Thursday 8 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese guard boat Toyohama Maru is wrecked (cause unspecified), Wotje Atoll.

            Submarine Drum (SS‑228) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Hague Maru, 34°06'N, 136°22'E.

INDIAN OCEAN—U.S. tanker Swiftsure is torpedoed by German submarine U‑68 approximately 25 miles southeast of the Cape of Good Hope, 34°40'S, 18°25'E, and after firefighting efforts prove futile, is abandoned. There are no casualties among the 31 man crew, and all hands are rescued by a British minesweeper that comes out from Cape Town, South Africa (see 2 November 1942).

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter John Carter Rose is torpedoed by German submarine U‑202 at 10°27'N, 45°37'W; fires triggered by the explosions make abandoning ship difficult. Five the 45 man crew perish, as do 3 of the 20 man Armed Guard. U‑201 returns, but a second dud torpedo fails to damage the merchantman. The U‑boat then shells John Carter Rose, after which time the Germans provide the survivors with cigarettes, medical supplies and food (see 13 October 1942).

            British corvette HMS Rockrose picks up 42 survivors (32 merchant seamen and 10 Armed Guard sailors) of U.S. freighter Chickasaw City, sunk the previous day by German submarine U‑172 (see 2 November 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

USSR—German High Command abandons attempt to storm Stalingrad; announces plans to take city by artillery siege.

EIGHTH AF—In letter to General Stratemeyer, General Eaker indicates plans for developing highly-skilled intruder force capable of using bad weather as a cloak for small blind-bombing operations. These missions are also to serve purpose of keeping the enemy from resting during periods of bad weather when big strategic missions cannot be flown.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s of 343d and 344th Squadrons, 98th Bomb Group, fail to reach target at Bengasi because of bad weather. Hal Bomb Squadron manages to attack shipping at Bengasi.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s bomb Buna area while A‑20’s pound Buna-Kokoda trail. Japanese withdrawal NE across Owen Stanley Range slows as they prepare to make a stand at Templeton’s Crossing N of Myola.

ELEVENTH AF—9 B‑24’s, 3 B‑17’s, and 12 P‑38’s blast Kiska Harbor installations (starting fires in Main Camp), and strafe AA positions, hangars, a corvette (silencing her guns), and a freighter.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Marine attack across Matanikau River is postponed because of heavy rains, but 5th Marines and raiders reduce enemy bridgehead on E bank in costly fighting. When Japanese plans for counteroffensive are discovered, 1st Marine Division CG changes plan of attack. Instead of driving toward Kokumbona and the Poha, marines are to raid Pt Cruz area in force and return to Lunga perimeter.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese withdrawal across Owen Stanley Range toward Kokoda slows as preparations are made for stand at Templeton’s Crossing, N of Myola.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—General Chennault delivers to Wendell L. Willkie a letter for President Roosevelt asking for increased authority and air power in order to destroy Japanese Air Force in China, then attack Japanese Empire.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday 7 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Amberjack (SS‑219) sinks Japanese supply ship Senkei Maru, southern Carolines, 01°55'N, 153°01'E.

            Submarine Sculpin (SS‑191) sinks Japanese army transport Naminoue Maru off Rabaul, 03°14'S, 150°01'E.

            Japanese merchant cargo ship Midori Maru founders and sinks above Woosung, China.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Chickasaw City is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑172 approximately 85 miles south-southwest of Cape Town, South Africa, 34°00'S, 17°16'E; 5 of the 37 man crew, 1 of the 11 man Armed Guard and the sole passenger perish in the attack (see 8 October and 2 November 1942).

