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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Friday, 18 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—7th Marine Regiment reinforces marines on Guadalcanal.

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-455 lays mines off Charleston, South Carolina.

            British destroyer HMS Vimy is detached from convoy to investigate raft containing survivors from U.S. freighter West Lashaway (sunk by German submarine U-66 on 30 August 1942). Vimy, believing the hoisted sail to be part of the disguise of a U-boat, opens fire on the raft. Her gunnery, however, is fortunately bad, and the survivors (who hurriedly strike the sail) are rescued. This group includes among them the woman missionary and four children (see 24 September 1942).

            Laconia Incident: Vichy French sloop Dumont D'Urville takes on board 42 survivors from sunken British transport Laconia that had been rescued by Italian submarine Capellini.

NORTH RUSSIA—German torpedo planes continue attacks upon Archangel-bound convoy PQ 18, sinking U.S. freighter Kentucky approximately 35 miles west of Cape Kanin, USSR; all hands survive the loss of the ship. Two British minesweepers rescue the 38 man merchant complement and the 16 man Armed Guard.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—VIII Ground Air Support Command is redesignated VIII Air Support Command.

TWELFTH AF—12 British units— signal, observer, radar, and air warning—are attached to XII Fighter Command in UK. Col Rosenham River Beam becomes CO XII Ground Air Support Command.

FIFTH AF—1 B‑17 bombs Salamaua while a B‑25 strafes pack trains on Kokoda trail in Andemba-Wairopi-Kokoda area.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Improved Allied supply situation permits restoration of full rations to garrison. TF 65 arrives off Kukum and unloads rest of 1st Marine Div—4,180 of 7th Marines, reinforced—plus vehicles, equipment, ammunition, and supplies. This is the first ammunition to arrive in response to request of 22 August, 3 other vessels unload aviation gasoline. TF 65 retires to Espiritu Santo with 1st Parachute Battalion, American wounded, and 8 Japanese prisoners. Marines are patrolling aggressively from defense perimeter.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese Imperial General Headquarters orders current positions held as long as possible and Buna-Gona beachhead held as primary defensive position. General Horii prepares to thin lines gradually.

AUSTRALIA—Main body of 126th Infantry (less artillery), U.S. 32d Division, embarks at Brisbane for New Guinea.

MADAGASCAR—29th Independent Infantry Brigade of British East African Command lands without opposition on E coast at Tamatave and moves inland toward Tananarive virtually unopposed. East African 22d Brigade continues toward Tananarive from W coast.

US MARINE CORPS

            7th Marines arrive on Guadalcanal.

Thursday, 17 September 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Laconia Incident: In the wake of the attack by USAAF B-24 upon German submarines U-156, U-506 and U-507 and Italian submarine Capellini, engaged in rescuing survivors of the torpedoed British transport Laconia, Admiral Karl Doenitz issues orders forbidding U-boats from rescuing survivors of sunken ships (the "Laconia Order"). Vichy French light cruiser Gloire, sloop Dumont D'Urville and minesweeper Annamite rescue 1,041 people from lifeboats and the German submarines that have picked them up, too.

            U.S. freighter Mae is torpedoed, shelled and sunk by German submarine U-515 approximately 41 miles north of Georgetown, British Guiana, 08°03'N, 58°13'W; one crewman is killed. Norwegian merchantman Sorwangen rescues the 31 surviving merchant crewmen and the nine man Armed Guard, and transfers them to Canadian merchantman Gypsum King, which takes them to Georgetown.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—During 16/17 Sep, B‑24’s bomb Bengasi harbor. During the day, targets for B‑24’s are in Greece: shipping in Pylos Bay and shipping and piers near Sphakia, and in Khalones and Pylos Island. P‑40’s make offensive sweep with RAF over front lines.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s, carrying out single-bomber attacks, bomb airfields at Rabaul and Lae, and hit a beached cargo vessel at Salamaua. P‑400’s, P‑40’s, and P‑39’s strafe and bomb landing barges at Buna and Sanananda Pt. Japanese ground forces, halted within sight of Port Moresby, are unable to attack without reinforcements and supplies, neither of which is available.

TWELFTH AF—XII Ground Air Support Command is activated at Birmingham, Ala. The only Twelfth AF command to be completely organized in US, it eventually will proceed directly to N Africa as part of Western Task Force.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—In preparation for wide flanking movement to E, Allied reconnaissance parties move E along S coast from Port Moresby. Party of 126th Infantry, U.S. 32d Division, under Capt William F. Boice, leaves by lugger for Kapa Kapa to reconnoiter inland from there to Jaure. Another party, headed by SWPA Engineer officer Brigadier General Hugh J. Casey’s deputy, Col Leif J. Sverdrup, who is already charged with locating and developing landing fields, moves towards Abau in order to reconnoiter trail inland from there. Japanese at Ioribaiwa are in a precarious position. Although within sight of Port Moresby, troops are in no condition to attack without reinforcements and supplies, neither of which can be spared.

MADAGASCAR—French plenipotentiaries receive and reject terms for cessation of hostilities.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 16 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese overland assault on Port Moresby, New Guinea, "grinds to a halt" at Ioribaiwa.

            Japanese forces evacuate Attu, Aleutians.

ATLANTIC—TF 23 (Vice Admiral Jonas H. Ingram) is designated South Atlantic Force, Atlantic Fleet.

            Patrol Wing 12 (Captain William G. Tomlinson) is established at Key West, Florida, for operations in Gulf Sea Frontier.

            U.S. freighter Commercial Trader is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-558 east of Trinidad, 10°30'N,60°16'W; seven of the 29 man crew perish in the attack, as do three of the 9 man Armed Guard. The survivors, in one lifeboat, reach Tobago later the same day.

