Sunday, 8 November 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Motor torpedo boats PT-61, PT-39, and PT-37 engage two Japanese destroyers south of Savo Island, Guadalcanal; PT-61 and PT-39 and Mochizuki are damaged in the encounter.

            Submarine Seawolf sinks Japanese gunboat Keiko Maru off Cape San Augustin, Mindanao, P.I., 06°22'N, 126°03'E.

            U.S. freighter Edgar Allen Poe is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I‑21 in a spirited fight 56 miles southeast of Amadee Light, Nouméa, New Caledonia, 22°14'S, 166°30'E, during which two crewmen are killed. A part of the crew (including the 14 man Armed Guard) remains on board while New Zealand minesweeper HMNZS Matai and corvette HMNZS Kiwi tow the vessel to Nouméa, where she will be declared a total loss (see 9 November 1942).

ATLANTIC/MEDITERRANEAN—French North Africa is invaded in Operation TORCH. Allied Expeditionary Force under the supreme command of

            Lieutenant General Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA, lands at Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers. Allied Naval Force(Admiral Sir Andrew B. Cunningham, RN) is composed of three principal parts: Western Naval Task Force (Rear Admiral H. Kent Hewitt) lands troops (Major General George S. Patton, USA) near Casablanca; Center Naval Task Force (Commodore Thomas H. Troubridge, RN) lands troops (Major General Lloyd R. Fredendall, USA) at Oran; and Eastern Naval Task Force (Rear Admiral Sir Harold M. Burrough, RN) put troops (Major General Charles W. Ryder, USA) ashore at Algiers.

            U.S. naval vessels and carrier aircraft engage French naval forces at Casablanca, Morocco. On the morning of 8 November, French force (Rear Admiral Gervais de Lafonde in destroyer leader Milan) makes a valiant attempt to disrupt the landings off Casablanca, but is overwhelmed by gunfire from covering American ships. U.S. ships damaged at Casablanca are battleship Massachusetts (BB‑59), heavy cruiser Wichita (CA‑45), light cruiser Brooklyn (CL‑40), destroyers Ludlow (DD‑438) and Murphy (DD‑603), and high-speed minesweeper Palmer (DMS‑5) by French shore batteries off North Africa; high speed minesweeper Stansbury (DMS‑8) by mine; and transport Leedstown (AP‑73) by German aerial torpedo.

            French ships sunk at Casablanca are merchant passenger liner Savoie Marseille and cargo ship Ile de Edienruder by Massachusetts; destroyer Fougeux by Massachusetts and heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa (CA‑37); destroyer Boulonnais by light cruiser Brooklyn (CL‑40) at 33°40'N, 07°34'W; destroyers Brestois and Frondeur by U.S. ships; submarines Oréade, Amphitrite, and Psyché by U.S. Navy carrier-based planes; submarine Sidi-Ferruch by planes (VGS‑27) from aircraft escort vessel Suwannee (AVG-27); and merchant passenger liner Porthos, tanker Ouessant, and cargo ship Lipari. French ships damaged are battleship Jean Bart by battleship Massachusetts; submarine Le Tonnant by U.S. Navy ships; submarine Meduse by aircraft (VGS 29) from aircraft escort vessel Santee (ACV‑29); and light cruiser Primaguet, destroyer leader Milan, and destroyers Albatros and Alcyon by naval aircraft.

            French sloops Grandiere, Commandant Delage, and Gracieuse sortie on the afternoon of 8 November and pick up survivors from the French warships sunk in battle that morning. The latter two sloops will repeat the operation on 10 November.

            French submarine Amazone makes unsuccessful attack upon light cruiser Brooklyn (CL‑40).

            Submarine Herring (SS‑233) damages French cargo ship Ville du Havre off French Morocco, 33°34'N, 07°52'W.

            German planes bomb Allied shipping off Algiers. U.S. freighter Exceller is damaged by near-misses; there are no casualties to the 32 merchant seamen and the 19 man Armed Guard.

ATLANTIC—British patrol boat rescues 34 survivors of U.S. freighter West Kebar, sunk on 29 October by German submarine U‑129, and transports them to Barbados, British West Indies (see 10 and 18 November).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—41 Heavy Bombers bomb the Abbeville/Drucat airfield and the Atelier d’Hellemmes locomotive works at Lille.

