April 21-30, 1942: Japan
plans for the Pacific, while the Allies keep up
the pressure in the Mediterranean and try to plan ahead.
The USSR prepares for the inevitable.
APRIL 21st
Berlin:
Meeting at the RLM concerning future German bombers development.
Heinkel’s representatives are pressing for what they call the He-177B,
or a four-engines (4 x DB-603) variant of the still very troublesome
He-177. This is however denied both by Goering and Milch. Junker’s representatives
are also questioned about the Ju-288 development and they can’t hide
that the programme is seriously in trouble because its new Jumo engines.
The only solution seems to be boosting the Ju-188 programme by pushing
for advanced variants (with BMW-801 or Jumo-213 engines) and to begin
a new four-engined plane, using as much components possible from both the
Ju-188 and the Ju-288.
North Africa:
Another large raid (the code-word “Circus” has been adopted as
in GB) aiming at the Comiso Airfield complex in Sicily. In two waves,
French and US planes attack with 54 bombers and 154 fighters. The Regia
Aeronautica has to react to an attack targeting one of its main facilities
and in the ensuing dogfights 14 Allied planes are lost (5 bombers and
9 fighters) for the loss of 11 Italian fighters with 6 more destroyed
on the ground.
Kalamata (Peloponnesus).
At 00h58 the large LSI HMS Keren, which was unloading troops, is
rocked by an underwater explosion killing 176men. The ship has to be
hurriedly beached. The culprits were Italian combat-swimmers whose SLC
had been carried by a submarine.
During the day Allied planes strike Corinth, Patras and Piraeus,
eliciting a strong Luftwaffe response. No less than 27 Allied planes
are lost this days (11 bombers and 16 fighters), of which 5 by AA fire
against 15 Axis fighters (6 Italians and 9 Germans).
Sydney:
Adm. Nimitz meets with US and British naval commanding officers,
that is Rear Adm. Frank Fletcher (commanding the Yorktown group), Rear
Adm. Aubrey Fitch (who has just replaced Adm. Wilson Brown at the head
of the Lexington group), Rear Adm. Leigh Noyes (of Wasp group) and Rear
Adm. Thomas Kincaid and J.G Crace (RN). Of the 3 USN carrier, Lexington
is fresh out a repair and modernisation job in Pearl Harbor, after damage
she suffered previously. Yorktown and Wasp on the other hand have operated
out of Australia or from Noumea for now three months.
The six men then review the situation for the defence of Port-Moresby,
Eastern Australia and Samoa-New Caledonia. Nimitz urges the commanders
to make their plans on the face of the enemy’s capabilities and not supposed
intents, stressing that Intelligence generated data are sharply decreasing
for a time. Adm. Halsey’s Aircraft-Carriers were not to be back to Pearl
Harbor before April 25th and would then need at least 5 days for upkeep.
They could be available by May 8th, taking into account a 20kts crossing
between Pearl Harbor and the Coral Sea. However, they could also be needed
to counter-attack a Japanese attempt to land at Midway. US Army planes based
in Port-Moresby and Queensland in Australia could give a hand but all Naval
officers were convinced that Army flyers were not to be very effective in
maritime reconnaissance and attack. To a large extent, maritime reconnaissance
will rely on the Tangier seaplane group operating from Noumea with 6 PBY-5
and expecting 6 more by May 1st, and by French seaplanes.
From this point of view the destruction of the submarine tender
Griffin is a most unfortunate event as US submarines operating from Australian
east coast will seriously lack torpedoes and equipment. Considering this
situation, Nimitz and his fellow commanding officers take the step to directly
call Adm. Musellier (who had moved to Canberra for meetings with Australian
officials) and ask for re-location of the French 2nd Far-East Submarine
Flotilla to Brisbane so to boost R.Adm F. Rockwell TF-42 assets.
Muselier is reached by the end of the afternoon and he generally
agrees but makes clear then that the 2nd FESF is to operate from Noumea
under his own command.
