Wednesday 21 October, 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Destroyer Grayson (DD‑435) is damaged in collision with fleet tug Vireo (AT-144) during efforts to salvage the latter, Solomons area, 12°08'S, 161°04'E. Salvage party from Grayson ultimately brings the tug (abandoned on 15 September 1942) and its tow safely into Espiritu Santo after a 400 mile voyage.

            Japanese carrier Hiyo is damaged by engine room fire after departing Truk; she thus cannot participate in the Battle of Santa Cruz (see 26 October 1942).

            Submarine Guardfish (SS‑217) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Nichiho Maru about 120 miles north-northeast of Formosa, 27°03'N, 122°42'E.

            Submarine Gudgeon (SS‑212), attacking Japanese convoy in the Bismarck Sea, sinks transport Choko Maru about 110 miles west-northwest of Rabaul, 03°30'S, 150°30'E.

MEDITERRANEAN—In advance of the North African landings, Major General Mark W. Clark, USA; Brigadier General Lyman M. Lemnitzer, USA; two additional Army officers; and Navy Captain Jerauld Wright are landed at Cherchel, French North Africa, from British submarine HMS Seraph to meet with a French military delegation to ascertain French attitudes toward impending Allied operations. Among issues discussed is the French request for an American submarine to evacuate General Giraud from occupied France. Since none is available for that mission, a British submarine under temporary U.S. command will be substituted (see 5 November 1942).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—VIII Bomber Command flies its first mission against submarine bases. 15 B‑17’s hit U-boat pens at Lorient—Keroman. 8 Heavy Bombers strike at Cherbourg/Maupertus airfield. The strike against the sub pens is flown at 17,500-ft level, 5,000 to 10,000 ft lower than usual. 36 FW-190’s intercept; 3 US bombers are shot down.

US ARMY MIDDLE EAST AIR FORCE—B‑24’s dispatched against shipping at Bengasi fail to locate target because of bad weather. During return flight, several Heavy Bombers bomb tent areas along coast and also hit landing grounds. B‑25’s, cooperating with RAF, bomb landing ground and tent area.

TENTH AF—B‑24’s of IATF stage through Chengtu to bomb Lin-hsi coal mines. The plan is to blast nearby power stations and pumping facilities and flood the mines. The attack fails to flood the mines but inflicts considerable damage to the target area. This marks the first use of Heavy Bombers in China and the first AAF strike N of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.

FIFTH AF—B‑25’s hit Luscan Harbor on S coast of New Britain.

ELEVENTH AF—Weather reconnaissance aircraft returns twice due to fog.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Admiral King informs Admiral Nimitz that Joint Chiefs of Staff have agreed to strengthen air forces in S Pacific by 1 January 1943.

GUADALCANAL—Japanese coastal force, with support of artillery and 9 tanks, attempts to cross to E bank of the Matanikau but pulls back after losing a tank to U.S. fire.

NEW GUINEA—From Jaure, 50-man patrol of cannon company, U.S. 32d Division, sets out for Kumusi River Valley, where it subsequently establishes defense line and is joined by Medendorp’s main group, the entire force being called Wairopi Patrol. Australians maintain pressure on enemy along Kokoda Trail, slowly gaining ground in flanking attacks.

US MARINE CORPS

—Marines and Army troops fight off heavy ground attacks of major Japanese counteroffensive.