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

Thursday 1 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Grouper (SS‑214) torpedoes and sinks Japanese army transport Lisbon Maru 20 miles north of Chushan Island, 29°57'N, 122°56'N. [Unknown to the Grouper, Lisbon Maru was a "hell ship" transporting British Prisoners of War--over 850 of whom were murdered by the Japanese, either shot or drowned locked in the holds.] Submarine Kingfish (SS‑234) torpedoes and sinks merchant cargo ship Yomei Maru off Ichiezaki, Japan, 33°31'N,135°26'E.

            Submarine Nautilus (SS‑168) sinks merchant cargo ship Tosei Maru east of Shiriyazaki, Japan, 41°20'N, 141°35'E.

            Submarine Sturgeon (SS‑187) damages Japanese aircraft transport Katsuragi Maru off Cape St. George, New Ireland,05°51'S, 153°18'E.

ATLANTIC—Advanced Group, Amphibious Forces, Atlantic Fleet becomes Amphibious Forces, Europe under the Commander U.S. Naval Forces Europe (Admiral Harold R. Stark).

            Destroyer Roe (DD‑418), 20 miles off the coast of Trinidad, rescues the 19 men (17 merchant seamen and 2 Armed Guard sailors) from U.S. freighter West Chetac, sunk by German submarine U‑175 on 24 September 1942, and transports them to Port-of-Spain.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb shipping in Pylos Bay, claiming 2 direct hits and several near misses on a large vessel. Other B‑24’s dispatched to bomb convoy at sea fail to find target.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s and P‑400’s pound forces and comm in Owen Stanley Range, hitting Menari, Kagi; Myola Lake, Kokoda area, Wairopi bridge, and Buna-Wairopi trail.

ELEVENTH AF—A Japanese reconnaissance airplane over Adak establishes US occupation on the island. 7 B‑24’s on a search attack and photo reconnaissance mission over Kiska hit hangars and ramps, starting several fires. 4 fighters appear and are engaged. 1 probable victory is claimed. 2 other B‑24’s take off, after Navy Catalinas contact transport, but cannot locate it.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—GHQ issues plan for encirclement and reduction of Buna-Gona beachhead. Upon securing Kumusi River line from Wairopi southeastward, Goodenough Island, and N coast from Milne Bay to Cape Nelson, concerted assault is to be made on Buna-Gona area. Advance will be along 3 routes: Kokoda Trail, where Australians are now pursuing enemy; from S coast to Jaure along either Rigo or Abau track, both of which are being reconnoitered; NW along coast from Milne Bay.

MIDDLE EAST—Letter of Instructions is issued to Brigadier General Donald H. Connolly, commander-designate of PGSC. CG USAFIME is to exercise administrative supervision over PGSC.

USSR—Bitter fighting continues within and near Stalingrad throughout October, German Army Group B making limited progress against determined resistance. Red Army efforts to relieve the besieged city, which is under severe air and artillery bombardment, prove futile. Drives of German Army Group A are virtually halted by Soviet resistance. Red Army contains attacks toward Grozny oil fields.

            In NW sector of this front, fierce battles occur in Novorossisk-Tuapse area along Black Sea coast. German offensive is steadily losing momentum because of fuel shortage, heavy losses in manpower, difficult terrain, and firm opposition.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 30 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Heavy cruiser San Francisco (CA‑38) and light minelayer Breese (DM‑18) are damaged in collision, New Hebrides area, 15°39'S, 167°39'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TWELFTH AF—General Dunton assumes command of XII AF Service Command.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s, A‑20’s, and P‑40’s pound occupied areas at Menari, Myola Lake, Kagi, and Efogi and bridge at Wairopi.

ELEVENTH AF—Of 9 B‑24’s off to bomb Kiska and Attu, 2 turn back. The others blast Attu Camp area, and at Kiska Harbor score at least 1 direct hit and near misses on a ship. 8 fighters intercept over Kiska and Little Kiska but inflict no losses.

US ARMY

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—Enemy makes the first of a number of nuisance raids on Adak.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 29 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I‑25 drops incendiary bombs on a forest in southern coastal Oregon--the second and last time a Japanese aircraft will bomb the continental United States during World War II in an attempt to ignite forest fires.

            Cargo ship Alhena (AK‑26) is damaged by Japanese submarine I‑4, 20 miles south of San Cristobal Island, Solomons,10°47'S, 161°16'E.

ATLANTIC—Open lighters YC‑898 and YC‑899 sink off Key West, Florida, while in tow en route from New Orleans to Key West.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—US pilots who had been members of 3 RAF Eagle Squadrons are taken over by VIII Fighter Command and organized into 4th Fighter Group.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s hit harbor installations at Suda Bay. P‑40’s fly offensive sweep over battle area, and carry out interception mission against Stukas over front-line near El Alamein.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb AA positions at Buna and airfield at Salamaua. A single A‑20 bombs Menari area.

ELEVENTH AF—Morning armed reconnaissance mission is flown by an LB‑30 over Semichis and Attu. It strafes a ship at Attu. 3 B‑ 24’s bomb and strafe sea transport, scoring no hits.

US ARMY

SOLOMON ISLANDS—Troop strength of Guadalcanal garrison is now 19,261; 3,260 troops are on Tulagi. 6th Naval Construction Battalion is constructing airstrip.

MADAGASCAR—Continuing S from Tananarive, British forces occupy Fianarantsoa. 2 companies of Pretoria Regiment and a few armored cars from Diego Suarez land on SW coast at Tulear in order to secure the port, airfield, and seaplane base site for patrolling Mozambique Channel.

UNITED KINGDOM—U.S. fliers of 3 RAF Eagle Squadrons are transferred to USAAF.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 28 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) torpedoes and sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship No.6 Tamon Maru east of Japan,40°35'N, 141°50'N.

            Submarine Sculpin (SS-191) torpedoes Japanese seaplane carrier Nisshin east of Kokoda Island; the submarine is damaged by depth charges off New Britain, 03°47'S, 151°36'E but continues her patrol.

            Submarine Trout (SS-202) torpedoes Japanese escort carrier Taiyo east of Truk, 06°59'N, 151°45'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Alcoa Mariner is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑175 approximately 20 miles off the mouth of the Orinoco River, 08°57'N, 60°08'W; all hands survive the loss of the ship. Canadian motorship Turret Cape rescues 41 merchant seamen and the 13 man Armed Guard.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—P‑40’s and P‑400’s bomb and strafe Wairopi bridge, village of Kagi, Myola Lake area, and targets of opportunity along Buna-Kokoda trail. 1 B‑17 bombs airfield at Lae. Main body of 126th Infantry, US 32d Division, arrives at Port Moresby and is assigned to New Guinea Force to join Australian advance on Wairopi.

ELEVENTH AF—2 bombing missions are flown to Kiska and Attu by 7 B‑24’s, 1 B‑17, and 1 LB-30, escorted by 17 fighters. Installations on Kiska and a freighter nearby are bombed. 1 of the B‑24’s and the LB-30 bomb village and Chichagof Harbor on Attu and on returning silence AA guns on a freighter. 5 float-planes are shot down, and 1 submarine is sunk. 1 P‑39 is shot down.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Main body of 126th Infantry, U.S. 32d Division, reaches Port Moresby and is assigned to New Guinea Force to assist in advance on Wairopi.

US MARINE CORPS

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