We Remember:
1939: Bank Holiday Monday in England and Wales. (Andy Etherington)
Count Ciano asks to see Joachim von Ribbentrop, Hitler's Foreign Minister. (Andy Etherington)
At 02:27 BST/9:27 EST the Imperial Airways Caribou lands at Manhasset Bay, NY, USA completing the 36 hour flight from England on the first British transatlantic mail service, fighting against headwinds and blinding rainstorms the whole way. (Andy Etherington)
AMPLIFYING THE ABOVE:
This was a Short S.30 Empire Flying Boat, msn S.881, registered G-AFCV, and named "Caribou." (Jack McKillop)
1940: RAF Fighter Command: Weather, cloudy. Luftwaffe attacks a convoy off the east coast. Heavy raids on Poole, Dorset and bombs fall for the first time on Exeter. Losses: Luftwaffe, 2. RAF 0. (Andy Etherington)
Barnes Wallis in a meeting with the Deputy Director of Operational Requirements (RAF) proposes a 4,000 lb bomb to be carried in a Wellington. (Andy Etherington)
1941: Tallinn, the capitol of Estonia, was surrounded today when German forces reached the sea near Kunda. (Rainer Korsen)
Soviet 168th and parts of 115th divisions are encircled in a large motti around Sortavala (Serdobol) on the north-western shore of Lake Ladoga by the Finnish II Corps. At this point Mannerheim decides to form a new I Corps (2nd, 7th and 9th divisions) commanded by Colonel Einar MŠkinen whose assignment is to destroy the enemy troops in the motti. The only way out for the Russians is Lake Ladoga, and they soon start evacuating their troops out by the lake. (Mikko HŠrmeinen)
Josif Stalin nominates himself as the Commander-in-
In Newfoundland, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt arrives at Placentia Bay in heavy cruiser USS Augusta (CA-31) for his upcoming meeting with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. During the day, he fishes from the flagship's forecastle and inspects development of the USN's base at Argentia. (Jack McKillop)
In the U.S., television station WNBT, Channel 4 in New York City, broadcasts the first audience-participat
In the U.S., the motion picture "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" opens at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.. This romantic fantasy comedy based on Harry Segall's play "Heaven Can Wait" is directed by Alexander Hall and stars Robert Montgomery, Evelyn Keyes, Claude Rains, Rita Johnson, Edward Everett Horton and James Gleason; Lloyd Bridges appears in an uncredited role. The plot has a boxer (Montgomery) dying in a plane crash and being cremated. The problem is that he was not scheduled to die for another 50-years. Because of this heavenly mistake, he is returned to earth in the body of a unworthy, wealthy man who was just murdered by his wife. The film is nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Montgomery) and Best Supporting Actor (Gleason); it wins two writing awards. (Jack McKillop)
1942: General Montgomery is appointed to replace General Gott, as commander of the British 8th Army, who is killed in an aircraft crash on his way to Cairo.
The creation of the Palestine Regiment, of the British Army, is announced by Sir John Grigg. It will consist of separate Jewish and Arab battalions.
A US Naval Force bombards Japanese positions on Kiska in the Aleutians.
AMPLIFYING THE ABOVE:
In the Aleutians, the USN's Task Group 8.6 (Rear Admiral William W. Smith) consisting of the heavy cruisers USS Indianapolis (CA-35) and USS Louisville (CA-28); the light cruisers USS Honolulu (CL-48), USS Nashville (CL-43) and USS St. Louis (CL-49); and six destroyers bombards Kiska Island between 1955 and 2021 hours local. The ships fire 631 rounds of 8-inch (203.2 mm), 3,534 rounds of 6-inch (152.4 mm) and 2,620 rounds of 5-inch (127 mm) ammunition destroying barracks, landing barges, a moored "Mavis" flying boat (Kawanishi H6K Navy Type 97 Flying Boat) and the merchant ship SS Kano Maru; they also damage 2 "Mavis" flying boats. The bombardment serves as a diversion for the Allied landings in the Solomon Islands. (Jack McKillop)
The US 1st Marine Division (reinforced) lands on Tulagi, Gavatu & Tanambogo, and Guadalcanal islands in the southern Solomon Islands. This first offensive action in the Pacific war comes 8 months to the day after Pearl Harbor. The Marines commanded by General Vandegrift, USMC have close support from TF 62 under Admiral RK Turner, USN. Admiral Fletcher, USN with TF 61 provides air cover from carriers Enterprise, Saratoga and Wasp. The landings on Guadalcanal are not contested. The islands of Tulagi, Gavatu & Tanambogo are heavily contested.
