Tuesday 20 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Heavy cruiser Chester (CA‑27) is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I‑176, 120 miles southeast of San Cristobal, Solomons, 13°31'S, 163°17'E.

            Submarine Drum (SS‑228), attacking Japanese convoy off southern Honshu, sinks merchant cargo ship Ryunan Maru,34°09'N, 136°46'E.

            Submarine Finback (SS‑230), attacking Japanese convoy off west coast of Formosa, damages army passenger-cargo ship Africa Maru and cargo ship Yamafuji Maru, 24°26'N, 120°25'E. Both sink the next morning.

            Submarine Gar (SS‑206) mines the approaches to Bangkok, Thailand.

            Submarine Tautog (SS‑199) sinks merchant trawler Nanshin Maru, 06°59'N, 119°20'E.

ATLANTIC—Remainder of crew (35 merchant seamen and nine Armed Guard sailors) from U.S. freighter Steel Scientist, sunk by German submarine U‑514 on 11 October 1942, reach Paramaribo, British Guiana, in three lifeboats.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—General Eisenhower issues directive reflecting immediate urgency of TORCH as the currently important item of Allied strategy and requiring Eighth AF, as a matter of first priority, to protect movement of men and supplies from UK to N Africa by attacking German submarine bases on W coast of France, with shipping docks on the French W coast as secondary targets for these missions and with German aircraft factories and depots in France as second priority.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—Air action is intensified with aim of attaining strong air superiority preceding General Montgomery’s El Alamein offensive. B‑17’s and B‑24’s sent to attack shipping at Tobruk fail to locate target due to bad weather and poor visibility. 3 of the B‑17’s bomb coastal road near Bardia during return trip. B‑25’s, in conjunction with RAF, attack landing grounds.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Admiral Halsey sends 147th Infantry to Guadalcanal and also institutes construction of another bomber strip to be located at Koli Pt, 12 mi SE of Henderson Field.

ELEVENTH AF—6 B‑24’s take off for Kiska but return due to weather. Reconnaissance is flown to 70 mi E of Attu. A negative search is made for a missing C‑53.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—General Vandegrift, reporting to Admiral Halsey aboard his flagship in Nouméa harbor, requests and is promised more support for Guadalcanal. Admiral Halsey orders 147th Infantry, which had been earmarked for invasion of Ndeni, Santa Cruz Islands, to Guadalcanal. The Ndeni operation is never undertaken.

GUADALCANAL—Japanese attack is postponed to 22d, since main enveloping force has not yet reached line of departure, but patrol of supporting coastal force is taken under fire at mouth of Matanikau River and retires after 1 of its 2 tanks is hit.

NEW GUINEA—16th Brigade of Australian 6th Division enters fight for Kokoda Trail, relieving 25th Brigade of Australian 7th Div; continues action to clear Eora Creek area. U.S. 32d Division party under Capt Medendorp, having left elements at Laruni, where dropping ground is staked out, arrives at Jaure, where Capt Boice’s party is searching for airfield sites.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Chinese troops begin moving by air into India to meet Ramgarh requirements. Chinese 22d and 38th Divisions are being brought up to strength.

IRAQ—General Connolly reaches Basra, where he assumes command of PGSC, replacing Col Shingler, who remains as acting chief of staff until relieved by Col Stanley L. Scott on 20 November. Strength of PGSC at this time is about 400 officers and men of SOS and AAF and just under 1,000 American civilians.

EGYPT—Allied air action is intensified in effort to attain high degree of air superiority before General Montgomery’s El ‘Alamein offensive opens. Air superiority is achieved by assault date, 24 October.

US MARINE CORPS

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

Monday 19 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I‑19 reconnoiters Nouméa, New Caledonia.

            Destroyer O'Brien (DD‑415), damaged by submarine torpedo on 15 September 1942, breaks in two and sinks en route to United States for repairs, 53 miles north-northwest of Tutuila, Samoa, 13°30'S, 171°18'E.