TWELFTH AF—Invasion of N Africa (TORCH) begins. C‑47’s of 60th Troop Carrier Group attempting to land troops at La Senia airfield find the French unexpectedly hostile and have several aircraft shot down by fighters and AA; several other C‑47’s are damaged when trying to land on a dry lakebed of Sebkra d’Oran. Spitfires of 31st Fighter Group, flying from Gibraltar into Tafaraoui airfield during afternoon of D-Day claim 3 hostile French fighters destroyed.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s hit forces in Oivi area in Owen Stanley Range as Australian ground forces push over mts toward Gona-Buna area. Fifth AF transports fly final elements of 128th Infantry, 32d Division, from Port Moresby to Wanigela. B‑25’s bomb radio station and airfield at Gasmata.

ELEVENTH AF—Intermittent air alert. Weather airplane returns due to icing.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—7th Marines (-) and 2d Battalion of 164th Infantry, latter being attached to 7th Marines as reserve, move E along coast to surround enemy now disposed astride Gavaga Creek, W of Tetere. 1st and 2d Battalions of 7th Marines take up positions on W and E banks, respectively, of the creek. “Tokyo Express” has been landing reinforcements along coast from Kokumbona to Cape Esperance during the period 28 October to date.

NEW GUINEA—Final elements of TF Warren (1st Battalion of 128th Infantry, U.S. 32d Div) are flown from Port Moresby to Wanigela; from there are moved forward by boat.

EGYPT—British Eighth Army, although still delayed by rainfall, clears opposition in Mersa Matruh area.

NW AFRICA—Allied troops invade French NW Africa, landing on Algerian and Moroccan coasts. Warships and carrier planes provide close support.

ALGERIA—Eastern Naval Task Force lands Eastern Assault Force (RCT 39, U.S. 9th Div; RCT 168, U.S. 34th Div; 11th and 36th Brigs, British 78th Div; British 1st and 6th Commando Battalions), under command of Maj General Charles W. Ryder, USA, E and W of Algiers, beginning at 0100; 11th Brigade and RCT 168 go ashore W of Algiers near Castiglione and Sidi Ferruch, and RCT 39 lands E of Algiers near Cap Matifou. As troops move forward toward Algiers against little or no resistance, 2 British DD’s, with 3d Battalion of RCT 135, U.S. 34th Division, embarked, make frontal attack on Algiers Harbor in effort to take it intact; one DD is forced to withdraw; the other enters harbor and lands troops about 0530, but is forced to retire under heavy fire, leaving troops ashore. Eastern Assault Force takes Blida and Maison Blanche airfields; pushes to edge of Algiers, which capitulates at 1900. Center Naval Task Force lands Center Assault Force (U.S. II Corps assault force, consisting of 1st Division, 1st Ranger Battalion, and CCB of 1st Armored Div), under Maj General Lloyd R. Fredendall, USA, E and W of Oran, beginning at 0130, a half hour behind schedule. Rangers and RCT’s 16 and 18 of 1st Division land E of Oran in Arzew area; take Arzew, where harbor is secured by U.S.-British naval landing party without opposition; thrust SW toward Oran to St Cloud, which enemy retains, and Fleurus; elements drive SE along coast to La Macta. Passing through beachhead, TF Red of CCB seizes Tafaraoui airport, 15 miles S of Oran, enabling 31st Fighter Group planes to support operations from there. W of Oran, RCT 26 of 1st Division lands at Les Andalouses; takes Bou Sfer and Aïn et Turk but is halted short of Oran. TF Green of GCB, 1st Armored Division, debarks at Mersa Bou Zedjar, 16 miles W of Les Andalouses, and heads for La Senia airport, clearing Lourmel and reaching Sebkra d’Oran. 2d Battalion of 509th Parachute Infantry (trained as 2d Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry) is dropped to assist in capture of La Senia and Tafaraoui airports, but drops are scattered and paratroopers arrive too late to help. Meanwhile, HMS Walney and Hartland, carrying detachments of 3d Battalion, 6th Armored Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, and British naval landing party, are sunk by enemy fire while attempting to take Oran Harbor intact.