            Laconia Incident: USAAF B-24 from Ascension Island bombs German submarine U-156 (see 12 September 1942), which, along with U-506 and U-507 and Italian submarine Capellini, is engaged in rescuing survivors of the torpedoed British transport Laconia (see 17 September 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—VIII AF Service Command selects Honington and Watton as sites for Bomber Command advance depots. Site for Fighter Command awaits final settlement of question of location and mission of Fighter Command.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—General Brereton is officially assigned to the ME as a result of pressure from General Bissell, new CG Tenth AF, for clarification of status of Brereton and other key staff officers and combat crews who had gone from India to ME in Jun and Jul 42.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb wharf and airfield at Rabaul and airfield at Gasmata. A lone B‑17 attacks landing barges in Sanananda area while a single A‑20 bombs and strafes positions at Nauro and Menari in Efogi area. Japanese ground offensive toward Port Moresby comes to a halt at Ioribaiwa. Australians are entrenched on Imita Range where they are preparing a counteroffensive.

ELEVENTH AF—Enemy completes transfer of Attu garrison to Kiska, begun on 27 Aug. 1 B‑17 and 1 B‑24 fly photo and reconnaissance runs over Adak.

US ARMY

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—Enemy, during period 27 August–16 September, transfers Attu garrison to Kiska.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese overland drive on Port Moresby grinds to a halt at Ioribaiwa. Australians are firmly entrenched on Imita Ridge, to S, where they are preparing for counteroffensive.

CHINA—General Chennault presents to General Bissell a plan for employment of CATF that calls for defense of India–China ferry route as primary mission; suggests that CATF operate directly under Stilwell and that it be detached from U.S. Tenth Air Force.

MADAGASCAR—French Governor General requests peace terms.

USSR—Army Group B penetrates NW suburbs of Stalingrad.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 15 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TF 18 (Rear Admiral Leigh Noyes), covering reinforcement convoy from Espiritu Santo to Guadalcanal, is attacked by Japanese submarine I-19, which torpedoes carrier Wasp (CV-7) at 12°25'S, 164°08'E. Irreparably damaged, consumed by gasoline fires, Wasp is scuttled by destroyer Lansdowne (DD-486). I-19, in the same spread of torpedoes, also damages battleship North Carolina (BB-55) and destroyer O'Brien (DD-415) (see 19 October 1942).

            Japanese battleships bombard Guadalcanal.

            Japanese destroyer Fumizuki is damaged by grounding in Formosa Strait.

ATLANTIC—Light cruiser Philadelphia (CL-42) and transport Edward Rutledge (AP-52) are damaged in collision in Hampton Roads.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—57th Group is first fighter group to arrive in Egypt from Palestine. A lone B‑24 drops 1 bomb on tanker in Suda Bay. B‑24’s bomb behind enemy lines while P‑40’s, along with RAF, fly escort and carry out scramble missions over area W of El Alamein.

FIFTH AF—Medium Bombers hit Buna and Sanananda and attack camps at Efogi and Myola. B‑17’s bomb harbor and airfield at Rabaul. First US infantry troops, elements of 32d Division, arrive at Port Moresby.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑17 and 1 B‑24 fly armed reconnaissance over Kiska, and at Amchitka blast buildings in Constantine Harbor area. Fighters strafe Kiska Camp area and down 4 intercepting aircraft.

US ARMY

SOUTH PACIFIC—Japanese submarines attack U.S. warships on patrol S and E of the Solomons, sinking CV Wasp and damaging BB North Carolina; latter is forced to return to Pearl Harbor for repairs.

GUADALCANAL—5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, extends positions S of Henderson Field to include Bloody Ridge. Enemy SE of Lunga perimeter continues to fire intermittently on 3d Battalion of 1st Marines.

NEW GUINEA—First elements (Company E and attachments) of 126th Infantry, U.S. 32d Division, fly to Port Moresby from Brisbane, Australia. This is the first U.S. infantry force to arrive in New Guinea.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 14 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—USAAF B-17s damage Japanese heavy cruiser Myoko as she is en route from Truk, Carolines, to carry out support operations off Guadalcanal,

            USAAF planes (13 B-24s and 1 B-17 take part in the raid) sink Japanese ammunition ship Nojima Maru off Kiska, Aleutians; USAAF P-39s damage submarines RO 63 and RO 64 also in the area.

NORTH RUSSIA—German torpedo planes continue attacks upon Archangel-bound convoy PQ 18, sinking U.S. freighter Mary Luckenbach about 600 miles west of North Cape, Norway, 76°00'N, 16°00'E; she is lost with all hands (41 merchant seamen and a 24 man Armed Guard). The violent explosion of Mary Luckenbach's ammunition cargo rains debris on nearby freighter Nathanael Greene, 76°00'N, 16°00'E, injuring 11 men (five of whom are transferred to British destroyer HMS Onslaught for medical attention), but the merchantman makes port under her own power. Concussion from the explosion also disables U.S. freighter Wacosta, which is later torpedoed and sunk about 400 miles northeast of Jan Mayen Island, 76°05'N, 10°00'E; she suffers no casualties. British light cruiser HMS Scylla and minesweeper HMS Harrier rescue all hands: 38 merchant sailors and the 11 man Armed Guard survive Wacosta's loss.

ATLANTIC—Norwegian steamship Talisman rescues 18 survivors (one of the original 19 has succumbed to exposure during the 32 day ordeal) of U.S. freighter California, sunk by Italian submarine Reginaldo Giuliani on 13 August 1942.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TWELFTH AF—HQ of Twelfth AF, XII Fighter Command, XII AF Service Command, and XII Bomber Command are attached to corresponding units of Eighth AF in UK. The Eighth subsequently handles the buildup of the Twelfth by assigning a large number of its own units to the new AF (appropriately dubbed JUNIOR) and supervises its training. The first increment of tactical and service units includes 2 Heavy Bomber groups, 3 Medium Bomber groups, 1 Light Bomber group, 4 fighter groups, 3 Troop Carrier groups, and several engineer, signal, and service units of varying sizes.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s attack shipping at Suda Bay, setting 1 vessel afire, while other Heavy Bombers hit Tobruk P‑40’s fly sweep with RAF over front-lines.

