Thursday 29 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Grenadier (SS‑210) lays mines in Tonkin Gulf off Haiphong, French Indochina.

            PBY (VP 11) sinks Japanese submarine I‑172 west of San Cristobal Island, Solomons, 13°01'S, 162°45'E.

ATLANTIC—German submarine attacks on British Isles-bound convoy HX 212 continue: U.S. tanker Pan New York is torpedoed by U‑624 about 550 miles west of Northern Ireland, 54°58'N, 23°56'W and her cargo of aviation gasoline catches fire, virtually incinerating the ship. Of the 56 souls on board (39 merchant seamen and a 17 man Armed Guard), only 14 (13 crewmen and one Armed Guard sailor) are rescued by Canadian corvettes: HMCS Rosthern picks up 13 (one of whom dies after being rescued); HMCS Summerside two. Escort vessels shell and depth charge the doomed ship. U‑224 torpedoes Canadian tanker Bic Island as it straggles from the convoy at 55°05'N, 23°27'E, and sinks her with all hands (including the 44 men rescued from U.S. tanker Gurney E. Newlin on 27 October 1942).

            U.S. freighter West Kebar is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑129 14°57'N, 53°37'E, while en route from Freetown, Sierra Leone, to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; three merchant seamen are killed. The survivors take to two lifeboats and one raft (see 8, 10 and 18 November 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—A 1943 production objective of 107,000 airplanes is given top priority by Roosevelt in his instructions to Donald M Nelson, Chairman of War Production Board.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s and B‑17’s strike Maleme airfield. B‑25’s bomb landing grounds, motor transports, and tanks. P‑ 40’s fly escort, then bomb and strafe road E of El Daba, and attack troop concentration and vehicles. In view of strong German reinforcements on his N flank near coast, General Montgomery alters breakout plan. Instead of pushing W along coast, he decides to shift point of advance S in order to attack against Italian troops.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s hit Isurava-Deniki and Abuari-Kaile trails. B‑17’s attack shipping in Bougainville Strait between Buin and Faisi.

ELEVENTH AF—Japanese reoccupy Attu. Special reconnaissance flown with General Buckner, covers Tanaga, Amchitka and Kiska.

US ARMY

WESTERN HEMISPHERE—Alaska Military Highway opens to traffic.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—Japanese reoccupy Attu.

GUADALCANAL—Japanese, having suffered heavy casualties in recent battles, begin general withdrawal about this time toward Koli Pt and Kokumbona. 1st Marine Division prepares for offensive to drive enemy westward beyond Poha River. 2d Marines (— 3d Battalion) is ordered to Guadalcanal from Tulagi to assist in the offensive; 3d Battalion, which has been operating as mobile reserve in Lunga area, is to return to Tulagi for garrison duty. Attack is to begin on 1 November after outposts have been established W of the Matanikau and bridges have been constructed across the river.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese commit fresh forces from beachhead to hold heights at Oivi in order to cover withdrawal across Kumusi River.

EGYPT—Australians withstand determined enemy attacks against their wedge in N sector of 30 Corps and British Eighth Army front. General Montgomery, learning of the presence of strong German reinforcements on N coast, alters breakout plan. Instead of pushing W along coast, he decides to shift axis of advance S in order to drive against Italians.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Wednesday 28 October, 1942

US NAVY

INDIAN OCEAN—Thirty-seven survivors from U.S. freighter Anne Hutchinson, torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U‑504 on 26 October 1942, are rescued by civilian fishing trawler and taken to Port Alfred, South Africa. Aircraft sight the drifting freighter, now broken into two pieces, at 34°13'S, 26°55'E (see 31 October 1942).

ATLANTIC—German submarines continue to stalk British Isles-bound convoy HX 212: U.S. tanker Gurney E. Newlin, abandoned after being torpedoed the previous day by German submarine U‑436, is given the coup de grace by U‑606 and sinks (see 29 October 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑17’s, dispatched to attack convoy at sea, fail to locate target but attack cruisers in Pylos Bay. B‑25’s attack tanks, motor transports, and landing grounds. P‑40’s fly Medium Bomber and Light Bomber escort, bomb and strafe landing grounds and other targets, and engage aircraft in combat, mostly in area between El Alamein and El Daba. Fighters claim 3 Me-109’s destroyed. Attacks by US and RAF aircraft cause enemy to abandon plan for counterattack on Kidney Ridge.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s pound shipping in harbor at Rabaul, while B‑25’s bomb Gasmata airfield.

