Pacific Wrecks Daily Update
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• 6-4  June 4, 1942: the Battle of Midway begins as the second carrier engagement of the Pacific War off Midway.
• 6-3  June 3, 1942: Japanese Second Strike Force carrier planes from Ryujo and Junyo strike Dutch Harbor in Alaska.
• 6-2  June 2, 1942: U.S. Navy Task Force 17 (TF 17) and Task Force 16 (TF 16) rendezvous about 350 miles northeast of Midway.
• 6-1  June 1, 1942: three Type A Midget submarines: HA-14 (M27), HA-21 (M22) and HA-24 (M24) are lost attacking Sydney Harbor.
• June 2026
• 5-31  May 31, 1942: three Japanese submarines launch three Type A Midget submarines to attack Sydney Harbor.
• 5-30  May 30, 1942: Task Foirce 17 (TF 17) under Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher including USS Yorktown (CV-5) departs Pearl Harbor.
• 5-29  May 29, 1942: arriving in the French Frigate Shoals is USS Thornton (AVD-11) and the same day Japanese submarine I-123.
• 5-28  May 28, 1942: Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson warns Americans on the west coast of the U.S. to expect Japanese attacks.
• 5-27  May 27, 1942: U.S. Army 23rd Infantry Division (23rd ID) "Americal Division" is activated on New Caledonia.
• 5-26  May 26, 1942: arriving with reinforcements, USS Kitty Hawk (AKV-1) delivers personnel, cargo and aircraft to reinforce Midway.
• 5-25  May 25, 1942: At the White House President Franklin D. Roosevelt meets 2nd Lt. George S. Welch four victories December 7, 1941.
• 5-24  May 24, 1942: at dawn Japanese submarine I-21 surfaces and launches her E14Y1 Glenn to reconnoiter Auckland.
• 5-23  May 23, 1942: at dawn Japanese submarine I-29 surfaces and launches her E14Y1 Glenn to reconnoiter Sydney Harbor.
• 5-22  May 22, 1942: lost is LB-30 Liberator AL-602 pilot Lt. Robert N Maupin (survived) crashed at Kodiak Airfield.
• 5-21  May 21, 1942: North Pacific Force is established under Rear Adm Robert A. Theobald responsible for all forcesin Alaska.
• 5-20  May 20, 1942: reinforcements are being hastily moved to Midway and Aleutian Islands against possible Japanese attacks.
• 5-19  May 19, 1942: in the early morning Japanese submarine I-21 surfaces and launches her E14Y1 Glenn to reconnoiter Suva.
• 5-18  May 18, 1942: the 7th Air Force is placed on alert in anticipation of a possible Japanese attack on Midway
• 5-17  May 17, 1942: damaged Shōkaku arrives Kure Harbor and is inspected by Admiral Yamamoto and Vice Admiral Ugaki.
• 5-16  May 16, 1942: returning from a missoin B-25C Mitchell 41-12478 pilot 2nd Lt. John D. Feltham force lands at Aiyary Airfield.
• 5-15  May 15, 1942: The U.S. star insignia is revised to remove the red disc in the center of the star.
• 5-14  May 14, 1942: B-17s and B-26s from 22nd Bomb Group bomb Rabaul. B-25s from 3rd Bomb Group bomb Lae.
• 5-13  May 13, 1942: submarine USS Drum (SS-228) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Shonan Maru northeast of Mikimoto.
• 5-12  May 12, 1942: Four B-17s from Dum Dum Airfield bomb Myitkyina Airfield and damage the runways and parked aircraft.
• 5-11  May 11, 1942: In retaliation for the Doolittle Raid, Japanese launch strong drive in Chekiang Province (Zhejiang) in China.
• 5-10  May 10, 1942: lost is B-26 Marauder 40-1402 pilot Captain Richard “Roy” R. Royall, Jr. MIA over Deboyne Seaplane Base.
• 5-9  May 9, 1942: the first U.S. personnel arrive in the Galapagos Islands.
• 5-8  May 8, 1942: after sunset Japanese submarine I-30 surfaces and launches her E14Y1 Glen to reconnoiter Djibouti.
• 5-7  May 7, 1942: Prisoner of War General Jonathan M. Wainwright broadcasts terms of surrender to U.S. forces in the Philippines.
• 5-6  May 6, 1942: During the Battle of the Coral Sea: ten Japanese ships enter Deboyne Lagoon.
