SATURDAY, 3 MAY 1942
AVG: Squadron Leader Bob Neale, 1st Squadron, intercepted a single-engined bomber or observation aircraft 10-15 miles north-east of Lungling, at 14:20, which he claimed to have shot down for his 13th personal victory. Meantime, Flight Leader Jones of the 3rd AVG Squadron flew a photo-reconnaissance to Hanoi and, on return, reported an estimated 40 'Model 0s' parked at the city's airport. A strike by four bomb-carrying P-40Es was therefore planned for the morrow.
5th AF: P-39s intercept Japanese aicraft over Port Moresby. Lost is P-39D 41-6909 pilot 2nd Lt. Joseph S. Lovett, Jr. (KIA).
IJN: As part of "Operation MO" Okinoshima flagship of Rear Admiral Shima, Kikuzuki, Yuzuki, Azumasan Maru, minelayer Koei Maru, subchasers Toshi Maru No. 3 and Tama Maru No. 8, special duty minesweepers WA-1 and WA-2, Hagoromo Maru, Noshiro Maru No. 2 and Tama Maru enter Tulagi Harbor and lands roughly 400 Japanese personnel, primarily the 3rd Kure Special Naval Landing Force (3rd Kure SNLF) without opposition they occupy Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo. Until early afternoon, carrier aircraft from Shōhō cover the landings and six seaplanes arrive in Tulagi Harbor to begin operations.
U.S. Army: Japanese amphibious force from Panay goes ashore on Mindanao about 0100 at Cagayan and Tagoloan R mouth, in Macajalar Bay, and presses S along Sayre Highway. Troops of Cagayan defense sector (PA 102d Div, formed from 61st and 81st FA and 103d Inf) oppose landing but are unable to halt enemy. In a desperate effort to hold Sayre Highway, reserves--2.95-inch gun detachment and 62d and 93d Regts (PA)--are committed, but these, too, fall back under pressure. During night 3-4, Gen Sharp orders general withdrawal. Meanwhile, other Japanese forces gain control of road to N shore, routing 73d Inf, which withdraws into hills N of Lake Lanao. Still other enemy forces arrive at Kabacan after Digos force has made good its escape, but are halted there. Preinvasion air and arty bombardment of Corregidor continues without let up. U.S. submarine succeeds in withdrawing 25 persons from the island.
U.S. Navy: In the morning Task Force 11 (TF 11) and Task Force 17 (TF 17) were roughly 100 miles apart being refueled. Shortly before midnight, Rear Adm Frank J. Fletcher received word from RAAF aircraft that Japanese transports had entered Tulagi Harbor and were disembarking troops and occupying Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo. To intercept, USS Yorktown (CV-5) in the Coral Sea steams northward at 27 knots to engage.
USS Spearfish (SS-190) evacuates 25 naval and military officers, including nurses from Corregidor and are the last personnel evacuated by submarine.
Light cruiser USS Nashville (CL-43) departs Pearl Harbor with orders to refuel at Midway and then proceed to the Japanese fishing grounds off the Kamchatka Peninsula with submarines S-34 (SS-139) and S- 35 (SS-140) in support.
IJA: Japanese amphibious force from Panay goes ashore on Mindanao about 0100 at Cagayan and Tagoloan R mouth, in Macajalar Bay, and presses south along Sayre Highway. Troops of Cagayan defense sector (PA 102d Div, formed from 61st and 81st FA and 103d Inf) oppose landing but are unable to halt enemy. In a desperate effort to hold Sayre Highway, reserves--2.95-inch gun detachment and 62d and 93d Regts (PA)--are committed, but these, too, fall back under pressure. During night 3-4, Gen Sharp orders general withdrawal. Meanwhile, other Japanese forces gain control of road to N shore, routing 73d Inf, which withdraws into hills N of Lake Lanao. Still other enemy forces arrive at Kabacan after Digos force has made good its escape, but are halted there. Preinvasion air and arty bombardment of Corregidor continues without let up.
IJN: A small Japanese force lands on Tulagi and establishes Tulagi Seaplane Base.
RAAF: In the early morning hours RAAF personnel and commandos evacuate the Tulagi area aboard two small ships bound for Port Vila in New Hebrides. The ship with RAAF personnel aboard reach Aoloa on Guadalcanal with Martin Clemens then departs at night.
