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USAAF Worldwide Operations Chronology

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		COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES

AUGUST 1942


AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
  A-20, Douglas Havoc
  A-29, Lockheed Hudson
  B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
  B-18, Douglas Bolo
  B-24, Consolidated Liberator
  B-25, North American Mitchell
  B-26, Martin Marauder
  Beaufighter, Bristol
  Bf 109, Messerschmitt
  Boston, Douglas
  C-47, Douglas Skytrain
  Fw 190, Focke-Wulf
  Fw 200, Focke-Wulf Condor
  Hudson, Lockheed
  LB-30, Consolidated Liberator
  O-46, Douglas
  O-47, North American
  O-49, Stinson Vigilant
  O-52, Curtiss Owl
  O-58, Aeronca Grasshopper
  O-59, Piper Cub/Grasshopper
  P-38, Lockheed Lightning
  P-39, Bell Airacobra
  P-40, Curtiss
  P-400, Bell Airacobra
  PBY, Consolidated Catalina
  Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
  Zeke, Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter

SATURDAY, 1 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): Weather and photo reconnaissance is flown by 1
B-24 and 1 LB-30 over Korovin Bay and North Cape, Aleutian Islands.

  EASTERN DEFENSE COMMAND (EDC, 1st Air Force): Following units stop flying
ASW patrols during Aug: 101st and 152d Observation Squadrons, 26th
Observation Group, from Hyannis and Ft Devens, Massachusetts respectively;
118th Observation Squadron, 66th Observation Group, from Charleston AAFld,
South Carolina.

  WESTERN DEFENSE COMMAND (WDC, 4th Air Force): During Aug, 47th and 396th
Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group (Medium), stop flying
ASW patrols from Hammer Field, California and MCAS Cherry Point, North
Carolina respectively.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO, 8th Air Force): Lieutenant General Ira C
Eaker describes the mission of the VIII Bomber Command as the destruction of
carefully chosen strategic targets in Europe.
  HQ 31st Fighter Group and 307th, 308th and 309th Fighter Squadrons move
from Atcham to Westhampnett, Biggin Hill, Kenley and Westhampnett, England
respectively with Spitfire Mk Vs.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: During the night of 1/2 Aug, B-24s hit a convoy in the
Mediterranean, scoring 3 direct hits on a large merchant ship which the last
aircraft reports sinking; 1 B-24 is lost in crashlanding at base.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): During Aug, forward
echelon of 26th and 431st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 11th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), begin operating from Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides
Islands with B-17s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): In New Guinea, B-17s attack
installations at Gona and shipping 75 mi (121 km) E of Salamaua in Huon Gulf.
  HQ 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) moves from Sydney to Torrens Creek,
Australia.

SUNDAY, 2 AUGUST 1942

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS [CHINA AIR TASK FORCE (CATF)]:
In China, a detachment of 11th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), based at Kunming with B-25s, begins operating from Nanning.

MTO (USAMEAF): 82d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group
(Medium), arrives at Deversoir, Egypt from the US with B-25s; first mission
is 16 Aug.

SWPA (5th AF): In New Guinea, 1 B-17 flies an unsuccessful strike against a
cargo vessel 5 mi (8 km) S of Salamaua while another bombs Gona.
  64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves
from Daly Waters to Fenton Field, Australia with B-17s; first mission is 13
Aug.

MONDAY, 3 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): In the Aleutian Islands, 3 B-17s, 2 B-24s and 1 LB-30 fly
a bombing and photo reconnaissance mission to Tanaga and Kanaga Islands and
also bomb Kiska Island; 4 of the aircraft have mechanical trouble but all
return.

  EDC (1st AF): 13th Bombardment Group (Medium) squadron moves: 40th
Bombardment Squadron (Medium) from Westover Field, Massachusetts to Mitchel
Field, New York with B-18s; 393d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) from Langley
Field, Virginia to Westover Field with B-18s and B-25s; both squadrons
continue flying ASW patrols.

SWPA (5th AF): P-400's strafe Oivi and Kokoda, New Guinea.
  63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from
Charleveill to Torrens Creek, Australia with B-17s; first mission is 14 Aug.