            Submarine Amberjack (SS‑219) arrives at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, assigned temporarily to Commander, Aircraft, South Pacific, for duty. Over the next three days, two of the submarine's fuel tanks will be cleaned and converted to carry aviation gasoline. She will also take on board 100-pound bombs and embark USAAF enlisted ground crew for transportation to Guadalcanal.

            SBDs (VS 71, VMSB 141, VB 6) from Henderson Field attack three Japanese destroyers north of Guadalcanal, damaging Uranami.

            Submarine Grampus (SS‑207) lands Australian coastwatchers on Choiseul Island, Solomons.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Steel Navigator, straggling from convoy ON 137, is attacked by German submarine U‑610; Steel Navigator briefly drives off the shadower with 5-inch gunfire, but the U‑boat returns and torpedoes and sinks the freighter at 49°20'N, 32°00'W. Hastily launched motor boat swamps in heavy seas; no.3 lifeboat swamps as the ship plunges and spills its 35 occupants into the sea. U‑610 surfaces and approaches the survivors' boats and rafts; when questions shouted by the submarine's commander fail to get answers, the enemy threatens to cut a raft in two. After answers are given in the brief interrogation, the Germans refuse to provide a course to the nearest land and depart. Subsequently, survivors right no.3 boat and redistribute themselves; the boats become separated (see 27 October1942).

            Fishing boat (nationality not determined) tows no.1 lifeboat, with 25 men on board, from U.S. freighter Coloradan, which had been torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑159 on 9 October 1942, into Thorne Bay, South Africa; the Americans reach Cape Town the next day (see 2 November 1942).

            Master and radio operator in gig from U.S. freighter Steel Scientist, sunk by German submarine U‑514 on 11 October1942, reach Tarlogie, British Guiana (see 20 October 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—HQ VIII Air Support Command moves from Membury to Sunninghill Park, Berkshire.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—Air offensive preliminary to the British Eighth Army ground attack W of El Alamein begins as B‑25’s hit landing ground and B‑24’s score direct hit on vessel at Tobruk.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑17 flies weather reconnaissance and bomb runs over Attu, Semichis, Kiska, and Amchitka. 6 B‑24’s dispatched to bomb Kiska abort mission due to weather.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—War Department agrees to equip 30 more Chinese divisions.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—U.S. 25th Division is alerted for movement to Guadalcanal.

NEW GUINEA—Col Sverdrup’s reconnaissance party completes march along Kapa Kapa trail, which is so poor that it is rejected as a possible route of advance, to upper Musa River, where Abel’s Field is already in use; searches for additional airfield sites.

MADAGASCAR—Troops of British E African Command continue to clear S part of island and in 2 pronged attack overcome opposition at Andriamanalina.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday 18 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. relieves Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley as Commander South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force, on board auxiliary Argonne (AG-31) at Nouméa, New Caledonia.

            Submarine Grampus (SS‑207) torpedoes Japanese light cruiser Yura, 07°47'S, 157°19'E, but her "fish" fails to explode.

            Submarine Greenling (SS‑213) sinks Japanese transport Hakonesan Maru close inshore off northeast coast of Honshu, 38°46'N, 142°03'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Angelina, straggling from New York-bound convoy ON 137, is again torpedoed by German submarine U‑618 at 49°39'N, 30°20'W, and abandoned; an "exceptionally heavy sea" claims 33 crewmen and 13 Armed Guards; British rescue ship Bury rescues six men (one of whom dies later) from a raft and three from a lifeboat. Only four merchant seamen and four Armed Guards thus survive the ship's loss.

