1 May 1939
- US Marine Corps aviation units Aircraft One and Aircraft Two were renamed 1st and 2nd Marine Aircraft Group, respectively. ww2dbase [CPC]
- Admiral Harry E. Yarnell visited USS Astoria in the morning; in the afternoon, the cruiser departed Shanghai, China for Hong Kong. ww2dbase [Astoria (New Orleans-class) | Shanghai | CPC]
- Chiang Kaishek ordered Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China to be taken back by 5 May 1939. He also relieved General Duan Lan of his duties for ordering his 79th Division to fall back, while General He Ping, who had also fallen back with his Chinese 16th Division, was told to redeem himself. ww2dbase [Battle of Nanchang | Nanchang, Jiangxi | CPC]
- The German Kampfgeschwader 55 wing was formed with two groups; Major General Wilhelm S¸ssmann was named its first commanding officer. ww2dbase [CPC]
- Hans-Joachim Marseille was promoted to the rank of Fahnenjunker-Gefreiter. ww2dbase [Hans-Joachim Marseille | CPC]
- I-68 was recommissioned into service. ww2dbase [I-68/I-168 | CPC]
- Franklin Roosevelt dedicated the Post Office of Rhinebeck, New York, United States. ww2dbase [Franklin Roosevelt | Rhinebeck, New York | CPC]
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