Chronology of World War II

Saturday, August 1, 1942

In Egypt... British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and General Brooke arrive in Cairo. The poor performance of the British 8th Army is a major concern and replacement commanders are being sought. Churchill is very upset over the massive losses of equipment and supplies to the Germans.

On the Eastern Front... German Army Group A continues to attack Kletskaya. 4th Panzer Army, now across the Don River, is advancing east near Kotelnikovo. The 1st Panzer Army is staging attacks from its position on the Kuban, east to Stavropol and south to Maikop.

Sunday, August 2, 1942

In the Atlantic... US troops are now being transported to the UK in the passenger liners Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary, and Nieuw Amsterdam. These vessels are too fast for standard escorts. Their routes across the Atlantic are based on Admiralty intelligence on U-boat concentrations.

In North Africa... Churchill visits the British 8th Army. The Prime Minister leaves convinced that more resources are required to defeat the Axis forces.

Monday, August 3, 1942

In the United States... Mildred McAfee of Wellesley College was chosen to head the Women’s Reserve. She took a one-year leave of absence from her position and was sworn in as the first female Lieutenant Commander US Naval Reserve.

Tuesday, August 4, 1942

On the Eastern Front... Andrei Yeremenko arrives in Stalingrad and meets Nikita Khrushchev, the political member of his Military Council. Khrushchev is responsible for indoctrination, propaganda, morale, and welfare of the troops. He is also responsible for ensuring maximum cooperation from local Party authorities, and if need be, ensuring that Yeremenko remains politically reliable. Yeremenko is given four days to set up his defenses. He puts his headquarters in the new Tsaritsyn Bunker. The dividing line between his front and Gordov's runs right through the center of the city.

Wednesday, August 5, 1942

On the Eastern Front... German Army Group A continues the offensive with advances near the Kuban River.

In the Atlantic... A German U-boat pack attacks Convoy SC-94 marking a return to large scale U-boat actions in the North Atlantic. 11 ships are lost from the convoy. However, improved defensive weapons and strategies sink two U-boats and damage 4 others.

Thursday, August 6, 1942

On the Eastern Front... Soviet resistance in the Don Bend is beginning to falter as their defenses are worn down in the face of attacks from German Army Group B. Meanwhile, German 17th Army, an element of German Army Group A, captures Tikhoretsk.

From Egypt... as a result of the meetings held between British General Brooke, Prime Minister Churchill and the 8th Army Command, General Alexander is given command of the Middle East and General Gort, tactical control of the 8th Army.

Friday, August 7, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... First landings on Guadalcanal. From a US naval based task force of three carriers and support ships under the command of Admiral Fletcher, an amphibious force under Admiral Turner and 1st Marine Division, General Vandergrift, land on Guadalcanal. Smaller forces are also landed on Tulagi and Gavutu. Initially the landings receive little opposition.

In North Africa.... British General Gort is killed on the flight back to Cairo, where he was to assume tactical command of the British 8th Army. General Montgomery replaces him.

From British Palestine... The formation of a Palestine Regiment within the British Army is announced by Sir John Grigg. Separate Arab and Jewish battalions will be created within the regiment. The training and experience received by these units will prove valuable to both Arab and Jewish members in the struggles in Palestine in the postwar period.

In the Aleutian Islands... An American task force bombards the Japanese-held island of Kiska.

Saturday, August 8, 1942

On the Eastern Front... German advances continue. Army Group A continues its drive south while consolidating its positions on the Kuban River. Army Group B captures Suronvniko.

In the Solomon Islands... The invasion of Guadalcanal continues as the remainder of the first wave of American troops come ashore. Advancing rapidly inland, they capture the Japanese airstrip intact, renaming it Henderson Field. The missions on Tulagi and Gavutu are completed and the islands captured. Due to Japanese air and submarine attacks, Admiral Fletcher decides to withdraw his carriers, leaving the cruisers and transports near the island. This action is probably a mistake.

From Washington and London... US President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill approve the appointment of American General Eisenhower to command Operation Torch , the proposed Allied invasion of North Africa.

Sunday, August 9, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... After the removal of the American aircraft carriers, a Japanese cruiser force, commanded by Admiral Mikawa enters the Sealark Channel south of Savo Island. The remaining American naval defenses, lead by Admiral Crutchley, have little experience of, or the equipment needed for, night fighting. The Americans lose four cruisers and sink none of the Japanese ships. Sealark Channel is later renamed Ironbottom Sound. The American transports unloading at Lunga Point are not attacked, however they are ordered to withdraw due to the threat and the 1st Marine Division is left short of heavy equipment and with only one half of their supplies.

On the Eastern Front... German Army Group A successes continue in the Caucasus: the German 1st Panzer Army captures Maikop, though Soviet forces destroy the oil installations, while German 17th Army takes Krasnodar.

Monday, August 10, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... An American submarine sinks the Japanese heavy cruiser Kako while it was returning to Rabual after the battle at Savo Island.