ELEVENTH AF—6 B‑24’s turn back from an attempted attack on Kiska sub base because of adverse weather. A B‑17 bombs Attu with unobserved results and flies weather reconnaissance over Kiska, Amchitka, and Tanaga.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—2d Battalion of 126th Infantry, U.S- 32d Division, and portable hospital begin difficult march from Jaure toward Natunga and Bofu, preceded by Companies E and F, which are to secure dropping grounds.

EGYPT—After probing British positions in Kidney Ridge area, enemy begins forming for attack but is forced by Allied aircraft to abandon it. During night 28–29, Australian 9th Division of 30 Corps, British Eighth Army, begins northward attack toward the sea in effort to eliminate enemy’s coastal salient and secure coastal road and Railroad. Narrow wedge is driven almost to the road despite stubborn opposition from Thompson’s Post, key point in enemy’s coastal positions.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday 27 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Abandoned carrier Hornet (CV‑8), damaged by bombs and torpedoes and attempted scuttling the previous day, is sunk by Japanese destroyers Akigumo and Makigumo, 08°38'S, 166°43'E.

            Battleship South Dakota (BB‑57) and destroyer Mahan (DD‑364) are damaged in collision while retiring from the Battle of Santa Cruz.

            PBY (VP 91) bombs and damages Japanese destroyer Terutsuki.

ATLANTIC—German submarines attack convoy HX 212 as it heads toward the British Isles: U.S. tanker Gurney E. Newlin, is torpedoed by U‑436; three crewmen are killed. The rest of the 37 man crew, and the 19 man Armed Guard, abandon ship into three boats and two rafts. Canadian corvette HMCS Alberni rescues six merchant seamen and six Armed Guard sailors; Canadian tanker Bic Island picks up 31 merchant seamen and 13 Armed Guard sailors (see 28-29 October 1942).

            U.S. freighter Stephen Hopkins's survivors reach Itabopoano, Brazil; 32 of 40 merchant sailors, as well as 9 of the 15 man Armed Guard, have perished either in battle or from exposure during the month-long ordeal in the lifeboat.

            Survivors (ten merchant seamen and six Armed Guard sailors) from U.S. freighter Steel Navigator, sunk by German submarine U‑610 on 19 October 1942, are rescued by British destroyer HMS Decoy. The other lifeboat containing the other 17 survivors is never found.

INDIAN OCEAN—Ten survivors from U.S. freighter Anne Hutchinson, torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U‑504 on 26 October 1942, are rescued by U.S, freighter Steel Mariner (see 28 and 31 October 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Last 2 squadrons of 14th Fighter Group leave UK for Twelfth AF in N Africa. This completes transfer of VIII Fighter Command’s fighting units to XII Fighter Command and leaves VIII Fighter Command with only 1 fighter group (4th) operational.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑25’s, with fighter escorts, bomb Matruh and attack motor transports, tanks, and other ground targets. Enemy reinforcements brought up from the S, counterattack Kidney Ridge and are repulsed. British Eighth Army continues regrouping for assault.

TENTH AF—B‑25’s of CATF bomb airfield at Lashio.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s hit trails in SE Papua around Alola, Isurava, and Abuari. P‑39’s escort RAAF Hudsons in strike against small craft at Ferguson Island in D’Entrecasteaux group.

ELEVENTH AF—6 B‑24’s flying attack on Kiska submarine base turn back due to weather. Weather airplane flies reconnaissance over Gareloi, Segula, Kiska, and Attu.

US ARMY

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Generals Wavell and Stilwell agree that Stilwell shall conduct offensive in Hukawng Valley of N Burma and occupy area Myitkyina-Bhamo; make contact with Chinese forces from Yunnan. Americans are to be responsible for construction of Ledo Road to Myitkyina; the road is eventually to link with Burma Road.

EGYPT—Enemy counterattacks strongly against Kidney Ridge, committing reinforcements that have moved up from the S, and is repulsed with heavy losses. British Eighth Army continues regrouping for breakout assault. 7th Armored Division, reinforced by brigade of 44th Division, brigade of 50th Division, and Greek Brigade, is transferred from 13 to 30 Corps. 1st Armored Division of 10 Corps is withdrawn into reserve.

