Air Operations, Europe
Because of more bad weather the 'thousand-bomber raid' has to be postponed again.
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] 3rd Squadron Hell's Angels of the American Volunteer Group |
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Air Operations, New Guinea
8th Fighter Group P-39s down 3 A6M Zeros over Port Moresby and the Port Moresby/Seven-Mile Drome between 0830 and 0845 hours.
[ | ]Burma
The Japanese occupy Kengtung, one of the few towns in the country they have not reached.
[ | ]China
The Japanese penetrate Yunnan Province using the Burma Road. In Chekiang Province, Japanese forces take the capital, Kinhwa, having suffered heavy losses from Chinese resistance. In one action, the Japanese lost 1,500 men in a minefield.
[ | ]Eastern Front
The Kharkov battle ends in a brilliant victory for the Germans, who eliminate the enemy salient west of the Donetz in the area of Kharkov.
SOUTHERN SECTOROnly the last stubborn units of the Soviet armies in the Izyum pocket fight on. The bulk of the Soviet force has now either been destroyed or has surrendered.
[ | ]New Hebrides
American troops coming from Efate land on the island of Espiritu Santo, where an airfield is to be built big enough to take the bombers supporting the landing in the Solomons.
[ | ]North Africa
The 21st Panzer Div moves northward alone about 0800. It is opposed by the 8th Royal Tanks of the 1st Army Tank Brigade which puts up a spirited resistance. It is soon forced to retire, however. Maj-Gen Georg von Bismarck pushes on to the escarpment overlooking the coast road, captures the South African strongpoint at 'Commonwealth Keep' just south of this on the way. They halt at the escarpment. They will be recalled the next day when Rommel realizes the seriousness of his position.
The Africa Korps is in trouble. Rommel realizes he will have to depend on his allies for his salvation. The Ariete Div achieves the best success on this day. Summoned from Bir Hacheim to Bir el Harmat to cover the right rear of the Afrika Korps, the Italians repulse the attacks of the 2nd Armored Brigade thoughout the afternoon with their supporting 88s and destroy almost all the Grants of the 10th Hussars.
Some of Rommel's panzers halt, out of gasoline, on the Rigel Ridge but some, although short of supplies, continue to attack toward Acroma. There is more fighting with British armor especially near Bir el Harmat. The British stop the Axis troops from reaching the coast in the rear of the Gazala positions.
[ | ]Pacific
The Japanese continue their preparations. The remainder of the Japanese forces leaves its bases to follow the advance-guards commanded by Nagumo. Adm Yamamoto is in supreme command. Under his direct control he has 7 battleships, 1 small carrier, cruisers and destroyers. Adm Kondo's 2nd Fleet consists of 2 battleships, 1 light carrier and 2 seaplane carriers with escorts. Read-Adm Kikuji Kakuta's force (see May 25) has 2 light carriers and their escorts.
The Japanese plan is complex. Kakuta is to cover landings on the Aleutians before the main operation begins in order to make sure that there are no American forces near Midway. Even without this diversion the main forces which are to attack and capture Midway are expected to achieve complete surprise and finish the conquest before any assistance can come up. Yamamoto believes that once Midway is taken, the American Fleet will come in force to dispute the capture. They can then be beaten before new American production swamps the Japanese. The plan is therefore for Nagumo's carriers to pound the Midway defenses and then await the American Fleet. Kondo is to give close support to the landings and Yamamoto's battleships are to be disposed in general reserve.
The Americans make preparations. Rear-Adm R. A. Spruance's Task Force 16 sails from Oahu with the carriers Enterprise and Hornet. Rear-Adm F. J. Fletcher's Task Force 17 follows later with repairs to Yorktown completed miraculously quickly. In support of the carriers are 26 cruisers and destroyers, tankers and smaller ships, and 19 submarines.
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