Today in World War II History—Apr. 5, 1942

British cruisers Dorsetshire and Cornwall burning during the raid on Ceylon, 5 Apr 1942; photo taken from Japanese aircraft (public domain via WW2 Database)

75 Years Ago—Apr. 5, 1942: Japanese carrier planes sink British heavy cruisers Dorsetshire and Cornwall off Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and bomb British naval base at Colombo, Ceylon.

First destroyer escorts, USS (future HMS) Bayntun and USS (future HMS) Bazely are laid down at Boston Navy Yard, MA.