Amplification of the Above:
The Australian Cruiser Squadron, consisting of:
HMAS Canberra; Captain Frank E. Getting, RAN
HMAS Australia; Captain H. B. Farncomb, RAN
HMAS Hobart; Captain H. A. Showers, RAN
The squadron was commanded by a Rear-Admiral of the Royal Navy, usually Australian-born. For example, Rear-Adm Jack Crace (who commanded the squadron at the Coral Sea) was born in Australia but joined the Royal Navy. The Australian naval college only started taking students in 1913, consequently it was difficult to find flag officers of the Royal Australian Navy with the requisite experience. Admiral Victor Crutchley, RN was one of the few officers to hold this command who was not born in Australia. Admiral Crutchley is in command of the Australian Cruiser Squadron at this time and has been placed in command of the transport screening forces by Admiral Turner. (Mike Mitchell)
The first Japanese reaction to these landings arrives in the form of an afternoon air strike from Rabaul. Among the Japanese pilots on this strike is Saburo Sakai. It is this mission from which his epic return flight to Rabaul will begin. He returns alone with only one eye, one arm and one leg in a crippled Zero, 565 miles.
AMPLIFYING THE ABOVE:
At 1315 hours local, 27 Rabaul-based IJN "Betty" bombers (Mitsubishi G4M Navy Type 1 Attack Bomber) escorted by 17 "Zeke" fighters (Mitsubishi A6M Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter) attack the invasion fleet. They are met by 18 F4F-4 Wildcats of Fighting Squadrons Five and Six (VF-5 and VF-6) in the aircraft carriers USS Saratoga (CV-3) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) respectively. The Wildcat pilots shoot down 8 "Betty" bombers and a "Zeke" fighter while losing 8 Wildcats and an SBD Dauntless. A second attack consisting of 9 Rabaul-based "Val" dive bombers (Aichi D3A Navy Type 99 Carrier Bomber) arrive at about 1430 hours local and 5 are shot down by VF-6 pilots and the remaining 4 ditch in the ocean during their return flight to Rabaul. (Jack McKillop)
The 2nd Marine Reg. 2nd Marine Div. landed against the heavily defended Japanese positions of Gavutu and Tulagi in the British Solomon Islands, while at the same time the 1st Marine Division was landing unopposed at Guadalcanal, My Weapons Company platoon first landed on Gavutu and then, by way of causeway, crossed over to Tulagi where we took many casualties.
To the former Marines on the LIST who survived this, I say, ''well done
Marines.'' (Arnold L. Gladson 8-7-98 post)
The Burns Phillip ship "Mamutu" (300 tons) with a crew of 32, set out, yesterday, from Port Moresby headed for Daru on the western shores of the Gulf of Papua. On board were 82 passengers which included 28 children, who were escaping the more than 70 Japanese bombing raids on Port Moresby.
"Mamutu" was about half way across the gulf when just after 11am on 7 August 1942 the ships crew spotted a Japanese submarine several miles astern.
It was Japanese submarine RO-33, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Shigeshi Kuriyama. RO-33 had left Rabaul in April 1942 to reconnoitre Port Moresby. RO-33 and RO-34 were both later ordered to blockade Port Moresby and guide Japanese shipping into the area.
The Wireless Operator on "Mamutu", Mr. R.J. Furbank sent a morse code message to Port Moresby to advise of the submarine's presence. RO-33 closed in at about 19 knots and caught up with "Mamutu". RO-33 opened fire with its 3.25" (80mm) gun. The first shot hit the radio room and killed Mr Furbank. The second shot wiped out the bridge killing Captain J. McEachern. Others shells hit the hull. Many people were killed or injured in the accurate barrage from RO-33.
Kuriyama then ordered his gunners to fire their 13 mm machine guns upon the survivors in the water. They killed as many as they could which included many women and children. RO-33 then left the scene of destruction. There were only 28 survivors from the total complement of 120 persons. One man, a European Engineer, Bill Griffin, escaped death at the hands of the ruthless machine gunners by pretending to be dead.
