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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Sunday, 30 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TG 8.8 lands Army occupation forces on Adak, Aleutians, to begin construction of an air and naval base.

           High speed transport Colhoun (APD-2) is bombed and sunk by Japanese planes off Kukum Point, Guadalcanal,09°24'S, 160°01'E.

           Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-19 reconnoiters Santa Cruz Island, Solomons.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Jack Carnes, bound for Aruba, is shelled by German submarine U-705. After Armed Guard gunfire compels the Germans to submerge, U-705 torpedoes the tanker, 42°00'N, 28°05'E; 24 merchant seamen and four Armed Guard sailors man one lifeboat, while 18 merchant sailors (including the ship's master) and 10 Armed Guard sailors take to the other (see 31 August and 5 September 1942).

           U.S. freighter Star of Oregon, bound for Trinidad, is torpedoed by German submarine U-162, and abandoned; one workaway sailor is killed in the attack. U-162 then shells and sinks the freighter, 11°48'N, 59°45'E, before questioning the crew and then leaving the area. The entire 38 man crew and 14 man Armed Guard sailors survive the loss of the ship; a U.S. patrol craft rescues them.

           U.S. freighter West Lashaway is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-66 approximately 375 miles east of Trinidad, 10°30'N, 55°10'E; the rapidity with which the ship sinks prevents boats from being launched. Some 42 of the 56 souls on board (including a woman missionary and four children among the passengers) manage to reach four rafts (see 2, 13, 18 and 24 September 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb docks and jetties in Tobruk Harbor.

TENTH AF—Myitkyina, northernmost Japanese supply depot and airfield in Burma, from which fighters could hit Dinjan (terminus of Assam-Burma Ferry), is bombed for first time by 8 China-based B‑25’s.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s attack shipping in Saint George Channel.

ELEVENTH AF—US troops occupy Kuluk Bay, amidst a terrific storm and start building a runway. 5 B‑24’s photograph Kiska but do not bomb due to overcast, and then fly patrol and photo reconnaissance over Amchitka and Tanaga. P‑38’s fly patrol between Great Sitkin and Little Tanaga.

US ARMY

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—U.S. occupation force lands on Adak without opposition.

GUADALCANAL—Japanese bombers attack shipping off coast and sink Colhoun (APD). Rear echelon of MAG 23 (12 dive bombers and 18 fighters) arrives at Henderson Field.

NEW GUINEA—After quiet day, Japanese attack at night in effort to secure No. 3 airstrip but are repulsed and retreat at dawn of 31st, leaving many dead. Enemy continues to gain ground in overland drive on Port Moresby.

EGYPT—During night 30–31, Axis forces open offensive against El ‘Alamein Line, making main effort against 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, on S while conducting a unsuccessful diversionary thrusts against 30 Corps.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 29 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Transport William Ward Burrows (AP-6) is damaged when she runs aground on Sylvia Reef off Tulagi, Solomons,09°07'S, 160°10'E.

           Australian destroyer HMAS Arunta sinks Japanese submarine RO-33 ten miles southeast of Port Moresby, New Guinea, 09°36'S, 147°06'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—12 B‑17’s attack Courtrai/Wevelghem airfield, an FW-190 base.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s fail to locate shipping near Crete and return without bombing. B‑25’s bomb landing ground during 29/30 Aug.

TENTH AF—B‑25’s pound Lashio, scoring numerous hits on the airport and starting 3 large fires in warehouse area SE of the city.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s and P‑400’s hit airfield at Buna; B‑17’s pound airfield at Rabaul, and P‑40’s hit facilities in Milne Ray area as enemy ground forces continue drive over the Owen Stanley Range toward Port Moresby.

ELEVENTH AF—A Navy Catalina reports force of 3 cruisers and 4 destroyed s NW of Umnak. Thereupon all aircraft of the Eleventh go on attack alert. Surface force then identifies itself as friendly.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Orders for Australian 18th Brigade to clear N shore of Milne Bay are revoked when another enemy convoy is detected approaching that area. 775 Japanese reinforcements are unloaded from the convoy. Fighting continues along overland trail to Port Moresby, but because of situation at Milne Bay and in the Solomons, South Seas Detachment is ordered to halt upon reaching S foothills of Owen Stanley Range. Australian 21st Brigade relieves 39th Battalion and elements of 53d Battalion.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 28 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—USMC and Navy SBDs (VMSB 232, VS 5) bomb and sink Japanese destroyer Asagiri off Santa Isabel, Solomons, and damage destroyers Shirakumo, Yugiri, and Amagiri, preventing reinforcements (elements of the Kawaguchi Detachment) from landing on Guadalcanal.

           Light minelayer Gamble (DM-15) sinks Japanese submarine I-123 near Guadalcanal, 09°21'S, 160°43'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Topa Topa, bound for the Gold Coast, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-66 at 10°16'N,51°30'W; 18 of the 42 man crew perish, as do seven of the 15 man Armed Guard. All three passengers survive. British merchantman Clan MacInnes rescues the 35 survivors and transports them to Trinidad.

           Freighter Harjurand rescues some of the survivors from U.S. freighter Arlyn, torpedoed by U-165 the day before; the rest row to shore. A total of 22 merchant sailors, the 14 man Armed Guard, and the sole passenger survive Arlyn’s loss. U-517 finishes off the abandoned Arlyn with a torpedo at 51°53'N, 55°48'W.

