May 18, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 18 MAY 1942

Burma: Chiang Kai-shek orders the Chinese 5th Army, which now consists largely of Chinese 22d Division and Chinese 96th Division to take up positions between Myitkyina and Fort Hertz. Chinese 22d Division survivors reach the Ledo area in July and August. Chinese 96th eventually makes its way to China via Fort Hertz

Panama: The United States and Panama sign an agreement concerning the use and defense of the Panama Canal and Canal Zone (C.Z.).

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): 7th Air Force is placed on alert in anticipation of a possible Japanese attack on Midway. For the next ten days the old B-18's on hand are used on sea searches to supplement the B-17's. VII Bomber Command receives an influx of B-17's during this period and the 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) converts from B-18s to B-17s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): Headquarters Squadron (HQ), 19th Bombardment Group and 93d Bombardment Squadron transfers from Garbutt Field to Longreach with B-17's. Detachment of 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases operating from Perth and returns to Longreach with B-17's. B-17's bomb shipping in Koepang Bay. Lost is P-39 pilot Plain (KIA) crashed into the sea off Townsville. Lost are G4M1 Betty pilot Oyama (KIA), G4M1 Betty pilot Inoue (force landed) and P-39F 41-7191 pilot 2nd Lt. Charles H. Chapman, Jr. (MIA).

RAN: Convoy ZK.8 departs Sydney Harbor including MS Van Heemskerk, MS Bantam, MS Bontekoe and MS Van Heutsz transporting the Australian Army 14th Brigade including 4,735 soldiers and equipment escorted by HMAS Arunta (I30) and HNLMS Tromp bound for Port Moresby.

U.S. Navy: Office of Naval Inspector General is established under Rear Admiral Charles P. Snyder.

References
Port Moresby Air Raid - May 18, 1942