A B-17 Flying Fortress search aircraft dropped life rafts to the struggling survivors who eventually made it to shore. The Army signal ship "MV Reliance" which was used by the Coast Watchers, was sent from Murray Island to try to pick up the survivors. They were unable to locate the survivors. (Denis Peck)
In the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up US$0.25 to US$105.05 (US$1,105.79 in year 2000 dollars). (Jack McKillop)
Submarine HMS Thorn is sunk by a depth charge attack from Italian destroyer Emmanuale Pessagno, east of Gevdo Island, Crete.. There are no survivors (Alex Gordon)
In the U.S., the motion picture "Pardon My Sarong" is released. This comedy, directed by Erle C. Kenton, stars Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Virginia Bruce, Leif Erikson and William Demarest. The plot has two bus drivers (Abbott and Costello) ending up on a tropical island with jewel thieves. (Jack McKillop)
1943: Last night four IJN destroyers are reinforcing Kolombangara in the Solomon Islands. Six US DDs intercept them and sink 3 of the 4.
Beginning yesterday, Italians and Germans meet at Verona, Italy. This meeting will last through tomorrow. Present are the 2 foreign ministers and the Army Chiefs of Staff. The Italians are intent on persuading the Germans that they are not negotiating with the Allies.
On the ground in Sicily, U.S. forces improve their positions on the north coast in the San Fratello region against heavy resistance. During the night of 7/8 August, a small amphibious force lands on the coast 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Sant' Agata di Militello, greatly aiding progress along the coast. Other forces begin a drive on Randazzo.
In the air, 150 USAAF Ninth Air Force B-25 Mitchells attack Randazzo; and 140+ P-40s attack shipping at Messina and in the Straits, and shipping and shore-supply stores along the northeastern coast. Northwest African Tactical Bomber Force medium and light bombers pound Randazzo, the enemy's key withdrawal point; Maletto is also bombed; P-40s and A-36 Apaches strafe and bomb small craft between Sicily and mainland Italy, motor transport near Randazzo, a warehouse north of Messina, dumps on the toe of Italy, and vehicles and communications targets in the Sant' Agata di Militello, Bronte, Cesaro, Tortorici, Castiglione di Sicilia and Riposto areas. (Jack McKillop)
In Italy, Northwest African Strategic Air Force B-25s in 2 forces hit the landing ground at Crotone while B-26 Marauders bomb the railroad bridge at Marina di Cantanzaro and highway bridge over the Angitola River. (Jack McKillop)
In the North Atlantic, German submarine U-117 is caught on the surface while supplying U-66. The sub is sunk in position 39.42N, 38.21W by depth charges and a Fido homing torpedo from five Composite Squadron One (VC-1) TBF Avengers from the escort aircraft carrier USS Card (CVE-11). All 62 crewmen on the U-boat are lost. (Jack McKillop)
Submarine HMS Parthian is believed lost today, after leaving Malta for Beirut. She is believed to have been mined in the Adriatic. There are no survivors.
U-615 (Type VIIC) is sunk in the Caribbean Sea southeast of Curacao, at position 12.38N, 64.15W, by depth charges from US 6 Mariner and 1 Ventura aircraft. 4 dead, 43 survivors.
This was possibly the longest ongoing combat between a U-boat and aircraft. U-615's battle enabled many other U-boats in the Caribbean to surface and escape to the east. The aircraft were from the following squadrons; VP-204 (P-6 and P-8), VP-205 (P-2, P-11 and P-4) and VB-130 (Ventura B-5). (Uboat.net) (Alex Gordon)
1944: Attacking between the VII and XIV Corps the 2nd and 116th Panzer Divisions launch a strong counterattack. This is east of Mortain, France. During their advance the Germans retake Mortain. Allied air attacks assist the ground forces in limiting the German gains.
SE of Caen Canadian forces began an attack last night. More than 1000 RAF bombers dropped more than 3,000 tons of bombs on the German positions in support of this attack.
Sambor, SW of Lvov, Poland, falls to the Soviet Army.
Fierce fighting marks the todays action on Guam. The jungle and terrain assist the defending Japanese.
In the Aleutians, U.S. President Roosevelt arrives at NOB Kodiak in the heavy cruiser USS Baltimore (CA-68) and transfers to the destroyer USS Cummings (DD-376). (Jack McKillop)
In France, the U.S. First Army breaks through the German lines on the Cotentin Peninsula and cuts off the German-held port of Cherbourg. (Jack McKillop)
The USAAF's Eighth Air Force in England flies 3 missions.