Tokyo:
Meeting of the Imperial General Staff to review new war development.
Admiral Ysoroku Yamamoto notes Japan vulnerability to a seaborne attack
following the surprise bombing delivered by US planes. Considering that
the Allied fleet operating in the Far-East and now from Colombo had been
battered up by Kondo’s 2nd Fleet he urges the necessity to implement
the strategy of extending Japan defensive zone. One new aim is also to
draw the US Fleet into a battle before it had been effectively refurbished
and strengthened.
Considering Allied willingness to contest any Japanese move, as
experienced during operations in the South China Sea, against Netherlands
East Indies or at Rabaul; Yamamoto predicts that major an operation could
trigger a battle where the enemy fleet could be destroyed part by part.
He then stresses the fact that the planned move toward Port-Moresby, because
it would clearly open the gate to an operation against Noumea and sever
the US-Australia line could not be not contested by the enemy. The planned
operation MO is then a good occasion to draw part of the enemy fleet into
battle, to destroy it and demoralise what would be left if forces allocated
to this operation could be strengthened. The enemy could not commit all of
his forces to defend Australia because it would then leave Hawaii much too
vulnerable. In the face of the current enemy behaviour Yamamoto then proposes
to expand operation MO, which is to begin by May 15th so to induce the enemy
to think it is the first step before either major a landing in Australia
or at least in Samoa and New Caledonia.
The planned operation against Midway would then take place by July
once MO successfully executed, so to destroy what would have been left
of the enemy fleet. If the enemy would not to react to operation MO as
expected, then large carrier strikes would destroy enemy airfields and
bases in Eastern Australia as they did for Darwin on the West coast,
paving the way for a landing in Samoa and New Caledonia by end summer.
After having executed these raids, aircraft-carriers would then join the
Kido-Butai operating against Midway.
Once Midway was secured, Japanese forces could support landings
in the Aleutians to complete the intended defensive ring against what
would then be a very depleted and demoralised enemy. Australia, being
obviously cut off from both Great Britain in the West and the United States
in the East could be pushed out of war and would have to agree to Japanese
economic conditions.
Admiral Nagano, Chief of the Naval general staff had been convinced
before by Yamamoto’s ideas, which were just a restatement of the Imperial
Policy as part of Japan’s Basic war Plan in 1938, and supports it at the
IGS where the plan is endorsed at the end of the day.
APRIL 22nd
Algiers:
The National Defence Committee hold a special meeting to discuss
what answer is to be given to a message sent by Australia Prime Minister
Mr. J. Curtin. In his message, Curtin acknowledged the fact the Royal
Navy could not and would not send more ships to the South-West Pacific.
He stated that Churchill had made clear the two RN carriers leaving the
Mediterranean were needed to protect Colombo, India and Burma’s coast.
This is why Curtin was asking the French government to: “…send one
or two fast Battleships, which could team with Renown and the force Adm.
Crace is now building. If so the Australian government would support the
fact this squadron would be put under French command provided the French
commanding officer was higher in grade or seniority to Adm. Crace”.
Curtin’s message was clearly showing how much the Australian Prime-Minister
was concerned with the possibility of a Japanese landing in Northeast
Australia, and with the fact that the US Navy would in any case give
Hawaii defence the priority.
Admiral Lemonnier makes clear that such an option is not open to
the French Navy. With new British battleships now entering service,
the Richelieu group could be moved back to North Africa. However this
could not free Dunkerque and Strasbourg, which both are desperately in
need of a thorough refit. Lemonnier remarks that all what can be done is
to move part of French submarines now operating from Fremantle to Brisbane
and maybe to add the fast Emile Bertin to Allied forces operating in SW
Pacific. Both Paul Reynaud and Georges Mandel are doubtful about the meaning
of a further French contribution to Australia n defence. It is to Charles
de Gaulle and Henry de Kerilis to suggest that French presence even if just
symbolic would be important post-war for French status in the Pacific.