• 5-5  May 5, 1942: the Battle of the Coral Sea Task Force 17 (TF-17) refuels from USS Neosho (AO-23).
• 5-4  May 4, 1942: the Battle of the Coral Sea begins with U.S. Navy carrier planes striking the Japanese landing force in Tulagi Harbor.
• 5-3  May 3, 1942: submarine USS Spearfish (SS-190) evacuates 25 naval and military officers including nurses from Corregidor.
• 5-2  May 2, 1942: Inspection of Midway by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz who inspects defenses and present decorations.
• 5-1  May 1, 1942: Air Service Command of 10th Air Force is activated under Brig Gen Elmer E. Adler with their headquarters in New Delhi.
• May 2026
• 4-30  April 30, 1942: Japanese Army lands at Cotabato on Mindanao and advance eastward toward the Sayre Highway via Route 1.
• 4-29  April 29, 1942: Japanese Army overruns Lashio at the terminus of the Ledo Road
• 4-28  April 28, 1942: lost is P-40E A29-8 pilot S/L John F. Jackson (KIA) and P-40E A29-47 pilot F/Lt B. M. Cox over Port Moresby.
• 4-27  April 27, 1942: lost is P-40E Warhawk pilot Captain Allison "Al" W. Strauss on a scramble to intercept incoming Japanese over Dawin.
• 4-26  April 26, 1942: Japanese Type 96 Nells bomb 3 Mile Drome (Kila) near Port Moresby destroying parked A-24 Dive Bombers.
• 4-25  April 25, 1942: lost is B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2505 pilot 1st Lt. Daniel W. Fagen crashed into Mount Obree in New Guinea.
• 4-24  April 24, 1942: a daring rescue A-24 Tail 14 pilot 1st Lt. Virgil A. Schwab rescues Squadron Leader John F. Jackson from Navos.
• 4-23  April 23, 1942: Japanese submarine RO-33 finishes a reconnaissance of Jomard Passage between Solomon Sea and Coral Sea.
• 4-22  April 22, 1942: the 40th Reconnaissance Squadron is redesignated 435th Bombardment Squadron (435th BS) "Kangaroo Squadron".
• 4-21  April 21, 1942: lost is B-25C 41-12486 pilot 2nd Lt John J. Keeter, Jr. (KIA) crashed atop Mount Bartle Frere.
• 4-20  April 20, 1942: 5th Air Force Lt. General George H. Brett assumes command of Allied Air Headquarters, SWPA in Melbourne.
• 4-19  April 19, 1942: damaged guardboat No. 26 Nanshin Maru is scuttled by Kiso.
• 4-18  April 18, 1942: B-26s from 22nd BG strike Rabaul. During the attack, B-26 "Shittenengitten" 40-1404 bombs and sinks Komaki Maru.
• 4-17  April 17, 1942: recalled as U.S. Ambassador to France Admiral William D. Leahy will become Chief of Staff for President Roosevelt.
• 4-16  April 16, 1942: Japanese land unapposed at Iloilo and Capiz (Roxas City) on Panay in the Philippines.
• 4-15  April 15, 1942: 77' Elco Motor Torpedo Boat PT-41 is scuttled to prevent capture on Mindanao.
• 4-14  April 14, 1942: Filipino guerrillas led by Lt. Severino Antiporda attack and captured the Japanese garrison in Tayug.
• 4-13  April 13, 1942: The Royce Mission day 2 from Mindanao with B-25s striking shipping at Cebu and installations at Davao.
• 4-12  April 12, 1942: The Royce Mission day 1 from Mindanao with B-25s and B-17s striking Japanese occupied areas in the Philippines.
  4-11  April 11, 1942: B-26 from 22nd Bomb Group (22nd BG) bomb Lakunai Airfield near Rabaul.
• 4-10  April 10, 1942: Japanese land on Cebu at two locations including Cebu City on the east coast and Toledo on the west coast.
• 4-9  April 9, 1942: Japanese carrier aircraft strike Trincomalee on Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and sink HMS Hermes (95) and HMAS Vampire (D68).
• 4-8  April 8, 1942: late in the evening, Major General Edward P. King decides to surrender Bataan Peninsula defenders to destroy equipment
• 4-7  April 7, 1942: during the night the Japanese Army on the Bataan Peninsula breaks the Philippine II Corps.