TUESDAY, 4 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 1 LB-30 flies a photo mission and 2 B-17s and 3
B-24s covered by 8 P-38's escort US Navy (USN) tenders to Nazan Bay, Atka
Island, Aleutian Islands; two 4-engine seaplane bombers and a possible third
are downed near Atka Island by 2 of the P-38's, in their first aerial combat
in any theater; weather cancels bombing mission to Kiska Island.

CBI (CATF): P-40's sweep Japanese HQ at Linchwan and bomb HQ buildings and
barracks and strafe transports.

MTO (USAMEAF): B-24s strike a convoy in the Mediterranean during the night
of 4/5 Aug, claiming hits on 2 merchant ships.

WEDNESDAY, 5  AUGUST 1942

CBI (CATF): Japanese aircraft again attack US airfield at Kweilin; notified
well in advance by the Chinese warning net (previously set up under Brigadier
General Claire L Chennault while he was head of the American Volunteer Group
(AVG), P-40s meet the Japanese over the target, shooting down 2, and another is downed by ground fire.

ETO (8th AF): VIII Fighter Command dispatches its first mission-11 Spitfire
Mk Vs of the 31st Fighter Group on a practice run over France.

MTO (USAMEAF): Lieutenant General Lewis H Brereton, in his first strategic
estimate of the Middle Eastern war, indicates that the 3 major objectives for
the Allied Air Forces are to assist in the destruction of General Erwin
Rommel's Afrika Korps by support to ground troops, secure sea and air
communications on and over the Mediterranean, and carry out a sustained air
offensive against Italy and against oil installations at Ploesti, Rumania
and in the Caucasus, if the latter should fall under Axis control.
  Unit moves: 65th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, from Muqueibile,
Palestine to Cyprus with P-40s; 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) arrives at
Ramat David, Palestine from the US with B-24s; first mission is 12 Aug.

THURSDAY, 6 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 3 B-24s, 2 B-17s and 10 P-38s provide air coverage
for USN tenders to Nazan Bay, Atka Island; photo reconnaissance is flown over
Attu Island, Aleutian Islands. 

  CARIBBEAN (6th Air Force): 39th Observation Squadron, 72d Observation Group
attached to Trinidad Sector and Base Command, moves from Howard Field, Canal
Zone to Waller Field, Trinidad, British West Indies with O-47s and O-49s.

  EDC (1st AF): 76th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group
(Medium), attached to 45th Bombardment Group (Medium), and based at McChord
Field, Washington, moves from NAS Opalocka to Drew Field, Florida and
continues flying ASW patrols with A-29s.

CBI (CATF): B-25s bomb Tien Ho Airfield, Canton, China, causing heavy damage
to the runways and destroying several parked aircraft.
  Detachment of 11th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), operating from Nanning, China with B-25s returns to base at Kunming.

MTO (USAMEAF): B-24s hit the harbor at Tobruk, Libya.

SWPA (5th AF): B-25s and B-26s pound airfields at Lae and Salamaua, New
Guinea.	

FRIDAY, 7 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 3 B-24s dispatched to bomb Kiska Island return
with their bombs due to solid overcast; 4 more B-24s also depart for Kiska; 1
turns back with mechanical trouble, the others abort the mission over the
target due to undercast; 1 B-24, 4 P-38s and an LB-30 fly 2 air coverage
missions at Nazan Bay, Atka Island for USN tenders.

ETO (8th AF): HQ 60th Troop Carrier Group and 10th and 28th Troop Carrier
Squadrons move from Chelveston and Podington to Aldermaston, England with
C-47s.

MTO (USAMEAF): Colonel Harry A Halverson relinquishes command of Hal
Bombardment Squadron, to be succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel George F McGuire.
  343d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives
at Ramat David, Palestine from the US with B-24s; first mission is in Aug.

SOPAC (Joint Chiefs of Staff): First Marine Division (Reinforced) invades
Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands.

SWPA (5th AF): 13 B-17s of the 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), led by
Lieutenant Colonel Richard H Carmichael hit Vunakanau Airfield, New Britain
Island, Bismarck Archipelago, in coordination with US Marine Corps (USMC)
landings on Guadalcanal Island. B-26s attack Lae, New Guinea, and a B-17 and
a B-25 each attack a submarine in the Gulf of Papua.
  HQ 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) and 405th Bombardment Squadron (Medium)
move from Eagle Farms and Ballarat respectively to Breddan Field, Australia
with B-25s; first mission is 17 Sep.

