What Happened in Apr 1942

Japanese Forces Gain Control of Island of Borneo

The Battle of Borneo was a successful campaign by Japanese Imperial forces for control of Borneo island and concentrated mainly with the... Read more

Jackie Robinson inducted into US Army

After being drafted, Robinson was assigned to a segregated Army cavalry unit in Fort Riley, Kansas. Having the requisite qualifications, Robinson... Read more

Easter Sunday Raid

With Japan's entry into the war, and especially after the fall of Singapore, Ceylon became a front-line British base against the Japanese. Admiral... Read more

Byron Nelson wins the 9th Masters Tournament

The 1942 Masters was the last one before play was suspended due to World War II, so the champion in 1942 held his title until the tournament... Read more

Japanese Attack Allied Harbor at Trincomalee

On 9 April 1942 the Japanese attacked the harbor at Trincomalee at 07:00. The British again had warning of the attack, and Hermes and her escorts... Read more

Battle of Yenangyaung

It was now essential to deny the oil fields at Yenangyaung to the Japanese some 100 miles north of Prome. The allied lines of defence were planned... Read more

Adolf Hitler Orders the Construction of the Atlantic Wall Following the St. Nazaire Raid

On March 23, 1942 Führer Directive Number 40 called for the official creation of the Atlantic Wall. After the St. Nazaire Raid, on April 13, 1942... Read more

Doolittle Raid

The Doolittle Raid, 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike a Japanese home island (Honshū) during World War II. It... Read more

Ronald Reagan Appears as Drake McHugh in "King's Row"

Kings Row is a 1942 drama film, directed by Sam Wood, that tells a story of young people growing up in a small American town at the turn of the... Read more

Ronald Reagan is Ordered for Active Duty

Reagan was ordered to active duty for the first time on April 18, 1942. Due to his nearsightedness, he was classified for limited service only,... Read more

Toronto Maple Leafs win Stanley Cup

The 1942 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. After losing the first three... Read more

Gerald Ford Reports for Active Duty for the US Navy

Ford received a commission as ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve on April 13, 1942. On April 20, he reported for active duty to the V-5 instructor... Read more

German Luftwaffe Bombs Exeter as Part of the Baedeker Blitz

The Baedeker Blitz or Baedeker raids were a series of Vergeltungsangriffe ("retaliatory raids") by the German air force on English cities in... Read more

German Luftwaffe Bombs English City of Bath as Part of the Baedeker Blitz

The Baedeker Blitz or Baedeker raids were a series of Vergeltungsangriffe ("retaliatory raids") by the German air force on English cities in... Read more

German Luftwaffe Bombs Norwich as Part of the Baedeker Blitz

The Baedeker Blitz or Baedeker raids were a series of Vergeltungsangriffe ("retaliatory raids") by the German air force on English cities in... Read more

Pryor Tornado

This war boom town today dug out of the ruins of an angry tornado that ripped down Main street, leaving $2,000,000 in property damage, 70 known... Read more

German Luftwaffe Bombs York as Part of the Baedeker Blitz

The Baedeker Blitz or Baedeker raids were a series of Vergeltungsangriffe ("retaliatory raids") by the German air force on English cities in... Read more