            U.S. freighter John Carter Rose is attacked by German submarine U‑201; one dud torpedo fails to damage the merchantman and Armed Guard gunfire drives off the ship's assailant (see 8 October 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s score 7 direct hits on a tanker and 8 on fuel installations at Suda Bay. 66 P‑40’s escort bombers over battle area W of El Alamein.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑24’s taking off to bomb Kiska and patrol Near Islands abort mission due to mechanical failure and instead fly reconnaissance over Agattu, Attu, and Semichi Islands with negative results.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—1st Marine Division, with air and artillery support, opens offensive to extend perimeter westward beyond artillery range of Henderson Field, moving 3 columns forward toward the Matanikau, line of departure, from Kukum area. While 5th Marines (less Battalion) moves along coast to conduct holding action at Matanikau River mouth, 7th Marines (less Battalion), followed by Whaling Group (3d Battalion of 2d Marines and division scout-sniper detachment under Col William J. Whaling), advances SW with mission of crossing river and enveloping Pt Cruz. 5th Marines column soon meets opposition and drives enemy back almost to Matanikau River mouth. The other 2 columns reach Hill 65, overlooking Matanikau River, with little difficulty and halt for the night. After nightfall, attack preparations are simulated at river mouth and 5th Marines is reinforced by company of 1st Raider Battalion.

NEW GUINEA—U.S. 32d Division force (platoon of Company E, 126th Infantry; Anti-Tank and Cannon Companies; native carriers) under Capt Alfred Medendorp begins difficult march from Kalikodobu, 40 miles SE of Port Moresby, toward Jaure. The force is dependent upon airdrops for most of its supplies.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday 6 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—U.S. tanker Larry Doheny is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I‑25 off the coast of Oregon, 42°20'N, 125°02'W, and abandoned. Two of the ship's 34 man merchant complement die in the attack, as do four of the 8 man Armed Guard. Small seaplane tender Coos Bay (AVP‑25) rescues the survivors. Larry Doheny sinks the next morning.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s hit Bengasi harbor, scoring large number of near misses but no direct hits. 1 Heavy Bomber bombs Bardia during return flight. AA is heavy and accurate and fighters attack 6 Heavy Bombers over target. 2 B‑24’s are lost.

FIFTH AF—Fifth AF aircraft complete movement of reinforced Australian 18th Brigade to Wanigela on peninsula between Dyke Acland and Collingwood Bays on E coast of Papua. This is part of move aimed at capture of Buna-Gona area.

ELEVENTH AF—8 B‑24’s, 1 B‑17, 10 P‑39’s, and 8 P‑38’s fly bombing and weather missions over Kiska. A large transport is bombed in the harbor which is left sinking. Hits are scored on a corvette and on a large freighter at Gertrude Cove and on a hangar in Main Camp. The radio station is damaged. A float fighter is strafed and set afire, and 6 Zeros are hit on the water.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Second Protocol for U.S. aid to USSR, covering period to 1 July 1943, is signed in Washington. 3,300,000 tons are to be sent by N Soviet ports and 1,100,000 by Persian Gulf route.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—General Harmon recommends to Admiral Ghormley that projected invasion of Ndeni, Santa Cruz Islands., scheduled to follow capture of Tulagi and Guadalcanal airfield, be postponed and that Guadalcanal be reinforced; that naval operations in the Solomons be increased; and that adequate airdrome construction personnel and equipment be sent to Guadalcanal. Admiral Ghormley decides to proceed with plan to occupy Ndeni as landing field site and agrees to reinforce Guadalcanal with an Army regiment and to improve airdrome facilities. 164th Infantry of Americal Division is chosen to reinforce Guadalcanal and 147th Infantry (less 2 Battalions) to occupy Ndeni.

NEW GUINEA—Fifth Air Force completes movement of reinforced Australian 18th Brigade to Wanigela. Channel from Milne Bay to Cape Nelson has now been charted in order to permit shipment of supplies by water.

EGYPT—General Montgomery issues instructions for El ‘Alamein offensive in Western Desert.

USSR—Oil city of Malgobek, near Grozny, falls to Army Group A.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday 5 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Planes from carrier Hornet (CV‑8) (Rear Admiral George D. Murray) bomb Buin-Tonolei area and Faisi, Bougainville, Solomons.

