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USAAF Worldwide Operations Chronology

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              COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
                             
JUNE 1942



AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
  A-17, Northrop
  Albacore, Fairey (RN)
  B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
  B-18, Douglas Bolo
  B-24, Consolidated Liberator
  B-25, North American Mitchell
  B-26, Martin Marauder
  Beaufort, Bristol (RAF)
  C-39, Douglas
  C-47, Douglas Skytrain
  C-49, Douglas
  F-4, Lockheed Lightning
  L-4, Piper Cub/Grasshopper
  LB-30, Consolidated Liberator
  Liberator, Consolidated (RAF)
  O-47, North American
  O-49, Stinson Vigilant
  O-52, Curtiss Owl
  P-38, Lockheed Lightning
  P-39, Bell Airacobra
  P-40, Curtiss
  RM-37, Lockheed Ventura
  Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
  Wellington, Vickers (RAF)
  Zeke, Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter

MONDAY, 1 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): During Jun 42, 11th Fighter Squadron, 28th
Composite Group, moves from Elmendorf Field, Anchorage to Ft Glenn, Umnak
Island with P-40s.
  During Jun, 406th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group
(Medium), based at Paine Field, Everett, Washington, sends detachments to
operate in Alaska with B-18s.

  CARIBBEAN (6th Air Force): During Jun, detachment of 20th Transport
Squadron, Panama Air Depot, operating from Losey Field moves to Borinquen
Field, Puerto Rico with C-39s, C-47s and C-49s.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: Fear of an attack on the US W coast causes suspension of
the movement of aircraft and crews from the US to the UK.
  115th Observation Squadron (Light), 69th Observation Group, moves from San
Bernardino AAFld to Ontario AAFld, California with O-47s, O-49s and L-4s and
continues ASW patrols.
  During Jun 42, 6th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 29th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), moves from MacDill Field, Tampa, Florida to Gowen Field, Boise,
Idaho with B-17s and continues flying ASW patrols during part of the month;
396th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group (Medium), based
at Mather Field, Sacramento, California sends a detachment to MCAS Cherry
Point, North Carolina with B-25s to fly ASW patrols; 404th Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases flying ASW patrols
from Barksdale Field, Louisiana with B-24s.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): 5 heavy
bombers attack the Rangoon, Burma dock and harbor area, claiming 1 tanker
sunk and another left listing.
  436th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves
from Karachi to Allahabad, India with B-17Es; first mission is 4 Jun.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s attack Lae and Salamaua,
New Guinea and Rabaul, New Britain Island.

TUESDAY, 2 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: Aircraft and crews of 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
then in New England for movement to the UK, are ordered to the US W coast as
a defensive measure against an attack on US.
  31st Observation Squadron (Medium), 69th Observation Group, moves from San
Bernardino AAFld to Ontario AAFld, California with O-47s, O-49s and O-52s and
continues flying ASW patrols.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): 6 of 16 B-17s that have been on
detached service at Midway Island return to Oahu, Territory of Hawaii.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s bomb the dock and
military camp area at Rabaul, New Britain Island.
  39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Woodstock, Australia
to Port Moresby, New Guinea with P-39s; first mission is today.

WEDNESDAY, 3 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): Japanese carrier-based bombers and fighters bomb
and strafe Ft Mears and Dutch Harbor in several waves inflicting little
damage but killing 52 US personnel. P-40s from Cold Bay trying to intercept
them arrive 10 minutes after the last attack wave departs. Other P-40s at
Umnak are notified too late due to communication failure. 9 P-40s and 6 B-26s
fly a patrol but cannot find the fleet-l80 miles (288 km) S of Dutch Harbor-
but 2 of the P-40s engage 4 carrier-based aircraft, shoot down one and damage
another.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: 47th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment
Group (Medium), moves from Visalia AAFld to Hammer Field, Fresno, California
with B-25s and continues flying ASW patrols.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): A flight of 6
B-25s of the 11th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), earmarked for China, take off from Dinjan, India for China. They
bomb Lashio, Burma en route to Kunming, but afterward 9 crash into an
overcast-hidden mountain at 10,000 feet (3,048 m) and another is abandoned
when it runs out of fuel near Chan-i, China. The remaining 2 B-25's reach
Kunming, China, 1 with its radio operator killed by a fighter.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): Preliminary action begins in the
Battle of Midway. 9 B-17s, flying out of Midway Island, attack 5 large
warships 570 miles (912 km) off Midway, claiming 5 hits and several near
misses. 7 other B-17s leave Oahu, Territory of Hawaii and fly to Midway.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s hit the wharf, warehouse
area, and military camp at Rabaul, New Britain Island.

