Saturday 10 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Amberjack (SS‑219) damages Japanese transport Tenryu Maru and auxiliary Tonan Maru off Kavieng, 02°36'S, 150°48'E.

            Submarine Seadragon (SS‑194) sinks Japanese transport Shigure Maru off Samarinda, Borneo, 01°01'S, 117°22'E.

            Submarine Wahoo (SS‑238) sinks Japanese collier Kamoi Maru off Bougainville, Solomons.

            Japanese submarine chaser Ch 14 is damaged by planes (USAAF B‑24s and B‑17s, accompanied by P‑38s, bomb shipping in Trout Lagoon and off South Head) off Kiska, Aleutians.

            U.S. tanker Camden, torpedoed by Japanese submarine I‑25 on 4 October 1942, catches fire and sinks off the mouth of the Columbia River, 46°46'38"N, 124°31'15"W.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb shipping and dock area at Bengasi, while B‑25’s hit landing grounds.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s pound Rabaul and nearby Lakunai airfield. A‑20’s hit target along Buna-Kokoda trail and, with P‑ 400’s, strike villages in area of Asisi and Sanananda.

ELEVENTH AF—10 B‑24’s, 7 B‑17’s, and 4 P‑38’s fly 4 missions to Kiska. Third mission (3 B‑17’s) does not make contact. The others bomb and strafe Main Camp area, hit shipping in Trout Lagoon and off South Head, where gun positions and installations are also blasted. Fires are started in the Main Camp and hangar areas.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—In anticipation of enemy counteroffensive, marines strengthen defense positions and patrol aggressively. 3 Battalions of 1st and 7th Marines plus elements of Special Weapons Company take responsibility for E bank of the Matanikau, where permanent positions are established at river mouth. By this time, 12 P–39’s of 67th Fighter Squadron are at Henderson Field. B–17’s are occasionally staging through the field.

NEW GUINEA—Main body of 2d Battalion, 126th Infantry, U.S. 32d Division, with supporting units, leaves Kalikodobu on foot for Jaure.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday 9 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—U.S. troop convoy, TG 62.6, consisting of transports McCawley (AP‑10) and Zeilin (AP‑9) and eight high speed transports (Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner) sails from Nouméa, New Caledonia, for Guadalcanal with the U.S. Army 164^th Infantry Regiment embarked.

            Auxiliary aircraft carrier Copahee (ACV 12) ferries 20 USMC F4Fs (VMF 121) to Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I‑7 reconnoiters Espiritu Santo.

            Submarine Drum (SS‑228) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Yawatasan Maru, 33°27'N, 136°01'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Coloradan is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑159 approximately 214 miles southwest of Cape Town, South Africa, 35°47'S, 14°34'E; six crewmen are killed in the attack. Survivors (who include 33 merchant seamen and the 15 man Armed Guard) divide themselves between two lifeboats; the men in lifeboat no.1 are questioned by the Germans and are given a course to Cape Town (see 11 and 19 October and 2 November 1942).

            German submarine U‑505 is damaged by aircraft off Trinidad, B.W.I.

            U.S. freighter Examelia is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U‑68 20 miles south of the Cape of Good Hope,34°52'S, 18°30'E; U‑boat officers question the survivors before the enemy submersible leaves the area. U.S. freighter John Lykes subsequently rescues the survivors (30 of 38 merchant sailors and 10 of the 13 man Armed Guard) (see 2 November 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—B‑24’s join air assault in first US mission in which more than 100 bombers are dispatched from UK. The principal targets are the steel and engineering works of the Compagnie de Fives at Lille and the locomotive and freight car works of Ateliers d’Hellemmes at Lille, which are attacked by 69 B‑17’s and B‑24’s. Other targets attacked (by 10 Heavy Bombers) are Courtrai/Wevelghem and Saint-Omer airfields and the city of Roubaix.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s strike shipping and harbor facilities at Bengasi. P‑40’s fly escort and strafe a landing ground W of El Daba and emplacements in battle area W of El Alamein.

FIFTH AF—14 B‑25’s hit airfield at Lae. 30 B‑17’s pound numerous targets at Rabaul.

ELEVENTH AF—7 B‑17’s and 10 B‑24’s escorted by 6 P‑38’s and 4 P‑39’s bomb Kiska Harbor, installations and shipping 6 times. Targets include shipping in Gertrude Cove, small cargo vessels in Kiska Harbor, installations at North Head, hangar, Main Camp area (hit several times), and various shore facilities.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Rear echelon of 2d Marines, 2d Marine Division, arrives. 164th Infantry of Americal Division sails to Guadalcanal from Nouméa, New Caledonia. Whaling Group and 7th Marines force cross the Matanikau and, with artillery assistance of 11th Marines, drive N to coastal area; retire eastward across Matanikau River mouth, covered by 5th Marines, concluding 3-day action during which Japanese lose nearly 700 men as against 65 marines killed and 125 wounded.

