# USAAF Chronology:

                       COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
                                          MAY 1942
    FTP SITES
      1. ftp.rutgers.edu in directory pub/wwii/usaf
      2. byrd.mu.wvnet.edu (129.71.32.152) in pub/history/military/airforce/
         wwii_chronology

    AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
    A-20, Douglas Havoc
    A-36, North American Apache
    B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
    B-24, Consolidated Liberator
    B-25, North American Mitchell
    B-26, Martin Marauder
    B-29, Boeing Superfortress
    Beaufighter, Bristol
    C-47, Douglas Skytrain
    F-4, Lockheed Lightning
    F-5, Lockheed Lightning
    P-38, Lockheed Lightning
    P-39, Bell Airacobra
    P-40, Curtiss
    P-47, Republic Thunderbolt
    P-51, North American Mustang
    Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
    Ventura, Lockheed

    FRIDAY, 1 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): Between May and Sep 42, the 433d
    Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 45th Bombardment Group (Medium), flying ASW
    patrols from Mitchel Field, Hempstead, New York with A-29's and B-34's, sends
    detachments to NAAS Boca Chica, Key West and Miami AAFld, Florida; and New
    Orleans AAB, Louisiana.
      (3d Air Force): During May, the 106th Observation Squadron (Medium), 66th
    Observation Group, begins flying ASW patrols from Savannah AAB, Georgia with
    A-20's, P-39's, P-40's and O-46's.
      (4th Air Force): During May, the 17th Observation Squadron (Light), 71st
    Observation Group, begins flying ASW patrols from Salinas AAB, California
    with L-1's, O-46's, O-47's and O-52's. The detachment of the 116th
    Observation Squadron (Medium), 70th Observation Group, operating from Yakima
    County Airport returns to base at Gray Field, Ft Lewis, Washington.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): X Air Service
    Command is activated under command of Brigadier General Elmer E Adler.

    SATURDAY, 2 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN (6th Air Force): Detachment of 28th Pursuit Squadron
    (Interceptor), 37th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), operating from La Joya,
    Panama returns to base at Patilla Pint, Panama with P-39's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Major General Carl
    Spaatz is designated 8th Air Force commander.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): 8th Photographic Squadron,
    5th Air Force (attached to Allied Air Forces), transfers from Brisbane to
    Townsville, Australia with F-4's; first mission was 16 Apr.

    MONDAY, 4 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN (6th Air Force): 3d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 6th Bombardment
    Group (Heavy), transfers from Rio Hato, Panama to the Galapagos Islands off
    the coast of Ecuador with B-18's and LB-30's to fly ASW patrols.

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (2d Air Force): The detachment of the 406th Bombardment
    Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group (Medium), operating from Astoria,
    Oregon returns to base at Paine Field, Everett, Washington with B-18's and
    A-29's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): HQ 35th
    Pursuit Group (Interceptor) is transferred without personnel and equipment
    from New Delhi, India to Sydney, Australia.

    SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, 7th Air Force): Battle of the Coral Sea begins
    with a US carrier-based air attack on Tulagi Island, Solomon Islands.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-26's bomb Vunakanau Airfield
    at Rabaul, New Britain Island. P-39's and B-17's hit the airfield at Lae,
    New Guinea.
      HQ 27th Bombardment Group (Light) and 16th, 17th and 91st Bombardment
    Squadrons (Light) transfer without personnel and equipment from Batchelor
    Field and Charters Towers, Australia to Hunter Field, Savannah, Georgia. The
    units will be remanned and equipped and fight in the Mediterranean.

    TUESDAY, 5 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): On a raid
    against Mingaladon Airfield, Burma during the night of 4/5 May, 4 B-17's bomb
    a hangar and parked aircraft; the crews claim 40 aircraft destroyed but
    searchlights make accurate observation impossible.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Major General Carl
    Spaatz assumes command of HQ 8th Air Force at Bolling Field, Washington, DC.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): 28th Bombardment Squadron
    (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Cloncurry to
    Longreach, Australia with B-17's; a detachment is operating from Perth,
    Australia.