THURSDAY, 4 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): A carrier-borne force strikes again as 11 bombers,
10 fighters and 8 torpedo bombers attack Dutch Harbor in several waves. 2
P-40s intercept 4 bombers just before noon over Umnak Pass and shoot down 3.
During the afternoon P-40s intercept 9 fighters; a dogfight claims 1 enemy
aircraft and 1 P-40, the Eleventh Air Force's first combat casualty. AA fire
claims another Japanese bomber. During the afternoon 2 B-17s and 5 B-26s
attack the carrier force, and 3 more B-26s strike the cruiser TAKAO; no hits
are scored; 1 B-24 and 1 B-25 fail to return.
  36th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 28th Composite Group, based at Ft
Greeley, Kodiak Island with B-17Es and LB-30s, sends detachments to operate
from various bases in the Aleutian Islands.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): 2 heavy
bombers bomb Rangoon, Burma, but are attacked by 10 fighters; 1 heavy bomber
is shot down and the other badly damaged. This raid ends 2 months of
harassing strikes against Rangoon; soon all heavy bombers are grounded by the
monsoons.
  11th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), is
established at Kunming, China with B-25s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO, 8th Air Force): A HQ AAF schedule, with
tables of composition and strength, indicating a total of 3,649 aircraft, is
set up for the AAF in the UK.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): Battle of Midway. 4 B-26s, in
conjunction with US Navy (USN) torpedo bombers, attack a carrier; 2 of the
B-26s are shot down. In further morning action 14 B-17s attack a task force
approaching Midway at a distance of 145 miles (232 km); they claim several
hits on carriers and 2 Zekes shot down. In the late afternoon 2 B-17s attack
a carrier force at 31-40N 179-10W, claiming hits on a battleship and a
carrier and 9 aircraft shot down; 4 other B-17s claim a hit on heavy cruiser
185 miles (296 km) from Midway. 6 B-17s, en route to Midway from Hawaii, bomb
ships 170 miles (272 km) from Midway, claiming hits on a burning carrier, the
HIRYU, hit earlier in the battle, and a destroyer, which is claimed sunk.

FRIDAY, 5 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): 18 B-26s, 10 B-17s and 2 LB-30s search and attack
sorties are flown against the carrier force, the B-26s splitting into 3
missions, the B-17s into 2. No contact is made. The B-17s using radar bomb
targets which look like ships, but later turn out to be the Pribilof Islands.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: Aircraft and pilots of the 1st Fighter Group, then at
Dow Field, Bangor, Maine for movement to the UK, fly to Morris Field,
Charlotte, North Carolina, enroute to the W coast for defense against attack.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): VIII Air Force Base
Command, activated in the US on 28 Jan 42, is redesignated VIII Air Force
Services Command. Colonel Harold A McGinnis assumes command.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): The Battle of Midway continues with
the Japanese fleet retiring westward. In the morning 8 B-17s hit a force 130
miles (208 km) from Midway Island, claiming hits on 2 large warships.
During the afternoon 6 B-17s claim hits on a heavy cruiser 300 miles (480 km)
from Midway. The last strike by Seventh Air Force aircraft in the Battle of
Midway is by 5 B-17s which bomb a heavy cruiser 425 miles (680 km) from
Midway. 1 B-17 is shot down and another lost due to fuel shortage. The
battle ends with Midway's installations heavily damaged by bombs but still in
US hands and with landing strips still intact. During the fighting (3-5 Jun)
Seventh Air Force aircraft carried out 16 B-17 attacks (55 sorties) and 1
torpedo attack by 4 B-26s, claiming 22 hits on ships and 10 fighters shot
down. 2 B-17s and 2 B-26s were lost. One of the decisive battles of naval
history, Midway will cost Japan the initiative and will be a turning point
in the Pacific war.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s hit wharves, a warehouse,
and coal jetty at Rabaul, New Britain Island.