            SBDs (VS 3, VS 71, VMSB 141) from Henderson Field attack Japanese convoy, damaging destroyers Minegumo and Murasame 150 miles from Guadalcanal.

            PBY (COMAIRSOPAC) sinks Japanese submarine I‑22 near Indispensable Strait, Solomons.

            Submarine Trigger (SS‑237) damages Japanese transport Shinkoku Maru, 31°40'N, 142°06'E. where°

            U.S. tanker Camden, torpedoed by Japanese submarine I‑25 the previous day and abandoned, is taken in tow by tug Kenai see 10 October 1942).

ATLANTIC—PBY (VP 73) sinks German submarine U‑582 at 58°52'N, 21°42'W. where German submarine U‑175 torpedoes, shells, and sinks U.S. freighter William A. McKenney about 50 miles east of Corocoro Island, Venezuela, 08°35'N, 59°20'W; one man is killed. Destroyer Blakely (DD‑150) rescues the survivors (30 merchant seamen and the 4 man Armed Guard).

            British corvette HMS Borage rescues the 24 merchant seamen and nine Armed Guard sailors from the after section of U.S. tanker Robert H. Colley (the ship had been torpedoed by German submarine U‑254 the previous day). Borage scuttles the stern section of the ship with gunfire and depth charges.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s attack convoy off Buna; A‑20’s hit AA positions at Sanananda Pt and bomb village of Sanananda; B‑17’s bomb airfields at Buna and also hit Rabaul airfields.

ELEVENTH AF—6 B‑24’s, 3 P‑38’s and 3 P‑39’s abort a bombing, weather, and photo mission over Kiska due to weather.

US ARMY

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US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday 4 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Destroyers Drayton (DD‑366) and Flusser (DD‑368) are damaged in collision during exercises in Hawaiian Operating Area.

            Submarine Greenling (SS‑213) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Setsuyo Maru off Sanriku, 39°48'N, 142°08'E.

            U.S. tanker Camden is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I‑25 off the coast of Oregon, 43°42'N, 124°52'W, and is abandoned. One crewman drowns as the men leave the ship. Swedish motorship Kookaburra rescues the 38 merchant seamen and the 9 Armed Guard sailors (see 5 October 1942).

CARIBBEAN—U.S. freighter Caribstar is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑175 off the mouth of the Orinoco River,08°30'N, 59°37'W. The 29 man merchant crew suffers 4 dead and 13 wounded (two of whom later die of their wounds); there are no casualties among the 6 man Armed Guard. Submarine chaser PC‑469 rescues survivors.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Robert H. Colley, in convoy HX 209, is torpedoed by German submarine U‑254 at 59°06'N, 28°18'W, and breaks in two, with the forward part sinking first. Twenty of the 44 man merchant complement perish, as do eight of the 17 Armed Guard sailors (see 5 October 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—P‑40’s strafe forces and occupied areas at Myola Lake, Kokoda, Wairopi, Yodda, and Buna. US reconnaissance party from 126th Infantry, 32d Division reaches Jauri, completing reconnaissance of Kapa Kapa-Jauri trail, which is found to be difficult but practicable for use as a route in contemplated offensive against Buna-Gona area.

10/4

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑24’s abort weather, bombing and photo missions over Kiska due to weather and instead attack a cargo vessel. Ship’s rudder is probably damaged. 1 B‑24 is damaged.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Capt Boice’s reconnaissance party (elements of 126th Infantry, U.S. 32d Div) reaches Jaure, completing reconnaissance of Kapa Kapa-Jaure trail, which is found to be difficult but practicable.

ENGLISH CHANNEL—Small British party raids Sark Island.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday 3 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—SBDs (VS 71, VMSB 141, VMSB 231, VS 3) and TBFs (VT 8) from Henderson Field attack Japanese supply convoy en route to Guadalcanal, damaging seaplane carrier Nisshin.