SATURDAY, 8 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 1 LB-30, 3 B-24s and 8 P-38s on photo and bombing
missions over Kiska Island cannot attack but Navy PBYs also operating over
and off Kiska Island hit freighters and a transport, claiming 1 transport
sinking, and score many hits on North Head and Main Camp.

  EDC (1st AF): 313th, 314th, 315th and 398th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium),
21st Bombardment Group (Medium), stop flying ASW patrols from MacDill Field,
Florida.

CBI (CATF): In China, B-25s hit the Canton area, bombing Tien Ho Airfield and
other targets in the vicinity and claiming 2 interceptors shot down.

SOPAC (Joint Chiefs of Staff): From this date through 23 Aug, B-17s fly
search missions covering the lower Solomon Islands in order to detect any
attempt to make a surprise attack on the forces consolidating the Guadalcanal
Island beachhead.

SWPA (5th AF): In New Guinea, P-400s dive-bomb Kokoda and Yodda; B-17s, B-25s
and B-26s bomb runways and targets of opportunity at Lae and Salamaua.

SUNDAY, 9 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 6 bombers fly armed reconnaissance over Kiska and Attu
Islands and hit Kiska Island.

CBI (CATF): In China, P-40s of the 23d Fighter Group continue to support
Chinese ground forces by harassing the Japanese at Linchwan; 4 B-25s and 3
P-40s from the Kweilin-Hengyang area, staging through Nanning, bomb docks and
warehouses at Haiphong, French Indochina, causing considerable damage and
claiming a freighter sunk in the harbor; this is the first CATF raid over
French Indochina.

ETO (8th AF): Unit moves in England: HQ 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) to
Chelveston from the US; 27th Fighter Squadron from Goxhill to Atcham (the
squadron is operating their P-38s from Reykjavik, Iceland).

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s bomb shipping and airfields at Rabaul, New Britain
Island and Gasmata Island off the S coast of New Britain Island while B-26s
hit the harbor area at Salamaua, New Guinea.

MONDAY, 10 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 5 B-17s and 3 B-24s bomb Kiska Island targets; fighters
and AA down 1 B-24 and only the pilot is saved.

  WDC (4th AF): 123d Observation Squadron, 70th Observation Group, stops
flying ASW patrols from Gray Field and Hoquiam, Washington.

CBI (CATF): In China, B-25s bomb Hankow; afterwards the P-40 escorts, led by
Colonel Robert L Scott, strike ammunition dumps and military warehouses at
Sienning, causing heavy destruction of material which the Japanese have
accumulated to use against Hengyang and other US bases in C China.

TUESDAY, 11 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): In the Aleutian Islands, 1 B-24 flies photo
reconnaissance over W Semichi Island and the N coast of Attu Island.

CBI (CATF: In China, P-40s hit airfields at Yoyang and Nanchang from which
the enemy has been attacking Hengyang.

ETO (8th AF): Referring to Operation TORCH (plans for the invasion of N
Africa in Nov 42), Major General Carl Spaatz informs General Henry H "Hap"
Arnold that, in his opinion, the UK remains the only base from which air
supremacy over Germany can be established.

SOPAC (Joint Chiefs of Staff): 98th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th
Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Hickam Field, Oahu, Hawaii to Espiritu
Santo Island; they have been operating B-17s from New Caledonia Island since
21 Jul.

WEDNESDAY, 12 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): In the Aleutian Islands, 1 B-24 flies photo
reconnaissance over Amlia and Atka Islands.

ETO (8th AF): 31st Fighter Group at Westhampnett, England with Spitfire Mk
Vs, is declared fully operational and ready for combat operations under Royal
Air Force (RAF) control until it gains enough experience to be able to fight
as a group; this is first US fighter unit in the UK to reach this operational
status.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s bomb shipping at Rabaul, New Britain Island, scoring
damaging hits on 3 vessels.
  71st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium),
moves from Batchelor Field to Breddan Field, Australia with B-25s; first
mission is 15 Sep.

THURSDAY, 13 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 1 B-24 flies photo reconnaissance over Kiska Island.

MTO (USAMEAF): 83d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group
(Medium), arrives at Ismailia, Egypt from the US with B-25s; first mission
is 16 Aug.

