Monday, 24 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Battle of the Eastern Solomons occurs as TF 61 (Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher), supported by USMC and USAAF planes from Henderson Field, turns back major Japanese attempt to recapture Guadalcanal and Tulagi. Carrier Enterprise (CV-6) is damaged by dive bomber (08°38'S, 163°30'E) and destroyer Grayson (DD-435) is damaged by strafing and near-miss, but SBDs and TBFs (VB 3, VS 3, VT 8) from Saratoga (CV-3) sink carrier Ryujo (06°10'S, 160°50'E) and damage seaplane carrier Chitose. SBD (VMSB 232) damages light cruiser Jintsu north of Malaita Island, Solomons.

            Submarine Saury (SS-189) torpedoes Japanese army transport Otowasan Maru west of Luzon, 14°15'N, 120°19'E.

            Submarine Guardfish (SS-217) torpedoes and sinks Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Seikai Maru off entrance to Sendai harbor, on northeast coast of Honshu, 38°12'N, 141°30'E.

            Japanese transport Cuba Maru, stranded south of Sakhalin Island, Kurils, sinks, 48°00'N, 142°30'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—12 Heavy Bombers hit the shipyard of Ateliers et Chantiers Maritime de la Seine at Le Trait. General Spaatz reports RAF attitude towards US daylight precision bombing seems to be changing from one of skepticism to one of tentative approval.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s attack Tobruk harbor.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s hit town of Gasmata and airfields at Rabaul. Japanese amphibious forces leave Buna in barges and New Ireland in transports, heading for Milne Bay. Barges are detected by Australian coast-watcher during the afternoon.

SOUTH PACIFIC—In the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, 7 B‑17’s and USN dive and torpedo-bombers from the Enterprise and Saratoga attack a TF covering a transport formation heading for Guadalcanal; Navy airplanes sink the carrier Ryujo. During the night 4 warships shell the airstrip on Guadalcanal.

ELEVENTH AF—404th Bomb Squadron begins to operate from Umnak. Photo reconnaissance sortie is canceled due to overcast.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—XII Fighter Command is assigned to Twelfth AF.

US ARMY

BATTLE OF EASTERN SOLOMONS—American naval TF’s, centering about CV’s Enterprise and Saratoga, intercept Japanese fleet units (3 carriers, 8 BB’s, 4 CA’s, 2 CL’s .and 21 DD’s, plus the 4 transports with reinforcements for Guadalcanal) well E of Guadalcanal. Major air battle ensues (U.S. carrier planes being assisted by a few land-based planes), and Japanese sustain heavy losses before retiring northward. Japanese carrier Ryuju, 1 CL, and 1 DD are sunk, and other vessels are damaged. Japanese lose 90 planes; Americans, 20 planes.

GUADALCANAL—Henderson Field is subjected to almost daily air attacks and Lunga perimeter is bombarded from sea at frequent intervals. Marine fighters intercepting enemy aircraft over Henderson Field shoot down 21 for loss of 3. 11 dive bombers from the Enterprise land on the field and remain for 3 months.

NEW GUINEA—General Horii orders general offensive. Japanese amphibious forces leave for Milne Bay, those from New Ireland in a transports and the force from Buna in 7 large landing barges. Barges are detected by coastwatcher in afternoon.

US MARINE CORPS

Naval Battle of Eastern Solomons.

Sunday, 23 August 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa (CA-37), escorted by destroyers Rodman (DD-456) and Emmons (DD-457) and British destroyer HMS Onslaught, arrives at Murmansk, Russia, and disembarks men and unloads equipment from two RAF Bomber Command squadrons that have been transferred to North Russia. The ships depart the following day to return to the British fleet base at Scapa Flow, Orkneys.

PACIFIC—Japanese light cruiser Yubari, accompanied by four destroyers and supporting ships, shells Nauru Island, Gilberts, in preparation for landings there.

            Destroyer Blue (DD-387), damaged on 22 August, is scuttled by her crew, 09°17'S, 160°02'E.