    WEDNESDAY, 6 MAY 1942

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): Mingaladon
    Airfield, Burma is hit for the second consecutive night; 3 B-17's score
    direct hits on fuel dumps at the field.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17's unsuccessfully attack
    shipping in the Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands area.
      Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands surrenders. All US
    organized resistance to the Japanese in the Philippines ends. The air and
    ground echelons of the following AAF units are killed or captured; the units
    are carried as active units without personnel until 2 Apr 46:
      24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor)
      2d Observation Squadron (Medium)
      3d, 17th, 20th, 21st and 34th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor)
      14th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)
    Most of the ground echelon of the following units were killed or captured:
      V Bomber Command
      5th Interceptor Command (Provisional)
      19th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
      27th Bombardment Group (Light)
      16th, 17th and 91st Bombardment Squadrons (Light)
      28th, 30th and 93d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy)

    THURSDAY, 7 MAY 1942

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Battle of the Coral Sea, which
    began on 4 May, approaches its climax as Allied naval forces intercept
    Japanese naval forces near Misima Island, New Guinea. US Navy (USN) dive
    bombers sink the aircraft carrier SHOHO.  Allied forces lose the destroyer
    USS SIMS (DD-409).  Allied Air Force bombers join the battle but their effect
    is limited; several bombers attack Allied vessels by mistake.

    FRIDAY, 8 MAY 1942

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Main action of Battle of the
    Coral Sea occurs as Allied and Japanese carrier forces clash.  Allied bombers
    join USN aircraft in attacking the enemy's main support force which has
    around the S of San Cristobal Island, Solomon Islands. The aircraft carrier
    SHOKAKU is severely damaged by aircraft from the carriers USS LEXINGTON
    (CV-2) and USS YORKTOWN (CV-5). USS LEXINGTON is damaged so severely that it
    later is sunk by USN fire. USS YORKTOWN also suffers damage from aircraft.
    Both sides lose heavily in aircraft, US losses totalling 66 and the Japanese
    considerably more. The Allies turn back the sea assault against Port Moresby,
    a key base in New Guinea and of great importance to the security of
    Australia. The battle is the first major naval engagement in history in which
    the opposing warships do not exchange a shot. The Coral Sea battle marks the
    end of the period in which the Allied forces in the SWPA are only on the
    defensive and paves the way for offensive operations. The reconnaissance work
    of the AAF proves of greater importance than its bombardment operations,
    which have no real effects on the battle. Lack of USN-AAF coordination is
    apparent from the Coral Sea action, and this eventually leads to better
    interservice communication.

    SATURDAY, 9 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): 46th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st
    Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Hammer Field, Fresno to NAS
    Alameda, California with A-29's and continues flying ASW patrols.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): In Burma
    during the night of 8/9 May, 6 B-17's bomb Mingaladon and attack the docks
    at Rangoon.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): 8 B-26's and a single B-17
    attack shipping and seaplanes at Deboyne Island, New Guinea.
      8th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 3d Bombardment Group (Light), transfers
    from Port Moresby, New Guinea to Charters Towers, Australia with A-20's;
    combat operations continue.

    SUNDAY, 10 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN (6th Air Force): The 20th Transport Squadron, Panama Air Depot,
    based at Howard Field, Canal Zone with a detachment at Wallere Field,
    Trinidad, sends another detachment to Losey Field, Puerto Rico with C-39's,
    C-47's and C-49's.

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): Detachment of 396th Bombardment Squadron
    (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group (Medium), flying ASW patrols from NAS
    Alameda with B-18's, LB-30's and A-29's, returns to base at Mather Field,
    Sacramento, California.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-25's bomb the seaplane base
    at Deboyne Island, New Guinea.
      80th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 8th Pursuit Group (Interceptor),
    transfers from Lowood to Petric, Australia with P-39's and P-400's; first
    mission is 22 Jul.

    MONDAY, 11 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): 19th Observation Squadron (Light), 66th
    Observation Group, transfers from Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Florida
    to Pope Field, Ft Bragg, North Carolina and continues flying ASW patrols
    with L-1's, L-4's and A-20's.
      (4th Air Force): Detachment of 392d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), flying ASW patrols from NAS San Diego with
    LB-30's returns to base at Hammer Field, Fresno, California and continues
    flying patrols.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): The transport SS ANDES
    docks in the UK, carrying about 1,800 personnel for various 8th Air Force
    units. This is the first large shipment of AAF troops to the UK.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17's attack Kessa in the N
    Solomon Islands while B-26's hit the seaplane base at Deboyne Island, New
    Guinea.