Both men however agree with Adm. Lemonnier that Dunkerque and Strasbourg
are not to be sent without a refit and this one would take weeks if not
months. If Dunkerque could be in New York by mid-May and Strasbourg late
May, both ships would not be ready before mid or end August. It would
be time by then to review the situation.
Northern Aegean:
The Mudros airfield on Limnos Island is again operational. By afternoon,
the airfield sees the landing of 25 Hurricane-II fighters belonging
to RAF n° 605 sqn and SAAF n°1 sqn.
Peloponnesus:
Another day of relatively high air activity with the Aegean Air
Force striking Piraeus and Corinth by day, and Patras by night. No less
than 16 Allied planes are destroyed (7 bombers and 9 fighters) against
11 Axis aircraft. German and Moroccan troops are clashing bloodily again
around Krestana.
Truk Island:
Arrival of IJN Carrier Division 5 in preparation of operation MO.
CarDiv 5 is under RADM Chuichi Hara's command and includes CVs Shokaku
and Zuikaku. Shokaku (CAPT Joshima Takaji ) has the following Air Group
commanded by LT CDR Takahashi Kakuichi
18 A6M2 - LT Hoashi Takumi
21 D3A1 - LT Yamaguchi Masao
19 B5N2 - LT Ichihara Tatsuo.
The aircraft carrier is also carrying 3 A6M2 - cargo for Tainan
Air Group (at Rabaul). Shokaku is carrying the first IJN air-detection
radar, developed from a German Freya set with a Japanese built antenna.
This radar, a prototype of Type 2 Mod 3 sets, operated on 240 MHz with
a 30Kw peak power, giving a range of 80nm. Range accuracy was +/- 150yds
and bearing accuracy +/- 0.5°. There was no direct altitude measurement
but through "lobing" (that is the fading in and out of a blip as the plane
entered or exited radar produced lobes) some altitude measurment could be
done.
Shokaku is sailing in company with Zuikaku (CAPT Yokokawa Ichibei)
whose Air Group commanded by LT CDR Shimazaki Shigekazu includes:
20 A6M2 - LT Okajima Kiyohuma
22 D3A1 - LT Ema Tamatsu
23 B5N2 - LT Subota Yoshiaki
(5 A6M2 are carried as cargo for Tainan Air Group at Rabaul).
The Carrier Division 5 screen, under RADM Susumu Kimura is composed
of
CL Nagara and Destroyer Division 17 with DD Isokaze, Urakaze, Hamakaze,
Tanikaze.
APRIL 23rd
Kiel (Germany)
During the night, Kiel harbour and shipyards are attacked by 171
RAF heavy bombers trying to damage German Battleship Tirpitz. If the
city and harbour installations are suffering from the bombing, the battleship
escapes any damage.
Algiers:
Following the French government's sympathetic but desultory answer
to Prime Minister Curtin, Adm. Lemonnier send a message to Adm. Musellier
stating:
“ In no case you would let the Australian authorities under the
impression France could, in the present situation allocate more forces
to Australia than what as been already done, whatever sympathy you can
have for them under the very tragic situation they are currently facing.
You would nonetheless transfer the 1st and 2nd FESF to Brisbane less than
Diamant and Perle which are to operate from Fremantle to harass Japanese
naval operations in the NEI through systematic mine laying. You would chose
Brisbane and not Noumea as the latter port definitely lacks equipment and
facilities needed. You are authorised to transfer the base ship Condorcet
to Brisbane if needed. You are also authorised to put the fast cruiser-minelayer
Emile Bertin under Adm. Crace’s authority. You will co-operate to your utmost
with US and Australian authorities, so as to make Noumea an effective
operational base in the shortest time. You are to make every disposition
to prepare New-Caledonia's defence should the enemy extend his presence
in the Solomons.”