FRANCE—In heaviest daylight raid to date, about 100 U.S. heavy bombers with strong RAF and U.S. fighter support attack industrial targets at Lille. Many enemy planes are encountered and more than 100 are damaged or destroyed.

US MARINE CORPS

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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

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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Sunday, 27 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—1st Battalion, 7th Marines (Lieutenant Colonel Lewis B. Puller) withdraws from Matanikau River, Guadalcanal, area in landing craft; extraction of marines is covered by gunfire from destroyer Monssen (DD-436) and SBD (VMSB). All available Higgins boats (24 in number) are sent to extract the marines, under Signalman 1st Class Douglas A. Munro, USCG. Munro, with a volunteer crew, interposes his boat so as to draw fire away from the five boats that are embarking marines. Munro is killed, two of his three man crew are wounded (one mortally). He succeeds in his object, but at the cost of his own life. For his heroism, Munro is awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously.

            Japanese land on Kuria, Gilberts.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Stephen Hopkins engages German auxiliary cruiser Stier (Schiffe 23) and supply ship Tannenfels in a surface gunnery action in the central South Atlantic on the shipping lane between Capetown, South Africa, and Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana. Stier sinks Stephen Hopkins but the German raider sinks after having received heavy damage inflicted by the freighter's Armed Guard (Ensign Kenneth Willett, USNR) and civilian volunteer (Cadet Midshipman Edwin J. O'Hara) gunners, 28°08'S, 20°01'W. Tannenfels rescues Stier's survivors (see 27 October 1942). Ensign Willett will receive a posthumous Navy Cross.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TWELFTH AF—Following a series of command changes between 16 and 27 Sep, Col Thomas W Blackburn becomes CO XII Fighter Command. War Department assigns to XII Air Support Command the units which are to constitute its force for the invasion of N Africa, a fighter wing (2 groups), a bomb wing (1 Light Bomber group and 1 observation group), and 10 signal, service, and engineer units of various sizes.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s are dispatched to attack an 8,000-ton vessel at Bengasi. No bombs hit target but several straddle a jetty in the harbor.

TENTH AF—4 B‑25’s over SW China blast Mengshih, claiming about 30 trucks and 400 troops destroyed. The Medium Bombers also bomb Tengchung, leaving it aflame. 3 flights of P‑40’s strafe targets of opportunity along Burma Road, claiming 15 trucks destroyed and 5 barracks groups damaged.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s continue to pound forces N of Ioribaiwa in area between Kagi and Efogi and in Myola and Menari areas. Japanese abandon Ioribaiwa Ridge and are in full retreat under heavy pressure from Australian ground forces.

ELEVENTH AF—Shore and harbor areas of Kiska are bombed: 8 B‑24’s and 1 B‑17, escorted by 1 P‑38, 13 P‑39’s and 4 P‑40’s take off first, and are followed by 6 unescorted B‑24’s. Weather turns back 13 of the fighters. An LB-30 flies photo-weather reconnaissance over Attu, Buldir, the Semichis, Agattu, and Amchitka.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—1st Raider Battalion attempts to attack enemy strongpoint in Matanikau village area from rear but is unable to cross river. 2d Battalion of 5th Marines attacks frontally at river mouth but cannot force crossing. 1st Battalion of 7th Marines lands near Pt Cruz and takes ridge inland from beach but is prevented by fire from advancing farther; with naval and air support, returns to shore and re-embarks for Kukum. 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, covers withdrawal of 1st Raider Battalion and returns during night to Lunga perimeter.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese abandon Ioribaiwa Ridge under Australian pressure and are in full retreat.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 26 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese submarine I-33 accidentally sinks while undergoing voyage repairs at Truk, Carolines.

            Japanese weather observation ship No.6 Kyoei Maru is damaged by aircraft (nationality unspecified) off Woodlark Island.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Approximately 75 Heavy Bombers are dispatched to attack Cherbourg, Maupertus and Morlaix/Poryeau airfields and to execute diversionary sweeps. All bombers return without bombing their targets due to adverse weather.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s of 3 squadrons sent on shipping strikes fail to locate targets.

