Big Job But Someone's Gotta Do It; U-124 On Rampage

Tue. 17 March 1942
Pacific
United States, in agreement with Allied governments, assumes responsibility for the strategic defense of entire Pacific Ocean.

Submarine Grayback (SS-208) sinks Japanese collier Ishikari Maru six miles west of Port Lloyd, Chichi Jima, Bonins, 27°05'N, 142°05'E.

Submarine Permit (SS-178) is damaged by depth charges off Tayabas Bay, P.I. but remains on patrol.

Europe
Naval Forces Europe (Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley) is established.

Atlantic
Destroyer Stack (DD-406) and carrier Wasp (CV-7) are damaged in collision while en route from Casco Bay, Maine, to Norfolk, Virginia.

Unarmed U.S. tanker Acme is torpedoed and damaged by German submarine U-124 west of Diamond Shoals, 35°06'N, 75°23'W; U-124 later torpedoes and sinks Greek freighter Kassandra Louloudi four miles west-southwest of Diamond Shoals gas buoy. Coast Guard cutter Dione (WPC-107) rescues 20 survivors from Acme and 35 from Kassandra Louloudi; steamship Beta rescues 22 men from the latter ship.

Honduran freighter Ceiba is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-124 at 35°43'N, 73°49'W (see 19 March).