May 22-30, 1942:
all sides lick wounds and look ahead,
except for Barbarossa, where the fury continues to build.
MAY 22nd:
Washington:
US Secretary of State Mr. Cordell Hull summons to his office both the
Soviet and the Finnish Ambassadors to ask them that US government would
highly appreciate that a peaceful solution could be found to the current
situation between both countries.
French North Africa:
The first SAV-42 "Ram/Belier" tanks are delivered to French armoured
troops.
This same day, Allied planes are making a huge two-wave raid against
Tarento. 387 planes participate in this raid, which is a qualified success
as clouds are partly obscuring the target. 11 planes are lost (of which
4 to AA guns) for 6 Italian fighters destroyed.
Fishermen's Bend (Australia)
First flight of the CA-4 n°2, piloted by Ken Frewin. This second
prototype of the new twin-engined attack bomber developed by CAC (and known
as "Wackett's bomber" or "Wackett's wonder") differs to a significant extent
from the first prototype, which has been delivered on April 20th to N°1
Aircraft Depot, RAAF Laverton for armament trial. Under supervision of two
French engineers, H. Deplante and J-C Parot, helped by a former SNCASO team
of 30 draughtsmen, engine nacelles have been re-designed and twin 0.303 in
machine gun barbettes deleted for a 0.50 in Browning mounted at the rear
of the cockpit on a hydraulic mounting. The aircraft fuselage has been lengthened
by 3 ft, the ventral aiming position deleted and a twin tail fitted, to cure
the vicious tail flutter the first prototype was suffering. If a slight rudder
overbalance at low speed is still noted, the plane quickly demonstrates considerably
improved aerodynamic qualities and raises enthusiastic comments from the test
pilot.
MAY 23rd:
Washington:
US President F.D. Roosevelt sends a personal message to both Stalin
and the Finnish Prime-Minister, asking them to act with the utmost restraint
in the current situation. In his message to Stalin, Roosevelt clearly alludes
to the Lend-Lease in reference to the situation between Soviet Union and
Finland.
Algiers:
Mr. Georges Mandel, Minister of the Interior announces that the ban
on the French Communist Party is lifted.
Brisbane:
Arrival early evening of TF-17 survivors. Adm. Fletcher and Fitch are
welcomed by Marshal Wavell as "saviours of Australia". Adm. Crace, whose
ships are not to enter Brisbane before the next day, had already received
the same message.
Nouméa:
V.Adm Emile Musellier also receives a message from Adm. Nimitz thanking
him for his efficient and well planned support given to Allied forces in
the area. A similar message has also been sent by the French government.
However this message contains also a less pleasant part. V.Adm Musellier
is recalled to Algiers and is to be replaced by R.Adm Thierry d'Argenlieu.
This would create later a long feud between Emile Musellier and De Gaulle,
who was held by the first responsible for what looked like a "dismissal"
occurring at a critical point. Actually, if the French Government, and particularly
the Minister of War had been displeased by some of Musellier's initiatives,
mostly when pledging support to the Australian government without former
consulting Algiers, the actual reason was linked to Alliance military politics.
The US government had appointed V.Adm Robert L. Ghormley as SOPAC commander
and he would operate from Nouméa. As Musellier was elder than Ghormley,
he could have claimed this position. Hence, it was necessary to replace
him by R.Adm d'Argenlieu.
MAY 24th:
Washington:
Both Soviet and Finnish Ambassadors meet again in Cordell Hull's office
to try to find a solution to the current situation. Soviet ambassador points
to the fact that German forces are using the Finnish territory to launch
military operations against Soviet Union. The Finnish ambassador answers
that some German units are transiting through Finland and some German naval
vessels could sometimes refuel in Finnish harbours but that is not a breach
with Neutrality Laws unless ships and units stay more than 48h on the Finnish
territory.
Off Indochina coast:
French submarine Casabianca lands 8 Special Forces troops (including
2 radio-operators) south of Qui-Nhon during the night. These men are to
operate with Vietnamese irregular forces, which are now building up in the
highlands.
Atsugi (Japan)
Major technical conference at the Atsugi IJNAF base about learning gained
during recent operations. High losses suffered by torpedo-bombers and dive-bombers
have been noted by all participants. The inability of the A6M2 fighter to
easily destroy US heavy bombers even when unescorted was also of significant
concern. Even when facing single-engined allied planes, A6M2 equipped units
had suffered much higher loses than expected. If the "Zero-sen" was still
seen as a formidable weapon, it was clear for most participants that the
enemy was fielding new and improved planes, calling for steady improvement
of IJNAF equipment.
