Chronology of World War II

Wednesday, April 1, 1942

In Burma... Japanese advances near Toungoo continue and the Chinese are forced to retreat. The Japanese also heavily attack British positions near Prome.

In the Philippines... the Japanese resume major attack on the Bataan Peninsula. The American and Philippine troops have 24,000 of the their men ill due to short rations (1/4 of normal ration size) and tropical diseases.

In the Mediterranean... The Italian cruiser Bande Nere is sunk by the British submarine Urge north of Sicily.

From London... Admiral Cunningham is appointed to serve on the Combined Chiefs of Staff Committee in Washington, he leaves the post of commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet.

In New Guinea... Japanese invasion of New Guinea continues with landings at Sorong and Hollandia. They go almost unopposed.

Thursday, April 2, 1942

In Burma... Continuing Japanese advances cause the British to retreat from Prome to avoid encirclement.

Friday, April 3, 1942

In Burma... Mandalay is bombed heavily. The British continue to withdraw up the Irrawaddy Valley.

In the Philippines... After a short lull, the Japanese renew their attacks on the Bataan Peninsula, where an under equipped American and Philippino force has retreated to their final defensive positions. The attack begins with a lengthy bombardment of allies positions and they are forced to retreat again.

Saturday, April 4, 1942

In the Indian Ocean... Admiral Kondo's Japanese Fleet is sighted by a seaplane from Ceylon. The fleet has four battleships of the Kongo class. Admiral Nagumo leads the portion containing their main carriers, Akagi, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku and Zuikaku. Intelligence received by British Admiral Somerville predicted that the Japanese would attack on the 1st or 2nd of the month. He has retired to Addu Atoll. As the HMS Hermes, Cornwall and Dorsetshire are on other mission, Somerville feels the Japanese cannot be successfully engaged at this time. He disperses the remainder of the fleet from Colombo.

Sunday, April 5, 1942

In the Indian Ocean... The Japanese believing the British Fleet to still be in port launch 130 plane attack against Colombo. A small British counterattack is sent against the Japanese fleet, but it is unsuccessful. The Japanese begin scouting for the British ships and the HMS Dorsetshire and Cornwall are found, attacked and sunk, however the main portion of the British Fleet eludes them.

In the Philippines... The Japanese offensive down the Bataan peninsula continues. In fierce fighting, at Mount Samat, the US 21st Division takes heavy losses as the Japanese take the position. Elsewhere, Japanese forces leave Luzon for Cebu Island.

In the North Atlantic... US naval forces (Task Force 39) arrive to reinforce the British naval position at Scapa Flow, with the aircraft carrier, USS Wasp and the battleship, USS Washington. The British are in need the assistance as ships have been drawn for Operation Ironclad which is directed against Madagascar.

Monday, April 6, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... The Japanese land at Bougainville.

In the Indian Ocean... After failing to find the main British fleet, the Japanese naval task force turns a portion of its ships against the harbor at the Bay of Bengal. The Allies lose 83,000 tons of shipping in the well-executed attacks. Ironically, many of the ships sank were those dispersed from Colombo earlier due to the threat of the Japanese Fleet's attack.

In Burma... China leader Chiang Kai-shek, visits his troops in Burma and gives orders concerning the defense of the area around Pyinmana in the Sittang Valley.

Tuesday, April 7, 1942

In Burma... The Japanese troops are reinforced with the arrival of the 18th Infantry Division in Rangoon from Singapore.

From Washington... US President Roosevelt authorizes the American commanders in the Philippines to take any necessary steps.

In the Philippines... On the Bataan peninsula, the situation for the allies continues to worsen as the Japanese continue to advance, with the greatest gains on the east side of the peninsula. The American and Filipino allies are now withdrawn to a line running inland from Limao. General Wainwright in response to the President's order withdraws as many of his men as possible to the island of Corregidor in Manilla Bay.

Wednesday, April 8, 1942

In the Mediterranean... At Malta, intense bombing by Axis air forces continues in an attempt to defeat the island. Its importance lies in the ability to disrupt the Axis convoys to North Africa, as both an airfield for attacking planes and a safe harbor for British ships. Food and supplies are short on the island and British supply convoys have been unable to bring either into Malta in large quantities for months.

In the Philippines... Overwhelmed by numbers and short of food and equipment, the American and Filipino forces remaining on the Bataan peninsula are ordered to destroy their equipment prior to a surrender.