CARIBBEAN—PBY (VP 92) and Canadian corvette HMCS Oakville sink German submarine U-94 at 17°54'N, 74°36'W. Destroyer Lea (DD-118) and Oakville pick up survivors.

           U.S. tanker Esso Aruba, in convoy TAW 15, is torpedoed by German submarine U-511 approximately 120 miles south-southeast of Guantanamo Bay, 17°54'N, 74°47'W; U-511 also torpedoes British tanker San Fabian and Dutch tanker Rotterdam, both of which sink. Esso Aruba, however, suffers no casualties (convoy commodore and his five man staff, 41 man merchant complement and 13 man Armed Guard), remains in convoy and reaches her destination the same day without further incident.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—11 B‑17’s bomb airplane factory of Avions Potez at Meaulte, an important repair depot for German fighters.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—2 B‑24 squadrons bomb docks, shipping, and jetties in Tobruk harbor.

TENTH AF—8 B‑25’s hit barracks and ammo dumps at Hoang Su Phi and a fuel dump at Phu Lo. This is the largest force of Medium Bombers used by CATF to date, and the first Medium Bomber mission flown without escort.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s pound forces at Milne Bay.

ELEVENTH AF—Of 3 B‑17’s bombing Kiska, 1 fails to return. All available B‑24’s and 2 flts of P‑38’s fly naval cover at Nazan Bay. An attack mission to Attu is canceled due to weather.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Lt Col Harold L Neely takes command of Twelfth AF.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—1st Battalion of 5th Marines, in flanking movement without enemy contact, returns with Company I of 3d Battalion to Kukum area.

NEW GUINEA—Milne Force withstands determined frontal assaults against No. 3 airstrip. Australian 7th Brigade, reinforced by Americans of 709th Airborne AA Battery and of 43d Engineers, staunchly defends the strip. Other Australians continue fighting withdrawal across Owen Stanley Range.

USSR—German Army Group A begins assault on Novorossisk, on Black Sea.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 27 August 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-165 attacks convoy SG 6 off Belle Isle Strait, torpedoing oiler Laramie (AO-16) at 51°44'N,55°40'W; four sailors are killed. U-165 also torpedoes U.S. freighter Arlyn at 51°53'N, 55°48'W; 12 of the 34 man crew die (see 28 August).

           German submarine U-517 attacks convoy SG 6F off Belle Isle Strait, torpedoing Army transport Chatham at °51'N,55°49'W; seven of the 106 man crew perish, as do seven of the 428 passengers. There are no casualties among the 28 man Armed Guard. The majority of the men who survive the sinking pull to shore in a dozen life boats; the remainder, who embark in nine rafts, are rescued by destroyer Bernadou (DD-153), Coast Guard cutter Mojave (WPG-47), and Canadian corvette HMCS Trail.

CARIBBEAN—German submarine U-511 attacks convoy TAW 15 (see 28 August 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—7 Heavy Bombers attack Wilton shipyards on outskirts of Rotterdam. These yards, the most modern in the Netherlands, are fully employed by the Germans for servicing vessels. 92d Bomb Group completes nonstop flight of the last of its 4 squadrons from Newfoundland to UK without a loss. A Combat Crew Replacement Center, the first in Eighth AF, is established at Bovingdon.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb a convoy, hitting 1 merchant ship which is reported sinking.

FIFTH AF—B‑26’s and P‑400’s bomb airfield at Buna while P‑40’s strafe beachhead and fuel dumps at Milne Bay.

ELEVENTH AF—4 B‑17’s, 6 B‑24’s, and 2 P‑38’s fly weather, reconnaissance and patrol missions over Kiska and Atka. Enemy begins to transfer Attu garrison to Kiska, which is completed on 16 Sep 42.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—1st Battalion of 5th Marines lands about 1,000 yards W of Kokumbona and starts E along shore while Company I of 3d Battalion pushes W from Kukum by overland trail to intercept enemy withdrawal inland. 1st Battalion is halted by enemy fire about 1,500 yards E of Kokumbona. 9 more P–400’s of 67th Fighter Sq arrive at Henderson Field.

NEW GUINEA—Fresh AIF troops (2/10th Battalion of 18th Brigade) advance unopposed to K. B. Mission during day. After nightfall, Japanese, with tanks, renew attack and split defending force, which withdraws. Japanese overland drive on Port Moresby continues, with Australians falling back gradually. Reinforcements (21st Brigade) are moving to forward area to assist Australians.

USSR—German Army Group B continues battle for Stalingrad; Army Group A presses closer to oil prize of Grozny, seizing Prokhladny and reaching Terek River.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 26 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese land at Milne Bay, New Guinea; USAAF B-17s, B-25s, B-26s, P-40s, along with RAAF Hudsons, attack beaches and transports while Australian troops attack the invaders.

           SBDs (VS 71) from carrier Wasp (CV-7) damage Japanese submarine I-17, Solomons area, 09°25'S, 162°47'E.

           Japanese occupy Ocean Island.

           Submarine Haddock (SS-231) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Teishun Maru off China coast, about 100 miles north-northwest of Keelung, Formosa, 26°27'N, 121°23'E.

           Seaplane tender (destroyer) Williamson (AVD-2) is damaged by explosion of bombs jarred loose from PBY being towed by the ship.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

USSR—Russians make 7 counterattacks NW of Stalingrad.

TENTH AF—B‑25’s, which have moved temporarily from C China to Yunnani, bomb Lashio, an important rail center, highway junction, and air base. Covering P‑40’s strafe numerous targets of opportunity and shoot down at least 2 fighters.