Rhodes:
“Coronation” operation against Rumanian oilfields resumes. During
the night 34 RAF Short Stirling and 43 AdA B-24D attack Ploesti where
the Creditul Minier refinery plant is heavily hit. German and Romanian defences
are taking however an important toll with 2 Stirling shot down by 88mm
AA guns and 3 Stirling and 2 B-24D downed by German night-fighters.
Moscow:
General Golikov, head of the Red Army Intelligence Department (GRU)
transmits to Stalin, Beria and Molotov the two following notes (which
are now in Central Military Archives):
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY n° 13/42
According to Intelligence and other sources, the group of German
forces deployed in the zone against the Western Special Military District
has increased by two-thirds since April 11th and it amounts now to 29
or 30 Infantry Divisions, 2 to 4 motorised infantry divisions, one Armoured
Division and 2 SS Armoured Divisions, one tank brigade and at least seven
tank regiments. One cavalry division as well as three heavy artillery
regiments and four combat engineer regiments are also presents. More troops
are to be moved in days to come.
According to deserters, infantry, artillery and tanks are moved
by night from Warsaw along the highway to Vishkov, Ostrov and Brock. Radio
Intelligence has signalled a strong increase in air operations from warsaw
airdrome where more than 200 planes now are stationed. Big air formations
have been identified at Lodz, Kalish and Koenigsberg where at least 120
planes are stationed, of which a significant proportion are STUKA.
Civilian population movement are severly restricted.
All civil medical institutions in the General Governorship have
been transferred to Military Authorities. German medical staff is arrivingin
Warsaw. In Warsaw, Malkiniya and Ostrolenka thousands of German railway
workers have been concentrated.
Data compiled by Ltn-Col. Mashkov, Chief of Unit-3 of Intelligence
Department, Western Special Military District.
INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY n°14/42
From Sources “Corsican” and “Sargeant”
Luftwaffe air Depots in Eastern Germany and General Governorship
have been put under alert status. Civil and military workers have had
all leaves suspended. Logistic units are transferring Grade 89 and Grade
96 aviation fuel to new depots in General Governorship and in Hungary.
Luftwaffe headquarters are to give a day to day situation report of these
movements to the General Staff.
Spare military engines are transferred to Warsaw, Lodz and Koenigsberg.
Most air units training in General Governorship and Eastern Germany are
changing their call-sign.
Data compiled by Unit-5, Central Military Intelligence.
(“Corsican” and “Sargeant” were code-words for two “Red Choir”
operators, Arvid Harnnack and H. Schulze-Boizen.)
APRIL 24th
French North Africa:
Another large “Circus” operation, this time directed against Trapani
airfield complex in Sicily. Trapani is attacked by 54 B-25 and 27 DB-73
(11th, 21st and 31st French Bomber Wings) escorted by 172 Hawk-87/P-40
E from French 3rd and 39th Fighter Wings, SAAF 233rd Wing, USAAF 33rd
and 57th FG. Italian reaction is again moderate and only 11 Allied planes
are lost (4 Bombers and 7 fighters) to 9 Italian fighters. However, 11
other Italian planes (3 fighters and 8 bombers) are destroyed by this raid.
Moscow:
During the night the People's Comissar for Defense, Marshal S.
Timoshenko and the Red Army Chief of Staff, Gen. G. Zhukov, send to
all Westren Military District Commanders the following document:
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
STRICTLY PERSONAL.
COPY TO COMRADE STALIN AND COMRADE MOLOTOV.
(1) The political situation in Europe makes us pay exceptional
attention to defending our Western borders. Aggression against us will
happen soon, but avoiding any provocation is of the utmost importance.
Because of the current situation in the Far East Japanese aggression
is not possible.
(2) Current intelligence data are showing that Germany is deploying
along our borders up to 165 divisions, of which 20 are tank divisions
and 15 are motorised divisions. Finland, Italy, Romania, and Hungary
are to ally with Germany in a war against the Soviet Union and could contribute
up to 30-35 more divisions of which 5 could be tank divisions.