            Submarine Skipjack damages Japanese oiler Hayatomo southwest of Ambon, N.E.I., 03°52'N, 127°54'E.

            PBY (VP 23) attacks (in daylight!) Japanese heavy cruiser Furutaka, Solomons.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

SIXTH AF—German sub, U-654, is sunk off Panama, 12-00N 79-56W, by aircraft of 45th Bomb Squadron.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—XII AFSC is activated at MacDill Field, under Maj John L Cheesebrough.

FIFTH AF—A lone B‑17 bombs Buka Island.

ELEVENTH AF—Fog cancels photo mission.

US ARMY

USSR—German Army Group B presses in steadily on Stalingrad, spearhead reaching the Volga; Army Group A gains additional ground along E coast of Black Sea and captures Elbrus.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 22 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—First USAAF planes (five P-400s from the 67th Fighter Squadron) arrive at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.

            Destroyer Blue (DD-387) is torpedoed by Japanese destroyer Kawakaze off Guadalcanal (see 23 August).

            Submarine Haddock (SS-231) torpedoes and sinks Japanese transport Tatsuho Maru off China coast, near Foochow,26°07'N, 121°29'E.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Ingraham (DD-444) is sunk in collision with oiler Chemung (AO-30) off Nova Scotia, 42°34'N, 60°05'W; Chemung is damaged; destroyer Buck (DD-420) is damaged in collision with British transport Awatea, 42°34'N,60°05'W.

CARIBBEAN—USAAF plane (45th Bombardment Squadron) sinks German submarine U-654 north of Panama, 12°00'N, 79°56'W.

            Second group of 23 survivors from U.S. freighter West Celina, torpedoed by German submarine U-162 on 18 and 19 August, reaches Manzanillo Bay, Venezuela.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑25’s hit tank and motor repair shop and storage dumps at Matruh. A B‑25 is mistakenly shot down by an RAF Beaufighter.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb airfields at Lae and Rabaul.

SOUTH PACIFIC—First AAF airplanes, 5 P‑400’s of 67th Fighter Squadron, arrive at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, joining Marine aircraft which arrived earlier. These P‑400’s, which operate under control of Marine Aircraft Wing One, prove no match for Japanese Zeros or bombers at high altitudes.

ELEVENTH AF—Photo reconnaissance mission over Kiska is aborted due to overcast.

US ARMY

BRAZIL—Angered by the recent sinking of 5 of her ships by enemy, Brazil declares war on Germany and Italy. United Nations shipping is thus able to make full use of the comparatively short S Atlantic route via Ascension Island.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—After consideration of the relative merits of Tanaga and Adak as an advanced air base from which to attack Kiska, Adak has been chosen. Directive for its occupation on 30 August is issued.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—On Guadalcanal, first U.S. Army planes, 5 P-400’s of 67th Fighter Sq, arrive for duty at Henderson Field, flying there from New Hebrides. Ships bringing supplies are thus afforded greater protection, but shipments remain small. CO and staff of 2d Marines arrive on Tulagi from New Hebrides.

NEW GUINEA—Maj General Cyril A. Clowes takes command of Milne Force, which by this time comprises 9,458 men (7,429 Australians, 1,365 Americans, 664 RAAF). The U.S. component consists largely of engineers and AA personnel. Japanese Maj General Tomitaro Horii leaves for the front to take personal charge of operations. His forces now total over 11,000 men.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 21 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Cuttlefish (SS-171) damages Japanese ammunition ship Nichiro Maru, 31°00'N, 130°00'E.

            Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese collier No.6 Shinsei Maru off Ponape Island, 06°45'N, 158°10'E.

            Motor vessel Lakatoi, commissioned at Nouméa, New Caledonia, on 15 August and manned by a crew made up of survivors of the sunken transport George F. Elliott (AP-13) sinks in storm at 18°55'S, 167°40'E.