FIFTH AF—P‑40’s, B‑25’s, B‑26’s, and B‑17’s, plus RAAF Hudsons, pound forces in Milne Bay. A large transport is damaged and most of the supplies on the beachheads E of Rabi are destroyed. P‑400’s strafe airfield at Buna.

ELEVENTH AF—Photo mission aborted over Atka due to weather.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, prepares for limited attack to eliminate resistance on W flank of Lunga perimeter.

NEW GUINEA—Planes from Milne Bay and Port Moresby attack Japanese in Milne Bay, destroying most of their supplies on shore and damaging large transport. After nightfall, enemy convoy bringing rest of 1,170-man force from New Ireland arrives safely in Milne Bay. Japanese make another night attack, 26–27, to W, forcing Australian militia back to Gama River line; at dawn of 27th Japanese retire once more to landing point. Meanwhile, Japanese forces in Isurava area renew overland drive on Port Moresby at dawn and force Australians (depleted 39th Battalion, 30th Brigade Hq, 2 companies of 53d Battalion) back steadily by overwhelming pressure. Japanese supply lines, which are becoming overextended, are frequently attacked by air.

INDIA—Training center for Chinese troops is activated at Ramgarh, Bihar Prov, with Col Frederick McCabe as commandant.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 25 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—USAAF B-17s sink Japanese destroyer Mutsuki off Santa Isabel, Solomons, as she stands by the sinking transport Kinryu Maru, damaged by planes from Enterprise (CV-6) north of Guadalcanal, 07°47'N, 160°13'E. USMC SBDs (VMSB 232) from Henderson Field damage light cruiser Jintsu and destroyer Uzuki off Guadalcanal.

                                                       Submarine Growler (SS-215) sinks Japanese gunboat Sen-Yo Maru 20 miles south of Takao, Formosa, 22°33'N,120°10'E, and survives several ensuing depth-chargings.

                                                       Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) sinks Japanese cargo ship Showa Maru off northeast coast of Borneo, 03°55'N,118°59'E.

                                                         Japanese occupy Nauru, Gilberts, and Goodenough Island, off southeast coast of New Guinea.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Units of Provisional Troop Carrier Command, organized in UK on 31 Jul pending arrival of VIII Troop Carrier Command, are transferred to VIII Ground Air Support Command after plans to organize VIII Troop Carrier Command have been abandoned.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑25’s bomb shipping and landing grounds. B‑24’s attack Corinth Canal.

FIFTH AF—Amphibious forces bound for Milne Bay from Buna are stranded on Goodenough Island when P‑40’s from Milne Bay destroy all of their beached barges. P‑40’s also attack a convoy proceeding from New Ireland toward Milne Bay but are hampered by bad weather and fail to halt landings at 3 points E of Rabi during 25/26 Aug. P‑400’s hit airfield and AA positions at Buna.

SOUTH PACIFIC—The invasion force sailing toward Guadalcanal (see 24 Aug) is hit hard by Marine dive bombers 125 mi from the island at 0835. B‑17’s from Espiritu Santo sink the destroyer Mutsuki as it is attempting to sink the damaged transport Kinyru Maru. By noon the force is heading N in retreat. The enemy has lost about 90 aircraft in the battle.

ELEVENTH AF—Photo reconnaissance airplane flies over Kiska, Attu, and Adak, then turns back because of mechanical failure.

US ARMY

BATTLE OF EASTERN SOLOMONS—U.S. carrier forces are unable to locate enemy fleet units, but U.S. Marine and Army land-based bombers attack Japanese transport force continuing toward Guadalcanal and cause it to delay landings and retire northward. Enemy transport and DD are sunk and cruiser is damaged.

NEW GUINEA—Enemy amphibious force bound for Milne Bay from Buna is stranded on Goodenough Island., D’Entrecasteaux Islands., when P–40’s from Milne Bay destroy all 7 of their beached barges. Aircraft from Australia and Milne Bay attack enemy convoy proceeding from New Ireland toward Milne Bay but are hampered by weather conditions and fail to stop it. After shelling beaches, Japanese begin landing, night 25–26, at 3 points E of Rabi, their intended landing site, and push W at once. Elements of Australian 61st Militia Battalion stationed at K. B. Mission, E of Rabi and in path of Japanese advance, engage enemy who retires at dawn of 26th to landing point. Other elements of 61st Battalion are moving from Ahioma to head of Milne Bay at Gili Gili by sea and lose to the enemy 1 of 2 ketches loaded with troops.

MIDDLE EAST—Col Shingler is directed by General Maxwell to take responsibility for construction, maintenance, supply, and administration of installations in new PGSC area, which comprises Iraq, Iran, and parts of Saudi Arabia bordering on Persian Gulf.

US MARINE CORPS

Naval Battle of Eastern Solomons.

Monday, 24 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Battle of the Eastern Solomons occurs as TF 61 (Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher), supported by USMC and USAAF planes from Henderson Field, turns back major Japanese attempt to recapture Guadalcanal and Tulagi. Carrier Enterprise (CV-6) is damaged by dive bomber (08°38'S, 163°30'E) and destroyer Grayson (DD-435) is damaged by strafing and near-miss, but SBDs and TBFs (VB 3, VS 3, VT 8) from Saratoga (CV-3) sink carrier Ryujo (06°10'S, 160°50'E) and damage seaplane carrier Chitose. SBD (VMSB 232) damages light cruiser Jintsu north of Malaita Island, Solomons.

