{ Thursday - 05/21/1942 }

TOKYO - The Japanese allow the Red Cross to visit British prisoners.

HONG KONG - There are new Japanese landings at Chekiang.

{ Friday - 05/22/1942 }

WASHINGTON - President Roosevelt orders the Selective Service registration of all male Americans residents who reach the age of 18 or 19 before June 30th or has reached the age of 20 since December 31, 1941. This fifth registration will generate 3.1 million new names. The same day he warns against a flood of optimism (in the wake of the Doolittle Raid of April 18th) and says it will be a long war.

{ Saturday - 05/23/1942 }

EASTERN FRONT - The German 6th Army from the north and Group Kliest (17th Army and 1st Panzer Army) begin the encirclement of elements of the Red Army (6th and 57th Armies) west of the Donets River.

{ Sunday - 05/24/1942 }

OCCUPIED SOVIET UNION - Before Moscow, the Germans launch a major anti-partisan offensive, Operation Hanover, to clear the Bryansk-Vyazma railway. For six days, 45,000 German and allied troops search for an estimated 20,000 partisans. Many partisans and civilians are captured and killed.

EASTERN FRONT - In the Barvenkovo salient, General Kleist's forces reduce the encircled Soviet 6th and 9th Armies. Moscow admits a loss of 5,000 dead, 70,000 missing, and 300 tanks destroyed. The Germans claim 24,000 POWs and 1,200 tanks. The Soviets began the offensive with only 845 tanks.

INDIA - General Stilwell arrives in Delhi after a 140 mile retreat through the Burma jungle. In a press interview he is quoted say: "I claim we got a hell of a beating. We got run out of Burma and it is as humiliating as hell. I think we ought to find out what caused it, go back and re-take it."

UNITED STATES - When the Royal Canadian Air Force's 115th Fighter Squadron lands at Alaska's Annette Island, a US Customs officer refuses to let the pilots out of their planes until they pay duty on their arms and equipment. It takes a message from Secretary of State Cordell Hull granting the Canadians Distinguished Foreign Visitor status to end this idiocy.

{ Monday - 05/25/1942 }

JAPAN - A Japanese small carrier task force consisting of two light carrier and two cruisers leave port in Hokkido. Their mission is to carry out a diversionary raid in the Aleutian Island off the coast of Alaska. 

HAWAII - American submarines move into patrol positions as part of the countermeasures to the expected Japanese attack on Midway.

{ Tuesday - 05/26/1942 }

NORTH AFRICA - The Axis forces under Rommel begin a new offensive. Italian infantry launch holding attacks on the British Gazala Line, which has been heavily fortified. British armor is being held in reserve, available for blocking any Axis outflanking moves. Rommel sends all his armor, both Italian and German, in a wide sweeping movement south of Bir Hacheim. The Italian Trieste Division engages the British 150th Brigade between Trigh Capuzzo and Trigh el Abd.

INLAND SEA - Japanese Admiral Nagumo's 1st Carrier Fleet sails for Midway. His task force contains the carriers Akagi, Kaga, Soryu and Hiryu with two battleships, cruisers and destroyers as escort

HAWAI - US Task Force 16, with the aircraft carriers Enterprise and Hornet, returns to Pearl Harbor. The Japanese believe that these ships are still active in the South Pacific.

{ Wednesday - 05/27/1942 }

OCCUPIED CZECHOSLOVAKIA - Local resistance fighters attempt to assassinate Reichsprotektor Heydrich in Prague with British supplied equipment. His injuries will prove fatal.

CENTRAL PACIFIC - The Japanese invasion fleet for Midway puts to sea from Saipan and Guam with troop transports carrying 5000 men. They are escorted by cruisers and destroyers. Likewise, the invasion force for the Aleutians sets sail in two groups from Ominato

HAWAII - The damaged USS Yorktown arrives at Pearl Harbor and repairs begin immediately.

NORTH AFRICA - In various engagement with the British forces, Rommel's army rapidly defeats the 3rd Indian and 7th Motorized Brigades. Losses are heavy on both sides, but the British can better sustain the loss of men and equipment. An Italian division fails to eliminate the Free French at Bir Hacheim.