20 Jul 1942 | World War II Database

20 Jul 1942

USS S-28 received orders to patrol the area surrounding Sirius Point, Aleutian Islands. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
The US submarine Scorpion was launched, sponsored by Ms. Elizabeth T. Monagle. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
US Marines sailed from New Zealand for exercises at Fiji. ww2dbase [CPC]
Wilhelm Keitel entertained with the idea of branding Soviet prisoners of war/slave laborers on the buttocks similar to how one would treat cattle. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
US 1st Marine Division issued the Operation Watchtower plans for the invasion of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
Japanese submarine I-11 sank Greek ship G. S. Livanos 75 miles south of Sydney, Australia. ww2dbase [CPC]

Alaska

3 B-17 bombers of US 11th Air Force attacked Kiska, Aleutian Islands. At Adak Island, seaplane tender USS Gillis was attacked by Japanese H6K flying boats, received one hit, but sustained no damage as the bomb failed to explode. Finally, on Unalaska Island, the US Navy established Naval Air Facility Dutch Harbor and Naval Operating Base Dutch Harbor. ww2dbase [CPC]

Australia

Australian New Guinea

Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain for Buna, Australian Papua. ww2dbase [Main Article | Tabular Record of Movement | CPC]

Australian Papua

24 Japanese G4M bombers and 15 A6M fighters attacked Port Moresby, Papua on the island of New Guinea. Meanwhile, at Rabaul, New Britain, 5th Sasebo Special Naval Landing Force of the Japanese Navy and Yokoyama Detachment of the Japanese 17th Army departed on three transports. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]

Canada

German submarine U-132 damaged transport Frederika Lensen of Allied convoy QS-19 off Anticosti Island in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in Canada at 1839 hours; 4 were killed, 36 survived. Frederika Lensen would be beached to prevent sinking although she would ultimately be declared a total loss due to extensive damage. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]

Gibraltar

HMS Eagle departed Gibraltar with 31 Spitfire fighters and 4 Swordfish torpedo bombers for Malta in Operation Insect. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]

Indian Ocean

German armed merchant cruiser Thor sank British ship Indus 1,950 miles west of Australia; 22 were killed, 49 survived. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]

Italy

New Zealand

Suzanne Walker became the first enlisted member of the Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service. ww2dbase [CPC]

Russia

Soviet troops retook the German bridgehead at Voronezh, Russia. ww2dbase [Main Article | TH]
Nikolai Kamanin received orders to travel to Moscow, Russia to take command of the newly formed 292nd Ground Attack Air Division. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]

United States

The keel of US submarine Ray was laid down by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, United States. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
US submarines Scamp was launched. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
USS R-1 arrived at New London, Connecticut, United States. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
The US Army officially activated the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, United States. ww2dbase [CPC]
The first members of the US Women's Army Auxiliary Corps began training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, United States. ww2dbase [CPC]
The keel of US destroyer escort Moore was laid down. ww2dbase [CPC]
The keel of US destroyer Prichett was laid down. ww2dbase [CPC]
US minesweeper Chickadee was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]
Destroyer USS Chevalier was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [CPC]