            Submarine Saury (SS-189) torpedoes Japanese army transport Otowasan Maru west of Luzon, 14°15'N, 120°19'E.

            Submarine Guardfish (SS-217) torpedoes and sinks Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Seikai Maru off entrance to Sendai harbor, on northeast coast of Honshu, 38°12'N, 141°30'E.

            Japanese transport Cuba Maru, stranded south of Sakhalin Island, Kurils, sinks, 48°00'N, 142°30'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—12 Heavy Bombers hit the shipyard of Ateliers et Chantiers Maritime de la Seine at Le Trait. General Spaatz reports RAF attitude towards US daylight precision bombing seems to be changing from one of skepticism to one of tentative approval.

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

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s hit town of Gasmata and airfields at Rabaul. Japanese amphibious forces leave Buna in barges and New Ireland in transports, heading for Milne Bay. Barges are detected by Australian coast-watcher during the afternoon.

SOUTH PACIFIC—In the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, 7 B‑17’s and USN dive and torpedo-bombers from the Enterprise and Saratoga attack a TF covering a transport formation heading for Guadalcanal; Navy airplanes sink the carrier Ryujo. During the night 4 warships shell the airstrip on Guadalcanal.

ELEVENTH AF—404th Bomb Squadron begins to operate from Umnak. Photo reconnaissance sortie is canceled due to overcast.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—XII Fighter Command is assigned to Twelfth AF.

US ARMY

BATTLE OF EASTERN SOLOMONS—American naval TF’s, centering about CV’s Enterprise and Saratoga, intercept Japanese fleet units (3 carriers, 8 BB’s, 4 CA’s, 2 CL’s .and 21 DD’s, plus the 4 transports with reinforcements for Guadalcanal) well E of Guadalcanal. Major air battle ensues (U.S. carrier planes being assisted by a few land-based planes), and Japanese sustain heavy losses before retiring northward. Japanese carrier Ryuju, 1 CL, and 1 DD are sunk, and other vessels are damaged. Japanese lose 90 planes; Americans, 20 planes.

GUADALCANAL—Henderson Field is subjected to almost daily air attacks and Lunga perimeter is bombarded from sea at frequent intervals. Marine fighters intercepting enemy aircraft over Henderson Field shoot down 21 for loss of 3. 11 dive bombers from the Enterprise land on the field and remain for 3 months.

NEW GUINEA—General Horii orders general offensive. Japanese amphibious forces leave for Milne Bay, those from New Ireland in a transports and the force from Buna in 7 large landing barges. Barges are detected by coastwatcher in afternoon.

US MARINE CORPS

Naval Battle of Eastern Solomons.

Sunday, 23 August 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa (CA-37), escorted by destroyers Rodman (DD-456) and Emmons (DD-457) and British destroyer HMS Onslaught, arrives at Murmansk, Russia, and disembarks men and unloads equipment from two RAF Bomber Command squadrons that have been transferred to North Russia. The ships depart the following day to return to the British fleet base at Scapa Flow, Orkneys.

PACIFIC—Japanese light cruiser Yubari, accompanied by four destroyers and supporting ships, shells Nauru Island, Gilberts, in preparation for landings there.

            Destroyer Blue (DD-387), damaged on 22 August, is scuttled by her crew, 09°17'S, 160°02'E.

            Submarine Skipjack damages Japanese oiler Hayatomo southwest of Ambon, N.E.I., 03°52'N, 127°54'E.

            PBY (VP 23) attacks (in daylight!) Japanese heavy cruiser Furutaka, Solomons.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

SIXTH AF—German sub, U-654, is sunk off Panama, 12-00N 79-56W, by aircraft of 45th Bomb Squadron.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—XII AFSC is activated at MacDill Field, under Maj John L Cheesebrough.

FIFTH AF—A lone B‑17 bombs Buka Island.

ELEVENTH AF—Fog cancels photo mission.

US ARMY

USSR—German Army Group B presses in steadily on Stalingrad, spearhead reaching the Volga; Army Group A gains additional ground along E coast of Black Sea and captures Elbrus.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 22 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—First USAAF planes (five P-400s from the 67th Fighter Squadron) arrive at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.

            Destroyer Blue (DD-387) is torpedoed by Japanese destroyer Kawakaze off Guadalcanal (see 23 August).

            Submarine Haddock (SS-231) torpedoes and sinks Japanese transport Tatsuho Maru off China coast, near Foochow,26°07'N, 121°29'E.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Ingraham (DD-444) is sunk in collision with oiler Chemung (AO-30) off Nova Scotia, 42°34'N, 60°05'W; Chemung is damaged; destroyer Buck (DD-420) is damaged in collision with British transport Awatea, 42°34'N,60°05'W.

CARIBBEAN—USAAF plane (45th Bombardment Squadron) sinks German submarine U-654 north of Panama, 12°00'N, 79°56'W.

            Second group of 23 survivors from U.S. freighter West Celina, torpedoed by German submarine U-162 on 18 and 19 August, reaches Manzanillo Bay, Venezuela.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑25’s hit tank and motor repair shop and storage dumps at Matruh. A B‑25 is mistakenly shot down by an RAF Beaufighter.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb airfields at Lae and Rabaul.

SOUTH PACIFIC—First AAF airplanes, 5 P‑400’s of 67th Fighter Squadron, arrive at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, joining Marine aircraft which arrived earlier. These P‑400’s, which operate under control of Marine Aircraft Wing One, prove no match for Japanese Zeros or bombers at high altitudes.