TENTH AF—4 B‑25’s devastate village of Luchiangroupa in SW China.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s bomb and strafe forces N of Ioribaiwa and along Efogi-Menari trail in support of Australian counteroffensive in Papua. A B‑17, along with RAAF airplanes, bombs airfield at Buna. B‑17’s strike shipping and airfield at Rabaul.

ELEVENTH AF—1 destroyer and 1 freighter are bombed at 53-30N 174-20E. 2 near misses are scored on the freighter.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—2d Battalion, 5th Marines, and elements of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, reach the upper Matanikau and push N along E bank, encountering enemy fire from vicinity of Matanikau village. Artillery and aircraft are employed against the enemy position. 1st Raider Battalion passes through 5th Regiment sector to join in attack.

MADAGASCAR—General Platt moves HQ from Majunga to Tananarive.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 25 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Sargo (SS-188) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Teibo Maru (ex-Danish Nordbo) off coast of French Indochina, 180 miles east of Saigon, 10°31'N, 109°31'E.

            Japanese land on Beru, Gilberts.

            USAAF B‑17s damage Japanese light cruiser Yura off Shortland Island, Solomons.

            Japanese submarine I-5 is damaged by gunfire off Guadalcanal.

            USAAF P‑39 fighters damage Japanese submarine RO 67 off Kiska, Aleutians.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s fail to locate shipping convoy S of Crete and return without bombing. Other B‑24’s bomb Bengasi.

TENTH AF—4 B‑25’s, with escort of 10 P‑40’s, attack Hanoi. The strike force is intercepted by 10 fighters but the Medium Bombers place several bombs on the runway at Gia Lam airfield. The P‑40’s claim at least 9 fighters shot down. CATF bombers fly 11 missions during remainder of Sep and early Oct to support Chinese ground forces attempting to hold the Japanese on W bank of the Salween.

FIFTH AF—P‑40’s again bomb bridge at Wairopi, scoring direct hit on NE end, which is demolished. Australian ground forces open counteroffensive, attacking strongly toward Ioribaiwa to drive enemy back along Port Moresby-Kokoda trail.

ELEVENTH AF—9 B‑24’s, 1 B‑17, and 1 B‑24 photo airplane, escorted by 11 P‑39’s and 17 P‑40’s, fly first of 2 missions to Kiska. RCAF Kittyhawk, participate in this first combined Canadian-American mission of the Eleventh. Later 2 B‑24’s and a B‑17, escorted by 15 P‑39’s, pound Little Kiska and Kiska. Radar installations at Little Kiska are destroyed and explosions and fires are caused in the Main Camp area. Other targets include shipping, stores, and tents. The P‑39’s also strafe 2 subs. 2 float planes are downed. 5 to 8 biplanes are probably destroyed on the water. 1 large transport vessel is hit and lists badly. 150 personnel are believed killed.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—2d Battalion of 5th Marines joins 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, on NW slope of Mt. Austen to continue attack against enemy in Matanikau-Kokumbona area. 2 companies of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, return to Lunga perimeter. Patrol of 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, reconnoiters Koli Pt without incident.

NEW GUINEA—25th Brigade, Australian 7th Division, opens counteroffensive to drive enemy back along Port Moresby–Kokoda trail, attacking strongly for Ioribaiwa.

MADAGASCAR—East African 22d Brigade establishes contact with 29th Independent Brigade, giving British control of central part of island.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 24 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese land on Maiana, Gilberts.

            SBDs (VMSB 231, VS 3) from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, damage Japanese destroyer Umikaze while the ship engages in resupply operations.

            USAAF B‑17 damages Japanese seaplane carrier Sanuki Maru off Shortlands Island, Solomons.

INDIAN OCEAN—U.S. freighter Losmar is sunk by Japanese submarine I-165 about 250 miles west of Cape Comorin, India, 07°40'N,74°15'E; of the ship's 9 man Armed Guard detachment, 3 are lost when she sinks. British ship Louise Moller will rescue 14 survivors on 5 October; seven survivors will reach the west coast of Ceylon by boat on 17 October 1942.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter John Winthrop, straggling from convoy ON 131, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-619 at 56°00'N, 31°00'W. There are no survivors from the 39 man merchant complement or the 13 man Armed Guard.

            U.S. freighter West Chetac is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-175 north of British Guiana, 08°06'N, 58°12'W; only 17 of the 39 man crew and two of the 11 man Armed Guard reach the rafts that float free of the ship as she sinks in heavy seas. U-175 conducts a brief interrogation of the survivors before departing (see 2 or 3 October1942).

