In the Solomon Islands... In an effort to disrupt the American buildup, Japanese Admiral Yamamoto mounts an air offensive known as Operation I. The Japanese 11th Air Fleet, based on Rabaul, Kavieng and Buin is reinforced by pilots and aircraft of the carriers Zuikaku, Shokaku, Junyo and Hiyo. This leaves the Imperial Navy with almost no trained pilots. The attacks begin with a raid against Guadalcanal and Tulagi by 180 planes in which a destroyer and two other vessels are sunk.

In Tunisia... Axis forces are rapidly retreating from the Wadi Akarit Line. Patrols of the British 8th Army and the US 2nd Corps meet on the road toward Gafsa.

In Germany... Hitler and Mussolini meet at Salzburg over the course of the next five days (April 7-11). Among other topics discussed, they decide they must continue to hold on in North Africa.