US MARINE CORPS

—

Monday 26 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Battle of Santa Cruz Islands occurs as TF 16 (Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid) and TF 17 (Rear Admiral GeorgeD. Murray) engage a numerically superior Japanese force (Vice Admiral Nagumo Chuichi). Although the Japanese achieve a tactical victory, the failure of their simultaneous land offensive on Guadalcanal means that they cannot exploit it to its fullest. The dwindling number of Japanese carrier planes cannot eliminate Henderson Field, while fuel shortages compel the Combined Fleet to retire on Truk. Americans control the skies above the sea routes to Guadalcanal.

            The victory, however, does not come cheaply in this, the fourth major carrier battle of 1942, for Enterprise (CV‑6) is damaged by planes from carriers Junyo and Shokaku; Hornet (CV‑8) is damaged by planes from Junyo, Shokaku, and Zuikaku; battleship South Dakota (BB‑57) and light cruiser San Juan (CL‑54) are damaged by planes from Junyo; destroyer Smith (DD‑378) is damaged by a crashing carrier attack plane; during the operation of fighting Hornet’s fires and taking off her survivors, destroyer Hughes (DD‑410) is damaged in collision with the doomed carrier (as well as by friendly fire earlier in the action). The attempt to scuttle the irreparably damaged Hornet, by gunfire and torpedoes from destroyers Mustin (DD‑413) and Anderson (DD‑411) fails; destroyer Porter (DD‑356) is accidentally torpedoed by battle-damaged and ditched TBF (VT 10), and, deemed beyond salvage, is scuttled by destroyer Shaw (DD‑373).

            SBDs (VS 10) from Enterprise damage carrier Zuiho; SBDs (VB 8, VS 8) from Hornet damage carrier Shokaku and destroyer Terutsuki; TBFs (VT 6) from Hornet damage heavy cruiser Chikuma.

            Battle of Henderson Field ends as marines repulse Japanese land and air attacks.

            U.S. liner President Coolidge, chartered for use as a troop transport, blunders into U.S. minefield off Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides; the ship is beached to facilitate salvage, but slips into deep water and sinks. Four of the 5,050 Army troops are lost in the accident, as is one of the 290 man merchant complement. There are no casualties among the 51 man Armed Guard.

            Submarine S‑31 (SS‑136) sinks Japanese transport Keizan Maru off Paramushiro, 50°10'N, 155°36'E.

INDIAN OCEAN—U.S. freighter Anne Hutchinson is torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U‑504 some 90 miles off East London, South Africa, 33°12'S, 29°03'E; three crewmen are killed in the attack. The rest of the ship's complement (37 merchant sailors and the 17 man Armed Guard) take to two lifeboats (see 27, 28, and 31 October 1942).

ATLANTIC—British motor torpedo boat rescues 39 merchant seaman and the 10 man Armed Guard from U.S. freighter Reuben Tipton, sunk by German submarine U‑129 on 23 October 1942, and are transported to Barbados.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—Momentum of British drive decreases in El Alamein battle. 30 Corps takes Kidney Ridge, and General Montgomery decides to regroup for a break-out assault. Allied aircraft continue strong support to ground forces and disperse enemy concentrations preparing for attack. B‑25’s hit transport, troop concentrations, and tanks. P‑40’s fly sweeps over El Daba area and attack motor transport and other targets. Enemy air action increases and considerable aerial combat ensues. US fighters claim 4 airplanes shot down. More than 30 B‑17’s and B‑24’s attack shipping off coast of Libya.

TENTH AF—Japanese again hit airfields in Assam connected with India-China transport route, concentrating on Sookerating. A freight depot, containing food and medical supplies for China, is destroyed but no US airplanes are lost. Due to lack of warning, no fighters intercept the attacking force. CATF Medium Bombers move to W China to carry out neutralization of Lashio, where the Japanese have aircraft they are using against the Dinjan area. P‑40’s continue to hit Hong Kong-Canton area, using dive-bombing tactics for first time in the area.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s hit Salamaua and airfield at Lae. A‑20’s, escorted by P‑40’s, bomb and strafe trails in Missima- Kaile-Deniki area.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Carrier aircraft from the Hornet a Enterprise fight fierce air action with TF in Rattle of Santa Cruz Islands. B‑ 17’s also attack the TF but report no hits. With 3 of his carriers hit and almost 100 airplanes lost, Vice Admiral Nagumo retires toward Truk. Hornet is severely damaged a is sunk the following day by Japanese aircraft and destroyer with bombs and torpedoes.

