Tuesday 27 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Abandoned carrier Hornet (CV‑8), damaged by bombs and torpedoes and attempted scuttling the previous day, is sunk by Japanese destroyers Akigumo and Makigumo, 08°38'S, 166°43'E.

            Battleship South Dakota (BB‑57) and destroyer Mahan (DD‑364) are damaged in collision while retiring from the Battle of Santa Cruz.

            PBY (VP 91) bombs and damages Japanese destroyer Terutsuki.

ATLANTIC—German submarines attack convoy HX 212 as it heads toward the British Isles: U.S. tanker Gurney E. Newlin, is torpedoed by U‑436; three crewmen are killed. The rest of the 37 man crew, and the 19 man Armed Guard, abandon ship into three boats and two rafts. Canadian corvette HMCS Alberni rescues six merchant seamen and six Armed Guard sailors; Canadian tanker Bic Island picks up 31 merchant seamen and 13 Armed Guard sailors (see 28-29 October 1942).

            U.S. freighter Stephen Hopkins's survivors reach Itabopoano, Brazil; 32 of 40 merchant sailors, as well as 9 of the 15 man Armed Guard, have perished either in battle or from exposure during the month-long ordeal in the lifeboat.

            Survivors (ten merchant seamen and six Armed Guard sailors) from U.S. freighter Steel Navigator, sunk by German submarine U‑610 on 19 October 1942, are rescued by British destroyer HMS Decoy. The other lifeboat containing the other 17 survivors is never found.

INDIAN OCEAN—Ten survivors from U.S. freighter Anne Hutchinson, torpedoed and shelled by German submarine U‑504 on 26 October 1942, are rescued by U.S, freighter Steel Mariner (see 28 and 31 October 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Last 2 squadrons of 14th Fighter Group leave UK for Twelfth AF in N Africa. This completes transfer of VIII Fighter Command’s fighting units to XII Fighter Command and leaves VIII Fighter Command with only 1 fighter group (4th) operational.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑25’s, with fighter escorts, bomb Matruh and attack motor transports, tanks, and other ground targets. Enemy reinforcements brought up from the S, counterattack Kidney Ridge and are repulsed. British Eighth Army continues regrouping for assault.

TENTH AF—B‑25’s of CATF bomb airfield at Lashio.

FIFTH AF—A‑20’s hit trails in SE Papua around Alola, Isurava, and Abuari. P‑39’s escort RAAF Hudsons in strike against small craft at Ferguson Island in D’Entrecasteaux group.

ELEVENTH AF—6 B‑24’s flying attack on Kiska submarine base turn back due to weather. Weather airplane flies reconnaissance over Gareloi, Segula, Kiska, and Attu.

US ARMY

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Generals Wavell and Stilwell agree that Stilwell shall conduct offensive in Hukawng Valley of N Burma and occupy area Myitkyina-Bhamo; make contact with Chinese forces from Yunnan. Americans are to be responsible for construction of Ledo Road to Myitkyina; the road is eventually to link with Burma Road.

EGYPT—Enemy counterattacks strongly against Kidney Ridge, committing reinforcements that have moved up from the S, and is repulsed with heavy losses. British Eighth Army continues regrouping for breakout assault. 7th Armored Division, reinforced by brigade of 44th Division, brigade of 50th Division, and Greek Brigade, is transferred from 13 to 30 Corps. 1st Armored Division of 10 Corps is withdrawn into reserve.

US MARINE CORPS

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