SWPA (5th AF): A Japanese convoy, headed toward Basabua near Gona, New
Guinea, with 3,000 construction troops, is attacked first by B-17s 76 mi (122
km) NE of Gona, followed by B-26s 20-25 mi (32-40 km) N of Gona and another
B-17 attack as the convoy approaches landing position. In New Guinea,
Japanese ground forces attack at Deniki, driving Allied forces back about 5
mi (8 km) and firmly securing the Buna-Kokoda trail.

FRIDAY, 14 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): In the Aleutian Islands, a B-24 trying to fly photo
reconnaissance over Tanaga and Adak Islands aborts over Kiska Island due to
weather.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: AAF Foreign Service Concentration Command is redesignated
I Concentration Command.

ETO: 1st Composite Squadron, AAF Composite Force 8012, arrives on Ascension
Island in the South Atlantic from the US with P-39s and B-25s.

  ICELAND BASE COMMAND: 2d Lieutenant Joseph D Shaffer (33d Fighter Squadron)
and 2d Lieutenant Elza E Shahan (27th Fighter Squadron) jointly shoot down
an Fw 200 off the coast of Iceland. This is the first aerial victory of the
AAF in the ETO.

MTO (USAMEAF): B-24s bomb the harbor at Tobruk, Libya during the night of
14/15 Aug.
  434th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium),
arrives at Ismailia, Egypt from the US with B-25s; first mission is 28 Aug.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s attack shipping off Gona, New Guinea.	;

SATURDAY, 15 AUGUST 1942

ETO (8th AF): 11th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, moves
from Chelveston to Aldermaston, England with C-47s.

SWPA (5th AF): 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group
(Heavy), moves from Williamstown to Torrens Creek, Australia with B-17s;
first mission is 12 Nov.

SUNDAY, 16 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): A B-24 aborts a photo reconnaissance flight over Adak
Island because of mechanical failure.

  WDC (4th AF): 82d and 110th Observation Squadrons, 71st Observation Group,
stop flying ASW patrols from Salinas AAB, California.

ETO (8th AF): HQ 6th Fighter Wing arrives at Bushey Hall, England from the
US; the wing will train replacement pilot for fighter organizations until Sep
43.

MTO (USAMEAF): Personnel strength is greatly increased and supply and
maintenance prospects are much improved by the arrival of ground echelons of
the 57th Fighter Group, 12th Bombardment Group (Medium), 98th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) and 323d Service Group.

MONDAY, 17 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 1 B-24 flies photo reconnaissance over Buldir, Kiska and
Amchitka Islands, Aleutian Islands, despite heavy rain.

CBI (CATF): Unit moves in China: 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group,
from Kunming to Chungking with P-40s; 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter
Group, from Hengyang to Chanyi with P-40s.

ETO (8th AF): Mission 1: 12 of 12 B-17s bomb Rouen/Sotteville marshalling
yard in France at 1739-1746 hours; they claim 0-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 2
B-17s are damaged. 6 B-17s also fly a diversion without loss; escort is
provided by RAF Spitfires.

MTO (USAMEAF):  B-25s of the 81st Bombardment Squadron (Medium) hit stores,
depot and tank repair shops at Matruh, Egypt. This marks the debut of the
B-25s of the 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) in the Middle East.

SWPA (5th AF): A single B-17 bombs Kavieng, New Ireland Island, Bismarck
Archipelago.

TUESDAY, 18 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): A B-24 takes oblique photos of Amchitka and Tanaga
Islands; Heavy fog over Kiska and Attu Islands precludes armed reconnaissance.

  CARIBBEAN (6th AF): 397th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 6th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), moves from David, Panama to Talara, Peru with LB-30s and
continues flying ASW patrols.

CBI 

  10th AF: Major General Clayton L Bissell becomes Commanding General 10th
Air Force, relieving Brigadier General Earl L Naiden who now devotes full
time to command of India-China Ferry Command under the 10th Air Force.

  CATF: 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, moves from Kweilin to
Kunming, China with P-40s.

