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.