CARIBBEAN—One group of 19 survivors from U.S. freighter West Celina, torpedoed by German submarine U-162 on 18 and 19 August, reaches Manzanillo Bay, Venezuela (see 22 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—At General Arnold’s request, General Eisenhower gives General Spaatz additional duties as Air Officer for ETOUSA and head of the air section of its staff, thus assuring active participation by Eighth AF in theater planning. 12 airplanes are dispatched to bomb shipyards at Rotterdam, but mission is aborted due to attack by 25 Me-109’s and FW-190’s. Lack of proper coordination with Spitfire escort is major factor in failure of mission.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s from 2 squadrons hit convoy SW of Crete, claiming 2 ships probably sunk. Fighters attack straggling B‑24 and force it to crash-land at sea.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 trying to fly reconnaissance over Kiska aborts due to weather.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—In predawn attack toward airfield, about 200 Japanese attempt to gain W bank of Ilu River; the few who succeed are killed or driven back by 2d Battalion of 1st Marines. Japanese remaining E of the Ilu are surrounded and destroyed in concerted attacks by 2d and 1st Battalions, 1st Marines. 1st Battalion crosses river upstream and attacks enemy from rear while 2d, with light tank platoon spearheading, attacks at river mouth. Japanese sustain almost 800 casualties;

15 of the enemy are captured; 35 marines are killed and 75 wounded. Lunga garrison, already strengthened by raiders and parachutists, is further increased by 2d Battalion of 5th Marines from Tulagi. Rations and aviation supplies in limited quantities are landed.

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—Operation Plan TULSA II-B is drawn up as planning for offensive continues.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese convoy reaches Basabua and lands reinforcements, completing quota for overland drive on Port Moresby. Australian 18th Brigade reaches Milne Bay, where it joins Australian 7th Brigade, CMF, which reached there in July.

USSR—Elements of German Army Group A, clearing E coast of Black Sea, overrun Krymskaya.

US MARINE CORPS

Marines turn back first major Japanese attack on Guadalcanal in Battle of the Tenaru.

Thursday, 20 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—First USMC planes arrive at Henderson Field: aircraft escort vessel Long Island (AVG-1) ferries 19 F4Fs (VMF 223) and 12 SBDs (VMSB 232) to Guadalcanal. Although Japanese flying boat from the Shortlands sights Long Island, screened by light cruiser Helena (CL-50) and destroyers Aylwin (DD-355) and Dale (DD-353), the U.S. ships prove to be out of range of enemy land-based air and retire from the area without incident.

            Small seaplane tender Mackinac (AVP-13) is damaged when mistakenly bombed by SBDs (VS 71) from carrier Wasp (CV-7) off Ndeni Island.

ATLANTIC—PBY-5A (VP 73) sinks German submarine U-464, North Atlantic Area, 61°25'N, 14°40'W.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Principle of coordinated day and night bombing receive its first formal definition in ‘Joint British/American Directive on Day Bomber Operations involving Fighter Cooperation.’ Emphasis is placed on achieving continuity in bombing offensive from UK. 11 Heavy Bombers attack Longeau marshalling yard at Amiens, a vital point in the traffic flow between France and Germany.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Kiska. Patrol is flown over Shumagin Island.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Twelfth AF is activated at Bolling Field.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Twelfth Air Force is activated at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C.

NEW HEBRIDES—Advanced supply depots are established at Noumea and Espiritu Santo.

GUADALCANAL—First planes (advance echelon of MAG 23, 1st Marine Air Wing) arrive for duty at Henderson Field. The group consists of VMF 223 (19 F4F–4’s) and VMSB 232 (12 SBD–3’s). Supply and evacuation between Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo is begun by MAG 25. 1st Marine Division units along Ilu River exchange fire with enemy moving up from E, beginning in evening.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese order amphibious assault on Milne Bay by about 1,500 men from Kavieng, New Ireland, and from Buna.

USSR—German Army Group B makes slow progress toward Stalingrad against stubborn resistance and gains foothold across the Don in Kletskaya area. In the Caucasus, Soviet rear guards continue strong delaying action.

US MARINE CORPS

First Marine fighter aircraft arrive on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.

Wednesday, 19 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—USAAF B-17s, flying from Espiritu Santo, bomb Japanese destroyers Kagero, Hagikaze and Maikaze off Guadalcanal, damaging Hagikaze off Tulagi.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-29 reconnoiters the Seychelles.