ETO (8th AF): Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 14th Fighter Group at
Atcham; HQ 64th Troop Carrier Group and 16th, 17th, 18th and 35th Troop
Carrier Squadrons at Ramsbury with C-47s; HQ 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy)
and 325th, 326th, 327th and 407th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Bovingdon
with B-17s (they will fly some combat missions while training replacement
crews, Aug 42-Jan 43); 32d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 301st Bombardment
Group (Heavy), at Chelveston with B-17s (first mission is 2 Oct).

SWPA (5th AF): For a second consecutive day a single B-17 attacks Kavieng,
New Ireland Island; bombs fall in the airfield dispersal area.

WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): Mechanical failure prevents a B-24 from flying
reconnaissance over Tanaga Island.

  EDC (1st AF): 103d Observation Squadron, 26th Observation Group, stops
flying ASW patrols from Hyannis, Massachusetts.

ETO (8th AF): Mission 2: 22 of 24 B-17s bomb Abbeville/Drucat Airfield,
France at 1032-1040 hours; 3 B-17s are damaged; 6 B-17s fly a diversion and 2
airmen are WIA. This mission is flown to occupy the Luftwaffe and prevent
them from opposing an invasion by over 5,000 Allied troops, mostly Canadians,
who raid Dieppe, France. 123 Spitfire Mk Vs of the 31st Fighter Group support
the raid on Dieppe and claim 1-1-5 Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of 8
Spitfires (4 pilots are MIA); 2d Lieutenant Samuel F Junkin Jr of the 309th
Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, flying a Spitfire Mk V in support of
the amphibious raid on Dieppe, shoots down a German fighter, this being the
first aerial victory won by an 8th Air Force fighter pilot flying from the UK.
  Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 1st Bombardment Wing at Brampton
Grange; 353d and 419th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group
(Heavy), at Chelveston with B-17s (first mission is 2 Oct).
  2d, 4th and 5th Fighter Squadron, 52d Fighter Group arrive at Eglinton, Co
Derry, Ireland from the US (squadrons will be equipped with Spitfire Mk Vs
and 2d and 4th Fighter Squadrons will fly their first mission on 27 Aug; 5th
Fighter Squadron will not fly missions).

MTO (USAMEAF): 64th and 66th Fighter Squadrons, 57th Fighter Group, arrive at
Muqueibile and Beit Daras, Palestine respectively from the US with P-40s;
first mission is 7 Oct.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s bomb shipping on Faisi Island, Shortland Islands,
Solomon Islands.

THURSDAY, 20 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 1 B-24 flies photo reconnaissance over Kiska Island; a
patrol is flown over Shumagin Island, Aleutian Islands.

  WDC (4th AF): 25th Observation Squadron, 71st Observation Group, stops
flying ASW patrols from Salinas AAB, California.

  ZI: HQ Twelfth Air Force is activated at Bolling Field, Washington, DC.

ETO (8th AF): The principle of coordinated day and night bombing receives its
first formal definition in the "Joint British/American Directive on Day
Bomber Operations involving Fighter Cooperation." The emphasis is placed on
achieving continuity in the bombing offensive from the UK. 
  Mission 3: 11 of 12 B-17s bomb Amiens/Longeau marshalling yard, France at
1801 hours without loss.
  Unit moves in England: 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, from
Atcham to High Ercall (the squadron is operating from Reykjavik, Iceland with
P-38s); 352d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) to
Podington from the US with B-17s (first mission is 5 Sep).

SWPA (5th AF): 63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group
(Heavy), moves from Torrens Creek to Mareeba, Australia with B-17s.

FRIDAY, 21 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 1 B-24 trying to fly reconnaissance over Kiska Island
aborts due to weather.

  CARIBBEAN (6th AF): HQ XXXVI Fighter Command is activated at Waller Field,
Trinidad.

ETO (8th AF): At General Henry H "HAP" Arnold's request, Lieutenant General
Dwight D Eisenhower gives Major General Carl Spaatz additional duties as Air
Officer for the ETO and head of the air section of its staff, thus assuring
active participation by the 8th Air Force in theater planning. 
  Mission 4: 12 B-17s are dispatched to the bomb the shipyards at Rotterdam,
The Netherlands but the mission is aborted due to an attack by 25 Bf 109s
and Fw 190s; the bombers claim 2-5-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 bomber is damaged;
1 airman is KIA and 5 WIA. Lack of proper coordination with the Spitfire
escorts is a major factor in the failure of the mission.
  HQ VIII Ground Air Support Command moves from Bushy Park to Membury,
England.