FIFTH AF—A single A‑20 bombs ground forces and installations at Myola.

ELEVENTH AF—In the first combined heavy mission over Kiska 13 B‑24’s, 1 B‑17, 14 P‑38’s, and 14 P‑39’s fly low-altitude and photo runs. The P‑39’s shell 3 subs in the harbor. The other aircraft bomb and strafe many installations including AA guns and the submarine base. A single aircraft also strafes Segula. Enemy losses are 5 float planes shot down and 1 flying boat destroyed on the water; 2 mine sweepers sunk and another vessel slightly damaged; while a large cargo vessel and several small barges and vessels sustain hits. 2 P‑38’s are lost, colliding head-on while after a fighter.

US ARMY

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—Kiska undergoes its first major air raid, by 12 heavy bombers with 28 fighters from Adak.

NEW HEBRIDES—TF 65, organized to transport 7th Marines to Guadalcanal, leaves Espiritu Santo.

GUADALCANAL—Japanese break off attacks on Bloody Ridge at dawn and withdraw under air attack, leaving about 600 dead; Marine casualties are 143. 2d Battalion of 5th Marines starts relief of Provisional raider-parachute Battalion. On E flank along the Ilu, 3d Battalion of 1st Marines moves 6 light tanks against enemy, but 3 are disabled; Japanese continue sporadic fire in this sector. In afternoon, Japanese attack 3d Battalion of 5th Marines on ridge commanding coastal road to W sector of perimeter but are driven off. 3d Battalion of 2d Marines arrives on Guadalcanal from Tulagi.

NEW GUINEA—Advance elements (2/31st and 2/33d Battalions) of 25th Brigade, Australian 7th Division, reach Ioribaiwa, where they take over defense of ridge from Australian 21st Brigade. Japanese, with 2 full regiments in line, force a further withdrawal, to Imita Ridge, the last before Port Moresby, lying 32 miles from that objective. This is the last withdrawal of Australian forces on this front.

LIBYA—To assist withdrawal of Benghazi raiding party, diversionary raids are made on Gialo and Barce.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 13 September 1942

US NAVY

NORTH RUSSIA—German aerial and submarine attacks begin against convoy PQ 18, bound for Archangel, USSR, approximately 100 miles southwest of Spitsbergen. U.S. freighter Oliver Ellsworth is torpedoed by German submarine U-589 at 75°52'N,07°55'E, and abandoned; one Armed Guard sailor is killed in the attack. Survivors (42 merchant seamen and 27 Armed Guard crewmen) are rescued by merchantman Copeland and British armed trawler HMS St. Kenan; the latter scuttles the crippled Oliver Ellsworth with gunfire. Later that day, German planes attack, torpedoing freighter John Penn at 75°52'N, 07°55'E; three of the 40 man merchant crew are killed. British destroyer HMS Eskimo and minesweeper HMS Harrier rescue the survivors, who include the 25 man Armed Guard; John Penn is scuttled by escort vessels. Shortly thereafter, freighter Oregonian is also torpedoed at 76°00'N, 09°30'E; escort vessels rescue 21of the 40 man crew, in addition to 8 of the 14 man Armed Guard.

ATLANTIC—Plane drops rations to one raft containing 19 survivors from U.S. freighter West Lashaway (sunk by German submarine U-66 on 30 August 1942) (see 18 and 24 September 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—During 13/14 Sep, B‑24’s attack Tobruk and shipping in Bengasi harbor while B‑25’s hit landing grounds SE of Matruh.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s pound airfield at Lae. B‑17’s unsuccessfully attack cruiser SE of Rabaul. P‑40’s strafe buildings on Goodenough Island.

ELEVENTH AF—14 B‑24’s of the 21st and 404th Bomb Squadrons move up to Adak. Island LB-30 and 2 P‑38’s fly photo reconnaissance, antisub coverage and strafing mission over Kiska lakes and harbor. A tender in harbor is slightly damaged, 1 float fighter is downed. A P‑38 is hit by AA fire and fighters damage the LB-30.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Admiral Ghormley orders 7th Marines to reinforce garrison. Air defense is strengthened by arrival of 12 dive bombers and 6 TBF’s. Japanese launch air, naval, and ground attacks against Lunga perimeter in attempt to recapture airfield. Provisional raider-parachute Battalion is unable to advance on Bloody Ridge and digs in on central knoll, about 250 yards N of previous bivouac area. After nightfall, main enemy assault force of at least 2 Battalions drives northward to northernmost knoll where Provisional raider-parachute Battalion, with close artillery support, holds firm against further determined attacks. Other Japanese, about 2 companies, attack 3d Battalion of 1st Marines on E flank along Ilu River, night 13–14, but are unable to break through.

CHINA—General Stilwell presents to Chiang Kaishek a proposed plan of operations for China Air Task Force, calling for defense of ferry route from India to China as primary mission.

MADAGASCAR—General Platt, CG East African Command, establishes HQ ashore at Majunga. East African 22d Brigade continues toward Tananarive, hampered chiefly by roadblocks.

LIBYA—During night 13–14, small raiding parties of British MEF move against Tobruk and Benghazi in effort to destroy enemy supplies and installations at the ports. The Tobruk raid is made by land and sea, overland party moving from Egypt. From Kufra, motorized column moves overland more than 500 miles to Benghazi. The raids prove costly and accomplish little.

NORTH ATLANTIC—Large Allied convoy to USSR suffers heavy losses during enemy air attacks.

