April 29, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 29 APRIL 1942

Japan: Emperor Hirohito birthday turns 41.

Burma: Japanese Army overruns Lashio at the terminus of the Ledo Road, the only land route to China, just as leading elements of Ch 29th Div, 66th Army, arrive and complete the blockade of China. Ch 200th Div reaches Loilem; subsequently withdraws from this area to China. Gen Alexander decides to make a stand on line Kalewa-Katha-Bhamo-Hsenwi and orders withdrawal to this line to begin on May 2, 1942.

IJN: Three Type 97 flyingboats bomb Tulagi Seaplane Base and damage two moored Catalinas including Catalina A24-23. RAAF sources record this attack as April 30, 1942.

10th AF: A flight of B-17s bomb Rangoon dock area.

5th AF: P-40E Warhawk Number 32 pilot 2nd Lt. J. W. Tyler from 49th Fighter Group (49th FG) lost control on take off from Batchelor Field and crashed into a parked Lockheed C-40 38-519 pilot Major Joseph "Joe" H. Moore as the passengers began exiting including Brigadier General Harold H. George and passengers aboard. Wreckage from the crash possibly one of the P-40's wheels struck General George in the head severely injuring him. Two others standing nearby were also killed instantly including 2nd Lieutenant Robert D. Jasper and war correspondent Melville Jacoby.

U.S. Army: The Japanese begin offensive to clear Mindanao with a force of 4,852 men from Cebu lands on the west coast at Cotabato and Parang and takes both towns despite opposition of 2d Bn of 104th Inf, 101st Div (PA), at Cotabato and of 2d Inf of 1st Div (PA) at Parang; 3d Bn of 102d Inf is unable to prevent elements of the Parang force from establishing contact with the Cotabato force. Enemy detachment already on Mindanao, having been relieved at Davao, turns NW toward Sayre Highway, which extends from Kabacan on S to Bugo on N. The E and the W assault forces both have air support. Preinvasion air and arty bombardment of Corregidor becomes intense.

U.S. Navy: Admiral Ernest J. King, ComSoPac, established the South Pacific Amphibious Force composed primarily of the 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV).

IJN: Japanese order a landing at Port Moresby in New Guinea. Japanese 3rd Kure Special Naval Landing Force (3rd SNLF) occupy Tulagi Seaplane Base.