Mission 527: 905 bombers and 471 fighters are dispatched to hit fuel dumps and bridges in France but heavy cloud cover forces many aircraft to return with bombs and other formations to be recalled; 1 bomber and 5 fighters are lost; targets hit (number in parenthesis indicates bombers bombing) are:
1. Of 112 B-17s dispatched, 71 hit Montbartier and 34 hit St Loubes. Escort is provided by 123 P-51 Mustangs; they claim 1-0-3 Luftwaffe aircraft in the air and 0-0-1 on the ground.
2. The primary targets of 224 B-17s are Nanteuil Bridge (36), Sens (26), St Florentin (25), Dueny (24), Bourron Marlotte (23) and Paris-St Quen (12); other targets hit are Chartres Airfield (23), Maintenon Bridge (23), Houden marshalling yard (14), Chateaudun Airfield (11) and Rouglaf (1). Escort is provided by 96 P-51s.
Personal Memory: Today's mission would target a large fuel storage area inside the city limits of Paris almost on the banks of the Seine River in the St. Ouen area. My diary for the mission reads: "Paris, France. (St Ouen). Flak really rough. They tracked us all the way. I was luckier than most as I only got a few holes. Target CAVU except for haze. Carried 38, 100 pound bombs. Over enemy territory two hours and five minutes." I was flying in the number two position off the right wing of the lead plane with 2nd Lt. G. C. Lawrenson in aircraft number 42-102569 which had no nose art. Thirteen planes were able to bomb this target while the rest went to Chartres to bomb an airfield as a target of opportunity. From our bombing altitude of 25,000 feet the visibility was fair, with the target being obscured for a time by a thin layer of clouds. Another group from our wing turned in front of us at our altitude giving us some violent prop wash. Even so, twelve planes of our thirte
en did a drop on the primary. One plane in our group didn't drop his bombs because the bombardier forgot to turn on the selector and salvo switches and so returned their 38 bombs to Molesworth. Of course there was a salvo switch at the bombardier's station as well as in the pilot's compartment. But to drop them late would put the bombs well over the MPI and might do serious damage to our friends. We knew that we would on occasion kill some friendly folks but we always tried to avoid this. The bombs that we dropped had no nose fuses and had a one fortieth second fuse at the tail to give them instantaneous ignition. We were carrying 2000 gallons of gas per plane for this five hour and forty five minutes mission. There was intense and accurate flak throughout our seven minute bomb run but they didn't get us tight on target until barely before bombs away at which time we turned to ruin their two-and-a-half Kilometer lead. Of the thirteen planes in our low group we had the five
with major damage and five with minor, including mine. Most of my new crews had a very exciting start to their combat tours. As Winston Churchill said during his stint in the Boer war: "Nothing is quite so exhilarating as being shot at and missed." Score: Milk runs 14, Others 17. Dick Johnson One more to go! (Tomorrow). (DIck Johnson)
3. 1 of 182 B-17s dispatched hits Montdidier Airfield. Escort is provided by 90 P-38 Lightnings and P-51s.
4. Of 51 B-24s dispatched, 10 hit Andenne Bridge, 8 hit Semuse and 8 hit targets of opportunity; a B-24 is lost. Escort is provided by 34 P-47 Thunderbolts.
5. The primary targets of 333 B-24s are Doullens Bridge (37), Saleux (24), Recques-sur-
Mission 528: 1 of 3 B-17s dispatched flies a Micro H test mission (Micro H was a radar system which combined the Gee-H and H2X radar functionality for use by pathfinders)
Mission 529: 271 P-47s and P-51s fly fighter-bomber missions to marshalling yards and railroads north and east of Paris; they claim 4-0-1 aircraft on the ground; 3 P-47s and 2 P-51s are lost .
During the night, 5 B-17s fly a leaflet mission over France.