Tuesday, August 11, 1942

In the Mediterranean... First implementation of Operation Pedestal, a program for massive support of Allied convoys in the Mediterranean for the relief of Malta after the last disastrous attempt. Admiral Syfret commands two battleships, four carriers, 32 destroyers and support craft to escort 14 merchant vessels. More aircraft are flown to the island from the HMS Furious which leaves the convoy heading back to Gibraltar. German U-boat U-73 manages to sink HMS Eagle but the air attacks against the convoy are not successful.

In New Guinea... Japanese forces take Deniki on the Kokoda Trail from the Australians. The Australian troops are forced to retreat for five miles towards Templeton's Crossing near the top of the trail.

In Vichy France... Prime Minister Laval announces that "The hour of liberation for France is the hour of German's victory in the war."

On the Eastern Front... In heavy fighting, German troops take Kalach on the west bank of the Don River from Soviet forces.

Wednesday, August 12, 1942

In New Guinea... A strong Japanese force lands at Buna. Australian troops advance toward Buna, in response.

In the Mediterranean... The convoy to Malta and its covering escort (Operation Pedestal) are subjected to constant attacks during the day. A merchant ship is sunk in the action. As the convoy withdraws, the British carrier Indomitable is damaged and a destroyer is sunk. On the final run to Malta, a cruiser and two freighters are sunk. Two more cruisers, a transport and the oil tanker Ohio are damaged.

In the New Hebrides... Strong American forces are landed on Espiritu Santu to build a supply base for the Guadalcanal campaign.

In Moscow... British Prime Minister Churchill arrives for discussions with Soviet leader Stalin. His main purpose will be to explain why the Allies cannot open a major second front in 1942.

Thursday, August 13, 1942

In North Africa... British General Montgomery assumes command of the 8th Army while on a visit to the front. His first action is to remedy the inadequate defenses against German attack.

On the Eastern Front... German advances continue with the 4th Panzer Army moving southeast toward Elista.

In the Mediterranean... the convoy to Malta continues to suffer losses with the sinking of the British cruiser Manchester and five more freighters. Two more freighters are subsequently sunk.

Friday, August 14, 1942

On the Eastern Front... The German 6th Army has almost cleared the Don River elbow of Soviet defenders, but many of the Soviet troops have escaped to the east, because the Germans lack mobile forces to pursue them.

Saturday, August 15, 1942

In the Mediterranean... The convoy to Malta sustains further damage, the oil tanker Ohio carrying badly needed fuel for the island defenses is hit and must be towed to port at Valetta.

On the Eastern Front... German advances continue with gains in the Caucasus, especially around Georgivesk.

In North Africa... British General Alexander replaces General Auchinleck as Commander in Chief of British Forces in North Africa.

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, the Marines prepare an airstrip and fortify the perimeter around it. They receive a small amount of supplies by sea.

Sunday, August 16, 1942

In New Guinea... More Japanese reinforcements arrive for the fighting against the Australians on the Kokoda Trail near Buna.

Monday, August 17, 1942

On the Eastern Front... The important power stations at Pyatigorsk and Yessentuki, in the Caucasus are captured by German forces.

In the Gilbert Islands... US Marines stage a raid on a Japanese seaplane bases on Makin Island.

Over Occupied France... The first bombing raid flown by a completely American squadron bombs Rouen in France.

Tuesday, August 18, 1942

From Berlin... Due to increased partisan activity in the German rear echelon on the Eastern Front, Hitler issues a directive ordering harsher measures against the local populations suspected of resistance. He also grants increased power to the SS Special Units.

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, Japanese reinforcements are landed at Taivu and a detachment of 1,000 troops under the leadership of Colonel Ichiki starts towards the American position. The Japanese believe there are only 3,000 Americans on the Island. There are actually 10,000 and the airstrip is now ready to receive aircraft.

Wednesday, August 19, 1942

In Occupied France... A major raid by mainly Canadian Forces (2nd Canadian Division, under General Roberts), with a British commando component (Nos. 3 & 4 commandos under Lord Lovat) and 50 American Rangers, is staged on the French coast, at Dieppe. Its function is to test German coastal defenses and gather intelligence. The raid goes badly and there is much controversy about it, including the cancellation and remounting of the raid, the inaccurate intelligence concerning German defensive positions and the lack of bomber support for the raid. In all there are 3600 casualties on the Allied side. 106 aircraft, one destroyer, 30 tanks and 33 landing craft are also lost. German casualties are light, 600 men and 50 tanks.

Thursday, August 20, 1942

In the Solomon Islands.. On Guadalcanal, the first aircraft, 31 fighters from the escort carrier USS Long Island are flown into Henderson Field Air Strip.

Friday, August 21, 1942

On the Eastern Front... German Army Groups A and B, (formerly Army Group South) continue their advances. Army Group A penetrates almost to Norovrossiysk on the Black Sea. Elements of Army Group B cross the Don River near Kletskaya.