MTO (USAMEAF): B-24s from 2 squadrons hit a convoy SW of Crete, claiming 2
ships probably sunk; fighters attack a straggling B-24 and force it to
crashland at sea.
  343d and 344th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), move from David to St Jean, Palestine with B-24s.

SATURDAY, 22 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): A photo reconnaissance mission over Kiska Island is
aborted due to overcast.

  CARIBBEAN (6th AF): German submarine, U-654, is sunk off Panama at 12-OON
79-56W, by the 45th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 40th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), based at France Field, Canal Zone.

  ZI: XII Air Force Services Command is activated at MacDill Field, Florida,
under Major John L Cheeselbrough.

MTO (USAMEAF): B-25s hit a tank and motor repair shop and storage dumps at
Matruh, Egypt; a B-25 is mistakenly shot down by an RAF Beaufighter.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): First AAF aircraft, 5 P-400s of the
67th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, based on New Caledonia Island,
arrive at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal Island, joining USMC aircraft which
arrived earlier; these P-400s, which operate under control of Marine Aircraft
Wing One (MAW-1), prove no match for Japanese Zekes or bombers at high
altitudes.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s bomb airfields at Lae, New Guinea and Rabaul, New
Britain Island.

SUNDAY, 23 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  CARIBBEAN (6th AF): 1st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 9th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), moves from Waller Field to Edinburgh Field, Trinidad.

POA (7th AF): 333d Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, is activated at
Bellows Field, Hawaii and equipped with P-39s.

SWPA (5th AF): A lone B-17 bombs Buka Island, Solomon Islands.

MONDAY 24 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 404th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 28th Composite Group,
begins to operate from Umnak Island, Aleutian Islands with B-24s. A photo
reconnaissance sortie is cancelled due to overcast.

ETO (8th AF): Mission 5: 12 of 12 B-17s bomb the shipyard of Ateliers et
Chantiers Maritime de la Seine at Le Trait, France; 3 B-17s are damaged and 5
airmen are WIA. 
  Major General Carl Spaatz reports the the RAF attitude towards US daylight
precision bombing seems to be changing from one of skepticism to one of
tentative approval.
  Unit moves in England: HQ 6th Fighter Wing from Bushey Hall to Atcham; HQ
1st Fighter Group and 71st Fighter Squadron from Goxhill to Ibsley with P-38s
(first mission is 1 Sep); 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, from
Biggin Hill to Merston.

MTO (USAMEAF): B-24s attack Tobruk, Libya harbor.

SOPAC (Joint Chiefs of Staff): In the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, 7 B-17s
and USN dive- and torpedo-bombers from the carriers USS Enterprise (CV-6) and
USS Saratoga (CV-3) attack a task force covering a transport formation
heading for Guadalcanal Island; USN aircraft sink the Japanese aircraft
carrier Ryujo; during the night 4 Japanese warships shell the airstrip on
Guadalcanal.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s hit Gasmata Island and airfields at Rabaul, New Britain
Island. Japanese amphibious forces leave Buna, New Guinea in barges and New
Ireland Island in transports, heading for Milne Bay, New Guinea; the barges
are detected by an Australian coastwatcher during the afternoon.

TUESDAY, 25 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): A photo reconnaissance airplane flies over Kiska, Attu
and Adak Islands, then turns back because of mechanical failure.

ETO (8th AF): Units of the Provisional Troop Carrier Command, organized in
the UK on 31 Jul pending arrival of the VIII Troop Carrier Command, are
transferred to the VIII Ground Air Support Command after plans to organize
the VIII Troop Carrier Command are abandoned.
  308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, moves from Kenley to
Westhampnett, England with Spitfires.

MTO (USAMEAF): B-25s bomb shipping and landing grounds. B-24s attack Corinth
Canal, Greece.

SOPAC (Joint Chiefs of Staff): The Japanese invasion force sailing toward
Guadalcanal (see 24 Aug) is hit hard by USMC dive bombers 125 mi (201 km)
from the island at 0835 hours; B-17s from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Island
sink the destroyer Mutsuki as it is attempting to sink the damaged transport
Kinuru Maru; by 1200 hours the force is heading N in retreat; the enemy has
lost about 90 aircraft in the battle.

