Sunday, August 30, 2026

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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