ELEVENTH AF—Photo reconnaissance mission over Kiska is aborted due to overcast.

US ARMY

BRAZIL—Angered by the recent sinking of 5 of her ships by enemy, Brazil declares war on Germany and Italy. United Nations shipping is thus able to make full use of the comparatively short S Atlantic route via Ascension Island.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS—After consideration of the relative merits of Tanaga and Adak as an advanced air base from which to attack Kiska, Adak has been chosen. Directive for its occupation on 30 August is issued.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—On Guadalcanal, first U.S. Army planes, 5 P-400’s of 67th Fighter Sq, arrive for duty at Henderson Field, flying there from New Hebrides. Ships bringing supplies are thus afforded greater protection, but shipments remain small. CO and staff of 2d Marines arrive on Tulagi from New Hebrides.

NEW GUINEA—Maj General Cyril A. Clowes takes command of Milne Force, which by this time comprises 9,458 men (7,429 Australians, 1,365 Americans, 664 RAAF). The U.S. component consists largely of engineers and AA personnel. Japanese Maj General Tomitaro Horii leaves for the front to take personal charge of operations. His forces now total over 11,000 men.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 21 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Cuttlefish (SS-171) damages Japanese ammunition ship Nichiro Maru, 31°00'N, 130°00'E.

            Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese collier No.6 Shinsei Maru off Ponape Island, 06°45'N, 158°10'E.

            Motor vessel Lakatoi, commissioned at Nouméa, New Caledonia, on 15 August and manned by a crew made up of survivors of the sunken transport George F. Elliott (AP-13) sinks in storm at 18°55'S, 167°40'E.

CARIBBEAN—One group of 19 survivors from U.S. freighter West Celina, torpedoed by German submarine U-162 on 18 and 19 August, reaches Manzanillo Bay, Venezuela (see 22 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—At General Arnold’s request, General Eisenhower gives General Spaatz additional duties as Air Officer for ETOUSA and head of the air section of its staff, thus assuring active participation by Eighth AF in theater planning. 12 airplanes are dispatched to bomb shipyards at Rotterdam, but mission is aborted due to attack by 25 Me-109’s and FW-190’s. Lack of proper coordination with Spitfire escort is major factor in failure of mission.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s from 2 squadrons hit convoy SW of Crete, claiming 2 ships probably sunk. Fighters attack straggling B‑24 and force it to crash-land at sea.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 trying to fly reconnaissance over Kiska aborts due to weather.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—In predawn attack toward airfield, about 200 Japanese attempt to gain W bank of Ilu River; the few who succeed are killed or driven back by 2d Battalion of 1st Marines. Japanese remaining E of the Ilu are surrounded and destroyed in concerted attacks by 2d and 1st Battalions, 1st Marines. 1st Battalion crosses river upstream and attacks enemy from rear while 2d, with light tank platoon spearheading, attacks at river mouth. Japanese sustain almost 800 casualties;

15 of the enemy are captured; 35 marines are killed and 75 wounded. Lunga garrison, already strengthened by raiders and parachutists, is further increased by 2d Battalion of 5th Marines from Tulagi. Rations and aviation supplies in limited quantities are landed.

SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AREA—Operation Plan TULSA II-B is drawn up as planning for offensive continues.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese convoy reaches Basabua and lands reinforcements, completing quota for overland drive on Port Moresby. Australian 18th Brigade reaches Milne Bay, where it joins Australian 7th Brigade, CMF, which reached there in July.

USSR—Elements of German Army Group A, clearing E coast of Black Sea, overrun Krymskaya.

US MARINE CORPS

Marines turn back first major Japanese attack on Guadalcanal in Battle of the Tenaru.

Thursday, 20 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—First USMC planes arrive at Henderson Field: aircraft escort vessel Long Island (AVG-1) ferries 19 F4Fs (VMF 223) and 12 SBDs (VMSB 232) to Guadalcanal. Although Japanese flying boat from the Shortlands sights Long Island, screened by light cruiser Helena (CL-50) and destroyers Aylwin (DD-355) and Dale (DD-353), the U.S. ships prove to be out of range of enemy land-based air and retire from the area without incident.

            Small seaplane tender Mackinac (AVP-13) is damaged when mistakenly bombed by SBDs (VS 71) from carrier Wasp (CV-7) off Ndeni Island.

ATLANTIC—PBY-5A (VP 73) sinks German submarine U-464, North Atlantic Area, 61°25'N, 14°40'W.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Principle of coordinated day and night bombing receive its first formal definition in ‘Joint British/American Directive on Day Bomber Operations involving Fighter Cooperation.’ Emphasis is placed on achieving continuity in bombing offensive from UK. 11 Heavy Bombers attack Longeau marshalling yard at Amiens, a vital point in the traffic flow between France and Germany.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Kiska. Patrol is flown over Shumagin Island.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Twelfth AF is activated at Bolling Field.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Twelfth Air Force is activated at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C.

NEW HEBRIDES—Advanced supply depots are established at Noumea and Espiritu Santo.

GUADALCANAL—First planes (advance echelon of MAG 23, 1st Marine Air Wing) arrive for duty at Henderson Field. The group consists of VMF 223 (19 F4F–4’s) and VMSB 232 (12 SBD–3’s). Supply and evacuation between Guadalcanal and Espiritu Santo is begun by MAG 25. 1st Marine Division units along Ilu River exchange fire with enemy moving up from E, beginning in evening.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese order amphibious assault on Milne Bay by about 1,500 men from Kavieng, New Ireland, and from Buna.