SATURDAY, 6 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): Various bomber search-attack missions are flown in
an attempt to contact the fleet reported near Seguam Island. No contact is
made due to weather. 8 P-38s enroute from Cold Bay to Umnak Island mistakenly
attack a Soviet freighter. The Japanese begin to land on Kiska Island.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: Aircraft and pilots of the 1st Fighter Group at Morris
Field, Charlotte, North Carolina, return to Dow Field, Bangor, Maine,
following the defeat of the Japanese fleet in the Battle of Midway.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): B-17s maintain a search out of
Midway Island. 6 B-17s mistakenly attack a US submarine, which later reports
no damage. More B-17s arrive on Midway from Oahu, Territory of Hawaii.

SUNDAY, 7 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): Japanese troops invade Attu Island. More troops
are put ashore on Kiska Island. An enemy airplane is sighted over Cold Bay
but cannot be intercepted.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: Detachments of 21st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th
Bombardment Group (Heavy), operating from Mines Field, Los Angeles and
Hamilton Field, San Rafael, California and McChord Field, Tacoma, Washington
with B-24s, return to base at March Field, Riverside, California.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): Major General Clarence L Tinker,
Commanding General 7th Air Force, is lost during the night of 6/7 Jun while
leading a flight of LB-30s from Midway Island for a predawn attack on Wake
Island.

MONDAY, 8 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): 1 LB-30 flies armed patrol over Kiska and Umnak
Islands and discovers Japanese naval units in Kiska Harbor.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: 313th, 314th, 315th and 398th Bombardment Squadrons
(Medium), 21st Bombardment Group (Medium), all fly ASW patrols in the Gulf of
Mexico.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO): European Theater of Operations US Army
(ETOUSA) established by presidential directive. Major General James E Chaney
is designated commander of all US forces of ETOUSA.

TUESDAY, 9 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): Patrols are flown but encounter no aircraft.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: 103d Observation Squadron (Medium), 26th Observation
Group, moves from Hillsgrove AAFld, Rhode Island to Hyannis Airport,
Massachusetts with O-47s and O-52s and continues flying ASW patrols.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): The second contingent
of personnel for HQ 8th Air Force and subordinate commands, including the
main body of the VIII Air Force Services Command, arrives in the UK.
  15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), VIII Bomber Command, moves from Grafton
Underwood to Molesworth, England with A-20s; first mission is 4 Jul.
  Ground echelon of 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, arrives at
Goxhill, England from the US.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): Brigadier General Howard C Davidson,
Commanding General VII Fighter Command, also becomes Commanding General 7th
Air Force.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s, B-25s, and B-26s attack
Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea.

WEDNESDAY, 10 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): Local patrol is flown at Umnak Island.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): The main part of the
ground echelon, including ground echelons of the 97th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), 1st and 31st Fighter Groups, 60th Transport Group and 5th Air Depot
Group, and service units arrive in the UK aboard the QUEEN ELIZABETH.
  Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 1st Fighter Group and 71st and
94th Fighter Squadrons at Goxhill (first missions are 1 Sep and 3 Aug
respectively); 12th Transport Squadron, 60th Transport Group, at Chelveston
with C-47s; and 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, at Atcham (first
mission is 17 Aug).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s bomb aircraft and
buildings at Rabaul, New Britain Island.
  HQ 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Amberley Field to Eagle
Farms, Australia.

THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): The 11th Air Force strikes at Kiska Island for the
first time. 5 B-24's and 5 B-17s from Cold Bay load bombs at Umnak Island and
hit Kiska harbor installations and shipping targets. Low-altitude runs score
near misses on 2 cruisers and a destroyer. AA downs a B-24; the other B-24s
are pursued by 4 fighters back to Unmak where US fighters drive them off. USN
aircraft discover Japanese landing at Attu Island.
  Air echelon of 21st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), based at March Field, Riverside, California, begins operating from
Umnak Island with B-24s.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: Aircraft and crews of the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
deployed temporarily to the W coast, are ordered back to New England for
movement to the UK.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Units arriving in
England from the US: HQ 31st Fighter Group at Atcham; 10th and 11th Transport
Squadron, 60th Transport Group, at Chelveston; 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st
Fighter Group, at Atcham (first mission is 17 Aug); and 340th and 414th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Polebrook
with B-17s (first mission is 17 Aug).

FRIDAY, 12 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): 6 B-17s and 1 B-24 bomb shipping in the harbor at
Kiska Island. A cruiser is heavily damaged and one destroyer is seen burning.
  42d Fighter Squadron, 54th Fighter Group, based at Harding Field, Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, begins operating from Kodiak, Alaska with P-39s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Another contingent of
personnel for HQ 8th Air Force and subordinate commands arrive in the UK.
  Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 60th Transport Group at
Chelveston; 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, at High Ercall (first
mission is 17 Aug); 341st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 97th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), at Polebrook with B-17s (first mission is 17 Aug).

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO): 13 B-24's of the HALPRO detachment
(the bombing detachment for the China-Burma-India Theater) under command of
Colonel Harry A Halverson enroute from US to China take off during the night
of 11/12 Jun from Fayid, Egypt to bomb oilfields at Ploesti, Rumania. Only 12
attack at dawn; 4 of the 13 land at a base in Iraq which was designated for
recovery of the flight, 3 land at other Iraq fields, 2 land in Syria, and 4
are interned in Turkey. Though damage to the target is negligible, the raid
is significant because it is the first AAF combat mission in the European-
African-Middle East (EAME) Theater in World War II, and the first strike at
a target which later will be famous.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s bomb the building area
and Vunakanau and Lakunai Airfields at Rabaul, New Britain Island.

SATURDAY, 13 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): An LB-30 flies a weather mission and for the third
straight day shipping in the harbor at Kiska Island is bombed by 5 B-17s and
3 B-24s; 2 heavy bombers turn back; the others bomb partially cloud-obscured
targets. No effect is observed.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ 97th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) arrives at Polebrook, England from US.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s hit the airfield at
Rabaul, New Britain Island.

SUNDAY, 14 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): 4 B-17s and 3 B-24s bomb shipping in the harbor of
Kiska Island from an altitude of 700 feet (213 m), lowest altitude yet. 2
cruisers are hit and one scout seaplane is downed. 2 B-17s are heavily
damaged but return to base. The Japanese bomb Nazan Bay, Atka Island.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: 32d, 352d, 353d and 419th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy),
301st Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease operating from Muroc AAB, California
and return to base at Alamogordo AAFld, New Mexico with B-17s and cease
flying ASW patrols.
 358th, 359th and 360th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 303d Bombardment Group
(Heavy), cease operating from Muroc AAB, California and return to base at
Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho with B-17s and cease flying ASW patrols.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): The aircraft program
for the AAF in the UK is revised downward from 3,649 to 3,266, and the date
of anticipated final strength is advanced 1 month to 1 Apr 43.