MOROCCO—Western Naval Task Force, scheduled to land troops at 0400, is delayed at least an hour in landing Casablanca assault forces; engages French fleet at Casablanca. Northern Attack Group TF (60th Infantry of 9th Division and 1st Battalion of 66th Armored Regiment, 2d Armored Div) under Maj General Lucian K. Truscott, Jr., USA, lands on beaches N and S of Sebou River at Mehdia; attempts to reach Port-Lyautey and airfield 2 miles N but meets considerable opposition and cannot reach objective. TF of Center Attack Group (3d Division and 1st Battalion of 67th Armored Regiment, 2d Armored Div) under Maj General Jonathan W. Anderson, USA, lands NE of Fedala, sustaining serious loss of landing craft (242, 64 percent), and takes D-Day objectives. Surprised Fedala garrison surrenders and advance is continued toward Casablanca. Southern Attack Group’s landing force (47th Infantry of 9th Div; 2d and 3d Battalions of 67th Armored Regiment, 2d Armored Div; and special units) under Maj General Ernest N. Harmon, USA, secures 5,000-yard beachhead in Safi area and takes Safi. 2 U.S. DD’s, with Companies K and L of 47th Infantry, 9th Division, and naval contingent aboard, enter Safi Harbor ahead of landings; after silencing batteries with gunfire, land assault force, which takes harbor facilities without opposition.

GERMANY—Hitler reaffirms his intention of taking Stalingrad, despite very heavy losses in men and equipment, lack of reserves, and overextended supply lines.

FRANCE—Vichy France breaks off diplomatic relations with U.S.

US MARINE CORPS

Allied Expeditionary Force invades North Africa.

Saturday, 7 November 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—SBDs (VMSB 132), TBFs (VT 8), Marine F4Fs, and USAAF P‑39s from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, attack Japanese convoy, damaging destroyers Naganami and Takanami.

            Off Guadalcanal, miscellaneous auxiliary Majaba (AG-43) is torpedoed by Japanese midget submarine Ha.11(launched from submarine I‑20) off Lunga Point. Destroyers Lansdowne (DD‑486) and Lardner (DD‑487) depth charge I‑20, but the submarine escapes destruction. Ha.11, her mission completed, is scuttled.

MEDITERRANEAN—Transport Thomas Stone (AP‑59) is torpedoed by German submarine U‑205, western Mediterranean, 37°32'N,00°01'E.

            Italian submarine Antonio Sciesa is sunk by USAAF aircraft off coast of Libya, 32°05'N, 23°59'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter La Salle is torpedoed and sunk with all hands (including 13 Armed Guard) by German submarine U‑159 about 350 miles southeast of the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, 40°00'S, 21°30'E. When the merchantman, which is carrying ammunition, explodes, the cataclysmic blast rains debris on her assailant's decks nearby, wounding three German submariners.

            U.S. freighter West Humhaw, en route from Freetown, Sierra Leone, to Takoradi, Gold Coast, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑161 at 04°21'N, 02°42'W. There are no casualties among the 39 man merchant crew, the 16 man Armed Guard, and the five passengers. British ML 281 rescues all hands and transports them to Takoradi.

            U.S. freighter Nathaniel Hawthorne, enroute to New York in convoy TAG 19, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑508 at 11°34'N, 63°26'W; the merchantman sinks with a rapidity that does not allow lifeboats to be launched. For his bravery as he directs his men to safety, Lieutenant Kenneth Muir, the Armed Guard commander, is awarded the Navy Cross (posthumously) (see 9 November).

            British trawlers rescue two boatloads of survivors from U.S. freighter William Clark, sunk by German submarine U‑354 on 4 November; HMS St. Elstan rescues 26; HMS Cape Palliser 15. The third boat, with 23 men, is never seen again; 18 of 41 merchant seamen are lost, as are 13 of the 30 man Armed Guard.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—34 Heavy Bombers attack U-boat pens at Brest.

TWELFTH AF—Air movement of Twelfth AF from UK to N Africa begins. Other elements of Twelfth moving from UK and US are aboard Allied ships approaching Algerian and Moroccan coasts.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—376th Bomb Group begins move from Palestine to Egypt.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s bomb and strafe forces at Kakandeta in Owen Stanley Range. B‑25’s attack shipping at Maklo Island and seaplanes at Lasonga Island.