Thursday, April 9, 1942

In the Philippines... American General King surrenders 75,000 men (12,000 Americans) to the Japanese. A death march begins for the prisoners as they are taken to San Fernado, 100 miles away. Many thousands of them die on the march. Resistance continues in isolated areas of Luzon and other islands. General Wainwright and his troops continue to hold out on Corregidor Island.

In the India Ocean... The Japanese fleet continues its attacks. It is hunting the main British fleet. Trincomalee is attacked by Japanese aircraft and the British carrier HMS Hermes is attacked and sunk.

In Burma...In the Irrawaddy Valley, both the Japanese and British forces prepare offensives. The Japanese however have the advantage of earlier reinforcement and are in a position to attack first.

On the Eastern Front... German forces in the north advance to begin the relief of the encircled 16th Army forces at Demyansk. Meanwhile, in the Crimea, Soviet attacks are renewed with little success in the area.

Friday, April 10, 1942

In Germany... The RAF drops the first two ton bombs on the city of Essen.

In the Indian Ocean... The British Far East Fleet withdraws to the Persian Gulf from bases in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in response to the superior Japanese forces operating in the area. Most of the Japanese forces are returning to the Pacific.

In the Philippines... About 12,000 Japanese land on Cebu. The small number of American defenders retreat inland.

Saturday, April 11, 1942

On the Eastern Front... In the Crimea, Soviet landings at Eupoatoriya are contained by the German 11th Army.

In Burma... The Japanese forces in the Irrawaddy Valley strike against the British forces first.

Sunday, April 12, 1942

In Burma... Despite reinforcement by the Chinese 38th Division, the Japanese take Migyaungye from the Allied defenders and threaten the British positions in the valley.

Monday, April 13, 1942

From London... Despite his junior rank, Rear Admiral Lord Mountbatten (Dickie) is appointed Chief of Staff of Combined Operations with a seat on the British Chiefs of Staff Committee. This date is the public announcement of the appointment which occurred on March 18th.

In Burma... The Japanese break through the British defense in the Irrawaddy Valley forcing the British and Chinese to retreat to new positions at Magpwe. The Chinese 6th Army is moved from the Shan States to Manadaly.

Tuesday, April 14, 1942

In the North Atlantic... The American destroyer Roper sinks German U-boat U-85. This is the first sinking of an German submarine by an American ship.

In Vichy France... Laval becomes the head of the new government. General Petain remains head of state.

From London... The British government and its military advisers tentatively accept the American "Bolero" plan detailing the American build-up in Britain in preparation for the second front.

Wednesday, April 15, 1942

In Burma... Japanese follow up their breakthrough the British defenses on April 13th with a drive northward. One British division is encircled in the advance.

Thursday, April 16, 1942

In London... King George VI, awards Malta the King George Cross, for the collective heroism of the Maltese people during the massive Axis air bombardment.

In the Philippines... Japanese overcome all resistance on Cebu and land 4000 troops on Panay.

Friday, April 17, 1942

In Burma... Despite relief efforts, the British 1st Burma Division remains trapped by Japanese advances. In the north, the Japanese seize the main road in the Irrawaddy Valley at Yenangyaung. The Japanese advances place heavy pressure on the Chinese positions in the Sittang Valley and at Mauchi.

Saturday, April 18, 1942

Over Japan... Doolittle's Raid on Tokyo. From the decks of the USS Hornet, Col. Doolittle leads 16 B-25 bombers for a raid on Tokyo. They launch from the maximum range, 650 miles from their target. Essentially unarmed to extend their flying range, the B-25's fly unmolested to Tokyo and drop their bombs, proceeding to China where they land at the very limits of their fuel. Although the bombing does minimal damage physically, the psychological impact is great. For the Americans, this raid symbolizes the first "strike back" at the Japanese and raises American morale substantially. The Japanese, buoyed by their constant success in the Pacific are now forced to contemplate the implications of the war if it is allowed to be carried to Japanese soil. This change in Japanese attitude will affect military decisions in such crucial battles as the battle of Midway and the Coral Sea. For the Americans, the raid signifies that the Japanese are not invulnerable and therefore can ultimately be defeated.

From Berlin... General Von Leeb is removed for the command of Army Group North which has been besieging Leningrad. He is replaced by General Kuchler. This is the third removal since December 1941 and now all three Army Groups have changed commanders.

In Burma... The Japanese 56th Division decimates the Chinese 55th Division during its retreat from Mauchi. The road to Lashio is now undefended. Its importance lies in the fact that it is a terminus for the Burma Road. Chinese troops are also forced to withdraw from the Sittang Valley.

