Thursday 1 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Grouper (SS‑214) torpedoes and sinks Japanese army transport Lisbon Maru 20 miles north of Chushan Island, 29°57'N, 122°56'N. [Unknown to the Grouper, Lisbon Maru was a "hell ship" transporting British Prisoners of War--over 850 of whom were murdered by the Japanese, either shot or drowned locked in the holds.] Submarine Kingfish (SS‑234) torpedoes and sinks merchant cargo ship Yomei Maru off Ichiezaki, Japan, 33°31'N,135°26'E.

            Submarine Nautilus (SS‑168) sinks merchant cargo ship Tosei Maru east of Shiriyazaki, Japan, 41°20'N, 141°35'E.

            Submarine Sturgeon (SS‑187) damages Japanese aircraft transport Katsuragi Maru off Cape St. George, New Ireland,05°51'S, 153°18'E.

ATLANTIC—Advanced Group, Amphibious Forces, Atlantic Fleet becomes Amphibious Forces, Europe under the Commander U.S. Naval Forces Europe (Admiral Harold R. Stark).

            Destroyer Roe (DD‑418), 20 miles off the coast of Trinidad, rescues the 19 men (17 merchant seamen and 2 Armed Guard sailors) from U.S. freighter West Chetac, sunk by German submarine U‑175 on 24 September 1942, and transports them to Port-of-Spain.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s bomb shipping in Pylos Bay, claiming 2 direct hits and several near misses on a large vessel. Other B‑24’s dispatched to bomb convoy at sea fail to find target.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s and P‑400’s pound forces and comm in Owen Stanley Range, hitting Menari, Kagi; Myola Lake, Kokoda area, Wairopi bridge, and Buna-Wairopi trail.

ELEVENTH AF—A Japanese reconnaissance airplane over Adak establishes US occupation on the island. 7 B‑24’s on a search attack and photo reconnaissance mission over Kiska hit hangars and ramps, starting several fires. 4 fighters appear and are engaged. 1 probable victory is claimed. 2 other B‑24’s take off, after Navy Catalinas contact transport, but cannot locate it.

US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—GHQ issues plan for encirclement and reduction of Buna-Gona beachhead. Upon securing Kumusi River line from Wairopi southeastward, Goodenough Island, and N coast from Milne Bay to Cape Nelson, concerted assault is to be made on Buna-Gona area. Advance will be along 3 routes: Kokoda Trail, where Australians are now pursuing enemy; from S coast to Jaure along either Rigo or Abau track, both of which are being reconnoitered; NW along coast from Milne Bay.

MIDDLE EAST—Letter of Instructions is issued to Brigadier General Donald H. Connolly, commander-designate of PGSC. CG USAFIME is to exercise administrative supervision over PGSC.

USSR—Bitter fighting continues within and near Stalingrad throughout October, German Army Group B making limited progress against determined resistance. Red Army efforts to relieve the besieged city, which is under severe air and artillery bombardment, prove futile. Drives of German Army Group A are virtually halted by Soviet resistance. Red Army contains attacks toward Grozny oil fields.

            In NW sector of this front, fierce battles occur in Novorossisk-Tuapse area along Black Sea coast. German offensive is steadily losing momentum because of fuel shortage, heavy losses in manpower, difficult terrain, and firm opposition.

US MARINE CORPS

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