April 5-6
Africa, Tunisia
The British Eighth Army attacks the Wadi Akarit Line, a defensive position situated across the route into Tunisia. The line cannot be outflanked. While the assault is successful, the British fail to exploit their breakthrough and Axis forces are able to regroup.

April 7-10
Africa, Tunisia
The British IX Corps, which includes the US 34th Infantry Division, attacks the Foundouk Pass but the Axis forces hold the area until they can successfully disengage the bulk of their units from the fighting.

April 7-13
Air War, Solomons
Over 180 Japanese aircraft begin Operation I by attacking Allied shipping off Guadalcanal. On the 11th, the Japanese attack ships off New Guinea and raid Port Moresby airfield on the 12th, and British at Milne Bay the following day. They sink a destroyer, one corvette, one tanker, two cargo ships, and destroy some 20 aircraft. The massive aerial operation against shipping and airfields, however, does not achieve the scale of success that the Japanese anticipated.

April 8
Politics, Japan
General Kawbe succeeds General Iida as commander of Japanese forces operating in Burma.

April 10-12
Africa, Tunisia
British troops enter Sfax, one of the ports vital for reducing the long supply lines from Tripoli, and finally halt at Enfidaville, southeast of Tunis. Axis forces are now established in their final defensive line running from Cape Serrat on the Mediterranean to Enfidaville. Defeat for the Axis forces is inevitable. Allied sea and air control denies them any reinforcements. They are determined to fight on, however, in order to delay the Allied plan to invade Italy until the fall, when deteriorating weather is likely to disrupt any Allied landings.

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