SWPA (5th AF): In New Guinea, Japanese amphibious forces bound for Milne Bay
from Buna are stranded on Goodenough Island when P-40s from Milne Bay destroy
all of their beached barges. P-40s also attack a convoy proceeding from New
Ireland Island toward Milne Bay but are hampered by bad weather and fail to
halt landings at 3 points E of Rabi during the night of 25/26 Aug. P-400s hit
the airfield and AA positions at Buna.

WEDNESDAY, 26 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): A photo mission is aborted over Atka Island due to
weather.

  EDC (1st AF): 119th Observation Squadron, 59th Observation Group, moves
from Ft Dix AAB, New Jersey to Hyannis Municipal Airport, Massachusetts and
continues flying ASW patrols with O-47s, O-49s, O-52 and O-58s.

CBI (CATF): B-25s, which have moved temporarily from C China to Yunnani, bomb
Lashio, Burma, an important rail center, highway junction and air base;
covering P-40s strafe numerous targets of opportunity and shoot down at least
2 Japanese fighters.

ETO (8th AF): Unit moves in England: HQ 52d Fighter Group and 2d, 4th and 5th
Fighter Squadrons from Eglinton, Ireland to Goxhill with Spitfires; 27th
Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, stops operating from Reykjavik, Iceland
with P-38s and moves to High Ercall.

SWPA (5th AF): In New Guinea, P-40s, B-25s, B-26s and B-17s plus Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF) Hudsons, pound Japanese forces in Milne Bay; a
large transport is damaged and most of the supplies on the beachheads E of
Rabi are destroyed; P-400s strafe Buna Airfield.

THURSDAY, 27 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): 4 B-17s, 6 B-24s, and 2 P-38s fly weather, reconnaissance
and patrol missions over Kiska and Atka Islands. The Japanese begin to
transfer the Attu Island garrison to Kiska Island, which is completed on 16
Sep.

  EDC (1st AF): 126th Observation Squadron, 59th Observation Group, moves
from Ft Dix AAB, New Jersey to Hyannis Municipal Airport, Massachusetts and
continues flying ASW patrols with O-46s, O-47s, O-49s, O-52s and O-59s.

ETO (8th AF): Mission 6: 7 of 9 B-17s bomb the shipyards at Rotterdam, The
Netherlands at 1740 hours; 3 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is WIA.
  92d Bombardment Group (Heavy) completes nonstop flight of the last of its 4
squadrons from Newfoundland to UK without a loss. A Combat Crew Replacement
Center (CCRC), the first in the Eighth Air Force, is established at
Bovingdon, England.
  94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, moves from Kirton in Lindsey to
Ibsley, England with P-38s.

MTO (USAMEAF): B-24s bomb a convoy, hitting 1 merchant ship which is
reported sinking.

SWPA (5th AF): In New Guinea, B-26s and P-400s bomb Buna Airfield while P-40s
strafe the beachhead and fuel dumps at Milne Bay.
  403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy),moves from
Laverton to Torrens Creek, Australia with B-17s; first mission is in Oct.

FRIDAY, 28 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): Of 3 B-17s bombing Kiska Island, 1 fails to return; all
available B-24s and 2 flights of P-38s fly naval cover at Nazan Bay, Atka
Island; and an attack mission to Attu Island is cancelled due to weather.

  EDC (1st AF): 46th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group
(Medium), moves from Hammer Field, California to MCAS Cherry Point, North
Carolina and continues flying ASW patrols with A-29s.

  ZI: Lieutenant Colonel Harold L Neely takes command of the Twelfth Air
Force.

CBI (CATF): In French Indochina, 8 B-25s hit barracks and ammunition dumps at
Hoang Su Phi and a fuel dump at Phu Lo; this is the largest force of B-25s
used by CATF to date, and the first B-25 mission flown without escort.

ETO (8th AF): Mission 7: 11 of 14 B-17s bomb the Avions Potez aircraft
factory at Meaulte at 1337-1344 hours; 3 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA.

MTO (USAMEAF): 2 B-24 squadrons bomb docks, shipping and jetties in Tobruk,
Libya harbor.

SWPA (5th AF): B-26s pound forces at Milne Bay, New Guinea.