• 4-6  April 6, 1942: Advanced elements of 41st Infantry Division arrive in Melbourne including the 163rd Infantry Regiment.
• 4-5  April 5, 1942: "Operation C" Japanese Navy carrier planes strike Colombo on Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
• 4-4  April 4, 1942: Blimp L-8 delivers spare parts and cargo to USS Hornet (CV-8) while underway at sea.
• 4-3  April 3, 1942: Japanese flying boat bombs SS Exhibitor in the Bay of Bengal off Calcutta.
• 4-2  April 2, 1942: three B-17s led by led by Major General Lewis H. Brereton bomb Japanese shipping off Andaman Islands and claim hits.
• 4-1  April 1, 1942: British submarine HMS Truant (N68) sinks Yae Maru and Shunsei Maru in the Malacca Strait west-northwest of Penang.
• April 2026
• 3-31  March 31, 1942: Japanese forces land on Christmas Island and occupy the island until the end of the Pacific War.
• 3-30  March 30, 1942: Japanese warships enter Shortland Harbor and two platoons of Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF).
• 3-29  March 29, 1942: USMC 4th Marine Defense Battalion and Marine Fighting Squadron 212 ground echelon arrive Port Vila on Efate.
• 3-28  March 28, 1942: G'Day Mate RMS Queen Mary enters Sydney Harbor but is too tall to pass under the Sydney Harbor bridge.
• 3-27  March 27, 1942: Lost is P-40E Kittyhawk A29-19 pilot P/O Ronald K. C. O'Connor (MIA) lost over Port Moresby.
• 3-26  March 26, 1942: Dutch MS Van Heemskerk is chartered as a small ship by the U.S. Army.
• 3-25  March 25, 1942: battleship USS California (BB-44) sunk on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor is sucessfully refloated.
• 3-24  March 24, 1942: Japanese begin intense air and artillery bombardment of Bataan and Japanese planes strike Corregidor.
• 3-23  March 23, 1942: nonrigid airship (blimp) TC 13 accidentally bombs USS Gato (SS-212) off the entrance to San Francisco Bay.
• 3-22  March 22, 1942 lost is P-40E Kittyhawk A29-6 pilot F/O Wilbur L. Wackett shot down by Zeros bailed out and later returns to duty.
• 3-21  March 21, 1942 the first four P-40E Kittyhawks from No. 75 Squadron arrive at 7 Mile Drome the first Allied fighters to defend the area.
• 3-20  March 20, 1942 "I shall return" speech by General Douglas MacArthur at Terowie Railroad Station in South Australia.
• 3-19  March 19, 1942 evacuation of President of the Philippines Manuel L. Quezon is embarked aboard PT-41 for a voyage to Mindanao.
  
• 3-18  March 18, 1942 two companies from 182d Infantry Regiment and an engineering company arrive on Efate
• 3-17  March 17, 1942 the 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG), 8th Bombardment Squadron (8th BS) moves to Charters Towers Airfield.
• 3-16  March 16, 1942 help arrives when USS Permit (SS-178) reaches Corregidor to deliver ammunition and evacuate 40 personnel.
• 3-15  March 15, 1942 the 67th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) arrives on New Caledonia as the first tactical unit in the South Pacific.
• 3-14  March 14, 1942 the 40th Reconnaissance Squadron is formed at Townsville and assigned to 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG).
  3-13  March 13, 1942 the first detachment of U.S. personnel arrive in Karachi as the first Americans to arrive in China Burma India (CBI).
• 3-12  March 12, 1942 Task Force with 17,500 personnel arrive at Nouméa on New Caledonia.
• 3-11  March 11, 1942 PT Boats evacuate General Douglas MacArthur and Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell to Mindanao.
• 3-10  March 10, 1942 the U.S. government purchases Santa Margarita Ranch north of San Diego that will become Camp Pendleton.
• 3-9  March 9, 1942 dual hats: Admiral Ernest J. King was appointed CNO in addition to Commander in Chief (CominCh) U.S. Fleet.
• 3-8  March 8, 1942 the first American forces arrive at Talara Airfield in Peru.
• 3-7  March 7, 1942 during night a Japanese convoy enters Huon Gulf for landings on the north coast of New Guinea.
• 3-6  March 6, 1942 for the first time General Joseph Stilwell confers with Chiang Kai-shek in Chungking.
• 3-5  March 5, 1942 fearing Japanese air raids or invasion Do 24K-1 X-36 is burned near Anna Plains in Western Australia.
