May 21, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 21 MAY 1942

China: Japanese aircraft strike Jionglai Airfield and set fire to to six I-15bis from 11th PG.

IJA: Japanese Army occupy Bacolod on Negros.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (5th Air Force): Five B-26 from 22nd BG took off on a bombing mission against Vunakanau Airfield but due to bad weather over New Britain bombed Lae Airfield. Over the target intercepted by four A6M2 Zeros from Tainan Kokutai (Tainan Air Group) with bomber gunners claiming they were intercepted by eight Zeros and claimed six shot down, in fact none were lost. The B-26 made a single bomb run and destroyed two bombers and a Zero on the ground plus two more Zeros extensively damaged. B-17E 41-2662 arrives at Charleville Airfield.

U.S. Navy: North Pacific Force is established under Rear Adm Robert A. Theobald, as commander of TF 8 who becomes responsible for all forces, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy and Canadian in the Alaska area.

Destroyer USS Helm (DD-388) rescues four survivors from USS Neosho (AO-23) that had abandoned ship when the oiler was damaged on May 7, 1942.