(3) Enemy attack is to take place along axes surveyed in the January
and February wargames. Combined arms strikes with strong air support
are to be expected from the very outset of the war. Echelonned defence
is to be the best solution to blunt such blows, so to switch to the offensive
at the first opportunity, exploiting gaps that are to exist between highly
mobile enemy forces and more traditional components of its army.
(4) Mobilisation of forces in all Western Military Districts and
in the Leningrad Military District is to begin by April 28th. Leaves
are to be suspended by May 2nd. The General Staff is to be kept informed
of the weather situation and how it affects road and communications on
a daily basis by District commanders. To avoid provocations and deny the
enemy destruction of our forces, the majority of our fighting elements
are to move behind strengthened ("Ukreplenye") regions.
(5) Frontal and air defence aviation (VVS and IA-PVO) units are
to be on full alert status from April 28th onward. Any change in German
air activity along our borders is to be immediately reported to higher
authorities.
Signed:
Marshal S. Timoshenko
Gen. G. Zhukov
(Document to be found in Central Military archives, fond 16/2951,
vol 251, pp. 7-8).
Northern Sumatra:
The IJA resumes its drive toward northern Sumatra to expel all
surviving Allied troops still operating here.
Truk
Arrival to Truck of R.Adm Aritomo Goto support force earmarked
for “Operation MO”. This support force, which is to protect the attack
group heading for Port-Moresby but also in a way to act as a bait for
enemy carriers is composed of CV Junyo (24 A6M2s, 15 D3A1s, 10 B5N2s),
with a screen made of DD: Hibiki, Asashio, Oshio, Mitsishio, Arashio ,
Sazanami. These ships are joining CA Aoba (Goto’s Flagship), Kako, Kinugasa,
Furutaka and Destroyer Division 2 commanded by Rear Admiral R. Tanaka
with CL Jintsu, and DDs Kuroshio, Oyashio, Hatsukaze, Hayashio & Amatsukaze.
Junyo, whose building had been so precipited in 1941 that she broke
down early in the war when operating with Kondo’s second Fleet had also
been equipped with a radar. The set is the Japanese version of the German
naval FuMo 22/23/24 series used for heavy gun fire control. The transmiter
operated at 355-430 MHz with initially a 8 Kw peak power and a Prf of 500
(5 micro-second pulses). Junyo operates the prototype of the Type 2 Mk
2 Mod 3, which is similar to the German FuMo 24 and has a 6m x 2m manually
rotated antenna giving a 15nm range on ships and a 25nm range on medium-sized
aircraft at 5,000m altitude. This solution is to be tested in parallel
with the huge rotating antenna used on the Shokaku.
APRIL 25th
Roma:
The Regia Aeronautica Chief of Staff leaves for Berlin with a strong
message from Mussolini to Hitler asking the last either to step-up deliveries
of German aircraft engines to the Italian industry, or to deliver fighters
(specifically Bf-109F and long promised twin-engines ones) or to allocate
Luftwaffe new fighter units to Southern Italy and Sicily.
In the same time, in a secret meeting with various Civilian and
Military authorities, Mussolini orders that building of fortifications
in Sicily and Calabria to be accelerated “even at the cost of delaying
or even stopping repair of damaged warships.” This order was actually
just a confirmation of what the Italian General Staff had decided following
massive Allied attacks against Sicily and the loss of both Pantelleria
and Lampedusa islands. Italian military historians have described nonetheless
this April 25th meeting as the “death warrant of the Italian Navy at least
as a blue-water force.”
Peloponnesus:
Very heavy but localised fighting around Krestana, where German
mountain troops are unable to expel the 5th RTM from its positions. The
Luftwaffe tries to support the attack and 118 offensive missions are flown,
costing 12 planes (5 bombers and 7 fighters and fighter-bombers) at the
cost of 10 Allied fighters.
During the night Sparti is attacked by German night-bombers, 2
of them falling to Beaufighter night-fighter guns.
