Chronology of World War II
Friday, May 1, 1942
In Burma... Manadaly falls to the Japanese.
In the Philippines... Japanese land more reinforcements on Mindanao and heavy fighting continues.
Saturday, May 2, 1942
In the Arctic... The British cruiser, Edinburgh after sustaining damage by the German submarine U-456 is sunk by German destroyers in the Barents Sea while on convoy escort duty with convoy QP-11
In the Solomons... The Australian garrison of Tulagi, a small island near Guadalcanal is evacuated.
In the Coral Sea... The Japanese begin the concentration of forces for what will become the battle of the Coral Sea. Their objective is to occupy Port Moresby. Admiral Takagi commands a covering force including the aircraft carriers Zuikaku and Shokaku. Admiral Goto commands the naval support force for the landing, including the carrier Shoho and four heavy cruisers. Admiral Inouye is in command of the main invasion force concentrated at Rabaul. American code breaking allows Admiral Nimitz to concentrate Allied forces to oppose the Japanese forces. Initially these forces include only Admiral Fletcher's Task Force 17 with the carrier Yorktown. Later Task Force 11 (Admiral Fitch) with the aircraft carrier Lexington and Task force 44 (Admiral Crace) with Australian and American cruisers.
In the Philippines... Despite the arrival of reinforcements on Mindanao, local resistance slows Japanese advances.
Sunday, May 3, 1942
In the Philippines... Local resistance succumbs to heavy Japanese landings.
In the Solomons... The Japanese land forces at Tulagi.
Monday, May 4, 1942
In the Philippines... Fighting lessens on Mindanao. Japanese bombardment of the American forces on Corregidor is very intense.
In the Coral Sea... Aircraft from the USS Yorktown positioned 100 miles south of Guadalcanal, attack Japanese forces off Tulagi. The Yorktown then returns south to join the American Task Force 17 which is assembling to engage the Japanese. American actions are dictated by their code breaking which has revealed many of the Japanese plans to them.
In Burma... Chinese units are forced to withdraw from Wanting on the all important Burma Road and at Bhamo on the Irrawaddy. At Akyab, the British evacuate before Japanese advances.
Tuesday, May 5, 1942
In Madagascar... The British land forces near Diego Suarez, supported by a battleship and two carriers.
In the Coral Sea... Japanese Admiral Takagi's carriers enter the Coral Sea. American Admiral Fletcher's TF17 is there refueling, but the Japanese do not find it.
From Washington... Support for the British action in Madagascar indicates a change in US policy which has been sensitive to Vichy France's concerns. The American support mentions that the British action is essential to guard against Axis use of the island, "especially Japanese."
In the Philippines... Japanese troops land on Corregidor. Fierce fighting by the remaining American troops under General Wainwright results, but the Japanese maintain a beach head.
In Burma... Japanese forces enter China, via the Burma Road. General Stillwell, in command of the Chinese troops decides after intelligence on the true Japanese positions to withdraw his troops towards India, not China.
From Tokyo... Imperial Headquarters orders the Japanese Navy to prepare for the invasion of Midway Island.
Wednesday, May 6, 1942
In the Philippines... Formal American resistance to the Japanese invasion ends with General Wainwright's surrender on Corregidor. Japanese attacks continue against local resistance on Mindanas.
Thursday, May 7, 1942
In the Philippines... General Wainwright broadcasts the news of the American surrender at Corregidor from Japanese custody. He invites the remainder of the American forces in the Philippines to surrender. Despite the American surrender, the opposition faced by Japanese forces has been effective in disrupting their plans. General Homma was allocated 50 days to take the Philippines, the actual conquest took five months. The continuing resistance of the Filipino forces has prevented the release of his troops for other campaigns.
In the Coral Sea... American Admiral Fletcher sends Task Force 44 to attack Japanese troop transports bound for Port Moresby. The Japanese retaliate with attacks from land based aircraft. The Japanese also sight the American tanker Neosho and the Sims, they send aircraft after the ships and the Neosho is sunk. The Americans find Japanese Admiral Goto's close support force and they proceed to sink the carrier Shoho. Meanwhile, Japanese Admiral Takagi sends planes out in an attempt to find the American fleet. Twenty-one of the Japanese planes are lost without engaging the enemy, including a small group which attempt to land on the American aircraft carrier Yorktown. The Japanese troop transports return to Rabaul to await the outcome of the battle.
In Madagascar... The Vichy commanders at Diego Suarez surrender to the British Admiral Syfret and General Sturges.
Friday, May 8, 1942
In the Coral Sea... Both the Japanese and the American fleets become aware of each others positions due to aerial reconnaissance. In the battle that follows, the USS Lexington is badly damaged and abandoned. (She will late be sunk by an American destroyer) The USS Yorktown is also hit. On the Japanese side, the Shokaku is seriously damaged. Of major importance is the loss of trained pilots on the Japanese side, as they take severe aerial losses. The battle is noteworthy for several reasons. The Japanese are forced to abandon their attack on Port Moresby, the first real stumbling block in their expansion. It is also the first time that a naval battle has taken place without visual contact between the main combatants. The damage done to the ships was achieved by aircraft launched from carriers and not by naval guns.