US MARINE CORPS

            Marines repulse second major Japanese ground attack at Guadalcanal in the Battle of the Ridge.

Saturday, 12 September 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Brazil places its naval forces under U.S. Navy operational control.

            U.S. tanker Patrick J. Hurley, en route to Belfast, Ireland, is shelled by German submarine U-512 at 22°59'N, 46°15'E, and abandoned after Armed Guard gunfire proves unavailing in the tanker's defense (see 19 September and 2 October1942).

            Laconia Incident: German submarine U-156 torpedoes and sinks British transport Laconia, which has 1,800 Italian POWs on board, northeast of Ascension Island, 05°05'S, 11°38'W; the U-boat immediately commences rescue operations and dispatches plain-language request for help. In addition, diplomatic channels are utilized to seek aid from Vichy French naval units in West African waters (see 16-18 September 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—HQ VIII AF Composite Command arrives in N Ireland and is temporarily stationed at Long Kesh. HQ 3d Bomb Wing arrives in UK and is established at Elveden Hall. HQ 4th Bomb Wing is established at High Wycombe but soon loses its personnel to XII Bomber Command and is not manned again until Jan 43. 4th Fighter Group is activated in UK to be manned by US pilots who formerly flew with RAF Eagle Squadrons.

TWELFTH AF—HQ of Twelfth AF, XII Fighter Command and XII AFSC arrive in UK.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—P‑40’s fly 3 uneventful scramble missions along front-lines.

FIFTH AF—P‑400’s, B‑26’s, A‑20’s, and B‑17’s bomb airfield and strafe barges at Buna. P‑40’s strafe Gadaibai on Goodenough Island. A B‑17 strafes vessel in Bismarck Sea S of Kavieng.

ELEVENTH AF—A weather and patrol reconnaissance aircraft finds overcast at Kiska but takes photos over Tanaga, Kanaga, and Attu. The runway at Adak is completed.

US ARMY

NEW HEBRIDES—7th Marines and elements of 5th Defense Battalion arrive at Espiritu Santo. Admiral Turner, after conferring with General Vandegrift on Guadalcanal, recommends to Admiral Ghormley that 7th Marines be used to strengthen Lunga defenses.

GUADALCANAL—Provisional raider-parachute Battalion conducts reconnaissance in force along ridge, later called Bloody or Edson’s, S of OPL and about 800 yards E of Lunga River, to close the route of approach to Henderson Field; despite enemy fire, reaches southernmost knoll. Fire fight continues throughout night 12–13, and enemy succeeds in infiltrating.

UNITED KINGDOM—General Eisenhower officially announces assumption of command as CinC Allied Expeditionary Force for TORCH, and Allied Force Headquarters (AFHQ) is activated in London.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 11 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Saury (SS-189) sinks Japanese aircraft transport Kanto Maru approximately 30 miles off the west coast of the Celebes, in central Makassar Strait, 03°15'S, 118°27'E.

            On board submarine Seadragon (SS-194), en route to her war patrol station in the South China Sea, Pharmacist's Mate First Class Wheeler B. Lipes performs successful appendectomy on Seaman First Class Darrell D. Rector, USNR. Captain James Fife, Commander, Submarine Squadron 2, later writes that he "hoped that his [Lipes's] success will not encourage others to take unnecessary risks..." in such cases in the future (see 14-15 December and 22 December 1942).

            USAAF B-17s and RAAF Hudsons sink Japanese destroyer Yayoi about 15 miles east of Normanby Island, D'Entrecasteaux Islands.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—P‑40’s fly uneventful sweep with RAF during lull after Battle of Alam-el-Halfa.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s and B‑26’s hit Efogi and Menari in the Owen Stanley Range and airfield at Buna. B‑17’s, along with RAAF Hudsons, attack 2 destroyers 20 mi E of Normanby Island. A B‑17 scores a direct hit on stern of the destroyer Yayoi, which later sinks.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Island combat control groups are authorized for New Caledonia and Fiji. These units, under immediate control of COMGENSOPAC, are to take over local operational direction of fighter aircraft and all other units in the island combat team.

ELEVENTH AF—343d Fighter Group, constituted on 3 Sep, is activated on this day and immediately begins to operate. It is composed of the 11th, 18th, 54th, and, as of 10 Oct, 344th Fighter Squadrons. A weather, photo, and patrol aircraft draw AA fire over Chichagof Harbor and also covers Tanaga, Amchitka, and Semichi.

US ARMY

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—Completion of runway on Adak permits stepped up air offensive against Kiska, some 250 miles distant.

GUADALCANAL—From 29 August to date, about 6,000 Japanese have arrived, landing mostly at night from DD’s and destroyer-transports.

NEW GUINEA—General MacArthur submits to General Blarney a plan for accelerating operations. While Australians, upon receiving reinforcements, are to attack to drive enemy back along Port Moresby–Kokoda trail, an RCT of U.S. 32d Division is to execute wide flanking movement to E to get behind Japanese at Wairopi and thus hasten their expulsion from New Guinea. Australian 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions break through enemy forces and fall back to Nauro; then yield Nauro under pressure and take up positions on ridge N of Ioribaiwa, where 2/1st Pioneer Battalion and 3d Battalion of 14th Brigade are established.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 10 September 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-69 lays mines at mouth of Chesapeake Bay.

            U.S. freighter American Leader is shelled, torpedoed, and sunk by German auxiliary cruiser Michel (Schiffe 28) in the South Atlantic approximately 800 miles west of the mouth of the Cape of Good Hope, 34°26'S, 02°00'E. Michel recovers the survivors, 39 of 49 merchant seamen and eight of nine Armed Guard sailors, and ultimately transports them to Singapore where they are turned over to the Japanese. Of that group, 14 will perish as POWs.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ELEVENTH AF—Weather, photo reconnaissance, and patrol missions are flown during morning over Tanaga, Nazan Bay, Adak, and Amchitka. Poor weather is encountered at Kiska, Attu, and Agattu.