ELEVENTH AF—6 B‑24’s and 2 B‑26’s attack submarine base in Kiska Harbor, lightly damaging float fighters and a seaplane beached by storm. A B‑17 flies reconnaissance over airfield W of Holtz Bay, and bombs submarine base and a previously-damaged freighter in Gertrude Cove.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL— 164th Infantry enveloping force completes northward movement along E bank of the Nalimbiu to Koli Pt and joins 7th Marines. Combined force then moves E along coast without opposition to within a mile of Metapona River.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—General Stilwell, with approval of Foreign Minister T. V. Soong, sends for General Wheeler to survey Chinese supply situation in preparation for projected campaign in spring of 1943.

EGYPT—British pursuit of enemy is delayed in Matruh area as heavy rainfall immobilizes supporting vehicles. Enemy seizes opportunity to withdraw some forces. By this time, 4 German and 8 Italian divisions are ineffective as fighting units. British have taken 30,000 prisoners, among them 9 generals.

NW AFRICA—General Giraud arrives at Gibraltar for conference with General Eisenhower, having traveled from France by submarine and plane. TORCH invasion armada from U.S. and U.K. closes in along North African coast. U.S. transport Thomas Stone is torpedoed off SE Spain and disabled; troops aboard are transferred to landing boats but do not reach Algiers until after its surrender.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 6 November 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Grayling (SS‑209) is damaged by Japanese aerial bombs off Truk, 06°44'N, 151°25'E.

            Submarine Haddock (SS‑231) damages Japanese army cargo ship France Maru, 33°46'N, 127°28'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s hit harbors of Tobruk and Bengasi, scoring hits on 2 vessels. Heavy rains delay British pursuit of retreating enemy in Matruh area.

FIFTH AF—A single B‑25 attacks destroyer off S tip of New Ireland. No hits are scored. General MacArthur arrives in Port Moresby, where AD VON of GHQ opens to direct operation.

ELEVENTH AF—Weather airplane is forced back near Kiska.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—7th Marines establishes bridgehead on E bank of Nalimbiu. 164th Infantry (-) continues toward Koli Pt, 3d Battalion reaching it after nightfall. Aola Force transports complete unloading operations and withdraw.

NEW GUINEA—General MacArthur arrives at Port Moresby, where advance echelon of GHQ opens, to direct operations.

EGYPT—10 Corps, British Eighth Army, continues close pursuit of enemy, advance elements approaching Matruh bottleneck as heavy rains begin.

USSR—Fighting continues in Stalingrad area but on a diminishing scale. In the Caucasus, Red Army is strongly countering enemy efforts to reach Ordzhonikidze.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 5 November 1942

US NAVY

MEDITERRANEAN—British submarine HMS Seraph, under the temporary command of U.S. Navy Captain Jerauld Wright, embarks General Giraud and a party of French officers in the Gulf of Lyons. The general will transfer to a Catalina on the 7th for further transportation to Gibraltar.

ATLANTIC—PBY (VP 84) sinks German submarine U‑408 off Iceland, 67°40'N, 18°32'W.

            U.S. tanker Meton, enroute to Cienfuegos, Cuba, in convoy TAG 18, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑129 at 12°25'N, 69°20'W; one merchant seaman dies in the attack. Dutch motor torpedo boat MTB 23 rescues the survivors (37 merchant seamen and the 12 man Armed Guard).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—General Montgomery announces victory of British Eighth Army in Egypt. 10 Corps, pushing rapidly W, overcomes rearguard action near Fuka. As Field Marshal Rommel retreats W from El Alamein, P‑40’s bomb targets on Fuka road and patrol Sidi Hanaish area. B‑25’s also bomb motor transports.

TENTH AF—IATF heavy bombers carry out raid on Rangoon.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s unsuccessfully attack schooner near Arawe.

ELEVENTH AF—Weather reconnaissance is flown over Kiska and Little Kiska.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL— 164th Infantry (- 1st Battalion) crosses flooded Nalimbiu about 3,500 yards S of Koli Pt and drives N along E bank in effort to outflank enemy facing 7th Marines.

NEW GUINEA—Australian 16th Brigade continues attack on Oivi against determined resistance. Australian 25th Brigade moves against Gorari from Kokoda.