On the Eastern Front... The German springtime offensives begins with the 22nd Panzer Division of the 11th Army attacking the Kerch Peninsula in the Crimea.
Saturday, May 9, 1942
In the Mediterranean... 64 Spitfires are successfully delivered to Malta by naval forces including the USS Wasp and the HMS Eagle. This time, the planes are quickly refueled and rearmed and there is no destruction on the ground as with the previous delivery. The USS Wasp returns to service in the United States after this operation.
In the Philippines... On Mindanao, the Japanese forces fighting near Darlirig come close to ending organized local resistance.
Sunday, May 10, 1942
In the Philippines... American General Sharp commanding the few remaining resisting American forces issues orders of surrender. Some American troops continue with guerilla actions for the next several weeks.
Monday, May 11, 1942
In Canada... The government, following a public referendum (April 27th), passes conscription for overseas service. However conscripts will not be forced to fight overseas.
In Burma... At Kalewa. The British turn and fight a fierce rear guard action here before continuing the withdrawal to the Imphal area.
In the Mediterranean... German aircraft from Crete sink the British destroyers Lively, Kipling and Jackal.
Tuesday, May 12, 1942
On the Eastern Front... Soviet attacks aimed at recapturing the city of Kharkov start. This offensive is a renewal of attempts to trap the German armies in the area against Sea of Azov (in January).
Wednesday, May 13, 1942
On the Eastern Front... In the face of staunch German attacks by 11th Army forces, the Red Army begins to withdraw from the Kerch Peninsula. About 80,000 Red Army troops are successfully evacuated.
In Burma... The Chinese 6th Army in retreat is pursued by the Japanese across the Salween towards for Kengtung.
Thursday, May 14, 1942
In Washington... The first indications of Japanese planning for an attack on Midway Island, in the Central Pacific, reach the code breakers.
Friday, May 15, 1942
On the Eastern Front... Kerch falls to the forces of the German 11th Army under the command of General Manstein. About 150,000 men are lost to the Soviets, many are taken prisoner.
In Burma... The first British soldiers reach India in the retreat from Burma. Japanese has reached its objectives in isolating China from surface communications and supply from the Allies.
In the Arctic... The HMS Trinidad is sunk by German bombers while escorting a convoy on the Iceland to Archangel route.
From Australia... Australian reinforcements are dispatched to Port Moresby.
In the United States... Gasoline rationing begins in 17 States. The weekly ration is 3 gallons for nonessential vehicles.
Saturday, May 16, 1942
On the Eastern Front... The Red Army continues its offensive towards Kharkov.
Sunday, May 17, 1942
On the Eastern Front... Marshal Timoshenko's offensive is halted east of Kharkov by forces of the German 1st Panzer and 17th Armies (Group Kleist).
In Germany... The battle cruiser Prinz Eugen arrives at Kiel.
Monday, May 18, 1942
In the Mediterranean... British carriers Argus and Eagle of Force H bring 17 more Spitfires to Malta.
From London... Admiral Harwood is appointed to command the British Mediterranean Fleet.
Tuesday, May 19, 1942
On the Eastern Front... German Army Group South, after fierce resistance to the Soviet offensive in the area for several days, mount a major counteroffensive near Kharkov, in the Ukraine.
Wednesday, May 20, 1942
On the Eastern Front... The 11th Army (General Manstein) recaptures the whole of the Kerch Peninsula.
In Burma... The Japanese forces take up defensive positions on the border with India.
Thursday, May 21, 1942
From Berlin... Hitler postpones the planned invasion of Malta indefinitely.
From Tokyo... The Japanese allow the Red Cross to visit British prisoners.
In Hong Kong... There are new Japanese landings at Chekiang.
Friday, May 22, 1942
In Washington... President Roosevelt orders the Selective Service registration of all male Americans residents who reach the age of 18 or 19 before June 30th or has reached the age of 20 since December 31, 1941. This fifth registration will generate 3.1 million new names. The same day he warns against a flood of optimism (in the wake of the Doolittle Raid of April 18th) and says it will be a long war.
Saturday, May 23, 1942
On the Eastern Front... The German 6th Army from the north and Group Kliest (17th Army and 1st Panzer Army) begin the encirclement of elements of the Red Army (6th and 57th Armies) west of the Donets River.
Sunday, May 24, 1942
In the Occupied Soviet Union... Before Moscow, the Germans launch a major anti-partisan offensive, Operation Hanover, to clear the Bryansk-Vyazma railway. For six days, 45,000 German and allied troops search for an estimated 20,000 partisans. Many partisans and civilians are captured and killed.