USSR—German Army Group B makes slow progress toward Stalingrad against stubborn resistance and gains foothold across the Don in Kletskaya area. In the Caucasus, Soviet rear guards continue strong delaying action.

US MARINE CORPS

First Marine fighter aircraft arrive on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.

Wednesday, 19 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—USAAF B-17s, flying from Espiritu Santo, bomb Japanese destroyers Kagero, Hagikaze and Maikaze off Guadalcanal, damaging Hagikaze off Tulagi.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-29 reconnoiters the Seychelles.

CARIBBEAN—German submarine U-162 continues stalking convoy TAW (S) attacked the previous day, and again torpedoes unarmed U.S. freighter West Celina, which is abandoned by the 39 man crew and the convoy commodore's staff of four men; the convoy commodore, however, is lost (see 21 and 22 August). German submarine U-564 attacks the convoy as well, torpedoing and sinking two British ships: tanker British Consul and freighter Empire Cloud. Escorting ships will, however, frustrate further attacks by the U-boats.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—22 B‑17’s drop 34 tons of bombs on Abbeville/Drucat airfield causing extensive damage. This mission is flown to occupy enemy fighters and prevent them from opposing an invasion by over 5,000 Allied troops, mostly Canadians, who raid Dieppe. 2d Lt Samuel F Junkin Jr of 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, flying a Spitfire in support of the amphibious raid on Dieppe, shoots down a German fighter. this being the first aerial victory won by an Eighth AF fighter pilot flying from the UK.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb shipping at Faisi on Shortland Island.

ELEVENTH AF—Mechanical failure prevents a B‑24 from flying reconnaissance over Tanaga.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—5th Marines, in limited offensive, clears coastal villages of Matanikau and Kokumbona, then returns to Lunga Pt. Companies L and B attack Matanikau from E and S. Company Island, moving forward by sea, clears Kakumbona. While patrolling to locate enemy radio station, Company A of 1st Marines encounters and virtually wipes out party of 34 Japanese— recently landed Army forces—near Taivu Pt.

NEW BRITAIN—Japanese reinforcements, about 1,500 in 4 transports screened by DD’s, leave Rabaul for Guadalcanal.

NEW GUINEA—Leading elements of Australian 7th Division (21st Brigade) arrive at Port Moresby, from which they start at once toward Isurava to bolster Maroubra Force.

EGYPT—General Alexander directs General Montgomery to hold current positions at El ‘Alamein while preparing for offensive.

FRANCE—Canadian (Canadian) and British troops, 5,000 strong, raid Dieppe for 9 hours, damaging military installations at great cost in casualties. 50 U.S. Rangers accompanied the expedition; of these, 6 were wounded and 7 were reported missing. Many German planes are destroyed by supporting Allied fighters.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 18 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese destroyers Kagero, Hakigaze, Maikaze, Urakaze, Isokaze and Hamikaze begin landing 916 troops of the Imperial Army's Ichiki Detachment on Guadalcanal.

CARIBBEAN—Convoy TAW 13, steaming south of Cuba, comes under attack from German submarine U-553, which torpedoes and sinks Swedish merchantman Blankaholm and British freighter Empire Bede; U-553 also torpedoes and sinks U.S. freighter John Hancock at 19°27'N, 76°48'W. All 38 merchant sailors and the 11 man Armed Guard survive the loss of the ship; the men are rescued by British corvette HMS Pimpernel.

            Convoy TAW (S), 15 ships escorted by gunboat Courage (PG-70), British corvette HMS Clarkia, two Coast Guard cutters and four submarine chasers, is attacked by German submarine U-162, which torpedoes unarmed U.S. freighter West Celina off Grenada, 11°45'N, 62°30'W (see 19 August).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

MIDDLE EAST—General Alexander assumes command of British imperial forces in ME.

TENTH AF—General Bissell becomes CG Tenth AF, relieving General Naiden who now devotes full time to command of India- China Ferry Command.

FIFTH AF—For second consecutive day a single B‑17 attacks Kavieng bombs fall in airfield dispersal area.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑24 takes oblique of Amchitka and Tanaga. Heavy fog over Kiska and Attu preclude armed reconnaissance.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Large Japanese detachment, embarked on 3 escorted transports, reaches Basabua undetected and goes ashore. General Rowell assumes command of New Guinea Force, replacing General Morris.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Maj General Clayton L. Bissell is given command of U.S. Tenth Air Force.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 17 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Companies "A" and "B," 2d Marine Raider Battalion (Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson, USMC), transported in submarines Nautilus (SS-168) and Argonaut (SS-166), raid Makin Island in the Gilberts; Nautilus's gunfire supports marines ashore. The relative ease with which the assault is carried out, however, inspires the Japanese to bolster defenses in the region.

            Submarine Gudgeon (SS-211) damages Japanese oilers Shinkoku Maru and Nichiei Maru northwest of Truk, 07°43'N,151°13'W.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Louisiana is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-108 approximately 200 miles from Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana, 07°24'N, 52°33'W; although U-108 sees three men escape from the burning ship, they are never found. There are no survivors from the 41 merchant sailors and the 8 man Armed Guard.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—12 B‑17’s of 97th Bomb Group, escorted by Spitfires, launch first AAF Heavy Bomber attack from UK against W Europe. Target is Rouen-Sotteville marshalling yard. Sgt Kent River West shoots down German fighter, thus becoming the first Eighth AF gunner to receive credit for a combat kill. VIII Ground Air Support Command opens its HQ at Membury.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—HQ USAMEAF announces designation of General Strickland as CG IX Fighter Command. B‑25’s of 81st Bomb Squadron hit stores, depot and tank repair shops at Matruh. This marks debut of the MPs of the 12th Bomb Group in ME.