MONDAY, 15 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): A bombing mission to Kiska Island by 3 B-17s and 2
B-24s is aborted due to weather.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Major General Carl
Spaatz, Commanding General 8th Air Force, arrives in the UK. The VIII Bomber
Command takes a significant step toward development of the organization for
control of combat operations by establishing the 1st Bombardment Wing
(Provisional) at Brampton Grange, England.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO): 7 B-24s of the HALPRO detachment,
along with 2 Royal Air Force (RAF) Liberators and torpedo-carrying Beauforts,
attack the Italian fleet E of Malta. The B-24s bomb and damage a battleship
and a cruiser, while the Beauforts sink a cruiser.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): 63d Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Sydney to Charleville,
Australia with B-17s.

TUESDAY, 16 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  CARIBBEAN (6th Air Force): HQ 40th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 29th
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) move from Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico to Howard
Field, Canal Zone and Aguadulce, Panama, respectively, with B-18s and A-17s.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: 40th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 13th Bombardment
Group (Medium), moves from Westover Field, Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts to
Langley Field, Hampton, Virginia with B-18s and continues flying ASW patrols.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-26s, B-25s, and B-17s pound
Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea hitting runways and buildings and starting
several fires.

WEDNESDAY, 17 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): A Kiska Harbor bombing mission is cancelled due to
weather as is a patrolling mission by heavy bombers.

  CARIBBEAN (6th Air Force): 395th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 40th
Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico to Rio
Hato, Panama with B-18s and A-17s. In addition to ASW patrols, the squadron
serves as a replacement training unit.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: 433d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 45th Bombardment
Group (Medium), moves from Mitchel Field, Hempsted, New York to Miami AAFld,
Florida with RM-37s and continues flying ASW patrols.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Air Force, arrives at Molesworth, England from
the US with F-4s; first mission is in Nov 42.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO): The HALPRO detachment is ordered
to the vicinity of Cairo, Egypt to report to Brigadier General Russell L
Maxwell, designated Commanding General US Army Forces in the Middle East
(USAFIME).

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): P-40s of 73d Fighter Squadron, 18th
Fighter Group, aboard the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-3) are flown off
the carrier at Midway Island to replace USN aircraft lost in the Battle of
Midway. The P-40s begin dawn and dusk patrols which continue until the P-40s
are relieved on 23 Jun 43.

THURSDAY, 18 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): 1 LB-30, 3 B-17s and 4 B-24s make a precision
high-altitude attack on Kiska Harbor. A transport is left burning and
sinking, another is mauled, and 2 scout planes are possibly shot down. 1 B-24
crashes at sea; part of its crew is saved.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: Prime Minister Winston S Churchill arrives in Washington,
DC for a series of conferences (until 25 Jun) with President Franklin D
Roosevelt. Subjects discussed include war production, shipping, help for
China, diversion of Germany from the Eastern Front and atomic research.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ 8th Air Force opens
in London with Major General Carl Spaatz commanding. The British Air Ministry
publishes a tentative list of 87 airfields to be made ready for the 8th Air
Force.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force):  Air echelon of 69th
Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), leaves Hickam
Field, Territory of Hawaii with B-26s and proceeds to New Caledonia Island to
join the ground echelon; the squadron will fly sea-search missions until Dec
42.

FRIDAY, 19 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): B-24s taking off to bomb Kiska Island abort due to
fog. 1 of them and 2 of its crew are lost when forced to land in the water. A
B-17 is dispatched to attack a reported submarine but makes no contact.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS: Brigadier General Russell L Maxwell,
formerly head of the US Military North African Mission, assumes command of
USAFIME.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s pound shipping and
Vunakanau Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain Island.