US ARMY

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US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 9 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-25 drops incendiary bombs on forest near Mount Emily, ten miles northeast of Brookings, Oregon, in an attempt to ignite forest fires. It is the first time a Japanese aircraft has bombed the continental United States during World War II. The bombing is reported by a forest ranger (see 29 September 1942).

            Japanese submarine I-30 reaches Penang, Malaya, having *successfully run the Allied blockade of Lorient, France (see 13 October 1942).

            District patrol craft YP-346 is sunk by Japanese light cruiser Sendai and three destroyers off Guadalcanal.

ATLANTIC—Coast Guard weather ship Muskeget (WAG-48) is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-755 between Norfolk, Virginia, and Iceland.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—Japanese airplane, launched from sub off coast, drops incendiary bomb on mountain slope near Brookings, causing small forest fire. This comprises total bombing of continental US by enemy aircraft during World War II.

ARMY AIR FORCES—General Arnold submits to the CoS a plan (AWPD-42) estimating size of air force necessary to attain air ascendancy over the enemy and outlining suggestions for use of these forces in the several theaters. This plan, which by 17 Nov has been approved by WD and the President, includes buildup of depleted Eighth AF in UK and contains the seeds of the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO).

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

FIFTH AF—P‑40’s strafe Galaiwa Bay area on Goodenough Island. A‑20’s, in support of encircled Australian ground forces, strafe and bomb troops in Efogi Spur area.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑26 patrols Tanaga and Adak.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Japanese plane, launched from submarine off coast, drops incendiary bomb on mountain slope near Brookings, Oregon, causing small forest fire. This is sole bombing by plane of continental U.S. during the war.

NEW GUINEA—25th Brigade of Australian 7th Division is rushed toward Owen Stanley Range front. 16th Brigade of Australian 6th Division is ordered to Port Moresby.

MADAGASCAR—British forces of East Africa Command renew offensive in order to insure safety of certain military objectives and gain air and sea control of Mozambique Channel. 29th Independent Infantry Brigade makes surprise landing, night 9–10, on W coast in vicinity of Majunga and seizes Majunga virtually unopposed. After being passed through by E African 22d Brigade Group, which starts toward Tananarive, 29th begins re-embarking for another landing. As diversion for Majunga landing, small landings are made on Nosy Be Island., off NW coast, and at Morondava, on W coast; forces on N part of island move southward along W and E coasts.

GERMANY—RAF Bomber Command, during heavy attack on Duesseldorf, night 10–11, drops first 2-ton incendiary bomb.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 8 September 1942

US NAVY

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US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s attack shipping and harbor at Suda Bay.

FIFTH AF—P‑400’s bomb and strafe Efogi area where Australian forces are hard pressed by the Japanese. B‑17’s and RAAF Hudsons attack cruisers and a destroyer N of the D’Entrecasteaux Islands.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 and 1 B‑26 fly photo reconnaissance over Agattu, Attu, and Kiska.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Provisional Battalion composed of depleted 1st Raider and 1st Parachute Battalions moves E from Lunga Pt by sea to destroy enemy force at Tasimboko, near Taivu Pt. Debarking E of Tasimboko, the Battalion moves W, clashing with outposts of strong enemy force that has landed recently near Taivu Pt. Japanese holding force is driven from Tasimboko. Raiders sustain 8 casualties and kill 27 Japanese. Henderson-based aircraft support raiders. Japanese in Taivu Pt area constitute main body of new assault force, smaller group of which is in vicinity of Kokumbona.

NEW GUINEA—General Horii, with 5 reinforced Battalions in assault, attacks 21st Brigade of Australian 7th Division on Efogi Spur, forcing 2/27th Battalion off trail and encircling 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 7 September 1942

US NAVY

INTERNATIONAL—U.S. and Cuba conclude agreement for naval and military cooperation.

PACIFIC—Submarine Growler (SS-215) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Taika Maru 20 miles northwest of Keelung, Formosa, 25°31'N, 121°38'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—7 B‑17’s of 29 dispatched, ineffectively raid the Wilton shipyards at Rotterdam in bad weather. 2 Heavy Bombers seek targets of opportunity in vicinity of Utrecht. Heavy fighter opposition is successfully repulsed with bomber crews claiming 12 destroyed.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb convoys at sea, hit other shipping, and attack Maleme airfield and Suda Bay.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s and P‑400’s strafe and bomb positions at Myola Lake and Efogi in Owen Stanley Range. P‑40’s and RAAF Hudsons, Beauforts, and Beaufighters attack cruiser and destroyer 17 mi ENE of Cape Karitahua. Organized Japanese resistance in Milne Bay sector ends.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑24’s patrol and bomb Kiska Harbor and camp area and also patrol Tanaga. They are attacked by 3 sea fighters of which at least one is downed.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Organized resistance in Milne Bay sector ceases; stragglers are eventually mopped up by Australians. Decisive defeat of Japanese removes threat to Port Moresby from Milne Bay area, but enemy drive along trail over Owen Stanley Range toward Port Moresby is still unchecked.

EGYPT—General Montgomery halts battle of ‘Alam el Halfa before original positions have been restored, leaving enemy in possession of 4–5 mile stretch of desert on S flank. Lull ensues in ground action during which British Eighth Army prepares intensively for offensive. Deceptive measures are taken on a comprehensive scale to conceal plans from enemy.

USSR—Soviet forces continue stubborn resistance to Army Group B in Stalingrad area and to Army Group A in vicinity of Novorossisk.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 6 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—District patrol craft YP-74 is sunk by collision with merchant vessel Derblay off the Aleutian Islands, 54°23'N,164°10'W.