With the night, Allied MTBs based in Pyrgos are laying mines in
the Patras Gulf under the cover of a night attack on Missolonghi carried
out by RAF Wellington bombers.
Northern Sumatra:
Allied troops begin to embark for Sabang, as Japanese troops are
pushing to the north.
Kure:
Following Yamamoto instructions to strengthen forces participating
in “Operation MO”, Carrier Division 2 under command of RADM Tamon Yamaguchi
and composed of Hiryu (21 A6M2, 21 D3A1, 22 B5N2) and CV Soryu (21 A6M2,
21 D3A1, 21 B5N2) leaves Kure for Truck. CarDiv 2 is to be escorted by
BatDiv 1 with BC Hei and Kirishima (this last just repaired after damage
suffered in the South China Sea battle and equipped with a FuMO 23 German
fire-control radar designated in Japane Type 2 Mk2 Mod 1 for her 14in guns),
Cruiser Division 5 with CA Maya, Myoko, Haguro, Cruiser Division 7 commanded
by VADM Ozawa with CA Kumano, Mogami, Mikuma, Destroyer Division 27 with
DD Arike, Yugure, Shigure, Shiratsuyu and Destroyer Division 8 with
Ushio and Akebono.
Adm. Yamamoto insisted on having RADM Yamaguchi in command of CarDiv-2
as this officer is considered one of the most competent of the IJN,
and is seen by some as a possible Yamamoto successor.
APRIL 26th
French North Africa:
Another large raid against Sicilian airfields around Trapani is
launched during the day, with 54 bombers and 136 fighters (AdA and USAAF).
The Regia Aeronautica reacts with only a small, but effective fighter attack
on the bombers, destroying 2 DB-73 and 1 B-25 as well as 2 P-40E against
the loss of 2 Macchi MC-202 and 1 Reggiane Re-2001.
During the night, Sfax based RAF Wellington bombers attack Palermo.
Berlin:
This day the OKW begins to disseminate among divisions which are
to be soon involved in the forthcoming operation "Barbarossa" the following
order: -----
April 26, 1942
Staff Command Secret Document
Chief Only
Only Through Officer
High Command of the Wehrmacht (OKW)
WFST [Armed Forces Operational Staff] Div. L (VI/Qu)
No. 44822/41 g.K Chiefs
Guidelines for the Treatment of Political Commissars
In the fight against Bolshevism it is not to be expected that the
enemy will act in accordance with the principles of humanity or international
law. In particular, the political commissars of all kinds, who are the
real bearers of resistance, can be expected to mete out treatment to our
prisoners that is full of hate: cruel and inhuman.
The army must be aware of the following:
1. In this battle it would be mistaken to show mercy or respect
for international law towards such elements. They constitute a danger
to our own security and to the rapid pacification of the occupied territories.
2. The barbaric, Asiatic fighting methods are propagated by the
political commissars. Action must therefore be taken against them immediately,
without further consideration, and with all severity. Therefore, when
they are picked up in battle or resistance, they are, as a matter of
principle, to be finished immediately with a weapon.
In addition, the following regulations are to be observed:
Operational Areas
1) Political commissars operating against our armies are to be
dealt with in accordance with the decree on judicial provisions in the
area of "Barbarossa." This applies to commissars of every type and rank,
even if they are only suspected of resistance, sabotage or incitement
to sabotage....
----
Rhodes:
Another "Coronation" raid is launched and 34 French Consolidated-32
as well as 23 RAF short Stirling attack Ploesti. This raid is moderately
effective as clouds are obscuring the target. 3 Stirling and 2 Consolidated-32
are destroyed by German night fighters. This raid is the first action of
new night-fighter units sent by the Luftwaffe high command to the Mediterranean
and Balkan theatre of operations and particularly 7/NJG 1 and 8 NJG/ 1
operating from Bucarest.
Darwin:
Ten USAAF B-25 and three B-17, flying from darwin and after refueling
in a "secret" airstrip in Mindanao, bomb targets around Cavite.