Part of the discussion focused on carrier air-groups. A new torpedo-bomber
was clearly needed. However, the Nakajima B6N1 was still suffering more
than a fair share of troubles, particularly because of its engine. IJNAF
Combined-Fleet officers present to the conference were particularly critical
of Nakajima management, who elected to choose the home-product Mamoru engine
against the Mitsubishi Kasei, which had been initially included in the 14-Shi
specification. These officers made clear that if troubles with the Nakajima
Mamoru had not been solved by end June, Nakajima would have to switch to
the Kasei engine.
As the new Yokosuka-designed dive-bomber D4Y1 was still suffering its
full share of teething troubles (particularly wing flutter during a dive),
it was decided to ask Aichi to launch on a large scale the production of
the improved D3A2 dive-bomber, powered by a Kinsei engine. This plane was
to equip IJAAF special close-support units as well. The D4Y1 was nevertheless
to be produced as a carrier and land based fast reconnaissance plane. Some
officers asked for the possibility of testing one of imported ASV German
radar on the D4Y1. Reconnaissance crews had suffered heavy losses against
radar-directed fighters and it was hoped that through equipping planes with
ASV sets, their survival rate could be improved. This applied too to the large
Kawanishi H8K flying boat. Nakajima representatives were however to argue
that large flying boats, if very useful for survey, ASW patrol and transport,
were much too vulnerable to be risked close to an enemy fleet when aircraft-carriers
were present. Banking on the success of one of J1N1 prototype in the South
China Sea, they proposed a specially dedicated and radar-equipped variant
of this long-range fighter.
Mitsubishi was asked to speed up the development of the A6M successor.
However Engineer Horikoshi stressed that the Nakajima Homare engine was
not to be powerful enough if the plane was to combine a significant increase
in performances, agility on par with the A6M and good range. Development
of the A7M was to be linked with the one of a new 2,200 hp Mitsubishi engine.
As a stop-gap, Horikoshi proposed to strengthen A6M wings, by using heavier
ESD plates, to make the plane fit for 20mm guns imported from Germany (the
MG-151) which were to be produced under licence. This would also reduce
the aileron reversal problem the A6M2 was experiencing at high speed and
which allowed enemy fighters to evade by aileron turns at speed over 300
kts. This new variant was to be powered by the more powerful Sakae-21 engine,
replacing the Sakae-12. Horikoshi pointed however that combining the development
of a new fighter with development of the A6M would probably imply to stop
the new "interceptor" project, Mitsubishi was to develop for the IJN under
the 14-Shi specification, the first flight of it having occurred on March
30th and proved that the design would need considerable time to debug.
The debacle of the Deboyne seaplane base was also very fresh in most
minds. Some officers went so far to argue that would the base had not been
neutralised by the enemy the whole operation could have succeeded. Quite
clearly a good floatplane fighter was needed and the Nakajima built A6M2-N
was no more than a stopgap. Development of the new Kawanishi designed float
plane fighter, which had made its first flight on May 6th, was also to be
speeded up to equip forward seaplane bases with an effective interceptor.
Kawanishi representatives then presented to the conference the project of
a land-based fighter variant of the floatplane fighter. This project raised
considerable interest from all fighter pilots present, and the Kawanishi
representative promises a first flight "before the end of the year".
This however would not stop the discussion concerning seaplanes. The
value of seaplane bases and fast seaplane tenders in offensive operations
was beyond doubt. The one quickly established in Kuching Bay early in the
war had been a very important asset. If some seaplane tenders could be converted
freighters, what happened at Deboyne Island proved too that a specialised
naval ship, with a good AA armament and one of these new radar sets now under
development could prove very useful in both defending the base but also
directing seaplane fighters to protect it. The IJN staff intended to convert
the hull of the unfinished battleship Shinano into a large seaplane carrier,
which could carry up to 20 or 24 high velocity 3.9in AA guns and 50 to 60
seaplanes, of which one-third would be of fighter type. This converted ship
would too have complete command facilities, with space for a flag officer
and his staff and very good communication equipment. However, such a ship
would make sense if and only if affective seaplanes could be supplied. If
Kawanishi was quite confident about the development of the N1K1 floatplane
fighter, the new 14-Shi specification reconnaissance floatplane, the E15K
was proving troublesome. Yokosuka arsenal representatives argued then that
a licence-built He-119 could be quickly developed as a fast reconnaissance
floatplane, reaching 285 to 300 kts. They expected the plane, called E16Y,
to make its first flight by next December and to be delivered to operational
units by late fall 1943.
