1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 9–16 JUNE 1942 ]
stubbornly defending Bir Hacheim, are forced to
yield some ground; their supply situation is critical.
U.K.—European Theater of Operations, U.S.
Army (ETOUSA) is established under command of
Gen Chaney, superseding U.S. Army Forces in British
Isles (USAFBI).
9 June
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS—U.S. and Great
Britain agree to pool food and production resources.
P.I.—Japanese conquest of the Philippines is
completed, although small, isolated detachments
continue to hold out. Combined U.S. and Filipino
force of 140,000 is now eliminated as a fighting force.
USFIP ceases to exist.
LIBYA—Free French continue to hold out at Bir
Hacheim against furious ground and air attacks.
Efforts to relieve them are unsuccessful.
10 June
CHINA—Chinese withdraw from Chuhsien,
Chekiang Province, after 4 days of hard fighting.
LIBYA—Gen Ritchie orders evacuation of the isolated
Bir Hacheim position and FF 1st Brig, assisted
by 7th Armd Div, withdraws during night 10–11.
USSR—German Army Group South continues
assault on Sevastopol in the Crimea, making slow
progress against Red Army strongpoints; opens limited
offensive NE of Kharkov to improve positions.
11 June
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS—U.S. and Great
Britain make simultaneous announcements of mutual-aid
agreement with Soviet Union. The agreement
permits USSR to repay lend-lease debts in kind
rather than in cash.
ALEUTIAN Is.—Upon discovering enemy on
Kiska, Allied aircraft begin series of long-range,
small-scale attacks on the island, striking as often as
the difficult weather conditions permit, in an effort
to weaken enemy by attrition. Attu is beyond range
of aircraft.
CHINA—Advance Section 3, under SOS, is activated
in China.
LIBYA—Exploiting capture of Bir Hacheim, Axis
forces surge northward toward El Adem, which protects
S approach to Tobruk.
12 June
SWPA—GHQ authorizes construction of air
bases at head of Milne Bay, New Guinea.
[ 41 ]
RUMANIA—U.S. air combat from Africa begins
with attack on Ploesti oil fields at dawn. Heavy
bomber TF (coded HALPRO), under Col Harry A.
Halverson and temporarily based in Egypt, makes
the attack. On return trip, several of the B–24’s are
forced to land in Turkey and crews are interned.
LIBYA—Indecisive tank battles occur in vicinity
of El Adem and Knightsbridge.
13 June
U.S.—Gen Marshall orders establishment of a
U.S. Middle East organization, U.S. Army Forces in
the Middle East (USAFIME), in order to unify
Middle East missions. Iraq and Iran are to come
within its geographical sphere.
German submarine lands 4 enemy agents on
beach at Amagansett, Long Island.
LIBYA—Axis armor decisively defeats armor of Br
Eighth Army, forcing British from escarpment between
El Adem and Knightsbridge. Br tank strength
is dangerously depleted, and 13 Corps supply line is
consequently in danger. Knightsbridge garrison
(201st Gds Brig) is ordered to withdraw to Acroma.
14 June
NEW ZEALAND—First echelon of U.S. 1st Mar Div
(5th Marines) arrives.
LIBYA—Gen Ritchie orders withdrawal of forward
divs (S African 1st and Br 50th) of 13 Corps, since
tank losses in El Adem area have left them precariously
situated. S African 1st Div withdraws safely to
Egyptian frontier, using coastal route. 50th Div retires
SE through enemy territory. Enemy turns his
attention to Acroma but can make little headway
against firm opposition, although favored by superior
tank strength.
15 June
LIBYA—29th Brig of Ind 5th Div (30 Corps) withstands
3 tank-supported attacks on El Adem with
assistance of aircraft. Maj Gen Klopper, CG of S
African 2d Div, is named commander of Tobruk
fortress and instructed to defend it at all costs.
16 June
LIBYA—Gen Auchinleck authorizes Gen Ritchie
to organize the garrison of Tobruk as he wishes. 4
inf brigs with supporting arty and tanks are disposed
within Tobruk. Rest of Br Eighth Army is to
act as mobile columns outside the fortress. Gen
Klopper is authorized to withdraw the garrison if
necessary. Acroma garrison holds out against enemy
tank attacks. Other enemy tank columns drive on