Chronology of World War II

April 1942

Saturday, April 11

Battle of the Atlantic

The British anti-submarine trawler St Cathan (565t) sinks after a collision off the South Carolina coast. 31 of her crew are lost.


U-Boat Victim American Tanker Harry F. Sinclair

The American tanker Harry F. Sinclair (6,151 tons) afire after being torpedoed by U-203 7 miles south off Cape Lookout 11 April 1942. The vessel was traveling from Houston to Norfolk escorted by the destroyer USS Herbert (DD-160) and a US Coast Guard vessel. Her cargo of gasoline and fuel oil exploded and burned fiercely. Four of her officers, including the Master and six crewmen died. 26 crewmembers were picked up several hours later by the Herbert and the British trawler HMS Hertfordshire (FY-176). On 15 April, she was towed into Morehead City and subsequently to Baltimore where she was repaired and returned to service in 1943 as the Annibal.

The unarmed US tanker Harry F. Sinclair, Jr (6151t) is torpedoed by U-203 7 miles south of Cape Lookout, North Carolina with the loss of 10 of ther 36-man crew.
The British steamship Ulysses is torpedoed and sunk by U-160 (14,647t) 45 miles south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The high speed transport Manley (APD-1) rescues all hands, 195 crew and 95 passengers.

Burma

The new Japanese offensive begins in the central sector with attacks on the line held by I Burma Corps.

Eastern Front

Russian landings in the Crimea at Eupatoriya, now Yevpatoriya, are stubbornly resisted by the German 11th Army. The is no major action in the central sector. In the north, German Army Group North is still making slow progress towards their forces cut off in the Kholm-Staraya Russa area.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

In an effort to turn the rear of the 11th Army, a new force goes ashore at Evpatoriya. The Germans are prepared for such a move and repel the Soviet landing. But this time the attack at Kerch also fails and is called off.

India, Home Front

Following their outright rejection by the Congress Party, the British Government withdraws its constitutional proposals. Stafford Cripps broadcasts to the Indian people.

Occupied Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Cabinet resigns in protest over German demands for Bulgaria's direct participation in the Russian campaign. Prime Minister Bogdan Filov forms a new Cabinet.