SATURDAY, 20 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): 1 LB-30, 1 B-17 and 7 B-24s take off on a search
and bombing mission over Kiska Island. 3 aircraft abort the mission due to
weather, 3 bomb through an overcast with unobserved results, and 3 others
search in vain for a B-24 lost on the preceding day.
  56th and 57th Fighter Squadrons, 54th Fighter Group, based at Harding
Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana begin operating from Nome and Elmendorf Field,
Anchorage, Alaska respectively with P-39s.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: Major General James E Chaney, Commanding General ETOUSA
is recalled from the UK and will be replaced by Brigadier General Dwight D
Eisenhower.
  128th Observation Squadron (Light), 77th Observation Group, moves from Key
Field, Meridian, Mississippi to New Orleans AAB, Louisiana with O-47s and
begins flying ASW patrols.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): General George C
Marshall's letter of instruction to Brigadier General Dwight D Eisenhower
reveals plan to integrate all US air units in the UK into the 8th Air Force.
The broad objective of the AAF in the ETO is to attain "air supremacy over
Western Continental Europe" in preparation for a future invasion of the
Continent.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): Major General Willis H Hale becomes
Commanding General 7th Air Force, and Colonel Albert Hegenberger becomes
temporary commanding officer of the VII Bomber Command.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s bomb the runway at Lae,
New Guinea.

SUNDAY, 21 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): The War Department authorizes the XI Air Force
Services Command, hitherto the Provisional Service Command, which is
activated at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage. It is charged with maintaining and
supplying all of the 11th's bases. Weather cancels all missions except an
armed weather sortie over Kiska Island. Fighters fly local patrols.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: An agreement is signed by Lieutenant General Henry H
"Hap" Arnold, USAAF; Air Chief Marshall Sir Charles F Portal, RAF; and Rear
Admiral John H Towers, USN dealing with US air commitments and provides for a
strong air force for Operation BOLERO (the buildup of US armed forces in the
UK for an attack on Europe).

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO): 9 B-24s of the HALPRO detachment
bomb the harbor at Bengasi, Libya after RAF Wellingtons light the target with
flares and incendiaries.

MONDAY, 22 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): A B-17 weather reconnaissance aircraft flies over
Kiska Island. Fighters fly air base patrols. A bombing mission is cancelled
due to weather.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: 113th Observation Squadron, 77th Observation Group, moves
from New Orleans AAB, Louisiana to Hattiesburg AAFld, Mississippi with O-49s
and O-52s and continues flying ASW patrols.

TUESDAY, 23 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): Weather cancels a bombing mission. A B-17 flies a
reconnaissance mission over Kiska Island. A P-40 on defensive patrol crashes
at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Major General Carl
Spaatz is informed that Operation ROUNDUP (plans for the invasion of Western
Europe) has been put off until Spring 1943. This postponement is due to a
decision to mount Operation TORCH (plan for Allied landings in North and
Northwest Africa in Nov 42), which will necessitate the diversion of large
numbers of aircraft earlier slated for the 8th Air Force in the UK.

WEDNESDAY, 24 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): Weather cancels bombing. 1 B-17 flies a weather
reconnaissance over Kiska Island. Fighters patrol airfields.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: 43d and 52d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 29th
Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease flying ASW patrols and move from MacDill
Field, Tampa, Florida to Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho with B-17s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Lieutenant General
Dwight D Eisenhower arrives in the UK.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO): HALPRO detachment B-24s bomb the
harbor at Bengasi, Libya during the night of 23/24 Jun.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s hit Vunakanau Airfield on
New Britain Island. Bomb loads include several bundles of incendiaries which
cause intense fires.

THURSDAY, 25 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): 2 B-17s, 4 B-24s and 1 LB-30 fly bombing and
weather missions over Kiska Island, bombing the N side of the harbor.

  ZONE OF INTERIOR: The Arnold-Portal-Towers agreement concerning air forces
for Operation BOLERO (signed on 21 Jun) is approved by the Joint Chiefs of
Staff (JCS).

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ 8th Air Force moves
from London to Bushy Park, a London suburb.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): Brigadier General William E Lynd
becomes Commanding General VII Bomber Command.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-25s bomb Salamaua, New
Guinea.

