Air Operations, Europe

• 12 Bostons attack the Ostend power station but their bombs fall into fields short of the target. There are no losses.
• 35 Whitleys and 27 Wellingtons are sent to bomb German positions around St Nazaire in support of the naval and Commando raid whose mission is to destroy the dry-dock gates in the port. The planes are to bomb only if visibility is good. Conditions are bad, however, and only 4 aircraft bomb in the St Nazaire area. 6 planes bomb other targets. 1 Whitley is lost at sea.
• In minor operations, 8 Blenheim Intruders raid Holland and 15 Hampdens lay mines of the German northwest coast. 1 Blenheim and 3 Hampdens are lost.

Allied Planning

The US issues plans for a limited cross-Channel attack in the fall of 1942 as a means of aiding the Russians if the Red Army shows signs of collapsing. The main invasion of northwest Europe, however, is set for the spring of 1943.

Australia, Command

Gen Sir Thomas Blamey arrives back in Australia with some of the troops from North Africa. He is appointed to command Allied land forces in Australia. Blamey upholds Australia's interests against British and American strategic demands.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-587 is sunk in the North Atlantic during operations against fast troop convoy WS-17 on its way to the Middle East. She is depth charged by British destroyers Leamington Spa, Grove, Aldenham and Volunteer.

U-587

Britain, Command

Adm Sir James Somerville takes command of the British Far East Fleet based in Ceylon.

Burma

With the increasing threat from the enemy, RAF aircraft and the remainder of the volunteer American squadrons are withdrawn from the Akyab base into India. Japanese attacks on the Chinese 200th Div at Toungoo continue but the defenders rally and hold off their attackers. On the Irrawaddy front the Japanese concentrate forces south of Prome.

Eastern Front

The German counterattack southeast of Staraya Russa begins to make headway as the junction of the 11th and 1st Shock Armies is breached.

France

St Nazaire Raid, Operation CHARIOT. The German battleship Tirpitz is in Norway, but the British fear it can break out and be a menace to Atlantic convoys. If it were to break out it could only be docked at the St Nazaire lock. British Commandos are, therefore, given the task of destroying the huge lock. In the early morning hours the HMS Campbelltown, the ex-USS Buchanan, deliberately rams the dock gates at St Nazaire, under murderous German fire, while 260 British commandos set about to destroy the dock machinery. 5 tons of high explosive charges in Campbeltown's bow explodes about noon before the Germans could disarm her killing many German naval personnel. The operation succeeds but only after the force is severly mauled. All but 2 of the 18 coastal craft that accompanied the Campbeltown are sunk stranding many of the Commandos. 170 of the men are either killed or captured.

Japan, Home Front

The Kammon Tunnel is opened. It is a 2-km-long rail link for coal trains from Kyusha to the cities of Honshu.

Malta

The island has now suffered 1,600 bombing raids.

On 27 March 1942, an army of Leningrad women moves into action and the great city clean-up begins.

Leningrad Women to Clean Up the City

Pacific

The US submarine Gudgeon (SS-211) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Nissho Maru southeast of Kumun Island.