On its side, Aichi was ready to develop a floatplane torpedo-bomber
either from the B7A1 prototype or from a new design powered by a German
DB-601F engine they were now finalizing.
A very important part of the discussion focused on the relevance of
armour and protection. Opinions were more or less evenly split. Part of
present officers was still arguing that performances were the key to victory
and that "a true warrior doesn't hide himself behind an armor plate". Others
argued that the lack of armour and self-sealing fuel tanks were making IJNAF
planes much to easy too destroy for the enemy. Mitsubishi representatives
presented a description of the G4M2 land-based heavy bomber they expected
to put into production by the end of the year. This plane would introduce
a two-spar wing with self-sealing tanks and back seat protection for the pilot.
This variant would be preceded by the G4M1-C with primitive self-sealing (nitrogen
pressurisation) and some armour, which was to be delivered to operational
units by mid-June. Monthly production rates were to increase from 35-40 planes
during the first Quarter to 50-60 planes.
Nakajima representatives quickly presented details of the new four-Homare
powered bomber now under development. This plane was to feature a powerful
defensive armament, self-sealing tanks and crew armour and was expected
to be "even more difficult to shoot down than US heavy bombers". First flight
with Homare-11 engines was expected for next February or March.
MAY 25th:
Alexandria
Arrival of Soviet Rear-Admiral I.D. Yeliseyev, Chief of Staff of the
Black Sea Fleet, who is to discuss with Adm. Cunningham cooperation related
to lend-lease convoys, which are to transit through the Mediterranean and
the Aegean.
Benghazi:
Formation of the 1st Inshore Fire-Support Squadron (1st IFSS) with eight
M100 class light monitors. These vessels have been built in British mercantile
yards on slightly enlarged WW-I M15 class design from late 1941 on. With
a 195ft length (oa), these new small monitors have a 720t/866t displacement
and are powered by one half of a Bangor class minesweeper power plant (that
is one shaft VTE engine delivering around 1200hp and providing for a 12
kt speed). Two complementary designs have been developed, one focusing on
fire-support and called LMG (Light Monitor, Gun) and another, called LMF
(Light Monitor, Flak) providing AA defence. The LMG is armed with one 7.5/45
in gun (from Cavendish class cruisers), one 4in AA, one quad Pompom mount
and two single pompoms on manual mounting as anti-MTB weapons. The LMF receives
two 4in twin AA mountings, one Octo pompom mounting, 2 single manual pompom
and two 20mm Oerlikon mounts. Crew on both design vary between 72 and 75 officers
and men.
The 1st IFSS is composed of 6 LMG (M100, M101 manned by MN crews, M102,
M103 and M104 by Greek Navy crews and M105 by a Yugoslav crew) and 2 LMF
(M 120, M121, respectively manned by the MN and the Greek Navy).
After formation and training, the 1st IFSS is to move to Kalamata and
Pyrgos. A second squadron is to be formed by late June. It is intended
to supplement small monitors with LCS(L) boats for AA support.
Nouméa:
Arrival of V.Adm. Robert L. Ghormley and his staff of 40 officers including
R.Adm. Daniel J. Callaghan and Brigadier General DeWitt Peck, USMC. Ghormley
is to take charge of the Allied command structure for all naval and naval-related
operations in South Pacific, being at the junction of CINPAC command zone
and of Marshal Wavell's. He is met by V.Adm Emile Musellier and Maj.Gen.
A.M. Patch, commander of the "Americal" Infantry division, which started
arriving from Australia in March.
Ghormley's task was not facilitated by the lack of nautical information,
to the point he considered as a treasure of the highest value German charts
of 1908 and Admiralty ones of 1897. One of the very first decisions taken
by Ghormley was to appoint R.Adm John S. McCain as Commander Aircraft South
Pacific Area.