            U.S. freighter Steel Navigator, also straggling from convoy ON 137, takes on 40° list as her sand ballast shifts; Armed Guard volunteers shovel ballast for 30 hours without relief (reducing the list to 12°) until financial bonus offered by ship’s master induces reluctant merchant sailors to lend a hand in the arduous work (see 19 October 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s hit Wairopi bridge in Owen Stanley Range, village of Mubo, and dock and occupied area on Pilelo Island. B‑17’s attack shipping and aircraft in Faisi area, schooners and buildings at Lorengau on Manus, Kahili airfield, and shipping off Kahili, Pupukuna Pt, and Buin. Fifth AF completes air movement of most of 128th Infantry, 32d Division, to Wanigela.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Admiral Halsey succeeds Admiral Ghormley as COMSOPAC.

ELEVENTH AF—4 B‑24’s bomb Main Camp, score near misses on beached vessel in Trout Lagoon, and hit gasoline storage area. Weather aircraft flies reconnaissance over Attu, Segula, Little Sitkin, and Gareloi.

US ARMY

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA—Admiral Halsey succeeds Admiral Ghormley as Commander, South Pacific Area.

NEW GUINEA—Air movement of most of 128th Infantry, U.S. 32d Division, to Wanigela is completed. Elements are left at Port Moresby temporarily when Wanigela field becomes unserviceable because of rains. Hard fighting continues on Kokoda Trail in vicinity of Eora Creek.

US MARINE CORPS

—Vice Admiral Halsey relieves Vice Admiral Ghormley as Commander South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force.

 

Saturday 17 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Trigger (SS‑237) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Holland Maru close inshore near the mouth of Bungo Suido, off Kyushu, 32°21'N, 132°04'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Angelina, straggling from New York-bound convoy ON 137, is torpedoed by German submarine U‑618 at 49°39'N, 30°20'W (see 18 October 1942).

            U.S. freighter Winona, torpedoed the day before by German submarine U‑160, arrives at Port of Spain, Trinidad, under her own power.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ELEVENTH AF—5 B‑24’s bomb Kiska Main Camp area and beached vessel in Trout Lagoon. Results unobserved due to clouds. 1 B‑24 flying weather reconnaissance finds no trace of 2 destroyers, confirming their sinking on 16 Oct.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Bitter fighting is in progress on Kokoda Trail at Eora Creek, where Japanese commit reinforcements. Abel’s Field at Fasari, on upper Musa River near Mt Sapia, becomes operational. Field is named for Cecil Abel, a missionary who constructed it with assistance of native labor and equipment dropped by Fifth Air Force. First luggers reach Wanigela and continue toward Pongani with men and supplies.

UNITED KINGDOM—Convoys for TORCH begin assembling at Firth of Clyde.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday 16 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese surface force (Rear Admiral Omori Sentaro, with heavy cruisers Maya and Myoko, and Rear Admiral Tanaka Raizo, with light cruiser Isuzu and seven destroyers) shells Henderson Field.

            TF 17, formed around carrier Hornet (CV‑8) (Rear Admiral George D. Murray), strikes Japanese troops on Guadalcanal, and seaplane base at Rekata Bay, Santa Isabel, Solomons.

            Seaplane tender (destroyer) McFarland (AVD‑14) is damaged by Japanese dive bombers, Lunga Roads, Guadalcanal, 09°24'S, 160°02'E.

            After attacks by PBYs fail, USAAF B‑26s (11th Air Force) sink Japanese destroyer Oboro about 20 miles northeast of Sirius Point, Kiska, 52°17'N, 178°08'E, and damage destroyer Hatsuharu.