US ARMY

NEW HEBRIDES—172d Regiment of U.S. 43d Division arrives at Espiritu Santo, but vessel bringing it, President Coolidge, is sunk off coast by U.S. mines.

BATTLE OF SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS—Admiral Kinkaid’s naval force, upon learning of presence of Japanese naval units near Santa Cruz Islands., moves forward and engages in naval air battle. 3 Japanese carriers and 2 DD’s are damaged and 100 planes are destroyed. Cost is high, however, since carrier Hornet and DD Porter are sunk; 4 vessels, one of them the carrier Enterprise, are damaged; 20 planes are lost to enemy and 54 from other causes. This is the last time during the Guadalcanal Campaign that Japanese use carrier aircraft in close support.

GUADALCANAL—Operational aircraft on Henderson Field now total 29.

EGYPT—El ‘Alamein battle continues but with decreasing momentum. 30 Corps, British Eighth Army, improves positions in vicinity of Miteiriya Ridge and during night 26–27 succeeds in taking Kidney Ridge. General Montgomery decides to regroup for next phase, the breakout attack, and withdraws New Zealand 2d Division into reserve. Allied planes continue effective support of ground operations and disperse enemy force concentrating for attack. Enemy air action, which has been rather light thus far, increases.

USSR—Hard fighting continues in Stalingrad.

            In the Caucasus, Nalchik falls to Army Group A.

UNITED KINGDOM—TORCH troop convoy leaves for Africa.

US MARINE CORPS

—Naval Battle of Santa Cruz Island. U. S. force sustains heavy loss, but checks Japanese movement toward Guadalcanal.

Sunday 25 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Whale (SS‑239) lays mines off Honshu, Japan, at entrance to Inland Sea.

            Second division of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three, consisting of motor torpedo boats PT-37, PT-39, PT-45, andPT-61, arrives at Tulagi.

            Off Guadalcanal, tug Seminole (AT-65) and district patrol craft YP‑284 are sunk by gunfire of Japanese destroyers Akatsuki, Ikazuchi, and Shiratsuyu; submarine Amberjack (SS‑219), which has arrived that morning to deliver her cargo and passengers at Tulagi, is unable to attain a firing position to help Seminole and YP‑284. Later, high speed minesweeper Zane (DMS‑14) is damaged by the same trio of enemy warships in Sealark Channel. Japanese destroyers, however, do not emerge from the day's action unscathed. Off Lunga Point, Marine shore batteries (and VMF 121 F4Fs) damage Akatsuki, while USMC F4Fs (VMF 121) damage Ikazuchi; USAAF P‑39s damage Samidare and Akizuki. Amberjack later disembarks USAAF enlisted men (67th Fighter Squadron and 347th Fighter Group), 200 100-pound bombs and 9,000 gallons of aviation gasoline at Tulagi. Released from duty under ComAirSoPac, Amberjack sets course for Brisbane.

            USAAF B‑17s sink Japanese auxiliary minelayer Kotobuki Maru at Rabaul.

            Japanese light cruiser Yura, damaged by SBD (VS 71) and USAAF B‑17 or P‑39 off Santa Isabel, Solomons, is scuttled by destroyers Harusame and Yudachi, 08°40'S, 160°00'E.

            Dutch submarine O 23 damages Japanese army cargo ship Shinyu Maru off Penang, Malaya, 05°28'N, 99°56'E.

ATLANTIC—Master and one merchant seaman from U.S. freighter Reuben Tipton, sunk by German submarine U‑129 on 23October 1942, are recovered by PBM and transported to Trinidad (see 26 October 1942).

CARIBBEAN—U.S. freighter Daniel Boone strikes mine while off coast of Panama; there are no casualties to the 42 man crew and11 man Armed Guard, and the ship reaches port under her own power.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—Battle of El Alamein continues as General Montgomery decides to make main effort on N flank of 30 Corps. Australian 9th Division drives N toward coastal road to Rahman. B‑25’s disperse motor transport and other targets in support of ground forces. P‑40’s on escort attack vehicles and other targets. Fighters claim several airplanes destroyed in combat. Heavy Bombers sent to bomb Bengasi harbor and a convoy at sea fail to reach targets as bad weather prevails.

