April 30, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 30 APRIL 1942

Burma: Japanese complete conquest of central Burma. Br Imperial forces withdraw across the Irrawaddy over Ava bridge, which is destroyed at midnight. Ch 22d Div, after covering withdrawal, pulls back from Mandalay. Japanese follow withdrawal closely and begin action against Monywa, crossing river on night 30 April-1 May. Allied commanders agree that Ch 5th Army plus 38th Div will move from Katha to Imphal, India, if line Kalewa-Katha-Bhamo-Hsenwi cannot be held.

(10th Air Force): The Japanese Army at Lashio begin a move to drive the Chinese back along the Burma Road toward China and drive American and British forces back toward India.

(SWPA, 5th Air Force): Headquarters (HQ), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) and ground echelon of 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) transfers from Ballarat Airfield to Amberley Field; air echelon of the 69th is still in the U.S. with B-26's. 71st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Ballarat Airfield to Batchelor Field with B-26's; first mission is 15 September.

At dawn, three B-26s bomb Lae Airfield bombing parked aircraft. At 1:00pm eleven P-39 Airacobras from the 8th Pursuit Group (8th PG) took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby on their first combat mission in New Guinea led by Lt. Col Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner on a mission to strafe Lae Airfield including parked aircraft and fuel dumps at Lae and Salamaua. Over the target at 2:37pm the Airacobras commenced strafing parked aircraft and seaplanes in Huon Gulf then depart. During the attack A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kōkūtai (Tainan Air Group) scrambled and intercepted the Airacobras in the vicinity of Salamaua. During the dog fight, Lt. Col Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner claims three Zeros shot down. Major George Green Commanding Officer (C. O.) 36th Pursuit Squadron (36th PS) claimed another Zero. Lost are P-39D 41-6930 pilot 2nd Lt. Arthur "Art" E. Andres (survived), P-39F 41-7128 pilot 1st Lt. Edward D. Durand (MIA), P-39D 41-6982 pilot Brown (rescued) and P-39F 41-7186 pilot 1st Lt. James "Hoot" J. Bevlock (rescued).

U.S. Army: The Japanese Army lands at Cotabato on Mindanao and advance eastward toward the Sayre Highway via Route 1 and Mindanao River and reach Piket, about 8 miles from their objective. Philippine forces from Cotabato move north and guard trails leading northward from Route 1. The Parang detachment of Japanese, having left holding force there and moved NW during night 29-30 by boat, lands south of Malabang. At dawn attacks 61st Inf (PA), disposed along Mataling River, forcing it to withdraw 4 miles northward. Action in eastern Mindanao is limited and indecisive.

U.S. Navy: PBYs evacuate military and civilian personnel from Corregidor.

USS Greenling (SS-213) torpedoes Japanese ammunition ship Seia Maru, 09°32'N, 156°03'E

References
Winged Samurai (1985) page 54 (April 30, 1942 mission)
P-39 Airacobra Aces of World War 2 (2001) page 10 (April 30, 1942)