            Submarine Thresher (SS‑200) mines the approaches to Bangkok, Thailand, in the first U.S. Navy submarine mine plant of World War II.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Winona, in convoy bound for Rio de Janeiro, is torpedoed by German submarine U‑160 at 11°00'N, 61°10'W; and veers out of line, grazing the stern of steamship Austvangen. One merchant seaman and two Armed Guard sailors suffer injuries in the attack, but there are no fatalities among the 42 man crew or 15 man Armed Guard (see 17 October 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb shipping in Bengasi harbor. B‑17’s and B‑24’s dispatched to attack Tobruk and Bengasi are forced by bad weather to abort.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s and B‑25’s hit village of Pawaia, trails in Kokoda area, Buna-Kokoda trail, and villages at mouth and along Mambare River; B‑25’s also bomb Mubo-Salamaua trail. B‑17’s bomb airfield at Rabaul and attack targets in the Solomons, including airfield at Buin, and shipping off Moila Pt and Shortland Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Seabees on Guadalcanal patch up Henderson Field runways enough for use by fighters. Marine fighters and AAF P‑400’s and P‑39’s begin pounding invasion force landing at Kokumbona-Doma Reef area just 8 mi away. However, the enemy continues to bombard Henderson by air strike and artillery and to land troops.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑17, 6 B‑26’s, and 4 P‑38’s bomb Kiska and low-level bomb and sink 2 destroyers just N of there. Duds hit large freighter beached off Trout Lagoon. 1 B‑26 is shot down.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Japanese begin march along narrow trail from Kokumbona assembly area toward attack positions E of Lunga River. Japanese artillery shelling of Lunga perimeter increases in volume and accuracy. U.S. patrol craft attack enemy coastal positions from Kokumbona to Cape Esperance. Operational aircraft number 66 after arrival of 20 F4F’s and 12 SBD’s. Seaplane tender MacFarland is seriously damaged by enemy aircraft in Sealark Channel but is salvaged by crew.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday 15 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Base, Fremantle-Perth, Australia, is established.

            Patrol Wing 14 (Captain William M. McDade) is established at San Diego, California, for operations in Western Sea Frontier.

            Heavy cruiser Portland (CA‑33) bombards Japanese shipping and installations at Tarawa, Gilberts.

            Japanese heavy cruisers Chokai and Kinugasa (Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi) bombard Henderson Field, covering the movement of six destroyers and eleven transports to Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal. Planes from Henderson Field, including USMC and Navy SBDs (VMSB 141, VB 6, other unidentified units), USAAF B‑17s and P‑39/P‑400s, Navy F4Fs (VF 5), and USMC PBY (personal "flag" plane of Commanding General 1st Marine Aircraft Wing), conduct a succession of attacks upon Japanese supply convoy off Tassafaronga undamaged by VS 3's strike the previous day. USAAF B‑17s damage transport Azumasan Maru which, along with merchant cargo ship Kyushu Maru, is run aground, where uncontrollable fires destroy both ships. Air attacks also sink Sasago Maru and damage destroyer Samidare.

            Off San Cristobal, Solomons, destroyer Meredith (DD‑434) takes on board the crew of tug Vireo (AT-144) at approach of planes from Japanese carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku. Before Meredith can scuttle the tug with a torpedo to prevent her from falling into enemy hands, however, the destroyer is overwhelmed and sunk in the ensuing air attack, by bombs and aerial torpedoes; Vireo and her tow (a gasoline barge), though, having been abandoned, drift off, untouched by the enemy. Some Meredith survivors reach safety on board the tug (see 21 September 1942).

            Submarine Skipjack (SS‑184) engages Japanese auxiliary Kifuku Maru at 04°36'N, 146°59'E. Skipjack's torpedoes miss; Kifuku Maru returns fire with her guns and escapes into a rain squall.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s and P‑40’s pound forces S of Templeton’s Crossing and at Popondetta. B‑25’s bomb Salamaua and hit targets in Owen Stanley Range and in area around bridge at Wairopi. A single B‑17 attacks shipping near Treasury Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Aviation fuel arrives at Henderson Field from Espiritu Santo by aircraft and ship.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑26’s bomb and 1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Kiska and Attu. The B‑26’s hit a large cargo ship in Gertrude Cove, starting fire, and hit buildings on Attu. AA claims 1 B‑26.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—AAF Antisub Command is activated to take over antisub operations of I Bomber Command, which is inactivated.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Japanese 17th Army issues tactical orders for assault on Lunga Pt, setting date tentatively for 18th. 5 escorted enemy transports unload final elements of assault force (3,000–4,000 men) and most of cargo at Tassafaronga. Aircraft from Guadalcanal and New Hebrides join in attacks on enemy, sinking 2 vessels and damaging others. Vitally needed gasoline arrives from Espiritu Santo on Army and Marine transport planes and on seaplane tender MacFarland.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday 14 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Motor torpedo boats PT-60, PT-38, PT-46, and PT-48 (Lieutenant Commander Alan R. Montgomery) engage Japanese surface force (Rear Admiral Kurita Takeo) comprising battleships Haruna and Kongo, light cruiser Isuzu, and seven destroyers bombarding Henderson Field, Guadalcanal. Destroyer Naganami turns back the motor torpedo boats; Japanese bombardment destroys 48 of 90 planes at the field, putting the facility temporarily out of action. PT-60 is damaged by grounding on coral reef off Guadalcanal.