TENTH AF—Japanese aircraft attack airfields connected with the India-China air transport route, heavily bombing Dinjan and Chabua fields and scoring hits also at Mohanbari and Sookerating. 10 US airplanes are destroyed and 17 badly damaged; 9 Japanese aircraft are downed. 12 B‑25’s and 7 P‑40’s of CATF, led by Col Merian C Cooper, hit Kowloon Docks at Hong Kong. 21 airplanes intercept. 1 B‑25 and 1 P‑40 are shot down. This marks the first loss of a CATF B‑25 in combat. The Japanese interceptors are virtually annihilated. During 25/26 Oct 6 B‑25’s, on first CATF night strike, continue pounding Hong Kong, bombing North Pt power plant which provides electricity for the shipyards. 3 other B‑25’s bomb the secondary target, Canton warehouse area, causing several large explosions and fires.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb shipping at Rabaul. A‑20’s bomb and strafe Isurava-Kokoda trail, W bank of Kumusi River, and area N of Asisi as Australian ground forces push toward Kokoda in the Owen Stanley Range.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Japanese ground assaults on def lines around Henderson Field are again thrown back. Marine and AAF fighters continue to inflict telling losses on Japanese Navy aircraft. During the afternoon, a B‑17 on sea-search mission sights powerful TF NW of Santa Cruz Islands, heading for Guadalcanal.

ELEVENTH AF—Alert only as weather permits.

US ARMY

BERMUDA—Air group for TORCH (carriers) sails for North Africa.

GUADALCANAL—Japanese artillery and aircraft are very active during day but ground attacks are withheld until night 25–26, when 2 enemy regiments attack 1st Battalion of 7th Marines and 3d Battalion of 164th Infantry on S flank of Lunga perimeter and other enemy forces attack 2d Battalion of 7th Marines E of Hill 67 and Matanikau River. Both attacks are repulsed and lull in ground action follows.

EGYPT—As El ‘Alamein battle continues, General Montgomery decides to make main effort on N flank of 30 Corps and withhold attacks of 13 Corps in order to preserve strength of 7th Armored Division. On N flank of 30 Corps, Australian 9th Division drives N toward coastal road to Rahman; 1st Armored Division, attempting to push W in Kidney Ridge area, is unable to advance. Series of determined enemy counterattacks with strong tank support is repulsed. In 13 Corps sector, 50th Division attempts to improve positions in Munassib area with little success.

US MARINE CORPS

—Marines and Army troops fight off heavy ground attacks of major Japanese counteroffensive.

Saturday 24 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Nautilus (SS‑168) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Kenun Maru about 20 miles east of Shiriya Zaki, off northern tip of Honshu, 41°24'N, 141°50'E.

            Submarine Trigger (SS‑237) damages Japanese oiler Nissho Maru in Bungo Channel, 32°06'N, 132°34'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑25’s support British Eighth Army Offensive W of El Alamein between Mediterranean Sea and Qattara Depression as 30 Corps, with 4 divisions in assault, secures 2 corridors through enemy mine-fields on British N flank, while 13 Corps on S flank breaks through mine-fields N of Himeimat and establishes small bridgehead. The Medium Bombers hit troop concentrations, tent areas, gun emplacements, and vehicles. P‑ 40’s, working with RAF and SAAF, escort Medium Bombers and Light Bombers and hit motor transports and tanks.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s hit Lae airfield. Organized Japanese resistance on Goodenough Island ceases.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Marine and AAF fighters at Henderson Field continue to inflict damaging losses upon Japanese naval air force. Japanese ground forces, attacking aggressively, are again repulsed by defenses around Henderson area.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑17’s hit Kiska submarine base. Results not observed. Weather reconnaissance flight is made over Attu.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Final detachment of Western Naval Task Force sails from Hampton Roads for North Africa. Covering group of warships sails from Casco Bay, Maine.

