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

SUNDAY, 26 APRIL 1942

AVG: Two 3rd Squadron pilots reported an engagement with fighters, identified as "Model 0" 20 miles south-east of Lashio, when Vice-Squadron Leader Dupouy and his wingman, John Donovan, each claimed one probably shot down.

(SWPA, 5th Air Force): 35th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) and 36th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 8th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfer from Brisbane and Townsville respectively to Port Moresby with P-39's and P-400's; first mission is April 30, 1942. Force landed is P-39F 41-7210 (survived) south of Murdoch Point near Cooktown.

IJN: Japanese Type 96 / G3M Nells bomb 3 Mile Drome (Kila) with approximately 90 bombs exploding near dispersal area. Two 3rd BG A-24 Dive Bombers are destroyed and another completely unserviceable. The partly completed 30 Mile Drome (Rarona) near Galley Reach is also bombed.

U.S. Navy: USS Pickerel (SS-177) damages Japanese hospital ship Takasugo Maru in Manipa Strait, Malay Archipelago at roughly Lat 03°00'S, Long 127°00'E.

Japanese transport No. 2 Nankai Maru is damaged by aircraft off Shortland Island.

References
New Guinea Force Diary "Combined Operational Intelligence Centre Log for 26 April 1942 New Guinea Force - HQ & Air"