CARIBBEAN—German submarine U-162 continues stalking convoy TAW (S) attacked the previous day, and again torpedoes unarmed U.S. freighter West Celina, which is abandoned by the 39 man crew and the convoy commodore's staff of four men; the convoy commodore, however, is lost (see 21 and 22 August). German submarine U-564 attacks the convoy as well, torpedoing and sinking two British ships: tanker British Consul and freighter Empire Cloud. Escorting ships will, however, frustrate further attacks by the U-boats.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—22 B‑17’s drop 34 tons of bombs on Abbeville/Drucat airfield causing extensive damage. This mission is flown to occupy enemy fighters and prevent them from opposing an invasion by over 5,000 Allied troops, mostly Canadians, who raid Dieppe. 2d Lt Samuel F Junkin Jr of 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, flying a Spitfire in support of the amphibious raid on Dieppe, shoots down a German fighter. this being the first aerial victory won by an Eighth AF fighter pilot flying from the UK.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb shipping at Faisi on Shortland Island.

ELEVENTH AF—Mechanical failure prevents a B‑24 from flying reconnaissance over Tanaga.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—5th Marines, in limited offensive, clears coastal villages of Matanikau and Kokumbona, then returns to Lunga Pt. Companies L and B attack Matanikau from E and S. Company Island, moving forward by sea, clears Kakumbona. While patrolling to locate enemy radio station, Company A of 1st Marines encounters and virtually wipes out party of 34 Japanese— recently landed Army forces—near Taivu Pt.

NEW BRITAIN—Japanese reinforcements, about 1,500 in 4 transports screened by DD’s, leave Rabaul for Guadalcanal.

NEW GUINEA—Leading elements of Australian 7th Division (21st Brigade) arrive at Port Moresby, from which they start at once toward Isurava to bolster Maroubra Force.

EGYPT—General Alexander directs General Montgomery to hold current positions at El ‘Alamein while preparing for offensive.

FRANCE—Canadian (Canadian) and British troops, 5,000 strong, raid Dieppe for 9 hours, damaging military installations at great cost in casualties. 50 U.S. Rangers accompanied the expedition; of these, 6 were wounded and 7 were reported missing. Many German planes are destroyed by supporting Allied fighters.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 18 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese destroyers Kagero, Hakigaze, Maikaze, Urakaze, Isokaze and Hamikaze begin landing 916 troops of the Imperial Army's Ichiki Detachment on Guadalcanal.

CARIBBEAN—Convoy TAW 13, steaming south of Cuba, comes under attack from German submarine U-553, which torpedoes and sinks Swedish merchantman Blankaholm and British freighter Empire Bede; U-553 also torpedoes and sinks U.S. freighter John Hancock at 19°27'N, 76°48'W. All 38 merchant sailors and the 11 man Armed Guard survive the loss of the ship; the men are rescued by British corvette HMS Pimpernel.

            Convoy TAW (S), 15 ships escorted by gunboat Courage (PG-70), British corvette HMS Clarkia, two Coast Guard cutters and four submarine chasers, is attacked by German submarine U-162, which torpedoes unarmed U.S. freighter West Celina off Grenada, 11°45'N, 62°30'W (see 19 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

MIDDLE EAST—General Alexander assumes command of British imperial forces in ME.

TENTH AF—General Bissell becomes CG Tenth AF, relieving General Naiden who now devotes full time to command of India- China Ferry Command.

FIFTH AF—For second consecutive day a single B‑17 attacks Kavieng bombs fall in airfield dispersal area.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑24 takes oblique of Amchitka and Tanaga. Heavy fog over Kiska and Attu preclude armed reconnaissance.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Large Japanese detachment, embarked on 3 escorted transports, reaches Basabua undetected and goes ashore. General Rowell assumes command of New Guinea Force, replacing General Morris.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Maj General Clayton L. Bissell is given command of U.S. Tenth Air Force.

US MARINE CORPS

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