INDIA—Reconnaissance of Ledo area, terminus of Ledo Road to Myitkyina, Burma, and base from which operations in N Burma, RAVENOUS, are to start, is begun.

MADAGASCAR—Hostilities cease at 1400.

EGYPT—British Eighth Army regroups and continues pursuit of enemy. 10 Corps, now consisting of 1st and 7th Armored and New Zealand  2d Divisions, pushes rapidly W, overcoming rear guard resistance near Fuka. 30 Corps takes up positions between El ‘Alamein and Matruh. 13 Corps is given task of mopping up battle zone.

NW AFRICA—As convoys from U.S. and U.K., with assault forces for TORCH, continue toward NW Africa, General Eisenhower flies to Gibraltar and establishes AFHQ CP. U.S.-British staff consists of: Admiral Sir Andrew B. Cunningham, naval CinC; Brigadier General James H. Doolittle, U.S. air forces; Air Marshal Sir William L. Welsh, British air forces (Eastern Air Command); Lt General K. A. N. Anderson, British ground forces.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 4 November 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TG 65.4 cruisers and destroyers bombard Japanese positions near Koli Point, Guadalcanal.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I‑31 reconnoiters Suva, Fiji Islands; small reconnaissance seaplane from I‑9 reconnoiters Nouméa, New Caledonia.

            Japanese submarine RO-65 is sunk when she accidentally dives into a reef while seeking to avoid attack, Kiska harbor, 51°58'N, 177°33'E.

MEDITERRANEAN—Submarines Shad (SS‑235), Gunnel (SS‑253), Herring (SS‑233), Barb (SS‑220), and Blackfish (SS‑221) are deployed to reconnoiter French North African waters off Rabat, Fedala, Casablanca, Safi, and Dakar, in advance of Operation TORCH.

ARCTIC CONVOYS—U.S. freighter John H. B. Latrobe, proceeding independently from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Archangel, USSR, is attacked by HE 115s at 74°37'N, 02°00'E. Withering Armed Guard gunfire disrupts the attack by the enemy floatplanes and none of the seven torpedoes launched strike home; strafing, however, slightly damages the merchantman, and 3 of the 25 man Armed Guard are wounded. John H.B. Latrobe returns to Reykjavik for repairs.

            U.S. freighter William Clark, proceeding independently from Hvalfjordur, Iceland, to Murmansk, USSR, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑354 at 71°05'N, 13°20'W. Survivors abandon ship into three lifeboats (see 7 November 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—9 B‑24’s bomb Bengasi harbor, hitting 3 ships and claiming 1 enemy fighter shot down. B‑25’s and P‑40’s attack motor transports and troops retreating W from El Alamein battleline with British in pursuit. 10 Corps armor clashes with rear-guard S of Ghazal. General Andrews replaces General Maxwell as CG USAFIME.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s and B‑25’s bomb town and harbor of Salamaua; A‑20’s hit troop concentrations at Oivi, where Australian attack meets firm resistance; and B‑26’s bomb Aileu. Transports fly most of the remainder of 128th Infantry, 32d Division, to Wanigela.

ELEVENTH AF—Bad weather at Umnak and Dutch Harbor and flooded field at Adak preclude missions. New Adak runway permits an air alert.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Lunga perimeter command is reorganized and garrison is reinforced. 2 sectors are established, the commander of each being responsible to division hq. Brigadier General William H. Rupertus, Asst CG of 1st Marine Division, is assigned sector E of Lunga River and Brigadier General Edmund B. Sebree, Asst CG of Americal Division, the W sector. 8th Marines, reinforced, of 2d Marine Division debarks from naval TF in Lunga-Kukum area and is attached to 1st Marine Division. 1st Marine Division halts westward offensive short of Kokumbona because of enemy threat E of perimeter. 2d Marines (- 3d Battalion), reinforced by 1st Battalion of 164th Infantry, after driving 2,000 yards W of Pt Cruz, breaks off attack and digs in at Pt Cruz; 5th Marines and Whaling Group return to positions E of the Matanikau. E of perimeter, General Rupertus and Hq and 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, arrive in Koli Pt area to assist 2d Battalion, 7th Marines. 164 Infantry (- 1st Battalion) and Company B of 8th Marines march to W bank of Nalimbiu in region S of 7th Marines and elements start N along the river. Meanwhile, the naval TF transporting 8th Marines lands forces at Aola Bay to establish airfield. Aola Force (1st Battalion of 147th Inf; elements of 2d Raider Battalion; 5th Defense Battalion detachment; Battery K of 246th FA Battalion, Americal Div; and 500 naval construction troops) establishes beachhead a little E of Aola River without opposition. Work is begun at once on airfield, but site is later found unsuitable. 2d Raider Battalion is ordered to Koli Pt.