            Battleship South Dakota (BB-57) is damaged when she fouls a coral reef in Lahai Passage, Tonga Islands.

            Japanese submarine I-11 is damaged by gunfire, location unspecified.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

USSR—Germans announce capture of Novorossisk, key Soviet port on Black Sea since fall of Sevastopol.

EIGHTH AF—30 B‑17’s strike Avions Potez aircraft plant at Meaulte, while a smaller force bombs 2 airfields near Saint- Omer. 12 DB‑7’s attack Abbeville/Drucat airfield. 2 B‑17’s are shot down over Meaulte by fighters, marking VIII Bomber Command’s first loss of aircraft in combat.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—P‑40’s fly offensive sweep over battle area near Rayil Dayr Ar Depression, claiming 3 Ju-87’s shot down. P‑40’s also escort RAF bombers and fly 2 interceptor missions.

FIFTH AF—P‑400’s, A‑20’s, and B‑17’s strafe and bomb positions, troops, and shipping at Myola, Mubo, Kokoda, Myola Lake, Eora Creek, and Milne Bay. Australian ground forces continue to clear enemy from Milne Bay area while Australian troops in the Owen Stanley Range fall back to vicinity of Efogi Spur beyond Gap Mountain where defensive positions already established.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑24 flying patrol and armed reconnaissance over Tanaga sinks a mine layer and strafes a tender as well as nearby tents and buildings.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Australian 18th Brigade continues to clear enemy from Milne Bay against light, scattered resistance.

            In Owen Stanley Range 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions of 21st Brigade, Australian 7th Division, fall back to Efogi Spur, beyond The Gap, where 2/27th Battalion of same brigade is already established.

EGYPT—13 Corps, British Eighth Army, continues offensive, making slow progress southward against firm opposition.

USSR—Germans announce capture of Novorossisk, leading port on E coast of Black Sea. Fierce fighting continues around Stalingrad.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 5 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese troops are withdrawn from their tenuous beachhead at Milne Bay.

            High speed transports Gregory (APD-3) and Little (APD-4) are sunk by Japanese destroyers Yudachi, Murakumo, and Hatsuyuki off Lunga Point, Guadalcanal, 09°20'S, 160°01'E.

            Submarine Seal (SS-183) sinks Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Kanju Maru southeast of Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, 11°00'N, 109°32'E.

ATLANTIC—British steamship City of Capetown rescues 19 survivors of U.S. freighter California, sunk by Italian submarine Reginaldo Giuliani on 13 August 1942 (see 14 September 1942).

            One lifeboat with 28 survivors of U.S. tanker Jack Carnes, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-705 on 30August 1942, reaches Terceira, Azores. The other 28 survivors (18 merchant seamen and 10 Armed Guard sailors) are never recovered.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Because of General Spaatz’s convincing protests, General Eisenhower changes his mind concerning his recent orders to suspend Eighth AF operations from UK in order to devote total air effort to support of Twelfth AF and the forth coming African campaign. General Eisenhower informs General Marshall that he considers air operations in UK and in Africa mutually complementary. 31 B‑17’s bomb the locomotive depot at Rouen-Sotteville marshalling yard. This is largest force of Eighth AF Heavy Bombers to attack to date. Almost 1/5 of the HE bombs burst within the marshalling yard.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s strike shipping and dock area in Candia Bay. P‑40’s escort RAF bombers over battle area SE of Alam-el-Halfa ridge near Rayil Dayr Ar Depression as enemy offensive falters and is pushed back.

FIFTH AF—General Walker becomes CG V Bomber Command. P‑400’s strafe Kokoda, Kaile, Isurava, Alola, Buna, Sanananda, and Buna-Kokoda trail. airfield at Buna is strafed and bombed by P‑400’s and A‑20’s. As Japanese withdraw from Milne Bay area, Australian ground forces capture Wagga Wagga supply dump.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑24’s abort bombing of Kiska due to overcast.

US ARMY

U.S.-U.K.—Final decision is made that TORCH is to include landings at Algiers and Oran in Algeria and at Casablanca, Morocco.

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—U.S. 32d and 41st Divisions are assigned to General Eichelberger, CG U.S. I Corps.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese continue evacuation of Milne Bay under cover of darkness. About 1,300 of original force of some 1,900 are withdrawn by sea. Australians, following withdrawal closely, capture supply dump at Waga Waga.

EGYPT—Enemy opposition to 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, as it continues battle to close gap in mine field is unabated.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 4 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Growler (SS-215) sinks Japanese ammunition ship Kashino in Formosa Straits, about 50 miles northeast of Keelung, Formosa, 25°43'N, 122°38'E.

            Submarine Guardfish (SS-217), operating off northeast coast of Honshu, sinks merchant cargo ships Kaimei Maru and Chita Maru at 40°14'N, 141°51'E, and passenger cargo ship Tenyu Maru at 40°12'N, 141°49'E, off Kuji Bay, Iwate Prefecture, Japan.

            Submarine Pompano (SS-181) sinks guard boat No.27 Nanshin Maru northeast of Honshu, Japan, 35°22'N, 151°40'E.

            Japanese merchant cargo ship Suki Maru is sunk by mine in Bangka Strait, N.E.I.

ATLANTIC—Unidentified German U-boat comes across one boat containing 19 survivors of U.S. freighter California, sunk by Italian submarine Reginaldo Giuliani on 13 August 1942 and provides rations and navigational assistance before departing (see 5 and 14 September 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s, in conjunction with RAF and RN, attack convoy at sea. 2 merchant ships are reported sunk and 1 left burning. B‑25’s and RAF Bostons, repelling counterattacks during Alam-el-Halfa battle, hit troop concentrations and vehicles, while P‑40’s, operating with RAF, escort bombers and engage in combat over battle area, claiming 1 fighter destroyed.