On the Eastern Front... In the Barvenkovo salient, General Kleist's forces reduce the encircled Soviet 6th and 9th Armies. Moscow admits a loss of 5,000 dead, 70,000 missing, and 300 tanks destroyed. The Germans claim 24,000 POWs and 1,200 tanks. The Soviets began the offensive with only 845 tanks.
In India... General Stilwell arrives in Delhi after a 140 mile retreat through the Burma jungle. In a press interview he is quoted say: "I claim we got a hell of a beating. We got run out of Burma and it is as humiliating as hell. I think we ought to find out what caused it, go back and re-take it."
In the United States... When the Royal Canadian Air Force's 115th Fighter Squadron lands at Alaska's Annette Island, a US Customs officer refuses to let the pilots out of their planes until they pay duty on their arms and equipment. It takes a message from Secretary of State Cordell Hull granting the Canadians Distinguished Foreign Visitor status to end this idiocy.
Monday, May 25, 1942
From Japan... A Japanese small carrier task force consisting of two light carrier and two cruisers leave port in Hokkido. Their mission is to carry out a diversionary raid in the Aleutian Island off the coast of Alaska.
From Hawaii... American submarines move into patrol positions as part of the countermeasures to the expected Japanese attack on Midway.
Tuesday, May 26, 1942
In North Africa... The Axis forces under Rommel begin a new offensive. Italian infantry launch holding attacks on the British Gazala Line, which has been heavily fortified. British armor is being held in reserve, available for blocking any Axis outflanking moves. Rommel sends all his armor, both Italian and German, in a wide sweeping movement south of Bir Hacheim. The Italian Trieste Division engages the British 150th Brigade between Trigh Capuzzo and Trigh el Abd.
In the Inland Sea... Japanese Admiral Nagumo's 1st Carrier Fleet sails for Midway. His task force contains the carriers Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu with two battleships, cruisers and destroyers as escort.
In Hawaii... US Task Force 16, with the aircraft carriers Enterprise and Hornet, returns to Pearl Harbor. The Japanese believe that these ships are still active in the South Pacific.
Wednesday, May 27, 1942
From Occupied Czechoslovakia... Local resistance fighters attempt to assassinate Reichsprotektor Heydrich in Prague with British supplied equipment. His injuries will prove fatal.
In the Central Pacific... The Japanese invasion fleet for Midway puts to sea from Saipan and Guam with troop transports carrying 5000 men. They are escorted by cruisers and destroyers. Likewise, the invasion force for the Aleutians sets sail in two groups from Ominato
In Hawaii... The damaged USS Yorktown arrives at Pearl Harbor and repairs begin immediately.
In North Africa... In various engagement with the British forces, Rommel's army rapidly defeats the 3rd Indian and 7th Motorized Brigades. Losses are heavy on both sides, but the British can better sustain the loss of men and equipment. An Italian division fails to eliminate the Free French at Bir Hacheim.
Thursday, May 28, 1942
In North Africa... Lack of fuel forces the halt of some of Rommel's Panzer at Rigel Ridge. Despite the shortages, attacks continue towards Acroma. British and German armor engage in limited action near Bir El Harmat.
In the Pacific... The rest of the Japanese forces directed at Midway set out. Admiral Yamamato, commanding the operation overall, believes that, if the plan to invade the island succeeds, the American fleet can be forced into a decisive engagement and that their defeat will force a truce before American production can swamp the Japanese war effort.
In Hawaii... Task Force 16 sails from Oahu for Midway with the carriers Enterprise and Hornet and escorts. Admiral Fletcher's Task Force 17 follows after miraculously quick repairs to the Yorktown.
Friday, May 29, 1942
On the Eastern Front... The German forces (6th Army and 1st Panzer Army) close their encirclement west of the Donets River resulting in a Soviet loss of 250,000 men.
In North Africa... The Italian Trieste Division, fighting through British 150th Brigade, temporarily secure a critical life line for the Afrika Korps. The British armored attack around the Knightsbridge Road junction area fails to reach its objectives.
Saturday, May 30, 1942
In Germany... The first 1000 bomber raid. British Bomber Command sends just under 1,000 planes to bomb the German city of Cologne. Causalities from the raid include only 40 British bombers while 45,000 Germans are rendered homeless. This is the first attempt at mass bombing by Bomber Command.
In North Africa... Rommel strategically withdraws his panzers into a tight defensive arc, his rear borders a mine field. These actions place the battle in the "Cauldron". While hold his position, Rommel's forces repel the main British attacks and secure the supply lines threatened by the British 150th Brigade.
At Hawaii... Four Japanese submarines arrive too late to intercept the American task forces destined for Midway.
Sunday, May 31, 1942
In North Africa... The embattled British 150th Brigade is overrun by forces of the Afrika Korps in the course of the battle over the following day. This victory opens the Axis supply lines.
From the United States... In an attempt to reinforce the Pacific Fleet, battleships Colorado and Maryland sail from San Francisco.
Copyright © 2018 Ralph Zuljan