            Submarine Greenling (SS‑213) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Kinkai Maru, 38°46'N, 142°02'E.

            Submarine Trout (SS‑202) is damaged by Japanese aerial bomb off Truk, forcing the submarine to end her patrol.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s attack shipping in Pylos Bay during 3/4 Oct. The Heavy Bombers claim 2 fighters shot down.

TENTH AF—India Air Task Force is activated at Dinjan to support Chinese resistance along Salween River by hitting supply lines in C and S Burma. The new task force, command by Col Caleb V Haynes, includes all AAF combat units in India— the 7th and 341st Bomb and 51st Fighter Groups.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s bomb and strafe Efogi and Myola Lake, P‑40’s strafe Efogi-Buna trail, B‑25’s hit bridge at Wairopi, and a lone B‑17 bombs camp on Kumusi River.

ELEVENTH AF—6 B‑24’s, 4 P‑38’s, and 8 P‑39’s bomb and strafe 7 vessels in and around Kiska Harbor hitting a beached cargo vessel and the camp. The fighters down 6 float fighters attempting interception. Enemy bombs Adak airfield but inflicts no damage.

US ARMY

INDIA—India Air Task Force is activated in upper Assam under Brigadier General Caleb V. Haynes to protect the India end of the Hump ferry route.

USSR—On Caucasian front, Army Group A captures Elkhotovo, within 7 miles of Darg Kokh. Fierce fighting continues in Stalingrad area.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday 2 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—5th Defense Battalion, USMC, occupies Funafuti, Ellice Islands.

            Transport St. Mihiel (AP‑32) is damaged when she strikes uncharted underwater object off Turn Island, Alaska.

            USAAF B‑17s bomb Rabaul harbor, damaging Japanese light cruiser Tenryu.

ATLANTIC—USAAF B‑18 (99th Bombardment Squadron) sinks German submarine U‑512 off French Guiana, 06°50'N, 52°25'W.

            U.S. freighter Alcoa Transport is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑201 about 100 miles southeast of Trinidad, 09°03'N, 60°10'W. Submarine chaser PC‑490 rescues the surviving 31 merchant seamen (three crewmen are killed; a fourth dies of wounds later) and five man Armed Guard sailors.

            British steamship Loch Dee rescues 23 survivors from lifeboat from U.S. tanker Patrick J. Hurley, sunk by German submarine U‑512 on 12 September 1942. All told, 31 of 44 merchant seamen and 14 of 18 Armed Guard sailors survive the loss of Patrick J. Hurley.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Avions Potez aircraft factory at Meaulte is bombed by 30 B‑17’s. A small group attacks Saint-Omer/Longuenesse airfield. Some 400 fighter escorts provide cover which is frequently penetrated by German fighters. The B‑17’s show remarkable defensive strength.

FIFTH AF—In Owen Stanley Range, A‑20’s bomb and strafe Japanese campsites around Myola and hit several trails in the area, while P‑400’s strafe bridges at Sirorata and Wairopi and village NE of Wairopi. B‑ 17’s bomb shipping and airfield at Rabaul.

SIXTH AF—German sub, U-512, is sunk off French Guiana, 06-50N, 52-25W, by aircraft of 99th Bomb Squadron.

ELEVENTH AF—11 B‑24’s and 6 P‑39’s bomb 2 cargo ships at Kiska Harbor (no hits observed) drop demolition charges throughout Main Camp area, and hit hangar S of seaplane ramp. 4 float-planes and 1 biplane are shot down. Enemy aircraft bomb Adak airfield without inflicting damage.

US ARMY

ELLICE Islands.—5th Defense Battalion force from Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, occupies Funafuti.

MADAGASCAR—British forces take Antsirabe.

US MARINE CORPS

—5th Defense Battalion occupies Funafuti, Ellice Islands