FIFTH AF—P‑40’s bomb and strafe forces in Milne Bay area at Goroni, Wagga Wagga, Ahioma, and N of Lilihoa. Australian ground forces pushing E along Milne Bay reach Goroni; Japanese begin evacuation of the area.

ELEVENTH AF—2 bombers and 1 P‑38 bomb and patrol Nazan and Kuluk Bays, but bombing of Kiska is canceled due to weather.

US ARMY

SOLOMON ISLANDS—1st Raider Battalion patrols Savo Island., finding it free of enemy, and returns to Guadalcanal. U.S. destroyer-transports Little and Gregory are sunk by enemy warships in Sealark Channel, night 4–5.

NEW GUINEA—Continuing E along Milne Bay, Australians reach Goroni. After nightfall, Japanese place wounded on board ship for withdrawal.

EGYPT—13 Corps, British Eighth Army, is still strongly opposed as it attempts to close gap in mine field.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 3 September 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Transport Wakefield (AP-21) is extensively damaged by fire while en route from River Clyde to New York in convoy TA 18. Light cruiser Brooklyn (CL-40), destroyers Mayo (DD-422), Madison (DD-425), Niblack (DD-424) and Charles F. Hughes (DD-428) provide assistance; all hands (1500 men) are saved. Niblack stands by with a salvage party. Wakefield will not return to service until February 1944.

PACIFIC—Japanese minelayer Tsugaru is damaged by aircraft, Solomons area.

            Submarine Seal (SS-183) damages Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Kanju Maru southeast of Cape Kanji Indochina, 11°00'N, 109°00'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s attack convoy at sea. B‑25’s hit troop concentrations, vehicles, and airfield installations in battle area of Alam-el-Halfa and behind enemy lines. P‑40’s, mostly operating with RAF, escort bombers and engage fighters in combat, claiming at least 1 shot down.

TENTH AF—1 B‑25 dumps bombs and pamphlets on Hanoi in first US raid against that city. Munitions, supplies, and several parked aircraft are destroyed or damaged. 9 interceptors pursue the Medium Bomber for about 30 mi but fail to make contact. For the next 3 weeks, bad weather and inaccurate Chinese weather forecasts severely limit bomber operations.

FIFTH AF—General Kenney assumes command of Fifth AF in Brisbane, where the Fifth’s HQ is remanned. General Kenney retains command of Allied AF. P‑400’s bomb and strafe Kokoda Pass area, hitting airfield at Kokoda and in the vicinity of Alola, Isurava, and Missima. B‑25’s and A‑20’s pound Mubo-Busama-Salamaua area. A B‑ 17 strafes seaplanes at Faisi Island.

ELEVENTH AF—The 21st Bomb Group arrives at Umnak. Of 6 bombers and 5 P‑38’s off to bomb Kiska and flying air cover over Kuluk Bay, 5 bombers and 3 fighters abort due to weather. The others strafe seaplanes and boats in Kiska Harbor and nearby installations. Between 1 and 4 seaplanes are claimed destroyed on the water. This is the longest over-water attack flight thus far in World War II. The 2 fighters which reach the target area return from the 1,260 mi round trip with only 40 gals of fuel.

US ARMY

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—General Kenney, Commander Allied Air Forces, makes Fifth Air Force, the U.S. component, a separate command in order to achieve greater efficiency. Fifth Air Force is given responsibility for operations in NE area; RAAF is to defend the Australian continent, particularly the Darwin area.

EGYPT—Aircraft continue to harass enemy, who begins to fall back, concentrating on supply transport, which Axis can ill afford to lose. During night 3–4, attack of 13 Corps to close gap in mine field is begun by New Zealand 2d Division, reinforced, and evokes furious opposition.

USSR—Germans continue to push toward Stalingrad, Grozny, and Novorossisk against stubborn resistance; are reported at W suburbs of Stalingrad.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 2 September 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Transport William Ward Burrows (AP-6) is damaged by grounding off Tulagi, Solomons on Southern Cross Reef.

            Submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) is damaged by depth charges off Truk and ends her patrol, 07°46'N, 151°57'E.

            Submarine Guardfish (SS-217) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Teikyu Maru (ex-Danish Gustav Diederickson) 13 miles southeast of Chikyu Mizaki, Hokkaido, Japan, 42°08'N, 141°15'E.

ATLANTIC—Storm separates the four rafts upon which survivors of U.S. freighter West Lashaway (sunk by German submarine U-66 on 30 August 1942) have gathered (see 13, 18 and 24 September 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TWELFTH AF—Col Claude E Duncan becomes CO XII Bomber Command.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s hit docks and jetties at Tobruk harbor. B‑25’s bomb aircraft and landing ground and, with RAF, attack troops and vehicles in battle area around Alam-el-Halfa ridge. P‑40’s fly escort and sweep missions over battle area in conjunction with RAF.

TENTH AF—P‑40’s hit barges and junks carrying rice in the Poyang Bake region, strafe HQ and runways at Nanchang airfield, attack railroad stations and warehouses at Hua Yuan, and sink a launch, damage 4 junks, and wreck a train on Wuchang Peninsula.

FIFTH AF—P‑400’s bomb and strafe forces in Kokoda and Alola areas as Japanese continue to push toward Port Moresby.

SOUTH PACIFIC—The mission of the 67th Fighter Squadron P‑400’s on Guadalcanal is shifted from air defense to close support for Marine ground forces and attacks on shipping, tasks for which they are better suited.

ELEVENTH AF—6 bombers and 12 P‑38’s fly cover and photo reconnaissance over Nazan and Kuluk Bays, and Amchitka and Semisopochnoi Islands.

US ARMY

SAMOA—7th Marines and part of 5th Defense Battalion embark for New Hebrides.

NEW GUINEA—Australians continue to clear N coast of Milne Bay but are unable to stem Japanese drive toward Port Moresby. About 1,000 Japanese reinforcements from Rabaul land at Basabua, night 2–3.

