August 2, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
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SUNDAY, 2 AUGUST 1942

USAAF: Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) is B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24543.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS [CHINA AIR TASK FORCE (CATF)]: In China, a detachment of 11th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Kunming with B-25s, begins operating from Nanning.

SWPA (5th AF): A of a flight of B-17s searching for a convoy near Buna is attacked by ten Zeros. Lost is B-17E 41-2435 (MIA). 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) Airacobras escort 22nd Bombardment Group (22nd BG) B-26s on a mission against Cape Ward Hunt and shoot down J1N1-C pilot Tokunaga. Over the target, intercepted by eight A6M2 Zeros of the Tainan Kōkūtai. Lost are P-400 Airacobra AP290 (MIA) and P-400 Airacobra BX232 (MIA). A single B-17 flies an unsuccessful strike against a cargo vessel 5 miles south of Salamaua while another bombs Gona. 64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Daly Waters to Fenton with B-17s; first mission is August 13, 1942.

USN: USS Tucker (DD-374) was damaged by a U.S. sea mine in Segond Channel. Aboard, the explosion killed three of the crew and three others were listed as missing.