FIFTH AF—A single B‑17 bomb’s Kavieng.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Buldir, Kiska and Amchitka Islands despite heavy rain.

US ARMY

GILBERT ISLANDS—Lt Col Evans F. Carlson’s 2d Marine Raider Battalion, consisting of 221 marines, moves by 2 submarines to Makin and begins 2-day raid on Butaritari Island., during which scattered enemy forces are engaged and radio station is destroyed. Enemy planes attack the Raiders on both days. 30 marines are lost in the action.

GUADALCANAL—Admiral Ghormley shifts responsibility for establishing line of communications to Guadalcanal from TF 63 to Admiral Turner’s TF 62. Henderson Field becomes operational. Japanese land reinforcements near Taivu Pt and in Kokumbona area, night 17–18.

USSR—German Army Group A establishes bridgeheads across Kuban River.

FRANCE—U.S. Eighth Air Force conducts first attack against Europe. Sq of B–24’s, escorted by RAF Spitfires, bombs rail center at Rouen.

US MARINE CORPS

2d Raider Bn lands from submarines at Makin Island. Raid is completed following day.

Sunday, 16 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine S-39 (SS-144), irreparably damaged by striking reef off Rossel Island, on 14 August, is abandoned.

            Airship L 8 (ZP-32) is damaged upon return from patrol off California coast, landing at Dale City, California. The airship, however is unmanned; the fate of its two man crew remains a mystery.

ATLANTIC—Surviving 38 merchant seamen and the 13 man Armed Guard of U.S. freighter Cripple Creek, sunk by German submarine U-171 on 13 August, are rescued by British armed trawler HMS St. Wistan and transported to Sierra Leone.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—Personnel strength is greatly increased and supply and maintenance prospects are much improved by arrival of ground echelons of 57th Fighter, 12th and 98th Bomb, and 323d Service Groups.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑24 aborts photo reconnaissance flight over Adak because of mechanical failure.

US ARMY

EGYPT—Enemy installations on Egyptian front are bombed for first time by U.S. medium bombers in support of British Eighth Army.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 15 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Washington, is established.

            Marine Aircraft Wings, Pacific (Major General Ross E. Rowell, USMC) is established at San Diego, California.

CARIBBEAN—Patrol Wing 11 (Commander Stanley J. Michael) is established at San Juan, Puerto Rico, for operations in Caribbean Sea Frontier.

            Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Jamaica, British West Indies, is established.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Balladier, in convoy SC 95, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-705 (one of 13 boats deployed to intercept Allied transatlantic convoys) approximately 550 miles southeast of Iceland at 55°00'N, 25°00'W; eleven of the 34 man crew and two of the 11 man Armed Guard die in the attack. Merchantman Norluna rescues survivors.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb Tobruk harbor during 14/15 Aug.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s attack shipping off Gona.

ELEVENTH AF—A B‑24 trying to fly photo reconnaissance over Tanaga and Adak aborts over Kiska due to weather.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—AAF Foreign Service Concentration Command is redesignated I Concentration Command.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Marine rations are cut. First destroyer-transports arrive with supplies and aviation ground crews.

MIDDLE EAST—General Alexander takes command of MEF from General Auchinleck.

EGYPT—General Montgomery is rapidly reorganizing and strengthening British Eighth Army, for which 10 Corps is to serve as reserve. Considering ‘Alam el Halfa ridge, far in rear of El ‘Alamein Line, of vital importance, 44th Division and 10th Armored Division (—9th Brigade) are ordered to this area from Delta region, where they have been training. 132d Brigade of 44th Division is attached to New Zealand 2d Division.

USSR—Germans report capture of Georgievsk.

US MARINE CORPS

Marine Aircraft Wings, Pacific, established at San Diego, California, under Major General Ross E. Rowell

Friday, 14 August 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine S-39 (SS-144) is damaged when she strikes submerged reef off Rossel Island, Louisiade Archipelago.

            Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) sinks Japanese merchant passenger-cargo ship Hachigen Maru (ex-British Wenchow) in Sibitu Passage, 05°07'N, 119°37'E.

EUROPE—Lieutenant General Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA, Commanding General, European Theater of Operations, is appointed Commander in Chief of Allied Expeditionary Forces; Admiral Sir Andrew B. Cunningham, RN, is appointed Allied Naval Commander.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter California is torpedoed, shelled and sunk by Italian submarine Reginaldo Giuliani at 09°24'N,33°02'W; all hands (38 men) abandon the sinking ship under fire (see 4, 5 and 14 September).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ICELAND—2d Lt Joseph D Shaffer (33d Fighter Squadron) and 2d Lt Elza E Shahan (27th Fighter Squadron) jointly shoot down FW- 200 off coast of Iceland. This is first aerial victory of AAF in ETO.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Directive is sent to General Eisenhower as CinC TORCH.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 13 August 1942

US NAVY

GULF OF MEXICO—U.S. tanker R.M. Parker, Jr., en route to Port Arthur, Texas, is torpedoed, shelled, and sunk by German submarine U-171 at 28°37'N, 90°48'W. There are no casualties, and Coast Guard auxiliary cutter Pioneer rescues all 37 merchant seamen and the seven man Armed Guard.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Cripple Creek is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-171 at 04°55'N, 18°30'W; one crewman is killed. The survivors take to three lifeboats (see 16 August).