            SBDs (Guadalcanal-based VS 3) attack six-ship Japanese convoy escorted by eight destroyers heading southward toward Guadalcanal between Santa Isabel and Florida Islands, 08°50'S, 160°00'E, but inflict no damage.

            Japanese submarine I‑7 shells Espiritu Santo.

            Submarine Finback (SS‑230), attacking Japanese convoy, sinks army transport Teison Maru about 20 miles off Tansui harbor, on northwest tip of Formosa, 25°20'N, 121°25'E.

            Submarine Greenling (SS‑213) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Takusei Maru six miles off Todo Zaki, off northeast coast of Honshu, 39°33'N, 142°15'E.

            Submarine Grampus (SS‑207) lands Australian coastwatchers on coast of Vella Lavella (see 19 October 1942).

            Submarine Sculpin (SS‑191) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Sumiyoshi Maru 75 miles southwest of Kavieng, New Ireland, 03°51'S, 151°21'E.

            Submarine Skipjack (SS‑184) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Shunko Maru about 450 miles west-southwest of Truk,05°35'N, 144°25'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑17’s hit shipping at Tobruk, scoring 2 direct hits on a large vessel and demolishing a smaller ship moored alongside. P‑40’s fly patrols, reconnaissance and interception missions between El Alamein and Burg el Arab.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s attack Lae, a bridge 40 mi N of Port Moresby, and area of Wairopi bridge. On Kokoda trail Japanese offer fierce resistance to Australians pushing NE in vicinity of Templeton’s Crossing. Fifth AF airplanes begin flying a force of Australians and Americans to Wanigela.

SOUTH PACIFIC—B‑17’s which have been temporarily operating out of Henderson Field are evacuated. Field is again pounded by artillery and naval bombardment, and by afternoon is out of operation. Aviation fuel supply is low.

ELEVENTH AF—9 B‑24’s, 6 B‑26’s, 1 B‑17 and 12 P‑38’s bomb and strafe Kiska installations and shipping. Fire bombs are dropped on hangars and Main Camp area where a large fire is started. 2 torpedo attacks on shipping in Gertrude Cove score no hits. The P‑38’s destroy 3 float-planes on water. 1 P‑38 is shot down.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Further enemy bombardment of Henderson Field puts it out of action temporarily, forcing aircraft to use Fighter Strip No. 1, a rough runway SE of Henderson. Strength of operational aircraft is reduced during 13th and 14th from 90 to 42. Supply of aviation gasoline is critically low, but SBD’s and P–39’s take to the air in effort to halt enemy convoy of transports escorted by DD’s proceeding toward Guadalcanal. The planes fail to stop the convoy but sink a transport and set another vessel on fire.

NEW GUINEA—Fifth Air Force begins f lying coastal force (128th Infantry of U.S. 32d Division and 2/6th Australian Independent Company, under command of Brigadier General Hanford MacNider) to Wanigela. Australians advancing along Kokoda Trail are meeting stubborn opposition in vicinity of Templeton’s Crossing.

US MARINE CORPS

—Japanese battleships and cruisers bombard Henderson Field.