NEW GUINEA—Australian 16th Brigade begins attack on Oivi and finds enemy prepared for firm stand. Col. Sverdrup by this time has cleared sites for 3 more airfields in general vicinity of Dyke Ackland Bay, the most important of these at Pongam. Fifth Air Force completes movement of rear elements of 128th Infantry, U.S. 32d Division, to Wanigela.

MADAGASCAR—Governor General again seeks peace terms and accepts those rejected on 17 September.

MIDDLE EAST—Lt General Frank M. Andrews relieves General Maxwell as CG USAFIME. General Maxwell becomes CG SOS USAFIME.

EGYPT—Enemy, now in full retreat, is pursued W by British Eighth Army and harassed by aircraft. 10 Corps armor clashes with Axis rear guards S of Ghazal.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 3 November 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Haddock (SS‑231) sinks merchant cargo ship Tekkai Maru in the East China Sea between Shanghai and Korea, 32°02'N, 126°13'E.

            Submarine Seawolf (SS‑197) sinks Japanese transport Sagami Maru off Davao, P.I., 07°02'N, 125°33'E.

            Submarine Tambor (SS‑198) sinks merchant cargo ship Chikugo Maru in Tonkin Gulf, northwest of Hainan Island,21°18'N, 108°39'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Hahira, in convoy SC 107, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑521 approximately 400 miles south of Cape Farewell, 54°15'N, 41°57'E; two crewmen and one Armed Guard sailor are killed in the attack. British rescue ship Southport rescues the 36 surviving crewmen and 17 Armed Guard sailors.

            U.S. freighter East Indian is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑181 300 miles southwest of the Cape of Good Hope; 17 of the 47 man crewmen and 6 of the 12 passengers perish (see 16 November 1942).

            U.S. freighter George Thatcher, torpedoed by German submarine U‑126 on 1 November 1942 and abandoned, eventually sinks.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑25’s bomb tanks, motor transports, landing ground, ammo dumps, mainly in Rahman Track area and on road between Fuka and El Daba, and also hit town of Fuka and Ghazal station. P‑40’s fly several escort and fighter bomber missions, attacking round targets in support of British Eighth Army. Allied aircraft fly more than 400 sorties against troops retreating along coastal road. During 3/4 Nov, British and Indian troops outflank and break enemy tank screen in sector S of Tell el Aqqaqir.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s bomb Dili. B‑17’s bomb airfield and wharf at Lae, and attack ship S of Gasmata.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—5th Marines completes reduction of Japanese pocket at Pt Cruz. 2d Marines takes the lead, 1st Battalion and Whaling Group attacking W of Pt Cruz. E of Lunga perimeter, 2d Battalion of 7th Marines encounters enemy moving W along coast from Tetere and is forced to retire to W bank of Nalimbiu River and await reinforcements. When information of enemy landing reaches division hq in afternoon, naval and air support is provided immediately; 1st Battalion of 7th Marines is dispatched by landing craft to Koli Pt.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek agrees conditionally to plans formulated during recent conference in India, promising 15 divisions from Yunnan, provided Allies furnish strong sea and air forces. General Stilwell is to command Chinese Army in India (CAI) during Burma operations. Chiang’s promise of the Yunnan divisions leads to accelerated planning for reorganization of Yunnan force, called Y-Force.

EGYPT—1st Armored Division of 10 Corps, British Eighth Army, is unable to penetrate enemy’s Anti Tank screen. Since enemy is obviously withdrawing, General Montgomery orders attack to outflank the screen. During night 3–4, 51st Division and brigade of Indian 4th Division drive quickly to Rahman track S of Tel el Aqqaqir, breaking through the screen in S sector and forcing enemy to turn it. Allied aircraft fly over 400 sorties against enemy retreating along coastal road.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 2 November 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Fleet Air Wing 6 (Captain Douglass P. Johnson) is established at Seattle, Washington, for multi-engine aircraft training.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I‑8 reconnoiters Efate Island, New Hebrides.