EGYPT—Massing armor S of ‘Alam el Halfa ridge, enemy halts to await frontal counterattack, but British armor remains in prepared positions.

USSR—Army Group A continues to press toward Novorossisk and Grozny. Threat to Novorossisk increases as German and Rumanian forces from the Crimea cross Kerch Strait and join other Axis forces in the area.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 1 September 1942

US NAVY

JAPAN—Japanese Prime Minister Tojo Hideki also becomes Foreign Minister as Togo Shigenori resigns.

PACIFIC—Air Force, Pacific Fleet (Vice Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch) is established.

            Sixth Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees), the first to serve in a combat area, arrives at Guadalcanal.

            USAAF B-17s bomb and damage Japanese flying boat support ship Akitsushima and destroyer Akikaze off BukaIsland, Solomons.

ATLANTIC—PBY (VP 73) bombs and sinks German submarine U-756, 57°30'N, 29°00'W.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B 24’s attack harbor at Candia, Crete, scoring several direct hits on 1 vessel and hitting 2 others. 2 squadrons of 57th Fighter Group fly escort missions and sweeps with AF. B 25’s, in conjunction with RAF Lbs, hit trucks and tanks in battle area of Alam-el-Halfa.

FIFTH AF—P 40’s hit Japanese HQ at Wagga Wagga on Milne Bay while P 400’s strafe Kokoda and Kokoda Pass in the Owen Stanley Range. Australian ground forces continue slow retreat over the range but make progress in Milne Bay offensive.

ELEVENTH AF—US forces complete occupation of Adak.

US ARMY

JAPAN—Foreign Minister Shigenori Togo resigns and Premier Hideki Tojo is asked to assume duties of Foreign Ministry.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—USS Betelgeuse lands 200 men of 6th Naval Construction Battalion in Lunga area. Throughout September, Americans on Guadalcanal lack adequate fighter strength, although carrier planes that can be spared are employed at Henderson Field. Trickle of supplies to the garrison increases only slightly.

NEW GUINEA—Australians continue to make progress in Milne Bay area and to fall back slowly along trail over Owen Stanley Range. As diversion for Milne Bay forces, Japanese from Salamaua attack Australian Kanga Force guarding Bulolo Valley and seize Mubo.

MAURITIUS, RODRIGUEZ, AND SEYCHELLES ISLANDS— Transferred from command of British Army Hq, India, to East Africa Command. These, with Madagascar, are formed into “Islands Area” under Maj General G. River. Smallwood.

EGYPT—British Eighth Army repels further enemy attempts to reach W end of ‘Alam el Halfa ridge and prepares for counterattack to close gap in mine field on S flank. 30 Corps is thinned out to reinforced 13 Corps; 10 Corps is ordered forward.

USSR—Army Group B continues to batter defense ring about Stalingrad. Anapa, important Black Sea port, falls to Army Group A.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 31 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Eight Japanese destroyers put ashore 1,000 troops of the Kawaguchi Detachment on Guadalcanal.

           Carrier Saratoga (CV-3) is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-26, 260 miles southeast of Guadalcanal, 10°34'S,164°18'E.

           Destroyer Reid (DD-369) and PBYs (VP 42, VP 43) sink Japanese submarine RO-61 off Atka, Aleutians, 52°36'N,173°57'W.

           Submarine Growler (SS-215) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Eifuku Maru in Formosa Strait, 25°43'N, 122°38'E.

ATLANTIC—Storm separates the two lifeboats with survivors from U.S. tanker Jack Carnes, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-705 at 42°00'N, 28°05'E (see 5 September 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TWELFTH AF—XII Bomber Command is assigned to Twelfth AF with HQ at High Wycombe.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑25’s attack aircraft on a landing ground, and B‑24’s raid harbor at Tobruk. P‑40’s of 66th Fighter Squadron, 57th Group, escort RAF bombers during raid on Maryut. B‑25’s, in conjunction with RAF Bostons, attack troop concentrations and military vehicles as battle of Alam-el-Halfa begins along the El Alamein line.

TENTH AF—Medium Bombers from China bomb Myitkyina for second consecutive day.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s and A‑20’s bomb airfield at Lae; B‑17’s bomb ammunition dump at Buna; P‑400’s strafe positions at Wairopi; and P‑40’s bomb landing barges and strafe gun positions in Milne Bay area where Australian ground forces now take the offensive.

ELEVENTH AF—Of 2 B‑24’s flying weather, reconnaissance and patrol missions over Tanaga, 1 returns due to weather.

US ARMY

SOLOMON ISLANDS—USS Helm (DD) tows 3 harbor patrol boats to Tulagi. USS Saratoga (CV) is damaged by enemy torpedo while patrolling W of Santa Cruz Islands. and is forced to retire to Tongatabu for emergency repairs; on 12 September leaves there for Pearl Harbor where she remains until November.

NEW GUINEA—Australians take the offensive in Milne Bay area against demoralized enemy. 18th Brigade drives E to K. B. Mission. While tide has turned against enemy in Milne Bay area, other forces continue across Owen Stanley Range toward Port Moresby. General Horii is ordered to go on the defensive upon crossing the range.

INDIA—General Stilwell agrees to Services of Supply proposal that main base in India be established at Calcutta rather than Karachi.

EGYPT—Axis forces, against strong opposition, breach mine field on S flank of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, and German armor then drives through and attacks W toward W end of ‘Alam el Halfa ridge until halted short of it with heavy losses. Air and artillery are employed against enemy with good effect. Heavy attacks by U.S. and British planes throughout August have seriously affected Rommel’s supply position.

USSR—Although Soviet resistance along Terek River has stiffened considerably, German Army Group A secures foothold across it in Mozdok area.

US MARINE CORPS

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