• 3-4  March 4, 1942 established is No. 75 Squadron in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at Garbutt Field in Townsville.
• 3-3  March 3, 1942 nine A6M2 Zeros led by C5M2 Babs from 3rd Kōkūtai (3rd Air Group) strike Broome in Western Australia.
• 3-2  March 2, 1942 damaged USS Stewart (DD-224) is scuttled in a floating dry dock at Surabaya on Java.
• 3-1  March 1, 1942 American, British, Dutch, Australian Command (ABDA) is dissolved.
• March 2026
• 2-28  February 28, 1942 too little too late MS Sea Witch arrives Tjilatjap on western Java and unloads crated P-40E Warhawks.
• 2-27  February 27, 1942 during Battle of the Java Sea begins with the loss of Hr. Ms. De Ruyter sunk by torpedoes
• 2-26  February 26, 1942 E14Y Glen pilot W/O Fujita Nobuo launched from Japanese submarine I-25 on a reconnaissance over Melbourne.
• 2-25  February 25, 1942 ABDA Command is dissolved as the "Eastern Striking Force" departs Batavia (Jakarta) bound for Surabaja.
• 2-24  February 24, 1942 lost is SBD-2 Dauntless 2174 pilot Ensign Percy W. Wendell (POW) from VS-6 striking Wake Atoll.
• 2-23  February 23, 1942 returning from bombing Rabaul force landed is B-17E 41-2446 aka "Swamp Ghost" in Agaiambo Swamp.
• 2-22  February 22, 1942 before midnight, nine B-17 took off from Garbutt Field on the first U.S. bombing mission against Rabaul.
• 2-21  February 21, 1942 Burma is removed from jurisdiction of ABDA Command and placed under command of CinC India
• 2-20  February 20, 1942 defending USS Lexington (CV-2) F4F Wildcat 4031 pilot Edward "Butch" H. O'Hare claims five Bettys shot down.
• 2-19  February 19, 1942 Japanese carrier aircraft from Hiryu and Soryu and Akagi attack Darwin and Darwin Harbor.
• 2-18  February 18, 1942 during the night, Japanese landing force arrives off Bali Island.
• 2-17  February 17, 1942 Inshore Patrol Squadron VS-2-D14 and 1st Naval Construction Battalion "Seabees" arrive on Bora Bora.
• 2-16  February 16, 1942 Japanese destroy a section of pipeline on Cavite that supplies fresh water to Fort Frank on Carabao Island
• 2-15  February 15, 1942 British Army under Lieutenant General Arthur Percival surrenders at the Ford Factory on Singapore.
• 2-14  February 14, 1942 at 6:20pm USS President Taylor ran aground on a reef west of Canton Island.
• 2-13  February 13, 1942 Japanese forces capture Bandjermasin on southern Borneo
• 2-12  February 12, 1942 bad luck USS Whipple (DD-217) is damaged in collision with Hr. Ms. De Ruyter in Prigi Bay on Java.
• 2-11  February 11, 1942 sunk is USS Shark SS-174 likely by gunfire from destroyer Yamakaze that claims a submarine as sunk.
• 2-10  February 10, 1942 three LB-30s from 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG) bomb and damage Chitose in Makassar Strait.
• 2-9  February 9, 1942 P-40B Warhawks escort a Boeing Stearman Model 75 biplane pilot Jesús A. Villamor to take photographs over Ternate
• 2-8  February 8, 1942 after an artillery bombardment the Japanese 25th Army crosses the Johore Strait to land on northwest Singapore.
• 2-7  February 7, 1942 Commander Naval Forces Southwest Pacific Area establishes its headquarters at Tjilatjap on Java.
• 2-6  February 6, 1942 damaged is river gunboat USS Luzon (PR-7) hit by a shell in South Harbor off Corregidor.
• 2-5  February 5, 1942 lost is PBY-5 Catalina 2309 pilot Lt(jg) Richard Bull shot down over Ambon
• 2-4  February 4, 1942 lost is Do-24K X-37 destroyed during Japanese air raid at Morokrembangan Seaplane Base.
• 2-3  February 3, 1942 lost is B-18 Bolo 36-338 pilot Lt. Col Austin A. Straubel shot down by Zeros over Java.
• 2-2  February 2, 1942 the War Department designates General Joseph Stilwell Chief of Staff to Supreme Commander, China Theater.
