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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