April 12, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 12 APRIL 1942

AVG: Two P-40s flown by 2nd Squadron pilots Squadron Leader Tex Hill and his wingman Peter Wright, encountered ten unescorted Japanese bombers 10 miles north of Toungoo, which they identified as 'Army 98s', one of which was claimed shot down by Wright. The two pilots then strafed the airfield, where Hill claimed two bombers on the ground and Wright another.

Burma: Ch 38th Div of 66th Army, previously earmarked for defense of Mandalay, begins movement to Irrawaddy front to assist Burma I Corps in holding line Minhla-Taungdwingyi. During night 12-13, Japanese occupy Migyaungye, exposing the western flank of Burma Army.

5th Air Force: Royce Mission (Day 1) B-25s using Del Monte Airfield on Mindanao, hit the harbor and shipping at Cebu while B-17's carry out single-bomber strikes from Mindanao against Cebu Harbor and Nichols Field. In Australia, 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium), 22d Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Townsville to Reid River with B-26s their first combat mission is April 21, 1942. The 18th Reconnaissance Squadron is redesignated 408th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on April 22, 1942.

U.S. Army: Since Japanese now control cross-island highway on Cebu, Gen Chynoweth retreats to mountains of northern of Cebu, where he organizes remnants of the garrison for guerrilla warfare. Japanese, employing guns on Bataan and Cavite, intensify arty bombardment of Corregidor. Meanwhile, Japanese planes continue to bomb Corregidor.

U.S. Navy: PT-35 undergoing repairs on the marine railway at the Cebu Shipyard and Engineering Works is scuttled and burned by her crew to prevent capture off Cebu at roughly Lat °18'N Long 123°54'E.