            U.S. freighter Antinous, torpedoed the previous day, is reboarded by the rest of the crew and is taken in tow by British rescue tug HMS Zwarte Zee. Soon thereafter, however, Antinous is torpedoed by U-512. Again, Antinous is abandoned, and all hands are picked up by Zwarte Zee and HMS Busy. The freighter sinks later that day.

            West Indian fishing boat rescues last two survivors (one of whom subsequently dies of exposure) of U.S. freighter West Lashaway (sunk by German submarine U-66 on 30 August 1942). All told, only 12 of the 38 man merchant complement, one of the 9 man Armed Guard, and five of nine passengers survive West Lashaway's loss.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TWELFTH AF—XII Ground Air Support Command is redesignated XII Air Support Command.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb shipping at Rabaul. P‑40’s and A‑20’s hit Mubo while B‑17’s bomb wrecked vessel at Gona. P‑40’s hit airfield at Kokoda and targets along Kokoda-Wairopi trail, including bridge at Wairopi.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑24’s bomb Main Camp, storage dumps, and dock areas, starting several fires.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—1st Battalion of 7th Marines engages in fire fight with enemy on NW slope of Mt Austen.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 23 September 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Antinous is torpedoed by German submarine U-515 off Georgetown, British Guiana, 08°58'N, 59°33'W; Armed Guard gunfire forces U-515 to submerge. All hands abandon Antinous; a volunteer crew returns to the ship to try and get her underway (see 24 September 1942).

            U.S. freighter Penmar, straggling from convoy SC-100 and steering toward Cape Farewell, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-432 at 58°12'N, 34°35'W. One man dies as the ship is being abandoned, but 38 merchant sailors and the 22 man Armed Guard are rescued by Coast Guard cutter Bibb (WPG-31) and transported to Iceland.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TWELFTH AF—General Doolittle assumes command of Twelfth AF in Great Britain.

FIFTH AF—P‑40’s, P‑39’s, P‑400’s, and B‑17’s hit tanks, buildings, and airfield at Buna, Wairopi bridge and targets of opportunity on Buna-Kokoda trail, and Taupota Mission near Goodenough Bay.

SOUTH PACIFIC—72d Bomb Squadron (B‑17’s) of 5th Bomb Group joins 11th Bomb Group on Espiritu Santo.

SEVENTH AF—Movement of 72d Bomb Squadron to SOPAC, plus subsequent movement of other squadrons of 5th Bomb Group to SOPAC, makes it difficult for some time to maintain the minimum force of 35 Heavy Bombers considered necessary for defense of the Hawaiian Islands. This situation is relieved by 90th Bomb Group, which stops in Hawaii while en route to SWPA, and by 307th Bomb Group, which is assigned to Seventh AF for a time.

ELEVENTH AF—Weather causes mission abort to Kiska. Photo reconnaissance over Attu confirms abandonment by enemy. A Navy PBY escorted by 2 P‑38’s lands off Amchitka with a scouting party which determines that the island is unsuited as an airfield. The P‑38’s also bomb a radio shack and sink a submarine at Amchitka.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—1st Marine Division begins limited operation to W of Lunga perimeter to eliminate enemy within striking distance of Henderson Field: 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, is directed to advance along N slopes of Mt Austen, cross the Matanikau, and push W to Kokumbona; 1st Raider Battalion is to establish patrol base at Kokumbona at point where inland trails intersect coastal road.

NEW GUINEA—General Blarney arrives in Port Moresby to take direct command of New Guinea forces. Lt General Edmund F. Herring becomes Commander, Advance New Guinea Force, succeeding General Rowell. 128th Infantry of U.S. 32d Division reaches Port Moresby by air and is assigned to garrison force under operational control of Australian 6th Division.

MADAGASCAR—East African 22d Brigade enters Tananarive, which has been declared an open city.

USSR—German Army Group B continues to make slow progress in Stalingrad against bitter opposition. Army Group A assembles an assault force for drive on Black Sea port of Tuapse.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 22 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Amberjack (SS-219), en route to patrol the waters off Kieta, Bougainville, is damaged when she runs aground on an uncharted coral head off Oema Island, 06°31'31"S, 155°59'E. She remains on patrol.

INDIAN OCEAN—U.S. freighter Paul Luckenbach is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-29 approximately 800 miles from the coast of India, 10°03'N, 63°42'E; although the four lifeboats containing the entire 44 man complement and 17 man Armed Guard become separated during the 16-to-21 day voyages, all hands reach safety.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Esso Williamsburg is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-211 approximately 500 miles south of Cape Farewell, Greenland, 53°12'N, 41°00'W; there are no survivors from the 42 man crew and 18 man Armed Guard.