Fremantle:
French 1500t submarines of the 2nd FESF (Sfax, Bévéziers,
Sidi Ferruch) leave Fremantle for Brisbane, except Casabianca which
is to be deployed in support of French and local forces in Indochina.
Pearl Harbor:
Maintenance and repair job is going on at a hasty pace on USS Enterprise
and Hornet after the Tokyo raid. RADM Halsey meets CINCPAC, Adm. Chester
Nimitz to discuss oncoming operations. Nimitz asks Halsey to be ready
to leave Pearl Harbor at short notice to escort a convoy bound to Midway,
which is to be stregthened as fast as possible.
APRIL 27th
Oran-La Sénia:
Arrival, after a record breaking ocean crossing, of 23 USAAF B-24D
under Colonel H.A. Halveston's command. These planes, which have flown
through San Juan, Cayenne and Dakar to Morocco, are to join French Consolidated-32
operating from Rhodes in the "Coronation" Force.
Peloponnesus:
During the night, 8 Italian MBTs try to intercept a French convoy
bound to Pyrgos, including 6 "old" MAS-501 class boats (MAS 502, 504,
505, 525, 513, 518) and two of the brand new "heavy" MS-1 class (MS-11
and 12). Italian boats are however intercepted by the so-called "Pyrgos
squadron". In the ensuing battle, 2 MAS boats are sunk (MAS 502, 505), but
one French "Fairmile" boat (VGB-111) is also sunk.
In Sparti, where Gen. Giraud and his HQ are installed, commanding
officers begin to plan operation "Pericles" aiming at re-opening land-communication
with Pyrgos and destroying a substantial part of German forces.
Rangoon (Burma)
During the night 26 RAF Wellington bombers attack Bangkok, which
is imperfectly darkened. British bombers are able to strike Don Muang
airfield, and destroy a dozen Japanese planes.
Noumea (French New-Caledonia).
Arrival of Task Force 17 under RADM Frank J. Fletcher command,
with Task Group 17.5 (Carrier Group) (RADM Aubrey W. Fitch) composed
of CV USS Lexington - CAPT Frederick Sherman , CV USS Yorktown
- CAPT Elliott Buckmaster, part of CruDiv 6, with CA USS Minneapolis
- CAPT Frank J. Lowry , New Orleans - CAPT Howard H. Good , Astoria
- CAPT Francis W. Scanland and a Destroyer screen (Desron 2) Cptn Gilbert
C. Hoover with USS Morris - CDR Harry B. Jarrett, Anderson - LT CDR John
K.B. Ginder, Hammann - CDR Arnold E. True, Russell - LT CDR Glenn R. Hartwig.
APRIL 28th
French North Africa:
Air operations are heavy all day over Sicily and Sardinia, where
Cagliari-Elmas airfield is attacked. 227 offensive missions are flown
by Allied planes, which lose 9 against 7 Italian fighters.
Peloponnesus:
The Aegean Air Force is launching many attacks against Axis communications
to prepare for "Pericles". Nearly 200 offensive missions are flown and
13 planes lost against 8 German and Italian aircraft lost. During the
night Wellington bombers attack Piraeus and Larissa marshalling yards.
German Night Fighters destroy 4 planes.
Moscow:
After a lengthy discussion at the State Defence Committe (GKO)
Stalin agrees with stepping up the RKKA second strategic echelon, under
the cover of "Spring Exercises". Forces from the Volga and the Caucasus
Military Districts are to move to areas east of the Dnepr.
Northern Sumatra:
Japanese troops enter Banda Aceh. But for some isolated pockets
on Sumatra's western coast, the whole island is now under Japanese control.
APRIL 29th.
Germany:
New night raid against Kiel by 143 RAF bombers (of which 11 are
lost to night-fighters and Flak).
Balkans:
Luftwaffe creates two specific commands in the Balkan-Greece theatre
of operations. (Order of Battle below.)
