Today in World War II History—August 9, 1942

Heavy cruiser USS Quincy illuminated by Japanese searchlights during Battle of Savo Island, 9 Aug 1942 (US Navy photo: NH 50346)
80 Years Ago—Aug. 9, 1942: German Army Group A takes Maikop oil fields in the Caucasus, but finds them mostly destroyed by the Soviets.
In the Battle of Savo Island off Guadalcanal, Japanese ships sink Australian heavy cruiser Canberra and US heavy cruisers Astoria, Quincy, and Vincennes; over 1000 killed in one of the US Navy’s worst defeats ever.
British jail Gandhi and Nehru in India; riots break out, with hundreds killed.