FRIDAY, 26 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): 5 B-24s drop incendiaries and fire bombs on Kiska
Harbor installations.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): Brigadier
General Earl L Naiden becomes Commanding General 10th Air Force, succeeding
Major General Lewis H Brereton who departs for the Middle East with Brigadier
General Elmer E Adler, Commanding General X Air Service Command, and several
other key subordinates. The aircraft and crews of the 9th Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy) follow. This move leaves the 10th Air Force almost a
skeleton.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Air echelons of the
31st Fighter Group are established at Atcham and High Ercall, England by this
date. These are the first combat personnel of the VIII Fighter Command to
reach the UK.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO): B-24s of the HALPRO detachment fly
a diversion for a RAF Albacore attack on 2 merchant vessels at Tobruk, Libya.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): 3 LB-30s bomb installations on Wake
Island. The raid takes place during the night of 26/27 Jun and is staged
through Midway Island.

SATURDAY, 27 JUNE 1942

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): 16th Fighter
Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, moves from Karachi, India to Kunming, China
with P-40s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO): B-24s of the HALPRO detachment
bomb the harbor at Tobruk, Libya during the night of 26/27 Jun in an effort
to disrupt the movement of supplies.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-26s bomb Lae and Salamaua,
New Guinea.

SUNDAY, 28 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): A B-17 weather aircraft flies over Kiska Island.
A solid weather front cancels bombing. On this and the following day US
advanced reconnaissance parties land on Adak Island from submarines.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): 11th
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at
Kunming, China, sends a detachment to operate from Dinjan, India with B-25s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO): Lieutenant General Dwight D Eisenhower
assumes command of ETOUSA, succeeding Major General James E Chaney.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO): Major General Lewis H Brereton
arrives at Cairo, Egypt, where HQ USAFIME issues orders placing him in
command of US Army, Middle East Air Forces (USAMEAF), which is activated
immediately. USAMEAF is comprised of the Halverson Detachment (HALPRO),
Brereton's detachment [9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) and other personnel
which Brereton brought from India], and the Air Section of US Military North
African Mission. Also activated is Air Service Command, USAMEAF, under
Brigadier General Elmer E Adler.
  B-24s of the HALPRO Detachment bomb the harbor and shipping at Tobruk,
Libya.

MONDAY, 29 JUNE 1942

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): Colonel
Robert C Oliver assumes command of the X Air Service Command.
  9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy) (attached
to USAMEAF) departs India for Palestine with B-17s. Ground echelon leaves
from Allahabad, India and air echelon leaves from Baumrauli, India.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Captain Charles C
Kegelman [Commanding Officer, 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light)], flying on a
mission with 12 RAF Bostons against Hazebrouck marshalling yard, France,
becomes the first member of the 8th Air Force drop bombs on enemy-occupied
Europe. The first pilot fatality of the 8th Air Force in the ETO is suffered
when First Lieutenant Alfred W Giacomini of the 31st Fighter Group crashes a
Spitfire while landing at Atcham, England.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s hit airfields at Rabaul,
New Britain Island and Lae, New Guinea during the night of 28/29 Jun.
  35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Port Moresby, New
Guinea to Woodstock, Australia with P-39s.

TUESDAY, 30 JUNE 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (11th Air Force): A B-17 flies weather reconnaissance over Kiska
Island.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): 11th
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at
Kunming, China, sends detachments to operate from Kweilin, Hengyang and
Nanning, China with B-25s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Joint Anglo-American
control of Burtonwood air depot begins with a view toward subsequent
exclusive control by the AAF. VIII Air Force Services Command is designated
the US agent at Burtonwood.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO, USAMEAF) B-24s bomb the harbor at
Tobruk, Libya during the night of 29/30 Jun; first US combat casualties in
the Middle East are recorded as 1 B-24 is lost. Major General Lewis H
Brereton moves his detachment from Egypt to Palestine, as General Erwin
Rommel advances toward the Suez Canal.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s attack Dili and Koepang
on Timor Island and Kendari on Celebes Island; B-25s and B-26s hit Lae, New
Guinea.
  36th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Port Moresby, New
Guinea to Townsville, Australia with P-39s.

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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