Air Operations, Aleutians

11th Air Force operations against Attu are canceled because of bad weather, but 20 343rd Fighter Group P-40s attack Kiska.

Air Operations, Bismarcks

• 43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s and 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Vunakanau airfield at Rabaul.
• During the night, 3rd Light Bomb Group A-20s attack the Gasmata airfield on New Britain and nearby targets.

Air Operations, CBI

• 10th Air Force bombers and fighter-bombers complete their three-day pre-monsoon effort against Japanese lines of communication in western Burma. During the effort, a total of 130 effective combat sorties delivered 340 tons of bombs against rail yards at Prome, oil installations at four locations, and various other targets.

Air Operations, Europe

• 2 Mosquitos bomb a locomotive shed at Tergnier without a loss.

• 3 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin, 23 aircraft lay mines in the southern Biscay, and there are 5 OTU sorties.
• There are no losses.

NASAF B-17s attack Grosseto Airdrome.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Warhawks destroy 7 giant Me-323s near Decimomannu airfield, Sardinia.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s attack barges between Madang and Cape Cretin.

Air Operations, Sardinia

• 325th Fighter Group P40s down 6 Axis fighters, plus 7 Me-323 six-engine heavy transports that are caught fleeing Decimomannu Airdrome ahead of an attack by NASAF B-25s.
• While escorting other NASAF B-25s against Villacidro Airdrome, 82nd Fighter Group P-38s down 7 Axis fighters and 1 Ju-88.
• NASAF B-25s also attack Alghero Airdrome.
• P-38s attack Milis Airdrome, various port facilities, and targets of opportunity aroung the island.

Air Operations, Sicily

A 1st Fighter Group P-38 downs an Fi-156 observation plane near Trapani/Milo Airdrome.

Air Operations, Solomons

During the night, XIII Bomber Command B-17s and B-24s mount light harrassing attacks against the airfield at Ballale Airdrome and the Kahili area to mask a mine-sowing operation off Buin by AirSols TBFs.

Aleutians

On the southern front, Company G of the 17th Infantry clears one of the 2 peaks dominating Clevesy Pass in the morning, but the efforts of the 2nd Battalion and Company C of the 32nd Infantry to take the other fail. Company E of the 32nd Infantry then moves forward for a night enveloping attack, scaling the steep slopes cautiously in an effort the take the enemy by surprise. Meanwhile, the 1st Battalion of the 4th Infantry moves through Clevesy Pass to attack the heights across the upper part of Sarana Valley and makes substantial progress. The 3rd Battalion, 17th Infantry, patrols along Sarana Valley and fires upon the enemy located by the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry. The Northern Force continues to clear the preliminary hill line of Fish Hook Ridge.

Supplies on the Beach

Battle of the Atlantic

• The US 10th Fleet is formed to control US anti-submarine operations in the Atlantic.
• Liberator 'P' of No 120 Squadron sights U-258 on the surface with cannon fire and a single 600lb depth charge. The U-boat is observed down the stern and wallowing in heavy seas then sinking stern first.

U-258

CBI

Gen Sir George Giffard replaces Gen Irwin as Commander of the Eastern Army. It is officially announced that the three-month commando operations carried out by the Chindits commanded by Gen Orde Wingate have ended. In their guerilla actions behind the enemy lines the Chindits have lost about a third of the original force. Withdrawal of the Chindits into India is completed early in June. The Wingate expedition, supplied wholly by air, becomes a pattern for future operations behind enemy lines.

The Chinese counterattack in the Middle Yangtze front.

Victory Parade in Tunis

Pacific

The US submarine Pollack (SS-180) sinks the Japanese armed merchant cruiser Bangkok Maru (5350t) southeast of Jaluit, Marshalls. Pollack is damaged by depth charges by a counterattack by a torpedo boat, but remains on patrol.