In the USSR, a shuttle mission is flown in accordance with a Soviet request; 55 B-17s and 29 P-51s attack an oil refinery at Trzebina, Poland without loss; the aircraft return to Operation FRANTIC bases in the USSR. (Jack McKillop)
In France, 380+ USAAF Ninth Air Force A-20 Havocs and B-26s bomb bridges at Nogent-sur-Seine and Neuvy-sur-Loire; fighters escort IX Bomber Command aircraft, furnish defensive cover in the Vire, Laval, and Rennes areas, and support ground forces in the assault area. (Jack McKillop)
The USAAF's Fifteenth Air Force in Italy dispatches 353 B-17s and B-24s to bomb 2 synthetic oil refineries at Blechhammer South (B-17s) and Blechhammer North (B-24s); 300+ fighters provide support; 76 B-24s hit Alibunar Airfield and Novi Sad oil facilities, Yugoslavia; the bombers and fighters claim nearly 30 aircraft shot down. (Jack McKillop)
In the U.S., the world's first program-controlled calculator, the IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator (popularly called the Harvard Mark I) is dedicated. This mechanical machine, built by Harvard researcher Howard Aiken with the support of IBM, weighed 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg), measured 51 feet (15.5 meters) long and 2 feet (61 cm) deep, and contained 750,000 parts. The machine stored 72 numbers and could perform 3 additions or subtractions a second. The machine could also perform more complicated functions, such as calculating logarithms or performing trigonometry. Although the device quickly excited public interest, the mechanical machine was eclipsed by the advent of the electronic computer in 1946. (Jack McKillop)
CUBA: Pan American World Airways Sikorsky S-42 seaplane, msn 4201, registered NC823M and named "Hong Kong Clipper," crashes on takeoff and sinks at Antilla; 14 of the 31 aboard survive. (Jack McKillop)
1945: The Japanese Supreme Council for the Direction of the War, meets to discuss the bombing of Hiroshima. The SCDW is know as the Big 6 of the Japanese Cabinet. PM, FM, War Minister, Navy Minister, Army CofS, Navy CofS. The Military members refuse to concede that this might be an atomic bomb. They insist on sending investigating teams. The Commander of Eta Jima Naval Academy is selected by the Navy and the Army sends Dr. Asada a professor of physics at Osaka University.
In the Philippines, organized Japanese resistance ends on the island of Mindanao. (Jack McKillop)
In Japan, Far East Air Forces B-24s and A-26 Invaders over Kyushu bomb Tsuiki Airfield and other B-24s start fires at Omura; B-25s hit bridges and other targets at Matsubase and Kawajiri and bomb a convoy off Pusan, Korea, sinking 3 ships; other B-25s hit Chiran and Izumi Airfields. fighter-bombers attack and considerably damage communications and transportation facilities throughout Kyushu. (Jack McKillop)
The USAAF's Twentieth Air Force flies two missions.
Mission 317: During the day, 124 B-29 Superfortresses, escorted by VII Fighter Command fighters, bomb the naval arsenal at Toyokawa. A B-29 is lost. After escorting the B-29s on their bombing mission, P-51s attack railroad targets and shipping in and near Magarimatsu, Chofu, Atsugi, and Sagami.
Mission 318: During the night of 7/8 August, 29 B-29s, escorted by Far East Air Forces P-47s, drop mines in Shimonoseki Strait, at Miyazu, Maizuru, Tsuruga, Obama and at Najin; 1 other mines an alternate target. (Jack McKillop)
TAEGU, South Korea Ñ Flying crippled after an aborted night raid over Japanese-occupied Korea, the B-24 bomber ÒLady Luck IIÓ slammed into a mountain. All 11 aboard were killed when the bomber struck Mangwoon Mountain on Namhae island, off KoreaÕs southern coast.
The crew were Staff Sgt. Thomas G. Burnworth; Staff Sgt. Walter R. Hoover; 2nd Lt. Ronald L. Johnson; 1st Lt. Edward B. Mills Jr; Staff Sgt. James E. Murray; 2nd Lt. Joseph M. Orenbuch; Staff Sgt. Henry C. Rappert; 2nd Lt. Nicholus M. Simonich; Sgt. Warren E. Tittsworth; and Sgt. Steven T. Wales.
31-year-old Kim Duk Hyung witnessed the crash and was impressed by Japanese troops into going with them to find and loot the crash site. Kim later returned to bury the crew. He worked after the war to build a monument to the crew. This monument was finished on May 11, 1956, almost 11 years after the fatal crash. Made of hand-hewn, natural granite, it stands 11 feet tall.
It was unveiled at a ceremony Nov. 30, 1956. An envoy of then- President Eisenhower, and U.S. and South Korean officials attended.
At a Pentagon ceremony 30 years later, in November 1986, the U.S. secretary of the Army presented Kim a distinguished civilian service medal. (Brooke Rowe from http://ww2.pstripes
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