SATURDAY, 29 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): A USN PBY reports a force of 3 cruisers and 4 destroyers
NW of Umnak Island; thereupon all aircraft of the 11th go on attack alert;
the surface force then identifies itself as friendly.

  EDC (1st AF): 105th Observation Squadron, 65th Observation Group, moves
from Georgetown Co Airport to Charleston AAFld, South Carolina and continues
flying ASW patrols with O-46s, O-47s, O-49s, O-52s and O-57s.

CBI (CATF): B-25s pound Lashio, Burma, scoring numerous hits on the airport
and starting 3 large fires in warehouse area SE of the city.

ETO (8th AF): Mission 8: In France, 11 of 13 B-17s attack Courtrai Airfield
at 1131-1136 hours; 1 B-17 hits Steene Airfield at 1137; they claim 0-1-1
Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 B-17s are damaged.

MTO (USAMEAF): B-24s fail to locate shipping near Crete and return without
bombing. B-25s bomb a landing ground during the night of 29/30 Aug.
  65th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, moves from Cyprus to Muqueibile,
Palestine with P-40s; first mission is 7 Oct.

SWPA (5th AF): In New Guinea, B-26s and P-400s hit the airfield at Buna;
B-17s pound the airfield at Rabaul, New Britain Island, and P-40s hit
facilities in the Milne Bay area as enemy ground forces continue their drive
over the Owen Stanley Range toward Port Moresby.

SUNDAY, 30 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): US troops occupy Kuluk Bay, Adak Island, amidst a
terrific storm and start building a runway. 5 B-24s photograph Kiska Island
but do not bomb due to overcast, and then fly patrol and photo reconnaissance
over Amchitka and Tanaga Islands. P-38s fly patrol between Great Sitkin and
Little Tanaga Islands.

  EDC (1st AF): Air echelon of 40th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 13th
Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Mitchel Field, New York, begins flying
ASW patrols from Guantanamo, Cuba with B-18s; 112th Observation Squadron,
65th Observation Group, moves from Georgetown Co. Airport, South Carolina to
Palm Beach Co Airpark, Lantana, Florida and continues flying ASW patrols with
O-47s, O-49s, O-57s and O-58s.

CBI (CATF): Myitkyina, northernmost Japanese supply depot and airfield in
Burma, from which fighters could hit Dinjan, India (terminus of the Assam-
Burma Ferry), is bombed for the first time by 8 China-based B-25s.

MTO (USAMEAF): B-24s bomb docks and jetties in Tobruk, Libya harbor.

POA (7th AF): 6th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, moves from Wheeler
Field to Kahuku, Hawaii with P-40s.

SWPA (5th AF): B-17s attack shipping in Saint George's Channel between New
Ireland and New Britain Islands.

MONDAY 31 AUGUST 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th AF): Of 2 B-24s flying weather, reconnaissance and patrol
missions over Tanaga Island, 1 returns due to weather.

CBI (CATF): B-25s from China bomb Myitkyina, Burma for the second consecutive
day.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Twelfth AF: HQ XII Bomber Command arrives at High Wycombe, England and is
assigned to HQ Twelfth AF.

MTO (USAMEAF): B-25s attack aircraft on a landing ground, and B-24s raid the
harbor at Tobruk, Libya. P-40s of the 66th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter
Group, escort RAF bombers during raid on Maryut, Egypt. B-25s, in conjunction
with RAF Bostons, attack troop concentrations and military vehicles as the
battle of Alam-el-Halfa begins along the El Alamein line.

SWPA (5th AF): In New Guinea, B-26s and A-20s bomb the airfield at Lae; B-17s
bomb an ammunition dump at Buna; P-400s strafe positions at Wairopi; and
P-40s bomb landing barges and strafe gun positions in Milne Bay area where
Australian ground forces now take the offensive.



SOURCES: 
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
  Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
  History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
  Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2

Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
1955-59

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|  Jack McKillop              |  Those who have long enjoyed such |
|  Bellcore                   |  privileges as we enjoy forget in |
|  Piscataway, NJ USA         |  time that men have died to win   |
|  [email protected]  |  them.                     FDR    |
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• With grateful thanks for the scholarship of Kit Carter, Robert Mueller and Jack McKillop •
• Thanks also to Charles McGrew •
Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them. Franklin Delano Roosevelt

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