MAY 26th:
Central Mediterranean:
During the night, the 23 ships convoy BCP-42 bound for Kalamata and
escorted by DE HMS Middleton and Krite (Greek) Corvettes HMS Erica, Pindos
(Greek), Yser, Oise, Ill and Moselle (MN) and MS HMS Boston, Seham and
Hebe is attacked by a group of 3 German and 2 Italian submarines between
Crete and Benghazi. After a 7 hours battle, BCP-42 lose 3 freighters and
one oiler as well as corvette HMS Erica, but U-96 and U-203 as well as
Italian Zaffiro are sunk by the convoy escort helped by Flotilla E-23 Consolidated
28-5MF flying boats.
U-96 has probably been the victim of a co-ordinated depth-charge attack
by Erica and Pindos at 2345 on May 25th. Zaffiro had been forced to surface
by 0256 after repeated attack from Pindos and Oise, to be sunk by gunfire
by HMS Middleton. Erica was torpedoed soon after, at 0331 and sank quickly.
Middleton and Oise prosecuted an asdic contact unsuccessfully for three
hours before returning to the convoy. By 0742, PBY-5 n°6 of the Benghazi
based E-23 sighted a submarine a shallow depth and bombed her. The victim
was the U-206, which had probably been damaged during the depth-charge attack.
Limnos:
The Mudros seaplane base is re-opened, with the arrival of 9 Northrop
N-3M operated by the French AT-11 flotilla. These float planes are to operate
as coastal patrol and ASW planes, and 5 are equipped with ASV radar.
Rhodes:
Arrival of RN light cruiser Aurora after her repairs in Alexandria.
The "Aegean Squadron" is now composed of:
(Commander: Rear-Adm. P. Vian)
CLAA HMS Dido (Flag), CL HMS Aurora, DD HMS Partridge, Maori, and Somali.
Fast attack Division: C.V Perzo (Second in command)
Large DD MN Le Fantasque (Flag), L'Indomptable, Le Terrible, Guepard
Amphibious Division :
Fast minelayer HMS Welshman
LSI (S) Prince Albert , Prince Beaudouin.
3 LCT (RN type carrying 6 20 tonnes tank each), 8 LCM, 4 LCI (L), 24
LCA, 15 LCP
Fishermen's Bend (Australia).
The CA-4 n°2 prototype is demonstrated to Sir Robert Brooke-Propham
and other senior Defence authorities. Wing-Commander Lawrence J. Wackett,
Chief Engineer of Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation presents then data
for the production CA-11 attack bomber (to be called the "Woomera"), which
is to be powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1830 S3C4-G engines and would
reach 302.5 mph (488 km/h) at 7,500ft (2,300m). Powered by the same engine
the DAP Beaufort VIII could reach only 267 mph (431 km/h), would carry just
one torpedo against 2 for the CA-11 and would need a crew of 4 against a
crew of 2 (or 3 for reconnaissance mission) for the CA-11. The Australian
plane is also to be a much more versatile attack-bomber with a forward firing
armament of 2 x 20mm Hispano cannon and 4 x 0.303-in Browning Mk II machine
guns, and four 250-lb (114-kg) bombs in engine nacelle bays. When no bomb
or torpedo is carried, the plane can load a three motor-cameras pack for
reconnaissance and mapping. At a latter stage, Wackett's design team sees
the possibility of adding bomb shackles on outer wing panels for 500-lb
bombs or rocket-propelled projectiles. A maximum range of 2,350 mls (3793
km) could be reached with a plane carrying one torpedo and one 293-Imp.Gal.
drop tank. Defensive armament is to combine one dorsal 0.50-in Browning
on a licence-built SAMM hydraulic mounting and one 0.303-in Vickers K firing
through a ventral trap.
The project is all the more interesting for Australian authorities it
uses the same engine already built under licence for the Beaufort torpedo-bomber
and the Gloster-CAC twin-engined fighter, which is currently entering production
as the CA-10 Whyalla. Both types could then be produced in parallel at Fishermen's
Bend, with a high degree of technical commonality easing the logistic burden
on advanced bases.
Nouméa:
Arrival of Task Force 16 (Enterprise and Hornet), which has sailed fast
from Pearl Harbor. CINCPAC had ordered them to South Pacific despite the
fact that Takagi's forces had retired on May 21st in case Japanese forces
would make another try after replenishing in Truk. However just after arriving
Nouméa, Vice Admiral Halsey, who had been under great strain for six
months, broke out with an irritating skin disease and had to get to the Hospital.
On Halsey's advice Admiral Nimitz appointed Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance
as Task Force commander.