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, Japanese Colonel Ichiki's force of 1000 men attack the American positions across the Tenaru River. The American strength and defenses are unexpected and the Japanese force is destroyed. The Marines continue to receive shipments of supplies and some reinforcements.

Saturday, August 22, 1942

From Brazil... The government of Brazil declares war on Germany and Italy after the recent sinking of several Brazilian ships by Axis forces.

Sunday, August 23, 1942

On the Eastern Front... German Army Group B reaches the Volga controlling a five mile front between Rynak and Erzovka. Soviet resistance is heavy. Meanwhile in the Caucasus, German mountain troops reach the summit of Mount Elbus, but do not control the area. The mountain valleys and passes are heavily defended by locals reinforced by units of the Red Army.

In the Solomon Islands... . In an attempt to cover the ferrying of supplies to their forces at Guadalcanal, both the Japanese and the American send major warships.

Monday, August 24, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... The Battle of the Eastern Solomons. US Task Force 61, commanded by Admiral Fletcher is comprised of the American aircraft carriers Saratoga, Enterprise and Wasp. The Japanese split their forces into two, Admiral Nagumo commanding the Zuikaku and Shokaku and Admiral Hara, the Ryujo. Both forces are attempting to cover the ferrying of supplies to the respective forces on Guadalcanal. American scout planes discover the Ryujo and Admiral Fletcher dispatches a strike force. When the other two Japanese carriers are sighted, he attempts to redirect the attack, but most of his planes do not receive the new orders and proceed to sink the Ryujo. Admiral Nagumo's planes find the USS Enterprise inflicting damage, however planes can still land on the carrier. Both carrier groups disengage at the end of the day without a clear result.

From Berlin... Hitler appoints Thierack as Minister of Justice, giving him powers to set aside any and all laws.

In New Guinea... Japanese forces from Buna, land on Goodenough Island in preparation for the taking of Milne Bay.

Tuesday, August 25, 1942

On the Eastern Front... The is heavy fighting between German and Soviet forces along the Terek River in the Caucasus. Fighting is especially fierce near Mozdok.

From London... An announcement is made that the Duke of Kent, (younger brother to the King) has been killed in a plane crash in the north of Scotland.

In New Guinea... Japanese attack on Milne Bay begins. Their landings are fiercely resisted by the Australian and American garrison. In other fighting near the Kokoda Trail, the Japanese gain some ground near Isurava.

From Moscow... The Soviet government announces that a two week old offensive on the 75 mile long Moscow Front has been successful.

Wednesday, August 26, 1942

Over Germany... Soviet aircraft raid Berlin and other German cities.

Thursday, August 27, 1942

On the Eastern Front... German attacks have reached Stalingrad on the Volga and the perimeter around the city is being reduced. In the far south, German forces cross the Terek River and capture Prochladrii

In the Solomon Islands... The Battle of the Eastern Solomons. Japanese submarine I-26 damages the USS Saratoga. It will remain out of action until October. The USS Wasp is now the only operational US carrier in the Pacific.

Friday, August 28, 1942

On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces from Leningrad stage a small offensive against the German besiegers.

In the Solomon Islands... At Guadalcanal, the Japanese received more reinforcements brought in by Admiral Tanaka's 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, nicknamed the "Tokyo Express."

Saturday, August 29, 1942

In New Guinea... Japanese naval forces enter Milne Bay.

Sunday, August 30, 1942

In North Africa... Rommel runs into resistance. A final attack designed to clear the British from Egypt begins. However, British General Montgomery's preparations make a difference. The formations have been reconstituted, the intelligence concerning the Germans' position is better. Rommel begins the attack with his armored units, sending them through British minefields between Alam Nayil and Qaret el Himeimat. The defenses are better than expected and progress is slow. Although Rommel has been reinforced with the German 164th Division and some paratroop brigades, he is still short of supplies and has committed this attack on the promise of supplies to come.

In the Solomon Islands... At Guadalcanal, the American forces receive 18 more fighters and 12 dive bombers.

Monday, August 31, 1942

In North Africa... Rommel almost calls off the attack in the face of better British defenses, bombardment by British artillery and the RAF. However, instead, he orders a direct attack on Alam Halfa Ridge. The British defeat this sortie. The bombardment of the Afrika Korps position by both air and artillery continues day and night.

From Washington... US Agricultural Secretary Claude Wickard announces that meat rationing will probably be necessary.

In New Guinea... Stiff resistance has cost the Japanese 1,000 casualties, the first halt in the Japanese expansion in the Pacific. Japanese General Hyakutake leading 17th Army redirects the troops from Milne Bay to concentrate on Guadalcanal.

In the Solomon Islands... The Battle of Guadalcanal. Japanese General Kawaguchi lands 1200 troops on the island.

On the Eastern Front... West of Stalingrad, the Germans continue to advance toward the city. Despite fierce Soviet resistance, they are 16 miles from the city.