Sunday, April 19, 1942

In Burma... General Alexander confers with his field commanders (British Brigadier General Slim and American Lieutenant General Stilwell). Meanwhile, the Japanese strike at the weak and poorly led Chinese 55th Division, which the Japanese find idly sitting in its bivouacs. The Chinese are attacked from three directions at once and the division disintegrates. Soldiers flee into the hills. The 93rd Chinese Division moves in to help, sees the chaos, and retreats without fighting.

In the Philippines... On Bataan, Japanese resources are overwhelmed by thousands of American and Filipino prisoners who assemble in the town of Balanga.

Monday, April 20, 1942

In the Mediterranean... Malta's precarious position continues. German and Italian bombing continue. When the USS Wasp accompanied by HMS Renown, two cruisers and six destroyers attempt to deliver 47 desperately needed Spitfires to the island, thirty per cent of them are destroyed immediately after landing.

Tuesday, April 21, 1942

On the Eastern Front... The encircled German force at Demyansk, which has been maintained by air drops of food and supplies is relieved after two and one half months. This success sets a precedence for the use of air relief for encircled troops.

In Switzerland... General Giraud arrives after escaping German captivity. He does not, however, stay in the neutral country, but returns to Vichy, (unoccupied France).

In Burma... The Japanese and Chinese 6th Army engage in heavy fighting near Taunggyi.

Wednesday, April 22, 1942

In Burma... British troops including the 7th Armored Division assume position around Meiktia to stem the Japanese advance. Chinese troops from the 200th Division are sent as reinforcements. However, the refusal of another division to withdraw under orders from General Stilwell makes the position of these troops vulnerable.

Thursday, April 23, 1942

In Burma... Advances by the Japanese 56th Division from Taunggyi toward Lashio forces the retreat of the Allied forces from the Irrawaddy Valley as their left flank is now exposed. The Chinese 6th Army survivors begin a withdrawal from Taunggyi toward Yunnan Province.

Friday April 24, 1942

In Britain... Luftwaffe bombers begin the "Baedeker Raids," so named because the targets are supposedly chosen from the Baedeker Guide book of historic sites in Britain. These raids begin in response to the Allied bombing of Lubeck, which became a target when Allied Bomber Command policy cited civilian residential areas as targets. The first city to suffer the raids is Exeter.

Saturday, April 25, 1942

In Burma... The Chinese 5th Army recaptures Taunggyi from the Japanese, however the Japanese continue to move toward Lashio, the terminus point of the Burma Road. In the west, General Alexander orders a retreat from Meiktila north of the Irrawaddy Valley.

In Britain... A continuation of the "Baedeker Raids" as the Germans bomb Bath.

Sunday, April 26, 1942

In Berlin... Hitler announces in the Reichstag that this summer will bring major victories to the Germans on all fronts and that supreme effort is needed by the German people as this crucial time. His position as absolute ruler of Germany is affirmed and extended.

In the Philippines... The Japanese on Mindanao receive reinforcement to fight the Philippino resistance to their invasion.

Monday, April 27, 1942

In Canada... The Mackenzie-King government holds a national referendum on introducing conscription for overseas service. The proposal receives majority support but there is substantial resistance in French-speaking province of Quebec; 72% of the French-speaking voting population oppose the proposition, compared to 80% in favor of it among English-speaking voters.

In Washington... President Roosevelt outlines measures for putting the United States economy on a wartime footing.

In Moscow... Molotov, the Commissar for Foreign Affairs, issues a new note on German atrocities on the Eastern Front.

Tuesday, April 28, 1942

In Burma... Lashio, the terminus of the Burma Road, becomes a major defensive target, to this end the Chinese 28th Division is ordered from Mandalay to defend Lashio.

Wednesday, April 29, 1942

In the Philippines... On Mindanao, Filipino resistance continues but they are pushed back from their positions when the invading Japanese receive reinforcements and greater air support. The Japanese continue to bomb the remaining American troops who have retreated to Corregidor.

In New Guinea... Operation Mo is being prepared by the Japanese. It calls for an amphibious assault on Port Moresby.

In Burma... Despite a desperate defense, the Japanese take Lashio, terminus of the Burma Road. All supplies to China must now go by air as China has been cut off by land. General Alexander decides to remove his troops to new position in the Chinwin and Irrawaddy Valley.

Thursday, April 30 ,1942

In the Southwest Pacific... Japanese carriers, Shokaku, Zuikaku and Shoho leave Truk for the Coral Sea to take part in Operation Mo, the invasion of Port Moresby.

In Burma... British forces destroy the bridge at Ava after retreating north of the Irrawaddy Valley.