NORTH RUSSIA—U.S. freighter Bellingham, in convoy QP 14, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-435 approximately 45miles west of Jan Mayen Island, 71°23'N, 11°03'E; escort vessels rescue the ship's complement: 39 merchant seamen, the 10 man Armed Guard, and 26 passengers (survivors from freighters Pan Kraft and Pan Atlantic, sunk on 5 and 6 July 1942, respectively, in the ill-fated PQ 17 convoy).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TWELFTH AF—General Cannon takes command of XII Ground Air Support Command.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb shipping in Bengasi harbor. Direct hits are made on 1 large vessel while a smaller vessel and other targets receive lesser hits.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s bomb and strafe occupied areas at Menari, Efogi, Nauro, Yodda, and Kokoda. P‑40’s strafe AA positions, huts, and barges at Buna and Salamaua and bomb and strafe Wairopi bridge, strafe buildings at Yodda, airfield at Buna, and AA positions and other targets along Buna-Kokoda trail. 1 B‑25 bombs N end of Buna airfield and coastal end of Sanananda track. B‑17’s bomb airfield and shipping at Rabaul.

ELEVENTH AF—9 B‑24’s, 2 B‑17’s, and 1 LB-30, accompanied by 15 P‑39’s and 20 P‑40’s, abort Kiska bombing mission due to weather. Photo reconnaissance suggests that Chichagof Harbor is abandoned.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Combined Chiefs of Staff approve plan drawn up in Washington by SOS, “The Plan for Operation of Certain Iranian Communication Facilities between Persian Gulf Ports and Tehran by U.S. Army Forces.” The plan gives U.S. direct responsibility for moving supplies through Persian Corridor to USSR.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 21 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Grouper (SS-214) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Tone Maru in China Sea, east of Shanghai, 31°18'N,123°27'E.

            Submarine Trout (SS-202) sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Koei Maru south of Truk, 06°54'N, 151°51'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—P‑40’s bomb and strafe bridges and targets of opportunity along Buna-Kokoda trail.

ELEVENTH AF—The 21st Bomb Squadron begins to operate from Adak. Bombers fly reconnaissance over Kiska and bomb and fire Constantine Harbor installations at Amchitka.

US ARMY

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US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 20 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Naval Operating Base, Auckland, New Zealand, is established.

NORTH RUSSIA—U.S. freighter Silver Sword, in convoy QP 14, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-225 at 75°41'N, 03°12'E; rescue ships Rathlin and Zamalek pick up all hands: 32 merchant seamen (one of whom dies later of his injuries), the 11 man Armed Guard, and 18 passengers (crewmen from freighters Peter Kerr and Honomu, sunk on 5 July 1942 in the ill-fated PQ 17 convoy).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—In Owen Stanley Range, A‑20’s bomb and strafe troops and installations at Sangara, Arehe, and along the Popondetta-Andemba road, and P‑40’s strafe airfield at Kokoda, bridges on trail near Wairopi, and troops at Myola, Efogi, and Kagi.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Adm Fitch becomes COMAIRSOPAC.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—127th Infantry of U.S. 32d Division is ordered to Port Moresby.

INDIA—Base Section 2, SOS, at Calcutta, receives its first troops from Karachi.

USSR—Stubborn street fighting is in progress in Stalingrad. Town of Terek falls to German Army Group A.

UNITED KINGDOM—Outline plan for TORCH is issued; D Day is set for 8 November.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 19 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Amberjack (SS-219) sinks Japanese transport Shirogane Maru at northern entrance of Bougainville Strait, 06°33'S, 156°05'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Wichita is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-516 about 300 miles northeast of Barbados, 15°00'N, 54°00'W. There are no survivors from either the 40 man merchant complement or 10 man Armed Guard unit.

            Swedish steamship Etna rescues 22 survivors from lifeboat from U.S. tanker Patrick J. Hurley, sunk by German submarine U-512 on 12 September 1942 (see 2 October 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb Pylos Bay area, Pylos Island and Khalones during 19/20 Sep.

TENTH AF—B‑25’s strike Lungling. The raid is ineffective due to bad weather but results in discovery of much Japanese activity which further reconnaissance reveals as part of heavy movement of enemy and supplies along Burma Road toward Salween front.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s and B‑26’s strafe and bomb airfield at Lae. B‑17’s attack cargo vessels near Umboi (Rooke) Island. Whaling vessel is strafed by fighters off Goodenough Island.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—General Vandegrift establishes continuous defense lines, divides Lunga area into 10 sectors.

US MARINE CORPS

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