Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, April 18 – 24, 1940

April 18, 1940: US Senate approves Navy bill foreseeing the acquisition of two 45,000-ton battleships, two cruisers, one aircraft carrier, eight destroyers, six submarines and five auxiliary vessels

April 19, 1940: Japanese radio accuses China’s First Lady, Song Meiling, her sisters and other relatives of having hidden large fortunes in Europe

April 20, 1940: Reports of Soviet construction of air bases in Siberia cause concerns among US politicians, some of whom call for a strengthening of Alaska’s defenses

April 21, 1940: Captain George J. McMillin takes over as Governor of Guam and Commandant US Naval Station, Guam

April 22, 1940: Rear Admiral Joseph K. Taussig says US needs bigger Navy, arguing that Japan seeks domination of the Far East

April 23, 1940: Japanese destroyer Arashi is launched

April 24, 1940: Heavy fighting between Japanese and Chinese troops in central China around city of Kaifeng, a former imperial capital

 

Categories: War

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