MAY 27th
Fort Lauderdale (Florida)
Early in the morning, a formation of 12 USAAF P-38F-15LO led by 3 French
P-38F-15LO leaves Fort Lauderdale following a specially equipped B-17 to
Fort-de-France. This is the first leg of a four days journey, which through
Recife (Brazil), Freetown (Gold Coast) and Meknès (Morocco) will bring
these planes belonging to the 27th FS (1st FG) to North Africa. This operation
is the starting point of the cross-Atlantic ferry operation intended to
bring as fast as possible planes from Continental United States to combat
areas in the Mediterranean Theatre of operations.
Moscow:
As Rumanian and German forces are attacking in Moldavia, the Soviet
Government declares a state of War between Soviet Union and Romania.
Mers-El Kébir (Oran)
Arrival of the repaired heavy cruiser Tourville. After her damage by
bombs off Ananbas Islands, the ship has been repaired in US shipyards. Her
armament has been altered, and she had landed her 37mm and 13.2mm to receive
8 x 40mm Bofors gun and 20 x 20mm Oerlikon (all in single mountings).
With Tourville arrives RN battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth repaired after
damage she suffered in Alexandria from an Italian SLC and CA Exeter (repaired
after damage suffered at the Battle of the South China Sea). Both ships are
to cross under escort the Straits of Sicily to go to Alexandria.
Backed by the two aircraft carriers HMS Furious and USS Ranger, Adm.
Cunningham's ships can easily control the Central and Eastern Mediterranean.
MAY 28th:
Algiers:
Arrival of Lord L. Mountbatten to Algiers in company with his staff
led by Capt. Hughes-Hallet to discuss planning of a "major raid" on the
French coast for late August 1942 in conjunction with the now decided operation
against Sicily. Mountbatten is received by French Minister of War and by
the French Army Director for Special Operations.
Brisbane:
Rear Admiral Fitch leaves Australia for US West-Coast, via Samoa and
Pearl Harbor, to take command of aircraft Carrier Saratoga and TF-11.
MAY 29th:
Central Mediterranean:
Under a strong fighter umbrella, HMS Queen Elizabeth, and Exeter escorted
by DD HMS Nizam, HMAS Norman, MN L'Alcyon, La Palme, Typhon, Le Mars and
Ouragan cross the Straits of Sicily.
Chernovodsky (Rumania)
The big railway bridge on the Danube River is destroyed by a Soviet
Air Force attack. This operation is worth mentioning as it is the first
implying he 18th transport squadron and the 32nd fighter regiment belonging
to the Black Sea Fleet (VS-VMF ChF), both co-located in Yevpatoriya, Crimea.
These two units were the heir of what has been called in the 30's the "Vakhmistrov's
Circus". They operated a mixed force of 12 Pe-8 and 6 TB-3 Aviamatki (18th
Squadron) and 30 Yak-1 SPB and 15 Polikarpov I-16SPB. The small fighters,
each carrying two 551lb bombs underwing, were actually carried by the large
four-engined bombers (Aviamatki) till 30 miles of their targets, they attacked
then in a 30° dive.
This attack was delivered by 4 Pe-8, which took-off in the night, releasing
their 8 "parasite" fighter-bombers at dawn, 19 miles of the Chernovodsky
Bridge on the Danube River. Despite strong AA defence, the 8 Yak-1SPB pressed
home their attack, completely destroying the bridge central span and damaging
the western one. They also destroyed the pipeline running under the bridge
and feeding Axis forces operating in the area.
MAY 30th
Great-Britain:
First "1000 planes Raid" against Germany. The target is Köln, and
actually 1047 planes took part in the raid (of which 602 Wellingtons, 73
Lancasters, 131 Halifaxes and 88 Stirlings, the balance being made by Hampdens
and Whitleys), of which 40 were lost. 868 aircrafts bombed the main targets,
destroying 3330 buildings and killing 486 Germans.
Algiers:
Lengthy discussion between Mountbatten and his staff and French officers.
If a quick agreement is found about the use of Canadian troops and the
Col. Gambiez Shock battalion, French officers disagree with the British
about the best places for such an operation.
Rabaul (New Britain)
Arrival of a convoy loaded with IJAAF planes and personnel for New Guinea.
A combined unit with 27 Ki-43 and 24 Ki-44-I is to be deployed from Lae.
This is the first echelon of the newly created 4th Air Army, which is to
operate in the "Southern Front". Because of their relatively restricted range,
Ki-44-I fighters are to be assembled on the Vunakanau airfield (in Rabaul)
before flying to Lae.