    TUESDAY, 12 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): 105th Observation Squadron (Medium),
    65th Observation Group, ceases flying ASW patrols from MCAS Cherry Point,
    North Carolina and returns to Langely Field, Hampton, Virginia with O-49's,
    and O-52's; ASW patrols continue until Oct 42. 79th Bombardment Squadron
    (Medium), 45th Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Grenier Field,
    Manchester, New Hampshire to MCAS Cherry Point and continues flying ASW
    patrols with B-34's and A-29's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): B-17's fly
    their first mission in direct defense of the air cargo line to China when 4
    B-17's from Dum Dum Airfield, India heavily damage the runways and set fire
    to several parked aircraft at Myitkyina, Burma. Myitkyina, which fell to
    the Japanese on 8 May, poses a serious fighter threat to the Allied base at
    Dinjan.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): 39 officers and 348
    enlisted men of HQ and the bomber, interceptor and service commands arrive
    at High Wycombe, England where the VIII Interceptor Command sets up HQ.

    WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 4th,
    7th, 18th and 391st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) transfer from Pendleton
    Field, Oregon to Davis-Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona with B-17's and
    continue flying ASW patrols.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Flying personnel of
    the 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), VIII Bomber Command, the first US
    bomb unit sent to the UK, arrive at Newport, UK without aircraft.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17's and B-26's hit
    shipping and the airfield at Rabaul, New Britain Island.
      30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Cloncurry to Longreach, Australia with B-17's.

    THURSDAY, 14 MAY 1942

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): B-17's
    pound Myitkyina, Burma for the second time, scoring direct hits on runways
    and several buildings.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Major General Ira C
    Eaker is designated commander of Detachment, HQ 8th Air Force in addition
    to his duties as Commanding General VIII Bomber Command. Brigadier General
    Frank O'D Hunter assumes command of VIII Interceptor Command.
      15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), VIII Bomber Command, arrives at Grafton
    Underwood, England without aircraft.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17's, B-26's and B-25's
    attack Rabaul, New Britain Island and Lae, New Guinea.

    FRIDAY, 15 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (HQ AAF): Interceptor Commands and Pursuit
    Groups/Squadrons are redesignated Fighter Commands/Groups/Squadrons.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): HQ VIII Bomber
    Command transfers from Daws Hill to High Wycombe, England.

    SATURDAY, 16 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): 78th Bombardment Squadron (Medium),
    45th Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Langley Field, Hampton,
    Virginia to Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Florida with A-20's and
    continues flying ASW patrols.
      (3d Air Force): 51st Bombardment Squadron (Light), 46th Bombardment
    Group (Light), ceases flying ASW patrols and transfers from Galveston
    Municipal Airport, Texas to Blythe AAB, California with A-20's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): HQ 10th Air
    Force completes its move from the US to New Delhi, India.
      B-17's again strike the airfield at Myitkyina, Burma, pounding runways
    and buildings. Subsequent reconnaissance indicates that the runways are
    unusable.

    SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (SOPAC, 7th Air Force): 68th Fighter Squadron,
    58th Fighter Group, transfers from Amberly Field, Australia to Tongatabu
    Island, Tonga Islands with P-40's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25's, B-26's
    and and B-17's hit the airfield and storehouses at Lae and seaplane base at
    Deboyne Island.
      64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Sidney to Daly Waters, Australia with B-17's.

    SUNDAY, 17 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN (6th Air Force): 29th Fighter Squadron, 16th Fighter Group,
    transfers from Albrook Field, Canal Zone to Casa Larga, Panama with P-40's
    and P-39's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Detachment, 8th Air
    Force, with the help of the VIII Bomber Command staff, issues a directive
    defining its mission, which is the organization, training and supplying of
    units advanced echelons of 8th Air Force to prepare for immediate
    operations upon arrival of tactical elements of the 8th. 50 US intelligence
    officers arrive in the UK for training by the Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber
    Command.

    MONDAY, 18 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN: The US and Panama sign an agreement concerning the use of
    Panama defense areas by US forces.