• 2-1  February 1, 1942 first U.S. carrier offensive bomb and bombard Wotje, Kwajalein, Jaluit, Makin, and Mili.
• February 2026
• 1-31  January 31, 1942 Malaya defense force completes their withdrawal to Singapore and blows causeway to the Malaya Peninsula.
• 1-30  January 30, 1942 during the night, Japanese forces begin landing at two locations on Ambon Island in the Netherlands East Indies.
• 1-29  January 29, 1942 war correspondent George A. Weller departs Singapore for Java.
• 1-28  January 28, 1942 Japanese resistance ends on Longoskawayan Point in southern Bataan Peninsula on Luzon.
• 1-27  January 27, 1942 elements of the 4th Marine Regiment participate in the containment of Japanese on Longoskawayan Point.
• 1-26  January 26, 1942 first use of large caliber sea coast artillery since the U.S. Civil War when Battery Geary on Corregidor opens fire.
• 1-25  January 25, 1942 the Phibun government of Thailand declares war on the United States.
• 1-24  January 24, 1942 the Battle of Balikpapan was the first surface action by the U.S. Navy since the Spanish-American War.
• 1-23  January 23, 1942 The Roberts Commission on the Japanese attack on Pearl Haror concludes with 2,173 printed pages.
• 1-22  January 22, 1942 survey ship USS Sumner (AG-32) arrives at Bora Bora.
• 1-21  January 21, 1942 Japanese carrier planes strike Salamaua, Lae and Bulolo plus carrier planes from Shokaku strike Madang.
• 1-20  January 20, 1942 Japanese carrier planes strike Rabaul. Lost is CA-7 Wirraway A20-179 pilot F/O John C. Lowe (MIA)
• 1-19  January 19, 1942 in the early morning Motor Torpedo Boat PT-31 was scuttled on a reef north of Mayagao Point on Bataan.
• 1-18  January 18, 1942 river gunboat USS USS Tutuila (PR-4) is decommissioned and her crew flown out of Chungking.
• 1-17  January 17, 1942 Royal Navy HMS Jupiter (F85) sinks Japanese submarine I-60 in the southern Sunda Strait.
• 1-16  January 16, 1942 lost is TBD-1 Devastator 0335 pilot ACMM Harold F. Dixon and crew survived 34 days at sea until rescued.
• 1-15  January 15, 1942 U.S. Marine Brigadier General Henry L. Larson was appointed the first military governor of American Samoa.
• 1-14  January 14, 1942 cargo ship MS Herstein arrives at Simpson Harbor off Rabaul and beings unloading military cargo.
• 1-13  Added Kachidoki Maru (Kakko Maru, SS Jakin, SS Wolverine State, SS President Harrison) sunk September 12, 1944.
• 1-12  Added USS Refuge AH-11 (Blue Hen State, President Garfield, President Madison, USS Kenmore AP-62) scrapped 1948.
• 1-11  Updated B-24J Liberator 42-73115 pilot 1st Lt. Harold S. Mulhollen crashed January 8, 1944 on Wowoni Island.
• 1-10  Added B-17G Flying Fortress 44-83779 pilot Major General James E. Parker crashed March 19, 1946 on Formosa (Taiwan).
• 1-9  Added James Jones veteran and author of From Here To The Eternity, The Pistol, The Thin Red Line and Whistle.
• 1-8  Added U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division "Tropical Lightning", 161st Infantry Regiment (161st IR) "First Washington" in the Pacific War.
• 1-7  Added U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division "Tropical Lightning", 35th Infantry Regiment "Cacti" that served in the Pacific War.
• 1-6  Added U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division "Tropical Lightning", 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds" that served in the Pacific War.
• 1-5  January 5, 1944: Lost is PB4Y-1P Liberator 32019 pilot Lt. Larren M. Allen on a low level reconnaissance mission over Kwajalein Atoll.
• 1-4  January 4, 1942: Japanese forces occupy Manila on Luzon in the Philippines.
• 1-3  January 3, 1942: American, British, Dutch, and Australia (ABDA) command is created to oppose the Japanese advance.
• 1-2  January 2, 1942: Sunk is SS Malama scuttled by the crew and bombed by E7K2 Alf floatplane from Aikoku Maru.
• 1-1  Happy New Year! Pacific Wrecks celebrates 31 years online!
• January 2026
  

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