GUADALCANAL—Japanese column is observed E of the Matanikau on foothills of Mt Austen in afternoon and bombarded by artillery and aircraft with unobserved results. Shortly after midnight 24–25, regiment of main Japanese assault force attacks S flank of Lunga perimeter, where 1st Battalion of 7th Marines is thinly spread along 2,800-yard front, 2d Battalion having been withdrawn to plug gap between Lunga perimeter and forward positions along the Matanikau. Marines, assisted by fire of adjacent troops—2d Battalion of 164th Inf—and reinforced during night by 3d Battalion of 164th Infantry, hold against repeated attacks, and enemy retires morning of 25th.

NEW HEBRIDES—2 U.S. naval carrier forces, based on Enterprise and Hornet, rendezvous NE of New Hebrides and come under command of Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid.

NEW GUINEA—Organized resistance on Goodenough Island. ceases; 250 Japanese are withdrawn to Rabaul by DD after nightfall. After exhausting overland journey, head of 2d Battalion, 126th Infantry, U.S. 32d Division, reaches Jaure. From there the force is to move to Buna area via Natunga and Bofu, Aniti Tank and Cannon Companies protecting its rear and harassing enemy in Wairopi area.

EGYPT—30 Corps, with 4 divisions in assault, secures 2 corridors through enemy mine fields on N flank of British Eighth Army, Australian 9th and British 51st Divisions gaining one on N and New Zealand 2d and South African 1st Divisions one on S. 10 Corps armor then begins passing through 1st Armored Division, debouching through N corridor, breaks through mine field during night 24–25, but 10th Armored Division, using S corridor, is unable to reach W edge of mine field. On Eighth Army S flank, 13 Corps’ 7th Armored and 44th Divisions succeed in breaking through mine fields N of Himeimat, night 24–25, and establish small bridgehead; to S, Free French 1st Brigade pushes W but is driven back.

ITALY—RAF Lancasters, after flight of some 1,400 miles from Britain, attack Milan in force. This is the first daylight attack on Italy by British planes from home bases.

US MARINE CORPS

—Marines and Army troops fight off heavy ground attacks of major Japanese counteroffensive.

Friday 23 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Kingfish (SS‑234) sinks Japanese gunboat Seikyo Maru at entrance to Kii Suido, Honshu, 33°20'N,135°27'E.

            USAAF B‑17s damage Japanese submarine chasers Ch 31 and Ch 32 at Rabaul.

            Japanese submarine I‑7 shells Espiritu Santo.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Reuben Tipton, bound for Trinidad, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑129; three merchant seamen are killed in the attack (see 25 and 26 October 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑17’s and B‑24’s sent to attack Candia and Bengasi turn back short of target due to bad weather. El Alamein offensive by British Eighth Army begins at 2140 with artillery barrage by more than 1,000 guns aimed at enemy batteries. At 2200 barrage switches to enemy forward positions as British troops move forward. Heavy fighting continues during 23/24 Oct.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s bomb and strafe Deniki and Deniki-Kokoda trail. B‑17’s thoroughly pound shipping at Rabaul.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Henderson Field is again made operational by Seabees, and Marine and AAF fighters begin to inflict heavy losses on naval aircraft. Japanese ground forces assault def lines around the airfields but are thrown back.

ELEVENTH AF—Armed reconnaissance by 7 bombers, escorted by 6 P‑38’s, is flown over Kiska installations, chiefly the submarine base and Main Camp. Visibility is excellent and direct hits are scored, including 1 on submarine base.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Forces from U.S. begin movement to North Africa in preparation for TORCH. First detachment of Western Naval Task Force, under Rear Admiral Henry K. Hewitt, sails from Hampton Roads, Virginia.

GUADALCANAL—After quiet day, Japanese artillery opens up at 1800 with heaviest fire to date, after which assault force (tank co and infantry regiment) makes determined but futile efforts to cross Matanikau River mouth and overrun 3d Battalion of 1st Marines. Japanese sustain heavy losses: 600 are estimated killed and at least 8 tanks are knocked out. 1st Marines casualties are 25 killed and 14 wounded. Main enemy enveloping force, which was to have attacked simultaneously with coastal force, is not yet in position and postpones for another day its attack on S perimeter.

EGYPT—British Eighth Army opens El ‘Alamein offensive at 2140. More than 1,000 guns pound enemy batteries until 2200, then switch to enemy forward positions as British troops move forward, 30 Corps on N making main effort and 13 Corps conducting diversionary actions on S. Heavy fighting continues throughout night.

US MARINE CORPS

—Marines and Army troops fight off heavy ground attacks of major Japanese counteroffensive.