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (3d Air Force): 50th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 46th
    Bombardment Group (Light), ceases flying ASW patrols from Galveston
    Municipal Airport, Texas and transfers to Blythe AAB, California with
    A-20's. 328th, 330th and 409th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 93d
    Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfer from Barksdale Field, Shreveport,
    Louisiana to Buckingham AAFld, Ft Meyers, Florida with B-24's and commence
    ASW patrols.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): The 7th Air Force is placed on
    alert in anticipation of a possible attack on Midway Island. For the next
    10 days the old B-18's on hand are used on sea searches to supplement the
    B-17's. VII Bomber Command receives an influx of B-17's during this period,
    and the 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), is
    converted from B-18's to B-17's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17's bomb shipping in
    Koepang Bay, Timor Island.
      HQ 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 93d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)
    transfers from Garbutt Field to Longreach, Australia with B-17's.
      Detachment of 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group
    (Heavy), ceases operating from Perth and returns to Longreach, Australia
    with B-17's.

    TUESDAY, 19 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      CARIBBEAN (6th Air Force): 31st Fighter Squadron, 37th Fighter Group,
    transfers from Chorrera, Panama to Albrook Field, Canal Zone with P-39's
    and P-40's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Detachment, HQ 8th
    Air Force under Major General Ira C Eaker, assumes control of all AAF
    organizations in the British Isles.

    WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (11th Air Force):

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): 11th
    Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at
    Karachi, India from the US with B-17's; first mission is 3 Jun.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force):

    SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (SOPAC, 7th Air Force): Admiral John S McCain, in
    Seaplane Tender USS TANGIER (AV-8) at Noumea, New Caledonia Island, assumes
    command as Commander Aircraft South Pacific Forces (COMAIRSOPAC).
      Ground echelon of 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment
    Group (Medium), transfers from Amberley Field, Australia to New Caledonia
    Island; air echelon is at Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii with B-26's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17's attack the airfield
    and AA guns at Koepang, Timor Island.

    THURSDAY, 21 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): 112th Observation Squadron (Light),
    65th Observation Group, transfers from Dover AAFld, Delaware to Georgetown
    County Airport, South Carolina and continues flying ASW patrols with
    O-47's, O-49's, O-57's and O-58's.
      (2d Air Force): 76th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group
    (Medium), based at McChord Field, Tacoma, Washington, begins ASW operations
    from Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Florida with A-29's.
      (3d Air Force): 87th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 46th Bombardment Group
    (Light), ceases flying ASW patrols from Galveston Municipal Airport, Texas
    and transfers from Blythe AAB, California with A-20's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-26's bomb aircraft at Lae,
    New Guinea.

    FRIDAY, 22 MAY 1942

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): In Territory of Hawaii, 19th
    Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, transfers from Bellows Field to
    Kualoa Field with P-40's; air echelon of 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium),
    38th Bombardment Group (Medium), arrives at Hickam Field with B-26's; ground
    echelon is on New Caledonia Island; and 73d Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter
    Group, transfers from Wheeler Field to Bellow Field with P-40's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17's pound the airfield at
    Rabaul, New Britain Island while B-26's hit the airfield at Lae, New Guinea
    and attack shipping in the harbor.

    SATURDAY, 23 MAY 1942

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): Agreement is reached
    on a plan to transfer the repair depot at Burtonwood, UK to US forces
    following a period of joint control to begin at the end of Jun 42;
    Burtonwood later becomes the greatest AAF depot overseas.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy),
    5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Hickam Field to Kipapa,
    Territory of Hawaii with B-17's and B-18's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-25's strike the airfield
    and buildings at Lae, New Guinea.

    SUNDAY, 24 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ZONE OF INTERIOR: The deployment of air units from the eastern US is
    begun as a result of the threat of a naval attack on the W coast.
      (1st Air Force): 105th Observation Squadron (Medium), 65th Observation
    Group, transfers from Langely Field, Hampton, Virginia to Georgetown County
    Airport, South Carolina and continues flying ASW patrols with O-49's and
    O-57's.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) (8th Air Force): VIII Air Force Base
    Command, under overall logistical control of Service of Supply, is given
    primary responsibility for all supply and maintenance peculiar to the AAF,
    thus leaving much logistical autonomy to the Army Air Forces in Britain
    (AAFIB).

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-26's attach Lae Airfield,
    New Guinea, but heavy AA and at least 15 intercepting Zekes prevent
    accurate bombing. Several of the B-26's are shot down or badly damaged and
    forced to crashland.

    MONDAY, 25 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (11th Air Force): 11th Fighter Squadron, 28th Composite Group,
    based at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage, Territory of Alaska with P-40's sends
    a detachment to Cold Bay.

