Thursday 15 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Base, Fremantle-Perth, Australia, is established.

            Patrol Wing 14 (Captain William M. McDade) is established at San Diego, California, for operations in Western Sea Frontier.

            Heavy cruiser Portland (CA‑33) bombards Japanese shipping and installations at Tarawa, Gilberts.

            Japanese heavy cruisers Chokai and Kinugasa (Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi) bombard Henderson Field, covering the movement of six destroyers and eleven transports to Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal. Planes from Henderson Field, including USMC and Navy SBDs (VMSB 141, VB 6, other unidentified units), USAAF B‑17s and P‑39/P‑400s, Navy F4Fs (VF 5), and USMC PBY (personal "flag" plane of Commanding General 1st Marine Aircraft Wing), conduct a succession of attacks upon Japanese supply convoy off Tassafaronga undamaged by VS 3's strike the previous day. USAAF B‑17s damage transport Azumasan Maru which, along with merchant cargo ship Kyushu Maru, is run aground, where uncontrollable fires destroy both ships. Air attacks also sink Sasago Maru and damage destroyer Samidare.

            Off San Cristobal, Solomons, destroyer Meredith (DD‑434) takes on board the crew of tug Vireo (AT-144) at approach of planes from Japanese carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku. Before Meredith can scuttle the tug with a torpedo to prevent her from falling into enemy hands, however, the destroyer is overwhelmed and sunk in the ensuing air attack, by bombs and aerial torpedoes; Vireo and her tow (a gasoline barge), though, having been abandoned, drift off, untouched by the enemy. Some Meredith survivors reach safety on board the tug (see 21 September 1942).

            Submarine Skipjack (SS‑184) engages Japanese auxiliary Kifuku Maru at 04°36'N, 146°59'E. Skipjack's torpedoes miss; Kifuku Maru returns fire with her guns and escapes into a rain squall.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s and P‑40’s pound forces S of Templeton’s Crossing and at Popondetta. B‑25’s bomb Salamaua and hit targets in Owen Stanley Range and in area around bridge at Wairopi. A single B‑17 attacks shipping near Treasury Islands.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Aviation fuel arrives at Henderson Field from Espiritu Santo by aircraft and ship.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B‑26’s bomb and 1 B‑24 flies photo reconnaissance over Kiska and Attu. The B‑26’s hit a large cargo ship in Gertrude Cove, starting fire, and hit buildings on Attu. AA claims 1 B‑26.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—AAF Antisub Command is activated to take over antisub operations of I Bomber Command, which is inactivated.

US ARMY

GUADALCANAL—Japanese 17th Army issues tactical orders for assault on Lunga Pt, setting date tentatively for 18th. 5 escorted enemy transports unload final elements of assault force (3,000–4,000 men) and most of cargo at Tassafaronga. Aircraft from Guadalcanal and New Hebrides join in attacks on enemy, sinking 2 vessels and damaging others. Vitally needed gasoline arrives from Espiritu Santo on Army and Marine transport planes and on seaplane tender MacFarland.

US MARINE CORPS

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