FliegerFührer Balkan, whose headquarters are in Pitesti (Romania)
is to coordinate activities of German night-fighter units, Romanian
fighters and Hungarian fighters to protect Ploesti oil-fields. This
command is also to manage depots and reserve for the second one, and
to implement some anti-guerrilla operations in Yugoslavia.
FliegerFürher Greece, under Kesselring command has the status
of a Luftflotte and is to co-ordinate the 3 FliegerKorps operating in
Greece.
Singapore (see separate reports for greater detail)
After much heavy fighting, with British and Indian forces chewing up
the Japanese attackers and pushing them back in much of Singapore, Operation
VIMY RIDGE begins in an effort to break the defensive position of the Japanese
forces on Singapore and force them off the island.
APRIL 30th:
Peloponnesus:
Inconclusive battle between Italian MAS boats and the "Pyrgos"
squadron during the night. Two French MTBs are damaged but able to return
to Pyrgos on their own power. Italian boats are unable to close on a
convoy carrying men and equipment to Pyrgos.
Truk
Arrival of Adm. Yamamoto at Truk for a last review of the upcoming
operation MO.
Singapore (see separate reports for greater detail)
VIMY RIDGE continues as worn out Japanese forces whither under the
weight of British and Indian tanks and artillery, and determined infantry.
Japanese units that are able to escape trickle out on foot, often
through swamps or waterlogged ground. They are without heavy equipment,
and their formations are devastated.
===========
Axis Air Power: Balkans
and Aegean
29th April 1942:
Fliegerfürher Balkan Combat planes only: 303
Fighter component: 206 planes
Luftwaffe: 73
II/ZG 26 and III/ZG 26 : 24 Bf-110 F and 19 Bf-110 C&D
7/ NJG 1 and 8/NJG 1 with 26 Bf-110 F and 4 Ju-88C
Hungarian Air Force: 28
2nd Fighter Regiment (16 Bf-109 E and 12 Fiat CR-42)
Slovak Air Force: 12
14th Fighter Squadron: 12 Avia B-534
Army cooperation and anti-guerrilla: 97 planes
Luftwaffe: 79
2.(H)/12 with 17 Hs 126B and 8 Avia B-534, 6 PZL-11
3.(H)/12 with 7 Hs 126B and 11 Letov S-328
2.(H)/21 with 10 Hs 126B and 11 Heinkel-60, 9 PZL-11
Croatian Air force: 18
11 Breguet 19, 7 Blenheim 1
I-Northern and Central Greece (Luftwaffe responsibility)
Luftwaffe: Total 389 planes
IInd Air Corps (Gen. Loerzer): Total: 204 planes
Fighter: (122 + 30)
JG-53 (4 gruppen) : 52 Bf-109F and 19 Bf-109E
ZG 1 51 Bf-110F
I/NJG 2 (special night-fighter unit) 18 Bf-110 and 12 Ju-88C-6 (based
at Sofia, Salonika and Kavalla)
Bomber: (52)
I/KG 77 and II/KG 77: 52 Ju-88
Xth Air Corps (Gen. Geisler): Total: 185 planes
(Acting as a strategic reserve)
Fighter: (84)
I/JG 77 and II/JG 77: 56 Bf-109F
III/JG 77: 28 Bf-109F Fighter-bombers (Jabo)
Bomber: (101)
I/LG 1 and II/LG II : 41 Ju-88.
I/KG 26 and II/KG 26: 28 He-111
I/StG 1 and II/ StG 2: 32 Ju-87B2 and D1.
II. Athens Area and Missolonghi:
Joint Luftwaffe and Regia Aronautica responsibility, total: 316 combat
planes, of which 182 fighters (119 for the Luftwaffe and 63 for the RA)
and 51 Bombers (all Luftwaffe) and 83 Assault planes (Luftwaffe 43, RA:
40).
The Regia Aeronautica had transfered remnants of the Command Sector
South to the Athens area.