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): 116th Observation Squadron (Medium),
    70th Observation Group, based at Gray Field, Ft Lewis, Washington sends a
    detachment to  Moon Island Airport, Hoquiam, Washington to fly ASW patrols
    with O-47's and O-49's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): 4 B-17's
    bomb Rangoon, Burma during the night of 24/25 May.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17's bomb Vunakanau
    Airfield at Rabaul, New Britain Island.

    TUESDAY, 26 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (11th Air Force): 11th Fighter Squadron, 28th Composite Group,
    based at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage, Territory of Hawaii sends a detachment
    to Umnak Island, Aleutian Islands with P-40's.

      ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): Gulf Task Force, I Bomber Command is
    established and placed under operational control of the USN Commander, Gulf
    Sea Frontier, for ASW patrols in the Gulf of Mexico.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO): Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap"
    Arnold, Rear Admiral John H Towers and Air Chief Marshall Sir Charles F
    Portal attend an Anglo-American air conference in London. Topics of
    discussion include allocation of aircraft and the establishment of US air
    forces in the UK. The meeting begins at 10 Downing Street with Prime
    Minister Winston S Churchill.

    WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 1942

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): 11th
    Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from
    Karachi to Allahabad, India with B-17's.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17's bomb the base at
    Rabaul, New Britain Island.

    THURSDAY, 28 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (11th Air Force): A B-17 flies the first armed reconnaissance from
    the secretly constructed airfield at Unmak Island, Aleutian Islands over
    the Aleutian Chain, but finds no sign of the enemy. XI Fighter Command
    elements are not deployed at Unmak (P-40's and P-38's), Cold Bay (P-40's),
    Kodiak (P-39's), and Elmendorf Field [P-38's and Royal Canadian Air Force
    (RCAF) Kittyhawks].
      ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): Following squadrons begin flying ASW
    patrols from Muroc AAB, California with B-17's: 32d, 352d, 353d and 419th
    Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at
    Alamogordo AAB, New Mexico; 358th, 359th 360th and 427th Bombardment
    Squadrons (Heavy), 303d Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Gowen Field,
    Boise, Idaho.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-26's attack the airfield at
    Lae, New Guinea.

    FRIDAY, 29 MAY 1942

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): 4 B-17's
    hit Myitkyina Airfield, Burma in a high-altitude strike. No activity is
    seen.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): 19th Transport Squadron, 7th Air
    Force, transfers from Hickam Field to John Rodgers Airport, Territory of
    Hawaii with C-33's and C-53's.

    SATURDAY, 30 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (11th Air Force): 77th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 28th
    Composite Group, based at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage, Territory of Alaska,
    begins operating from Umnak Island, Aleutian Islands with B-26's.

    CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (10th Air Force): Myitkyina,
    Burma is again hit by B-17's. Again no activity is observed and the attacks
    are discontinued.
      HQ 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Karachi to Dum-Dum,
    India.

    EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO): During conferences with Air Chief
    Marshall Sir Charles F Portal, Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap" Arnold
    presents "Programme of Arrival of US Army Air Forces in the United Kingdom"
    providing for 66 combat groups, exclusive of observation squadrons, by Mar
    43.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): 7th Air Force begins flying B-17's
    from the Territory of Hawaii to Midway Island in the face of an expected
    attack on that island.
      394th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
    transfers from Hickam Field to Bellows Field, Territory of Hawaii with
    B-17's.

    SUNDAY, 31 MAY 1942

    AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

      ALASKA (11th Air Force): 54th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group
    (attached to XI Fighter Command) arrives at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage,
    Territory of Alaska with P-40's.
      ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): 102d Observation Squadron (Light), 69th
    Observation Group, transfers from San Bernardino AAFld to Ontario AAFld,
    California and continue flying ASW patrols with O-46's, O-47's, O-49's and
    O-52's.

    PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, 7th Air Force): B-17's on detached service at
    Midway Island begin search operations.

    SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17's attack Lae and
    Salamaua, New Guinea.

    SOURCES:
    AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
      Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
    COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
      History, Headquarters USAF 1982
    THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
      Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
    THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2

    Jack McKillop
    USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
    1955-59

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    |  Jack McKillop              |  Those who have long enjoyed such |
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    |  Piscataway, NJ USA         |  time that men have died to win   |
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