15 Apr 1942
  • German headquarters at Arras, France was attacked by members of the French Resistance. ww2dbase [The French Resistance | TH]
  • Orde Wingate returned to Maymyo, Burma from China. ww2dbase [Orde Wingate | CPC]
  • Wickes was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Wickes | CPC]
  • Alexander, Slim, and Stilwell met at Maymyo, Burma. ww2dbase [William Slim | CPC]
  • USS Lexington was assigned to US Navy Task Force 11. ww2dbase [Lexington (Lexington-class) | CPC]
  • Allied convoy PQ-14, how down to 6 cargo ships and 2 tankers, was spotted by a German BV 138 flying boat. Later in the day, Fw 200 Condor aircraft relieved the BV 138 aircraft in keeping track of this convoy. They called in several air attacks, but none of them succeeded in sinking any ships. ww2dbase [Arctic Convoys | CPC]
Atlantic Ocean
  • German submarine U-575 sank US freighter Robin Hood 250 kilometers east of New Jersey, United States at 0338 hours, killing 14 of 38 aboard. ww2dbase [Second Happy Time | CPC]
Australia Burma
  • As Japanese troops began to push through the British Minhia-Taungdwingyi-Pyinmana defensive line along the Irrawaddy River in Burma and approached the oil-producing region of Yenangyaung, William Slim gave the order to destroy 1,000,000 gallons of crude oil to prevent Japanese capture while the British 7th Armoured Division pushed through Japanese road blocks to prepare men on the line to fall back. ww2dbase [Invasion of Burma | CPC]
Germany Hawaii Japan Malta
  • King George awarded Malta the George Cross for heroism and devotion. ww2dbase [Malta Campaign | TH]
Philippines
  • A tunnel near the James and Morrison coastal gun batteries at Corregidor island, Philippine Islands collapsed from Japanese artillery bombardment, killing 70. To the north, the Japanese continued to transfer US and Filipino prisoners of war from Balanga to Orani and Lubao on the Bataan Peninsula, while the first arrivals at Orani and Lubao were now being marched north for San Fernando; en route, the prisoners continued to die from heat, dehydration, disease, and murders. At the southern island of Mindanao, motor torpedo boat PT-41 was scuttled by her own crew to prevent capture. ww2dbase [Invasion of the Philippine Islands | CPC]
South Africa United Kingdom
  • USS Impulse (Lieutenant Commander M. Lyons) departed Londonderry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom for New York, United States. ww2dbase [Londonberry, Northern Ireland | AC]
  • German bombers attacked Middlesbrough in northeastern England, United Kingdom after dark, lasting until the next date. ww2dbase [Battle of Britain | Middlesborough, England | CPC]
United States Photo(s) dated 15 Apr 1942
Shad29 killed German sailors of U-85 buried with military honors at Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, Virginia, United States, 15 Apr 1942Electrical equipment at the Yenangyaung oilfields being destroyed by retreating British troops, Burma, 15 Apr 1942Nautilus off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, United States, 15 Apr 1942, photo 1 of 2
See all photos dated 15 Apr 1942

15 Apr 1942 Interactive Map

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis




Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds

Search WW2DB
Famous WW2 Quote
"Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue."

Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, 16 Mar 1945


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!