April 9, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 9 APRIL 1942

U.S. Army: At Limay, Major General Edward P. King unconditionally surrenders his forces on Bataan. This was the largest surrender of a U.S. military force in history. The voice of Freedom radio station makes its last broadcast in the Philippines, saying, "Bataan has fallen, but the spirit that made it stand... cannot fail."

RAF: Intercepting the Japanese air raid, lost are two Fulmars shot down.

Japanese Army: The Japanese accept the surrender of Allied forces on the Bataan Peninsula and open fire on Corregidor in conjunction with air attacks.

IJN: Japanese carrier aircraft strike Trincomalee and sink British warships and vessels off on Ceylon (Sri Lanka). D3A Val dive bombers sink HMS Hermes (95) and HMAS Vampire, RFA Athelstone, corvette Hollyhock, oil tanker SS British Sergeant and Norwegian SS Norviken. Lost are four D3A Vals plus five others damaged. After recovering the carrier aircraft, Nagumo's force departs eastward for Singapore Strait.

(SWPA, 5th Air Force): By the afternoon, installation of axillary fuel tanks and leak tests for eleven B-25C Mitchells for the upcoming Royce Mission are completed at Archerfield Airfield. 2nd Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 22nd Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Townsville to Reid River with B-26s. 7th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfers from Bankstown to Batchelor Field, Australia with P-40's; they have been in combat since March 14, 1942.