            U.S. freighter Delmundo, in convoy TAW 12, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-600 in the Windward passage, 19°55'N, 73°49'W; five of the 41 man crew perish, as do three of the eight passengers. The survivors, including the 9 man Armed Guard, are rescued by British destroyer HMS Churchill [ex-U.S. destroyer Herndon (DD-198)].

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation PEDESTAL: German and Italian motor torpedo boats attack Malta-bound convoy before dawn; German S30 and S 36, and Italian MAS 554 and MAS 557 torpedo and sink British merchantman Wairangi and damage Rochester Castle (which will eventually reach Malta although she is damaged further by Luftwaffe JU 87s and JU 88s). U.S. freighter Almeria Lykes is torpedoed and is abandoned, 36°40'N, 11°35'E. The ship remains afloat, but is sunk by scuttling charge after daybreak. British destroyer HMS Somali rescues all hands: 51 merchant seamen, 15 man Armed Guard, and 39 passengers. Freighter Santa Elisa is torpedoed in the same attack, approximately 20 miles southeast of Cape Bon, 36°48'N, 11°23'E, and is abandoned when her cargo of aviation gasoline catches fire. Four of the 33 embarked army passengers are killed, but the 56 man merchant complement and the 11 man Armed Guard suffer no fatalities. British destroyer HMS Penn rescues the survivors and transports them to Malta; three Armed Guard sailors will be hospitalized there for burns suffered in the attack that leads to the ship's abandonment. Santa Elisa is finished off by bombs later that day. Three surviving British transports and the one tanker will reach Malta later this day; a fourth transport will reach the island on 14 August.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—Convoy, headed toward Basabua near Gona, with 3,000 construction troops, is attacked first by B‑17’s 76 mi NE of Gona, followed by B‑26’s 20-25 mi N of Gona, and another B‑17 attack as the convoy approaches landing position. Japanese ground forces attack at Deniki, driving Allied forces back about 5 mi and firmly securing Buna-Kokoda trail.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Kiska.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Japanese convoy, with 3,000 construction troops embarked, reaches Basabua, a short distance from Gona. Japanese attack Maroubra Force at Deniki in strength, forcing it back beyond Isurava, 5 miles from Deniki. After this victory, which firmly secures Buna-Kokoda track, enemy pauses to consolidate.

JAPAN—Imperial General Headquarters orders 17th Army at Rabaul to take responsibility for ground operations on Guadalcanal.

MIDDLE EAST—Col Shingler becomes CO of Persian Gulf Service Command.

EGYPT—General Montgomery takes command of British Eighth Army.

USSR—Germans claim capture of Elista, in Kalmyk district S of Stalingrad.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 12 August 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Light cruiser Cleveland (CL-55), on her shakedown cruise in Chesapeake Bay, tests the newly developed proximity fuzed antiaircraft projectiles for the first time under simulated combat conditions; she destroys all three target drones with four proximity bursts.

            Seven survivors of U.S. schooner Wawaloam, sunk by German submarine U-86 on 6 August, are rescued by steamship Irish Rose, which transfers them subsequently to British corvette HMS Campanula.

MEDITERRANEAN—Operation PEDESTAL: attacks by German and Italian aircraft continue on large British convoy (which includes within its composition U.S. freighters Almeria Lykes and Santa Elisa), bound for Malta (see 13 August).

PACIFIC—Submarine Pickerel (SS-177) is damaged by depth charges off the Marianas, 16°19'S, 145°23'E, but remains on patrol.

            USAAF B-17s damage Japanese oiler Matsumoto Maru.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—Churchill and British COS, along with Harriman of US, arrive in Moscow for conference with Stalin. Stalin is told about plan for TORCH. Talks, which end on 16 Aug, also include discussion of Second Front in Europe.

EIGHTH AF—31st Fighter Group at Westhampnett is declared fully operational and ready for combat operations under RAF—control until it gains enough experience to be able to fight as a group. This is first US fighter unit in UK to reach this operational status.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s bomb shipping at Rabaul, scoring damaging hits on 3 vessels.

ELEVENTH AF—1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Amlia and Atka.

US ARMY

NEW HEBRIDES—Elements of original Guadalcanal invasion force (1,390 of 2d Marines) debark at Espiritu Santo.

GUADALCANAL—TF 63, under Admiral McCain, is given responsibility for getting aviation supplies, ammunition, and ground crews from Espiritu Santo to Guadalcanal. First U.S. plane, a PBY, lands on airfield, called Henderson Field after Midway hero Maj Lofton Henderson. Patrol led by 1st Marine Division Intelligence Officer embarks at Kukum to make contact with enemy in Matanikau area; upon landing, night 12–13, is wiped out, except for 3 persons, by enemy.

EGYPT—Lt General Sir Bernard L. Montgomery, who is to head British Eighth Army, arrives from U.K.

USSR—Prime Minister Churchill arrives in Moscow where, during a 4-day visit, he discusses the subject of a second front in Europe with Marshal Joseph Stalin. On central front, local Soviet attacks against Rzhev reach their climax without achieving a decisive victory. Elements of German Army Group A, driving toward the Kuban in region E of Sea of Azov, reach Slavyansk.

US MARINE CORPS

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