            Destroyer Conyngham (DD‑371) and transport Fuller (AP‑14) are damaged in collision in Sealark Channel, Guadalcanal.

            Submarine Seawolf (SS‑197) sinks Japanese water tender Gifu Maru west-southwest of Cape San Augustin, Mindoro, P.I., 06°14'N, 126°07'E.

            Submarine Tambor (SS‑198) lays mines in Hainan Strait, Tonkin Gulf.

            Submarine Tautog (SS‑199) sows mines south of Cape Padaran, French Indochina.

            USAAF B‑17s sink Japanese army cargo ship Yasukawa Maru off Buna, New Guinea, 07°16'S, 156°00'E.

ATLANTIC—Dutch motorship Zaandam is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑174 at 01°25'N, 36°22'W. Lost with the ship are men who have survived the loss of U.S. freighters: 18 (12 merchant seamen and 6 Armed Guard sailors) from Chickasaw City (sunk 7 October 1942), 15 sailors from Swiftsure (8 October 1942), 6 men from Coloradan and 15from Examelia (9 October 1942) (see 24 January 1943).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—CG VIII Air Support Command states that the effort expended and personnel lost in organizing Twelfth AF and preparing for its move from UK to N Africa has severely retarded organization of his HQ and staff.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—British Eighth Army opens assault (SUPERCHARGE) W of Tell el-Eisa, with 2d New Zealand  Division in lead. B‑25’s bomb track extending S from Rahman as British 9th Armored Brigade establishes bridgeheads across the track. Other B‑25’s attack tanks and other targets in support of the assault. P‑40’s fly escort and strafing missions in battle area. B‑17’s bomb shipping and jetties in Tobruk harbor.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s bomb Dili. B‑17’s attack shipping NE of Buna while B‑25’s strike at convoy S of New Britain. In Owen Stanley Range, Australian ground forces seize Kokoda with its airfield after long days of fighting. This will greatly facilitate supply and reinforcement of troops in this area as they push over the mountains toward Buna-Gona area.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—5th Marines envelops enemy on coast at Pt Cruz. 3d Battalion joins 1st Battalion in coastal battle E of Pt Cruz while 2d Battalion, on left, drives N to coast W of Pt Cruz and turns E, trapping enemy. 2d Marines (- 3d Battalion) moves forward on left of 5th Marines to continue westward attack. Stores, ammunition, and 1 Army and 1 Marine Corps 155-mm gun battery arrive at Lunga Pt. The 2 batteries are the heaviest U.S. artillery to reach the island and the first capable of countering enemy fire effectively. E of Lunga perimeter, 2d Battalion of 7th Marines crosses Metapona River mouth and establishes itself near Tetere village. During night 2–3, Japanese 17th Army lands supplies and about 1,500 men E of Koli Pt to supply and reinforced Japanese already there; orders an airfield constructed.

NEW GUINEA—Australian 25th Brigade, which has reentered battle for Kokoda Trail, seizes Kokoda and its airfield, greatly facilitating supply and reinforcement of Australians in this area. Piecemeal movement by night of 128th Infantry, U.S. 32d Division, less elements still at Port Moresby, by lugger from Wanigela to Pongani and Mendaropu is completed by this time and supplies are being accumulated. General MacArthur sets 15 November as tentative date for attack to reduce Buna-Gona beachhead and agrees to proposal by General Blarney that troops be transferred by air to Pongani.

EGYPT—British Eighth Army’s 30 Corps opens breakout assault, called SUPERCHARGE, at 0100. New Zealand 2d Division, in the lead, advances W under cover of artillery barrage and secures new corridor through enemy mine fields. 9th Armored Brigade passes through corridor in mine field and establishes bridgehead across track extending S from Rahman. At daybreak, the Armored brigade meets furious opposition from enemy Aniti Tank  screen and sustains over 75% casualties, but maintains the bridgehead. 10 Corps armor begins debouching through the bridgehead, and 1st Armored Division becomes strongly engaged near Tel el Aqqaqir.

US MARINE CORPS

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